An orange hue scorched across the bedroom between a small gap in the blinds. Newt usually spends most of his time sleeping external to the room he booked, rather than feeling more comfortable in his case and the small corner he made accustomed to himself. The light, displaying one of the darkest and warmest tones of orange possible, was enough to wake him. The early morning sky indirectly indicated to Newt that it was time to tend towards his creatures. While he was usually up before most of the world, the significant strain of travel and the activities weighed on him, unexpectedly letting him sleep in more than what was considered normal.
Around this time, Newt was accustomed to thinking freely. The creatures slowly hummed, a contrast to the usual noise that was familiar throughout the day. Instead of talking to himself, Newt thought senselessly about his past. He thought back to the days in Hogwarts. He was often alone, though he was not opposed to the idea of it, and rarely spoke up. Thesus was a head boy before he attended the wizarding school, creating an undesirable expectation for him to be moulded into.
When he was old enough to attend Hogwarts after Theseus had graduated two years prior, Newt was considered an outcast. He was often referred to as nocturnal, associated with having the same traditional pattern of the creatures he keeps without school permission. At this time, his brother was training as an Auror. Theseus regularly commented in a mocking tone whenever Newt could come home after a full school year, "You act like one of those weird creatures you keep." While it was always intended as an insult of some form, it was flattering in an abstract way.
Quickly shutting off his mind to stop picking at old wounds, Newt proposed that the quickest way to finish the long extent of this job in the small time frame available was to reconstruct a habitat in his suitcase. The temporary available space between two enclosures near the entrance of the ladder allows Newt to temporarily keep notice of them and tend extensively. The sudden change of environment may cause emotional and mental distress towards the tree-forming lizards, requiring Newt to let them get accustomed to the surrounding creatures. To do this, he collected various material and geological aspects of the other enclosures that obtain their scent, in hopes they get used to the overall location they are going to be for their provisional home. This allows for the tree-forming lizards to be prepared to be placed near other creatures present.
The tree-forming lizards located in Cuba behaved differently from what was known about them. Their keen resistance to leave was not peculiar but was rather normal. However, their constant ability to stay located in the same place over many years was obtuse. They normally move every few years or so, meaning this place is important to their lives. The lizards are notoriously known for being abrupt with their spiritual connection to the soil and geography. Newt moved around the materials to make sure that he brought some back from their original home, to place them in this small container.
Once the habitat suited the needs of the lizards, according to Newt's in-depth understanding and knowledge of the creatures, he inexplicably smiled to himself. Waving goodbye to the fellow creatures in his case and a loud shout stating he will be coming back and for them to be on their best behaviour, Newt climbed his ladder to exit his case in preparation for collecting the tree-forming lizards and Miss Julia Montgomery. He noticed his clothes, covered in dust and dirt from the habitat recreation, but decided to not get change regardless. He instead collected various materials such as jars, to collect the natural landscape and environment of the lizards for a more immersive effect. As the lizards are sensitive to the scent of their natural environment, the preemption of changing clothes would cause Newt to get dirty regardless, letting him wander outside in his ruffled clothes covered in bounties of grime and dirt.
Closing the metal latch of the suitcase and getting up from the floor of his motel room, Newt walked into the entry and collected his wand. He apparated to the construction site. To ensure that he wouldn't get noticed in a highly dense and muggle-populated town, he appeared in an alleyway near the site, forcing him to walk for a few minutes. Quickly disposing of his wand, he walked inconspicuously until he noticed Julia guiding a construction worker in placing slabs of concrete in an attempt to create an entrance for their architectural plans.
"Miss Montgomery." Once near her, he made himself known, reaching his hand out for her to shake.
She took it, guiding their hands up and down in a formal greeting. She indicated to her subordinate her last words, detailing how she would be out for an hour or so. She indicated for Newt to walk alongside her with a hand outstretched, letting him walk before her. "Mr Scamander, I ensure that you have plans in motion to save these poor creatures?"
"Oh yes indeed," he leered, "But I need to do something before we begin."
