Thank you to all those who are following on this adventure! I hope you continue to enjoy it! I really appreciate your kind words! I do apologise profusely for the delay in posting this chapter! I'll try very hard not to let it happen again. I hope this chapter was worth the wait
Chapter 12
It was a moment of her life Tina tried very hard to forget during her waking hours and would many a time plague her during her sleep. Somehow she managed to safely apperate them into Newt's room at the Leaky Cauldron, feeling terror at each passing minute. She knew he was quickly slipping away from her. She used her wand to lower him gently into his suitcase with shaking hands, now unable to stop the tears that fell, her throat constricted with fear.
"Newt please, please you have to stay with me" She laid him on the couch rummaging through the contents of his desk in desperation as she searched for some potion, anything that might possibly cure him. Grabbing the bottle of murtlap essence Tina ripped Newt's torn shirt open with her shaking hands, tears blurring her vision as she uncorked the bottle and threw the entire contents across the most shocking wounds she had ever seen. Tina began to sob as the liquid had no effect, her breathing becoming so fast she was afraid she would never be able to catch her breath again.
"Newt please help me! Please! There must be something here that can cure you!" Tina felt the soft furry form of Dougal sweep over her into her arms, staring up at her with his wide brown eyes.
"Dougal please, he's dying. You can't let him leave us". Tina felt the last hope she had slipping away as the Demigise starred silently back at her. Of course he couldn't possibly understand her. As a fresh wave of sobs wracked her body Tina suddenly felt Dougal leap from her arms and felt his hands pulling on hers, leading her outside the shed. She stumbled to keep up with him, her breathing coming so fast now that she began to feel lightheaded.
As she caught up with Dougal a strange sound met her ears as the beautiful bird Newt had tried to show her only days ago lifted its wings and let out a cry that filled her with a strange feeling of peace and calmness despite the turmoil of her emotions. Dougal was staring up at the bird, pointing to it, pulling on her hand as if he was trying to tell her something. Tina looked into the birds dark eyes unsure of what to do, was she meant to bow, or mimic its sound in some way. Instead Tina looked at the bird her face tear stained and her eyes pleading.
"Can you help him? Newt is dying!" She whispered.
The Phoenix flew from its perch, circling Tina for a moment and letting out another cry as it flew through the door of the shed. Feeling that strange calmness again Tina follow quickly after him, Dougal once more sweeping into her arms as if he was trying to provide her with comfort. As they entered the shed Tina felt her heart sink at the sight of the bird, its head cocked to one side and what looked like tears falling onto Newt's chest.
"No stop it! You aren't crying over him! He isn't dead, damn it you aren't allowed to cry!"
Tina sank to the floor in front of Newt feeling a strange numbness in her body. She doubled over holding herself tightly trying to block out the intense pain and emotion that made her feel like she was drowning. Through the helplessness and pain she felt Dougal's small furry hand pulling at her once again, demanding her attention. As she became aware of him the sound of the birds melody once again met her ears. She could almost feel the sound as an emotion filling her with inexplicable hope. Then finally her eyes took in the sight of Newt and she gripped the couch in shock as she realized his skin was once again filled with colour. Her eyes trailed over his chest and stomach, where moments ago there were gaping wounds his skin was perfectly smooth, completely healed. Tina starred at the magnificent creature before her in awe as she shakily traced her fingers over the place the wounds had been.
'They truly are marvellous creatures Tina', She rememberedNewt had been explaining to her back in New York. 'Phoenix have amazing abilities ...their tears...' 'Have healing powers' she whispered softly to Dougal, finishing Newt's would have been sentence for him.
"You really are amazing! Thank you!" Tina very gently reached out a hand wondering if the Phoenix would allow her to touch him. Its eyes seemed to search hers for a moment before he gently cocked his head, ever so slightly brushing his feathers against her hand. Tina's eyes returned to Newt as she drank in the sight of him breathing, deep in a restful sleep. Her eyes sparkled with tears and her heart was filled with inexpressible joy. He was alive, he wasn't going to be taken away from her. She didn't know how long she sat watching him before the Phoenix song once more filled the tiny shed. Tina felt her head droop onto the armrest of the couch, her head touching Newt's as she tried to fight the sleepiness that was overwhelming her.
...
It was a very confused and disorientated Newt that woke hours later to find himself in the shed in his suitcase, with Tina lying curled up on the floor beside him and Dougal sitting watching over them both. The sight of Pickett nestled on Tina's shoulder brought a smile and a soft chuckle to his lips but then panic began to surface as he bent down closer to Tina... was that blood on her clothes? Fear gripped him suddenly as the memory of the ball surfaced through the sleepy fog of his brain. He glanced down in shock to find his own shirt blood stained and in tatters, but no visible scars on his body.
