The summer had been long but between the letters and eventually her visit to the scamanders' home Anna had had an exceptional holiday.

Newt however had grown taller over the summer, and Anna's face had started to thin out, her body starting to develop curves and the reddish haired boy certainly took notice the second he spotted her on the platform, her brown hair also had a different kind of shine to it, to him it was like he was seeing her for the first time all over again, even though it had only been a little over 2 months.

"Newt?" he obviously had not heard her the first time, her stared into the seas of green and brown that were her eyes before snapping out of it.
"O-Oh, um, s-sorry." He averted his eyes, looking anywhere but her face, had she always had those freckles dotting her nose? She giggled and snapped him back to attention.

"What's wrong with you? You'd almost think I'd sprouted another head. Ooh, I bet I could do that!" her nose scrunched up as she focused, all that happened was her hair turning a mix of colors.

"I-I don't think any wizard can do that…unless of course it was a spell gone wrong, perhaps." She just smiled again.

"I think you may be right, but it would certainly be a sight…oh, I made a rhyme!" he'd never tire of her, shaking his head he left this trolley for the person loading their trunks and ushered her to the train.

"Come on, or it'll leave us behind."

As they walked through the train cars Anna found her eyes trailing the ground as a few boys muttered comments as the pair passed the compartments, "Whoa, 10 points to Hufflepuff, looking good Carrio." A scowl etched itself onto her face, and unbeknownst to her Newt scowled as well.

"Bugger off, DuPont." The Ravenclaw boy snickered, "If I knew you'd turn out so enticing I'd have asked you out, too bad you hang out with Salamander, Kind of a deal breaker"

"Well, at least Newt isn't a reprehensible baboon. He has the decency to treat me like a human being as opposed to some kind of trinket." A small bit of pride rose in Newts chest at her words, his mother had drilled into him from a very young age that you were to treat ladies with respect, it seemed to be paying off.

"honestly, the nerve." They found an empty compartment and ducked inside. "DuPont has grown rather arrogant over the summer, hasn't he?" Newt simply nodded, watching her hair turn to it's fiery red again.
"Anna, Calm down." Seeing the red in her peripheral vision she took a deep breath and held it, watching her hair fade from red to blue for a moment then back to brown.

"Sorry, guess I kind of lost it." He shrugged it off and fished out a book from his bag "I-I hope you don't mind but I kind of started keeping notes on how your hair changes with your mood. Anna shook her head "No, it's fine, honestly…I've been doing the same thing." His eyes flew up as she fished out her own journal "I've also been working on changing my features, see!" her whole face resembled a Jarvey, a magical creature that resembled a ferret, only difference really is that they are capable of human speech.

"Th-that's quite good." He watched as her face changed again "Look, I'm a niffler!" he snorted "You know, I think I have a coin in my pocket" she laughed "Give me all your shiny things!" her face changed back to normal as the two of them reveled in their shared laughter. The scenic English countryside blasting past them as the train rolled down the tracks.

"I'm going to go change into my robes. Be back in a bit." With that the compartment door slid shut and newt caught himself watching her walk off, a blush on his face.

"Stupid, she's your friend!" he mentally slapped himself, she'd never feel the same about him anyways, they had a sibling relationship. A whistle stirred him from his thoughts.

"Looking Good, Carrio. The summer months were kind to you." Adam Chernock, a 4th year in Gryffindor gave her a passing look-over.

"Sod off, Chernock!" in the next instance Newt saw red as the older boy grabbed her wrist and spun her around to face him.

"Let go of me!" she rose her hand to slap him as her hair changed to a deep crimson "How about we go and snog in one of the empty compart—" there was a deafening silence as he watched Anna slap the older boy clear across the face, her expression was dark and her eyes much like her hair had changed color, they were as black as the bottom of the lake at Hogwarts.

"You would do well to show me some respect!" suddenly Newts friend was on the ground, Adam Chernock had slapped her, sending her careening to the carpeted floor of the train car.

"And you would do well to know your place!" in an instant Newt was to his feet and Adam was the one on the ground, the normally shy Hufflepuff boy had punched the upper classman.

"Y-You c-can't talk to her that way!" Anna's now black eyes looked up at her friend, had he always had this side to him? There was suddenly an outstretched arm in her face, she took it and stood, catching Adam drawing his wand from the corner of her eye.

"Petrificus tota—"

"STUPEFY!" Anna had drawn her wand and blasted the boy back into his group of friends. "Great shot!" a few heads peaked around compartment corners to see what the commotion was.

"Didn't anyone ever teach you to never attack a man while his back is turned? No wonder Gryffindor house gets a bad reputation, you act like snakes rather than lions. There is no courage in cowardice.

