Tina found herself unbelievably glad to run Louise's errand, finding the quiet air of the upper level a welcomed reprieve from the disarray of the kitchen. Admittedly, most of her excitement stemmed from having an excuse to see Newt again. It had only been hours since their last encounter - when his brother ushered him out of her room - but for some reason, it felt so much longer than that. Tina had hoped to spend most of her previous evening with Newt, if only sitting in his company as he wrote or took care of his creatures. She'd watched and observed people all her life, and had found the Magizoologist increasingly fascinating.

Tina's feet carried her down the corridor, over the pillowy softness of the rugs, with avid steps and an anticipatory tingle deep in her belly. She absently wondered what sort of state he would be in. Newt was an early riser like herself, so he could take care of his creatures. Perhaps Louise was mistaken and he'd missed breakfast due to his tendency of feeding his creatures before himself; it wasn't the first time he'd lost track of time in his case. However, his mother seemed perfectly certain that his absence was due to his exertions from celebrating with Theseus. Hence the already prepared potion.

The large wooden door that led into Newt's room was cracked open when she reached it. Tina knocked out of courtesy, not wanting to barge in uninvited. Her heart was beating with a spirited rhythm, the likes of which she had never felt before. She shifted from foot to foot in a restless dance, as she grew more and more impatient after receiving no reply before poking her head in for a quick look. The room was an exact mirror of her own when it came to its layout; large space, huge window, etc. The heavy drapes were pulled shut, hindering the sun from spilling its golden light into the room. Even in the obscurity of dim light, Tina could easily make out Newt lying across his bed.

The taut coverings over his mattress remained undisturbed, giving and creasing due to his weight upon them. He was sprawled on his stomach, still dressed in his attire from the night before; blue coat, mud-caked boots and all. He was snoring expansively, filling the room with the grumbled, snarls of each breath he took. Tina had to stifle a chuckle at the sight of him as she tiptoed over the wooden slats until she was only an arm's length away. She'd left the door ajar to allow more light to pour into the space, alighting on his russet hair in a misty sheen that made it increasingly difficult for Tina to keep from touching. Newt's wild hair had always been one of his many intriguing facets, much like his crooked-cheeky grin and freckled skin or his often duck-footed walk. The tuft of wavy ginger hair seemed to have a life all its own and Tina couldn't stand not knowing it for herself any longer. Gently, she swept her fingers through the coarse nest of loose waves atop his head, feeling an explosive rush of prickling warmth stampede up her arm.

Newt began to shuffle awake with a series of disgruntled sounds and stretching limbs. Sleep was still heavily upon him, and Tina continued to gingerly comb her fingers through his mop of tangles in soothing gestures she was unable to stop. Each tender stroke drew him nearer to consciousness, and after a minute or two, Newt struggled to roll onto his back. He rubbed at his eyes with balled fists uttering nothing more than faint and groggy groans.

"Party too hard, Mr. Scamander?" Tina quipped with a playful smirk.

There was a peaked look to him, as if any moment he'd get sick. She kept her gaze upon him with slight concern in her raised brow, observing each of his movements with vigilant brown eyes. Newt opened his mouth to reply - only to have his words ousted by a yawn and he groaned again out of irritation.

Tina waited until his eyes finally fluttered open into narrow slits to unveil the cure to what ailed him.

"…Is that…?" Newt's eyes widened considerably when they caught sight of the cloudy vial of green she held in front of him.

"Sobering potion," Tina nodded. "A gift from your mother."

She placed herself on the bed next to him as he attempted to sit up. The task proved to be more difficult in the state he was in, but he was eventually able to manage it, propping first on his elbow before sliding into an upright position.

"Oh Merlin, bless that woman." He sighed, relief quickly washing over his sickly features.

Tina issued him the potion, and, by the contorted expression on his face as he threw it back, it must have been anything but pleasant tasting. Newt's nose wrinkled and he childishly stuck out his tongue in appalled disgust.

"That was absolutely vile."

It took a few minutes for the curative to work its magic on the hung over Magizoologist, much of which he spent rubbing circles into his temples. Tina swept a studying glance over the shadowy interior of his room to occupy herself while the elixir kicked in. As she initially noticed, the space wasn't too dissimilar from her room across the hall; what stuck out the most were its very Newt-like aspects. Whether on purpose or by sheer happenstance, the furniture was of a somewhat mismatched variety. With clashing colors and eye-popping patterns, it all reminded her of his usual attire. The bed had a far more rustic look to it – like its frame had been grown instead of constructed – unlike the ornate piece in her room. It was even made with tan and brown linens of a rather simple quality. There was a warmth to his room that hers lacked, although she had to wonder if it was only because Newt was there beside her.

