(A/N): This story follows my story "Homeward Bound" but can be read without reading that one first. Also, I'm gonna add a little disclaimer that I started writing this way before it clicked with me that the Goldsteins are Jewish. . .

Chapter One
The Book

December 24, 1927

The early evening air was frostbitten and rather blustery when the large passenger ship finally drifted into port that Christmas Eve. Heavy snowflakes – thick and white – danced whimsically on the breeze in the brisk air, covering every surface in an icy, pale blanket. The ship's arrival in America had been originally scheduled for the 23rd of December, but due to the amount of snow back in London, the date had been delayed a day.

Newt zealously took his place on deck, feeling a sense of déjà vu overcome him. Just over a year had passed since he'd last stood aboard a steamship, gazing across the harbor at the glistening skyline of New York City. What a welcomed sight it was. He had longed for that cityscape every day since he'd been away. Fore somewhere between the jungle of towering structures and congested streets his friends were waiting for him; unaware of his return.

A change in the wind sent an array of snow twirling around him, frantically. His last visit had been during the early parts of the month, before Mother Nature could show her true self in the winter season. Despite the buttoned coat and thick scarf coiled around his neck and mouth, a chill rustled through him. He didn't pay any mind to it though; the cold had never given him much grief, and the wizard was far too excited to let something as tenuous as the weather dampen his spirit.

As the ship drew nearer to the dock, the people on board started their usual clamor as well as the disorganized process of un-boarding. Newt observed them as he often did with Muggles gathering in groups – bearing with them family and belongings in such a rushed manner, he wondered what so urgently needed their attention to cause such behavior. His fellow witches and wizards were also guilty of the same act, but the non-magical folk always seemed far less discreet about their need for haste. Newt never rushed things if he could avoid it; it was a lesson he'd learned from his mother long ago, one that he carried into everything he ever did. He had found that patience often granted greater reward than haste.

The wizard waited a far distance behind his fellow passengers, carrying only his magical case and a wrapped parcel tied with a vibrant red ribbon. The brown parchment casing was etched with sketches of fantastic beasts and plants, along with a few notes and incantations. The writing was scribbled in a whirlwind, and practically unreadable without close study. The drawings, however, held their time showcased in the amount of astonishing detail bestowed upon them. Newt had spent a lengthy amount of his trip across the sea tucked away inside of his case with his creatures doing as he always did. When he wasn't working with them, feeding them, playing with them, or even teaching them, he was in his shack sketching on the wrapped bundle he now held. The overnight success of the first volume of his monster manual – of sorts – won the endorsement of a second volume. The Minister himself had been the one to deliver the news to the Magizoologist. Thus, the package had also fallen victim to the muses in his mind and now bore with it the start of his additional manuscript. With all the brainstormed ideas scratched onto the brown paper, his mind was already a flutter with possible material that could fill the pages of his next compendium.

While Newt's mind thought about the package in his hand, it became clear to him why everyone around him was in such a frenzy. It was Christmas Eve, and not just that - it was already well into the evening on Christmas Eve thanks to the delays at the beginning of the voyage. Like him, they were eager to be rid of the cramped confines of the vessel – with its mediocre meals and questionable cleanliness. The mainland was a shining beacon of joy for everyone ready to spend what remained of the late afternoon with their family and friends. For Newt, he longed to be with his friends, too. When it came to family, he sometimes felt as if his puzzle pieces didn't fit quite right. Most people found him awkward and even annoying - his family wasn't an exception to that. His mother was who he'd miss most while he was away. Magical creatures captivated her just as much as him. When she'd learned he was writing a book on how to care for them, she was through the roof with joy. His father was a different story. He was proud of his youngest son's accomplishments -something he told Newt often. However, he always seemed far prouder of Theseus. Newt's older brother was a triumphant war hero, honored student, and apparently a quite sought-after bachelor in the wizarding community back home. His brother's achievements never bothered him, though. Newt didn't have the temperament to be regarded as a famous hero of war in the wizarding world; alternatively, any world for that matter. He was glad for the success of his book, welcoming readers to ask about his amazing creatures, and was content being Theseus' little brother, the author. Any more attention would undoubtedly leave him muddled and anxious.

Newt sighed, dismissing the thought of his family. He would see them again soon enough, and when he did at least he could tell them about his Christmas in America.

