#Tina Goldstein fanfic | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

iridecsense · 5 days ago

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nepenthe - m.

⊰ 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 ⊱

──── ⋅ ⍤ ⋅⊰⋅�� 〄 ∘⋅⊱⋅ ⍤ ⋅ ────

⤷ summary: Proceeding the encounter with Grindelwald in Paris, Newt goes seaward on a secret mission for Dumbledore when his ship is caught in a storm...

✧ word count: 11.2k ✧ pairing: newt scamander | siren!reader ✧ genre: romance, slow burn, angst, adventure ✧ warnings: depictions of violence and death ✧ author’s note: Who updates after nearly five years? Me. I do. Anywayy, feel free to comment or send me feedback via my ask box, I love hearing from you all. Hopefully, it will encourage me to finish this series. That being said, I hope you enjoy!

──── ⋅ ⍤ ⋅⊰⋅∘ 〄 ∘⋅⊱⋅ ⍤ ⋅ ────

Sailing the seas was one of the many things that Newt was an expert at. He had sailed many boats and ships during his time abroad. Big boats, tiny boats, row boats, and sailboats, you name it and he’s manned it. He enjoyed the seas, it was the most fascinating feature of Earth to him. It was a vast expansion of salty water that covered seventy percent of the Earth and was home to more than half of its creatures—most of which have yet to be discovered. While most feared the ocean, he embraced it. He wished that Jacob felt the same.

Jacob had a hard time adjusting to life a sea. While Newt kept his friend’s seasickness at bay, his preexisting fears still lingered. Jacob was no help when it came to sailing. He was far too clumsy and anxious to work under Uluras’s command. His talents lied elsewhere, elsewhere being the ship’s kitchen. Jacob spent most of his time down there, cooking and baking meals and treats for everyone to eat. Newt suspected it was therapeutic for him; in more ways than one. Either way, he was glad to see Jacob active and committed.

They sailed smoothly for three days. In those days, Uluras took a liking to Newt, taking him under his wing. They often shared stories with one another, Newt telling of his adventures around the world, and Uluras proudly spoke of tales from his mother country. There were times where Newt would get him to talk about Dumbledore and how they new each other when they were both young men, but nothing too personal. All Newt could gather was that Dumbledore’s family and his were close and that he owes them a great debt.

Even now, on what Uluras revealed to be their last night aboard the ship, they all sat on deck eating the supper Jacob and Niris prepared sharing entertaining stories of how they spent their time in school. Newt stayed quiet for the most part, content with listening to Jacob’s tall tales and Niris’s trouble making. Even Uluras had a thing or two to share about his days as a wryly teen.

Under the night sky the sea glittered and shined. The sea was calm, the water gently lapped at the sides of the ship, and, if you listened close enough, you could hear the fin whales singing in the distance. It was a rather peaceful night, the most peaceful night they’ve had while on board.

Newt sat in comfortable silence as the others laughed heartily at a story Jacob had finished telling. They’d finished their meals, and turned to drinking rice wine to further fill their stomachs. Newt rather disliked the alcoholic drink, as he did all alcoholic drinks, but he still sipped the contents of his mug ever so often to blend in.

It wasn’t long before everyone grew tired. They had a long day ahead of them and would need all the sleep they could get. Niris was the first to retire to his nook. Jacob followed soon after, taking the mugs and plates back into the kitchen, claiming he would deal with them in the morning. Truthfully, Newt was rather exhausted himself. He could feel the weight of his tiredness pulling at his eyelids, but the ticking ambush of questions that still swelled in the back of his head wouldn’t let him rest.

Uluras had moved to the forecastle deck. His hand still clutched around a mug of wine as he stared up at the sky, sipping peacefully. Newt was unsure if he should disturb him.

“Ya just gonna stand there watchin’ me or ya gonna speak what’s on your mind?” Uluras spoke with his back still turned.

Newt straightened his posture, flustered. He climbed up the steps and onto the deck to stand at Uluras’s side. The wind lapped around them. Uluras kept his gaze forward, barely acknowledging Newt’s presence. Newt, feeling displaced, did the same. He looked at the night horizon, watching the bow of the ship cut through the waves with ease.

“I was thinking about tomorrow,” Newt confessed after a brief silence. “I’m still unsure of what exactly I am to do when we reach Italy. It’s not as if Dumbledore gave me instructions.”

Uluras huffed through his nose. “No need for instructions. What you need is a name,” he said.

Newt furrowed his brows. “A name?”

Uluras turned his head towards Newt. “In the mornin’, ‘round noon, we will dock in Naples. There you must find a woman named Reinette.”

“Reinette?” Newt repeated. “Who’s Reinette?”

“Reinette is a talented witch with the gift of seeing. Her gift has given her the advantage of knowin’ many things. When you get there you must find her.”

“How do you suppose I do that?”

“It’s been a while, but I’m sure she hasn’t left. When I knew her well she worked in a pub. What was it called?” Uluras pursed his lips in thought, snapping his fingers as he muttered different names. “La Belladonna? No. It was Il Basalisc, I think... or maybe it was... It was somethin’ with a B.”

The older man sucked his teeth and sighed. “Just ask around for Reinette. I’m sure a local will be able to point you in the right direction. It's not like she keeps a low profile.” He rolled his eyes, turning around to walk back down the stairs.

Newt wasn’t sure he understood what Uluras meant by that, but he took the new information gladly. It was better than nothing.

“You should rest, Scamander.” Newt turned on his heels to look down at Uluras on the deck. “This mission that Dumbledore’s got you wrapped up in...It all starts there. An’ you’ll be needing all the rest you can get.”

Newt nodded in an unconfident manner. Uluras, having drunken himself into lethargy, dissapeared into his quarters for the night, leaving Newt alone on deck.

He didn’t get any sleep that night.

⁎ ⊹ ⁂ ˚ ✧ ⁂ ⊹ ＊

Newt was inside his case laying on his cot staring up at the ceiling deep in his own thoughts when Jacob came descending down the ladder. He jumped from the ladder a few feet from the floor, landing with a thud. He turned to look down at his friend.

“Did you sleep in here?” Jacob asked. Newt shook his head. Jacob sighed, looking around the shack. His eyes caught sight of a strange creature similar to a hummingbird in the way its wings flapped incessantly, though it was double its size and had a long beak that curled into itself. It stared back at him through the window above Newt’s cot and flew away soon after.

“I didn’t know you brought all your animals with you.”

Newt sat up in his bed. “I didn’t. Well, not all of them. Just the ones that needed my attention. Bunty’s caring for the rest back home,” said Newt.

Jacob nodded, dropping the subject. “Uluras told me to come get ya. Yeah, he says that we’ll be docking soon.”

Newt's eyes widened. “Is it noon already?”

“Fifteen minutes after,” Jacob told him. “Sorry I didn't come to get you sooner but I was late waking up myself. That wine can really put you out.” He chuckled as he rubbed his aching belly.

