A Quiet Day...
Even after finding a more than pleasant place to take shelter in for at least a while, Newt Scamander spent the first night resting in his case. The man knew he should have slept in an actual bed after the chaos in New York, and not being able to fully recover from it while on the boat traveling back to London; yet, the case had always been his home.
Ruby Hudson was a sweet older lady, who accepted him almost the instant he introduced himself. She told him that it was a gift she acquired from living with her aunt in the same flat. Ruby even told him she would have to invite him over for tea to talk about the many interesting guests they had at the flat through her childhood.
Safe to say, there was a slight possibility he regretted it when a graphorn's set of tentacles ticked his face; causing the poor man to wake up in a rush.
But, instead of growing annoyed, once he calmed down, Newt only laughed, and wished him a "Good morning!" before standing himself up. The morning played out like usual from there; he fed all of his creatures, woke a few of the younger ones up from their sleep, and had to tend to a few of those injured. Thankfully, only Dougal had a thorn stuck in his hand, and the niffler scraped his leg.
Newt hadn't realize he was standing outside of the snowy room until he felt a chill run down his spine. He couldn't tell if it was his own fear, or the temperature. Swallowing his hesitance, he pulled open the curtain, and stepped into the room caked with snow.
He stepped closer and closer to the obscurus calmly swaying in the wind. Newt froze just when the black spirit seemed to swirl faster, obviously anxious at the person approaching it.
"Now, now, it's only me." He spoke in a comforting tone. It worked, as the obscurus settled down and moved along with the breeze in the room.
He smiled. "I'm sorry. I hope you weren't lonely for these days. It's just been a smidge busy, you know how all of the creatures can be, especially when they're restless." He attempted a smile. "I think they miss you the most."
The spirit only continued to sway as their response.
"I miss you too, I want you to know that."
Still no response.
He sighed, eyes staring at the pure, white ground. "Sometimes, there are days I wake up, and I expect you to come running to me." He chuckled. "Always being proud of yourself for helping me."
Gathering the courage to look back up, he spoke. "You absolutely have no idea how much I cherished those moments."
When the obscurus responded instantly be circling around itself gently, Newt couldn't help the soft smile upon his face. Standing up and nodding a 'goodbye' to the obscurus, he turned and left the small room covered in snow.
And there stood the obscurus, standing by itself once again.
...
"Mama, can sticks walk?"
Grace L/N froze as she washed the two dishes after breakfast. She turned around to face her child. "Of course not. Why do you ask?"
They shrugged. "I saw a man with a walking stick."
"It must have been an older gentleman, Y/N." She sighed, and walked to make the bed.
"But it wasn't! He had stick that could walk." The child whined.
She sighed. "I'm sure he did. Now, who is he?"
Y/N froze at their mother's question. They knew their mother didn't like Newt, even when they told her he was a nice man. Why didn't she like him, even though she hasn't met him? She said he could have taken them away from her; but, he wouldn't do that, there's no way!
"No one," The child mumbled. They walked back over to the nightstand, picked up their locket, and tried their best to put it on.
Grace chuckled at her child. "Here sweetie, let me."
"No, no I can do it." Y/N said, still struggling to put the pendant on. They flipped over, their hair hanging loose and nearly touching the floor.
"Okay, come back up. Come on now," The mother shook her head, still smiling as she guided her child back up to stand.
Y/N puffed a piece of hair out of one eye, and wore a slight frown as Grace latched the locket around their neck. She smiled.
"There you go," Her grin only grew as her child turned around. "it looks brilliant on you."
"I know," Y/N returned the smile, and walked over to the door. A hand on their shoulder stopped them before they could even lay a finger on the handle.
The child turned to see their mother gazing down at them, then soon kneeled to their height. "Y/N, I need you to listen to me, alright?"
Nodding their head, the child couldn't help but grow smaller at their mother's sharp tone.
"Whatever happens out there, in the city, whatever happens to you right here in your own home, I need you to promise me that you will always run. If anyone ever calls you a mean name, I want you to be quiet like a mouse, and keep walking, okay?"
