Author's note: Hi everybody! Thank you for the reads, favourites and follows. I had originally written this as one chapter, but it turned out to be so long that I had to split it into two! So, here's part one.
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Newt woke up to the sound of tapping on glass. Opening his eyes, he squinted blearily at his bedside clock and realised it was still early morning, just under an hour before he usually woke up.
Tap, tap, tap.
Groaning, Newt stumbled, half asleep, to his window, before pulling open the drapes to find Dumbledore's owl perched on the window sill.
Fully awake now, Newt threw open the window, allowing the owl to hop inside.
"You poor thing," he told the owl, searching around to find some owl treats, offering him a handful. "Crossing an ocean must be exhausting. So sorry about that."
As the bird ate gratefully, Newt untied the letters attached to the owl, noticing there were two for him and two for Credence.
Tina and Queenie, he realised. The letters had taken longer to reach him than he'd thought. Newt had hoped to get their replies whilst still on the ship.
But, no matter, he told himself. They were here now.
As he was awake now, and still had almost an hour before he needed to feed his creatures, Newt quickly set about lighting candles and studying the envelopes holding his letters from Queenie and Tina.
Which one should he read first? He wondered. And while he ached to rip open Tina's letter, he felt he'd rather savour hers, and so instead opened the one Queenie had sent him.
Dear Newt, she'd written. Her handwriting was looped and elegant.
I got home from work today to find Tina on the couch, reading your letter. She was so relieved to hear that Credence was alive, she was crying.
I never got to meet the boy myself, but I saw him in Tina's mind, and yours. Poor thing, it looked like he had a pretty hard life, and I'm glad he's with you now. You're so giving, Newt, I can't think of anyone else better suited to help Credence heal.
When I come to England, I hope I can do what I can to help him as well.
I found Jacob's bakery, Newt. Took me a while, but I found it. He looks so happy, and it's going so well. And while he doesn't remember much, he does remember some things. You should see his bakery, Newt, some of his pastries look like the creatures from your case.
When I went in, I could see flashes of magic in Jacob's mind. He recognised me, even if he couldn't remember me.
I know I can help him get his memory back, though I don't know how long it'll take. Still, something tells me that we'd have to leave America soon after it happens, as both of us would have broken the law, then.
And I don't want Jacob to forget me again.
But, you said that the laws in England were different, right, Newt? If Jacob and I came to England, would we be safe? Would we be accepted?
Could you find out what we have to do, to help let Jacob keep his memory in England, please Newt? I'm happy to do any paperwork, or sign any contracts or visit as many departments as needed.
Tina's worried about me, of course. She's my sister, she's always been worrying about me. But I'm also worried about her. If Jacob and I move to England, she'll be left all alone, with nothing but her work.
I asked her to come with us. But she's concerned that if she moves to England so soon after just getting her job back, she might not be accepted at your ministry, as Madam Piquery wouldn't recommend her. She's such a good auror, I'm sure the British Department would accept her, but maybe it would help if she had a recommendation from someone else as well.
Don't tell her I told you this Newt, but she thinks about you a lot. She won't say it out loud, but she misses you. She thinks she always has to be strong, but she forgets sometimes that she's still, just a woman.
Didn't you say that your brother was the Head of the Auror Department, Newt? Would you be able to give a recommendation for Tina? I'm sure he'd listen to you, after all, you've seen Tina's work up close.
I hope all your creatures are doing well, Newt, and please give my regards to Credence, I've included a letter for him as well.
Thank you for any help you can give Newt, I'd really appreciate it,
Your friend,
Queenie Goldstein.
Newt sighed as he placed Queenie's letter on his bedside table. He sympathised with Queenie's dilemma regarding Jacob's memory, and promised himself he would write to her as soon as possible regarding what he knew of applying for an exemption to the Statute of Secrecy.
Newt's eyes then fell to the next part of the letter, regarding Tina, and the words jumped out from the page. '…she thinks about you a lot. She won't say it out loud, but she misses you."
Newt let out a breath as a smile crept across his face. Tina missed him…she thought about him…
Newt closed his eyes as his heart seemed to fill his chest.
'I miss you too, Tina,' he thought.
Snapping his eyes open, he quickly picked up Tina's letter and tore it open.
Dear Newt, Tina wrote, her writing clear and practical, though still with a feminine flourish which caused Newt to smile.
I was so happy to hear from you so soon, we hadn't expected a letter from you for at least another week.
Thank you so much for letting me know about Credence. Tell him that, of course, he can write to me, and I've also included a letter for him, as well. I'm looking forward to hearing about his progress. How did his meeting with your professors go?
How are you doing, Newt? Have you been able to hand in your manuscript yet? Thank you so much for the invite to England for your book promotions, and if you can let me know when they are, Queenie and I will do our best to make it to as many as possible.
After you and your case of creatures left, New York has seemed a little quiet, but the interrogations of Grindlewald are underway. And while I can't say anything here, I feel our team is getting some useful leads.
