It had been just a few days since she first met the man now standing before her; Newt Scamander. They had just been through a whirlwind of chaos with lost magical creatures, government corruption, and losing the poor, tortured young boy she had been caring for. She felt shaken, a little vulnerable, but more than anything, she felt a growing affection for this man. This man who appeared out of nowhere in her life had just flipped the entirety of New York City, and her life, upside down.
And now he was leaving.
"Listen, Newt, I wanted to thank you," Tina looked down at the ground shyly.
"What on earth for?" Newt responded and shuffled nervously, wanting to look her in the eyes but unable to.
"Well, you know, if you wouldn't have said all of those nice things to Madam Picquery about me, I wouldn't be back on the investigative team now."
"Well, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have investigating me." His crooked smile crept across his face as he stole a glance at her, before returning back to safely looking at the ground.
She smiled as she could feel the tears starting to sting her eyes, looking up at him now. "Try not to need investigating for a bit."
"I will. A quiet life for me for now on, back to the Ministry, deliver my manuscripts—"
"But what if you didn't?" The words spilled out of her mouth as the tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
"Wha—" He looked straight at her now, taken back by her sudden intensity.
"What if you didn't… go home… just yet." She felt a little uncomfortable after her sudden outburst. She had an urge rise in her to move closer to him, but was too nervous and didn't want to come on too strong.
"One more night." She said, regaining her confidence.
"Tina, you heard Madam Picquery yourself—" He stuttered, feeling flustered and unsure of himself all of the sudden.
"Yes, I know what she said," she sighed and looked back down at the ground. She just acquired her position at work, the one she longed for and had true passion for, back and didn't want to jeopardize the life she was about to have. She also didn't want to jeopardize Newt, or his safety… whatever the consequences might be if he stayed.
But she also couldn't let him leave just yet, or stand the thought of saying goodbye indefinitely at this very moment. Not after everything they had just been through. She needed one night of normalcy, one more night to get to know this man she could feel her heart start to ache for.
"I'll hide you at Queenie and I's place." She was speaking softly now, and got the courage to move a little closer to him. "One more night. That's it. First thing in the morning, you will go home."
He felt anxious at the thought, considering the impression he had already left on the city—especially the Magical Congress of the United States of America. He was also anxious to get his manuscript to the Ministry at home, and to be home in general. He looked around nervously at the crowds for a moment, his head still low but his eyes darting around. But something inside him was drawing him to stay as well, and as he looked up and stared into her large brown eyes, he couldn't find any words except,
"W-well, alright then."
He swallowed and his crooked smile appeared once again. She smiled back as she felt the tears leaving her eyes and excitement rise in her chest. She hadn't expected him to actually agree.
"Okay. Let's go." She started walking away and he quickly followed, turning a corner away from any No-Majs sight, before apparating back to her home.
They arrived just in front of the doorway in the living room. Freshly washed clothes were floating as they dried in front of the fireplace, as they always were, and the sultry sound of Louis Armstrong's trumpet played throughout the home. The delicious scent of jam tarts, which were still steaming on a plate in the middle of the kitchen table, danced through the air. In one of the chairs sat Queenie, staring off into a daydream, with a once-bitten tart in front of her.
"Queenie?" Tina cautiously approached her, causing her sister to slightly jump.
"Teenie! You're back! How did everything go? Do you know when—" That's when she spotted Newt, who was timidly looking at the ground as he remained by the doorway.
"Oh, you're here! What happened?" She looked over at her sister, catching the I'll tell you later look Tina was giving her at the perfect time. "Oh," she silently mouthed, realizing she would have to save her curiosity for now.
She brightly smiled. "Well! Whatever the reason is, I'm glad to have you back Mr. Scamander… please, have a tart, I just made them!" She made her way back to her seat, curiously watching her sister, as Tina turned to Newt and gestured for him to sit at the table.
"Ah, yes, I'll just go put my things away in the guest bedroom first…" He answered clumsily, before shuffling past the table and giving an awkward smile to Queenie as he left the room.
Tina sat down, still filled with nerves and excitement that she had convinced Newt to stay for one more night. This magical (in more than one sense) man left her with nagging curiosity and intrigue; she felt a flutter in her stomach at the thought of simply being able to talk to him and spend time with him. It was only when she broke away from her fleeting daydream that she noticed the crushed look that had replaced her sisters smile, as she stared off into space once again.
"Queenie?" Tina softly spoke, "Are you okay?"
A tear fell down her cheek almost as quickly as she wiped it away, looking away again for a moment before raising her bright azure eyes to meet her sisters. "Well, you know—of course I am, I just…"
"Jacob." Tina confirmed, feeling her heart break for her sister. She hadn't even thought of how bringing Newt back home so soon might affect Queenie, with everything that had just happened. It had been less than a day since her sister had to say goodbye, possibly forever.
