Rosalind Fawley has decided to come home.
One may think that she is done with being a rebel and going against whatever her father has decided for her, which means that she has finally matured up and moved on. But her decision is never about satisfying her father's ego, it goes beyond that. Hector Fawley may be one of—if not—the most influential person in the British Ministry of Magic, but the world doesn't revolve around him, and Rosalind will make sure he knows that.
'You've been quiet ever since we boarded the train.'
Hearing Monisha's voice, Rosalind smiles to herself and darts her attention from the window towards the woman seated across from her.
'It's just, it reminds me of the old time. It feels, I don't know, a little strange, I suppose,' she says, before quickly adding, 'Not that I find this journey unpleasant nor am I complaining. But this is much better than the portkey we took earlier.'
Monisha nods, 'I agree. Well, travelling with any means of magical transportations can be an unpleasant experience, especially when you haven't travelled in years. I figured we should take it slow.'
That explains it. That morning before they departed, Rosalind wondered if they would travel directly to London by a Portkey or a Floo Network, but it turns out Monisha has other plans. The Portkey only took them directly to Dover, so they will have to take the morning train from Dover to Charing Cross. And there they are, seated inside the moving train on their way to London.
She doesn't mind, of course, in fact the journey reminds her of how much she loved travelling by train when she grew up. It takes her back to when she was on her way to Hogwarts for the first time. She was so excited to start her first year, especially after she heard of those great things Hugo told her, about the Quidditch pitch, the library, the Astronomy tower, the lake, the Great Hall and its enchanted ceiling, and of course the mere mention of Care for Magical Creatures class, fuelled especially by the passion she has for learning about them—which she had her mother to thank for.
Mother. Rosalind sighs. Perhaps she should visit her mother's grave later when she has the time. She sighs. Now that she is back working for the Ministry, she probably should expect less flexible working hours, unlike in the Dragon Sanctuary. A routine is something that Rosalind isn't a fan of, but it's still nothing she can't adapt to in no time. Though, she has other things to worry about.
'This special task force, can you please explain more about it, so I can have a clear idea about how things are done?'
'Sure,' Monisha adjusts her seat. 'The Ministry's special task force was formed shortly after Grindelwald went into hiding after the whole mayhem at the Supreme Mugwump election, I'm sure you have heard of it.'
Rosalind nods. Of course she has heard about it, she even has a piece of an article saved in her suitcase.
'It's a collaboration of three departments of our ministry: our department, Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophe, and Department of Magical Law Enforcement. So we have obliviators, magizoologist, and aurors in our team, though only a select few that we deem qualified can join in.' The Head Department carefully glances at Rosalind, who presses her lips in a straight line, before she continues, 'Our main task is to investigate shall an accident involving muggles, such as an exposure of magic in the muggle community, happens and to try to prevent it from happening again, to protect the International Statute of Secrecy.'
'You can't really prevent an accident, can you?' Rosalind says.
'An accident? You can't, but after further investigation, it turns out that some of these cases aren't exactly 'accidents'. Recently, we are working on the Ilfracombe incident that happened last week.'
Raising an eyebrow, the brunette asks, 'I thought that case was solved, especially after they named Tilly Toke a hero.'
'To the press it was solved, although there's no doubt that some of those journalists may still be speculating. Thankfully, Tilly Toke with her quick thinking and the Toke family managed to get the situation under control, and they deserve to be named heroes. But how the Dragon managed to get loose in the first place is the case that we're working on,' Monisha explains. 'I've seen you work during the war, and I'm sure you will be a great addition to the team, Rosalind.'
'That's too kind, Monisha. Thanks.' Rosalind flashes her a small smile, then she glances out the window, the smile never reaching her brown eyes.