Queenie has found Jacob's bakery, though she's probably already explained everything in her letter. I'm really worried about her, Newt. I want my sister to be happy, but I'm terrified she's going to get arrested or worse if she keeps going to see Jacob. MACUSA kept tabs on him for a week or so after the 'event' and were satisfied that Jacob's mind had been sufficiently obliviated for him to no longer be an exposure risk. However, now he has his bakery, and his pastries are apparently shaped like your creatures (they really must have had an effect on him) I'm afraid that, sooner or later, a MACUSA member will spot them and realise Jacob's memory is still, at least partially, intact.
And Queenie will be heartbroken again.
She's told me her plans of moving to England once Jacob's got his memory back. She has it all planned in her mind. She's such an optimist, and I wish I could share that positivity, but questions and worries keep flooding my mind.
What if Jacob never gets his memory back?
Jacob has only just opened his dream bakery, what if he doesn't want to move to England?
What if MACUSA find out before they can leave, and they're both arrested?
What if they can't find a home in England?
What if I never see my sister again?
I know you say that worrying makes you suffer twice, Newt, but I've been taking care of Queenie since we were kids and I'm terrified for her. I want her to be safe, but she'll never really be happy unless she can be with Jacob. I may not have my sister's gift, but she is still my little sister, and I know her well.
I'm sorry, Newt, I didn't mean to unload everything in this letter. It's just wonderful to be able to write to you, you know?
How are your creatures, by the way? Dougal, Pickett, the niffler? You said that Credence was helping you with them, and I'm glad to hear he seems to be doing well. I can't think of anyone better to help him than you, Newt. You help so many who need it.
I look forward to hearing from you, Newt. If there's any information you can give Queenie regarding her move to England, could you please let her know?
Yours truly,
Tina Goldstein.
Newt lowered Tina's letter slowly, reading through it once again.
Tina's worry for Queenie was clear to see, and Newt could sympathise, remembering that the two of them had only each other since they were orphaned as children.
He was gratified that she seemed pleased to hear from him, and looked forward to his reply, endeavouring to do so as soon as possible.
However, the paragraph concerning Grindlewald concerned him. Was Tina one of the Aurors in charge of his questioning? Newt hoped not. He could see Tina being asked to take part, as she had been instrumental in discovering his masquerade as Percival Graves, but Newt knew that could also make her a target for Grindlewald's revenge if he ever managed to escape. Which, Newt was certain, would happen sooner or later, considering Grindlewald's record.
A glance at the clock told Newt it was time to give his creatures their first feed of the day, and moved to get his case, scooping up all the letters as he did so.
Newt knew, he would have been welcome to stay with his parents, and knew his mother in particular would at least expect a visit now that he was back home, but he had missed his small, London flat, while he'd been away, and knew explaining Credence's story would be difficult. He hadn't told his parents anything about New York, and his brother, Theseus still believed Credence to be dead. Hoping to ensure Credence's safety by keeping it that way, Newt was happy for Credence to stay with him, for now. But, as Newt's flat only had the one bedroom, Credence was sleeping in a small cot Newt had made up for him, down in the shed of the suitcase, which the young American had appeared more than happy with.
As Newt made his way down into his case, he found Credence already awake, sitting on the stairs leading from the shed, watching the creatures stirring in the new morning light, seeming deep in thought.
"Morning, Credence," Newt greeted.
"Good morning," Credence replied automatically, getting to his feet eagerly. "What do you want me to do?"
"Well," Newt considered, using his wand to organise all the equipment and feed required, "if you could take care of the mooncalves, Dougal and the niffler, before checking the diricawl, fwooper and doxy feeders, that should be enough to start with.
Nodding, Credence set about getting to work.
"Oh, by the way," Newt held up the letters, "these arrived this morning, from New York." He held out two envelopes. "These are for you," he told him.
Slowly, as if afraid Newt would take them away, Credence accepted his letters.
"You can read them now, if you like," Newt offered, seeing if fair, as he'd already read his own. "Or, you can wait to read them later. Your choice."
Staring at the letters, Credence was highly tempted to read them immediately. But, as Newt left the shed, he realised he still wanted to show Newt that he could help him with the creatures. That he was worth keeping around. Newt had accepted him, taken him in and helped him begin to control his magic, the least Credence could do, he figured, was to try and help him with his creatures.
And Credence had enjoyed taking care of them, he admitted to himself. Seeing the playful mooncalves, having Dougal trail him around the case curiously, and watching all the different animals in their respective habitats filled Credence with a wonder he couldn't remember ever experiencing.
And he didn't want that to go away.
Placing the two envelopes carefully on the small cot he'd made up neatly that morning, Credence picked up the feed buckets and followed Newt out the shed door.
As Credence walked around the different habitats, he often observed Newt out of the corner of his eye as he worked. The gentle man treated all of his creatures with the same kindness and empathy he treated Credence, and he wondered at how rare such a person was, to have such a level of compassion for others.
Eager to do Newt proud, Credence got to work.
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"Well done, Credence," Newt complimented as he inspected the feeders, to find they'd been cleaned and filled to a good standard. "How were the mooncalves this morning?" he asked.
"Everyone got their share," Credence stated surely, feeling a flush of pride build in his chest at Newt's approval.
"Good," Newt smiled, as he helped Credence put everything away.
