Jennifer
The breeze, constant up here, whistled through the yew trees and down to the small crowd outside the old church on the hill. My hair fluttered and I breathed in deeply. It made me feel good, this wind. I could see why Aunt Ada had loved this remote place, and chosen to spend her life here.
I couldn't bear to watch the coffin being lowered into the ground and covered with soil, and looked away, past the jumble of colourfully-painted, slate-roofed cottages, to the swell of the grey sea. Too far to hear their cries, gulls and gannets dipped over the waves, and further out I glimpsed low rocky islands, looking like the edge of the world.
"A kind and generous spirit, she lived in peace and solitude here in Seahouses..."
Aunt Ada had never mentioned the man who was presiding over her funeral – a lean, hardy-looking man, whose looks spoke of a tough life spent outdoors.
"...a gentle soul, who loved her garden, and nurtured many rare magical plants here in the salty, unforgiving air..."
His surprisingly soft voice, and gentle eyes that were often cast downwards, made me think that he was not used to public speaking, and perhaps avoided people altogether. There was only a small huddle of people around Aunt Ada's grave, however; our family, of course, and a small assortment of mostly elderly witches and wizards. Professor Vector was the only one I knew.
"Before she settled into that quiet life, however, Ada Dibbs had many adventures..."
I was surprised to hear this, and could tell my family were too. Aunt Ada had only ever mentioned a dull office job in the Ministry of Magic, and deflected most questions about her past.
"As you may know, I am here today to speak on behalf of my grandmother, Tina Scamander, and my grandfather, Newt, who both knew Ada well," said the hardy-looking man, with a nod to his left. A very old wizard was resting in a chair specially brought out for him – a frail wisp of a man, with fine white hair and limbs so thin and quivery I felt as though the brisk Northumbrian breeze could blow him clean away. A straight-backed, alert-looking elderly witch stood beside his chair with one hand lying protectively on his shoulder; and a dreamy-looking witch with straggly pale-blonde hair stood on the other side, smiling absently and – to my surprise – humming softly to herself.
Oddly, at the mention of the Scamanders, the crowd stirred and mumbled, most of the witches and wizards nodding respectfully at the ancient-looking wizard. I glanced at Juliet, but she shrugged back at me, puzzled.
"After leaving Hogwarts in 1924 with Outstanding NEWTs in Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures, Ada Dibbs fell in love with a Muggle from here in Seahouses, the village in which she grew up. The Muggle's name was Thomas Bell, and they were soon engaged to be married.
"But of course the world was on the cusp of the greatest wizarding war in history. When the followers of Grindelwald began to grow in strength, pursuing and ruthlessly eliminating Muggleborns, half-bloods, and anyone else they considered a danger to so-called pure-blood wizarding society, Ada and Thomas began their escape to the United States of America; where they believed they would find safety and freedom. As most of you know, Thomas was killed by one of Grindelwald's spies before they reached the boat, and Ada narrowly escaped with her life. She travelled on to America alone, to escape her sorrow. Thomas' body was brought back home to his parents."
The man nodded towards the headstone next to Ada's grave, to which I had paid no attention before, and now realised read: Thomas Bell, beloved son of John and Susan Bell, taken too soon. 1905-1924. R.I.P.
"Alone in New York, Ada found herself in a dangerous position. The world was in turmoil and America, once the land of freedom, was changing. New laws had been recently passed, and marriage - and even friendship - between wizards and Muggles was now illegal in the United States. Ada had to hide her past, and so she sought safety with those who cared little for Ministry laws and simply welcomed her gentle nature, her love for and knowledge of magical plants and animals: a Native American magical community, the Narragansett tribe of Rhode Island. They are an ancient and learned people.
"Glad, at that time, to forget, Ada gave up her wand, and became an honorary member of this wandless tribe. For two years she shared her own knowledge, and learned new and wonderful ways with rare plants and magical creatures...
"But war was still raging and in 1926 Ada knew she had to return to Europe, and do her bit to fight against the forces of darkness. She took up her wand, and boarded a ship bound for London. On that ship she met my father. He –"
But the man broke off, in surprise, as the frail old wizard coughed and struggled to rise from his chair. His wife steadied him anxiously, and the dreamy-looking witch had a gentle hand under his other arm.
"Grandpa? What are you –"
The old wizard held up a shaky hand.
"I will tell the rest of Ada's story, Rolf, thank you," he said in a voice that was surprisingly firm and clear. "I owe her that much."
Rolf Scamander was clearly surprised, but nodded and motioned for the rest of us to shuffle round until we were all facing the old man, Newt. When all attention was upon him, the old wizard spoke.
"Ada became a good friend and companion on board that ship. The best. She was still grieving for her lost fiancé, and I had just left behind my Tina at the New York harbour. We helped each other through the long sea-journey back to Britain and she was a great comfort to me, reminding me that Tina was only ever an owl's flight away, and being quite sure we would one day live a long and happy life together. She was right."
The elderly witch, who had flushed a little pink, leaned over to give Newt a quick kiss on his wrinkled cheek.
"On her return to Britain Ada found a job in the Ministry, using her skill with plants and her knowledge gained from the Narrangansett to help develop antidotes to strange new poisons being employed by Grindelwald's spies. Her work saved countless lives. And after the war – when my travel ban was at last revoked –"
At this, there were low chuckles from a few of the older witches and wizards.
" – I invited Ada to join me and Tina on our expeditions all over the world, finding, helping, and documenting the rarest magical creatures on the planet. She was an able companion, and a wonder with wild beasts. Much of the information in the newer editions of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was gathered with Ada's aid. When she tired of this life – for it was hard physical work, and we were always on the move – she came back to Seahouses at last, to retire near Thomas' resting place. After many years away, Tina and I believe that Ada at last found some measure of peace and happiness here. Although I am filled with sorrow at her passing, my heart is glad, at least, to know that she and Thomas are together once more, after more than ninety years. May they rest in peace."
