Newton Artemis Fido Scamander didn't really know what to expect upon landing on American soil. He tried to keep an open mind; after all his brother had said it was good for a change in atmosphere.
He knew Theseus had the best intentions (so worried he was in the aftermath with- with everything, and him nearly getting expelled from Hogwarts that the exchange scholarship was practically godsent). He owed it to his brother to try to 'fit in'.
He didn't know exactly what that meant except that he was sure he had to keep a low-profile. Though he didn't know that much about American society, he experienced enough in Britain to know that being different equaled to being isolated. In many ways, school was the same no matter the continent.
He expected getting grief about his accent so the most he could do now was just to avoid barging into anyone's space or looking them in the eyes. He didn't like looking people in the eyes, didn't like seeing there what they saw in him.
That plan hadn't been going well as just minutes of setting foot in the campus he'd already managed to trip a particularly heavy-set student.
"I'm so sorry. Pardon me," He stammered as he tried to help the student. He was built like a linebacker, with broad shoulders and meaty hands. Newt waited for the inevitable cutting words.
They didn't come as the student just grunted and muttered, "Hey, no problem," before he dashed away, seemingly in a hurry.
Newt stood still for a moment, before berating himself internally. Didn't he always hate to be judged like a book by it's cover? Just because the person had looked similar to his bullies in the past didn't mean that he'd act the same way. Optimism slightly rising, Newt was glad to see that Americans weren't as bad as he thought.
Maybe he could navigate this alien terrain after all.
ooo
No, he was dead wrong.
To say that University was a jungle was an understatement. Apparently, he made it just in time for recruitment week, and he could not have gotten any faster in reaching his dorm room.
The press of bodies, the shouts, and the invasion of his personal space all took a toll on him, and the boy attempting to recruit him to an actual cult was the last straw. Americans were truly, well and beyond bonkers, he thought.
Heaving slightly, he carefully unpacked his belongings as he waited for his room mate. 'I do hope he is nice…Theseus sometimes, I hate you. Why would go and send me off to live with a veritable stranger, when you know how I get anxious interacting with people?,' Newt cotemplated with a deep sigh, 'No point worrying about it now. Might as well suffer only once.'
A knock on the door interrupted his stream of thoughts and he was suprised to see the student that he'd tripped earlier beyond the door, wearing a university sweatshirt and mustached face, beaming.
Eyes lighting up in recognition the man pointed to him and exclaimed, "Hey you, the guy from earlier right? Nice to meet ya, roomie. The name's Kowalski, but you can call me Jacob."
The friendliness emanating from the man caught him slightly offguard. "Um..It's very nice to meet you as well. My name is Newton Artemis..," He paused to cough lightly instead of continuing, "I mean Newton Scamander, b-but most people just call me Newt." His family, with fondness, while some others, with derision. Newt waited to see which category Mr. Kowalski would fall under.
It seemed it was the former, as the smile remained in place as he said, "That's a cool nickname. I guess you can call me Jake if you want." He entered the dorm, duffel bag in hand and whistled, "Pretty big space here, I mean I dunno about you, but s'bigger than my old place, that's for sure."
He turned a bit and asked Newt, "You English?"
"Um..yes. Accent gave it away?" He fidgeted slightly in his spot.
"Yeah, don't sweat it. We Brooklynites got a bit of a distinctive accent ourselves. Anyone make fun of you about it Scamander, and I can pummel 'em if you want. I got a mean right hook, if I do say so myself," he stated proudly.
Strangely, that statement of violence in his behalf somehow made him feel happy. He'd never had close guy friends in Britain, or any close friends of any gender really. Well, he amended, noone except..Leta.
To banish the sudden sadness that had taken ahold of him, he put his hand out and said with slightly more cheer than what was usual for him, "That won't be necessary Jacob, I can call you Jacob correct, and please do call me Newt. I hope we can become good friends."
"Likewise Newt." Jacob grinned as he shook his hand, amused by the formal gesture.
Newt learned that Jacob really was a linebacker, which confused him at first since he said he played football, but then understood that Jacob had meant rugby. He learned that he was taking up a course in Business because it was his dream to expand his grandmother's coffeeshop-slash-bakery.
"Why didn't you take up Culinary Arts?" Newt asked, geniunely curious.
He scoffed as he replied, "Why would I wanna learn something I already know? Anyway, nothing they could teach me could beat any of my grammy's recipes."
"Well, I'm sure you can do it, make the bakery successful I mean, if all your pastries are as good as the danish you brought."
"You know what? You're the first person to not make fun of my dream. Most people see me, a big guy, assume I'm rough and laugh since sweets don't fit my image. So yeah, thanks for that. How 'bout you? What's your dream?"
Newt explained he was there on an exchange scholarship taking up zoology.
"Like a caretaker at a zoo?"
"No, a zoologist and a zoo caretaker are different. I quite dislike zoos to be honest. Animals shouldn't live in captivity. I would like to observe them in their natural habitat, perhaps heal them if they need it."
"So, something more like a vet?"
"Yes, quite."
From then on, they became steadfast friends. Jacob would invite Newt to watch him play rugby (no, football) sometimes since Newt didn't really play. He was more of a football (no, soccer) player he explained. It was a bit confusing.
Since Jacob joined the football (rugby) team, Newt decided to make an effort in extracurriculars as well. None of the clubs interested him (especially not the cult), so he ventured out of the University Campus till he found an animal shelter a block or two away.
Having decided to volunteer there, Newt then decided he needed a job, since his living expenses sent from England wouldn't be able to cover all of the animal food he wanted to buy.
"Jacob, I need a part-time job. Would you happen to know where I could find one?" Newt asked his room mate one day.
"I have just the thing."
