A/N Thank you thank you for your feedback and reviews! It's amazing how encouraging a few kinds words can be and it definitely gets me writing faster! Please yell if there's something specific you'd like to see happen and I'll see if I can slot it in. Got one more chapter planned for the fic as it currently stands, but I'm really enjoying writing it, so totally open to suggestions :)

An interrogation of the heart

The corridors of the Ministere Des Affaires Magiques were quiet as Newt and Jacob sat outside the interrogation room next door to what had been Theseus and Tina's base of operations for the past week. Theseus was inside at his desk updating MACUSA and the British Ministry of Magic. From the sounds coming through the gap in the door, it seemed as though both organisations wanted agents present for Queenie's 'debriefing' (as Theseus was calling it). After all, she was the best lead any of them had on Grindelwald's location. Queenie had given Theseus Grindelwald's last address and Vial and Jones had been despatched for reconnaissance. As soon as they'd arrived at the ministry, she and Tina had been shuffled into an interrogation room by a harrassed-looking junior Auror named Barker who was clearly none-too-pleased to have been summoned to work this early. While Jacob was permitted within the Ministry, Theseus had suggested that it was better for Tina accompany her sister during the interview, given her growing reputation as an Auror and previous experience with Grindelwald. Newt and Jacob would be interviewed as well, but for now, found themselves seated side-by-side on a less-than-comfortable wooden bench, waiting. Both were tired and clutching cups of lukewarm tea raided from the department's meagre kitchenette while Theseus had prepared coffee for the girls.

"Jacob, I wanted to ask: how are you coping with all this?" Newt asked, looking over at his friend. "It's only that I want to assure you that our lives are not usually this eventful; the wizarding world can actually be quite peaceful at times."

Jacob chuckled, "Well it ain't been a ride in the park so far."

"I'd apologise for getting you involved, but I've enjoyed your company immensely. Tell me...do you regret regaining your memories?" Newt asked.

"Nah, never pal. I was goin' nowhere before I met you. And look at me. Sure, it looks like there's gonna be a war and – don't get me wrong – that is terrifying, but also, look at how much better my life is. You gave me the bakery I was dreamin' of. I got to discover your creatures and this whole world that was right there under my nose an' I never knew about it. And Queenie, well. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me." He sighed and cocked his head at Newt. "Even with the bakery, I'd rather live in this world as a no-maj than be some sad schmuck out there believing that magic ain't real, you know what I'm sayin'?"

Newt nodded. "I think I do," he said with a smile. "I'm glad you feel that way. It would not be the same without you." He paused. "Did you and Queenie have an opportunity to talk about what happened?"

"Yeah, last night. We're not going to let anything come between us again. No matter what happens, we're going to find a way to be together," Jacob said with conviction.

"Have you considered migration to England or somewhere here in Europe? Our laws do not forbid relations between magical and non-magical people," Newt offered.

Jacob nodded, "Yeah...we talked about it. Only, I'm a little worried about the bakery. I mean, this's been a long time to leave Andrew alone to run the place and I can't let it slip. It's been my dream for so long an' I wanna be able to provide for Queenie. I wanna be a good husband for her, ya know?"

"Yes, I understand. But Jacob, you know, wizards love pastry as much as anyone," Newt said, hinting.

"Yeah, but if we moved over here then the girls would have to split up. Queenie's not sure what'll happen to Tina without her. They've been so much to each other for so long... I don't think I wanna do that to them."

"Hmm," Newt nodded, considering. "I might be able to help with that… and also Jacob, I think that a return to ordinary life, particularly in New York, might not be possible for now, especially with what's happened and the possibility of retaliation from Grindelwald and his fanatics. You may have to consider alternative options if you and Queenie wish to remain together and stay safe."

Jacob sighed and raked his hands over his face, "Yeah, you're right." He paused and then asked, "Are guns legal in England? We may not have magic, but us New Yorkers have ways of dealing with problems."

"No," Newt said quickly. "And I don't think that would be necessary. Tina is quite formidable and with Queenie's abilities growing, I suspect we'll have a good chance of not being taken by surprise again. I imagine we'll also have some support from the authorities now that Queenie is on our side, especially if Theseus has his way, and I have a few favours I could call in, should we need assistance." A certain professor crossed his mind, currently hosting Nagini at Hogwarts and helping her to adjust to life outside the circus. Newt gave his friend what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "We'll protect you and Queenie, Jacob. You won't be helpless."

"Thanks pal," Jacob says with a light clap on his shoulder. "So, uh, you and Tina, huh? That was a pretty adorable scene last night..."

Newt blushed and gave him a small smile, "Yes, well...It's only the beginning really; not much has happened between us yet."

"Nah, it's obvious she's sweet on you. Queenie says Tina ain't ever thought about another guy the way she thinks about you – and Queenie would know!" he winked.

