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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 Five
Janelle
I am not ashamed of many things that I have done in the past. Actually I'm a rather proud individual of all my accomplishments; good or otherwise. I suppose that, like other women of my age, there were a few little white lies I would tell when asked an embarrassing question, but none of it was wrong or ill meant in any sense.
I am not ashamed of many things, but I am confounded by some. One of those things being how one Newt managed to smuggle me out of London.
At first I expected there to be a lot more drama and drive, but in all actuality I was shipped like a precious pet in the suitcase with no real concerns. When the coast was clear I was invited out and into a compartment on a train to sit and chat. Well, more sitting than chatting. After attempting to start the conversation several times, with no results, I glanced out the window a moment longer before flitting over to the suitcase and opening the lid.
"What are you doing?" Newt asked in a panic. I glanced at him while also slowly going down the step ladder.
"Your creatures hold much better conversations than you do." I said simply before shimmying all the way in. When I landed at the bottom I could instantly hear all the sounds of the different creatures. No more than five steps in and the curly haired man had rushed past me. He paused at the door before turning to look at me. I raised a brow as he shook a finger at me with hesitance.
"I do have to warn you, most of these creatures have been treated unfairly, and as such they have a defensive nature. If you want to see them you must do as I say." He said in a strict tone that didn't suit him. I nodded eagerly before Newt slowly opened the door. I could see the beasts roaming freely, enjoying their own climates happily.
Without speaking, Newt eyed me as I ventured forward. I neared the Erumpet, marvelling at it's size. It glanced at Newt, who had come to stand beside me, and myself before returning to her grazing.
"Beautiful, isn't she? I picked her up in Africa on my first adventure through it. She was attacked by a Nundu." Newt said, gesturing to some claw markings on her shoulder. I glanced at him before looking back to the beast. "She's still a calf, won't be long until she's full grown though. Then the real trouble begins."
I had made a move to step closer, but Newt got in front of me and shook his head.
"I wouldn't recommend it, she can be pretty volatile to other females in her territory." Newt said while the Erumpet snorted at me. I hadn't noticed her raise her head until now, but it was likely a good idea to stop while I was ahead.
"You've really taken care of her." I said, noting the sheen of some sort of gel substance over her wounds, before moving on to the other creatures. I was still enamoured by the Occamy nest, circling back to it and glancing at the small snake like creatures. Newt came over like a proud mother hen and grinned at the beasts. He picked one up carefully and gestured for me to hold out my hands. The creature slid around my arms and nestled itself in with a chirp. I smiled down at it, before looking to the nest and seeing the egg shells for the first time.
"So Occamy eggs really are made of silver." I marvelled at the shiny shells, catching Newt's attention. He nodded, looking sadly at the nest.
"Most Occamy nests have been ransacked for the silver. I managed to save these little guys a few months ago." He explained.
"They're a beautiful creature, so nice to see them so healthy." I said softly, smiling. Newt smiled for a moment before a perplexed look came over him.
"How did you know they had silver eggs?" He asked. I looked down at the Occamy in my hands, gently cooing to it and grinning.
"I read it in a book. Do they really grow to it any space?" I asked, gently handing the creature back to Newt. He in turn placed the little creature back into it's nest.
"Yes they do, but it can be rather tricky to make them expand or shrink. I find a small box and an insect is the best solution." Newt said. I looked around again, gaining an interest in the shiny nest of the Niffler. The creature looked at me before giving a huff and turning it's back to me. I laughed while Newt apologized.
"He's not usually this bad, though I suppose you did give him quite the impression before," he said. I shook my head and turned to Newt to smile.
"These creatures are amazing," I said while sidestepping a large beetle that scuttled by. "How is it that you take care of all of these?"
Newt looked around before motioning for me to follow as he went back to the small hut. He handed me two buckets; one filled with chops of meat and the other filled with dead insects. I followed after him as he lead his way around the creatures, telling me things about them every spare moment.
"I'm a Magizoologist you see. I study them, and hope to teach my fellow wizards that they're not monsters, just misunderstood." Newt explained to me. He looked with such fondness at the beasts that I couldn't help but feel warmed by the image. We had finished feeding rounds and were now sitting on the steps to the hut. Newt caught me looking at him out of the corner of his eye and looked down immediately. His smile faded, surprising me. I would've spoken up, but the noise of a train horn could be softly heard from where we sat.
"We've made it to the next stop." Newt said as he swiftly stood and marched to the ladder. I was a bit taken aback by his sudden swiftness but did my best to follow him.
