A/N: I'm so grateful to my amazing readers. You're all so supportive! I hope you'll like this chapter, which has a slight surprise for you all. I urge you to share your thoughts about it, for I'll be flexible on the basis of your opinions. Thank you again for reading, following and fovoriting. Enjoy!
The main gate opened to reveal the huge palace-like school building in front of Newt Scamander and the Goldstein sisters. The two sisters were positively nostalgic and Queenie was audibly sobbing and wiping happy tears. Newt smiled to himself, such is school pride. He was also very fond of Hogwarts, but probably not all memories of there was as happy for him as Queenie's.
The school premises was not at all crowded, much to Newt's relief. They were invited to visit just the day before the reopening day. Tina and Queenie are only allowed to visit classrooms and public places. Tina really wanted to go to Thunderbird common room for once, but no luck.
Queenie was happily jumping around once she was done with her nostalgic sobbings. Meanwhile, Newt was taking it all in. The premises was full of beautifully grown trees. Some of them had varieties of foreign birds in them. The scenery was beautiful ,as they were on top of the Mount Greylock. The cloudy mountain was reflecting the faded sunlight even so mystically, Newt couldn't take his eyes off.
Tina's silence was not acknowledged by any of them. Newt assumed that the silence was natural. Queenie already knew the reason, but decided not to press it. Tina was worried about Newt. She thought it best, if Newt decided to work at MACUSA only. The idea of him coming to Ilvermorny everyday by a portkey, then again back to MACUSA, working all day ; bothered her. It would suck the life out of poor Newt.
Newt ,although,was convinced that Ministry of Magic will not give him any engaging responsibility once he joins Ilvermorny. They entered the castle as the Goldsteins directed Newt to the Headmaster's office. Once he was in, Tina and Queenie decided to roam about.
More than half an hour passed since Newt was gone, Tina was becoming restless. "Honey, they're not gonna poison your sweetheart" , exclaimed Queenie. She was tired of hearing Tina's mind rambling.
"Don't call him my…. And of course they won't, I just… Why doesn't he get back already?" Tina ran her fingers through her straight black hair. She kept pacing and glancing in the Headmaster's office's direction. Queenie was watching the inside of a particular classroom that drew Tina in, "Madame Violet's dancing lessons! Oh how will I ever forget?" Tina said in a dreamy voice, that was unlike her.
Queenie laughed and said proudly, "You were surprisingly good at it Teen! Not an eligible dance partner though." Tina froze. Being in different houses, Queenie never got to stay with Tina during any lesson, apart from common ones. The fact that Lyndon used to be her dance partner was carefully kept a secret by Tina. She refused to let her mind think about Lyndon at all. But this place is constantly bringing so many memories back.
Queenie felt uneasy, she always knows something she shouldn't and it has bugged her for her whole life. Tina never scolds her for knowing them, but this time, she was angry. Tina was upset with Queenie, for saying it aloud and forcing her to remember what she had been repressing.
They heard sounds of footsteps outside of the classroom. Somebody was uncertainly approaching, "Tina? Queenie? Is that you?" Newt emerged, with a triumphant expression. "There you are. The headmaster says I can join tomor…" His exciting voice trailed away to see Tina's disheartened face who was looking vaguely at the windows above. He was going to ask if anything was wrong, but Queenie shook her head vigorously and gestured for him to let her talk instead. He remained silent.
As Newt stopped talking, Tina broke out from her reverie to face him. She brought a forced smile on her face and tried to congratulate him, but Newt knew her too well. The awkward silence was broken by Queenie, "Hey Tina, where are the phonographs kept in this room? Try to find 'em will you?"
Tina was confused, but she stepped towards the desks and started searching. After a moment of searching, she pulled out a big phonograph. Queenie was whispering something to Newt which Tina failed to notice, as she was observing the machine.
"Well? Play it." Still confused, Tina played a music that turned out to be a romantic music to ball-dance with.
Newt fixed his white suit, straightened his royal blue tie and held out a hand for Tina, "May I?" Tina blinked.
Newt went to her, grabbed her wrist gently and pulled her by her waist. Tina wanted to resist, but simply couldn't say no to this one favorite person of her. They moved easily with slow pace at first, as the romantic number was teasing their patience. As the music allowed slow movements, Tina twirled and came back in Newt's arms. They were dangerously close, so Newt pulled her into a half hug and kept dancing. He set her at such ease, that she completely forgot how upset she was just a moment ago.
