Tensions with Travis

Albus and Lorna arrived at Hogwarts. McGonagall, a close friend, and colleague of theirs was pleased to see them but disheartened to see Lorna's negative expression. She tried to ask but Albus facially requested 'no'. They sat down and sipped some tea in a private office. Once again Lorna was rather quiet. Once she finished, she stood up and left the office, her worried father looking out behind her.

She walked off towards the library where several students were pouring in and out. Some Gryffindor students saw her and gave rushing over. The sight of their cheerful faces cheered her up. "Hello there,"

"Where have you been Lorna?" a ginger-haired student with dark eyes asked.

"I've been busy, helping out the one and only Newt Scamander," she answered proudly.

"What's he like?" another boy asked.

Before Lorna could answer, their conversation was interrupted by the smacks of two mean students tormenting a young girl in the far corner with short curly hair. They were Slytherins bullying one of their own. "Hey!" she marched forward. "Hey!" The two boy bullies turned their faces and she swerved between them and the young girl they tormented. "Crabbe! Goyle! How dare you aggress Lucille like this. Ten points will be taken from your house. And you two will spend the rest of your break time dusting up the books," The two boys fumed and marched off. She turned and stared at the young eleven-year-old girl with concern. "Are you all right Lucille?" Lucille fearfully nodded. She turned over to the Gryffindors. "Please would you all allow Lucille to join your group?"

"But she's a Slytherin!" one complained.

"Yeah they're mean!" a girl mocked.

Lucille's face fell.

"How incredibly rude," Lorna retorted. "Just because she's a Slytherin, doesn't mean she needs to be ostracised like that. Something I learnt here when I was your age was that you can't judge people by their houses. Only how they treat others. I've seen Lucille these last few weeks and she has been nothing but a nice, lovely girl. Please will you try to be friends with her?"

The Gryffindors were hesitant. But the ginger one stepped forward and offered a hand.

Before Lorna could praise the young student, she heard a chorus of approaching footsteps. She saw Travis, Theseus, Leta, and a group of powerfully skilled Aurors. The students became scared. Lucille hid behind Lorna. Her heart pounded seeing Travis's cold expression but she held her ground. She glinted seriously at the students. "Go to your next lesson, please. Ron, keep an eye on Lucille,"

The ginger-haired Gryffindor offered a hand and guided the shy Lucille away. All the students left leaving Lorna alone to face the Ministry representatives. "What are you doing here Travis?" she demanded.

"I'm here to see your father,"

"He is busy teaching a class. Come back when it's dark so you don't disturb the students,"

"I will see him now," he ordered.

"You've already scared the students in this library. You can't go gallivanting around this castle as if you own the place. Did you receive permission from Headmaster Dippet?"

"I don't need permission," the arrogant wizard retorted. "I am the Head of Law and Magical Order. I have the right to go wherever I please,"

"If you think you can condemn me and my father with false accusations you are very mistaken. Whatever you might think of us, we have no allegiance to Grindelwald, nor do we seek power like him,"

"We shall see. Once your father answers for sending Newt and that Obscurial son of his to Paris," Travis turned and headed out of the library.

Lorna's lips parted in shock. She shot after them, desperate to stop them. She tried to stop Travis but Theseus blocked her path.

"If you don't want your father to be in trouble, you must stay out of this," he warned. Lorna tried to move past but he blocked her again. "What are you trying to do? Get yourself sent to Azkaban?"

Lorna shoved him to the side and marched off. He huffed and pursued her. "We wouldn't even be here if you and Dumbledore hadn't sent my brother off. As if you two haven't put him in enough trouble!"

She spun around in a flash and exploded. "At least I've been there for him Theseus. What have you done? Uh. Aside from bossing him around all the time and acting more like a controlling dad than a supporting brother?"

Theseus pursed his lips moved by her outburst. "Look Lorna you need to listen…."

