"History's been leaning on me lately, I can feel the future breathing down my neck and all the things I thought were true when I was young, and you were too, turned out to be broken and I don't know what comes next.
In a world that has decided that it's going to lose its mind, be more kind, my friends, try to be more kind.
They've started raising walls around the world now, like hackles raised upon a cornered cat, on the borders, in our heads, between things that can and can't be said. We've stopped talking to each other and there's something wrong with that.
So, before you go out searching, don't decide what you will find, be more kind, my friends, try to be more kind.
You should know you're not alone and trouble comes, and trouble goes, how this ends, no one knows so hold on tight when the wind blows.
The wind blew both of us to sand and sea and where the dry land stands is hard to say. As the current drags us by the shore we can no longer say for sure who's drowning, or if they can be saved.
But when you're out there floundering, like a lighthouse I will shine be more kind, my friends, try to be more kind." – 'Be more kind' – Frank Turner
Head Auror Theseus Scamander was many things in life, but he was not unbreakable. He had dealt with war, abuse, a trouble-magnet younger brother and witnessed in graphic detail the unspeakable abuse of said brother, but Leta leaving him was possibly something that just might trump all of that. Or at least it would have been had Tina not been there for him every step of the way. Sweet, wonderful Tina. It was amazing how close they had grown in such a short space of time. In the space of the past six months since her sister's wedding they had become increasingly dependent on one another, despite the distance and obvious difficulties involved. He was aware that some might call what he was doing selfish – he knew it was – but he couldn't find it in himself to care that he was moving on so quickly when he felt happier with Tina than he had done in years.
He had loved Leta – still did in a distant, hurting way, but in contrast of Tina's sweet, slightly bumbling, pretty nature he was starting to see flaws in his ex-fiancé that he had overlooked before in the face of Leta's beauty and wit. She had been withdrawn, selfish and in all honesty not very subtle about the fact that she still loved Newt – Theseus had ignored it, hoping that over time, once they were married, then she might grow to love him just as much as she had Newt. In retrospect it had been a foolish hope – Newt was just capable of a sort of incompressiblely accepting love that he couldn't top even with all the love he felt. Newt saw the flaws in people, accepted them and then just carried on loving them anyway – it was astounding and whilst Theseus was a caring man in his own way, he couldn't ignore the flaws in their relationship now that he had the benefit of hindsight. She had not been kind in the way in which she had expressed her wish to sperate – there had been a lot of yelling, tears and attempts from him at calming her and her he, but in the end they had both agreed it was for the best. She wanted some space apart to sort through the issues and rumours surrounding her family and had encouraged him to just take care of his own family without her interference. He wasn't entirely sure if that had been kindness on her part or if she had just been trying to break it off in an easier way than telling him the truth, but either way he still was glad beyond words that he hadn't had to suffer alone after she left.
He needn't have been ashamed of his moving on however, as less than a month after Leta broke off the engagement, she was seen frequently in the company of Finnis Fawley – the son of the current Minister for Magic who had joined the Auror department earlier than year. He was of a pureblood family lineage to rival that of the Lestrange family though without the taint of corruption and scandal – he imagined that that sort of thing was becoming increasingly important to Leta. It helped to assuage Theseus' guilt enough so that he felt more comfortable in his newfound relationship with Tina, at least in terms of what might be considered of them in professional circles anyway. As much as he tried not to mix his personal life and career, getting Leta involved in the Ministry family had retrospectively not been the best idea. Now he was forced to politely interact with both her and her new lover on a semi-regular basis as they were a part of his department. They were cordial enough but there was always still that painful, insidiously lingering tension of what had and what could have been between them.
Theseus tried to maintain a proper manner, but it became increasingly difficult as Tina had made a petition to maintain an ambassadorial role within the MACUSA Auror department that took her back to London regularly. It was a great development for their relationship and for Tina so that she could see her sister and friends as often as she wanted – splitting her time between London and New York via an established Floo-connection. With Newt having insisted that he was 'perfectly capable' of living in his own home unsupervised, Tina had begun to spend more and more time in Theseus' own home. It was nice having her around when he came home from a long day, being able to just find comfort in one another outside of their taxing careers. There had been passion between him and Leta but very little of the sweet, caring, domestic moments he shared with Tina. Not to say that there wasn't sex – there definitely was and it was yet another reason why he was glad that his younger brother was out of his house. None of them had the social capability to be able to deal with that.
Newt seemed to be recovering better when closer to his creatures and in the comfort of his own home, but the added benefits of having Queenie and Jacob just down the street from him as well as the newly placed wards were what gave Theseus the confidence to allow Newt some independence. Though thinking about it, Theseus doubted there was much he could ever do to keep Newt from doing what he wanted if his junior sibling really had his heart set on it, and his creatures were definitely that. But so, unfortunately was Percival Graves. Theseus had assumed that when the Director returned to New York that it would have ended whatever was going on between them – unfortunately he was drastically mistaken in that hope. Just as Tina found the time to split her life between London and New York, Graves was also making frequent trips to visit Newt.
It had come as a nasty shock to discover that Newt had allowed the older wizard to set up a Floo-connection to his house so that he could visit whenever he wanted. The discovery had resulted in another shouting match between himself, Graves and even Newt when it had become too heated. Much to Theseus' annoyance it had ended in a compromise of sorts in that the Floo-connection had to be allowed from Newt's end by a specific spell and that it was only a one-way system. Graves had argued with him on that point, claiming that it could double as an escape route should Newt find himself attacked in his home again, but Theseus had insisted that it was a step too far. He hadn't liked the idea of Newt being able to disappear off internationally at a moment's notice and as he had the law backing him up on that matter Graves had conceded. For once, Theseus was grateful that the Ministry had implemented the ban on Newt travelling internationally – they had been suspicious enough when he had had to explain why Newt had been in Paris and Austria without permittance. That had taken a lot of smoothing over and Theseus had little difficulty pointing out the fact to his fellow Head of Magical Security as even though Graves seemed intent on pursuing Newt, he still respected his role as an upholder of order and justice. It was one of the few things that Theseus would admit to admiring in the man. Very few.