They walked in silence until they were near the tree-forming lizard; A far distance, but close enough to admire them. Newt told her to wait where she was, placing the suitcase at her feet. He walked toward the lizards, ripping out plants and soil and placing them in the jars he brought along. Aided by magic, he was able to place more than what could have initially been put in. In small movements, he took small pieces of soil and placed them in the jar. Once the lizards noticed, changing their distinct red colour to light yellow, they formed a small bush. Their flourished colours presented their fear and ready movement of attack, which eventually dissipated when Newt stepped back, grateful for the amount he collected. He steadied himself, getting up and bending down once more when opening the suitcase. Once the latches opened, slow gurgles and howls escaped the hole of the case that showed the inside of his study room.
"Oh my," Julia stepped closer in shock, "What is in there?" Her puzzled face brought attention to Newt who smiled in his pride.
"As you know, my suitcase is used as rehabilitation for creatures. It's most likely Doxies, but do mind your step when you enter, the ladder is not as sturdy as it once was." He places his foot on the ladder, the two jars balanced in the crook of his arms. As he entered, he placed the jars on the nearby table, helping her as she stepped down to the ground.
Once again retrieving the jars, Newt guided Julia throughout his case, showing her the various creatures that inhabited his case. When they reached the habitat for the lizards, Newt requested that she not touch anything as she might get dirt on her attire. Placing one jar on the floor, he opened the other and sprinkled the soil along all corners of the ground. The vital adaptation for the lizards is ineffable. After he finished, he moved on to the second jar, spending more time as he dug holes for the plants. While Newt has never regarded himself as someone with a passion for gardening, he believed he did a wonderful try. Julia stood near, showing him how to fix the escaped soil near the edges. The plants danced in their green shades, as their placement was in a disorganised pattern. The completion of the habitat made Newt giddy with childish wonder. He admired the poetic verse of nature which leaked to show how adaptation to a new environment could be beneficial to another organism.
Julia stepped back with him, steadying herself on the wobbly ground. She broke the silence "This looks perfect;" Julia smiled at him in comradery, as he gave a sheepish smile, "Thank you, Mr Scamander."
Turning around to leave, Newt wiped his trousers with his dirty hands that were stained from the soil, "Y'know, I've intentionally separated them from the bowtruckles. Usually, if the bowtruckles are within a three-metre radius, they would prey on them. Nevertheless, I am sure the other creatures would intervene if anything would happen." They both walked out of the case, where Newt requested that Julia exit first to ensure he closed the case correctly. He guides Julia to the first step as she exits the suitcase in a slow movement, almost hooking the edge of her pant leg. Before leaving, Newt took off his bowtie and placed it in a drawer compartment. Once outside, he closed the lid, locking it for safety.
"Where are they going after?" Julia asked once Newt was steady on the ground. He questioned her, not understanding what she said, "I mean after they are in your case, where would they go after?"
"Oh," Newt commented, "Arizona in the United States."
"Why's that?"
"Well, there are rarely any predators there, at most, it is non-magical creatures. Even so, if they can form into a large tree, it would ensure their success," He walked back near the lizards, going further than before, "The temperature is ideal, and they have bugs and many other animals to sustain their life."
He took a handful of the dirt and smelt the rich compost stench. Newt rubbed it between his palm and fingers, creating a dark-speckled brown artwork of sticky soil mixed with sweat on him. "Stand back" he requested to Julia, "It's for your safety."
Lightly breathing, he stepped in small movements causing minimal noise, coming the closest he'd ever been to the lizards. Their bright red colour shined through their scales. He spotted a single lizard on its own and moved toward it, letting out a single finger. He lightly touched the head of the creature, scratching the side of its face. The lizard stepped onto his fingers, walking along his palm until it neared his wrist. Immediately, the creature turned green. In an instant, the lizards, who were small in number due to their stress and loss of habitat, combined to rapidly form a miniature tree. As other lizards joined, it consistently grew. A vine protruded from the tree, wrapping around Newt's wrist. It stabbed venom, causing Newt to yelp "Buggar," instantly moving his body away. He quickly got rid of the lizard on his, returning to where Julia Montgomery stood. Once safe and calm from adrenaline, he lightly touched his wrist, a light burning sensation flowing.
Coming to his aid, Julia shouted "Are you okay? Oh my, are you badly hurt?"
Newt looked at her, then back at his wrist which he gripped. "No," He grunted, "The pain is not venomous to the wizardry, but the burning will turn into a bruise. I can handle it, I've had much worse."
"If you are hurt, you should go home. I assure you that I can delay the construction to touch this side for another day."
