The Tribrid and Her Prison {Book One - Complete}

The Stars Speak

Over the next few weeks, Hope slept in different beds, depending on the situation. If Newt needed time to prepare for class, she stayed with Albus. If Albus was busy working - usually Ministry business if he needed privacy - Hope stayed with Newt. If they were both busy and needed to get work done, she stayed in her room of moonlight.

It wasn't always sex.

Sometimes they read different books in silence, and they'd play games or stay up into the early morning hours talking. Hope loved listening to their stories, especially since Hope didn't have many of her own to offer.

Today was a day to herself, and it was too cold to walk to Hogsmeade. She'd already finished working with the creatures and making sure everyone was fed, watered, and loved on. She gave extra love to the Kelpie since Newt wouldn't be able to see them until tomorrow. It was wonderful he had his suitcase back now. He'd been a mess of anxious nerves while it resided in New York.

At first, Hope didn't know what to do with herself. She sat at her chair in front of her art easel, staring at the blank canvas. There was just no inspiration right now. Her heart stuttered at the thought of painting Newt or Albus but then thought better. She wasn't sure she'd ever get their eyes right.

Biting at her thumbnail, she looked around. She couldn't conjure too many images in her head because she hadn't had enough experience to recall them. She may need to explore a little.

Hope just needed to let her creative mind expand.

With that in mind, she gathered a sketchpad and shoved it and a few pencils into a sling bag. Making her way through the castle was more manageable now; she rarely got lost anymore.

She went outside and looked around, her eyes landing on the forbidden forest. Well, it was only forbidden to the students, she was sure she'd be okay to venture just a little. Not too far, just enough to find a lovely focal point for her piece.

Hope crossed the grounds leisurely, watching the snowfall above her. She wouldn't stay out long anyway, it was too cold for that. By the time she reached the threshold of the forest, her confidence had begun to rise, wondering what hides out there. Newt had already explained a few things that resided behind these skeleton trees, but to see them in person would be a treat.

Well, not a troll. Hope wouldn't like to run into one of those.

Hope followed a well-worn path, and the forest seemed to swallow her despite the lack of foliage on the trees. Darkening the further, she went. Once she felt she'd gone far enough, she settled on a fallen log and took out her sketchbook and pencil.

Waiting and watching, she listened to the sounds of the trees creaking, but it didn't bother her. Either her sense of self-awareness had broken, or there were no dangers nearby.

The first ten minutes were fine. Nothing was out of the ordinary, and the cold didn't bother her, but after nearly twenty minutes, she quickly realized she could no longer feel her toes. Sighing, Hope looked around, and as a last effort to have something to paint, she began sketching the trees themselves. How they twisted and curved, scraping the sky with black talons.

Crack.

Hope glanced up, the echo of a twig snapping gaining her attention. She looked all around, searching for the source of the sound, but there was nothing.

"Hm," she murmured, "I think it's time to go."

"You should not be out here." A voice came from behind the trees.

Frowning, she stood and inched forward, trying to see through the snow gloom. The Centaur came forth then, aiming an arrow at her chest.

Her brows raised, and she swallowed hard. "Uhm...sorry for intruding. I was looking for," her eyes flitted to the dagger-tipped arrow, "inspiration. For my art." She nodded slowly.