The elder Scamander could admit that his presence did seem to be doing Newt good, as he had been cheerier and admittedly more confident seeming than he had been both before and after his incarceration. Queenie and Tina had even commented upon it at one point – claiming that Newt seemed to be 'glowing' – whatever that was meant to mean although even Theseus could admit that he had put back on a pleasing amount of weight and regained a little colour. Even if he still looked permanently exhausted. In the first few weeks after the incident with Grindelwald he had eaten very little and Theseus had become worried that he was trying to starve himself, though his main aversion seemed to be to anything with meat in it. He could certainly understand why after what that malicious, apparently cannibalistic bastard had forced upon Newt, but with Queenie and Jacob's encouragement and proximity, they had gotten him to build up his appetite with various baked goods and homemade food. It had resulted in a fairly regular tradition of Newt and his friends sitting down to meals either in his own home or in the newly opened bakery. He had seen Graves encouraging him too, in between the soppy, awkward looks the two liked to exchange that Theseus felt were often timed just to irritate him.
But what made Theseus continue to resent Graves' presence in Newt's life wasn't just his concern about Newt's reputation and how his liaisons might affect his blooming career as an author, but also because he couldn't understand how Newt could get past what Grindelwald had done to him using Graves' face. Theseus had been horrified enough at the dark wizard's callousness just from viewing them as a third-party observer – he couldn't imagine how Newt could possibly get past that association enough to become romantically involved with Graves. Because that was most definitely what they were. More than once, he had come over to visit only to find Newt and Graves leaping back awkwardly from one another. And of course, there had been that one incredibly awkward instance where he had descended into the case to find his little brother with his legs wrapped around the American's waist and pressed up against a bookshelf in the shed. There was no way he was going to forgot that one, no matter how much he tried. That particular incident had resulted in a long, intensely explicative discussion between him and Graves over boundaries and how fucking insensitive the American was being. Graves had cut back with a forceful (and unfortunately fair) point that if they were going to start lecturing one another about their private lives than Graves could choose to bring up Theseus' own romantic entanglements in a rather unfavourable light.
It had ended in a stalemate and Theseus had from then on, reserved his anger to silent, observant judgement. He watched Newt's behaviour to check that he was not worsening or being too negatively affected by Graves' presence, but he had gradually admitted to himself that Newt did seem to be happier around Graves than away from him. He was getting on with his life just as Theseus had hoped he would – interacting well with his friends, creatures and even going out into public a few times with Tina, Queenie and Jacob. He was glad that Newt was socialising outside of just his new companion and despite everything, the elder Scamander found himself relaxing slightly about his troubled little brother. There hadn't been any sightings – reported or otherwise of Grindelwald since the incident involving Abernathy and the two slain fanatics. There were still issues with unrest caused by his followers of course, but it mostly seemed to be isolated to America and mainland Europe rather than Britain and if Theseus hadn't known better, he could have sworn it was almost as if they had been ordered to stay away from England. Even casual crime seemed to have been limited over the past six months and it was making both Theseus and Graves suspicious of the sudden lack of activity. His optimistic side tried to pass it off as Grindelwald's fanatics packing it in after realising that their dark lord had been vanquished but there was still niggling doubt that this peace was only a precursor to something much worse. War was still a very real possibility with both the wizarding and Muggle communities seeming to be constantly on a knife's edge.
And then there had been the business with Credence Barebone. Whilst in New York, Tina had been using her newfound influence first as Assistant Director and then in her combined ambassadorial position to argue strongly in favour of the Obscurial being allowed the chance at a life within the magical community as well as an education to help teach him how to control his powers. Another reason why Theseus admired his fiercely willed girlfriend was because of her nurturing yet tenacious spirit. Over the past month especially she had succeeded in winning members of MACUSA over to letting the boy live and gaining his freedom, he had been in the specially designed cell twice whilst Tina had gone in to comfort and update Credence on how his case was going and had been touched by how caring she was with him. Theseus recognised the look of an abused boy who had suffered from an abundance of misunderstanding even if he worried for Tina's safety at being so close to such a volatile force.
He had been surprised to learn that there had only been one incident over the months since his imprisonment and that had only been a small one in which Credence had reverted to his destructive form when he was informed that his Maledictus friend from the Circus Arcanus had still not been found. Tina had managed to calm him back into his human form and he had been impressed by how firmly, caringly and patiently she had handled the situation – speaking softly and earnestly to Credence and coaxing him into stillness. Just over a week ago Tina had received letters in the post from both Hogwarts and Ilvermorny telling her that Credence could not be accepted for study as he was a grave risk to any around him. She had ranted, marching about the house for quite a while until Theseus had managed to calm her down and she had relented – realising that the schools were only trying to protect their students by denying Credence's entry. It hadn't stopped her from seeking out private tutors from all over the globe in an attempt to find one that would take on an Obscurial as a pupil – so far with no success. She had asked Theseus whether Dumbledore would be willing to tutor Credence, but the elder Scamander had not encouraged the idea. He was still resenting of the teacher for his part in what had happened to Newt – what he had discovered in Newt's memories, what Grindelwald had said about him, Dumbledore's recklessness in taking Newt out of hospital and also because he was still a bit ashamed of his violent reaction the last time he saw the wizard.