Newt stood to his feet and walked to his work station. He pulled a small black box from a drawer and opened it. inside was an assortment of small potion bottles. Some were filled with liquid and others with herbs and one with something that moved. Jacob scrunched his nose in disgust.

Newt picked up a couple of bottles, carefully reading the labels before finding the one he was searching for. He held it in his hand as he placed the lid back onto the box and stuffed it back into the drawer. He walked back to Jacob and held out the bottle filled with an herb that looked like plant roots.

“Chew on these. They’ll help your stomach settle.”

Jacob took the bottle kindly and without question. “Thanks.”

Newt flashed him a small smile, before brushing past to climb up the ladder. Stepping from his case, Newt helped his friend by taking his hand and pulling him out. The two men quickly packed their things, ensuring everything was in order before ascending to the deck.

The sun hung high in the air. The call of seagulls accompanied the musicality of wind lapping at sails and waves crashing into the sides of the ship. The pesky birds circled the ship in hopes of finding food, or perhaps they just wanted someplace to rest their wings. Either way, their presence was welcomed, for it meant that land was near.

Newt and Jacob made their way to the ship’s railing. They looked ahead to see the evidence: the costal city of Naples flaunting its beautiful landscape. Jacob smiled, openly expressing his excitement. Wether he was excited to venture to a new land or because he was finally getting off the boat was unclear. Maybe it was a bit of both. Either way, when the ship finally docked, Jacob was the first to step off after giving goodbyes to Niris and Uluras.

The dock was lively with passersby. It was a trading dock meant for the import of magical goods. It was tucked away and hidden by enchantments to mask its presence on the shoreline of an abandoned beach. On the harbor, sellers peddled their goods, high in stock of all the magical goods not native to Italy.

Uluras and Niris stood at the opening to the gangway. Newt with his head bowed, reached in his coat pocket for the pouch Dumbledore had given him, handing it to the old man. Uluras saw the gold flashing in the pouch and placed his hand over it pushing it back into Newt’s chest.

“Keep your money, Mr. Scamander,” he said. “You’ll be needing it where you’re headed.”

Newt nodded. He thanked Uluras and Niris for their kindness and guidance. The young wizard descended down the gangway joining his friends side as he assessed his foreign surroundings.

Jacob placed a hand on Newt’s shoulder. “You know what you’re doing?”

Newt’s eyes flew up to Uluras who gave him a nod. “In a way.”

Jacob turned to look back up at the ship that was already sailing back out to sea. He waved goodbye to the two men onboard. Niris waved his cap down at them and wished them luck on their journey.

“Don’t forget to thank Zanj Lanmè!” Uluras yelled.

The two men waved to the angel carved onto the ship, yelling their thanks. To Newt's amusement and Jacob’s amazement, the wooden angel animated, giving them a soft smile as it waved back. His mouth fell agape as he watched the ship leave. Newt turned from the sea and pushed on, leaving behind a stunned Jacob.

“Did you see that?” He asked as he rushed to catch up.

The harbor reminded Newt a lot of Diagon Alley, though it was considerably smaller. Besides the docks and the street peddlers, there were also shops and inns, and a lone pub. Alas, it was not the pub he hoped. Its name did not start with a B, nor did it have a B in it at all.

Hanging above the entrance was a metal plaque that read L'amante in bronze lettering underneath an etching of a couple kissing passionately.

“Want to grab a drink?” Jacob asked upon noticing Newt's gaze set upon the building.

Newt had no interest in going inside. He wanted to find Reinette as soon as possible. Still, he could admit that he was venturing on this quest blind. Left on foreign terrain, he decided that it would be useful to ask around. The two men veered to the pub, pushing through the salt damaged doors.

Upon entering, they were met with lively music and thunderous cheer. Much like Newt’s case, the pub was bigger on the inside, with many open levels that gave the appearance of a tower. Despite its overawing stature, the room was filled with warmth. It was a pleasant contrast to the cold greyscale of London. The first level of the pub was colored in hues of red, orange, and yellow. Gold glimmered in unexpected and opulent places. The dark wooded floors vibrated in reaction to the crowd of people dancing close to the stage where a live band played jazz. Scattered around the room where tables and booths, many of which were filled. Along the right side of the establishment was a bar that stretched from either side of the room. Jacob noticed it instantly and headed straight in its direction.

He took a seat on a circular stool. He blew raspberries with his lips and drummed his hands on the, frankly, sticky wood surface as he waited for a bartender. He even peaked over the counter just in case this pub was manned by a house-elf like the speakeasy Tina and Queenie had once taken them to. Newt had taken a seat next to him, placing his case on the floor by his feet. Not long after a woman came up to them on the other side of the counter. She had thick curly brown hair braided down her back and dark olive skin. She wore an orange dress complimented by a gold apron. She grabbed a wet rag from a nook behind the counter and began swabbing the counter.

“Che cosa vuoi?” She asked, though she was not looking at them. The two men stared blankly, unable to understand. In their silence she gave in and looked straight at them, clearly irritated by their presence.

“What do you want?” She asked again, this time in English.

“Water, please,” Newt answered for the both of them, though Jacob seemed a bit displeased by it.

She moved instantly to grab two clear glasses, filling them up with ice as a pitcher of water floated in the air to fill them. She handed them their respective glasses. “So you’re Englishmen?”

“He’s English. I’m American,” said Jacob. “Though my mom’s mom was Italian.” He said as a matter-of-fact and smiled awkwardly in an attempt to make small conversation. The bartender, however, didn’t seem to care.

“Welcome to Napoli,” She said dryly. “What brings you here? It must be important for you to come with the travel ban and all.”

The two shifted uncomfortable in their seats, like two children who had just been caught in a lie.

“Do not worry,” the bartender assured them. “I will not tell. It is not my business to share.”

Jacob relaxed a little and took a sip of his cold water. Newt was still tensed. “Well,” he began, hesitant. “We are looking for someone. I was told she works in pub like this one. Perhaps you know her?”

The woman shrugged. “Maybe I do. Do you have a name?”

“Reinette.”

“Dispiace. I do not recognize the name.” She said simply, and turned away to help another customer. Newt stopped her before she got too far, still hoping she could help in some way.

“You don’t suppose you know anyone who might? She is a seer—”

“A seer you say?” She cut in. Newt nodded.

The bartender looked beyond the two men to a waitress waiting tables on the floor. “Azura!” She called to her. The waitress lifted her head towards the direction of the bar. The bartender waved her over. “Vieni qui per favore.”

The waitress finished serving a couple seated at a table before walking over towards the three of them and standing next to Newt, a bit closer than he’d like. “Che?”

“These men are looking for a seer. You once knew a seer, no? What was her name?”

The woman pursed her lips in thought. “Intendi, Reinette?”

“That’s her!” Jacob chimed in. “She said Reinette, right? You said Reinette?”

The waitress, Azura, frowned. “What do you want with Reinette?”

“We were hopping she could tell us that,” said Newt.

