HELLO PEOPLE! Long time no see (unless you've started my new oneshot series of course xD). If you have seen that new story, you'll know that I said this'd be up at most within 48 hours of that oneshot going up. It wasn't, and I genuinely don't have an excuse for it, so I apologise profusely. I also apologise profusely for my inactivity - read the author's note on my new oneshot series 'Never Too Much Newtina' for my reasons why, as to be honest I can't be bothered to type it out again because I'm lazy. Bottom line is, Quills and Swords wrote the majority of this chapter, with some edits by me.
I apologise in advance if it bothers you that a couple of characters may not be EXACTLY like they were in Crimes of Grindelwald. However, we have to be consistent with how we've characterised people in this universe. So sorry but if you don't like it you don't need to read the story.
Sassy Newt makes a full comeback in this chapter, so enjoy that (he is my favourite - "You want an end to your ban on travelling internationally. Why?" "Because I like to travel internationally." and "Well how was the interrogation going before we turned up?"). Count the times he sasses anyone (but mostly Theseus) throughout this chapter xD
Theseus' POV has also been thrown in here so enjoy that too!
As always I own nothing but the plot.
Enjoy!
Daily Prophet, Wednesday 9th February 1927
Grindelwald at large again
The extremely dangerous dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald has once again escaped confinement and is at large in Europe. All wizards are warned to take extra caution when leaving their homes, but the Minister for Magic has assured the public that the Ministry are doing everything they can to capture Grindelwald once and for all.
Daily Prophet, Thursday 10th February 1927
Theseus Scamander reassures the wizarding public amid Grindelwald's escape
The Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Theseus Scamander, has assured the magical community in a statement released earlier today. Scamander promised that his department is doing everything in their power to bring Grindelwald into custody and to justice. He also implored the public to come forward if they have any information as to Grindelwald's whereabouts or the whereabouts of any of his followers. Scamander's statement comes amid rumours of his engagement to socialite Leta Lestrange, and his younger brother Newton's rise to fame with his book 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'.
For the second time that week, Theseus stood, suited and booted, in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic amid camera flashes and the shouting of journalists. He was trying his best to hide the fact that the Department for Magical Law Enforcement had absolutely no idea what they were doing in terms of capturing Grindelwald – in fact the department was in total disarray. In all his time working in the Department, never had Theseus seen such chaos within it. But of course, he couldn't tell the Prophet that.
He had just spent the last twenty minutes lying to the journalists, and thus to the wizarding public, by once again telling them that everything was under control, and that they were going to bring Grindelwald to justice. Another journalist yelled his name, and he turned his head towards the shout, preparing to string together another barefaced lie about how efficiently and smoothly things were running in the Department even in the face of Grindelwald's escape. But the question was something else entirely.
"Is it true you're engaged to Leta Lestrange?"
The question caught Theseus off-guard for a moment and he paused. He and Leta had agreed to release the news of their engagement soon, but not this soon. But at the same time, the news might offer some relief from the Grindelwald situation. And it would be the first truth that Theseus had told today.
He smiled and said, "Yes, indeed it is. Now if you'll excuse me, my department needs me." With that he turned and left - a barrage of shouts, camera flashes and unanswered questions following him.
Daily Prophet, Saturday 12th February 1927
Theseus Scamander confirms engagement to Leta Lestrange amid further questioning on the Grindelwald escape
It has been confirmed that head of Magical Law Enforcement Theseus Scamander and pureblood socialite Leta Lestrange are engaged to be married. In further questioning regarding the Grindelwald escape at the Ministry yesterday, Scamander answered a question regarding whether the engagement rumours were true with "Yes, indeed it is." This comes as a welcome break from the Grindelwald escape for many people, and as such the Prophet will run a special article in two days' time speculating everything from the date of the wedding to the opinions of both families.