Though Theseus still felt that he had deserved it, he regretted his loss of control concerning his temper – he really did struggle against his more volatile nature, but recent events had made it increasingly difficult to do so. It was a miracle that he hadn't broken Graves' nose too by this point, but in all honesty, he could just call that miracle Tina – she had had an amazing effect on his anger issues such as he had not experienced before with anyone. She was just such a nurturing, caring and adorable individual that she just made everyone around her better – including Theseus. It was probably why Newt had been drawn to her in the first place. The magizoologist had a similar effect on others but arguably to a much more dramatic extent – instead of just making people feel better he seemed to encourage them to want to be better. It was bizarre in the extreme to witness, especially with someone as notoriously stern and career driven as Percival Graves.
Three days ago, Theseus had relented to Tina's questioning and sent a tentative, thoroughly formal inquiry concerning Credence's potential tutorage to Dumbledore – he had agreed because he knew that out of all people, the teacher was the most likely to agree. After all, he didn't seem to have an issue getting involved in the life of a vulnerable young man and had the expertise to back it up as well as having a personal interest in the boy's future. They were still awaiting a reply and Theseus had become more preoccupied by the fact that a new issue had come to light concerning his younger brother that pushed the Credence matter to the back of his mind. Due to the astonishing success of his book 'Fantastic Beasts and where to find them' Newt's publisher had requested him repeatedly to attend a book signing at Flourish and Blott's and up until now the young magizoologist had refused to attend.
Both Theseus and Graves had expressed apprehension on the matter as it would be a perfect opportunity for someone to launch another attack on Newt. However, Newt had seemed bizarrely confident that he would no longer be a target for Grindelwald's followers – insisting in an albeit evasive manner that the attack on him back in March had been a one-off and that it wouldn't happen again. Both Heads of Magical Security had agreed not to inform Newt what had happened to the Scadrian Bane and Liza Barnasity as they thought it would just frighten him and detriment the progress he had seemed to be making. Neither had wanted Newt to decline back into his volatile, fragile state and despite Newt's odd behaviour they had taken it as progress.
That was at least, until now – when Newt had finally agreed to attending a book signing. He had claimed that he was as safe as he was likely ever going to be and that he would exercise reasonable precautions to ensure his own safety but neither man had believed it for one second. Bright as Newt undoubtedly was, he was also capable of being a massive idiot at times and despite however much the two professionals had told him to avoid such a public target position, he had insisted to do it anyway. So that was why Theseus Scamander and Percival Graves were currently stood – incredibly begrudgingly he might add – next to one another in the back of Flourish and Blott's keeping a close eye on anyone and everything that came near the signing table. If anyone thought it was odd that two internationally renowned Magical Security Directors were spending their Saturday afternoon in the middle of August overlooking a book-signing, then none were brave enough to comment upon it.
As it was, the signing had gone smoothly thus far, pleasingly eager young witches and wizards as well as countless adult fans of Newt's work filling the shop and making the younger Scamander flush an almost constant shade of pink at the praise levelled his way. He was glad that Newt's work was being appreciated and had found himself enjoying the book even if it had been not quite along the line of how he would have usually described most of the creatures. Though he was pleased that Newt had included the Ministry classifications in his summarisations of the beasts as it allowed him more credibility than if he had simply rambled on about creatures in the admiring way he usually did. Theseus could admit that he and Graves had found a common ground in their concern for Newt and they had even shared an odd, awkwardly amused moment about an hour prior in which an overenthusiastic witch had leapt forward to grab at Newt's hand in an almost aggressive handshake. She had gripped Newt's scarred left hand in both of hers and both Aurors had responded almost immediately by whipping out their wands and demanding the woman step back. She had been shocked and awfully apologetic until Theseus had realised she was no danger and simply a bit clumsy in her fanaticism – Newt had apologised profusely to her, signed her book and levelled a reproachful look at both men behind him. After that, he had asked that they relax a bit and move a bit further away as they were scaring people unnecessarily.
"You and I are long overdue a little chat I think." Graves' purposefully low voice sounded from his left-hand side as they continued to observe the crowded shop before them from their position by a bookshelf several feet away from the table that had been set up for Newt to sign books at. Theseus didn't turn to look at the man, still scanning the crowd but nodded tersely and saw out of the corner of his eye that the American noticed his non-verbal response, cast a non-verbal privacy charm and sighed before speaking. "About Newt. What happened to him."
"I would have thought that if Newt wanted you to know about it, he would have told you by now what with you two getting so close and all." Theseus replied stiffly, restraining his frustration and distaste for the other man to forced formality as he had done over the past few months. He heard Graves sigh again but this time in a tired, exasperated manner rather than in preparation for conflict.
"I… have asked Newt about it and he has told me a little more each time but there's clearly still something he's not telling me." He spoke the next part with imploring, quiet frustration that had Theseus turn his attention towards Graves further, noting that his eyes were clouded and concerned. "I wouldn't ask you if I saw another way Scamander, but I know there is something bothering him that he won't admit because he's worried he'll upset me. I was hoping your experience of his memories could give me insight as to how to make this easier for him. I'm not asking for you to support our… relationship but I want you to know that as long as Newt still wants me around, I'll be there for him and if there is anything you can tell me that could help me to help him I would… appreciate it."
This affection piqued his interest and he felt a little of his distaste rub away at the genuine concern he witnessed – the man seemed to really care about Newt's wellbeing in his own way. Enough so that he was willing to set aside the animosity between them to swallow his pride and ask Theseus for help. A part of Theseus bristled at being asked for advice on how to get closer to his brother but at the same time, it had become clear to him by now that Graves was likely going to stick around whether he approved of it or not. In fact, Theseus had the niggling feeling that his disapproval would probably have the exact opposite effect he intended, knowing Newt as he did – he never had been a follower or rules or social ques. So, he swallowed down his own animosity and glanced sideways at Graves, who was too splitting his attention between the conversation and keeping an eye on Newt.
