Hanging On

Arriving in London

Newt ran a hand through his hair as he slowly made his way through customs. Once his case had been checked, he made his way into an alley and Disapparated. He quickly walked through the streets of London until he reached his house. Digging his keys out of his pocket, he unlocked the door and went inside. He pushed open the door on his left and found himself in his empty apartment. The silence there was nearly suffocating.

Everything looked exactly as he had left it. His bed sat in the corner by the window. Between it and the fireplace was a small dresser. Across from it was a wardrobe. In front of the fireplace sat a couple of mismatched chairs and a small table. Beside this was the kitchen, a small room filled mostly with the round table in the centre.

Newt shivered. The apartment felt cold. Ignoring this, he moved through the rooms and pulled open the door that led down into the basement.

"Bunty?" he called.

He heard the sound of a metal bucket hitting the stone floor and Bunty appeared from under a staircase.

"Newt!" she exclaimed. "You're here."

"Yeah," he said, hoping he didn't sound too miserable. He made his way down the stairs to meet her.

She looked embarrassed. "Sorry. I wasn't sure when you were arriving."

Newt managed a smile. "That's okay. It's good to see you again." He gave the woman a hug.

"How's the family?"

He grinned. "They're good. Tina was promoted, though I don't think she's actually doing anything she wasn't before, and Nick's doing pretty well at school."

"Oh, that's good to hear," Bunty said. "Now, don't you want to see your creatures?"

"Yes, of course."

Setting his case down, Newt tugged off his coat and tossed it over a railing. Then he picked up his case again and followed his assistant through his basement, saying hello to every creature in turn. Each of them greeted him enthusiastically, glad to see the man who had first rescued and cared for them. When they would reach an empty enclosure, Newt would let the creature who lived there out of his case. Soon enough, he had seen everyone and let everyone out. 

Bunty offered to make him a cup of tea. He accepted so they made their way back up to the kitchen where she quickly prepared the tea. He took a seat as she handed him a steaming cup.

"I wish I could meet your son," she said, taking a seat at the table.

Newt shrugged. "Maybe one day. I'd rather he and Tina didn't come to London yet."

"Because you don't want them to meet your parents?" she asked, looking at him pointedly.

He looked down, embarrassed. "Uh— Yeah. I— uh ... Somehow I don't think that'll be such a good idea."

"Are you ashamed?"

Newt looked up suddenly. "No, of course not. I could never be ashamed of Tina. She's wonderful. She's the most wonderful person I've ever met. And Nick ..." A small smile formed on his lips. "That boy is the pride of my life."

"So are you afraid of your parents' disapproval?"

Newt shook his head. "I don't care whether or not they approve of me. They never have, so I stopped caring years and years ago."

"Then why are you so afraid of letting them meet your family?" Bunty pushed.

"I suppose I'm protecting them. I don't have a good relationship with my parents and I love my wife and son more than them. A lot more than them. I couldn't bear it if something happened to them."