Double Agent
When Albus Dumbledore turned up on his doorstep in the middle of the night, Newt knew something was wrong. The Professor's face was unusually grave and Newt couldn't think of anything he had done to warrant such a visit, therefore coming to the conclusion that it was something else.
"Dumbledore." He greeted, instincts telling him he wouldn't particularly enjoy the subject matter of their conversation.
"May I come in Newt? There is something I wish to discuss."
"Of course," Newt replied, moving aside to let the older man through the door before leading him into the sitting room.
Dumbledore didn't sit. Instead, he walked over to the mantlepiece where Newt had placed a picture of his mother and brother from before he got expelled from school and picked it up, seemingly studying its contents intensely.
"I am sure you heard about how Grindlewald escaped when he was being transported. They don't know how he did it but he obviously had allies within MACUSA."
"And you want my help to stop him." Newt deadpanned, deciding to get straight to the point.
"You may hate to agree with me but you are a powerful wizard and an inherently good man, a trait not found in many these days. You don't seek power, you just do what you believe is right, and I need someone like that to help me stop him."
"I'm flattered, truly, but I don't understand what you could possibly need me for. After all, you have been heralded as one of the greatest minds alive."
"I can't move against Grindelwald, but you can, and we need someone on the inside, someone like you."
"Dumbledore..."
"Just think about it Newt, that's all I ask. There is to be a meeting in two days' time on the matter with the heads of various international ministries, the details are all here." Dumbledore said, handing Newt a piece of folded parchment, "I hope to see you there."
Without so much as a goodbye Dumbledore then apparated away, leaving an exasperated Newt behind to ponder over what had been asked of him.
...
Newt barely slept that night.
After feeding all his creatures and making sure none of the niffler babies could escape from the basement, he went to bed, mind racing with thoughts on what he should do.
In his heart, he knew that he had to help. Grindlewald's escape and the subsequent terror he would likely unleash needed to be stopped, and Dumbledore knew that Newt would feel obligated to help once asked.
However he couldn't stop thinking about what his help would actually entail after all Dumbledore had given him little information before leaving, no doubt to draw him in, and though he was scared about what he may have to do, he knew he would do it anyway, not for himself but for those he loved.
Grindlewald needed to be stopped.
...
Two days later saw Newt making his way to the Ministry, nervous about what he was about to agree to.
After heading to the lifts, he made his way up to the first floor to one of the meeting rooms used by the Minister for Magic himself.
Reaching the room he hesitated a second before entering, contemplating walking away before ultimately making his mind up. He would see this through.
Entering the room he could see many people sitting at a large circular table. Looking around he recognised the Minister for Magic, Hector Fawley, along with the American President, Seraphina Piquery, who he had had dealings with in New York a few months previously.
"Ah, Newt. You made it!" Dumbledore exclaimed from his seat beside the Minister, gesturing him to an empty seat on his right.
Feeling uncomfortable with all the eyes on him he quickly made his way to the offered seat.
"Mr Scamander, I am very glad that you have decided to join us." Fawley stated before turning to address the rest of the room, "As you all know, three months ago Gellert Grindlewald escaped custody as he was being transported to Europe and is now on the loose. We believe that it is in our best interests to find a way to stop him as soon as possible."
"What would you propose we do Minister?" Asked one of the women seated around the table.
"Dumbledore," Fawley said, indicating for the Professor to talk.
"I propose we send a spy into his ranks. Grindlewald is smart and knows how to move without detection, we have no hope of stopping him with force."
"Why not? We've done it before."
"And look how that turned out. Grindlewald's escape was almost too easy. He had clearly had it planned for some time. No, we need to take a different approach in order to stop him once and for all. I propose that we send Mr Scamander here in as a spy. From there he can send us any information about Grindlewald's movements and we can take action before there are serious consequences."
"And what of Mr Scamander's skills? Last I heard he was a magizoologist, not an auror."
Newt decided to speak up then, knowing that if he kept silent it would reflect badly on the judgement they were all likely making of him.
"My job requires considerable skill to care for the beasts that I rescue and recuperate. Not only that but I am a skilled occlumens, something I believe will come in useful when in contact with Grindlewald, after all, it would be no good if he could easily read my mind and see that I am betraying him to the Ministry." Newt stated, nervous to talk in front of so many people but coming to the realisation of why Dumbledore picked him.
"And you believe that you can pull this off, Mr Scamander?" President Piquery asked, face blank as she waited for his answer.
"Grindlewald is likely doing what he is doing for a cause, and he knows about my love for my creatures. It is entirely believable that I would join him to secure their protection." He announced, gaining himself an appraising look from the woman and several others around the table.
"If you had any doubts, Mr Scamander, you are well within your rights to walk away from this right now, but you really are the best person we can find for the job." The British Minister stated, making sure that Newt knew he wasn't being pressured into what he was about to do. "We also will offer you the protection of the creatures you rescue, as well as freedom of movement if you manage to pull this off."
This caught Newt off guard, but ultimately was the selling point for him, after all, his creatures were what he had dedicated his life to protect and if this helped secure that protection then he was willing to do it. That wasn't the only reason he came to his decision however, he knew the risks Grindlewald posed on society as a whole and wasn't willing to sit idly by while people suffered.
"I'll do it. Grindlewald has to be stopped... at all costs." He stated, sharing a look with Dumbledore before focusing back on Piquery.
"You are aware that the newspapers will pick up on the story Mr Scamander due to your prevalence in society and they will drag your name through the mud for your involvement, ruining your reputation and likely reflecting badly on your brother as well." She stated, looking sorry for what would occur.
Newt winced at the reminder, knowing that it was likely the media would bring up the events that had gotten him expelled from Hogwarts as well as his unusual fascination with magical creatures, likely using that as proof of his dark intentions. Despite this he wasn't overly concerned about how this would reflect on him publicly, knowing it was necessary, but with how his brother Theseus and his American friends would react to his 'betrayal' when he did switch sides, as well as the bad light that would be shone on his family as a whole.
"I understand Madam President."
"Newt you'll be keeping in contact with me through this," Dumbledore announced then, handing him a small mirror. "This is a two-way mirror and will allow us to communicate without fear of interception. Just say my name and we'll be able to talk."
Newt smiled at him, accepting the mirror and placing it into his pocket, making sure that there were no holes it could fall through.
After that, the meeting then moved on to other aspects of the effort against Grindelwald and what Newt would need to do in order to make his part believable.
"Right well, that wraps up the meeting for today. Thank you all for attending and we will keep each other updated on the situation. Mr Scamander, thank you for your cooperation. What happened in here is confidential and so must be kept to yourself, we cannot have the risk of what we are planning to be leaked." Fawley stated, receiving a nod in response from Newt before rising from his seat along with the others in the room, who all began to make their way to the door.
Once everyone had left, Dumbledore held Newt back.
"Thank you for agreeing Newt, I know it is a lot to ask."
"I know you wouldn't ask if you had another choice."
"Look no one else in the Ministry knows of what is happening and so you are going to have to act as though it is not. I know you have a hearing next week about your travel ban so you will have to act as you would normally. I will be in touch when we have more information on Grindlewald."
Newt didn't reply, only nodding his head in acknowledgement as Dumbledore walked away. What had happened was admittedly a lot to process and he wasn't sure about how to feel about what he was going to have to do.