Without a Goodbye

Hope couldn't decide if she adored Hogwarts decorations for Halloween or Christmas more. Everything was spectacular, from the trees to the railings. This morning was the first day of the Holiday break, and Hope and Newt were preparing to leave for New York with Wingedback.

Newt had done the difficult part of getting Wingedback safely into an enclosure in his suitcase. Now they were walking out the doors toward Hogsmeade station. They'd decided to stay for a week in New York City, where Newt had a few friends he wanted her to meet.

She couldn't help but be a little nervous, but she figured they couldn't be terrible if Newt kept them company. One was a Muggle, so they seemed pretty accepting.

"Ready for this?" Newt asked gently as they boarded the train and found their seats.

Sighing, she slowly shook her head. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Hope was excited to see New York but didn't think she'd ever be ready to say goodbye to Wingedback.

The travel wasn't terrible, especially since Pick seemed up to his usual shenanigans. He could feel the somber stillness in the air, and it seemed he was trying to make them feel better. At one point, they switched from a train to a carriage, led by Thestrials and enchanted to be invisible. They took to the sky in leaps, the carriage rocking a bit, reminding her of the first time she'd been in a carriage like this. Back before, she and Newt had become so bonded.

The memory made her smile.

Closing her eyes, Hope leaned against Newt and drifted off to sleep. Dreaming of flying through the clouds on Wingedback, reaching up to feel the moisture slip through her fingers as they glided under the sun.

She didn't wake again until Newt was lightly moving her shoulder.

"We're nearly there."

Hope blinked open her eyes and looked out, seeing night creep in. That didn't matter because New York City was like a beacon below.

Moving closer to the window, Hope gazed down, grinning at the sight of it. "Do you like New York?" She asked, looking over at Newt, who was smiling crookedly. Watching her.

"I do. Though, we've had a few… altercations in the past."

Hope giggled. "How am I not surprised?"

The landing was smooth, and soon Hope and Newt stepped out into a field just beyond the city. "We can walk from here."

So they did, exchanging casual conversation as they headed toward the lights ahead.

"We could take a ship back if you'd like," Newt nodded, "it's a wonder to see the vastness of the ocean."

A cold shiver ran through her. She wasn't sure why, but the thought of the ocean sent a thrill through her, not good or bad. More respect than fear, but there was definitely fear mingled there. Hope wondered where that came from.

The city was a wonder.

Walking hand-in-hand, Hope looked into the shop windows as people walked through the streets, but they seemed less energetic than she imagined. Then she remembered reading the Daily Prophet about what happened to the Muggles a few months ago.

The proof stood before Hope and Newt as they gazed at Jacob's storefront, which held a sign that said. Closed Until Further Notice.

They exchanged a glance, Newt's eyes creasing with sadness.

"I suppose the market crash got to them as well." He murmured, moving to the door and letting themselves in with alohomora.

Hope frowned, stepping in through the shop and looking around at the vacant pastry bins, though they still looked clean, she imagined they hadn't been stocked for a while.

Together they walked up the stairs, Newt's suitcase occasionally touching the narrow walls. Behind the door at the top, Hope could hear someone talking, sounding a bit upset.

Newt cleared his throat and knocked.

Silence fell behind the door, and a moment later, it opened.

A short man with black hair and a mustache grinned broadly, though it was evident he'd been in tears a few minutes ago. His eyes are still red around the rims.

"Newt!" He beamed. "How are ya!"

His eyes landed on Hope now, and more of those nerves squirmed in her stomach again, but then Jacob smiled.

"Ah, she's even prettier than you described her. Come on in. We're just now sittin' down for dinner."

Hope smiled faintly and walked through the threshold, feeling a strange release as she did so, but decided to ignore the funny feeling and looked around the place.

"Thank you," Hope nodded, admiring the cozy apartment before looking at him squarely, "nice to meet you, Jacob."

Jacob smiled. "You too, Hope. Newt's been goin' on and on about you in his Owls."

