...

Nervously Newt paced in front of his fireplace which was connected to the Floo Network. Tina had finally gotten him approved last night a full week after he moved in. Theseus was no doubt worried sick about him since Newt hadn't made any sort of contact since arriving. It was typical of Newt to send an owl or Floo Call his brother on his travels. He in fact had promised to Floo Call Theseus when he safely arrived in New York. Teddy unfortunately had delayed that and with the chaos of everything happening he had forgotten.

Until the letter arrived. Theseus threatened that if he didn't hear from Newt by what would be tomorrow he would come to MACUSA himself. That was the last thing Newt needed currently so he was standing by the warm fire trying to prepare himself to make the call.

"I've never seen you this nervous, Newt," commented Jacob as he entered the living room, "Are you that afraid of your brother?"

Newt sighed as he paused in front of the fire letting it warm his back, "I'm not afraid of Theseus. He was the only one who really cared about me growing up. If I had a problem I could go to him. Especially after our parents died and I was finally able to tell him the truth about myself."

"You mean he didn't know?"

There was a heavy flinch and Newt couldn't bring himself to look at Jacob. How could he explain this? Jacob was just starting to take baby steps into their world. If Newt told him everything now it might scare him off for good.

It had been a miracle meeting the Dark Lord of their age didn't do that. How long had it been since their world saw a true Dark Lord? One Century? Two?

Longer than anyone could remember that was for certain. The last thing Newt wanted was to frighten his first friend since Hogwarts. Leta no matter her actions was his friend. And Newt cherished the few he had.

Slowly Newt answered, "No, for years my brother Theseus didn't know that I was an Elemental. A Low Magick user who had a small amount of Talent for High Magick. Thank the Blessed Mother I did otherwise I would never have been able to attend Hogwarts."

"But why?" Questioned Jacob, "Shouldn't they teach all magic?"

Newt sighed with a shake of his head, "Maybe once upon a time, Jacob but Low Magick is a forgotten piece. It requires connections instead of the strength of ones' blood. Our type of magic is so rare now it's not even recognized as a form of Magick. Those who are Low Magick users are seen as squibs in our world. Most are cast out into yours. Or killed."

A shiver ran through Newt. It made him cold even thinking about the possibilities. It could have happened to him. At least he had some control over his abilities.

How many died because they were misunderstood? How many had been burned up because they couldn't form the connections needed to use their magic? How many "natural" disasters were an out of control elemental? Most likely too many.

Jacob wanted to ask him more. Newt could tell by the look in the other's eyes but he withheld for the moment. There wasn't to be anymore stalling. His brother was waiting to hear from him or to storm MACUSA like an angry Nundu.

Newt turned to face the fire and grabbed the sparkling powder from the jar. He took a pinch and threw it into the fire as he called out, "Salamander Manor, Office!"

That was where his brother would likely be working on paperwork. If not the wards would alert him to a floo call and he would arrive promptly. In a blink the flames turned green and he bent down to stick his head into the flames. The scent of books hit him as he opened his eyes to see Theseus's office.

A leather chair was pushed back blocking most of his view to the room. He could see the legs of their father's desk and could imagine the amount of papers that were on it. Seeking the connection between him and Theseus; Newt cast his magic out. Through the floo there was a connection to the room if faint thanks to the distance. He could however sense his brother's magic. It wasn't active like it normally was signifying Theseus either passed out or was asleep. Something told him it was the former.

Theseus getting some rest for once almost made Newt back out of the floo. There was no way his brother had been sleeping like he was supposed and any rest he did get was a blessing. The threat of Theseus going after MACUSA was enough to stay him. As much as he would rather let Theseus sleep his brother needed to know he was okay.

Newt called out firmly, "Theseus? Are you there, Theseus?"

There was a muffled sound of his brother waking up. A light sleeper as always. Newt suspected it was part of being an auror. He didn't know how his brother could stand sitting at a desk everyday. It would have killed him.

Then he heard shuffling and a yell, "Newt! Thank Merlin! Do you know how worried I was when I didn't hear from you?"

Newt smiled and apologized, "I'm sorry Theseus. Things got insane almost as soon as I arrived in New York."

"What happened?" Sharply questioned Theseus as he came around to stand in front of the fire, "The Minister mentioned he saw you at MACUSA but wouldn't say what was happening. I was about ready to storm MACUSA knowing you had been in the building."

His brother looked like he hadn't slept since Newt arrived in New York. His wrinkled clothes hung off of him like he hadn't been eating either. A pang of guilt went through him. He should have remembered to make contact sooner. If he had Theseus wouldn't have run himself into the ground like this.

Newt rubbed at his cheek as he asked, "Do you have time to come through the Floo? It will be easier to explain face to face."

Theseus paused and stared at him. Hard. It made Newt nervous and wonder if this was a bad idea after all. Especially given that Jacob was still in the room. Maybe he should warn Jacob to go back in the kitchen.

Finally Theseus agreed with a bob of his head and asked, "What is your floo address? It's not MACUSA. The wards didn't recognize it."

Thats right. Theseus was friends with Mr. Graves so the wards would recognize the MACUSA fireplaces. Newt almost forgot the two served in the Great War together.

Newt mumbled , "Creature Hideaway."

Theseus blinked at him and then blinked again. His mouth dropped open in shock and he looked like a gaping fish. Finally he pinched the bridge of his nose and took in a breath.

"You will explain when I come through," he demanded.

Newt pulled back so that he was no longer in the fire. Then he moved away from the fireplace giving Theseus plenty of space to come through. Jacob was just entering with a plate of pastries as the floo flared green. Surprised by it Jacob jumped and Newt had to use his magic to stop the pastries from falling to the ground. The sweet smelling pastries made his stomach rumble reminding him that he hadn't eaten at all.

"Newt?"

Newt held up a hand to stop him from asking any questions. They would soon be answered when Theseus came through the floo. Jacob fell silent and Theseus soon stepped through. With a wave of his wand he silently cleaned his robes of the soot.

When he looked up he blinked in surprise at Newt and Jacob. There was a flicker of uncertainty in the hazel eyes. Jacob shook off his surprise and grabbed the plate allowing Newt to release his magic.

To his surprise Jacob walked right up to Theseus and offered the plate to him, "Here if you are anything like Newt you will like these."

Theseus looked at Newt over Jacob's shoulder. Newt nodded eagerly hoping that his friend and brother could get along. His brother chose one of the pastries and took a bite out of it.

Surprise flitted across it and he declared softly, "It's sweet."

Both Newt and Jacob laughed quietly much to Theseus's annoyance.