Going around the common room, handing out the different scored essays and warnings, he congratulated or warned different students until his hands fell into his trouser pockets and turned to where you and Newt were sitting side by side on the floor. 

“And one of my Professors told me that she had to undo a rather powerful knotting charm,” Theseus said, though you didn’t look at him, unlike Newt. “Two students; A Slytherin and Ravenclaw…” You could feel his eyes on you, though you still didn’t look at him. “Tripped all the way to their classes. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you, Y/n?”

You didn’t answer. You didn’t look up. You just kept working on your essay. 

“Y/n!” Theseus raised his voice a little to get your attention. But, from the way you held your shoulders, he already knew you’d spotted him the minute he walked in. 

Finally looking up at him, you shrugged. “Wouldn’t know a thing. I don’t really have friends outside of Hufflepuff.”

His eyes narrowed at you just before Newt jumped in. “I-I think, whether Y/n knows something or, like…like she said; doesn’t. They more than likely deserved it.”

Theseus hummed before lowering his voice. “As Head Boy, you should know that should I find the culprit, I must deduct house points. But as your brother…” Theseus crouched down. “And, since she’s your best friend, I have to agree. They…” Theseus turned and looked at you, purposely trying to ignore him. “They had it coming.”

The short pause in your note taking told Theseus you’d heard him. And the smile that you refused to let show warmed him more than he’d expected. 

Over the next two evenings, people started disappearing from the halls and common rooms since they were headed home for Christmas. Newt had said he’d meet you back at the common room, but after seeing him run down the hallways and out into the courtyard with Leta Lestrange, you knew you wouldn’t see him for a while. 

“What are you doing here?”

Looking up, you searched for who the voice belonged to. And it wasn’t long before you found it, your mostly natural face turning into a scowl…kind off. 

“Trying to find a spell that will hide me from idiots. Clearly it’s not working.”

“Ha, ha.” Theseus mocked. “But seriously, the final train leaves in an hour. Aren’t you headed-”

“I’m not going home.”

“What?”

It was easier to speak the truth to Theseus, but even some truths were too hard to say when looking people in the eye. “Mum and dad thought it was best.”

“What?”

“You know, you’re really living up to this ‘idiot’ nickname.”

Theseus chuckled. “Where’s Newt? Isn’t he-”

“He’s with Leta.”

“Oh.”

You smirked. “Jealous?”

For the first time in a long time, you saw him nervous. “N-no.”

“God,” you breathed in shock. 

“What?” 

“I know you and Newt are brothers but…Jesus…get you talking about one girl and suddenly you’re like twins! All nervous and bumbling, not knowing what a word is. Maybe ‘idiot’ suits you.”

“Stop calling me an idiot.”

You shrugged. “Shame. It’s stuck now.”

“Y/n.”

“Don’t Y/n me!” you told him as you closed the book on your lap and approached him. 

“Then stop calling me an idiot!”

Suddenly, you stopped in your tracks realising, not only had he taken a few steps towards you, but now there was barely three inches of distance between you both. 

And nobody was a witness. 

You could kiss him, or kill him, and nobody would ever know. 

With heavy breaths, Theseus spoke in a quiet voice. “Why aren’t you going home?”

“I already told-”

“I mean the real story. The truth.”

You swallowed, somehow unable to look away from him. “What I told you was the truth. They don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“They tend to care what people think. Family, friends, neighbours. I’m the freak.”

“You’re not a freak.”

You found yourself chuckling a little. “I am a freak. I go to a school we can’t talk about, the fact I made a bookshelf levitate when I was seven is still a story told at parties. But it’s never in amazement or wonder. It’s mostly in…warning? Fear. They just want a normal holiday.”

“And, do you?”

“Do I what?”

“Care?”

You paused for a moment. “Care about who?”

“Their opinions?”

“You know I don’t.”

Theseus smiled and you scolded yourself for how it made your stomach turn. Usually, it would churn. But not this time. 

“Yeah,” he whispered. “I do.” Reaching out for your hand, his fingers brushed yours, briefly. “I don’t think you’re a freak, Y/n. And I know you don’t care about people’s opinions but…I think you’re wonderful, Y/n. Truly.”

Just as your breath hitched in your chest, the sound of the common room door opening echoed throughout the room. In shock or fear, both yourself and Theseus jumped apart. And the feeling of his hand no longer being in yours…

Your hand had never felt so cold. 

In front of you, Newt and Leta were standing together. 

“Newt,” Theseus said. 

“Hello,” he replied before looking at you. “Y/n…you’re still here?”

You nodded, hiding your hand behind you as if it was evidence you didn’t want him to see. “Y-yeah. Mum and Dad decided to head to the Coast. I prefer Christmas in the village so…”

You could feel Theseus’s eyes looking at you and in the short moment Newt looked away, you dared to look at the older Scamander brother and lightly shook your head when you saw his face. 

The subtle nod that came from him told you everything you needed; He wouldn’t tell Newt. But he is wondering why you just lied to your best friend. 

“Leta and I were just going to check on the raven. I just wanted to grab some things beforehand.”

Both of you nodded before smiling in Leta’s direction. 

“Hi, Theseus.”

“H-Hi.”

You smiled a little to yourself, watching as Leta ran to follow Newt down the hallway. 

“You’re not stupid, Theseus.” You told him. “But you’re still an idiot.”

