disclaimer: I own nothing

Author's Note: Almost forgot, so another fourth day update for me. Enjoy.


Two days later Newt and Tina were arguing about certain things that had been in the morning's Prophet after breakfast.

The fact that they had different view points on most of the matters caused them to end up arguing with each other rather than just with the viewpoints expressed in the paper. The paper in question was spread out on the table in front of Tina, open to a center page. Newt leaned against the counter on the other side of the table. The arguing wasn't truly angry, but it was in danger of becoming so. The topic of the moment was that the Prophet had reported the deaths of several of Grindelwald's followers following a raid by the Auror department.

"I just don't think it's right." Newt said to Tina, setting a mostly full cup of tea on the counter.

"Newt, they were Dark wizards. They probably killed and tortured in Grindelwald's name. No-Majs and wizards. What they were doing isn't right." Tina said, fingers spread over the headline.

"And I'm not saying that it was, Tina. But it doesn't mean that the Aurors have to go in firing off killing curses just because no one cares if they do."

Tina looked annoyed by this.

"If you're in a situation like that, killing curses are being aimed right back at you. If one of the Aurors can't stomach using the necessary spells, you could be the one that ends up dead."

"Stunning is also a viable option." Newt countered.

"They would have been thrown into Azkaban with no wands, surrounded by soul sucking Dark creatures for the rest of their lives if they were brought in alive." Tina pointed out.

"Is that really any better than dying?" Newt supposed she had a point there, but it wasn't his.

"All I'm saying is that the Aurors don't care. Getting rid of Grindelwald's followers by any means available with a complete disregard for any other option looks good for the papers and for their reputations. How many of them do you think are going to use these deaths to leverge their way upward? They're all just a bunch of careerist hyppocrits."

From the way Tina's expression immediately changed, Newt realized that he should have stopped talking long before he had said that.

"Aurors are careerist hyppocrits, are they?" Her voice was brittle and chilly with surpressed anger.

"Tina-"

"Oh no, Newt. If that's how you feel, then how is it to be married to one?"

Tina stood and started walking out of the kitchen.

"Tina, that's not what I-" Newt started to follow her.

Tina was pulling her coat on now.

"Tina, just listen for a moment." he tried.

"You've made your feelings quite clear, Newt."

With that, Tina walked out the front door, closing it rather forcefully behind herself. Newt stood there, feeling at a loss of what to say or do. Perhaps he shouldn't have said that, but he also felt that Tina should have known he wasn't applying it to her. And that it was a bit of an overreaction.

A high pitched meow made Newt turn around. Minty was sitting a few feet away from him, glaring at him. The tufted tip of her tail was twitching. She looked very unhappy with him.

"I wasn't trying to make her angry, you know." he told the kneazle.

Minty's eyes narrowed.

He started to turn away from the door, thinking that when Tina cooled off she would realize what he had meant. Minty practically yowled at him. Newt eyed the kneazle. She was very attuned to Tina and was glaring at him with nearly enough force to make him burst into flames. Newt took the hint and retrieved his own coat.

When he did, Minty turned and walked away to her nest, her tail straight up and waving in the air. Newt went out the door and locked it. He looked around, wondering just which way Tina had gone. In the end, he picked one and ran down the sidewalk. After turning the corner, he saw Tina ahead of him, her strides angry and purposeful.

"Tina!" he called to her, quickening his pace. "Tina!"

For a moment, he thought she was going to completely ignore him, but he fell into step beside her and she glanced at him.

"What, Newt?" She was still clearly angry.

"Tina, when I said that, I didn't mean you."

"You didn't say that, Newt. You said Aurors. Which I happen to be, if you hadn't noticed."

"Yes, but all of them besides you. You're not like them. You've gone middle head."

Tina stopped walking and turned to stare at him.

"I've gone what?"

"Middle head." Newt repeated.

When Tina continued to stare at him, Newt felt the need to elaborate.

"You're middle head, like Robert."

"I'm like your snake." Tina's voice was flat and Newt could see she was trying to work out if he was making a joke.

"You think I'm trying to get rid of some metaphorical Edwin?"

Newt nearly sighed at this, wishing she clearly saw what he was trying to say.

"The middle head of the runespoor is the visionary, the dreamer. Back in New York, you proved that. You wanted to protect Credence. You went after his mother because of what she did to him. How many Aurors would have cared about a Muggle beating her son? And then you wanted to protect him, instead of killing him like the other Aurors did. You are an Auror to protect people, not to get rid of them. You've gone middle head."