Their pace became faster as a jazz number started. Tina was starting to think if she should stop or not. But Queenie was nowhere to be seen, and Newt was in such a light mood that Tina couldn't destroy it. She twisted and turned with the beats, Newt amazed her by his amazing knowledge of steps and tricks. They whirled around the room swiftly in each other's arms. Eventually this number ended, and Queenie wasn't there to play another one.
Their dance stopped, but neither of them let go of each other. Tina was breathless for all the dancing, while Newt was surprisingly energetic and happy. He was still holding Tina by the waist, as he took her right hand into his. He saw that Tina was wearing the same silver bracelet with green stones, which Newt gifted her after coming to NY.
Newt whispered, "This looks so good on you!" Tina said, "It's very pretty Newt. Thank you! She buried her face in Newt's shoulder and laughed. Newt laughed too, "What?"
"What what?"
"Why are you laughing?"
"How do you dance so so well? I felt like flying Newt! Like I'm …. I'm a princess you know… Dancing in a grand ball or something! Ha ha ha." Tina kept babbling happily. Perhaps for the first time in many years, she was talking her heart out without being self conscious.
Newt eagerly heard every word she said, as this was very new to him too. People hardly feel like sharing their inner feelings with Newt, as he was awkward, friendless, nervous, boring and what not. But Tina made everything feel special.
Newt suddenly realized something. Tina is an orphan, her heart was damaged too. What with Lyndon and company, struggles to survive and doing her tough job - all these had made her mechanical, rough and tough.
But she still felt the pain of Credence, thought of defending and protecting his damaged heart, lost her job in doing so, but never gave up.
Tina was such a strong woman, but the little girl inside her never got much attention. She had to struggle so much in her adolescence, that nobody thought of her childish dreams.
Newt promised himself, that he would take care of this soft girly bubbly side of Tina. He unknowingly brought it out by dancing with her. It was a good start indeed.
Tina looked to around the room to see where Queenie went. Newt told her, "Don't worry. She is probably wandering about her school, to leave us… Um… So that we can dance…"
Tina smiled knowingly, "I think You're right. But dance is over Mr. Scamander, so what do you suggest we do next?"
Newt pretended to think, "Hmm. How about we play a game Madame Goldstein?"
Tina raised her eyebrows, "Madame!?"
Newt softly nodded, "Well, you will become the head of your Auror department very soon, I believe Tina."
Tina fondly shook her head, "Oh Newt." She placed a hand on his royal blue tie, "Have I told you how dapper you look in this outfit?"
Newt blushed and shyly smiled. He was still staring at her bracelet, both hands holding Tina's waist securely. They seemed to have forgotten that this position was not exactly what friends would be in, but then to quote Queenie, who were they fooling?
Tina asked, "So what game were you planning for us to play, huh?"
Newt let go of her hand ran his hand through his curly reddish-brown hair, "There is nothing in this room that we could use, so…. I guess we just have to talk then."
Tina beamed at his, "You know what? I have the perfect game for us. There is paper and pencil over there right?"
Newt nodded. Tina went to the desks and took out two loose pages from an old notebook, and two pencils. She grabbed Newt's hands and made him sit on a sofa, she sat beside him.
"You take this copy and pencil. Now, we will ask each other something about ourselves, and see how well do we know each other. Ready?"
Newt tilted her to a side, "Let's try I guess. Ladies first?"
Tina said, "Hmm, tell me Newt. Which house am I in?" She started scribbling on her paper.
Newt laughed and wrote the answer down. "Thunderbird of course."
Tina said, "I gave the first one easy to show you. Your turn."
Newt said, "What is my favorite sport?"
Tina raised one brow, "Quidditch. Do you even play any other sport?"
Newt shrugged, "Yes, chess. Oh and you were supposed to write it down first."
Tina stuck out her tongue, making Newt laugh out loudly. She said, "Let's see, who is my best friend, aside from Queenie?"
Newt said, "Childhood friend? Oh no, I'm not sure. I can only think of…. Could it be…."
Tina said, "I don't have any best friend right now, if you don't count Sophie and Jacob. Another clue, I never said it has to be a girl…"
Newt's eyes widened, "Anthony?"
Tina nodded, "You got it. But these days, we hardly meet. After everything that had…."
Newt placed his hand on her shoulders, "I understand. My turn?"
Tina, thankful, smiled and nodded. "Do you know my favorite colour Tina?"
Tina said, "It could be green, but I'm putting bet on blue. I'm positive it's blue, isn't it?"
Newt chuckled, "Blue it is. Aww, you know me well Tina."
