When they Apparated, the first thing they saw was the blinding white snow. Newt squinted his eyes, covering his face with his hand.
"This is not what I envisioned," He yelled over the wind. He turned around and realized he couldn't see anyone around him.
"Where are we? Antarctica?!" Jacob also yelled, signifying he was thankfully still there.
Newt quickly cast a shield spell to block out the snow. All at once, the noise reduced. They all breathed a sigh of relief but knew they weren't out of the woods. It was still bitterly cold, and they were basically lost. Newt glanced around, trying to make some sense of where they were. For some odd reason, it felt familiar, but not enough to get them anywhere.
"How far away is Grindelwald?" He asked.
Tina pulled out the map and furrowed her brows.
"We're close." She held out a hand and pointed into the distance. "We need to head that way."
In a straight line, the quartet trudged through the snow, occasionally stopping to make sure they were all still there. The half-ice pellets bounced off Newt's coat as they walked along. Even the spell couldn't seem to keep all the snow out. He wasn't too sure what they would see, or when they would see it. Everything seemed to be rushed, like a dream of sorts.
After a while, Newt realized he hadn't heard Jacob say a word. With him being a Muggle, Newt was concerned for his safety in such an environment.
"Jacob? Are you still with us?"
He turned around, expecting to see his figure, but instead saw nothing. In fact, he didn't see anybody. What? He thought to himself incredulously. They were just here!
Newt looked around again. They couldn't have possibly left him. Perhaps he left them by accident?
He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out. "Hello?"
The only answer was the frantic swirls of what seemed like a never-ending storm. Newt then realized where he had seen this before. His dream. As if the magic word had been uttered, something resembling white noise pierced the air with a painful blow. Newt gasped, covering his ears but the noise didn't lessen. He sank down to his knees, desperately trying to block out the shrill noise.
"You shouldn't have come, Newt."
A disembodied voice said, almost angelic compared to its counterpart. Newt had a good guess of who it was.
"Grindelwald," He said through gritted teeth. Grindelwald laughed.
"You have a lot of nerve, showing up in a place like this," a figure emerged, nearly as white as the snow surrounding him. "It will all have been for nothing."
The tip of something wooden was pressed up against Newt's neck as Grindelwald continued.
"All of this was for nothing."
Newt closed his eyes, waiting for the sure blast that would most definitely kill him, but a very different spell, by a very different person was yelled into the storm.
"Stupefy!"
The figure of Grindelwald vanished, becoming one with the white. A darker individual came into view. Tina. A warm hand grabbed his, pulling him to his feet, but before he could ask what had just happened, they disapparated.
…
They appeared into a small hut. Newt subconsciously reached for Tina's arm, nearly tipping over. Instead of shying away, Tina kept him upright.
"Newt, we thought we lost ya!" Jacob exclaimed, clapping Newt's shoulder. Newt smiled, still unsure of what had occurred. He can't remember the last time he knew what was going on, come to think of it.
"I'm sorry, I'm... I'm still confused. What just happened?"
"You nearly lost your life just a few moments ago."
Another figure emerged from seemingly nowhere. An older gentleman with a dark complexion and long, grey and black hair. His face was obviously wrinkled with age, but his eyes looked like those of a young child. He held out a hand.
"Oianek, pleased to finally meet you, Mr. Scamander. Come, we have much to discuss, starting with that little fiasco you were just in."
Newt looked at Tina, who gave him a smile and quick nod. He returned the shake, and silently followed the man. They passed through a curtain which revealed a larger room, complete with a stove, tapestries strewn across the fabric walls, and a couple of wooden chairs. He motioned for Newt to sit.
"So, erm, I don't wish to come across as rude, but how did you know my name?" Newt asked curiously. The man grinned.
"I know many things." His smile suddenly faded. "What you decided to do on this night was foolish, and nearly cost you your life, Mr. Scamander."
Newt looked down. "I know."
The chair creaked as Oianek leaned back.
"I get many travelers here. Most from Nevada, believe it or not. Faulty Portkey, but we won't get into that. You know, it's not every day you stand face to face with the most dangerous wizard of our time."
"Let's just say, I have some unfinished business." Newt chuckled.
"Your beasts," Oianek said matter-of-factly. Newt nodded solemnly.
"In this village, creatures of magic are protected. I have heard of your story, and naturally, we all decided to help you. Tell me, what have you brought your No-Maj friend for?"
"He is a dear friend," Newt said. Oianek nodded.
"And the dark-haired girl, a girlfriend?"
"Oh- heavens no," Newt said quickly. He lowered his voice. "No."
Oianek nodded his head again, grinning.
"The No-Maj and the light-haired girl are together though, correct?"
Newt thought for a moment.