There was silence between them for long enough a time for Theseus to consider not actually answering but then he caught another glimpse of despair in Graves' dark eyes enough so that it shook him. "Whatever my opinions of you may be, I can see that you seem to be making Newt happy; that he is coping better when you're around despite what your damned face has done to him. And if Newt is willing to overlook that, I think I can find it in myself to do the same, for his sake if nothing else." He paused, releasing a distressed breath through gritted teeth – this was more difficult than he had expected it to be. He could feel Graves' expectant, rapt eyes on him even as he stared forwards. "Grindelwald dug around in his mind, pulling out anything and everything he could use to humiliate and manipulate him into submission so he could… so he could rape him. He pinned him down and defiled him and only stopped because we arrived ahead of the bastard's schedule." The words came out as strained, hoarse, revolted, furious whispers but he kept his eyes wide and dry as he gazed ahead, not really seeing the crowd anymore, but the horrible images of what Grindelwald had tried to do whilst wearing the same face of a man that was currently standing beside him. How Newt managed to overlook that, he had no idea, but what he had said was true – if his traumatised younger brother could work past the issue than Theseus was not going to let his concern get in the way of Newt finding happiness if he could.
He saw Graves nod softly, sadly in the edge of his vision, as if he had expected as much but he still looked infinitely troubled. After several more tensely silent moments he ventured in a low, hesitant, slightly shaking voice that clued even Theseus in on the true extent of how much the violation bothered him. The British Auror found himself minorly gratified that the man was capable of such a level of compassion and wasn't just completely clueless or manipulative of his effect on Newt. "He did mention-… I mean, he did imply as much, but is there anything else that he might've mentioned that could explain…" He trailed off and Theseus' frown deepened, tearing his fixed gaze away from the crowd to glare at Graves for his vagueness.
"Explain what?"
Graves hesitated but then admitted softly "He's been sleeping badly, that much is obvious to anyone with eyes, but its more than that. I've come into his shed a few times to find him passed out on his cot from exhaustion and he won't wake however much I shake him or call his name… it's like he's all but dead to the world and sometimes I could swear he doesn't even seem to actually be there at all."
Theseus' brows furrowed further, he had himself found Newt passed out on the sofa back when his brother had been living with him still and sometimes seen almost a shimmer like effect on his skin, as if he wasn't entirely there, but whenever he had then touched Newt's arm to wake him the feeling had disappeared and Newt usually woke straight away. It was disturbing to hear that the issue had been experienced by another and apparently… developed. "He doesn't wake up?"
Graves shook his head lightly, eying the back of Newt's coppery curl-covered head from across the space between them, looking concerned but also guarded. "No, he wakes in the morning fine it seems, but if I try to wake him it doesn't seem to make any difference. I tried casting Rennervate before and diagnostic spells, but everything seemed completely normal. I've heard of sleeping disorders caused by trauma before but I'm not sure if its so simple an issue. I was wondering if you had any better idea as to what the deal with the mark on his arm is and if that had something to do with it. Some sort of lingering dark magic perhaps? The healers had no idea what it was or how to get rid of it – not even Dumbledore could fix it."
Theseus tilted his head in consideration, brows creased as he too regarded Newt who was oblivious to their conversation as he signed books, made awkward small-talk with fans and offered advice on magical creature problems that were presented to him by some. He did look tired as he usually did, but the news Graves was presenting him with cast the dark circles and slight pallor into a new, more worrying light. He muttered back his response in grim tones. "He hasn't mentioned anything to me about it – not like I haven't asked – but I think you may have a point about the scars. Dumbledore pulled me out of the memories before they were made, and I got the feeling at the time that there was something he didn't want me to know. I suspect they have something to do with the damned blood-oath, but I don't know. Perhaps it's a backlash of some sort? Its not uncommon for powerful magic to leave traces or scars. Though how that would be affecting his sleep, I don't know."
"He won't talk to me about it. just changes the subject or tries to distract me whenever I bring it up. I had been hoping you might've known something more because of the Pensieve but… apparently not." He paused, side glancing back at Theseus briefly. "Do you think he would tell you if you asked?"
Theseus snorted out a derisive laugh and shook his head softly, if a bit sadly. "You clearly don't know my brother at all if you think Newt is any more likely to tell me than you. Newt always has had a knack for evasion and as you're probably aware, we don't exactly always get along all that well."
Graves snorted too and directed a goading smirk at the other Auror "Oh really, I hadn't noticed. You're such a charming and welcoming individual I expected everyone to just fall at your feet in awe."
Theseus glared but couldn't help but feel a flicker of amusement underneath even if he would never admit it "We can't all be serial skirt-chasers Graves, oh sorry- ass-chasers."
To his annoyance, Graves merely let out a hearty laugh and replied smugly "Actually Scamander, I think you'll find that I'm both. Not all of us have to limit ourselves to just one."
"You know Graves, a lesser man might accuse you of being a vulgar man-whore."
"But of course, you're above all that aren't you?" he commented dryly, arching a sardonic black brow at him in an amused manner.
"I like to think so, yes." Theseus replied shortly.
"Good to know."