They didn't nod at first; how could they? They could barely tell what and why she was telling them so urgently. But, the child soon nodded; hesitantly, of course.
Grace shook her head, now holding Y/N's arms. "No, I need you to say it. Say you understand." Her voice became more urgent, not helping Y/N in the slightest.
"I understand," They mumbled, trying to squirm out of their mother's grip. She didn't let go yet.
"Do you really? Y/N, I'm not playing a game. There are people out their who can and will hurt you if you aren't careful. Please sweetie, I just need you to be safe."
The child felt tears slowly starting to creep into the corners of their eyes. "Mama, you're scaring me."
The mother's eyes soon fell at the realization. Her mouth slightly dropped open, then immediately embraced her child tightly. She slowly rocked them side to side in comfort, and they held onto her like they would lose her. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. I-I can be scared sometimes, and I know you are very bright; but, there will always be someone brighter than you. I just want you to be cautious."
Y/N tilted their head to the side. "Cautious?"
Grace giggled. "Oh yeah, how about that as your word of the day?" She brought her hands down to their hands, and clutched them sweetly.
The child nodded. "Does it mean safe?"
She shook her head. "It leads to safety. Cautious means for you to be careful, and to do smart choices; sometimes, even if you don't want to do them."
Y/N scrunched their eyes. "No more magic?"
Grace shook her head. "No more magic." The mother whispered, and saw her child's eyes start to well up with tears. "I'm sorry baby, I know, I know. But, you are allowed to use it when someone will hurt you."
"What about you?"
"When you're safe, then you can use them if I am in danger. Understand?"
This time, Y/N sharply nodded and spoke clearly. "I understand."
Grace smiled, and kissed her child on the cheek before letting go and standing up. "Now what are you waiting for? Go on, you can see Eilis."
The child grinned, and ran to the front door. "I love you, mummy!"
Slamming the door before their mother could respond, Y/N sprinted through the small neighborhood; not even caring when Angela yelled at them for nearly pushing her as she walked through the streets.
Y/N felt as if they could take on the world while they skipped through the busy streets of London. Feeling the gentle breeze on their face only lightened their mood; leading them to wave and say 'good morning!' in the most cheerful voice as they smiled the brightest smile in their direction.
That is, until their little body rammed into the side of a boy was who not watching where he was going. The child landed on the sidewalk with a sharp gasp, and a wince in pain as they tried to get up.
"I-I am so so-sorry, Y-Y/N!" The familiar stutter reached their ears as he helped them up.
Y/N glanced up, and saw none other than Thomas clutching his bag, and red cheeks from the cold air. They smiled at him. "It's okay Thomas, you didn't do it on purpose, did you?"
He shook his head vigorously. "No-no, I-I swear I wouldn't do-do that."
They giggled. "I'm just teasing you. Are you going to the bakery?"
"No, she-she's sending me to pick up some-some flour, eggs, and what not. I'm-I'm sure she-she is only send-sending me so I-I won't make a mess."
Y/N gave him a small smile, and took his hand as they walked. "Then perhaps I shall come with you."
He stared down at her in surprise, then shook his head again. "You-you don't have to. I-I'm fine on my own."
"Nonsense." They smirked. Y/N's face was what finally lost the boy's frown.
...
The bell ringing above the door as Newt stepped in certainly surprised him. He wondered if Jacob added a bell to his bakery back in New York? If he could have even used those Occamy eggs of course.
"We're not open yet!" A woman's Irish brogue was heard as he could hear her rush from the back of the store. "because apparently, both of my employees decided to-!" Eilis slammed the door open as she marched into the main part of the bakery. Her eyes met his, and her jaw slightly fell open.
"Newt Scamander?" She asked, almost in awe.
The man slightly flinched at her recognizing him. "You," he stammered. "you've heard of me?"
She grinned. "Of course I did! Along with every other wizard or witch in the world who has the paper. You caught Gellert Grindelwald!"
"You are a witch?" He whispered, coming closer to her.
She leaned over the counter, and lowered her voice. "Yes, I am. But, I honestly forget from time to time. I never really have the use for magic anymore. Obviously, we wouldn't want every muggle in London to know that witches and wizards do indeed exist."
