A/N: Hi people! Here come the five next chapters! Thank you for the continued support you're showing this story, hope you keep on enjoying! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Rose Granger-Weasley, Newt Scamander or any other character created by J.K. Rowling. My aim is merely to entertain and play around with them a little.

Chapter thirty-six: In which a trip to Brazil is in order

The memory of Nurmengard and what had been hidden there plagued Rose's nights for weeks on end. The sole thought of Grindelwald having gotten his hands on personal and intimate memories like Queenie and Jacob's wedding was making her sick to her stomach; and each time she caught sight of the Auror standing guard on a bench in the street, she felt like jinxing something.

Tina and Nagini had explained what they'd found in the dungeons and the reason for their late reunion with the rest of the group. Nurmengard truly was a prison. Grindelwald had locked up those who had ever dared to question or oppose him. Cells upon cells upon cells where men and women rotted, fed and cared for with the bare minimum – though they hadn't seen a caretaker – but without hope of being freed. Tina had said that the wards on the cells were much more powerful than anything else around the fortress, and that this time, she felt like Grindelwald was the only person who could free these prisoners. They'd had to reluctantly leave them behind.

So now, Rose was on constant surveillance. When she wanted to pay a visit to Theseus and Tina in the Ministry, she had to ask for one of their colleague to come fetch her. When she wanted to go visit Queenie and Jacob, she had to make sure Newt was tagging along. Their Floo Network had been shut, and powerful wards placed on the house, so that any visitor they received had to use the front door. Newt was very displeased with the number of security questions he'd had to create for each of their friends, and had pinned the list to one of the kitchen cupboards to not get confused.

Rose hated this. She hated being watched constantly; she hated why she was being watched; she hated not being able to do whatever she pleased whenever she pleased.

April was coming to an end when one morning, she received her and Newt's manuscript back from the editor. She'd made to go to the basement to look at it with him, but was stunned into silence and immobility when she heard his and Theseus' hushed voices on the stairs.

They were not moving, had probably gone there to be away from Bunty and Nagini's prying ears; but in doing so, they had given Rose the possibility to eavesdrop.

And although she knew it wasn't right to do so, she was a Weasley, and Weasleys eavesdropped constantly.

"I'm telling you I don't want her to come!" Theseus was hissing to his brother.

Newt sighed. Rose was familiar with the sound enough to identify it even through the door. "Rose is not helpless, Theo. She can defend herself."

"I know that, but it's too dangerous. He's after her, she's in danger every time she steps out the door!"

There was short silence, as if the younger of the two was studying the other. "You care about her." Theseus must have made a denying gesture, because Newt carried on, stunning Rose further with his observations. "You do. You care about her. You're afraid she'll get hurt."

Theseus huffed. "Of course I care. She's our sister."

"No," the magizoologist said quietly, "she's not. She's my sister, she's not yours. You don't think of her as such, and she doesn't think of you as her brother either."

Rose placed a hand in front of her mouth to stop herself from gasping. What in Godric's-? Newton Artemis Fido Scamander, how on Earth could you be so observant?!

"What you are suggesting is stupid, Newt. Even if it was true, even if I- which I don't, Rose is our sister before law, now. And Leta-"

"Leta died seven months and twenty-four days ago, Theo," Newt calmly said, an edge of pain in his voice. "You are not betraying her memory."

"Still, I won't even consider that possibility. I can't believe you've even mentioned that! It has nothing to do with the problem at hand! Rose cannot come with us if Grindelwald is sighted again."

"Try telling her that." Newt chuckled lightly, drawing a small smile from Rose. "There is no stopping her. She's too much of a Gryffindor for that." Another silence, a shift of fabric, as if he'd touched his brother. "Tell her, Theseus. Tell her you care. Please."

Another, sharper shift, as if Theseus had pushed his brother away, and a huff. "Stop it! I don't! Not like that!" And with two large strides, he was back up the stairs, slamming the door to the hallway open. Rose, thankfully, had moved to hide behind the panel, and waited until she heard the front door slam behind him too to start breathing again.

