Hello All, I'm so excited, this is my first Newt/OC ever. Newt might be OCC in this and the next chapter. It is a little Two-Shot that I've been working on almost ever since the pandemic started. Do be careful out there and take care! Please, enjoy C:
"Circoruta"
I knew it the moment I saw little Pickett peeking out of the space where my family's book should have been. Newt was here. Will he be happy to see me? Or would he rather wish to see my sister? I would have to send Leta a Patronus telling her to meet me at Père-Lachaise.
"Léonie" He was hanging on the bookshelf next to that pathetic American witch I've been reading about ever since Theseus informed us she was involved in Grindelwald's case too.
"Don't look so disappointed Newt, remember, Leta is already spoken for" I reminded him.
We three were unusual friends when we all attended Hogwarts. At first I wasn't very keen on having my little sister hanging out with a Hufflepuff but Newt won me over. Though we were both in the same grade and from the same family, kids were more inclined on picking on Leta than me. I always found a way to get back at them, especially in a better way than Leta, if you ask me.
However, I knew our friendship was doomed the day I started noticing the way Newt would look at Leta. She never noticed of course, but I did. For some reason, I would catch him staring at her whenever I was by her side; tough luck, huh. I was jealous of her for a couple of months; I would stop spending time with her, knowing she would get lonely and eventually it would hurt her. Unfortunately, that meant she would also spend more alone time with Newt.
I'm still jealous of her, though I've learned to tame my jealousy and commit to being her older and protective sister. After all those hardships, she has it all now. A handsome and respectable fiancée, a job, me, Newt's love. We were born as twins, but we're similar at best; I have pitch black eyes and hair, she has brown eyes and hair. She's petite and I'm tall; her high cheekbones are very prominent, me, I'm just a regular gal. Don't get me wrong, I get enough attention from the gentlemen and not just because of my blood status; however, the only person I want attention from, I will never get.
"Look!" his American friend shouted, pulling me from my thoughts and making me flinch.
Matagots, why am I not surprised. Everything would be alright as long as no one dares to hex them.
"Don't!" I heard Newt scream. I spoke too soon.
"Reverte!" I jumped on the bookshelf and felt it shake with the bodies hitting it as it was returning back to its place. "Do tell your friend here what happens when you attack a matagot"
I don't know if he actually did as I told him, I was trying to find a way to get out of this place in one piece. At some point, I found myself being thrown into Newt's briefcase along with the American witch. I knew her name of course, I wasn't going to let her hear it from my lips though. She thinks she can get close to Newt and change his heart? There's no way that's going to happen.
"Next time, make sure you know what creature it is before attacking it" I reprimanded her after we both got back on our feet after stumbling into each other as we made our way down the briefcase.
"How was I supposed to know?"
"You call yourself Newt's friend and yet you haven't read his book?" I huffed "Some friend you are"
"I did read it!" she complained.
"Sure you did yankee"
We sat in silence waiting for Newt to get back to us. He unleashed a zouwu to get us out of the Ministry; where did he get one? He'll certainly need help to get it back inside.
"You can come out now" we heard his voice from upstairs.
Of course, the zouwu had already taken a liking to Newt, all creatures ended up loving him. We had him back inside the briefcase in no time. His friend even helped him out, though I'm pretty sure she already knew how to. While they were taking care of the zouwu, I sent my message to Leta. I was watching my ghostly raven getting lost through the crowd to deliver the message when Newt called my name.
"Léonie" I turned back to him "where's the book?"
"Oh, didn't you read the note that was left?" I asked "It's at Père Lachaise, the thief said to look for it there" I informed him "What I would like to know now is, why are you so interested in my family book Newt?"
"That's confidential Miss Lestrange" the American was telling me to mind my own business? How dare she.
"Given that it's my family's book you're talking about, I dare say it is my business"
"Léonie please, it's important, let us come with you"
"Now, that's a nicer way to ask for things Newt" I then stared at his friend "You're in luck miss Americana, if it weren't for Newt, I'd be hexing you right now"
"I'm an Auror, how dare you threaten me"
"I'm giving the same respect I'm receiving" I said "The way I see it, you need me to get into that crypt, it would take too long for you to find it otherwise"
"Don't take another step"
There was a wand pointing at my neck and I immediately knew who it was.
"Didn't expect to see you here, brother" I was getting tired of all these unannounced visitors.
Sure, I loved seeing Newt again. The last time I saw him was during the photoshoot the Daily Prophet made to publish Leta and Theseus' engagement. He looked very awkward standing next to the 'lovely' couple. If I'm being honest, I was kind of satisfied to see him uncomfortable next to Leta for once. However, I was not happy to see my brother, a muggle, and another male the papers were so positive was my lost brother Corvus.
I knew Leta was dying with regret and guilt, but I had come to terms about my feelings regarding our dead little brother. I had forgiven Leta the moment she confessed her deed. Of course, I never told my father, I knew he would kill her had he known what had really happened. Sometimes it was better to live on being oblivious than facing reality. And sometimes, like in my family's case, keeping secrets from others was the best choice to keep surviving.
