The pamphlet dropped from her trembling hands, anxiety rising within her as she looked up at Newt, who was still staring at his own.

"So it has started." He cleared his throat, folding the paper and clumsily putting it in his coat pocket. "H-He's started another army here."

Tina furrowed her brow, and looked back down at the bold call to arms typed across the piece of paper; the memory of a bound Grindelwald flashed before her mind—callous and unfazed as he walked past them after being captured. The cold, emotionless eye as it fixed on Newt; Shall we die, just a little?

"Army? He's building an army?" She swallowed, putting the paper into her pocket as well. She had no idea this man had nearly that much influence; before their encounter in the subway days ago, she had never even heard of him. She had been on desk duty for months now, after all, and MACUSA purposely left her out of more important affairs after what had happened with the Second Salemers.

"He's been a problem for a while now in Europe—conducting attacks across Europe, committing mass slaughter of both muggles and magical people alike…" His voice was slightly shaking as he spoke, his thoughts racing with all of the headlines from the Daily Prophet; the names of innocents mentioned in every other line of the front page article almost daily, burning into his mind.

"My dream last night…" She cleared her throat, shuffling nervously.

"…It was about him. He escaped. He broke out of his cell, killed a guard who tried to stop him, and…"

Newt curiously looked over at her now.

"…the storms, it was so strange—how could everyone have heard them except me? But they were in my dream—and now this happens?"

He grabbed her hand and held it gently, turning to face her. Her eyes were wider now and her hands were trembling once more, terrified that her dream had any relation to reality.

"Tina, I believe you would have heard if he escaped. There would be chaos throughout all of MACUSA," he paused, attempting to soothe her even though he himself was battling his own thoughts. "…but there is definitely something going on. We will go to the prison tonight, when almost everyone has gone home."

"We?" Tina shook her head, her brows furrowed once more. "No, Newt, you need to leave. You need to publish your novel—I can handle this. Please don't let me hold you back. MACUSA and I can handle this."

"Look at how well they managed to handle Grindelwald before, Tina. I can't leave now." He lightly grasped her chin and lifted her eyes to meet his. He stared into her eyes, an intensity growing within him. "And please, don't ever say that you are holding me back. Ever again."

He had a sternness in his voice now that took her by surprise, and she just nodded at him, ignoring the stubborn urge she had to argue with him. She had already learned many times over in the past few days that Newt was going to do what he intended, regardless of anyone else's opinion. She also couldn't help but enjoy the protectiveness over her that she felt, even though she knew that she could protect herself. She deeply sighed, and looked back down at the ground.

"I need to tell Queenie about this... I'm going to head to the carnival to find her and Jacob," Tina gently let go of his hand, and gestured with her eyes towards his suitcase. "You should probably lay low until we leave tonight… considering that I'm still hiding you from the government, which just so happens to also be my employer."

She had a gut feeling that this was going to be a reoccurring issue—not that she was complaining, but the actions of Newt Scamander may be almost constantly in conflict with her interest as a government worker. Within this country, at least. MACUSA was a lot stricter, in many ways than the Ministry in London, and she couldn't imagine Newt ever quite conforming to their rules.

He glanced down at his suitcase and smirked, feeling an excitement to return to something familiar. "Ah, yes—I have some tending to my creatures to do anyway. They're probably not too happy with me at the moment. This is the longest I have gone without visiting them in quite some time."

She smiled back and softly giggled, slightly easing the pressure in her chest she felt from all of the sudden worry thrust upon her. Newt had a way about him that always lightened her mind and heart, no matter what she faced. She grasped his arm lightly and pressed her soft lips to his, lingering for a moment to enjoy the little rush of bliss she felt whenever she so much as physically came into contact with him. He slowly slid his hands up her face and caressed her cheek, returning her kiss with a hint of subtle passion, before they stepped away and lovingly looked into each other's eyes, longing for the night they had just spent together hours ago.

