The teapot whistled just as Newt crossed the threshold into the shed. He watched as Tina carefully took it off the stove and poured them each a generous mug.
"So tell me about this speech." She motioned for him to sit on the porch with her.
"It really has nothing to do with his course material, but he requested that I talk to his Defense Against the Dark Arts class about my creatures."
"But you love talking about them, Newt."
"Yes, but not in front of all those people. Talking to you is different. You love the beasts, too. They'll all wonder why I'm so… odd."
She took his hand across the table. "You're not the only one who's odd."
He nodded, trying for a smile but grimacing.
"You could bring the case and show the kids around…"
"I think that might be a bit more vulnerable than I'd like to be."
She squeezed his hand. "Okay."
"In all likelihood, the students won't be open to what I have to say about these creatures. The stigma against them is still so prominent…"
"Don't you see, Newt? That's exactly why I think you should do this. Someone's got to stand up for these creatures, and that's you. Do it for them." She gestured around the case.
"What if they don't listen?" He stared at the dirt beneath his feet.
"Then that's their problem, not yours. They can't choose to listen if you don't talk to them, though. Isn't that why you wrote your book? To help educate people about your creatures? Don't you think there are some people who hate that, too? Newt, regardless of what you do, how you defend these creatures, there will be someone who refuses to change their opinion. But isn't it worth it for the people who do change, who want to hear what you have to say? Even if you just change one person's mind, it's worth the effort."
"I suppose." He conceded.
"I didn't always love the creatures like you. You changed my mind, remember? Not an easy feat."
"That is true," he conceded.
"I don't want to push you too hard, Newt, but I really do think this is a great opportunity for you."
He thought for a moment, running his thumb over her hand absentmindedly. "Alright."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded, smiling softly. "If I could convince you, how difficult can a bunch of kids be?"
She laughed, squeezing his hand and standing up. "How are the graphorns?"
"Improving. Molly looks like she'll be ready to give birth any day now. I'm keeping an eye on her."
She kissed his cheek. "I'm so proud of you."
Tina dropped her briefcase and shed her hat and coat, hearing Newt shuffling around in the study.
"Well, this is quite a change of pace for you." She commented as she walked into the study. "You working on the speech?"
He stood up to embrace her. "At the urging of my lovely wife, yes. I think it's nearly done."
She kissed his cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Newt."
"Dinner's on the stove. Let me finish this page and I'll be right there."
"That sounds wonderful. Mind letting me hear a little bit of it after dinner? I could be your test audience, you're welcome to try it out on me."
He smiled at her. "Sure."