A piercing winter wind strangled New York City, prompting people on the streets to hurry home to an inviting fire and a hot cup of cocoa. Tina shivered a bit as she stepped out of the MACUSA headquarters into the evening air and pulled her leather Auror coat tighter around her. The earlier snowfall had left large puddles of half-melted snow on the ground, the smell of wet cement heavy in the muggy city air. Scraggly beggars gathered around the lamp posts, hugging their knees and desperately rubbing their hands together.

It was nearly impossible to breathe in this weather, but lately Tina had been too distracted to notice. It had been nearly a year since Grindelwald's capture, but the wizarding world still rang with peril. The real Graves was nowhere to be found, and mysterious attacks were sprouting rapidly without warning all across America and Europe. Suspecting they had something to do with Grindelwald, Tina had met with President Picquery but received no satisfactory answer.

"Grindelwald is still locked up in prison and is guarded heavily, Miss Goldstein," Picquery had said coldly. "There is no way he could be the root of these attacks."

"Madam President, but his-"

"Miss Goldstein, I as well as the Minister of Magic have dispatched Aurors to investigate the raids. There is absolutely nothing for you to worry about. In the meantime, I suggest you focus on locating Graves."

Tina had bit her lip to keep from protesting any further and nodded. She had tried to hide her irritation as she mumbled, "Yes, Madam President. I'm sorry to have bothered you. Have a good night."

Now she walked quickly to a small hidden alleyway between two brick buildings, her head bowed down to shield her face from the biting wind. This was her usual place to Apparate from work to home as it was only a block away from MACUSA headquarters. She huffed out a little breath, looked cautiously around her for any signs of No-Majs, and whirled hard to her right.

She appeared in the living room of her and Queenie's apartment, breathed in the familiar scent of home, and discovered with a guilty start that the table had already been set. Music drifted from the small radio in the corner, and the fireplace crackled softly, enveloping Tina in warmth and comfort.

Queenie smiled at Tina as the latter hung up her coat. "Don't worry about it, Teenie."

Tina smiled back gratefully. "Smells good," she said, walking towards the stove and peeking into the steaming pot placed on it.

"Our special soup. Wanna taste?" Tina dipped a large spoon into the broth and sipped, savoring the rich flavor. It tasted just like the kind their mother made on freezing nights before she passed, and for a moment, she stood there with the spoon half-raised to her lips, reminiscing. Tina, pumpkin... come try your momma's famous soup. No, don't put your finger in it, Queenie, you'll burn it, and that won't be good, will it? Bring a bowl over for your daddy, too...

Momma.

Queenie watched her helplessly, tears hovering in her eyes. I know,, they seemed to say. I know.

"I stopped by Jacob's bakery today," Queenie said quietly after they had seated themselves in adjacent chairs. Tina looked up, about to inquire what came of her visit, but saw her younger sister's blissful expression and decided she didn't need to. Instead, she sighed a little and warned her in a low tone,

"Be careful, Queenie. You know so much more than he does, and you know the Law…" Her voice wavered, and Queenie's eyes darted away from hers, reflecting the flickering candlelight. She blinked quickly and shook her head.

"He already knows, Teen," she insisted. "I can see it in his head."

Tina stared at her numbly, a bubble of panic rising within her. "Knows what?"

"He remembers. Little fragments." Queenie pushed around carrots on her plate with a fork, biting her lip. "He remembers you and me and the creatures. And Newt." Tina started a little at his name. She hadn't heard the name spoken out loud for months, only inside her head. Newt. Queenie's face softened. The last few notes from the radio hung in the air, then melted away. A few silent beats passed between them before she said softly, "You miss him terribly."

Tina didn't reply. She could only think about the bittersweet farewell at the dock, the way he had stroked her hair, and his promise to deliver his book in person. She knew it was absurd to harbor such strong feelings after only a few days with him, but she couldn't help but feel drawn to his eccentricity.

Of course, that didn't matter, considering the fact that he hadn't sent a single letter in over half a year.

What if he changed his mind? What if he didn't want to see her again? And- oh, Lord- what if he forgot about her?

"He hasn't forgotten about you," said Queenie firmly, bringing Tina back to reality. She blinked and stared at the seat across from her, half-expecting to see that distinct blue. Forget it, Goldstein. Just let it go.

"I'm gonna go hit the sack early tonight," she said distractedly, taking her untouched bowl with her as she stood up unsteadily. Queenie's hand shot out immediately and grasped her arm.

"Teenie, he hasn't forgotten," Queenie repeated, her grip tightening. Her words sounded faint and distant, as if she were calling across a sea of fog.

Tina shook her head, attempting to clear out the thoughts that were chasing each other wildly in her mind. "I... I need to go to bed." She set the bowl down on the counter and turned away toward her room, but Queenie caught her other arm and spun her around. Tina glared at their connected hands.

"Teen, you have to listen to me." Desperation crept into Queenie's voice. "I saw. I saw it in his head. I know he's gonna come back, because he's not the type to break promises." Her eyes flickered, a smoky shadow passing over them for a split second before she blinked and smiled. "I never lie to you, and you know that."

"I'd beg to differ."

"Oh, stop that." Queenie dropped her sister's hands, swatting her arm, but laughed anyways. Her eyes still held the same faint smoke in them as she led Tina back to the dining table, reheating her bowl of soup. Tina looked up as a hand settled gently on her shoulder.

"Besides, I'll always be your Queenie."