Hello! Floppy Katana here! It turns out that my last story, "The Complications of Leaving New York" was not enough to distract myself for the time until CoG comes out. This story will be my (very) rough idea of what CoG will be about. And, I'm so very sorry about this, but I really didn't know how to incorporate Queenie or Jacob into this story, so they're not major characters.

This is just for fun. I don't own Fantastic Beasts or Harry Potter, as much as I might like to.

CHAPTER 1

In which Newt gives a very forced speech and Professor Dippet is a jerk.

"As you all probably know, the introduction of Newt Scamander's new book about magical beasts, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, has brought a drastic change on people's viewpoints on these creatures. His groundbreaking new book preaches of protection and special reserves for these creatures, whilst also proving as a helpful guide for dealing with them. Mr. Scamander is here at Flourish and Blotts' today as part of a tour promoting his book across the British Isles. Please welcome him to the stage."

Newt gave a low groan, then pulled himself together and strode out from behind the curtains and onto the stage. He hated these book signings, especially because he was usually expected to give a speech. He had been to two book signings before. In the first one, he had dropped off on a tangent about the morality of hinkypunks before his agent, Augustus Worme, tapped him on the shoulder and told him he was done. But apparently Worme was not as disappointed in Newt's speech-giving abilities as he had thought he had been, for the agent had him give another speech in the next book signing.

During the second attempt, he had managed to stay on topic, but hadn't been able to make the speech long. He spoke for maybe a minute about his book and the creatures in it, then shrank back from the microphone and positively fled. Worm had brought him back to the stage for book signings a few minutes later.

This time, Newt was determined not to make a fool of himself.

He had practiced his speech at length in the interim between the two book signings, and had greater hopes for this one than for the other promotional book signings.

He gritted his teeth and stepped out onto the stage. The introductory speaker gave him a wide smile, then gestured for him to take his place on the stage.

For the third time in the last week, he felt the gaze of tens of expectant people on him and immeadiately ducked behind his mop of russet hair. Flourish and Blotts' was the largest venue he had given a speech at.

"Erm," he said, scanning the front row.

His eyes fixed on Worme, who gave a thumbs up and nodded fervently.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," he stammered. "That's my book. I'm Newt… Newt Scamander and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is my book… the one I wrote."

He felt as stupid as a troll as the words tumbled out. He could read the body posture of his agent, and it did not bode well.

His eyes continued scanning the crowd until at last they came to rest on Bunty, his bubbly, young assistant.

She gave a wide smile and a double thumbs up.

"My book is about all sorts of… of magical creatures, from Acromantulas to Winged Horses. My book serves as a guide… a guide to these creatures and where they can be found."

Newt fell the train of thought falling off, then felt a sudden burst of inspiration from his time in New York. "But it does not serve as an extermination guide, as past books have been. This book" —he held the scarlet book up—"works as a guide to help people better understand these creatures. I traveled the world and studied these animals in the field, occasionally… having to use my travelling kettle to beat them off."

He laughed sightly, realizing that he was just paraphrasing the about-the-author page.

He chanced a glance down at his agent and saw that he was smiling, his legs crossed.

"Some of the beasts are… a bit touchy… that is to say, they might murder you if you get too close"—there was a chorus of laughter—"But the majority of them can be tamed or placated if you know how. For example, I have marked Nundus as being extremely dangerous in my book, but I have a Nundu named Margaret—oh, that's not important. I guess, the point I'm trying to make is that these beasts are not inherently evil, as older books on the matter would have you think. The beasts mentioned in this book should be protected and rescued instead of sought out and destroyed."

Newt stepped back from the spotlight, slightly shell-shocked but proud of himself just the same. He could dimly hear the thundering of applause in the background, but his focus was mostly on his agent, who was beaming.

"Autographs, autographs!" chimed the stout agent once the applause had died down. "Come have your copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them signed by the author!"

A rush of people clamored to the front of the stage, pushing each other to get to there first.

"Well done, Newt," said Worme as the author stepped to the desk where a fwooper-feather quill and inkwell lay.

Newt approached the desk with trepidation. He unscrewed the inkwell and dipped the tip of the quill into the black ink, eyeing the crowd that was pressing in on the table.

"Elphias Doge, Mr. Scamander," said the first person in line, "I'm so excited to meet you… such a big fan of your work… always thought creatures were misunderstood!"

"Do you work at Hogwarts?" asked Newt. "I recognize you."

"Oh, you went to Hogwarts?" said Doge with a grin. "My pal Al Dumbledore works there."