He drew his wand with a shaking hand and waved it at the two graves, muttering something. I looked curiously to see what he had done, but could see nothing. He sighed, and shaking violently now, as though the effort of standing had truly exhausted him, sank back into his chair. The dreamy-looking witch gently touched his cheek, then drew her own wand and flicked it in the same direction. Instantly, plants bloomed from the soil of the two graves, growing rapidly until their leaves touched and their stems entwined. White flowers blossomed over both.
Newt smiled at the dreamy witch. "Thank you, Luna, my dear," he said, amid a murmur of approval and even a couple of quiet cheers. To my surprise, I found I was smiling, although I had cried quietly through parts of Newt's speech. Juliet squeezed my hand and Mum and Dad both patted our shoulders, smiling too.
"I never knew any of that, but I was glad to hear it," Mum said quietly to us.
"Yeah, me too."
"And me. She's at peace now."
Mum and Dad wandered over to stand by Aunt Ada's grave, looking with pleasure at the entwining plants. The small crowd started respectfully to disperse, saying their goodbyes to each other before slipping out of the side gate or wandering nonchalantly into the shade of the yew trees with a quick glance around for curious Muggles, before Disapparating.
I jumped when I found Professor Vector had appeared beside us as silently as an owl.
"Hello, Professor," Juliet said, politely.
"Hello, Juliet," Vector replied, a little distantly. "Hello again, Jennifer. Thank you for coming... have you girls had a good summer so far?"
We glanced at each other.
"Er – yeah, not bad, I suppose..." Juliet muttered, not looking Vector in the eye. The Professor looked searchingly at us both, for a moment, but I could tell she was still distracted and sorrowful.
"Well, then," she said. "I hope you've not been in any trouble. But then, what else are summers for?"
We both laughed, awkwardly.
"Well, I'd best be off," Vector said. "See you at Hogwarts, Juliet..."
And she lifted her hand in farewell, and slipped into the shade of the yew trees to Disapparate. It was then that I realised Mum and Dad were walking over to join to Tina and Rolf Scamander, and the witch Newt had called Luna. The family were crowding around Newt in concern. Standing and speaking had evidently been too much. His face was grey and drawn, but he tried to wave them off.
"I'll be fine," I heard him say. "I just need a little rest..."
"Can we help at all?" Mum asked, as we came up beside them.
Tina shrugged helplessly. "I'm not sure – thank you, Mrs -?"
"Call me Fiona. I'm Ada's niece."
"You're Muggles?"
"Yes. Apart from Juliet here."
Juliet squirmed away from Tina's piercing gaze as Mum laid a hand on her shoulder.
"I see. Well, Fiona, thank you, but we'll manage, I'm sure. The problem is I think my husband might be too frail for the journey home. His health has been failing lately –"
"But not my hearing," muttered the old wizard, glancing up peevishly, but then leaning over and coughing – a thin, dry cough that made me wince to hear it.
" – and he isn't strong enough to Apparate himself anymore. Rolf and Luna brought him up this morning by Side-Along Apparition, but even that rather took it out of him, more than we expected. I daren't subject him to it again, at least not for a few days...and even then..."
I looked from Tina to Newt and back again, a few times, silently comparing them. If I hadn't known they were husband and wife, I would never have guessed. She looked old, certainly – older than Aunt Ada, for her face was more lined and she moved more slowly, though her eyes were shrewd and sharp. But Newt – he looked truly ancient, as though he could be a whole generation older. I couldn't help wondering at the difference between them.
"I see," Mum said, biting her lip in concern. "Well, perhaps we can help. We've rented a cottage up here until Wednesday, while we sort out a few things – we have a meeting with Ada's solicitor, and so forth – and I'm sure the girls wouldn't mind sleeping on the sofas if your husband needs a room to rest in? You could both stay..."
Newt, his coughing fit over, looked up at our family, his eyes creasing in a smile. Tina smiled too, relief and gratitude written all over her face.
"Thank you," she said. "That would be most welcome."
Suddenly, to my surprise, Juliet piped up beside me. "Do you live in Ottery St Catchpole, too?"
"Why, yes –" Tina said, blinking. "How did you know that?"
"I didn't," Juliet said. "It was a guess. Erm – I know Lorcan and Lysander from Hogwarts, a bit, you see, and my friend Hugo mentioned they live not far from him. Hugo Granger-Weasley."
Luna smiled widely and Tina clapped her hands in delight. "Why, yes! My grandson Rolf is great friends with the Weasleys. Luna here went to Hogwarts with Hugo's parents, you know. We all live together, now. Newt and I were finding it hard to manage on our own, in our old age."
My head was spinning at all these complicated relationships, but Juliet was nodding.
"Well, I was just thinking," she said, "Maybe if Apparition is too tiring, if he would like, we could take Mr Scamander back to Ottery St Catchpole with us in the car – we live in Devon too - that's if Dad doesn't mind?"
"Not at all," Dad said immediately. "Glad to help, if we can."
Tina reached out and shook Dad's hand, then beamed at Juliet and the rest of us. "You're too kind. That would be a very great help. Rolf and Luna can Apparate back home tonight, but if you wouldn't object to me magically enlarging the inside of your car, my husband and I would gladly accept a lift home. We would need to direct you as we get close, as Ottery can be hard for Muggles to find..."
We looked down at Newt to see what he thought of the plan, but the old man's head had sunk onto his chest and he was snoring softly. Rolf laughed, and he and Dad, sharing a glance, took an arm of the old wizard's chair each and lifted him – he looked light as a feather – and we began a slow walk back to our cottage.