If I was being honest, I never felt love for our little brother. We never got to live together, he was sent to America as soon as father heard there was someone after his heir. I wasn't chosen to accompany our nanny during the voyage, father wanted to have at least one child in his domains. Leta was chosen against her will and did what any other child would have done. Poor Corvus, he didn't stand a chance.
"I killed him" Leta pulled me away from my thoughts "I don't know about your family, I just wanted silence"
"Leta, you're not a monster" Newt said.
"Oh Newt, you've never met a monster you couldn't love"
Well, she was right about something. She's my sister, she's no monster. But Newt never hesitates whenever he interacts with a new creature. He either has no sense of self preservation or he just doesn't care what may happen to him. It is the latter rather than the former if you ask me. He trusts so easily, and I'm not talking about the creatures anymore.
"Jacob, don't go there!" Newt tried to stop his muggle friend, but alas, he didn't listen. Are all muggles the same? He had found a hidden door in the crypt and had gone right through it.
"Well, there's no way we're leaving now, is there?"
"At last, you can rest peacefully now, Leta" I whispered to myself.
I wasn't expecting this ending. I mean, I knew what we were getting into when we walked into Grindelwald's monologue, but I didn't expect my sister to sacrifice herself. She was not a monster, Newt was right. I also wasn't expecting to have to protect Paris from a lethal spell. I was catching my breath before apparating back to the Lestrange mansion in magical Paris. I would have to prepare for my sister's funeral and I would rather wail in solitude.
"Where do you think you're going?" I was about to apparate when Newt's American friend distracted me.
"What is it now?" I was on my last nerve with her. "What more do you want from me?"
"You need to stay here, we need a statement for the Aurors" she said.
"That's not happening, if you haven't noticed, I have a crypt to clean" of course, the House Elves would be taking care of that but I wanted to leave the place at once; I couldn't face Newt.
"Léonie, I know it's not the best time but we need to talk" oh Newt, you would be running from me if you knew the truth.
"What is there to talk about Newt? Leta made her choice" I tried to rationalize so I wouldn't break in front of all these strangers, but Newt was making it hard for me.
"It's okay to cry Léonie" he said. He was treating me as one of his creatures.
"I'm not one of your beasts Newton" I got really angry once I realized what he was doing.
"No, you're not" he stepped back "that's why you're allowed to cry Léonie"
"Leta was right, you've never met a monster you couldn't love Newt" I really needed to get out of here. If he knew of my involvement, he would stop looking at me with care.
"It's not your fault…"
"Could you stop being so naive?" I guess there was no choice, I had to tell him. "Your American friend has caught on, why can't you?"
"I just can't believe you'd be a part of this" he said "please, tell me I'm right"
"I would've been burned by the flames otherwise, just like Leta did" I replied. "I'm not one of his blind followers" I said, might as well let him know the whole truth, huh? "Why should we hide from them? You're so familiar with them, you even have a muggle friend!" I shouted "Why can't we walk among them? Why are we the ones afraid?" I said "Besides, why is Grindelwald the bad one? At least he's talking straight, unlike Dumbledore" Newt was dumbfounded "Oh please Newt, I'm not stupid, I know you've been working for him"
"That's..."
"Don't insult my intelligence Newton" I cut him off "Why do you have to follow his every wish? Honestly, you shouldn't be involved, you're good Newt, too good for this world"
"You claim not to be one of his followers and yet you enabled him?" this American girl, I thought she would keep quiet.
"Corvus oculum corvi non eruit" I recited our family motto "It means we're loyal only to our family, I'm not getting my hands dirty for Grindelwald, he has enough supporters for that" I said "That's not all, ma chère, us Slytherins, we always find sneaky ways of getting what we want"
"That's it, you're getting arrested" the American was going to jinx me but Newt stopped her before I could even protect myself.
"Léonie, this isn't you" Newt said "I know you've always hated hiding but this isn't the way, you know that"
"There's no other way" I said.
"There's always a way Léonie" Newt said "Leta believed in that, that's why she..."
"Don't get confused, Newt, I'm not her" I said.
I couldn't decipher his expression. He wasn't angry, he wasn't yelling. I don't know what I was expecting but I had hoped he'd be at least a little disturbed by my confession. I sighed knowing I had to leave while I still could.
"It's been a long night and I have to prepare for a funeral" I said. "You're invited of course, Newt" I tried to smile but I'm pretty sure it was a failed attempt "You can bring your arm candy here and pretend you didn't wish it was Leta next to you instead"
I apparated before he could say a word. Once I was safely back at the mansion, I let myself go and fell into despair.
"Such a shame"
That's all I heard whenever a guest approached me. It was no secret our line was one of the sacred 28 Pureblooded lineages in Britain. Though they weren't especially excited for Leta's marriage, Theseus was still a pureblood and that made the pureblooded families excited to have more women to pull from to keep their lineages pure. I guess that responsibility now fell on me.
"Where's her ex-fiancée?" one of my cousins asked. "Shows she shouldn't have gotten engaged to him"
"He had pressing matters, he's an Auror after all" if I was being honest, I wasn't thrilled about his absence either. "We do have his brother here" I said once I saw Newt coming in next to his American friend.