"Why? All you've ever done is put him down the whole of y. No wonder your relationship with him is so difficult. You've barely supported him the same way Dumbledore and I do. You put loyalty to arrogant wizards like Travis over your own family,"

"That is not true,"

"Then why can't you just be proud of him? Accept him for who he is?"

Something held Theseus back from answering. Deeming it to be cowardice, Lorna turned her back on him and chased after the arrogant Ministry Wizards. She continued to chase the Aurors but noticed Leta walking off in one direction. She stopped for a moment and watched her disappear past the courtyard in the direction of the Great Hall. She felt tempted to follow her. But the will to protect her father pushed her to pursue Travis. As she followed them, McGonagall gave bursting from another doorway.

"Lorna…what…" she stuttered.

"Travis is about to interrogate my father and I won't him get away with it,"

Her friend followed her till they reached the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom. The door burst open and they all entered a room of satisfied fourth-year students and a surprised Dumbledore.

"This is a school! You've no right!" snapped McGonagall.

Travis ignored her. "Out of here," he ordered the students.

"How dare you speak to these students like that," Lorna hissed. But Travis ignored her again and repeated his order. The two women and the students stared tensely at Dumbledore.

"Go with Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore please," he requested gently. All the students left the classroom.

"He and his daughter are the best teachers," praised a Gryffindor boy.

"Thanks, Mclaggen," said Dumbledore, praised by the compliment.

"Get out," ordered Travis sinisterly.

"Come! Mclaggen!" McGonagall escorted him out but Lorna didn't leave with her. Albus glanced at her worriedly.

"Go with her," he implored. "This is between me and Travis,"

"I'm not leaving you," Lorna shook her head. "Whatever he says to you…" she turned around and stared unafraid into Travis's eyes. "HE can say to me too,"

Travis exhaled ruthlessly through his nostrils. The Dumbledores stood together surrounded by him, Theseus and the Aurors. "Newt Scamander is in Paris,"

Albus feigned surprise. "Really?"

"Cut the pretence. I know he's there on your orders,"

"If you'd ever had the pleasure to teach him, you'd know Newt is not a great follower of orders,"

"Newt has a right to travel just as we have told you clearly over this last year," defended Lorna boldly. "If you so much as try to arrest him, there will be consequences to your reputation. Something you care solely about,"

Travis pulled out a small book and tossed it to Albus who caught it, skimming over the pages to a marked section. "You've read The Predictions of Tycho Dodonus?"

"Many years ago," he answered, looking for the right page.

"Excuse me but what does this have to do with Newt and your unjustified assault of him and Tom?" questioned Lorna interrogatively.

"'A son cruelly banished Despair of the daughter'" Travis recited.

"'Return,' Yes, I know it," Dumbledore used to read these prophecies to Lorna when she was a child.

"There's a rumour this prediction refers to the Obscurial," Lorna knew that it was Credence whom he was talking about. "They say that Grindelwald wants,"

"A highborn henchman. I've heard the rumour,"

"And yet Scamander appears wherever the Obscurial goes, to protect him,"

"Don't you dare accuse Newt of siding with Grindelwald," Lorna warned again but she felt like a ghost in the room with no focus aimed at her for her counters.

"Meanwhile you and your individualist daughter have built up quite a little network of international contacts,"

"However long you keep me, my daughter, and my friends under surveillance...you're not going to discover plots against you, Travers. Because we want the same thing: the defeat of Grindelwald," Albus felt he could no longer contain his aggravation towards that man whom he despised for disrespecting his daughter and those he cared for deeply. "But I warn you, your policies of suppression and violence are pushing supporters into his arms,"

"I'm not interested in your warnings,"

"Maybe you should be," Lorna argued, finally earning his attention again but he stared aggressively at her as if he might attack her. "Because one of these days, you're going to find yourself stuck in a position you won't crawl out of because of your arrogance and your cruelty towards anyone who doesn't meet your demands. You claim your goal is to stop Grindelwald and yet your actions are no different from his and your persecutions push more followers to his side,"

"How dare you compare me to Grindelwald,"

"What makes you so different from him? You're just another tyrant. And don't pretend the British Community put you where you are. I know what happens to wizards who don't agree with your rules or submit their allegiance to you,"

"Then you'll know what's coming for Newt and that freak of his,"

"Newt and Tom are not a threat," Lorna spat back. "And you have no right to call him a freak. Just like you have no right to hunt him and his brother down when they've suffered so much pain,"

Travis finally reached the breaking point. "I want you to leave Lorna. Or you'll get what's coming for you,"

"Don't threaten my daughter like that," Albus warned.

