A few days had passed since her last mission and Roxanne had started to get used to the calm routine in the secret house.
Acolytes came and went, some returning wounded. Thankfully for her, her door was always open to treat them and many had started to respect her presence more than they did in the beginning.
Some younger followers, who ended up searching and finding Gellert; were the most open about her participation, although they did not reside in the same house as the acolytes.
Abernathy had been spending most of the time with her when free, the two of them discussing different topics when they had the chance. Sometimes, the American wizard would talk of his missions or his connection to Gellert.
Unknown to him, Roxanne took notice of all the details to have a better picture and know what to tell Albus when she saw him again. A part of her felt bad for using Abernathy but then she reminded herself of the innocent lives that were at stake if a Wizarding War was to take place.
The only one that did not openly approach her, was Vinda. The French witch would just observe Roxanne from a distance, almost spying on her. Not once did she smile and barely returned Roxanne's greetings.
Roxanne had yet to understand what she was thinking about or what her problem was. She had her suspicions but she did not have enough evidence to base those theories on something other than her own thoughts. It was in such moments that she wished she could read minds or hear thoughts like some gifted individuals.
Alas, she was not graced with such ability when she was born.
One eventful morning, Roxanne was summoned to the office by Gellert. Suspecting he had another mission for her, she tried to hide the small eagerness.
Being inside the house all those days did not truly help with her moods. Plus, she wished for more information in order to give to Albus. They had not talked ever since and she was actually missing his presence.
Yet, she refused to risk meeting him just because she felt lonely. She wanted to show him that she could handle it just fine and also find useful information that he could use to counter Gellert and his plans.
Upon entering the office, she was surprised not to find the Dark Wizard there. Instead, a stranger seemed to be waiting; his back turned to her.
Roxanne could see that he was a man, rather tall and wore a dark hat; standing out against the rather fashionable French clothing many local wizards chose.
He seemed to have sensed her presence and most likely heard her steps as well, for he turned his body to acknowledge her.
Their eyes met and both stood their ground, a small distance separating them. Cold eyes met amber, both narrowing in silent warning while assessing one another in their minds.
"You must be that woman that joined a while ago," the man said, his accent clearly American. "Don't look like a fighter much. Wonder what you can offer"
Roxanne did not like his tone or his words. She did not take it lightly but she did not let them affect her either. She stood her ground, her chin held high and her back straight.
"Considering you know me but I don't know you, proves how insignificant you must be to this cause," she said, venom dripping from her every word.
Many would not have her capable of such hostility but many did not know of the pressure and weight she carried on her back. They did not know of the people she lost, or of the horrific sights she saw during the war.
They did not know how she tried hard to kill that selfless and kind Hufflepuff side of hers after she realised it was holding her back, it was making her look weak and undefended.
She had matured, she had grown cold and she had learnt to play the game of the world. When met with coldness and rudeness, she would be a mirror and only reflect the same behaviour.
That was essential for what she did and what her job was. She had learnt not to look weak to the acolytes, she had learnt not to look defenceless to Gellert and hell she was not going to let some stranger put her down with his words.
Her words seemed to hit a sore spot, and the man reacted to them by glaring at her. Yet, his gaze did not frighten nor discourage her; for she had seen worse looks over the course of years.
"You have the nerve to talk like that, when you are nothing but an acolyte" the stranger said, choosing to walk her way. "Let alone a mere woman"
By now, he stood in front of her and Roxanne took notice that he was slightly taller than Gellert. The hat did an excellent job of making him look even taller and thus, more intimidating.
Yet, Roxanne was not going to let him stare her down; not without a fight.
"At least I have manners when I first meet someone" she snapped back, craning her neck and staring him dead into his eyes. "Can't say the same about you. Do you dare to speak to your boss that way or only do it when you think you are above others?"
Her wand was hidden but she was ready to draw it if things went south. Working for Gellert or not, she was not going to let anyone put her down. Let alone a misogynistic American wizard that she had long realized whatever truly was... a bounty hunter.
Roxanne had met them a few times, one even coming to her little cottage for shelter and healing after a bad encounter with a runaway criminal. All of them had the same coldness in their eyes, the same rudeness and the idea that they were above others because of what they did.
