The Tribrid and Her Prison {COMPLETE}

Unlocking The Obscurial

Hope had been poked and prodded all morning by Madam Florence who, while in her best bedside manner, searched Hope for any signs of being infected by the Obscurial. Last night had resulted in many panicked nerves from everyone involved, though Hope tried convincing them every other minute that she felt fine.

"I don't understand it," Madam Florence shook her head as she felt her pulse again, "being able to absorb an Obscurus, yet having no sign of it less than five hours later. It's simply impossible."

Glancing to the corner of the room, she met Newt and Albus' eyes. Aberforth and Credence stood there, too. Watching her intently.

While not wholly healed, Credence looked much better today than yesterday. For one, he was able to physically stand, even if he used the wall to hold himself up. She met his eyes; they were dark and curious, as if he too couldn't believe what had happened between them.

Hope looked at Madam Florence again, who hadn't stopped talking, and sighed. "I'm telling you, I feel fine."

Moving a little closer, Albus sat on the bed across from her. "When this happened, what were you thinking of, Hope?"

Thinking back, she tried to recall. It all seemed like a blur now, but she could remember the moment before vaguely. "I was thinking...that I wanted to take the pain away. I didn't know anything would happen, but there was a part of me that..." she trailed off as she recalled the sensation in her chest that forced her hand forward.

"Yes?" He prodded with a frown.

Hope met his eyes. "It was instinctual. I didn't know what would happen, but I knew I could help if I let myself. It was painful." How best could she describe this? "It was like...you know how when you watch water boil? It was like that but everywhere."

"Your body was fighting it off like an infection," Newt offered in a soft voice from the corner of the room, "Whatever your blood contains, it was stronger than the Obscurus, which is basically a parasite. Your blood killed an unkillable parasite, Hope."

Hope looked around the room. "And that's never been done before?"

Credence spoke now, his voice low and graveled. "No. It's never been done."

"I...can cure an Obscurial?" She asked, looking at Albus with wide eyes.

"Your blood can, it seems."

Newt spoke again. "The healing properties you already possess. Your strength and speed. The temperature you always run. It seems your physiology is far stronger than we anticipated."

Hope looked at Credence. "Is it gone then?"

"No," Aberforth swallowed hard, "some of it is gone, but not all." He took a deep breath. "That's why we're here..."

Hope stared at him for a long moment before it clicked. "You want me to do it again?"

Silence filled the space.

Perhaps if she were smarter, she would think more about it. If Hope were smarter, she'd think through the consequences and decide for herself after intense contemplation, but in her eyes...what was there to determine? The Obscurous didn't seem to hurt her, at least not permanently, and it could save Credence's life.

What other choice could there be?

No one answered still, as if terrified to ask her the question, but she could see the burning desire behind Aberforth's eyes. The fear he had of her saying no was palpable.

"Of course I will," Hope nodded, "if I can survive it, why shouldn't I help?"

"Hope..." Albus started but fell silent when her gaze cut through him.