Tina was still staring at him, but now it looked like she might have been on the verge of laughing.

"How many people use that expression, Newt?"

"I think it might just be me, actually." Newt said.

Tina smiled a little at this, but then her expression became troubled.

"Newt, I'm not certain what I would do if I encountered the wizard who raped me. I'm pretty sure I would kill him in a heartbeat."

Newt wasn't sure what to say to this. It was clear that Tina had thought about it, probably multiple times.

"I think that's a little different." he said at last.

"Is it, though?"

"I don't think you would murder a man in cold blood, Tina, no matter what the circumstances."

"Then I hope you know me better than I do." Tina said.

"I do know you, Tina. And I know you wouldn't kill him like that." Newt said.

Tina nodded, seeming to think this over. Her anger seemed to have ebbed somewhat, but he could tell that it wasn't entirely gone.

"Aurors aren't as bad as you think, Newt." Tina said after a few moments.

Newt wasn't certain what to say to this, considering the fact that he had just stated his opinions on Aurors and that was the reason that Tina was angry with him.

"I know you have your opinions and your views, but if all Aurors were like you say, I would never have joined the department." There was an edge to Tina's voice, that warned if he said the wrong thing, it would be inflicted upon him.

Newt just stared at her for a moment.

"Well, my experiances with Aurors have never been the best."

It sounded feeble to Newt. Tina stared at him hard for a moment. She shifted her position slightly.

"Newt, what would you do if you encountered the man who raped me?"

It wasn't a challenge of anything he felt for her, he knew that right off the bat. There was no wrong or right answer. It was a genuine question.

"I-I don't know." Newt said, blinking.

He had never really thought about the possibility of seeing the man again, unless he had already been arrested.

"But I wouldn't kill him, Tina. Even with what he did to you."

Tina sighed very slightly, as if he had somehow missed a point.

"I know you wouldn't kill someone, Newt. But some people have to. That's the difference between Aurors and Dark wizards."

"It's two sides to the same coin, Tina. In the end, both sides end up killing for what they believe in. One is just allowed to with no consequences."

Tina's eyes flashed with more anger. Newt knew that was the wrong thing to say, but he wasn't just going to lie to Tina. Tina spun around and stormed off down the sidewalk. This time, Newt knew better than to go after her. Anything else he had to say would only make things worse.

With a deep sigh, Newt turned and headed back the way he had come. He spent the rest of the day mostly waiting for Tina to come home. He had no idea where she could have gone, in a city she didn't know very well. He was well aware that Tina could take care of herself, but the longer she was gone, the more restless Newt became.

Finally, when night had fallen, Newt descended into the basement. It was just him tonight and that was just as well. He wasn't in the mood to explain anything to Bunty. He finished feeding and cleaning and was just sitting on the stairs, the niffler clumsily climbing into his lap. It cuddled against him and Newt stroked it. Pickett had also emerged.

"You know I messed up, don't you?" Newt said to the niffler, stroking it some more.

For once, it didn't seem interested in going through his pockets for anything shiny. Newt heard a scuff on the stairs behind him. Pickett retreated back into his pocket as Newt turned. Tina was standing on the stairs behind him, holding two mugs. She gave him a small, almost guilty smile.

"Hi." she said.

"Hi." Newt said, staring.

He wasn't sure what to say. He and Tina hadn't ever had an argument like this before and it was the first one of their marriage. Tina descended the rest of the way to join him and silently handed him one mug. Newt took it, the steam wafting into his face. Cocoa. Newt smiled slightly and took a sip.

"Thank you."

"You British people enjoy tea far too much." Tina said.

Newt smiled again, holding her gaze for a moment. She didn't seem angry anymore. Tina wrapped both her hands around her mug and stared at it for a moment.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left like that." Tina said.

"I didn't intend to..." Newt trailed off.

"Maybe I overreacted. You are entitled to your own opinions and beliefs. But there are two sides to everything. Not every Auror is good, just like not every witch or wizard is good. Aurors are not a monument to good, Newt. I know that. But I like to think we try to make our world a better place."

Tina held his gaze. She looked tired. Newt wondered if she had simply been walking all day, going over all this in her mind again and again. Newt placed his hand on her knee gently and squeezed it as the niffler tried to dip its snout into his cocoa. He lifted it a little higher.

"It's good that you believe that, Tina."

