You had forgotten just how much you missed your best friend until you were spending time with her again. You spent hours and hours laughing and catching up, and, much too quickly, it was Saturday. You had woken up nervous. You hated Ministry pageantry, of course, but were beyond excited to see Newt get recognized for everything he'd done. You smiled, glad you could be there for him. You didn't want to admit it, but you had had trouble sleeping away from the case. You missed seeing him first thing in the morning and just before bed. You knew you'd eventually have to tell him how you felt, but you also knew he'd want to stop working with you once he realized your feelings were compromised. You didn't think you could handle that quite yet.

"Are you almost ready?" Gita asked, pushing open the bedroom door.

"Not mentally, no," you said. Gita shook her head at you.

"You'd think you were the one getting the award…" she trailed off, noticing you fully. She smiled. "You look beautiful," she said.

"Thanks," you turned so she could see the plunging back. "I think it's the fanciest I've ever looked."

"I believe that," Gita said. "You should probably head out, right?"

You nodded. You were supposed to meet Newt at his office before the ceremony so you could apparate together. You sighed. "I'm going to miss you."

Gita smiled sadly, walking over to you and hugging you tightly. "I'm going to miss you, too. But this is right. This is what you're meant to do." You nodded into her shoulder.

"I don't think I can ever go back to Ministry paperwork," you laughed. "Not after all this."

"You won't have to," she said, stepping away from you. "It's weird isn't it?" She asked. You raised a brow at her. "Being grown-up."

You smiled. "So weird. Half the time I'm sure I'm doing it wrong."

Gita laughed. "Me too."

You reached out, taking Gita's hands in yours. "I'll see you soon-ish, ok?"

She smiled. "Soon-ish," she agreed. You gave her hands one last squeeze before dropping them and apparating away with a soft pop.

You opened Newt's office door, stepping in quietly. Newt had his back turned towards you, and you smiled as he mumbled under his breath while working to fix his bowtie.

"Mr. Scamander," you said, imitating yourself from the first time you met him. "It's an honor."

Newt jerked around at your voice, freezing as he saw you.

"Autumn," he said. It wasn't a question, but you offered him a smile anyways. His eyes raked over you and he colored instantly.

"How is everyone?" You asked him. He furrowed his brow.

"Who?"

"The creatures," you laughed. "I missed them."

"Oh," he said. "Oh!" Newt shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "Of course...would you like to see them before we go?"

"Do we have time?" You asked him, smiling. He nodded, returning your grin.

"Of course," he said.

Everyone was excited to see you. The Mooncalves had ran to you instantly, nudging your hands and cooing. Dougal had wrapped his arms around your middle, hugging you gently. Even the Occamies, who generally nipped at your fingers, were content to slither through your hands. You were watching the Nundu stretch and roll on the grass when Newt appeared beside you.

"I missed them," you said. He glanced at you.

"They missed you, too." He clenched his jaw, looking at the ground. "It was strange being here without you."

You gave him a weak smile. "It was strange not being here," you said. He offered you his arm.

"Should we go?" He said. You nodded, linking your arm in his. He apparated you both away.

The Ministry party was like every other Ministry party you'd been to. It was filled with well-dressed people who didn't like one another, pretending through fake smiles to enjoy each other's company. You sighed, taking a sip of champagne.

"I'm sorry I dragged you to this," you said, smiling at Newt.

"Why?" he said, offering you a lopsided smile. "It's not that bad." You raised a brow at him. "I quite like the company," he offered.

You laughed at that. "Missed my sparkling personality the past couple of days, did you?" You joked. Newt was about to answer when you were both interrupted by the Minister.

"Newt, my boy!" The Minister said, patting him on the shoulder. Newt stood, shaking his hand.

"Minister, thank you so much for - "

"Now, now, I've told you," he said smiling, "It's Hector." He looked down to you and you stood. "My, who is this?" He asked.

You smiled, offering him your hand. "My name is Autumn," you said. "It's a pleasure, Minister."

Hector chuckled, bowing and kissing your knuckles. He clapped Newt on the back. "Nice work, my boy, nice work." Newt blushed.

"Sir, she's not - "

"Hector!" He corrected. Newt looked at you, exasperated. You gave him a smile. "Now Newt," he said, "I must take you from this enchanting woman momentarily to prepare you for tonight's proceedings. Come with me," he said. Newt looked to you for help, but you waved him away instead.

"I'll drink your champagne for you," you whispered.

"Oh, thanks," he said, hesitating momentarily before following after the Minister. You laughed, sitting back down. You finished off your glass of champagne and were just about to grab Newt's when you heard someone behind you say your name.

"Yes?" You said, turning around. You froze seeing it was Cyrus.

"Autumn," he said, sitting down in Newt's seat. "You look marvelous."

"You look desperate," you said, reaching over and grabbing Newt's champagne flute. You took a sip, eyeing him. "Why are you here?"

"You know I never miss these events," he smiled. You snorted.

"Any chance to schmooze," you said. At his silence you huffed. "Do you want something?" You asked him.

"You," he answered quickly. You stared at him.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Autumn," he said, leaning closer to you, "I made the biggest mistake of my life letting you go. Give me another chance."

The sound of someone clearing their throat made you both turn. It was Newt.

"Am I interrupting anything?" He asked, voice tight.

"No," you answered quickly. "He was just leaving," you said, turning to Cyrus with a cold look. He smiled and stood.

"Think about what I said," he said to you before walking away. You wrinkled your nose.