"Listen," Newt began carefully, sitting on the wooden bench by the shed. "I need to go into the Ministry this morning to find out a few things for Queenie- Tina's sister-, before I hand in my manuscript to my publisher." Newt studied Credence's face carefully. "Would you like to come with me, or stay here? I could give you a tour of London, this afternoon, if there's time before your class tonight, to help you get your bearings," Newt offered.
"Though I should warn you," Newt cautioned before Credence opened his mouth. "If you do come with me to the Ministry, it would be the equivalent of you walking into MACUSA. No one outside myself, your professors, Tina and Queenie, know your still alive, Credence. I haven't even told my brother, and he's the Head of the Auror department at the Ministry. Truth is," Newt admitted, "I have no idea what my brother would do if he knew you were alive. And so, I think it would be safer if most people thought you were dead, until you can prove to them how much you've learnt to control your magic."
Credence swallowed.
"I don't want you to be afraid to leave the case, Credence," Newt assured him. "I just think it would be easier to show people like Madam Piquery and my brother that you're not a threat, once you've had a few more classes. And London is your home, now," Newt reminded him. "I want it to feel that way, to you. I want you to feel safe here."
"Would it be alright if I walked around London by myself?" Credence asked, taking Newt by surprise. "I used to walk around New York all the time. It was nice, being able to get out of the house."
"If you're sure," Newt told him. "Though I thought you'd be uncomfortable, walking around a strange place on your own. You might get lost."
Credence shook his head. "I've got a good memory," he told Newt. "And I can go to a bank and get my American money exchanged."
"Yes," Newt nodded. "And I'll need to take you to Diagon Ally, a wizarding street," he explained, "to get you a vault at Gringotts Bank as well."
"Alright," Credence nodded, eager to see more of the wizarding world.
"Well, we have a lot to do, better get started," Newt announced, leading the way out of the case.
Newt locked his case securely before passing Credence a key to his flat.
"Now, I should hopefully have everything completed in time to take you to your evening class tonight," Newt said as he led the way down the stairs. "Do you want to walk with me to the entrance, at least?" He asked, concerned about leaving Credence on his own in a strange country. "It could help you have a starting point?"
"Yes, thank you," Credence nodded, and off they went, Credence studying the buildings and street signs near Newt's flat so as to commit them to memory.
As in Hogwarts, Newt was an enthusiastic tour guide, pointing out everything from where the muggle banks were, to Kensington gardens, where Newt had discovered a litter of half-kneazle kittens when he was twelve. They passed the Leaky Cauldron, the place where Newt told Credence they'd go, to get to Diagon Ally.
"If I'm not around, Credence, and you need any help that has to do with the wizarding world, even if it's to send an owl," Newt assured him, "go see the inn keeper, and he can get you through to Diagon Ally."
Eventually, Newt led Credence down an out of the way side street, down the side of a large, recently opened shopping centre. Newt led them to a plain side door, that looked like a security entrance, but Credence was confused at the lack of door handle.
"Okay, this is the side entrance to the Ministry," Newt explained. "I don't like using the main entrance." He turned to see Credence, his eyes bright with a mixture of fear and curiosity as his body habitually tried to hunch over, trying to shrink.
"You sure you don't want to come and see inside?" Newt asked, anxious about letting Credence out of his sight, much like his regard for Pickett, who was currently riding in his front pocket.
"It's not safe," Credence reminded Newt, and sighing, Newt had to nod.
"Well then," Newt took Credence's hand with a smile. "Enjoy your day sightseeing. And are you sure you know the way back to the flat?"
"I can find it," Credence nodded. "I used to walk around New York all the time."
"Alright," Newt nodded. "And you have the key for the flat?" He pressed.
Credence placed a hand over his pocket in answer.
"Good," Newt swallowed. "Well then, I'll see you this afternoon, Credence. Your class starts tonight at six o'clock, so just make sure you're home before then, alright? I'll apparate us there."
"Thank you, Newt," Credence told him gratefully. "See you this afternoon."
Nodding, Newt tapped his wand on the door and it opened to reveal an elevator. Climbing in, a metal gate clanged shut behind him.
"Name and destination," a cool female voice stated.
"Newt Scamander. Magical Creatures Department." Newt spoke clearly, and soon, the elevator began to descend.
Newt looked up at Credence, still standing on the footpath, watching him, and felt a strange twinge of worry in his chest. He'd left the boy alone in a strange country, to fend for himself for the day.
Still, Newt considered, giving one last wave before he fell out of sight, Newt himself had been in much the same situation upon arriving in New York.
Maybe Credence will do well from today, he thought.
Well, he wouldn't know until tonight, Newt reminded himself. So, no point worrying. It was time to focus on the issues at hand: Pop into the magical beasts division, to let them know he was back from his travels, stop by the Muggle relation department to get the information for Queenie, and then stop by Obscurus books to deliver his manuscript.
He really wished he could have simply posted his manuscript off to Mr Worme, but his publisher had insisted he bring his manuscript in person, so as to reduce the risk of someone intercepting it. A reason which sounded mildly absurd to Newt- who'd want to steal a manuscript on magical Creatures? But still, he was a mere employer, and had to do as he was told, sometimes.
"Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures," the elevator announced as it came to a stop, and soon, Newt was back in the hustle and bustle of the Ministry of Magic.