"She was a thorn in my side at the Ministry and she will not be a thorn again," Travis said. "I want her out of here,"

"Why? So, you can threaten my father?" Lorna challenged.

Travis pointed the wand right into her throat prompting Dumbledore to point his wand at him. "I've had about enough of your interferences," he seethed. "You're a real pain to the Ministry just as you always were. And as of now, every move you make will be watched over,"

"If you think I'm a follower of that madman because I disappear with our laws, you're very much wrong,"

Travis's wand dug deeper into her skin.

"Point your wand away," Albus warned.

Travis wouldn't listen.

"Travis…" Theseus spoke up, trying to ease the tension. "Not now. Is this really worth it?"

Travis seemed like he might hex Lorna any second now but he didn't, he lowered his wand very slowly. "Get. Out," he ordered.

"Just do what he says Lorna," Dumbledore implored. "I'll be fine,"

Lorna twisted her head. She was afraid for him but she could see he was trying to be strong for her. Reluctantly she turned her head and walked slowly away, passing by Theseus who she glared at but with a softer meaning than their previous encounter.

An Auror followed after her. She walked slowly down the hallways, feeling the Auror's wand pricking into her neck when all of a sudden, she felt it pull away and the slamming of its user's body smash against the floor. She turned around to see McGonagall and the man's figure all petrified. She gasped. McGonagall hadn't dared do that to anyone before.

"Go," she beseeched. "Find your friends. I will take care of this,"

"Minvera…"

"Just go. I'll keep an eye on your father,"

Lorna realised her close friend was giving her a chance to get away to find Newt and Tom. "Thank you, Minerva,"

Minerva nodded and instantly she apparated away. She appeared in her office on the far side of the castle near the Care of Magical Creatures classrooms. She walked over to her fireplace and magically tossed a pot of black Floo powder into the wood. It burned green. She pulled on her long red velvet coat and hat after magically tying them up in a bun. Then with bravery and daring determination, she walked into the fire and disappeared.

The next morning, Newt, Tom, Tina and Jacob were having some food that they'd managed to find in the old cupboards. Their host had yet again to introduce himself from his closed room. Tina stared worriedly at Mr Kama still unconscious and asleep.

"Mr Scamander, is there anything we can do to revive this man?" she asked.

"I might have something," he assured. "But first I need to go down into the case and realise the chains off the Zouwu. Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden entrance of roaring green flames.

"What's that?" Jacob asked.

"That's a floor powder fireplace," said Newt. "Someone's about to arrive,"

"Is it Dumbledore?" asked Tom. "Or Lorna?"

He got his answer when from out of the flames appeared a glamorous witch in red. She stepped out and smiled upon seeing her close friend and his son. "Thank goodness Newt,"

"Oh my god, Lorna!" Newt stumbled forward and rushed to hug her.

Tina felt her insecurities ahead heightening. She looked anxiously at Tom. "Don't worry. Just friends," he whispered.

"What are you doing?" Newt was more shocked than surprised.

"The Ministry came to Hogwarts. They interrogated my father,"

"What happened?"

"Travis knows you and Tom are here in Paris. I had to act quick and get to you first. But I'm so relieved to see you both made it here,"

When he heard the news, Tom became scared so Jacob patted his back in comfort.

"I only hope my father will be okay," Lorna was sacred.

"Don't worry Lorna. He will be," Newt promised.

