Eloise tried not to wince at Newt's death grip on her hand as they walked down Dagon Alley towards Flourish and Blots.
Eloise had picked out her favorite outfit for the occasion consisting of a white loose fitting body suit with a scooped neckline, a yellow tailored thigh length jacket, a long white scarf with yellow daisies embroidered on the ends, a yellow belt, yellow flats, and a straw cloche hat with a yellow ribbon around it.
She glanced up at him noticing how his freckles were standing out against his flushed pale skin. He was glancing around themselves nervously and his eyes nearly doubled in size when he saw the crowd gathering outside the wizarding book store.
"You're going to be great." Eloise raised his hand up to her lips.
"Yes…well…" Newt cleared his throat. "Don't suppose there's a chance that we can just turn around and…?"
"Nope, so quit asking and let's go." Eloise shook her head.
"But maybe my creatures need me." Newt tried.
"Bunty and Etta can hold down the fort for us today." Eloise said coming to a stop and turning around to face him. "Newt my love, this is your moment, your chance to really start making a difference for the magical animal community."
"You're right." Newt said and gathered himself, squaring his shoulders before starting forward again with Eloise keeping pace with him.
The crowd varied between admirers of his work, those who came for the spectacle, and of course a few naysayers. They made room for them to come through and as soon as they were inside the owner of the shop was leading them to the signing table.
"We'll start letting them inside in just a moment while you prepare yourself Mr. Scamander." The owner said politely.
"Thank you, I'll let you know." Newt nodded glancing out the doors at the growing crowd.
Newt took a seat behind the signing table that was more like an ornate desk surrounded by his books and the rather dashing poster size photo of himself standing just off to the side. Eloise had had a copy of it made and it now set framed on her desk in her case, she had even made Newt sign it. He had gone the extra mile by signing it 'With all of my love' making her face erupt in a made blush accompanied by a giddy school girl smile.
He nervously drummed his fingers on the surface of the table glancing around himself trying not to focus on the crowd outside. He took a deep breath then swallowed hard, nearly jumping out of his skin when Eloise wrapped her arms around him from behind and pressed a kiss on the top of his head.
"You're going to be great." Eloise gave him a tight squeeze as he reached up rubbing his hands along her arms.
"Thank you love." Newt smiled, pressing a kiss to her hand before she released him and took the seat next to him.
Newt took one more breath before nodding to the owner to open the doors. They poured in making a bee line for the signing desk where Newt set about signing his books and answering as many questions as he could.
Eloise was happy to see him flourishing as he spoke of the creatures he loved to well. She looked about the room, her eyes landing on a few children who were listening to one of Newt's adventures with a baby dragon that nearly burned off his eyebrows. There was a little girl up front listening with wide eyed wonder and Eloise had the fleeting thought that that is what her and Newt's child would look like when surrounded by magical beasts.
Her face heated up as the familiar day dream filled her head and she glanced back over to Newt who had a large smile on his face. It was her favorite fantasy, showing their children their interests, and how they'd interact with the various creatures they had come across.
Unfortunately her day dream was cut short when she saw who came into the shop followed by the press. She let out an annoyed groan as Theseus and Leta made their way through the crowd and over to them.
"Theseus, Leta, what are you doing here?" Newt tensed as soon as they stopped before them.
"We came to support you baby brother." Theseus came around the desk with Leta as Newt stood along with Eloise.
Theseus grabbed his brothers hand in a firm shake just as the camera's went off then brought Eloise into an awkward hug. She stepped back as soon as she could to see Newt enduring his own awkward hug with Leta as the cameras went on flashing. Leta and Eloise then came face to face, a tense moment passing before Theseus nudged Leta lightly.
"Baewulf." Leta's face was impassive as she held out her hand to Eloise.
"Lestrange." Eloise took it with a blank face, both women gripping harder than they needed as they shook, and only their eyes showing the animosity between the two. Then the questions from the press started allowing them to put space between themselves.
Most of the questions were directed at Theseus and Leta about their engagement as the four of them stood together. The owner managed to get the press along with Leta and Theseus off to the side so Newt could continue his book signing, though he was not enthusiastic as before.
"You know I could always use the babbling stone on them." Eloise offered, taking the polished stone covered in all sorts of writing from various languages on it. It had the ability when activated to cause a person to speak complete gibberish. "I'd wager that would make for an interesting interview."
"It would." Newt let out a small chuckle. "But I don't think they'd see the humor in it."
"That'd just make it funnier." Eloise hummed as she rolled the stone between her fingers before slipping it back into her pocket.
