Thorns and Roses ❦ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ❦ Newtina

Chapter Nine

                               May, 1928
    Newt stormed down Trafalgar Square, ignoring the persistent chitter of the beasts in his case. They'd been aching to leave the case; the last time Newt had let even a few out was to test out his newly instated basement. Despite their aggravation, Newt couldn't find it within himself to be angry with the beasts. His creatures were used to freedom and had been granted that a little over a year prior in New York. Their chittering became louder, deep cries and wails becoming easily detectable to muggles. Newt gave way to his frustration, knocking on the side of the case loudly to make the creatures stop their fussing. His travel application had been denied again, and he was absolutely furious at the Ministry of Magic for meddling in his social affairs. He had stated quite clearly that he was not going to hunt Grindelwald for them, yet they continued to pursue him and block any methods of leaving the country he'd tried. The older Scamander, Theseus, had merely shrugged when Newt mentioned the qualms the ministry was making him face, stating that he should "cease his attempts to run away from his problems." Newt had scoffed in Theseus' reply, because running away from his problems was the last thing he was doing. He was trying to get back to New York to see Tina again, before it was too late and he was shipped off to war, or worse... she was. Getting back to her was the only problem Newt had, courtesy of the ministry's denial at a travel permit, and the fact that they had begun intercepting his mail, meaning he couldn't even reply to Tina's letters. They had become sparse over the months, and Newt realized that either the ministry was intercepting her responses as well, or Tina had thought his lack of response was intentional- or even within his control- and ceased writing to him. He hoped for the former. Newt could hardly stomach the thought of Tina feeling abandoned by him.

    Newt rounded a corner, and his indignant thoughts were momentarily interrupted when he saw a familiar flash of curled, golden hair. He did a double take, and he realized the person he saw had to be the youngest of the Goldstein sisters. What was Queenie doing in London? And who was she with? He studied the figure beside her, growing exceedingly curious about their presence. Newt realized that it was his muggle friend, Jacob Kowalski. The man was supposed to be in New York tending to his bakery, why was he with Queenie in New York... Why was he with Queenie at all? They'd been banned from communicating in America; it was illegal to fraternize with non magic people. Even being spotted with Jacob put Queenie at a high risk with the magical congress. It was in that moment when the realization hit Newt: They weren't in America. They were in London, where it was legal to speak with muggles... and to marry them. Perhaps that was why Jacob and Queenie had fled the country, seeking refuge from the law that tore them away from each other in a nation most familiar to them, now in alien terrain trying to adjust to life as foreigners.  They had to have known that Newt was there. Curiosity overtaking him, Newt ducked his head down, crossing the street without a hazardous thought in mind. A station wagon honked loudly at him, swerving out of the way as Newt made his way down the street. He made it to the pavement safely, glad that Jacob and Queenie had stopped to admire some of the treats in a shop window. They were elaborate, much like the figures Jacob assembled at his bakery in America. They were beginning to debate whether or not to try the new bakery when Newt walked toward them, grabbed both of them by their elbows, and disapparated.

    They landed with a snap, the warm lights of Newt's apartment turning on. Queenie whipped around, her wand in her hand, before she calmed and realized her captor was Newt. "Oh. Newt. You gave me such a fright, I thought you was-"

    "You thought I was someone from MACUSA. Don't worry, I'm not going to turn you in," Newt said tightly, moving to the right to view the muggle over Queenie's shoulder. He seemed slightly dazed, yet his facial expression proved he recognized Newt. But then it changed to confusion.