Glancing over at a blushing Newt, she couldn't help but grin. "Has he now?"

Newt rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat again. "How…are things?"

Jacob's face fell slightly, and then he smiled again and nodded. "Things are…well, things are as good as they can be."

Swallowing hard, Newt opened his mouth to speak, but just then, a spritely young blonde woman came waltzing in with a grin.

"Newt!"

"Queenie." He smiled, eyes looking down at her extended belly and quickly back up with questioning eyes.

She grinned and walked toward them, hand on her stomach. "Wanted it to be a surprise. Ain't it somethin'?" She sighed wistfully, looking down at herself. "He's already started kicking."

Hope smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." She took Jacob's hand and kissed his cheek, though Jacob was a bit pale, he did his best to smile.

"Yes, congratulations," Newt smiled, grinning ear to ear, "lots to celebrate then…"

Jacob smiled and nodded, resting his hand over Queenie's. "At least one thing."

Queenie's smile saddened, and she pinched his cheek lightly. "We will manage," she kissed his cheek and looked back at Hope and Newt, "get comfortable. Supper is almost ready."

After she returned to the kitchen, Hope took a look at Jacob and could see he was fighting more tears. She felt the need to comfort him for some reason, but she didn't know how. She had a feeling he'd be ecstatic if they were having this baby under other circumstances, but she couldn't blame his fear.

"So you're in town for a Hippogriff?" Jacob nodded, sitting down. "Well, Hope. Welcome to the Big Apple…or, I suppose, what's left of it."

Hope offered a soft smile and nodded, sitting down. Once Jacob started talking about it, he couldn't stop.

"We thought we'd be okay at first, ya know?" His voice a lower whisper, looking at Newt and sighed. "Thought we could keep our doors open through it. Queenie said she'd dip into her savings and transfer the lot to Muggle money, but…" he shook his head. "Wouldn't matter if our doors stayed open. Nobody's buying pastries right now." Jacob sipped what Hope assumed was brandy by the smell of it.

Newt frowned. "I suppose…running a business with a baby on the way and the crash…would be a tad difficult."

"A tad difficult," Jacob laughed humorlessly, "try impossible. Nah, not to mention we gotta keep back what we do have. Can't go anywhere either, not unless it's the Wizarding World, but who wants to buy one of my pastries when they could have what they got? Lots of 'em don't even trust no-maj's. Even London's getting struck with this," Jacob shook his head.

"Yes," Queenie said, standing beside him, "and we will be okay. You forget I can conjure plenty of resources for us. Opening the business back up might take time, but we must be patient and have faith. Now, come on, time for supper."

Newt frowned. "You know, I'm sure Albus would be more than accommodating for such an issue. If you were to need it."

Queenie smiled and nodded. "We will keep that in mind, Newt. Thank you, but really we will be better off than most others around here. It's them I'm worried about."

Hope frowned as she followed them to the dining area, where she could see dishes in the sink washing themselves. "Why won't the Wizarding World help?"

She offered a small smile as they sat down. "Don't quite work that way around here. Maybe they're helping more in London, but here…the views aren't all equal, see? Jacob and I barely made it work. It's got a long way to go to accept non-magic folk."

Hope nodded slowly, it just seemed so cruel. To let people struggle, children even, simply because they didn't have magic.

"It is cruel, honey," Queenie nodded, "but I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for now."

Hope froze, looking across the table from her. "How…"

"I forgot to mention, Queenie is a Legilimen. She can read minds." Newt offered as he sipped his glass of water, just as Pick crawled out of his pocket and rested on his shoulder. He took out a small vile and offered the woodlice crawling inside to Pick, who snacked on them happily.

"Anyway," Queenie smiled, "you're here to see Tina about a Hippogriff?"

Newt nodded, and Hope could have sworn his breathing changed when she mentioned the name.

"Who's Tina?" Hope asked, taking a bite of green beans.

"She's…well, she and I…we worked together quite a bit, and we…well, we…" he stuttered a little.