Newt sighed as he finished reading the article. Great. It's only a matter of time until I have the Prophet banging on my door. He had been hoping the engagement news wouldn't come for another few weeks, so he didn't have to lie to the cameras and tell everyone how over the moon he was about the whole thing. But, of course, he was going to be in the limelight once again, and not for the reasons he could just about deal with (i.e. his book).
Sure enough, the following evening, Newt opened his front door to find about seven Daily Prophet reporters stood on the threshold. Camera flashes blinded him left right and centre, and they were talking so quickly he couldn't catch a word they said. Eventually one of them hushed up the rest, and asked the question Newt had been dreading (and simultaneously rehearsing his response to) for weeks. "What is your personal opinion on your brother's recently announced engagement to Leta Lestrange?"
Putting on the most genuine smile that he possibly could, Newt told the reporters exactly what Leta wanted. "Of course I am absolutely delighted with the news, and I wish Theseus and Leta every happiness together."
Newt thought he'd managed to play his part convincingly and wouldn't have to say any more on anything to do with his brother, but the next morning an owl tapped urgently on his window. A summons from Theseus. Yet again Newt was to be dragged into the Ministry and forced to endure the disapproving glares of his brother's colleagues. Or even worse the well-wishes of those telling him to send their congratulations to Theseus on his engagement.
"Brother. Glad you could join us." Theseus stood up to usher Newt into his office. Newt immediately fixates on a large man sitting in the chair across from Theseus' desk. "This is Mr Bennett, he's from Security."
"Has someone been stealing your ink pots again?" Newt asked and Theseus narrowed his eyes.
"No, fortunately that petty thief has ceased such childish behaviours."
"That's a shame." Newt muttered.
"Excuse me?"
"Terrible game." Newt corrected quickly. "It was a terrible game… for someone to play with you…especially when you've been so busy with all your… stuff. Why's Bennett here?"
"Newt, perhaps you should have a seat." Theseus said in what Newt is sure is supposed to be a calming manner but actually makes Newt want to hex him. "We have much to discuss." Newt eyed him suspiciously but sat anyway. Better to get it over with after all. "Now, it's been a very busy time for us recently. You with your book and me with my engagement. Under normal circumstances that would be a lot but we also have the issue of Grindelwald's escape to deal with as well. So it's time we turned our thoughts to security."
"What's that got to do with me?" Newt asked. "I thought you'd already thought about my security, that was the whole point of reading my letters to and from Tina wasn't it?"
"That might have been enough when Grindelwald was in custody." Theseus continued with a voice of determined calm. "However, now that he's escaped it isn't his followers we're concerned about but where Grindelwald intends to strike. We know he's in England and we have reason to believe he may come after you."
"Why would he do that? I have nothing of interest to him." Newt said quickly realising where this was going.
"You are of interest to him." Theseus persisted.
"Says who?"
"I am told he spoke of you frequently during his interrogations with Miss Goldstein." Theseus said and paused to watch Newts reaction. Impressively, Newt manages to keep his facial expression neutral despite his indignation. "Grindelwald also revealed knowledge of your close relationship with Dumbledore. Therefore, I have employed Mr Bennett here to act as your bodyguard."
"Don't be ridiculous Theseus I don't need a bodyguard." Newt scoffed.
"Newton you are a public figure living in a small wizarding community in London. The press have already started camping outside your door looking for statements and it won't be long before fans of your book also discover where you live. Whether you like it or not you've been caught in the middle of this situation and you will need protection. Maybe not from Grindelwald, but probably his followers and certainly from the British press and your fans." Theseus regarded Newt with a hard stare and Newt visibly slumped as he realised the battle was lost.
He bent his head and stared resolutely at the floor. "Fine." He said through gritted teeth. "But only outside. I won't have any bodyguards in my home upsetting the creatures."
"Of course." Theseus conceded and for a moment Newt thought he might actually look slightly apologetic. "Mr Bennett will be moving into the house next door to you to be discreet. Just send a quick owl over to him when you wish to leave and he will accompany you. Does that sound acceptable?"
"Does my opinion really matter?" Newt asked bitterly.