By now, Rosalind isn't sure anymore about what to expect. She is not worried about the potential danger that may come along with her work, no. It's the fact that she is going to work with aurors that makes her think twice. But then again, what are the odds? There must be hundreds of other skilled aurors that could be in the Ministry's 'select few', right? She is probably just overthinking it, in fact, it's probably just her mind playing tricks because the train is now slowing down as they are approaching Charing Cross train station.
London doesn't seem to change much.
The buildings are just as old and as tall as she can remember, and yet it feels like it lacks something she can't lay a finger on. It's rather gloomy for summer, as if they're expecting rain anytime soon. She starts to regret not enjoying as much sun as she could get before she came there.
'The Ministry, this way.' Monisha nodded at the red telephone box across the street.
'I thought we're going to my brother's first to drop my things off?' Rosalind asks, gesturing at the case she is carrying.
'A change of plan. We have a meeting to attend.' The older woman makes sure that the coast is clear before she crosses the street with Rosalind following suit. 'But don't worry, I'll send him an owl. Besides, your brother is in his office today so you can meet him there later.'
62442, the Head Department dials in and after getting the silver card, the telephone box turns into a lift and begins to drop down to the Atrium.
'Welcome back!'
For the first time in a long time, Rosalind finds herself back in the building. Her dark brown eyes dart from the dark wooden floor to the ceiling in awe, and she beams, feeling as if she is a little girl again, tagging along her father to work for the first time. She quickly shakes her head at that memory, not wanting to go back to it so soon, before trailing after the head department, making her way through the crowded Atrium. The whole walk towards the lift, she can hear people murmuring things to one another, and she picks up words like 'attack', 'worried', and 'lack of action', and it's enough for her to know what they're talking about. It seems the wizarding community there also deals with the same problem.
Stepping into the lift, Rosalind smiles at several Ministry staff who are already inside, before turning around. Just when the door is about to close a hand quickly holds it, preventing it from closing. Rosalind looks up at the last person to enter the lift and beams.
'Newt!'
The wizard, who is wearing a long coat, with a small blue bow tie, looks surprised when he turns and says, 'Merlin's beard, Rosalind! You're back!' Turning to the head department, Newt greets, 'Madam Macmillan.'
'Hello, Newt.' Monisha nods. 'You're here for the meeting as well?'
Newt shakes his head, 'No, I'm here just to give you the monthly report about the creatures that me and Bunty have been taking care of.'
'Bunty?' Rosalind asks more to herself at the mention of the familiar name. 'Oh, your assistant. I remember you mentioned it in one of your letters.'
'Yes,' Newt nods shortly.
The lift stops at Level Four and the three of them walk out. Rosalind takes a deep breath as a wave of nostalgia of those years she spent working in that place washes over her. Her heart beats faster as the anticipation builds up. Going back there may not be the most thrilling experience, but she can't help the slight excitement at the thought of starting anew. Maybe Monisha wasn't wrong about that.
'Newt, you can hand the report to Felicity, my assistant,' Monisha tells the wizard, before turning to Rosalind, 'and Rosalind, I'll go send your brother an owl and then I'll check if everything is ready. You still remember the way to the meeting room, don't you?'
'Yes, I do,' she smiles. 'Thanks, Monisha.'
'Good, I'll see you in a bit.' And with that, the Head Department walks away.
'I want to thank you personally, Rosalind, for your help in the book writing,' Newt starts as they slowly walk down the deserted hallway, 'When I was working on the parts about the Dragons I remembered how passionate you were about the creature, so I decided to ask for some insights.'
'It's alright, Newt, I've already told you not to mention it. It's always nice to be able to help a friend,' she says. 'And thank you for the copy of your book. You really did it, you know!'
'Thank you, Rosalind, although it's a surprise to see you back here. Not that I don't like you to come back, or I don't wish you to come back, but I thought you were happy there in the Dragon Sanctuary?'
Rosalind sighs. 'I am happy and oh, believe me, a few days ago I didn't even know if I would be back here so soon. But it's not like I have that much of a choice, really.'
