January 26th, 1927
Dear Tina,
I was very pleased when I read your last letter. I am happy that you and Queenie are going to work together to find Jacob. The two of you are quite the unstoppable pair and I can safely say I wouldn't be alive without the two of you.
I must say, I am very impressed with Queenie's dedication to Jacob, even her willingness to leave the magical world to be with him. I can't help but wish American's had different laws in regards to relationships with non-magical humans. It just doesn't seem right to make your sister pick between you and the magical world she grew up in and Jacob and the muggle world, which she barely know. Here in England you can marry a muggle and stay in the magical world. Yes, we typically don't reveal our magical abilities until further into the relationship, however it does happen.
I admire Queenie's belief in their relationship. Chances are he will fall in love with her all over again when they meet for the second time, however it is still a very intimidating process. To make yourself vulnerable to being hurt by another person. There is nothing one can really do to prepare for it. You can't read books, or attend lessons on falling in love. There is no crash course on relationships, at least not one that really works. I hear those lessons you mail-away for are terrible. You have to find someone that you trust will catch you when you take that leap into the future, it seems.
If Queenie and Jacob have found that with each other, then I expect they will be just fine.
I sincerely hope that you do not end up losing your sister due to your government's laws. However the hunt for Jacob sounds like it is doing the two of you good. It sounds like you are finding time to enjoy yourself with your sister despite all your cases at the ministry and assisting with finding Jacob. What other things have you done with your sister since starting your hunt? How is the search for Jacob going? I am not sure how long it takes to set up a bakery but I am sure he is on his way, if not already there.
I was pleased to hear about your successful meeting with the Countess. I received another letter from her after your meeting. Her letter was polite and she said she was pleased to have met you. I told her how I thought you were an excellent witch and that I was pleased you got to make each other's acquaintance.
However, I let her know that you did not "assist me" in capturing Grindelwald. I informed her that you and I worked as a team, as equal partners. I was only able to do what I could because I knew that you had my back. The fact of the matter is you distracted Graves and held him at bay long enough for me to get close to Credence and that without you, things would have turned out worse than they did. I let her know that you skills as an auror were one of the reasons I admire you, but also your keen mind and your ability to be empathic to those you are working against. I have not heard back from her since my last letter.
I am not missing her correspondence in the least. I have been very busy with my book. My first manuscript went to the editors about two weeks ago and the first round of comments was difficult to hear. Time and time again my editor kept saying to "stop sounding so smart." He said that I am writing for other magizoologists and not the everyday witch or wizard. My content is too dense and my I need to learn to stop using the jargon of my field. This has proven to be a very challenging task for me since when I read it, it makes sense. Words like choranaptyxic, and details like the movements of the Mooncalf mating dance are normal everyday things for me. It is trying work to rewrite some of my entries, however I know my editor is right. I just wish I had someone else I could show these sections to that wasn't my editor.
I'd love to know your opinion, however with the delay on internationals owl and the cost, I would be poor and behind schedule by the time I had made you going through my manuscript with a fine-toothed comb. However, a side of me wants to surprise you with my book. I don't want to give away anything before I can hand you a copy personally.
However, I can help you with some of your new creature cases that you have been getting at work that is if you don't have them solved by now on your own. First, runespoor eggs are notorious for being on the black market. They are very valuable when it comes to making potions for mental agility. So what I would do is pull up the potions ingredient lists for some of the most popular runespoor egg potions and watch the apothecaries. This will give you an idea of who might be brewing the potions. The person who drinks the potion won't brew it themselves. I am sure you know about the underground potions market, if you watch the apothecaries, you should being to find your potions ring dealing in runespoor eggs.
Clabberts are actually a bit harder to deal with simply because the keeping clabberts in your trees is an old-witch's-tale in the Americas. The best thing to do is meet the family with the clabberts and get to know them a bit. This is vital in finding out why they are using clabberts in the first place. Historically they were used to warn witches and wizards of approaching muggles. However, in a large City like New York it is constantly happening. Showing them simple ward charms would be easier than keeping clabberts, especially since feeding them in the winter in New York is probably pretty costly. However if the family is keeping clabberts for a reason other than protection, I would encourage them to rehome their clabberts to a relative in the country or to a creature home. The whole reason a clabbert lights up is because it is sense danger. In New York the poor creature is probably constantly sensing danger and this actually is very stressful on the little guys. It can severely shorten their life spans and destroys their quality of life. Please try to encourage the owners to think of the creatures. I truly believe that if they just knew a bit more about the creatures, they would rehome them.
