July 6th 1928
The hands on the clock were approaching noon when the four of them appeared outside the fancy wrought-iron gate of Featherbeak. All at once Tina found herself pleasantly overwhelmed by the English countryside: the smells and the vivid colors, all of it was just as she remembered. There were a thousand memories stirring in her mind, breathed into existence once more with the feel of the breeze tossing her hair and the sun showering down on them; even the scent of turned soil flooded her head with nothing but happiness.
Jacob and Queenie lingered a moment entwined in each other's grasp, mouths hanging agape in mild awe at the ornate entry of the Scamander estate. Tina snickered slightly seeing their reaction, figuring it was probably the same as her own the first time she looked upon the gate and the preceding drive.
Tina leaned against Newt, reveling in his closeness and the charm of the familiar surroundings. She soaked in the sensations tickling her senses from the nature around them as they strode down the path of crushed white stone. The sun was bright above them, playing ringmaster to a show of white clouds, coasting along with the warm summer breeze. Rich fragrances swirled through the air, the perfume of the wildflowers that brilliantly enhanced the burst of vibrant colors of the English countryside. Every aspect of the scenery around them was natural and lively, and it all reminded her of the scruffy haired wizard she didn't dare let go of. Tina's heart soared seeing Newt stripped free of the modern jungle of gray tones and immersed in a backdrop of green with wind tossing his wild halo of ginger hair to and fro.
The Scamander state, aptly called Featherbeak, came into view before too long, and Tina's focus drifted to her sister and Jacob, eager to see the looks of impressed confusion twist onto their faces, at finally seeing the grand home.
"You're... uh…" Jacob swallowed, looking awestruck and pointing a finger towards the house. "Rich?"
Newt's brows furrowed and he chuckled a bit, shaking his head. "No. My parents are though."
His nonchalance seem to throw the two as they stood a moment to take everything in.
"It's even grander than you told me, Teenie!" her sister commented, still trailing her eyes over every piece of the estate.
Tina found herself grinning as a reinvigorated wave of blissful memories poured into her mind, thoughts that she would undoubtedly have a hundred times more before the night was over.
"Come on," Newt gestured with a wave of his free hand and a glance over his shoulder to the still-dazzled couple behind them.
Tina snuck a peek or two at Jacob and Queenie as Newt lead her forward. The couple walked a whole pace slower than she and her Magizoologist, each one of them craning their necks to inspect and absorb as much of the exterior as possible.
When they finally stepped over the threshold, the old home's familiar, yet somehow idiosyncratic, charm greeted Tina. Featherbeak was as far from feeling like home as possible. The rugs under the soles of their shoes, as they stood idle in the foyer, were thick like cushions; the crystal chandelier looming over them, like a cluster of twinkling stars, was perfectly fit for any upper Manhattan ballroom. None of it was second hand like her apartment in New York. Yet, the interiors were just as she remembered, clean and not a single thing out of place.
"Where is everyone?" Queenie asked, glancing around, eyes wide.
Newt shrugged. "My father is at work most likely. Mum's probably with her 'griff's."
As if the mere mention of her had summoned her to them, Louise Scamander strode robustly through the backdoor, tucked discreetly beyond the stairs stacked in front of them. She was dressed in her work trousers with her red hair pulled back into a braid, a few loose ringlets framing her face. She paid little regard to the ample amount of mud caking her knee high boots as she crossed the expensive looking carpets to greet them. Perhaps the most noticeable feature of her attire was the rope of dead mammals slung across her torso, much like the one Tina had seen Newt fashion when dealing with Charlie. The resemblance made Tina smile.
"Ah Newton, dear! You're a sight for sore eyes!" Louise yanked him into a hug, which he surrendered to long before she had hold of him.
"Hello, Mother," he huffed out almost painfully. "Did Thes stop by last night?"
Louise let go, her smile growing impossibly wider as she looked to Tina and the others.
"He did! 'im and Lily are 'ere for da special occasion." She winked at Queenie.