"You know Dumbledore?" said Newt surprisedly.

"Yes, he invited me for the winter feast in 1908 when they had the Triwizard Tournament," responded the balding man.

"He was my Transfiguration teacher," said Newt, passing Doge back the signed book.

"Good to see you, Newton," boomed a voice from behind Doge.

As Doge scampered away, the man behind him started forward and shook Newt's hand.

"Professor Dippet, sir," said Newt, averting his gaze. Newt hoped beyond hope that Dippet was not a Legilimens, because Newt really disliked Dippet. Newt's distaste for the (very) old man was not all derived from the fact that he had been the one who had expelled him. Some of his dislike came from the fact that Dippet was downright shrewd and unlikeable. He was not the type of person Newt would expect would be there just to congratulate him…

"Newton," said the old man gravely, "I see you still have your fascination with dangerous beasts."

"Yes, sir," responded Newt, signing the book the headmaster had proffered.

"Young bloke was quite the rule breaker at Hogwarts in his day," said Dippet loudly, so that most of the crowd, including some Daily Prophet reporters could hear. Newt cringed heavily and hoped Dippet wouldn't say any more. He did not want more publicity, especially negative publicity. But it was not the case and Dippet continued.

"Why, he brought a rabid Jarvey into school in his sixth year. Several students were injured in the fray." Newt started backing up towards the door that led into the back room. "Well, he was expelled of course, you know, it was his sixth year at Hogwarts. He was a good student, but we couldn't afford for another accident of that nature to happen."

Now the reporters were hurrying up to Dippet, asking him things about Newt's tempestuous expulsion. Being a secretive person, Newt found that his least favorite people were reporters. They always poked around in other people's business, trying to uncover their secrets and reveal them to the world. Newt hoped beyond hope that they wouldn't uncover Leta Lestrange's involvement in the incident.

Newt fled through the back door. As soon as he was through, he saw that Bunty was already in the back room.

She was sitting on a bench immersed in a massive book called Men Who Love Dragons Too Much. She sprang to her feet as Newt came through the door.

"What's wrong, Mr. Scamander?" said Bunty. "Are you done signing books already? You've only been out there a few minutes."

"No, it's fine," lied Newt. "I… just… it's a bit much, all the publicity."

"It's Professor Dippet, isn't it?" asked Bunty. "I saw him in the crowd and he looked nothing short of malicious."

Newt ignored her and changed the subject while he busied himself donning his new grey coat. "Would you mind making some more Mooncalf pellets? I'm running low."

"Sure thing, Mr. Scamander!" Bunty shot Newt a glowing smile which Newt failed to notice.

"I'm going back to my flat," said Newt dully. "I'm just going to Apparate straight there; I don't want to get waylaid by the Prophet reporters."

"Bye," said Bunty glumly.

When Newt materialized in his London flat, he gave a long-suffering look and ran his hand through his hair. He didn't want to imagine what was going through the Daily Prophet reporters' minds.

He could already see tomorrow's headlines whirling by in his mind…

Scamander Scandal: The Untold Story Of Sixth Year

Author vs. Auror: Scamander Siblings Squabble over Love Triangle

Newt shut the thoughts out, and made to go downstairs to his magically expanded basement to feed his creatures. But with a sigh, he turned back and walked over to the sitting room; Bunty had the creatures in impeccable condition and he didn't want her to think that he doubted her abilities to care for the creatures properly.

Newt hung his coat up on the coat rack and sat down heavily on the sofa. Without getting up, he Transfigured a mug out of thin air and filled it with water. A tea bag zoomed through the sky, unwrapped itself, and plopped into the steaming liquid.

"Yes, Pickett," said Newt, allowing the Bowtruckle to hop down onto his intercrossed hands. "What is it?"

Pickett held his arms out to the side and swayed left and right lopsidedly.

"Really?" said Newt, giving Pickett an incredulous look. "Again?"

Pickett swayed even more and nodded feverishly.

"OK, then," said Newt bemusedly.

He set Pickett down onto the coffee table then reached over to his wand. With a flick of his wand, the radio in the corner clicked on.

Pickett instantly redoubled his attempts at dancing when he heard the music. Newt, on the other hand, gave a facepalm and said something indistinct like, "not more Wendella Warbeck…"

Pickett chirped once more and Newt saw that he was pointing at him.

"Me? You want me to dance with you?"

The Bowtruckle nodded feverishly.

"You know I can't, Pickett," said Newt defensively. "That run-in with the Erumpent was an accident."