"Well, it warms my heart to hear that. It's just, well...now is such an unfortunate time for this to happen, with all that is going on–"

"Newt, now is is the perfect time," Jacob interrupted him. "She's gonna need support; heck, we ALL are. Even you, Mister Beast Wrangler. Plus, you never know where things lead. We could all be dead tomorrow," he added with a small shrug. "Gotta make hay, an' all that."

Jacob was right, of course, and Newt resolved to make the best of the time they had; no more misunderstandings. He thought about the mix-up with the magazine article and felt a pang of sadness. Leta's death had been a shock to them all and Newt suddenly wondered how on earth his brother was keeping it together. The thought of losing and of his friends was unbearable but to never see Tina again unthinkable, even this early in their relationship. Newt resolved to have a conversation with his brother as soon as they found themselves alone.

xxx

True to his word, Theseus had brought Tina and Queenie mugs of coffee as soon as they'd been shown to the interrogation room. The coffee was bitter and needed milk; not at all to Queenie's taste, but it did the job and sharpened their minds a little to face the oncoming day. Theseus had returned a few minutes later with a stack of paperwork for Tina to complete and explained that both the British Minister for Magic and Madam President Picquery would be joining them for the interview, given that Queenie was technically a MACUSA employee and the first defector from Grindelwald's organisation. Thus, there'd be a short wait while portkeys were arranged.

Tina and Queenie were left alone to wait. Both were wound up after the events of the past 24 hours and so they sat in a tense but companionable silence, each lost in her own thoughts as Tina worked her way through the paperwork. Queenie did her best to stay out of her sister's mind, but after five minutes of silence, she grew restless and glanced over at Tina to find that she'd stopped writing. Her eyes were shut tight and her hands were clenched into fists and shaking on either side of the parchment stack before her. Concerned, Queenie reached out with her mind.

"Teen, what's–" Pain tore through her sister and Queenie felt it as acutely as if it were her own body. It started as a knife twisting in the centre of her chest and raced down her arms and legs and up into her head, growing hotter as it went until Tina's hands, feet and the top of her head left as if they were on fire.

Queenie gasped out loud and grabbed her sister's hand. "Teen! You're still hurting," she cried.

Tina's eyes snapped to her, haunted and panicked. She took a deep breath, shut her eyes and sighed.

"Please don't read my mind Queenie. You don't wanna know what's going on in here right now," she said softly.

"Sorry," Queenie said, giving her sister's hand a squeeze before she released it. "Is this from the … from last night? In the gardens?"

Tina nodded and exhaled slowly, casting her eyes back to the parchment before her. "Yeah." She picked up her quill and visibly composed herself to continue writing. "It's normal after...that."

"Oh," Queenie said quietly, resisting the urge to read Tina's mind to figure out what she could say to make things better. She recalled Newt's explanation that distracting Tina with his reading had worked to calm her and so, Queenie changed the topic.

"You know, I'm getting better at understanding Newt's accent now," she offered. "His thoughts were so loud tonight… He really cares for you Teen." She let a smile creep across her face at the thought of the magizoologist. "He was so worried about you this week...he said you didn't sleep much?"

Tina's face dropped and she stopped writing to look at her sister. "You were gone, Queenie," she said sadly. You chose him over me. After everything we've shared, you left us for that psychopath.

Her thoughts bombarded Queenie with remorse and the younger witch felt guilt rise in her again. Tina may have welcomed her back with open arms the night before, but Queenie could sense an undertone of resentment in her sister's voice now and she didn't want let it fester. Tina turned back to her work but Queenie snatched the quill from her hand, determined to explain her side of the story.

"Everything went wrong, Teen. I came to Paris to find you, but you weren't there and the Ministry had no record of you and then I got lost and it was raining and so many people's thoughts were in my head but I couldn't get rid of them or understand the French." As Queenie spoke, Tina's face visibly softened with sadness for her little sister. "I was so scared and I didn't know what to do...and then Vinda – Rosier – she helped me. She was kind to me, Teen."

She heart Tina scoff in her thoughts. Of course it was her, manipulative bitch, she thought, and Queenie felt blistering resentment in her sister's heart. But Tina remained outwardly calm, listening to her sister, so Queenie continued.

"I told him no the first time, and he let me leave. But then after, I still couldn't find you and I started thinking about what he'd said about love and freedom. I missed Jacob so much. I was alone and so scared," her eyes met Tina's and she paused and swallowed before continuing. "You wouldn't fight for me...Grindelwald would."

Tina's eyes snapped wide in shock and the colour drained from her face. Her thoughts roared at Queenie, who suddenly saw it all: the nightmare that'd woken her sister – the one in which she spoke those exact words after joining Grindelwald and murdering Newt in front of her.

"Oh Teenie, why didn't you tell us?" she cried sadly. "I'd never to that to Newt, or to you!"

Tina clenched her jaw, visibly fighting to maintain her composure. She gave her sister a stern look. "Really, Queenie? Not even for Jacob?" Her voice was level but underneath, Tina's heart was racing. She hadn't meant to lash out but now that they'd started this, she had to know. They had to have this out or their relationship would never recover.

