"Madam President!" Grindelwald loved Abernathy's smarmy smile at times like this, "I have a proposition to run by you."

The President, who had clearly been deep in thought, suddenly shot to attention, "Oh? And what would that be?"

"I know that Director Graves has been having some troubles finding a suitable life partner and- "

"- Please don't volunteer yourself for the role Abernathy." The President groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose, "It's a nice gesture, but futile. Percival is going to reject any choice that I put forwards, and that especially includes you. You have to admit, you two don't have the smoothest relationship."

"Desperate times and everything." The tone was forced, as he pulled out his wand and hid it behind his back, non-verbally casting an 'Imperio.', "You will order Graves to marry me."

The President almost looked like she was going to succumb to the curse, only for someone to knock on the door, before bursting in.

"Sorry to interrupt Madame President, but we seem to have a visitor."

"A visitor." Almost forgetting that Abernathy was even there, the President rushed out of the room.

Grindelward muttered a curse under his breath, before following them, frowning at what he saw.

"Theseus Scamnder." The President sighed, "I was hoping that I wouldn't be seeing you anytime soon."

The figure didn't meet her eyes, "So, you know why I'm here."

"Yes… I appreciate you coming in person, rather than sending the Minister."

Theseus Scamander seemed confused for a moment, as the President continued.

"I promise that the execution of your brother was a tragic misunderstanding, one that will never happen again, and I assure you everything is being done to punish the perpetrator."

Before Theseus could say anything, the elderly man by his side. "I'm afraid the Minister doesn't believe that's good enough, therefore I will be helping you re-work your systems."

"I- "

"- It doesn't look good when the President can't seem to control her staff. We need to make sure this doesn't happen again."

The President frowned, "And Mister Theseus Scamander- "

"- Is not going to get involved in the investigation." The old man promised, "Right Mister Scamander?"

Theseus nodded shakily, still avoiding all eye contact, although he did seem to freeze slightly at something over the Presidents shoulder.

"In fact…" The old man clapped Theseus on the back, "… Theseus was hoping to see Director Graves?"

Theseus looked a little stunned by this but nodded and cleared his throat. "I know that he's looking for someone to possibly…. I was hoping to court him."

Serafina could have sworn that Theseus Scamander was the more confident of the two brothers, but maybe she was mistaken. However, before she could say anything, Abernathy interrupted her.

"Mister Scamander, you can't just parade in here and expect to- "

"- Abernathy, enough!" The President growled, believing that he was objecting to someone else taking over his case, "I have every confidence that they will find that it was nothing more than a terrible mistake… right?"

The warning look she shot him told him exactly what would happen should the British Aurors find anything else.

As the older Auror and the President started discussing the finer details, Abernathy turned his attention to Theseus Scamander. "Is there… something different about you Mister Scamander?"

"Different?" Theseus shrugged, a lopsided grin appearing on his face, "I don't know what you mean."

"Abernathy." The President interrupted, "Come and meet Aberforth."

"… Aberforth?" Abernathy's eyes met with the old man's, and he frowned, "An unusual name." He then turned to the President, "I must protest about Theseus Scamander being allowed to court the Director! You've read the field reports about him! Arrogant, impulsive- "

"- Hey!" Theseus protested, before nervously clearing his throat, "I still think I should be given a chance."

"Oh, do you?"

Everyone turned to the door, where Director Graves was glaring at them.

"I'll decide who I want to court Madam President, and I don't require your help!"

Without waiting for a response, he spun around and stormed away.

"Don't worry Mister Scamander." The President sighed, forcing a smile onto her face, "…He'll come around. He's had a rough time recently."

As she led Theseus and his companions to the office they would be working from, they failed to notice how Abernathy sneered at them. "Aberforth…. You are not subtle my dear."

…

"I can't believe I'm doing this!" Newt groaned as he paced his case, "I'm not going to be able to pull this off, and there's no way I can get close to Director Graves."

Seated beside him, Dumbledore didn't seem to be paying attention. "He was there… I could sense him."

"… Who?"

"Grindelward." Dumbledore then commandeered his bishop forwards, "Checkmate."

Newt sighed, as Dumbledore continued. "You have too little faith in yourself Newt. Just be yourself, lose the disguise and tell him the truth."

"I can't do that!" Newt groaned, "They think I'm dead, remember?"

"And think about how relieved he'll be to know that you're alive."

"Or he'll arrest me!" Newt frantically ran his hands through his hair, swallowing another dose of Polyjuice potion, "How do I look?"

"… Like your brother."

Dumbledore watched as Newt headed back to the office, turning to the Nundu. "He does know the Niffler is in his pocket, right?"