Chapitre 21: There's No Place Like Home
Weeks passed without another incident, but Hope was still wary. She kept an eye on everyone around her, ensuring she would notice if someone was trying to spike more cups with purple petals.
Fortunately for Hope, she realized she had a keen sense of smell and could distinguish differences in herbs. She kept her senses open when people were near, just in case any of them happened to have any wolfsbane on their person.
While nothing happened, Newt and Albus were especially vigilant as well, especially during mealtimes.
By the time Halloween approached, she'd felt some of her guard slip just a little. Mainly because when she was around Newt or Albus, she felt safe. Like she didn't need to always be on high alert. They shared the task of being watchful, helping her to relax.
Now, Hope sat cross-legged in the grass outside of Wingedbacks pen. He was still acting very strange, more aggressive than he ever had been before. He avoided people at all costs - Newt had to go as far as enchanting his pen so that he couldn't charge at any students passing by.
"We'll take him somewhere." Newt broke the early morning silence and sat beside her in the grass.
Biting her lip, she looked over at him and nodded. She hated saying goodbye, but Wingedback simply wasn't improving. He needed to be with his kind and quickly if they wanted to avoid altercations with students. Students often pushed boundaries and tested the limits of these creatures without even knowing it.
Newt's guidance was certainly helping, but they were still in the early stages of learning.
"Where?" She asked. "When?"
With a nod, he removed a world map and touched the upper-east corner of America. "New York. I have a friend there who has helped create a division that assists in troubled beasts. Instead of putting them to death, they're evaluated and released into a stable environment. Unless it's…" he paused, voice sounding a little thick. "Unless they're a danger to themselves or too sick to continue. Then they'd be met with…a mercy kill."
Hope's complexion paled- her palms began to sweat. She nodded slowly, tucking her hands under her arms, and rested her chin on her knees. "I don't want him to die." She murmured, watching him drink from his trough.
"Neither do I, but at that point, it will be out of our hands, and…Albus is right. He can't stay here happily locked in a pen all his time because he's too dangerous to be around students."
Taking a deep breath, she nodded and leaned against him.
"It's Halloween," his lips pressed against her hair, "let's go to Hogsmeade for a while."
Hope nodded, turning her head to smile into his shoulder as she breathed him in. "Hm…okay." She paused, thinking of one unanswered question.
"When will we take him?"
Newt cleared his throat and nodded, clearly a question he didn't want to answer. "During Holiday break, for Christmas."
Hope shuddered but didn't argue. She knew the 'when' was inevitable, but it felt so soon.
Strolling across the lawn, she followed Newt, but instead of going toward the front of the castle to find the path that would lead to Hogsmeade, they headed toward the Quidditch pitch.
"I thought we were going to Hogsmeade?" She asked curiously.
Grinning over at her, he nodded. "We are, but seeing as it's a special day, I've gotten permission. Albus and I thought you might like to experience something."
Hope raised a brow, but her questions were immediately answered as he opened the shed and pulled out one of the nicer brooms used for Quidditch practice. Her jaw dropped.
"You're serious?"
Newt nodded with a bold grin. "Now, I might not be the best flier for Quidditch, but I can get us to Hogsmeade and back."
Bouncing on the balls of her feet, Hope looked the broomstick over eagerly. She waited for Newt to mount, and Hope swung her leg over and held his waist with her hands. He kicked off with a jolt, causing her to lurch forward and wrap her arms fully around his torso.
Butterflies erupted in her stomach the higher they went, and she couldn't help but watch their feet dangle.
"It would be a real shame to lose a shoe." Hope said randomly, making Newt laugh, and then they were off. Zooming toward Hogsmeade.
Hope grinned, breathing the adrenaline in deeply, letting it fill every cell of her being. She looked down at the countryside and out where the distant mountains scraped the sky. Gorgeous wasn't an appropriate word for the scene she beheld. It was still early morning, and the haze of a pink and gold sunrise made everything seem to shimmer.
