Their Life

Fugitive Part 5

Newt let Tina lead him down into the basement. They found Bunty preparing a bucket of feed. She worked quickly but her motions weren't smooth. They would stop abruptly and she was throwing the feed into the bucket with more force than was necessary.

"Bunty," Tina said softly.

"What?" Bunty snapped, setting the bucket down roughly. She turned and glared at Tina.

"I know why you're upset and--"

"Do you?" Bunty interrupted.

Tina nodded. "I know how you feel about Newt."

"How would you?"

"My sister told me," Tina said simply.

"How would she know?" Bunty demanded.

Tina shrugged. "Queenie knows everything about everyone she meets."

Bunty frowned. She turned around quickly and Newt suspected she was trying not to cry.

"Listen, Bunty," Tina continued. "I'm really sorry we didn't tell you earlier. I don't have a good excuse. You see, my sister told me that Newt should be the one to tell you that we're married. I don't always know her reasons for saying things but I do trust her judgment. I should have realized that Newt probably wouldn't have told you without someone telling him to."

"But he didn't tell me," Bunty said bitterly.

Newt stared at the floor, an embarrassed expression on his face. He felt Tina tug on his arm so he glanced up at her. She gestured to Bunty and he knew she wanted him to say something.

"Bunty, I was going to tell you today. I didn't realize you didn't know. Tina told me you didn't know this morning so I was going to tell you but you saw that newspaper first."

Bunty didn't respond so Newt went on hesitantly.

"You're not too upset with me, are you?"

Bunty hesitated and slowly shook her head. "No," she sighed. "I'm not upset. I always knew you never noticed me, at least not in that way. I just wish you had told me you were married sooner."

"I know," Newt said. "I"m sorry."

"It's okay."

Newt hesitated. "You are still coming to the book signing, right?"

Bunty offered him a small smile. "Yes, of course."

____

Newt, Tina, and Bunty arrived at Flourish and Blotts at 10:05. 

"You're late!" Queenie said as they came in through the back of the shop. "Oh, I see. Well, come on then." She dragged them to the main part of the shop. They came to a long desk that had many copies of Newt's book stacked on it. Jacob was waiting there. He waved cheerfully when they appeared. A nervous-looking man approached them.

"Thank Merlin," he said. "We open in ten minutes. Is your brother coming again, Scamander?"

"Uh -- I believe so," Newt murmured.

Just then, the door to the back of the shop swung open and two people came through. Tina guessed that the man was Newt's brother, Theseus, but she recognized the woman at once. She had seen her picture several times. It was Leta Lestrange. Tina felt a pang of jealousy. Then she felt Queenie's hand resting on her shoulder.

"Hello, Newt," Theseus said. "It's been quite some time since we've seen you."

"I've been out of the country," Newt said.