'Let me guess, they asked you to join the special task force,' he says.
Nodding, the dark haired witch replies, 'They did as recommended by the Minister of Magic himself. How kind of him to put in some good words about me! I guess I should be flattered.' Her sarcastic remarks make the two friends grin, and she turns around and begins to walk backwards, both of her hands behind her back. 'What about you? Did they not recruit you to join the task force?'
'They did, well, more like Theseus did,' he sheepishly says, 'but I told him it's not necessary, because I'm sure there are people more qualified than I am.'
At the mention of the name, Rosalind slows down, before coming to a halt. Attempting to look away, she glances over her friend's shoulder only to catch a glimpse of a familiar tall figure exiting the lift and casually strutting down the hall. Her brown eyes widen in surprise when she recognises who he is. Newt, who notices that Rosalind no longer pays attention, follows her gaze and turns around.
'Theseus!' Newt greets his brother with a smile.
Rosalind doesn't know what to do, so she quickly looks down, trying to avoid his gaze if she can. There's a familiar pang in her chest and the uneasiness in her guts as she unconsciously recalls an old memory. Hearing the footsteps getting closer, she takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Deep down, she wishes she can summon an invisibility cloak to hide herself. But she is already tired of running away. Besides, she is a Gryffindor, she is supposed to face everything with a brave face. Only this one circumstance is different.
'Newt, I didn't know you were here!' Theseus greets, probably still hasn't recognised Rosalind, who still has her gaze on the floor.
'I'm here to hand over the monthly report,' Newt replies, before nodding at the witch standing nearby, 'There's someone I'd like you to meet, but you may have met her before. My friend, Rosalind Fawley.'
Slowly, Rosalind looks up with a small smile playing on her lips. At this point, she couldn't care less about what Theseus may think of her and her sudden return. She will try to put everything in the past in order to start a new chapter, including her past with Theseus which not many knew. The look of surprise and recognition on his face doesn't go unnoticed, before he regains his composure and puts on that serious look.
'Ah, yes, Fawley, it's been a while, isn't it?' He casually addresses her by her last name, and Rosalind has to play it cool. His gaze lingers on hers for a while, as he adds, 'Are you coming back to assist your father, to eventually show your support? Maybe those rumours about you living your best life abroad are not true after all.'
At the mention of her father, the brunette wants to scoff. She wonders if he says that on purpose, knowing how complicated the father-daughter relationship still is. But she has to keep it in, not wanting to let him know how he still has that effect on her.
'It depends on what you mean by assisting my father. And I thought you weren't one to believe in rumours, Scamander. But if you're wondering, the rumours are true, I did live my best life away from here, although, can't a witch decide and do what's best for herself? Not everything I do has anything to do with my father.' She retorts without wiping the smile off her face. Turning to the younger Scamander, who shows a hint of confusion on his face, Rosalind says, 'I better get going now, Newt. It's nice to see you again, and I'm looking forward to catching up with you soon, hopefully!'
'Likewise, Rosalind.' Newt smiles, slightly nodding. 'And good luck with your first day!'
'Thank you!' Rosalind grins, before walking away, not daring to look back at the Auror standing nearby.
She can hear Newt asking his brother why he said such a thing and assumed things about her, but Rosalind already knows why, and she can't blame him for being rather cold towards her and addressing her with her last name. Of course she anticipates it. She's just unprepared for the strange feeling that makes her heart feel heavy after that meeting. Is it regret, or remorse? She's not sure anymore.
'There you are, Rosalind!' Monisha greets her by the time she steps into the meeting room. Turning to a dark skinned witch, who is dressed in an elegant maroon dress, the head department introduces, 'This is Auror Andrews. She will be your partner during the investigation. Do find your seat and put down your case. The meeting will begin shortly.'
'Hello,' Rosalind smiles and shakes the auror's hand, once the head department has left. 'Nice to meet you.'
'It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Fawley.' The young auror nods politely.
