Fantastic Beasts: Alone

15 - There Will Now Be After

I was met by a shocked expression. The person I saw was Queenie, who was the only one at the front of the bakery.

"Lia?" I nodded, and Queenie broke into a smile. "I knew it. I knew you could make it back."

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so, Queenie." I said. Queenie pulled me into a hug, before turning to where Leta appeared from the back. She gasped and walked down to us.

"Who's this? I seem to recognise her, but I don't..." She gasped. "Wait, you're not Lia Scamander, are you?" She said, remembering who I was, which I was surprised at.

"Leta." I said, feeling more tears swell up in my eyes. It was all happening...

"Theseus!" Leta called. I waited anxiously for the others to see me. What would they think? Would they... want me still?

I didn't have at all long to wait as Uncle Theseus arrived. We met eye contact and I was the one to break into a smile. He saw me for me for the first time in years.

"That can't be Lia..." Uncle Theseus sighed, strode over to me and hugged me. Always a hugger. But this hug I needed.

"I'm sorry I didn't find you earlier..." I said quietly, trying not to burst into tears just yet. Uncle Theseus nodded.

"I'm sorry we let you... but, you were supposed to be..."

"Grindelwald never killed me. I... He Apparated me away with him. He... he..."

"Tortured you." Uncle Theseus let go, a little frown of realisation on his face. "You were at Bhutan."

"You remember?" I asked him in shock. But... how? Our moment was interrupted with Tina, Jacob and Lally coming towards the group. I looked to them, my eyes lighting up at once.

"Is everythi-" Jacob stopped in his tracks at the sight of me. "It's not... Mini Scamander?"

I broke down into happy tears as Jacob hugged me too, followed by Tina, who let tears run down her face too. Everyone was here. Everyone knew. Everyone remembered...

I had yet to experience the best moment of all, though. As Jacob released me, Bunty walked out with...

"No..." Newt said as Bunty gave me a smile.

Everything stopped for a moment as I just stared at Newt like a deer in headlamps. Merlin's... beard... it was Newt. It... was... it was really Newt. I broke into a soft smile. "Newt."

Before I had the chance to apologize to him, he walked over to me and gave me a hug, crying with me. I didn't care if things were getting too emotional for me to handle. I didn't care about anything but the knowledge that I was finally... home.

"Lia, I thought I'd lost you." He sniffed, tears rolling down his face.

"I'm so sorry, Newt-" I whispered tentatively.

"Don't you dare say that word, Lia Scamander, you have nothing, nothing to be sorry for. I'm sorry I let that man touch you."

"You have nothing to be sorry for either, Newt." I said nervously, trying to sound somewhat official and grown-up. It didn't suit me. Newt stroked my hair, causing me to squeeze him tighter. It was Newt, as before, but here we were now, truly reunited.

We were together. My father and I were together at long last.

At long last.

"I love you so much, Lia." 

"I love you too, Newt."

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