"Hm," she pressed her front against his back and kissed his neck, "thank you."
Newt smiled softly, she couldn't help but admire his dimple and the way the sun touched every freckle.
Hope pressed her cheek against his back, watching the scenery go by. "You make me feel more human every day."
Looking back at her, he frowned as he parted his lips to respond, but she spoke before he could.
"I was treated like a beast for as long as I can remember, and now I feel like I belong somewhere. You did that…so thank you."
Newt blushed a light pink and smiled softly. "You're welcome," he finally mumbled, "thank you."
Hope tilted her head, brows pinched together in confusion. "For what?" She'd hardly done anything for him- a blow job didn't count.
Right?
"For being you," Newt murmured.
Hope blushed now, her stomach refilling with butterflies for a different reason.
They descended carefully, making sure no one was in their path, and then they walked together toward the village.
Hogsmeade was all dressed up for Halloween, and Hope couldn't be happier. She grinned as jack-o-lanterns spit smoke out at her. A new Zonko's gag.
"Isn't it weird?"
Newt looked over at her as they walked toward The Three Broomsticks. "Isn't that weird?"
"That I can remember things like Halloween. I know what it's about, the traditions, even its history…but I can't recall any memories of celebrating Halloween. I know I had fun, but beyond that, it's like a blank canvas."
Newt nodded. "Some memory charms are like that, and if the caster is well adept in using them, they can do many things to alter the effects."
"And there's no word on reversing it?"
Hope glanced over and watched him go silent, his eyes on the ground. Her heart sank.
"There isn't, is there…" She already knew the answer, the look he gave her said it all.
"If it had been cast by someone who wasn't quite powerful or talented, Albus might have been able to, but whoever did cast it knew what they were doing. They've likely done it thousands of times, and…obliviate is permanent."
Taking a slow breath, she nodded, scolding herself for even thinking of crying. She'd known it had been unlikely to work, but to hear it as her reality sent a horrible pain through her heart.
"I understand." She murmured. "Why didn't Albus just tell me that? I'd rather have known earlier."
"I think he's still trying."
Hope frowned. "Even if it's a lost cause?"
Newt smiled softly as he opened the door for her. "You'll find that Albus can be quite tenacious when it comes to the people he cares about."
Another warm bubbly sensation thrilled her. No, she scolded herself again. Stop it. Only Newt's act of endearment can make you feel that way.
"He's quite fond of you…" Newt continued, and she could feel his eyes searching her face.
Hope didn't offer any information from her words to her body language. However, she quickly changed the subject by ordering two butterbeers and sat on the stool.
They moved on to an easier topic and spent the next hour discussing the difference between Quidditch and baseball. It turns out Hope knew a lot about the game.
"I wonder if it has anything to do with your painting."
Newt offered, sipping from his frothy mug. It left him with a bubble mustache.
Grinning, she leaned forward and stroked her thumb across his lip. Catching his eyes as she sucked her thumb clean. His eyes widened a little, and Hope relished in the way his heart skipped a beat.
"What connection could you possibly have made from a demon to baseball?"
Newt cleared his throat and shook himself, positioning himself. Hope knew he was trying to hide his erection, making her grin more gleefully.
Giving her a warning look but still smiling, he shook his head. "No, I mean the painting of the cityscape you had. I thought it looked familiar and realized I'd been there. New Orleans. It's a city in Louisiana, they had some trouble with an Acromantula infestation in the Bayou near the city. I helped clear them out in the most humane way possible."
New Orleans.
The name sent a pang through her chest.
"It definitely feels…right somehow. Like I have a connection to it, which would make sense if I painted it. It must have come from my subconscious like the demon did."
Newt nodded. "I meant to ask you about it, but given the issue with…" he whispered this part, "Wolfsbane lately, I thought it wasn't the best time."
With a frown, she sighed. "Speaking of which, I'm tired of checking if my drink has been spiked. Any leads?"
Newt shook his head. "No, but Albus has an eye on the kitchens as a start. Whoever it is will be caught."