Both avoided looking back at one another for fear of cracking under the temptation to dissolve the animosity and tension between them by laughing. Theseus may be warming a little to the man because of his genuine care for Newt and his professional integrity but that didn't mean he had to like the man. Theseus refocussed his attention solely upon Newt to see him conversing with a young man with purposefully windswept blonde hair and a thickly accented voice that carried across the shop to where they stood as he laughed loudly. Both he and Graves edged forwards as the man slapped a hand on Newt's shoulder and though he could see his brother didn't look concerned he didn't exactly look entirely comfortable either. He quickly realised why as he could see that the blonde hair, physical contact and strong German accent were triggering unpleasant memories for the magizoologist. The wizard was clearly a newcomer as he was speaking in very fractured English interspersed liberally with long strings of Germanic words that left his meaning difficult for even Theseus to understand. He spoke a little German and French from his time both in the war and as an Auror as international diplomacy was often required when being the Head of Magical Security. It seemed that the man was merely asking Newt on his opinions on how to efficiently deal with a persistent Horklump infestation but was inadvertently reminding Newt of things that were best left forgotten if the tension in Newt's pen hand and the sudden haziness in his blue eyes was anything to go by.
Graves had reached forwards a hand to firmly remove the one on Newt's shoulder and though the man tensed slightly he allowed it to happen, withdrawing it and looking a bit confused. He offered a string of multilingual apologies that Theseus winced at, expecting Newt to react badly as it reminded him of the mix of German and English that Grindelwald had released when Newt had hexed his face. However, the actual reaction surprised everyone present including Newt himself if the look on his face was anything to go by. "Es ist in Ordnung, verzeihen Sie meinen Begleiter. Danke, dass du mein Buch gelesen hast."
The blonde man looked taken aback but muttered a quick, bemused reply and left with his book clutched tight to his chest. Theseus and Graves both leaned down at the same time, one on either side of the magizoologist and the elder Scamander muttered in a baffled tone. "What the hell was that about?"
"A fan, I think? Seemed nice enough though." Newt replied a bit hazily, looking confused at Theseus' harsh tone and both men's concern. He heard Graves sigh exasperatedly and Newt turned towards him for explanation
"I don't think he meant that. I think he was referring to how you are suddenly able to speak what sounded like fairly fluent German."
Newt looked even more baffled for a moment and stared from one to the other as if they had gone mad before a flash of realization flickered across his expression so quickly that Theseus was almost unsure he'd even seen it. Newt laughed nervously, clearly trying to play it off and that only served to make him even more suspicious as he answered. "Oh, it's not all that sudden, I learnt some in my travels and decided to touch up on it recently after the whole debacle at the clinic in Austria. I was getting a bit tired of not knowing what he- I mean anyone was saying." He offered an unconvincing grin that clearly fooled no one as Theseus and Graves exchanged a dubious look over Newt's ducked head. His brother seemed to realise that neither had believed him as he tagged on a bit lamely. "I guess I just didn't realise how much I'd remembered till just now."
Graves rolled his eyes and Theseus couldn't help but agree with the sentiment but decided not to bring it up right now in a room full of clamouring fans and Hogwarts students. He instead repressed his reaction to muttering. "Of course, must be it."
"You alright though?" Graves murmured in a lower voice and Newt nodded, still looking slightly confused but smiling awkwardly through it in such a way that both men knew he wasn't going to elaborate, at least not whilst in public anyway, so stood back to their previous positions.
"Has he always been such a bad liar?" Graves murmured through slightly gritted teeth as he clasped his hands in front of him in a seemingly controlling gesture and Theseus snorted again, nodding.
"You have no idea."
"And is there any chance whatsoever that he's going to tell either of us voluntarily what that was about?"
"Not likely."
There was silence for a few blessed minutes before Graves asked, seemingly unable to keep the temptation to goad him down now that they had begun 'opening up to one another' as Tina would've likely put it. "So, you and Tina?"
Theseus huffed out an extremely irritated breath "What about it?"
"Just observing a pattern here, Scamander."
"Don't bother Graves, not interested in playing your games."
Graves huffed a laugh and sent a sideways smirk "What makes you think I'm not being entirely serious here? I'd like to know if I'm next on some sort of Scamander brothers' checklist."
Theseus turned furiously to face him and spat out "Don't flatter yourself Graves, you don't hold a candle to either Leta or Tina and in all honesty, I don't understand what Newt see's in you."
"Well that's probably because you haven't kissed me."
Theseus felt a vein throbbing in his forehead as he repressed the urge to hex the smarmy bastard right into the nearby stacks of Newt's book. He tried to focus on the anger management techniques that he and Tina had been working on and instead replied as evenly as he could. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't bring up my romantic history or your relationships with my brother, Graves."
He nodded, ducking his head and letting the taunting smirk turn slip into something more humble and genuine seeming though his eyes turned hard. "My apologies, Scamander. I find it difficult to back down from a challenge - especially when said challenge happens to be accusing me of manipulating the man I care very much about and deliberately causing him pain for my own gain."
"I am only looking out for him. I'm sure you can understand wanting to protect what little family you have left." His tone was biting.
"Yes, yes actually I do. I may not have any younger siblings, but I do understand the value of family which is one of the few reasons I haven't put you on your ass for some of the comments you've made concerning my honour."
Theseus huffed out a laugh and a smirk of his own "Like you could."
"You don't think so?"
"You MACUSA lot are all flash and no sense, its probably why you ended up being replaced by fascist madman for months without anyone noticing a difference."
He seemed to have crossed a line here as Graves' expression turned dark and his smirk dropped, hands clenching on his forearms noticeably. "I didn't see you Brits stepping in to be of any use when we captured him the first time around."
"Oh, you mean the time he escaped and made fools out of all of you?"
"Still more than you ever managed to do."
"But then again, you weren't even around when they captured Grindelwald were you, Graves? No, if I remember correctly, we found you tucked away in some Merlin-forsaken hole in the subway system. However did that happen I wonder?"
