Chapter 4
Newt made it to the door before Tina, and he burst forth with wand drawn. Another scream assailed them.
Tina spotted a woman with wavy, auburn hair huddled against the door. She screamed again as Jacob tried to pull his pants on.
"I'm getting dressed, lady!" Jacob huffed.
Theseus leapt up from the sofa, pulling his credentials out of his wallet. "Official Auror of the Ministry of Magic. You've got nothing to fear from us!"
She didn't look too sure, but she fell silent.
"Bunty!" Newt called to her.
A huge smile crossed her face and Bunty ran to him, her arms enveloping him around his torso.
A flame of jealousy ignited in Tina, similar but much less intense to what she'd felt when she'd seen that engagement announcement. Then she watched Newt's body stiffen as Bunty cried her story into his shirt. He threw a glance at Tina behind him, his eyes seeming to beg for help. That flame died; she had nothing to fear from Bunty. On the other hand, with the way her hands moved on Newt's back, Tina had a feeling Bunty had something to fear from her.
"Oh, Newt! I was so scared. I came in, just like any other day, and there were strange, half-naked men right in front of me!"
Newt's hands moved to her shoulders, and he gently pried her off him. "I'm so sorry, Bunty. I've got some house guest. A lot has happened since I saw you last, and they will be staying a while." He dropped his hands away from her. "Bunty, this is Jacob Kowalski from New York City."
Jacob finished buttoning his pants. "Charmed," he muttered.
Newt gestured to Theseus. "This is my brother, Theseus."
"The war hero?" Bunty smoothed down her mussed hair, not actually accomplishing much with her hand. "Newt had mentioned a brother a few times, but I didn't realize…"
Theseus shook her hand. "One and the same."
Stepping back, Newt revealed Tina.
Bunty startled. "Oh, I didn't realize there was another person!"
"This is Tina Goldstein from New York City."
Tina watched Bunty examine her from head to toe. Then her face fell, and Tina couldn't help but feel bad for the woman.
"You're the Auror from the newspaper clipping. The one whose picture he keeps in his case."
A small blush creeped into Tina's cheeks. Newt had pulled out that picture in Paris, and she'd wondered if he only had it for that journey. To discover he carried it with him always flattered her.
She mustered up her sweetest smile and took Bunty's hand. "It's such a pleasure to meet you. Newt's told me how much you help him with his fantastic beasts."
Her lips quirked up at the mention of Newt's name. "Yes, they are such fascinating creatures." She took a deep breath and turned back to Newt. "Well, you've probably already fed them so I'll get started on cleaning." She nodded to the men. "Pleasure to meet you. I swear to be quieter next time." She spared a quick glance at Tina and fled into the basement.