Since returning from Bhutan, Newt had noticed tension between the two creatures he felt most fondest of, the most helpful to him from all the other creatures in his managerie. The two perhaps that he’d had the longest, who would not part from him; although one of them in particular often tried to escape, when distracted by something he wanted, though he would always return to Newt’s side once he had his prize possession. It’s not that Pickett and Teddy were specifically close, in fact they barely interacted with one another, with Pickett only making a few complaints when Teddy’s little excursions and pursuits of treasure got them into situations Pickett didn’t like. But this time Newt noticed Pickett seemed more annoyed and the hostility in this glares were more aggressive than usual. The tension in his mood seemed intensified.
Teddy for all his oblivious ignorance didn’t notice Pickett’s glares, or angry chirps. He took no notice of the mood in the room and continued as he had always done. However as of late Newt had noticed Pickett trying to take shiny objects from Teddy’s hands to annoy him, while the poor unsuspecting creature was holding and admiring one of his treasures. Which caused Teddy to chase Pickett and take back what he owned, but not without giving him a little nip before reclaiming his treasures. Pickett had none stop chirped in angry tones to Newt whenever he had the chance to chirp Newt’s ears off. Complaining persistently whenever Teddy was nearby.
“Alright” Newt snapped one day, mid angry chirps from Pickett, who was peeking out of his pocket as Newt was cleaning Teddy’s enclosure after feeding the babies. “What’s going on Pickett, you’ve been rather cross lately. I’m presuming something happened during Bhutan did it?”
Pickett shook his head in exasperation, holding his hands on his hips scowling up at Newt with an angry frown.
“Well I’m sorry Pickett, but you’re going to have to give me more than that and explain exactly what it is that’s bothering you. If not Bhutan then when?”
Pickett leapt out of Newt’s pocket and onto Teddy’s nest, the Niffler watching in horror. Newt watched with fascination as the tiny bowtruckle went about his business, in search of something among all the shiny trinkets scattered about the nest. Newt raised his eyebrows in wonder, he hadn’t ever known Pickett to own anything shiny for Teddy to take, and yet here Pickett was rummaging through the Niffler’s belongings. Once Teddy’s shock had subsided, the niffler went for Pickett with gusto, ready to protect his possessions. Newt grabbed Teddy with both hands and held the squirming creature to his chest as Pickett continued to search furiously.
“Come on Teddy, settle down now, it’s alright. Pickett what is it you’re looking for?” Newt stroked Teddy’s back and held him tight to his chest, coaxing the vexed Niffler with soft spoken words of affection to calm him. It wasn’t long before the bowtruckle finally stood at the edge of the nest holding up the red tie Dumbledore had given Theseus, how it had gotten there was anyone’s guess. Although Newt had a suspicious feeling Teddy had managed to sneak it away once they’d left Berlin.
“You’re angry because Teddy stole the tie from Theseus? Or that you took it from Theseus and Teddy took it from you?” Newt frowned. He hadn’t thought Pickett would take it, or be sentimental about something that meant nothing to him as far as Newt knew. But the bowtruckle shook his head, and slapped his face so hard, Newt thought he’d bruise later. He had heard the snap of his hand landing on his face. But Pickett seemed not to have felt it, and gave Newt a look of disgust.
“Alright I’m guessing if not that, then perhaps something happened in Berlin?” Pickett nodded his head so hard Newt thought the leaves atop his head would fall off. Pickett pointed to the tie, as Teddy tried to reach out and grab it from him. Newt held on tight, to keep him from reaching it and snatching it from the bowtruckle’s clutches. Pickett made a motion of locking or perhaps unlocking something with key.
“Something happened when Theseus was imprisoned? When you both had to come rescue me?” Newt asked with a frown. Pickett gave another enthusiastic nod, leaves shaking wildly. Pickett began to act out more actions, he began to mimic falling and then pointing to some coins and acting out falling, and then he began pointing to Teddy who now seemed to be squirming less, but grunting in displeasure at being held prisoner in Newt’s hand, while Pickett touches his things.
“I see, so you’re annoyed at Teddy because when you were escaping the cages, you fell and some coins fell at the same time, but Teddy went for the coins instead of rescuing you?” Newt guessed. Pickett gave a nod of the head and let his arms drop to the sides, bowing his head in misery.
“Oh Pickett” Newt sighed putting the Niffler down, and scooping the bowtruckle up. Pickett dropped the tie, which Teddy snatched up and held for dear life. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that, but you know Teddy, he doesn’t mean anything by it” Newt coaxed. Pickett began to chirp furiously waving his hands in the air.
“You want me to punish him?” Newt sighed, looking to Teddy who had now buried himself in his treasures rolling around in it. Newt sighed once more and looked back at Pickett who gave a nod of agreement. “Alright I’ll see what I can do.” Newt put Pickett into his top breast pocket and addressed the Niffler oblivious of what was to happen next. Newt watched Teddy for a while, as he rolled around playing with his trinkets. It felt cruel to stop his play, but he knew Pickett was upset. Besides Teddy always bounced back, after his grumps when being made to do something he didn’t like. But he didn’t want a sulking Pickett to deal with, and Pickett could sulk for a long time when he felt like it. He was already in bad spirits, which was starting to get to Newt now. He needed to do something to make Pickett happy again.