"Hey, Tom,"

Wanting to rush over and hug her, Tom did just that. "It's so good to see you, Lorna. I'm so sorry that you're in this mess,"

"Don't be," she apologised. "I'll do anything for my friends. She saw Tina and Jacob at the table.

"Hello," she looked at Tina with a firm glance. "She greeted. "Newt's told me so much about you. It's nice to meet you,"

"It's…nice to meet you too," Tina answered awkwardly.

"And you must be Jacob Kowalski," Lorna addressed the Muggle.

"And you are…" he drifted off.

"Lorna Dumbledore….at your service," she said walking forward and offering a hand.

"It's…nice to meet you," Jacob shook her gentle hand.

"Nice to meet you, Jacob. It's a real pleasure to finally meet a Muggle,"

"Not just any Muggle. He's a baker who bakes the best goods," Tom said enthusiastically. "And he's a brave one too. He saved my life,"

Lorna smiled infringingly. "Have you all met his good friend yet?"

"Nope. He's yet to appear," Newt explained.

Lorna turned her attention to the African French wizard. "Who is this?"

"This is Yusaf Kama," Tina explained. "He's looking for Credence too. To kill him,"

"Oh my god," breathed Lorna. "Why is he like this?"

"I don't know,"

"Then we must check on him,"

"First I've got to deal with the Zouwu. Be right back," Newt pulled out his case, opened it and climbed down.

Tina stared desperately at Lorna. "Do you think you can help him?"

"I can. Let's examine him whilst Newt checks on his new creature down there. What happened when you guys arrived in Paris? She asked that question to Tom,"

"After we travelled by a bucket, we went to Paris and we found Tina before Kama trapped us. Then we secured the Zouwu and came here," Tom explained.

"Where is your sister Queenie?" Lorna asked. "Is she not here with you?"

Tina sighed. "She's here in the city but we can't find her,"

"She kind of walked out of me when I told her we couldn't get married after she put a love enchantment on me," Jacob explained remorsefully.

"You know you can't marry my sister," reminded Tina boldly.

"Surely you'd want her to be happy," stated Lorna. "He may not be magic but he's every bit as one of us if he's a devoted friend to the magical world,"

"That's what I said!" Tom remembered. "Can we talk about this later? We need to heal this man and find out why he wants to kill Credence,"

"Hold his face steady Tina," Lorna requested. She bent down and stared observantly into Kama's wide, tired eyes. Just then she saw a tentacle reach out from behind his iris. Tom saw it and felt instantly queasy. He turned away.

"What was that?" Tina asked.

"If I'm not mistaken, that was a water dragon. They carry parasites so our patient here has been infected,"

"Well, what are you gonna do?" she asked.

"I need to get it out. First I need to pour something on Kama's eyes so that it'll be easier to get it out. She pulled out a purse bag and reached inside. She pulled out numerous bottles and books and little boxes.

"How much can she carry in that purse?" wondered Jacob surprisingly.

"Extension charm," answered Tina. Closely inspecting Kama again, she noticed a long thin pink line on his left hand. She lifted it, detecting a magical enchantment.

"Why does he have that mark on his hand?" Tom asked.

"It's the mark of an Unbreakable Vow," she clarified. "A promise you make and can't break,"

"So it's either he kills your brother or he dies," Lorna said ruefully. "No matter how wrong it is for him to hunt Credence down like this, it isn't fair he has to suffer a fate which he was forced into by whoever did this to him," For the first since his betrayal, Tom felt pity. But that would not stop him from protecting his brother.

Lorna finally found a little potion and poured it onto Kama's eye where the little pest was hiding. "Okay. Now I need some tweezers," The operation was stalled by the presence of Newt appearing out of his suitcase.

"Dad! How is he?" Tom asked.

"She…is so much better. She was born to run," said Newt. "Luckily she doesn't have to suffer in a cage ever again," he smiled and Tom smiled back.

"Newt, have you got any tweezers?" asked Tina.

"Oh," Newt reached to the pocket of his case and pulled them out, he walked over, handing them to Lorna.