Tina was the next to be scooped into Louise's warm embrace, and sash of dead animals aside, Tina all but melted into her maternal hug. She had missed Newt's charismatic mother. Tina was used to playing the role of mother herself, raising Queenie and all, and now that she had met Louise, she couldn't help but to crave that small dose of motherly affection.
"Good ta see ya again, Miss Tina."
"You too, Louise." Tina smiled as she pulled away. "I've missed you."
"Oh, me too dearie, me too!" Louise said sweetly, caressing Tina's cheek with a motherly grin.
After a moment, Newt cleared his throat, gaining his mother's attention, and gestured to Jacob.
"Mother, I'd like you to meet Jacob Kowalski, the Muggle who helped me find my creatures in New York."
Louise was quick to ignore Jacob's outstretched hand, ready for a simple shake, and threw her arms around him instead. He was taken only slightly off guard and managed to return the woman's embrace with equal enthusiasm. The almost blunder caused Newt to shift from foot to foot, seeming uncomfortable, before turning pink at the cheeks with a faint wave of second-hand embarrassment.
"Pleasure to meet ya lad. You're da one with the bakery, am I right?"
Jacob's eyes lit up as he nodded, hastily attempting to situate his wrinkled waistcoat. "Yes, ma'am."
Louise beamed, "You'll 'ave ta do some bakin' for me and Thaddeus! Got a wee bit of a sweet tooth 'e does. Not that 'e'd ever tell ya."
Newt cleared his throat with another wave of his arm. "And this, mother, is Tina's sister, Queenie. She's a Legilimens."
Louise's eyes grew wide with intrigue, making them glisten in the light spilling in from the windows and the chandelier.
"Are you? 'ow extraordinary, lass! I'd love to 'ave a chat about that sometime."
"And I'd love to chat about it!' Queenie beamed, going willingly to Louise's open arms.
"I'm so delighted ta meet ya, dearie. Your sister cares a great deal for you, I don't need your gift ta know she missed ya something awful 'er last trip... I just couldn't wait ta meet ya as well."
Queenie's pink lips stretched wider until her smile was the biggest in the room. "It's an absolute honor to meet you, Mrs. Scamander."
Louise's face soured, nose wrinkling as she waved her hands dismissively. "I'm Louise, dearie, simply Louise. I'll be havin' none of that 'Mrs. Scamander' buggery."
Louise paused a moment, eyeing the cases they'd each brought, and turned to the stairs behind her. "Moxie dearie!" She shouted.
A moment later, the Scamander's house elf appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Oh, Moxie, there you are! I 'ope I didn't wake you?" Louise asked sincerely.
"No, Ms. Louise. What is it you need?" the creature asked with a shy smile.
"Would you please take Newt an' his friends' things up?"
Moxie nodded and snapped her fingers, causing each of their cases to gently pull from their grasps and float magically up the stairs.
"Thank you, Moxie!" Queenie shouted with a delicate wave.
The house elf grinned back, "You're welcome, Miss."
"She's lovely!" Queenie noted.
"Yes," Louise agreed fondly as she gestured for the four of them to follow her into the adjoining parlor. "Wee bit shy with strangers, but she an' Newton got on well an' it really 'elped her come out of her shell..."
Queenie and Jacob took to the small sofa, a decorative piece that Tina suspected was probably more beautiful than it was comfortable. The two of them didn't seem to mind though, snuggling close as lovers did, her hand in his. The chairs that remained were antique, statement-making wingback pieces, that sat only one person. Tina frowned. There was no chance she and Newt could share one of the ornate chairs comfortably. Immediately, Tina missed the Magizoologist closeness as she seated herself closest to Queenie. Any other time she would have conjured up a sour look for her sister, if the whole trip had not been for her and Jacob in the first place.
"So!" Louise chimed. "Theseus told me the good news. You've eloped after all. Splendid, absolutely splendid!"
She paused long enough to untangle her braid, causing her curls to spring and bounce into place. "Thaddeus and I eloped too, ya know. Bit of a scandal. Wee things we were, fresh out of 'ogwarts. An' I already had a bun in the oven!" She chuckled with a whim of nostalgia.