That was all he could say. He didn't want to anger her further, though he felt they were past the anger and argument. Tina took a sip from her mug. Newt squeezed her knee gently.

"I'll try not to get so angry in the future." Tina said after she'd swallowed.

"Being an Auror is a part of who you are. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so harsh."

Tina shook her head at this.

"Maybe you should have. I'm glad that you feel you can be honest with me about everything."

It struck Newt that perhaps Tina wasn't so honest with him. She still didn't want to talk about the rape and still was almost hesitant talking about the baby, though she was opening up about that now. Newt said nothing about this. Those were completely different circumstances. He couldn't judge Tina's honesty with him off that alone.

They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, simply watching the creatures and sipping from their mugs. Tina rested her head on Newt's shoulder.

"We're okay, aren't we?" she said.

Newt wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"We are."


XXXXXXX


The Ministry finally decided they wanted to speak with Newt and Tina and summoned them there a few days later.

The Atrium was nearly empty when they arrived and went through the wand check. They were then shown to a bench upstairs from there to wait. Neither Newt or Tina were speaking, but Newt noticed Tina's knee bouncing out the corner of his eye.

"We already did this for Macusa." he told her, taking her hand.

"It won't be that different."

"I know, Newt. We both know Dumbledore was right. They are not going to respect our privacy. What if they make me-" Tina broke off and let out a deep breath.

Her free hand was cradling her swollen belly protectively. She was on the verge of seven months now. Even with that amount of time, Newt knew just how hard and painful it would be for Tina if she were made to recount her rape.

"If they do, you'll have to answer. But I'll be right there with you." Newt told her quietly, though there was no one around to listen.

Tina nodded.

Pickett peeked out of Newt's coat pocket, but slipped back in after a few moments, apparently aware that he shouldn't go running around in the Ministry of Magic. Due to the thick carpet in the center of the hallway, neither of them heard the witch approaching them until she spoke.

"Mr. and Mrs. Scamander?" They both looked up. "They're ready for you."

She led them to a dark room where four men sat at a circular table. Newt was surprised to see that one of them was Theseus. There were two empty chairs across from them.

"Newton Scamander and Porpentina Scamander?" Travers asked.

"Goldstein, actually." Tina said.

Her voice was not loud. Apparently Newt was not the only one slightly intimidated by this group.

"Newton Scamander and Porpentina Goldstein." Travers repeated, correcting himself.

For a moment Newt wondered why he was stating their names, then saw the quill that was already recording what was being said on to a long scroll of parchment.

"Please be seated."

Both Newt and Tina sat down, facing the four men. Newt couldn't quite work out why Theseus was there, but he knew better than to ask.

From here, they were asked to detail the events of what had happened in New York, as long ago as that had been. Travers did not seem entirely happy that their versions of events did not stray signifigantly away from each other, no matter how many times the questions were asked. They must have spent close to two hours going back and forth, as if the men were hoping to catch him or Tina in a lie.

"And it is, to our understanding, that both of you were targeted by some of Grindelwald's men, again in New York, several months ago." Travers said when they had wrapped that part of the conversation up.

Newt saw Tina go rigid.

"Yes." he said, for both of them.

"And Miss Goldstein was assaulted by one them?"

"Yes." Tina's voice was almost hoarse, but she stared Travers down and did not look away.

Newt nearly smiled at this, but felt it would be taken the wrong way if he did. Tina cleared her throat.

"I was. But if it is all right with you, I would prefer not to go over the details. It in no way pertains to your line of questioning."

Newt froze.

While he admired Tina for what she said, he couldn't help but wonder if she went too far with this. He thought he saw a hint of a smile on Theseus's face, but he wasn't certain. Travers stared at Tina piercingly. Tina did not waver.

"Very well. But there are some things we would like to ask you, Miss Goldstein, seeing as you intend apply to our Auror department."

Travers's eyes glinted slightly and Newt was suddenly certain these questions would not reflect well on Tina.

"You worked as an Auror for Macusa?"

"Yes." Tina was still tense and Newt knew she had the same feeling as he did.

"And then were demoted to the Wand Permit Office?"

"Yes."

"For attacking a Muggle with magic in front of many others."

"Yes."

"Why would you break the Statute of Secrecy in such a blatant way, Miss Goldstein? Such a thing is very undesirable in an Auror."

"The No-Maj I attacked was beating her son, sir."

"And that gave you the right to attack her?"