A deep horn bellowed through the wintry air, alerting everyone that the ship was only moments from making port. Coincidently, the noise seemed to spur on the travelers even more. Their avidity to leave increased tenfold, and everyone scrambled about with even more energy than before. A set of shoulders bumped into him, jostling the case in his hand as a man discourteously attempted to get closer to the front of the line. Newt steadied himself and his case, checking to make sure the man's rude gesture hadn't caused the latches of his magical case to fling open. There was no way he was going to let a repeat of his last visit keep him from seeing his friends. He very much wanted not to spend his time in New York hunting his mischievous magical creatures.

A sudden jolt rocked the ship, causing everyone to cheer – some even clapped – because it was finally official; they'd made it across the Atlantic and to New York City. The crowd started filing off, bottlenecking into two separate lines. Newt quickly chose a channel and shuffled along with the rest of the masses. Another gust of wind whirled around him, carrying a dozen more white flakes in a rapid spiral above his head. With a relaxed smirk, he watched the frozen crystals flitter until they were lost among the other swirling flakes of snow. He alone relished in the moment, unrushed and unconcerned. He was content and hopeful with what this small adventure would bring.

The line continued its sluggish pace, slowing even more due to the officers checking papers and luggage a few yards ahead. The methodical process was upsetting many of the people around him; their animosity was easy to read from their twisted faces and ill-tempered remarks. Surely they'd all been informed previously about customs and baggage check. All Newt could do was shake his head at their absurd behavior and ignore them. Their foul moods would not darken his.

When it came to Newt's turn he floundered momentarily with getting his case onto the table in front of him. The core problem was the package; it tied up his free hand that he usually used to guide the heavy case in such situations. The officer, who already looked bored with his job, didn't offer any assistance. Eventually, with a labored grunt, Newt managed to work the case into position, tucking the parcel under his arm.

"Papers," the unhelpful official demanded monotonously. Newt barely got his luggage in its rightful place when the man asked for his passport.

"Yes, umm…" Newt fidgeted around inside the inner pockets of his blue coat until he found his visa. He presented the small booklet to the man in uniform who characteristically snatched it from him rudely. The officer eyed the papers, peering at Newt every so often. The taciturn gawks were making the wizard somewhat uneasy.

"First time here?" he asked.

Newt shook his head, refusing to meet the man's eyes, "No."

He was reissued his passport a moment later.

"Open the case," the officer ordered, again sounding uninterested. Newt hastily obliged, secretly switching the magical charm and making the contents of the case appear far less exciting and troublesome. The man scarcely glanced at the mundane possessions inside before closing the lid and moving to his next question. "What's in the package?"

"A book," he told the official, looking at him under his lashes.

Without another word the officer waved him on, not even waiting until Newt was clear of the station to start questioning the people who'd been rudely waiting behind him. Newt could breathe a little easier knowing once again he'd made it through customs with his tricky case. However, as he stood out of the way of others like he always did, he remembered he wasn't quite free yet.

Well over a month prior to beginning his spontaneous journey back to America the wizard used his connections at the Ministry to make contact with someone at MACUSA. Due to the country's strict laws against magical beast ownership, it was technically a crime just stepping off the boat with his case. The law made it arduous for him to be in New York out of fear of being arrested and his creatures taken from him again. However, circumstance was on his side and because of his actions the previous December Newt had some pull. Not only had he aided in the capture of a nefarious dark wizard, he'd remedied the problem of obliviating an entire city. As such, the head of MACUSA felt indebted to him. When he inquired about returning to the land of the free, those in command granted him - and only him - a special permit that allowed him to take his case of magical creatures with him anywhere in the country.

"You must be Mr. Scamander," a man in a long coat and worn brown fedora said as he approached with an outstretched hand.

"Hello, yes," Newt awkwardly returned the handshake.

"I recognize you from your wanted posters," the man added.

Newt frowned, his brows knitting together. That was one of the more obscure introductions he'd been given - and he'd traveled around the world. "And you must be from MACUSA."

The man nodded as he brandished a folder with Newt's name stamped across it in bold red lettering. The lone folder stimulated a daunting official illusion that made the object seem far more intimidating than it actually was. As he handed it over, he began a rather rehearsed speech. "Everything you need is inside this, including your wand permit." The man paused and leered at the case in the Magizoologist's hands. "You are also strongly advised not to let that out of your sight during the length of your stay in this country. If any animal escapes, causing a disturbance, you will be stripped of your special license and ordered to leave the country at once." The man's caustic eyes bore into Newt's fiercely. "Is that clear Mr. Scamander?"

Newt looked just past the man, still finding it hard to focus on his intimidating stare, and seized the folder. "Yes." For the time being, the wizard with the case of magical creatures tucked the documentation away inside the inner breast pocket of his blue coat until he could find a more secure place once he was settled.

