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 ...

Thanks to swifie1321 and to Northernqueen for your reviews !

Chapter 44: In pursuit of Hermione

Arthur woke up a few minutes later, alone in Hermione's room. He groaned with anger at the edge of the roar. He had a brief hope that the guards he had brought with him had stopped the witch. It was before realizing that the four men in front of the door were in the same state as him. They were just waking up from their unconsciousness. Only Guinevere, Lancelot and some knights knew for the state of the sword.

After all, if that came to light, Arthur's authority could and would probably be questioned. He formed several research groups, responsible for finding Hermione, whatever the cost. Each group was led by one of the knights in confidence. All this had to be done in total secrecy. Arthur knew very well that as soon as the rest of his guests understood that Hermione had disappeared, he would lose the lead he had. After all, they had magic to find her.

At the other end of the castle, Emma came face to face with someone she had not seen for a long time: Lancelot. Although, after all, she had never met him because of Cora's illusion, the young woman knew very well that he was the kind of man in whom one could have complete confidence. She introduced herself briefly as Snow's daughter. Lancelot believed her immediately after hearing the story of the mother and daughter during their stay in the Enchanted Forest.

- What are you doing in the shadows? You're not supposed to be one of the Knights of the Round Table?

- I was, but that's another story. I came to tell you and your group about Arthur.

- It's too good to be true, is that it?

- Almost, Merlin is locked in this tree. But Arthur is playing you, he hopes you will not be able to free him for a long time.

Emma was surprised; it was stupid to hope for that. If he did not want Merlin to be released, it was enough for him not to ask them for help. Why take such a risk. She told her question to the knight in front of her.

- He must look good in front of his people and a large part of his knights who are aware of the prophecy concerning you.

- What's he afraid of?

- Merlin! He knows that when he comes back to us and realizes Arthur's black soul, he will take back his throne.

The blonde sighed a good blow, as if protecting Hermione from her inner demons was already not complicated enough. They were going to face a king obsessed with power. She then brought Lancelot to the rest of the group to finish his story in front of all. He explained that Arthur wanted to find Hermione's dagger so that he could complete his sword. It was, for him, a good way to ensure his full powers before returning from the mage.

Then they all worried about Hermione that they had lost sight of her since her need for isolation. It was when they went to her room that they realized that Arthur had come before them, two chairs were overturned and a shock was visible against the wall with a painting on the floor. They then searched the castle without being able to find her which alarmed them even more. Lancelot joined them in the park next to the castle.

- This is Alec; he's one of Arthur's Knights who knows about the sword. He was behind the door while Arthur was chatting with Hermione.

All eyes turned to the young knight who had chosen to be loyal to Lancelot and not to his own king.

- She did not look good when she let him in. I do not really know what happened, the doors are pretty thick here, you know. All I know is that she ended up knocking Arthur out. Leaving her room, she did the same thing before we ran. She looked anxious if you wanted my opinion.

- If she starts to lose control, it's more than a loss of consciousness that we have to fear, Regina said.

Everyone knew that the witch was true. Hermione had to be quickly found to make sure she was not hurting anyone. If she ever did it, even involuntarily, they knew very well that she would blame herself. It was the kind of event to avoid if they wanted her to stay on their side.

-0-

Arthur had ended up finding Hermione again. She had not used her magic and had walked into the forest to get away from the castle. One of his knights had tracked her down to a stream where she had stopped to try to cool off. Arthur then approached her, his hand on his sword, ready to draw it when needed.

- You'll give me your dagger!

The young witch did not know what to do; on the one hand she could have used her knowledge in Defence against the Dark Arts to act, on the other she had an overdose of magic to use. Yet the mere thought of using magic frightened her, she was more than afraid of not knowing how to restrain herself. She was afraid of killing Arthur; certainly he was no longer the kindly king she had met. Yet the Gryffindor knew that her desire for murder was not a good thing.

- Obey, or I'll kill you and your friend.

- Even if I wanted it, as I told you, I do not have it! It was safer for me not to hurt anyone; I gave it to the family.

It was in a burst of hope that Hermione had said that. She hoped wholeheartedly that in understanding that she did not have the dagger with her, he would leave her in peace. Yet that did not seem to be what he wanted to hear. He then unsheathed his sword and placed the broken but sharp point under the young woman's throat. Tetanized, she did not dare move or even replicate.