"With all due respect, sir, I believe that if someone is abusing their child, something is wrong with them, not with the child in question. No one deserves to be treated like that. He had no one to protect him or care what his mother did to him."

Newt looked between Travers and Tina. When Travers said nothing, Tina continued.

"I would have done the same thing if it had been a witch. What I did broke our most important law, I know. But all I wanted to do at the time was protect someone who couldn't protect themself. Aurors are Dark wizard catchers, yes, but that doesn't mean we should turn a blind eye to the suffering we see in the course of our work."

Theseus had cringed at Tina's declaration. Newt didn't think that could be a good sign. He also wondered if his and Tina's argument, probably still fresh in her mind, was what had driven Tina to say this.

"Did you know at the time that Grindelwald was after the boy you were 'helping', Miss Goldstein?" Travers asked.

Tina looked shocked.

"What?"

"Answer the question."

"No, I did not."

"And both you and Mr. Scamander did not want him killed by the Aurors in America."

"Of course not, but-"

"Was that so you could aid Grindelwald?"

"We didn't want Credence to be used by anyone." Newt interrupted, perhaps a little recklessly.

"Not by Grindelwald or anyone else. If you think, after all this time, that we were working for Grindelwald-"

"We are simply trying to find out the whole story, Mr. Scamander, seeing as you left you for America so quickly again, before we could finish speaking with you."

"With all due respect, Mr. Travers, that was a completely personal matter, involving my relationship with my wife. And it seemed to have been a success, considering we married before returning to London."

Travers was silent. Eventually, he spoke.

"This all seems to correspond with what President Picquery told us. You are free to go, for now, though we may wish to speak with you again in the future. Miss Goldstein, we will consider your application should you apply in a few months time."

It was clear they were being dismissed, but the interrogation, which had lasted nearly three hours, left Newt feeling more confused than anything. It had seemed completely pointless. Theseus rose and walked out with him and Tina. Once the door was out of sight, his brother turned to face both him and Tina.

"What were the two of you thinking?" Theseus demanded.

Tina was clearly taken aback by the question. Newt was simply resigned to it.

"You didn't have to go so far, neither of you. You don't argue with the head of International Law Inforcement."

"I wasn't going to give those men every single detail of my rape. And I was not going to let Travers paint me as some No-Maj hating vigilante." Tina said, annoyance in her tone.

Theseus ran his hand over the bottom of his face.

"There were other ways to go about it." he said.

"How we handled that wasn't really any of your business, Theseus." Newt said, wondering just what his brother was up to.

An expression he couldn't name flitted across Theseus's face for a moment.

"You need to be more careful, Newt. The Ministry is not happy with you."

Newt said nothing. He really didn't know what to say to Theseus.

"Theseus-"

"I'm serious, Newt. You have a wife, you're going to have a baby. You need to think about what you say to the Ministry before you do."

"I wasn't aware the Ministry was looking to arrest me." Newt said, a little coldly.

"Newt-"

"Why are you here, Theseus?" Newt interrupted.

Theseus looked frustrated.

"I'm trying to help you, Newt. Both of you. We're family. And that means I'm not just going to let you blunder recklessly ahead when you have no idea what's going on."

"What is going on?" Tina asked, folding her arms over her chest.

As far as Newt could tell, her problem with Theseus was truly stemming from his strained relationship with his brother. At least she was on his side in this.

Theseus started to say something, but stopped when several people walked past them.

"Just be careful, Newt. Please."

Theseus moved as if to hug him, but stopped himself. Newt said nothing. Theseus turned to Tina.

"It was good to see you, Tina."

With that, Theseus walked away.

Newt and Tina started as well, heading for the exit.

"What happened between the two of you?" Tina asked.

"We've never gotten along."

"I think he's trying to reach out to you, Newt."

"Do you like him?" Newt asked as they came to a staircase and began to descend, ignoring the crowded lifts that were being overrun with Ministry witches and wizards.

"I've only met him twice."

"You're evading, Tina."

"Not entirely." Tina admitted.

"But it's not like you or him have given me much reason to."

Newt felt she had a point, but said nothing about it.

They reached the Atrium and Tina paused to look at the fountain. She said nothing, but she was frowning slightly as she did. Newt had the same feelings about it, but he also said nothing. After a moment, Tina turned back to him and they headed towards the exit.


Author's Note: Again, took another conversation out of the Crimes of Grindelwald, but if Newt and Tina are married, that conversation would have come up WAY earlier.

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