Falling

Biscuits

Early Friday morning Newt found himself apparating to his family home with Nagini, Jacob, Leta and Queenie. Tina and Theseus had to transport the last of the acolytes to where they would hopefully rot in Azkaban for the rest of their days and were going to join them mid-afternoon. However it was the day before the much anticipated wedding and thus they had to prepare his parents old walled garden. His parents didn't own an extensive Mansion like many pureblood families who prided themselves in elaborate decor but they did have a rather large Georgian house with a walled garden, woodland and Hippogriff stables. Neither Leta nor Theseus were religious so it was decided that a chapel was unnecessary (besides they were magical which instantly puts them out of favour anyway) and Theseus argued that his family home was the perfect place.

The moment his feet hit the floor Newt wordlessly moved towards the front Gate which served as one of three entrances through the family wards. The centre of the old cast iron gate had a Hippogriff proudly emblazoned on it which had to be stroked three times on the beak for it to swing opened. Newt did as he had always done and softly began to trace the Hippogriffs beak,smiling fondly as he remembered fighting his brother for such an honour whenever they returned home. After the third stroke, the hippogriff bowed regally then reared onto its hind legs as the gate swung open. Leta and Queenie weren't fazed, one had done it several times and the other knew what Newt was going to do from his thoughts, but Jacob and Nagini were astounded at how even a small metal hippogriff could come to life through magic.
"Onwards" Newt murmured and began to trudge up the path breathing in the crisp air. It being early morning in Mid November it was yet to reach positive figures and everyone's breath was forming small clouds around them. The frost crunched satisfyingly under their feet and Nagini who had never really been outside in the frost had a new coat she bought with her wages from the bakery wrapped around her as she stamped on the frozen leaves and giggled in delight at the noise. They ascended up some slippery brick steps and then Newt knocked loudly on the door with his gloved fist. There was a moment silence before the door swung open to reveal Mitsy who was the Scamander family's elf. Newt didn't know have a clue how old the doddery elf was because she had been around years longer than he had and she generated even more wrinkles every day . The old elf saw him and her eyes lit up as she began to squeak with delight.
"The youngest Master Scamander is home! Mistress said that Master Theseus was getting married and Mitsy was so happy! The young masters rarely visit anymore. Master and Mistress are in the living room by the fire waiting for the young Masters and their friends!" The little elf then bowed deeply and moved aside so they could enter
"Thank you Mitsy" Newt stated then beckoned in his friends who were peering cautiously from behind.Entering the house Newt sighed in happiness,nostalgia encompassing him in a tender embrace. The warmth filled his heart and thawed his limbs as smell of what he assumed was his mother's freshly baked lemon biscuits , His and Theseus' favourite.

Newt was well aware that his mother was ecstatic to have so many house guests (the excitable letters had told him so). Meaning it was hardly a surprise she had pulled out all of the stops to appease the brothers.He placed his case by the coat stand ,due to it not just containing his creatures but also everyone else's luggage,before shedding his Hufflepuff scarf and blue coat and hanging them daintily on an outstretched hook. Everyone then followed,hooking their coats and scarfs gingerly before waiting by the door uncertainly. Mitsy seemed to ignore the apprehension apparent in the room and lead them all in an excitable manner into the living room before bowing again and saying
"Mitsy must get rooms ready for the new guests"
"Thanks again Mitsy" Mitsy smiled with her eyes watering then shot off up the stairs without a moments hesitation.
"Newton!" His mother called fondly and he saw her coming towards him with her arms outstretched. She now only came up to his chest but still managed to completely entrap him in a tight hug. Letting her squeeze him tightly he looked over her shoulder to see that his father was  also approaching in a similar tweed outfit to himself and was cautiously shaking hands with Jacob, Nagini,Leta and Queenie. Eventually, his mother relented her death grip on him and moved to express her happiness of the new arrivals  onto Nagini, then Queenie, then Jacob and then finally she reached Leta and sighed
"You look radiant dear" before pulling her in too. Leta looked mildly stunned but hugged back softly. When his mother had finally released Leta she moved back beside his father and looked at them with fondness only a mother could  conjure before clapping her hands together and asking
"Tea and biscuits? We can't very well work on no tea"
"Yes please Helena" Queenie grinned
"Yes please" Jacob, Leta and Nagini echoed.
"I'll be back in a second" She then gave his father a knowing look before moving off towards the kitchen, her aged slippers padding softly on the wooden floors.