January 22nd, 1927

Dear Newt,

Please forgive me for my very late letter, I got your letter about ten days ago and so much has happened since. I thought your letter was lovely, so I hope you didn't think my delay was because of that.

I came home from work one evening about a week ago and Queenie was sitting at the table waiting for me. It was obvious she had been crying. It was strange since I felt like I hadn't seen her in weeks. Then suddenly there she was, in a devastated place. She asked me to sit with her and she told me everything.

Since she had quit MACUSA she had been searching for Jacob. She learned that you gave him the collateral that he needed for his bank loan, so she went out in search of his bakery. It turns out that you were partly right. She was going out to spend time with no-majs but not to feel closer to Jacob but to find him. It was actually pretty ingenious of her. She started going into women's shops; clothing, fabric, stockings, shoes, millinery and the like and while under the guise of shopping would try to root out information about new bakeries in the area. However, Queenie underestimated the size of New York and the number of bakeries in the city.

After trying that for a few days, she decided to narrow her search, as it is possible Jacob's bakery isn't open yet. She started with the banks. She would go into banks and ask about Jacob. I don't think Queenie fully realized how confidential bankers could be. She would mention his name and then read their minds to see if they were hiding anything. When that venture was fruitless, she started applying for jobs at the different banks, hoping to get in and go through their files. She was trying to narrow down the banks and his neighborhoods when she wrote to you.

Yes, she told me about that too. She stole your most recent letter from me while I was asleep to see if you had told me anything else about Jacob that I might have been withholding from her. When she nothing, she decided to go directly to you. Once again Newt, I feel like I am in your debt. Without even knowing it, you solved the problem that was bothering me the most, why Queenie was pushing me away.

I must come off as too strict to my sister. She truly thought that I wouldn't want her to be with Jacob, even if it made her the happiest person in the world. She thought that Rappaport's law was more important to me then her. I am ashamed that I ever made her feel that way. Yes it is true that right after you left I encouraged her to forget about him, and maybe that was insensitive of me. I just thought, at the time, he was a passing fancy. I didn't realize at the time how deep her affection for him really was. Maybe that is the hardship of being a Legilimens, you can meet, learn and fall in love with someone faster because you can completely access who they are. While the rest of us are just trying to figure out if someone likes us or not, she can know someone's true character.

I will admit, I am worried. I told her so too. It's is possible that she might find Jacob, but it also might be possible that he might not fall in love with her again. He has forgotten about us, and it is very possible he has met another woman. It is also possible he left New York and started his bakery is a different state completely. It is also possible that something tragic might have happened since November. She told me she had been worried about that herself but that she needed to know if they still had a chance. She said she give up the magical world for him. I never knew she was so serious. We cried together for a while.

We spent the next few days talking about some important issues that we both had been intentionally neglecting, like where our futures lie. I think the Grindelwald episode at MACUSA really shook Queenie and I out of the idea that we were always going to be together. In your last letter you asked if I wanted to stay at MACUSA forever, and I had never thought of it before. I guess I just assumed that life was always going to be the same until your niffler escaped at the bank.

I don't think I want to work at MACUSA forever. I think I realized that when Madam Picquary accused me of hiding you from her. When they took your case without hearing us out, I think that was the turning point for me. The Grindelwald part I cannot hold against MACUSA, but the fact that we weren't even worth listening to hurt. Queenie and I talked about this. What is the use of following all the rules, when the people in charge do what they want?

That was part of the reason Queenie quit. She was upset about the injustice of it all. That Madam President gives me my old job back, you wipe all the no-maj memories and we all just forget about what happened. She couldn't forget, and refused to forget Jacob. I guess I was also a bit, insensitive in regards to her feelings. I feel like I have gained several valuable things from the Grindelwald experience, when she feels like all she has done is lost.

Queenie said that she finally had something she wanted more than anything else in her life. She wanted to make sure Jacob's dream came true. So, I agreed to help her find Jacob. That is part of the reason why it has taken me longer to write you than normal. The past several days, after work Queenie and I go out searching for Jacob. We have turned up nothing yet, however you will be the first to know when we do.

Being out with Queenie has been fun. We search for Jacob but we also spend time together like we used to when we were younger. Just the other day we walked past a mo-maj photography studio and had portraits taken for no reason at all. Of course, the pictures don't move but I must admit the turned out pretty nice. We have also been to Central Park together and I finally convinced Queenie to try a hot dog with me. I am very thankful for this time with my sister, since I think we both know our time together is drawing to a close. I don't know, does that make sense? I'm sorry I am rambling on.

Thank you again Newt. If it had not been for you, your writing to me, your writing to Queenie, I don't think we would have bridge this gap between us. So thanks.