"You know I love to have fun," she started, clearing her throat, "I love to dance. I love to play. I love to meet new people… but he was different Tina, he really was. What a sweetheart that man is—oh, and how brave he was! A No-Maj, braver than any of us, and we—we took it all away from him!" She felt her features collapse, trying not to sob, especially with company over. She put her face in her hands for a moment to compose herself, and then looked up in the air, attempting to dry her tears.
Tina's face fell, agreeing with every word her sister said. She had grown very fond of Jacob herself—not nearly as much as her sister—but wished there was something she could have done avoid obliviating him. He really was a sweet, brave man. I'm so sorry, Queenie. She reached her hand across the table to hold her sisters. That was when Queenie gave in to the tears, sobbing as quietly as she could, although the pain was tearing her completely apart inside.
Meanwhile, Newt was scanning the room he wasn't quite sure he'd ever see again. He took a deep breath, looking at the bed that Jacob had slept in. He felt a sting of sadness at the loss of his newfound friend—one of the bravest, funniest, and most genuine Muggles he had ever met. The acceptance on Jacob's face as he stepped into the rain with arms wide open flashed across his memory, deepening the sadness aching in his chest. He felt comfort in having left him collateral to start the bakery he had so much passion in owning, helping his friend achieve his goals and dreams, and trying to convince himself that somehow obliviating him was for the best. He let out a deep sigh, and sat on what was once his own bed. Next to him was his case, the catalyst for all of the chaos that had occurred within the past few days. He smiled as he looked over at it, putting his hand on top.
"Behave yourselves," He said through his crooked smile. "T-this is important to me. I might be going mad for doing this—no, I certainly am—but we will be home soon." His creatures who he took care of, adored, and who were his dearest friends, had led him to eventually be here… right here, right now, back in this apartment. Because of them he had met Jacob, and… Tina. He realized that he should probably return to the kitchen.
He patted the top of the case before standing up. Taking another deep breath, he set the briefcase underneath the bed, cast a Disillusionment charm to conceal it, and left the room.
Tina and Queenie had been sitting in silence as they both processed the loss of their friend, and for Queenie, potential lover, when they heard a door shut and footsteps approach them. They both looked up at each other—Tina, unsure of what to say or how to move on from their conversation, and Queenie, with a look of enlightenment upon her face. She quickly wiped away her tears.
"That's what we should do! All three of us—lets go out! Let's show Mr. Scamander the city!"
Newt stood behind the table, a bit taken back by the sudden enthusiasm, glancing between the two sisters quietly. Queenie figured that if anything was going to help ease the pain, it would be a night out in the beautiful nightlife—the lights, music, and the people. She needed to feel free.
"There's so much to do, so much to see, so many people to meet—oh, you'll love it!" She then turned to Newt, with her bright smile and eyes, which made him shuffle and look away, but with a slight smile of his own.
A jolt of nervousness shot through Tina's body. What if they were seen? Newt can't be caught in the city. She didn't know what would happen to him, what would happen to her, or her position she just got back, if they were caught. "Queenie, that sounds wonderful, but... Nobody can know that Newt is still here. He has to be hidden."
Queenie looked away for a moment, contemplating. Within the next few moments, her excitement spread across her face again as she answered,
"Tonight, we're No-Majs."
Tina and Newt locked eyes simultaneously, both feeling uneasy, a little scared, but Tina couldn't help the flutter of excitement in her chest. It had been a long time since she allowed herself to let loose and party—it might have actually been since she graduated from Ilvermorny. But was it worth possibly losing her job, or endangering Newt?
"Queenie, after everything that just happened, we should probably lay low…" But when she looked back to her sister, she could see her mind and heart were already set on it. She let out a sigh and surrendered. Newt walked over to the table, standing between the two sisters that sat on opposite ends. He put his hands in his pocket, and looking at the ground, he shrugged.
"Let's do it, then."
Tina looked up at Newt, smiling, before abruptly getting up from the table. "Well, I'm going to start getting ready, then. Newt, change your appearance up a bit—the last thing we need is having to bail you out of jail tonight." And with that she was walking towards her room.
Queenie giggled and clapped her hands. "Oh, Mr. Scamander—this is going to be so much fun! You'll see, I party with the No-Majs all the time! You know, just to change it up a bit. No-Maj men like to pay for my drinks."
His cheeks turned light pink as he looked down at the ground.
"Honey, don't be so nervous. Here—I'll get you ready." She took out her wand and with a few waves of her hand, Newt was now dressed in a black suit with a dark grey vest, a white shirt, and a striped black and yellow tie, completed with black dress shoes.
"Oh, you look so handsome!" She exclaimed. "Hmm…" She scanned him from head to toe, contemplating what else to change.
"Ah, that's it!" And with another flick of her wand, a moustache sprouted on his face. He rose his hand to his upper lip, feeling the course, light-brown hair that now covered it.
"I've never been able to grow one of these, actually." He lightly laughed, still stroking his new facial hair.
"Okay, now us girls have to get ready. Feel free to eat, drink—anything you'd like, Mr. Scamander." Queenie then walked away to start getting ready.