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Credence travelled along the footpath, his eyes scanning the London streets around him as he tried to avoid making eye contact with people. It wasn't so different to New York, he mused. There were tall buildings, though many of them appeared to be quite old, some were even made with stone, and there were lots of people walking around, focused on where they were going.
But there just seemed to be more colour than in New York, Credence thought. New Yorkers often dressed in monochrome colours of black, white, brown or grey, whereas many of the people surrounding him wore flashes of colour: A blue and white striped tie here or a pink handbag there, which gave the whole city an almost softer look.
As Credence paused at a street corner to orientate himself, his eyes were drawn to a florist's shop across the road from him, painted a soft, rose pink.
A young woman dressed in green exited the store, holding a basket of mixed flowers, and began offering them to passers-by.
"A flower for your Lady, Sir?" She called to a gentleman who passed by without a glance.
"Flowers for your table, ma'am?" She called to a woman walking passed, who shook her head with a smile.
"Flower for the little princess?" She asked a little girl in a grey dress, who was pulled away by her mother.
Straightening up, the woman shook her light brown hair out of her eyes, before noticing Credence, and she smiled, giving a small wave.
Confused, Credence looked around, wondering who she was waving to. When he glanced back, she seemed to giggle, and gave another wave, this time slower, looking right in Credence's direction.
Slowly, Credence raised his hand, returning the wave hesitantly.
Beaming, the woman bobbed a cheeky curtsey, before returning to her work.
"A flower for your Lady, Sir?"
Credence slowly lowered his hand, marvelling. He'd usually be able to walk the streets of New York, practically invisible. No one had ever really paid him much attention, unless it was to call him a name.
But he was far away from New York, now, he reminded himself. And here, in England, a young woman had smiled at him on the street.
Credence cast his mind back and realised that, yes, this also seemed to be a first.
Something had caught the attention of the young woman in green, and, shifting slightly, Credence spotted a small kitten meandering along the footpath in front of the flower shop, heading towards the street.
A couple of passing cars blocked Credence's vision for a moment and all he heard was a car horn and a squeal of tires. Credence stepped forward, concerned, and as he once again got a view of the other side of the street, he saw the woman on the road, holding a hand out to signal a car to stop as she scooped up the kitten.
"Thank you," she called to the driver as she trotted back onto the footpath, depositing the kitten in her flower basket.
As the car resumed its journey, Credence made his way carefully across the road to the flower shop.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
The woman looked up.
"Sorry?"
"You nearly got hit by a car," Credence reminded her. "Are you alright?"
"Oh," realisation dawned, and she placed a hand on her chest. "Well, my heart is still racing a bit, but," she picked up her basket triumphantly, "the kitten is safe."
"You risked getting hit by a car to save a kitten?" Credence asked, surprised.
"I'll take her to the animal shelter I work at, once my shift here finishes," the woman continued, scratching the tortoiseshell kitten around the ears, eliciting a loud purr.
"Animal shelter?" Credence asked, curious.
"Oh, it's just a block or so away," the woman explained, pointing. "I work there twice a week. We take in stray animals and try to help them find a home."
'Sounds like Newt,' Credence thought.
"Oh, my name's Willow, by the way," she introduced herself. "Willow Arden. And you are?"
"Credence Barebone," he replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Arden."
"Pleasure's all mine," Willow smiled, tilting her head inquisitively. "Credence Barebone," she repeated thoughtfully. "That's an unusual name."
"Well," Credence figured it was fitting term, "I'm an unusual person." He ducked his head. What name would she call him now?
But Willow looked at him understandingly.
"That's actually a good thing, you know," she told him quietly. "I'm glad to hear it."
Credence raised his eyes, uncomprehending.
"What do you mean?"
Willow simply shrugged.
"Who can pride themselves on being ordinary?" She asked, before tilting her head again. "Forgive me, but, your accent…" she began hesitantly, "are you American?"
"Yes," Credence answered. "Well, I'm from New York," he amended. "But I've just moved here, to England."
"Really?" Willow appeared delighted. "I visited New York last year. Are you staying here, in London?"
"Yes, I'm staying with a friend of mine," Credence stammered, keeping his eyes low.
Nodding, Willow reached into her basket, and pulled out a small, white rose bud, blushed with pink.
"Welcome to England, Mr Barebone," she said offering it to him.
Hesitantly, Credence reached out for the rose.
"I don't have any English money yet," he admitted, pausing with his hand in mid-air.
Willow glanced back into the flower shop before turning back to him with a smile.
"Call it a welcoming gift," she assured him, offering the rose bud again.
Carefully, Credence accepted it, his fingers unable to avoid brushing hers, and Willow gave him another smile in way of farewell before heading back inside the shop.
Gazing after her, Credence watched as Willow placed the flower basket on a shelf before extracting the kitten. After speaking quietly to another girl, standing behind the counter, who gave the kitten a pat, Willow tried to quickly cross the room. She got stopped halfway to a back door by a plump man in his fifties, who appeared to be the store owner, and now appeared to be explaining why she had brought a kitten into the shop. Raising her free hand in a placating gesture, Willow nodded in assurance before grabbing an empty flower box and heading to the back. Before going through the door, though, she looked back and saw Credence.