She sighed. “If it is a vision you want, she won’t give it to you. She hasn’t seen anyone in years.”

“Still,” Newt insisted. “We must find her. It’s important we see her. Please.”

“Look, whoever sent you led you in the wrong direction. Reinette left for Sicily years ago. That is all I know.”

“Sicily? As in the island? As in an island a hundred miles away from here in the middle of the Mediterranean ocean?” Jacob rubbed the sides of his temple. “That’s just great.” He held his glass up to the bartender. “I’m gonna need something a little stronger sweetheart.” The bartender rolled her eyes and reluctantly took his glass.

“Where in Sicily may we ask?” Newt pressed. The waitress thought to herself for a moment.

“Syracuse, I think. I can’t be sure.”

Newt nodded. “Thank you.”

“Prego.” As she left Jacob downed another drink. Newt stood from his seat and shifted around his coat pocket for change and placed it on the counter.

Jacob put down his glass. “What, we’re leaving now?”

“Yes,” said Newt as he lifted his case from the ground and maneuvered his way out of the tavern with Jacob stumbling close behind. “Right now!”

⁎ ⊹ ⁂ ˚ ✧ ⁂ ⊹ ＊

After the pub, Newt took Jacob from the port into the city. According to Newt, they would have to find another boat that sailed to Sicily. Uluras and the Zanj Lanmè were long gone and the port they entered in was a trading port; none of the ships would take them to Sicily even if there wasn’t a travel ban. They were on their own. Italy seemed much livelier than Paris or London ever had in Jacob’s opinion. At least in the city of Naples, the people weren’t afraid of a bit fun.

Jacob followed behind Newt in a distracted stupor, occasionally brushing shoulders with other pedestrian's and whirling his heading every witch-way to take in the sights. He tried his best to keep up with Newt’s long strides, but was halted by a young street vendor pushing delicious-smelling pastries in his face.

“Try, you must try! Best pastries in Napoli!” The young teen pedaled.

Jacob scrunched his nose. “What is it?”

The curly-haired boy gave Jacob an over-friendly smile and spoke excitedly. “Panzerotti. It’s meat, cheese, an—”

“Yeah, give me that.” Jacob pulled two coins and traded it with the boy. He took the pastry and continued down the street as the boy thanked him. The young boy looked down at the two American coins.

“EHI! Non puoi pagare con questo! Figlio di puttana, mi servono gli lire!”

Jacob ignored the boy's fast-spilling curses and took a pleasing bite out of his treat. He spotted Newt’s distinctive coat in a small crowd surrounding a man pedaling boat tickets.

“Oh, Jacob, there you are. What’s that?”

“Panzerotti,” Jacob said with a mouth full of food. He held the wrapped pastry up to Newt. “Wanna bite?”

Newt looked down at the cheesy meat-filled delight. “No, I don’t think so.” He turned his head towards the man selling tickets and Jacob shrugged his shoulders.

“Poi ho i biglietti per la Sicilia, tremila lire ciascuno! Tremila lire a testa per la Sicilia!”

“That’s Sicily. Yes! Yes, here!” Newt pushed through the crowd to the front with Jacob.

“How many?” Asked the ticket pedlar.

Newt held up two fingers. “Two.”

The man held out his hand. “Six thousand lire.”

Newt fished in his coat pocket and conveniently pulled out the aforementioned amount and currency. The man took it and counted for good measure before handing him two tickets.

“It leaves tonight at seven, the red steam ship.”

Newt nods, quickly thanks the man, and dives back into the crowd. Jacob takes the last bite of his panzerotti and crumbles the paper wrapping and tosses it to the side.

“So what, we just gonna stand around for seven hours?” Jacob asks Newt as he swallowed. Newt shrugged. He looked around in search of a place to set up and regroup. Jacob sighs, “Well we should get room or something. I’d like to sleep on a bed that doesn’t rock before I get on another ship.”

Newt and Jacob walked side by side on the street in search of an inn. As they walked, a swell of music increasingly crept closer. Not far ahead a crowd of people gathered in a large square dressed in various shades of blue, green, and white. It was a jovial communion to be sure, as there were celebrants dancing, drinking, eating and various other festival-like activities. Newt finds himself smiling at the children scampering by holding hand kites, his eyes catching sight of the rag doll tucked tightly under a little girl’s shoulder—a mermaid. Jacob was smiling too. As they looked around, they noticed lots of mermaid iconography decorated the square.

They walked slowly, hoping to immerse themselves in the festivities they unknowingly integrated themselves in. There was a small crowd of people gathered off to the side, mostly children, but also adults who stood towards the back and sides. The two foreign beholders kept to the background onlooking a puppet theatre. The children sat entranced on the ground as they watched the puppets. It seemed to a be fairy tale, some version of the little mermaid. The colorful puppets depicted a prince of sorts on a beach meeting with a mermaid. The children seemed to enjoy it, especially the young girls.

Jacob turned his head and saw another crowd gathering on the other side of the square. There was a large circular fountain that enclosed a statue of a mermaid perched on a rock facing the sea. People gathered around and threw various things inside it, mainly coins, but also beads, flowers, and jewelry. Essentially any small pretty thing. Newt followed Jacob's eye-line to the overcrowded fountain.

Jacob gently stopped a man as he walked by. “Excuse me? You speak English?” Thankfully the man nodded. “What are they doing over there?

“They are giving offerings for la principessa sirena,” he explained quite enthusiastically.

“The mermaid princess.” Newt translates for Jacob.

Jacob side-eyed Newt. “Yeah, I got that,” he said flatly.

The man smiled. “Sì, signore. Over a hundred years ago, the king of Naples, Joachim Murat was drunkenly wandering the cliffs when he stumbled and fell into the sea. He nearly drowned but was saved by a mermaid. The king fell in love and continued to visit la sirena for years after. Soon, they produced a child: la principessa sirena.”

Jacob pursed his lips and blew a low whistle. “Lucky guy.”

The guide laughs and shakes his head. “I would not say he is so lucky,” he says. “Eventually, his queen, Napoleon Bonaparte’s little sister, discovered his adultery, and in a jealous rage, she sent for her brother to avenge her, ordering the king’s lover and child to be killed. By the time the king got wind of the assassination, it was too late. His sirena had been murdered on the very shore he had fallen for her.”

“What happened to the kid?” asked Jacob.

“It is said she was lost to the sea,” he shrugs. “However, many years later, long after the king had died, a fisherman was caught in a storm, and he was swallowed by the waves. The storm was so powerful he should have drowned. When he woke up, he was on the shore unharmed. He returned to his village and told the townspeople he was saved by a beautiful mermaid. He believed her to be the lost princess, king Joachim’s love child. He built the sculpture in honor of her, and every year on the day he was saved, the people of Naples, Ischia, Procida, and Capri will come here with offerings for love and prosperity.”

Jacob scoffed and nudged Newt with his elbow. “Maybe we should make an offering, huh Newt?” He jokes.

