A/N: This is the last chapter! Thanks for sticking with this story to the end.
After they left the chaotic death cell behind, Newt and Tina found themselves walking down the seemingly endless hallway in the dungeons of the MACUSA building.
"You owe me a lot of answers," said Tina. She was infinitely glad that she and Newt had sorted out their argument.
"Yes, I suppose I do," replied Newt after a while.
"First… how did you know all those things about your brother?"
"If you had a brother like Theseus, you would know it too. He's a touch boastful, my brother."
Tina could tell from his tone that Theseus was a lot more than a touch boastful. "And what about the Billywigs? Sherbert and Fredbert."
"Erm, my nephew named them."
"You don't have a nephew," Tina pointed out. "Unless Theseus was married."
It was very fleeting, but just for a second, Newt looked hurt, as if he was terribly pained by some unknown thought or memory. Soon the small smile was back, though still a bit subdued.
"Well, if you really must know…," he said, looking embarrassed. "I was in the Leaky Cauldron one night and I got a bit… tipsy. Suffice it to say that I was still a bit… out of it… when I christened them. Unfortunately, the names stuck."
Tina couldn't contain her laughter at the thought of Newt meandering tipsily through his case and naming the Billywigs Sherbert and Fredbert.
Newt found the laughter infectious and couldn't help but join in.
They were still laughing when they rounded a corner and found themselves right in front of a tall, burly man. Newt barely had time to breathe before he felt himself get crushed by the other man's grip. He faintly heard the clattering of light footsteps behind him.
Finally, the tall man broke the hug and stood back, dwarfing his younger brother.
"Newton Artemis Fido Scamander!" yelled the big man loudly. The hallways rang with his booming voice. "I've come all the way from England, thinking you were dead, and now I find you here laughing!"
Newt turned around as if to deflect the man's thunderous voice, and saw that Queenie had appeared. "Relax, Theseus," said Newt quietly. "I'm alive."
"You don't seem happy to see me," said Theseus cantankerously. "I would have thought that you would be excited to see your elder brother. I even went through the trouble of getting one of those long-distance portkeys to get over here. Well, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?"
"This is Tina Goldstein and her sister Queenie," said Newt bitterly.
"Theseus Scamander," said the war hero proudly. "A pleasure to meet you both."
"It's nice to meet you," said Tina, extending her hand for a handshake. Newt looked at Theseus' extended hand and spotted the engagement ring on his ring finger.
Queenie couldn't help but sense an intense stream of thoughts coming from Newt as his eyes alighted on the thin strip of gold.
Queenie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Though he didn't show it on the outside, Newt was terribly hurt. How could anyone bring themselves to hurt the cinnamon roll that was Newt?
Queenie looked back at Theseus. Here was a real beast. None of the creatures in Newt's case could cause anyone as much harm as Theseus had caused Newt.
Queenie realized that the same beast was standing in front of her now with the same hand offering a handshake. But she didn't see a hand; it was a beast's claw.
"You gargoyle," spat Queenie. And she slapped him across the face before she turned on her heel and left.
"The Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald made an attempted escape today. He was aided by a European witch named Vinda Rosier. The investigative team has stated that Rosier used Polyjuice Potion to masquerade as Graves.
"In a scheduled interrogation session, Rosieraves passed Grindelwald a wand and they broke out of the cell. They were nearly out of the anti-Apparation zone when a ragtag team of aurors accosted them, lead by the newly-reinstated Porpentina Goldstein and the magizoologist Newton Scamander.
"The magizoologist released a Nundu, a dark leopard-like beast, and used it to stop the escapees. Later, the convicted criminal Paladin Prince was realized to be the genuine Mr. Graves, who was under the Imperius Curse. Graves was rescued from the death cell just in time and will likely spend several weeks recovering from this ordeal. As such, he was unavailable to comment.
"Now for more of Wendella Warbeck's new album."
Tina accompanied Newt down to the harbor again, just as they had done a week prior. People bustled about, climbing up the gangplanks and doing last-minute checks of baggage.
Theseus had offered Newt to accompany him back to England using the same Portkey, but he had declined, saying that he preferred Muggle transportation.
And, just as they had done a week ago, they stopped by one of the gangplanks to say their goodbyes. Only, this time, Newt was the one who needed cheering up.
"Newt," said Tina.
He turned around and tried to meet her gaze.
"I'm sorry your brother's marrying Leta Lestrange. I know you two were close."
"It's fine," insisted Newt. He seemed to be getting choked up. "We haven't spoken for years, not after…"
"Did she hurt you, too?" asked Tina empathetically.
"I hurt myself," said Newt, his eyes watering. "I was stupid; I set myself up to be hurt."
The ship's whistle went off distantly.
"Well," he said, trying to hold back his tears. "I'm truly sorry for involving you in this whole mess. I'd best be off."
He tried to leave but Tina caught him by the elbow.
"Newt," she said kindly but forcefully, "no matter how alone you feel, no matter what happens, remember your friends here in America. You'll always be welcome here, and we'll always be your friends."
He gave a weak but appreciative smile.
"Goodbye, Tina," said Newt, with a hint of hope in his voice. "I have a feeling that we'll be seeing each other much sooner than we both think."
A/N: Thank you for sticking with this story! It has been my hope that this story has helped to pass the time before the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. If not, then check out my next story, "The Crimes of Dumbledore." Let me know about what you're excited for in the next movie.
Also, if you have any story prompts for me, write 'em down in the reviews section and I'll see what I can do. Most of my writer's block comes from not having prompts.
Just for a little bit of fun, I had my friend write this omake. Please note that I left grammatical errors in there to contribute to the nonsensical style of this omake.
Omake prompt: The more keen of you watchers of the first movie noticed that Frank the Thunderbird was headed east instead of west when he was supposedly going to Arizona. Explain what was going on.
Newt leaned against the rail watching the New York coastline become fainter till it eventually disappeared. He had made some good friends back in New York but he had to get back to England and finish his book. Suddenly, a large shadow passed over and Frank the Thunderbird landed on the deck.
"Frank?" Newt said confused, "What are you doing here. I thought you were going to Arizona."
"Squawk, squawk, Blaaahg." said Frank.
Frank was a bird, a majestic, magical Thunderbird, mind you, but still a bird, so his attempts at English were negligible.
"Actually, I was wondering," said Tina appearing out of nowhere, "How is Frank supposed to know how to get to Arizona? Thunderbirds are not migratory and Frank can't read maps."
"Tina?" Newt said his confusion doubling, "What the heck is going on?"
"You know what," Tina said, ignoring Newt's confusion, "I'll just take Frank to Arizona myself."
She said then jumped on the back of Frank the mighty Thunderbird and rode off into the sunset. (The correct direction this time.)
"What has happened with my life?" Newt muttered to himself.
