First fluff, hope it is well written. Have a good read. By the way, my favorite character is Tina, she's strong, brave and yet so kind. And I guess she didn't had an easy life. The second one is Newt. But every character of J.K. Rowling is rich and complexe.
One more thing, at one certain moment in the chapter, I imagined the soundtrack of NewTina (Newt say goodbye to Tina and Slamander's eyes) playing. Do you think it's relevant ?
HW.
Chapter Two - The basement.
Evening - Newt's home.
It was already dark outside when they arrived at Newt's place.
- Sorry for the mess. Wasn't expecting someone and we left quite hurriedly. He muttered, cleaning the house up a bit with a flick of his wand.
- It's so unfair, complained Jacob, you wizards can really do what you want with a wand.
- Which leaves us quite clueless without it, added Newt, dropping it on his desk.
Tina chuckled, imagining a clumsy Newt without his wand, breaking stuff and swearing in a very British way.
- So, she began, do you have any new creature to show us ?
- Actually, yes. To my basement. Watch your step.
They went down the stairs. Jacob recognized the strange bird he saw last time he came.
- Hey Newt, he said staring at it, what is it ?
- This is an Augurey. They're known to cry when it's about to rain.
- Is he okay ? He seems a little… skinny.
- Oh, don't worry about him. It's how they actually are. This way.
Jacob and Tina looked everywhere, amazed. They stopped in front of something like a big pool or like a lake. Newt turned timidly to Tina.
- Since you told me you read my book, maybe… Maybe you can guess what's in there ?
Surprised but pleased, she frowned while reflecting. She soon began to think aloud.
- Well, it's aquatic obviously. Given the dimensions of the enclosure, it's either a big beast or a colony of little to medium beast. She made a pause then resumed, I don't think it's a merpeople colony, they'll never agree to live in an enclosure like another creature would. Too proud. So I'll say a group of grindylow or a kelpie…?
Newt made a brief laugh. Amazing, he thought.
- I have to admit, Miss Goldstein, you sure are a good investigator, he told her with rosy cheeks, very flattered she actually managed to learn from his book, there is indeed a kelpie in that pool, although i do have a group of grindylow too. Not in the same enclosure, they are quite aggressive.
Tina was radiant. Jacob awkwardly smiled, not understanding.
- Can someone tell me what's a kelp ?
- Kelpie, corrected Newt, it's usually a horse like creature, very similar to your seahorse except it's bigger and far more dangerous, he examined the water's surface, guess he is not wanting to show himself right now. This one is a shy. Follow me.
They went to the opposite side of the basement. The setting was more like a plain wood, beautiful and yet mysterious. A red-haired woman was cleaning the area as they came.
- Bunty ? Why are you still here ? You should be at home at this hour, Newt stated.
- I wanted to clean the enclosure before leaving, she noticed Tina and Jacob, especially Tina, who are they ?
- This is my friend, Kowalski Jacob and my… he hesitated, other friend, Goldstein Porpentina. Jacob, Tina, she is my assistant, Bunty.
Bunty became a little upset. Porpentina Goldstein, the woman Newt had been writing to, thinking about and pining for was just in front her. How did she know ? She noticed how impatient he was to read her letters, how passionate he seemed when he replied and, before going to Paris, how he was desperate to meet her again. She bit her lower lips, jealousy filling her. Newt didn't notice, unaware.
- I'm going to show them the hyppogriffs, then i'll make my round, feed everyone before going to sleep so you can go now.
- I'll stay a little longer, just to say good night, she answered nervously.
They approached the hippogriff area which was in a magical made wood. There were six of them. Jacob stared at them in complete disbelief, dumbstruck while Tina was standing arms crossed, cheerful. They came as Newt called them.
- There are four females and two males. Females are usually more protective, particularly with their progeny. They are very proud and quickly offended.
One male was looking hard at Tina. To the astonishment of everyone, he graciously bowed before her. Tina glanced at Newt, unsure of what to do.
- This must be the first time i see a hippogriff behave like this. It's your turn to bow, so he know you're friendly.
She did as told and the hippogriff moved docilely to come closer. Tina extended her hand slowly and the hippogriff rubbed his head against it. She began to pet him affectionately. She uttered a brief breath, unaware she had stopped doing so. Jacob, Bunty and Newt gazed at them. The hippogriff made a pleasing sound, obviously content.
- I think you've got an admirer, Tina. Newt said with wonder.
- Can i try too ? Asked eagerly Jacob. I like horse and bird you know, so this is like the most awesome thing I ever seen. That and Queenie.
- Yes, just bend down and look at it in the eye without a blink. If it bows too, you can pet it. If not, get back very slowly.
