The Tales of Newt Scamander - PAUSED

Chapter Six: Now It's My Turn

Newt's fingers brushed gently over the bandage causing Alex to flinch slightly as pressure was put on his sore skin. Satisfied that Alex had not inflicted any more harm onto his hand in the night he released it with a smile.

"Shall we head up to the Great Hall?" Alex questioned as he moved his hand to his sides. Newt smiled slightly and nodded a yes, before walking out he grabbed his coat and Alex's from the fire place. He placed his book on the fire place before setting the coats in his arms.

The two walked through the Common Room and out the barrel doors. The previously lit candles held no flames on their wicks as the two travelled through the corridor, lit by small fragments of sun rays.

For Alex it was odd to have company while walking to the Great Hall. During his years at Hogwarts he had become much accustom to his own presence so having Newt walk only an arm's length away was both peaceful and unsettling.

The two walked leisurely up the stairs and started to follow the flow of students heading for morning breakfast. As it was a Saturday that meant many students remained in bed, sleeping as much as they could, making the corridors barely crowded.

The two Hufflepuffs made their way into the Great Hall and sat opposite one another at the table's end.

Newt gave Alex a happy smile before putting some food onto his plate. Alex watched as he loaded his plate with a few pastries and many fruits, some which he pocketed semi-discretely in his jumper pocket.

Not bothered to question him Alex started to also pick some food. Just a slice of toast with jam on it. Slowly he ate the slice of cooked bread while his free hand turned the empty goblet before him.

Another hand held the goblet still before pouring an orange liquid into it. After putting the jug down Newt slid the half full goblet closer into Alex's grasp. Alex only furrowed his brows.

"Orange juice helps with colds," Newt explained while plopping a grape into his mouth. "The orange juice will help your cold go away, unless we go an visit the medical wing."

With slightly shaky hands Alec took hold of the goblet and sipped the juice inside. It held a bitter but sweet taste, somewhat pleasant to drink.

Once his goblet was empty and his plate from the toast held a few astray crumbs he sat watching Newt who was picking at the fruit, stashing most into his pocket.

Professor Dumbledore ended the meal with a few notices, nothing out of the ordinary, before people rose from their seats and left the hall. In the mix of people trying to leave wandered Newt out the hall with Alex in tow.

The flow diminished as they travelled down the more dormant halls, mostly leading out towards the library.

"Why are we going to the library?" Alex questioned, speeding up his pace slightly to look at Newt.

"Ah, but are we going to the library?" Newt gave a goofy smile before running ahead, laughing to himself.

Shaking his head with a smile on his lips Alex ran after him, making sure to only be a few steps away. At every turn Newt would check behind himself, ensuring that Alex was still there.

This was more than amusing for Newt. As he ran he fiddled with the coats in hand before chucking the less worn one back at the following male.

Alex caught his coat as it flew over Newt's shoulder and watched as Newt shrugged on his blue coat. Alex followed the action and shrugged his own on.

After a while the tap of their feet on stone turned to the crunch of snow under their shoes. The cold of the outside hit Alex in waves. His coat blocked most of it out but small wisps of icy air travelled down his neck and tickled his hands.

Newt slowed down as they ran just to make sure Alex was okay. He only stopped when they got close to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

"Newt, is this really safe?" Alex questioned between small pants as he caught his breath, he rested his arms on his legs as if he was gonna puke. His eyes darted into the dense forest, the one place no student was allowed, its name made it obvious.

"As long as we don't lose our way and don't go far in then yes, and the creatures are perfectly fine." Newt chimed while moving some of the smaller branches leading to a trodden path.

"I'm not sure Newt." Alex bounced on his feet, he was anxious -bouncing to get out his nerves- and he was also cold.

"Trust me Alexander, I've done this many a time."

"I'm not sure whether that's reassuring or concerning." Alex chuckled before going to follow Newt past a dark tree.

"You showed me your interests, I can show you mine." Newt disappeared from view, into the branches of the trees. Alex glanced from where he disappeared and back at the paths on the grounds, he watched for peeping eyes before slipping into the branches.

The twigs clawed at him, as if stopping him from going in, but after passing the first few trees walking became much easier. Newt waited for Alex as he squeezed through the bare branches before popping out the other side before starting to walk forward.

Eventually, after a few twists and turns, their feet reached a worn down path, something more dirt than overgrown weeds. This thin path lead to a clearing, an empty clearing.

Moving next to Newt Alex looked around. His wand now sat in his coat pocket as he gazed around, it was ready for use if needed. The dark trees contrasted against the vegetation which was bright in the winter sun's light.

"Crouch down." Newt whispered while tugging gently at Alex's sleeve.

"Why?"

"They're coming."

Bushes rustled as the two crouched. It wasn't long until black skeletal winged horses came into view.

"Thestrals." Alex marveled while looking at the steeds in awe.

Two adults trotted into the clearing, obviously comfortable with one of the faces they saw. With a small grunt, warm air coming from their noses, they called for another. This time a small Thestral appeared from the bushes, timidly hiding itself from the strangers sat in the grass.

Newt bowed at the horses before dipping his hands into his pocket and pulling out some apples. He offered one out while puting the other in Alex's hand and motioned forwards.

Copying him Alex flattered his palm and held the apple out. One of the Thestrals walked forward and took the apple from his hand, licking his fingers as if asking for more.

Newt chuckled lightly as the apple on his palm was munched. "They know you are new and think they can get more from you." His hand dipped back into his pocket and handed more fruit to Alex.

Slowly Alex fed more fruit to the Thestrals. Newt watched in amusement as the blond slowly moved his way to the foal, trying to earn its trust. Amazingly it didn't take long.

Alex offered it some berries which it seemed to enjoy. After it approached him again, for more, and nuzzled him for more. Alex rose his empty hands, as if to say he was done, but instead the foal kept pushing. It found this mostly hairless creature on the ground amusing and wanted to play.

After a while Newt found himself stroking the adults before him while Alex was running around and playing with the foal.

Once tired Alex sat down, the foal following and rested its lap on the damp trousers of its new friend.

"I'm amazed you see them." Newt admitted before turning to Alex. "People don't see them normally, that's why they're here and able to live in the forest."

The two went silent for a while, watching the black creatures before them in awe.

"Only someone who has witnessed death can see them." Newt whispered out, reciting the words from one of his mother's text books.

"Yeah well, you have had to have seen death as well."

Note:
Thank you for adding this to your reading lists and waiting for another update. I've been struggling writing recently, I know what I want to do but can't get the words down.
I apologise for the months of waiting but hopefully I can make more progress on writing, you may have to bear with me for a while.
Apologies, J.