Newt gave her a smile to stifle his laughter. "I suppose so. Do you where Y/N is? I was," he paused. "wanting to talk to them."
Eilis sucked her lips in, then shook her head. "I can't say I know where Y/N is; but, I sent my other little worker, Thomas, to Roger's Grocery Store to get me some ingredients for cakes, cookies, all the like. Maybe they ran into him and decided to tag along, you might have some luck finding them their."
When she finished, the young woman turned to go back into the kitchen an keep working with what little materials she had. Newt's voice stopped her.
"Actually, I-I think I will stay until they come back."
She smiled, and turn to look at him. "That's perfect; if anyone comes through that door, kick them out until I say so, alright?" Eilis rushed back into the kitchen before he could respond.
...
"What if we bought chocolate eggs?" Y/N tugged on the sleeve of Thomas' shirt as he opened the fridge for milk.
He turned and looked at the basket completely filled with colorfully wrapped eggs. He shook his head, then turned back to the refrigerator. "They-they won't do anything but mu-muck up the recipes."
Y/N slightly scowled at him. "But they're made of chocolate! I think they would make them taste better."
"You-you don't know anything about baking, do-do you?" He asked, taking the white eggs out of the fridge.
The child pouted. "Has Ms. Eilis ever asked you to help her bake?"
"Of course she has! She-she just doesn't a-a lot anymore." He spoke, and walked down the aisle for flour.
Y/N rushed to stand next to him. "But the chocolate ones don't cost a lot."
"That-that doesn't mean the-they'll work." He grabbed the flour off the shelf, and shoved it into Y/N's arms. "He-here, I-I have too much to carry."
"It's heavy," they whined. "Can I carry the eggs?"
Stopping in his tracks as he was on his way to the register, he set the milk down. "Be-be careful. The-they're more fragile than a-a baby."
They gave him the flour, and he gave them the eggs. "What does 'fragile' mean?"
"Ea-easily breakable." He mumbled, and the two treaded to the front, where a man was waiting.
He smiled at the pair. "Hello, have you found everything you were looking for?"
Thomas grinned back. "Ye-yes, we-we have. Than-thank you."
"Do the candy eggs work when you're baking?" Y/N asked as soon as the boy finished.
The man shook his head as he packed the food into the bag. "I can't say they do, but I'm more than happy for you to buy some and try." He added with a wry smile.
They had the widest grin on their face. "Okay then, I'll go get some!" They started to run back to the basket, but Thomas grabbed their arm.
"No-no, Mi-miss Eilis did-didn't give us a-a lot of money." Pouting again, Y/N reluctantly followed him back to the counter.
"That will be ninety-eight pence."
Thomas placed the food on the table, and took out the money Ms. Eilis gave him. He swallowed. "We-we only have seventy-two."
The man shook his head. "You'll have to get rid of something, boy."
Sighing, Thomas gazed over everything that he would buy; then, he looked at Y/N, and smiled. "We-well, I-I guess we can buy tho-those chocolate eggs now."
Before they could object, he took the regular eggs out of their hands, and solemnly walked to the back to put the eggs away. The child gazed at him as he grabbed a handful of the chocolate eggs; completely dejected.
Maybe if he could do something to distract the man at the counter, then they could sneak back and steal the eggs. But what if the man gets in the way? Well, that won't be too hard to-.
"No more magic,"
The words rang in Y/N's ears. Their was no way they stealing would work unless they used their "magic". Unless.....
Thomas payed with a few pence left over as the child waited patiently, and he started to walk out; Y/N didn't follow.
"Y/N, what-what are you waiting for?"
They looked at him. "I left something."
He pursed his lips. "Al-alright, just-just be quick." He left and waited outside.
Race walking to the back, Y/N swiftly opened the refrigerator and grabbed the eggs. They gently pushed the eggs under their shirt, and held them to their chest. It certainly did not go unnoticed.
"Oi! The hell you think you're doing?!" The man yelled, and rushed from the counter. Walking with a faster pace, Y/N went the other route to the exit.