"Moving onto the subject of your creatures-"
"I'm not getting rid of them." Newt bolted out of his chair. "I have a permit that lets me keep them in my basement."
"Newton sit down." Theseus rolled his eyes. "Of course I'm not going to make you get rid of your creatures. However, your permit states that you're allowed to keep them provided that you supply adequate care and supervision."
"I care for my creatures perfectly." Newt said defensively, sitting down with reluctance.
"Yes, yes, you love them like they're your children, that's not what I was saying." Theseus raised an eyebrow to silence Newt. "It's the supervision aspect I'm concerned about."
"I do supervise them."
"Not adequately. Not according to the law." Theseus replied. "When you applied for that permit you were a full time magizoologist. But now you're also an author which means that you have meetings and signings to attend to. Therefore, you can't provide the supervision required for the number of creatures registered under your care. I've been asked to tell you to hire a housekeeper. Someone who can take care of the creatures while you're away. Really, Newt, it's not that unreasonable."
It wasn't. That was the worst part. Newt himself had been trying to find someone to hire as an assistant. And there were many of his creatures that were not actually registered, but Newt obviously wasn't going to tell Theseus that.
"I recommend a woman called Miss Bunty." Theseus pushed her file towards Newt. "She has an excellent record and seems enthusiastic for the job. Who knows, you might even like her?"
Daily Prophet, Monday 14th February 1927
Theseus Scamander and Leta Lestrange – our world's next power couple?
On Saturday evening, it was confirmed that our nation's head of Magical Law Enforcement, Theseus Scamander, was engaged to be married to pureblood socialite Leta Lestrange. This article will speculate everything we know so far about the engagement.
No date has been confirmed as yet, but rumours suggest a summer wedding, which will reportedly take place at the Scamander country estate.
The Prophet understands that the both families have approved of the union, though we have yet to obtain an official statement from Corvus Lestrange IV. The couple is believed to be well matched despite the fact that the Scamander bloodline was knocked from the Sacred Twenty-Eight with the expulsion of Newton from Hogwarts in 1914.
Scamander's father and former Head of Magical Law Enforcement Perseus Scamander has also told reporters of his approval, stating that he and wife Diana are "immensely proud" of their eldest son. Scamander's younger brother, rising author Newton Scamander, has also given a statement in which he says that he is "absolutely delighted" with the news and wishes his brother and Lestrange "every happiness together."
The rest of the article was a collection of photos of Theseus and Leta together, spotted walking down Diagon Alley or entering or leaving the Ministry. In all of these they had their backs to the cameras, and Theseus' arm was looped around Leta's waist. The largest image, though, was one taken only the day before, of Theseus and Leta stood outside the Ministry. In the photo they were holding hands and smiling and waving to the cameras. It made Newt want to vomit just looking at his brother so happy with the woman who had broken his, Newt's, heart a decade previously. So, to stop himself looking at it any longer, Newt cast the paper into the grate. "Incendio."
Theseus Scamander prided himself on his sophistication, etiquette, and most of all eloquence. So it said a lot about the situation when the only word that came to mind was "bugger". Theseus threw his copy of Tuesday's edition of the Prophet into the bin. The report was damning. In the space of a week he'd gone from the hero bringing Grindelwald to justice back in England to the idiot who'd allowed him to escape. The only positive note was that the scandal had distracted from the news of his engagement to the woman who'd had his brother expelled from Hogwarts. (Not that the magical community knew this of course. But the incident had been big enough for both Newt and Leta to feature in the headlines as teens.) Witch Weekly was speculating that Leta was only engaged to him so that she could rekindle the sordid affair that she'd started with Newt at school. That particular story had actually made Theseus laugh out loud. The idea that Newt had ever looked up from his magical creature research long enough to notice a girl let alone kiss one was hilarious.
He rubbed at his eyes again and tried to refocus on his work. It had been his recommendation that brought Grindelwald to England so now it was his job to fix it. Or risk becoming a bigger family failure than Newt (a low bar to slide under but looking more achievable every day).
