A/N: Alright fellow wizards, here is the second part of this story. If there is anything specific that anyone would like to see happen in this story, by all means let me know and I will do my best to make it happen. This story is a world of possibilities and I'm excited for it. Grindelwald doesn't have any House-elves, but Grindelwald will have two from his aunt, who he had lived with when he was younger.
Summary: Newt Scamander didn't do sides, but a chance was presented to him and one he was not sure would come again. His creatures meant everything to him, how could he ignore the opportunity to protect them? Everyone fights for something, he would fight for them and for the people he loved.
Part Two
Newt stumbled forward, that form of travel felt something akin to apparating, but quicker with little time to brace for landing. Gentle hands caught his arms, steadying him as he centered himself.
"Easy there Mr Scamander," a high and sweet voice told him. Queenie.
When he recovered his footing, he looked up to see the short blonde haired woman. Her smile was as wide as ever, her eyes alight with hope. She gripped his upper arms tightly, clearly pleased and elated to see him. It seemed like she would be on her own here, but she knew she would have to be strong enough to handle it. Jacob may not have come with her, but she was doing this for him, for both of them to have a future. He would understand when it was over, the two of them would have a real future together.
Newt smiled at her, glad to see her unharmed.
"It's good to see you Newt," Queenie said, her eyes glanced behind him in the spot where he once stood, "Did uh, did-"
"Neither of them are coming," Newt told her, predicting her question, "I'm sorry Queenie. It's just us."
Though Queenie looked a bit deflated by those words, her expression dropping for a moment followed by her shoulders. However she perked up again.
"That's okay, we're creating a new world and it will be a good one," she said with a decisive nod.
It looked like she was trying to convince herself more than Newt. He truly hoped she was right.
Credence stood off to the side, not saying anything and watching the pair with a curious look. Though his expression and body language always seemed to look as if he were in pain. Newt attributed that to the Obscurus that still resided in him. However he has to wonder if his departure from the woman he had been with was also affecting his body language and expression.
Leta stood opposite to them, her expression showed her surprise to see him here, but there was a small smile that formed on her face. He wasn't sure what to say to her, if he should say anything at all. When she had moved forward after Grindelwald, Newt was certain she would pull one of her tricks. He had to admit he was disappointed to see she had joined him after all, but also now that he was here, glad to have her.
An image of Tina flickered to his mind, the last look on her face he would see until they met again was pain and betrayal. Newt glanced at Queenie who's smile had fallen at the thought of her sister. She had never truly been without her sister, they had always been together. This would be the first time they were truly considered apart. The thought ached, but Queenie reminded herself that she would be here fighting not only for Jacob, but for Tina as well. She would fight for all of them.
The room they stood in was incredibly large, it reminded Newt of the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts with its lavish style and spaciousness. The main difference being the incredibly large window before him that looked over mountains of snow.
After a few more moments of standing there, Grindelwald appeared in the lavish room. His expression triumphant. Newt hoped that his friends and brother escaped, that Grindelwald didn't hurt them. The thoughts his friends and brother must have had by his departure, a pulse of guilt passed through him. He had to do this, for his creatures.
His grip tightened around his handle again, he would not let anything bad happen to them. Tina and Jacob would understand, they would come to this side to once they realized that Grindelwald was about freedom and equality, not what they originally believed. Newt hoped that were true.
"Your friends and siblings," Grindelwald said looking at the pair specifically, "Made it out just fine. I cannot grant them immunity should they stand in our way. Should an encounter come, I will leave it to you both to disarm them... If you cannot handle that task, then the blame or anger for whatever injury may befall them in battle will not fall to anyone but you."
Queenie swallowed, the idea of fighting her sister sent a sharp pain in her heart. However she would rather fight her than let anyone else here so much as lift a wand to her. At least if they fought each other, she wouldn't be hurt. Newt could only nod to show he understood. His brother was a skilled wizard, but Newt knew how to quickly disarm him. Could he really fight his brother from the opposite of the coming war? Theseus was his only family, yet he had abandoned him.
Queen placed a hand on his shoulder, a sign of comfort and to show she understood how he felt. Both of them left a sibling and a lover behind.
Grindelwald's smile returned, "Excellent. Welcome to Numengard Castle wizard brothers and sisters, you have joined a noble and true cause. Winston! Bo!"
Two house elves appeared at the call of their names, each dressed in rags that covered them just enough. Credence looked the most surprised to see them, Newt had to wonder if Credence had ever seen a house elf before. He recovered quickly enough, the sudden appearance of the elves must have startled him.
The shorter elf spoke, "Master Gellert. How may Bo and Winston serve?"
Grindelwald smiled at the elves, "Bo, Winston. I'd like you to meet our new guests. Here we have Leta Lestrange, Queenie Goldstein, Credence and Newt Scamander."
Each owner of a name had made a gesture of acknowledgment at Grindelwalds introduction.
The taller elf jumped up with a excitement, "Ooooh, Winston is most eager to be of service to you. We's love having more guests to look after."
