Sands of Dragon Scales

Chapter 32

Rose had entered the case after Queenie made her spill about her Hogwarts years with Newt. It had been something she hadn't done in years. The last time she had quality 'girl time' had been with Hermione, Luna, and Jenny in her own time. After a quick goodnight to the sisters and the boys, Rose had set up her bed on the cot tucked away behind the ladder that led out of the case. However, she couldn't find the means to sleep as she swiftly made her way out of the shed and into the depths of the ever expanding case of Newt Scamander.

    With a deep breath, and a long sigh, Rose began to check the case to see what creatures had escaped. She had been relieved that Isibindi was still in the case, along with Frank and the Graphorns; most of the more dangerous creatures were safe within the case. However, the Erumpent, Dougal, one of the Occamy, and Glister were nowhere to be found. She had been counting the Mooncalves when she heard sudden clanging of Newt's hanging pans and the loud thuds of something rolling heavily down the ladder of the case. Wasting no time, she went to investigate.

    Rose had swung the door open to come face to face with Newt, who was in the middle of juicing a few leaves. "Oh, hello," Newt had paused for only a moment to glance at her before getting back to his work, "I was wondering where you had gone off to." "I was counting Mooncalves; all are accounted for, by the way," Rose gave a soft smile, "Was that you who fell down the ladder?" Newt took the leaves and filled up a cup with water before he turned to head back to the corner of the shed, "Not I."

    Rose quickly found the Muggle sitting in the corner as Newt began to tend to the bite on Mr. Kowalski's neck. "Ew," the no-Maj cringed, but didn't pull away. "Stay still," Newt instructed as he applied the substance of the sticky leaves onto the man's neck. Mr. Kowalski had let out an uncomfortable hiss only once, but Newt had finished quickly. "That should stop the sweating. One of those should sort the twitch," Newt explained as Rose found a little white pill in the Muggle's hand. The man had simply shrugged and popped the pill into his mouth, followed by a large gulp of water.

    "Well," Rose grabbed both of the boy's attention, "I'll go ahead and begin feeding everyone. Don't take too long." "We'll be right out," Newt gave a small side smile, his hair falling into his face. Rose couldn't help but blush as she gave him a warm smile back. Absentmindedly biting her lip, Rose made her way back into the case to set out what she said she would do. She had decided to start with the creatures of the deep first; they wouldn't take too long. By the time she was finished with the water creatures, she heard Newt give a call to the Graphorns. The woman just smiled as she made her way over to the forest area to feed the Bowtruckles.

    "Titus, Fin, Poppy, Merlot, Tom..." Newt called, not realizing Rose was standing beside the Bowtruckle tree. "All accounted for," Rose reassured as Newt glanced up to smile at the female. The wizard then turned back to their Muggle friend, pulling Picket from his pocket, "He had a cold. He needed some body warmth." "Aw," Mr. Kowalski grinned, gazing in awe at the little twig creature. "Come on, on you hop," Newt urged Picket, guiding him up to the tree. Rose giggled as she spotted her little Bowtruckle climbing up Newt's vest, picking Phlox up gently to set the small creature on her shoulder.

    Mr. Kowalski let out an amazed chuckle, watching on in childlike wonder at the small Bowtruckles. "He has some attachment issues. Phlox... Phlox is just spoiled," Newt explained, "Come on now, Picket. Picket. Now, come on they're not going to bully you," The Magizoologist kept trying, but eventually gave in, "Alright. But that's exactly why they accuse me of favoritism." Newt then turned around to take note that Dougal had gone missing and that the newest members of the case were crying for their 'mummy'. Rose just gave the Muggle a smile, "He's just a bit of a pushover."

    Mr. Kowalski had let another chuckle pass his lips as he turned to find Newt leaning over the giant nest of Occamy. Newt was in the process of picking one up when Rose and Mr. Kowalski had joined him. "I know these guys," The Muggle smiled. Rose couldn't help but admire the way both the men gave as they handled the Occamy hatchlings. The fact that Newt was even letting a stranger handle his creatures was significant to say the least. Maybe it was the wonder and the joy it had brought to a normal, everyday Muggle. A little magic went a long way.