Castle Wildlife Reserve, London, 2005
Carly leaned against the wooden post outside the raptor habitat, a small grin tugging at her lips. Her eyes were fixed on the cinnamon-haired man inside the enclosure. He was gently tending to the injured wing of a peregrine falcon, his voice low and soothing as he murmured reassurances to the bird.
Newt had only been with the center for a year, but Carly had never met anyone quite like him. His passion for the animals they cared for was unmatched, and his knowledge seemed endless. He spoke with ease about his expeditions—treks to Africa, the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, and countless other wildlife reserves. There, he studied animals in their natural habitats, fought against deforestation, and treated injured creatures when necessary. He was even working on a book to share his experiences with the world.
Yet even with the adventures Newt spoke of, he remained an enigma. Carly and her close friends and coworkers, Miles and Ava, had been trying to figure him out since the day he arrived. He seemed to prefer keeping to himself, and though he would sometimes agree to join them after work, he always looked uncomfortable at the bar. Inevitably, he would make a polite excuse to leave early. The most he’d ever shared about his personal life was a passing mention of attending an elite boarding school in the Scottish Highlands as a boy—an intriguing detail that only deepened the mystery surrounding him.
But what puzzled Carly most was why someone like Newt had paused his travels to work at their modest sanctuary. Not that their work wasn’t important, but Newt always seemed destined for something larger.
“Hey, Newt!” Carly called, hesitating slightly as she broke his focus.
Newt’s hazel eyes snapped up, his expression momentarily startled. “Can I help you?” he asked, fumbling the words.
Carly fought the heat creeping into her cheeks under his gaze. “Derek sent me to remind you to turn in your donation check. Today’s the deadline.”
Newt’s hand immediately went to the back of his neck, his fingers nervously brushing through his hair. “That’s today?” he asked, shifting awkwardly.
“Yes, it’s today,” Carly replied, incredulously. Derek, the wildlife center’s manager, had been reminding them about the yearly fundraising deadline for weeks. Employees weren’t strictly required to participate, but the friendly competition—and the reward of a month off from cleaning duties—usually got everyone involved.
Newt’s face fell, “I—I completely forgot.”
Feeling a pang of guilt at his expression, Carly quickly added, “It’s alright. If we leave now, maybe we can still find something—”
“It’s fine,” Newt interrupted, stepping out of the enclosure. “I just need to make a call."
Carly watched as he brushed past her, heading toward the main office. From a distance, she could see him speaking on the phone, his expression tense at first. But then, as he listened, a wide grin spread across his face.
Carly frowned. Who was he calling that would help him out of this predicament? If he needed a fundraising partner, well she had already offered—
She glanced away, her stomach twisting slightly at the thought. She couldn’t help but feel a flicker of envy—whoever was on the other end of that call had made him genuinely happy, and a selfish part of her wished it had been her.
Later that afternoon, Carly found herself in the main office, standing next to Miles as Derek prepared to announce the fundraiser results.
“No one’s beating me,” Miles whispered smugly, his green eyes gleaming with confidence.
“Oh, really?” Carly replied, only half-listening. Her attention was fixed on Newt, who lingered near the entrance. Did he manage to find a donor?
Just as Derek began to speak, the door burst open, drawing everyone’s attention. A tall man in a sleek suit strode in, carrying a check so large it looked almost comical. He handed it to Newt with a quiet exchange and then disappeared as quickly as he’d arrived.
“How did he get one of those?” Ava muttered from across the room, her tone a mix of amazement and disbelief.
Carly had no response, the size of the check indicated it was almost certainly a wealthy donor, only rich corporations and individuals handed out donation checks printed on obnoxiously large sheets of paper.
“Sorry, it’s late,” Newt said as he hurried over to pass the check to Derek, his cheeks flushed under the curious stares of his colleagues.
Derek accepted the check, glancing at it casually—until his eyes widened, “And the winner, with five million euros raised, is Newt Scamander!”
“What?” Carly whispered, stunned.
Newt? Five million?
Just this morning, he had nothing. Now, he had single-handedly secured the largest donation in the sanctuary’s history. Carly felt her pride in her own €20,000, which took her months to achieve, pale in comparison.
As questions flew his way, Newt was simply looking down at the floor, brushing them off like his staggering accomplishment was nothing out of the ordinary.
Carly couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Brisbane, Australia, 2005
The mystery surrounding Newt Scamander didn’t stop there. If anything, it only deepened. A few weeks later, his strange connections came into play again.
“Sorry,” the woman at the hotel counter repeated, her tone tinged with regret, “but we’ve overbooked, and we don’t have any rooms available for you.”