"Thank you for that, Tina," Newt said a while later, looking more like himself. His color had returned to his cheeks and the dark circles under his eyes had faded.

"That was all your mother's doing," Tina reminded him. "So you'll have to thank her."

He shrugged. "Then shall I say 'thank you for bringing it to me'?" Newt gazed at her teasingly, with his crooked smirk that made Tina all too aware of how handsome he was.

"That sounds about right." Tina bit her lip and fought back a blush as she spoke. "So did you and Theseus enjoy yourselves?" She asked after a beat, attempting to thwart the feeling that was suddenly swelling in her.

The smirk on his face shrunk noticeably at her inquiry, and with knitted brows, he seemed as though he was blindly feeling his way through the previous night's activities.

"To be honest, I can't recall much of last night…" Newt suddenly looked both embarrassed and concerned. "I don't even remember coming home actually…"

Tina digested his statement in slow increments while idly imagining Newt stumbling through the door, completely plastered and passing out on his bed. According to his mother, this wasn't the first time he'd drank himself into submission.

My boys sure can drink like Irishman.

Louise's statement drifted back into her mind and drew an amused smirk to Tina's lips that seemed to throw off Newt. He raised a questioning brow in silent inquiry.

"Your mother knows you well," she offered vaguely.

He processed her statement for a moment before tossing it aside to change the subject. "Speaking of my mother, did she behave last night?"

Tina could almost see the flashbacks in his eyes as his mind took him back to the rather embarrassing chitchat they'd shared in the kitchen. His cheeks even turned the faintest shade of pink.

"As well as anyone should at a Hen Party," she told him.

She watched him mull over her words carefully, pulling away each layer of her statement in order to derive all he could before abandoning the concern altogether and moving on.

"So you enjoyed yourself then?" His voice was little more than a murmur, green eyes earnest upon her face.

"Yes," Tina assured him. "I enjoyed getting to know your family. Especially your mother."

He smiled around a smooth chuckle that came from deep in his throat. The potion had remedied his hangover symptoms, but it had not taken away his sleepy eyes or gruff morning voice. Every word he'd said as they sat together on his bed had been expressed in a husky vibrato that stirred and settled deep in Tina's core. She'd also been blithely aware of just how close he was to her; Tina could easily hear every steady breath that he took. He seemed comfortable there, at peace with her so near in the calm silence that embraced them in a harmonious spell. And for the first time in hours, Tina felt as though home wasn't so far away.

The slight squeak of Newt's door being pushed open drew both their eyes forward to see Theseus entering. Unsurprisingly he was already decked out in a well-fitting tuxedo of black rayon – complete with coat tails – that did well to accentuate his shoulder to waist ratio. The stubbly beard that once contoured his face had been sliced down to a faint shadow of it's former self, allowing his freckles to peak out from under the thin veil of facial hair. The features on his face seemed softer without his rugged scruff – almost boyish to an extent – but his chiseled jaw and razor cheekbones made him wholly masculine.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" He sang, raising a brow with a cheeky grin that oozed mischief. His eyes seesawed between the two of them, heavy with unwavering and impish sauciness.

"Of course not," Newt all but snapped.

Theseus shook his head mockingly. "Shame…"

Newt scowled at his brother, only for a moment, then sighed. "What do you need, Theseus?"

His older brother got right to business, asking about the ring he'd asked Newt to hold, making a comment about whether or not he still had it or if the Niffler did.

"I better go get ready myself," Tina insisted, sensing a sibling dispute brewing in the empty air. She'd already seen how cross Newt had been in his office when the thieving beast tried to make off with Lillian's ring. Still, Newt was always ready to defend his creatures; even the pesky ones.

Tina swiftly dipped out of the room – which was swelling with tension – and into the cold strangeness of her own. Even with the golden spring sun spilling across the floor the space around her seemed dark and barren. Nevertheless Tina squared her shoulders, doing her best to ignore how much she missed the warmth of Newt's room already. She missed him already.

With a quick flick of her wand, she cast open her suitcase. At its bottom – beneath all her ordinary clothes – sat a pristine white box with her name scribbled on it in her sister's hand. Tina knew of course what was inside, but the mystery remained of what the dress looked like. The thin cardboard container was almost intimidating, and Tina found herself eyeing the innocent box suspiciously. Queenie was talented with a magical needle, but her taste in attire was drastically different from Tina's, which left her slightly ill at ease.

She sighed – a quiet huff – as she prepared herself for the unveiling. With no small amount of courage, she opened the lid and was met with a plethora of delicate pink tissue paper and a folded note from Queenie.