"Stop there, you little thief!" He attempted to grab the child as they were a foot away from the door; then, suddenly tripped. "Shite!" He cursed, and looked at what he slipped over. "The hell did these things come from?" He mumbled, staring at the small plethora of apples on the floor.
Y/N raced towards Thomas. "Go,"
"What?" He questioned, and Y/N grabbed his arm.
"Don't tell anyone."
"Te-tell anyone wha-what?"
Grinning, they pulled the eggs out of their shirt.
His mouth dropped. "Y-Y/N, tha-that's stealing!"
They shook their head. "We still got them."
Quickly dropping it, Thomas shook his head. "That-that's brilliant, how-how you made it out alive."
Smiling at each other, the two walked fast to the bakery.
...
Eilis had to cover her mouth to stifle the laughter that many people would most likely hear for miles. She gazed back at Newt when she was calm. "I don't believe you."
He shook his head, a small smile playing on his mouth. "I would never lie about it."
"How in the world does that Erumpet fit in that small case of yours, and by Merlin's beard, why do you know its mating dance?" She giggled.
Bringing his hand to rest on his cheek, attempting to hide his blush, he said. "There was no other way for me to get her back in the case."
She smirked, and leaned on the counter. "You didn't answer my question, Mr. Scamander."
Newt's smile instantly fell at the rapid change of attitude. One moment she was playful and sweet; the next, she was batting her eyes at him. Before he could open his mouth to speak, the soft bell chimed.
"We-we're here." Thomas called.
Eilis let out a sigh of relief, and came out from behind the counter. "Ah, thank the Lord above. Now, what did you get?"
He held the bag out to her, and Y/N gave her the eggs. "We-we got the-the flour, milk, and-and the eggs."
"Don't forget the candy eggs." Y/N grinned.
"Candy eggs? What for?" Eilis asked, taking the small eggs out one by one.
The child elbowed Thomas. "O-oh, we-we thought they would be-be good decorations."
She smiled. "Thank you both so much. Thomas, get an apron on and wash your hands, and Y/N, this lovely man would like to talk to you."
Gleefully smiling, Thomas rushed into the back and out of site; Eilis happily following him. Y/N looked to Newt, and grinned. "Hi, Mr. Newt."
Newt shook his head. "Please Y/N, Newt is just fine." He showed them a tiny smile.
They nodded. "Why are you here?"
He paused at the question. Why was he here, specifically? There was no reason for him to be connected to a child he had only met days ago. But perhaps, he sees something in them, Maybe, just maybe, he sees too much of her in them.
Newt shrugged. "I wanted to picture what my friend's bakery would look like back in America, if I could have visited him."
"What's his name?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"His name, what is it?" They asked, a smile spreading.
He paused, internally asking himself: 'Should I tell them?' over and over again. "Jacob. His name is Jacob."
They smiled. "What is he like?"
Newt thought for a bit. "He is kind, selfless, honest, and," he paused. "a wonderful friend."
Y/N grinned like a Cheshire Cat. "Why can't you see him?"
He shook his head. "I'm not allowed to."
"Why?"
"It's against the law in America to-." He caught himself just in time, his face falling.
They squinted their eyes. "To what? You make it sound horrible."
"Y/N!" Eilis called loudly from the kitchen. "We need you back here, NOW!"
The child looked back at Newt. "Goodbye,"
He waved. "Goodbye, Y/N."
As the child was rushing to the back door, Eilis opened it for them. "Alright, now get your sorry little-are you alright?"
"Huh?" They asked, sounding almost out of it.
"You look pale." Eilis pointed out, resting a hand on their head.
"I'm tired."
She giggled. "It's not even noon yet, and we haven't opened. Come on, we have work to do." Eilis smiled as the child skipped into the kitchen; then, she turned to Newt as he was leaving. She nodded at him.
That was all he needed to know that he could trust her.
For the rest of the afternoon, the trio worked together to not only bake several delicious treats, but sell until they were almost completely out of stock! The three now sat at one of the tables, each eating a piece of leftover vanilla cake for their dinner.
