𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓 ━━
✧˖*. | ❝Hey there, sweet-pea.❞ | ✧˖*.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome our main attraction, The Phoenix!" the ringmaster announced.
The curtains drew back to reveal a naked woman trying to cover up. Her usual sunrise ombré...
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Newt, Cora, and Jacob Disapparated onto a side street next to the bank to avoid being shot down by No-Majs. Security alarms rang out from the bank. At the end of the side street, crowds were gathering as the police arrived. Tina ran out of the bank and looked down the street. She saw Newt wrestling the Niffler back into the case and Cora patting Jacob's cheeks while he cowered by a wall.
"You all right, sweet-pea?" asked Cora. "You're very damp and hot." She fished out a handkerchief from her dress's pocket, then dabbed it onto his skin. "It would do you best to breathe evenly and eventually drink some water."
"For the last time, you pilfering pest - paws off what doesn't belong to you!" Newt shouted at the Niffler. He shut his case, then looked around at Jacob. "I'm awfully sorry about all that - "
"What the hell was that?" Jacob asked, moving away from Cora's patting hands.
"Nothing that need concern you," replied Newt. "Now, unfortunately, you have seen far too much, so if you wouldn't mind - if you just stand there - this will be over in a jiffy."
Newt, trying to find his wand, turned his back on Jacob. Jacob took the opportunity and grabbed his case, swinging it at Newt, who was knocked to the ground.
"Sorry," he apologized, then ran for his life.
Cora gasped, rushing over to Newt. He held his head for a moment and looked after Jacob, who ran down the alleyway and into the crowd.
"Bugger!" Newt cursed.
Cora huffed, pitting her handkerchief sway to brush back Newt's hair. "We've got ourselves in quite a pickle."
Tina walked down the side street as Newt picked up the case. Cora and Newt walked toward her, trying to pass her as if nothing happened. As they passed her, Tina grabbed their elbows and Disapparated to a narrow alleyway opposite the bank.
"Who are you?" Tina asked, out of breath.
"I'm sorry?" Newt asked back.
"Who are you?" she repeated.
"Cora."
"Newt Scamander. And you are?"
"What's that thing in your case?" Tina asked, ignoring his question.
"That's my Niffler," Newt responded, ignoring her attitude. He pointed to the mustard stain on her lip. "You've got - "
"Why in the name of Deliverance Dane did you let that thing loose?"
"I didn't mean to. He's incorrigible, you see, anything shiny, he's all over the place - "
"You didn't mean to?"
"No," Newt answered.
"You could not have chosen a worse time to let that creature loose! We're in the middle of a situation here! I'm taking you in," Tina decided.
"You're - You're taking me where?" Newt asked.
"Magical Congress of the United States of America," replied Cora. "Lovely place, really."
Tina eyed Cora as she fished out her official ID card. Her photo was moving and there was the American eagle on it.
"Oh - no," muttered Cora.
· · . * * ✧ ✵ ✹ · . ☆ ☽
A group of the highest-level Aurors in the organization were gathered together in a serious discussion in the major investigation department. Among them was Percival Graves, examining the newspaper of The New York Ghost with the headline MAGICAL DISTURBANCES RISK WIZARDING EXPOSURE. Graves's face was cut and bruised from last night's encounter with the strange entity, and President Seraphina Picquery herself.
"The International Confederation is threatening to send a delegation. They think this is related to Grindelwald's attacks to Europe," Madam Picquery argued.
Graves sighed. "I was there. This is a beast. No human could do what this thing is capable of, Madam President."
"Whatever it is, one thing's clear; it must be stopped. It's terrorizing No-Majs and when No-Majs are frightened, they attack. It could be war," Madam Picquery responded.
Upon hearing footsteps, they ceased all conversation regarding the topic. They caught sight of Tina with Newt and Cora trailing behind her.
Madam Picquery let out an angry breath. "I made your position quite clear, Miss Goldstein."
Tina swallowed. "Yes, Madam President, but I - "
"You are no longer an Auror."
"No, Madam President, but - "
"Goldstein."
"There's been a minor incident - "
"Well, this office is currently concerned with very major incidents. Get out," Madam Picquery commanded.
Tina looked away in humiliation. "Yes, ma'am."
Tina pushed Newt and Cora away back to the elevator. Graves looked after them, seemingly sympathetic and sorry. Cora looked over her shoulder, glancing at Graves.
