I went to go see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for the second time last night and I absolutely love the Niffler. He is just the most adorable thing ever! And I just had to write about our little furry friend and the cinnamon roll that is Newt Scamander so this little idea came to mind. Hope you like it :)
The Niffler scampered through the many habitats in the suitcase, looking for new treasures to line his nest. All around him, other creatures in Newt's magical menagerie went about their usual daily happenings. Pausing at the edge of the mooncalves' area, the Niffler checked carefully around for any sign of the nundu before continuing. The predator usually tried to take a swipe at him and he had long ago learned to avoid the him.
The coast seemed clear, so the Niffler continued onwards, moving past the Erumpet's habitat and into the Occamy's nesting area. Crawling along the edge of the grassy bundle, the Niffler could see the silvery glint of the Occamy eggshells amongst the twigs.
Keeping a careful eye on the sleeping blue creatures, the Niffler slowly lowered himself into the nest, creeping along towards the shell fragments that were just on the edge of the nest. He reached out for them, eyes glinting happily as he snagged fragment, and hurriedly moved to stash it in his pouch.
Only to accidently brush his foot against one of the Occamy, waking it up and it let out a piercing screech. Startled, the Niffler fumbled the silver eggshell and before he could retrieve it, the Occamy nipped his tail.
The Niffler yelped and leapt back, dodging the Occamy and its newly awakened siblings as it tried to get his prize back. He was determined to leave with it.
Suddenly though, the Niffler felt a hand close around him and pluck him from the nest. Twisting around in the grasp, he saw it was the ginger-haired wizard Newt. He tried looking innocent but judging by Newt's expression, he didn't do a good job. Newt sighed, shaking his head in exasperation as he carried his Niffler towards his little office.
"Not your best idea now was it?" The Niffler huffed clutching it's bitten tail. Newt noticed this, and carefully lifted the Niffler up a bit so he could take a look at his tail.
"Looks like they got you good there" he said stepping through the door of the little shack. "And this is why you don't try raiding Occamy nests." He cleared off a spot on one of the counters and set the Niffler down.
The Niffler sat sulking for a moment. Its eyes roamed around the little room, searching. There wasn't anything shiny in here he noted with disappointment. But them again there rarely was in here. Outside the case however…
The Niffler's eyes landed on the unlatched lid of the suitcase that was set above the ladder nearby. Casting a quick glance towards Newt who was rummaging through his many cluttered shelves, the Niffler hopped down from the counter and scurried up the ladder.
"Ah! Right then. This should help your tail" Newt turned towards where he had left the Niffler only to be greeted with empty space. Casting his gaze around, he soon spotted the little black creature pushing the lid to his case open.
"No! Don't you do that!" Newt scrambled after the troublemaker but it was too late. The Niffler had already crawled out of the case. Newt dashed up the ladder after him, but as he poked his head out of the case, he saw only a slightly opened window and no sign of his Niffler.
"Merlin's beard!" Newt climbed out of his case, closing the lid and latching it. He needed to find his Niffler as soon as possible.