Chapter 4- Night skies and Goodbyes
Newt tapped his finger on the windowsill anxiously, peering onto the street below. He reviewed the past days events, what could have been the hundredth time. Each time he cringed a bit harder. How could he have let himself go like that? Just when he felt he was growing more comfortable in Tina's presence, he had to go and ruin it. Even Jacob must think exceptionally lower of Newt now after all of this; thrashing in the freezing cold harbor, screaming at the top of his lungs, sobbing into Tina's shoulder, just crying like a baby in general. After this morning, the hadn't had much time to think until now. As much as it killed him, and every time he tried distancing himself from it, he always came back to the same conclusion.
He shouldn't have come back.
He caused more problems than he could count. Firstly interfering with what probably was a peaceful, and happy time, then attracting Grindelwald back. Even worse, he got Jacob nearly killed twice now, and let Tina get hurt. Now because of his recklessness, he's forcing Tina, Queenie and Jacob to drop everything just to get his case back. He sighed, subconsciously running a hand through his hair, which was still damp from a shower Tina insisted he take. He had to laugh at her face when he jokingly insisted the harbor was plenty.
"Well what do you think Pick? Ready to get the case back?" He asked the Bowtruckle, who was now happily perched on his shoulder.
"Chirp!"
Newt smiled.
"Me too. Well, we better get a move on," He said, standing up. "The quicker we get the case back, the less chance Grindelwald has of doing anything."
He had about made it to the door when ne nearly ran into Tina, who had just emerged. He quickly took a step back.
"Oh, Newt, there you are. I was just coming to get you." She said.
Newts gaze traveled past her to the bottom of the stairs, where three suitcases had been packed.
"So I guess this is it," He said quietly. He looked up at Tina. "Tina, please don't feel like you need to come with me for this, I-It was my fault about the case and you really don't-"
His rambling was cut short by a sharp look from Tina. She certainly did have and effect on him.
"I'm coming with you Newt. We all are. So stop trying to convince me otherwise."
"Even if it means being hurt again?" He replied coolly, not meeting her gaze directly. Tina raised an eyebrow.
"Is that what this is about?"
Queenies voice cut Tina off. She raised her hand.
"We'll talk about this later."
That was close, he thought. He wasn't in the mood to discuss feelings anyways. He never is, come to think of it. He got downstairs and paused momentarily. The apartment was nearly empty, everything put away into cabinets and drawers, or in the suitcases, (one of which Newt expanded just a bit for extra space).
"Teenie I'm just saying, if they find out you've gone on a personal trip with Newt, Jacob and I- pursuing Grindelwald without you telling them, who knows what Madam Piquerry might say!"
"That's why she isn't going to find out." Tina replied confidently.
"She is the president!" Queenie said, throwing her hands in the air. "She finds out everything whether you like it or not!"
"She hasn't found out about you and Jacob."
Queenie fell silent, looking over to Jacob.
"It'll be fine, Queen. I've already handled it."
"I still don't feel right about this. What about the map? They probably been looking for that-"
"The map we have is a duplicate. You really think Macusa would've locked something like that down in their basement?"
Newt cleared his throat awkwardly, hoping to end the argument.
"I guess that means we're ready to head out," Queenie said. If Newt didn't know any better, she sounded almost sad.
"Newt, I think you better hold on to this," Tina handed him the map, which was neatly rolled up. "And he left New York around twenty minutes ago. Back up in Michigan."
He opened the map. There weren't as many points now, and most had turned a dull pink.
"Either he's starting to calm down, or he's tired." Jacob walked strolled into the room, pulling on his jacket.
"Yeah, hopefully." Tina said.
Newt looked down. There was no for sure what would happen. It was scary, what Grindelwald could be doing to his creatures. No, not scary, terrifying. A hand on his shoulder tore him from his musings.
"We're getting that case back, Newt," Tina said, smiling warmly. "Don't worry. After all, it was you that said 'worrying means you suffer twice.'"
Newt couldn't help but grin a bit.
"Ready?"
He took a deep breath, then nodded.
Grindelwald
"You are useless to me," He snapped, throwing the man's body to the floor. "I thought I gave you on simple task, but you failed that as well."
The man groaned, slowly picking himself up the floor. Grindelwald walked over, grabbing him by the collar.
"I am giving you this one last chance. Fail me, and I will not hesitate to kill you in the most painful way possible!" He spat, slamming Pat's head back into the ground.
"I-I"
He held a finger up in warning. "Don't attempt to speak. Your actions have already done that for you."
He walked back over to the other side of the room, leaning against the wall nonchalantly as the weaker man attempted to stand. He scoffed.
"You couldn't even rid of the Scamander man."
"W-well it's not like you could either.."
His head snapped up.
"You dare challenge my authority? The authority of the most powerful wizard in the world?!" He bellowed, pointing his wand at Pat's neck. He watched as the man cowered, curling into a fetal position. He lowered his arm.
"That man's body was weak." He said calmly, "And I have more important things to do than hunt down a pesky magizoologist and his clan. That is why, Pat, I have you." He spit out the last sentence as if it were dirt.
"So-s0 what is my task?"
Grindelwald smiled, a grim, sardonic grin.
"Something even an oaf like you could understand."
Newt
Newt walked hurriedly, his eyes focused toward the ground. They had all taken their separate ways to seem less suspicious, and agreed to meet near the docks. A place they were all more than familiar with. Initially, he had been against the idea and suggested they all walk together, but with security in the wizarding world tight, they couldn't risk being seen together. That's why they were meeting on the docks, it was isolated, and they would taking a portkey out of the city. One of the few they knew of in New York. Newt had changed his appearance again, but only slightly. Just enough to blend in with the fast paced, dark dressed Muggles. He wore a black trench coat, and wore regular shoes as opposed to his work boots and blue coat. He passed by a row of buildings, catching glimpses of himself in the mirrors time to time. Other times he would see the unmistakable beggar and other times groups of people huddled around a street performer.
