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Fantastic Tales of Maggick (and Other Adventures)
by: Janelle Borbank
'for those that need a touch of Maggick'
Newt x OC
Chapter Four
Janelle
I scuttled quickly down the sidewalk, praying that I didn't look too conspicuous as I meandered around the corner. The wizard I had knocked out wouldn't be out for very long, and if I didn't hurry there was a likely chance that he would wake up and use his wacko magic abilities to catch me again. So I walked briskly, still trying to appear as though I was simply in a hurry with a certain destination in mind. Blending in, or rather, trying to. Unfortunately I didn't have one, a destination I mean, but nobody needed to know that.
After walking for what seemed like hours- but really was more likely one- I spun a corner and crashed, quite literally, into the person I had been hoping to see.
Newt seemed just as surprised as me, but only for a brief moment before he stepped back. I held a hand to my chest to settle my trembling heart before smiling. The curly haired man didn't quite meet my eyes as he searched me up and down for something. It became obvious then that he had meant to follow me.
"Were you stalking me?" I asked with little apprehension. Newt glanced up at my face before giving a strange half shrug half nod and continuing to look at my person. He took a step around me, still looking down and around. "What are you doing?"
"My Bowtruckle is missing. Most likely it has grasped onto you somewhere." Newt explained before pausing as he stood directly behind me. The lack of space unnerved me, but when I felt him touch my collar I spun around and created space.
"Okay mister, I can search myself." I said, but Newt was fixated on the collar of my coat. Despite that he did take a small step back and gestured for me to continue on. What a gentleman. Reaching up, I flinched when I felt a thin object similar to a stick grasped onto my hand. Keeping control as to not send the tiny creature flying I slowly brought it to the front of my face and marvelled at the tiny creature grasping to my fingers. My eyes must've been enormous as Newt glanced at me before smiling to his 'Bowtruckle'. I looked to him, his now outstretched hand, and then slowly guided my fingers over his for the creature to grasp on. To my surprise, the Bowtruckle didn't want to let go of my hand.
"Pickett, it's time to go." Newt stated, to which the tiny creature gave a cry and held on to my wrist more. It by no means hurt, but watching to tiny creature that resemble a giant stick bug crawl around and interact with the man had me in quite the shock. "Pickett."
Newt tried again, but this time the little thing blew a raspberry at Newt. This time I reacted and gave a short laugh. Newt did not seem nearly as amused though, and raised both his brows. Pickett, as his name seemed to be, crawled up my coat sleeve and settle when he reached my collar. I made no move to stop him and gave a laugh from the small tickle that ensued from the action. The noise of people running, however, brought me back to the current predicament. I huddled myself to the wall, hearing a group of people running past, but it didn't look like they were those magic people.
I turned to Newt- who was still rather distracted by the glaring match he had going with his creature- and grasped his wrist. This seemed to startle him as he actually made eye contact before turning it to my coat collar again.
"I need to hide. Can you please help me?" I asked, nearly begged. Newt glanced at my face then, sucking his lips into his mouth slightly in contemplation. The curly hair shook as he tossed his head lightly to the side with a frown. Worry took over as I glanced back down the street. "Please they'll be here soon and all I'm asking is for an escape."
"How did you manage to escape in the first place?" Newt asked, delicately reaching out for Pickett (who aptly dodged each finger or batted it away). I bit my lip as I heard more people talking and coming around the corner.
"Hit him with-" I paused before spinning and looking down at the trunk I had left on the floor when we ran into one another. The clasp on one side flipped open as soon as I looked at it. This was the reason I wanted to find Newt in the first place.
"How did you get that?" Newt asked. I turned to look at him to see he was absolutely fixated on the case, almost reminding me of a squirrel eying a nut. I didn't have the time to waste though as a shiver went up my spine. Someone was watching me, and I didn't know who or where they were. Picking up the suitcase handle I shoved it into his chest quickly.
"I'll tell you everything if you hide me." I said in a sharp yet pleading tone. Newt instinctively grabbed onto the case, his eyes trailing from it to myself before he blinked once, twice, then looked down again. He sighed before nodding and proffering a hand. I stared at it for a moment, confused as to what I was supposed to do. My face must've said it all as he glanced up at me and made a motion to take it. It was then that I recalled the weird travelling thing they did and felt the colour automatically drain from my face. With a wince, I clasped my hand in his and was instantly regretting it.
I was tossed this way and that, feeling like I was on an unchained roller coaster. It stopped as quickly as it started though, and I fell to my knees and vomited immediately afterwards. Once I was finished I wiped my face with my trench coat before looking up to seeing a very unsurprised Newt.
