Disclaimer : Unfortunately, I have no rights on Once Upon a Time, Harry Potter and their characters!
Chapter not corrected (sorry). If someone want to help me ...
Chapter 39: Temptation
The sun had resumed its place in the sky when Hermione noticed she had not slept for a single minute. However, she showed no signs of fatigue, her body did not seem to present any state of lack. Hermione sighed a good deal, she did not really feel herself with this new condition, it made her feel more like a ghost than a living person. She gave Merida an hour of sleep before starting to make a little noise while looking around.
- You're a morning person! Exclaimed the girl.
- Uh, yes, I'm not at home so I'm a light sleeper we'll say!
The young witch was trying to stay calm. For the moment she managed to get away with little apologies here and there. But she knew that Merida was not fooled. Moreover, she continued to have Rumple's little voice in her head and sometimes he appeared in front of her.
"Give up her neck, deary. Rip her heart out, it will be even funnier! "
She wanted to bang her head against the surrounding trees but suspected that it would have no effect. The little phrases she heard from Rumple's mouth intruded into her mind. Her calmness and serenity gave way one after the other. Hermione softly approached Merida, she had just given up and just pulled the heart of the woman facing her. The redhead did not have time to realize what was happening to her, she did not recognize the cold look of Hermione.
Merida saw her last hour arrive every second that passed. The witch clutched her embrace a little more on the glittering heart in her hand. It was at this moment that Hermione's friends and family arrived.
- Mione, don't do that, don't hurt this girl! It's not you! Exclaimed Sirius, placing himself in front of the witch.
Everyone was terrified to see the dark side that Hermione was expressing. Henry stood by her side and did what he could to help her regain her senses. She put the heart into Merida's chest with deep difficulty before running into Sirius's arms.
- I almost ... I almost ... She exclaimed.
- But you did not do it and that's the most important thing.
Sirius took her face in his hands and kissed her on the forehead before hugging her. She then took refuge in Henry's arms, murmuring a thousand thanks for keeping his promise and finding her.
- We had a huge help, you know. He said pointing to Remus.
- Professor Lupin!
- Once again, I'm no longer your teacher, you can call me Remus! I am more than happy to see you in good health, we've all been very scared for you.
The witch went from arm to arm, staying for a while in those in her mother who thanked her for what she had done for her. Hermione realized that she had not given her in vain and that at least everyone she loved was doing well. They checked that Merida was fine while finally explaining the situation. Hermione moved away for a few minutes with Remus.
- I know how you feel Hermione, you know?
- What do you mean?
- I know what it's like to have a monster in ourselves waiting for one thing: go out and get wild.
- Except its constant in me, it's not only at full moon ... Sighed the young witch.
- It's not easy, but no one will let you down.
Ruby had left a small ear trailing during the discussion between the young witch and her former teacher. Having experience in the field, the young wolf immediately understood what Hermione had implied by talking about the full moon. However, Ruby suspected that it did not have the same meaning for him than for her. It was obvious that there was a Werewolf story behind it all but having not seen Hermione's memories like some, she had not seen what Remus looked like in a wolf.
Merida then resumed her way after a few hundred of apologies from the Gryffindor. The latter felt that someone was approaching them. King Arthur and some of his knights then appeared in the corner of the forest. Listening to their words, one could understand that the arrival of the inhabitants of Storybrooke had been foreseen in a prophecy.
- We are looking for the Saviour. Arthur said.
- And what do you want from me? Emma questioned as she took a step forward, letting Hermione step back just in case.
- Help us release the wizard who is the protector of my kingdom, help us to free Merlin.
Although the astonished air settled among all the members of the group, Remus, Sirius and Hermione were the most shocked by the saying of the name. It was impossible, Merlin must have been dead all this time. But in thinking about it, nothing in history proved it, no grave or precise moment of his death. Maybe he had just changed dimension? That was the only explanation Hermione had in mind.
They then took the road to the castle without a sound even if thoughts were coming from everywhere on all sides. Hermione did not let go of Henry's hand for a second, he was her anchor, a way for her to keep control of something.
- Are you okay, Mione?
- I'm okay, as long as I can keep control, I'm okay. She murmured when the castle was within sight.
He hugged her before heading back with the rest of the group. If Merlin was involved in this whole story then maybe they would have the chance to meet the wizard in person. There was one thing left to know: what was the curse capable of imprisoning Merlin?
Note : Sorry for this absence. I was on vacation and unable to publish. The next chapter will be for next week, I promise you.