As for the fire crabs, just give this one time and pay attention to major fires in wizarding homes. Those little guys have a very powerful defense mechanisms. When they feel threatened, they shoot flames from their rear ends. Most people who don't have the special license, don't know that. They will weed themselves out.
I would very much appreciate you inspecting my case. I have moved my creature back into their habitats and I think they are happy to be home. I'm happy to have them back. I realize I probably dote on them too much. I didn't like when they were in the attic and I couldn't carry them to and from work with me. I prefer sitting and working in my shack in the case, then I do at a desk. I know it is very messy but I can find just about everything I need. Having everyone back in their homes makes me wish I could get back out and explore.
Since writing to you last I have been wondering about my own future. Do I want to stay at the Ministry? Do I want to stay in England? I think all these things are going to be up in the air for me for a while. There are times I wish things could go back to how they were before everything with Grindelwald, in regards to my work at the Ministry.
As you know, I'm not exactly what you would call a popular person. Small talk makes me uncomfortable. Most people find me and my company disquieting. I also dislike social situations where there is a hidden agenda, everyone knows something that none of us are supposed to talk about. So, I have been living in a small personal nightmare since the Ministry is constantly expecting me to be present at different events.
It started small, I was invited to a Wizengamot event by the Minister of Magic himself. I tried to reject his invitation however, it turns out I was unable to as this was technically part of my responsibilities as a ministry employee. Funny how before my trip to America, no one cared if I attended events or not. My brother, Theseus, was also in attendance. However, he wasn't made to come out of work responsibilities, he attends because he enjoys it. As you know, my brother is an acclaimed war hero. He served our country honorably and therefore he is often parade around in front of diplomats and wizarding officials. He is the perfect example of the English Gentleman, he plays quidditch, fought in the war, smiles very well on command and can talk to almost anyone about anything. He is always the prefect level of polite.
Of course, it was a big to-do having both Scamander brothers present. One a national hero, the other assisted in the capture of Grindelwald abroad. The British newspaper, The Daily Prophet, grossly exaggerated the whole story. People have been expecting me to be heroic like my brother, to bravely face Grindelwald, however most of those stories never report that we thought we were fighting Mr. Graves, MACUSA auror. No one mentions that we were fighting to save a young man's life, and that we lost. Of course that doesn't sell newspapers, but the Scamander brothers do. I have included a clipping for you from the article after this event. My mother sent the clipping to me but I think I would rather you have it. Supposedly my mother thinks that I look very nice in the picture.
The affair took place at the Malfoy Manner. They are a rather slimy, overly important wizarding family, if I am going to be frank. They are an old family who have made their opinions of magic lineage very important. Everyone in their family is pure blood, everyone in their social circles are pure blood. I have met a lot of these people when I worked in the "House-elf Relocation" office at the ministry of magic. They were always sending people, because they would never come themselves, in to ask about the best and most obedient house-elves. However, even house-elves talk, and word around the kitchens is that the Malfoy family is very strict with their house-elves and liberal with their punishments. These people have lots of money, lots of connections, and of course, always willing to host an event for a good cause. However, I am not really sure what the cause of this event was.
Frankly, the whole thing was horrible. I would have rather spent the night in the MACUSA jail again then attend that a party like that again. I had to wear my dress robes, which I think I wore once to my cousin's wedding. My mother had the never to tell me that I couldn't wear my boots to such a prestigious event, she had ordered me new shoes. My mother hasn't cared about my appearance since I was removed from Hogwarts, and now as a grown man, she cares. Of course, I couldn't even take Pickett with me even though I really wanted to. It would have been nice to have a friend there. The only comfort I was permitted was that I wore the socks you made me. I was very thankful to have them.
