Chapter 5
After the expulsion, Newt stayed in the Scamander family house taking care of the Hippogriffs that his mother was breeding.
He hasn’t heard from Leta at all, and he probably will not anytime soon.
“I don’t want to work in the Ministry,” Newt said firmly.
“Oh, you would like this Newt, it involves working with dragons, you would love it," Theseus argued.
Newt perks at the mention of dragons. He never met a dragon and working with them would be a dream come true.
But Newt would never admit that to his brother.
"I'll think about it," he replied sheepishly.
"Fine, but if you accept it always be careful and I love you, okay?" Theseus hugged him.
"I know, you too,"
It only took him a day before he sent the owl to the Ministry to inform them of his cooperation in working with dragons for the war.
In preparation, he bought a travel suitcase and bewitched it with an undetectable extension charm.
He was so glad that he was allowed to have his wand.
He first made a small cabin. Put in some furniture and things he would need to live. Finally, he places a framed picture of a happy Leta on the table.
After a year of serving on the Eastern Front, his work with dragons was discontinued. He was disappointed but still satisfied with the experience.
Over the years he worked for the Ministry and eventually became a Magizoologist, a career he loves so much. He had been spending his time traveling every summer to different countries to research for a book he was writing.
He was scheduled to travel again but Theseus urged him to visit the family house for a special occasion.
“Meet Leta, my fiancé,” Theseus gestured to a woman he hadn’t seen in a long time. “Leta, this is Newt, my little brother.”
“Hi!” Leta greeted him with a kind smile, but Newt could tell it was also filled with guilt.
“Hello…” Newt replied not looking in her eyes and reluctantly accepted the handshake.
The whole family had dinner together that night. Newt’s parents were reluctant when they found out that Leta was a Lestrange. But it was soon subdued by the thought of their firstborn finally marrying.
Theseus was telling stories of how he and Leta met but Newt was quiet the whole time, as he always is.
He observed Leta in her seat and noticed the changes in her.
She has shorter hair now, slick in a neat manner. She is wearing those fancy stylish clothes that she used to hate. She now looks like a proper woman fitting into an influential family such as Lestrange. Someone with sophistication and power, something she always dreamed of having when she was younger.
And now she is even marrying Theseus, his older brother, considered the war hero, an Auror at the British Auror Office.
And then there’s him, the same old Newt with his love for magical beasts.
He thought they both wanted an escape from expectations. But Leta went back in and became the person she once hated to become, and she perfected it. Newt was following their dreams together, on his own.
He felt the betrayal he once felt when he got expelled.
Newt abruptly stood up. Confused looks stared at him, but he was only looking at Leta’s guilty eyes. He was about to leave when Leta spoke.
“Newt I’m sorry,” she said looking directly at him.
“You changed Leta, you’re not the same friend I know,” he said and took his leave.
The whole family was left confused about what had just happened. And Leta was left to explain what was going on.
That morning when Newt was about to leave for his trip, Theseus cornered him just before he reached for the door.
“Let’s talk,” Theseus firmly said and pulled him into a room. “Leta explained to us what happened, in Hogwarts I mean.”
Newt said. “I’m not mad at her.”
“Are you perhaps in love with her?” Theseus asked looking directly into his eyes. Newt remembered the framed picture inside his suitcase.
“No, she’s just a very good friend,” he answered looking back. But Theseus is his older brother and an Auror who is fantastic at his job. Newt can never escape with his lie.
“Okay, I understand,” Theseus replied with a deep sigh.
He knows.
Newt fixed his clothes and picked up his suitcase “I need to go now.”
“Remember to always be careful,” Theseus hugged him. “I love you always, okay?” Newt nodded and went out.
And just like the door, he will now be closing a chapter in his life consisting of his dear friend Leta Lestrange.
For now, he will focus on finishing his book and bringing Frank home. Hopefully, this trip to America would give him peace.