Chapter 1
Harry thought Newt was one of the most interesting people he’d ever met. He’d been helping him all summer, back at the cottage he kept in northern England, almost like a day job. Newt knew so much about all sorts of interesting creatures; but also a lot about human nature.
There were many moments when Harry would be perplexed by someone’s reaction but Newt would calmly explain it, even when he didn’t disagree.
He thought it was pretty amazing that Newt managed to stay so calm, even in the face of prejudice and ignorance against the creatures he protects.
He was pretty sure Newt knew at least a little about everything and he found endless entertainment in questioning him about absolutely anything he could.
“Hey, Newt? Why do you think Phoenixes are immortal?” He called out, stacking the last of the notes on the desk. He turned to see Newt bent over the workbench, eyes squinting at the potion he was distilling.
“Well, that’s an interesting question, Harry.” Newt answered, though his gaze didn’t shift from his own work. “I don’t have a set answer for you, but I know Phoenixes aren’t actually immortal. They can be killed.”
Harry blinked in surprise, not having expected that response.
“But - but who would want to kill a phoenix?” He understood what Newt had implied - they never cease to regenerate naturally. Newt cast him a side glance then, expression softening with understanding. He set his own potion down, turning to face Harry now, offering his full attention. He crossed his arms over his chest, shirt sleeves rolled up past his elbows, bowtie abandoned, and met Harry’s gaze. It thrilled Harry that Newt felt comfortable enough with him to meet his gaze. There’s something soft but also old about his gaze, and it’s times like this where it strikes Harry that Newt is over 100 years old, and looks no older than in his 20s. Newt comes forward then, placing his hands on Harry’s shoulders and ducking forward so they’re eye to eye.
“There are a lot of people in this world, Harry. A lot of good people. But there’s always a balance. For all the good in the world, there is also bad.”
“Not evil?”
Newt’s mouth quirks into an almost smile.
“No. I don’t know that I believe in true evil.” Newt admits. “But nonetheless, there are those that are bad, and greedy, and cruel. Those people, they’ll hurt anything, and everything they can.”
“But why?” Harry couldn’t help but ask, and felt himself flush at how silly the question was. Newt just gave his shoulders a squeeze.
“Because they’re missing something, Harry. Something you and I have in spades.”
“What?”
Newt leaned back then, ruffling Harry’s hair and offering him a smile as bright as the sun.
“Love.”
Newt blinked in surprise when Harry launched forward, wrapping a tight hug around his waist, face pressed against his chest. The surprise lasted barely a second though and he wrapped one arm around the boy’s shoulder, resting the other on his head. He’d become used to the tactile nature of animals, but he’d forgotten for many years the touch of another human.
It seemed Harry had erased most of that though, being as tactile as a kitten. Speaking of; Newt glanced up, catching Lily’s gaze from where she was perched on the ladder. She’d gotten larger than the average house cat, and he wouldn’t be surprised if it was from magical exposure to Harry for so long.
He understood that Harry had bought her as a kitten, bonding almost instantly, and while exposure to most magic users wouldn’t affect a household animal, Harry put off astronomical levels of magical energy. It left Newt himself feeling punch drunk sometimes, despite his own circumstances.
He blinked and Lily looked away, resting her head on her paws as her gaze turned to Harry who was pulling back at the same moment.
“Are you like a phoenix?” Harry blurted, and Newt froze. Then he laughed despite himself, delighted and honoured by the direction the boy’s thoughts had taken. He ruffled his hair again, moving over to Lily to gather her up in his arms and pass her to Harry.
“No, unfortunately not. If I die, it will be permanent.”
“If?”
Now Newt winked, turning back to his potion as Harry cuddled Lily close. When he’d turned away though, the smile slipped from his features. If only it was as simple as being like a phoenix.
“Newt? You’re going to come to my birthday, right?”
When Newt smiled again, it was genuine as he glanced back to Harry, amused and fond.
“Of course, Harry. It would be rude of me to simply drop you off and run.” He comforted, but the look Harry shot him nearly had a blush rising. He grinned despite himself. “The full moon also happens to be the very next night.”
Harry laughed, the sound bright and still filled with that childlike innocence.
“Is it okay if we go play with Nadine?” Harry asked, and Newt nodded, glancing up only when the boy and cat had disappeared. It still amused him to no end that the two had managed to bond with the grumpy predator.
He glanced back at the potion and realized he’d left it too long, sighing but not feeling any real remorse.
Giving up for the time being, he grabbed the camera he’d borrowed for this very purpose and went to sneak a photo of Harry playing with yet another dangerous beast to post to his aunt. Luckily, she found it as amusing as he did.