"Do you have any questions?" the nameless MACUSA agent queried. Newt shook his head.

"Then enjoy your stay, and Merry Christmas," the man's harsh exterior fell away into a smile as he tipped his hat and made for the street just past the overhang.

"Sir!" Newt immediately realized he did have a question, although he was unsure the man would have an answer for him. He quickly jogged the distance to meet the man while the tails of his blue coat whipped behind him in the wind. "Sorry I do have a question, actually."

This time Newt met the man's eyes, feeling less intimidated. "You wouldn't happen to know how to get to Tina Goldstein's residence from here would you? She works at MACUSA as well." The agent made it obvious by the blank expression on his face that he hadn't the foggiest who she was, which Newt wasn't surprised by. The likeness of him knowing of Ms. Goldstein was slim. The Ministry employed thousands of witches and wizards - even Newt could only, honestly name a handful of them – let alone tell where any of them lived. He almost felt foolish for asking.

Fortunately, the wizard was kind and apologized that he couldn't be more helpful. He even offered to take Newt to MACUSA to look up her information.

"Hang on," Newt fiddled around in his coat pocket for a moment before removing a small scrap with an address penned on it. "Ah, this should be it," he grinned at the piece of parchment in his hand. "I looked her up through the Ministry's record of MACUSA employees. Thought one of my Occamies ate it."

The serpentine creatures had a nasty habit of gobbling up anything in his pockets when he carried them with him. He'd lost more than a couple train tickets that way. Newt's comment about Occamies appeared to puzzle the wizard for a moment. However, a tick later he whistled with a raised hand and a Muggle taxi stopped at the curb.

"This will get you there faster, and out of this snow." The man opened the vehicle door, gesturing for Newt to get in with an incline of his head. While Newt quite enjoyed the snow, riding beat walking in any situation, especially when he was lugging a heavy case and gift with him. There was no telling how far the dock was from the Goldstein residence, which meant taking some form of transportation was in his best interest. The Magizoologist thanked the wizard for his assistance and stumbled inside the cab. Muggle transport wasn't something he'd grown accustomed to; not a taxi cab at least. In his travels he'd ventured on many trains and ships, but rarely did he ever find himself in an automobile. The ride was a tad bumpy, and the car's engine snarled erratically as the vehicle chugged down the brick street. Newt enjoyed the drive nonetheless. He sat quietly in the rear of the two-rowed cab, staring out the windows and onto the streets and buildings as they passed by. The wizard had not really been able to fully take in the magnificence of the bustling metropolis during his last stay, which he wouldn't allow himself to miss this time. This time around it was difficult to not to notice the city's glittering ambience, amplified greatly by the Christmas season. Every storefront was adorned with thick evergreen garlands twisted with red ribbon, chock-full of silver and gold ornaments. Some shops even had lighted displays with large festive trees ornately decorated in the front windows. There was a sort of whimsical, almost magical, feel to it all, especially with the snow quietly falling.

Newt felt the case in his lap joggle, causing him to check the latches again. "Shh," he sighed tilting his head close to the case. "Dougal, we had a chat this morning, remember? Now please go check on the dragon eggs."

"You say something, Mister?" the cab driver shouted over the tutting of the engine.

Newt had almost forgotten he wasn't alone. "No, sorry."

The man at the wheel shrugged, offering no reply, and Newt's gaze drifted back out the window beside him. Outside a shadow had fallen due to the high reaching buildings surrounding him, or perhaps due to the lateness of the hour. Whatever the reason, the streetlights had come on, making the blanket of snow glitter blue and silver in the false light. The taxi took another turn and began to slow.

"Are we getting close?" Newt asked, noticing the swift decrease in speed. The driver shook his head and forced the car to the curb.

"No, sir. Sorry to say this is as far as I can take you. Snow's fault, I'm afraid. It's making it hard to steer."

Newt's lips pressed into a hard line, "Could you tell me how much farther it is then, please?"

The driver nodded and pointed him the right direction. Before gathering his things, Newt drew out a handful of American Muggle currency and asked what the fare was.

"It's Christmas Eve," the cab driver waved a hand dismissively. "Keep your money son, and go spend it on that girl youse goin' to see."

Newt froze, puzzled. "How—"

"The gift," the driver turned in his seat and smiled at the wizard. He was an older gentleman, with an ashen scraggly beard and generous blue eyes. "Only reason a fella like you'd travel all the way from where eva' youse from, on this holiday, with a single package."