'Oh, please, just call me Rosalind,' Rosalind waves her hand playfully.
'Then you can call me Tori, short for Victoria,' Tori smiles, then she gestures at a chair near the end of the long meeting table for Rosalind to sit on, 'How was your trip? It must be exhausting.'
'It was fine. We travelled by a portkey before we hopped on the earliest train we could catch. It's so strange to be back after a decade, you know,' she pauses to brush invisible dust off her skirt. 'It feels like a lot has happened when I was away, and although I've been here before, I've been feeling out of place.'
Tori presses her lips together to form a small smile, before replying, 'Well, I can't imagine how it feels like for you, but I understand. I've only been working here for several years, and changes seem to happen constantly, especially after Paris.'
At the mention of the place—or an event, more like—Rosalind turns to the auror and notices the solemn look on her face, but she decides to not pester her new friend about it.
'On the bright side, I don't have to constantly deal with the risk of getting a new burn. I love working with Dragons, they're lovely beasts, but there's always the risk.'
'Dragons? Lovely?' Tori grins. 'I'll take fighting a dark wizard over that any day now, thank you.'
Rosalind beams. 'I totally understand.'
'Oh, and here we go, Mister Scamander,' the auror says when the door is pushed open. 'He rarely comes here, only recently when Madam Macmillan asked him to handle some of the meetings when she went to visit you.'
It's enough for Rosalind to dart her attention at the figure who has just walked in. Of course. She should have seen it coming. What else was an auror like him doing on Level Four if it wasn't for this type of business?
But before she can say anything, Victoria adds, 'Understandable, though, maybe because his relationship with his brother in the past wasn't exactly good, some people here may not like him for that. But I've also heard that he used to date someone who worked in this department, and it seems that person really broke him and his heart that he might never recover. It's probably a false rumour, because even before Miss Lestrange came into his life, he seemed quite alright.'
Fingers fiddling with her locket, the brunette presses her lips in a tight line. She follows his movement with her eyes, until he is settling on a seat next to Monisha at the head of the table. He no longer has that look on his face that he showed at her earlier, in fact, he looks rather content, as if he wants to reassure everyone that they will have the situation under control. Something Rosalind is familiar with.
'Perhaps nothing is as it seems, perhaps there's more to it.'
'You're right, Rosalind. We'll never know.'
Eventually resting her chin on her propped palm, she lets out a sigh. Well, whatever it is that's gonna happen, she must be ready for one hell of a ride.
'Level Seven, Department of Magical Games and Sports.'
Stepping out of the lift, Rosalind is greeted by walls of huge posters of various Quidditch teams. It almost reminded her of her own brother's room back in the day when they lived in their family manor. Hugo used to have posters of Appleby Arrows and England's national team on the wall, along with individual posters of his favourite players, people he looked up to growing up, people he aspired to be, before all of his dreams were taken from him in one unfortunate accident.
'Rosie!'
Hearing the nickname that not many call her, Rosalind beams and spins around on her heels. There, she sees a tall man with dyed blond hair, dressed in a casual white shirt and a pair of dark blue trousers with suspenders walking in her direction. His jacket is draped over his shoulder, and by the look at it he seems like the type of person who doesn't care how he looks, but he does. Hugo Fawley knows that he is a good looking fella and that's just how he dresses for work.
'Hugo!'
Rosalind doesn't waste any more time in running towards her brother and pulling him in an embrace. In return, the brother squeezes her gently, before pulling away.
'When an owl came to me with a message from Madam Macmillan earlier, I was so surprised. I clearly wasn't expecting you to come back so soon.'
Punching her brother's shoulder lightly, Rosalind scoffs, 'Well, nice to see you too, brother. You know, I was as surprised as you were when Madam Macmillan showed up in the Dragon Sanctuary with an offer–well, more like an order, that I should take.'
'Let me guess, the order came from dear old Father?'