"Most people throw up, so don't be harsh on yourself." He explained before turning to look around the corner. It was quiet for a bit as he seemed to survey our surroundings. He paused before placing the suitcase on the ground and cracking the locks. "I can't get you out by normal means, but if you hide in here then it'll be fine."
He flipped the lid and immediately noises of different beast like origins came forth. I paled, looking into the case and seeing…. A ladder? He made a shooing motion; clearly we wouldn't have much time. So I jumped in, going down the ladder swiftly.
"Oh and one more thing," Newt began, "don't leave the house."
With that he shut the case. I stared at the building around me and noticed it was rather dilapidated. There were noises like a safari going on outside, so I opted to listen to Newt and simply sit in the case until otherwise instructed. Or I was going to, that is until the little Bowtruckle started to cry.
"What's the matter love?" I cooed to the tiny creature. There's a strong possibility I was already attached, since I had no qualms holding him in my palm and looking him over. Made a reaching motion for the door, and part of me wondered if he was trying to get me killed, or show me something important. I tried to ignore the little creatures cries, but when he sat on my palm and started to pout I rolled my eyes and stood from where I had huddled in a corner.
"Fine but if I die I'm haunting you." I warned, putting him on my shoulder before heading to the door. I wiggled the handle, but it wouldn't budge. "Ha! It's locked. Guess we're stuck here."
So imagine my surprise when the little creature seemed undeterred and waddled down my arm and leaped across the space to the handle. It stuck it's arms in the socket, before squeaking at me. Hesitantly, I lifted my hand and turned to the knob. It opened with ease this time. Pickett crawled back up to my shoulder, puffing up a little bit with pride before he squeaked for me to move forward.
I opened the door slowly, half expecting something to jump out at me. However nothing had thus far, so I continued to venture out, marvelling at everything inside.
In front of me was a desert plane that looked to be relatively deserted. I relative, because there seemed to be figures in the distance. I decided not to get too close to anything right now, and simply peered in to all the different landscapes that were weirdly set up. Some spots looked like parts to a hollywood movie set, while others looked similar, but you walked into them and it suddenly felt like they expanded. I marvelled at some of the creatures, seeing the Niffler in his nest of many shiny objects and snickered. He looked at me for a moment, but then turned away with a huff and continued. I likely wasn't his favourite.
While I carried on, Pickett guiding me with his litle squeaks, I could see the other landscapes and creatures currently inside. Mooncalves: shy grey creatures that only come from their burrows on a full moon (but it was permanently a full moon in their area). Erumpent: A huge mythical creature resembling a Rhinoceros, with a horn that could melt anything. Occamy: plumed, two legged serpent with wings. It's shells valued due to the silver content.
These were just a few of the creatures I could identify from that book at first glance. I figured they must be from the book after seeing both the bowtruckle and a niffler. Still was having a hard time wrapping my head around all of that. In the distance of the desert I heard a cry, turned, and saw those creatures running towards me. At first I was excited, but then I saw the shape of them and realized they were rather big, a duo, and they were coming to me quickly.
Large, purple/grey skin, four legged and hairless. Pickett squeaked before tucking into my shirt collar. Graphorns, these were creatures that could be very aggressive and territorial. I quickly tried to recall everything I could from the book, and realized that the only advice that I had was a side note on the page that had said, 'don't run.'
So I stood there, praying to God that I didn't piss myself as the creatures came to a slow job in front of me before stopping a short ways away. The male flapped his tentacles, making a low noise at me, but I had no idea how to respond to it and so I made a soft hum back. He came closer, making that low noise again and letting his tentacles writhe on my shoulders. I hummed again, before he stepped back and the female stepped forward, humming in a similar tone to me. She too put her tentacles on my shoulders and nuzzled into me. I tried my best not to squirm, and as they turned and ran off I couldn't help but feel a little bit exhilarated.
My breathing came out faster, a grin tugging at my lips. This had to have been the coolest thing that had ever happened to me. I started with a small laugh, my breathing getting heavier as a giggle wracked me. I turned, startling when I saw Newt standing there with his pokey stick thing- wand- held carefully. I beamed at him, looking over my shoulder at the graphorns galloping across the desert.
"That was amazing." I gasped, turning back to Newt. In the short spurt of energy I got a bit closer to him. He had actually looked at me in the eye, a softer look in them despite his face remaining closed off.
"They don't normally take to new people, granted new people don't normally come here…." He said, looking down at Pickett on my shoulder.
"Has no one ever seen them? They're amazing! Why would you hide them?" I asked, walking past him to look at the Occamy nest again. They chirped and squeaked at me. I grinned, bending down and cooing at them.