Never had she felt the urge to kick someone out of her house, as strongly as she did when she helped that wounded bounty hunter.
The stranger did not take it kindly upon his words that were targeted with deadly precision. He dared to take a single step closer and his fingers on his dominant hand flexed, ready either to summon his wand and harm her or simply use his manly strength and overpower her.
She was shorter than him and less muscled. An easy target that he could submit to his will without really trying...or so he thought.
Before he could make a move, though, a third person joined them and this one...was far from happy.
"Grimson" Gellert's voice was heard as he stood by the open door.
His eyes were stone hard, filled with hatred as he gave the vibe of an alarming danger that was about to come. His muscles were tense beneath his clothing, his lips having turned into a scowl and his eyes...were unforgiving.
He marched confidently into the room and the bounty hunter got the message clearly. He took a few steps backwards and watched with an annoyed look as his boss came to a halt behind Roxanne.
He made no move to touch her but he made it clear that she was not one to be harmed, at least without facing the consequences and of course...impending death, after hourly torture.
"You are here for a mission. Your skills are needed once again" Gellert said and started to walk towards his office, barely stealing a glance at Roxanne to ensure she was unharmed.
"Whom do I kill this time? The ministry already pressures me to take down Credence Barebone out of the picture" Grimson said, his eyes always on the form of the dark wizard.
"Then this mission will help you" Gellert said and grabbed a paper. "Find the Durag named Irma. She has information about Credence and his family. The boy will search for her, so make sure you get to her before he does"
The bounty hunter took the papers from him and nodded his head. "What about the Obscurus?"
"Without her in the picture, I will remain the last person who can give him answers. Capture and bring him to me, and you will be rewarded as much as you should"
The American wizard smirked and wasted no time walking out of the office, barely stealing a glance at Roxanne as he passed by her.
When he was gone, only then did Roxanne let out a silent sigh and felt some tension in her shoulders leaving. She had been tense with him around and that did not go away even when Gellert appeared in the room.
However, because they were talking about Credence; she focused on their conversation. Now she was more curious than ever about Credence and specifically who his family was.
It was definitely a wizarding family if a dourag was involved. However, it seemed to also hold importance because Gellert did not let any unnecessary detail escape even to the Bounty Hunter.
More and more it was becoming clear that Gellert needed Credence for more than just taking down Albus. Roxanne, though, had yet to find out exactly why but she was determined to do so.
This new information and the topic, in general, had managed to help her ignore all the tension existing in her body until the bounty hunter left the room and she could breathe again.
"He did not harm you, did he?" Gellert asked, walking her way while his eyes took their time to inspect her.
"He didn't have the chance" she reassured him, offering him a small smile. "You have a mission for me?" She asked, choosing to get straight to the chase and get her chance to, hopefully, leave the house for a change.
"Yes. Newt Scamander is in Paris" he informed her and Roxanne tried hard to fight her facial expressions.
"News Scamander...the young wizard with the magical suitcase?" she said, trying to play it as clueless as he thought she was.
Truth be told, Roxanne knew about him. She knew that he had somehow unleashed a few beasts in New York City and also played a key role in exposing and defeating Gellert; resulting in his imprisonment by the MACUSA.
Of course, she also knew Newt as the student who got kicked out of Hogwarts. Albus had talked fondly of the teenage boy with an obsession for magical creatures and a kind heart that few could truly match.
"That's him" Gellert confirmed. "He has been sighted in Paris and I want you to spy on him. Find out why he is here"
Roxanne did not have to be told more to understand what Gellert needed of her. He wanted to know if Newt was in Paris under the orders of Albus or not.
She nodded her head. "You can count on me," she said, earning his signature smirk.
Roxanne knew the importance of the mission and yet she could not help but take a little more time enjoying Paris. She looked around, did some window shopping and walked the famous Parisian streets she had heard about.
Of course, her little local adventure paid fruit on its own; for she eventually happened to notice her target. Newt Scamander was one easy to spot with his blue coat and little distant look in his eyes; and of course, the famous leather-made brown suitcase that held dozens of magical beasts inside.
He was walking with a shorter and little chubby man and Roxanne needed some time spying and following, to understand that the said man was not only American but also a muggle.