"Why you little—"

"One more word, Chernock, and I'll find a way to magically move your mouth, so you can only talk out of your arse." Newt bit back laughter and the older boy scowled, Anna tucked her wand back inside her robes and grabbed nets hand without thinking, leading him back to their shared compartment.

"Do most men think they are above being a human?" realizing what she'd said she turned red "O-Oh, not that you do that, I mean…You're very charming…I mean you know how to treat people…I'll just shut up…" Newt felt a familiar sense of pride swell inside of him at her compliment.

"You should opt into the dueling club." Anna seemed thoughtful as her hair returned to brown, "You think so? I've heard professor Dumbledore leads it, I also hear he's taking over defense against the dark arts this year."

"Oh, I think I have defense against the dark arts in the afternoon this year. So at least I won't be running on an empty stomach." Newts mind was drawn back to something they'd done over the summer, he'd learned just how much food his friend could actually eat.

"How many is that?"

"I'm not even sure anymore, but I know it's less than 30." Anna had insisted they have a food eating contest and surprisingly she had won in the end, leaving him both horrified and impressed.

"You know, I bet someday they'll have actual competitions for this!" he bit back a laugh as he noticed the condiments spreading around her mouth.

"You-You've got something…" she tilted her head "What, where?"

"Just…everywhere." She smacked his arm "Newton Artemis Fido Scamander! You are absolutely terrible…" he knew she was joking, but the way his full name rolled off her tongue made him blush…

Perhaps it was that moment when he'd really become aware of her, she'd been with them a week at that point but perhaps it was just having her presence constant, not interrupted by classes or different dorms, though they did not share a room, the very idea was preposterous and his mother would never allow it, but he was so very aware of her now, noticing things he hadn't before, like the light freckles dusting her nose and spots here and there under her eyes, or the way her eyes curved when she was laughing, or her…lips.

"Newt, I can see Hogsmeade!" his awkward smile returned once more as she launched herself to the window, every year it was like she was seeing it all for the first time again.

It had been a few weeks since the new year started and the two had found almost all of their classes were together, the only one they did not have together was Astronomy.

"So, what do you think Professor Kettleburn will have us do today, I hope we get to see fire crabs!" the fact that she was excited about a creature that literally shot fire out of it's butt concerned him, then again, he was fascinated with all magical creatures so he had no room to judge.

"And here we have the Salamander in his natural habitat…" Anna rolled her eyes

"Just ignore them, besides, you're more like…a phoenix!" he gave her an odd look and she immediately quieted down

"I'm nothing like a Phoenix."

"Sure you are, you know more about healing magic than anyone I know and no matter what people say to you, you don't let it keep you down. A phoenix always rises from the ashes, stronger and more majestic than before."

"If Salamander is a Phoenix I must be a winged-horse" the brunette didn't miss a beat "More like a troll, Harwood." Newt bit back his laughter as their Professor stepped into the forest clearing.

"Today we're learning about Niffler's, hide anything on your person that may be valuable." She bit back laughter and looked at the adorable little creature Professor Kettleburn held in his hands.

"Who can tell me about this little guy?" Newt and Annas hands immediately flew up

"Yes, you there." Newt looked to Anna, he'd taught her all about different kinds of magical creatures during their summer vacation.

"Anna, Anna Carrio, sir. Niffler's are rodent like creatures that are native to our section of the world, as you can see they have long snouts similar to the muggle Platypus and a sleek coat of soft, black, fluffy fur. They prefer to live in burrows extending at least 20 feet under the grounds surface and can produce six to eight young in a single litter. It's also worth mentioning that they have a pouch that seems almost endless, much like our undetectable extension charm." Newt chimed in

"Niffler's are gentle by nature and even affectionate to those that own them, but they can be destructive in their efforts to track down treasures. It's for that reason it is inadvisable to keep them as pets." Anna smiled and Professor Kettleburn looked impressed.

"15 points to each of you for your extensive knowledge, well done Hufflepuff house!" he clapped his…hands? Together, only now had she noticed one of his hands was actually more like a claw, it was slightly unnerving.

"Today you'll be merely studying the Niffler's, as I've stated, please hide anything you deem valuable lest they snatch it." With that students split off into groups until the class period ended.

"You, dear Anna, are my finest student." She laughed at Newts imitation at being a professor "Well, Professor Scamander, I had a wonderful teacher." He had to admit the sound of being called a professor didn't sound horrid to him, perhaps once he finished school he could come back and teach Care of Magical creatures for a while…

"You flatter me." She laughed again as she led him to their niffler, the little creature was sniffing around the stump, it's beady black eyes peered up as they approached, Anna stared at the strange animal who in turn entered into a staring contest of sorts with the Hufflepuff girl before inching closer to her, snout in the air, sniffing at her.