Tina's face became red, Newt must not know that she keeps staring at him every time she can. She takes it all in :- how he talks to his creatures, how he makes food for them ; how he wanders about his case, observes the nature with wide eyes ; how his expression become that of a child in the markets of New York ;how he becomes shy, every time somebody recognizes him to be a world famous figure and takes his sign on his bestselling book ; how his face shows pain every time he leaves for work or every time Tina leaves ; how he blushes and his fast heartbeat becomes audible when Tina comes close…. Tina notices all of this.
Newt noticed everything as well, but he never expects Tina to be as much in love with him, as he was fascinated by this gorgeous and strong witch. He was ever so fragile and under confident, quite a contrary to Tina's powerful personality. People easily humiliate him, so much so, that Newt had forgotten what fondness was. Tina was a dream to him, the palace of fantasy for his bruised, orphan heart.
Newt smiled at Tina and said, "Your turn to ask questions. Or should we go looking for your sister now?"
Tina broke from her trance, nodded and stood up. "Thank you Newt, you are right to remind me. She is capable of taking care of herself, but this castle, it's magical. I mean obviously it is, but it has its own mysteries. Queenie could get in trouble, and there is no one around. The teachers will come tonight I think, so right now, it's just the headmaster, house elves, pukwudgies and us."
Newt and Tina walked out of the classroom to find more deserted classrooms and floors. Newt was examining the architecture of the spherical rooms, it fascinated him. It was notably different than Hogwarts, but gorgeously so. They kept walking along the ground floor, hand in hand.
Tina asked him, "What do you think is the difference between Hogwarts and Ilvermorny, Newt?"
Newt smirked, "The similarities would take lesser time to find. They're independently different in all possible ways, aside from the fact that there are four houses."
Tina sighed, "Yes, because Isolt, the founder, was obsessed with Hogwarts. Still, I'd like you to compare, since you're the only one among the people I know, who knows Hogwarts well."
Newt looked around, one hand holding Tina's hand, the other in his suit pocket. "I hardly know much about Ilvermorny. But the architecture is massively different. You know, Hogwarts has the typical British arches ;and here, spherical. And the sorting, ah! I love your way! I mean, moving statues! And the fact that one student can be sorted into more than one houses, it's incredible."
Tina smiled, "I think that your sorting hat is pretty rigid then, huh?"
Newt shook his head, "Not necessarily. I was bound to be a Hufflepuff, because I wasn't extremely ambitious or smart. But the sorting hat pointed out, bravery."
Tina fondly tightened her grip around his hand and said, "Who said that you aren't smart? But yes, you are so so brave Newt. You fought with Grindelwald directly, befriended apparently dangerous beasts in their very habitats, didn't you? All the scars that you have, I can well imagine your adventures across the globe. So yes, you could be a Gryffindor. But let me guess, it decided Hufflepuff, because you're very loyal. Am I right?"
Newt was so verwhelmed at her confidence and proud in him, he somehow managed to agree that she was right. They were approaching the first floor.
Queenie Goldstein couldn't find a single soul in any of the floors of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was fully able to hear the thoughts of her sister and of Newt, as they were practically screaming in their minds. The castle was empty, and she knew their mental voices so well, that she simply couldn't shut their thoughts off. Not that she wanted to.
Queenie walked towards a window and peered outside. It was looking as beautiful as it used to be in her childhood. She was visualizing her Pukwudgie days as a naughty extroverted girl, always up to mischiefs. Tina was a prefect, on the other hand. Others students liked Tina as a prefect, because she knew to forgive and to consider. She never bullied anyone, or misused her position, she wasn't partial either.
One time, Queenie had bewitched her parchments to correct wrong answers, in a class test. Tina gave her away to a professor and this lead Queenie into detention. Queenie didn't talk to her for three days. That had made Tina really upset. But she always stuck to her rules, and now she is an Auror. Queenie was proud of her.
Suddenly something caught her eyes outside the school premises. There was a crowd visible there. Queenie could hear approaching footsteps and familiar thoughts around her. She turned from the window to see Newt and Tina coming for her.
"We lost you!" Tina exclaimed. Queenie smirked, "You found me Teenie. Hey, what's so many people doing here outside, do you know?"
Tina let go of Newt's hand ,ran to the window and gasped, "Why in the name of Deliverance Dane can't they let you be Newt? MACUSA did warn me, but…."
"Wait, they didn't tell me anything? Warning about what?" Newt asked.