Newt was slightly taken aback by the man's accurate deduction, but managed to match his kind smile. "Yes, well, um," he struggled to reply. "Thank you, and Happy Christmas."

Newt stood with his feet almost completely enveloped in snow when he got out of the cab, reading the address he had copied onto the paper in his hand. It didn't help much, but the cab driver's instructions insisted he was only four blocks away from Tina and Queenie's apartment. The thought forced a lump in his throat, and with it came uncertainty. Maybe the sisters don't want to see me, his mind taunted.

He started off in the direction that the kind driver told him, trying to steel his resolve. The buildings all looked the same, but strangely different. He thought about asking a few people who were walking ahead of him if they were aware of the Goldstein's neighborhood and could escort him there, but opted to try it on his own. On so many occasions before, he'd trekked through forests and mountains with no one to guide his way; but New York was a different kind of jungle, and completely foreign to him.

I only sent Tina one or two letters the entire time I was away, after all...his doubts returned as he walked, plaguing his mind once more.

In his own defense, Newt's lack in letter writing was due to his tremendously heavy workload at The Ministry. Then, after the publication of his book, he'd become the 'go- to' wizard where magical creatures were concerned. People from everywhere, from South-East Asia to the North Pole, looked to him for advice. Wherever a department of magical creatures was having trouble, he was the first one they sent to help. Newt had even spent the last three months in Hungary working with dragons - writing hadn't been exactly at the top of his to-do list. He only hoped Tina would understand once he'd had time to explain himself.

Newt wandered down an avenue, and the buildings started to look somewhat recognizable. He stopped and eyed the piece of paper again. The letters and numbers were difficult to make out in the dim light, but he still was able to match the street name. Tina and Queenie's apartment wasn't far. He continued at a snail's pace, making sure to check the numbers of each building he passed.

Like many of the shops the cab had passed earlier, the windows and doors of the apartment buildings were decorated with colorful ribbons, lights, and garlands. One display in particular, caught his eye. Two windows on the fourth floor of a nearby building were done up elaborately with wreaths, garlands and even the increasingly popular and expensive electric lights. To a passing Muggle the display would serve as any other manifestation of holiday cheer, but Newt's keen wizarding eye caught the slow floating motion of the candles as they fluctuated ever so slightly in the center of the wreaths in each window.

The supernatural décor helped him locate the correct building, as he doubted very much another magical family lived nearby. As he thought, the numbers on his paper coordinated perfectly with his sought-after destination. He quickly crossed the barren street, kicking up fluffs of snow as he ran.

Newt idled at the door a moment recalling an usually important detail about Tina and Queenie's building; the property owner didn't allow men on the premises. Whatever the reason was for the rule, the wizard wasn't about to let a Muggle landlady stop him from seeing his friends - especially since he'd traveled halfway around the world to do so. Looking over his shoulders, he removed his wand and unlocked the door with a quick spell uttered under his breath. The old door creaked a bit as he tiptoed inside the entryway, allowing the force of the door to close it behind him. With every step, he tested the wooden slats to find the ones that wouldn't cry out under his weight. Newt was prudent to calculate each movement, a tedious task, but so far affective. If only I could turn invisible like Dougal, he thought.

The stairs came next, which proved to be more of an arduous task than the entry had been. Every single one he pressed his foot on made a foul noise that reverberated in the soundless corridor - he was sure at any moment he would be given away. By the time he'd made it to the fourth floor, he'd worked up a sweat, but could see the door to the apartment from where he stood. Still, an ocean of old wooden floor branched out before him as a reminder he wasn't out of the water yet. Again he tested each wooden plank before placing a step, one after another, and another, and another, until (after what felt like a lifetime) he stood face to face with the Goldstein's door.

He waited for a moment, catching his breath and fixing his hair, still somewhat damp from the snow. Another wave of doubt crashed through him. Not once in the few letters Tina had sent him had she made mention of wanting to see him again. There was a strong possibility she stopped sending letters because he couldn't find the time to reply, and was upset with him. Maybe his lack of response hurt her, making her think he didn't want to see her again. The thought chilled him. Causing her grief was the last thing he wanted to do.

Before he could even bring his hand to knock on the door, it flung open to reveal Queenie. Tina's sister was smiling ear to ear – her rosy lips stretched tightly across her face as she quickly towed Newt over the threshold and into her arms. The swiftness of her embrace caught him off guard, and he struggled to return the hug without coming off as dismayed or flustered.