Teenie,

I know you aren't much one for over the top dresses , so don't worry— this is perfect for you. I did throw in a little sparkle, just enough for a bit of fun. Maybe it will even catch the eye of that Magizoologist you think about so much…

I hope you're enjoying yourself Teen, you needed a getaway. I'm sure by the time you read this I'll be missing you something awful, but don't you go fussing about it. Jacob is taking real good care of me.

You'll knock him dead in this dress.

Have fun Teenie, Love you!
Queenie

Tina beamed at the unexpected note in her hand, feeling the onset of tears brim in her eyes. Queenie's voice bubbled jovially off the page and for just a moment, the room was less dreary. It also made her even more homesick. Tomorrow – she told herself as she pushed back the bothersome tears – you will see her tomorrow. She gently kissed her sisters note before placing it on the bedside table next to the picture of little Newt and his Hippogriff.

Among the pillow of translucent rosy paper Tina found her gift. It was just as Queenie promised; tasteful, elegant, and above all it made Tina feel beautiful. The navy blue fabric complemented her porcelain skin with stunning contrast. It was made with a material that had a lustre all its own, blue fibers woven with inlets of silvery threads – like an ocean bathed in moonlight. The garment hung from wide straps at her shoulders that fell into a modest scooping neckline, and plunged just below her shoulder blades at her back. The skirt was an asymmetrical design that swayed in flowing pleats just below her knees. As her sister had mentioned, the beadwork was subtle, but was just enough to bring the dress to life as she moved in it. Queenie had even included a matching wrap for her shoulders, as well as hair clips that tied the outfit together brilliantly.

Tina almost didn't recognize the smiling woman beaming back at her in the mirror. Amazement was twinkling in her wide brown eyes. It was an altogether new and thrilling sensation coursing through her as she marveled at the dress and herself in it. Somehow, her beautifully talented sister had managed to make Tina feel truly pretty.

"Not too bad Goldstein…" she mumbled to herself in a pleased, almost foreign manner. Tina twirled from side to side and couldn't keep from smiling. She tried her hand at a few of the beauty spells Queenie had taught her, adding a bit of color to her lips and eyes to finally finish off the look. "…Even better!" She smirked as her confidence grew even more. Part of her wondered if Queenie always felt as good as she currently did. She spun again – watching the light fabric wrap around her stocking covered legs with delight.

It wasn't until there was a faint tapping on her closed door that her smile faltered ever so slightly.

"Come in," she urged, inquiry in her tone.

She had expected to find Newt, or even perhaps his mother stepping over the threshold - but to Tina's surprise, it was Lillian – a vision in white. Thankfully she was in noticeably better spirits after their encounter that morning. Her radiant smile shined with just as much splendor as the white lace and pearls her dress was made from. The veil she wore was secured among tight golden braids and cascaded down her back in a waterfall of billowy fabric.

"Oh, Tina. What a lovely dress!" Lillian's ruby painted lips pulled taut across her face as she ginned.

"Thanks," Tina smiled back. "Yours is far lovelier. As it should be."

The bride glanced down at her gown fondly. "That's very kind of you."

The two of them were quiet a moment and Tina had a feeling that Lillian was there for a far more important reason than to simply compare and complement each other's attire.

"Is everything okay?"

Lillian crossed the room to stand nearer Tina, all the while nodding her head reassuringly. "Yes, everything is fine…"

Good – Tina was still exhausted from the last pep talk she'd given.

"…I just have a question to ask you— and I want you to understand that I'm aware of how it might seem a little unorthodox, but Tina, would you please be one of my bridesmaids?"

At first Tina wasn't sure she'd heard Lillian correctly, and had to blink twice before her words took root deep enough for her to respond. "A bridesmaid?"

She'd never been one to keep up on trivial things such as wedding etiquette since she was quite certain early in her life she'd only ever be married to her career. Bridesmaids were usually friends of the bride, or close family - Tina was sure of that, mostly on account of Queenie talking about her own wedding. She'd only known Lillian for a day.

"All of my bridesmaids are Theseus' cousins, and I don't have a sister… I know we only just met, but I feel a kinship between us." Lillian paused, and suddenly her pretty smile faded into a concerned line. "Don't you?"

Tina did feel it; Lillian was like Queenie's British doppelganger in many ways. They shared the same charming, coy demeanor, and the jovial aura. Whether that was enough to render Tina part of the wedding, she was doubtful.

"Are you sure?" Tina's voice sounded as apprehensive as she felt. "I hardly know anyone here. How do they feel about it— I'm a stranger to them."

Tina felt out of place as it was – a 'fish out of water' sensation that she had been fighting long before she actually made it to England. Being part of a wedding of people who were still strangers to her only made that feeling more prominent.

"It doesn't matter that you don't know everyone…it's my wedding and I don't know everyone…" Lillian shrugged. "…It would mean a lot to me if you'd do it." She paused. "Please stand up there with me and Theseus…and Newt."

