The Ministry

Over a year had passed and Tom's life in London had never been better. He would luxury time with all his creature friends and his dad. He hoped from time to time again he would get his letter. He had turned ten and therefore could go to Hogwarts since he would turn eleven within a few months. For his birthday, Newt decided he'd take him out rather than confine him to a house. He apparated them to some amazing wildlife reserves around Britain and they visited a couple of nice zoos too. Tom felt it was the best birthday ever. Newt gave him some wooden souvenirs that formed creatures that could enchantingly come to life and he magically knitted a scarf of black, red, and yellow to match his parents' houses at Hogwarts. And badges resemble multiple creatures were sewn on them. Tom never took the scarf off sadly. Bunty gave him some tools he could use to help out the creatures. And Lorna Dumbledore gifted him a sketchbook with pencils and paint since he loved to paint or draw sometimes

One nice cloudy day when Newt was taking Tom out on a walk in the park in Greenwich. Of course, Bobo, Picket and Teddy stowed away in their pockets. They quite enjoyed the company. It appears that with the right people fantastic creatures could be the very best of friends. They walked to the top of a hill and sat on a bench where they could see a view of London that stretched out towards the horizon. Newt held his son close as they watched the scene. This was peaceful. Just the two of them alone.

They made their way back to their house but when they arrived home, they saw Bunty with a worried glance. "Bunty, what is it?" Newt asked.

Bunty showed them the paper. To their shock, they saw a wanted poster of Grindelwald. "Grindelwald escaped from prison. He was being transferred to Britain but a traitor helped him escape. He took control of the carriage and he's disappeared,"

Tom was so frightened. The man who had killed his parents, who wanted his brother was on the loose again. Newt held him close. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise,"

Three months had passed after that grave day and still, no letter came at all for Tom. Though what mattered to him was that he had a loving father and new friends even if they were beasts or grownups, the more he became confined inside the house, the nuttier he developed. He was so desperate to be at Hogwarts already so he didn't have to be confined in his new home most days. At breakfast, he was rather quiet. Newt sighed. "I'm really sorry that I have to keep you hidden like this Tom. But the last thing I ever want is for you to get harmed. I'd hate to think of what they would do to you,"

Tom reached over and clasped his palm. "I know Dad,"

"But I'm sure that sooner or later you'll get your letter to Hogwarts. You might start late but Dumbledore will make sure you can still go,"

"I wish I could actually meet the man,"

"I wish you could too. But the fewer people you see the better. Also, he's been a little bit in trouble with the Ministry recently,"

"Why?"

"Because he thinks I had something to do with going to America to release the Thunderbird,"

"Did he?"

"Yep. But I'm trying to keep it covered,"

"Will he be here at the Ministry today?"

"Nope. He's still busy at Hogwarts. And I can't let this hearing get in the way of his career. Which reminds me, I have to make sure I'm ready," Breakfast and Newt made sure he was neat. Tom fed the beasts and half an hour later, Bunty came by to assist. It was pleasant to see him again. They helped out the creatures together and soon it was time for Newt to go.

"Good luck dad," Tom hugged him tightly.

Newt embraced him back, his face aimed at Bunty's over his son's head. "Bunty…please promise me…."

"Don't worry Newt. I'll take good care of him," Bunty promised.

Newt kissed Tom on the head and once he opened his door, he saw Lorna standing outside waiting for him. "Thought I might surprise you. You ready?"

Newt nodded.

"Hello," Lorna waved to Tom and Bunty inside. "Let's go Newt,"

"Lorna…" Newt spoke up. "Please don't have a fight out with Leta,"

Tom watched Lorna slowly nod but her tense cheekbones made his spine tingle. Newt turned once again to him. "Love you, son,"

"Love you, dad," Tom waved.

Newt and Lorna left and Bunty and Tom got back to work again. Tom enjoyed using the tools she gave him to help him out. After doing some feeding, he decided to play around with Bobo and Gilly again. Gilly loved to play fetch and Gilly's parents often gave Tom a ride on their backs. Every moment he felt with his creature's friends was thrilling and full of excitement. He was the luckiest boy in the entire world. He just didn't know it yet.

They ate some lunch. Tom's fork twiddled slowly around the hot food. His mind was on a memory rollercoaster

"What was that all about?"

"What was what?" Bunty asked confusedly.

"About Lorna…that woman Leta. When Dad mentioned it, she looked…a little stiff,"

Bunty hung her head down. "It's not really my business to talk about your father's life when he's not here,"

"I just want to know,"

"Curiosity is a good thing, Tom. But it's not right to be nosy about things that are not our business,"

"I just thought maybe I could help," Tom wanted to be there for his father more than anything.

Newt and Lorna sat patiently in the Ministry's waiting area. This was their fifth attempt. It was getting so tiring trying to persuade the magical British Authority that Lorna almost felt like exploding. Though she was kind-hearted and passionate, there were times when she would fly off the handle and Newt in particular didn't like seeing her so fumed up. Like a phoenix. He would say to himself. At the moment now she was feeling rather nervous. Not just for Newt and Tom but the whole wizarding world. With his powerful magic, Grindelwald would recruit followers and build an army to expose their world to the muggle world. Just knowing formed a dark cloud over her shoulders.

Footsteps interrupted their silence and they turned to see a pretty witch wearing blue and with her hair tied up in a bun. Lorna felt her muscles tightening in her fists. Newt gently touched one of them to calm her down.

"They're ready for you Newt," Leta greeted. She looked at Lorna a little anxiously. Newt looked worried between them. "You're looking good,"

"You don't look bad yourself," Lorna simply said back. Newt sighed slowly. That wasn't exactly the nicest thing she could have said.

The two stood up and they followed her along the corridor passing a magically enchanted hoover.

"What are you doing here Leta?" Newt asked.

"Theseus thought it would be good if I became part of the Ministry family,"

"Did he actually say the words 'Ministry family'?" Lorna asked. She rolled her eyes. "Sounds just like him,"

"Theseus was disappointed you couldn't come to dinner Newt," Leta said a little sadly. "And I would have loved it if you had joined in Lorna,"

"Well, we've been busy," Lorna answered quickly.

Leta talked more to Newt than her. "He's your brother, Newt. He likes spending time with you. And so do I," Leta was silent for a second but then she twisted her head to Lorna. "I would love it if you could join us out on an evening,"

"Sorry, Leta but…you know I can't," Lorna shook her head.

Leta's eyelids dropped. Newt was sad seeing them acting like this. He suddenly felt Picket poking out of his pocket. "Oi, you! Hop in, Pick,"

Leta chuckled. "Why do strange creatures love you so much?"

"Well, there are no strange creatures. Only…"

"blinkered people!" Leta finished. "How long did you get in detention for saying that to Prendergast?"

"You know, I think it was a month that time," Newt said.

"And I set off a Dung bomb under his desk so I could join you, do you remember?" Leta asked excitedly.

"No, I actually don't remember that," Newt said.

Leta was a bit sad hearing him say that. Lorna was expecting that.

"Hello," Theseus approached them from outside the meeting room door.

"Theseus. We were just talking about Newt and Lorna coming for dinner," Leta said.

"Look, before we go in there It's my fifth attempt, Theseus. I know the form," Newt said. "This isn't going to be like the other times. This is..."

"What are you doing here?" Theseus asked Lorna. He wasn't expecting her at all. She was a teacher not a worker of the Ministry.

"I'm here on his behalf Theseus. I organised this so I will be there to support him,"

"Just try and keep an open mind, will you?" Theseus insisted to his brother. "And maybe a little less…"

"Like me?" Newt offered. He was rather offended.

"Can't hurt,"

"Newt can do whatever he wants," Lorna stood up. "He doesn't need you telling him how to act or speak,"

Theseus saw how warm Newt felt with the support she was giving him. In many ways, he felt so jealous. His relationship with his brother was rather complicated but the relationship he had with his closest friend was much stronger than their bond.

"Why don't you be so kind as to open the door for us?" Lorna insisted.

Theseus huffed gently. He turned and opened the black door letting Newt and Lorna inside. Leta walked off.

Lorna and Newt sat in front of a table with a pool of magical water in the centre. Four Ministry men including Theseus sat on the other side. Lorna glared coldly at one of them. Travis, the head of Magical Law. "What may I say brings you here Miss Dumbledore?"

"I am here to support him and back him up. You may not have allowed me the last four times, but I am making a stand for him right now,"

"You want an end to the ban on your travelling internationally Mr Scamander. Why?" one of the wizards asked.

"Because I like to travel internationally," Newt answered.

"Subject uncooperative and evasive on reasons for last international trip,"

"It was a field trip. I was collecting material for my book on magical beasts,"

"You destroyed half of New York," Travis said.

"Technically that wasn't me…" Newt tried to speak up only to be silenced by his brother much to Lorna's irritation.

"He's the one who captured Grindelwald and obliviated the muggle community in New York. And this is how he is to be repaid?" Lorna defended. "By being confined like a prisoner in his own country? He's done a great service for the magic community and repaying him like this is wrong and unjust,"

"We get you're frustrated Mr Scammer," the fourth man said, completely ignoring her, much to her frustration.

"And so are we," the first one spoke up. "But we would like to offer a proposition,"

"The Ministry will lift your ban on travelling if you agree to come and work here. In your brother's department,"

"No," Newt answered instantly.