"Thank you, but the pain will subside in five minutes." He lightly released his wrist, returning the pressure as if it were a cut and he was stopping the bleeding.
"Hold on-" She said, as she took out her wand accioing a metal water bottle and a towel, "Here." She poured the cold water onto the towel, resulting in it becoming damp, which Newt took to aid the sensation of a burn.
They stood silent for a while, a comfortable distance between them. "I just," Newt sighed as he looked towards the direction of the lizards, "I do not understand why they would do that."
"I sure am curious. You said they needed to smell the familiarity of their surroundings, but you did just as much." She moved past him, to get a closer look at the lizards. Newt noticed the burning sensation stop, feeling a tight discomfort replace the pain. He removed the empty bottle and towel away from him, placing it on the ground near the suitcase.
"But, maybe not enough?" A sudden realisation hit Newt, causing him to frantically return into the bushes where the lizards were present, "Miss Montgomery, you are right!"
"I am?"
"Yes. I only put the scent on my hand which explains why they allowed me to get so close to them, but not enough for them to wander completely on me. I need to be wearing the scent as if I am the landscape, a habitat between two habitats."
He took more handfuls of soil, which were rubbed on his clothes, ensuring they turned a hue of brown. He then put the dirt on his face and the back of his neck. "For good luck," he smiled as he plucked a small piece of grass and placed it in his blouse pocket. Disinterested, Julia only smiled at his poor attempt at a joke.
He once again walked slowly towards the lizards, in hopes of not disturbing them since their frightened scare minutes prior. Holding his hand out to a populated rock, he attempted once more. He stretched his finger out once more, surprised when the lizard reciprocated and jumped onto him. He guided the rest of the lizard to walk onto him, "Please open the lid, latches are on your right" he whisper-yelled to Julia.
Once he manoeuvred to the other lizards, he tempted them to walk on him. They stood red in comfortability, placed on his arms and clinging to his collar. Julia quickly opened the suitcase and walked backwards, afraid of getting stung. The lizards are inherently integrated, their desire to travel on new comfortable terrain subsided any worry. Until the majority of the lizards were on his, he entered the case and hurriedly placed them in their enclosure. Getting out once more, he collected the rest, inviting Julia to follow back to say her goodbyes to them.
With a small downturned frown and a small amount of happiness, she enjoyed the knowledge that they were finally safe. They both admired the lizards and enjoyed how they explored their new environment. Walking towards Newt, she handed him his compensation. Not getting too close to him, in fear of getting dirty, she motioned for him to follow her outside the suitcase. "Goodbye," She reluctantly said to the lizards, waving at them sorrowfully.
Newt followed her out of the suitcase, once again closing the latches and picking it up by the handle. They both walked around the construction, talking about the rescue and the plans for the future. Near the entrance, she replied, "Thank you for this all, Mr. Scamander."
"It was done at the expense of your help. I am always pleased to help creatures in need. Without your notification, they would have never survived." He let out his hand for another attempt at a formal goodbye, and she happily reciprocated. They both walked their separate ways, stating their goodbyes.
He rushed back to the alleyway, taking out his wand and disapperating back to his motel room. He quickly opened the window as the still of the Cuban air, restricted his breathing. Once he placed his suitcase on the floor, he entered to settle all of his creatures down through the various activities that fed and cleaned them. He ensured that the lizards were comfortable and were not near the bow-truckle. Once he was sure everything was going to be alright, he returned upstairs. He noticed the stickiness and grime of his attire, wiping his face at the rolled sleeve of his turn as it turned brown. Newt decided it would be best for him to take a shower, or at least wash the dirt off his face.
Upon entering the bathroom, he noticed the first aid kit placed on the counter. Remembering the bruise that was forming on his arm, he agreed the best solution was to tend to his wrist and restrict any possibility of swelling. He took the box and went to sit on the edge of his mattress. Leaving the various objects inside the kit next to him, he wrapped a bandage around his wrist after he wiped the dirt away with antiseptic and a napkin. Midway through wrapping the dark hues of purple and blue skins, an owl appeared on his window seal. Leaving the short thread of bandage incomplete over his wrist, he retrieved the letter at the beak of the bird. Once retrieved, it flew away instantly.
Newt immediately knew who it was from their handwriting. Lightly pressing his fingers over the ink and dents of the paper caused by the pressure of her writing, he reminisced about Tina. Reading out loud,
"Dear Newt."