"Hi Mr. Scamander!" A little boy said enthusiastically as he came to the front of the desk shoving a worn copy of Fantastic beast toward Newt, an interesting feat since the book was new. This copy looked like it had been through a lot of outside adventures if the stains were anything to go by. "I love your book, I like animals to!"
"Sorry, he's just really excited to meet you." His mother came up to her son laying a calming hand on his shoulder.
"It's fine." Newt's smile lit back up at the boy's enthusiasm, he couldn't have been more than seven or eight. "What's your name?"
"Colton Mitchell!" He said proudly then pointed at his mom. "And this is my mom!" Then he pointed to his mother's slightly swollen stomach. "And this is my baby brother or sister! My dad couldn't come because he had work."
"Nice to meet you." Newt took the book happily. "I'm Newt and this is Eloise."
"Is she your wife?" He asked causing their faces to erupt. "Do you have a baby?!"
"Colton." His mother admonished him and looked up to Newt and Eloise awkwardly. "I'm so sorry. He loves to ask questions."
"It's fine." Eloise assured her. "What did you like in the book Colton?"
"I like the bowtruckle, they can do so many neat things!" Colton went on in excitement. "And the niffler is really cool! And the griffin, and..."
"Colton slow down." His mother chuckled. "He really is fond of your book, he's always liked animals, but there has never been anything out there that I could get him. The books I found were more like extermination guides then informative books. You're book is just wonderful."
"Thank you ma'am." Newt signed the book taking time to add a special note for the boy. The book took up the book reading it in wonder.
"Wow, thanks Mr. Scamander!" He held the book to his chest and after thanking them as well his mother ushered him away so more people could come forward.
Newt looked over to Eloise to comment about the boy only to see her starring wistfully of at the small family. He glanced between them in momentary confusion before his ears erupted as he realized what Eloise was thinking of.
It was no secret that Eloise wanted kids, she had talked about it during their times at Hogwarts. Having grown up an only child she had always loved the idea of having at least three kids. She had had a wonderful childhood, but always said she would have liked to have had a sibling to share it with. Eloise shook her head turning to Newt only to catch him starring at her while there was a lull in the book signing.
"What?" Eloise asked when he didn't say anything.
"Nothing." Newt smiled shaking his head, reaching up and tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Why don't I believe you Scamander?" Eloise wrapped her arm around his leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I've no idea." Newt pecked the top of her head.
A few more came up to get their books signed before it was time to go. Overall it had been a great success, the store owner thanking them for their time as they took their leave.
-0-
Newt threw the two stone balls with a flick of his wand, Ron and Rhonda leaping after them as fast as they could. Newt chuckled watching as they raced one another before grabbing up a ball each and racing back to him only to repeat the whole process.
He really enjoyed playing with Ron and Rhonda, fascinated with the charm that gave them such realistic animal like life. Eloise showed him everything that the temple had to say about them, but the spell that animated them was still lost to them.
Eloise had planned on going back to the temple to do more research, but now that the ministry had decided they needed to stay put she had to put those plans on hold. Newt had felt guilty about the whole situation as it wore on, but Eloise always reassured him that they were in it together. He didn't force her into anything that she didn't want to do and she wouldn't change anything that they had done for anything in the world.
She was currently working on a case that involved a pair of red shoes that when wore literately dance a person to death. Short of chopping off the person's feet there was not much that could be done for them, but Eloise thought she was on the verge of a break through.
Eloise came up to where Newt was playing with Ron and Rhonda, a newspaper gripped tightly in her hand. She waited until Ron and Rhonda had gotten into a playful wrestling match before she came up to Newt.
"Hello Love..." Newt took notice of her worried look. "What's wrong?"
"He's escaped." Eloise breathed out handing Newt the paper. "Grindelwald got away as they were transferring him from the states to here."
"Bloody hell." Newt ran his hand through his hair.
"Do you think he'll come after us?" Eloise asked as she took a seat on the grassy hill, Newt setting down next to her wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.
"I really don't know, but I don't think so." Newt furrowed his brows. "I think he has bigger plans then us."
"I don't know if that's a comfort or a worry." Eloise leaned into him.
"Bit of both I suppose." Newt smiled gently. "But you know my thoughts on worrying."
"You only suffer twice, yes I know." Eloise laughed softly.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you stay safe." Newt assured her.
"Hey, maybe I'll be the one protecting you." Eloise teased.
"Fine, we'll just have to protect each other then." Newt cupped her cheek and bringing her into a sweet kiss. It would have progressed a bit further had it not been for the interruption of Ron and Rhonda who were not yet ready to stop playing.