Newt flushed slightly, the fleeting image of Tina swept across his mind and tugged at his heartstrings. Jacob thanked the man and he walked away. The two men walked towards the fountain.

“What did you think of that?” Asked Jacob.

“Of what?”

“Do you think it’s true?” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “What the guide said about the mermaids and what not.”

Newt hummed disapprovingly. “Probably not.”

Jacob furrowed his brows, skeptical. “How come?”

“Well there are no merpeople in the Gulf of Naples, let alone the Tyrrhenian Sea.”

“So there are mermaids,” Jacob smiled excitedly.

“Yes, there are many different species of merpeople throughout the world. There are even merpeople that exist in the Great Lakes.”

Jacob’s mouth fell open. “You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m not.” Newt said matter-of-fact.

“Well why aren't there any here in Naples? Isn’t Greece and Italy, like, the home of mermaids?” Jacob asked as he eyed the supposed mermaid princess.

“Yes. In fact Naples was once called Partenope after a siren of Greek mythology. But sirens haven't existed in the Mediterranean for hundreds of years.” New explained.

“What happened to them?”

“No one knows for sure how or why, but it is speculated that they were hunted to extinction.”

“Oh.” Jacob’s shoulders fell slightly. They stood in silence for a moment until Jacob dived in his pocket for two simple coins. He spit on them, much to Newt’s surprise and minor disgust, and shined them with the corner of his vest. He handed one to Newt who hesitantly took it between his two fingers.

Jacob closed his eyes for a moment, a wrinkle forming between his brows as the silence between them lingered, then kissed the coin before tossing it into the fountain bowl.

“I was never a superstitious person. I ain’t never believed in…a higher power or anything before.” Jacob spoke carefully, and Newt could tell that this was something he needed to stay silent for and listen. “My Gran was. Church every Sunday and Wednesday, pray before every meal, before walking out the door, in the morning and before bed at night. She’d cross her chest if she saw a black cat cross the street, toss salt over her shoulders, hated anything having to do with the number thirteen and picked up every lucky penny she could find. I thought she was nuts, but y’know, that’s my Gran.”

“Then me and my brother got shipped off to France, and my Grandma snuck rosaries, prayer coins, and a rabbit’s foot— if you can believe it—into our bags. Told us to carry them on us always. Anyway, you think about stuff like that during the war. One day my brother and I was stuck in a church in France with our group waiting for reinforcements. We was laying low. We knew they was out there. They knew we was in there. It feels like you’re waiting forever when you’re like that. I was standing by a window that had been poorly boarded up when the light leaking from it cast on the floor. A dirty old franc was sitting heads up on the floor and it got me thinking of my Gran. ‘She’d pick that up’ I thought, and it made me smile for the first time in months. So, I bent down and picked it up.” Jacob sighed, and swallowed the lump forming in his throat. “Just as my fingers pick up the coin, a bullet flies right over my head and hits my brother in the chest.”

“Jacob… I’m so sorry.” Newt attempts to comfort his lamenting friend.

“Yeah, I know,” Jacob puts a thankful hand on Newt’s shoulder. He cleared is throat to keep his voice from cracking.“I lost my brother…But picking up that franc got me home. Got me one last year with my Gran before she passed. Made me chase my dream of opening a bakery. Then I met you, my best friend. I learned about a whole new magical world I couldn’t even dream of. And I met the most beautiful, crazy, talented witch who also happens to be the love of my life. Now she’s gone. I don’t know what we’re doing here. I don’t know what’s going on. All I know is I need all the luck I can get to get my girl back. So, sometimes I throw a coin in a fountain and hope that something—God, Fate,” he chuckled and lazily gestured to the statue. “Or a mermaid princess—anything—will listen.”

Newt squeezes Jacob’s shoulder. “She will, Jacob.”

Jacob forced a smile. He gestured to the coin still in Newt’s hand. “You should too. For Tina.”

Tina. Newt’s nervous system went haywire at the very mention of her name. There was a moment when he and Tina finally connected on a deep level, when there hearts perhaps started to beat at the same rhythm after being off key for so long. But it seems every time they take a step forward something happens to push them back, whether it’s a misunderstanding, her work as an auror, the estrangement of a sister, or the loss of an old friend…an old love.

All newt wanted was to feel right. Nothing felt right, not in his personal life or in the world. Everything has gone sideways from the moment Dumbledore sent him to New York. If he spent a moment with an unoccupied mind he’d become overwhelmed with all he endured. In truth, that’s partially why he took Dumbledore up on this secret, ambiguous mission. The months he and Jacob had been mulling about were dreary to say the least. His beasts and Bunty kept him somewhat busy but not busy enough. At least the mission would help combat the off-ness he was battling ever since Paris.

Something right, he thought, and tossed the coin into the fountain. Jacob gave Newt a few hefty pats on the back and the two stepped back into the cobblestone street in search of a place to rest.

⁎ ⊹ ⁂ ˚ ✧ ⁂ ⊹ ＊

“Jacob wake up.”

Jacob jolts awake as Newt gently shakes his shoulder. It was sunset, and the sky had turned into shades of orange and purple.

“The ship leaves in an hour. We should head there now.” Newt says as he buttons his vest.

Jacob gives a lethargic nod and groan as he sits up in the bed. They’d found a muggle pub that had beds available upstairs. Newt had made a comment about it being similar to a wizard pub called The Leaky Cauldron in London. The moment Jacob laid on the bed sleep took over and his snores filled the room. Newt wasn’t tired, surprisingly, and stayed awake. He minded his case, giving Jacob and himself deserved silence. Newt had managed to do a considerable amount of work in the gap of time. He was worried about the niffler pups. Wily creatures as they were, prone to sickness were they also. The mother had passed after birth, leaving Teddy too depressed to nurture the litter on his own, the poor sod. Newt and Bunty did their best to nurse them with mooncalf milk, but it isn’t filled with the same antibodies the pups would need to build their immune systems fast. One of the pups had caught a nasty infection that Newt had been treating. Anyone else wouldn’t notice by how adamant she was at chasing around after her littermates. Newt made use of his time to treat and care for her and any other creatures he brought with him. Yet, by the time he’d finished, he wished he had at least tried to rest like Jacob suggested.

“Did you get any sleep?” Jacob asked groggily, noticing the dark circles around Newt’s eyes.

“I’ll sleep on the ship tonight.” Newt assured, though he convinced no one. Sleep hadn’t been his nightly companion for a while, and it was starting to show. Jacob only hummed in response as he put his jacket over his shoulders. The two walk to the port where the red steamship was boarding passengers to Sicily. Getting there and getting on took about an hour, but once on the ship, they found their cabin and waited for the ship to push off.

Jacob sat on the bed across from Newt. “So this Dumbledore guy is sending you to Sicily to get palm reading or something?” Jacob asked after a small moment of silence.

“A seer can do a lot more than palm reading, Jacob.” Newt chided. “A seer can prophecy the future. Predict fates. Deliver omens.”

“Like we need any more omens,” Jacob muttered bitterly.