This time, Credence raised his hand first, albeit shyly. Smiling, Willow bobbed another curtsy, before disappearing into the back room
Credence slowly backed away from the window before turning to make his way along the street, his fingers holding the rosebud carefully as he tried to figure out what had just happened.
A girl had given him a flower.
This was definitely another first, he realised, and couldn't help the small, bemused smile that tugged at his mouth. So many firsts, in such a short amount of time…
'I think, maybe, I'm going to like England,' he thought.
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Tina had never liked hospitals. Ever since her parents died when she was a girl, it was a place that always reminded her of illness and death. And as she was escorted through the corridors of the local magical hospital by an attendant, it seemed like hours before she was shown into a large room, which looked too comfortable, to Tina's eyes, to belong in a hospital.
It looked similar to a hotel room, with a couch, a cheerful painting of a seascape on one wall and a vase of long daffodils sitting on a table. The only giveaway that the room belonged to a hospital was the metal bed with raised sides, in which the recovering Mr Graves sat up, a blanket pulled up as high as possible to cover a green hospital gown. A copy of today's newspaper lay on his lap.
Tina remembered Mr Graves as a handsome, dark haired wizard, approaching early middle age, and while he still held that quality, his ordeal as a captive of Grindlewald had clearly taken its toll. He was pale and drawn, with circles under his eyes, like he'd been kept somewhere dark, without much access to sunlight or proper food.
He was currently staring out the window, overlooking the city, He had a spectacular view: you could see all the way out to the harbour, where the Statue of Liberty stood proudly in the distance.
Madam Piquery was clearly trying to ensure her head auror was receiving the best care possible.
Tina cleared her throat nervously, causing the man's dark eyes to turn from the window to her.
"You asked to see me, Mr Graves?"
Percival Graves had always been a man of honour, dignity, and respect. And even unshaven, with his hair longer than Tina had ever seen it, sitting on a metal bed in a hospital gown, as his eyes found hers, Tina realised Mr Graves still carried that same aura.
"Auror Goldstein," Mr Graves gestured to the chair beside his bed. "Thank you for coming. Please sit down." He dismissed the aide who had escorted her with a quick nod in gratitude.
"I'd like to firstly apologise for my appearance," Mr Graves began as she took her seat. "Medi-wizards have been so focused on my body weight, my organ functions and my blood, they forget about something simple like a shaving spell, or just a simple shaver."
"You're alive, Sir," Tina spoke up. "And I can't tell you how relieved we all are, for that. It's more than anyone could have hoped for, considering the circumstances. There's no need to apologise, sir."
"Perhaps," Graves admitted. "But I feel there may be multiple things I should apologise for, that Grindlewald did in my name." Studying the young auror seated next to him, Percival Graves noticed her stiffen slightly, avoiding his eyes.
"There is, isn't there?" Graves pressed. "I've been told that Grindlewald had been trying to protect an obscurus in the subway, just before he was revealed." He studied her expertly as she raised her eyes. "I was told that you also tried to protect it."
"Him," Tina corrected without thinking, flinching slightly at her impulse.
Realising his tactlessness, Graves nodded. "Him," he amended quietly.
"And I was told there was another man, who helped capture him," Graves continued. "A foreigner?"
"Yes, Sir," Tina nodded. "His name is Newt Scamander, and he's just returned to England."
"Shame," Graves considered. "I would've like to thank him. Without him, I would have still been a prisoner." His eyes landed seriously on Tina.
"I want you to tell me everything that happened once Mr Scamander came to New York," he ordered.
"We did each give a testimony-" Tina began.
"Yes, thank you, and I have read them," Graves interrupted, his voice gentle, but a bite of impatience entered his tone. "But I want to hear a first-hand account from you, Goldstein. And don't leave out a thing," he added.
Taking a breath, Tina began with the bank she'd caught Newt trying to chase down his niffler.
"What were you doing there?" Graves interjected.
Haltingly, she told him about the Second Salemers, and Mary-Lou Barebone, then, realising she had lost her position as an auror, while Grindlewald had been impersonating Mr Graves, she then had to explain to how she'd ended up demoted in the first place.
Shame-faced, she couldn't meet her boss' eyes, but looked up as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You tried to protect someone who couldn't defend themselves, Tina," Graves told her. "Admittedly, you were highly unorthodox, and I'm not surprised you were demoted, but… you were trying to protect the boy," he reminded her. "It's a good thing that you care. People stop doing their jobs properly when they start only seeing it as a job," he added, before gesturing for her to continue.
So, after confirming that Mr Graves was serious when he said he wanted to hear everything, Tina told him her about her confrontation with Newt, realising he hadn't obliviated Jacob, taking Newt in, trying to take him to the Major Investigation Department before being dismissed by Madam Piquery, and heading down to the wand permit office.
Mr Graves frowned at this, but said nothing.
Tina continued, saying how Newt helped her avoid getting in trouble with Abernathy before 'Graves' had come down to check her story, and they realised the cases had been switched. She then detailed travelling to Jacob's apartment and finding the murtlap and Jacob. She tried to gloss over her argument with Newt regarding whether to keep Jacob for observation, but Graves insisted on hearing everything she could recount.
