Newt rolled over to find his wife staring at him sleepily. He jumped slightly and she started giggling.

"I didn't know you were awake," he protested.

"I didn't know you were awake but I didn't nearly jump out of bed the moment you turned," Tina replied, grinning mischievously.

"You could see and feel that I was turning so you could guess I was awake. You weren't moving so I thought you were still asleep. Then I roll over and find you staring at me," Newt explained defensively.

She laughed and he kissed her. Then he climbed out of bed and reached for his shirt.

"Today's your book signing, isn't it?" Tina asked.

Newt turned to respond but found himself unable to speak. Tina was beautiful. She had sat up and was facing him, leaning sideways against the headboard. The light streamed through the window above the bed. It lit up her face which was framed by her dark, sleep-mussed hair.

Her expression shifted to one of concern. "Newt, are you okay?"

Newt took a moment to gather himself. "Uh - yes. I . . ." He paused and blushed. "I don't think I tell you enough how beautiful you are," he breathed.

Tina blushed. "You've told me more than enough times, especially since it's not true."

Newt's reaction was immediate. He was on the bed in an instant, kneeling in front of her on hands and knees, his face inches from hers.

"Don't you ever say that again," he said firmly. "You are a beautiful woman and you shouldn't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Her blush deepened and she shifted her gaze away from his face, staring at the sheets below him.

"I love you, Tina," he continued gently. "I love everything about you." He shifted his weight to one arm so he could raise the other hand to lift Tina's chin. Then he leaned forward and kissed her again. Lowering his hand, he crawled off the bed and began changing. A few minutes later, Tina repeated her question.

"I asked if today was your book signing."

Newt sighed. "Yes." He turned and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't understand why they've scheduled it on Christmas Eve."

Tina had gotten out of bed and changed. She picked up a hairbrush and ran it through her hair as she spoke. "I think Christmas Eve is the perfect day for a book signing. Especially since it's a Saturday. More people will be able to come."

"I don't want more people," Newt whined. "I don't like people."

Tina made her way over and pulled him into a hug. "I know, but I'll be there with you. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Newt sighed. "I know."

Tina released him and they left the room. As they made their way down the stairs he said, "Bunty should be here soon. I asked her to come early so we could finish up with the creatures before the book signing."

They reached the kitchen and Newt began preparing breakfast but Tina's next words made him falter.

"When are you going to tell her we're married?"

Newt turned slowly. "What?"

"Bunty. When are you gonna tell her?" Tina repeated. "We've been here for a week. When are you going to tell her we're married?"

"She doesn't know?"

Tina shook her head. "You haven't told her. How would she?"

"You could have told her," Newt said.

"Queenie told me not to. She said you need to."

Newt frowned slightly. "Sometimes I don't understand your sister," he muttered.

"Well, I don't always understand her either," Tina admitted. "But I do trust her." She paused. "So when are you gonna tell Bunty?"

"I will," Newt mumbled, shifting his gaze to the floor. "Soon."

Tina nodded, seemingly satisfied. She turned away and began setting the table. Just then, Bunty arrived carrying a couple of letters. She handed them to Newt and Tina offered her something to eat. She accepted as Newt examined the letters. One had his full name and address on it and was sealed with the Flourish and Blotts seal.

Probably a reminder about the book signing, he thought.

The second letter was in a clean white envelope addressed simply to "Scamander". The handwriting was vaguely familiar but Newt couldn't quite place it.

The three of them sat down and ate breakfast. When they were done, Tina sent the dishes flying to the sink where they began washing themselves and Newt opened the letters. He started with the one from Flourish and Blotts. As he suspected, it was a reminder that they wanted him there by 10:00 for his book signing.

Newt opened the second envelope curiously. There were two things in it: a folded piece of parchment and what appeared to be a page from a newspaper. He set the newspaper down on the table with the envelope and opened the letter. He read the first line.

Newt and Tina Scamander,

He frowned. The only people who knew he and Tina were married were all in New York but most people in New York didn't know where Tina was.

Then who wrote this? he wondered. His eyes slid to the bottom of the page where a name was signed.

Serephina Picquery

"Tina, you might want to see this," Newt said. Tina slid her chair over and looked at the letter. They read it silently together.

Newt and Tina Scamander,

I trust by now you are safely in London and have been for a while. I am writing this letter two days after you left. I don't know how long it will take to reach you but it may be a while as it has to be sent unofficially and we must be very careful not to let anyone intercept it.

