The Tribrid and Her Reflection {Book Two - - Complete}

The Phoenix Will Rise

It was when they entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom that Hope knew where they were going. Then, when Albus waved his wand to reveal the secret passage under one of the desks, it all made sense.

The mirror of Erised, of course!

Hope grinned and bounced on her toes as they descended the stairs, entering the little bunker where the mirror was kept. An enchanted mirror would be her best chance of leaving this dimension- Albus Dumbledore was brilliant.

When Albus and Newt stopped in front of the mirror of Erised, her oval mirror was turned around so that she could see them again.

Hope grinned and, despite the cold chills that ran over her skin, focused on Albus' moving lips.

Oh, touch the mirror, she finally interpreted.

Hope nodded eagerly, already starting to reach her hand forward. She'd be getting out! After days and nights of living in constant muted color and chilling cold, she'd leave this place for the warmth she so dearly missed. The relief was so intense she could cry.

Then, something strange happened.

Albus and Newt's expressions shifted, but they no longer looked at her.

They were focused on something behind her.

Frowning, she hesitantly peered over her shoulder.

It was him.

Yellow teeth bared in a snarl, the rest of his face covered in the dark cloak that hung loosely around his body. He was in the mirror with Hope.

And he looked pissed.

Turning on her heels, Hope lurched for the mirror's surface with the palm of her hand. She couldn't guarantee she'd be able to fight him in this mirror realm, and it wasn't a chance Hope was willing to take.

Hope cried out as long, bony fingers gripped her shoulders like talons, cutting through her shirt. She stumbled as he yanked her backward, falling away from the oval's light.

"NO!" Hope slammed her elbow into his face with a sickening crunch and clawed her forward. Kicking her legs out to be free of the tangled heap they were in.

Burning pain sliced across her left calf, but Hope didn't stop once she got to her feet. It was like running on nothing, but she didn't stop. She didn't look over her shoulder to see if he was on her heels; she just kept running, and with both hands pushed through the mirror with so much force, she shattered through it.

Or, at least, she thought she shattered it.

Fragmented light bounced in every direction, casting gorgeous rainbows. The world spun with color and shimmering glass before righting itself.

In front of her stood Albus and Newt, holding the oval mirror in their hands. It looked nothing more than a reflection now. Containing nothing more or less than what it should. Hope looked up and down, then side to side of the new frame she was in before realizing she was inside the mirror of Erised.

Panting, Hope held the stitch in her side. Her heart raced as she realized once again she'd narrowly escaped the cloaked man.

"Hope." Albus mouthed and walked up to the mirror. He smiled warmly before holding a hand up and pressing it against the mirror.

With a hard swallow, Hope held up a shaky hand.

Please work, she silently begged. Please get me out of here.

Pressing her hand against where his hand was, she was met with another flat surface. A certain distance between them that she couldn't quite reach. Just as her heart began to sink, her hand practically melted through the mirror, her fingers intertwining with his.