News traveled quick, the two had kept it a secret until December rolled around again, all eyes had been on Newt and Anna as they descended the stairs, hands intertwined. Keeping it quiet had been difficult, sure, Anna and Newt had both written their parents, needless to say Newts parents approved, Anna's were a bit skeptical but eventually the idea grew on them, asking if Newt would be joining them for a visit soon, the small bit of acceptance from her parents filled her with joy, perhaps they were finally accepting she was a witch.

"It's about time!" The two quickly jumped apart as the voice of Everett Froste reached their ears "We'd started a betting pool, y'see, the majority voted that it'd be our last year before the two of you got together."

"You were betting on this?!" Annas hair faded to a bright pink and newts face dusted with a similar color.

" 'Course, you two have basically been inseparable since last year."

"was it really that obvious." Sure, Newt had been sneaking glances at her during classes but he didn't think anyone would notice. Obviously, he had been wrong…so. very. wrong.

"Your subtlety is similar to that of an erumpent, Scamander." Everett clapped a hand on the boys shoulder "Besides, you got one of the prettier girls in our house, don't blow it." Anna only felt the heat in her cheeks increase at the compliment. Newt glanced back at her, he knew his housemate was right, Anna was pretty in an unusual way, and unusual things were certainly his forte.

"Yes, I suppose you're right…" Everett just shook his head "Newt, I'm going to head over to the owlery, I've got a letter home, see you in the great hall?"

"Of course." She smiled and hurried out the portrait, her hair fading back to brown as she went.

"So, you kissed her yet?" Newts face turned a brilliant shade of cherry at the other boys question.

"Mister Liverich…Mister locketon…Miss Limsey…" Professor Ustrina rattled off names of students, checking them off as she went down the row of first timers, today was their first trip to Hogsmeade, well…newt and Anna's first trip, the actual first trip she had come down with a fever and Newt insisted on staying with her, despite her protests that he needed to go have fun.

"Into the carriage you go, it's just a short ride away." Anna knew from older students that walking would take about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on if you got lost or not.

"So, what are you most excited to see?"

"Well, I did hope to see Dogweed and Deathcap, see if I could find some potions ingredients, I'm running low on a few things. What about you?"

"Well, I had planned on visiting the three broomsticks, I've been rather curious about Butterbeer, and then maybe to Gladrags wizard wear, My shoes have seen better days." Two sets of eyes trailed down to her more than holey shoes.

"You'd think them saintly." Newt tilted his head at her comment "I'm sorry?"

"Saintly…because, y'know, they're holey." He snorted indignantly, a goofy smile plastering on his face "You're terrible at telling jokes, Anna."

"I've been told. but it got you to smile, didn't it?"

'So, have you kissed her yet?' Everett Froste's words echoed in his mind, they'd been a secret couple for two months now and he'd not kissed her, he felt something like that was best saved for something special, it was something to be remembered, not just something casual one did because they felt obligated. The rest of the ride was pleasantly silent until carriage stopped abruptly sending the brunette girl flying into Newts Lap…in a rather suggestive manner.

"O-Oh…terribly s-sorry, N-Newt. I g-guess I was so lost in thought a-and the carriage just stopped so…so abruptly that I—" was this his moment? No, no he'd wait but he'd discovered something new about her in their sudden close proximity, her green eye held fleck of gold, almost resembling a constellation pattern and the center of her brown eye was almost the color of clover honey.

"It's f-fine." He breathed out, the scent of her filled is senses, it was calming like jasmine flowers and vanilla, it was so very… "Intoxicating" Anna had pried herself off of the poor guy and righted herself

"Did you say something?" he shook his head vehemently as he straightened his robes, "Nothing at all. Sh-Shall we?" he helped her out of the carriage, carefully, so she wouldn't slip on the icy cobblestones of the pathway.

"Do you want to go to Dogweed and Deathcap first, from there maybe we could swing by Ollivander's, My wands in need of a bit of fixing." She fished it out of her robe and showed him the taped up end.

"I had a bit of an accident in dueling club, needless to say, I'm the reason we don't keep wands in our back pockets anymore." Newt laughed again, this time at her expense, "'S not funny, Newt!" he coughed.

"Right, terribly sorry."

"You should be, you'd think you were brought up by your beasts, the way you act sometimes." His jaw dropped, but he knew she was right.

"So, Dogweed and Deathcap for supplies, then Ollivander's for your wand repairs, Maybe the three broomsticks for lunch and then Gladrags before we leave?" with a nod the two set off into the village.

The supply store had been rather strange, filled with all manner of scents from Asphodel to sage, they also had certain potions on display for students to inspect and ask questions about. Newt himself had purchased his necessary items, some beetle eyes, a jar of asphodel leaves and some Belladonna. However, as the two turned to exit the shop, Anna caught the smell of Pine and soil mixed with varying wild berries. She'd never know she had smelt Amortentia.