"Sort of, it's… complicated."
He laughed. "You sure are the most oddball group I've seen yet. Ah, reminds me of my little group when I was a boy."
He stood up slowly and grabbed a wooden cane that leaned against the chair.
"That is all for now, let's join the others, shall we?"
As Newt followed him into the main room, he couldn't help but wonder just what he had meant by "village". There weren't buildings anywhere he could see. How far did they apparate? He felt like he was missing some crucial information. As he walked back into the room, he felt Tina's curious gaze. He could only wonder what she was thinking. He hoped she didn't hear the conversation he just had.
"Feel free to make yourselves at home. Our house, is your house, after all."
"Thank you so much, Oianek," Queenie said. "How can we ever repay you?"
Oianek raised his cane at Newt and laughed, "Make sure this one doesn't get himself killed."
"He's made it this far," Tina mumbled, chuckling. Newt grinned sheepishly.
"Well, I better head over to the council meeting before they carve my name into the rock," Oianek said. "Your rooms will be upstairs."
As he left, Newt got a glimpse outside, which was much different than he expected. He thought he would see more snow, but saw a bit of green. Just as he saw it, however, the entrance swung shut.
"So, perhaps I could get a quick rundown of what just happened? I'm still horribly lost." Newt said. Queenie laughed.
"Sit down, honey. This might be a while."
…
Once the three had finished, Newt was left completely dumbfounded.
"It was only about twenty seconds for me, how could that-?"
Tina and Queenie shrugged their shoulders.
"Some wacky form of time illusionment is my best guess," Tina said, pursing her lips uncertainly. Newt sighed quietly.
"Thank you regardless, for... well," Newt trailed off, unsure if what happened was really true. Tina chuckled.
"Saving your life? Yeah, you better be thankful," She playfully punched his arm. "I'm sure Oianek already scolded you."
Newt nodded. Apparently, they had walked for almost a half hour before realizing Newt was missing. They spent about another calling and searching, which was when Oianek found them and took them back to the village. Somehow, he knew exactly where Newt was, and Tina went to retrieve him, just in time too. Of course, now that made the fact Grindelwald was definitely trying to kill him a factor in this whole operation.
"So, let's review what we know so far, shall we?" Tina asked. The group nodded in agreement.
"Newt is being tracked by the most powerful wizard in America, he has his case and is doing who knows what. He's already destroyed countless rural communities-"
"Wait- I wasn't aware of this," Newt interjected. Tina's eyes widened as if she had said something she wasn't supposed to. There was an uneasy silence.
"I didn't want to say anything, I knew you would react well." She said.
"There's something else to it, too, Newt. We didn't want to tell you… but you deserve to know."
Newt knew what they were about to say, and he hated it.
"There were beasts released-"
"They were scared! They weren't ready to be released, especially in the presence of other people. They would never purposely hurt anyone." Newt exclaimed, his ears growing hot.
"Regardless, twelve people were killed, and the paper is pointing fingers at the beasts who caused it. I'm sorry, Newt."
Newt leaned back and shook his head.
"He won't get away with this. The longer we wait, the chances of them being captured and killed grow, I can't stand by and let this happen."
"Last time you said this Grindelwald had a wand pointed at your neck!
"Yes, I understand that, but-"
"But nothing, Newt!" Tina snapped. "I don't know if you realize this, but you putting yourself in serious danger. If you lost your life-"
"-It would be for them."
He finished. Tina's face changed, from the look of anger to hurt and disappointment. She stood up.
"Tina-" Queenie reached out to her sister, but Tina shook her head.
"If he wants to go, let. Obviously, I can't stop him," she said quietly. Queenie also stood and pursued her sister who left the room.
"Hey, uh, listen don't let that bug you, Newt." Jacob smiled, distracting Newt from where the sisters had left. "She's homesick. I suppose we all are, though."
Newt lightly nodded.
"Give her some time, you know she'll come around. She's just worried for you, we all are." He paused. "I know this ain't gonna mean much coming from me, but we all care about you a ton. Nobody here wants to see you get hurt."
Newt looked up, at a loss for words. Jacob continued.
"I suppose we feel the same way you do towards your creatures. We want to see you safe, ya know? If that makes any sense, I dunno. I don't make much sense," he laughed. Newt couldn't help but smile at his friend.
"Thank you, Jacob. I guess I just, really can't wrap my around…" he grinned uncertainly and tilted his head.
"People actually caring. Don't even get me started, it took me a while too. Remember in the subway? This actually came to me not so long ago but I remember when you called me your friend. That really got the waterworks going." Jacob leaned forward and smiled wistfully.
"That's the first time anyone really ever called me that."
Newt furrowed his eyebrows at the still reminiscing Jacob.