A few transfers and a day later we had made it to Ireland. Newt had been kind enough to feed me during our trip, to which I offered labour in helping with his creatures. It was wonderful, and I could honestly say it made me want to work with animals, magical or otherwise, so much more. Alas, these fun filled days had to come to an end eventually.
On the station platform to a small town I could not read the name of on the sign from this distance, I began to let my mind wander for a little while. This was the first time I had properly come to terms with my situation, and I expected this to be the last time I would have to deal with anything magical for the rest of my life. Newt shifted from one foot to the other as I stared out amongst the small crowd. This place could barely count for a village, but it was likely going to be the best I'd find in the next little while.
"It was nice to meet you, Janelle," Newt said. I turned back to find him staring at my shoes intently. "I hope you find a good place to stay from here."
A soft smile spread across my lips. I gave a glance to his briefcase before looking back up to his curly locks. Despite staring down at my shoes, the man was much taller than me, I could clearly see his face from my shorter point of view.
"I hope you succeed in your… Magizoology? Well, whatever it is you choose to do, I think you'll do it well." I said, making him take a quick glance at my face before down again. The train's whistle blew again, and Newt turned to jump on it when he glanced back at me. He made quick eye contact, though he held it longer since there was a distance between us.
"Goodbye." Was all he said as the train began to move. I smiled, waving as he moved into the car and disappeared from sight. Newt had been kind enough to give me some money for food and rent, though I refused more than a single day's worth. If there was anything I was good at, it was talking to people. If not talking, then persuading definitely.
As the train vanished from sight, I turned and made my way into the town. It was tiny, like I had said before, but I didn't realize that 1920's tiny was a lot tinier than what I was used to. The sign said a population of a few hundred, but there seemed to be a lot of Inns through the town. As I walked, I noticed a lot of people in these Inns, and a lot of people who looked to come from an array of ethnicities.
Choosing a less crowded pub, I meandered in and settled myself near the back. It was rustic looking, though I suppose it wasn't rustic for the times. Gosh this would take forever to let it sink in. That I was nearly a century in the past. My skull hurt, along with my ring, just thinking about it. I hung my head, leaning on the table in front of me and sighing.
"You look like you need a drink."
My head snapped up to that, surprised when a mug of fowl smelling liquid was placed in front of me. I cringed inwardly but smiled to the barmen as he stood there with his arms crossed and smiling smugly at me. His flaming red hair was the most defining characteristic, along with his blue eyes that shone down at me with mirth.
"How kind, but I must pass. I can't afford any luxuries." I replied. The man chuckled before shaking his head.
"That ain't a lie Miss. Most folk who come through here are in the same boat. Yet they drink and gamble their money away. That's how I make my money, feeding yer gluttony." He said. I glanced at the drink before shaking my head.
"I'll drink, if you wouldn't mind helping me find a job." I negotiated, poking lightly at the mug. The man raised a brow.
"You hiding from something Miss? Most folk who come here are trying to get away. Not many o' them stay." He said with a curious expression. I smirked, but shook my head slowly.
"I'm turning over a new leaf." I baited. He stood for a moment, sizing me up, before glancing behind the counter.
"Let us see what the Missus says first."
I would like to say that I like my job. Actually, it wouldn't be a huge stretch to say I did. Thomas and Jolene, the owners of the pub, were good people. All I had to do was pick up a tray and start serving. The next thing I knew I was hired and had a place to stay. They seemed to type to take in strays often. I heard from a few customers they always took in young kids that looked wayward. Apparently I was the one that looked the best in shape yet.
As much as I would like to say I felt great in this job, I didn't. Because every time I got comfortable, every time I felt a wee bit happy, I remembered that I wasn't where I wanted to be. I didn't have the internet to occupy me for hours on end. I didn't have the freedom to wear whatever style of clothes suited my body. I didn't talk about cellphones or technology or the crazy stuff that I had seen since getting here.
I had nobody.
I was nobody.
So a little part of me cried every night when I went to sleep without saying goodnight to my family. No matter how horrid they were, they were always, always there. I would tear up in the morning, waking to the sun in my face instead of my phone. I couldn't socialize long distance either, I couldn't do so much and it was like I was going to explode from the culture shock. Most nights I cried in my room, the weight of reality setting in.
After three weeks, things started to get a bit better. I still hated this with an intense passion and had no idea where I would be going after this, but I would get up each morning and throw myself through the motions anyways. To play up the role I was given I would amplify my youth by staring at eye candy, whenever it did come through the door.