Newts face paled slightly and he cleared his throat. "That's not the case here, mother…" He paused, brows furrowing as he looked to the couple on the sofa. "At least I don't think it is…"
Tina felt her heart skip a beat as she suddenly sat up straighter. That particular notion had never even crossed her mind.
That would make this less of an eloping situation and more of a convenient situation. Tina thought.
A heavy line creased her brow as she looked to her sister, deciding — in that moment — the only thing she would be upset about was that Queenie hadn't told her first.
"No," Queenie replied sweetly. She alone seemed unfazed by the blatant assumption. Jacob had gone pale. "The time just feels right." She grinned. "Eloping is really our only option with the laws being what they are."
Louise shook her head. "I'm so sorry, dearie. Those laws, bunch of rubbish." The Irish woman paused a moment to let the slight distast settle before smiling. "Now, I've already made a few calls — when were ya wanting to 'ave the ceremony?"
Jacob and Queenie exchanged a glance and a shrug. "Whenever is convenient for you, really," the baker said.
"This evening work for you? 'ere on the estate?" Louise suggested, visibly excited about the notion.
"Oh yes, that would be lovely!" Queenie jumped to her feet.
"Excellent! I'll get to work as soon as I show ya to a room."
She stood swiftly, waving a hand for them to follow her up the grand staircase in the foyer. Before Tina could reach for it, Newt seized her hand and left a delicate kiss on her cheek when no one was looking. For a moment, Tina thought to ask what that sudden bout of casual intimacy was about, but decided to just go with it. Terribly seldom were his cherished fits of bravery and Tina found herself once more leaning into him as they trailed behind the others.
Louise and the other couple had stopped just shy of Newt's room and the one Tina had stayed in during her last visit.
"Queenie, dearie," Louise started, opening the door to the spare room. "You an' Jacob are welcome ta this room, it should be more than accommodatin' for ya both, aye?"
Tina had no doubt that it would be perfect. Beyond that door she knew there was a wonderland of lavish amenities and abundant space; a room that felt like some grand suite at a swanky Manhattan hotel. Queenie would appreciate the intricacies far more than Tina had.
"Now, Theseus an' Lillian are stayin' 'ere as well. Me oldest loves a good party," Louise told Queenie and Jacob rather proudly. "Tina dearie, there are plenty of rooms in this old house that with a quick spell I would be more than 'appy to make ready for a wonderful bed for ya…" She paused and eyed Newt suspiciously. "...or…"
"She can stay in my room, with me…" Newt said even before his mother could suggest it. "If she doesn't mind."
He didn't even blush, or look remotely flustered. The air of confidence in his tone caused Tina to shiver and her heart to quicken its space. Heat rushed into her cheeks and she looked away hoping no one saw.
"No. I wouldn't mind," she said. Not at all.
It wasn't like she hadn't spent the past two nights sleeping next to him, first on her sofa, then in his bed last night. Tina wasn't about to let another opportunity pass.
"Good," Louise said, looking — as was her motherly right — as though she knew more than anyone was letting on. "Now, you ladies can use the spare room to get ready. An' you lads use Newton's room. There will be no seeing your bride before the ceremony now. This all may be very spur-of-the-moment but I'm going to insist on this one tradition — starting now."
Louise scooted the men into Newt's room swiftly, throwing a charismatic wink and a smile over her shoulder.
"Don't you need help arranging anything?" Tina asked, suddenly feeling like she was being a bother.
"You can help your sister. I'll take care of the rest, dearie."
Louise gave them a stern yet friendly push into the spare room, and shut the door without another word.
A/N: This was supposed to by posted on the 6th but I've had a crazy busy week, sorry! Only one more chapter! I can't believe we are so close the end!
Furthermore, you can follow me on Tumblr fandom-non-sense
That is where you can keep up with my progress, check out my favorite works by other talented authors and even find a link to keep me caffeinated so I write quicker ;).
Also HUGE thank you and shout out to my betas CuivienenGazer and katiehavok. They are the true heroes here and I owe them both so much for making these chapters readable.