Stars

Mid-calf Nile Green flapper dress.

Tina stared at herself in the mirror with furrowed brows and a tilted head. Her reflection shook her head at her. Not quite. She waved her wand again.

Newt Scamander had just asked her to their first event together, and here she was, in her room at the Scamander manor without the faintest idea of what she was going to wear.

She waved her wand again and again but couldn’t seem to be satisfied. Frustrated, she plonked down on the floor, ripping the dress she was wearing. She didn’t care; why did women have to wear dresses when men could wear pants? She huffed angrily.

“I can’t do this.” she said to herself, holding her head in her hands.

“You could wear a potato sack for all he cares and he’d still think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Tina snapped back in alarm to see Mrs. Scamander, Newt’s mother, standing in the doorway, her hand grazing the doorframe. Tina blushed bright red and stood up hastily, brushing her ruined dress down with her hands.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to— um…” Tina giggled nervously, embarrassed.

Mrs. Scamander smiled sweetly. “It’s quite alright darling, it’ll be your room one day anyway.” Tina blushed even redder, rubbing her arm uncomfortably. Mrs. Scamander gestured to the tangled ripped dress. “You need some help?”

“Oh, um…thank you.”

“No worries dear.” Mrs. Scamander smiled again and stepped forward. “Let’s get you out of this mess first.”

“Let’s try again, shall we?”

Tina nodded, standing up tall, prepared to wave her wand again.

Tina now stood in front of the mirror in a slip, Mrs. Scamander behind her. Mrs. Scamander glanced at her in the mirror and caught her eye, smiling wistfully.

“He loves you, you know. I know you don’t believe me, but trust me dear, he does.”

Tina felt the heat rise in her cheeks again. She opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, not knowing what to say. Smiling nervously was all she could manage.

“He’s always been cautious around girls, but I can tell that he can’t help but love you.”

“He doesn’t,” Tina croaked out.

“He does. I know, I’m his mother. And do you know why he loves you?”

Tina shook her head slightly, staring at her feet.

“Because of the goodness of your heart, and because you aren’t afraid to be yourself no matter how hard it is.”

Tina blushed again, not knowing what to say.

“Nothing is truer to yourself than wearing your heart on your sleeve. The more honesty you add to your appearance, the more he will admire you for it.”

“So…I’m supposed to wear my…heart?”

Mrs. Scamander nodded. “Yes. What I’m trying to say is, just be yourself. Wear something that you feel truly represents you. When you walk out of this room, you should have no regrets. I’ll give you a few moments alone to think it over,” she said. “There’s no rush; come down whenever you’re ready.”

Tina straightened and met Mrs. Scamander’s eye, nodding.

Mrs. Scamander smiled affectionately, patting Tina’s shoulder as she exited the room. “Remember, he loves you for you.”

“Thank you.” Tina said, smiling back gratefully.

“Anytime, dearie.”

When the door shut, Tina faced herself in the mirror once again and took a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she waved her wand one last time.

…

Newt paced back and forth in the front parlor wringing his hands. Earlier that day on their outing together, Newt had blurted out an invitation to Tina to be his date to the Ministry gala that night. Tina had replied with a wide-eyed “yes,” and both of them had looked equally horrified at what they’d just said.

The stairs behind him creaked, snapping him out of his trance. He turned around, and his jaw dropped open.

Tina stood at the top of the staircase, gazing down upon him. Her midnight blue dress glittered with thousands and thousands of stars, its tresses trailing down across the stairs behind her as she descended. Her eyes were painted with a matching silvery blue, making them glow even brighter than usual. He could not stop himself from staring. She looked like a princess. No, a queen.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said as she arrived before him. Taking in his astonished expression, she smiled a little nervously, fiddling with the Star of David penchant at her collarbone. “Are you alright?”

Newt blinked, snapping his jaw shut and shaking his head a little, averting his gaze. “Of course, of course,” his eyes found hers again. No salamander could ever compete. “You look...you look beautiful.”

Tina giggled quietly and a pale pink tinged her cheeks. Newt’s heart skipped a beat.

“Thanks. And you don’t look so bad yourself,” she replied, reaching out to pull his tie straight.

Newt cleared his throat, then held out his arm. “Shall we then?”