"It's easier to learn about a person, if you have as much detail as possible," he explained, before urging her on.
So, Tina told him of taking Newt and Jacob to the apartment she shared with her sister, answering Graves' questions about how Jacob reacted to seeing magic performed, and Newt's behaviour, before saying how she'd woken up to find both men had disappeared to chase down Newt's creatures themselves.
"A nomaj, tracking down magical creatures," Mr Graves was surprised, and maybe a little impressed at the gumption.
"I found them in central park, after just having caught one of Newt's beasts," Tina continued, her voice starting to become raw from talking now, and Graves poured her a glass of water from the jug beside his bed. She drank gratefully, and Graves asked for her to continue, hanging on her every word.
This was what Percival Graves liked about first-hand accounts, spoken by the people involved themselves. People would often miss things out when writing, and there was so much that could be said for things like voice tone, body language, and eye contact. Where they hesitate in the storytelling and where they became emotional or controlled.
And Graves was learning a lot more from Tina's account than he had from the written testimonies.
"I locked the case after they'd climbed back inside," Tina continued, and here, her voice began to shake. "I knew Newt had broken the law, and the fact that he'd run off with Jacob of his own accord only strengthened his crime, so I thought the right thing to do would be to take them in to MACUSA, again. I was determined to make Madam Piquery listen, this time."
"Keep going," Graves encouraged, and now, he watched as Tina swallowed, gripping the arms of her chair to keep her hands from shaking.
Then, she explained how she'd unknowingly walked in to an international council, how Madam Piquery had appeared to not recognise Newt, and the fact that Tina had brought him in the previous day and had been dismissed. She described how Newt had identified an obscurus as the murderer of Senator Shaw, their arrest and how Newt had begged for his creatures to remain unharmed.
Graves frowned, clasping his hands together.
"Go on, Auror Goldstein," he instructed, as Tina appeared to hesitate.
Tina gave the account in their cell, how Newt told that he'd known an obscurial in Sudan, and had failed to save her life.
She went on to explain the audience with 'Graves'. Here, Mr Graves wanted every single word and gesture she could remember. Tina did her best, explaining 'Graves' questions to Newt regarding Albus Dumbledore and how he'd found the dormant obscurus in Newt's case, saying 'it's useless without the host', and Newt's shock and disgust at what one could possibly want to use it for.
"So, he wanted the obscurus," Graves whispered, frowning slightly as he considered this. "Don't stop, Goldstein," he instructed firmly.
She told of how 'Graves' had then accused the both of them of treason, and sentenced them to immediate death, and how Newt had tried to defend her.
"Oh." Appalled, Percival ran his hands down his face. "And no one questioned it?"
"You're second in command, next to Madam Piquery," Tina reminded him. "No one would feel they had the right to. Grindlewald chose well," she admitted quietly.
"I'm so sorry, Tina," he told her emphatically, his eyes pleading. "I wouldn't do that. Not without sufficient evidence. Not without a proper investigation. Not without a confession."
"It wasn't you, Sir," Tina reminded him in assurance, her eyes forgiving. "And for that, I'm glad."
Slowly, Graves took a deep breath before nodding.
"Okay, tell me the next part," he invited. "How did you escape death?"
And so, Tina told of how Newt has used his creatures to help them escape, as he knocked out the guards. Pickett, to pick the lock on his cuffs, and the swooping evil to help her reach safety, before they ran, the swooping evil shielding them from magical attack as it took out the aurors trying to stop them.
"Wow," Graves was impressed. "Sounds like a guy to have around in a tough spot."
"Yes, sir," Tina agreed and Graves saw a softness to her smile, this time.
Graves nodded. "Keep going," he encouraged. "How did you get out?"
Tina explained how her sister had saved Jacob from getting his memory wiped before getting their wands and Newt's case from 'Graves' office and meeting them downstairs.
"You escaped in the case?" Graves asked, and Tina nodded.
"Wait a minute," Graves realised something. "How did your sister know where you were?"
"My sister is a legilimens, sir," Tina admitted warily and Graves' eyes grew wide. "She can hear my thoughts over a long distance and felt my fear."
Mr Graves stared at Tina for a long moment.
"I don't remember you mentioning that earlier in your story, or in your testimony," he stated slowly. "How many people at MACUA are even aware that she's a legilimens?"
Tina took a breath. "Not many," she admitted. "But my sister's merely an assistant, sir," she assured the head auror. "She spends most of the day just making coffee for people in meetings. She has a healer's heart, sir." Tina added quickly, as she could see Graves' mind working over having a legilimens at MACUSA. "My sister just wants to use her ability to help others, not 'catch the bad guy.' She's no investigator," Tina insisted. "People have tried to get her to see into other people's heads for them, and she's never liked using her ability like that. She doesn't like seeing people being mean to each other at the best of times, I don't want her to see true evil. So, while she is proud of her ability, I try to protect her where I can. And I am telling you," she finished firmly, "if you want to get a information out of a suspect, use veritiserum. It'll hold up more in court."
Graves studied Tina, smiling slightly.
"Your passion to protect others is clear to see, Auror Goldstein," he complimented. "What's your sister's name?" He asked.