The moment he said it, Theseus knew he'd gone too far as Graves' hand twitched to his wand, a hard, old-hurt gleam present in his eyes that made the British Auror reach for his own wand a half-second behind. In the next moment both had the other's wands pointed at one another's throats, there was a stalemate of tense, furious eyes but neither was willing to actually act upon their anger in the middle of a crowded bookshop. It was only the notice-me-not charm that they had placed upon themselves at the start of the signing that stopped anyone from noticing the standoff now – the original purpose having been to give them an element of surprise should any of Grindelwald's supporters show up uninvited.
"You go too far, Scamander, this pissing match between us has to end." Graves forced out through gritted teeth. "The only thing this'll result in is one or both of us in hospital and Newt likely setting his creatures on us for good measure."
"I must say that as someone with experience in the matter, I'm not too keen on the latter." Theseus commented in a purposefully light tone but his eyes conveying his seriousness even if he wasn't fond of the idea of agreeing so readily with the cocky American.
"I'll agree not to bring up your shortcomings if you don't continue to be quite so damning of my relationship with Newt. I promise you that if I ever do anything to hurt him, I'll be the first to remove myself from his life, so you needn't worry on that front."
Theseus regarded him in a gauging manner for several moments before nodding, lowering his wand at the same time Graves did and offering a hand which the American took, shook once stiffly and then released. "Very well, but if you do anything I feel is hurting Newt, you won't get the chance to remove yourself from his life before I end yours. Just so that we understand one another."
Graves' dark eyes were satisfyingly serious as he nodded. "Understood, Scamander."
There was another pause before Graves commented in a much lighter, clearly prompting tone "I was impressed with how you handled yourself duelling as well as in Abernathy's interrogation. You're more competent than I have you credit for."
Theseus huffed a breath and allowed a thin, forced smile to cross his lips "Likewise."
"Have you heard about the trouble they're having in Switzerland with the pureblood families rebelling against the Ministry?"
"Of course, but it seems to be the only upheaval outside of America that has been occurring over the past six months. Have you not found it suspicious that it all seemed to stop after the message that was left in March?"
Graves grimaced and Theseus gathered that the other Head Auror knew exactly what he was talking about. "You mean almost as if Grindelwald were still just as in control as ever? Then yes, of course I have. It's fairly obvious that imprisoned or not, someone out there is definitely giving orders that are following Grindelwald's design. Have you heard anything from Dumbledore about it?"
"No," Theseus admitted, rubbing the back of his neck lightly with one hand "I sent a letter a few days ago concerning the Obscurial boy and his tutorage – Tina's idea – but haven't heard back from him yet. I did request regular reports on Grindelwald's status, but of course the stubborn bugger hasn't done any such thing. Him and the Ministry don't really get along even if he is a part of the Wizengamot – almost as charismatic as his nutter ex, but not seeming all that interested in getting involved in any organised attempts to keep an eye on the 'Greater Good' situation. I have a suspicion that he's been going rogue on it but no one has been able to catch him in the act yet."
Graves frowned even as he huffed out a slightly amused breath. "As much as I don't usually encourage vigilantism, I have to admit that if anyone is capable of containing Grindelwald then it's probably him, even if I'm not entirely sure he wants to."
"What do you mean?"
"It's not easy for that kind of feeling to just go away, and as much as I like to trust Newt's instincts, I'm not sure he sees everything that goes on between those two and that might be clouding his judgement on how safe he really is from Grindelwald." (Oh Graves you silly bean) "Whenever I ask him if he feels safe he gets weirdly sure of himself and tells me he knows Grindelwald is still imprisoned. I'm guessing that he's in contact with Dumbledore and that he is reassuring him about-"
"No, he isn't." Theseus cut across before Graves could finish and the man looked at him sideways. Sighing, Theseus admitted. "After what happened with Tina and that bloody Dragon Venom, I've been keeping a ward on any post that comes in to my or Newt's houses."
Graves regarded him for a few seconds with a dubious expression on his face before he shook his head. "I would call you paranoid but honestly at this point I think your family seems to attract trouble like dirt attracts Bundimuns."
"You have no idea, Graves." Theseus muttered, thinking of not only himself and Newt but of his mother's unfortunate passing and then the literal butchery that had happened to his father. "Anyway, yeah, I don't know any better than you do on that front, but all we can really do for now is wait until whatever Grindelwald is planning happens and do whatever we can to limit the damage up until then."
"My thoughts more or less."
"I feel like as Directors of Magical Security for two of the most influential countries on the globe you should really have better plans than that."
Both started and turned to face Tina who was standing leant against a nearby bookshelf looking mildly amused but still motivated as ever. Theseus laughed a little and grabbed her hand, pulling her in for a brief, sweet kiss and brushing her fringe out of her pretty brown eyes with a lingering gesture. No matter how many times he did it, he was always glad to see her and always felt the need to show her just how much he missed her. It was soppy perhaps and probably not appropriate for two professionals, but he couldn't bring himself to care. She looked up at him shyly through her long lashes at him and he smiled fondly down at her, rubbing a hand softly over her blushing cheek before withdrawing and turning his attention back to Graves who was clearing his throat pointedly. Tina flushed bright pink and bobbed her head awkwardly in her boss' direction.
"Mr Graves, sir."
"For the last time, if I've known you for over eight years, attended your sister's wedding and you're dating the brother of the man I'm involved with I think you can muster up the courage to call me by my first name."
"Oh, uh, yeah sorry Percival."
"What're you doing here anyway? I thought you were in New York until tomorrow night."
"Well yeah, I was meant to be, but then I heard about the creature and dark magical activities over here and thought I'd come to help, figured I'd find you lot here so came to ask for Newt's advice on how to deal with it."
