"Director Graves!"

The aurors all stood to attention, keeping a tight hold of Newt as the younger man stared at the Director in shock.

An auror… of course the man was.

"What are you doing here Sir?" One of the auror's questioned her boss, "And with… Mister Scamander here?"

"That's none of your concern Goldstein. Do as I say and release him."

The tone was sufficiently commanding, and the auror winced, shrinking back slightly as the Director glared at her. "I-I would Sir! But the orders come from the President! You might have to speak to her."

As Newt was dragged away, Percival turned his attention to the MACUSA building. "Believe me… I will."

….

Abernathy glanced around as he pulled out his wand and prepared to lock the door…. Only to hear someone calling his name.

"Abernathy!"

Spinning around, he winced at the sight of Director Graves storming towards him, quickly covering the obvious door lock with his body, trying to act like it was jut a wall behind him, "Director Graves Sir! How can I help?"

Thankfully, the Director didn't seem to notice the door and continued to glare at the assistant, "Earlier today, a young man, Mister Scamander, was arrested, apparently on the President's orders, which always go through you. I need to speak to her."

"I'm afraid she's a little busy at the moment… and Mister Scamander was a criminal."

"Oh, and you have definite evidence I assume?"

"…. Well, he's a trafficker Sir!"

"You idiot!" Graves hissed, "I saw all his permits, they were all up to date and completely legitimate!"

Instantly, Abernathy plastered a look of shock on his face, "Oh… We were so sure! If only we'd known…" He deliberately left the ending of the sentence blank, waiting for the Director's curiosity to take over.

"What do you mean?"

There it was.

Trying to push the smirk from his face, Abernathy turned back around to face the Director, "Sadly, Mister Scamander's sentence has already been carried out."

"… What sentence."

"The chamber Sir. For the possible endangerment of human life."

The Director was clearly distressed by this, face tightening slightly as he straightened up.

"I'm sorry Director Graves, had we realised that- "

"- had you actually checked the man's permits, this would never have happened!" Graves snarled, "An innocent man wouldn't be dead!"

And with that, he stormed away, completely missing how Abernathy smirked behind him.

….

"Director?" Seraphina knocked on the door in concern, "Percival?"

She hadn't seen her friend in hours, with him even missing an important meeting.

"Percival, is everything okay?"

Silence.

Pushing the door open, she frowned at the sight of the empty glass and the half empty bottle of whiskey on the desk.

"Percival… what happened?"

Her only answer was a glare.

"… Percival?"

"He had the permits…" Percival eventually groaned, "… you needed to check them out before you did something like that."

"Something like what?" Seraphina frowned, "Percival… what happened?"

…

Newt huddled up as tightly as he pressed up against the bars.

"I can't believe he was a Director… I brought a Director into my case!" Newt groaned and shook his head, "I almost… I almost kissed the Director."

At the squeaking coming from his pocket, Newt sighed in relief as Picket crawled out. "Thank Merlin they didn't find you huh?"

Picket just continued to scold him, even shaking his fist at him, before running over to the cage door and scampering up to the lock.

"I know, I know…" Newt sighed, replying to the annoyed Bowtruckle, "… But it's okay, I'll never see him again. He's a Director in MACUSA and I'm… me. It'll never happen."

More squeaks.

"It won't! Directors don't date magizoologists."

"They could you know."

Newt's attention immediately turned to the door of the cell, where a woman was smirking at him, "I think I can be of assistance in that respect. Maybe we can help each other."

"H-How?"

"There is a cave, a cave full of wonders, wonders beyond your wildest dreams…" Here, she pulled out several rubies, "… you could impress the Director easily with these."

Stunned, she watched as Newt shook his head and shrugged, "I'm already from an influential British wizarding family." He explained, "I've never been very interested in things like that."

"Oh? Then maybe it would interest you to know that there is also something… magical there. A creature?"

"A creature?" Newt perked up slightly, "Really?"

"Yes. Are you willing to come with us and help?"

Newt did hesitate for a moment, before nodding slowly. "Okay… but I need to get my- "

He stopped as the woman held up a familiar looking suitcase.

"… Yes. That."

…..

WHO DARES DISTURB MY SLUMBER?

Newt stared up at the giant wampus head, his eyes wide in shock. "Ummm…" he nervously cleared his throat, "Newton Artemis Fido Scamander."

"HMMMM… PROCEED. TOUCH NOTHING BUT THE LAMP."

The mouth opened wide, to reveal stairs that led down to a glowing cavern.

"Bring me the lamp!" the woman called out from behind them, "Save any creatures you can find if you wish, but the lamp is mine!"

Newt hesitated for a few moments, before slowly making his way down the stairs, his suitcase still clasped tightly in his hand. At the bottom of the stairs, his eyes widened at the sight of al the gold and jewels surrounding them, one hand instinctively moving to his pocket in order to stop the Niffler from jumping out.

"Don't even think about it you little pest…" he muttered, "… let's just find the lamp."

"I can't believe this…" Newt muttered after a few minutes, "… Not one sign of a creature living here at all. There should be droppings or carcasses… and how would a creature survive in here." He stopped in the middle of the make-shift path, "I think… I think I might have been tricked."

Picket squeaked in agreement.

A few minutes later, they found themselves in a much darker area of the cave, where there was a large pool of water. Several rocks led to a larger pile, illuminated by a beam of light… and that was where the lamp sat.

Silently, Newt made his way over to the rocks and towards the stairs, missing how the Niffler scrambled to freedom, and hopped back to solid land… where there was a large ruby.

When he finally made it to the top, Newt frowned at the sight of the lamp, taking note of the dull gold shine as he automatically went to restrain the Niffler.

Who wasn't there.

Spinning around, Newt desperately scanned the area for the pest, only to realise just how closer the Niffler was to the ruby.

"No!"

It was too late.

It wasn't a surprise that the Niffler didn't listen, paws already touching the bright red ruby. Less than a second after he touched it, the cave started to rumble.

"TRAITORS!" bellowed the cave, "YOU HAVE TOUCHED THE FORBIDDEN TREASURE! AND NOW, YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY AGAIN!"

Everything all around them started to melt or erupt into flames, as Newt shoved the lamp into his pocket, summoned the Niffler back to him and opened up the case, calling out for Frank in desperation. Thankfully, the Thunderbird was quick to arrive, allowing Newt to climb onto it's back as it sped towards the exit, lava spurting up all around them.

Frank tried his best to dodge every obstacle the cave threw at it, until they were inches away from the exit. A large boulder suddenly knocked into them, sending Newt flying towards the now-stone stairs as Frank struggled to regain his bearings.

Managing to cling onto the stairs with one hand, his suitcase in the other one, Newt glanced up to see the woman standing over him.

"Give me the lamp!" she ordered.

Newt frowned, "I can't let go! Pull me up and I'll give it to you!"

There was a brief pause, before the woman pulled out her wand. "Accio lamp!"

The lamp flew out of Newt's pocket, followed by a black ball of fur just as Newt lost his grip on the stairs, falling back down to the lava as the cave collapsed all around him.