"If I am correct, these seem the right amount for the both of you." Eilis proclaimed, handing each Thomas and Y/N several pounds and pence.
Skimming the money, Thomas spoke up almost immediately. "Thi-this is too much. We-we should have just-just a bit less than this."
Eilis grinned. "You're too smart for your own good, Tom. Anyway, I've decided to be nice since I know you both are honest, hard workers."
The two grimaced as she finished.
Her grin fell. "What is it?"
The look on her face was what broke Y/N. "I'm sorry! We only wanted to get real eggs!"
The young woman looked on in confusion. "Real eggs? I didn't even say anything!"
They kept going. "I-I stole from the man at the counter, and-and he tried to chase me, but he fell. I'm sorry!"
Eilis scowled, and sighed. "Did you really steal from Mr. Roger?"
Y/N nodded, and Thomas looked away.
Biting her lip, Eilis stood up sharply, and grabbed her coat before marching to the door. "Well then, we used all those eggs, so now I'll have to go over and apologize to him, then we are in debt. For lord's sake Thomas, take Y/N home; and I don't want any excuses from the both of you why you aren't here at nine o'clock sharp." She slammed the door.
The two children looked at one another in slight fear. "I-I think we-we should go." Thomas said.
They nodded, and the children stood up from their spots, pocketing the money, and slowly walking out of the bakery. It was quiet between the two of them; almost as if they were both scared to say one word to each other.
"Whe-where's your house?" He asked after a while of walking.
They pointed. "Just keep going straight, then we twist and turn a lot."
He smiled, and the two continued. "How is your family?" They asked him.
Thomas shrugged. "My-my pa is still look-looking for a job, and-and my ma is doing okay. I wish I-I could go back to school sometimes."
"Why? I don't even want to go in the first place." Y/N proudly said, knowing their mother doesn't have the time nor money for school.
"Do-do you know how to-to read?"
"I'm not telling you." They snapped slightly.
He flinched. "I-I was just asking."
"Well sometimes, you shouldn't ask questions." They furrowed their eyes.
Thomas sighed. "Is-is your house far away now?"
They shook their head. "I can walk by myself if you want to go home. I'll be fine on my own."
"No, Miss-miss Eilis told me to take you home." He refused.
The child stopped him in his tracks. "Ms. Eilis doesn't need to know."
He stared at them for a little longer, then nodded his head in defeat. "Stay-stay safe, Y-Y/N. Pl-please."
Y/N smiled at him, and squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Thomas." Letting go, they ran and waved to him. "See you tomorrow!"
The child sprinted home as the sun was nearly gone from the sky. Thankfully they reached their home in the neighborhood.
Their smile soon fell as they were approaching Ms. Angela's house. The child held their breath when they were watching to see if she was at her usual rocking chair, smoking a cigarette, or praying the rosary.
She wasn't.
That only caused the smile to grow wider on Y/N's face, and they soon ran to the front door of their home. Yet, something was off; Y/N almost felt afraid to enter their own house.
Gathering up what small courage the child had, they slowly opened the door, and peaked into the house. It was like nothing had changed ever since Y/N had stepped out of the door earlier that morning. Still feeling hesitant, they slowly entered the house and searched.
"Mama?" They called, still looking. No one responded.
The child swallowed, slowly growing more fearful. "Mama?" They called again, louder this time.
Silence.
Instead of calling out to her again, Y/N walked faster and searched the small house. The child became so desperate, they looked into small spaces they knew not even possible for their mother to crawl in to.
It was when they child tried to push the door to the bathroom open, was when they knew she was in their.
"Mummy?" The child whispered, continuing to try pushing the door open. Something was blocking it, and Y/N had to use all their strength to finally get it to open.
The child's world came crumbling down as their mother lay on the dirty floor; motionless.
Falling onto their knees, they touched her cheek gently, wanting...no, needing her to wake up. Her skin was colder than the ice that would form against the window sill the mother and child would often stare at.
The child could not hear themselves scream as they sat on the murky floor, crying. They did not notice they had also run out of their home until they tripped over their own feet.
And they just lied their, crying into the concrete.