As Grindelwald had escaped in transit the Ministry was to share authority on the case with the MACUSA which meant Theseus would have to pick someone to work with. The list of candidates seemed endless and their files piled so high on his desk that Theseus could no longer see over the top of it. He groaned as he picked up the next folder and scanned through the details. Mr Whatever. Son of somebody important. Skill set of no use whatsoever to this case... a perfect candidate. Not.
They were all the same. With such a high-profile case the job offer had become a political minefield. Theseus had to choose someone to work with who didn't publicly express their political opinions (impossible). Who didn't have extremist views on muggle/wizard relations (again difficult given the American laws on muggles). Who wouldn't offend British high society (highly unlikely given that British high society were offended by everything that doesn't drink tea). Oh... and then of course the person had to actually be qualified to work on the case. Theseus was starting to think he'd rather have been tasked with finding Atlantis.
And so it went on. Theseus had hoped he'd have been able to choose a candidate by lunch time so he'd be able to sit in on Newt's international travel permit application interview. But so far it seemed like he was not just going to miss the meeting but his lunch date with Leta as well.
Theseus sighed as he pulled out his quill to write to Leta to reschedule when he paused. The picture from one of the candidates caught his eye. Oh yes, this would do very well. Who knows, it might even be fun.
It was Newt's fifth attempt to get his international travel permit application approved. The main reason he kept failing was that he couldn't say why he wanted it. His initial reason for researching magical creatures had been discounted by his publisher saying they wanted Newt doing signings around England (at a later date) and not in the US. This left Newt in the awkward position of having to admit he wanted to travel for pleasure. But that had led to awkward questions about who was he visiting? Why? For how long? He'd hurried away from that meeting in a flurry of blushing and stammering and some half-hashed excuse about tending to the creatures. But this time he was determined to get it right.
Newt swallowed hard as he entered the Ministry. "You can go now, Bennett, take the day off. I don't know how long this meeting will last."
"Don't worry Mr Scamander I'll wait right here for you." Bennett replied. "Theseus would be displeased if you were harmed on your way home."
"Yes, and we wouldn't want to displease Theseus." Newt muttered bitterly. "Fine, fine. I'll see you later then." He turned sharply on his heels and walked to the front desk. "Erm, I'm Newton Scamander, I'm here for an international travel permit application interview."
"Third floor sir, I'll just get ya a visitor's pass." The girl replied searching through the drawers. "Ah! Found one. Here you are Mr-" She paused as she looked up at Newt fully for the first time. "Say, haven't I seen you in the papers?"
"I don't know, have you?" Newt sighed as he tried to make a grab for the badge she was holding but her arm dodged out of the way just in time.
"Yeah… oh, I remember now." She exclaimed and Newt cringed as he waited for the inevitable questions about his book. "The Head of Magical Law Enforcement is called Scamander, he's been in the papers a lot ya see cause he's off with that other lass. What's she called? Lexi?"
"Leta." Newt corrects.
"That's the ticket." The girl claps her hands and grins. "It's been the talk of the office. They're like proper celebrities. You don't know them do ya?"
Newt decided that lying would shorten this unwanted conversation significantly. And this girl seemed as thick as two short planks, enough to not recognize him. "No, no. Scamander's a more common name than people think. I don't know Thes- er – that auror at all."
"That's a shame." The girl looked down in disappointment. "They make a great couple those two though don't ya think?"
"Yeah." Newt agreed half-heartedly. "They're really suited."
"Though, Scamander always seems a bit sour faced if you ask me. But I suppose he must be better than that weird brother of his eh? Magizoologist? What kind of a job is that? He must be a right kook." The girl laughed and Newt gave her a strained smile. "Anyway, here's ya badge sir."
