HELLO EVERYONE!

So for a while I was unsure of how to write this chapter, but I am pretty happy with the outcome and I hope you guys enjoy!

Also, I won't be PM-ing every reviewer now, only because I lose track of who I've PM'ed and who I haven't. So thank you SO MUCH for all the reviews so far!

"I knew MACUSA was incapable of holding Grindelwald." Theseus Scamander signed the letter in front of him with a flourish. It was for the Head Auror at the Ministry's American counterpart, in which he expressed – very persuasively, if he did say so himself - that Grindelwald should be transferred to Ministry custody. "They can't even control their own Aurors, let alone hold the most dangerous wizard known to man." He handed the now sealed letter to his secretary, at whom he flashed his most charming smile. "Flick, take this to the owlery to be sent as soon as possible."

"Right away, sir." she nodded and made her way to the door. Just as she reached the doorway Theseus added, as an afterthought, "And send for my famous little brother, he ought to hear about this…incident." Flick nodded again and as she left Theseus found his eyes lingering on the soft curve of her waist for a little too long. Flick was a lovely girl, very efficient and obedient, not to mention rather pretty – she reminded him of a delicate flower. But he couldn't let his own desires interfere with his work. Right now he had to focus on getting Grindelwald transferred to the Ministry.

About five minutes after Flick left there was a knock at the door. Theseus grinned. "Come in."

The door opened and through it Newt entered. As he closed the door he scanned the room – this was the first time he'd been called to his brother's office. Theseus sat behind an ornate, polished mahogany desk covered in neatly stacked case files and letters. "Do take a seat, brother mine." Theseus invited, smiling as ever and leaning on his hands to look down at his brother across the desk.

"What do you want, Theseus?" Newt sounded exasperated, as if he'd been interrupted to come up here.

"I wanted to have a little chat with my brother, is that too much to ask?"

"Since when have you cared about talking to me?" Newt saw right through his brother's caring act - he'd become much too used to it growing up.

"Since a certain acquaintance of yours caused a scene during an interrogation at MACUSA nearly a week ago."

That got Newt's attention. His eyes, which had been fixed on the wooden grain of the desk, snapped up to meet his brother's. "Grindelwald's interrogation?"

"Indeed. A certain newly reinstated Auror physically attacked Grindelwald."

Instantly Newt knew who it was, but asked anyway. "Who was it?"

Theseus' smile was knowing. "A Miss Porpentina Goldstein. Who was put in charge of the interrogation process, and is, consequently, facing losing her job. Again."

When Newt didn't reply Theseus continued, "I heard you and Miss Goldstein had quite the adventure back in New York, so I figured you ought to know about this stupid and reckless act of hers. Not her finest moment, I must say."

"She must have been provoked. Tina would never put her job at risk like that without a good reason." Newt instantly jumped to Tina's defence.

Theseus' grin was becoming ridiculous now. "Oh, so it's Tina, is it?" When Newt blushed in response Theseus chuckled and continued, "It matters not if she was provoked, she should not let emotions cloud her judgement in any circumstance. That's the first thing they teach you in Auror training. Clearly she never listened, considering how she lost her job the first time around."

That was the final straw. Newt shot out of the chair and slammed his palms on the desk, glaring down at his older brother. "She lost her job the first time around because she refused to stand for a child being abused in front of her. Because she has a strong set of morals."

"Sit down, Newton, for Merlin's sake. Her emotions still clouded her judgement, and a good Auror never lets that happen." Theseus sounded cool, but internally he found his brother's sudden outburst rather amusing.

Newt sat down reluctantly, still seething, and continued his defence, "She is a good Auror! The finest I've met. She continued to do her job after being demoted and if that's not dedication, I don't know what is."

Theseus smiled. "Well I never, has my little brother managed to catch feelings for a lady?"

Newt felt his face beginning to turn red. The wooden grain of the desk became the most interesting thing in the room. "I'm sorry?"

"The way you jumped to her defence is a dead giveaway, brother mine."

"We're just friends, Theseus." Newt answered, a little too quickly.

"Maybe at the moment. But who knows, Newton, maybe this time your feelings are returned."

Newt knew exactly what Theseus was referring to. "Shut up."

Theseus chuckled. "Time will tell, little brother. Now get out, I have things to do."

That evening back at his tiny London flat, Newt - having fed all of his creatures for the night - decided to sit in the lounge with a glass of scotch and continue some sketches he'd been working on just for something to do. He'd worked on these during his shifts at the Ministry more than he'd care to admit.

About half an hour in and there was a tapping. A soft, insistent tapping that seemed to be coming from the window. It took Newt a few moments to realise what it might be, and when he did realise he jumped out of his chair and bolted to the window. He threw open the curtains to find Herbert hovering outside, an envelope attached to his foot. He flung open the window, letting the bird dart inside and land on the dining table. Newt hastily closed the window and the curtains and quickly made his way toward the owl. He stroked Herbert's feathers softly and at the same time untied the letter. He dropped a few pellets in front of the owl and said softly, "There we are, old chap. Rest up now."

