Codename: Shadow (Newt Scamander)

Scar-mander: 1914

"Newt!"

We run over to him. He has fresh scars on his arms and face and a word has been crudely etched into his left wrist.

"Heartbreaker." I read.

My finger brushes against the word and Newt whimpers softly in pain.

"I'm sorry Newt. Sorry for everything." I say.

"Amber?"

Newt tries to get up off the floor but he's so weak that his arm can't support him enough to prop himself up. I force myself to hold back the tears. This is all my fault!

"Well, after me and Leta ran away we came here and...and I told Father everything! He swore that he'd get his revenge on you somehow but I didn't realise that he'd use an unforgivable curse!"

I hug Newt, the tears escaping from my eyes. It hurts me to see one of my best friends this badly injured.

"It's ok Amber. Really, it should be me apologising to you. For kissing Leta. Also, what happened to you?"

I smile at him. Even after what he's been through, he's the one doing the apologising. He is the nicest boy I have ever met and I'm very fortunate to have met him. Why can't all boys be like him?

"Well, I forgive you. And I'm a Metamorphagus."

"Interesting. Anyway, thank Merlin! I've been worrying about you since that d-day."

He winces slightly as he tries - and fails - to get up.

"Hey, it's ok. Anyway, you were worrying about me?"

"Yeah. Didn't you see my tears?"

"Uh huh. Wait, they weren't for your wand or for being expelled?"

"No. They were for you. I felt awful for breaking your heart. I deserve this."

"Newt! Don't say that! You didn't deserve this! No one deserves this!"

I gesture to his many new scars to prove my point.

"Especially not that!"

I point to the main scar on his wrist. A crude reminder of that day. Newt chuckles softly, smiling at the word.

"This? Well, this is just a reminder to never break a woman's h-heart."

He sniffs, blinking back tears.

"Because you never k-know what might h-happen."

He breaks down, sobbing into his arms. I pat his back as he cries. He shakes slightly due to the effort. I look at Leta. She shrugs. Eventually, Newt calms down. He wipes his eyes with his hand.

"Newt. Are you ok?" I ask.

"Yes. No. Oh, I don't know! It's just so overwhelming with you forgiving me when you should be yelling at me and the pain I'm in. It's making my head spin!"

"Oh..."

"Could you guys help me up?" He asks.

Together, me and Leta help Newt up. He tries to stand but his right ankle rolls, sending him back on the floor.

"Ouch!"

Newt bites his lip and I help him to a chair. His ankle has swollen. I get out my wand and try to heal it but it won't work.

"Why won't it work!" I exclaim.

"Because," Leta pipes up "It's been broken with Dark Magic. You can soothe the pain but it won't heal properly."

"Ughhh! I hate Dark Magic!" I moan.

Grumbling, I soothe the pain of Newt's ankle. The swelling goes down a bit but he still winces when he walks.

"Thanks anyway Amber." Newt says.

I smile at him. He smiles back.

"I suppose you have to go now." I say sadly.

"I guess so." He replies.

We hug long and hard. I'm going to miss him. I'd go with him but Father wouldn't allow it.

"You could come with me." He says.
I look at the floor, breaking the hug.

"About that. I would but Father wouldn't let me."

"I understand."

We resume the hug, Leta standing next to me. She's not into hugs. I bite my lip when Newt finally let's go and walks away. The hug lingers on a bit longer. I smile slightly.

At least he's ok. That's all that matters.