"Oh? The younger Scamander? Fancy seeing you around," an Auror who Newt recognises the face of catches his attention as he speed-walks across the 2nd floor of the Ministry. The Scamander can't quite put a name to the features, so he awkwardly smiles and gives a slight nod of acknowledgement. However, the Auror didn't seem to quite catch the gist - like all people, Newt noted.

"You never come here unless Mr Scamander likes to have a word with you," the Auror continued, "Usually in quite a stiff mood." Newt really did not have the time to have small talk with her and did not want to suffer his brother's wrath for being late. "Oh? Uh, we don't exactly see eye-to-eye." Before she could reply, Newt rushedly added, "I'm actually in a bit of a rush, so, uhm, have a good day, ma'am."

He's never powerwalked so fast out of a situation, and he power-walks a lot out of situations.

Newt knocks thrice on the door with a gold plaque with 'Theseus Scamander, Head of the Auror Department' etched on it. He gets no response, but he knows it's Theseus' way of saying, "Come in; I've been waiting for you." The office is colder than he remembers, though Newt reminds himself that all his visits usually end with a bad feeling in the air. His brother already had his head up, his eyes looking expectedly at Newt, which made him turn away instantly.

"I was beginning to think you'd never come," there's no malice in his words, even a little teasing if Newt sensed correctly. Knowing that this was the start of a deadly long conversation, he comforts himself on an armchair opposite Theseus' desk. "Well, one of your Aurors thought it was appropriate to start a conversation…." Theseus straightens and raises a questioning eyebrow at his younger brother. "Shacklebolt? Longbottom?" "I, I don't quite remember the name," Newt mentions, his head slightly turning away from his brother in slight embarrassment.

"Well, Theseus, I'd imagine that I was asked to be here for a reason?" "Ah yes," Theseus fumbles with some files in a drawer, "we have some things to talk about, little brother." Newt audibly groans as he sees the 'Wanted' poster from his time in New York a few months ago in his brother's hands.

Theseus sighs under his breath before he continues speaking. "I'd like an explanation about what in bloody hell happened in New York. I'd also like an explanation about how my brother was almost sentenced to death."

"Well, it's a long story…." Newt starts awkwardly, but Theseus cuts him off. "We have the time, Newton." The said Scamander almost grimaces at the use of his actual name, knowing that Theseus was not letting him get out of this.

"Uh, I'm sure you heard about how there was this Obsucrial. And then, uh, I was found out for bringing creatures I wasn't supposed to bring. And I made this nice muggle friend - Jacob is the name - who, well, helped me get some creatures who escaped. But you know how America has some pretty strict rules on the whole magical-muggle thing. Oh, and there was this lovely Auror - Tina - who also got dragged in. And you know how Mr Graves was Grindelwald-" Newt stops for a split second just to catch Theseus' face. It stays stoic - not precisely how Newt thought he would react, but he continued to explain anyway. "Then, uh, her sister, Queenie, smuggled us out in my suitcase. But we got, uh, ratted out. And not-Graves sentenced us to death. But… I'm still here. Alive, clearly."

He notices how Theseus rolls his eyes ever-so-subtly and lets out another sigh. "This conversation is long overdue - consider yourself lucky it's been months." Newt mentally celebrates a little: escaping Theseus' wrath was always worth celebrating, no matter how late.

"I don't exactly want to talk about the whole animal above yourself thing, but you seem to have still not gotten the hint, Newton. Again, I also know you were probably in New York for some magizoology purposes, but I don't think smuggling your entire case was necessary." Newt could hear how Theseus was trying to keep his voice level and "talk diplomatically" as he would call it.

"Well, Frank-"

"Pardon?"

"Oh, a Thunderbird I was supposed to release. Poor thing was in captivity in Egypt, so I had it rescued and I was supposed to free it in Arizona. Did it eventually, though." Theseus shifts a little and curiously scans over his brother. "Only that? Or was Dumbledore part of it too?"

