It's a chilly, snowy night when MACUSA have their New Year's celebration.
Porpentina Goldstein wouldn't have gone, but her sister Queenie insists getting their gladrags on and drinking copious amounts of gigglewater is exactly what they both need after… everything. So, for the sake of her sister, Tina begrudgingly puts on a sequinned dress, swapping comfort and practicality for the sake of looking a bit sparkly.
"C'mon, Teenie, we don't wanna be late!" Queenie exclaims, grabbing Tina's arm as they leave the apartment.
She can't help but feel like Queenie's pulling her out of the door, and not for the first time either; Tina's ideal Saturday night involves a good book, hot cocoa, and fuzzy woollen socks, but this is rarely allowed. Instead, she's got to be self conscious in sequins, massively underdressed for this cold weather.
The Woolworth building is only a short walk away, but Tina's shoes are killing her already. How, she wonders, does Queenie do this? And more to the point how does she do it and actually enjoy all of this nonsense?
Even when she's been surrounded by magic her whole life, it's strange to walk the streets three weeks after they were turned to wreck and ruin, and have them look as though nothing ever happened. Grimy, sparkling, magical and mechanical New York. Tina was born in this city, and while she hates the idea that she'll die here too, where else could she go? This is home.
The streets aren't the only ones in denial about the recent events. There's an unspoken rule in action to all those who were directly involved in what happened; they don't talk about it. Much like the contradiction of her love for this city, Tina can't decide whether this is a good thing or not. As much as she wants everything to go back to normal… it can't. She feels the weight of uncertainty for the Second Salem kids, she carries her sister's heartbreak that she tries to hide, and only ever lets out with tears when she thinks Tina's asleep. She holds a reputation that's suffering from whiplash; it went from Tina the auror to Tina the disgraced, and now Tina the hero in the span of a month. Isn't that enough to make anyone's head spin?
The function room is decorated festively and full of merry wizards and witches, all dressed to the nines and all keen to talk to the hero auror who helped capture Grindelwald. Yet Tina feels as awkward as she did at her school prom, dazed by the loud music, not keen on any of the pointless interaction; nonetheless, she grabs a glass from the fountain of gigglewater and permits Queenie to pull her around an endless cycle of 'Hey, have you met my sister Tina?' instead of sneaking off to hide behind one of the decadent golden curtains, though it's a tempting prospect.
And the cherry on top of this mess of a cake is when a familiar voice yells above the din of jazzy music playing; "Miss Goldstein and Miss Goldstein, there you are!" It's Abernathy, manager of the wand permit office, shoving his way through the crowds to meet them. Tina resists a grimace - she can't stand that little creep. "It's good to see ya both." Abernathy says with a curt nod. "Save the last dance for me, won'tcha Queenie?"
"Not if it was the last dance I'd ever have, honey," Queenie says so sweetly before flouncing away that it takes the short wizard a moment to realise he's been insulted. That's all Tina needs, to be stuck with Abernathy - so she stuffs a few appetizers into her little beaded bag and hot-tails it out of there.
As soon as she's out into the atrium, Tina sighs. The music has faded to a dull thumping tune, and it's a relief can finally be able to hear her own thoughts. She's below the Magical Exposure Threat Level, (which is back down to level 3 'moderate threat',), when another familiar voice calls down to her. "Leaving so soon, miss Goldstein?"
Tina jumps. For a moment, she thinks that enormous banner of President Piquery has just spoken to her; then she jumps again, realizing that below it is the actual President. She gulps, hoping the President didn't see her shove all those hors d'oeuvres into her purse.
"I'm uh, not really the partying type," Tina explains.
Madame Piquery smiles. "I understand. But we're very fortunate this new year to have reasons to celebrate."
"Yes, Madame President." Tina wonders if the silence that follows is uncomfortable for both of them, or just her. Probably just her. Nobody can feel awkward when they've got the confidence to wear such a stunning headdress, can they? But finally, the president speaks.
"While you're here, Tina, there was something I wanted to discuss with you, unless you're in a rush?"
"Not at all ma'am, I've got plenty of time." She hadn't been planning on leaving yet anyway; sisters don't let eachother walk home alone even if it is only round the corner.
"I wanted to know how you feel about mister Graves returning to the auror office."
"You're asking… my opinion?" The President of wizarding America wants her opinion? Times really are changing. "Isn't he still in the hospital?"
"He was discharged this morning." It's always hard to tell what Madame Piquery is thinking, but Tina's positive that's distaste in her tone. "Discharged to rest at home and re-adjust to his life, but if I know Percival he won't let anyone stop him coming back to work."
"It's always an honour to work with him." Tina's always seen her head auror as more than a boss, but a mentor too - which brings the question that keeps her up at night. How did she not notice, even after she was demoted? How did nobody notice? "It wouldn't be fair to treat him differently because of what that monster did."
"I'm glad you agree-" A shriek and a clattering cuts Madame Piquery off, before the door to the function room swings open and who should burst out - of course it's Queenie.
"Teenie, we gotta go!"
Tina looks around, for an escape or for someone else to deal with this, as Queenie runs up to her with a strange sort of hobble. The eldest Goldstein sighs. "Queenie, what did you do?"
"I hit Abernathy with my shoe." Queenie holds up a black high heel. That explains the strange running. "Happy New Year's, Madame President!" And with that, Queenie grabs Tina's arm and disapparates.