Hope sighed as she flipped through another dusty book, looking over each page to see if anything mentioned necromancy. She'd been doing this for days, and she'd like to say it was because she was a go-getter and wanted to get as much information as possible. That couldn't be further from the truth right now.
In all honesty, it was a perfect distraction.
Tonight was the Valentine's Ball. The one she wouldn't be going to. Instead, she'd spend tonight locked in Hogwarts dungeon- better yet, chained to a wall. Because of Thomas, whatever he had said to Fawley had him riled up enough to pull the trigger. Not even Albus could fix it.
Hope had waited daily to see if he'd mention anything about Fawley changing his mind. He never did. She waited with bated breath each day for the Post to arrive, but an Owl never swooped down for her.
When Newt first asked Hope to the Ball, she'd envisioned being surrounded by sparkles and hearts, lifted into the air as they laughed and danced. It had been such a human desire. Knowing she'd have that experience made her feel less like a Tribrid and more like just Hope.
Sometimes she wanted to be just Hope.
Turning another leaf in her book, she rubbed her eyes and searched the page. Classes were out today to prepare for the Ball- Albus knew how important it was for the students to have experiences like this. He had granted special permission to let them decorate, provided they were under Minerva's watchful guide.
He let them make the Ball theirs, which was the sweetest thing she had ever heard, but Hope also had a feeling he did so for her sake. Albus offered a day where the three of them could have each other's company and comfort before she went down with the guards the Ministry would be sending later that evening.
"You know," Newt cleared his throat- Hope didn't look up from her book, "there's a new creature sighting."
That got her attention. She glanced up from her withered page and frowned. "Like a new species?"
Newt nodded, "Oh, yes, very new..." he smiled sheepishly, cheeks a bit pink.
Why was he acting so awkward?
Hope glanced over at Albus, who, while sipping his tea, was reading from one of the Grimoire's as well, but she could swear she saw a hint of a smile on his lips.
She turned her gaze back to Newt and nodded slowly. "Do they have a name for it yet?"
Newt slowly shook his head. "No, not yet."
"Well, what are their characteristics?"
"Oh, quite sneaky," he grinned, "and they are obsessed with all things treasure."
Hope gave him a look. "Are you describing a Niffler? Because I'm pretty sure they've been discovered. If not, then something else has been taking my earrings."
Newt shook his head as Hope looked down at her book again. "No, not a Niffler. This creature can sense when someone is uneasy or stressed and realizes they must try to help with said unease or stress."
"What kind of-" Hope looked up to see Newt was much closer to her than she'd last looked and was in a prowling position. Hope looked him over, seeing the glint of amusement in his eyes. "What...are you doing?" But his grin and the way he kept creeping closer to her gave her stomach a quick somersault. Hope couldn't help but giggle. "Newt..."
"This creature," he continued, prowling closer, "chews on necks." He lunged then, and Hope gasped before erupting with laughter as his mouth landed on her neck, pretending to eat and chew with loud sound effects. Falling back with a squeal, she crooked her neck from the sudden tickle sensation and squirmed away. Crawling on hands and knees through the pile of books, it was too late. Newt grabbed her by the ankles and pulled her backward, causing another spill of laughter from her as he rolled her over.
"And when he goes in for the kill, he always strikes the soft underbelly." He pushed her shirt up, and his mouth attacked her stomach, pretending to eat as he chewed frantically.
Squirming and thrashing, Hope pushed at his head. Her face flushed as she heard Albus' laughter, still sitting in his chair, enjoying the show.
Newt grinned as she kissed his way up to her mouth, where their lips connected. Her tongue swirled with his for a moment, feeling lightheaded as he pulled away enough to gaze into her eyes.
"I told you he likes treasure."
Hope gave another little giggle deeper in her throat. "Guess I've been on edge, hm?"
Newt nodded, smiling softly. "Rightfully so, but I missed hearing your laugh." He stroked her bottom lip gently. "It's going to be alright, love." He murmured.
Hope smiled softly, pretending to believe him.
Hope gave in that afternoon, letting herself enjoy their company rather than bury herself in her books all day. They were a much better distraction than the books, anyway. Given they made the afternoon all about her. Taking turns with her, pleasing her in ways she didn't think possible.
Eventually, Hope became the teaching tool Albus used for Newt, showing him tricks to help her reach a deeper orgasm. While she relished the attention, she was so sensitive by the end she simply couldn't take anymore. Hope was a sweaty heap on the ground but grinning from ear to ear.
The clock struck, signaling the guards would arrive in an hour. Hope cringed and sighed as she slowly got to her feet. "I'm going to shower before they get here. I smell like sex."
"The best scent there is." Albus smiled as he pressed a kiss to her temple. "I'll keep an eye out for you."
Hope nodded, offering a soft smile that didn't reach her eyes. After disappearing into the bathroom, she took a long and hot shower. Spending as much time as she possibly could under the scalding water, deciding that if she just stayed here, time wouldn't pass, and she wouldn't find herself chained to a damp wall.
No such luck because eventually, Newt entered to let her know the guards were there. Sighing, she turned the water off and stepped out, towel-drying herself. His sad eyes watched her.
"We will find a way out of this. You will not spend every full moon in chains." Newt whispered.
