The Tribrid and Her Reflection {COMPLETE}

A Ripper in Mystic Falls

"We're almost there," Hope said with a smile as she rested her chin on her folded arms, gazing out the window at the passing scenery that thinned from mountains and trees to homes and businesses while heading into town.

Knowing something so well yet looking so unfamiliar was an odd feeling. Still, being back sent a warm wave through her chest.

"When was the last time you were here?" Newt asked, leaning forward between the two seats while Albus drove.

Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled softly. "Hm, unfortunately, that was when I tried to raise the dead. Not the best memory, but before then, I think I had been here to celebrate Thanksgiving with some friends." Biting her lip, she sighed. "That didn't exactly end well either. Lizzie and I argued. We said some things we shouldn't have. I left and...I never went back. Not until that night."

Reflecting on the past made her stomach roll, but what could she do about it? She couldn't take back what happened.

Albus glanced at her, his gaze forcing her to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry you lost her, Hope."

Pursing her lips into a thin line, she nodded, looking out the window again. Most days, Hope woke with a smile, thinking about everything she'd gained. Then, there were days she remembered all the things she'd lost.

Though, hadn't she lost them before that night?

"Do you think they're looking for me?" She asked softly, voice barely above a whisper.

After a very long pause, Albus finally nodded. "Probably." He murmured as he reached over and took her hand, gently squeezing it.

"I know I would be..." Newt offered with his crooked smile.

Blushing, Hope smiled back at him. "I'm sorry. I'm being a complete downer."

Albus shook his head and lifted her hand to his lips, caressing her knuckle gently with a kiss. "It's okay to be sad. To miss what once was and still love the present. I do it all the time."

As they pulled through town, Hope perked up a little and smiled. "Are we okay to get out and walk around?"

"Of course," Albus said as he found a space to park, and the three of them emerged from the car, stretching limbs they'd not used for a while. Hope loved road trips for the aesthetic, not the realities of muscle cramps and nowhere to pee that didn't involve bottles and bushes.

People busied around, but different from New York. There were brighter faces, trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation. Still, despite a hundred-year difference, very little changed. Sure, they didn't have certain buildings, but overall, the structure was as she remembered.

Walking around the square, Hope smiled up at the clock tower.

"Come on," she said through a welling of nostalgia, "I want to show you something."

Weaving her way through Mystic Falls, much like in New Orleans, Hope made her way toward the building she'd grown to call home for so long. It took a little time to walk, but she didn't mind. If she ignored the style of the cars and how people were dressed, she could almost pretend she was back in her time.

It came up sooner than she anticipated. Hope soon stood at the gate separating them from the Salvatore Boarding House.

"This was my Hogwarts." Hope giggled, bumping her hip to Newt's, who smiled as they stood beside her, viewing the house. It wasn't a castle, but it was still a beautiful design.

"Was it?" Albus asked with a smile.

Nodding, she looked over at him. "I started using Magic practically at birth and learned so much more as I grew up in New Orleans, but this is where I met more supernaturals my age. People that, maybe, I couldn't relate to, but I could at least pretend I did. Like I said, New Orleans had so many groups that devoted themselves to hating each other, but here..." she looked at the house, "I could be more myself. Even if I was the official guard dog."