The duo made an unusual pair and yet she found amusement in watching them, silently following them across the city. With her abilities, she only had to change her hair colour and slightly her face; and sometimes her clothes but none of the two men ever spotted her.
She had never truly done that before perhaps the whole success was on those two men who helped with the mission, making it easier for her not to get caught.
Eventually, after a few hours; the two of them chose to make a stop at a local small park. Choosing an isolated bench deep within the greenery, Newt left his suitcase on the bench; placing it between himself and his companion.
Roxanne had to hide behind a nearby tree, her hair having been changed to a nice shade of red and her eyes to an ocean blue. Her clothing remained the same since she could not alter it but she had been careful not to get spotted by the men when she was following them.
Both seemed kind of lost or at least heartbroken, which piqued her interest. She had heard a lot about Newt and yet, the young man she was currently spying on; seemed not to match the description Albus had given her.
Suddenly, she felt something moving in the pocket of her coat and she grabbed her wand by instinct. Using a silent levitating charm, she ended up magically holding a baby Niffler. The little animal was holding onto a golden band, which had laid forgotten in her pocket, for dear life and did not seem willing to let it go; even though it had been caught in the act.
"Oh no" a British voice was heard and Newt finally took notice that he was not only missing someone, but also that someone had tried to steal from another witch.
Wasting no time, he stood up and walked towards Roxanne; who had to stop hiding behind the tree in order not to make herself look suspicious. She extended her free palm and gently let the baby Niffler land on it, a small smile forcing its way across her lips at the rather adorable sight in front of her.
"I am terribly sorry," Newt said as he approached her, eyes glancing down and mostly focusing on baby Niffler than on her. "He escaped my suitcase without me noticing"
Roxanne kept that smile and realized that now she had a chance to talk with Newt and perhaps get more information that the very little things she had picked up while following him. She had learnt to take the chances given to her and she was not going to change her mindset now of all days.
"It is quite alright" she reassured him and pocketed her wand, not wishing any muggle to notice. "He is rather cute and it is hard to stay mad at him, even though he did try to steal my bracelet"
Newt was embarrassed and did not dare to look her in the eyes. Yet, he took notice that the baby Niffler was actually staying on her palm and almost seemed to give its version of a cheeky smile; while still holding onto that bracelet like it was the most precious thing in the world.
"You do know this is fake, right little guy?" she asked the little creature, who did not seem to mind its value. All he did mind, was the fact that it was shiny and his instincts told him to just take it and pocket it in the little magical pouch on top of his belly.
"That's odd. He is usually not that friendly with strangers...or well, anyone for that matter...except for me, and sometimes my friend Jacob" Newt said, glancing momentarily at the muggle he left to keep an eye on the suitcase. "Of course, his siblings are not like that. Although they do tend to also escape my suitcase somehow and get themselves into trouble"
Without realizing it, Newt had started to blabber since the topic became about magical beasts. Yer, Roxanne did not seem to mind as she listened while also studying him quietly. This was odd for the mazoologist, who had been used to countering harsh words when one of his creatures would get him into trouble.
Yet, he took notice that this older and rather mysterious woman by his side did not seem to mind or at least did not show any hostility against him and his creatures. She seemed to enjoy listening to him and for some reason, Newt felt rather comfortable talking around her; even though he never learnt her name.
"Would you like to meet them? The other babies?" he finally asked, seeing how attentive and interested she seemed to be with the baby Niffler.
Roxanne smiled and nodded her head. "If you do not mind, I would like to meet them," she said with honesty.
Job or not, she was actually interested in seeing the rest of the babies.
As a student at Hogwarts, she took joy in 'Care of Magical Creatures' and perhaps she was from the few to do so. However, her calling was herbology and the potions and that was where her focus went.
Of course, that did not mean she ever forgot.
After getting that little cottage of hers, she ended up often bumping into local magical creatures. Wanting or not, she learnt to live with them and sometimes she would study them. They would spy on her when she would go looking for herbs but never attacked her, as if they knew she was not a threat to them; and Roxanne often believed that to be the case, not once undermining the intelligence of those creatures.
With the same sweet smile on her face, she let Newt lead her towards the bench, Jacob and his suitcase; earning a surprised reaction from his muggle companion.