Newt regretted not being as quick as the more powerful wizard who stood before him looking pleased with himself. His appearance was much more formal than before. No doubt they were his own robes instead of the former Percival Graves', the man he had been disguised as in order to infiltrate MACUSA.
Gellert Grindelwald let out a satisfied sigh as he leaned against the wall that occupied all of the photos of the Scamander family. Clutching both his and Newt's wands made him look even more menacing. He already was a great wizard. Who knew what he could do with two.
"How did you find me?", asked Newt as he tried to also appear fearless, yet inside, he was afraid. And he faced some of the most dangerous creatures one could imagine.
It was this man who has committed numerous crimes that made him keep his distance. Thinking about disapparating was an option. But the thought fleeted from his mind as he reminded himself that without his wand he was useless as he was vulnerable. Even more importantly, his briefcase was on top of his bed in the next room. Hopefully it was where he'd placed it. Or had it been ransacked...
Grindelwald placed his opponents wand in his jacket pocket. The other remained in his right hand; dangling at its master's side but nonetheless ready to cast any curse at any time the wizard pleased. "Let's just say, I have my ways of getting the information I do so desire, Mr. Scamander", he said as he smirked. He took a step forward as he looked directly at Newt. His crystal blue eye shining in the candlelight. It sent a shiver down Newt's spine almost as if it could see into his soul. He did his best to keep his own green eyes locked on Grindelwald.
"But enough small talk", continued Grindelwald. "What I do need is a favor from you", he said. "And you are one of the fair few who I am certain can help."
Newt furrowed his eyebrows. "What?", he questioned flatly. As unsure as he was, what striked him as odd was the fact that this man would even think for a moment that he'd do any of his bidding. For the moment, Newt was just thankful to still be alive.
"Credence. Where is he?", asked Grindelwald. His expression changing from fair to fierce. His whole figure looked more distinguished as he took a few more steps forward.
"You saw what happened. He's gone", said Newt, keeping his voice calm, though he tried to sound angry.
Was he lying or telling the truth? Granted there had been a small wisp of black smoke fleeing the scene of destruction in the subway. Nobody but the young magizoologist had seen it. But who's to say it hadn't disappeared all together.
Grindelwald chuckled heartily. "Yes. Before you so cleverly figured out who I truly was and those idiots made their way with me. But I remember that you did indeed have another Obsurus in your case. And who's to say you wouldn't be anxious to have another. Otherwise why would you be willing to follow Dumbledore's orders? You're going to Paris for a reason", he said as he tightened his jaw and pointed his wand towards Newt, who stared at the tip then back to the grey and blue eyes. "Now, I'm only going to ask once more. Where is he?"
"I told you. He's gone."
Slicking some greasy hair back, the blonde wizard clicked his tongue off the roof of his mouth. He stuck the gloved hand inside his pocket.
Newt prepared to witness his wand being snapped or even worse. But he saw something small and shiny being retrieved out of the pocket and thrown to him. He caught it anxiously. As he stared at it, a familiar recognition flooded over him, feeling as though his heart had plummeted. The golden chain that was attached to a small oval shaped locket Newt had only seen once in his life but knew immediately who it belonged to. He opened it to reveal a moving photo of two young girls, one brunette, the other blond, smiling happily at their parents as they smiled back.
Tina.
She would never take this off... unless...
For the first time that day, Newt's eyes glared viciously at Grindelwald. He had never felt this type of anger for anybody.
"Yes. Miss Goldstein wasn't willing to discuss anything at all. Such a waste", said Grindelwald nonchalantly.
Nothing could describe the burning fury that Newt felt inside him in that very moment. His thoughts briefly going back to a few months ago.
The docks. Ready to board the boat. Saying goodbye to Tina. Her smile. How he promised to come back to bring her a copy of his book. How he gently brushed her hair aside. He hated seeing her cry. He promised to bring his book. He promised to find her.
The audacity of this man to even threaten her...
Without thinking, Newt began walking towards Grindelwald. His eyes locked. His breathing refusing to lighten. His body tensing as he grasped the locket. "If you so much as laid your filthy hands on her-"
He stopped in front of Gellert. The only thing that kept Newt from doing anything was the wand pointed directly at his neck. His breathing didn't slow down nor just how protective he felt leave his heart for a second.
"Now, now, Mr. Scamander. This will all be worth it as long as I have you there to assist me. Trust me. It's for the greater good for us wizards. Don't you agree?"
