A/N: Y'all this has been in my Doc Manager forever. I started writing it last year, I think, but kept it to myself because I thought it was lame and whatnot and I also couldn't post it because I didn't have an account on here. Well, somethings maybe really weird or different, so yeah. Let me know what you think!
Dumbledore was tired. So very tired. He sat in his small office in the Defense Against the Dark Art's room. His head was in his hands, propped up on the desk. Sleep beckoned him. Albus ignored it; he was thinking. Now that the Blood Pact had been broken, Albus could kill Grindelwald. Yet did Albus want to kill him? No. He wasn't a killer. Perhaps he could find another way to stop Grindelwald… But he had disappeared 6 years ago. No one knew where he was. There were sightings, of course, but he just kept running, causing mayhem and disaster in his wake. And the boy, at the orphanage, Tom. What was he going to do with him?
Albus was pulled out of his stream of thoughts when there was a sharp tap at his door. Dumbledore looked up from his hands, calling, "Come in." Minerva McGonagall opened the door. She looked tired, but she also seemed a little worried. "What's the matter?" Dumbledore asked, standing up.
"I found this," she said, holding up a case, "Albus, this is Newton Scamander's case." Minerva looked into Dumbledore's eyes. "But that's not why I'm worried. There's a case, but there's no owner."
Dumbledore frowned. "May I see?" he asked, holding out his hand. Minerva nodded, handing him the case. Albus took it, set it on his desk and opened it slowly. Pickett popped his head out. Upon seeing Dumbledore, Pickett started squeaking wildly a terrified and concerned look on his face. "Woah. Hey, hey. Pickett, right?" Albus became slightly concerned about Newt's creature. He held out his hand, allowing Pickett to climb up. "What's wrong? Where's Newt?"
Pickett paused, seeming to think. He clambered back down into the case and came out with Teddy. Pickett paused again, looking at Dumbledore. Then he went and sat down. Albus watched intently. Pickett sat back up, acting like he was carrying something, walked a few steps then stopped. Teddy, catching on, tiptoed quietly towards Pickett. Pickett acted like he grabbed something, and then shoved something away. Teddy 'found' Pickett, and gibbered (It almost sounded something like "Aha!") Pickett threw himself in front of the something he'd grabbed, pointed at it. Teddy meanwhile was advancing. Pickett did some wild hand movements, which Teddy copied. Then Pickett put his twig like hand to his head and fell. Teddy smiled, and advanced on Pickett, hitting him on the head. Both the creatures finished and looked at Albus.
Albus had watched the little play with both concern and amusement. Minerva looked on with confusion. "What does this mean, Albus?" Dumbledore thought for a minute. "I believe, my dear Minerva, that this means we had someone to visit." He looked at Pickett, who was nodded vigorously. Albus once again picked up Pickett, then (after closing it securely) grabbed the case. Walking quickly out of the castle, Minerva in tow, Albus left the Hogwarts grounds. He held out his arm, looking at McGonagall. She took it.
The next thing Minerva knew, they both were standing outside a tall, brick building. It was dark, chilly, and wet. Albus walked up the steps to 9 Sherringford Square. McGonagall followed him quickly. Albus, finding that the door was locked, pulled out his wand. "Alohomora." He muttered. They heard a click as the door unlocked magically. Dumbledore looked at Minerva, "Ready?" Minera nodded sharply and Albus opened the door.
He was expecting something, but what he saw surprised him. Everything was clean, at least in the foyer. Albus walked into the small flat, looking around. It was actually a pretty nice place, seeing as a bunch of magical creatures also lived there. "Albus! Over here." Dumbledore heard McGonagall call from the other room.
He walked over quickly and entered the new room. His eyes widened in shock and surprise. The room was a mess! A wooden beam had fallen from the ceiling in front of the wall, a couch was overturned, glass had been shattered on the floor. "Merlin's beard!" cried Albus. He inspected the room carefully, looking everywhere.
"It looks to me like Newton put up a fight. He wasn't going to go quietly." Dumbledore said, a hint of pride in his voice for his student. He had now walked over to the wooden beam. Albus paused, looking at the ground. He had spotted a small vial, which was glowing silver. Dumbledore picked it up gingerly. "Memories…" muttering softly, Albus knelt to the ground, pocketing the vial.