"Oh please, couldn't she make an effort?" another cousin of mine said out loud.
I might not know how the purebloods behave in America but I'm pretty sure they at least have more decorum than this American girl. It was clear she didn't know the protocol, and it looks like Newt didn't bother to help her either. Her insensible attire had encouraged the other guests to go inside the crypt to pay their respects before leaving. Well, dressed nicely or not, I still had to greet them.
"Of course you'd be the only Scamander to show up" I said "if you asked me, you were more suited for Leta than Theseus"
"Oh, I thought he was gonna be here" the American remarked, she looked a little discouraged.
"He's grieving by himself" Newt replied "I tried to convince him to come but he said he couldn't look at you, you remind him of Leta" he looked down "it's going to take some time before he can stand before you Léonie"
"I guess he's not the only Scamander thinking that way" I felt a little sad he couldn't look me in the eyes. "If it's too hard for you Newt, you can leave now" I said "you'll have to retrieve your American first though" I said once I realized she was no longer by his side.
"No, I..."
"What is it Newt? Are you still disappointed in me?" I knew he would be. He's way too naive, I'm sure he can't stand my point of view.
"I will show you there's another way" he said "Leta believed in it, I will have to show you"
"It's always about her" I murmured "your American friend will get jealous if you keep thinking of Leta" I teased him "I know I said you could pretend it was her but the American won't stand for it after a while, believe me no woman wants the scraps of a man"
"What?" he looked surprised. "No, Tina and I are just friends" he said.
"Sure you are" I said "anyway, thanks for coming Newt, you can go ahead now and let your American friend cheer you up"
"I don't want to leave you, Leta..."
"How many times will you bring her up?"
I was annoyed at his insistence, not only did I have to live under her shadow before Newt's eyes, but now that she's gone, I will never live up to her.
"Why are you angry?" he asked "I know you're still grieving but..."
"I can't do this anymore" I cut him off "Newt, I don't expect you to understand but please reflect on the advice I just gave you"
"I think you got it wrong, Tina is interested in someone else Léonie"
"Well, she's not as stupid as I thought she was" I said "she must have realized it was impossible to compare to Leta, she gave up" I said "better make sure you don't let any other girl get her hopes up" I said "I know Leta was amazing but you'll have to settle for second best"
"Now you can't stop talking about her" he said.
"Come on Newt, you can't be serious" I replied "I've known for years that you fancied my sister" I said "I thought I made it pretty clear with all my comments, don't tell me you didn't notice"
"Oh Léonie..." his face turned red. "I..I" he stuttered.
"What is it Newt?"
"I...I...I'm never getting married" he said.
"Is this for real?" I said "I know she's gone but I'm sure there's someone out there you can hit it off and have cute little babies with" I said "don't feel pressured, I might be pureblooded but I don't mind Half-bloods nor Mudbloods''
"Please don't call them that Léonie" he said "besides, your sister was my estranged best friend" he said "I've never harboured any other type of feeling for her"
"I never thought you'd be in denial" I said "it was pretty obvious to everyone else"
"Léonie you got it all wrong..."
"Whatever, keep being in denial" I got mad. I've been keeping my feelings at bay for the sake of our friendship and now he can't accept what I've known for years. "I think it's time for you to go, don't forget to leave with your American friend" I turned my back on him and walked towards the entrance of the crypt. "Thanks for coming Newt"
"No Newt, you came here for a reason" I was exiting the crypt when I heard the American lecturing Newt. "Now, man up and go tell her"
"I don't know how you do funerals in your country, but I'm pretty sure it's not the place to be shouting" I lectured her.
"I'll be going first, Newt has something he wants to discuss with you" she said before apparating.
I looked at Newt. He was terribly uncomfortable, I could tell. Little Pickett was climbing up his shoulder, probably trying to comfort him. Newt's cheeks were turning red making his freckles disappear. What is going on?
"Léonie..." he called me "I… I"
"It's okay Newt, I should be the one apologizing" I said "I might not have killed her but things got out of control"
"No, that's not what I meant" he said "yes I'm sorry she's gone but I don't blame you"
"Then that's that, we can move on"
"But, I don't want to move on" he said.
"Are you for real? Just an hour ago you said you've never harboured any romantic feelings for her and now you're contradicting yourself?"
"I think you got it all wrong" he said.
"Then enlighten me, Newton" I was getting really mad at him.
"I...I..." he was getting red again. "You...you are the one I've..."
"No!" I yelled.
He wasn't going to say what I thought he was going to say, right? Everything indicated he was going to, his reddened face, his stuttering. I can't deal with this right now.
"Newt, you're not thinking straight and I know I might look like her but I'm not her" I reminded him "I'm not anyone's second choice, I'm either their first or none at all" I said "Now, let's forget all this and let's go back..."
"No, it's true" he interrupted me.
"It can't be true Newt"
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because I can't..." I ran out of breath "I...I..." I panicked, I had to go "I have to go, goodbye Newt"
I apparated back at the mansion.
Any thoughts? Did you like it? Like I said, this is a Two-Shot, next chapter is coming in a week or so!