Newt sighed through his nose. “I don’t know why we’re going to Sicily, Jacob,” he admitted. “I don’t know the seer we’re supposed to find, and I don’t know what she will tell us once we get there…if she’s there… Truth is, I don’t know much of anything anymore, Jacob. I haven’t since—”

“I know,” Jacob said softly.

“But I couldn’t just sit around feeling sorry for myself anymore. Not while Theseus and Tina are off Merlin knows where…not after Leta...” Newt picked at the skin of his fingernails. It’d become a habit of his, and now his fingers were rough and jagged from frayed hang nails, picked raw and often bleeding. Jacob’s sorrowful expression only made Newt feel more microscopic. How frustrating. “Whatever this is about, I’m sure we’ll know soon. Dumbledore loves being cryptic, but it’s not without reason.” He ended simply.

Jacob nodded, eyeing his friend closely. He opened his mouth to say something, but a second thought closed his mouth for him. “No matter what, I trust you Newt,” he said instead. “This Grindelwald…He’s got to be stopped. I’m with you.”

Newt looked up from his hands to see Jacob holding a comforting smile across his face; one he couldn’t help but return. Just then, they heard the ship’s horn blare. The ship jolted forward, and Jacob rocked back into his bed. He screwed his eyes shut and held on to the metal bars of the bed frame. “Oh, God. Newt, you got anymore of that seasickness potion…stuff?”

Newt let out a humorous chuff and nodded. He placed his suitcase on the floor between them, opened it, and stepped inside to retrieve the potion for Jacob.

⁎ ⊹ ⁂ ˚ ✧ ⁂ ⊹ ＊

Newt sat on the grass of the kelpie enclosure watching as the magnificent creature swam about freely. A few of the niffler pups were sleeping soundly in his lap. He stroked their fur absentmindedly while deep in thought. He thought mostly about he’d get to Syracuse. The ship most likely wouldn’t take them directly there, and would instead stop on the opposite side of the island. The travel ban made things rather difficult in times like this. It was mildly hilarious the Ministry lifted his personal travel ban after his assist in Paris only for the International Confederation to implement one on the entire wizarding world. Of course he understood why. It would ultimately help single out Grindelwald and his acolytes, as they were sure to not stay put in one area for long. Any unauthorized travel would immediately be flagged by aurors to investigate. But Dumbledore, often not in alignment with the wishes of those in power, had his own agendas and operations to conduct that would not be executed by the Ministry even if he asked. So, naturally everything Newt is doing is unsanctioned and therefore illegal. Drawing any attention to himself will endanger the mission. There is no doubt the Ministry already know he’s no longer in England. Theseus definitely knows by now, he thought.

Theseus checked in on Newt every week since Paris. Often after he’d drunk himself to lunacy. He’d come by, overly-affectionate and smelling of fire whiskey. Newt would make him something to eat while Theseus talked about things he didn’t care about until he finally divulges the latest inner workings of the Ministry and the investigation with Grindelwald. Then he’d get sad about Leta and cry, eventually passing out on his couch. He was happy to be there for his brother the first few times he stumbled up his stoop, but after a while it just got embarrassingly sad, and it didn’t help with his own melancholy. Theseus probably tried to visit not long after he and Jacob already left. Bunty most likely answered the door and gave him the latest update without divulging his whereabouts. Theseus would be upset to be sure, but his loyalty and trust in Dumbledore will keep him and the Ministry out of it until need be. Best not give them a reason to, though.

They could easily track him down if he used certain magic transportation such as apparition; he was, unfortunately, a wizard of interest, thusly under persistent watch. Though, he couldn’t apparate to Syracuse even if he wanted to, as he’d never been before. Besides, even if he had, he’d never apparated such a significant distance; and with Jacob in tow, so much could go wrong. He’d hate to be the reason Jacob got splinched, or worse. The best way would be through the floo network. It’s hard to track individuals through it. Finding it would be the hardest part. He wasn’t familiar with the network outside of Britain, but if he could find a wizard town, he could find the floo network. A small smile curled the corners of his mouth. Jacob hadn’t used the floo network before. It’d be fun to watch him try it for the first time.

Rising to his feet, he carefully collected the sleeping niffler pups in his hand and walked them to their den. Teddy was there, lazying about in his hole as he so often did since his mate passed. He placed the pups in their respective holes and gave Teddy a soft pet on his back. He new all too well how he felt.

He walked back to the shed to sit on his cot. His eyes were heavy from their lack of rest, prominent bags hung underneath his brilliant hazel orbs. He laid on his back, fluffing and tucking the pillow under his head. He stared at the ceiling for a while, still unable to settle his brain. If his mind settled for even a moment, granting him momentary peace, some thought or image would shock his nervous system awake. He tossed and turned, eventually landing on his side facing his work bench. His eyes drifted up to the pictures framed on its surface. One picture was of Tina, a picture she had sent him a few months ago. She looked brilliant. She had her hair parted to the side and curled. She smiled sweetly, her image swayed awkwardly from side to side, laughing at her own shyness. It’d been a while since he’d gotten a letter from her. Partially his fault, he knew. He wasn’t the most engaging penpal, not lately.

But beyond his own faults, he knew her focus was on the rescue of her sister. He wanted to write. Merlin, did he want to tell her so much. But every time he tried to put quill to paper he was left with ink blots. His eyes drifted to the picture hanging above Tina’s on the wall. Leta. Newt’s heart ached at her image. Every time he looked at it he was transported back to the night she died. The tears in her eyes, the scared look on her delicate face, the last words she spoke…

A sudden jolt shook Newt from his thoughts. Dust fell from the ceiling and the light fixture above him swayed. Newt furrowed his brows. A loud, heavy, crashing sound came from outside the case, and Newt sat up in his cot. An earthquake like rumble shook the case, sending the beasts inside in a frenzy. Newt’s head whipped around to the workbench as vials, books, and tools started crashing to the ground. He jumped from his cot to catch Tina’s picture before it fell to the ground, only to hear the sound of shattering glass as Leta’s picture fell from the wall and onto the floor. Newt didn’t have time to bend down to retrieve the photo before the hatch of his case swung open.

“NEWT!” Jacob sounded frantic and terrified. “NEWT WE GOT A PROBLEM, GET UP HERE!”

Newt quickly dressed himself and tucked Tina’s picture frame into his coat pocket. He climbed up the latter with haste and took Jacobs outstretched hand once he reached the top. Jacob pulled him out of the case and held him by his sleeves. The ship was rocking dangerously. Outside their cabin an attendant was yelling for passengers to stay calm. A clap of thunder sounded after a near blinding flash of lightning filled the cabin. Rain poured and smacked heavily against the ships metal, creating a consistent drumming. The ship was smack in the middle of a raging storm, and while the muggle crew tried to keep things calm and orderly, assuring the passengers that everything would be fine, Jacob and Newt knew better; because they both could tell it was no ordinary storm. Newt looked out the porthole to see rough sees and black skies. Another flash of lightning and Newt could see the swirling pattern of a magic-made storm in the rolling clouds.

