They appeared on a sidewalk in London underneath an increasingly stormy sky. Their arms were entwined, and for all points and purposes seeming like a normal everyday couple. Seconds later, Stebbins, an Auror, apparated some yards behind them.
"He's rather bad at the whole discretion element of tailing someone isn't he?" Eloise said lowly.
"Yes he is. It's been some time and he still hasn't caught on that we know." Newt hummed as he led her across the street, Eloise giggling lightly as they turned a corner, peeking around it to see the man struggling through the crowd. Newt took out his wand and started to move it in a circular motion. "Ventus."
A sudden concentrated wind formed blowing the man, and only the man back away from them down the street. People passed by looking on in confusion, but doing nothing to help. The man drew his umbrella in an attempt to fight the breeze, but it was no use and since he was in the view of muggle magic was out of the question.
"Brilliant." Eloise looked up at Newt, both of them giggling. The two leaned toward each other for a kiss, but a tap on Newt's shoulder interrupted their moment.
Turning round they found a black floating leather glove which proceeded to wave at them before pointing to the roof of St. Paul's Cathedral where a man was waving at them. The glove moved back toward them, holding itself out like it wanted to shake their hand. With a sigh Newt wrapped an arm around Eloise before taking hold of the glove which transported them to the top of the roof. They appeared on the ornate roof, moving carefully around the decorative structures until they made their way over to a dandyesque forty-five year old wizard with greying auburn hair and neatly cut beard.
"Professor." Eloise smiled.
"Dumbledore." Newt handed the glove back to their former professor. "Were all the less conspicuous rooftops full, then?"
"I do enjoy a view." Dumbledore replied looking out over the city.
"It is lovely, but not our reason for meeting I suppose." Eloise commented, Dumbledore smiling to her.
"Nebulus." A swirling fog appeared over London descending into the streets and curling around the buildings until everything was obscured from sight. Then together the three dissapparate. They apparate and walk past the great stone Landseer lions while the darkening sky became increasingly ominous, pigeons rising into the air at their approach. "How was it?"
"They're still convinced that you sent us to New York." Newt told him.
"You told them didn't you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes." Eloise nodded. "Even though you did."
There was a pause in their conversation as Eloise and Newt waited for the answers they clearly wanted from their previous mentor, but Dumbledore didn't speak.
"You told me to go to Egypt on that boat where I happened to find Eloise." Newt said.
"Delma told me it was you she had gotten the thread from and that you told her about the thunderbird." Eloise pointed out.
"You knew we would do whatever we could to free that thunderbird and get him home, that we'd have to go through a muggle port." Newt picked up.
"Well, I've always felt an affinity with the great magical birds. There's a story in my family that a phoenix will come to any Dumbledore who is in desperate need. They say my great-great grandfather had one, but it took flight when he died, never to return." Dumbledore lamented.
"With all due respect, I don't believe for a minute that's why you told us what you did." Newt replied.
"I may have been playing matchmaker a bit as well." Dumbledore smirked a bit causing them to flush, but footsteps nearby alerted them that they may not be alone. They all drew their wands waiting with bated breath until they faded away. Quickly they walked on keeping their eyes alert to anyone who may be following them.
"Credence is in Paris. He's trying to trace his real family. I take it that you've both heard the rumors about who he really is?" Dumbledore spoke lowly.
"No." Newt answered and Eloise shook her head as they boarded a stationary bus taking a seat across from each other.
"The purebloods think he's the last of an important French line, a baby whom everyone thought was lost." Dumbledore said and a look passed between them leaving Newt and Eloise astonished.
"It's not possible." Eloise breathed out.
"Not Leta's brother?" Newt said.
"That's what they're whispering." Dumbledore told them. "Pureblood or not, I know this: An Obscurus grows in the absence of love as a dark twin, an only friend. If credence has a real brother or sister out there who can take its place, he might yet be saved." Dumbledore paused for a moment. "Wherever Credence is in Paris, he's either in danger or a danger to others. We may not know who he is yet, but he needs to be found." Dumbledore conjured a card from thin air offering it to Newt and Eloise, both eyeing it with suspicion. "And I rather hoped you two might be the ones to find him."
"What's that?" Newt nodded to the card.
"It's an address of a very old acquaintance of mine. A safe house in Pairs, reinforced with enchantments." Dumbledore informed them.
"Safe house?" Eloise echoed. "Why would we need a safe house?"
"One hopes you won't, but should things as some point go terribly wrong, it's good to have a place to go. You know, for a cup of tea." Dumbledore explained.
"No, no, no, absolutely not." Newt spoke up, but before more could be said the bus was entered and they were forced to apparate away onto a bridge. "We're banned from international travel, Dumbledore. If we leave the country, they will put us in Azkaban and throw away the key."
