"Theseus, I need you to watch your brother. Work called in an emergency."
"What? No. Mom, graduation is in two months. I have N.E.W.T's to study for and ministry applications to get in and a thesis to finish. I don't have time to babysit."
"I'm sorry, Theseus. I don't have any other options. Just make sure he stays out of trouble, that's all I'm asking."
He looked around at his room that was in complete disarray: his bed was unmade, there were books open all across the floor, untouched to half-finished applications scattered across his desk along with a few sample vials awaiting analysis of a nearly clear Draught of Living Death. Remnants of the potion that had given him all kinds of headaches-literally and figuratively-trying to get right was still in the corner, vented by the window he finally had the wherewithal to open, awaiting what surely needed some final, small corrections.
Outside, he could see his little brother occupied by some creature or habitat he had undoubtedly discovered. If he had to guess, it was a new Horklump patch. That seemed to be Newt's latest fascination that was completely lost on him. At least it should keep him occupied and out of trouble while he could still keep an eye on him.
Theseus waved his arm, frustratedly pointing out his room, but knowing it was pointless. "Yea, okay."
"Thank you. And yes, maybe you could get him to help clean up."
"Thanks, mom."
She chuckled, "I'll see you later. I appreciate it."
Theseus awoke with a start, his face in his textbook. He'd fallen asleep without realizing it. Before the thought that he needed to check on Newt could fully form, he was terrified to find the answer already lying very still on the floor next to him. "Newt!"
Theseus jumped off his chair to kneel beside his little brother, shaking him hard, "Newt! Wake up!" He was completely limp. Still breathing, but very shallow. Theseus couldn't make sense of it at first until he spotted with horror the knocked over vial on his desk, eyes going wide. He looked back at Newt lying on the ground to see a towel in his hand. He must have tried to clean it up for him, but somehow got it on his hands. Which then wouldn't have taken much to carelessly touch his face and…it really didn't matter. Theseus was just grateful that one, the potion was neither perfected nor so poorly brewed to be deadly and two, he was much better at the antidote that he'd had the good sense to brew first. He went to his bag, grabbing it quickly and pouring it into his brother's mouth.
"Newt, please wake up!"
Theseus sighed with relief as he saw his breathing even out and start to stir, finally opening his eyes. "Theseus?"
"Oh, thank Merlin!" Theseus pulled his brother into a hug. "Are you okay?!"
"I think so. What happened?"
Theseus took a disbelieving breath. "I could ask you the same thing."
"I don't know. Dad's at work and I couldn't find mom, so I came to find you and you were asleep. But, I noticed something had spilled on your desk and I didn't want your notes to get ruined, so I tried to clean it up."
Theseus grabbed his hair. How could he have been so careless? "I'm so sorry, Newt. That spill was a dangerous potion I've been trying to get right for class. But I shouldn't have left it out. Come on, you need to wash off really well, make sure none of it is still on your hands. Don't touch your face. You sure you're ok?"
"I'm sure."
In the back of his mind, Theseus considered that he probably should tell someone and have Newt checked out, but that would require a lot of explanation and yelling he didn't want to deal with. And he knew his antidote was perfect; he'd achieved not only perfect marks but bonus points for it. So, he'd bank on that and just keep an eye on him. Downstairs, with his door locked this time. "Ok. Then, do me a favor and let's have this be our little secret, sound good?"
Newt nodded, excited at the prospect of keeping something just between them.