Carly’s stomach sank as she processed the words. This was a disaster. They had the Wildlife Recreation Conference in Brisbane tomorrow, and every other hotel in the area was likely fully booked due to the overlapping events. She shot an exasperated look at Miles, Ava, and Newt. Ava’s exhaustion was written all over her face, her shoulders slumped in defeat.
“We can’t sleep in the car,” Miles muttered under his breath, though his irritation was obvious.
Carly let out a frustrated sigh, already trying to figure out what their next move might be when Newt suddenly spoke up.
“I have an idea,” he said, stepping forward.
Carly raised an eyebrow as she watched him approach the counter. She could just make out his quiet conversation with the receptionist, asking for directions to somewhere called The Regalia.
Her confusion only grew. “Another hotel? Do you really think they’ll have space now?”
“Trust me,” Newt replied simply, his tone calm yet unreadable.
Without further explanation, he hailed a cab, and with no better options, the group reluctantly followed.
When they arrived at The Regalia, Carly couldn’t help but stare. The hotel was a sleek, modern building perched on a cliffside with a clear view of the ocean. Its tall glass windows caught the light of the setting sun, and an infinity pool by the entrance seemed to blend right into the horizon.
“Welcome to The Regalia,” the receptionist greeted them politely as they approached the front desk. Behind her, an intricate golden raven emblem glinted on the wall, bearing the words The Regalia by Lestrange Corp.
“Do you have a reservation?” she asked, her eyes sweeping over the group. Carly could practically feel the judgment in her gaze as she took in their casual attire.
“No, but—” Newt started.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the receptionist cut him off with a professional yet dismissive smile. “The hotel is fully booked.”
Carly bit back a groan. Of course, it was. What had Newt been expecting?
“Just—check my name, please,” Newt said, his voice soft as he avoided meeting the woman’s eyes.
The receptionist hesitated, clearly skeptical, but after a moment, she began typing into her computer. Carly expected her to repeat the same apology—instead, the woman’s demeanor changed instantly. Her posture straightened, her smile widened, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks.
“My apologies, sir,” she stammered, her tone now overly polite. “I didn’t realize. We do have the penthouse available—it’s a four-bedroom suite with two full-service bathrooms. Will that meet your needs?”
Newt nodded, “Thank you, Crystal.”
Crystal looked overwhelmed as she called for bellhops to assist with their bags and directed them to the VIP lounge while their room was prepared.
The lounge was elegant, with plush red velvet chairs arranged in intimate clusters around polished wood tables. The deep red color of the chairs added a vibrant touch to the space. A waiter instantly appeared when they stepped into the room, offering them a menu, and asking if he could get them started with anything to drink.
Newt glanced at his colleagues, but their stunned, glazed-over expressions left him to take the lead. He ordered a bottle of wine and a selection of vegan dishes, the waiter nodding enthusiastically before disappearing.
As the evening wore on, Carly, Miles, and Ava couldn’t help but press Newt for answers. Even after they were shown to the penthouse—a space so luxurious it felt like something out of a magazine, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, sprawling balcony, and private hot tub—Newt remained infuriatingly tight-lipped about how he got them in or why the staff was catering to him like royalty.
Hogwarts Boarding School, 1995
Leta's fingers traced the faint carving of L+N etched into the wooden desk—a relic from her third year. The classroom was silent, abandoned, as most students had already left for the holidays to reunite with their families.
Home. Leta exhaled a bitter sigh. She wasn’t sure what that word even meant anymore. Not since she was five. Her eyes shut involuntarily, and the familiar, haunting images filled her mind. The screech of tires. The car slamming into the post. Her mother’s desperate attempt to avoid the drunk driver. And then, her baby brother’s broken body lying still beside her.
They hadn’t survived.
Why her? Why had she lived when they hadn’t? Leta’s chest tightened as the relentless question clawed at her mind. Her father made it clear he thought the same, constantly lamenting that she had survived instead of her brother. He never failed to remind her she was an unworthy heir to the family business—a bitter disappointment. Since his cancer had left him infertile, she was his only legacy, a fact he resented deeply.
The closest thing Leta had ever known to real love or family came from the Scamanders. Martha Scamander had practically adopted her after noticing her sitting alone on the Hogwarts Express in her fourth year, waiting for her absent father. The Scamanders’ kindness and gentle affection were unlike anything Leta had ever experienced. They never wanted anything from her—not her name, wealth, or status—just her company.
But there was one Scamander in particular who held her heart in ways she could barely admit to herself.
Hearing footsteps approach the room, Leta hastily shut the desk, wiping away all traces of her daydream.
“Leta, look!” Newt Scamander’s voice rang out, brimming with excitement. He appeared in the doorway, cradling two tiny Maine Coon kittens in his arms. “Mrs. Norris had her litter!”
