Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them...Continued.

6: A Sisterly Chat

TINA
At this point, Tina was sure her job couldn't get better. She was getting paid better, solving case after case, and finally things were back to the way they were before she got demoted. The only thing in her life that she didn't like at the moment was the way Queenie was acting.
Of course, she tried to hide it from Tina. But, being an investigator, Tina picked up quickly on the little things. Her sister's mood had been getting worse and worse since the night Tina heard her yelling in the living room, and came running when she heard the vase break. Queenie had been a bit sadder the next day, but her mood was gradually declining.
It was strange, really. Normally, Queenie was upbeat and cheerful, and notoriously flirtatious. Lately, though, Tina noticed that she had been quieter, less cheerful, and she didn't talk to men for very long. Queenie had also stopped reading Tina's mind (or at least answering unasked questions). It was times like this that Tina wished she were the Legillimens.
"So, how's work going?" Tina asked her sister one night over dinner.
"Oh, ya know. The usual," Queenie faked a smile. "Registering wands. That's my job. I met an interesting South American lady today, though..."
"Hannakah starts only in three days, you know," Tina reminded her.
"Yeah," Queenie said expressionlessly. She stared blankly at the wall as she ate. Tina thought about a topic that Queenie could never resist; Newt Scamander.
As hoped, Queenie took the bait.
"Oh, c'mon, Teen, you know I can't tell you that," Queenie smiled, some of the old light coming back to her eyes. "And yes, I knew it was bait. And no, there is nothing wrong. I'm fine."
"Do you expect me to believe that?" Tina raised her eyebrows as she washed the dishes.
"Funny, how when you think about him he never leaves your mind completely for a while." Queenie said, evading the question."Have you noticed?"
"That's not true," Tina said, her face warm. "Besides, you're evading my question. There is something wrong. I'm not on the investigation squad for nothing, sis."
Queenie glared at her. "Fine," she said at last. "It's Jacob."
"I thought so," Tina said.
"I love him, Tina," Queenie said desperately."I know thay seems rash and everything, but I've seen his memories. What he's been through would leave most people bitter and hateful. But he's still so sweet and kind. He's a good person, Teen. I love him."
"We need to put together a presentation," Tina announced. She couldn't stand seeing Queenie like this. "For the marriage of no-majs and wizards."
Queenie groaned with despair. "But that will never work! I know I said we should, but I'm having second thoughts, Teen. Serious second thoughts."
"Like what?" Tina asked.
"Like the law. They won't change it. Why would they? It's kept us all safe so far," Queenie said. "There's no good reason that it needs to be changed except for the fact that I'm being selfish."
"No, you're not," Tina said. "Remember our conversation the other day? You can't be the only one in love with a no-maj. You just can't be. Just like I can't be the only American who- nevermind," Tina covered hastily. Not that it mattered, as Queenie knew what she was going to say anyway, which was Just like I can't be the only American who likes a Brit. Oh, the embarrassment.
"Wow, Teen," Queenie laughed for the first time in days. "You've even started to admit it to yourself."
"Oh yeah? Well...just forget it, Queenie. We both know it's two different situations," Tina mumbled.
"Yeah...maybe it can work," Queenie said, seemingly cheered by Tina's slip-up. "We could even ask him for help."
"Who?"
"Newt, of course! He said that in Britain, No-majs or Mubbles or whatever they call them over there are allowed to befriend and marry witches and wizards," Queenie said, on a roll now. "If we can just ask him why that makes Britain good, then we can just show the reasons to Madam Picquery in the form of a presentation!" She sighed, looking satisfied."I wish I had thought of that sooner."
"Me too," Tina said. "It's been rough seeing you like this."
"Aw, that's sweet, Teen," Queenie smiled. "Hey, I have something to tell you."
"What?" Tina asked cautiously.
"My dreams have been straying lately..."Queenie said slowly. "They keep going from yours to mine and then to...Newt's. I don't know how. It's so confusing. I didn't know my Legillimens was that powerful, but last night I ended up in his dream again. I went there whenever he first left, of course, but the thing is, he's in England now. And if I can get to his dreams, how can I get to Jacob's? Why haven't I been able to? I wasn't even trying to get into Newt's dreams, but I did. What do you think?"
"That's....weird," Tina managed. The confusion levels were off the charts between the two of them. "Maybe since Jacob forgot about us, and he doesn't think about us anymore, you can't find him as easily as you can Newt. Maybe Newt thinks about us sometimes," she said, hoping it was true.
"That makes a little sense," Queenie said thoughtfully."And yes, he does. Quite a bit while I was in his dream, actually."
"Well, of course he thought about us then. You were there," Tina said tiredly.
"Well, I'm sure he thinks about us all the time. But there are a lot of things for Newt to think about. There's his work, family, other friends..."
"Like Leta," Tina said. She didn't know why she said that.
"Well, yeah," Queenie said gently. "But not in the way you think. Mostly he thinks of her as this old friend, highschool sweetheart, maybe, who broke his heart beyond repair."
Tina looked at her sister curiously. "You know so much about so many people. Yet you can still keep secrets. How?"
"If I told you all the stuff I knew about people, then you would spread things like wildfire. Not intentionally, maybe, but it would definitely hurt people's reputations. That's why I don't spread rumors," Queenie said.
"Just last week you spread a rumor that Jared had a thing for redheads," Tina said, rolling her eyes.
"So? He wants a girlfriend. Anyway, I meant that I don't spread bad rumors. What's the fun of working with people if you don't have things to talk about every now and then?"Queenie said mischieviously. Tina laughed.
"I guess you're right, Queenie," she said, looking out the window at the great, dark sky. "I guess you're right."