Tina beamed at him. “We shall,” she said, taking his arm.

A snap, and they disapparated together.

…

Her hand wrapped around Newt’s arm, she followed him into a large ballroom, bustling with witches and wizards. No sooner than they’d walked in, people began to whisper.

“Scamander...that’s him isn’t it?”

“But who is that woman with him?”

“She’s beautiful.”

Stares often accompanied Newt wherever he went, but Tina found that oddly enough, many people where staring at her too.

“Newt,” she whispered, following the people’s gazes, “Why are they staring at me?”

“Well,” he replied, not in the least bothered, “You were the one to insist on being the most beautiful woman in the room tonight, so I can’t say I blame them.”

Tina felt herself blush and squeezed Newt’s arm. “Oh, shut up.”

They walked in silence for a minute, when Newt spoke again.

“Esther.”

Tina’s eyes snapped to Newt, perplexed.

“What?”

“Esther,” he said again. “Your middle name. It means ‘star,’ doesn’t it? Is that why you wore the night sky?”

Tina’s eyes widened. “You know about that?”

Newt flashed her a sheepish grin and that made Tina’s heart flutter. “I do try to make an effort in getting to know you.”

The conversations with the ministry officials were going well, and Tina swelled with pride at how much progress Newt had made. He had learned deftly to take compliments, hold conversations, smile when appropriate. The most wonderful smile I have ever seen, thought Tina.

Then suddenly Newt froze, his eyes focusing far away.

“What is it?”

Tina followed his gaze across the room. A small elderly man stood at the end of it, with a head full of scruffy white hair. He appeared to be enamored by the glass of firewhiskey before him.

“Ingor Maxwell, the dragonologist,” Newt whispered. “My childhood hero.”

“Well then, let’s go introduce ourselves.” Tina pulled on Newt’s arm, but he stood rooted to the spot, shaking his head.

“Oh, come on Newt. It’ll be all right.”

Newt gulped and finally nodded, allowing himself to be dragged across the room.

They came up behind the man, but he did not notice. Newt cleared his throat.

“Mr. Maxwell?”

The man whirled in surprise, gazing up at Newt.

“Hah!” He boomed, drunkenly clapping Newt on the shoulder. “Scamander! I was hoping to finally meet you at this jolly party. I take it you’ve been very busy, young lad? Writing your book and with Grindelwald’s antics.” His gaze flitted quickly in Tina’s direction. “And I see you’ve snagged yourself a pretty lass too, eh?”

Tina smiled uncomfortably, and she felt Newt’s arm tense under her grasp.

“Um... I just wanted to say how grateful I am for your work with dragons. I’ve followed them since I was a child and your findings on the Ukrainian Ironbellies were a great aid to me during the Great War.”

“Ah yes, dragons. Fascinating creatures, I must say.” Maxwell took a giant swig of his firewhiskey, chuckling. “Not that I’ve really worked with them myself, of course.”

Newt blinked, a pause. “I-I’m sorry sir, I’m not sure what you mean.”

Maxwell snorted. “Surely you don’t think I really worked with those beasts myself? That type of work is beneath high born wizards like us, Scamander. Just have to pay a couple lads to do it all for you. All our job is to write it all down and make some galleons. Wouldn’t want to get incinerated now, would we?” He took another swig of firewhiskey, hiccuping.

Newt was in shock, Tina could see it. His mouth hung ajar, eyes wide, a look of betrayal. She hated the way it looked on his face.

“You’re a fraud,” she blurted.

Maxwell turned his attention to Tina, his expression amused, almost mockingly. “Got something to say, lass?”

“You take other people’s work for yours. You’re a fraud.”

Maxwell sneered. “Call me what you want,” he said, looking her up and down. His eyes stopped at the Star of David hanging at her neck.

“You’re a Jew?”

“I am.”

His expression rapidly changed from one of amusement to one of disgust. “You’ve some nerve coming here, someone like you. You’ll never be one of us, Jewish filth.” He spat at the ground before her.

Shocked, Tina looked to Newt. His usually warm eyes burned with a cold fury.