"Then what?" She asked with a frown. "Would the Ministry prefer you to throw out a teacher rather than the new demon hybrid?"
"Firstly, you are not a demon, and secondly, I can't imagine it would be a teacher…"
"How could it not?" Hope lowered her voice further. "The first time it happened, the students hadn't arrived, and how would any students know anyway? I was reading that book about Hogwarts that you gave me. The amount of protection the school has means it can't be an outside source, right? Whoever did it is a friendly face within the walls."
They both stewed for a moment while they finished their butterbeer.
"It's about noon," Newt offered, "ready to head back?"
Nodding, she hopped off the stool and walked with him, mind still wandering around what-ifs and if the culprit would be found.
As each day passed and nothing was found, Hope knew the chances of uncovering the truth grew slimmer.
After supper that night, Hope started toward Newt's room but was stopped by…Newt. He stood unmoving with a small smile.
"Hope." He murmured, biting his lip.
Narrowing her eyes, she looked him up and down. "Newt." She responded suspiciously.
"I think it's time we try getting you more comfortable with you in your room again."
It was like her heart descended to her stomach. Her shoulders dropped- could he really mean this? "Do…you not want me in your room anymore?" Had she done something?
Newt frowned and shook his head, pulling her closer now that the students had left. "I love having you with me in my room. I prefer it, but I know how much you enjoy that room, and if I can help you not be afraid of it anymore, I'd like to."
Swallowing hard, Hope took a deep breath. She missed the room; the atmosphere had been so soothing at first, but now, every time she walked near the kitchen, she could only picture that face.
He moved a little closer, taking her face in his hands, and pressed a soft kiss between her brows before looking into her eyes. "It's okay to be afraid."
His calm covered her in warmth, letting her agree.
"You'll stay with me?" Hope murmured.
"I'll stay with you."
Together, they walked down to the kitchens where her room was, and after a long moment of hesitation, Hope stepped through. Holding Newt's hand fiercely.
The room was as beautiful as ever, the fire lighting as soon as they stepped in. Nodding slowly, she let out a shaky breath. "This feels okay." She nodded
"Good," he squeezed her hand, leading her to the couch, "I'm right here," Newt murmured as they sat down. She curled up against him immediately and looked over at where her bed sat. It was made, and all the blood from that night had been cleaned.
Even her cityscape painting was fixed and hanging on the wall.
Hope smiled.
"Albus?" She asked, nodding to the painting.
Newt bit his lip and nodded. "How did you know?"
Shrugging, she pressed herself tighter against him, her nose against the underside of his jaw. Her fangs slowly started to extend in an aching pinch that felt too good. Quickly pulling herself away, she tried to distance herself from Newt, but…he didn't allow her to.
Instead, he looked at her with his own silent hunger.
"It's okay to have desires, Hope," he spoke gently as he pulled her closer and stroked his fingertips under the darkened veins beneath her eyes, "your eyes. Your fangs. They're all a part of you, and I want it all." He pressed a soft kiss to her mouth, his lower lip brushing against her fangs.
A soft whine slipped from her just as she felt his hand creep beneath her pants, disappearing under the fabric, but Hope knew every move those fingers made.
She gasped softly and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer as her legs instinctively spread wider for him. It was gradual for a moment, feeling his middle finger circle her entrance, and then he slowly pushed that finger into her.
"Newt." Hope breathed against his ear, grinding her pussy down against his hand, forcing his finger deeper.
He explored her for a moment, gingerly stroking her hot channel's inner walls. All while kissing her neck, sucking areas she didn't realize were tender.
"More," she begged against his throat, and she felt his ring finger inch its way into her. His two fingers now stretched her nicely, though she still thought it wasn't enough. She'd have to see about that later because his sudden twitch against the roof of her channel made her claw at his shoulders. "There," she said with a sudden gasp, "I like it there."
Newt listened, and as he continued sucking just below her ear, his two fingers began stroking that spot repeatedly.
"Slower." Hope ordered; she knew what she wanted, and he did as she desired.