The whole event was very fancy. The house elves were serving shrake roe caviar. A shrake is a spine covered fish that is native to the Atlantic Ocean. It swims at immense depths and can only be caught at specific times of the year, which is why it is a delicacy. It is also very difficult to filet, since the whole body is pretty much incased in spikes. Interestingly enough, shrake roe does not have the standard fishy flavor that you would expect. It has more of a metallic taste, like copper. It is served on little crackers and drizzled in honey. The honey off-sets the extreme acidity of the shrake roe. This was the highlight of my evening.
People would occasionally ask me about my book, but when I started to talk to them about it, they appeared bored and made excuses to leave. People wanted me to keep retelling my account of the Grindelwald capture, however most were disappointed to find out that it was less of an epic show down dual and more of good team work and the quickness of the Swooping Evil. One person even asked me what if felt like to be tortured by Grindelwald himself. (I told him I didn't recall, and my brother thankfully distracted them.) Almost no one was interested in the situation with Credence. The only person who showed any signs of listening was my brother and the occasional house elf who was serving nearby. When Theseus and I were alone that night he ask me why I had never told him personally about what happened in New York. He said he had never heard about the torture, or the international wizarding delegation, or the poor boy Credence. I told him that was because he never seemed interested in anything I had to say before so I did not want to bother him. He actually looked thoughtful for a moment, which I was probably imagining.
Madam Picquary was in attendance and she was very polite. She made a show of thanking me for assisting her aurors in front of as many people as she could. She inquired politely about my book, and how my case was. When I asked her about you and how you were doing in your auror position, she said you were doing well. Then moved off to speak with someone else. Theseus, who I introduced to Madam Picquary, was curious about you and kept peppering me with questions the rest of the evening.
I will say one advantage to having my brother present was that he is still significantly more well-known than I am. I stuck by him for the majority of the evening and deflected most of the questions for me, towards him. Honestly, I think he was actually intentionally trying to help me. Sometimes I am slightly jealous of your relationship with your sister. I have never been that close to anyone before, not my brother and not any friends. I should say, I have not been close to a human like that. However, with my creatures, I am completely accepted. They don't care how I dress, or what is the most current topic of wizarding world gossip, they just appreciate me for what and who I am.
Of course when that horrible evening ended, I was invited to another event, which I was thankfully able to decline the invitation. Thankfully I have a Mooncalf who is expected to give birth that weekend. However, I have now been invited to three more of those dreadful events. I am ready to go back into the field and research if this is the life I am going to lead in London. Theseus said that eventually I will stop being the talk of the town, and that soon the invitations will dwindle. I reminded him that the war ended in 1918 and he was still being invited to events, to which he said that he was significantly more famous then I was. I hope he is right.
I do not think I will attend any event without my brother, if I am going to be forced to go. Selfishly, I wish you could attend with me. I think it would be easier to handle the people if I had you with me. You so fearlessly entered the Blind Pig and dealt with the magical underworld, and this is pretty much the same thing. The only differences are; the music was better at the Blind Pig and the deals are done under the table at these big formal events. I know you would be invaluable in either situation.
Tina, this might be forward, and forgive me if it is untoward, but I do miss you. I wish I could speak to you in person. During the day, I have several thought that I wish I could get your opinion on. I wonder 'what would Tina say about how this section is written?' and 'I wonder how Tina would handle a Nundu escape?' Sometimes in the evening, after all my creatures have eaten and I am eating alone, I wish I could be eating with you, your sister and Jacob again. I was so worried and distracted the first time we all ate together that I missed the real experience of eating with others. Now I find myself looking back and trying to remember.
Please forgive me for an embarrassment that last passage might have caused. I think I must be tired.
I was very pleased to hear you liked the brooch. I did not put any additional charms on it but I wonder if the extra confidence might come from a blending of the different shield spells. The brooch is, indeed, a badger. While I was at Hogwarts I was in the Hufflepuff house and the badger was our mascot. It is strange when you think about it that a magical school only has non-magical mascots. The Hufflepuff house is known of it loyalty, willingness to work hard and its commitment to justice. I know that I cannot properly sort you, but I think that you would fit in wonderfully with us Hufflepuffs. The badger itself is a very tough creature. They are typically calm, however are able to take on opponents twice their size when threated. They are very tough and resourceful. I hope you don't mind that I dub you an honorary Hufflepuff, it just seemed so fitting know that I know you.