Newt's face goes pink, but he quickly dismisses it. "No, no. No Dumbledore, just me and Frank, finding a home…." Theseus raises his eyebrow but doesn't push any further. "And you went through a Muggle port to get away from-" "Yes. Well, I had a job, Theseus, and I can't trust anyone else with it. Frank's already been through a lot." The older Scamander hums lazily, and Newt takes it as a sign of agreement. "You could have at least tried to inform the Ministry and MACUSA. I know MACUSA did appreciate the mass obliviation thanks to what I believe was the Thund- Frank and your Swooping Evil. But it was illegal, nonetheless. Consider yourself lucky, Newt."

Newt couldn't help but be surprised that Theseus remembered each animal the news reported. But then again, Theseus had an excellent memory regarding anything relating to him in The Daily Prophet.

"And at least try to inform me what has happened? Especially since my only brother was nearly sentenced to death in a foreign country and government." The "and I wasn't there to protect you" stayed unspoken yet understood by Newt. "I only found out after MACUSA reported it a few days later to the Ministry. I was dead worried; I thought you hadn't made it alive when I heard your name. I would have at least appreciated a heads-up." He shuffles his feet, knowing how much he worries his brother. However, he would never admit that outright. "I know. It's just that life's gotten more hectic. Especially with the ban making my life harder…."

"And that reminds me," Newt almost swears out loud when he realises what he's done to himself. "Finding you in France, in the French Ministry, using my face." Theseus' face is almost angry, and he's borderline glaring at Newt. And he knows that Theseus has every right to be mad at him because Theseus is always right.

"Well, the ban was kind of hard-" "I tried my best to get the travel ban off you, Newt. Both of us didn't like the idea of Grimmson chasing Credence." Newt visibly cringes at the mention of Grimmson. A long life of tension between him and Grimmson, especially with him being an animal killer. Even the idea makes him shutter. Thankfully or not, the thought was cut off by Theseus' voice. "But finding you in Paris, let alone their Ministry, was highly illegal of you, Newton. You could have been thrown in Azkaban if it weren't for the fact you…found yourself within Grindelwald's grasp, again."

Newt doesn't miss the dash of fear in Theseus' voice when he speaks, but he can tell that his brother is trying to keep his voice level, trying not to break. "An unauthorised portkey, I believe." Theseus brings out another document that he scans briefly. "An unauthorised portkey," he repeats, this time with more confidence. The nod Newt returns only brings his hand up to his eyebrows as he massages his temples.

"If this is what Dumbledore's doing…." "It's not. I swear, Theseus, it's not." Theseus gives Newt a stern look, "then who, Newt?" That's what realises Newt's messed up with his words. Again. Merlin's Beard, these Aurors are too good with words! "It's not a who, it's…my creatures."

"It's not."

"It is."

"It's not."

"It is."

"Isn't that Auror you mentioned, innit. 'Tina', you said? That was who was with you and who tied me up, wasn't it?" Newt hesitantly nods, and Theseus sighs louder. "And may I be informed about how you got in the Polyjuice skin of me? I don't remember sharing any hair or any sort."

"Uhm, Pickett was a great help…." Newt sees how Theseus' face grimaces a little. "You're lucky I have nothing against you and your animals when you're here. Mr Travers has considered…well, placing an unofficial ban on your animals on the floor. Not fond of the Niffler, especially" Theseus chuckles a little as he remembers the news of 'Wizard, No-Maj, Niffle Robs Bank' on the Daily Prophet.

He cuts himself off, Theseus' face turning hard again. "And going into the French Ministry?"

"We needed documents…about Credence. Like, whether he was related to…."

Theseus throws his head back a little as Newt leaves the name unsaid. He stands up, which makes Newt flinch a little. But instead of approaching him, Theseus turns around and faces the cabinet in the back. Newt stretches his neck a little to see what Theseus is doing. But instead of opening the cabinet, Theseus froze as he grabbed the handles.

