Chapter Text
Alone in her room, Hermione sat at her desk, working on her charms essay. Behind her, a soft blue winged horse galloped through the wall. It wasn’t until the miniature horse was stamping on her parchment that she noticed him. Before she could speak, the soft voice of her friend rang out, sounding quite rushed.
“Hermione, something’s happened back in Storybrooke and my mother is in danger. I need you to protect her.”
Frowning, Hermione watched as Articus faded away. Grabbing a spare piece of parchment, she quickly wrote a short message before banishing it straight to her friend in a swirl of red. Barely a minute later, half of her room was filled with purple smoke. Before the smoke even cleared, Regina was marching forward, leaving the other woman standing behind her looking around the room.
“Regina?” Hermione stood up from her seat, “Is everything alright?”
Pulling her in close, Regina spoke in a hurried whisper, “I can’t get into it now, but I need to help find a way to before the curse on my mother’s heart.”
Again the young Gryffindor frowned, “Of course. What do you know about the curse?”
“Just that it’s from a candle.” She sighed, shaking her head, “My mother should know more. I’m going back to find out more and to get her heart back.”
“You don’t have it?” She asked in astonishment.
“Not yet.” She said before disappearing.
Standing alone in her room with a woman she had only heard about, Hermione felt her defences go up. Stepping forward, she bowed her head, “Your majesty, I am Hermione, the Red Queen.”
The older woman laughed, her lose hair falling down her back, “Darling, I have met the Red Queen, you are not her.”
Arching her brow, she looked the other woman over, not at all surprised to see that she was dressed in a suit, before settling on her dark brown eyes once more. “Anastasia is the Red Queen because she married the King,” Enjoying the look of surprise on her face, Hermione smirked, “I am the true Red Queen.”
Narrowing her eyes, Cora clasped her hands in front of her, “Prove it.”
Tilting her head in thought, she smirked. Channelling her magic to focus on the thoughts of the other woman, she shifted through her memories until she found what she was looking for, not knowing that her eyes had clouded over with the ever dark red smoke that gave her her title. Holding her hands out, a small chest with gold lacing appeared and the smoke cleared from her eyes.
“Is this your heart?”
Cora recognised the box immediately, “How?”
“Just a little magic.” Hermione quipped, her bare lips tipping up in another smirk.
“Give me my heart girl. I need to keep it safe.” She demanded, reaching for the chest.
Holding it out of reach, Hermione shook her head, “Then we will put it with mine.” Seeing the apprehension on the older woman’s face, she smiled, “Do not worry; only I will be able to get to it.” When the expression didn’t change, she relaxed, “Trust your daughter, she would not have brought you here if I could not keep you and your heart safe.”
With pursed lips, she nodded.
“Good, now we must speak to the Headmistress.”
Together, the two brunettes stood in front of the statue guarding the Minerva’s office.
“You can send messaged with you magic, even across such great distances?” Cora asked, looking at Hermione closely.
Stepping in front of the portrait next to the gargoyle, Hermione politely asked him to inform the Headmistress of their need to see her. When he disappeared from his frame, Hermione turned back to the Queen, “Yes.”
“So Regina now knows that you have my heart?”
Smiling slightly at the continuous questions, Hermione nodded as she stepped onto the spiralling staircase, “Yes.”
Without even hesitating, Cora followed her, “How?”
Chuckling, Hermione looked over shoulder, “I’d be more than happy to explain it to you, even teach you how to do it, but right now we need to speak to the Headmistress.”
“I will hold you to that.”
Nodding, she turned back and knocked on the wooden door, opening it when she heard the sharp ‘Come’ from inside. Stepping aside, she held it open for Cora before closing it gently. Walking around the still woman, she walked up the few stairs to the second level of the office. “Headmistress.”
“Miss Granger,” Minerva put her quill down, “What can I do for you?” She asked, glancing at the familiar woman behind her student.
Looking behind her, she gestured for Cora to come stand beside her. “This is Queen Cora,” She introduced her, looking back at the green eyed witch, “I’ve been asked to protect her.”
“By who?” Minerva asked, more out of curiosity than anything else.
“My daughter.”
Frowning, the Transfiguration Mistress looked the other woman over closely, the pieces slowly clicking into place as she looked into the dark brown eyes. “And who is your daughter.”
“Regina,” Hermione answered, cutting in before Cora could give away any information that could cause problems.
At the mention of the woman she had met over the Christmas holidays, Minerva sat up straight, “And where will she be residing? The Room of Requirement is still burning and all of the staff quarters are taken.”
“Her majesty will have my room; I will sleep in the common room.” The tone she spoke in left no room for argument, “After all, I’ve slept in worse conditions.”
“Very well Miss Granger.” The Headmistress said, picking up her quill, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No,” she shook her head, “But I do need a moment of Professor Snape’s time.”
Ï believe you know where his portrait is,” Dismissed the Headmistress, turning back to her work.
Arching her brow, Hermione stayed where she was for a moment before turning and walking over to the potions master, once more gesturing for Cora to follow her. “Professor.”
“Miss Granger, here to part with another of your prised possessions?” He drawled.
Hermione chuckled, “Not this time.”
“Oh?” He sneered, “Then what do you wish to see me for?”
Slowly she smirked, “To guard the Queens most prized possession.”
Walking down the corridor towards the library, Minerva shuffled through the stack of parchment in her hand. Somewhere amongst the paperwork was a form for Madam Pince. So focused on her task, she jumped, dropping the papers in her hand when the doors to the library flew open. Crouching down, she picked up the sheets of parchment, looking up at the sharp clicking of heels. Walking quickly from the library was Cora, dressed once more in the black suit. Seconds later, Hermione followed her, calling out for her to stop.
“Cora, please.”
Minerva froze as the other woman spun around, her shiny hair flying around her face, “It’s been a month ‘Mione, and we’ve yet to find anything.” She sighed, pushing her hair over her shoulder, “I am losing hope.” She murmured, looking down dejectedly.
Reaching up, Hermione brushed back the soft brown waves of hair before walking around her and gathering it up. Twisting it, she summoned a two forked hair slide and slipped it into the hair, holding it in place. Walking back round, she cupped her cheek. “Better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
The younger witch smiled, “Good,” She whispered, “Now, I promise you Cora, I will find a way to reverse the curse.” She said, leaning in until her forehead rested against the other queens, “I will find a way, even if it’s the last thing I do.”
Cora smiled sadly, “I know dear,” She sighed, pulling back. “I’m going for a walk.” She kissed her quickly on the forehead, careful not to leave any mark, before turning around and walking away.
Sighing, Hermione watched her until she rounded the corner before turning back to the library, only to stop at the sight of Minerva standing up. For a moment, they both stood there, watching each other. Minerva went to speak, but the moment was broken when Hermione turned and re-entered the library.