'Come on, Newt, we'll be late!' Tina called from the top of the stairs.

Newt flicked the lock on a freshly-mended Nifflers' cage and jogged to the stairs, wiping his oil-smeared hands on a tea towel.

'Tina, I really don't see the rush. It's not like Theseus expects us to be on time,' he complained as he climbed the stairs two at a time. 'Besides-'

The rest of that sentence never made it out of his mouth. He looked up as he neared the top of the stairs and his breath was snatched from his lips. Tina was standing there, dressed in a delicate blue gown and her hair neatly curled to frame her face. Her salamander eyes glared at him impatiently, her arms crossed and her foot tapping.

'Tina, you look truly splendid,' Newt said, oblivious to her irritation.

This softened her up a bit. 'Queenie,' she said in way of explanation for her attire. But she still sent a disapproving glare to his stained shirt and oily hands. 'Get cleaned up, Newt. They're waiting for us.'

Newt sighed and cleaned himself up with a wave of his wand. He looked up at Tina, who, satisfied, nodded approval and dragged him by the wrist into the living room where they Disapparated together.

'Newt, how lovely to finally have you over for dinner,' Leta exclaimed, somewhat sardonically, as she ushered them inside. 'Thanks for bringing him, Tina.'

'You're welcome,' Tina replied graciously. 'Though believe me, it wasn't easy.'

Theseus emerged to greet them, wearing an apron covered in ash. He must have burnt something – probably potato judging by the starchy streaks among the ash. Still, the lack of the scent of smoke indicated that he'd at least cleared most of the damage.

'Newt!' Theseus gathered his reluctant brother into a hug. 'Good to finally have you here. Oh – my apologies.'

Theseus had smeared Newt with soot. He reached for his wand to clean it off, but Tina got there first.

'Scourgify,' Tina's wand darted lightly through the air as she removed the ash from Newt's front.

'Thank you, Tina,' Newt said, with a pointed look at his brother. Theseus shrugged innocently, hiding an amused smile.

'Let's eat,' Leta suggested, and they all found their seats at the table.

Burnt potato aside, Theseus' cooking was more than satisfactory. He served a golden roasted chicken, a decadent sweet potato salad, a beautiful savoury pudding and side dishes of buttered peas, sugared carrots and seared eggplant. Even though Theseus was the one wearing the apron and doing the serving, Newt suspected that Leta had helped significantly. The last time he checked, Theseus was still incapable of boiling a potato without having it explode in a shower of starchy snowflakes.

'This is delicious, Theseus,' said Tina, in between mouthfuls of toad-in-the-hole.

'You are most kind,' Theseus replied. 'I hear Newt enjoyed quite the meal at your place when you arrested him in New York.'

Newt immediately turned red, but he busied himself with stabbing his buttered peas. Leta glanced sideways at him, hiding a smile.

'My sister's the real cook in the family,' Tina said. 'I just set the table and clean up afterwards.'

Tina's modesty drew Newt out of hiding. 'Well, actually Tina's really quite talented. She just focuses on things other than cooking,' Newt said earnestly.

Leta and Theseus exchanged an amused glance. It was Tina's turn to blush.

'Not nearly as talented as Newt. His book's really taken the market by storm,' Tina said, with equal enthusiasm.

Theseus decided to rescue the conversation, which was at dire risk of turning into a evening of alternate praise for Tina and Newt.

'Well,' he said. 'Who'd have thought, my kid brother and my best Auror. Anyway, we need to talk about your speech at the wedding, Newt.'

The change of topic was masterful. Newt was immediately distracted from choosing appropriate compliments to say about Tina, and suddenly horrified. 'No, Theseus, absolutely not. You can't possible expect-'

'Newt.' It was Leta this time. 'Please, Newt, you're the best man.' And her eyes, deep and dark and brown, looked straight into his. Newt faltered in his avid refusals.

'Leta, you know it's not that I don't wish you all the best, because I do. The two of you are very important to me. But I don't do speeches…'

'I'll help you,' Tina piped up.

Newt looked up at her, surprised. 'I'm sorry, what…?' He was so surprised that he dropped his fork on his plate. A few peas fell off and landed in his lap. He ignored them.

'I'll help you prepare it. You know, write it and rehearse it. That is, if you want me to.'

Newt stared at Tina with a mix of wonder, terror and admiration. Mostly admiration. Opposite him, Theseus stared at Tina with appraisal.

Leta didn't stare. She flashed a grateful smile at Tina and said, 'Well, it's settled then. Newt, Tina will help you with your speech. You'll give it at the wedding.'

'Yes,' Theseus said, shaking off his surprise. A cheeky grin crept across his features. 'You'll get to spend more time with Tina, Newt. You should be thanking me.'

Newt and Tina simultaneously turned bright red. Leta took pity.

'Anyone for dessert?'