There was a noticeable shift in her voice that Tina didn't quite catch completely before she stopped speaking. It sounded suspiciously puckish and utterly unburdened with concern. Her smile, however, was dripping with a hopeful plea that Tina was struggling to refute.

"If you're sure…" She didn't sound sure, but who was she to deny a bride a wish on her wedding day?

Lillian lunged forward and hugged her tightly with a hurried "thank you!" and left the room in a breeze of flowing white satin just as quickly as she'd entered.

Tina stood in the middle of her room feeling a bit more than flummoxed from the unforeseen invitation. Try as she might to stay away and keep from intruding on anyone, Louise and Lillian made the task a chore. From the get go they'd swooped in and made Tina feel as though she had been part of the family forever. It was odd, those sorts of feelings, Tina found. It had just been her and Queenie for so long, being around a big family was practically a foreign concept.

With a shrug and a sigh, Tina busied herself by tying the wrap her sister had made around her shoulders and stepped into her T-straps. The added fabric on her arms warmed the exposed skin, and she chanced another look into the mirror. This time her reflection didn't smile, the image of Lillian in her wedding dress was far too fresh in her mind to find herself enticing. Her snow colored gown had emphasized all of her womanly curves both tastefully and evocatively. Lillian's hourglass figure and soft swells were enough to turn the head of any man. Tina was thin – lean and fit from her Auror training – and lacked the shapes and assets to properly fill a dress. Nevertheless, she let a soft smile spread across her lips. Wearing the dress Queenie had made filled her with joy. She was beautiful in her own way she figured, and with the dress hanging from her shoulder, she felt her sister near - and that was all she could ask for.

There was another knock on her door, harder than the last.

"Come in," she spoke with little fanfare, expecting Lillian again.

Instead her eyes landed on a head of wild coppery hair and cream-colored freckled skin. Tina's breath caught at the sight of him and the entire room went warm.

Newt had always favored colorful, more avant-garde attire – like a tropical bird of some kind. Tina had realized that rather quickly after their meeting and accepted it. From his blue overcoat riddled with animal hair, to his often clashing - but always vibrant - waistcoats; some of which that fit him too snug, others too loose – he had always managed to look posh and put together. That wasn't the case currently. He stood in a large contrast to his previous self – colors gone – replaced with a perfectly tailored three-piece black and white suit. It hugged his every nook and cranny in such a pleasing way that Tina felt a warm sensation swell in her middle. She couldn't help but to drink in his tall silhouette with thirsty eyes even though she knew she was being blatantly inappropriate about it.

It seemed to her as if Newt was doing the same. His green eyes darkened to a deep smolder as his gaze swept over her from head to toe multiple times. Such lewd gawks usually left Tina feeling uncomfortable and more irritated than anything, but Newt's unwavering gaze did not. There was something acutely affectionate in the way his eyes explored her, and it brought a blush to both of them.

"I hope you don't mind me saying so," Newt murmured when his eyes finally found refuge in hers. "But you look absolutely extraordinary, Tina." He sounded as though the wind had been kicked out of him. "Truly, extraordinary."

Tina broke his gaze to glance at the dress she wore, only to try to hide the deep shade of red his complement had brought to her cheeks as she shrugged. "Queenie made it for me."

She could still feel the weight of his eyes on her and she bravely met them again. Newt swallowed thickly and wet his lips before he could find his words. "Then I shall have to send her my thanks – err – rather inform her that she is very talented…" His eyes dropped to his polished brogues and tried to keep his face from reddening any farther on account of his accidental slip of the tongue.

Tina smiled at him anyway, and allowed the blunder to pass without any inquiry. Newt recovered quickly and smoothed out his waistcoat and hair, only to have the wavy fringe fall back into his face.

"The ceremony is to begin soon." There was hint of newfound confidence in his voice as he spoke, and he politely raised his elbow in her direction. "Allow me the pleasure of escorting you down stairs." He smirked at her, causing the corners of his eyes to crinkle. The gesture prodded Tina with another pleasurable twinge that made her heart flutter.

Theseus Scamander might have been the brother with the run of the mill charm and physical qualities most women went head over heels for, Tina realized. But Newt had his own eccentric charm that was far more thrilling, and she found herself far more enticed with his oddities than Theseus' charisma.

A/N: Yay for a longer chapter! Can you guys feel it building? The next chapter is on the fluffy side so you all have that to look forward to, which will be posted sometime next weekend. It may be even before that depending on the status of the third and final part of this that my beta still has.

Also HUGE thank you and shout out to my beta onebethatatime and katiehavok. They are wonderful and I owe them both so much for making these chapters readable.

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