The letter came as a shock.

The owl was unfamiliar and Albus felt a sinking sense of dread as he unhooked the letter and gave the owl a treat. He knew that this letter was going to change things. This letter was going to upheave his relatively peaceful life.

It had only been 4 years since he'd given Newton to the Scamanders.

Dear Professor Dumbledore

I know that this letter comes as a bit of a shock to you, and I cannot thank you enough for Newt's last birthday present. I don't think he's shut up about phoenix's ever since!

I was writing to inform you about an incident that occurred earlier this week with Theseus, who unfortunately let it slip that Newton wasn't his blood brother. We informed him of this a little under a year ago, and we honestly thought we could trust him. Unfortunately, Theseus appears to personify the age-old 'red-head' temper rumours, as he screamed the truth at Newt during an argument.

I know your feelings on the matter, but I was hoping that you would agree to visit and see him for just a couple of hours. Please let me know your answer as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely

Mrs Scamander.

Albus stared at the letter for a few moments. He thought the very first time he would see Newt, would be when the boy came to Hogwarts… not this, never like this.

And yet, a small part of him needed to see his son…. Needed to see who Newton looked like more. Himself or… his sire.

His reply was polite.

Hopefully, she couldn't see the panic behind each scribbled word.

…

Sitting in the living room, Albus tried to take everything in. Toys scattered all over the room, pictures of children lining the walls.

Just a normal family home.

He knew he'd made the right decision.

It didn't stop him from feeling nervous.

"Would you like something to drink Professor?" Mrs Scamander poked her head into the living room, "Newt should be home in around ten minutes."

A little bit of nervousness burst free, and Albus chuckled shakily. "Sorry, I- Yes. That would be lovely, thank you."

Mrs Scamander's smile then became slightly forced, "He looks a lot like you, you know. There is something about his eyes though- "

"- His Sire had unusual eyes." Albus felt like his heart was being constricted in his chest, "Nothing to be worried about."

Thankfully, this vague explanation seemed to work, and Mrs Scamander didn't push the matter, relaxing fairly quickly. "Well, I'm glad you decided to come."

"Of course." He nervously cleared his throat, "Have you… told him anything about me?"

"No. He wanted to know, but once I knew you were coming, I thought it was best that you be the one to tell him."

"Right." Albus perched on the edge of the chair, trying not to be nervous. He was a grown man. He'd made a choice all those years ago, and he was okay with that.

He had to be.

Because not being okay with it now, would mean a whole lot of trouble.

They sat in silence the rest of the wait, and it was obvious that Mrs Scamander was just as nervous as he was. When the front door opened, she jumped to her feet.

"Sorry." She nervously whispered, brushing imaginary creases out of her dress.

Albus chuckled, the sound cutting off just as Mr Scamander rounded the corner, two boys in front of him.

The taller of the two was clearly the oldest boy, Theseus, who looked exactly like his Father.

And then there was the younger child.

Albus could see his own red hair neatly brushed away from the boys eyes… eyes which he couldn't look into too closely as they arrived him too much of Gellert's. Despite this though, it was obvious that it was his son.

"Wow…" he whispered softly, "… wow."

Theseus nudged his brother forwards, rolling his eyes as Newt spun around and buried his face in his Father's legs.

"Is that Newt's real Mummy?" Theseus asked, completely missing the hurt look that flashed across his own Mother's face.

"Why don't…" She took a deep breath, and Albus instantly felt guilty at coming around. All he'd done was shake up this family's life, "… Why don't you show your Father your new toys Grandma and Grandpa gave you?"

"But- "

"- Now Theseus."

Theseus clearly wasn't happy about it, but he stormed upstairs nonetheless, Mr Scamander sending his wife a sympathetic look before following his oldest.

With his Father and security blanket gone, Newt immediately went running over to his Mother, climbing onto her lap and burying his face into her neck

Albus had no idea what to say.

"Sweetie…" Mrs Scamander gently pulled her son away, "… Don't you want to meet Professor Dumbledore?"

Newt shrugged, looking down at his hands.

"He wants to meet you. Don't you have anything you'd like to ask him?"

Shake of the head.

"Alright." Mrs Scamander winced, sending Albus an apologetic look.

He waved her off. It was obvious that Newt had a good life here, that was all he really needed to know. There was nothing he could tell his son about his Father, and he didn't spend enough time with Newt to form strong memories.

And Mrs Scamander seemed to know that.

"Well, me and the Professor will have a cup of tea then, and if you have any questions, then you just let me know okay?"

Newt nodded, still refusing to look at Albus.

He had no questions, and Albus found himself travelling back to Hogwarts with only one thought running through his mind.

He's not my son anymore.

…..

Later that week, Albus received another letter from Mrs Scamander, who apologised over and over again, explaining that Newt was a very shy child, and that he did really want to meet Albus, but he was just shy.

Albus didn't reply.

No sense in temptation, no sense in opening himself up for more hurt. He wasn't ever supposed to meet Newt again, he wasn't supposed to be looking the past in the face.

"He's not mine," he whispered, softly, to nothing, "He's not mine."