"You two might wanna close your eyes for this," she warned.

"I can handle it," Tina assured.

"I don't wanna watch this," Tom covered his eyes.

"Me too kid," Jacob covered his.

"Got a jar ready?" Lorna asked Newt. He pulled one out of his pocket and nodded. "I need some light too," he held his wand with its lit end over Kama's face. She clasped the tentacle of the water dragon as it poked out Kama's eye and she pulled very tight. Kama's body shacked but Tina held him steady with Newt's assistance. Lorna gave it one final tug and plop. She held the little tentacular creature with the tweezers. She dropped it into Newt's jar and he shut it tight before placing it on a table.

"Oh," breathed Jacob. "Thank god we did not watch that,"

Kama's face reached up a bit. "Must…" he choked. "Kill him,"

"Who? Credence?" Tina asked. They needed accurate details. The man's head fell back onto the pillow. His eyes shut.

"It may take him some time to recover. That parasite's poison's quite strong," said Lorna. "Once he's awake, we'll interrogate him and continue our search for Credence,"

"Is there any way to undo this unbreakable vow?" Jacob asked. He cared for Tom deeply and hated to watch him lose a brother.

Lorna shook her head. "There is no way, unfortunately,"

"So he dies if he doesn't kill him?"

She nodded.

"It's not fair," cursed Tom. "It's not fair that my brother has to be killed for being an Obscurial and it's not fair that this man wasn't given a choice but to kill him. Why is the world so cruel?"

"Because the world isn't full of perfect people," sighed Tina. She stood up, grabbing her coat. "I've got to go back to the Ministry with what I've got,"

"You're leaving?" breathed Tom. "But we've only just back together. And Dad…"

"It was nice to see you again Mr Scamander. And you too Tom. Very nice to meet you, Lorna," she grabbed her wand and scurried out through the door locking it behind her.

Jacob felt offended not being included in the goodbye.

"What's up with her?" asked Lorna.

Newt sighed. "She thinks I'm engaged to Leta because of some stupid magazine,"

"I told her the truth yesterday but she's still uncertain about something. I don't know what," Tom said.

"Chase after her," urged Jacob. "Use this moment to prove yourself,"

"Okay. Lorna you should stay here" instructed Newt.

"No. I'm coming with you," she declared. "You'll need my help,"

"All right. Jacob, you, and Tom stay here,"

"I'm going with you," Tom refused to be shut inside a house again.

"Tom, it's too dangerous for you. If Travis and his allies know we're here, he could be out there. And I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you," Newt cupped his cheek affectionately. "Besides you two need to guard Kama in case he wakes up. That's an important job,"

Tom tried to argue but his father's wet eyes of worry made him hold back. He loved him and he knew he was still only a kid even though he had powerful Obscurial inside him which he had kept under control thanks to all the love and care this amazing man had given him. "Just promise me you'll come back," he implored.

Newt knelt before and held his shoulders. "I promise,"

Tom with tears falling down his face hugged him tightly. "I love you, dad,"

Newt sniffled. "I love you two son,"

Lorna pursed her lips watching a reminder of the love she and her father held for one another. Though not related by blood, they were related by love. Just like her and Albus.

"You're gonna make me cry," Jacob sniffled.

Newt forced himself to let go and stand up. "Look after him,"

"I will. Now go on and find Tina, Queenie and Credence," he encouraged.

Lorna and Newt left through the open door back into the city. Tom stood at the doorpost, faithful but discreetly frightened. Jacob stood beside him holding his shoulders in comfort. They then closed the door again, feeling protected by the enchantments that surrounded it.

So Travis threatened Lorna a bit. What a terrible man. It's wizards like him who make enemies. Wished he was put in his place in the movie. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. P.S. As for the character Ron, it is not Ron Weasley from Harry Potter. It is another OC character, Ron's great uncle, Ronald the First. As for Lucille, she is another OC character. You'll find out more about them later. See you all soon.