"I'm sure that's an exaggeration. Jacob, you're the friendliest person I have ever met."
"Well I mean, yeah I'm friendly but nowadays people think your some sort of pushover trying to get something from you. Besides, you don't really have the time to get to know people."
Newt nodded his head. "Yes, that is unfortunately true."
The two sat for a while, discussing things about themselves, the world, basically whatever came up. If Newt was honest, it was probably one of the longest conversations he had that wasn't forced. Philosophical talks weren't really his forte, but he quite enjoyed talking about different things. Society, the people in it; things he had only ever observed. Jacob seemed to enjoy himself too, as they laughed together. Some things Jacob had forgotten still of their last adventure, which Newt happily filled him in on. They must've talked for hours because once Oianek had returned, it was dark.
"Isn't it about past your bedtimes?" He laughed, hobbling into the room. His cane made a thlack! With every other couple of steps.
The two stood up quickly like children who were caught listening to late night radio.
"Terribly sorry, time must've escaped us," Newt said. Oianek simply laughed again.
"Scamander you certainly love to apologize, don't you?"
Newt nearly apologized again but caught himself. Jacob must've noticed because he snorted, which caused the two to erupt into giggles.
"It certainly is nice having some light-hearted company," he said, walking past them. "I'll be out back if any of you need me."
"I think I'm gonna hit the sack if you don't mind. Newt, you coming?" Jacob asked.
"I'm not really tired at the moment," He lied. Of course, he was just trying to avoid the sisters. "I'll meet you up there later, though."
"Alright," Jacob said. "Goodnight."
As Jacob walked up the old wooden stairs, which led to an upper room, Oianek appeared through the back doorway, motioning for Newt.
"Come on out here, Newton. I would like another word with you."
Newt hesitated but obeyed. He carefully held up the door-flap as he walked through and was greeted by something truly remarkable on the other side. Just past the blanket of which the elder sat, the land sloped downward. At the bottom, a stormy grey lake, which reflected the night sky perfectly. Though the air was bitter, the lake wasn't frozen, but calm. Around it, darkened pine trees carefully traced the nearly perfectly circular lake. The stars looked as though they were a part of the water, even the grey clouds which rolled past seemed to sail. Oianek patted the ground next to him as a sign to sit down.
"An amazing sight, don't you agree?" He asked.
"Yes, it's quite beautiful." Newt couldn't help but think of how much Oianek reminded him of Dumbledore.
"My father used to tell me many stories of this lake," he said, still fixated on the water in the distance. "Stories of the most amazing creatures that once roamed free."
"What happened to them?" Newt asked quietly. Oianek sighed.
"They were driven out, a neighboring tribe destroyed everything we had. Killed everything they could see, including my mother and father. Ah, but I was quite young then," He said. "But enough about me, I'm here to talk about you."
Newt looked at Oianek, who was no longer smiling.
"You're a brave soul. I can hear it," He reached over and tapped Newt's chest. "Kind heart too, probably the purest I've ever seen. You don't seem to consider your personal safety a lot, do you?"
"Well, I do tend to take plenty of precautionary measures when approaching creatures and such," Newt said.
"Alas, that is a different thing. The girl, Tina, she is so worried for you."
"Tina is?"
"Oh yes, absolutely terrified. It's no wonder she reacted the way she did when you said that."
He leaned over, "Which was a really dumb thing to say, by the way."
"I know," he agreed quietly. Oianek sat up straight.
"Of course, that's what happens when you love somebody."
Newt stiffened at the word.
"Well, maybe not love-"
"Maybe not love? You two are head over heels for each other, son. Neither of you can admit it though, which I bet is driving the other two insane. Listen, we know how worried you are for those creatures, but try considering how worried everyone is for you. They've tried telling you, but we won't get anywhere until you realize it for yourself."
Newt remained silent.
"This, what's happening right now, is no game. You all need to stick together, especially now. You all need each other more than you think."
The lake seemed to lighten a bit as the moon passed through the clouds. It cast a dull gray across the landscape, brightening up the land.
"I don't want to fail them. I thought, for a while, they were all gone. Now that I know they're somewhere out there," Newt took a breath. "Every second I wait feels like an eternity. I just need to see them again."
Oianek nodded in understanding. "It is true, the quicker the better. But as everyone else has said, your safety is above all else. If you were gone, all hope for your creatures vanish."
Newts eyes widened. He had hardly considered the possibility. If he died, all those creatures would be lost forever. Oianek stood up, grabbing his cane.
"I appreciated our discussion, Scamander. I hope you consider some of these things."
Newt heard the flap close as Oianek went inside. He pulled his knees to his chest and stared into the distance, thinking.
That's when he came up with a brilliant idea.