Oddity

Chapter 9

Margo's point of view
We make our way to the department store we peek through the window and see a handbag being lifted off of a mannequin. We silently enter through the back door. And hide behind a Christmas display I look around "so what's a demiguise exactly?" I ask. We huddle in a circle " So Demiguises are fundamentally peaceful, but they can give a nasty nip if provoked." He explains he indicates to Jacob and Queenie "You two, head that way. And try very hard not to be predictable." He says.

Myself, Tina and newt go in an opposite direction. We watch as the demiguise fills the handbag with stuff mainly sweets and then wanders through the store. Suddenly a loud shriek is heard "Was that the Demiguise?" Tina asks. Newt shakes his head "No, I think it might be the reason that the Demiguise is here. Its sight operates on probability, so it can foresee the most likely immediate future." He says. I look at him "So whats it doing?" I ask. He gulps "it's babysitting." He stares.

Tina whips her head round to stare at him in disbelief "What did you just say?" She whispers. He looks slightly embarrassed "This is my fault. I thought I had them all,
but I must have miscounted." He says.

An occamy pokes its head down "It was babysitting that?" Tina questions. I nod "that's massive, how is that a baby, the others were much smaller" Newt shrugs "Occamies are choranaptyxic. So they grow to fill available space." He says. "Well it's certainly filling the space" I mutter.

Newt approach's nervously "Mummys here" he reassure and I almost snort if I wasn't holding my breath. Queenie step closer out of the shadows and kicks a bauble, I rings as it rolls causing the occamy to rile up out of fear. Newt jumps on it's head "We need an insect, any kind of insect and a teapot!" He orders. We all start to scramble around looking for those two objects.

Jacob holds up a cockroach "I got it. I got it!" He yells. Tina located a teapot "Teapot!" She shouts holding it up. Everything goes quite and the demiguise on jacobs shoulder disappears. The occamy has caught sight of the roach and is now staring at it entranced. "Roach in teapot" newt says slowly.

It all happens at once, Jacob throws the insect and the occamy takes off after it. Queenie and I duck and Tina catch's the roach with the tea pot. The occamy shrinks and lands in the teapot and newt covers it with a lid "Choranaptyxic. They also shrink to fit the available space." He says.

Tina looks ready to collapse "Tell me the truth. Was that everything that came out of the case?" She says. Newt nod timidly "Thats everything." He says "And thats the truth." He adds.

We find somewhere to put the suitcase and then we all clamber in. Jacob is taking care of the demiguise and Tina has the occamy. I watch as both are put back in their enclosures and I smile to myself. I watch the thunderbird on his perch. I rummage through the shed and find a long coil of rope. I tie it round my waist and then to a pole. I unbuckle myself and float up. I spend a good while up in the sky enjoying the feeling of freedom. "Hey you wanna come down" Queenie caps up. I nod and she reels me in. I murmur a thanks and then take a seat on the steps of the shed.

Queenie wander out of the shed "Who is she?" She asks pointing to a photo of an extremely pretty woman. Newt looks depressed at the mention of the picture "That's no one." He snaps. Queenie tilts her head "Leta Lestrange? Ive heard of that family. Aren't they kinda, you know?" She trails off. Newt looks slightly irritated "Please dont read my mind." He says defensively. There's a moment of silence before he turns his head looking a mixture between hurt and anger "Sorry, I asked you not to." He says. Queenie looks hurt "I know, I'm sorry. I cant help it.People are easiest to read when they're hurting. She explains. Newt shakes his head an smiles brightly "I'm not hurting.
Anyway, it was a long time ago." He says. Queenie looks at his obviously knowing he's lying "That was a real close friendship you had at school." She comments.

Newt shrugs "Neither of us really fitted in at school. So we became quite..." He trails off. Queenie shakes her head "You became real close. For years." She says. He doesn't respond so she steps closer "She was a taker. You need a giver." She says softly.

Tina walks over hanging her coat on the shed door "What are you two talking about?" She asks.
"Nothing." Newt says quickly. "School." Queenie says. Newt nods
"School." He agrees.

Jacob wanders over "Did you say school? Is there a school? A wizardry school here? In America?" He asks in amazement. Queenie grins Of course, Ilvermorny! Its only the best wizard school in the whole world!" She says happiness oozing into her voice. Newt doesn't look up from his work "I think youll find the best wizarding school in the world is Hogwarts!" He says. Queenie looks at him with a smirk and her arms crossed "Hogwash!" She declares. I smile "my mom went to Hogwarts, she claims it was the best years of her life" I say.

Suddenly the thunderbird starts cawing and a thunderstorm stars as it flaps its wings. Newt looks fearful "Danger" He says, He senses danger."

I gulp and wrap my arms around myself protectively, "this can't be good"