"I knew you'd be here for Christmas," she told him as she let go.

Queenie's mood calmed him a bit. He doubted very much she would be so welcoming if her sister was in any way upset with him. Newt produced a smile. "You look very festive." Queenie's scarlet dress shimmered in the lustre from the fire with its many sequins and beadwork. The vermilion fabric matched the heels she wore, and there were pieces of holly in her golden curls.

"Oh," she pirouetted side-to-side letting the light material swivel around her slender frame. "Thanks!" She moved to take his coat and scarf. "Teenie's gonna be so happy to see you." She hung the coat on the rack by the door and gestured again, this time to make himself at home. "She's been thinking about you an awful lot lately," Queenie told him with a wink, smiling again. "And you brought her a copy of your book! You're sweet!"

Newt's cheeks grew warm, and he flashed a reserved smile. It would take him time to get used to her level of vigor as well as her ability to read minds. Hopefully she'd respect his privacy as best she could while he was visiting.

"Newt?"

A familiar voice called from the other room, and the wizard turned to see who spoke his name.

"Newt, is that you?!"

Another wave washed over him, this time shock, realizing to whom the voice belonged.

"Jacob…?" Newt's mouth dropped open slightly as bewilderment overtook him. His mind raced to find a sensible explanation as to why and how Jacob Kowalski could be standing in the Goldstein's apartment. "I'm sorry, how do you re—"

"We ain't sure how," Queenie interjected with a half shrug.

"It's all a bit foggy to be honest," Jacob waved his hand in front of his face as he spoke. "But it gets clearer the longer I'm around the girls."

Newt wasn't sure what to say, instead gawking at his Muggle friend with the inkling of a pleased smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. He had not anticipated Jacob being there, but was thrilled he was. Until that moment the wizard figured he'd never see him again, or at least in a way where Jacob knew him as well. How Jacob was able to recall his past encounters with them was a mystery to Newt. Having to obliviate Jacob was almost as heart-wrenching as having to give up his Thunderbird, Frank.

"It's good to see you again, Jacob," Newt finally said.

"Yeah, you too," his Muggle friend grinned.

"Take a seat, honey," Queenie told Newt after a beat. "Tina should be home any minute," the blonde witch took Jacob by the hand and skipped off behind the sliding door, returning with boxes containing all sorts of ornaments.

Newt sat down on the bench like sofa and chose not to impede on their tree decorating. He did as he did best and simply observed, soaking in his surroundings. The convivial furnishings made the small apartment so much more cozy and sprightly. Colorful stockings floated just near the mantel of the fireplace. Garland clung to every window and doorway. The table was graced with a crimson lace tablecloth with an emerald-green runner in the center. In the middle of the table was a bushel of evergreen branches filled with red holly berries and three, fat golden candles. The Christmas tree was a spectacle in itself. It wasn't the largest, nor the fullest tree, but its ornate garnishes made it shine twice as bright as any tree he'd ever seen. An enchanted snow fell on the branches, melting away as more of the magical snow fell to replace it. Carols played over the radio and the soft popping of the flickering fire added to the spirit of the space, making Newt feel warm and welcome. He couldn't help but to smile as he absentmindedly tapped his fingers on his knee to the beat of the music as he waited for Tina to return.

His pulse quickened at the thought, and he grew nervously excited. It was a feeling the wizard wasn't sure he'd felt before, but it washed over him like waves over sand. Queenie mentioned that her sister had been thinking about him a lot recently, which he assumed was a good thing. It would taste a lie to say he hadn't thought about Tina numerous times over the past year. She had made a considerable impression on him during their short adventure together, and he found himself longing for more time with her.

The sound of the entry door opening stole Newt's attention as Tina strode into the room. She looked just as he remembered, this time kissed by snow. Her short, dark hair was wind swept and sprinkled with fluffy white flakes that had refused to melt away. The pale skin of her face was blistered pink from the gusty cold-weather outside, and a noticeable chill rattled through her as she hung around the door with her hands hidden in her pockets.

"I hate working Christmas Eve," she groaned, stomping the snow off her shoes. Tina wrestled out of her coat and hung it, unknowingly next to Newt's, continuing her rant. "Some idiot was selling fake wand permits down by the docks. I would've gotten him sooner if it hadn't started snowing."

The dark-haired witch was so engrossed with telling her sister about her day that she had yet to realize Newt was in the room, which he used to his advantage. Jacob or Queenie stayed silent as he silently slid behind Tina, the package in his hands. Tina must have sensed by the excited look on her sister and Jacob's face that something was different. Newt's heart was pounding - it was the moment he'd been looking forward to for over a year. He only hoped that he wouldn't somehow mess it up.

