Hey everyone! So sorry I haven't updated recently, I've kind of not been in the same country as my laptop so I think I have a good excuse...but ANYWAY...

This chapter comes courtesy of Quills and Swords, with some edits by me. That meaning she wrote the chapter, I just proofread and changed/added/removed a few bits. Enjoy!

Dear Newt,

I know your busy schedule must be the reason I haven't received a letter from you so I thought I'd be the first to write.

No, no, no. There was no way Tina could send that letter to him. It was too passive-aggressive – she'd scare him off. She crumpled the parchment in her hand and threw it over her shoulder. She wasn't sure if it was the anticipation of not hearing from Newt or the stress of interrogating Grindelwald but today she just couldn't get her mind to focus.

"It's probably lovesickness." Queenie answered Tina's thoughts as she swept into the Auror's office.

"I thought we agreed you wouldn't read my mind anymore." Tina rubbed her temples in a vain attempt to clear her mind of all things Newt.

"Your thoughts were practically shouting at me down the hallway." Queenie giggled, smiling one of those smiles that made her whole face crease up in delight. "But don't worry Tina, I'm sure everyone thinks about Newt's dimples."

Tina threw her quill at Queenie keeping an indignant look on her face which would have been convincing if she wasn't betrayed by her flushed cheeks. The sisters laughed at each other for a moment, before Tina frowned and she noticed Queenie's smile wobble.

Tina narrowed her eyes at the smudged lipstick on her sister's lower lip. Ordinarily Queenie looked flawless, but today her hands had been shaking. "Is it time?" She inhaled deeply, already knowing what Queenie's answer would be. Queenie gave a slight nod and another wobbly smile. Tina set her jaw. Grindelwald would not scare her. Or at least she wouldn't let him see it. She'd done this before, and she would do it again for as long as it took to get some answers out of the depraved madman.

"Madam Picquery says she will observe the interrogation this time, and I am to watch as well." Queenie tried and failed to keep her voice light.

"Why?" Tina frowned, she didn't like the idea of a psycho like Grindelwald being so near to her sister.

"The President believes that Grindelwald's mind might be weakened when you question him, so I can then use my abilities to see into his thoughts." She put a hand on Tina's shoulder. "Oh, don't be so worried, you know what Mr. Scamander would say about that!"

"Worrying only means you suffer twice." Tina replied without hesitation and then blushed. "Come on, we shouldn't keep the President waiting." Tina rushed out of the room before Queenie could comment on Newt again.

The President was waiting at the end of the corridor. She wore navy blue robes today; the lapels embroidered with a black and gold lace pattern. She was not wearing her impressive gold headdress but a black turban decorated with a silver brooch embedded with black onyx. Even when simply waiting for a colleague she radiated authority and instantly Tina stood up straight and lifted her chin up in an attempt to look confident.

"Madam President, sorry we're late we were just..."

"No matter Miss Goldstein, I simply wish to start as soon as possible. Are you and your sister ready now?" If Madam Picquery was at all nervous about coming face to face with Grindelwald then she didn't show it.

"Yes of course Madam President." Tina nodded.

"Good. This way."

They entered a large white room which was completely empty other than a metal desk and three chairs, one on one side and two on the other, all of which were nailed to the floor. Two Aurors stood at the far end of the room and another two took their places by the door with Queenie. There they waited in silence. Until…

Clink. Shuffle, shuffle. Clink. Shuffle, shuffle. Clink. Shuffle, shuffle.

The man – if you can call such a monster a man at all - was ushered in by a squadron of Aurors and chained tightly to one of the chairs. Even though Grindelwald didn't have his wand Tina could see that Madam Picquery wasn't taking any chances. The President nodded to the aforementioned squadron and they formed a circle around the table. As Tina went to sit in one of the chairs Grindelwald smiled at her. Before the very first interrogation, Tina wasn't sure how seeing him would make her feel. But now after so many attempts, she knew, and it hadn't changed. It made her want to cry.

"Don't be upset, dear, I'm not a bad man. I'm just trying to set you all free." Grindelwald's face twisted into what Tina could only assume was a full-on smile. It would've been convincing had it not been for his empty, soulless eyes that made her want to bolt from the room there and then. But she didn't. She had to carry on.

"We are free, and we don't want a war with the no-maj's." Tina stiffened as Grindelwald leaned towards her.

"Yes, and I'm sure birds believe they are free until someone opens the cage." Grindelwald leaned back in his chair and laughed. "So tell me birdie, are you free?"

"We are not here to discuss your beliefs." Madam Picquery cut in, making Tina realise for the first time that she was sat next to her. "Your recent actions in New York caused the death of hundreds of no-maj's and released an Obscurial into the city."

"No, Madam President. I believe the Obscurial was your doing." Grindelwald sneered. "If you didn't allow those filthy no-maj's – as you call them - to rule our world then maybe poor Credence wouldn't have suffered such a fate."

"But how many more would die in his place?" Madam Picquery kept a determined look on her face. "How many no-maj's would you have to kill to satisfy your disgusting dream?"

"Which is more disgusting Madam President?" Grindelwald let out another high pitched laugh. "Condemning another race, or your own?"

"Enough." Madam Picquery commanded. "Miss Goldstein, begin the interrogation."

Tina leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table and interlacing her hands. She rested her chin on her hands and glared down her nose at the psychopath in front of her. She was determined not to appear even remotely scared. She cleared her throat. "We know you have followers, how many and who are they?" Grindelwald plastered a bored expression onto his face and refused to answer. "If you answer our questions you'll make it easier on yourself." She paused for a moment and then continued over the silence. "After recruiting him, what was your plan involving Credence Barebone?" Still Grindelwald remained silent. "If you truly believe that your actions were for the good of wizards then you can help them by talking to us."