Tina hesitated. She'd tried avoiding using her sister's name, in case Graves tried to find her to use her power to help with a suspect, and Tina knew Queenie wouldn't want to do that, if possible.
"I can always look her up on our staff list," Graves reminded Tina, raising a placating hand. "I promise: I'm just asking out of curiosity: so that next time I'm served coffee at a meeting, I know who to block my mind against."
Tina took another breath.
He was still her boss…
"Queenie," Tina answered cautiously. "Her name's Queenie."
"Queenie," Percival Graves nodded in understanding as he put the name to memory before settling back against his pillows once more.
"So, Queenie snuck you all out using Mr Scamander's case," Percival Graves returned them back to the narrative. "Clever. Then what?"
This was more difficult that Tina had originally thought. Swallowing, she told of how Newt had an invisible demiguise to capture, and how they'd gone to 'The Blind Pig' to ask the goblin Gnarlack for information, only to find that he'd tipped off MACUSA on their location.
"Never trust a Goblin," Graves muttered to himself before urging Tina on with a wave of his hand.
Using Gnarlack's information, Tina told of how they went to Macey's and discovered the demiguise 'babysitting' an occamy, and how they had to work together to trap it using an insect and a teapot.
"A teapot?" Graves repeated sceptically. "Seriously? How did he discover that?"
"I have no idea," Tina shrugged, laughing a little at the absurdity of it herself. "But one thing I learned, is that, when it comes to magical creatures: if Newt tells you to do something, you do it. And it worked," she stated, telling of how the occamy's ability to change size meant that it shrunk to fit into the small teapot, making it easier to capture.
"Extraordinary," Graves admitted. "He really knows his creatures, doesn't he?"
"Yes, sir," this time, Percival really saw a softness, almost admiration, in Tina's tone.
"Continue on, Auror Goldstein," he encouraged.
So, Tina had explained how, once all the creatures were back in the case, Newt's Thunderbird, Frank had set off a lightning storm, alerting them to a magical threat, and they'd left to find the most powerful obscurus Newt had ever heard of, wreaking havoc throughout the streets of New York.
"Don't leave out a single detail," Graves repeated leaning forward intensely.
So, Tina told of how Newt had been determined to try and save, what he knew to be, a tormented magical child, and had entrusted his creatures to Tina before leaping off the building.
And how she, in turn, passed the case to her sister before following Newt.
She told of how she'd caught up with Newt, who was taking cover behind a car, as the obscurus swirled above the subway, while 'Graves' had stood before it, admiring.
When Tina spoke of how the obscurial was, in fact, Credence, the abused boy she'd lost her job trying to protect, Graves let out a long breath. In the official reports, only the term 'obscurus' or 'obscurial' had been used, so for Tina to be able to give an actual name, seemed to really drive home that they were dealing with a young man who had suffered greatly.
But a young man that had killed, nonetheless.
Tina continued, telling of how she'd fought 'Graves' so as to give Newt time to enter the subway to help Credence.
"You fought against Grindlewald?" Graves repeated. "And you didn't die? I'm impressed, Goldstein."
"Thank you, Sir," Tina ducked her head, "though I think Grindlewald was more focussed on getting back to Credence. And he was still impersonating you," she reminded him. "How would it look for the head auror to have killed one of his staff?"
Graves considered this a moment, before gesturing her to continue.
So, Tina told of how MACUSA had turned up, creating a barrier around the subway, and how she'd snuck under before it closed, entering the subway to find Credence, in obscurus form, and Newt, being tortured by 'Graves', as each tried to reach out to the boy.
She spoke of how she'd tried to talk to Credence, to help him calm down. How the obscurus form had begun to slow, and how Newt had told her that Credence was listening to her.
Then Madam Piquery and the MACUSA auror team arrived, and, despite 'Graves' order not to attack, and Tina's pleading, the aurors simultaneously sent spells flying towards Credence until there was nothing left but fragmented, black tendrils, drifting through the air.
"Poor Credence," Graves whispered. "Still, I can understand Madam Piquery's order," he added in a logical fashion. "He'd killed a nomaj and was too uncontrollable."
"Credence could control his obscurus most of the time, that's how he survived for as long as he did," Tina countered. "He only lost control when he was under duress, such as: people threatening his life."
She sighed.
"He never even got a chance, growing up, to have the opportunity to learn to harness his power." Tina added pensively. "Think how much of a difference that could have made, had been able to go to school." Then she smiled, as she realised that Credence was finally getting the training he needed, and hoped Newt would write soon. She was dying to hear how he and Credence were doing and whether his book had the go ahead to be published.
"So, what happened after the obscurus was destroyed?" Graves asked, catching Tina's smile, and finding it out of place, but too eager to get to Grindlewald's capture to pay it any mind right now. Still, he filed it away for later consideration.
So, finally, Tina spoke of how 'Graves' had spoken to Madam Piquery of how their methods were not protecting wizards, but protecting the nomajes and how he wasn't going to continue to follow those laws. It was here that everyone appeared to realise Graves was not who he said he was, for Head Auror Percival Graves had always followed the letter of the law. Madam Piquery gave the order for Graves to be apprehended, and 'Graves' began duelling all the aurors all at once, and appeared to be winning, until Newt released his swooping evil once more, tied him up and Tina claimed his wand.