Hope just smiled and shook her head. "You mean you were together? Newt…you know it's okay to have been with other women before me, right?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I didn't imagine knowing would be something you'd want."

Tilting her head to the side. "Are you still dating her?"

"Well, no, of course not…"

"Okay, can't wait to meet her."

Queenie smiled then. "She's also my sister. We'll meet her tomorrow at the Magical Congress about the Hippogriff."

"Wingedback." Hope nodded with a small smile, finding the different names for things in other countries fascinating.

They ate and talked, mainly about the market crash, as that was the biggest news. It was eventually late enough, and they were tired enough, that Hope and Newt started to retire to bed. They took up the living room floor in front of the fireplace. Queenie had made a cozy bed there for them with just a wave of her wand.

After saying their goodnights, Hope lay next to Newt. Looking up at the ceiling. There was so much going on in her brain that shutting it off was hard.

"A lot on your mind?" Newt asked softly, and she turned to see him watching her.

Smiling softly, she nodded and cuddled against him. "It also feels strange being away from Hogwarts." She sighed in contentment as his arms wrapped around her.

His lips pressed against the top of her head. "It's only for a week, then we'll be back and enjoy one more week before the second term begins. I think we've earned a week to do as we please."

Hope giggled and nodded, kissing his lips softly. "Anything we please."

"Yes," he chuckled, "anything we please."

She fell asleep to him stroking the back of her neck.

Hope woke The following day to smell eggs, bacon, and…coffee. She knew that scent anywhere. She looked around, seeing Newt was still fast asleep, but Queenie was in the kitchen with Jacob.

She stood carefully, trying not to wake him as she walked into the kitchen still in her bedclothes.

"That smells amazing," she murmured, "I had a feeling I was craving something different from tea for a while."

Jacob looked up and grinned as he poured a hot dark mug for her.

"Have at it." He pushed the mug across the counter to her.

"Morning." Queenie grinned, mixing a bowl of batter, "hope you're hungry."

"Starving." Hope smiled and picked up the steaming mug, taking a sip. It was so bitter, but at the same time, it seemed to touch her soul. "Okay, I definitely drank a lot of coffee in my other life."

Jacob laughed as Newt came in with tousled hair and a lazy smile.

Holding up her mug, she grinned. "I really love coffee."

His brows raised, and he bit his lip, fighting a laugh. "Oh, good. I'm sure caffeine for you will be…a good thing."

"You liar." Hope laughed and then sighed. "Okay, I suppose we can't put this off any longer."

Newt slowly shook his head, his smile dropping a little. "It'll be better this way."

Knowing he was right, she quickly got ready in the bathroom down the hall and returned for breakfast. She ate, and it was terrific, but she was finding it challenging to finish the way her stomach continued to turn.

The hour they were to meet with Tina drew closer, and Hope felt the nerves returning, fluttering her heart as they made their way down the stairs and onto the street.

They all walked together, past people who kept their heads done; their eyes dark and somber. The sadness in the air was palpable, but it all seemed to completely change when they stepped through the doors to the Magical Congress.

Hope looked around, brows raising as Wizards and Witches rushed about performing their daily tasks. Come to think of it, she'd never actually seen the Ministry of Magic either. She'd spent all her remembered life in the poacher's camp, Hogwarts, and Hogsmeade. That one trip through London to Diagon Alley had hardly counted.

"Newt!" A voice came from some stairs above, and Tina traipsed down with a grin. "Oh, it's so good to see you." She hugged him, and her eyes landed on Hope when she pulled back.

Hope, who had sworn she wasn't the jealous type, suddenly felt not so welcoming of this woman who once shared his touch. That was strange, though, considering she didn't mind that Albus liked Newt in that way.

"Uhm," Queenie cleared her throat, "I gotta…I gotta use the ladies' room." She squeaked and quickly departed.

"Oh, shit." Hope muttered.

Everyone was taken aback by Hope's word use, and she quickly looked around. "Uh…sorry…yeah I have to uh…I gotta pee too." She followed after Queenie.