Tina,
Affectionately yours,
Newt
Tina held Newts letter in her hand for a long time after reading. She was tucked in bed, with Queenie in the bed across from her asleep. When she and Queenie came in from searching for Jacob today, a letter was waiting for her. However, it was already late, they still needed to cook dinner and Tina needed to bathe before she got an opportunity to open the envelope. All during dinner the unread letter was in the back of her mind. Every time she received a letter from Newt, she felt lighthearted, nervous, embarrassed and pleased all at once. She thought for a moment she might be getting a cold, or she might be in love, she thought off-handedly.
'In Love?' She thought, flushing to herself. 'Is this what love feels like?' she questioned. She was thankful that Queenie was asleep with her back towards her, because she knew that her mind would be too rich and tempting not to read right now. She took a few deep breaths. She looked back at her sister, if Queenie would have been awake, she would have asked her how her love for Jacob felt. However, that just seemed to personal a question. She looked back at the letter in her hands, if this was love, what was she supposed to do.
Suddenly she was scared. What if Newt didn't love her back? What is they were just good friends? Yes he called her "Dear Tina" and signed his letter "Affectionately Yours", but was he really hers? Was that just his way of saying bye? There was a strange sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. What if she said it to him and he didn't say it back? He said he missed her. He said he admired her. She flushed remembering that part of his letter. He missed her and he thought about her during the day, but did that mean he loved her? Maybe he just held her in high esteem because she was a capable auror. What if she was just a passing fancy? Newt had written about the fear that came with trusting your love to someone. Was he trying to tell her something? Or was she just reading into a nice comment about her sister and Jacob?
She saw the folded scrap of newspaper in her lap. This must be the newspaper clipping sent her. She unfolded the paper and read the small article.
"Scamander Brothers attend Wizengamot Charity Ball"
Saturday evening the dashing Scamander brothers showed up to Malfoy manor dressed to the nines. Theseus Scamander, decorated war hero, brought his brother, Newton Scamander to the annual Wizengamot Charity Ball, this year's proceeds are being donated to the London Magical Orphanage fund. Newton Scamander has recently been in News of his part in capturing Grindelwald in New York. Supposedly he bravely fought Grindelwald want to wand. When we asked him how he accomplished such a feat he said that he had the pleasure of working with a brilliant American auror. He is a very modest man.
As expected Theseus was the life of the party, he danced all evening and even took a turn with Madam Picquary, the MACUSA president. When asked about the dance he replied "I will always dance with a beautiful women." The Scamander brothers looked dashing in their robes, Theseus wearing the newest style dark green dress robe while Newton wore a more classic style in a deep blue. Ladies of London, be on the lookout, the Scamander brothers are out and about this season."
Below the small article was a picture of Newt and his brother. Tina eyes searched the picture, taking in every detail they could. He stood next to his brother looking nervous toward he viewer. She saw his chin was still pointed down with his hair falling into his eyes. He looked up every one and a while and nodded to the viewer. He looked exactly the same. She didn't know what she was expecting, of course he looked the same. It had only been a few months. She noted the dress robes and missed his thin bow tie. She thought he looked slightly uncomfortable, however, if she had not known him, she would have just thought he was shy.
After several minutes of staring at Newt, she noticed his brother. He was not as tall as Newt, however he looked significantly more comfortable in his dress robes. He stood smiling and waving politely to the viewer. He looked like he could have stared in silent pictures. His dark hair was swept back and his dark eyes looked very clear. However on closer inspection she could see similar features between the two. They had the same chin and the same jaw line, however Newt looked like the better person. It was hard to explain but something just seemed a bit off about his brother.
"Newton" she whispered out loud. That didn't suit him, not the way Newt did. Nothing about this article suited him. Of course the whole affair made him uncomfortable. However, she noted, he was very handsome. The article never said he danced with anyone, would he dance with her?
She flushed looking back at his letter and smiling to herself. Maybe he didn't love her now, but maybe one day he would. She settled back in bed to reread her letter. This time she allowed herself to hang onto all the things he wrote that made her feel special. Phrases like; "I know you would be invaluable", "wants to surprise you", "I admire you" and "I do miss you" floated around her thoughts until she finally drifted off to sleep.
Little did she know, that Queenie was wide awake, smiling like a fool at her sister's new found love.