This chapter is a bit serious and not very fluffy, sorry! But I used violet day's idea, and I didn't manage to make it cute. Next chapter will be extra-fluffy to make up for it.
Shabbos was approaching fast; in fact, it was already Friday. Queenie seemed to like taking charge over the cooking for Saturday.
"No offense, Teenie, but you're a disaster is the kitchen." She said.
From the look on Tina's face, it was evident no offense was taken.
Newt, coming from a Christian-holiday school and a family that certainly wasn't Jewish, was fascinated by the preparations. It kind of frustrated Tina.
"Newt! I'm in the middle of cleaning!" She complained when he asked her about the Shabbos candles as she was in the middle of sweeping the house. "I'm sorry, I'll tell you tonight."
"Sorry. Just wanted to know." Newt drifted off and helped the sisters by dusting the mantelpiece and keeping the Niffler in his case.
Soon enough the house was sparkling, and Tina sat down to tell Newt about Shabbos.
"Well, Jews celebrate Saturday like Christians do Sunday." She said. "We don't work or use electricity; we stay home and relax. It's a day of peace and quiet and family. That's why you and Jacob are coming."
Newt was flattered. "I-I'm family?"
"Of course!" Tina smiled at him. "Oh, and we also don't use magic on Shabbos. It's out of respect."
Newt nodded. "If you don't mind… I'll carry my wand with me. Just in case?"
Tina grinned. "Of course you can."
Evening fell. Jacob was due to arrive at eight o'clock, but Queenie had the dinner prepared by six-thirty`; therefore, Newt and Tina volunteered to go and bring him earlier than expected.
After putting on a few more layers and gloves over their fingers, the two walked out into the freezing night air.
They strolled in silence. Tina shivered a little; her hair was wet and the wind cold. Despite that, though, she was enjoying herself. The area where the Goldsteins lived was full of other Jewish families- Tina could hear the familiar prayers wafting out the open windows, along with the smells of cooking.
Newt drank it all in. It was a new culture, a new place, a new experience; besides, the night air was clear and fresh.
The walk to Jacob's house took about twenty minutes. By the time they reached the apartment building, Newt was full of excitement to see his old friend again.
But the door was locked, and even when Newt knocked nobody opened up.
Tina sighed. "He probably left already."
"If we hurry, we might catch up with him." Newt offered.
So they hurried back to the streets. By now it was seven or so, and it was November; darkness had fully settled outside.
Tina wanted to rush ahead and join up with Jacob, while Newt wanted to walk slowly and look around him.
"Come on!" Tina urged, then strode ahead decisively.
Newt lagged behind, thinking Tina knew he wasn't tagging along.
Tina, on the other hand, was convinced Newt was right behind her. She walked proudly and quickly, sure she'd see Jacob in a second, and then-
"Hey there, pretty lady. Where are ye off to?"
Tina jumped, her heart hammering against her ribs. She tried to keep walking, but the voice came from in front of her. She stopped.
"Hey! Hey!" More voices laughed around her. Tina turned her head in all directions, nervous. The voices cackled.
The first voice came out of the shadows. He was a man, bent over, his clothes patched. He grinned at Tina; his teeth were rotten and his breath disgusting.
The others came swiftly out of the darkness. All of them were dirty and stinky. All of them reeked of alcohol.
Tina shuddered.
Drunks.
They swarmed around her.
"So, pretty lady, where you at?" The first man crooned. "Perhaps we can lead you there? Or better yet, you'll come with US…"
The men all chortled in a way only alcohol could induce. The first man placed a hand on Tina's arm, caressing her skin.
Tina yanked away, whacking the man in the chest.
He sneered. "Last chance, beautiful. You come with us, or-"
Tina kicked him.
The man lurched backwards and vomited inches away from Tina. She gagged and backed away, only to be grabbed by a few other men. She struggled angrily; if only she'd been wearing her normal clothes and not fancy Shabbos skirts!
The men holding Tina released her into a tight circle of drunks.
Tina's hand went to her pocket, reaching for her wand.
It wasn't there.
She'd left it at home, because they didn't use magic on Shabbos! Tina's heart pounded.
"Newt!" She called, scared.
The men laughed, the smell of alcohol wafting from their mouths.
"Whose Newt?!" one man snickered. "Is he a newt?"
The others found this hilarious for some reason; they cackled loudly.
"Come along now, pretty." The first man said. "Let's take you home."
"No! Newt, Newt!" Tina yelled, hating to be dependent on others but knowing she couldn't escape on her own.
The man's eyes narrowed. "Is Newt a person? IS he a MAN?"
The others booed, and the first man pulled a switchblade out of his pocket. "Keep screaming, missy."
Tina remained silent. Best let Newt pass by, then fight her way out.
The man seemed to catch on, despite the fact that he was drunk; he began dragging Tina into an alley.
Tina didn't manage to fight. She couldn't do anything.
The man squeezed Tina's arm, digging into her flesh with his filthy nails.
Tina yelped out loud; the nails left deep red grooves in her skin.
"Tina?" She suddenly heard Newt's voice. "Tina? Tina?!"
"NO!" She screamed, seeing the drunk man bare his knife. "NEWT, STAY AWAY! HE HAS A KNIFE! NEWT-"
Newt turned the corner in a rush, dashing into the alley. Tina saw him coming. She used the drunk men's shock against them and strained against their grip; they struggled, but she managed to break loose.
Newt had his wand out in an instant, and before he knew it the first drunk man had jumped on him. Tina made to run to Newt and was grabbed by a man; she twisted out of his grip as swiftly as he could.
Tina saw Newt prepare to use his wand.
"NO, Newt!" she yelled. "You can't use magic in front of a No-Maj!"
Newt considered this for a second, then shoved his wand back in his pocket and punched the drunk square in the face. The man stumbled and knocked Newt to the ground.
Tina grabbed him by the arm and the two ran away as hard and quick as they could.
As soon as they were safely away, Tina hugged Newt fiercely.
"Thank you." She said, crying slightly from shock and fear. "You saved my life."
Newt embraced her back.
"I'd rather die than let them hurt you." He whispered.
By the time they got back, Queenie was seriously worried and Jacob was already waiting. Newt didn't want to tell them about what had happened, but Tina did; after that, Queenie thanked Newt with tears in her eyes.
"You saved my sister." She said. "You saved Teenie."
"You two are like my family now." Newt said softly. "I couldn't do otherwise."
Then Newt and Jacob greeted eachother joyfully, each of them not having seen the other in a year. After that the foursome sat down to dinner, though none of them acknowledged Tina's tear-stained cheeks or Newt's bruised head throughout the entire meal.