Tina exhaled, "The news that Newt Scamander is coming to Ilvermorny with the Goldstein sisters, in a headline in 'Magical celebrities'. Your fans are dying to meet you right now I think. It couldn't be kept a secret apparently."
Queenie giggled and said "Our baby boy is a celebrity! Congratulations honey", making Newt blush. The three of them walked down to the main entrance to meet his fans.
"Stop fidgeting, try to look in the eyes, don't look back at me all the time, spine straight, smile proudly, ask names of your fans & write messages for them in their copies. Okay? You'll be fine. Stop fidgeting!" Tina kept whispering making Newt all the more nervous.
Queenie was giggling and happily floating towards the young female fans of Newt. She was thinking about fan following Newt has developed recently; because of all his pictures and witty interviews about his book, that has been printed on "Daily Prophet", "Witches' choice - Heartthrob of the week", "Magical celebrities", "The New York Ghost" and other newspapers.
Reporters from all the press in the magical community from the world seemed to have managed a portkey to Ilvermorny, to exclusively publish a rather rare interview of this humble but smart magizoologist. He has become quite fanciable for young witches, as his glimpse is often difficult to get anywhere. Unlike the other popular wizards, Newt never tries to catch unnecessary attention among the young witches, which makes him all the more interesting.
Queenie had been hearing about all the gossips about Newt, some people have also rightly guessed about Newt and Tina. Honestly, Queenie was proud of Newt, for everything that he has done as a whole.
For the last time, Tina scolded Newt for flushing, and let go of his hand, allowing him to meet his fans. Many girls crowded around their favorite shy and handsome author, who had pretty awesome adventures! Newt was easy with little girls, but attractive witches of his age were making him uncomfortable. He signed every book with a smile and left kind messages on them for the owner.
One dreamy witch of his age, directly asked him, "How are your creatures Mr. Scamander? Do you miss them?"
There was no sign of flirting in the girl's tone, so Newt gladly answered, "They're healthy I'm sure. I do miss them actually, thanks for asking, miss…?"
The woman smiled and extended a hand to shake, "Mrs. Hestia Lovegood. I'm from America, and I've seen your bowtruckle in your pocket once. Is that your favorite beast?"
Newt was mildly surprised, but pleased that someone was interested in the beasts he has written about, rather than his favorite movie. He smiled and candidly replied, "Well, unofficially, I must say he's one of my favorites. But also my Thunderbird, occamies, demiguise and my niffler. What do you like the best Mrs. Lovegood?"
She dreamily chatted as the other reporters were left speechless, "Oh, call me Hestia. That's my husband Dionysus Lovegood. He's from your school - Hogwarts. Same batch, Ravenclaw. My favorite has become the Billywig from your book. But actually I prefer to study nargles. Would you write about them Mr. Scamander?"
Newt was positively dumbstruck by this unusual person, but answered nonetheless, "Nargles may or may not exist. I would write when I have enough proof of their existence. Erm… Hestia, would you mind if I invite you and your husband, Dionysus to dinner one day?"
Other witches around gasped, clearly jealous, but Queenie assured Tina that he recognized Dionysus from school and wanted to chat, that's all. Tina was very happy to see Newt's confidence in front of this crowd, and finally they will get to meet one of Newt's batchmates.
Newt looked over at Tina, and both Tina & Queenie nodded in agreement.
Hestia gladly accepted the invitation, but they exchanged addresses out of the reporter's sight. The rest of the interview was not much of a success, for everybody was left to discuss about this mysterious American witch and her British husband, the Lovegoods.
"That was really nice of you Newt, to invite them over. Those were real nice people, the girl was so weird and dreamy, but interested in your work. Others kept thinking, 'Oh he's so cute', 'Look at his tie, I wanna grab him and kiss him', 'Why does he like Porpentina Goldstein, eww', 'Mercy Lewis, he's so hot'..."
Newt coughed and interrupted, "For the name of Merlin ,Queenie, don't tell us more. We got the picture. Sorry Tina, they're so mean…"
Tina laughed, "Don't worry about it. And by the way,I knew Hestia Johanson, she was a Thunderbird. That friend of yours is a perfect match for her indeed. I've heard about Lovegoods, as weird as she is. I like her though, I said 'weird' in a positive way. Dreamy I'd say, always in her own world of fantasy."
Newt nodded, still amazed by the fact that he got to meet one of his classmates that he rather liked, in Ilvermorny. Dionysus was a Ravenclaw, so they only met in common classes. But he seemed to be his kind of sort. He was looking forward to their dinner, where he has planned to invite Jacob too, he will have fun.