But Pickett didn't seem to agree. He gave a few angry chirps.

"Oh, all right."

Newt grudgingly stood up, set the mug of tea down, and took Pickett in his hand. Newt spun around suddenly and the Bowtruckle squeaked in glee as he soared through the air.

Newt would've danced more had the music not cut off.

Pickett whined his annoyance at the end of his ride and crossed his arms grumpily.

"Quiet, Pickett, I want to hear the news," said Newt, sitting down on the sofa again. "They don't interrupt the music mid-song unless they have something important."

Pickett scowled but remained silent just the same.

"This notice is brought to you from the Ministry of Magic," said the cool female voice that came from the radio. "This is breaking news from the Americas, wizards and witches of the UK. Gellert Grindelwald and his accomplice Vinda Rosier have just escaped from the MACUSA prison."

Newt dropped the mug of tea he had picked back up from the table and the lukewarm liquid spilled all over the floor.

"There are rumors that four aurors were injured as the two Dark wizards escaped from the prison. Madam Picquery, the president of MACUSA, has issued a lockdown for all wizarding establishments in America, including the Ilvermorny School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. As of yet, we don't know how Grindelwald escaped. He is believed to still be in America, but it is advisable for wizards and witches everywhere to prepare for the worst. Do not leave your house except for the necessary functions and avoid public places. Stay in groups and bring your wand with you at all times.

"The headmaster of Hogwarts, Armando Dippet, has stated that he and his staff will be doubling security. Professor Dippet urges parents to not withdraw their children from his school. The Ministry of Magic will be heightening security and will host an emergency Wizengamot with the International Confederation of Wizards, where the growing threat of Grindelwald will be discussed. Thank you for listening to this message."

Newt turned off the radio and sprinted through the flat to his bedroom.

"I have to send a message to America—see who's been injured. Oh, Pickett, what if Tina's been hurt?"

He hurtled into his room and pulled his wand out of its holster.

"A patronus message—that's fastest. Expecto patronum!"

Newt thought back to the time he had spent with Jacob, Queenie, and Tina in New York, and a silvery-white animal pulled itself from the tip of his wand.

"That's odd," said Newt, "my Patronus has changed."

The luminescent porcupine looked at him benignly as it scampered around, exploring the room. Then, it seemed to implode and it disappeared in a wisp of smoke; Newt had lost his concentration.

"There's no way that I can keep that up all the way to America," said Newt despondently. "Have to get an owl…"

He hurried over to his desk and swiped the loose scraps of paper off of his desk and cleared a space. There, he wrote a letter.

Dear Queenie,

I just received the news that Grindelwald had escaped. I heard that four Aurors were injured. Was your sister among them? I dread that Tina may have been hurt, as it seems very like her to go after Grindelwald with only three people as backup.

Please let me know what has transpired as soon as you can.

Newt

Newt dried the ink with a wave of his wand and tied the letter to the leg of the tawny owl that was perched on one of his bed posts.

"You know where to go, Priscilla," said Newt as he shoved open the window. The tawny owl spread her brown wings and took off through the open window into the darkening sky.

Newt sat down on his bed, his leg bouncing up and down rapidly while he imagined possibilities of how Grindelwald had escaped. In some of them, he visualized Tina and three others chasing after Grindelwald through the passageways of MACUSA's basement. In others, a spy from inside MACUSA opened the cells so that Grindelwald and Vinda Rosier were free to escape.

Eventually, his ideas grew so ludicrous and unbelievable that he shook himself out of his thoughts and lay back onto the bed.

There was nothing to do now, he thought, as he stared up at the ceiling he had enchanted to look like the night sky. There just wasn't enough evidence yet to draw any feasible conclusions.

He looked away from the dim stars by turning his head to the side. He had a terrible gut feeling that it was Tina who had got herself injured. Newt remembered how powerful Grindelwald was… he remembered the tremors of agony that had shot through his body when Grindelwald had electrocuted him in the New York subway. If Credence hadn't intervened and caused Grindelwald to stop, Newt would've died. What if Grindelwald used a stronger curse and Tina died of her injuries?

Newt didn't know when it had turned from thought to dream, nor was he in the slightest interested. For the rest of the night, he was haunted by the same image of Tina's face, gaunt and pale, the still-open eyes staring unseeingly at the ceiling.

Note: I know Patronus messages were only invented by the Order of the Phoenix during the first war with Voldemort, but it's kind of important in this story (and it's bloody awesome) so I have to contradict canon on this one.

Please review!

Floppy Katana