However, one thing I don't need to thank you for, is the hint with Appaloosa puffskein breeder. By the time I had received your letter I had already narrowed it down to a Russian diplomat in exile. My inclination was that was a woman. It was all settled rather delicately as the countess question was only temporarily in the city. She seemed very keen to meet you and was disappointed you left the states before she arrived.

I informed her that you had already told me of your correspondence. She asked if we wrote each, and I told her, yes quiet frequently. She seemed to recover from her disappointment and we had a very lovely tea together. I expressed my concerns that I didn't want her time in America ruined by any unnecessary inquiries from MACUSA regarding her newest litter of puffskeins. She appreciated my concern and informed me that she was just passing through New York and that it wasn't her intention to be in the city when the litter was born. However they were currently just too young to be moved.

Obviously that was all lies, but this was really more of a diplomatic assignment than anything else. Afterwards we discussed the subtle differences between the different puffskein breeds, her education at Drumstrang and how the international community was responding to the Grindelwald threat. She asked me to pass her regards to you. She also said she was 'honored' to meet the girl who helped you catch Grindelwald. The Countess obviously was at school with Grindelwald, but she gave no inclination of her support or opposition of him. Which, in retrospect she wouldn't have done anyways, since she is a diplomat in exile. I don't trust her in the least, however, I did kind of like her.

Madam President was not pleased, to say the least, when she learned I had met with an international diplomatic royal without her present. She said she didn't believe that kind of behavior was appropriate of an auror. However, I told her all we did was have tea and discuss regulations in puffskein breeding, which the Countess was extremely well informed on. I told her that I would bring her with me next time the Countess was in New York, since she had invited me to dine with her on her next visit. Madam Picquary was very displeased.

I must say you were right, one magical creatures case and now they are all being assigned to me. I'm not sure if this is because Madam Picquary is upset that I slighted her or if because suddenly everyone feels that I am most suited for the job. I've had a cases about; black market Runespoor eggs, complaints about clabberts being places in trees despite the ruling against it, and fire crabs being bought and sold without proper licenses. Do you have any suggestions on any of all of those topics? Honestly, I am looking forward to having your book for a reference at this point. I also think that it might be high time of MACUSA to develop a magical creatures section so these tasks don't keep falling to the investigative team. However, if I bring it up, I will get assigned to that department. Not that it wouldn't be a great department to be a part of but it would really need someone with a solid knowledge base in creatures.

As for having department kneazles, I think it is a great idea. I might just bring one into the office one day and see how long it takes for something to notice. I wish we could have one at home too, however house rules state: No Men and No Pets. We have already broken one major rule. When you come to New York next, would you like to stay with Queenie and I again? Or, if you don't feel comfortable sleeping in our apartment, at least keeping your case there if you decide to sleep in your shed? That way you could enjoy our traditional homemade American breakfasts.

How is the book coming along? In your last letter you said that you almost had your first draft done? How did your editor like it?

Additionally I am honored that you have asked for my professional opinion on your suitcase, I would be honored to give it to you. I could tell that a lot of thought had gone into the design and construction of your case, and I'd be happy to help as best as I can. I hope I don't let you down. When are you moving your creatures back into the case? Are you ready to be done with the attic?

On the topic of feeling let down, I want you to know that I really do enjoy the Fwoofer feather. I don't want you to think that just because I can't wear it, doesn't mean that I can't appreciate it. I do appreciate it and I am extremely grateful for the thought that you put into.

I also must thank you for the lovely brooch. I wear it every day. It gave me confidence in my meeting with the Countess about the puffskeins and when I stood up to Madam Picquary. I have tested out the shield charm on my own, but thankfully it hasn't been used at work. There is something different about that brooch. Anytime I wear it I feel more confident, almost stronger. Did you put any other spells on it besides shield charms? I am not sure what you've done but it is lovely.

I wish there were words enough to express my gratitude. I have never been given such a lovely or considerate gift before. I'm really not sure what to do or say, other than thank you.

However, I am curious, it is a badger, right? I am curious why you had a badger pin in the first place.

Well, Newt it seems that I have run out of paper and I shall have to go buy more before I receive your next letter. These letters have been such a bright spot in my life lately.

Good Night Newt. I hope your day tomorrow is wonderful.

Yours affectionately,

Tina

When he finished the letter, he let out a long sigh. His whole body started to relax. He stretched his shoulders and reflected that keeping a secret correspondence from Tina had stressed him. It had worked him up more than he wanted to admit. There was a combination of fears about the whole venture. He was worried Tina would be upset with him if she ever found out that he and Queenie had talked about her behind her back. Would she feel betrayed? He felt guilty about keeping Queenie's actions a secret from Tina, especially since she had been so worried about her sister. He also spoke very harshly to Queenie, and he was also worried that if Tina found out, she would think he was too hard on her.

