Chapter 1

Back-Page News

"Ah, Dumbledore, good morning! Please have a seat." Theseus got up from his newspaper, looking rather more chipper than Dumbledore would've expected following what must've been a late night celebration. They shook hands and Dumbledore took a seat across from him at the Goldstein's kitchen table. "Can I get you a coffee? It seems we're on our own this morning as our hosts are indisposed but they've prepared some pastries in the midst of their newlywed bliss. Please help yourself." Theseus motioned to the plate of desserts and other assortments on the table. "They look a bit haphazard but the chefs are quite distracted as you can imagine."

The door to the bedroom opened just enough to allow a fresh pączek to come hurling out, straight for Theseus' head. It struck him on the temple and he caught it before it hit the ground. "They're delicious though!" He said loudly in the direction of his assailant and took a generous bite to prove it.

Dumbledore smiled and helped himself to a slice of babka. The coffee pot, Theseus' own contribution, came floating towards his empty cup and he politely accepted.

"We missed you last night. Why didn't you join us at the wedding?"

"Oh, I wasn't feeling like very good company last night. I didn't want to bring the mood down."

"You know you would've been welcome no matter what. I hope you didn't come all the way to America just to confine yourself to your room."

"On the contrary. I found a lively little speakeasy and drowned my sorrows."

"Oh? I didn't take you for much of a barman. Drinking to anything in particular?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Freedom. Endings. New beginnings." At this point they shared a knowing look and said in unison, "Pick your poison." They both laughed.

Dumbledore took a sip of his coffee and his eyes went wide. "Merlin's beard, no wonder you seem like you were shot out of a cannon this morning."

"Exhilarating, isn't it?" Theseus leaned in conspiratorially. "It's this American brew that will absolutely knock your tits off. Better than any invigorating potion."

"Quite. Well if you don't mind, I'd like to keep my tits on, thank you very much." Dumbledore put the cup down. "So what does The New York Ghost have to report? Anything interesting?"

"It's all about Grindelwald and Bhutan, of course. You know how it is, they make it sound like it was an entirely American operation. Don't get me wrong, Jacob and Lally and even Queenie and Credence were brilliant but to gloss over your contribution is a massive injustice." He flipped to the back page, disgusted by the audacity.

Dumbledore hummed noncommittally and took a bite of his babka.

"Oh dear, how tragic." Theseus said from behind the newspaper, prompting Dumbledore to look up inquiringly.

Whether Theseus sensed Dumbledore's curiosity or not, he continued on. "After six years they are finally putting the Graves' estate up for auction. Apparently the house elves were putting up quite a fight to keep it. It's been in the family for generations."

This piqued Dumbledore's interest. "As in Percival Graves?"

"Yes, bloody shame, really. He was a good bloke. I met him in Paris while we were both on the hunt for Grindelwald and we struck up a correspondence, which ultimately Grindelwald took over."

"Where did you send these letters? Was it always to the same place?"

"The majority of them went to his location in Paris but I believe one got rerouted to Switzerland before he returned to America."

"Do you think you can pinpoint the moment when Graves became Grindelwald?"

"I've asked myself that same question and I have to admit Grindelwald was quite good at imitating Graves' style but I came to the conclusion that it had to have been when he became fixated on the attacks in New York. This didn't raise any immediate suspicions considering Graves' position in MACUSA but once Grindelwald's plot to use the Obscurus was exposed it became more obvious."

"Do you know what city he was in when this happened?"

"I think it was at the tail end of his stay in Paris. There weren't many letters after that."

Dumbledore was about to ask something else when the suitcase on the floor in the parlor creaked open and Tina peered out. Seeing both Theseus and Dumbledore sitting at the table staring at her, she sheepishly climbed out, revealing that she was wearing the same gown from the night before.

With a devilish grin, Theseus asked, "And where are you sneaking off to Miss Goldstein? Or should I say, away from?"

"I'm not sneaking anywhere! I'm just trying not to disturb the ones who are still sleeping."

Some clanging and laughing came from the direction of Queenie and Jacob's bedroom. "Oh? Tell me, do you know where my dear brother is? I noticed he didn't come to his bed last night."

She reddened some more. "We were up late feeding the Mooncalves and fell asleep." She insisted when she saw the skepticism on Theseus' face. "We were, I swear! It was… incredible." She finished shyly.

"My brother sure knows how to show a girl a good time. I guess it's true what they say: there's a lid for every pot."

Tina flared up at this. "I noticed you and Professor Hicks were getting cozy on the dance floor last night!"

Theseus smiled benignly, undaunted by the accusation. "Yes, we had a lovely time and she went home at a reasonable hour, like a respectable lady would."

"Ohh, I've blasted you once, Mr. Scamander, don't think I won't do it again!" Theseus laughed and put his hands up in surrender.

"Tina?" Dumbledore interjected. "You worked beneath Percival Graves when he was Director of Magical Security, isn't that right?"

He had snatched up the paper during this playful exchange of sibling-like rivalry and was looking intently at the article Theseus had been reading. It was smaller than the story deserved and relegated to the back pages, amongst all the advertisements and other 'non' news stories. Dumbledore guessed it was because MACUSA didn't want to be reminded of any story that made them look foolish, like having a dark wizard infiltrate the second highest position in the country. An image showed a handsome but rather stern-looking man standing in front of his family home, a posh brownstone somewhere in the heart of New York City.

Taken aback, Tina stared blankly at Dumbledore waiting for her brain to catch up to the question. "Huh? Oh. Yes, I did."

"What was your relationship like with him if you don't mind my asking?"

"He was a bit intimidating but I thought it was a good working relationship, civil enough. He was a very professional and buttoned-up kind of guy. As an Auror he was highly respected and as a boss he was tough but fair. At least until he sentenced me and Newt to death. But I guess that was more Grindelwald's doing." She trailed off at the end.

"Well, thank you both!" Dumbledore stood up abruptly and put his hat on. "I must be going but send my regards to the happy couple. And tell Newt I'll be seeing him soon." With that, he tucked the newspaper under his arm and walked out, leaving Tina and Theseus dumbfounded in his wake. When Theseus snapped out of it and returned to his former activity, only realizing then that the paper was no longer there.