The Tribrid and Her Prison {COMPLETE}

A Full Moon at Godric's Hollow

Another month came and went; before long, Hope was getting ready for the upcoming full moon.

Again.

And she was panicking.

Again.

Over the past couple of weeks, Hope had ventured further through the castle, but only when someone was nearby. She felt safest with Albus in his office or with Newt in his suitcase where she played games with the Demiguise. It was a slow process, but she wasn't sure being here would ever be the same as it was.

The place she'd once felt was home now had a sense of urgency and danger around every corner. How could she fight something her eyes couldn't see?

Tonight was another full moon, and Hope's stomach churned as she poked at her uneaten porridge. She couldn't eat all weekend- the worry that Albus couldn't get the Ministry to change their mind was simply too much.

"You should eat," Newt murmured with a soft smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Shaking her head, she looked over at him, dark rings above her cheeks. She rested her chin on her forearm and murmured. "Not hungry."

Last month, she'd been chained to a wall while a mysterious entity groped her body. Bile rose in her throat as the memory recalled itself, forcing her to recoil into herself. Cringing as the tingles across her skin stung like thorns. Hope could remember the moment so vividly it was like she felt the hands now, sending an army of ants down her spine.

She closed her eyes as he stroked loose hair from her temple.

"Eat something, Hope." A new voice came then, and surprise shook her when she opened her eyes. Albus was smiling.

Eyeing him suspiciously, she slowly lifted her head. Why did he look so happy? Unless...

"Did they change their minds?" She asked, her shoulders raising a little, staring at him intently.

"Not exactly," Albus started, causing Hope to deflate a little, "However, I did manage to convince them of your idea."

"My idea?" Hope asked, brows furrowing as she shook her head. "I had an idea?"

"You did," he chuckled and sat down as the teapot poured a cup of tea for him, "last month you mentioned if you weren't at Hogwarts, you wouldn't need to be chained."

A smile began to curve her lips as she looked over at Newt, seeing his expression had also lifted.

"Hogsmeade?" Newt asked curiously, taking his first bite of porridge.

Albus shook his head. "Too close to the castle, they say, but there is a place we can go. Mind...it'll be terribly awkward."

"I can think of something worse." Hope shrugged, biting her lip.

Albus glanced at her and offered a sad smile with a nod. "Then it's settled. I'll take you there tonight before sundown."

Hope grinned now; it felt like she was old furniture from times past, and he had just lifted a dusty sheet away to give her new life. She'd been closing in on herself all weekend, trying to make herself as little as possible. As if being quiet and small might make her less of a target. A defense mechanism she wished she didn't have to use.

"Where will we go?" She asked and looked over at Newt. "Can't you come too?"

Shaking his head, Albus sipped his tea. "Unfortunately, it would be too..." He glanced around, ensuring no private ears. "Suspicious," he looked at her again, "as our relationship goes."

Hope made a face but nodded. She understood they needed to hide, but that didn't mean she had to like it. Maybe one day, people will be a little less backward in their thinking and allow people to be in love.