Mistakes (Newt Scamander)

7. Tight squeeze

After Queenie read my mind, she set to preparing dinner for us. I could see that Newt was anxious to leave and find his creatures. I knew that they meant a lot to him. He always had an interest in creatures at school. I had too but I was more fascinated with the history of magic. Many found it boring but I found it utterly fascinating. I did however have one creature, a bowtruckle that I named Charm. She had been sleeping quite peacefully in my pocket since the bank incident. I pulled my shirt pocket open to see Charm sleeping whilst cuddling a small pink flower. She looked so innocent, However I did wonder where she got the flower from.

I was shook from my thoughts when Queenie laid the strudel on the table. I looked up at Newt who was sitting across from me and wiggled my eyebrows at him. In response, he went cross-eyed and stuck his tongue out. I giggled and looked back to the rest of the group to see them looking at us. Queenie with a knowing look, Tina with a disapproving one and Jacob had turned his attention back to Queenie. He admired her in the candle light but quickly looked back to the strudel when she turned back around.

I ate quietly at dinner, too tired and hungry to contribute to Queenie and Jacob's conversation. I listened to them talking and soaked up the warmth in the apartment. I was used to the bitter winds of New York as I spent more time walking outside then spending time in my house.

"The job ain't that glamorous. I mean, I spend most days making coffee, unjinxing the john. Tina is the real career girl." I heard Queenie say to Jacob.

"Nah. We're orphans. Ma and Pa died of dragon pox when we were kids. Aw, you're sweet,. But we got each other!"

"Could you stop reading my mind for a second?" Jacob asked. "Don't get me wrong, I love it. This meal is insanely good! This is what I do. I'm a cook and this is, like, the greatest meal I've ever had in my life."

Queenie blushed and smiled brightly at a lovesick looking Jacob.

"Oh, you slay me! I ain't never really talked to a No-maj before."

"Really?" Jacob asked, looking at her affectionately.

They became lost in each others eyes for a second before Queenie sat up straight.

"I am not flirting."

I shot Tina a look. She looked at me with wide eyes before she turned to Queenie.

"I'm just saying, don't go and get attached. He'll have to be obliviated soon. It's nothing personal."

Jacob suddenly became as pale as a sheet again and began to sweat heavily.

"Oh, hey, you okay honey?" Queenie asked him, clearly concerned.

Newt got up quickly.

"Miss Goldstein, I think Mr Kowalski could do with an early night. And besides, you and I will need to be up early tomorrow morning to find my Niffler, so-"

"What's a Niffler?" Queenie asked.

"Don't ask. Okay, you guys can bunk in here." Tina said.

"I best be going then. I've overstayed my welcome and I'd hate to be a burden. However thank you for the wonderful meal and the hospitality you've shown me." I said, smiling politely while shuffling towards the door.

"No, you're also staying the night." Tina stated.

"Why! They're not my creatures and I'd be no help. I'd just get in the way and be a nuisance."

"Come off it, Redstone. We all know that you're one of the best magizoologist in Britain."

Out the corner of my eye I saw Newt with a look of disbelief on his face. I'd never really been the kind of person to care for animals but one day I came across a wounded Demiguise. He was in bad shape so bad that he didn't even have the energy to turn himself invisible to avoid further attack or injuries. I nursed him back to health and named him Dougal. When he back to pristine condition I had to let him back out into his natural habitat. It broke my heart but it was the right thing to do. After that I realised that's what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

"Fine! I'll help then! Where am I sleeping?"

Tina's eyes flickered to Newt.

"You've got to be kidding me."

I lay in bed with my back pressed against Newt's. Since Tina had no other beds, I had to share a bed with Newt. I knew it would be more comfortable if we spooned but I knew that Newt was too shy to do that. So here I was with my back pressed against Newt's. It vaguely reminded me of when I used to sneak out of the Ravenclaw dorm into the Hufflepuff's dorm. I would sneak into Newt's room and shake him awake lightly. He'd always shuffle back to give me room and when I crawled in, he would engulf me in a tight hug. He always was good for making me feel better. There was a knock at the door and I turned to see Tina with a tray of cocoa.

"I thought you might like a hot drink?" Tina asked.

She handed Jacob his mug and raised an eyebrow at me.

"I don't like hot drinks but thank you for the thought" I said, softly.

She looked over a Newt who was pretending to be asleep. She grumbled and said something inappropriate under her breath.

"Hey, Mr Scamander. Look cocoa!" Jacob said to Newt.

He still pretended to be asleep. Tina who was fed-up by this point, put his mug down on the table with a loud thud. She retreated to the door but turned around last second.

"The toilet's down the hall to the right." She said before turning around.

"Thanks..." Jacob trailed off. I peered at the door to see what captured his attention, only to be greeted with the sight of Queenie in her dressing gown. "Very much."

The door closed with a dull thud. Not a moment later, Newt sprung up from the bed, scaring poor Jacob in the process. He grabbed his case from the end of the bed and put it gently on the ground. He popped the clasps on the case and lifted the lid. He then got up and started to lower himself into the case. Me and Jacob watched in silence as he was swallowed up by the case until only a hand remained. He then beckoned us into the case. Me and Jacob shared a look before we both slipped from our beds.

"Jacob?" I asked, looking down into the case.

"Mhm?"

"Do you think he ever washes that coat?"

Jacob looked at me and when our eyes met, we couldn't contain it. We both let out a giggle, clutching our stomachs. We laughed for a few more moments before a loud thump sounded from the case causing us to become silent almost at once.

"On you go then Jacob!"

"No. No way am I going down there."

"Please..."

"No."

"Please..."

"No."

"Pllleeeeaaaasssseeee..."

"...Fine"

I watched as Jacob gingerly walked to the edge of the case and look down into it. He looked back at me and I shot him a reassuring smile. He smiled nervously back before he turned his attention back to open case. He slowly lowered himself into the case and continued to do so until he stopped abruptly.

"Why'd ya stop?" I asked, popping the 'p'.

"I'm stuck."

I looked him dead in the eyes and saw a look of panic that was barely disguised.

"Now, first thing's first. Don't pan-"

Before I'd even finished my sentence, Jacob had started to jump up and down whilst still trapped in the case. With every thud, I bit down on my lip harder to keep my laughter in. Never before had I witnessed such a hilarious sight and something told me that I would never again. He jumped again and then disappeared, I stopped biting my lip and let my laughter out. I laughed loud and hard, something I hadn't did in awhile.

I then walked up to the edge of the case and looked into it. The light at the bottom shone brightly and emitted an almost comforting glow. I felt like a moth drawn to a flame and I decided to jump into the case. Well, after I warned Newt of course.

"NEWTON SCAMANDER, YOU BETTER CATCH ME AT THE BOTTOM!"