ATLAS || N. SCAMANDER

{three}

New York

The lady brings them to a secluded corner, looking furious. "Who are you? You both?"

"I'm sorry?" Newt asks, looking rather confused.

"Who are you both?"

"I'm Atlas Willow and he's Newt Scamander," she tells her, "and who are you, might I ask?"

"What was that thing in your case?" The lady's questions Newt, ignoring Atlas.

Atlas rolls her eyes and tries to leave, but Newt grips onto her coat, keeping her there.

"That's my niffler." He points to her upper lip. "Er- you've got something on your-"

She cuts him off. "Why in the name of Deliverance Dane did you let that thing loose?" Atlas raises her eyebrow. Deliverance Dane? It was a nice alliteration.

"I didn't mean to," Newt supplies. "He's incorrigible, you see, anything shiny, he's all over the place-"

The lady cuts him off once again. "You didn't mean to?"

"No," was his simple reply. "You could not have chosen a worse time to let that creature loose!" She exclaims, seeming distressing. Atlas would recommend a calming drought for the lady's nerves. "We're in the middle of a situation here! I'm taking you both in."

Wait, what? "Hold up," Atlas says. "I did nothing wrong. And where would you even take us?"

The lady pulls out her official ID card and Atlas reads her name, Porpentina Goldstein. The MACUSA. "Magical Congress of the United States of America."

Atlas scoffs while Newt becomes antsy, tightening his grip on her coat. "You work for MACUSA? What are you, some kind of investigator?"

Porpentina hesitates. "Uh huh."

Atlas speaks up. "You still can't hold me." She brandishes her official ID for the Ministry of Magic. "I'm here on auror business, Porpentina." Newt automatically lets go of her coat and Atlas takes that chance to apparate away.

Major Investigation Department

"The International Confederation is threatening to send a delegation. They think this is related to Grindelwald's attacks in Europe," Madam Picquery speaks to the aurors. "Miss Willow, please tell us you've got aurors on the sites?"

"Actually, Madam Picquery, that's what I'm here for. They've reinstated me as an international auror for the sole purpose of coming here. There have been thoughts that Grindelwald has migrated to America. That's all the information I have until the Ministry sends more information."

Graves speaks up, his face bruised. "I was there. This is a beast. No human could do what this thing is capable of, Madam President."

"Whatever it is," Madam Picquery speaks, "one thing's clear. It must be stopped. It's terrorizing No-Majs and when No-Majs are afraid, they attack. This could mean exposure, war."

Atlas turns when she hears footsteps approaching, the others turn as well. She's greeted with Porpentina and Newt, walking toward the meeting.

"I made you position here quite clear, Miss Goldstein." She seemed angry, but withheld a harsh voice. "Yes, Madam President, but-" the trembling woman is cut off by Picquery. "You are no longer an auror."

"No, Madam President, but-" this time Atlas cuts her off. "Seraphina, that's all the news I've got so far, so I can deal with this. That's a member of the magical beasts department she's got with her."

Picquery nods. "I hope there'll be more about it soon, Miss Willow. You are dismissed."

Atlas grabs her bag and quickens her steps toward the two and pulls them toward the elevator, hearing their talking fading off into the background.

Wand Permit Office

Porpentina busies herself with papers. "So, you got your wand permit? All foreigners have to have them in New York."

Atlas stands off to the side, slightly judging Porpentina. "I made a postal application weeks ago." Newts states, obviously lying to the flustered lady. She scribbles on her clipboard. "Scamander," she trails off. "You were just in Equatorial Guinea?"

"I've just completed a year in the field. I'm writing a book about magical creatures."

"Like an extermination guide?" Porpentina questions.

Atlas stares at her in wonder. "Porpentina," she starts, but is cut off. "Tina. Call me Tina."

Atlas exhales in annoyance.  "Tina. He has a niffler and a bowtruckle as pets. Do you think he wants to kill them?"

Tina flushes a dark red before her eyes widen and she ducks behind her desk.

A man approaches, furious. "Goldstein! Where is she? Where is she?" He calls out her surname again, "Goldstein!"

Tina looks guilty as she slowly emerges from behind her desk. Atlas sniggers and Newt elbows her side. She smacks his hand lightly. "Did you butt in on the Investigative Team again?"

The man continues, "Where've you been?"

"What?"

"Where'd she pick you both up?"

"Us?" Newt and Atlas ask at the same time.

"I've come to investigate Mr. Scamander's case,"

"Abernathy."

"Abernathy. So I shall do that now."

Abernathy, looking agitated with my answer and the lack of answers from Tina, continues to question her. Atlas grabs Newt's case from his hand and sets it on a table. "Let's see what you've got in here,  Mr Scamander, shall we?"