"She…seems nice." She heard Tina say but ignored her as she entered the bathroom, pressing herself against the door and looking at Queenie.

"Not..one…word," Hope warned, "Queenie, I'm serious; no one can know. I'm not even supposed to know. He hasn't admitted to anything, and that's how it will stay until he does."

Queenie slowly took a breath and nodded, sighing. "No one else knows?" She whispered. "Not even Newt?"

Shaking her head, she sighed. "No, just please… don't say anything."

"I won't. It's just… it's a bit of a surprise, is all."

Hope nodded. "Yeah, I was surprised too, but it's fine. Just let it be. It's not our business."

"Right." She nodded in agreement.

They took another moment to collect themselves before returning to their little group, where Tina was now holding Newt's suitcase.

"I promise we will take excellent care of it," Tina reassured him with a small smile.

"That's it?" Hope asked with a frown. "We just give Wingedback to you and walk away? We don't get to see the place he's going to?"

Tina nodded, biting her lip. "I know this is difficult, but it is the only way. Newt's suitcase will be returned to him as soon as possible with nothing else touched but the Hippogriff. I understand that this is difficult-"

"His name is Wingedback," Hope growled with enough venom to melt metal, "and you don't understand, so don't say you do."

"Hope…" Newt took her elbow gently, it seemed they were drawing a bit of a watchful audience.

"Don't." She snatched her arm back quickly from him, eyes golden with growing rage, before turning and walking out. Stalking out, feeling her temperature rising. Her temper flared as she pushed through the doors and continued down the street, losing herself in the sea of people, but she didn't care.

How could it be like this? Winged Back was the first friendly thing she'd ever had a relationship within this world, and they just took him like he was yesterday's news. Like he meant nothing. He'd never been a beast to her, he'd been her friend, and he was gone. Just like that. And Newt…Newt was okay with it.

It's better this way, he would have said.

Hope scoffed. Better for who?

Didn't Wingedback deserve for them to check out the place they were sending him off to? How could she know if he'd be happy there?

Hope bumped into a member of the crowd, muttered "Sorry" under her breath, and continued off. Not caring where she was going, just knowing she needed to distance herself from them.

It wasn't until Hope finally looked around that she realized she'd ventured into more of the city's outer edge. Instead of skyscrapers, she could only see apartments and small self-run convenience stores.

"All by yourself out here?" A voice purred, making Hope's skin itch.

She looked over her shoulder and was met with a blinding punch to the face. Hope fell to the ground, tasting blood as her thoughts scrambled in disorder.

After a moment to right herself, she blinked, letting the face that leered over her come into focus.

"Janson…" she gasped, the weasel from the poacher's camp who always poked her with sticks and called her a 'thing.'

Janson grinned. "What are the odds we'd run into you here, just in time for our opening act."

Hope moved to her feet but was struck again with another mind-numbing blow to her skull. The world was still spinning when another blow came. She could hear her bones fracturing against the metal pipe he used.

When Hope closed her eyes, she knew no more.

When Hope woke, she found herself face to face with a group of people behind bars. No…they weren't behind bars…she was. She jolted her head around, causing an ear-ringing headache to throb behind her eyes. She shivered harshly.

Looking down at herself, she realized why she was so cold. She wore nothing but a thin one-piece robe. It almost looked to be made of cheesecloth.

"Look at that. Our pride and joy come back for old-times sake." Match and Janson laughed along with all the others, but the person who spoke, the one she despised the most, was the ringmaster.

Hope had hardly ever seen him while at the camp, he often traveled abroad, but now she was face to-face with him.

Henry was young, handsome even with chiseled features, dark swooping hair, vivid blue eyes, and a full mouth that often talked him out of trouble.

Panic flooded her, and she did the only thing she could think to do.

"Newt!" She desperately cried out, looking around as her features scrunched into fear. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Newt!"

Henry chuckled and opened the cage she was in. Her cage was the same one she had escaped from over five months ago. The back of his hand landed across her cheek, sending her against the bars with a gasp of pain.

"Newt!"