He kept walking nonetheless, until the shadow of a person caught his eye. At first he didn't think much of it until he realized it seemed familiar. He stopped, and looked back, hesitant to follow the individual. If it was who he thought, then he could get plenty more information. If it wasn't, then he could use apparating as a last resort. He discreetly turned off the road, made sure nobody was watching, and slipped into the alleyway.
"Lumos," he whispered.
He looked around. No signs. He ventured deeper in. It never ceased to amaze him how quickly light disappeared in alleys like these. He looked around, there were discarded boxes and bins, and bent metal doors leading to Merlin knows where. An eerie silence filled the air. Maybe he should turn back?
His question was answered by the sounds of metal tins falling even deeper in. He spun around, and saw the silhouette of a man scurry away. Without a moment's hesitation, he ran after. He nearly tripped multiple times, but managed to stay upright long enough to catch up with the man. The figure stopped abruptly, sending Newt stumbling past him. He fell on his knees, then quickly stood upright.
"Grindelwald certainly wasn't mistaken when he said you were a persistent one," the man breathed. Newt narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?"
The man stepped out of the darkness, right into the light. Before him, stood Pat. Not the same Pat though. This Pat was covered in bruises and gashes ranging from a bust lip to a slash on his forehead. Nothing he got in their last run-in.
"Hello, Newton." He whispered, an evil glint in his eye. "So we meet again."
Newt stared, still panting from the pursuit. He realized just what a bad position he was in at the moment.
"Always a man of a few words, I see," He said, reaching for his wand. Before he could, though, Newt had already disarmed him.
"Expelliarmus!"
The wand flew out of his hand, landing with a Clu-Clank! On the ominous wooden floors behind him.
"You are really going to regret that-" Pat dove down to the ground where the wand was. Newt summoned it to him and held it without thinking, he sprinted.
I just stole a man's wand and am now running off with it, he thought incredulously. He purposely knocked down crates and containers behind him, guaranteeing him some time. He heard the sounds of Pat running into the obstacles with a thud and loud curse. He looked back. There was no way he could get back on the street like this, so he appareated right to the dock and away from the chaos.
He appeared quickly, which earned wide eyes and interrogations from Tina and Queenie. Before he did anything, he quickly put a hand over his pocket, to ensure picket was still there. Thankfully, he felt the little figure of Pickett tucked comfortably away.
"Newt, I thought we decided no apparating?"
"Yes, I know, but-"
"What happened? You look like you just ran!"
"Well you see-"
"Hey Newt," Jacob said, silencing the girls. "Why do ya have two wands?"
Tina and Queenie looked at Jacob, then at the two wands firmly gripped in Newts hand. Tina was the first to speak.
"I have several questions, but I think I'd like to hear the answer to this one first."
"Erm, well here's the thing.. I-I might've ran into…. Somebody on the way here and-"
Tina cut him off again.
"Oh my god, that's Pat's wand…. Newt!"
"I-I have a solution for this!" He said. Without thinking, he turned and chucked the wand into the water.
"Newt?"
"Yes?"
"Wrong wand."
He cursed silently and retrieved his wand, while Jacob and Queenie both laughed. After ensuring he had the right wand, he threw the other one, which landed in the water with a feeble Sploosh!.
"See? Uh, problem solved." He said, holding out and empty hand. Tina rolled her eyes, laughing.
"Mr. Scamander you certainly are more of a riot than I gave you credit for," She said. He smiled sheepishly.
"Teen, wanna help make sure I got this all right?" Queenie asked, holding what looked like a paper of some sorts. Newt decided he would ask about it later.
He took the time she was distracted to look out into the harbor. The sun was setting, and the stars were becoming visible one by one. It felt odd being back to the harbor, but also somewhat bittersweet. He must've been rather engrossed in his thoughts because when he saw Jacob next to him he nearly jumped out of his own skin.
"Oh, sorry for scaring you there, bud." Jacob laughed. Newt breathed a sigh of relief after realizing it was just him.
"Everythin' alright? I mean, I know it's been tough losing the case and all, but you've been acting off the past few days," He said.
"Oh yes, I'm fine. Just tired I suppose."
Jacob sighed. "Newt, I know most people think I'm some sort of pushover, but I can tell when something's bothering someone."
"It's really nothing-"
"Newt, Jacob, I think we're ready!" Queenie called. Jacob nudged him in the side.
"You get out of it this time." He laughed. Saved by the Queenie yet again.
He stole a quick glance up at the sky. It was a clear evening, what was rapidly turning to night, and according to an elderly Muggle couple he overheard, unseasonably warm.
"Goodbye New York," He heard Tina say quietly. They all put a hand on a crate, the portkey, and quickly disappeared from the city.
A/N- Hey! Look they finally have left! I was in a writing slump earlier, but after finally getting my writing spot (where I wrote basically the whole first book and half of this. Its the corner of a big bed in our storage room.) I was able to get past it. Well, happy April. I have a snow day because of a Winter storm in Michigan. Instead of now we literally got ice pellets and now it's like shoveling sugar. It's really satisfying to feel though. Anyways, yeah, here it is. A chapter. Yay. I wrote it all in one day. *Writers rap anyone?* Lol well anyways please tell me what you guys would want in a chapter, it would be really cool to take suggestions! Don't be a stranger, leave a comment! Okay I think that's it. Until next time! Also, if you see the words well and we'll mixed up, my google docs likes changing well to we'll every time I write it so I try catching those. Tell me if you see anything SUSPICIOUS