"W-Well, uhm, you know where to find me." His boyish grin appeared across his face now, his freckles accentuated by the sunlight.

She gently returned his smile, her eyes shining bright from the energy their kiss gave her. She nodded, and hesitantly turned away to head towards the carnival to find her sister.

Newt then turned away as well and headed back to Tina and Queenie's home. Fickett, one of his (although he didn't want to admit it in front of the others) favorite Bowtruckles then popped out of his front pocket, and squeaked with delight.

"I should tell her? Why?"

The creature squeaked back in response.

"It's not the time, Fickett—now, hold tight."

Newt turned into an alleyway out of sight from any Muggles, and apparated back to the apartment.


The carnival was bustling with large crowds of vibrant, excited men, women, and children; many were crowded around the several tents spread throughout the park, sneaking a peak into the wonder and entertainment inside, such as animals performing tricks, brave men and women walking gracefully across a tightrope, performers swinging from ring to ring with fascinating ease, and dancers singing as they moved to the musical numbers. Others laughed and cheered as they played various games on each side of the path; men sitting on planks waiting to be dunked into the water by the perfect throw at a target, pies flying several feet aimed towards the painted face of a clown, and paper boats gently racing across water as children screamed and cheered for theirs to win. The delicious scent of fresh popcorn and candy filled the air, as well as the sound of a cheerful circus march played by a band made up of a full ensemble, enticing every passerby to at least glance through the gates, tempting them to enter its world.

Tina walked down the main path of the carnival, strategically scanning each person she passed for the face of her sister, or Jacob. With each step barkers called her to carousels and ferris wheels while she was simultaneously offereded buckets of popcorn or swirls of cotton candy on a stick, all of which she politely declined, subtly blushing as she looked down at the ground to avoid their enthusiastic expressions. She sighed, unable to help the feeling that grew inside her as she watched all of the people surrounding her. Most people had a knack for, regardless of what turmoil they were going through or what trouble was happening in the world around them, being able to escape and enjoy even the simplest things in life. Whether it was a bite of candy, watching a clown contort a balloon to the shape of an animal, or the seductive moves of a dancer under the bright circus lights, they could escape, even if it was just for that moment. The only time she had that ability anymore was when she was with Newt—when his bright, admiring eyes gazed into hers, when his hands tenderly, curiously caressed her skin, when he so much as spoke her name, lovingly passing through his lips.

Her heart skipped a beat as she spotted him through the crowds—the man from earlier that day, the same man who had grabbed her by the arm, speaking cryptically and then gave her and Newt the pamphlets of Grindelwald's preaching. His lightning bright hair stood out amongst the crowd, and from the side she could see a cunning grin on his face, enthusiastically talking with his hands. She breathed in sharply as she realized who was on the other end of that conversation—her sister.

"Queenie, no!" She broke out into a light jog, if that is what her frantic walking could be described as while she pushed her way through, packed in among the crowds.

"Ple-Please—excuse me—I'm sorry, excuse me—" She desperately tried to make her way through them, met with irritated glanced and sighs from the people around her.

Once she finally broke into a small clearing, there stood Queenie looking down at the pamphlet he had given her. She ran towards her sister, her heart feeling like it was going to burst right out of her chest. Tina noticed her approaching just before she reached her, and looked up with a puzzled look on her face.

"Teenie, what is—"

"Come here." Tina grabbed Queenie and pulled her off to the side, away from the crowds as much as she could. They stood against a fence in a shadowed area behind a carousel, and Queenie waited as her sister caught her breath.

"G-Grindelwald." Tina breathed, trying to speak as softly as she could. "I don't want to say too much here, but, he's up to something—"

"Wasn't he just arrested? That night in the subway, wasn't that him?"

"Yes, but—he's starting armies, Queenie. He already has… throughout Europe. Now he's starting to here—Newt told me, he's been forming armies and attacking all over—this is his next target," She finally caught her breath, and she watched as her sister's eyes widened, reading over the pamphlet once more.