The slow, rhythmic strokes against the spongy roof began to fill her with deep pressure. Hope knew the signs of her coming orgasm and quickly pulled her pants down to her ankles, followed by her underwear. Without hesitating, her fingers began to rub slow circles against her swollen clit.
They moved in a rhythm, him stroking and her circling.
"Look at me," Newt murmured, voice so soft and serene, she didn't expect to meet his gaze and see a fire in them. Raw and burning with desire.
Hope gasped, panting softly now as she held his gaze. Continued their rhythmic dance of fingerplay, and she knew she'd shatter at any moment.
She was right.
Hope came in pounding waves that crashed against her like the ocean's tide. She'd have fallen without Newt holding her by the waist with his other arm. Her pussy clenched around his fingers, pulsing harshly. It was as if she were high in the sky. Weightless, like she was flying without a broom.
They didn't tear their gaze from each other, even as the height of her climax slowly relaxed. Bringing her soaked fingers away from her still throbbing clit, she pressed them lightly against his lips, watching as Newt took her fingers into his mouth and wrapped his tongue around them. Licking them clean while maintaining their eye contact.
Goosebumps covered her flesh as he moaned around her fingers, and she did the only sensible thing she could do. She fed him more, letting her fingers glide further back. Testing his resilience, her other hand removed his belt and let it drop.
Still feeding him her fingers, she pulled his already stiff cock out from his underwear and began stroking his shaft with a full-handed fist. Hope reached down, slid her fingers between her wet folds again, and then back to his mouth, where he moaned louder.
Hope was in control now
And she loved it.
Her thumb brushed his tip, making his hips jerk, but she moved so he didn't lose her hand or fingers.
"You like that, hm?" Hope grinned and leaned forward, licking slowly up his neck as her hand began to pump faster. "You. Are. Mine." She growled softly in his ear, earning a whimpered groan as he sucked her fingers harder, trying to compensate for the touch against his cock.
Hope could sense he was getting close, she could smell it on him.
"You smell amazing when you're about to cum…" she murmured against his jaw. "Salty but sweet."
Newt's jaw released her fingers as his cock wiggled and thrashed, he grabbed one hand on her waist while the other gripped the edge of the couch as he came in hot spurts. All over Hope's thighs.
Hope watched breathlessly, mesmerized by how quickly he'd lost control.
She loved that feeling of power- knowing she could make him come undone with her hands and words.
Newt pressed his forehead against hers, and they closed their eyes. Breathing each other in.
"I think we need to clean up," Hope said with a soft sigh and a smile.
Glancing up at her, he couldn't seem to help but grin. "I have an idea."
Newt lifted her into his arms, making Hope giggle, having not expected it.
"What idea might that be?"
Newt set her feet on the floor before the claw-foot tub and turned the hot water on.
"Oh," she smiled, "an excellent idea."
Hope began to undress, keeping her eyes on him all the while, unable to stop grinning as he stared at her every movement. His eyes narrowed on her bare chest as she let her bra disappear.
She couldn't blame him, she was doing the same with him. Ogling his naked physique. His muscles weren't as prominent as some, but it was easy to see they were there naturally from wrangling creatures all day. The slopes of his abdomen descending into his pelvis suited him nicely, and she knew those biceps were for more than show. They hugged her like she was the only girl to exist.
Hope suddenly felt very spoiled, and she quite honestly didn't care.
First, Newt slid into the tub, and Hope followed, settling in with him. Her back rested against his chest. The warmth of the water, his body that hugged her every curve, with the glowing moonlight, made everything simply perfect.
Hope rested her head on his shoulder for the rest of that hour, her fingers stroking his thighs while he ran his lightly along her nipples. Making them harden each time the warm water relaxed them.
This was what she wanted.
The orgasms were incredible, but it was more than that with Newt. It was a connection. It felt like everything that had happened to her had all happened for a reason; for this reason. Newt wasn't just a romantic partner to touch, kiss, and laugh with.
He was her home.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone