Setting off

Tom watched his father pace up the stairs quickly. By the pale look on his face, he was frightened for his safety. He swallowed a lump in his throat as he stroked Gilly next to him very tenderly. Bobo, shivering, clung to his ear very tightly.

But after a few seconds, they suddenly heard the excitement of a certain Muggle whose voice Tom recognised quickly. "NEWT! Get over here, you maniac!" Tom's eyes enlarged. He rushed up the stairs and he saw Jacob Kowalski hugging his dad and Queenie standing behind them, pulling off her coat.

"We hope you don't mind, Newt? We let ourselves in... it's raining out there-cats and dogs!" she said, pulling off her coat. "London's cold!"

Jacob let go of Newt and he saw Tom standing outside the door. "Come here kid!" he giddily stumbled over and embraced the surprised boy who hugged him back. "

"It's so good to see you, Jacob," he said. "But how…"

"You were supposed to have been Obliviated," said Newt, shocked. But delighted at the same time to see their dear friend here in their house.

"I know! It didn't work, pal. I mean, you said it, the potion only erases bad memories," Jacob explained letting Tom go.

"You mean you remember us?" Tom asked.

"Course I do kid," he squealed. "I didn't have any bad memories," I mean, don't get me wrong, I had some weird ones... but this angel... this angel over here…" he gazed lovingly at Queenie. "…she filled me in on all the bad parts. And here we are, I guess, huh?"

"This is wonderful!"

Newt peered his head out towards the open door. Is ...Tina?

"Tina? Oh, it's just us, honey," apologised Queenie. "Me and Jacob,"

"You guys must have travelled a long way to get here. Would you like some tea or coffee or biscuits?" Tom offered.

"Why don't I make us some dinner?" offered Queenie instead.

"Yes!" Jacob praised, desperate for another taste of her fabulous cooking.

"Tina and I aren't talking,"

"Why not?" asked Tom, seeing Queenie's miserable expression.

"Oh well, she found out about Jacob and me seeing each other and she didn't like it, cause of the 'law' Not allowed oops, not allowed to date No-Majs, not allowed to marry them blah, blah, blah,"

"Surely she'd want you to be happy," he consoled.

"Well, she was all in a tizzy anyway, 'cause of you," Queenie looked at Newt.

"Me?" he questioned, stunned.

"Yeah, you, Newt. It was in Spellbound. Here-I brought it for you," Queenie levitated a magazine with the said title out printed on paper then with another flick of her wand, she made the pages turn to a large picture of Newt at a book stand, the day his book was published. He glanced down at the moving images. He saw himself, Bunty, Theseus, and Leta who stood quite close to him. Tom to his regret wasn't in there. On that big day, he wanted to take his son but with his life in jeopardy, it was too dangerous to take him out into a public area. "Newt Scamander with fiancée, Leta Lestrange... brother, Theseus, and an unknown woman,"

Newt was shocked. "No. Theseus is marrying Leta, not me,"

"Oh! Oh, oh dear," Queenie sympathised. "Tina read that, and she started dating someone else. He's an Auror. His name's Achilles Tolliver,"

"OH no," Tom muttered, upset for his father.

"Tolliver?" Newt asked.

"Anyway... We're really excited to be here, Newt. This is a, oh it's a special trip for us You see, Jacob and I…" she waved a wand and magic party poppers shot golden dust. "…we're getting married,"

"Aww…" Tom was so happy for them.

Jacob sat down and began drinking but he dumped the liquid over his face like he was drunk. "I'm marrying Jacob!"

Newt stared intently at him. So did his son. "Why is he acting like this?" he wondered. He turned to his dad who stared edgily at Queenie. Tom could sense him trying to speak out to Queenie without words.

"You've enchanted him, haven't you?"

Tom was shocked. He could hear him talking telepathically. Could he read minds too?

"What?" Queenie answered back appalled. "I have not. Will you stop reading my mind?" she sensed Tom. "Can you hear us?"

Tom realised he didn't need words to speak either. "Queenie, you've brought him here against his will,"

"Oh, that is an outrageous accusation," she snapped back to him. "Look at him. He's just happy,"

"Then you won't mind if I..." Newt raised his wand again.

"Please don't!" she begged.

"Queenie, you've got nothing to fear if he wants to get married. We can just lift the enchantment... and he can tell us himself," Newt was not going to allow the enchantment sway, Jacob, like this any longer.

"Dad has to undo what you've done to him. If you truly love him, then let him undo it,"

Queenie sighed and stood back. Newt pointed his wand at Jacob.

"What you got there? Whatchu gonna do?" he expressed a nervous smile. "Whatchu gonna do with that, Mr Scamander?"

Newt cast "Surgito," and pink surges of energy floated out of Jacob, forming a heart becoming blowing up into sparks of dust. Jacob's body shook a little and he rubbed his eyes, not remembering what Queenie had done to him. "Congratulations on your engagement, Jacob,"

"Wait, what?" Jacob spoke out in confusion. He glanced at Newt and Tom's sorrowful faces. Then he turned in shock to Queenie. "Oh no, you didn't," In tears, she left the house in despair taking her suitcase. "Queen. A second. Queenie!" he cried out.

"It's very nice to see you," Newt said.

"Where the hell am I right now?" he asked.

"London," answered Tom.

"Oh! I always wanted to go here!" Jacob dashed out of the living room to chase Queenie through the door.

"I can't believe she would do that," Newt said.

"It's wrong that this law exists but her enchanting him like that isn't the answer," Tom said. "I can't believe I actually talked to you two telepathically,"

"Not many wizards can do that. You are one incredible boy," Newt patted his back. He then looked out again to the open door and sighed, feeling a little guilty for his actions.

"What's that?" Tom walked over to the other side of the table and knelt to look at some pieces of shredded paper. Newt waved his wand and they levitated and merged, forming a postcard. A picture of the Eiffel Tower was stamped on the front with the word PARIS.

On the side was some elegant writing. 'My dear Queenie, what a beautiful city. I'm thinking of you, Tina,'

"What do you suppose she's doing there?" Tom asked.

Newt pursed his lips and he pulled out a chair. "Tom, I need to tell you something,"

Tom sat down before him looking at him intently. "Credence is alive," Newt brought his son to tears.

"What?"

"He's alive. Dumbledore told me that he's in Paris searching for answers to his lineage. And he's tasked me to find him before Grindelwald does. And the Ministry. They wanted me to kill him but I refused,"

Tom became scared again. "Well, then we have to save him,"

"We will," Newt promised, vowing that they would succeed this time and not fail like before.

"I'm coming with you," Tom proclaimed. "I can't…."

"I'm going to let you come," Newt suddenly accepted.

"You are,"

"Yes. Your brother needs you as much as I want you to be with me. But like before, you have to promise me you'll do everything I say. It will be breaking the law and we'll encounter potential dangers like any followers Grindelwald already has,"

"I'll do anything if it means getting my brother back," Tom was brave and daring.

Newt smiled. "That's my boy. Let's get ready,"

Quickly they dashed down the stairs and began packing items. Tom grabbed his coat and scarf and a large knapsack which Newt had enchanted with the Extendable Charm so he could carry as many items as he wanted without it feeling heavy or having a limited load.

"Can Gilly come?" Tom asked.

"Sure. But he'll have to go in the suitcase," Newt said.

"There you go," Tom gently placed Gilly inside. "I'll see you soon okay?" Gilly licked his face and then Newt gently placed Teddy and the baby Nifflers.

"Hey, Newt! Tom!" Jacob's voice boomed as he came rushing down the stairs.

"Down here, Jacob!" Tom called. "Did you catch up with Queenie?"

Jacob slowed down and he stopped and leaned against a rail, closing his eyes in tears. "No. She just vamoosed,"

Tom curled his lips and walked up to give the man a comforting hug which he returned affectionately. "We're going to Paris Jacob,"

Jacob pulled back. "What?"

"Queenie left a postcard. Tina's in Paris looking for Credence," Newt explained. "We're heading off now,"

"What? But Credence is dead. We saw those wizards…"

"My brother is alive Jacob," Tom stated straight. "And we have to find him before Grindelwald and anyone else does,"

His words inspired new confidence in Jacob. "We're going to France, buddies! I'll get my bag and jacket,"

"I've got it," Newt flicked his wand and through the door down the stairs came Jacob's flying coat and suitcase which he caught easily. "Oh. Beautiful,"

"I'll write a note for Bunty," Tom quickly wrote down a note and put it near the empty Niffler cage.

"Have you got everything?" Newt asked.

"Yep," Tom fastened his coat and scarf and swung his knapsack over his shoulder. "All packed," Bobo saluted on his shoulder.

They left the house, boarding a bus to get out of London. On the bus, Tom told Jacob about everything that had happened since they arrived home and how he loved all his new fantastic creature friends.

"I love how you've raised this kid Newt," Jacob said proudly. "Have you started Hogwarts yet?"

"No," Tom said. "I'm hoping I can get a letter to start it,"

"I don't even know if you can," Newt spoke up.

"Why not?"

Newt turned his head away. He took in a deep breath and sighed deeply. "Because the Ministry people know about you," he said. "Theseus gave you away. They wanted to take you from me,"

Tom was shocked. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know how to," Newt kept on walking unable to look at him. "I felt like I had failed you,"

"Come on Newt. You could never fail him," Jacob comforted.

"He's right dad. You've protected me. You took me in when no one would. You protected me," Tom said. "I could never forget that" he gave him a hug which he returned.

"You're a wonderful dad Newt," Jacob comforted.

"I'm really glad you came back into our lives Jacob. It was very hard to say goodbye. And…I wish in a way I can repay you for how you defended Tom," said Newt gratefully.

"Oh please. I was just doing what any Muggle would do for his magic friends," They left the bus and spent the night at an inn in the country.

The next morning, in a quite isolated space they stood together and Newt held out his fisted hand. "Both of you grab my hand," Jacob grabbed it. Newt turned to his son. Tom inhaled deeply. Hang on Credence. We're going to find you. Just hang on. He clasped his hand and in a flash, they were all gone. Jacob's screams echoed in the basement, startling the creatures.

Tom fell on his feet onto a bed of grass. Jacob collapsed to his knees, vomiting. Newt managed to steady himself on his feet. He helped his son up.

"Where are we?" Tom could hear the roaring of the sea. He turned his head and he saw the edge of a coastline where a tall thin man with a staff stood in the distance.

"You all right Jacob?" Newt helped him up.

Jacob wiped his face. "Yeah," he groaned. "I'm okay,"

"Not easy is it," Tom sympathised. "I nearly vomited my first time,"

"Let's go," Newt said. "The sooner we get there the better," they walked across the fields of green.

"Are you sure we can't take Lorna with us?" Tom asked.

"We can't. That just puts her life in more jeopardy," said Newt worriedly. "I only hope that she and her father will be all right. I'm taking a big risk because they believe in me. And I can't let them down,"

"Who's Lorna?" Jacob asked.

"Dad's best friend from school. She's the sweetest witch I've ever met other than Queenie and Tina. I've hardly met any other wizards. All because they think I'm dangerous and deserve to be treated like a criminal,"

"Hey kid," Jacob batted his back. "You're not a bad person. You're a wonderful kid. If there's anyone who deserves to be treated like a criminal, it's people like all those MACUSA people,"

"I hope we find Credence before the British Ministry does. They're so horrible to want to kill him,"

"They're just jerks they are,"

"Jacob, that man Tina's been seeing..." Newt began nervously.

"Don't worry, she's gonna see you. And she'll see the five of us together, it'll be just like New York all over again. Don't worry about it," consoled Jacob.

"Yes, but he's an Auror, Queenie said…"

"Yeah, he's an Auror. So what?" Tom asked. "It's not what's on the outside but the inside that counts,"

Newt asked Jacob for advice. "What do you think I should say to her if I see her?"

"Oh, well, it's best not to plan these things. You know, you just say whatever comes to you at the moment," Jacob was dreaming about Queenie as he spoke.

Newt thought for a moment. But his literacy wasn't exactly the best because he knew more about how to communicate with creatures than other wizards. "She has eyes just like a salamander,"

Tom snorted. "Don't say that,"

"Nah, look, you just tell her that you missed her," Jacob suggested. "And then you came all the way to Paris just to find her. She'll love that. And then, tell her you're losing sleep at night for thinking of her,"

"That sounds so romantic," dreamed Tom blinking his eyes.

"Just don't say anything about no salamanders, all right?"

"Right. Okay," Newt was really getting nervous every second.

"Hey, hey, hey. It's gonna be all right. We're in this together, pal," Jacob was a committed friend. "Okay, I'm gonna help you out. I'm gonna help you find Tina, find Queenie, and we'll all be happy again. Just like old times. And we're gonna help you find your brother," He promised Tom.

"Thanks. I don't know what we would do without you," Tom smiled at the Muggle as if he were a surrogate uncle. "I just hope he's not alone. Aside from me, he had no one else in his life. Why is the world full of cruel people?"

"Because the world isn't perfect," said Newt. "ln times like these people are twisted by fear that they don't think straight. But nothing is going to happen to you two,"

Jacob peered ahead and he saw the tall man standing ahead waiting for them. "Who is this guy?"

"He's the only way I can leave the country without documentation," Newt explained.

"So the Ministry won't know we've left?" asked Tom.

"Hopefully," A hint of uncertainty was expressed in Newt's tone but he remained assertive. "Now, you don't suffer from motion sickness, do you, Jacob,"

"I don't do well on boats, Newt," he groaned.

"You'll be fine,"

"I don't see a boat anywhere," said Tom. "Just a tall man with a staff and a bucket,"

"You'll see,"

"Stir your stumps-it leaves in one minute!" the man growled. "Fifty Galleons,"

"No, we said thirty," retorted Newt.

"Thirty to go to France, twenty not to tell anyone, I've seen Newt Scamander leaving the country illegally. Price of fame, pal. Ten seconds,"

Newt passed him the money. "Hold tight you two,"

The man counted down. Newt took Tom's hand and Tom took Jacob's hand. Bobo hid in Tom's pocket. Then as the man said "Two, One," Newt stepped a foot into the empty rusty bucket and the three of them went swirling into a vortex of black, vanishing with the bucket. Jacob's screams rattled the atmosphere as they disappeared.

So they set off for Paris to find Tom's brother and the sisters. Will they make it there? We'll have to wait and find out. See you all soon.