Well, Newt thought as he stood in the hall outside where his meeting was, at least today can't get any worse. Except that it could. It did even faster than he would have thought when Pickett chose that exact moment to jump out of his pocket and run across the floor. "Pickett! Get back here now." In usual bowtruckle fashion Pickett paid him no attention forcing Newt to scramble after him. "Ha!" Newt cried as he lunged down to grab him, almost barreling straight into a woman's legs. "Sorry miss, I didn't see you there." His apology came to an abrupt halt when he stood to address the woman.
"Newt." Leta smiled. "You never change. Even at school you only had eyes for your creatures."
"Well they're far more trustworthy than the one human I knew." Newt stiffened.
"You wound me." Leta put a hand over her heart. "And even after I helped you with your lady friend. Was her reply worth it?"
"I'm afraid I can't talk now." Newt said sharply cutting her off. "I have a meeting."
"Yes. For the travel permit." Leta nodded. "Your brother told me. He also said that you'd refused to confirm a dinner date for us all to get together."
"Well, I'm very busy at the moment. You see I've got my book tour-" just as Newt had started to string together a bunch of lies, Leta interrupted.
"Wasn't that put on hold when Grindelwald escaped?"
"As I was saying it's been a huge disruption to my plans and I can't spare any time right now." Newt said quickly before she could corner him into agreeing to dinner. Expressing public approval for her engagement was one thing. But actually having to sit and attempt to have conversation with the sickeningly happy couple was another thing entirely.
"I do hope you actually intend to answer the questions this time, brother dear." Theseus said, swaggering up to them. "I do hate to have my time wasted."
"Maybe you'd have saved us all time if you hadn't cancelled my international travel permit in the first place." Newt glowered.
"Something that wouldn't have happened if you hadn't illegally transported a Thunderbird." Theseus shot back.
"Boys." Leta stepped smoothly between of them. "This bickering isn't helping any of us. Besides, now that Newt has officially approved of our engagement, I want to know when we're going to have him round to celebrate. Newt keeps telling me he's too busy to coordinate something but Theseus you know his schedule, perhaps you could figure something out?"
"Of course dear." Theseus nodded though he looked even less enthusiastic about the idea than Newt.
"Perhaps the 20th?" Leta suggests.
Theseus pauses for a moment and Newt pulls a face. "Yes." He says slowly. "That should be fine for both of us." Newt made a mental note to replace the picture of Theseus taped over his dart board. The current one has far too many holes in it and will probably fall to pieces when he uses it tonight.
"Yes you know my whole bloody life now you've got me being trailed by one of your minions." Newt muttered.
"Bennett isn't a minion, Newt, he's a bodyguard. Hired for your protection I might add." Theseus corrected.
"Oh please, he's practically a henchman." Newt said glaring between Theseus and Pickett, who sensing his distress had decided to climb out of Newt's top pocket again.
"You'd have better luck with your travel permit if you tried to look a bit more professional." Theseus retorted watching Newt try to coax Pickett back into hiding. "I'm happy to support your long distance romance but unfortunately, the international travel office like a more official reason for giving out permits. And, despite your accusations, I did hire Bennett to protect you."
"From who?" Newt raised an eyebrow. "The only person the Ministry seem to object to me seeing is Dumbledore and he's hardly a threat."
"There are things you don't know about Dumbledore." Theseus lowered his voice to a dangerous whisper. "Don't think that Grindelwald won't also take an interest in your connection to him."
"So you admit the Ministry is spying on Dumbledore as well-"
"I admit that you don't have the security clearance for this conversation." Theseus interrupted.
"Please Theseus, don't make me laugh in your face, it's not professional." Newt narrowed his eyes. Theseus opened his mouth to reply when the door beside them opened.
"Gentlemen. The International Travel Council will see you now." said the aide holding the door open.
Leta leant up to press a kiss to Theseus' cheek. "See you later sweetie."
"Bye darling." Theseus said.
"Don't forget. Dinner on the 20th." Leta called as she walked away.
"Bugger." Newt muttered when she was out of earshot.
"My sentiments exactly." Theseus agreed.
Newt had hoped that after his latest attempt to acquire a travel permit (which as per usual ended in disaster) he might at least be able to avoid seeing his brother for a while. Until the 20th of course. However, like with many things recently, he found himself out of luck.