"What a git," you said. Newt sat down, quietly. "I must have some sort of tracker on my body that lets him know when I go out in public," you mused. Newt gave you a tight smile. You were about to ask him what was wrong when the Minister took the stage, tapping on his microphone.

"Ladies and Gentleman," he said, "thank you all for coming tonight, on this very prestigious evening." He paused momentarily, making sure everyone was listening. "Every year the Ministry awards one particularly talented witch or wizard the Wizard of the Year Award, to commemorate their achievements and celebrate their contributions to Wizardkind. This year is no different. For his innumerable discoveries and tireless passion, Newton Scamander, famed author and Magizoologist, is this year's recipient. Please, join me in welcoming him to the stage."

You cheered and clapped along with the rest of the room as Newt stood and made his way to the microphone. You couldn't remember feeling prouder of another human being in your entire life. Newt stood, waiting awkwardly for the room to quiet.

"H-hello," he said. "I'm Newt. I'm incredibly honored, and, quite frankly, surprised to be receiving such an award. I'm not, as one might like to think, any more special than the next witch or wizard. I am truly very ordinary. The only benefit I've had, and I thank my lucky stars for it, is to have been put, at many times in my life, in truly extraordinary situations." He smiled, looking down at the podium. "I never thought, as a child, that I would become an adventurer. And more often than not, my adventures seem to happen to me, rather than because of me. But I think the key to greatness is to accept what comes into your life with open arms…" He glanced to you. "Someone very important to me once told me that people come into your life to make you stronger, and I couldn't agree more. My life is all the people, places, and wonderful creatures I've ever met rolled into one… and tonight I'm accepting this award for them. Because they are not just the witches and wizards and beasts of the year… but of my life. Thank you."

The room applauded him as he made his way back to your table.

"You're crying," he said, upon seeing you.

"I'm a crier," you said, hugging him. He was stiff momentarily, but after a moment relaxed under your touch and hugged you back.

About an hour later you had run out of champagne and cake. You looked at Newt.

"Do you want to dance?" You asked him. He glanced at the dance floor, frowning.

"I think I'd like to see my creatures," he said. You smiled.

"Let's go, then," you said. You made to stand, but grimaced when your knee panged. Newt stood and helped you up. "Thanks," you hissed. He smiled. He walked you outside, slowly, allowing you to lean on him.

"Oh," he said suddenly. "I have to get my jacket from coat check. You'll be ok here for a moment? I'll be right back." You nodded, offering him a smile and leaning forward to rub your knee. Newt walked quickly back into the building.

"Thought anymore about what I said?" You jumped at the sound of Cyrus' voice.

"Merlin's beard," you said, putting a hand over your heart. "Don't you have anything better to do?"

"Take a walk with me," Cyrus said, offering you his arm.

"No," you shook your head. "No thanks, no way."

Cyrus frowned. "You're being unreasonable."

"You're being an ass," you said, turning away from him. You were stopped by him grabbing the inside of your upper arm.

"You will listen to me," he said darkly. You tried to pull your arm away, but he gripped tighter.

"You're hurting me," you said.

"Then you better come with me." You gaped at him.

"I'm not going anywhere with - " You yelped as he gripped your arm even tighter, hard enough to bruise. He took a step, jerking you towards him, bringing a hand to your throat. The booze in your brain made you wobble, and you cursed yourself for letting Newt check your wand with his coat. Cyrus' hand tightened on your throat and you wheezed.

"You never knew when to keep quiet," he said. He backed you up against a wall, putting more pressure on your throat and causing you to make a gurgling noise. "What's that?" He asked you. The smell of alcohol on his breath was staggering. You clawed at his hand, unable to breath.

You were just about to pass out when you saw a fist connect with the side of Cyrus' face. You fell to the ground in a heap, coughing and gasping for air. You were suddenly enveloped in blue, feeling the familiar sensation of being apparated away as everything faded into black.

When you came to you were in Newt's work shed in his armchair. You sat up, hands flying to your throat. Newt was there in an instant, kneeling in front of you.

"Shhh," he said, taking you by the shoulders, "It's ok, I'm here. I'm here." You opened your mouth to speak but he shook his head. "Don't talk, not yet," he said gently. He reached behind him, grabbing a mug. "Drink this," he told you. You did as you were told, wincing as you felt the muscles in your throat ache.

"Honey?" You asked. He chuckled, nodding.

"I should have known the 'not-talking' part would be difficult for you." He watched you as you gingerly prodded your neck. "How are you feeling?"

"Murderous," you croaked, thinking of Cyrus.

"I know that feeling," he said icily. You realized his hand was resting on your knee, and you looked down to it. His knuckles were cut and bleeding. You ran your thumb over them as he winced. "His teeth," he said, by way of explanation. You bit your lip.

"Thank you."

Newt shook his head. "I shouldn't have left you," he said. You raised your hand, cupping his face. He leaned into your touch.

"You can't be with me all the time," you said. You stayed like that for a moment, unsure of what it meant.

"I missed you," he said finally, breaking the silence. You stared at him. His eyes met yours. "I didn't realize it at first. I… I was was with Dougal and I just…"

"I missed you, too," you admitted. "I had trouble sleeping…" you trailed off, getting lost in his eyes.

"Me too," he said, the corner of his mouth ticking upwards. You swallowed.

"Sit with me," you said. You shifted over, and he joined you on the armchair. You coiled yourself around him, resting your head on his shoulder and snaking your arms around his middle. He wrapped his arms around you, hugging you close. You stayed like that, together, in silence, until you both drifted off.

It was the first time in days either of you slept through the night.