The Tribrid and Her Prison {COMPLETE}

Without a Goodbye

Hope couldn't decide if she adored Hogwarts decorations for Halloween or Christmas more. Everything was spectacular, from the trees to the railings. This morning was the first day of the Holiday break, and Hope and Newt were preparing to leave for New York with Wingedback.

Newt had done the difficult part of getting Wingedback safely into an enclosure in his suitcase. Now they were walking out the doors toward Hogsmeade station. They'd decided to stay for a week in New York City, where Newt had a few friends he wanted her to meet.

She couldn't help but be a little nervous, but she figured they couldn't be terrible if Newt kept them company. One was a Muggle, so they seemed pretty accepting.

"Ready for this?" Newt asked gently as they boarded the train and found their seats.

Sighing, she slowly shook her head. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Hope was excited to see New York but didn't think she'd ever be ready to say goodbye to Wingedback.

The travel wasn't terrible, especially since Pick seemed up to his usual shenanigans. He could feel the somber stillness in the air, and it seemed he was trying to make them feel better. At one point, they switched from a train to a carriage, led by Thestrials and enchanted to be invisible. They took to the sky in leaps, the carriage rocking a bit, reminding her of the first time she'd been in a carriage like this. Back before, she and Newt had become so bonded.

The memory made her smile.

Closing her eyes, Hope leaned against Newt and drifted off to sleep. Dreaming of flying through the clouds on Wingedback, reaching up to feel the moisture slip through her fingers as they glided under the sun.

She didn't wake again until Newt was lightly moving her shoulder.

"We're nearly there."

Hope blinked open her eyes and looked out, seeing night creep in. That didn't matter because New York City was like a beacon below.

Moving closer to the window, Hope gazed down, grinning at the sight of it. "Do you like New York?" She asked, looking over at Newt, who was smiling crookedly. Watching her.

"I do. Though, we've had a few... altercations in the past."

Hope giggled. "How am I not surprised?"

The landing was smooth, and soon Hope and Newt stepped out into a field just beyond the city. "We can walk from here."

So they did, exchanging casual conversation as they headed toward the lights ahead.

"We could take a ship back if you'd like," Newt nodded, "it's a wonder to see the vastness of the ocean."

A cold shiver ran through her. She wasn't sure why, but the thought of the ocean sent a thrill through her, not good or bad. More respect than fear, but there was definitely fear mingled there. Hope wondered where that came from.

The city was a wonder.

Walking hand-in-hand, Hope looked into the shop windows as people walked through the streets, but they seemed less energetic than she imagined. Then she remembered reading the Daily Prophet about what happened to the Muggles a few months ago.

The proof stood before Hope and Newt as they gazed at Jacob's storefront, which held a sign that said. Closed Until Further Notice.

They exchanged a glance, Newt's eyes creasing with sadness.

"I suppose the market crash got to them as well." He murmured, moving to the door and letting themselves in with alohomora.

Hope frowned, stepping in through the shop and looking around at the vacant pastry bins, though they still looked clean, she imagined they hadn't been stocked for a while.