"Hey there little guy…"

"Careful, Anna, Nifflers are precocious creatures." No sooner had the words left Newts mouth had the little beast scurried up her robes, eliciting a shrill scream from the girl whose hair was slowly fading between red, pink and black.

"Looks like Anna only attracts beasts."

"I mean, She is friends with salamander. He's a creature all his own." A furry black head popped out of her robe sleeve, peering at newt.

"Why you little—" suddenly the creature dove back into her robes, it wasn't until the things claws scraped just under her bust that she flattened herself against the ground, effectively stopping the little monster.

"Oof! All right you little pest, OUT!" Newt watched with interest as she basically body slammed the creature who had attempted to make a home in her uniform. Anna fished around her shirt, dragging the niffler out by the scruff of his neck.

"You! Are a foul, Vile little—" she stopped as the niffler tried to sway her, giving her an almost puppy dog look, Newt quirked a brow at the creatures behavior, his eyes trailing down just a bit from Anna's face to see that his friends shirt had come unbuttoned as the niffler crawled over her torso, a bright red dusted his face.

"A-Anna…" he coughed, looking away uncomfortably "You've, you um…your…" he kept pointing but she was determined to put the little critter in his place.

"Nice rack, Carrio, looks like the niffler's aren't the only precocious thing in this clearing." The voice of one of the Slytherin's they shared class with snapped her out of her angry tangent, finally her eyes trailed down and her hair settled on a very vibrant pink as she dropped the niffler who quickly scurried towards Newt who placed it on his shoulder.

Anna made quick work of rebuttoning her shirt before grabbing her bag, her embarrassment too great to continue on with class.

"Anna?" she didn't say anything to him as she sprinted form the forest clearing, some laughter echoing behind her. Newt set the niffler back on the tree stump and hurried after her, earning a perplexed look from Kettleburn.

He found her collapsed in the Hufflepuff common room, a blanket draped over her figure as if hiding there would shield her from the world.

"Anna?"

"Go away!" he flinched, her words were harsh but it didn't sway his decision to sit next to her, drawing her into a hug and letting her head rest on his shoulder. she put up no fight. The sudden sound of tears stirred him from his thoughts of hexing the Slytherin boy .

"Anna?" her hair had faded to dark blue and he brought his hand up to rest atop her head, ruffling her hair as he so frequently did when she was upset "Hey, shh…shh. I'm here. I'm here." His voice was soft and calming as sobs wracked her small frame, he hated when she cried.

"It's all right, Anna. I'm right here." He reassured again, moving his hand from her head to her shoulders, giving one a firm squeeze.

"You're s-so kind…" her words came out almost choked, breaking the tear-filled silence.

"It's a fault of mine, truly." He heard her choke out a weak laugh "Not a fault, it's what makes you different." Different…he never thought he'd like that word when in reference to himself, but if it was coming from the girl next to him, he didn't mind being 'different' he turned to look at her only to be met with her dual colored, brown and green eyes staring up at him, hesitantly he reached his hand up and brushed a stray tear from the corner of her eye, running his thumb over the soft skin of her cheek.

"Newt?" it would be so easy to take advantage of their close quarters and kiss her, something he'd imagined a few times since the year had started, but he had held himself back, not wanting to endanger their already existing relationship.

"Anna could I…Wh-what I mean to say is…" how did one go about phrasing this sort of question.

"Do you think that maybe I could…Keep you?" oh that was good, real good, he made it sounds like she was some new creature for him to study.

'Smooth, Scamander, real smooth, she probably thinks you a total idiot! 'can I keep you?' oh Merlin, just kill me now' he mentally berated himself as the girl before him stared in confusion as his words sank in

"You mean like…as your girlfriend?" her words startled him out of his self-deprecation "Pardon?" he wasn't sure he'd heard her right, that his won ears must be playing some cruel joke on him, and fate was somewhere, laughing at his expense.

"W-well y-yes, that…that was what I m-meant to ask, but it just sort of s-slipped out the way it did. I didn't mean to say keep you, as if to insinuate that you were a specimen to keep, I merely meant that…I mean to say…" as the quirky Hufflepuff boy rambled, a smile returned to Anna's face.

"Newt!" he stopped rambling, peering through her bangs at her, "y-yes?" green eyes were wide and hopeful.

"You can keep me." He suddenly felt a smile tug the corner of his lips upwards, his eyes lit up. It certainly hadn't been the way he'd played this scenario out in his head, but he was just happy she'd said yes.