Newt awkwardly stood in the middle of the kitchen for a moment, and then looked down to see the jam tarts Queenie had made. He shrugged to himself and picked one up, and took a bite. "Mm," he said out loud absentmindedly, looking around the room.
Tina sat at her vanity, staring in the mirror as she brushed her hair. She couldn't conceal the smile that kept creeping up her face as she thought about not only spending a night with Newt, but being that young, carefree, spirited woman she once was. Work and life as it is had worn her down through the years, and she hardly took the time for any entertainment or excitement anymore—or really anything for herself. She picked up her wand and used it to lift her foundation, which in circles created a soft, creamy glow across her face. She lifted her brush and rouge, closing her eyes as the brush tenderly circled her cheeks. Her lipstick delicately touched her lips and created a perfect cherry cupid's bow. Her mascara and curler defined and shaped her eyelashes, elongating them with a perfect shape. And finally, a pale jade eyeshadow with smokey black at the ends was painted across her lids, accompanied by a strike of bold black eyeliner.
She opened her eyes, and quietly gasped at her reflection. She looked beautiful. Her large brown eyes popped against her creamy, porcelain skin; her scarlet lips looked like they were begging to be kissed, and her rose cheeks looked like she already had been. It had been years since she took the time to doll herself up and bring out her inner femininity. She smiled at herself, fighting the tears of happiness that were begging to escape. She quickly got up to pick out her dress, the flutter of excitement in her chest growing stronger by the minute.
"Hmmm…" She scanned her closet, which was filled mainly with various blouses, pants, and jackets. She sighed.
"Ah, yes!" She exclaimed to herself as she grabbed one of the few dresses she owned anymore. It was a beautiful, knee-length dress, shoulder-less with a deep v-line plunge. The dress was shimmering chartreuse, with accents of silver embroidered from the neckline, down the plunge and burst into a beautiful pattern throughout the flowy, elegant bottom of the dress. She set it on the chair as she looked for jewelry, picking out a long chain of beautiful silver to drape across her chest. She caught a glimpse of herself in her long mirror, and realized how much she missed the woman looking back at her. She looked confident, alive, and bewitching.
Newt, becoming a bit bored with aimlessly looking around the living room and kitchen, walked towards Tina's room to check on her. He turned his head, and stopped dead in his tracks as he gazed into her room.
Tina stood in front of her mirror, only in her light pink chemise of wide laces in intricate patterns and silk ribbons, gazing at herself as she admired her own face and body. He could feel his heart start to palpitate, but he couldn't find the willpower to look away. She turned to the side as her hands then ran along the curves of her body; over her small breasts and down her hips as she gazed at herself in the mirror. His eyes followed her hands as he could feel a warm twitch just underneath his navel, and his brain started buzzing. He could feel the blood rushing between his thighs as he retraced every contour back up her body that she had just touched. He imagined himself kissing and caressing every inch, taking in her sweet scent and tasting her skin. His eyes widened as she started to turn towards him, so he quickly turned away and made his way back into the kitchen, his heart still pounding in his chest.
He grabbed onto one of the chairs at the kitchen table and bent over a bit, looking down at the ground as he desperately tried to compose himself.
"Are you okay, Mr. Scamander?" He quickly stood up to meet Queenie's bright baby blue eyes and wide smile. She couldn't resist embarrassing him a bit, especially since she had just read his mind.
He fumbled with his hands before putting them back in his pockets, his cheeks bright as rubies as he looked back down at the ground. Eye contact was always hard for him… but it was even harder to look in the eyes of a woman whose sister he was craving to touch.
"Y-yes, Queenie, ah, sorry about that," He spat out awkwardly, looking away from her as much as he could. "J-just feeling a bit off is all. I'm okay though." He made his way into the living room, unable to handle the anxiety that being around Queenie was giving him. Queenie giggled to herself, shaking her head as she went back to putting on her makeup with a compact mirror.
Tina emerged from her room, wearing her glistening dress which clung to every curve and then flowed at her knees. Her long chain of silver was draped across her chest, and beautiful silver drop earrings dangled from her ears, which had large diamonds in the middle of them. Her eyes were bright with excitement as she first looked over to Queenie, and then to Newt, who was sitting slightly crouched over in the living room.
"Are we ready?" She asked excitedly. Queenie gave her a nod with a closed, wide smile, and Newt stood up awkwardly, attempting to force his crooked smile as he looked at her. Tina could sense some discomfort in the atmosphere between them, but she decided to ignore it.
"New York City, I hope you're ready for us!" Queenie exclaimed as she walked past both Newt and her sister towards the door. They both hurriedly followed her, and they all headed towards the train.
A/N: So, this is the first fanfic I am writing after an eight-year hiatus. I missed writing and reading fanfiction for a long time, but recently seeing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them made me finally jump back into it. I'm so eager to see what everyone thinks of this story, and also nervously excited to be writing it. I hope this introduction was interesting! Thank you so much for reading, and please let me know what you think!