A soft grin spread across Leta’s face as she took in the sight. Only Newt, with his boundless compassion, could win over the school caretaker’s notoriously ill-tempered cat. Mrs. Norris would scratch anyone who approached her never mind letting them hold her precious kittens.
“That’s amazing, Newt,” Leta said, her smile widening. “They’re adorable.”
He looked at the kittens in a manner filled with such care, in a way that was so Newt, that Leta was almost jealous. Some part of her wanted that tender expression directed towards her and not his animals.
Newt was the only person who truly saw her. Not her family name, her wealth, or her position as heir to Lestrange Corp—just her. He didn’t want extravagant gifts, money, or private jet rides. Leta smirked at the thought. Newt would hate private jets; they were terrible for the environment.
No, all he wanted was someone to share his passion for animal welfare with, someone to keep him company when the rest of the school shunned him. As a scholarship student without a powerful family name, Newt was often ostracized, yet he never let it bother him. In return for her companionship, he gave her something priceless: he listened. To her thoughts, her fears, her dreams.
He was a breath of fresh air in her suffocating world, and Leta would do anything for him. She wanted to give him everything—her heart, her soul, every piece of herself. She longed to hold his hand, to kiss him, to never let him go.
But Newt had never shown any romantic interest in her. The closest she’d seen was the flicker of displeasure on his face when Yaxley—a smug older student—had asked her out in front of him. Yet even that could be explained away as Newt being protective, the loyal friend he always was. Yaxley didn’t want Leta. He wanted her family’s wealth and influence.
Newt, though? He wanted nothing from her but her company. And for that, Leta loved him. She loved him deeply, hopelessly.
St Katharine Docks, London, 2005
Carly sat at the pub, nursing her beer and mindlessly listening to the TV, which was tuned to a celebrity gossip channel.
"Breaking news: Billionaire heiress and business mogul Leta Lestrange is married!" the news anchor announced, as a dramatic montage of Leta attending galas, dining with other elites, and gracing the covers of Forbes 30 Under 30 flashed across the screen.
Carly’s attention was piqued, and she began listening more intently. She’d heard plenty about Leta from her younger sister, who admired her as a role model for women. Carly, however, wasn’t impressed—after all Leta's wealth had been inherited, not earned.
"That's right," the anchor continued, "27-year-old Leta Lestrange, one of the world’s wealthiest women and CEO of the wildly successful Lestrange Corp, has tied the knot in a move no one saw coming! Fans have been holding out hope for years, but sorry, everyone—our girl is officially off the market."
The entertainment nightly anchor leaned in, sharing a conspicuous look with his cohost.
"Now, for those of you living under a rock, Leta took over her family’s luxury hotel and restaurant empire just two years ago after the passing of her father. Since then, she’s been dominating the business world, expanding the company’s reach, and—let’s be honest—looking stunning while doing it. But the real question is, who’s the lucky person who managed to sweep this billionaire off her feet?" the anchor added.
The camera cuts to an image of a fancy restaurant, with Leta laughing and enjoying a meal alongside a well-dressed man. The camera zooms in on their conversation as they share a light moment.
“And just when we thought we couldn’t get any more surprises—Leta was most recently spotted out to dinner with none other than accomplished lawyer, Theseus Scamander. Could this be the mysterious man who’s captured her heart?” The host asked.
Carly’s eyes widened at the mention of the Scamander name. Newt had declined to go out with the group recently, mentioning that his brother Theseus was in town. Was this how Newt had secured that mysterious multi-million-euro donation? Because his brother was married to a billionaire?
The host continued, “Now, here’s where it gets interesting. A source close to Leta—a former secondary school classmate who asked to remain anonymous—told us they thought our questions about who Leta would marry were downright hilarious. Apparently, according to this source, there was only ever one person who truly caught her attention. But, of course, they wouldn’t spill the name.”
The screen briefly flashed to a photo of Theseus in a business suit, “But records do tell us that Theseus Scamander attended Hogwarts four years ahead of Leta, which raises the question: Could the one person Leta was always focused on—be Theseus?”
“Rumors are buzzing that Leta didn’t sign a prenup with her new partner,” the host continued, “That’s right—no prenup. Truly scandalous, considering her massive fortune and global empire. We reached out to Lestrange Corp. for a statement, but a spokesperson declined to comment.”
"Looks like we’ll just have to wait and see," the anchor concluded, "but something tells me we’re about to learn a lot more about this mysterious relationship!"
Carly resolved to press Newt about this. The knowledge of his mysterious sponsor still weighed on her mind, but if it turned out the person who made him so happy was married to his brother, Carly could breathe a little easier.
