Travel Ban
A week later Newt found himself back in the Ministry, only this time on level two, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, sitting in the waiting area and dreading the hearing he was about to attend in regards to his travel ban after the events that transpired in New York.
He had been in enough trouble with the Ministry over the years to know what to expect, but still hated every time he had to come in and answer for what he had done.
Newt was staring into the distance, thinking over what he was going to say when he was eventually called in when he felt something tugging on his wrist. Looking down he saw Pickett swinging backwards and forwards on a loose thread on his jacket’s cuff before it snapped, sending Pickett flying towards the ground and the button that had been attached rolling off down the corridor.
In a sudden mad dash he chased Pickett to the fallen button, snatching it up before the bowtruckle could reach it with a mad sort of glee before a pair of women’s shoes entered his sight.
“They’re ready for you Newt.” Came the unmistakeable voice of Leta Lestrange.
Standing up he couldn’t help but feel nervous in her presence, thinking as he usually did when they met about the events leading up to his expulsion from Hogwarts.
“Leta… what are you doing here?”
“Theseus thought it would be good if I became part of the Ministry family.” She replied, smiling at him.
“Did he actually use the words ‘Ministry family’?” He questioned, causing Leta to laugh as they started to make their way down the corridor , “That sounds like my brother.”
“Theseus was disappointed you couldn’t come to dinner… Any of the nights we asked you.” Leta accused, a knowing look in her eye.
”Well I’ve been busy.” Newt stated, a defence that was only partly true. Yes he was busy with his creatures but he was also trying to avoid seeing his brother and Leta together as much as possible.
“He’s your brother, Newt, he likes spending time with you. And so do I.”
With perfect timing Pickett began climbing Newt’s coat.
”Oi, you! Hop in, Pick.” He said to the bowtruckle, holding open the top pocket of his coat for it to climb into.
”Why do strange creatures love you so much?” Leta asked, smiling at the sight.
”Well there are no strange creatures-“
”-only blinkered people.” They finished together, both smiling this time.
”How long did you get in detention for saying that to Prendergast?”
”You know, I think it was a month that time.” Newt responded, feeling slightly uncomfortable thinking about their school days.
”And I set off a dungbomb under his desk so I could join you, do you remember?” She then asked as they reached the room he was to have his hearing in, Theseus exiting the door and making his way towards them.
”No, I actually don’t remember that.” He replied, despite remembering the incident well.
”Hello.” Theseus then greeted as he came to a stop in front of them.
”Theseus. We were just talking about Newt coming for dinner.”
”Really? Well… Look before we go in there I-“
”-it’s my fifth attempt, Theseus. I know the form.”
”This isn’t going to be like the other times. This is… Just try to keep an open mind, will you? And maybe a little less-“
”Like me?” Newt finished, Theseus having looked him over as he spoke.
”Well, it can’t hurt. Come on, let’s go.” Theseus responded with obvious fondness for his little brother in his voice, gesturing Newt inside as the door opened.
Newt could already tell this was going to go badly.
…
”Hearing commences.” Torquil Travers, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement announced, the quill that was taking notes starting to write, “You want to end the ban on your travelling internationally. Why?”
”Because I like to travel internationally.”
Rudolph Spielman, who was the Head of Incarceration at the International Confederation of Wizards, and was the only survivor of Grindelwald’s escape from custody looked down at his file as Newt was speaking, reading off a passage that was written there.
”Subject uncooperative and evasive on reasons for last international trip.”
”It was a field trip. I was collecting material for my book on magical beasts-“
”You destroyed half of New York.”
”No, that’s actually factually incorrect on two counts-“ Newt started to say before being cut off by his brother saying his name.
”Mr Scamander, it’s clear you are frustrated and frankly so are we. In the spirit of compromise, we’d like to make a proposition.” Arnold Guzman, an American wizard, said, smiling slightly.
”The committee will agree to lift your travel ban under one condition.”
”You join the Ministry. Specifically your brothers department.” Spielman announced, smiling as Newt thought over the idea, despite knowing that even if he was tempted, he couldn’t take the deal, not if he was to make his part as a spy believable.
”No I- that isn’t my kind of- Theseus is the Auror. I think my talents lie elsewhere-“
”Mr Scamander,” Guzman interrupted, “The wizarding and non-wizarding worlds have been at peace for over a century. Grindelwald wants to see that peace destroyed and for certain members of our community his message is very seductive. Many pure bloods believe it is their birthright to rule not only our world but the non-magic world as well. They see Grindelwald as their hero, and Grindelwald sees this boy as a means to make this all come true.” He said, but Newt only focused on the last part, watching as an image of Credence appeared on the table’s surface.
”I’m sorry. You’re talking about Credence as if he were still here.”
”He survived, Newt.” Theseus responded, causing Newt to freeze, “He’s still alive. He left New York months ago. He’s somewhere in Europe. Where exactly, we don’t know, but-“
”And you want me to hunt Credence down? To kill him?” He questioned, realising that there was a surprising number of things people wanted him to do in the name of taking Grindelwald down.
”Same old Scamander.” A voice sounded from the shadows, one that Newt knew well and resented with all he had.
”What’s he doing here?” He demanded angrily, refusing to look over at the beast hunter.
”Taking on the job you’re too soft to do.” Grimmson replied, stalking towards the table and looking down at the image of Credence, “Is that it?”
Newt, in a fit of anger, rose from his seat, storming out the room.
…
When Newt left the hearing to Travers’ call that his travel documentation was denied, mind reeling with the knowledge that Credence was still alive, he knew his brother would follow him and didn’t know how he was going to act, knowing that his brother had kept this from him.
”Newt!” Theseus’ voice called out as he ran up to his younger brother, causing Newt to stop walking and turn to face him, “You think I like the idea of Grimmson anymore than you do?” He asked, face clearly exasperated with how Newt had acted in the hearing.
”Listen, I don’t want to hear how the ends justify the means, Theseus.”
”I think you’re going to have to pull your head out of the sand!” Theseus exclaimed, causing Newt to cringe internally.
’You’re doing this for him. He would be in too much danger if he knew what you were going to do.’ He told himself, hoping that if he said it to himself enough times he would stop feeling so guilty about it all, hating that everything he was doing was an act now.
”Okay, right, here we go. What a selfish… irresponsible-“
”You know, the time if coming when everyone’s going to have to pick a side. Even you.”
”I don’t do sides.” He stated, hating to lie to his brother.
”Newt…” Theseus started as he turned to walk away again, wanting to stop himself before he said something he shouldn’t. He found his exit prevented, however, when Theseus grabbed a hold of his arm, forcing him to come to a stop once more.
”C’mere.” His older brother said instead of another reprimand, bringing him into a hug to whisper in his ear, “They’re watching you.”
’Oh the irony.’ He thought to himself, ‘They’re watching me for superiors who know exactly what I’m up to.’
When Theseus finally pulled away from the hug he offered his brother a small smile before walking away again, a new determination or what he had to do in place. He was doing this for his brother and his friends, to keep them and everyone else safe, including Credence.