I was rather confident with myself, at ease with my body and appearance, and very comfortable with how I was perceived by in the world. Men definitely noticed me, and I noticed them. I was a bit of a sucker for big muscles and curly delivery boy, Jonah, often glanced my way when we crossed paths. As a distraction I threw myself into flirting with him without actually going up to him.
I had been staring at him for such a long time that I almost missed when a customer came into the pub. It was mid day on and Sunday, so we hadn't been expecting anyone today. However Thomas always liked the pub to be open even for a few hours, just in case. Maybe it had been a good idea. After all the man that he just entered had already come several times in the past week. The man sat at a stool, holding his index finger high.
"One of whatever you got." He said in a dismissive fashion. I already had it prepared and slid it down to him with a smile. The man glanced up at me before smirking at my swiftness. "Am I that predictable?"
"Consistent is the word I would use." I said with a wryness to my smile. The man chuckled before taking a swig. When he placed it back down a long sigh came from his lips. "May I ask what your business in town is?"
The man paused, giving me a harsh stare.
"My business is not your business young lady." He said sharply. I raised a brow before busying myself with cleaning the bar.
"Most people in this town come and then go. Yet you appear to linger. People 'round here don't like it, and sometimes they get antsy. I'm sure you know the feeling, like you're under surveillance." I said in the same dismissive tone. The man glared, but it broke to a smirk.
"This coming from an English woman hiding out in Ireland? What's got you with your tail between your legs?" He asked. I paused, before glancing up at him. He waved a hand. "Don't worry, I'd rather keep myself out of whatever mess you got yourself in."
I paused in my cleaning, before doing small circles on a spot that just wouldn't clean up.
"I was wrong, and it cost me a lot." Was all I could come up with that didn't sound insane. The man was quiet, before he downed his beer and sighed.
"Well, considering you've served me and given me an intellectual conversation, though I'm not quite sure what provoked you to," he said with a smirk, "I'll have to call it a day." He said while reaching into his wallet for notes. I had glanced down at his hands, but they strayed past that and to his open jacket. What lay inside had me paler than a ghost.
A long stick, that looked painfully familiar.
A wand….
He had a wand.
I turned around to take his glass and clean it, trying to steel myself, but when I turned back to gather the money I found a rather large tip in the pile of coins and notes. A short gasp left my lips as I watched the man retreat out the door. I stared at the money for a long moment before an unsettling feeling settled in my gut. Something about the entire exchange didn't sit right with me, and I worried that this man already knew who I was.
I rushed out the door, standing in the street and barely able to see the man's back. Even if I ran from here I likely would still lose him. So I went back inside and pretended everything was okay. Though I knew that it most certainly wasn't.
It was probably closer to midnight, and I still couldn't sleep out of fear that he was going to get me, that I heard it.
It wasn't a peculiar noise, but rather a pained one. The sound was of a cry, sounding like an eagle, at least from what I recalled it sounding like. I sat there, in the dark, listening to the sound from my open window, before I finally gave up sleep and pulled my clothes back on and tiptoed out of the upstairs to the pub and out the door.
I followed the sound for a short while, thinking that nobody stirred because the noise wasn't overly suspicious. However, I wasn't about to just leave a creature to it's misery. At the very least I could see if I could stop the crying.
What I had expected was a felled bird, perhaps one with a broken wing that needed to be nursed back. What I hadn't expected, was the massive creature that was sprawled against a tree. It cried once more, and I could see from where I stood that one of it's wings was damaged. The creature was large, about the size of a large horse. With wings and a hind end exactly like a horse. The front, however, reminded me of a hawk or eagle. With talons on it's front feet and a sharp beak. I took a step closer, marvelling at the silver gleam the non-bloody feathers gave off.
The poor creature, whatever it was, was definitely hurt. I took another step closer and snapped a twig under my foot. The creature shot it's head up and zeroed in on me. It rose to it's full height, flapping it's good wing and screeching at me. I remained frozen, uncertain of what I should do before it began to charge at me.
"Stupefy!"
The creature was thrown back, letting out a cry again. I winced on it's behalf, watching with shock as the man from the pub stood in front of me.
"You should be in bed young lady." He scolded. I looked between him and the creature, seeing a glimpse of fear in the bird like eyes before it crouched.
"I-I heard it crying." I said, not sure what I should do.
"Yeah, I meant to be quick, but the creature was too fast for me." He said before holding his wand up to the creature. My heart sank at his words and the realization of just how the creature was injured came to light.