"Creatures? What dark magical activities? I would have been informed if there had been any attacks or developments nearby." Theseus cut in, confused.
Tina frowned at him "I was sent a message from your Ministry saying there had been sightings of the escaped creatures from Circus Arcanus in London along with Grindelwald's supporters – it said you needed my help with rounding them up. I was a bit surprised you'd not mention it yourself but figured you'd be busy."
"Tina, I didn't send any message and I didn't authorise anyone to send for you either. I don't know anything about sightings."
"What? Then how-?"
"I have no idea, but I get the feeling that I don't want to stick around here to find out. We need to leave. Now." Graves cut across and began looking around for Newt and Theseus joined his search only to curse as he realised that in the three minutes he'd not watched his little brother like a hawk the idiot had disappeared.
"Damn it." he cursed under his breath, grabbing Tina's hand and glancing around to Graves before leading the way towards where the bookshop owner stood near the front window. Before the cheery looking brunette wizard in yellow robes could open his mouth to offer the equally inappropriately cheerful greeting Theseus was fixing him with a fierce stare and demanding. "Where did Newt go?"
"I'm afraid I don't know, I thought he was using the facilities in the back." He responded puzzledly. "Is he coming back? I don't want to lose customers from him ditching the signing before its over. Bad for business you know."
Theseus growled under his breath and replied fiercely "I think you'll lose more business if your bestselling author turns up dead near your shop, now where is he?"
The man looked terrified at the insinuation and sputtered for a few moments before pointing at the shop door. "I think I saw him leave a few minutes ago but I don't know where from there because he apparated soon after."
"Bloody hell Newt." Theseus muttered and glanced about at the milling young witches and wizards before turning back to the yellow-robed owner with a grave expression "I don't care how you do it, but I would advice getting everyone out of here for their safety. Don't ask why. Just do it unless you want a fight on your hands. Ministry authority. Do it now." The last part was barked out and the man instantly got to work, calling out in a forcibly calm tone that the signing was over and that they were closing early for unavoidable 'unexpected maintenance issues.' He was minorly impressed with the man's ingenuity but didn't stop to ponder it as he withdrew his wand, hurrying out into the street and balancing it in his palm and intoned "Invenient Eum!"
"What are you doing, Scamander?" Graves' harsh tones broke him from his preoccupation and he briefly sent the wizard a glare before looking back down to where his wand had begun to spin in circles in his flat palm. When it stopped, pointing north up the street, Theseus began to follow its direction, adjusting his course as it did. He heard Tina and Graves following closely behind him and heard Tina's voice repeat the question, this time he relented and replied without stopping his brisk pace, following the twists and turns of Diagon Alley and into Knockturn Alley. "I'm tracing Newt."
"How?" Graves asked tersely and Theseus sighed, not having wanted to admit what he had done as it technically wasn't even legal but sensing that the wizard wasn't likely to give up until he answered.
"I placed an altered version of the trace on him, after all that's happened it seemed like the best way to keep him safe."
There was silence from behind him and Theseus didn't need to turn to know the sorts of looks he would be getting from either of them. He couldn't bring himself to care much though – he was willing to do anything he could to keep the last surviving member of his family from further harm. The darker area of the magical shopping centre of London was shady as ever and he was shot mistrustful looks from the few people who frequented the street, most of them disappearing into nearby shops or hastening their steps. Trust it to be the dodgy characters who actually had some sort of sense of self-perseveration. His wand spun again, leading him down another series of twisting side-alleys, hearing loud crashes and shouts nearby getting closer before they reached a wider, open cobbled courtyard on the outside of what looked to be a grimy bar.
A gigantic, elephant-sized cat-like creature stood before them, huge multicoloured tail whipping from side to side in clear agitation, sending chunks of broken building flying as a group of men approached it with wands out and clearly ready to attack. Of course, that was precisely where they found Newt, standing right in front of the agitated beast, angled sideways, splitting his attention between the advancing wizards and the tusked, striped feline. Knowing Newt as he did, Theseus didn't make the mistake of thinking that Newt was trapped between two dangers but instead realised that his brother was defending the beast from the wizards. He didn't hesitate in sending a barrage of stunners at the attackers, some being struck down before the rest of the group turned to engage the newcomers.
As Theseus, Graves and Tina joined the fray, deflecting and stunning left, right and centre, he could see Newt continuing to calm the creature, clearly trying to limit the damage it was inflicting on its surroundings as the spellfire began to disturb it. He was clearly succeeding as it batted away one of the wizards who attempted to attack Newt from behind and wrapped it's huge plumed tail around him almost protectively. Newt proceeded to release it from its magical bindings, the creature letting out an ear-splitting roar as it stretched its emaciated looking, scarred limbs and nudged Newt affectionately. Theseus hastily ducked an unforgiveable curse and directed his full attention back to the slew of attackers, picking them off in tandem with the other two Aurors' movements. He saw Newt join the fray at some point, downing several of the wizards with binding spells, freezing charms and stunners of his own as well as some odd random flashes of silver magic that he barely noticed in the din and flashes of spellfire. Theseus found himself relaxing into the familiar duelling motions without too much fear of his brother getting hurt. Newt was clearly holding his own with the aid of his new furry friend flicking attackers away if they got too close, it was over more quickly than Theseus would've expected, the wizards – likely poachers - lying incapacitated around them.
The moment he was able to safely focus his full attention back on the beast, Newt of course did so, laughing a bit as it nuzzled him, wrapping its tail around him again pulling him close to its side and eying the three Aurors with wary, huge amber eyes. Theseus regarded it from a distance, trusting Newt's skill with creatures but still wary of how the dangerous beast was still acting like it was ready to attack at any moment. He kept his wand raised, as did Graves and Tina who stood nearby with similar postures of caution as they watched Newt.