As I am writing this we have begun our investigation. We have discovered that much of the evidence against you, Tina, is a lot less definite than it seems. Hopefully, by the time you receive this letter, we'll have made some real progress and you'll hear from us again soon.

Tina, I'm afraid that this investigation to prove you guilty, the fact that nearly half of MACUSA's Aurors have been tasked with searching for you, and that you're not here to help will make it very difficult for us to follow any leads we may have pertaining to Grindelwald's location. As of right now, we believe he is still in America but it's difficult to be sure.

Hardin just came in with some good news. It seems we're already making progress. This morning, Conrad suggested that we look into what Clayton's been up to these last few months. It seems you were right, Tina. No one seems to be able to remember what he was doing at the time of the accident or at the time of O'Neal's death. Hopefully, this information will lead somewhere and will help us clear your name.

Considering how quickly things are moving, I expect this whole thing should be over before Christmas. Newt, I understand your book signing is on December 24. I see no reason for Tina not to attend as herself. Even if this is not over by then, Clayton shouldn't be able to reach you in London, no matter what contacts he has there.

I hope this letter reaches you before then as it is being taken to England by a friend of mine who isn't exactly sure when he will be arriving there.

Please remember we believe in you, Tina, and are doing everything we can to help you. You are our best Auror and we can get little done without you.

Sincerely,

Serephina Picquery

P.S. I've included a cutting from today's newspaper. We tried to keep this incident quiet but I suspect Clayton paid quite a lot to get it on the front page. I thought you might like to take a look at it.

Tina picked up the newspaper cutting and unfolded it. Newt glanced at it and read the heading.

Auror Escapes After Being Accused of Aiding Grindelwald

"You know, I don't think Clayton paid extra to get it on the front page," Newt mused. "I'm sure the name Grindelwald did it for him."

"You're probably right," Tina said, smoothing out the page. Then the two of them bent over it and began reading the article.

Rumor has it that Porpentina Scamander, née Goldstein, one of MACUSA's best Aurors, was to become the Director of Magical Security after the death of the former Director, the late Phillip O'Neal. However, it seems that she may be the one responsible for his death. She was seen leaving his house on the day he died.

Scamander may have gotten away with killing O'Neal if she hadn't been so hasty with her next actions. A few weeks after O'Neal's death, Gellert Grindelwald escaped MACUSA. It was immediately apparent that he had had help.

Scamander was arrested a few days later. Her trial was to take place two days ago. However, as she was being escorted through MACUSA, Scamander seized a wand and made her escape. Her current whereabouts are unknown but it seems she is still in New York. Anyone who sees her should contact MACUSA. However, the should in no way engage her as she is carrying a wand and may kill anyone who approaches her.

Tina finished reading the article and let out a laugh.

"May kill anyone who approaches her," she read out loud. Her laughter dissolved into giggles.

"Why is that funny?" asked Bunty, a confused expression on her face. She had been sitting quietly as they read through the letter and the article and obviously couldn't know what they were about.

Tina turned the paper around so Bunty could see the picture. It was an older picture and Tina looked miserable in it. "They're talking about me," she explained. "When I escaped I stunned a whole bunch of people but I didn't kill anyone, I've never killed anyone, but they're claiming I would."

Bunty reached forward. "Can I see that?"

Tina slowly handed her the paper, glancing at Newt as she did so. He was staring at the table, occasionally glancing up at Bunty through his hair. He looked up at Tina, just as Bunty took the paper. Tina raised her eyebrows, giving her husband a meaningful look, and tilted her head ever so slightly in the direction of the other woman. Newt's gaze flickered across the table to his assistant.

"Bunty," he started hesitantly, leaning forward slightly.

But Bunty was already studying the newspaper. Her eyes widened as she read and both Tina and Newt knew what she had seen. She lowered the paper slowly, her gaze traveling up to the two of them. She stared at the two of them, her gaze flickering between them then down to their hands which rested on the table. Newt had begun nervously twisting his ring around his finger and Tina was fighting not to do the same.

Before anyone could say anything, Bunty had scrambled to her feet and ran from the room. Tina let out a long breath.

"You should have told her sooner, Newt," she said, running a hand through her hair.

"She would have reacted the same way," he mumbled.

"Probably," Tina agreed. "But I think it would have been better for her to have heard it from you than from a newspaper."

Newt glanced at the door to his basement where Bunty had run to just moments before.

"Can you go talk to her?" he asked.

Tina raised her eyebrows. "Me?"

"Please?"

Newt turned to her and Tina sighed. The look on his face was impossible to refuse.

"Fine, but you're coming too. You've got to talk to her yourself."