"Do you know why I admire you Newt? More, perhaps, than any man I know?" Dumbledore asked rhetorically surprising Newt. "You don't seek power or popularity. You simply ask, is a thing right in itself? If it is, then I must do it, no matter the cost." Dumbledore looked to Eloise had wrapped her arm around Newt's leaning her head against his shoulder, smiling at him proudly. "And Eloise, you're so adventurous, never letting society dictate how you conduct yourself. When you were raised to be a lady, you went beyond that and became an adventurer. I was always impressed by how you broke the norm placed upon you."
"Thank you." Eloise smiled softly, besides her father and cousin, not many others approved of her profession given her status and gender.
"That's all very well, Dumbledore, but, you forgive me for asking, why can't you go?" Newt asked and they came to a stop.
"I can't move against Grindelwald, it has to be you." Dumbledore said. "Well, I don't blame either of you, in your shoes I'd probably refuse too. It's late. Good evening Newt, Eloise."
Dumbledore disapparates away leaving them behind before either of them can say another word.
"Oh c'mon!" Newt sighed, half frustrated and half amused. Dumbledore's empty glove reappers and tucks the card bearing the address of the safe house in Newt's breast pocket, patting it before waving to Eloise and disappearing. "Dumbledore."
"Even as a professor he was rather exasperating." Eloise shook her head in amusement, though what he said tumbled around in her head. "Come on dear heart, let's go home."
"That sounds good, we must see how our assistants are getting along." Newt nodded wrapping his arm around her holding her close as they went on their way, Eloise leaning into his side.
-0-
They appeared on the street just a few paces from their home just as the first specks of rain fell from the sky. Newt led her swiftly up the front steps to avoid the upcoming downpour, but Eloise stopped him starring up at their house. Newt followed her gaze to where the light in their front room was going on and off. Glancing at each other they pulled out their wands and moved cautiously to the front door.
Newt went first, slowly opening the door peering inside cautiously and only relaxing when he spotted one of the baby nifflers. He moved aside so Eloise could see them hanging from a brass cord of the table lamp causing the light to flicker on and off. The baby niffler succeeded in stealing the brass cord before spotting Newt and Eloise. He quickly scampered away knocking off all manner of objects to the floor in his getaway.
Eloise tapped Newt on his shoulder pointing out a second niffler baby sitting on a set of weighing scales, pinned down by the gold-colored weights is was clearly attempting to steal, shoving them into its pouch. Newt moved into the dining room after the first niffler who was making its way across the table. He gently dropped a sauce pan on top of it, which continues moving across the table.
Newt tossed an apple in the air onto the opposite weighing scale, sending the baby niffler flying into the air then skillfully catching the niffler in his pocket while Eloise caught up the one from the saucepan. She scratched it under its chin as she cooed gaining a purr from it before she deposited it into Newts pocket. Satisfied Newt starts to move toward the basement door, but Eloise stopped him.
"I do believe you missed one." Eloise said as they saw the third niffler climbing onto a bottle of champagne on the counter. With a sense of inevitability they watched as the niffler grabbed at the golden wrapping causing the cork to pop with the niffler holding on as it zoomed past them and down the basement stairs.
"Bunty! Bunty! Bunty, the baby nifflers are loose again!" Newt called out as they quickly they followed after it. Bunty quickly grabbed a glove and ran over to where the last niffler was turning her gloved hanf over allowing a gold necklace to dangle from it. The niffler took the bait and Bunty easily caught it then hurried over to Newt and Eloise taking the others before tucking them back in their sparkly covered nest.
"Well done." Eloise said making Bunty smile at her in thanks before she turned to Newt.
"I'm so sorry, Newt, they must have picked the lock while I was cleaning the Augureys…" Bunty rembled a bit.
"Not to worry." Newt assured her as they all walked amongst the enclosures.
"I've fed nearly everyone, Pinky's had his nose drops, and…" Bunty listed off.
"And Elsie?" Newt asked.
"Elsie's droppings are normal again." Bunty informed him.
"Wonderful, you can clock off now…" Newt started then noticed Bunty's fingers wrapped up in bandages. "I told you to leave the Kelpie to me."
"That wound needs more ointment…" Bunty told him.
"We don't want you losing any fingers over it though." Eloise gently took her hands, checking them over to make sure that they were properly taken care of. "Did you put on the proper ointments?"
"Etta helped me." Bunty nodded as Eloise let her go, both of them following Newt as he marched up the stairs toward a lake of black water.
"Seriously, you go home now, Bunty. You must be exhausted." Newt said.
"Newt, you know the Kelpie is easier with two Zoologists present." Eloise put in as she came up to stand next to him looking down into the water, Eloise handing him a bridle while handed her his jacket. "Maybe you should take your shirt off."
"Don't worry, I'll dry off quickly enough." Newt said obliviously as Eloise shook her head with a silent laugh.