"I see you've made a new friend." Graves commented lightly, sounding amused though still bewildered and Newt laughed, nodding as the feline continued to rub its face into his shoulder and nearly knocking him off his feet, but instead scooped him up on its tusks so that Newt was perched awkwardly upon them, hovering above the ground and bobbing with each movement of its massive head.
"It's the Zouwu from the Circus Arcanus, I heard that he was being perused across the length and breadth of France until he ended up around here. They're capable of travelling very large distances with great ease. Not sure why it came north instead of returning to China, but I think it was just trying to get away from the poacher." Newt commented, glancing about at the unconscious and frozen men with a familiar look of righteous ferocity on account of the harmed creature.
"How did you find out about it?" Theseus asked and Newt paused before he answered
"People often come to me about creature problems or sightings and Zouwu aren't known for being especially subtle even if they are very fast, so when a lady came into the shop talking about disturbances and a huge creature causing problems nearby, I got the feeling I knew exactly what it was."
Theseus huffed out a dubious, irritated breath and shook his head, taking a step toward Newt and the Zouwu, though pausing as the latter tensed visibly. "So, you just happened to hear from a complete stranger who walked into Flourish and Blott's about the exact creature you've been worried about for months and thought you'd just head off without telling anyone where you were going or why?"
Newt paused, ducking his head slightly as he swayed on the Zouwu's tusks as it bobbed its own head, looking from one human to the next in an assessing manner. "Well I suppose it does sound a bit silly when you put it that way." Newt admitted before aiming a challenging look back at him "But you wouldn't've exactly let me go if I told you, would you? I didn't want to risk the Zouwu being hurt again while you lot were trying to 'keep me safe'" He glanced over at Tina for the first time and offered her a brief smile "Oh, hi Tina, didn't know you were back in London."
She released a disbelieving laugh as she watched Newt dip down to place his feet back on the ground and pat the Zouwu on the head before stepping over to the nearest wall where his case stood propped up against it. "Nice to see you too, Newt, but I'm only here because of the disturbance that this Zou-thing was causing, and the Ministry sent to check it out."
Newt frowned "The Zouwu didn't mean to do anything wrong – they're just kind of like big kittens but most people are put off by their size."
"And the foot-long tusks." Graves commented dryly and Newt laughed nervously, ducking his head again and running a hand over one of them in a slightly reverent manner, looking distracted and fascinated.
"I suppose those might have something to do with it too."
"But what about this lot?" Tina asked, gesturing about at the dozen or so incapacitated wizards around them. "I was told to expect Grindelwald followers. Are you sure they were just poachers, Newt?"
He tilted his head as if thinking before shaking it slightly, eyes not leaving the Zouwu's face as he spoke softly "I don't really know, but they seemed to only be interested in catching him, if they were Grindelwald's I think they probably might've been a bit more cautious in their approach."
Graves' brows rose and creased "It's true that there hasn't been much activity over here from the movement, this may well have just been run of the mill poaching."
"Well, what's important is that Henry is safe now and with a bit of feeding and some Dittany I should be able to heal up those scars." He commented, running a hand mournfully inches from the chain and lash marks on the creature's furry hide, not quite touching them but his other hand seemed to go unconsciously to his own chest through his coat. Where his own scars resided no doubt, Theseus winced at the memory before the realisation of what Newt had just said left him amused.
All three Aurors released incredulous snorts of laughter at the ridiculous name he had chosen quite so quickly for the enormous, dangerous magical beast. Graves shook his head and stepped forward to sling an affectionate arm around Newt's shoulders, grinning as he flushed and said, "I guess there's no chance you're going to change your mind about keeping this one just to make our jobs easier, is there?"
"To be fair, I don't think there are currently any laws on them in England or America because they aren't native and were considered all but extinct."
All the Aurors shared another exasperated look but didn't bother to point out the flimsiness of the loophole as they knew it wouldn't stop Newt from keeping the overgrown, apparently affectionate feline even if they did. Seeming to sense their acquiescence, Newt swiftly flicked open the latches of his case, reaching in with his left arm and wandlessly summoning an odd-looking fluffy stick thing into his outstretched hand. He proceeded to gain the Zouwu's attention with the ringing of a little bell in the toy and waited until it's huge amber eyes were completely fixated before dropping it in his case, stepping back to allow the creature to swiftly descend after the toy. He swiftly jumped in after, popping his head out just long enough to request that they close the case behind him before disappearing, leaving three bemused and exasperated Aurors in his wake.
Theseus watched as Graves cautiously approached the case, clicking the locks shut and hefting it in one hand before he turned back to the others. "I'm going to take him back to his house and make sure he doesn't get eaten by 'Henry' before the day is out, if that's alright with you, Scamander." It wasn't really phrased as a question, but Theseus nodded begrudgingly as Graves nodded to him and Tina in turn. "Have a pleasant evening." Winked and then disapparated.
Theseus shook his head yet again, glancing about at all the unconscious and injured wizards still strewn about the place, before back to Tina with a wry smile. "I suppose this isn't exactly what either of us had planned for the next time we saw each other, but we should probably get this lot to the holding cells before they wake up." He flashed her a wink of his own that left her blushing and giggly as he added. "We can get back to the fun stuff later on."
Tina laughed a bit giddily, nodded and got to work.
A/N - I know, I know and I'm sorry for the sudden time jump but it was necessary for both relationship building, Newt's recovery, plot, the book-signing and other reasons which shall hopefully become apparent later. Enjoy?