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Chapter not corrected (sorry).

Chapter 55: Where Do We Begin?

The group then prepared for the worst. You had to admit that knowing Cora around didn't make them feel safe. Hermione knew she didn't have much to fear physically but feared for the lives of her mother and the rest of her family. After all, the whole city was a part of her life now. She still hated herself for bringing the Wizarding War to town. The latter had already suffered enough not to add a war.

- Remus, any idea where we should start? You know Sirius's smell like no one else, the young woman asked.

- All smells seem different from our world. And, to be honest, I don't think he put a foot in these streets.

Remus glanced at Ruby. He knew full well that the young wolf had the same sense of smell as he did and knew how to recognize Henry that way. Unfortunately for them, she seemed in the same state of forced cold as the wizard. All of this didn't help their quest. Some other way had to be found to find the two men.

- Let's go to Granny's! Belle offered.

- You are hungry ? At a time like this? Hook asked, more than astonished.

- No, let's see ... In our world, that's where everyone goes. If they went well in these streets, they must have gone to this familiar place, especially Henry.

No one went against her reasoning. After all, no one had a better plan. They all then walked over to what was the perfect copy of Ruby's grandmother's restaurant. Unfortunately for them, and despite a more than complicated exchange with the witch holding the place, no one had seen the two men.

- We must not be discouraged! There are plenty of other places to see: Henry's Old Castle on the Beach, Mom's Office, the Charmings' House!

Hermione had a firm belief that she would succeed in her quest. There was no way she would go home without them.

- My little finger tells me that they are not in any of this places my dear! A voice cried out from the shadows.

- Who are you, and what… Regina began before being interrupted by Hermione who stood in front of her mother.

- It's Hades.

A deafening silence fell upon them. They were in the presence of the one and only god of the Underworld. They had to stay on their guard. Belle had read a lot about the Underworld as Hermione looked for a way to get them there. The librarian knew that in many ways, the man they found looked like Rumple. He was a born manipulator who would do anything to get them to play the game he wanted.

- Good, good, good. Now that the introductions are made, I would like to let you know that I personally have those you are looking for.

- And what do you want in exchange for their lives? Emma asked.

- Of their lives? No, you are not. Their lives have already been lost! But they make good bait though.

- Bait?

Hades let out a more than chilling laughter from his mouth. He then explained that he intended to cause their deaths, one after the other. He wouldn't kill them himself. It would be far too quick and easy, but it would make old acquaintances cross their paths. After all, it wasn't his style to personally get his hands dirty.

- I can know why you have a grudge against us? Whether you are mad at your brother Zeus or someone like you I understand, but us? We didn't even know you before today! Hermione exclaimed.

- But I know you, young witch! Let's say, to keep it simple, I'm trying to get into the good graces of someone in your family who has joined my kingdom. That's all.

He smirked before setting off in a spray of blue flames. Of course, it was immediately that everyone understood that the person in question was none other than Zelena. So they were going to have to find her to clear things up with her. The group then took over the house that the said witch owned during her lifetime.

-0-

Henry looked around, looking for a way to escape the mess he was in with Sirius. The wizard was looking for exactly the same. Still, nothing seemed to show a crack in the chains hanging from their wrists.

- Don't worry Henry, I already escaped from a prison, this isn't the one that will hold me back.

He winked at the young man before trying various tricks to shake off their jailer's grip.

- Azkaban, is that it? Not a great place to be from what I understand.

- It's the least we can say ! He replied, laughing. Here, at least, there are no dementors. Believe me, this is a big plus point. I tried everything to make them believe I was not in my cell. Even in my dog form I….

- That's it ! Henry yelled.

Sirius looked at him with incomprehension before realizing that Henry had just pointed out a possible answer to their problem. Indeed, these chains were intended for humans, and Hades didn't seem to be used to having non-human prisoners down here. Sirius then took his canine form whose legs released naturally. He resumed his human form immediately after before giving Henry a more than happy look. Now he had to find a way to free the young man as well. But at least both of them had some hope of getting out and reuniting with their loved ones.

Henry thought of Hermione then, hoping that she had not descended into Darkness at the time of his death. He knew from what Hades had said that she was on her way to find him. However, he dreaded knowing which part of the one he loved was going to meet him. Sirius was as thoughtful as Henry. His thoughts were on Belle. For once a good woman didn't run away when she saw him, knowing his past, he refused to let such an opportunity pass.

But they still had to manage to escape from here.