Next was Ollivander's wand shop, the elderly man poked his head out of his workshop, taking a look at the girls wand before giving her a grandfatherly smile, "Miss Carrio, a pleasure to see you again. I remember the day you stepped into my wand shop, Pine and phoenix feather, 11 ½ inches, an unusual wand for a Hufflepuff I do say; however, I expect to hear great things about you someday." Newt listened intently to the old man before looking to his girlfriend. "Come back in about an hour, I'll have it good as new, and with a fresh polish, free of charge."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Ollivander." Leaving the wand shop behind the Hufflepuff Duo headed for the Three Broomsticks.

"It's so…homey." The interior reminded her of her grandmother's place, the hardwood flooring and wooden furnishings, it brought a warm expression to her face as her head played through memories. Picking a seat by the fire place they ordered two butterbeers and some food.

"So, phoenix feather?" brown and green stared back with curiosity "Yeah, I didn't know much about my wand when I first started but apparently it's unusual for Hufflepuff's to have wands of such types, usually wands like mine are more so seen with witches or wizards of the Ravenclaw or Gryffindor houses, but I've always been a bit of a creative mind, and fiercely loyal…" she coughed, "To a fault, some would say."

"Well, if it's of any consolation, I find it admirable, you've always thought of interesting ways to get out of situations." The barmaid brought their drinks and food wishing them well as she walked off, tray in hand.

"So, my parents have been wondering if yours would like to join us for the holidays, they've really been trying to be more magic friendly." This lifted a small weight from the teens shoulder, he'd seen the slightly disapproving looks when they'd departed kings cross end of 2nd year.

"That's wonderful news, I could pen a quick letter home and send it out by owl post before we leave." He looked up from his mug of butterbeer and snorted, Anna had a foam mustache from the frothy drink.

"Well, you'd make a very handsome man." She quirked a brow and quickly wiped her mouth upon realization. "You're truly awful!" the sound of music stirred them from their playful argument. A few coupled here and there had stepped away from their tables to dance. The idea crossed Newt's own mind.

"W-Would you care to, um…" he motioned to the floor "I…I have two left feet."

"Don't worry, me too. Never been much of a dancer."

"I was once so eloquently compared to, and I quote, a drunken armadillo."

"What's an armadillo?" the music continued to rage in the background

"Some strange creature that rolls around, My cousins sent me a book of animals for my birthday one year. That aside though, us dancing should give the older students new fuel for years." It was Newt's turns to raise an eye brow.

"You want them to laugh at us?"

"Obviously not, but dancing does sound like fun. And they all seem happy." She motioned to the odd couples, so, dance was what they did, earning a few comments from the older couples in the pub.

"I think you dance wonderfully." Anna felt her cheeks heat up, losing her focus and stepping on his toes.

"Oh! Newt. I am so sorry!"

"No, don't worry about it." The music slowly came to an end and the spotty couples took their seats. There was a brief moment of silence between the two Hufflepuff students, Anna's eyes were on her drink the second she sat down, and Newts eyes were darting about the room.

"So I—"

"You're a wonderful—" laughter, neither could help it "You first." Anna insisted, her mother had always taught her it was rude to interrupt.

"I was going to say, you dance wonderfully." He watched as a light dusting of pink covered her cheeks again, he loved that about her, she was so shy about compliments, he thought it cute.

"I was just going to say I thought that went well, I only stepped on you once. Oh! I got a bit of interesting news; did you know we're hosting the tri-wizard tournament next year?" Newts expression perked up.

"How'd you hear that?"

"Headmaster Black was talking about it with the other heads of houses, supposedly we're housing Ilvermorny and Castelobruxo, the American and Brazilian wizarding schools, it's exciting, isn't it?"

"You were eavesdropping, Anna?" she shrugged "If they didn't want students overhearing maybe talking about it in the corridors wasn't a smart idea."

"All right, I'll give you that one. So, think you'll put your name in?" she looked at him like was crazy, "Now why would I risk my life in a tournament where people can die?"

"Because I think you'd be excellent!" she was taken-a-back by his forwardness.

"Fine, I'll put my name in if you put yours in too." Now it was Newt's turn to be startled.

"M-Me? That's the most insane, the most ridiculous—" he trailed off noticing her serious expression "Fine." Her expression shifted to excitement, "Think about it, it could be our greatest story from school, Newt!" Anna had changed so much from last year, having someone to talk to had really brought her out of her shell, he'd almost mistake her for a Gryffindor with her new-found courage.

"Your wand should be fixed, we can pick it up and owl post my letter then go back to the castle." With that the two left some coins on the table and left the establishment.