“I was resting and the storm came out of nowhere,” said Jacob. “One minute calm seas, the next I’m hearin’ buckets of rain and thunder—the ship rocked so hard I fell out of the bed!”

Newt quickly packed up his case and opened the cabin door, jumping back when an attendant rushed by him in a panic. The young man looked over his shoulder to Newt. “Please, remain in your cabin! Everything is fine!” He ordered, though he was less than convincing. He didn't even check to make sure Newt went back inside before running off and disappearing around the corner. Wand in hand, Newt started in the opposite direction towards the front of the ship. Jacob followed close behind, nearly tripping up the steps attempting to follow Newt’s gazelle-like strides.

The two men could barely keep their eyes open once on deck. The wind howled like a banshee in their ears. Their clothes were drenched within seconds, and the barren deck floors were practically flooded with water. “WHAT IS THIS NEWT?” Jacob yelled over the sound of puffing wind and rain.

Newt looked around, searching as best he could through squinted eyes for the source of the storm. “IT’S GRINDELWALD!” Newt shouted. “SOMETHING MUST’VE HAPPENED. HE KNOWS WE’RE HERE, HE’S SENT THEM TO STOP US!”

“WHO?”

One by one, members of The Alliance apparated onto the deck, surrounding them.

“Them…” said Newt darkly.

“A bit far from home, no, Mr. Scamander?” One of the acolytes taunted. Newt recognized him from Paris.

“Give us the case and we’ll be on our way!” A dark witch laughed.

Newt clutched his case tightly and hid it behind his legs, protectively raising his wand. His case? Why on Earth would they want his case?

“The relic is all we want. Give it to us and we’ll leave you and your muggle pet alone.” Jacob glared at the wizard who bestowed the offensive moniker. Newt furrowed his brows, but kept his mouth shut.

“HEY!”

Several heads turn to look at one of the crewmen perched behind the bannister of the second level. He peered down at them and flailed his arms about. “CHE DIAVOLO STAI FACENDO? GET BACK INSIDE!”

“AVADA KEDAVRA!”

A green beam shot from one of the acolyte’s wand and struck the crewman in the chest. His body fell limp instantly, completely robbed of life. His limp form fell over the railing and onto the lower deck floor with a horrendous thud. His limbs sprawled out like a rag doll. Jacob yelled in horror as he stared at the corpse only feet away from him. Newt retaliated, casting a disarming spell and sending the dark wizard’s wand flying. Probably not the best idea.

A flurry of light from casted spells bombarded Newt, who protected himself and Jacob with a shield. As Newt was blocking dark spells, a wizard apparated between him and Jacob, taking a bold dive for his case. Newt evaded them and took a page out of Jacob’s defensive tactics; he swung the heavy leather case high enough to strike it across their face. The pilferer fell to the floor hard with a splash. Newt took Jacob’s hand and pulled him along as he ran back towards the cabins. Jacob ducked down as Newt expertly blocked every spell that came their way. Seven against one, and Newt was holding his own well enough to keep them both alive. A witch with stringy brown hair cackled and pointed her wand high in the air. The sky above them roared with thunder and a bolt of lightning shot down to her wand. She redirected the lighting and struck the ground with it in Newt’s path. The lighting missed him by an inch, singeing the ends of his curls. The impact sent him flying to the ground and had him lose his grip on both Jacob and the case, dispersing them both away from him.

Jacob slid back into a bench. The case slid a few feet away, halfway between himself and the brown-haired witch. Seeing an opportunity, the witch cast a summoning spell, pulling the case towards her. Newt acted quickly, his instincts acting faster than his brain could catch up. With a flick of his wand, he cast a spell that seized control of the toiling ship.

“JACOB HOLD ON!” He warned his defenseless friend. Jacob heeded his words and found the leg of the bench bolted to the floor. He closed his eyes and hooked his arm around it tightly, muttering a silent prayer.

The ship was already treading rocky seas due to the storm, but with Newt’s spell the waves reached new heights. A large wave formed at his command and pushed the ship side-ways, causing it to tilt steeply. One by one the black-clad wizards lost their balance, falling hard and sliding across the slick floor beneath them. The witch lost her footing and focus, crashing to the ground and hitting her jaw firm on the ground as she slipped forward, unable to brace herself properly. As Newts body slid backwards, the case started sliding at speed down to the ships railing. He angled his body in a way to slide towards his case.

He outstretched his hand and braced himself. “ACCIO!” He summoned the case swiftly into his hand.

Using his wand, he held it like a stake and used a spell to fix it to the floor. It fused to the wood floor, and his tight grip around it kept him from sliding further as the ship continued to tilt. A few of the wizards slid by him, struggling to keep themselves from slipping. One had used a spell to fuse their feet to the ground and tried holding their comrades hand to keep them from falling. But their hands were too slick from the rain and they let go of each other’s grip sending the unfortunate one sliding down to the ship’s railing. He scrambled for something to get a hold of, but ultimately failed, and Newt watched as he flew by him and off the side of the ship into the raging water.

Newt looked around until his eyes fell on Jacob, who had managed to stay on board. As the ship started to tilt back into it’s centered position, Newt began crawling towards him. Some stray spells were cast at him as he army crawled, but each one missed, scorching the floor around him. When he reached Jacob he grabbed the fabric of his coat in instantly apparated them back into the halls of the ship. Their bodies fell onto the floor of the hall in a wet heap.

Inside was pandemonium. Below deck, the passengers and crewmen of the ship were running around like chickens without heads. People rushed and pushed by Newt and Jacob, completely unaware of their sudden appearance in the hall. They yelled and screamed, rushing in and out of cabins with cases and life vests. The crewmen were attempting to urge them back inside, but the passengers were adamant on securing life vests and escaping up to life boats in a panic. Newt helped Jacob up to his feet and held his arm while dragging him through the bustling halls.

A familiar swishing sound came from behind them and they whirled their heads to see one of the acolytes apparate into the hall. Jacob spilled a curse from his mouth as the acolyte spotted them through the chaos. “Go, go go go!” He rushed, pushing Newt forward and following quickly behind.

They rounded the corner, pushing past scrambling persons and searching for a way out or a place to hide. The ship rocked dangerously and the lights flickered in regular intervals. Behind them the acolyte stalked them, evading and pushing anyone who got in his way. Eventually another joined him, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. “Where’re we going Newt?” Jacob asked, his voice wavering in fear.

Newt didn’t answer, his focus solely on his surroundings as he searched for some quick exit. Ahead at the end of the hall he caught sight if a door to their right, a staff door to be sure, that led to the boilers. Picking up the pace Newt headed for the boiler. Behind them, the frustrated acolytes got bombarded by a frantic passenger. He came up to one of them and tried to pull them back towards the front of the ship, yelling in Italian. The poor man was cast with the killing curse, his body falling limp on top of the acolyte. Jacob watched in horror as he kept behind Newt. The acolyte threw the mans heavy body to the ground and started in a jog after them. “Newt!” Jacob warned, and Newt looked back to see their trackers rushing for them.