"What does this mean?" Queenie's voice was now several octaves higher, breaking her usual composed manner.

"I don't know yet. But this is why I came here to find you—"

"Where's Jacob?" Queenie suddenly realized that he wasn't at the game that he said he would be playing when she walked away, to speak with the man who had given her the pamphlet. It's about work, I just have to speak to the lady for a moment, he told them both as he gently pulled her away—Queenie had been nervous, but figured he was an awkward new server or manager at the restaurant who wanted to introduce himself. It wouldn't have been the first time—she had been working there for years, and everyone, coworkers and customers alike knew her. Okay, well uh, I'll just be right over here, then. Her eyes darted throughout the area, and she unwittingly dropped her pamphlet and started diligently walking over to the crowds to search for him.

Tina immediately picked the pamphlet up from the ground, shoving it into her pocket as she broke into a jog to follow her sister.

"Jacob, honey? Jacob?" She called into the air, pushing through the crowds with considerably more force than Tina had before. She could see her sister's movements become more frantic, her voice breaking, as they moved through the people gathered around the different attractions. Queenie searched every group, looking directly into the face of several men just to be sure, and glanced in every tent as she searched, until they were practically at the entrance of the carnival. Tina miraculously managed to keep up with her the entire time, and her face fell as she saw Queenie start to break down, realizing that he was nowhere to be found.

"O-Oh, Tina—this is because of me—Where is he? What did they do to him?" She now started wailing, hunched over. She covered her face, her words barely audible through the tears.

"Wait…" Tina dug one of the pamphlets out of her pocket and examined it. The message she had read before was still threateningly typed across the front, but then she flipped it over and found an address, as well as a meeting time, which she had not noticed before.

35 W 119TH STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10026

ELEVEN PM

"Queenie—look," Tina walked over to her sister, who struggled to stop her tears as she looked up at her sister. Queenie sniffled as she read the words printed before her, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"W-We can't go to that horrible—"

"No—Listen to me. Do you want to find Jacob? He disappeared right after you spoke to that man, right? The man who gave you this?" Tina grabbed Queenie's hand, gripping it firmly, managing a smile as she caught her sister's eyes. Her mind and heart were racing, terrified at the thought of what Jacob could experience at the hand of Grindelwald's fanatics, but she had to remain calm, for her sister. Queenie's eyes were surrounded by smudged shades of black and gold, grey tears mixed with eyeliner still falling down her cheeks. She silently nodded and wiped beneath her eyes once more.

"O-Okay, Teenie."

Tina held her sister's hand as they left through the carnival gates, and made their way back to the apartment.


Queenie had managed to compose herself by the time they reached their home, and as they stepped through the door they were greeted by silence and darkened rooms. There was no sign of anyone within the home, besides the now cold, lonely mug of tea on the kitchen table that Newt must have made. With a wave of her wand, Queenie started the fireplace in the front room, needing anything that could bring her even the smallest sense of comfort. She sat down on the sofa as Tina walked down the hallway towards the guest bedroom.

In the center of the floor was Newt's suitcase. She immediately walked over to it and knocked on the top, knowing that he must've still been inside. She sighed, folding her arms across her chest as she waited. Within a few moments, the suitcase unlatched and Newt's tousled light-brown hair appeared, before the rest of him slowly crawled out, stumbling as the last of him exited the suitcase. He promptly closed it behind him and secured the latch, and he stood up to meet Tina's troubled eyes.

"W-What happened?" He stepped closer to her, cautious as he examined her expression.

"…Jacob is gone," she was using all of her strength to remain composed as she spoke, fighting the urge to crumble and fall into his arms, fall back into the sanctuary that she found within him, and never leave. She desperately wanted for it all to disappear as they retreated to her bed, intertwined physically and emotionally, concerned only with the touch of each other's hands, the taste of each other's skin, the words that escaped from each other's lips. That was the only escape she knew of.

"T-They have him." She took a deep breath, looking to the side now, overwhelmed by everything that was happening—the thunder from her dream roared in her ears as she fought the tears threatening her eyes.

