The brief minutes Lou took to stare at the men in front of her made her forget all about first impressions. She studied the one called Jacob; still thinking he wasn't the agressive type, helped the fact that the annoyed look he was giving her didn't faze her. "Newt" on the other hand gave her the impression that he was passive enough to be put in his place. Especially if he wasn't even going to look at her directly.

"Why was that dog loose in the jewelry store anyway? Terrible thing to bring if you were going to rob it. And I suggest you take it out of that case before it suffocates!"

The curly haired man scoffed standing a bit hunched, as he held the case close to him. "First off it's my Niffler, not a dog, second I was merely retrieving him before he could cause anymore damage."

"That wasn't what was causing the damage. You were", said Lou as a matter-of-factly. She took another moment to study them. "Who are you anyway?"

"Newt Scamander", he said, twitching his head this way and that. "And this is Mr. Kowalski, my-", he paused. "Acquaintance, if you will. And you are?", he asked, holding out his hand to her.

Lou glared at it for a moment and thought about shaking it but decided against it. She shoved her hands back in her pockets and gave them hard looks. "Lou. Lou Rudd."

Newt immediately seeing as though he wasn't going to get anywhere with her, he figured it best to retrieve what was hidden inside his coat pocket. "Yes, well Miss Rudd, if you could do me the pleas-", he paused again as he stared not at Lou but at her shoulder. She followed his gaze to find him fixated on Pond. "That's my Billywig! Where did you find him?", asked Newt as he took a step closer to her.

Taking a step back, Lou became quite protective and felt ridiculous at the fact it was because of an insect. She clenched her eyebrows together. "Stop making names up. Honestly, Nifflers and Billy, Billy, whatever it was you said. You're a loon!", she stated as she turned to leave.

Scuffling could be heard behind her but before she had a chance to turn around, she felt a hand grab her forearm. "Please, please just wait", said the Brit.

But in an instant Lou yelped and immediately turned and punched Newt in the stomach. Taking a few more steps back, she watched as the case was dropped and how Jacob rushed to the side of the man gasping for air. On any other occasion Lou might have felt overjoyed at seeing how much pain she caused. But this man seemed pathetic enough trying to maintain his composure. Granted he hadn't intended to harm her but all the same.

Lou's expression turned from violated to concern as she moved forward. Picking the case up, she waited until Newt had caught his breath to hand it back to him.

"You're out of your mind", said Jacob.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I just, don't like to be touched. Not just by complete strangers but by anyone to be honest", she apologized.

Newt shook his head as if he understood and gripped his case in his hands once more. "I'll have to remember that", he said calmly. "But if you please, I will need him back", he said gesturing to Pond.

"Is Pond your pet?", asked Lou, grasping the Billywig off her shoulder and into her chilled hands.

"You, you named him?", asked Newt confused.

"Yes. Didn't you?", she asked. "Any pet owner has to have a name for their pet. Of course, he isn't mine." Hesitantly, she handed the buzzing insect into Newt's hands. Just by the quick exchange Lou felt and could see the hard sores and scars that covered them. "Please don't hurt him", she pleaded.

"Thank you. I would never", Newt said, smiling at her. She smiled back. He repeated the act of quickly opening the case and shoving the creature inside and closing it back up again.

The trio stood together and let a brief moment of silence pass.

"Are you a magician? Is that why you have that case with you? Because if you are, you must be a good one", said Lou, trying to make lighter conversation.

"Um, you're somewhat correct. I'm a Mag-, Zoologist. I care for creatures I find all over the world. Bit of a needed profession in my opinion."

"And you keep them in your suitcase?", asked Lou. "Seems unsafe in general." She turned to Jacob. "And what are you? A banker?"

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Don't talk about those guys. I've had enough of those Bigwigs", he grumbled.

Suddenly the street in front of them echoed with the sounds of blaring sirens, and their sight was obscured by the flashing lights. Not to mention an automobile had stopped just inches from them with five or six policemen piling out with guns pointed at them.

It had once again dawned on the three strangers that they were still covered in trinkets that couldn't be shaken off. Jacob and Lou had lifted their hands in the air listening to the policemen yelling at them to freeze.

"They went that way officer", said Jacob unconvincingly as he pointed up the sidewalk.

"Oh shut up", said Lou.

Jacob took a moment to look at her. "You shut u-", he paused. "L-lion!"

Sure enough, there was a full grown lion lazily walking up to them all. What in the world? The cops took more interest in the roaring beast rather than 3 thieves.

Newt chuckled. "You know, New York is considerably more interesting than I expected."

Lou raised an eyebrow at him as she continued lifting her arms over her head. "You're unbelievable. You're from England, I presume? Then why do I get the feeling you don't get out much?", she said.

"Sorry to disagree with you", he said. Taking advantage of the lack of attention, Newt made a quick decision. He leaned closer to Lou so he could whisper in her ear. "Forgive me", he said.

Before she could ask why, Newt had grabbed her wrist along with Jacob's and a few moments later, Lou felt as though all the air had been sucked out of her lungs.

A/N - Let me know what you think! :)