He remembered knocking Brady to the ground then turning back to see a curse fired at Tina... he was already blocking another spell with his wand, so he did the only thing he could think of in the heat of the moment and threw himself in front of her. Pain and fire ripped through his chest... and everything had gone dark.
"Tina" Newt quickly removed himself from the couch, bending down with the intention of picking her up and carefully settling her in the position he had been moments before, when his movements woke her. With years of Auror bread training Tina was awake, simultaneously sitting up and reaching for her wand. At the sight of Newt crouching in front of her she let out a cry of joy, throwing herself into his arms before she could even consider the forwardness of her actions. Newt was thrown off balance and fell backwards, enjoying the sensation of her in his arms for a brief moment before he remembered that he hadn't yet checked her for injuries.
"Tina, please... You need to get up for a minute"
As he eased Tina onto the couch he could sense her growing embarrassment as she seemed to register she had thrown herself into his arms, and the fact that his tattered shirt wasn't providing much cover. Newt felt his own cheeks redden as she began stammering an apology and quickly moved to cover himself with a shirt before returning with his wand intending on examining Tina for any possible injuries.
"I'm so sorry Newt, I was just so scared I was going to lose you, and then seeing the Phoenix heal you..." Tina broke off as her emotions once more seemed too overwhelming. This time it was Tina looking away, unable to meet his eyes and it only served to make him care for her even more. Suddenly he realised she had misinterpreted his reason for pushing her away. As he knelt in front of her he gently took her chin in his fingers, lifting her head to look at him.
"Tina I owe you my life, in more ways than you can imagine. Please don't apologise. You really are truly marvellous Tina! Thank you for saving my life!". His face was inches from hers and at the moment he desperately wanted to kiss her but was unsure whether this was the right moment, she'd been through so much in the last few hours. Instead he gently placed a kiss on her forehead and gently examined her arms where her sleeves were covered in blood, checking her for injuries.
"I just needed to make sure you weren't hurt Tina". As he was checking her over he missed seeing the disappointment and hurt that appeared fleetingly on her face before she quickly hid her emotions. Tina was beginning to wonder whether Newt would ever have the courage to push their relationship past the close friendship they had.
"It's your blood Newt. You were badly injured, the curse that was used couldn't be healed with a simple spell. If it wasn't for Dougal bringing me to the Phoenix" Newt turned to look at Dougal reaching out to the Demiguise that didn't need any further prompting to sweep himself into Newt's outstretched hands.
"Thank you my friend". Newt chuckled as Dougal leapt to the ground and began pulling Newt's hand, indicating in the direction of the door of the shed.
"We need to make it a quick visit Newt, we have to get back. They're gonna need all hands on deck. We need to find out what prompted an attack of this scale". Newt was slightly surprised at how brisk and business like Tina sounded, as he led her outside the shed he couldn't help but worry that he had managed to hurt her again.
"This will only take a few minutes" Newt reassured her as they approached the Phoenix once more sitting regally upon his perch.
"Just before the ball I asked him if he was ready to go free" Newt explained to Tina, as he gently stroked the birds feathers, finding it easier to talk about his creatures then to discuss the emotions of the last few hours.
"He didn't want to leave... you really are a fascinating creature!" Newt told him in awe. Was it possible that the Phoenix had been able to sense something bad was about to happen?
"I'm very thankful that he didn't" Tina whispered softly. Newt turned to face her and found himself so close to her that it quite took his breath away. Something screamed in his brain Act now you fool! Now is the time! He could see disappointment in her eyes as she started to step away from him, when he gently reached out to touch her face.
"Will you please allow me to kiss you Tina?" Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at him, a shy smile on her face as she nodded her consent. Their kiss was soft and sweet and full of the promise of what was to come. He stepped away from her with an absurdly happy grin on his face that matched her own.
"Now we can go and chase dark wizards if it would please you my lady". Tina couldn't help the mischievous smile that crept onto her lips.
"Well I can think of a lot more fun things we could do, but considering I did get paid to travel all this way to uncover a smuggling ring, perhaps we had better do that first". She grinned even more as Newt blushed deeply. As they made their way out of Newt's case teasing each other light-heartedly they were both surprised by the smoky figure of a patronus fox that glided into the room speaking with Brady's voice.
"Tina I've given you both all the time we can spare. I need to see you both immediately presuming Newt was able to get the help he required. Newt whatever you do don't let that suitcase out of your sight. Meet me at the office. Brady."
Please let me know what you think! As always I hope you are enjoying the adventure! Lots more fun and excitement to come!