"Have Izzy prepare their rooms, Bo be sure to get dinner ready soon, I'm sure they're famished," ordered Grindelwald, though his voice was kind, "Winston, why don't you lead them around until their rooms are ready. I would give the tour myself but I must speak to Vinda to be sure that everything is in order."
"Right away sir," said Bo disappearing from view with a pop.
Winston bowed, "Winston will not let you down Master Gellert."
The smile Grindelwald wore, though small, was filled with fondness, "Excellent. I will see the rest of you at dinner."
Grindelwald walked out of the room, leaving all the newcomers to stand there unsure. The house elf Winston was grinning from ear to ear as he looked around at each of the wizards.
"Nows don't you worry," Winston said grinning, "Winston'll take good care of master Gellert's honored guests. Winston promises to do a good job."
Leta smiled at the elf, "We're lucky to have you as our guide."
The elf looked bashful, "Why thank you miss. Winston will start the tour, this here is…"
The group of wizards followed the house elf around the building, an extravagant safe house to say the least that was beautiful in so many ways. Newt made a mental note to keep an extra eye on his creatures to not get lost here, they would likely break something. Though Newt intended to follow Grindelwald, he was not prepared to face any possible wrath from him or for his creatures to be in the crossfire. Credence and Queenie walked quickly behind the elf, leaving Leta and Newt to walk beside each other.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Leta said to him softly, her gaze forward, "Why did you come?"
"I could ask you the same," was Newt's reply.
She glanced at him, the question still in her eyes.
Newt lifted his case slightly, "To protect my creatures. The ministry tried to take them away, they still could at any moment. If what Grindelwald says is true, this will be my best chance to keep them safe."
Leta nodded in understanding, she remembered how much he loved those creatures. They were his life, his everything. There were so many memories she held of Newt showing her all kinds of creatures, all kinds of fantastic beasts. Each beast looked like a monster, but most of them were harmless.
"Why did you come," Newt asked after a pause of silence.
Though he had an idea, he wanted to be sure. Neither of them ever fit in with the others around them, he was different and she was an outcast.
Leta inhaled before saying, "Opportunity."
Newt didn't have to ask her to elaborate on her answer, he understood what she meant. Having the chance to be anything, to do anything or to prove herself was something she always wished for. All she needed was the slimmer of a chance and she would take it, her ambition had brought her so far in life and would continue to push her forward.
"Up here's the ladies floor," said Winston as they entered the hall, the walls a rich red color with golden leaf designs that seemed to dance in the light..
Leta was not a stranger to lavish and luxury, even though her father cared little for her, she was still raised like the wealthy pure blood she was. However even this hall left her a bit star struck. Both Newt and Queenie were impressed by the appearance of it all. It was much nicer than either of them had anticipated. In all honesty, Newt had not really been expecting much.
Queenie on the other hand thought wherever Grindelwald would take his new followers would be something flashy. Reading his thoughts took a bit more effort on her part, he was an expert at occlumency, but when he said home the outside of this place flashed across her mind. More often than not she heard the thoughts of others as if they were said aloud, on a few occasions world images cross her vision. It typically depended on the person and what was being discussed to determine if that would happen.
Credence appeared to be the most awestruck. He had spent his entire life with less than modest livings along with months in the circus on the road. Both left little arrangements of living to be desired. A part of him wondered if Nagini would have liked it here with him. Though she preferred simple things, her eyes were always looking at anything that shimmered. These walls would have suited her.
"Apologies Mistress Leta and Mistress Queenie for your rooms not being ready yet," Winston said with the most sorrowful expression.
Queenie quickly reassured, "Oh don't worry about it sugar. We're just fine waiting."
Winston smiled at her, "You's too kind to Winston, Winston is most pleased. This way, to the gentlemen's floor."
The tour continued, the men's floor being just as extravagant as the ladies. Though the walls were a royal blue instead of red. Newt knew that even with the luxuries here sleep would likely not find him tonight. A bit of fresh guilt gnawed at his stomach, for what he had left behind, really who he had left behind.
The house elf ended the tour at the dining room where a feast was laid out before them. The food looked magnificent and smelled even better. Everyone ate in relative silence, though small murmurs of conversation were exchanged. Newt remained on the quieter side of the spectrum, though Queenie would speak directly to him every once in awhile to keep him out of his head. He was grateful for it, he didn't want to dwell too much on the negative side of things, right now he needed to see some of the good things going on. The road ahead would be difficult, but his creatures would be taken care of, so would those he cared deeply for.
"I thank you all for joining me," said Grindelwald at the end of the feast, "I know it must not have been easy, but the right path is not always the smoothest. Tonight, you all rest. Tomorrow I would like to meet with each of you separately, a… get to know you if you will."
Leta asked, her head high, "Will you summon us from our rooms?"
Grindelwald shook his head, "No, you have run of the place. Go wherever you please. When I need to speak with you, I'll find you."
