Afraid

Chapter 14

Tina enters the MACUSA building and rushes to a great hall, unbeknownst to her full of wizarding world leaders. Her goal was to present Newt and his case full of creatures to Madam Picquery and redeem herself.

All heads turn to her as she enters the hall.

"Madam President, I'm so sorry to interrupt, but this is critical-"

She stops, now realizing what she just walked in on.

"You better have an excellent excuse for this intrusion, Miss Goldstein.

"Yes- I do. Ma'am, yesterday a wizard entered New York with a case. This case is full of magical creatures, and- unfortunately- some have escaped."

"He arrived yesterday? You have known for 24 hours that an unregistered wizard set magical beasts loose in New York and you see fit to tell us only when a man has been killed?"

"Who's been killed?"

"Where is this man?"

Tina steps forward, sets the case on the floor and knocks on the lid. She takes a step back. After a couple seconds, the lid creaks open. Newt sticks his head out, slowly climbing out, Rayla and Jacob close behind him.

Rayla took a glance around and her breath caught in her throat. The faint smile that had been on her face seconds before fell into an expression of fear.

Newt reached over and gripped her hand protectively. She shuffled closer to him, clutching his hand just as tightly.

"Scamander?"

"Oh-er- hello, Minister."

Newt closed the case and pulled Rayla slightly behind him.

"Theseus Scamander? The war hero?"

"No, this is his little brother. And what are you doing in New York?"

"I came to buy an Appaloosa Puffskin, sir."

The minister raised an eyebrow.

"Right. What are you really doing here?"

Picquery noticed Jacob.

"Goldstein, who is this?"

Nervously, Tina rushes through her words, "This is Jacob Kowalski, Madam President, he's a No-Maj who got bitten by one of Mr. Scamander's creatures."

Instant murmurs ripples through the crowd.

Newt leaned over to whisper in Rayla's ear, "Run, you have to get out of here."

Newt and Rayla look up at the floating image of a man.

"My God."

"Merlin's beard."

"You know which of your creatures was responsible, Mr. Scamander?" A delegate questioned.

"No creature did this... don't pretend. You must know what that was; look at the marks...that was an Obscurus."

Rayla slowly backed out and out the door in the commotion Newt had caused.

"You go too far Mr. Scamander. There is no Obscurial in America. Impound that case Graves!"

"No- give that b-"

"Arrest them!"

Graves paused and looked over them.

"Weren't there four of you?"

Tina and Jacob looked around and saw no sign of Rayla. Newt just let out a breath of relief.

Rayla was walking slowly from the hall, looked over her shoulder, and ran straight into an Auror.

"Who are you?"

From the hall there was a shout, "Find that girl."

The Auror looked over her.

"That's you isn't it? I'm going to get a raise."

He points his wand at her and a spell hits her, chains wrapping around her wrists and binding her hands behind her.

She let out a cry of pain. Ignoring her, the Auror turned her around to take her back to the hall. He froze when he saw the chains on her wrists glowing red-hot against her skin. He hesitantly touched the chains, but felt no heat.

"My God. I better be getting a raise now."

He pushed her all the way back to the hall.

"Madam President, Mr. Graves, you might want to see this."

He shoved Rayla to her knees next to Newt. Newt looked her over and saw the tears streaming down her cheeks.

"What is it Jones?"

"I caught the girl trying to sneak away from the hall, and well, you might want to check her chains."

Curious, Graves walked behind Rayla and inspected her chains. He then stood and walked over to Picquery, whispering something in her ear.

Newt's breath was caught in his chest as he watched the two whisper. He then looked at Rayla.

"I'm goi-"

"Take them to the cells. And take the girl to processing."

Rayla let out a whimper. Aurors came behind Newt, Tina, Jacob and Rayla. The one who was escorting Rayla started to drag her in another direction, and Newt started to freak out.

"No, don't take her! Don't hurt her! You're going to kill her! Please don't! You don't have the right to do this! She didn't do anything wrong! Please just leave her alone! Rayla!"