'She hasn't been seen since the raid tonight,' Theseus' voice was trembling. 'I was so preoccupied with everything at the scene, I didn't even notice.'

Queenie, who seemed to have a neverending supply of cocoa, pressed a mug into Theseus' shaking hands. 'It ain't your fault, honey. You were just doing your job. She wouldn't have wanted you to be distracted by her presence.'

'We'll find her, Theseus,' Newt said firmly, gathering his coat. 'Tina, do you want to come?'

Tina was already halfway out the door. She rolled her eyes towards the street outside, urging them to get a move on. 'Queenie, if you hear anything, or if she makes it back, send word immediately.'

Queenie nodded solemnly. 'Be careful, you three.'

'Of course,' Newt said. Theseus was too busy wolfing down his cocoa. Tina merely nodded, knowing Queenie could hear her anyway. You know I will. I love you.

With that, two Aurors and one Magizoologist Disapparated, leaving Queenie and a thoroughly concerned Jacob in Newt's kitchen.

'They're gonna be okay, right?' Jacob asked anxiously. 'I mean, they're just going clue-hunting. They ain't gonna take on Grindelwald be themselves or anything.'

Queenie didn't reply straight away. She seemed rather distracted as she cleared away the mugs. Slowly, she turned towards Jacob, her wand raised absentmindedly (which meant she sent Tina's and Theseus' mugs flying around in circles above her head instead of into the sink).

'Jacob, I'm not sure they're on the right track,' Queenie said slowly. 'Teen said No-Maj children were killed - I saw them in her head. A little girl and two baby brothers. Jacob, I think I know where Leta is.'

Jacob's eyes began to widen as he caught onto what Queenie was saying. 'You mean she hasn't been kidnapped or nothing?'

'Well, she might have been, so it's good the Aurors and Newt are off checking,' Queenie said quickly. 'But there's a chance she hasn't. Oh, Jacob, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, honey, but -'

'You have to leave me behind again,' Jacob finished for her with a resigned sigh. 'At least tell me where you're going? I know Newt has his philosophy about worrying but I can't help but worry for you, sweetheart.'

His words and his accompanying thoughts stabbed deep into Queenie's heart. She dropped the mugs into the sink with a flick of her wand (they shattered; she'd fix them later). Queenie laid a hand on Jacob's cheek and gazed into his eyes, just like she'd done on that rooftop in New York so long ago. 'I know, I'm sorry. I love you.'

'I love you too, you know that.'

Queenie gave a slightly watery chuckle. 'Yes, I know. And don't worry about me, Jacob. I'm just going to Hogwarts.' Then, realising she had to be responsible like her sister, added, 'Jacob, if Leta comes back here, you need to send work to us all. You must tell Leta to send a Patronus to Theseus, and one to Dumbledore. I'll be with Dumbledore.'

'A Patronus.' Jacob repeated the word slowly, engraving it into his memory. 'Be careful, sweetheart.'

'I will.' Queenie gave him one last adoring gaze and disappeared with a crack.

Queenie knew Hogwarts from Newt. Not only did she watch him reminisce about so many memories tending beasts on the castle grounds, but Newt had actually told her so much, in an effort to persuade her than Hogwarts was indeed the best wizarding school in the world. She turned on her heel and Apparated into Hogsmeade village, then braved the cold to walk up to the castle.

Professor Albus Dumbledore was in his office. He seemed to be expecting her.

'Leta's with the Bowtruckles,' he said, when she knocked on his door.

'Oh,' Queenie said in surprise. How had the Headmaster known she was looking for Leta?

Dumbledore chuckled. 'I have my sources, Miss Goldstein, I know who you are. As for knowing you were here for Leta, well, why else would you be here? You clearly aren't enjoying the cold.'

He wasn't wrong. Queenie was shivering violently and her teeth chattered when she tried to speak. Dumbledore waved his wand, and she was suddenly hit by a pleasant warmth, as if she were standing at the optimal distance from a roaring fire.

'Th-thank you, Professor.'

'Do you know where the Bowtruckles reside?'

Queenie nodded. She'd seen very little in Dumbledore's mind, but she saw the Bowtruckles' location. She suspected that she'd only seen it because he wanted her to.

'Then you'd better go find her.'

Queenie hurried out of the castle and into the grounds. She would have liked to speak to Dumbledore more. He was truly fascinating. He'd known who she was and why she was here purely out of wisdom, not Legilimency, though he could easily have read her mind if he wanted to. Queenie should the thoughts out of her head. She was here for Leta.

She'd only approached the edge of the woods when she heard Leta. The pain was immense and seemed to grow sharper with every step as she found her way towards Leta.

Eventually, Queenie found Leta leaning against one of the wand-quality trees, a tiny green figure walking across her hands. 'I don't want to talk about it, Queenie,' she said, without turning to look.

It didn't matter. Leta was hurting so acutely that Queenie had already heard everything.

'Leta...'

Queenie found a seat in the undergrowth beside Leta. Leta didn't move away, so she figured that was a good sign. 'Leta, what happened tonight-'

'She tried to protect them!' Leta exploded all of a sudden. She'd leapt to her feet and her tear-filled eyes blazed with fury. Her sudden cry had shocked the Bowtruckle, who went scampering back up his tree. 'She stood in front of her brothers and shielded them. She loved them like a big sister should!'

Leta was trembling now. Queenie, who had hastily clambered to her feet, tried to offer her a hug but she refused. 'Don't touch me, Queenie,' she said sharply, but not harshly. 'I hurt everything I touch. I killed Corvus and pushed Credence into Grindelwald's arms.'

'No, Leta. He didn't go because of your story. It was his choice, Leta, you're not to blame.'

Leta's humourless laugh put a chill in Queenie's heart. 'You're just like Newt, Queenie. You see the good in everyone, even when there's no good to be seen.'

Leta slumped back to the ground, as if her sudden outburst had left her completely exhausted. 'Go home, Queenie,' she said softly. 'Leave me be.'

Queenie felt the wave of helplessness crash over her, pushing her down and suffocating her. This was much worse than in the Lestrange vault, where she'd wanted to comfort Leta but knew nothing would help. Leta's pain was as powerful as a galloping Thestral, her regret as venomous as one of Newt's crazy snakes.

With a desperate sigh, Queenie took one last glance at Leta's defeated figure and turned to walk back through the forest. She made sure she was out of earshot before whispering 'Expecto Patronum'.