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Chapter not corrected (sorry).

Chapter 33: End of a life and of a year

It had been a long month since Regina's announcement to her daughter. One month of school on one side and rest on the other. Strangely, you could feel that something was going on in Storybrooke. Yet, for the moment at least, everything was calm. At Hogwarts, the third and final task was fast approaching. Technically, Regina should have gone to Hermione in just a few days at Hogwarts. Still, Hermione was thinking more and more about that. She felt a ball forming in her stomach. A bad feeling grew in her, the young witch could feel something horrible was going to unfold.

In general, Hermione would not have been afraid for her mother, after all, she had shown her that she was very good at fighting and defending herself. However, the pregnancy of the witch changed the situation. The Gryffindor would not allow harm to her mother in her condition, losing the baby would surely destroy her and it was inconceivable. She wrote a letter to Regina.

Mom,

I write these words with a touch of fear and a lot of regrets. I asked the Director to cancel your visit to the Castle. Knowing you already have to worry. I have a very bad feeling about the last test, as if something horrible was going to happen. I refuse that something happens to you, especially in your condition.

I have to think about your safety and that of my little brother or sister coming before my own pride to show you my world. I hope I will have another opportunity to take you there and I know that Professor Dumbledore would be happy to repeat his invitation.

Do not blame me please, take care of yourself, actually, of you two.

I love you, Your Daughter.

She, then, sent her owl feeling an immense wave of pain overwhelm her. Hermione had been so happy to be able to show the castle to Regina that she was sick of having to postpone it, yet it was the best thing to do. The last event came a few days later and everything seemed to be perfect, Harry was still racing with Cedric while Fleur like Viktor had returned.

- Hermione, breathe, you're going to make me panic by agitating you like that. Ginny whispered.

- I can't help it, I'll be totally reassured only when Cédric and Harry are back. I do not care who will win, as long as in the end I'm proven that I was wrong to worry.

Yet it turned out that the young witch was right. All her fear materialized when Cedric's body was brought back by Harry totally panicked. Everything then followed very quickly: the discovery of the real Mad-Eye and the imprisonment of Barty Croupton Jr, the end of the cup which was only filled with sadness. Hermione did not have the heart to write on parchment everything that had happened. On returning from Cedric's funeral, she crackled in her room, knowing that the worst had not happened yet with Voldemort's return to the living.

-0-

Regina knew very well that the last task had had to take place since time. She had been very saddened to have to cancel her trip to Hogwarts, but on the other hand, she knew very well that if the situation had been reversed, she would have been the first to shelter Hermione. She had already tried after all. Yet the fact of being removed from this by the mere fact of a bad feeling was deeply stressing the brunette. Having no more news of her daughter, she was worried about what had happened to her.

- Emma, can I ask you for a favour? Asked the brunette to the one sitting next to her at Granny's.

- Of course, what can I do for you?

- Do you want to search Rumple and use again the spell that allowed us to discover Hermione's life? I feel that something has happened and I would have liked to see if it was just my paranoiac mother side or not...

- I'll look for him.

- I thought you'd be more complicated to convince!

- I'm just putting myself in your place, knowing Henry possibly in danger and no news would kill me.

Regina gave her a big smile, it was in this kind of moment that she was more than happy with her new relationship with Emma, more friendly than ever. No one would have believed today if it was said that at one time Regina had tried to poison Emma with an apple pie. It was barely an hour later that, again, several members of the city were gathered to see what had happened to the Gryffindor who had already become popular in Storybrooke.

- Ready my queen? Robin questioned who had just joined his companion.

She nodded and the images began to unfold before their eyes. The ordeal in which Hermione squirmed in all directions under stress, followed the horrified look of the young woman. They all understood that the young wizard had been killed. Hermione had stumbled on Harry who had been swept away too quickly for his security. She had stared at Cedric before returning to Ginny. They saw all that followed to the tears flowing down Hermione's cheeks in the dormitories. Henry felt so helpless right now. Regina, on the other hand, had a tear sliding down her cheek.

- I should be there, with her, to protect her, support her...

- You'll be there for her when she comes home, like all of us, mom.

Regina smiled to the rest of the room, she was not alone and had to take into account that everyone appreciated Hermione. All would be present for her.

-You're very emotional Regina, it's unusual! Snow said.

Robin sent her a big smile. Being pregnant for two months now, they could afford to announce the news to everyone. It was then up to the archer to reveal that a new member would soon be present in the family. Henry immediately understood the connection between his mother's pregnancy and the potion he helped to make. Hermione was right, it was only white magic, the most beautiful magic. Everyone hugged Regina and Robin in their arms, asking a thousand questions. It only needed Hermione for the painting to be complete.

-0-

For her part, the Gryffindor was slowly packing her bags, she had finally dried her tears. She had to be strong to help Harry and Ron, because soon, they too should fight. There, she would go back to Storybrooke, in her family and be able to breathe a little. She was especially eager to see a certain young man again.