The two men started in a sprint down the hall. An offensive spell hit above their head, setting off sprinkles inside the hall. Newt pointed his wand in no particular direction over his shoulder, pushing one of the acolytes back several feet. He pressed down on Jacob’s shoulder, helping him duck under another spell that set the light fixture aflame. Catching an idea, Newt cast a spell to break the lights in the hall. One by one the lights sparked and burst, darkening the hall until it was completely black. They used the cover of the dark to rush behind the staff door and Newt cast a spell to keep it locked. The steel door protected them from the offensive cast propelled at it and after a few rattling bangs, the spells stopped. Jacob breathed out a sigh of relief and clutched his beating chest.

“Newt,” Jacob called between heavy breaths.

“Yes?” Newt answered through his own labored inhales.

“Don’t ever invite me on vacation again.”

Newt let out an airy chuckle and nodded. He rest his head against the cool steel door and stood in stillness to catch his breath. Jacob took in their dark surroundings, loosening his wet collar that stuck to his damp skin. It was warmer in this hall of the ship than the rest.

“So what now?” Jacob asked helplessly.

Newt swallowed and opened his eyes. There was a ladder that defended down deeper into the ship. He jutted his head in it’s direction for Jacob to see. “Down.”

He and Jacob walked to the ladder and descended several feet. Their feet planted on a metal walkway. Newt leads, following the signs that lead to the boiler room. Newt knew they couldn’t hide in the ship forever, not with six acolytes after them. He just needed time to think of a way out of this. He could keep fighting? No. He’d be putting the people on the ship in even more danger. The muggles shouldn’t have to suffer any more because of him. The heat of the boiler room increased the deeper they went. When they reached the furnaces, the water on their skin had evaporated and been replaced with sweat. Newt clenched his jaw. Somehow Grindelwald and his acolytes knew where he was and where he was going. He needed to figure out how to get him and Jacob safely off the ship in a way they cant track him.

Apparition was out of the question. He was too far from anything familiar, and he barely knew the surroundings and locations of Naples to apparate back without risking splinching. Newt squeezed the handle of his suitcase. He could only think of one way out, and it was mad. Jacob wasn’t going to like it. Not one bit.

They needed to get to the deck again. If they could hide among the chaos, the acolytes wouldn’t be able to find them and they could escape unnoticed. By the time they’d realize they had escaped, it would be too late. The back of the ship would be best. There’d be fewer muggles as most of them would be arguing amongst themselves on the main deck where the greater portion of the life boats resided. Newt followed the signs that read ‘aft’.

There were just over half a hundred men yelling and rushing in the boiler room they hardly noticed Newt and Jacob as the pushed through. One worker grabbed Newt by the arm and started yelling at him in Italian whilst point back towards the front of the ship, no doubt urging them to get out of their way and back to the passengers’ cabins. Newt apologized, ignoring his instructions and freeing himself from his grip to continue towards the back of the ship. He could see the exit up when a dark, cloaked figure emerged from behind one of the furnaces. Newt stopped in his tracks and held out and arm to block Jacob. Flanking them on either side were two others similarly uniformed assailants. More of the boiler room workers noticed and surrounded them at this point. They were all yelling at them to leave, frustrated and cursing in both English and Italian, only to be ignored.

Newt’s eyes trailed down at the wand in the acolytes hand ahead of him. He stood still, waiting to see who would make the first move, keeping the others in his periphery, ready to catch and retaliate against any sudden movement. It was the witch to his left that moved first. She cast a spell at him, but he dove for the ground just in time, pulling Jacob down with him. The cast flew over their heads and hit the wizard on their right, sending him flying into a wall of scorching pipes. He let out a blood curling scream. The workers, terrified, fled the area, climbing up stairs and ladders to the upper decks.

“Expelliarmus!” Newt sent the witch’s wand flying into one of the open furnaces. A raging fire exploded in the furnace, and Newt used his arms to protect his face from the heat of the flames. The flames flashed various colors as the magical item sparked and burned to ash.

“NO!” Screamed the powerless witch. She furiously started for Newt, sprinting with her arms out stretched to grab him. He leapt to his feet and pointed his wand to a nearby mound of coal. He quickly cast a charm to send them flying in her direction. She attempted to evade them, but stopped in her tracks as hundreds of coal rocks pelted her at high speed. She shrieked and covered her face as she stumbled backward, eventually turning on her heels to run off and hide away.

“NEWT!” Jacob yelled.

Suddenly, a feeling like a graphorn charging and bunting him in the stomach sent him flying back. He slid back a ways on the floor, and his mouth opened to expel a silent scream. The air had been completely knocked from his lungs, and he rolled over on his side in pain. He had a firm enough grip on his case to keep it by his side. Jacob ran towards Newt, but he only made it a few paces before he felt something pulling him back. The acolyte used a spell to summon Jacob to him.

Jacob shouted to Newt for help, doing his best to fight against this spell, but it was like being pulled back by an automobile heading in the opposite direction. His feet slipped from under him and his body dragged along the floor towards the pale-skinned dark wizard.

Newt gulped for breath and used all his strength to grab his case and get back on his feet. Once he managed to stand somewhat upright, he faced the acolyte, who now had Jacob in his grip, wand to throat.

“Give me the case,” he instructed. “Or your filthy muggle pet dies.”

“Newt,” Jacob’s wavering voice called out. “I know you love your creatures and all, but maybe this one time you could do what the crazy guy says, please?”

“Shut up!” The acolyte seethed. He eye’d Newt dangerously. “The case, now!”

Newt lifted his hands up in surrender. He slowly rose to his feet, slightly hunched over due to the pain in his back and side. He eyed Jacob, who struggled against the acolyte’s hold. Jacob met Newt’s eyes, and he could read by the look of them he had a plan, which did not ease his nerves. Newt gave Jacob a barely noticeable nod, and darted his eyes to the left. Jacob sighed and closed his eyes, thinking a silent prayer.

Using his foot, Newt pushes his case across the room towards the acolyte. Jacob, with all his strength, broke free from his grasp and dove to the right behind a furnace. The acolyte, satisfied, bent down to open the case. Once the lid reared back, he looked into the cavernous hole in bewildered shock. Not a moment later, a flurry of yellow, orange, and red burst from inside the case. An avian creature, similar to that of a phoenix let out unique screech as it circled the area. It was a large creature with a beautiful flaming wingspan and glowing plumage similar to that of a peacock. A firebird. The acolyte stepped back, and Newt pursed his lips to blow a melodic whistle. The firebird responded, mimicking the whistle with his song and dove fore the the acolyte. He retaliated, sending an series of attacks at the creature. The firebird, however, was swift and agile, dodging each spell. Newt then used his wand to cast a restraining spell on the acolyte, stiffening his arms at his sides. The firebird began swirling around the struggling dark wizard, and a funnel of flames emitted from its wings encasing him. He screamed in horror, unable to escape his fiery death as the firebird quickly incinerated him in it’s golden flames.