Newt smiled before jumping into the water, the kelpie erupting from the water soon after. The semi-spectral horse was intent on drowning Newt who grabbed it around the neck and managed to scramble onto its back as it thrashed about. Eloise smiled as she watched Newt ride the Kelpie, calling up an umbrella just in time to avoid getting to doused, Bunty happily allowing the spray to crash over her. The kelpie dove, taking Newt with it and once Eloise was sure that Newt had the Kelpie under control her mind turned to her decision.
"Bunty, would you please tell Newt I'll be in my study." Eloise as she walked down the stairs.
"Oh, sure." Bunty nodded.
"Thank you Bunty." Eloise smiled up at her before going on her way.
She moved through the habitats, only stopping here and there to give the creatures a friendly greeting. While a majority of the basement was dedicated to Newt's creatures Eloise had set up a study in the corner where she could work and spend time with Newt and not be shut away in her case.
It was an Art Nouveau styled room with dark wood furniture made up of twisting vine like carvings that consisted of a desk, three comfy chairs, and book shelves that connected her case's book shelves. The carpet was royal blue with a gold start chart embroidered into it that matched the cushions on the chairs. There were two floral lamp sconces that matched the lamp on her desk which was riddled with her artifact studies.
Taking her case from the luggage holder she had it on she set it on her desk and started to gather her paper work. She opened her case letting it all fall inside. Magically it filed itself in the case where it was supposed to go.
"Did they give you and Newt the go-ahead then?" Etta asked as she walked over with a stack of books.
"Not exactly." Eloise admitted. "They offered it to us and in return they wanted us to work for the ministry as Aurors."
"That's bullocks." Etta shook her head. "I swear that's all they want wizards and witches to grow up to be."
"It does seem that way at times." Eloise agreed as Etta watched her pack.
"Did you agree?" Etta asked.
"No, but I can't stay put here anymore, there is someone that needs help and I'm going to them." Eloise explained.
"Is Newt going with you?" Etta asked as she put the books away.
"I don't know." Eloise said softly as the clock on her desk chimed. "It's late, you should get home."
"I'm almost done here." Etta assured her, putting away the last of the books. Eloise watched Etta work, proud of how far the young lady had come along as had Bunty. She and Newt had agreed that taking them on had turned out great all around. "There, all done."
"Brilliant, now while I'm gone just maintain the library, some of the books get anxious when left on their own too long." Eloise told her. "Also I'm leaving the big artifacts here so make sure that everything stays where it's supposed to and for the love of all that is good keep the statues of Grecian gods and goddesses away from the roman ones. I swear they seek each other out just to be a pain in my neck."
"Will do." Etta assured her as she gathered her things.
"Have a good evening Etta." Eloise smiled.
"You as well, and stay safe." Etta said before heading out the door, but pausing next to Bunty to watch Newt with Kelpie. Newt soon came out of the water again on the back of the kelpie, bridled and now more docile as it shook its mane.
"Someone needed to let off some steam." Newt said as he guided the kelpie over to the docks. "Ointment Bunty?" She quickly handed it over to him which he applied to a wound on the kelpie's neck. "Bite Bunty again and there'll be trouble mister." Newt dismounted and glanced around. "Where's Eloise?"
"She's in her study, I was just coming by to say goodnight." Etta told him.
"Well goodnight to you as well, you to Bunty." Newt said and both girls gathered their things and were on their way while Newt headed off to Eloise's study. He stopped for a moment when he saw her packing, his brows furrowing. "Eloise?" Newt asked as he watched Eloise finished clearing off her desk into her case. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to Paris, I'm going to find Credence, and I'm going to get him somewhere safe." Eloise said as she twirled her wand, gathering her artifacts she had out back into her case.
"You're joining the ministry?!" He asked in shock.
"No." Eloise shot him a look. "I'm double crossing the ministry."
"We should just stay out of it." Newt argued. "I don't care what Dumbledore said, it's none of our concern."
"I'm not doing this for him either, I'm doing this for Credence." Eloise replied solemnly. "Newt, if there was an animal in danger would you hesitate for even a moment to try and save it?" Eloise turned, starring him in the eyes. "No matter the cost to yourself, wouldn't you do everything you could for that creature?"
"Of course I would, you know I would." Newt sighed, knowing what Eloise was getting at and knowing she was right.
"That's how I feel about this." Eloise said as she walked up to him resting her hands on his chest as he wrapped his loosely around her waist. "He's been through so much already Newt. He must be so hurting so much."
"Then I suppose we're going to Paris." Newt sighed with a small smile as Eloise reached up on her tip toes pecking his lips.
"Thank you dear heart." Eloise beamed. "Now get packed and we can..." Eloise stopped short, both of them going very still when they heard a crash from upstairs. "Is Bunty still here?"
"No." Newt drew his wand along with Eloise.
"Etta?" Eloise asked.
"Nope, she left with Bunty." Newt said as they took out their wands.
"Then it seems we have guests." Eloise said lowly. Newt nodded taking her by the hand and started up the stairs, their wands at the ready.