A/N: Rewatched COG, felt like writing Newt/Tina for the first time, hope you enjoy!

Title: lucky ladybird

Summary: There's a ladybird on Tina's coat.

Genre: Romance(ish?)

Characters: Tina G., Newt S.

Warnings: Set during Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Betas: Fires of Eden Red Rose Aurora, Aya Diefair

It's awfully strange seeing Newt turn into his brother.

Tina has barely seen him in the last six months, only having met again a few hours ago in that dingy sewer. It wasn't exactly the happiest of reunions, and she wasn't exactly the nicest she could have been. But then again, she doesn't think she's too much in the wrong, as that newspaper article came as quite a shock.

And yet, even though it's been months and she's rather angry at him, and she really doesn't know why he came with her, his presence is a comfort she's grown to miss.

Which is why it's awfully strange, and disconcerting, to see him transform into his brother—a man he's barely ever spoken of, and seems to be on tense terms with.

The now stranger—well, she's seen Theseus Scamander already, in that horrible newspaper article—turns to look at her as the elevator down to the Ministry comes to a halt.

"You've got a ladybird on your shoulder, by the way," he tells her.

Tina frowns. A what? She checks her shoulder and sees, lost in the folds of her coat, a perfect little ladybug, shining brightly red amongst the black fabric. Tina catches up with him swiftly as they make their way through the corridors of the Ministry.

"I believe we call them ladybugs," she tells him.

He gives her a curious look, something that's very Newt-like, and yet not at all him on this stranger's face. "Ladybug? How strange."

"I think I prefer ladybird, actually," Tina adds.

"Me too," he agrees, and he smiles.

But that smile is something only Newt has: a lop-sided grin that never shows his teeth, with a sort of shyness and yet caring in his eyes. And it's like the Polyjuice fades away for her, and the only thing she can see when she looks at him is Newt, and then afterwards, his outwards appearance.

It's exceedingly comforting, and makes her feel all happy and warm on the inside. But, she's stubborn, and she knows what can and cannot be, so she purses her brow and continues to act mad.

But truly, she's rather glad there's this little ladybird on her shoulder.

Even later, much, much later, when she gets home from Père Lachaise, she is surprised to find the tiny little critter still there, stuck in a fold of her coat. The creature has stuck to her close all through this long and terrible day. And though there's been much loss and sadness, the sight of the jewel-red ladybug makes her inadvertently smile through tired eyes.

She puts the coat on the windowsill, with the window open, so that it can leave if it wants too. It's probably got better things to do, and she isn't quite sure how long ladybirds live anyway.

But some part of her, probably larger than she wants to admit, really wishes it would stay. They've only just found each other again, and she doesn't want there to be another separation. Hopefully, it'll stay with her, at least for some time, and she will stay with him.

THC – Round 6 – Slytherin

Class: Potions

Category: Drabble

Prompt: [Insect] Ladybug

WC: 517