"Newt," he starts, not turning his head to face the said person, "you knew about the truth, didn't you?"

"P-Pardon?"

"About Leta and Credence. Her deceased brother. The truth, Newt."

He doesn't know why, but Newt feels the need to defend himself. "Leta only told us that day at the Lestrange Mausoleum. I never knew before." Theseus still doesn't turn back, but Newt can tell he nodded in response. The room stays silent for the first time that day.

Theseus only speaks up minutes later. "She missed you a lot, Newt. You were her only friend back then; she wanted you to spend some time with her. Catch up. She especially wanted to meet some of your new creatures." Newt's mouth falls slightly. "She would have loved to hang out with your pesky Niffler." Theseus stops to chuckle gravely under his breath and turns around, "Of course, not at home or during dinner. I'd regret inviting you if you did…." But you never showed up. Newt perfectly picks up Theseus' implication.

"I…just thought it'd be awkward."

"Why so?"

"It's just…you know how I got expelled from Hogwarts. How I covered up from Leta; I told you, and you acted quite…."

"I simply thought you didn't deserve it. You're my brother, and she was a stranger to me. I only ever knew her from your letters. I didn't know how her family was or how she felt. And it's bold of you to assume that Leta and I haven't discussed this before." Theseus finally turns around and walks across the room to his brother. Newt instinctively straightens a little. "You always have a knack for underestimating me. I'm a Hufflepuff too, Newt."

Newt nods, though he looks away as Theseus sits on an adjacent armchair. Unlike him, hunched over his case and practically guarding it, Theseus leans back on his chair and has his legs crossed. It's always the small things, Newt tells himself.

"You do forgive me for ignoring you back then, right?" Newt snaps his head to look at his brother on his right. "Huh?" "Oh, during my Auror training days. Mum and Dad weren't giving you an easy time, and I… couldn't be there to help you. I'm sorry for what they almost did to your creatures too." Newt turns his head away at the reminder that he almost lost all his animals, but he knows better than to put it against his brother. "You were busy. I guess sixteen-year-old me just thought of other things…."

"Like?"

"I thought you'd be worried about your reputation. Scamander's not exactly a name everyone has, and…well, the people in Hogwarts seemed to throw your name onto me." It's the first time the brothers have ever talked about it, and Newt can feel Theseus' staring right at him. "Like, I guess some of the students there thought I'd be more like…you." Theseus hummed lazily. "You never told me before." "You were busy, I didn't want to worry you…."

"I worry about your well-being regardless. Anyway, I'm just glad you had her at least; you seemed to really enjoy her company from the letters you sent."

"Yeah, Leta really liked my creatures. Especially the Bowtruckles."

"I can imagine."

A deafening silence falls in the room, and Theseus returns to his desk. Newt knew he should have brought up the topic long ago, but he didn't have a good reason, like Theseus running away too often. He just never knew how to bring it up. His brother was too complicated; Newt has never quite been able to dissect his actions the way Theseus could do when it comes to him. That's why I never play the responsible sibling role, Newt remembers.

The death. Newt should have checked in months ago. Just like how Theseus said he should have checked in on him months ago regarding the death sentence and Paris. It makes Newt's gut flip realising what he's doing.

"You can get going now, Newt," Theseus speaks up first, as always. Newt stands up, case tightly in his hand in case Travers comes around to yank it away from him. As he walks out, part of him tells him to go back. Theseus needs you, and now's the time for you to be there. Yet Newt continues walking further down the hallway, passing the offices of the Aurors he once thought were nothing but selfish. Even his brother, who, in his mind, he occasionally framed as selfish and doing nothing but starting unnecessary wars.

But now he was going down the elevator, reluctantly pressing the first button as his mind lingered with Theseus, Theseus, Theseus. Even as he clutches tighter on his suitcase, not wanting a Niffler escape like in New York, his mind still finds its way to worrying about his brother.

Wasn't Theseus supposed to play that role between them?