Queenie drew back as if she'd been slapped and silence hung in the air between them for a few seconds before she frowned.

"I'm no murderer, Tina," Queenie said with iron in her voice. She kept her eyes locked with her sister's, "Do you really believe that I could do that?"

Of course not! Tina cast her eyes down in shame. Queenie had heard her thoughts but deliberately waited for Tina to answer. She needed to hear her sister say it out loud.

"No, I don't," Tina admitted softly. "But I used to think you'd never betray me." She looked back up at Queenie with glistening eyes and shook her head. "Mercy Lewis Queenie! I thought he'd kidnapped you or used the Imperius curse. Jacob said you'd chosen to go but I didn't wanna believe that it was true! I spent the week looking for you...tryna figure out where he was keeping you because I knew you'd never support someone like him." Tina threw her hands up and cast her eyes down, shaking her head. She sighed, "But I was wrong."

"Only for a bit," Queenie said softly. "I didn't know what he was really like and I was sure he wanted what I wanted...for us to be free to love, to not be divided and stuck hiding all the time. I ain't never gonna find anybody like Jacob. He doesn't think about me the same way other fellas do; he's kind and he sees more than my face when he looks at me. Teenie, I just...I couldn't give up on him. On us. I just want to have what Ma an' Pa had, you know?"

It was Tina's turn to feel remorse and she grasped her sister's hand and squeezed gently.

"And when I figured it out… when I found you in the gardens and felt what Grindelwald was doing," Queenie blinked, tears filling her eyes. "Then it all fell apart again and I realised how wrong he is. I knew for sure what I fool I am."

Tina's heart wrenched at her sister's tears and she pulled Queenie into a hug. "You're no fool, Queenie Goldstein," she said firmly. "You are smarter than half the Aurors in MACUSA and you have twice their courage. Even with all the things you've had to hear from other people's thoughts, you've never let your light go out. You see the good in everyone and I wouldn't change that about you for all the hot dogs in New York, do you hear me?"

You are everything that is good in this world and that bastard may have used you but please tell me he didn't break you, Tina thought let out a watery giggle and raised her head from Tina's shoulder.

"No, he didn't," she said. She met her sister's gaze. "I'm so, so sorry Teen."

"So am I," Tina replied, wiping a tear from Queenie's cheek. "I should have realised how serious you felt about Jacob. I should have helped you."

Queenie gave a little shrug and laughed through her tears, "Well, I was tryna break the law..."

"It's a ridiculous law," Tina blurted with a shake of her head. She quickly cast a nervous glance around the room, suddenly aware of the impending arrival of her boss, then turned back to Queenie. "Besides, how many chances are we gonna get at love, huh?" She offered a wry smile, "Jacob is a good man. He may be a no-maj, but he's one of us and if he makes you happy, I promise you Queenie, I'll do whatever I can to help you two be together."

A bright smile bloomed across Queenie's face. She gave a sob of joy and threw her arms around her big sister.

"Oh, thank you Teenie! I promise, we're going to be so happy. Just like you and Newt!"

In her arms, Tina froze. She drew back and raised an eyebrow at her sister, "And what exactly do you know about me and Newt?"

"Only that you two can't stop thinkin' about each other," Queenie teased. "Only that he asked me to help make cocoa just that way you like it last night. Only that he moved his case upstairs to be near you. Only that you swore to fight anyone who threatens him. Only that he thinks your eyes glow like–"

"Okay, okay, stop! I get the picture," Tina cried with a smile. "And yes, Mr Scamander and I are...closer."

Queenie rolled her eyes but Tina continued, "And I'm happy...but it's also a real bad time for this. His brother's just lost his fiancée and you know he was close to her for a long time. I don't wanna expect anything or..."

"Scare him off?" Queenie finished.

Tina sighed, "Yeah."

"Oh don't worry, honey," Queenie winked. "He's thinkin' the same things about you."

Just then, Theseus entered. He paused, aware that he'd walked in on a moment between the sisters and cleared his throat. "Apologies for the interruption. Madam Picquery has arrived and the Minster is just about to enter," he said. "We'll be starting soon and things will hopefully proceed swiftly." He turned to Tina. "Vial and Jones have also just reported in. They found the house empty. Grindelwald and his fanatics must not have wasted any time after their failed assassination attempt."

"Pity," Tina said. "I doubt he'll stay hidden for long."

"Yes," Theseus agreed, nodding. "His interest in Newt last night is a matter of some concern and since he's now got a stake in your demise," he looked at Queenie, "we may need to discuss your plans for the future quite seriously when this interview is over."

Tina and Queenie nodded their understanding and Theseus departed to welcome the Minister.

Queenie sighed, anxiety sparking within her, and Tina gave her sister's hands an encouraging squeeze.

"It's going to be okay, I promise," she said earnestly and Queenie wanted desperately to believe her.

A/N Thanks for reading! Please leave a review if you like it so far :)