Yet another one of his brother's owls tapped impatiently on the window. Newt swore Theseus always managed to pick the bad-tempered ones. Newt groaned as he read the note and sent a quick message off to Bennett telling him where they were going. (He had initially attempted to evade the bodyguard, which lead to several embarrassing situations. So, for the time being he'd decided to submit to the security measures.)
Theseus wanted to meet him. Apparently, he hadn't filled his quota of irking his brother for this month. What was unusual though was that he'd asked Newt to come to his country house and not the Ministry.
"Bunty." Newt called downstairs. "I'm going out. Not sure how long I'll be so show yourself out when you're done. Oh, and make sure the baby Nifflers don't stay up too late or they'll be grouchy in the morning."
"Newt. Come in, come in." Theseus welcomed them. "Thank you so much for bringing him, Bennett, but you can go home now. I'll be sure to take Newt home later."
Newt raised an eyebrow. Theseus had made sure to sure to use Bennett to wind him up as much as possible recently. Something was off.
"I'm so sorry I keep dragging you into my office." Theseus said as he steered Newt into the lounge. "But as this isn't business I thought we'd be a bit more relaxed. Brotherly even. Firewhisky?"
"No thanks, I've gone off it recently." Newt tried not to cringe at his (if very limited and fuzzy) memory of his last proper visit to The Leaky Cauldron.
"Of course." Theseus waves a hand dismissively. "Butterbeer then."
He summons drinks for them both and once they've sat down Theseus pauses for a moment to look at Newt. "Well?" Newt prompted.
"Ah yes." Theseus pulled out a handful of files. "Now, I've been asked to work with MACUSA to help bring Grindelwald back into custody."
"I thought you weren't going to discuss business." Newt snaps. It's been a long few weeks and he's not in the mood to listen to anymore of Theseus' jibes.
"Patience brother." Theseus replied smoothly. "As I said, I've been asked to work with a MACUSA Auror. So, I was sent information about everyone working on the case and told to pick who I thought would fit best with my team. It's a tricky business this, lots of politics you see. However, I've managed to narrow it down to these five and I'm just not sure which to give the job to." Theseus handed Newt the files. "I thought you might be able to give a recommendation. After all, you did spend some time at MACUSA during your stay, perhaps you might have met one of these."
Newt sighed. He should have known Theseus would just be toying with him. He started to sift through the files as he made a mental list of things to do once he got home, disinterest plain on his face. Perhaps he'd be able to get back in time read the creatures a bedtime story.
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he almost missed it. Almost.
The truth was that nothing, no matter how distracting, could prevent him from recognising her. He had spent hours studying her features in the newspaper cut out photo he had of her in his case. It was the same picture paper-clipped into her file now.
Newt squeaked. Actually squeaked.
"Tina." He breathed, his fingers trailing around the soft lines of her face. She'd changed her hair. It suited her.
"Yes, I thought she'd make a good candidate." Theseus said interrupting Newts thoughts. He flushed and quickly pulled his hands back into his lap. "She's not strongly opinionated on a political front, she has a good record minus a single incident, and she's linked to the original capture of Grindelwald."
"Tina." Newt repeated dumbstruck.
"Yes." Theseus said slowly, a grin spreading across his face.
"Tina." Newt frowned as he tried to make sense of it. "Is coming here?"
"Yes, Newt. She is."
No letter in this one, because quite a few of the things that happen in this chapter are mentioned in the letter she sent in the last chapter, so the timelines are now running parallel. No letters will be written in the next chapter, although they will be referenced.
Yes, for those of you who spotted, I did add in a quote from Mamma Mia. It was too good an opportunity to miss.
Also, I'm sorry if Newt seemed out of character with the dart board thing. It was too funny not to include.
As always reviews are appreciated (please be nice haha) and new follows and favourites too.
Hopefully it won't be too long before the next chapter, but you never know with me haha
Peace!