Jacob watched, awestruck, feeling the intense heat of the tornado-like flames. A bright flare of light had both him and Newt shielding their eyes, and then—nothing. The acolyte’s screams stopped and the heat died down. They uncovered their eyes to see the firebird descend upon a pile of ash that was once a person. The creature innocently cawed in Newt’s direction as it nestled in the ashes.

Newt rushed to his case and the bird. “Good boy,” he cooed as he stroked under the firebird’s beak with his finger. “Back in you go.”

The firebird obediently flapped its wings and flew into the air, circling a few times before barrel diving into the case. Newt closed the case and locked it, taking it by the handle and rushing to Jacob.

“Jacob, I’m so sorry. Are you alright?” He asked as he helped him to his feet.

Jacob, dazed, looked past Newt and down to the pile of ash on the floor. “You’re a little scary, you know that?”

Newt chuckled humorlessly. “Come on, let’s go.”

The two men headed towards the boiler room exit. The inside of the ship was practically barren. A few muggles littered the halls or kept themselves locked in their cabins, but the majority had escaped to the deck. They managed to get to the back of the ship undetected, once again opening a steel door to step into the storm. They trudged to ships the railing and gripped it tight to keep steady. Newt looked over the railing down to the black abyss below. He could hear the angry seawaters lapping at the sides of the ship and for a second he hesitated executing his mad plan. Jacob, concerned by the expression on Newt’s face, and the fact that he was looking so intently at the water below, spoke up.

“Newt? What are you planning?” He asked, afraid to hear the answer that might confirm his fears.

Newt looked at Jacob, a sorry look in his eyes. “Do you trust me Jacob?”

Jacob furrowed his brows. “Well now I’m not so sure!”

Ignoring Jacob’s doubt, Newt stepped several paces back, set his case down, and opened it. From it he summoned the kelpie. The great creature leapt from the bag and onto the deck, taking its favorite form of a horse.

Jacob shook his head disapprovingly. “Oh, no. Newt, no!”

“Jacob this is the only way we get out of this safely,” Newt implored. “The kelpie is extremely adaptable it can get us away safely.”

The kelpie chuffed and stomped a hoof on the floor. Reluctantly and with mutters of protest, Jacob cautiously made his way to the kelpie, and with Newt’s help managed to climb on it’s back. Newt went back to close the case and returned to hand it to Jacob. As Jacob took the case, his eyes drifted behind Newt and grew wide.

“NEWT LOOK OUT!”

Newt managed to step out of the way as a stray spell hit the kelpie on its backside. It reared on its hind legs and squealed, starting off at full speed to the railing of the ship.

“JACOB HOLD ON!” Newt called out. Jacob wrapped his arms around the kelpies vines. He screamed Newt’s name as the beast jumped over the railing like a hurdle and down towards the sea.

Turning around, Newt met the enclosing wall of the remaining acolytes. They wasted no time attacking him with spells. Newt, ever the defensive, blocked and dodged most of them, occasionally redirecting spells back at them. He successfully pushed one overboard after redirecting their spell, and another he managed to use a freezing charm to encase another acolyte’s legs inside solid blocks of ice stuck to the floorboards. Desperate, a witch called down a strike of lighting and dragged it across the deck, letting it scorch through the entirety of the ship, and setting it aflame. The act caused the ship to rumble and make a terrifying sound.

The act left them all unstable and they each fell to the ground. The floor beneath them cracked and split, opening like an egg. Newt pushed himself up by the elbows and watched as the ship tore apart. “No…”

Screams could be heard from the other side of the ship. The muggles cried in horror as the ship lit up in flames and broke beneath them. Several life boats had since been deployed, but there was still a significant left onboard struggling to get off. The acolytes disapparated one by one, seemingly finished with him. Newt was so distraught by the damage and sounds of people fearing for their lives, he didn’t notice the floor slowly giving away under him. He jumped back into his skin when the jolt of the floor breaking down beneath him made him slide towards the splitting cavern. Flipping onto his stomach, Newt army crawled in the opposite direction. He managed to make it to the side of the ship’s railing when a cable snapped from its rig and writhed about, ultimately hitting Newt in his back. The force of the heavy cable sent Newt hurdling into the sea.

His body went into shock from the searing pain. He didn’t have the mind or time to brace his body for impact with the thrashing sea below. It was another breathtaking blow when his body it the water. The impact had him take a sharp inhale, filling his lungs with water. Newt choked and struggled for breath while his body descended deep into the sea. He desperately searched for his wand, which had slipped form his grip during the fall. A flash of lighting from above revealed the wand floating down several meters away. With desperate strength, Newt swam as fast as he could to his wand, but the burning of his lungs made it increasingly difficult. He made it only a few feet before he started to lose conscious ness. His body went limp. His limbs sprawled about and his eyes struggled to stay open. The salty water stung his eyes and the lack of oxygen turned them bloodshot red.

He felt something slip from his chest, and from it floated his picture of Tina. He watched as the picture of Tina’s smiling face descended beneath him. Trying his best, he reached for the picture, hoping to grab it, but his attempt failed. So he watched helplessly as Tina’s photo drifted to the bottom of the sea, disappearing into the abyss. Newt closed his eyes and he realized he was dying. Not the way he’d imagined it would happen. He never presumed to live a long life, not with his life’s purpose being a magizoologist studying many dangerous magical beasts. He thought, perhaps, he would die at the hands of a nundu or a chimera. But drowning in a sea? How uninteresting.

He was prepared, too tired to fight off death, and welcomed it to take him, when suddenly he felt something swimming around him. It was a large something. Perhaps it was Jacob with his kelpie. But if that were the case it would not be circling him as much as it was. No. The pattern felt like something was…surveying him. Opening his eyes, Newt was met with nothingness, only the vast and empty sea below. He could feel it though. Something was watching him. He knew the feeling all to well; the feeling of being hunted.

He struggled to keep his consciousness, wanting for a glimpse. Perhaps it was nothing but a simple shark, gaging his weakness and preparing to strike. What did it matter? He thought. He prepared for the strike, or for his consciousness to finally give way, but it never came. Newt gave away his last moments of sentience to peace, and let the water comfort him.

Suddenly, there was no pain; and just when he had welcomed the will to let go, he felt a pair of arms hook underneath his shoulders. He could feel himself being pulled up from the water. A chest, a human chest pressed against his back and powerful strokes propelled their bodies through the sea. Scales. White, iridescent scales on the end of a large fishtail swishing fervently between his legs was the last thing he saw before his vision faded to black.

──── ⋅ ⍤ ⋅⊰⋅∘ 〄 ∘⋅⊱⋅ ⍤ ⋅ ────

❦ 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺

──── ⋅ ⍤ ⋅⊰⋅∘ 〄 ∘⋅⊱⋅ ⍤ ⋅ ────

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