"They're actually banned from the wizarding community. Some wizards are attempting to make them extinct." Newt explained. That sounded awful, a frowned slipped on to my lips as I stood and looked at him. Newt glanced at my eyes before looking at the Occamy's. "That's why I'm collecting them in here, to study them and protect them from others. I'm trying to write a book you see, to show my fellow wizards that these beasts are not dangerous. They're misunderstood."
I smiled softly at him, at the way he affectionately looked at his creatures.
"Well if you show them this I'm sure a lot of people would be won over." I said. Newt glanced at me, looking at me in the eye for a short time again. This time he didn't look away immediately, and I could see the warmth in his eyes that he showed to his creatures.
It was gone a moment later as he looked away and shook his head for a moment. He wiped at his face with a hand, taking a deep breath before he looked at me again. I say 'at' but really he had just looked in my general direction; eyes flitting but never really landing anywhere. I watched him curiously as he stepped away from me and made a following motion.
"I'm thankful," he said while turning to me suddenly. It was abrupt enough that I stumbled into him, but I backed off a moment later. "For saving my creatures, I'm thankful."
"They're your babies." I said as though it were an obvious move. He sucked in his lips, looking away from me before looking back in an awkwardly timed motion.
"I've got you this far, but I'm afraid I'll need to wipe your memories. It's standard procedure for Muggles." He explained, coming up close enough to me so he could reach out at arms length to stand me up straight. He then took a few steps back and took out his wand. I dropped to a defensive stance then and stared at him with wide eyes.
"You can't be serious! I saved your hind and all you're going to do is make me forget? What am I supposed to do? I can't live a life dying!" The last statement seemed to make him hesitate as he pursed his lips again. I needed to keep going, so I point an accusatory finger in his direction. "You said it yourself! I don't have very much time. So can't you just let me keep this bit of knowledge? At least to know why I'm going to die?"
Newt seemed on the fence of what to do, and it made me want to bolt out of there before he changed his mind. However, like with the graphorns, I stood stalk still and waited for him to say something otherwise. Newt shook his head though, as if shaking out bad thoughts before he looked at me again.
"I'm very sorry, but these creatures mean a lot to me, and if anyone were to find out about them I'm afraid of what they would do. You have been a wonderful ally, however. Because of that, I am deeply sorry. Obliviate."
I stood stalk still as he pointed his wand at me. Half expecting something to happen. When Newt looked at me in confusion and repeated himself, I started to realize that whatever he wanted to do wasn't really working. He tried again before tapping his wand in his hand and pointing again. At this point I raised a brow and slowly crossed my arms.
A few tries later Newt stopped and looked at me with a puzzled expression. I had abandoned all sense of fear, and instead stood quietly, waiting for something to happen.
"Has magic ever worked on you?" He asked while giving me a once over. I felt oddly naked when he stared at me like that a squirmed a bit before looking the other way.
"How should I know? I've only known about magic for maybe a day or two!" I said, shielding myself as he circled me with curious eyes. "And what are you looking for?"
"A means to how you were able to block my spell. Curious, you don't seem anymore impressive than a regular Muggle." He said the last part slightly under his breath before stepping back to consider me. "I suppose the Ministry would lock you up if I brought you back."
My eyes bulged, and I panicked. He saw my expression and shook his head.
"I wouldn't let anyone be locked up for such a reason, that much I will promise you. But I've not a clue what we should do about this then." He looked me over again before his gaze met my eyes and then firmly stared at my shoes.
"Where were you going to next?" I asked. He seemed to wager telling me before spewing it out.
"Ireland was my next stop." He said. I nodded, thinking that would probably be a good place to settle into.
"If you take me there, just to a quiet town, that'll be enough." I said in earnest. Newt looked at me with a puzzled expression before turning to leave, but then whipping back around.
"And you're fine being by yourself? Alone? Not to speak out but you can't be of legal age yet." Newt pointed out, making me huff. The nerve!
"I'm eighteen thank you, and I can take care of myself! I've done it before, so don't worry about me." I said. Newt paused, seeming ready to argue, before he shut his mouth and nodded at me.
"Alright, if you insist."
Somebody reviewed recently and I was in the mood to write. So I updated. I'm easy like that. I'm really curious as to what people think of Newt. He's literally my favourite male character in the entire series because he doesn't fit the stereotypical mould of what a lead male character should be. He's amazing with his creatures too, I genuinely want to be a vet because of HP's mythical creatures when I was younger, so that I share with Janelle.
Without further adieu, I shall publish this chapter.
Iland Girl