"Albus," Minerva spoke softly, "Look." She was pointing at the wall in front of him. Except it wasn't a wall, it was a doorway. "He must have put a Concealment Charm on it." Albus stood up, opening the door quietly. He looked inside, finding a long stairway leading down. Albus chuckled softly. He'd found where Newt kept all his animals. Before he could take a step down, they heard a knock at the door.
"Newt?" a voice called. Albus walked quickly over towards the window near the door, looking out. Bunty Broadacre stood on the steps. She was pulling a small key out of the bag she carried. Albus opened the door. Bunty looked up in surprise.
"Professor? What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Newt's been attacked. No idea how long ago or even who attacked him. Although I have a pretty good idea who it was." Replied Dumbledore.
Bunty gasped. Fear shot across her face. Albus held up his hand, which had Newt's case. "I believe you know how to take care of Newton's creatures?" Bunty nodded. Dumbledore smiled, handing her the case. Minerva walked over to them.
"Ah, Minerva." Albus said. He put his hand in his pocket and fingering the vial. "We need to get the group back together. Bunty, I'm actually going to need that case back. Minerva, please inform the Ministry what happened. Bunty, I also believe you know where Mr. and Mrs. Kowalski live?"
Minerva walked down the steps, while Bunty nodded, handing Dumbledore the case. The was a crack sound in the air as Minerva Apparated to the Ministry. "Good, can you get them? And Tina, if you find her." Dumbledore paused, "Also, could you get Professor Hicks, from Ilvermorny? Tina and Queenie will know where to go." Bunty nodded again and started walking down the steps. Dumbledore handed her something, muttering instructions. Bunty started to walk away. She turned around, "Where will you be going?"
"Theseus probably will want to know about his brother." Albus said. "Oh, right." Bunty spoke. She Apparated away. Dumbledore took one last look at Newt's flat, closed the door, and locked it. Taking a deep breath, Albus Apparated.
Theseus jerked up from another nightmare. His heart was pounding against his chest, beads of sweat formed at his brow. He was breathing heavily. Sighing, Theseus closed his eyes again, and laid down on his bed, replaying the dream in his head.
Theseus stood on the steps of the Paris grave; Newt stood next to him. Blue fire burned around them, and Grindelwald watched them intently. Leta Lestrange looked towards the boys. "I love you." She whispered, then, running towards Grindelwald, Leta disappeared in the blue flames. Theseus' heart broke; he was yelling, screaming for her. But this time the dream was different. Instead of Newt grabbing him and Apparating outside the building, the scene changed. Now Theseus was in a dark room, everything was black. Newt stood in front of him, looking into his eyes. "Theseus," he whispered, "Theseus!"
Theseus reopened his eyes, frowning slightly. He lay there in his bed for a while longer, thinking. Something felt…off. Like there was a puzzle with a missing piece that he didn't know about yet. Theseus yawned, It's probably nothing. Just waking up from a nightmare will set people off. He thought logically.
Suddenly there was a knock at his flat door. Wondering who on earth would be up at this hour (although Theseus had no idea what time it was,) he got out of bed, muttering. Grabbing his wand, which lay on his bedside table, Theseus walked to the front door. He opened it.
"Professor Dumbledore! What are you doing out here?" he exclaimed. Albus didn't answer. His usually cheerful face was grim. In his hands was a case. A case which was quite familiar. Newt's case. Theseus breathed in sharply, his eyes connecting with Dumbledore's. Now he knew what was missing.
Meanwhile, Minerva had just entered the Ministry of Magic, a silver visitors badge on her chest. She glanced around quickly, finally spotting the Security Desk. Walking over confidently, Minerva stopped at the desk. "Excuse me," she spoke loudly. The wizard sitting behind the desk awoke with an abrupt start. He rubbed his eyes, "So sorry," he mumbled, "How can I help you?"
"One of Hogwarts former students have been attacked. I was wondering who I might go talk to?" Minerva answered. "Professor Dumbledore sent me." She added.
"Go to Level Two. Talk to Second in Command, Kurt Barklem, in Auror Headquarters. You'll find someone there to help you, I'm sure." The wizard spoke in a bored tone, giving her more instructions on how to get there.
