The Tribrid and Her Prison {COMPLETE}

A New Act

"Have you seen this, Albus?" Newt asked, walking into the dining room of Jacob and Queenie's apartment.

They had all been staying there for the time being while trying to locate Hope, but it seemed they hid her so well they could only assume magic was involved. Their fears were confirmed as Newt tossed a flier onto the dining table.

"I found it on my walk around searching for her, and it seems I stumbled into a predominantly Wizard neighborhood."

There was a picture of a giant circus tent put up in the center of a city with the headline:

New Act!

See The Amazing HYBRID - Half Vampire, Half Werewolf!

Albus set his teacup down and glared at the flier, nodding slowly. "Seems we all have plans tonight." He said, tapping the date. "Central Park, midnight." Newt, Jacob, Queenie, and Tina all watched him with tired but determined eyes. Pick sat on Newt's shoulder, clinging to him.

"We're going to the circus."

As midnight drew nearer, Newt paced through his routine duties with his creatures. Even they could sense something was wrong.

"Come on, please? You must eat something." He frowned as the Mooncalfs stared at him with big, questioning eyes. Newt sighed softly and lowered himself to sit on the ground. "She'll be back soon," he murmured, petting them on their heads, "and she'll be able to give you special treats again. I promise..." Though, Newt's voice broke a little trying to say the word promise.

Newt had also promised Hope she would never fall into the hands of the poachers again, but that wasn't true. He hadn't been able to protect her from them. If he hadn't let her walk out so upset, maybe she'd still be here next to him, laughing when Pick would give him the cold shoulder just to be dramatic.

Then, he thought better of himself. He wouldn't have the right to make Hope stay somewhere she didn't want to. Still, another part of him argued that he could have done better, been quicker to find her.

Newt wiped his cheek as he offered more food to the Mooncalfs, who still looked at him mournfully.

"She's alive," Albus murmured behind him, making him jump.

Newt sighed, a little frustrated as he swallowed hard. "Please stop sneaking up on me."

"It's true, though," he walked closer, leaning down and petting one of the Mooncalfs, "they're displaying her, yes, but that means we have a chance to save her. They need her for their audience count, and we will be among them, ready to strike."

Newt nodded. "I know the plan."

"Ah, yes, but did you know Hope would likely kick your ass if you blamed yourself for what happened?"

Newt looked over at him with wide eyes. He knew she absolutely would, but hearing Albus curse was new to him.

Dumbledore chuckled and nodded. "That got your attention, hm? I'm afraid Hope might be rubbing off on me a little. She has a spark."

"She is a spark," Newt agreed as he looked back at the Mooncalfs offering more food that they snubbed, "she lights everything on fire in her path and somehow never gets burned."

They were silent for a moment before Newt finally asked.

"Do you care for her?" He looked over at Albus, who was still looking at the little blue Mooncalf that finally started nibbling the food.

"I do..." Albus nodded slowly.

"No," Newt corrected, "do you care for her."

Albus let their eyes connect. His jaw tightened a little. He didn't speak for a long moment, too long if you ask Newt. Then finally replied with, "We leave in fifteen minutes."