"You did this to it?" I felt sick, like I should vomit. The man looked at me with disgust.
"Don't you pity it! That thing is a monster." He said, turning to the winged beast again. I shook with sorrow and fury, ready to hit him or jump in the way. Whatever it took at that second to stop the beast from being harmed. The pitiful whine it gave off a moment later had me geared for action. I never got to take part in it though because a rather familiar figure appeared.
"I think I can take it from here." Newt said as he stood up to the other man. Said man rolled his eyes, before looking from the creature to Newt.
"You can't be serious! It's a bloody monster!" He shouted. His attention fully taken by Newt left me quietly behind him. I looked around, finding a fair sized tree branch.
"That creature is in pain, and if you don't lower your wand he will be in more pain." Newt tried to reason, his voice calm but authoritative. The man sighed, shaking his head before taking his wand from the creature and turning it on Newt.
"Then somebody will have to-"
He didn't get to finish, as I had bashed him over the head rather hard with the branch. It hit him so hard that it cracked, splinters going flying everywhere. Newt looked from the comatose man to me. His eyes shone with recognition then as though he hadn't realized it was me before. He wasn't the only one to react though, as the noise of the cracking wood caused the creature to jump up and screech again.
The creature squared off with me. It's eyes locking onto mine, a rage building inside of those orbs.
"Bow!" Newt said hastily. I glanced at him, only to see him doing as he commanded. So I immediately dropped to one knee and bowed. The creature flailed above me, but I listened for Newt's instructions, hoping he wasn't going to leave me in the dark. Instead I got grabbed and yanked through that inside tunnel that I believe Newt told me was 'apparating' before finding myself against a tree next to Newt a ways away from the beast.
I could see from where I leaned, nauseously, against the tree that the spot I had previously been occupying was where the beast stood. It's claws had pierced the dirt where I had been standing. Looking down I could see Newt had the sense to grab the unconscious man as well. I gulped nervously, glancing at Newt for some sort of guidance. He was the expert in all things magic and animal right? Newt looked at me, a focus in his eyes I wasn't familiar with.
"I'm going to get closer to the Hippogriff. But he's very distressed right now. So I need you to stay here and make sure this gentleman doesn't interrupt. Can you do that for me?" He said in such a calming tone that I instantly felt lulled by in and nodded automatically. Newt vanished, apparating away from me and appearing on the far side of the Hippogriff. No wonder why it looked so regal. Body of a horse and head of an eagle. I could faintly recall the notes written down in the book and felt embarrassed when I realized my mistake of looking the creature in the eye.
Peaking out from behind the tree, I managed to watch Newt as he slowly began to get closer to the frail creature. The Hippogriff grunted, narrowing it's gaze onto the young man. I held my breath as Newt gently bowed before stepping back in his crouched position. He didn't move a muscle as the creature eyed him. Through a series of trial and error Newt managed to get close enough to the creature that the Hippogriff bowed. Newt stood up and gently reached a hand out. However, my attention was taken from the beautiful moment when a groan could be heard from behind me.
Turning, I squeaked in surprise at the now sitting upright man. Without a thought I kicked him with my heel, knocking him out cold once more. The moment of victory was short lived though, as I realized there was tension in the air. Turning, I realized I now stood in view of the still very livid Hippogriff. It reared up, once again glaring at me like it had before. This time, however, I bowed immediately. I could hear Newt hushing the creature, which was probably the only thing keeping me from being destroyed.
"You startled him." Newt commented. I would've glared at him, but I couldn't move from my position. There was a paused before Newt spoke again. "Try and take a step forward."
"What?!" I whispered harshly. This man was going to get me killed.
"He's listening to you now. Hippogriffs have been known to be more attentive to females." There was a pause as I didn't move an inch. "You can do this."
I hesitated before taking a short step forward. When nothing happened I took another. When I had arrived to be about ten feet from the duo I stopped. Newt was silent as I stayed there before I could practically hear the smile in his voice.
"Look."
So I did, and it was quite the marvel that I laid my eyes upon. The Hippogriff was bowing to me. While that feature wasn't necessarily incredible, the feeling of it gave me a rush of excitement. A grin spread across my face. The Hippogriff stood tall, and Newt then glanced at the broken and bloody wing.
"Now comes the hard part." He said, looking from me to his briefcase in his hands.
That line was probably the only thing to wipe the smile off my face.
