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Chapter 23: Quiet Moment

A week had passed since Hermione's return to Hogwarts and classes had resumed as usual. Hermione spent most of her time at the library, which had been customary since her arrival at this school. Yet she was not there for simple revisions. She had much more important things in mind. Indeed, Harry had discovered through the egg, that his second test would take place under water. The whole thing now was to find a way for him to breathe underwater for so long. Harry had put his fate in the hands of his friends after losing hope of getting out of it.

Hermione, on her side, was not the type to give up so quickly. She searched through all the books that could be related, near or far, about her research. The young woman spent days there and stayed there for as long as possible before D-Day arrived. Neville was then the one who brought what Harry needed in the form of a Gillyweed. Having lost his two best friends, he trusted Neville which allowed him to finish second in this second event. He was proud of him but thanked his friends a thousand times for all they had done to help him.

"I could never have succeeded without you three!" Harry exclaimed to Ron, Neville and Hermione.

"Yes, but, for once, I must admit that I did not help much." Added the young woman.

"The dark circles under your eyes prove that it is not for lack of having tried. You know that's what matters most, especially to me. "

She gave him a big smile, then a hug before going to rest a little. She had to start looking for a solution for her mother's potion problem. Despite her affection for her friends, Hermione was perfectly aware that they did not like the book searches at all. It was something she had noticed in their first year when looking for who this famous Flamel was. After a good night's sleep, she went to the pathway about potions and antidotes. After two days of research, she decided to look in the books of the reserve.

It required her to convince a teacher to grant het access to this well-guarded area of the library. Fortunately for her, it was easy for her to believe that everyone who approached her wanted to do research to follow her own desires. So it was her House Director who gave her permission. Once again, all the information she was able to gather remained without much help in creating an antidote for Regina. An idea came to her then in mind.

"I could ask Professor Snape ..." she murmured as a small reflection that she was submitting to herself.

Then the Gryffindor shook her head frantically. It was a stupid idea that she had just spoken aloud. Since when Severus Snape was in the mood to take time for one of his students. Being a red and gold, she could still rely on him. Yet his ideas and all his knowledge would have been valuable helpers. She kept this idea in the corner of the head in case of last resort. Taking a little time for herself, Hermione began to write a letter for her mother and another for Henry.

Mom,

I promised you to continue to keep you informed of events happening here. The second test was more difficult than I had imagined. You may find it dangerous even if I assure you otherwise, but I was, in a way, petrified to be under water. The test was the following, each participant had to go to the lake to find a precious person, to him. I was this person for Victor and Ron was for Harry.

I do not remember much but Harry was very brave, a worthy Gryffindor and managed to finish second. I'm really proud of him, even if seeing the third and final event approaching really scares me for my friend.

I hope everything is going well for the city.

Hermione, your daughter.

Looking at her letter, she wrote a similar one to Henry adding some details that would have quickly scared Regina. She felt that she could talk freely with Henry. Finishing her parchment, she added a small passage that the young man was to convey to Robin. It was written, "I am actively seeking a solution to what you have told me about". Hermione had specifically asked Henry not to question this sentence so as not to make him feel uncomfortable. She knew that he would respect her request.

-0-

At Storybrooke, life went on. The inhabitants were enjoying the present moment after all the problems they had encountered. Emma finally assumed her relationship with Hook which delighted her parents. Admittedly, a pirate was not what they had imagined for their little princess but they could see with their own eyes that he was ready for anything for Emma and that was all that mattered. In the library, Belle was looking for a way to free the fairies from their imprisonment. Every day, a person from the city came to give her a helping hand with her research.

Robin and Regina were having a great time together, their little family seemed to be working perfectly, but on the other side of the city, on the sand, Henry was thinking. He had one thing in mind since he'd discovered the storybook. He wondered who wrote it.

"You think it's a real person who wrote it or just an enchanted object that writes itself," Emma had asked as Regina.

"Even if it's an enchanted object, someone had to enchant it in this case. It must be a powerful wizard or a powerful witch."

"Be careful not to get you into trouble, Henry," Regina said softly.

"Yes, for once, it's calm in town," Emma finished with a small smile.

Since that day, Henry had undertaken his research alone, which was interrupted only by the arrival of Hedwig in town, carrying two letters. As agreed, he had discreetly transferred the note to Robin without Regina being aware of it and without questioning him on the subject.

-0-

Outside the city, the Darkone had not said his last word and was well decide to gather old accomplices to return to the city and recover Belle at any cost.