"That's rotten," Lorna spat. "Newt can be whatever he wants. You can't make him do a career he doesn't like,"

"Miss Dumbledore, you have spoken enough during this hearing. Now I suggest you stay silent unless you want to be dragged out and have Newt's hearing end," Travis warned.

Lorna tried to speak back but Newt facially implored her to obey his commands. Fuming slowly, she kept her lips closed and her temper calm.

My talents lie elsewhere," Newt said next.

"Mr Scamander. The wizarding and non-wizarding worlds have been at peace for over a century. Grindelwald wants to see that peace destroyed," another wizard said. "And for certain members of our community, his message is very seductive. Many pure bloods believe it is their birthright to rule not only our world but the non-magic world as well. They see Grindelwald as their hero, and Grindelwald sees this boy as a means to make this all come true,"

Lorna and Newt watched the water pool on the table glow showing visions. They saw Grindelwald, then they saw a boy with black-shaven hair. Newt felt his heart lift.

He survived, Newt," a wizard said.

Newt was speechless. "He is still alive," he didn't know what to say. He didn't know how he was going to tell Tom either.

"He left New York months ago. He's somewhere in Europe. Where exactly, we don't know, but...

Newt interrupted. "And you want me to hunt Credence down To kill him?" he couldn't believe they were demanding such a thing of him. He could kill his son's brother. Not after everything he was put through,"

"What?" Lorna broke out, breaking her silence. "You can't kill him. It's cruel and it's wrong,"

"Who are you to question us?" Travis demanded. "It is not your place to judge our decisions,"

"It is if you think you can just kill an Obscurial who's had no choice but to bury his magic to avoid being killed. Surely as the ministry of magic, you gentleman should know helping him is more humane than killing him,"

"Seems like we have to give our other option to avoid you two bothering us again," Travis spoke up again.

"What other option?" Newt questioned.

"We know that you're harbouring that other Obscurial from New York. The one you claimed died once you took him away," Travis spoke ruthlessly. Newt and Lorna were shocked.

Newt eyed his brother angrily. Theseus did nothing but half-close his eyes, feeling immense regret. Lorna was fuming with rage.

"Did you think he could keep that secret? Your brother here knows what we need to know unlike you. That boy is another danger,"

"Tom is not a danger," Newt defended. "He's just a child. And his magic is under control,"

"Give him to us Mr Scamander and we'll lift your ban,"

Newt was appalled. "No," he shook his head. "I will not let you take my son,"

"Oh…so he's your son now?" Travis questioned uncaringly.

"He is. And there is nothing you can offer that'll make me give him to you. Nothing. Good day," Although an awkward man, Newt loved his son unconditionally and no one was going to take him away from him. In an instant, he stood up and in a flash, he and Lorna were out of the room.

They walked at a quick pace down the corridor.

"I can't believe Theseus broke his word," Lorna had never been angrier at his brother than ever.

Newt wished he could curse him but he felt too betrayed to say a word. "I can't let them take Tom,"

"Nothing will happen to him Newt. But he can't stay in London anymore. We have to find somewhere safe for him,"

Before Newt could talk, they heard his brother rushing after him. "Newt!"

"I'm not talking to you. We're just leaving," Newt didn't turn to him.

Theseus tried to catch up to him but Lorna blocked him. "How could you just give Tom away like that?"

"I was given a direct order. What was I supposed to do?"

"I don't know. Stick up for your brother and refuse,"

"I couldn't go against Travis,"

Lorna scoffed. "You know I think you care more about your own interests than your brother. No wonder he doesn't like to be around you. He'll never forgive you for selling him out like that. And he definitely won't be your best man anymore," His words struck Theseus pretty hard. She walked after Newt but Theseus suddenly apparated in front of them much to their irritation.

"Look I know you're angry at me Newt. I understand. But you have to understand that this child could be a threat to us. You don't know if he's developing an Obscurial that could expose our community. I didn't want you to get into unnecessary trouble,"

"He is my son Theseus and I will not allow you or anyone to harm him," Newt answered back.

"Is that really what you think of me?" Theseus asked.

Newt's colours were neutral but his facial expression was full of betrayal. "Can you blame me?"

"Look there's gonna come a time when you're gonna have to pick a side,"

"I don't do sides," Newt answered back boldly. "Now good day," he tried to walk away again but Theseus pulled him into a hug which he did not return.

"Remember they'll be watching you,"

Once he let go, Newt instantly walked out and Lorna followed after him, sending a warning look back at Theseus.

This is the first chapter of Crimes of Grindlewald. I hope you all enjoyed it. What do you all think of Lorna's character? How close she is to Newt? I would love to hear your opinions. See you in the next one.