Thankfully, Carly didn’t have to wait long to quiz Newt about Leta and Theseus. A few nights later, Castle Wildlife Sanctuary hosted a celebratory dinner at Glasshouse Bar and Grill to mark the unprecedented funds raised at the fundraiser.
Miles was commenting on Newt’s jacket, noting the luxury Italian brand, Brunello Cucinelli. “Mate, how can you afford that on our salary?” he asked, clearly impressed.
“Oh, I—” Newt stumbled, uncomfortable with the question, “It was a gift.”
Carly couldn’t resist taking the opportunity. “Does the gift have anything to do with this?” she slid a gossip magazine across the table, the cover featuring a picture of Leta and Theseus, “Your brother married a billionaire?”
“Theseus isn’t married to Leta,” Newt frowned as he looked at the image.
Carly’s chest tightened as she saw the expression on Newt’s face as he stared at the picture of Leta.
“Wait, you know Leta Lestrange?” Ava interjected, her curiosity piqued.
“Yes,” Newt answered softly. “We went to Hogwarts together. Leta has known my family for years.”
“Hogwarts?” Miles asked, disbelieving. “That boarding school for rich kids?”
Newt looked down at his lap, a little shy, “My family was awarded a scholarship to attend.”
Could Leta be interested in—no—Carly didn’t even want to entertain that thought.
Newt’s attention shifted toward the door, and Carly turned to look. To her shock, Leta walked into the restaurant, followed by a few older men in suits, likely business colleagues. Leta didn’t appear to notice Newt as the waiter gestured for her and her guests to follow him to a private room in the back.
As Leta neared their table, Carly took a moment to assess her competition. Leta wore a stunning purple dress that perfectly framed her figure and highlighted her dark skin tone. She was beautiful, there was no denying it, and watching Newt’s starry-eyed expression only deepened Carly’s jealousy.
How could she have let herself hope that Newt would like her back?
Leta paused as she recognized Newt, her eyes softening. She quickly told her guests she would meet them at the table before walking closer to him.
“Hi, handsome,” Leta smirked, clearly enjoying the way Newt’s neck flushed with color.
“I thought you were still in France,” Newt said, a pleased smile lighting up his face, though there was a slight pout that she hadn’t told him she was back.
“I got back this morning. I knew you had your work event, so I was going to meet you at home,” Leta responded.
Turning her attention to the rest of the table, Leta glanced at Miles and Ava before lingering slightly on Carly, as if she knew about her interest in Newt. “Speaking of, are you going to introduce me to your friends?”
“This is my wife, Leta,” Newt’s voice filled with pride as he reached out to pull Leta closer to him.
“Your wife!” Miles exclaimed, his voice rising in surprise, before sending an admiring look toward Leta. “How did you convince her to marry you?”
“Convince me?” Leta laughed, her eyes fondly fixed on Newt. “No, it was me who had to convince him.”
“I didn’t need convincing,” Newt quickly denied.
Leta shook her head, her smile widening, “How long did it take you to realize I liked you?”
At Newt’s embarrassed look, Leta’s grin grew even more. Newt’s obliviousness was part of his charm.
Carly watched the scene unfold, her chest aching. On Leta’s finger was a beautiful engagement ring and wedding band. Carly could tell from a distance that neither were overly flashy, as might be expected of a wealthy heiress, but Leta wore them with such pride. There was no doubt this was a love match.
“Where’s your ring?” Carly blurted out to Newt, unable to stop herself.
Leta raised an eyebrow in her direction, and Carly hoped her jealousy wasn’t written all over her face.
Newt reached into his shirt and pulled out his wedding band, which he had been keeping on a chain hidden underneath. “We were keeping it a secret. Didn’t want all the attention. But now that the media’s caught on that Leta’s married—”
He paused and took the ring off the chain, offering it to Leta, who took it gently. He then extended his hand, and Leta slipped the ring in place, the sound of Ava’s excited squeal ringing in the background.
“Thanks, love,” Newt said, waiting a moment before pulling his hand back.
Leta smiled once more before politely saying it was nice to meet Carly and her friends. She then walked over to the waiter, passed him a couple hundred euros, and asked for the table’s tab to be sent to her before heading back to join her guests.
Carly sat there, her heart shattered into pieces before her eyes.
It didn’t take long for the media to catch on to Newt and Leta after that. A new headline surfaced on Valentine’s Day when Leta was seen gifting Newt a red rose and holding the car door open for him. The media went wild over the new trend that challenged traditional gender roles, flooding the gossip channels with pictures of the happy couple.
Carly didn’t know how she would get through this, but as she looked at the sympathetic glance in Ava’s eyes, she knew she had to start trying.