Newt grab hold of Teddy who began to squirm and resist being picked up once more. Tipping the furry creature upside down, he began to tickle his belly over his nest, causing every piece of gold and jewels in Teddy’s pockets to fall out into the nest. Once Newt was sure his pockets were empty he took Teddy to his shed, and once inside stood at his table. Newt brandished his wand and made a cage appear onto the table top. Opening the cage door, he put Teddy inside, locking the door after him.
“I’m sorry Teddy but you went too far this time. Instead of helping your friend when they were in danger, you chose to pilfer gold instead of saving him. You’ll have to stay in her for a bit with nothing to distract you. No gold, nothing shiny. You have upset Pickett quite severely.” Newt turned to Pickett who was watching from his pocket, “happy?” He asked the little bowtruckle. Pickett gave a little chirp and smiled up at Newt. “Right that’s that then.” And Newt went about his work in peace.
From time to time, Newt would look to where Teddy was slumped in the cage. Newt had never seen Teddy this way before, he seemed to have given up even trying to escape. In any case, he would have fallen asleep any other day he’d been locked away for bad behaviour. But today seemed different. He sat hunched against the bars, his back turned to Newt. There were none of his usual grunts of frustration or scuffling around. But then usually he had always somehow managed to sneak in one of his treasures to play with. But today Newt hadn’t allowed that on account of trying to please Pickett. Newt put down the brush he’d been sweeping the floors with and came to check up on Teddy. Realising he’d not had the chance to feed him, since he’d been interrupted, Newt went back for some feed and returned to the cage. But Teddy would not touch the food, nor look at Newt at all. In fact he did not react to having Newt come to the cage.
It wasn’t like Teddy to care that he was being punished, or show any kind of remorse. He never seemed upset or miserable, he never seemed to learn from his mischief or when Newt told him off. Not even after he’d gotten hurt after stealing Grindelwald’s blood pact phial. Although Newt supposed this was different, being separated from what he loved the most.
“I’m sorry Teddy” Newt whispered into the cage, and not being able to bear watching him suffer any longer, Newt felt he’d been punished enough, and opening the cage Newt reached in and tried to lift the creature out. But Teddy scuffled away from Newt and wouldn’t allow him to pick him up.
“It’s alright Teddy, i’m really sorry, I truly am, you can come out now. I just want to take you back into your nest.” Newt tried catching him with no luck, each time he managed to get hold of him, Teddy gave him a little nip and wiggled out of Newt’s hands. Newt dug into his pocket. “Teddy please, I truly am sorry, look see?” He said offering the creature a galleon coin from his pocket. “A peace offering.” He held out the coin to Teddy, who sniffed it and looked to Newt to see if it was some trick of sorts.
“It’s ok, take it.” Newt offered, Teddy snatched it up before Newt could change his mind. Newt gently carried Teddy out to Pickett’s dismay.
“Pickett please, he’s been through enough already, he’s had his punishment now and he’s sorry for it.” Newt scolded Pickett who ducked back into his breast pocket to sulk. Turning to the Niffler, Newt held him up and spoke to the little critter.
“I know you didn’t mean it, and I know you can’t help it. But I do wish you’ll learn and stop pilfering.” Newt sighed, “but I know you’ll just keep doing it and I’m wasting my breath. But I think you’ve been punished enough so you can go back to your nest of gold alright? Happy?” Newt took the Niffler back to his nest and gently let him down. Once the Niffler was settled, Newt went back to his shed and climbed out of his case, and into the office in the basement of his flat, and addressed a very upset Pickett. Newt took the bowtruckle out of his pocket and sat down with Pickett on his knuckle.
“Pick no sulking please. You know Teddy can’t help it, he’s incorrigible, you know that. And I don’t think he meant you any harm. He doesn’t pay much attention to others and his surroundings, but he’s not a bad boy. He’s still my friend, your friend. We have to try and be kind and understanding of each other ok?” Newt sighed, Pickett crossed his arms with a frown and sat down hard on Newts knuckle, looking away from him with a scowl.
“Alright listen, I’ve got news you might like. Pickett you know you’re one of my best friends, and I care about you a lot. You’re one of the most important of my creatures, the most responsible and sensible one. And in a few months or so, I’m going to need your help in doing a very important job. Jacob and Queenie plan to marry soon, if we can get the laws overturned. And Jacob has asked me to look after the ring, now this is a very important job, but I’m going to ask you to help me do that. None of the creatures will be going to the wedding, but if you can help me with this you won’t be left at home and you can come with me. I need you to protect and keep the ring safe. Especially from Teddy do you understand? You’ll get to go to the wedding and Teddy isn’t invited. He doesn’t get to go, none of the others do. Are you willing to help me take on this important responsibility?” Pickett stood tall and straight in response and gave a determined nod of agreement.
“Good” Newt smiled, “this is our little secret, don’t tell the others.” Newt shushed with his finger to his lips. Pickett winked and made a zipping motion over his tiny little mouth and gave Newt a smile. Newt said goodnight to Pickett and left him in his little tree on his desk, and got ready for supper and bed. That night Newt relished the peace and quiet of the night, and smiled knowing peace had been restored between his two most favourite creatures in his care. Newt fell into a restful, relaxing sleep.
And all was well.