Through some creative tinkering and rummaging, we finally managed to coax the injured beast into the case. It took a lot of negotiation from Newt to even get me to help, considering I wasn't sure how it would even fit, but I found, with only mild surprise, that the creature slid in easy. From there Newt began getting medicine ready while instructing me how to make it's bed and what bandages he would need. Surprisingly enough we worked well together; Newt a good teacher and I a good listener. Within an hour the Hippogriff was fed and resting in his own home quietly. His wing tucked and wrapped into his side.
I washed the blood off of my hands into a soapy bucket of water, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the suitcase had running water. Why anyone would ever leave was beyond me. While I washed Newt came up to me, having already cleaned himself off and check his other beasts. He has a placid smile on his face, looking satisfied with himself.
"You did a good job."He said quietly. I smiled, shaking my hands free of water and taking a towel he offered.
"I only did well because I had a good teacher." I insisted, making him look at my shoes. His smile remained though, he definitely was feeling good today. A moment later I glanced over to the Hippogriff now snoozing away in a bed of straw. "It'll be strange, going back to the pub after this."
There was a pause before Newt stepped away and into the hut. I stayed where I was, only moving when he returned with a button down and trousers.
"You'll need to clean yours, I'm afraid it's got blood on it again." He said, staring intently at the smears of Hippogriff blood on it. I nodded, taking the offered clothing and retreating to the hut to change. I did so quickly, rolling the sleeves and legs of the clothing up to fit me. The pants barely fit around my hips but were rather long. The shirt very much oversized on my small bust and frame. Newt hadn't moved very far from where he was, seeming to be thinking hard on something.
"Newt?" I asked. He spun around quickly, looking at me and then down. A frown was on his lips as he then looked back at me thoughtfully.
"How do you know?" He asked. I frowned.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You knew how to greet almost every creature here. Even ones I didn't initiate you to look at. And you knew facts about them that no muggle should know." He said in a flurry of words. I shook my head before wrapping my arms around myself.
"I told you, I read them in a book." I said, thinking of home as I said this.
"I can't say I've ever heard of such a book." Newt admitted, though it wasn't in a tone that told me he didn't believe my words. I gave a soft smile.
"That's because I read it in 2011. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." I said, recalling the small handwritten novel. Newt looked curious again.
"Can you recall the author?" He asked, making me think. I nodded.
"Yeah, it was-" I paused and looked up at him and finally putting two and two together. "Newt Scamander."
He looked me in the eyes then. I nodded as if confirming my own memories.
"Newt Scamander was the author. And the book- it was handwritten in a small leather bound notebook and-" I stopped when Newt produced the very same notebook from his pocket. I looked up at him, then back to the book. He handed it to me and I flipped through the painfully familiar writing. The novel wasn't nearly complete, but it was definitely filled in. I grinned at this, looking back up to Newt. He looked down at me with a new curious light in his eyes.
"Looks like you've made the impact on me for a while now." I said, positively beaming. Yet this brought on another strange feeling as I recalled what else laid inside the shoe box in 2011. What other things in there were real? I wasn't certain, but I pushed it aside as Newt spoke.
"Would you…. Perhaps…" He trailed off and looked at my shoes again. "If it's not too much, perhaps you would prefer a job… Here….."
My eyes widened, shocked he had even offered. I didn't think he was much of a people person, never mind a person who shared their things. However as he took the small book back I could see a million questions behind his eyes.
"I'm under the impression my personal copy didn't find it's way to you on accident. So I would like it very much if you could help me with this puzzle." Newt said, though I wondered when exactly he had had this change of heart. I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth though, and I nodded hastily. Newt looked at me again before dropping his gaze and smiling.
"Well, I'd be blessed to have such an opportunity, Mr. Scamander, if you would have me."
Hey all. I updated again. Look at me go.
One day I shall look back and cry at how rush this chapter was, but in the mean time I'm going to ignore that in favour of getting another chappy published.
I really like writing about Newt, but it's tough to really get a sense of his character yet. So I'm kind of just winging it, like I do everything else in my life. From what I gather of Newt's character, Jay is going to be the frustrated one in the relationship for a loooooong time. Poor girl doesn't know what she's in for.
Also, the next few chapters are going to be pretty much Jay learning about the Wizarding World, and Newt collecting beasts. Is there any beast in particular you would love for them to meet? I've already got one side arc planned but was hoping for another one before we reach the movie. It should be about 10 chapters, so I have time to fill!
Please drop a review with your preferred beast. Also, which is your favourite? I personally love the Nundu and Occamy the most!
Without further adieu, I shall publish this chapter.
Iland Girl