Hope offered a small smile and stroked his cheek. "Sometimes there are things you can't change, but thank you for trying." She kissed his lips tenderly before dressing in warm layers. Not wanting to be caught down there shivering. Entrapped by a stone room in February wouldn't be ideal, even if she ran a warmer temperature than others.
The process of meeting the guards at the dungeon's entrance was a blur. All she could think about was the knots her stomach was twisting into. Sighing, she stepped through the wrought iron doors, leaving Newt and Albus at the top of the stairs as she descended into darkness, following the guard from the Ministry.
He was very young, and apparently, he was the way Albus had greeted him with a smile. As if he'd just graduated from Hogwarts. At least Albus trusted him- that helped soothe some of her nerves.
The further down they went, the colder it got until Hope could see her breath billow in front of her. She ground her teeth together, refusing to let her teeth start chattering.
At least Luke, the man they'd sent to be her ward, was kind. Maybe Fawley chose him because if Thomas got his way with this, Hope wouldn't at least she wouldn't have to suffer any more than she had to.
Entering the chamber, she noticed the many chains hanging from the walls coated in a strange wet slime. She wasn't sure what it was, and honestly, she didn't want to know. At least there weren't actual skeletons hanging; that would have been a bit much.
Luke was careful to follow instructions, but in a way that didn't hurt her. Hope sat on the stone floor where her ankles became bound to the floor, but not by a chain. It was as if the rock came alive and formed restraints that melded into the floor again- like becoming a part of the castle.
Shuddering, Hope didn't argue as Luke carefully snapped the cuffs around her wrists, and the chains that connected them to the wall magically pulled back, fastening her to the wall.
"They mentioned this for your neck," Luke murmured, holding up what looked like a collar. Similar to that which Henry forced her to wear at the latest show. Dread filled her but then eased immediately when he whispered. "But I won't tell if you won't." Then stuffed the collar back into the bag.
Hope smiled softly. "Thank you."
He offered his slight smile and swept his brown hair from his forehead. "I'll be just outside here if you need anything, but I've been instructed not to open the door again once it's closed until the sun rises."
Hope swallowed and nodded. "I understand." She couldn't take it out on him. It seemed he didn't like doing this any more than she liked having it done.
It would be different if Newt and Albus were in the chamber with her. Being chained up while they used her body how they felt would have her heated in a moment, but alas, the only one to keep her company would be the spider off in the corner that was either dead or asleep.
After Luke had gone, locking the heavy iron door behind him, Hope was left to her own devices. She looked over at the door. It had a small slit for someone to pass food through. At least, she assumed that's what it was for. It had a flap supported by rusty-looking hinges.
The only nice thing was that a small window was covered in bars, of course, but if she tilted her head just right, she could see a sliver of the full moon outside. The full moon that wasn't turning her into a Werewolf.
Shocker.
Hope adjusted her legs, having lost feeling in the back of her thighs, and rested her head back to get comfortable. After this, she'd need another shower from sitting against the algae-like substance that clung to her clothes, hair, and skin.
Unaware that she'd even fallen asleep, Hope woke with a slight start. It seemed Albus and Newt hadn't just wanted to distract her today. They had tired her out to help make the situation a little easier.
Though easier wasn't the word she'd use to describe how her limbs felt. She bent her fingers, finding the cold had stiffened them to the point it hurt to move them.
Slap.
Hope turned her head toward the door, seeing the flap to the door waving a little. As if it had just been opened and closed in quick succession.
A chill that wasn't from the cold ghosted down the back of her neck.
"Luke?" She asked.
No response came.
Swallowing hard, Hope adjusted her sitting position again and took a deep breath, letting the visible air out in a gust. It's just your imagination, Hope. This place has you worked up. That's all it was. It's all it could be.
A soft squeak caught her attention again, sending her eyes darting back to the door, where she watched the flap of the door slowly lift up. As if someone on the other side were pushing it carefully to look into the chamber.
Hope's jaw clenched, and in a big voice, asked. "Hello?"
The flap dropped with a quick smack.
Fear plunged into her stomach- that had not been her imagination.
Her memory reverted back to her room of moonlight, remembering the wand that glided lightly across her back.
Shuddering, took a slow and deep breath.
"I am not afraid." She spoke into the darkness and pinched her eyes closed. "I am not afraid."
The door slowly opened, the hinges squeaking in a slow grind as it did. Hope's eyes snapped open, expecting the demon creature to crawl through or a skeleton to stumble inside. But there was nothing. Just an empty void beyond the door.
"Luke!" She called for him. Fuck this.
Yes, Hope was scared. She was terrified. "LUKE!"
No voice responded as a strange pressure built against her torso. She looked down at herself, seeing the indent of a pair of hands against her sweater. The hands started to shift up, grasping her breasts. Whatever this thing was moved up and down her body, groping her.
Tears filled her eyes as the hand moved down, cupping her between her legs as if she belonged to them.
"STOP!" She screamed at it, her eyes bright gold. Fangs bared as she fought against the restraints. She snapped her fangs at the empty air in front of her, and the touch dropped away instantly.
It wasn't Albus.
It wasn't Newt.
Never would they have touched her like this- not without consent. They would never try to scare her like this.
Hope sobbed the rest of her sentence in the dungeon.