It was Newt who performed the 'revelio' spell.
"And I believe you know the rest, sir," Tina finished wearily. The recount had taken far longer than Tina had assumed, and her throat was sore from all the talking.
Percival Graves leaned back against the headboard, his eyes closed as he tried to commit as much of Tina's recount to his memory.
"Thank you, Auror Goldstein," Mr Graves said gratefully after a moment. "You have no idea how you've helped me today, but you certainly have."
"I'm happy to help, Sir," Tina replied slowly, wondering what extra information she'd given him had been so different from the written accounts to create that look of understanding on his face.
Footsteps alerted them to someone entering the room. Turning, Tina quickly got to her feet as the President of MACUSA herself entered the hospital room.
"Madam President," Mr Graves greeted. "Welcome to my torture away from the chamber."
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Mr Graves," President Piquery said patiently, "though I would hardly call a recovery room 'torture'."
"Of course it is," Mr Graves countered. "I've been stuck in a windowless room for six months, and now I'm out and find the city's gone to hell in a handbasket, and I'm not even allowed to get out of bed to help fix the problem."
Madam Piquery turned to Tina.
"Thank you for taking the time to speak with Mr Graves, Auror Goldstein," she told her, "you may return to your work."
"Yes Ma'am," Tina nodded.
"No, she stays," Graves countered, holding out a hand. "I want her to hear this."
Tina hesitated, unsure who to follow, which gave Graves the chance to continue.
"Madam President, I intend to return to work within the week," Graves began.
"You're entitled to-"
"Within the week," Graves continued, eyeing the President in determination. "I've always been a man of action, you know that, and sitting in bed is not going to make me better. What will make me better," he supplied, "is actually doing something about this situation we're in. And when I do get out," he continued, "I want Auror Goldstein on my team."
Tina felt her jaw drop in surprise.
"Miss Goldstein has only just been reinstated," Madam Piquery reminded Mr Graves, barely casting Tina a glance. "And while, I admit, her assistance in the apprehension of Grindlewald aided in her reclaiming her position, I believe she's still underqualified for-"
"She's completely qualified," Graves countered. "I admit, she's unorthodox, to the point of risking her job on many levels to do what she feels is right, but," he continued, "she has a strong moral compass and focuses on doing the right thing by her gut, not just the rule book. And you can't teach that sort of thing at the academy. That's the kind of auror I want on my team," Graves finished seriously.
Tina stood, in shock, hearing Mr Graves' words of praise.
Unbidden, the words of 'Graves' as she battled outside the subway came back to taunt her.
"Tina," he'd said, "always turning up when you're not wanted."
But here, Graves, the real Auror Percival Graves, wanted her on his team so much he was arguing with the president of MACUSA.
Madam Piquery stood, contemplating.
"Very well, Mr Graves," she granted. "Auror Goldstein can be a part of your team once you've recovered. But only if you swear to recover for at least another week."
"Seriously?" Graves asked, sounding almost like a petulant teenager, which would have been amusing, if Tina had been brave enough to laugh.
"You have been through a terrible ordeal, Mr Graves," The president reminded him. "You can't recover from that kind of experience in just a couple of days."
Considering for a moment, Graves sighed.
"One week," he agreed. "That's it."
"We look forward to seeing you back at work, Mr Graves," Madam Piquery told him with a smile.
"Congratulations, Auror Goldstein," The president turned to Tina. "You've just been promoted."
Turning, the President left the room, satisfied that Mr Graves was recovering well.
"Thank you, Sir," Tina told Mr Graves gratefully. "But why…?"
"I see a lot of potential in you, Tina," he told her. "I hope you can live up to it."
"Oh, I promise, Sir," Tina assured him automatically. "I won't let you down."
"I hope not," Graves smirked. "I'm putting up with another week in this purgatory for you."
~..~..~..~..
Author's note: So, what do you think?
I'm sure some of you may be wondering why I had Tina go through a recount of, what is essentially, the 'Fantastic Beasts' movie, which I'm sure most of us here are familiar with, but I really wanted a chance to show the difference between what I feel the real Percival Graves would be like, as opposed to 'GrindleGraves' and it was his reactions and attention I wanted to show.
He wouldn't have made it to his station in MACUSA by being rebellious, but I felt that, while he would uphold the law in America to a high level, he was also a thorough investigator, who wanted to ensure he had all the facts possible before taking serious action.
I also wanted to show some of the more personal interactions between Newt and Credence, as it is in their interpersonal skills, I think, we'll see both Credence and Newt changing the most, as their confidence develops. After all, Newt has been used to being on his own for a year or so, and he's not very comfortable around people at the best of times, so I wanted to show Newt developing his ability to share his creatures, and his life with others.
Credence, as well, has always been such an internal person, and while he may always be shy, I really feel his confidence will certainly get a boost as he finds acceptance, first with Newt, then at Hogwarts, and then with the wizarding world in general.
I also thought to introduce Willow's character. I feel Credence may have developed a mentality of 'Magic good, Nomaj bad,' and wanted him to see that not all non-wizarding people are as close minded as those he encountered in New York.
Thank you for reading, please leave a review. I love feedback!
Celino.