"Thank you." McGonagall spoke curtly, nodded. The wizard leaned back into his chair, closing his eyes. Minerva rolled her eyes. You'd think they'd have tighter security with a dark wizard running around on the loose. She thought ruefully.
She walked quickly to the lifts, which jangled and clattered loudly. A cool female voice rang out overhead, calling out the Levels. There were not many witches and wizards up in this early hour of the day. Four Levels later, Minerva heard the voice speak, "Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters and Wizengamot Administration Services."
The lift doors opened again, and Minerva followed a witch out into a corridor lined with doors. Following the Security wizards' instructions, McGonagall turned a corner, entering through a pair of heavy oak doors. There she found a cluttered open room, divided into many cubicles, one of which had a sign that said Auror Headquarters. Pictures of Gellert Grindelwald standing out everywhere, along with a few other wanted wizards and witches. On one wall was a large map of the world, where little red pins glowed like jewels.
Looking around, Minerva found a Visitors Desk. She walked over quickly. A young witch with blonde hair looked up. "Professor McGonagall!" She gasped. It was one of Minerva's favorite students, Ruthie Lionhead, a Gryffindor. "Oh, erm…How can I help you?"
Minerva smiled slightly. "I need to talk to Kurt Barklem."
Ruthie's eyebrows shot up, "Mister Barklem? This must be serious."
"Yes. Do you know Newton Scamander?" asked Minerva as Ruthie sorted though some papers.
"Isn't he the one who wrote Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? It was a good book. Although, I must say, he was quite an odd kid. Not many people liked him." Ruthie rambled.
McGonagall raised her eyebrows slightly, tapping her fingers impatiently on the desk. "Ah, here we are, Professor." Ruthie held up a piece of paper, "This will let you get to Mister Barklem without any trouble."
"Thank you." McGonagall spoke sincerely, taking the paper from Ruthie's fingers. Ruthie smiled. "Just walk a little way that direction, you'll find a door with Mister Barklem's name on it. It's not hard to miss, just knock and walk in. He's expecting you."
Thanking Ruthie once again, Minerva hurried on. She had lost precious time. After what seeming like hours, but was really just a few minutes, Minerva found the door labeled, Kurt Barklem, Second in Command: Auror Headquarters. Knocking sharply, Minerva entered the room in response to "Come in."
The first thing she noticed was the windows with a moon shining through it. They were underground, why would there be windows? She dismissed the question from her brain. Sitting behind a desk, feet propped up, was a wizard. He gestured for her to sit down on one of the wooden chairs in front of her. Minerva complied.
"So," said the man, taking his feet of the desk and leaning forward, "You have something to tell me?"
"Yes," Minerva nodded, "I have reason to believe that a few hours ago, Grindelwald attacked one of Hogwarts's former students, Newton Scamander." At this, Kurt's eyes widened a little with shock.
"And why, may I ask, do you think this?" He asked, recomposing himself.
"Because a few hours ago, I found his case. Took it to Dumbledore and we both Apparated to Newton's flat. The living room was a disaster, and I could feel strong magic lingering in the air. Mister Scamander was nowhere to be found. Dumbledore asked me to warn the Ministry of what happened." McGonagall finished.
Barklem sat back in his chair, his face was thoughtful. He sighed looked back at Minerva. "I will send some Auror's to his flat. I will also inform the Minister of our new findings. Thank you, Miss McGonagall." He stood up, preparing to let Minerva out of the room.
Minerva grew flustered, "That's it? That's all you're going to do?" She also stood up, her lips were pierced, and a fiery anger was in her eyes. Kurt held up his hands and a calming gesture, "I'm sorry to say, ma'am, but that is all we can do at the moment."
Minerva frowned, her jaw working in anger. "Fine. I will tell Professor Dumbledore I did the best I could. Good day." She turned to leave the room, and Kurt called out to her.
"Does Theseus Scamander know?"
"I would suppose so. Dumbledore left to tell him." Minerva answered. And with that, she left the room. Kurt sat for a moment longer, then he sent messages to some of the Aurors, requesting their assistance. Next, he sent a message to the Minister for Magic, Hector Fawley. Kurt wasn't sure he liked Fawley. He did nothing about Grindelwald's want of control over the Muggles. But still. McGonagall was sure to have his head if he didn't send the Minister a message.