It wasn't entirely clear to Newt how she had come to that conclusion, but he could sense that she was struggling to speak as much as she already had. He was silent as he held her hand, gently caressing it with his thumb.

"W-Well… what are we waiting for?"

She looked up at him, managing a slight smile. He gently returned her smile, before he leaning in and placed a loving kiss upon her forehead, breathing in her comforting scent before he stepped away. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for all that they may be about to face, and started walking him through the door. He cleared his throat and then followed her, and they both made their way down the hallway into the living room.

Queenie jumped slightly as they entered the room, hurriedly wiping her eyes as she then turned to look at them both. The fireplace was burning, and the familiar sound of jazz now played throughout the home—the two things that Queenie needed for a sense of familiarity. Tina gently let go of Newt's hand and made her way over to her sister, sat beside her on the sofa and cusped her hands around Queenie's. Queenie subtly smiled, looking over at Tina before she looked over to Newt.

Newt nodded at them both, as they all mutually acknowledged what they needed to do.


They took the train back down into the city, staring quietly through the windows as the train thundered through the subway tunnels. Tina held Queenie's hand as Newt held hers. She looked over at her sister, who silently sat wide-eyed, looking straight before her. Tina squeezed her hand gently, attempting all that she could to provide any comfort. Her heart ached as she looked at her sister; no matter how much they grew, no matter how "adult" either of them were at this point, she felt an instinctive protectiveness over her younger sister, a protectiveness she had to assume since they were both very young.

"We're going to get him back, Queenie."

She slowly nodded in response, closing her eyes to stop the tears that were fighting to spill once more from her eyes.

Once the train had reached their stop, they all stepped onto the platform and were greeted by eerie emptiness; not a soul was to be seen besides homeless people spread sparingly in the corners, sleeping with their empty cups and minimal belongings, and the leftover partiers dressed in their work clothes of the day, ending their happy hours. The three of them hurriedly made their way to the exit, Tina still holding her sister's hand.

The city was dark and quiet; the sidewalks were barren as they walked down the streets, a subtle chill in the air creeping into their bones. They found themselves as they travelled further towards their destination into a murkier, seedier part of Harlem; far from the bright lights they had partied beneath only the night before, the landscape was littered with dim streetlights, eerie stillness, and the occasional scatter of animals as they crossed their path.

They eventually reached their destination; there stood a massive, degraded multi-story warehouse which by the look of the of it, one would assume has been abandoned for quite some time. The sides of the building were decayed, clearly untouched and unloved for years; stories of dim, stained windows dimly glowed in the night. The front door was visible only because of a single yellow lantern, laced with spiderwebs and age.

Tina stepped forward, hesitantly standing within inches of the door. She looked back at both Queenie and Newt, who cautiously stood directly behind her; Queenie nervously clasped her hands together at her chest, her lips tight with worry, and Newt had his hand in his pocket, firmly grasping the wand inside it with preparation, and gave Tina a reassuring nod when she met his eyes.

She turned back to face the door, and softly knocked a few times. Almost instantly the door swung open, causing the three of them to step back, as the scent of cigar infiltrated their senses. Tina looked up into the face that was now staring directly down at her; his electric green eyes pierced hers, and a crooked, devilish smirk crept across his lips as he gazed back. The slender frame dressed in a grey and black striped suit covered the doorway, as hushed chatter could be heard from a distance behind him.

"Well, hello there…"

There stood Richard, Tina's past lover, his arrogant smile fixed across his face as he briefly glanced behind her, recognizing not only Queenie—but also Newt, from the night before. His eyes lingered on Newt for a moment, before returning to Tina.

"Please. Come on in."


A/N: So, this chapter was a lot more "action packed" than previous ones- with a lot less Newt/Tina business going on. But... there will certainly be more to come! ;) Thank you for reading, and thank you all for the feedback I've received. You keep me going. :) Please let me know what you think of this chapter!