Newt sighed again. He was so grateful that Queenie had told her everything. However, he was even more grateful that Tina was not mad at him. It really was as if someone took a weight off his chest.

'So they are going to find Jacob?' Newt thought to himself. He knew that if the two of them worked together, they could solve any problem. He almost felt bad for Jacob, because he knew that when Tina was determined to do something, like report him to MACUSA, nothing would stop her. Yet, was Queenie really willing to give up the magical world for a man she only knew for a few days? 'It seemed like the sisters were planning very different futures' thought Newt.

His eyes hovered over the paragraph when Tina said she didn't want to stay at MACUSA forever. Again, a sense of relief flooded him. From the first moment when Madam Picquary turned Tina away he had disliked her. He understood that she was the president, but he also knew that a good leader did not belittle or demean an employee in front of others. That was a tasteless move.

He was pleased that Tina realized this herself. He had been careful when speaking about the president in his letters to Tina. He didn't want to say anything that might offend her, if she was feeling extremely loyal to her. The fact that she imprisoned both himself, a no-maj and one of her own employees in front of the International Wizarding Confederation had not gone unnoticed. There were mumblings at the Ministry if the Americans could be trusted to keep Grindelwald imprisoned with such a careless president.

If Tina wanted to leave MACUSA, he would not stop her. In fact, he hoped she would leave sooner than later. However, he knew he also wanted her to leave MACUSA for more selfish reasons. He shook himself and continued reviewing the letter.

Tina's meeting with the Countess had peaked Newt's interest. He had known before Tina's letter that she had seen the Countess, since the Countess wrote him herself. Her letter to him was very complimentary of Tina. The Countess said that Tina was a charming young girl and that she was happy to meet the girl who assisted him in capturing Grindelwald. He noted himself that she spoke of Tina in a diminutive sense several times. At one point she ever referred to Tina as a "darling child." He thought that was odd, but now after Tina's letter, he felt like he had his answer.

The answer made Newt, a bit, uncomfortable. He thought that the ladies might have been trying to stake a claim on a future mate. He had seen female griffins out stalk each other for the rights to breed with the strongest male in the group. This was done with posturing. The two griffin paced a circle taking turns puffing out their chests, displaying their wings and rearing up on their hind legs. This is all for show among the females of course, since all his research shows that male griffins never see this posturing. The male in question selects his female mate on completely different criteria. However the posturing is extremely important among the females in a herd. This behavior helps establish a hierarchy among the females.

With how the Countess talked about Tina, kindly but slightly dismissively and how Tina describe the Countess reaction to their correspondence, he thought that Tina might have won the posturing between the two. That very thought made him flush. He had not been one to ever receive much attention for other people, let those who might want a romantic relationship with him.

He had written back to the Countess, of course. When royalty write, you always write back. However, he kept his letter polite and concise. He explained to the Countess that he and Tina captured Gindelwald together, as equals, she did not assist him. In his letter he also expressed how thankful he was that the Countess had the honor of meeting Tina in person, as she was a fantastic witch. He felt that the two women had much in common and that they would enjoy each other's company.

Newt was pleased that Madam Picquary was displeased with Tina taking control of her own work. Tina was such a strong and smart witch, and he wanted her to feel proud of herself and not defer to other. He had seem Madam Picquary break down Tina's momentum twice, but not this time. It was high time Tina be valued for her true ability.

The sound of an owl tapping at his window drew him out of his thoughts. He was surprised to see another international owl waiting for him to open the window.

International delivery owls were much larger than your stand barn owl. They flew at a much faster rate, for longer, and Newt knew that these owls were charmed by the Owl Post to stay awake longer and fly harder. Sending international delivery owls were more expensive, but that is typically what he and Tina used to correspond as it cut down the delivery time for five days to two and a half.

'Could she have sent him a second letter so quickly?' He thought to himself as he crossed the room to open the window.

The owl dropped a small letter on the window sill before flying off. Newt recognized Queenie's handwriting immediately. Upon opening the envelope, he found a second smaller envelope and a letter inside.

He carried the two over to his desk to read.

January 22nd, 1927

Mr. Scamander,

You were right. I am can't see the future.

Thank you for reminding me to trust the people I love the most.

Sincerely,

Queenie Goldstein

P.S. I hope you don't find this too forward, but I have included something for you as a thank you gift, which I think you'll appreciate.

Upon opening the smaller envelope he found the muggle portrait of Tina. This much be the photograph Tina had wrote to him about. In the photograph, she sat still and smiling towards the camera. Her hair was carefully parted down the center and her black hair fell just above her eyes. She looked exactly the same as she did on the docks the last day her saw her. There on her white blouse, as plain as day, was Newt's badger pin.

Newt felt his chest get tight.