Suddenly, her and Newt's book was of no importance at all.

Newt thought Theseus had feelings for her.

And, judging by his brother's defensive way of denying it, he wasn't wrong.

Her contemplation did not last long, however. That same day, after she had finally worked up the courage to face Newt and show him their returned manuscript – there were very little notes and alterations to be made, which they were happy about – Professor Dumbledore showed up at their door.

Rose was the one to greet him, her wand raised as was the Ministry's wish. She knew Newt's question for him, and the answer he required, but it was about his time at Hogwarts, and she was rather dazed, that day.

So, instead of asking what form Newt's Boggart took, she blurted out "What was your sister's name?"

Dumbledore's blue eyes widened a fraction, piercing through her like an icy dagger, but he still answered, cold and precise, "Her name was Ariana."

Rose let him in, locking the door behind him and shouting to let Newt know they had company. She led him to the living-room, as per usual, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"Do not use that question again, Miss Rose. Please."

She stared back at him, lips pursed, and nodded. "Sorry. I'm in a strange mood, today."

Dumbledore seemed to accept the twisted apology, and sighed. "I'm afraid it will not improve." Newt appeared at the door, surprised to see his friend there on a school day, but his former Professor didn't waste either their time. "Grindelwald's been seen. Along with Credence and Vinda Rosier."

Rose felt the familiar anger rise in her veins, and she gripped the wood of her wand tighter, as if itching to have the Dark Wizard in front of her to curse. "Where?"

"Rio de Janeiro," Dumbledore answered, surprising both siblings.

"Brazil?" Newt asked dumbly. "What is there for him?"

"More supporters. Most of the wizarding population in Brazil is made of Purebloods. The Ministry thinks he's going to host another rally there."

"Who's going?" Rose asked immediately.

"I'm not sure yet," the blue-eyed wizard said, gesturing them to sit down, as if they were in his office rather than in their own home. "I want you to go too, though. Newt, you've proved twice now that you are more than capable of finding and countering Grindelwald. Rose, we both know why you have to go." He stared at her intently, having dropped the 'Miss' once again. "Your presence might destabilize him. He might make mistakes trying to find you. It could give us an advantage."

"You mean to use me as bait," she surmised, pursing her lips once again. She wasn't happy about it, doubted anyone could be happy about being used in such a way, but she saw the logic in it. She nodded. "Fine. I'd go anyway, but fine."

"Thank you," the Professor said, before turning to Newt once more. "Just in case, I've thought of a subterfuge to explain your presence in Brazil. So that locals don't immediately understand that you are there because Grindelwald is too. Could we arrange some fake book-signings in several cities of South America?"

Newt's eyes widened, as if the very idea of his book being known on another continent was preposterous. But still, he answered "If you're certain it'll work."

"I am." Dumbledore then stood. "I'm going to meet Torquil at the Ministry. Will you come with me?"

Rose's brow furrowed until she understood that 'Torquil' was Mr Travers' first-name. It wasn't surprising that Dumbledore used it so familiarly.

Newt nodded immediately, heading to the basement once more. "Let me just give instructions to the girls, and I'll be right there!"

"Actually," the future Headmaster said, looking deep in thought, "if Nagini feels up to it, I think she should come too."

There was more implied there than 'just' coming to the Ministry. He wanted her to go to Brazil with them. Rose understood what it meant. Nagini too would be used as bait. She'd be Credence's bait.

She was starting to realise just how calculating Albus Dumbledore was, and wasn't sure she liked it all that much…

An hour and three cups of tea later, Rose, Newt and Nagini were still sitting around a table, watching Mr Travers and Dumbledore fight it off with ample gestures and raised voices.

Theseus, Tina and McMillan were present as well, standing by the door, showcasing various degrees of discontent.

Rose understood Travers' arguments. This was a job of top-notch Aurors. Grindelwald was not to be meddled with, especially when he was in possession of the Elder Wand – although nobody except for Dumbledore appeared to give that more than a passing thought – and neither Newt nor she had received the proper training to fight someone like him.

