The Tribrid and Her Prison {COMPLETE}

BONUS SCENE 8.5

Albus' POV

The hearth was wonderfully warm as Albus rested his ankle on his knee and leaned back to bask in the comfort of its crackle. Nothing, aside from the fireplace, made a noise in the library tonight. Not even Peeve's.

A heavy leather-bound book, worn from years of use, weighed down on his lap. He turned the weathered page, but instead of seeing the words that were plainly on the paper, all he could see was a large full moon. Peacefully casting a cool glow that soothed his burning eyes.

Blinking, he shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Focus, he thought as he re-read the paragraph he'd evidently skipped over. Nothing in this dusty volume told him anything about how he might help Hope. He wasn't known for frustration, but the niggling at the back of his brain pestered him to continue reading until he found at least some sort of answer to satisfy.

Glancing up at the sound of footsteps, Albus smiled as Newt walked in with a sheepish smile.

"Late-night reading?" Albus asked with a graveled chuckle.

Newt nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "I thought I might pick a few books Hope might like. Never know if one might spark a memory."

"Quite right." Albus nodded, not looking down at his book as he surveyed Newt's reddened ears. "Does..." he trailed off and furrowed his brow.

With a slight frown tugging at the corners of his lips, Newt nodded. "Yes?"

Albus offered a small smile as something twinged inside of him, but he couldn't be sure if it was his heart or his stomach.

"Does she like the room?" He finally asked, hoping the nerves he felt didn't convey outwardly.

Why was he so nervous?

He nodded quickly, eyes brightening. "She loves it. It suits her nicely."

Albus couldn't help but smile in return and said, "I'm glad," instead of, "Yes. It does."