First OC ! I'm warning, no romance between my OC and the legit one. Also, first case for Tina in the MoM and Newt joined them after all. I hope you'll like this chapter. I wrote it listening to the Ministry of magic soundtrack. Wizarding soundtracks inspire me, thruth to be told. Have a good lecture.
HW.
Chapter Three - First day, first issue.
Monday morning - Ministry of Magic.
Tina waited for Theseus who was supposed to pick her up. It was true that she was early but there wasn't much to do in her new "home". She found a room in the Leaky Cauldron and felt too nervous to sleep properly. She's always been an early bird anyway. So here she was. Some men stared curiously at her, probably wondering what was she doing here but mostly just ignored her. Theseus found her quite by accident.
- Already here, good then, come with me. I'll introduce you to the team.
They were heading to the Auror Office when Theseus stopped and turned to her.
- Before we go in, I have to warn you. English aurors are not used to see female auror. The few women i tried to hire left because of their teammates. I know, it's a shame but i can't do anything because it's how it is.
- I'll deal with it.
She dealt with Grindelwald himself, so it wasn't a bunch of sexist men who'll frighten her. If they wanted a fight, they'll have it.
Everyone was staring at them as they went in front of them. They were all wondering what this reunion was about.
- Hey boss, a very arrogant looking auror began, is it your new secretary or a trainee again ?
They sneered.
- Yeah, really funny Collins, he rolled his eyes, Gentlemen, let me introduce you Miss Porpentina Goldstein, she is a MACUSA's auror and she will work here with us.
Collins interrupted him.
- She is an auror ? American really have low standard !
Tina didn't blink an eye. Theseus ignored him.
- I expect from you professionalism and goodwill. We don't want MACUSA to think we're not trustworthy. Miss Goldstein, come with me please. I'll show you your office. Everyone, let's get to work.
They left without another word.
- In Tina's desk.
- I'm sorry about that Miss Goldstein. He is not a bad guy but... Feel free to reply if you have to. Just don't tied him up to a chair. He made a crooked smile, There are some cases on your desk we are currently working on. Have a look on them please.
- Of course, Mr Scamander.
He was about to clear the room when Tina stopped him.
- Mr Scamander, I… Look, I wanted to apologize for… you know, the chair. She stuttered, confused.
He laughed quietly and slipped away.
Four hours later.
Tina was reading papers and studying unsolved files when she heard a knock on the door.
- Come in.
The doors opened and Newt's head appeared in the chink.
- Hello.
- Newt ! What are you doing here ? She smiled.
- I happen to work here, Miss Goldstein. He smiled back as he entered.
- Then, shouldn't you be precisely at work Mr Scamander ?
- Actually, Theseus called me. He wants me to join him for a case.
- You mean, involving creature ?
- Might be. Would you mind us working together ? He looked at her briefly then avoid her gaze.
- Of course not ! After all, you're the expert in beast.
He blushed at the compliment. Fortunately, Tina pretended she didn't notice.
- Let's go then.
- In the Auror's headquarter.
Theseus was waiting Tina and Newt with some other aurors. Travers was talking to him. He wanted to have an eye on the two of them, especially the MACUSA auror. Theseus didn't like him if he was honest but never show it, of course, since he was his superior. Travers was indeed quite despicable: arrogant, harsh and rude which really was a pity, in Theseus's opinion, because he was a skilled and a smart man too. He eyed Tina as she came within sight and simply ignored Newt.
- Who is that ? Whispered Tina to Newt, as discreet as possible.
- Travers Torquil. He's the Head of The Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Quite unpleasant. Hello Mr Travers. He added when they finally joined them.
- Mr Scamander. The man simply said then turned to Theseus again without greeting Tina. I want report every week on them and the Muggle too. Understood ?
- Clearly. Theseus insured in a firm tone.
Travers left them hastily, saying to an another auror team to follow him.
- Charming, taunted Tina.
- Theseus, now we're here maybe you can tell us what's going on ?
- The muggle police have found corpses exsanguinated in a lost house in the countryside. A muggle family. No evidence, but I think it's a beast. We already obliviated them, now it's our turn to intervene. That's why we need your help Newt.
- What about that "auror" woman ? We don't really need her, right ?
Collins was here. Again. Tina glared at him but said nothing. Newt rolled his eyes, annoyed.
- Well, Collins, i'm reminding you she's our liaison officer with MACUSA so, it's only natural she works with my team. Now, if you're finished complaining, let's go to the morgue.
Collins looked very displeased but obeyed nevertheless.
-In the morgue.
A dead family was lying on metallic tables. The parents and two kids. Newt and Theseus approached one of them. The sight was quite traumatic: white corpses with a "Y" scar on the chest, in a state of rigor mortis. It gave Newt a chill. Their throat were all badly opened. Muggle Post mortem were very similar to the wizard's since death always left a mark, even with magic.
- Do you recognize that wound ? Theseus mumbled.
- According to the bite marks, I don't think it's a Nundu, thanks Paracelsus, he reflected, and since the blood was sucked i'd say... Maybe a very big and nasty Chupacabra. See, other creature actually eat their prey. Chupacabra usually hunt goat but i've seen one turning bad and chasing human.
- It does make sense but I thought there were none in Europe ?
- Traffic ? Newt shrugged.
- Yeah, we need to see the crime scene anyway. Maybe more clue here.
- Meanwhile.
Tina was staring at the parents. Dead parents, nothing new for me, she thought bitterly. This sad view reminded her that horrible day. She was with them when they passed away, promising her father she will protect her little sister at all cost. She didnt' even cried when she told Queenie they were gone, too busy conforting a sobbing sister, telling her it would be alright. And she tried her best, every single day. And yet, she felt like she had failed. Again. She had to look pained because she heard Collins behind her, mocking her.
- Aww, the baby doll is about to cry ! Then he added with a harsh tone, I can't believe you call yourself an Auror.
She froze and became paler. She turned around to face him, confrontational.
- What exactly is your problem with me ? She asked coldly.
- My problem ? He repeated, No problem except you're an american little lady who somehow managed to become an Auror and I don't think it's because you're skilled, smart or brave. He made a pause. You can fool Theseus but not us. I bet Grindelwald didn't even bother himself to try to kill you, that's why you survived twice.
Tina took one threatening step forward, talking to him in a very low voice.
- You know nothing about me or what happened. You're just a peacock who makes the wheel to impress your dumb friend. You're pathetic.
- Don't push your luck, Goldstein. He warned with tight jaw, accident happens.
She was about to retort she perfectly could defend herself when Theseus and Newt came near them.
- Everything's alright ? Theseus frowned, suspicious.
- Yeah. Collins muttered. So, what's the plan, boss ?
- Quit calling me that. You, Mcdowell and O'connel you'll do a canvass of the neighborhood. See if anything weird or unusual happened, if someone saw or heard something. Miss Goldstein, my brother and I are going to inspect the crime scene.
- Humph… understood. He was clearly disappointed but didn't argue.
They separated without saying a word.
Some moment later - The crime scene.
The house was a real mess. There were a lot of evidences of struggle. Broken things, blood. Newt, Tina and Theseus began to look for evidence. At some point, Theseus found some strange dark brown hair on the floor. He took it with plastic gloves and called Newt.
- What's this ? It looks like dog's fur.
Newt took them from him without any warning, or gloves.
- Hey ! You're contaminating them ! He exclaimed, exaspereted, but Newt wasn't listening. He sniffed the hairs several time. He smelled something wild, strong and musk but definitively not beastly however.
- It's not a beast we're looking for, he blinked in disbelief, it's a wizard.