But she could see Dumbledore's point, too. Grindelwald was cocky. He was persuaded that he was doing the right thing, for 'the Greater Good', and thought everyone inferior to him. He'd counter them with little preparation, confident in his own extensive abilities to end their lives. He wouldn't see them coming.

But Rose still doubted that they stood a chance.

"I'll say it again, in case you haven't understood the first time, Dumbledore!" Travers was hissing, his accent more prominent when he was angered like that. "I refuse to rely entirely on civilians for something as important as this! The Ministry would be the laughing stock of all other law enforcements around the bloody world!"

Dumbledore shoved his hands back in his pockets. "Haven't you heard me the last four times I said that's why I want Theseus and Tina to go with them?"

Travers growled, startling Nagini, who sought out Tina's hand to hold. Rose was surprised that the wizard hadn't drawn out his wand yet. Despite the obvious foul mood his 'guest' had put him in; he was still in control of his temper. Interesting. "Two. Two against who knows how many?! You're insane!"

The argument had revolved around the same topic for the past hour, repeated over and over again, neither party letting the subject drop, neither letting the other gain ground.

In the end, surprisingly, it was Newt who provided the solution. "If I may," he said calmly during one rare silence, eyes affixed to the teacup in front of him, "we could ask for the help of the Brazilian Ministry."

Silence. A beat. Two. Then Dumbledore let out a 'Ha!" that made everybody jump in surprise. "You are brilliant, Newton, as usual! Travers," he turned back to his main problem that day, "he's right. The mission is too important to let anything down to chance. It'd be conspicuous if a group of Aurors suddenly appeared in Brazil without reason. If Newt and Rose pretend to go to Rio for a book-signing, then Nagini can go as Newt's assistant; Theseus as their older brother in dire need of holidays; and Tina…" he trailed off, earning himself an annoyed huff from said Tina; but everyone had gotten his meaning: she'd go as Newt's girlfriend.

"Then we'll report to the Brazilian Ministry, as is mandatory anyway," continued Newt, looking as if he wasn't at the Ministry as all but rather at home, lounging in front of a good book. "They'll give us protection, too. Nothing will be suspicious."

Travers stared between Dumbledore and Newt, again and again, before chuckling darkly, wiping a hand over his face. "Sometimes, I wonder why you are not standing in my shoes, Dumbledore." He sighed. "Fine. Do it your way. I'll request an international Portkey as soon as possible." He turned to the three civilians he'd so opposed going. "Get ready to leave as soon as I tell you."

Rose nodded solemnly, but before the matter was finally put to rest, Theseus took a step forward, making his boss look at him curiously. "Sir, I don't think Rose should go."

Dumbledore sighed, and Newt raised his gaze to his brother, brow furrowed. Rose dropped her own gaze to her lap, refusing to let anyone see the blush that crept to her cheeks when she replayed the conversation she'd heard that very morning.

"Why not?" Travers asked, visibly puzzled.

"Grindelwald is looking for her. You know that."

"I'm sure that your sister is aware of the risks. She hasn't opposed her going so far, so I believe she is not unwilling to participate. Am I wrong, Miss Rose?"

Forced to look up, she schooled her features, but still avoided looking at Theseus. If anyone noticed, they didn't say. "I'm aware that I'll essentially be bait. But if it can ensure that Grindelwald is behind bars sooner rather than later," – literally – "then I'm willing to go."

Theseus stomped, shoving his hands in his pockets before he strode out of the room.

Travers looked after him, stunned. "Well… He is rather worried."

Newt stood, helping Rose to her feet and keeping her hand in his. "As are we all. Thank you, Mr Travers. We should go and start packing."

He squeezed Rose's hand on their way out, which prompted her to look up at him. His green eyes were staring ahead while Tina, on his other side, was staring at her too. Something in her brown eyes told Rose that she was starting to suspect something strange was afoot.

But the magizoologist kept silent all the way to the lifts. And there, in the safety of the crowded space where only Tina and Nagini could hear him, he told Rose "He was like that with Leta, too…"

It almost made her panic.