Tina was mid-sentence when she followed Queenie's gaze; immediately her jaw went slack and no sound came from her parted lips. Her brown eyes glistened, and for a moment it appeared as though she was going to cry. The shock on her face slowly morphed into a smile, and Newt felt the weight on his shoulders melt away. He took a half-step closer, handing over his gift to her.

"Happy Christmas," his face flashed red, only for a moment, as he met her wide eyes.

Tina slowly reached for the package, but didn't once blink or move her eyes from his.

"Newt…" was all she was able to muster.

Just hearing her say his name was enough to make his smile widen. "I promised I'd bring you a copy when I'd finished," his tone was soft as he spoke.

Tina's focus fell to the gift in her hands. She turned the parcel over and around, studying all the words and illustrations carefully. The amount of them was almost embarrassing, Newt thought , but Tina seemed absolutely entranced by the random doodles. She moved to the ribbon once she'd laid eyes on all the drawings and gently untied the red string. It fell to the floor in a coiled heap by her feet as she began ripping away the brown parchment in frayed pieces.

Tina peered at the book cover for a long while, delicately running her fingers over the embossed gold lettering. "The title…"

"Yes, it's the one you suggested at the docks," Newt said, watching her face carefully. "I hope you don't mind that I used it. Truthfully, I'd been trying to think up a title for months, and nothing stuck as well as your idea," he nervously put his hands in his pockets waiting for her to respond.

"It's perfect," she smiled.

"I thought so, too," Newt murmured.

He took another step closer to her, opening the book to the first page and pointed to the publishing details. "It's a first edition, first one off the press."

Usually the author kept the first printed copy, but Newt felt it was more important he give it to Tina. The Magizoologist didn't care if his own copy was the very first one printed or the last. What was important to him, however, was that her copy be just as important as her.

The tiniest trace of tears welled in her eyes again as she flipped through the pages, stopping on all the creatures she recognized. "The Niffler!" a half-laugh escaped her mouth as she read through the animal's description. Her expression changed slightly when her eyes landed on the hand-drawn image of the plump creature. "Did you do all the illustrations? Like on the paper?"

Newt nodded, "Bit of a hobby of mine."

"They are very good."

Queenie and Jacob moved closer, wanting to investigate the book as well. Newt had almost forgotten the two of them were in the room,– consumed in the moment he was sharing with Tina.

"You are quite the artist," Jacob sounded proud.

"I'll say," Queenie agreed.

Tina gently shut the book and clutched it tightly to her chest happily. "Thank you. So much," she looked at Newt fondly.

He nodded, "You're welcome, Tina."

Newt and Tina remained by the door for a long while without saying another word. All the apprehension he had built up in his mind was gone the moment she smiled at him. The moment stretched into a thousand more, leaving him in a strangely euphoric mood. Every insecurity had fallen away the second she entered the room and said his name. She was all he was focused on; not Queenie or Jacob over by the tree, nor the upbeat song on the radio. Tina was the only person in the room to him.

"When did you get here?" she finally asked.

"Um, the boat docked an hour or so ago, I think. It was supposed to arrive yesterday, but the weather caused a bit of a delay back home," Newt scratched the back of his head. "Took me a while to get here though; first time in a Muggle taxi." Tina laughed, still looking at him.

A frown formed on the wizard's face as he spoke again. "I also wanted to apologize for, err, never writing back - apart from those first few letters." Even though Tina didn't appear to be upset with him for any reason, he would've been upset with himself if he didn't apologize for being such a poor pen pal. "I've been in Eastern Europe the past three months working with dragons—"

Tina shook her head, "You don't have to apologize." She shrugged lightly, "I knew you'd probably have your hands full once this got published." The witch gestured to the book she still held securely to her chest.

"Sorry," Jacob cut in. "Did you say dragons? You were working with dragons?"

Newt looked over to his friend with a nod. "Hungarian Horntails to be exact. There's a group of wizards there that keep a sanctuary for them. It started after the war for all those orphaned from battle." A grin spread across Jacobs face, much like the one Newt remembered him having the first time he'd traveled into the magical case the last time he'd been in New York.

The apartment grew silent for a moment before Queenie's singsong voice filled the air. "Anyone getting hungry?" she removed her wand with a fluid motion and everyone replied with a chorus of 'yes'.

(A/N): I love hearing your guys' thoughts!