*A few days later*

"Newt, what've you got there?" Anna looked down at the little creature in his hands, "It's a raven chick, I found it by the lake, mother must have abandoned it."

"Oh, poor thing." She sat across from him in the window sill, "Are you going to put it in your trunk?" he looked as though the idea hadn't even occurred to him, "That's a wonderful idea, Anna!" both were startled out of their conversation by a girl skidding to a stop on the staircase, she looked frantic.

"Oh, Hello." The girl looked flushed "Hey, are you all right?" Anna moved and let her sit down "You look like you've just run the quidditch pitch." Newt looked concerned for the dark-skinned girl.

"Running…. hexed someone…chased." It was then that Anna took notice of the girl's house, the inside of her robes were green, she probably deserved the angry mob, but it wasn't her place to judge.

"Can you tell us your name?"

"L-Leta, Leta Lestrange."

"I'm—"

"Anna Carrio, yes, I know. I saw what those boys did to you last year." Anna looked at the floor, it was a memory she'd rather forget, she had been scared of going near the black lake ever since for fear of being ambushed.

"It was terrible what they did to Anna, if I hadn't happened upon the scene she would have likely been killed." Leta looked surprised,

"I had no idea it was that serious, but I remember them talking about scaring you a bit."

"Yes well…they more than scared me, but it doesn't matter, they were expelled. So, why were you running?"

"I hexed this girl for talking behind my back, she said my family didn't want me so I removed her mouth and then ran."

"Why did you do that?"

"I…I panicked." The two Hufflepuff's shared a look "I know somewhere you can hide, but you have to keep it a secret." Leta nodded and the three hurried up the rest of the stairs.

"So, Anna, how come I've never seen this hiding place?" Newt feigned hurt as the brunette looked back at him "I've never needed it when I'm around you, but you get to see it now."

"I was only kidding, Anna."

"I know." She led them through the seventh floor, looking for the right tapestry, "Oh, Barnabus the barmy, where are you?"

"Barnabus?" Newt was confused suddenly there was a cracking sound and Anna beamed. "There it is!" there was a sudden pair of grand stone doors.

"They call it the come and go room according to the house elves, it only shows itself to those in need, a room of requirement of sorts. We can hide out in here until things cool down." She cautiously pushed the door open, stepping into the room, "It's different every time based on the persons need, we needed a place to hide so I guess it chose a sitting area." Newt and Leta looked on with wonder.

"How did you find this room?" Newt and Leta took separate seats on one of the plush couches, enjoying the warmth of the fire provided.

"That involves going back to first year, and it's something I'd rather not talk about, not right now." Newt left the subject alone, understanding she'd tell him when she was ready.

"Thank you so much, Anna." The brunette looked at the dark-skinned girl who took a seat in one of the overly stuffed arm chairs, three cups of hot chocolate appeared on the center table

"Don't worry about it, this will pass and the other kids will move onto something worse by tomorrow." She reached for a mug of the warm chocolate liquid, smiling at the faint smell of peppermint from her mug.

"Oh, Newt, where did you store that little raven?"

"It's here, in my coat pocket." He fished the baby bird out of his robe pocket and showed his friend.

"Is that…where did you find it?" Leta was intrigued.

"He found the little thing by the lake."

"I think it's mother must have abandoned it."

"Poor thing. You know, my family bird is the raven."

The odd trio had been inseparable, Anna defended Leta if people tried to get violent by changing her face into horrific things, and for a while Leta had been quick to defend the Metamorphmagus for a while…until she really needed it, then things took a turn.

"filthy Sewer blood." She felt her shoulder connect with the hard stone of the floor, Newt and Leta were nowhere to be found.

"Your little freak boyfriend and blood traitor friend aren't here to save you now." It had been true, Newt and Leta had ben spending an awful lot of time together as of late, she wondered where they were always getting off to.

"No, they may not be here Ms. Pettly, however, I am. Please remove your hands from Ms. Carrio's hair." Esme Pettly looked terrified, she'd been caught red handed by a professor, the blonde let the smaller Hufflepuff girl fall to the ground.

"that's 150 points from Gryffindor, Ms. Pettly. If you go now, I assure I won't make your punishment greater." The blonde stuffed her wand back in her robe pocket and took off, Anna's eyes drifted to see Professor Dumbledore.

"Are you unharmed, Anna?" he gave her a gentle hand up, checking her over for injuries.

"I-I'm fine professor, but my arm…" Dumbledore was one of the younger professors, with short brown hair and a beard to match, he looked very regal, always in a tailored suit of some sort.

"Right, well let's get you to the hospital wing, I'll see to it your friends are alerted."

Sadly, neither chose to show up…