"What was the man's name?" Grindelwald teased. "The one in the subway. Scammdor? Scamander?" Tina swallowed. He will not get to me.

"Yes I suppose he did have rather ginger hair. Oh no, I'm not reading your mind dear." Grindelwald answered Tina's unspoken question. "I'm reading hers." He nodded to Queenie, her blonde head just visible beyond the circle of Aurors surrounding the table. "It's a rather clever idea, Madam President, bringing a Legilimens in to read my mind. However, your plan is still extremely flawed. You see I am rather skilled at Occlumency even when I'm occupied with Miss Goldstein's questions." He turned back to Tina. "Legilimency, however, I always found more tricky but when your sister opens the passageway to my mind, I can look back into hers. Of course at this very moment her thoughts all revolve around you, and you my dear are a rather interesting girl." Grindelwald smiled and leant forward so that Tina could feel his breath on her cheeks. The Aurors stood around the table clutched their wands tightly in anticipation.

"What was your plan for Credence Barebone?" Tina narrowed her eyes as she repeated her questions. He will NOT get to me. "Who are your followers?"

"Perhaps I should send a message to my 'followers' to target Mr. Scamander." Grindelwald mused. Tina clenched her fist under the desk. "After all he deserves some punishment for exposing me. And all that knowledge about all those dangerous creatures could come in extremely useful. He has that book coming out doesn't he? Big crowds, lots of open spaces... Yes, yes, this sounds like fun. Now tell me Miss Goldstein, how do you think your Scamander would stand up against the cruciatus curse?"

SMACK.

Tina sprang up from the chair and hit Grindelwald as hard as she could. He spat blood onto the floor, laughing hysterically.

"Miss Goldstein!" Madam Picquery shot out of her seat and slammed her hands on the table. "Leave the room at once!"

"Oh come now Madam President, she was just starting to interest me." Grindelwald laughed. Then he called after Tina as she rushed out of the room, red faced and breathing heavily. "Say hello to Scamander for me!"

The door slammed shut behind Tina and she hit the wall several times in a burst of rage. Stupid, stupid. How could she have let him get to her like that? Now she could lose her job, again! But worst of all, he might hurt Newt.

"Miss Goldstein." Someone spoke timidly from behind Tina. "Sorry to disturb you but an owl has just arrived for you with a letter from England."

Tina practically tore the letter from the intern's hand and ran down the hall to her office to read it.

Immediately Tina's anger had dissipated and a smile had spread across her face as her eyes ran over Newt's scrawled handwriting. As she read she could hear him reading it to her in that wonderful English accent of his. Even holding the parchment that his calloused yet warm hands had also touched made her grin like a schoolgirl. She remembered the way it had felt when he'd tucked her hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek. Without knowing she was doing so, her fingers traced where he had touched her face. She had to forcefully snap herself out of it. She was at work, damn it. Get it together, Tina, you're not 16 anymore.

As soon as she returned home from work that day she had written a reply:

15th December 1926

Dear Newt,

Please don't feel the need to apologize. It's so lovely to hear from you and that things with your book are going well. Of course I hope to receive a copy from you as soon as you have one, but please don't feel you have to give me the very first one. That should go to your family.

I'm not surprised the newspapers are eager to talk to you as I'm sure your book is going to be a huge success. I have no doubt that I too will be competing for your attention soon. You don't have to take my advice, but perhaps you should give the tour a chance. Of course I understand your anxiety, but I'm sure it won't be as bad as you think. Because, of course, worrying means you suffer twice. Just make sure the tour makes a stop in New York City.

I have wonderful news about Jacob as he was able to start what has now become one of the most successful bakeries in the city. Queenie assures me everything in it is delicious and she visits him regularly (as a customer of course). Although, there are a few especially interesting pastries for sale, including one which seems, oddly, to be shaped like a Niffler but I'm sure it's just my imagination.

MACUSA is as good as ever even if tensions are high from Grindelwald's imprisonment. In fact, I've been out in charge of his interrogation. Obviously I can't speak too much about that but I'm sure we shall get some answers from him in the end. You can reassure your brother that we have top security guarding Grindelwald and I sincerely doubt that your Ministry has better. Also, congratulate him on his new job for me. If he is the new Head of Department, I can only assume he will be in talks with the MID here at MACUSA in the near future.

Overall, we are all well here even if things are a little boring since you and your creatures left. Give them all a hug from Queenie and I.

Best wishes,

Tina Goldstein

She reread the letter back to herself a few times, smiling to herself. She deliberately decided not to mention her outburst during the interrogation because, of course, she didn't want to worry Newt. She also didn't want to admit to him that she might lose the job he had fought so hard to get back for her. And she'd probably get fired if she said anything more than she already had. But she shook those thoughts out of her head and handed the letter to Newt's owl. It had been three days since he'd arrived and she'd made herself wait before sending her reply to allow him time to rest. The last thing she could do was harm one of Newt's creatures so Herbert had received the best treatment she could give. When Tina finally released the bird out of their apartment window she sighed as she watched him glide towards the evening horizon, and back towards the British magizoologist that had stolen her heart.

Hope you enjoyed! As I say the chapter was (primarily) written by Quills and Swords - PLEASE check out her story Honourable Scandals on FictionPress, I will be constantly be giving her plugs until she gets the amount of readers she deserves. It's a brilliant story.

Reviews, as always, would be appreciated, and if you haven't done so already and you're excited for Newt's reply, hit that follow button! (and the favourite button if you want to...)

Peace!