Chasing Grindelwald

8: Expert

NEWT
    Newt forgot how to breathe. He stood, frozen with fear and anger as his brother flicked through papers, watching Leta out of the corner of his eye. She seemed not to notice him as she sat on Theseus's desk and unpacked his lunch for him. Newt didn't know whether to be mad or relieved. He glanced at Tina, who's jaw was set so tightly he thought she might break her teeth. Realizing that Leta wouldn't dare say anything in front of Tina, who radiated so much intimidation it was scary, Newt relaxed a bit.
"So..." Leta finally broke the uncomfortable silence as Theseus made copies of papers with magic. Her voice was like frozen silk. "These are the American friends? Nice to meet you. I'm Leta."
"I'm Tina," Tina introduced, and Newt detected a hard edge to her friendly tone. To Newt, even that sounded like a threat. He liked that.
"Queenie," Queenie smiled her most sugared smile and gestured to Jacob. "This is Mr. Kowalski."
   Jacob looked like he might want to say his first name in a gesture of kindness, but Newt cast him a warning glance. They had already told Theseus the girls' full names, but if he knew Jacob was a Muggle, and knew his full name, he could easily have him obliviated.
"These are the ones you told me about, Newt?" Leta asked, apparently trying to decide whether he was with Tina or Queenie. Jacob and Queenie were standing rather close, however, so she focused on Tina, who was still giving her a sort of muffled death glare.
"Yes," Newt confirmed coolly. "Tina here is an Auror. We're here for sensitive information."
"Have you two been together long?" Leta asked casually. Newt's face burned, but before he could respond, Tina answered for him.
"For about a week, actually, so no," she said icily. The atmosphere in the room was so cold among the three, Newt was afraid frost would form on Theseus's desk. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, just wondering," Leta said. "But of course, I want you wish you good luck, keeping up with your relationship in the middle of all this mess with Grindelwald."
"If you're so concerned, do you have any advice, Leta?" Newt found himself saying, before he could stop himself. "You seem to be an expert in the area of maintaining relationships, if you don't mind my saying so." He met her eyes, pleased at the dark blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Here," Theseus announced, plopping a manilla folder in Newt's direction before his fiancé could respond. "All the recorded sightings of Grindelwald since he escaped MACUSA. I included a few of his chief followers as well, though I'm sure you've heard of them, Miss Goldstein."
   Tina nodded and took the papers, slipping them inside Newt's case.
"Right, well, thank you," Newt managed, nodding his good-bye and walking to the door.
"Newt!" His brother called suddenly, just as he reached the threshold. Newt looked back and raised his eyebrows. "Be safe. He's a dangerous wizard, Grindelwald," Theseus said, his voice almost conveying emotion for a change.
"I...yes," Newt managed. He nodded and met his brother's eyes for a split second before he left, closing the door behind him.
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"Where to now?" Jacob asked, pulling the cloak around him as they stepped out of the police box into a cold London drizzle.
"The Leaky Cauldron," Newt responded. "Then, to Diagon Alley, and Knockturn Alley. Those are some good places for Gridelwald's followers."