When sat back in his chair (despite his earlier excitement) Newt found himself staring at the letter in his hands. It was addressed to him in a rounded but elegant script. It could only be Tina. A squeaking sounded from Newt's right hand side. Pickett had made his way out of Newt's hair (his favourite place when he wasn't wearing his coat) and was now sitting on his right shoulder. "Yes, I should open it, shouldn't I?" Newt sighed. "I don't know what's wrong with me, Pick."

A string of clicks. "No, Pickett, for the last time, I am not in love with her." Pickett chirped again. "Theseus was out of line, insulting her like that. I was just sticking up for a friend."

Pickett raised his tiny eyebrows and glared at Newt incredulously. "Don't look at me like that." More clicks. "I am not lying, Pick. Merlin's beard, Newton, just open the bloody letter."

He completely destroyed the envelope, for his hands were shaking, but that stopped once he'd read the letter. He drank in Tina's words, wanting to commit every detail of her handwriting to memory, and to remember everything she'd written. He could even hear her voice reading it to him. He smiled when he read about the Niffler shaped pastries from Jacob's bakery. His theory on the Swooping Evil venom was correct - it only erased bad memories. Clearly Jacob still had good memories of magic.

He read the letter several times before even thinking about replying. One sentence in particular jumped out at him – I have no doubt I that I too will be competing for your attention soon. "What does that mean?" he murmured to himself, then looked at Pickett, stood on the coffee table watching Newt's every move. "What do you think she means by that, Pick?"

Pickett shrugged and Newt rolled his eyes. But the sentence still played on his mind. What kind of attention was she referring to? Friendly attention? Or something more? The thought of Tina referring to something beyond friendship caused a blush to start creeping onto his cheeks. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts. "I'm sure she's not referring to anything like that. She was just talking about the book. Bloody hell, Newton, get it together. It's rude to keep a lady waiting."

With that notion he grabbed a fresh piece of parchment, a quill and an inkpot and immediately began to write his reply. She had started her letter simply with Dear Newt, so that immediately told him not to be so formal with his introduction. They were friends, after all, even if in the back of his mind he wanted her to be more than just a friend to him.

Halfway through he paused. His mind went back to his conversation with Theseus earlier that day. Why hadn't Tina told him what happened? Did she not trust him enough with that information? Or did she just not want to worry him? If the latter was true, she'd failed. His finding out through his brother had only made him worry more. "Worrying means you suffer twice, Newton. Write the damn letter." He muttered to himself and continued writing.

19th December 1926

Dear Tina,

I am very glad to hear that you and your sister are doing well, and it's wonderful to hear that Jacob's bakery is a success. The Niffler pastries do sound rather interesting – I might have to pop in when I'm next in the city and see for myself.

Giving you the first copy of my book is the very least I can do, after everything you did for me last month. My mother will receive the second ever printed copy, although she will think it is the first. Please don't argue with me on this - I want to give you the first copy.

Thank you for your support with the book, but I have continued to avoid talking to the press – talking to people in general has never been my strong suit, let alone when they're recording your every word. The tour idea has been put aside for now, but I am grateful for your advice. If it ever does go ahead I will insist that the first stop is New York.

In terms of the Grindelwald situation, I have a question. I was called to my brother's office at the Ministry today. For the first time ever, I might add. Anyway, he mentioned to me that during one of Grindelwald's interrogations a newly reinstated Auror physically attacked Grindelwald. I knew it was you straight away. I must ask you, Tina - why didn't you say anything to me? Theseus told me you're facing losing your job again, and you don't deserve that. I told him that you wouldn't risk your job without a good reason. So, if I may ask, what was the reason?

Aside from that, the creatures seem to be missing having other people in the case, which is unusual since it had just been me for a long time and you three were only in there once or twice. Pickett, especially, misses all of you. He insisted I tell you since he was a little annoyed that he didn't get a mention in the last letter.

Best wishes,

Newt

The next day, as he read over his reply - particularly the part about Grindelwald's questioning - Newt felt his stomach twist into a knot. What if Tina's assault on Grindelwald had agitated the madman? What if he went after her personally? He couldn't stand it if she had put herself in any kind of danger. Dammit, Newton, she's an Auror. Her whole career is built on danger. And Tina's clever, she knows what she's doing. Just send the bloody letter.

And that he did.

If you enjoyed this chapter and want to read more, hit that follow button to stay updated! Hit that favourite button too if you like :)

Please do drop a review, your feedback is appreciated! I get very excited when I get an email to say there's been a review xD

The next chapter will be courtesy of Quills and Swords, but will be a while because she's away at the moment. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go check her out on FictionPress, she is a fantastic (ayyyyy) writer and deserves more attention than she gets.

Peace!