Unspoken // Theseus Scamander

Epilogue

Nine months later...

With the snow falling on a cold October day – who's sky had been tampered with to imitate a deep winter – I went it search of Newt Scamander. Instead, I found someone else.

He sat on the bench outside the bakery, watching as the small guest list found their way inside. Newt had been beside him, discussing some matter that would never be shared.

"Jacob needs his best man, Scamander!" I called out, earning the pairs attention. "Something about the rings."

With a nod towards Albus, he stood up and scurried across the road.

"Is he coming in?" I questioned, rather aware of the answer that would be given.

"No."

Casting a glance behind him, I smiled shortly before saying anything more. "Hello Tina," I greeted.

Newt Scamander all but froze in front of me, cheeks blushing a bright red – that wasn't from the cold – before he turned in his place.

"Tina," he breathed.

Not wanting to intrude, but full-well intending to watch, I slowly made my way towards Albus Dumbledore.

He smiled up at me, a genuine smile, as I fell back into the uncomfortable bench.

"Albus," I greeted curtly.

"Natalia."

"I haven't seen you at The Hog's Head recently. Neither has Abe."

The Professor took a deep breath. "I have been preoccupied."

When I spoke again, my tone was spiteful yet accepting. Perhaps understanding was a better word for it.

"Too preoccupied to care to see your family?" The sharp pain that followed had become a regular occurrence. I closed my eyes for a moment, hand on my side as I waited for it to pass.

"I can't help him," Albus tried to explain. "Credence."

With a sigh, I answered. "He doesn't need your help, Albus. None of us do."

He turned his head. "What can I do, if not aid?" he questioned.

I took his hand. "Tell Abe you love him every now and again. Tell Credence that he is your family and not some abandoned child we took in... and for Merlin's sake, tell Newt you're bloody proud of him. That man idolises you."

With a small smile, the largest that Albus Dumbledore could muster, he squeezed my hand. "And what do you need?"

"Need?" I countered. "Food and sleep. What can you give me?" Albus nodded. "You can visit, give me a hug and dazzle me with your award-winning smile... despite how egotistical it is."

Albus let out a chuckle, if it could be called that. "Married life has made you sentimental."

I slapped his arm playfully. "I am always sentimental. In fact, every recent action of mine has been built on sentimentality," I corrected.

"Don't I know it... I half-expected to get an invitation despite how angry you are at me." He was hesitant; unsure. Neither were emotions that I had associated with Albus.

"No one did," I assured him. "We had no wedding; just the signing of the papers and saying I do."

"I had thought that you, but especially Theseus, would have wanted to celebrate," he inputted.

"We did... in our own way. We sat on the couch and sipped our tea. Theseus read his book aloud and then we went to bed," I detailed.

Letting go of my hand, Dumbledore crossed his arms comfortably. "That sounds rather boring."