Rolling her eyes, she nods. 'Who else do you think loves to play the party pooper?'
'Uh, you? Because the message also said that you invited yourself to stay at my place,' Hugo states, pointing his finger at her face, playfully wiggling it, and she immediately slaps it off.
'Yes, only because you mentioned in one of your letters that I'm welcome to stay at your place anytime I want, and since you're the best brother anyone can ask for, I only assume that you'll let me,' she replies, eyes glinting with mischief, and she lets out a gasp as if she realises something. 'But oh, you don't happen to have company, do you?'
Hugo thinks for a while, before replying, 'No. Like I said in my last letter, I still am very much single.'
'A little hard to believe, but okay.' Rosalind smiles.
'Anyway, maybe we should head back to my place so you can get some rest after that journey. I've already told my superior that I'm taking the rest of the day off.' Hugo gestures at the lift and the siblings eventually walk side by side. 'How was the meeting by the way?'
Rosalind shrugs, 'Meh, it was alright.'
Although 'alright' seems like it's not the right word to describe it properly, at least nothing really happened. When she introduced herself, she didn't recognise most of the people there, and the way some of them looked at her with something like judgement made her feel a little bit uncomfortable. She doesn't usually care about what people think of her, but after a decade of living in a tight knit society, this definitely is something she needs to get used to again. The whole time Rosalind could feel curious eyes on her, though it's probably due to the fact that she is 'new' and she happens to be the current Minister's daughter. Merlin knows they're probably thinking of the potential nepotism that's going on, which isn't exactly wrong to assume.
Much to her relief, Theseus was being rather quiet. Not only did he ignore her, it seemed as if he tried to pretend that she wasn't there. She couldn't blame him, though, not when she used to do the same thing to him. Trying to focus on the new task and a partner she was assigned with, Rosalind shoved the thoughts to the back of her head. There are far more important things to do, and dwelling on the past isn't one of them.
'Anyone in particular that I should confront?'
'What?' The witch raises an eyebrow, more amused than confused. 'What makes you think that way?'
Hugo tugs the pocket of his trousers. 'Oh, you know, you've been away for a decade and now you're back. People are probably assuming things already, especially after the recent article about our dear father.'
After he finishes his sentence, the two hear the lift stop. Two Ministry staff are already in it, looking at the siblings with curious glances. Without uttering any other word, the two steps in. They remain in silence until they reach the Atrium, that's now looking less busy than it was in the morning. Worlds can travel fast, and they know better than discussing family matters while others can hear.
'Honestly, let people speculate whatever and however they want, Hugo. We both know that we don't take part in whatever shitty decision father has or is about to make, and certainly we're not here to entertain him or anyone for that matter,' Rosalind states firmly as she struts down the corridor. 'The world doesn't revolve around him, so why should we?'
Hugo nods in agreement, before playfully teasing her, 'Who are you and what have you done to my sister?'
'Well, I'm still the same me, of course. Just a little smarter and maybe a little wiser than you,' she says as she pokes her brother's nose.
'Right, you're still annoying.' He ruffles the top of her head, ruining her updo and making her squeal.
'Hugo!' Rosalind shoves her brother, who has a mischievous smirk on his face. 'Remind me why I thought you were the best brother again?'
'Um, I got you sweets and chocolate from all over the world,' he smugly says.
'Right. I still hate you, though.'
'And I you, sister.' He squeezes her shoulder, and Rosalind elbows him in return.
As they make their ways towards the Floo network, Rosalind begins to think about how quick she has been at adjusting. Sure, there are things she will have to confront sooner or later, and her crossing paths with Theseus for the first time in years earlier isn't something that she can just shrug off as if nothing has ever happened between them. It's not always sunshine and daisies, but every cloud has a silver lining and her reunion with some people she cares about is probably just the beginning.
Note: Each chapter will be named after each song in the playlist. Song: En cas de doute - Céline Aubin