Jacob lent over, waiting. One female stared at him with fair interest and made a short nod.
- It's okay Jacob, you can touch her. That one is far more tolerant and curious than the other.
A few moments later, Newt left to feed his creature. Jacob asked if he could help which he agreed joyfully. Tina was just strolling around when she discovered a strange but beautiful flower. It resembled a heart. She strongly wanted to touch it, smell it.
- You can come closer if you want. Tina started with surprise when Bunty spoke. The flower, i mean.
They looked at each other.
- Could you please tell Newt i returned home ? It's late, i got to go.
- Yes, sure.
- Thank you. Well, good evening.
She left before giving Tina a chance to reply. Tina shrugged and walked to the pretty flower. It was even more splendid, seen up close. She inhaled deeply. How wonderful, she thought. Sweet, exotic and light. She could stay here forever. But soon after, her eyes began to get wet with tears, her nose tickled her and her skin burned. She sneezed violently. She wandered, hoping to find Newt or Jacob. Her sight became blurred with tears. She rubbed her eyes but it just exacerbated the reaction. She called them but no one came. When they finally reached her, she was standing in the middle of an enclosure in a dazed state, eyes tightly closed. Newt and Jacob frowned.
- Jacob, would you mind feeding the mooncalves please ? He asked worriedly, giving him a bucket full of food. Just don't go near the Nundu area.
- Yeah, no problem. I'll be right back. He took it and left.
- Tina, are you alright ?
He feared something overwhelmed her. He approached slowly.
- Newt ? I - i'm so sorry. I wanted to know how they smelt, they were so beautiful i couldn't help it !
- What are you talking about ?
- The flowers.
He hove a sigh of relief. Just flowers. He softly grabbed her arm and led her to his workbench. She sat while he was gathering and mixing some ingredient.
- What kind of flowers ?
Realizing he was talking to her, she answered it was like a heart.
- Lamprocapnos. Also known as bleeding heart. How did it happened ? He gave her a strange potion to drink. She took it without hesitation.
- Your assistant assured me i could go and smell it. So i did it. She grimaced as she drank it.
- That's strange. Bunty knows that it's rather irritating. Did you rubbed your eyes ? He asked, noticing how swollen they were.
- No ! She vigorously denied, maybe ?
He smiled fondly at her.
- I really can't blame you. See, these beautiful plants are known to attract beautiful creature so, he froze suddenly, understanding what he just told her. Li - like unicorn or - He carried on with a shaky voice. He swallowed, ducking his head.
Tina gazed at him, biting her lower lips with a small smile.
- Then I suppose you have experienced that yourself, Mr Scamander ?
He raised his head, meeting her eyes. She beamed.
- You know I - well, if you still want it though - I could, He struggled to talk, troubled.
- I do.
Her eyes were shining with emotion. He was still staring at her in pure adoration. He curtly turned around to search something in a drawer. A book.
- This is the very first… For you. I - i wrote a note too.
She tenderly grabbed it and opened it. Newt waited for her reaction, anxious.
"To the most brave, kind and beautiful women i ever met,
Truly yours, Newton Scamander"
She was crying now. Tina wasn't the kind of woman to easily let go. She didn't when she saw that stupid article, she didn't when Queenie betrayed her. But this time, just this time, she allowed herself to. Because she had hoped so much her feelings would be mutual. And this was a good beginning. Maybe she didn't hope in vain.
- Tina, may I- May I hug you ? Newt asked, his voice full of hope.
- Yes. She simply answered.
When he did nothing to initialize the aforesaid hug, she stood up carefully and embraced clumsily his shoulders, hoping this was appropriated. She rested her head on his left shoulder and made a tiny content sigh. He finally relaxed and moved to reciprocate. He placed his arms around her thin waist and nested his head on her shoulder as well. He felt like he could stay like this for the rest of his life, as if every struggle he had was meant to lead him with that marvelous woman.
- Thank you, she whispered to his hear and it sounded like music to him.
- I will always catch you, Tina.
They stayed pressed together, enjoying each other closeness. Suddenly, Jacob was here, clearing his throat to manifest himself. They pulled apart hastily, as if busted doing something wrong. Both were bright red. Newt decided to ignored the crooked smile of Jacob and asked him instead if everyone was fed, pretending nothing had happened. Jacob nodded, ranging from teasing them or leaving them alone, for now at least. Tina figured this out and sent him a warning expression.
- Newt, what would you say if we also fed ?
- I'd say it's a very welcomed idea, Jacob.
Jacob offered to cook and they both agreed, knowing that it was surely going to be a tasty meal.