She wanted to retaliate, say something, anything back, but she found that words failed her. All she could think of was how hard she had worked, all that she had left behind to escape people like this man. Queenie’s face, the jeers of her MACUSA coworkers, the terrors of Berlin swimming in her head. Her past coming back to bite her.

How pathetic she felt, unable to speak, unable to stand up for herself. She was never one to back down from a fight. Self-loathing filled her blood, and she could not breathe. She needed to leave, she just needed to leave.

She let go of Newt’s arm and walked briskly towards the exit.

…

Newt’s blood boiled in his veins. The fact that he had ever called this man his hero…

He wanted to rush out to Tina, but he forced himself to stare down at the despicable man before him.

“How dare you? How dare you speak to her that way?”

Maxwell huffed. “Honestly, I didn’t know you’d be the type to mingle with those sorts, being a Scamander and all. A shame, really.”

“One day she will be a Scamander herself, but Scamander or not, she’s worth a thousand of you. If you offend her again, I won’t hesitate to ruin you.”

Maxwell jeered. “You don’t scare me, boy.”

Newt took a step forward. He towered over the small man. He spoke, voice barely above a whisper.

“Would you still be so fearless if I were to expose you for your fraudulence?”

That seemed to sober him up a little. For the first time, something like fear flickered in Maxwell’s eyes. Good, thought Newt in his rage.

“You-you’ve no evidence.”

“Then I’ll find it,” Newt seethed. “And for the record, I am very good at finding things.”

He then promptly turned on his heel toward the direction Tina had took off.

He found her in the gardens, standing still as a statue beside the gazebo, head tilted upwards and watching the skies. It was a beautiful night, not a cloud in sight. Her pearly white skin glowed like silver in the moonlight, and the real stars glinted off of the glittering material of her dress. She looked like a goddess, observing the vast realm of her galaxies.

“Tina.”

He came up behind her, but she did not turn towards him. Instead she ducked her head, gaze downcast at her feet. He hated to see her like this. Shining, vital Tina, looking so defeated.

“Tina look at me.”

This time she did turn, slowly, her gaze meeting his. Newt was surprised to find dark tear tracks staining the pale skin of her cheeks. He fought the overwhelming urge to wipe them away.

“I’m sorry about him.”

Tina averted her gaze, turning her face away and shaking her head. “It’s not your fault.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but Newt could see the fresh tears that spilled from her dark eyes. This time he gave into the urge.

He reached out a tentative hand and he heard Tina’s breath hitch as he brushed the back of his hand gently upon the soft surfaces of her wet cheeks. He let his hand fall away, and Tina sighed.

“It’s my fault anyway. He was your hero and I…”

Newt heard the faint tremor at the edge of her words. Without fully understanding what he was doing, he pulled her into his arms.

Tina stiffened, and Newt nearly let go. But then she sighed and softened, resting her head on his shoulder. He felt moisture seep into the cloth of his dress robes.

“Shh…don’t cry now. I never know what to do when people cry.”

Tina let out a small laugh, and Newt felt relief flooding through him.

“Newt?”

“Yes?”

“Did you say anything else to Maxwell after I walked out?”

Newt took a breath. “Well…I may have threatened him a little.”

She laughed again, this time for real. Newt thought he had never heard a more extraordinary sound.

“Thanks,” she mumbled into his shoulder. They stood like this for a moment, enjoying the quiet sounds of the night and each other's company.

“Tina?”

“Mm?”

“Never apologize for being yourself.”

And then, very suddenly, Tina tilted her head upwards and pressed her lips to his. Newt froze, then tentatively wrapped his arms tighter around her. It was soft, tender, and everything he could ever want, everything he could ever ask for. He never wanted to let go.

They broke apart, gasping for breath. Newt searched her face, eyes wide.

“That was…”

Tina let out a breathless laugh, her face breaking into a dazzling smile. Some of the pins in her hair had come loose, and a few dark wisps were blowing around her shoulders. The fire in her eyes burned brighter than any star in the sky. With her tousled hair and the dark stains running down her porcelain cheeks, Newt thought she looked more beautiful than ever.

Before he knew what he was doing, Newt’s lips were meeting Tina’s once more.

…

It was then they knew, standing in the moonlight, hearts beating in tandem, that no matter how lost they were in the midst of the millions of stars, together they would always be able to find home.