And as you passed him by, he nodded with a soft chuckle. “Yeah, maybe I am.”

Though you and Theseus never spoke about what happened in the common room, you did eventually tell him why you lied to Newt about your Christmas Stay-Cation at the castle. 

“He doesn’t need to worry about why I’m here or not.”

“But why lie? Why not just tell him the truth, like you told me?” Theseus asked. 

He’d been coming down the breakfast early every morning, trying to catch you before Newt or Leta even woke up. Mostly, you were avoiding everyone. You dined early, headed…somewhere, which he was still yet to figure out, and would return to dinner later than the rest. 

“He doesn’t need my family drama, or my sob story, when he’s…having fun.”

“He and Leta are close, aren’t they?”

You nodded. “I’d go as far as to say she’s his best friend.”

“What about you?”

You shook your head. “He’s my best friend. But that doesn’t mean it goes the same way.”

Theseus shook his head in disagreement. “Newt cares for you-”

“I know he does.” You smiled, and for a second Theseus scolded himself for being struck by it. “And I know he sees me as a friend. But what he and Leta have…it’s just…more.”

“And what about you and I?”

That was when your smile disappeared, your face falling to a deadpan. “You’re tolerable.”

Theseus smiled, if a little smug. “That’s better than being an idiot, at least.”

It was only after he graduated that you started to realise just how much you missed him. Even if he was a pain in your arse most of the time. 

Leta and Newt’s friendship was growing a little stronger day by day. Even more so when Newt nearly got expelled. 

“I thought you were looking after him,” Theseus had said to you in a low voice as you waited outside of Dumbledore’s office. 

“He’s a capable human being, Theseus. He doesn’t need me babysitting him.” 

“Really?” His tone was harsh. “So why am I here then?”

From where you were both standing close in front of one another, in a whispered argument, the door to the office fell open. 

“It’s alright, you may enter. Thank you, Ms. Y/L/N.”

You looked towards the Professor and nodded, but not before looking back at Theseus once more. He may wear the suit and tie of a Ministry Auror, but that didn’t stop him from being the same boy you’d expertly ignored throughout school. 

“This isn’t my fault, Theseus. You can’t blame me for this one.”

The next time you heard from Theseus was just before the war. He’d sent you a letter. First to agree with you that, yes, it was odd him writing to you of all people. But then to apologise for how ‘things were left’ between both of you, the last time you’d spoken. 

Finally, it was a plea. 

“I don’t know what will happen after today. But, should the worst happen, please look out for Newt. Yes, he’s a capable human being. But he’s still my brother.”

You’d written back almost immediately. 

“I will, I promise. But try and stay safe.”

You would never know it, but the moment Theseus received your letter, it had been the first smile of relief he’d given in a long time. 

Maybe it was the war, maybe it was the fact you’d both grown up, maybe it was the fact that since you’d started working at the Ministry in the ‘Misuse of Muggle Artifacts’ office, you’d surprisingly seen more of Theseus than you’d care to admit. 

But, whatever it was, you’d seem to have grown…closer. 

Maybe close enough that you could call him a friend. 

Newt was away, in search of another beast to add to his growing sanctuary. Theseus had finally started dating Leta – something that you knew hurt Newt more than he was letting on.

“Why don’t you just try?”

“I’m happy where I am, Theseus.” 

Despite your efforts to walk away, pretending to be on urgent and important business as you put disenchanted library books back onto the shelves, Theseus continued to follow. 

“Please,” Theseus sighed. “Your talents are wasted here. I’ve seen the kind of spells you can cast. You’d be a great Auror.”

You shook your head. “Aside from the fact that I have no desire to join your boys club, I’m a muggle.”

“You’re a witch.”

You sighed, turning around sharply. “To you, I am a witch. But to them, I am a muggle. Besides, what I’ve found is that most witches and wizards don’t know what even half of the items in here are actually for.”

You could see the uncertainty in Theseus’s eyes, so, hurrying towards one of the tables, you pulled a couple of items. And, after a couple of guesses, he still got their functions wrong. 

“I’m right where I need to be, Theseus.”

Clicking his tongue as he leaned against your desk, he shrugged. “The offer is always open.”

“Thank you, Theseus. And if there is anything I can help with; muggle or otherwise…”

Theseus smiled. “It’s nice.”

You smiled back. “What is?”

“This,” he motioned back and forth. “Being friends.”

“We’ve come a long way.”

“Yeah,” you smiled. “I guess we have.”

As time moved on, so did your friendship with Theseus. What had once been a rivalry of sorts, eventually became a friendship you began to cherish. 

With your work in Muggle Artifacts, you’d landed yourself a few different temporary transfers to different Ministries. 

And each time, you’d find yourself sending a post card to a few people – but the only one to ever reply was Theseus. Usually it was to tell you about a restaurant to visit, or a site to go and see. Either way, despite being half a world away, you still had someone you could share at least half of a memory with. 

Despite all of this, the first time you hugged Theseus was just after the first battle with Gindlewald. 

Queenie had joined the dark side. Dumbledore was refusing to fight him for…reasons only he knew. And Leta…Leta was dead. 

The Ministry was closed for the evening but you’d stayed late trying to disenchant a brandy bottle that would only pour water from Hogwarts black lake in an upwards stream. 

It was as you passed the main offices on a brief break that you heard it. A quiet mumble, a soft cry and then a smash of a glass which echoed only pain. 

On a gold plaque, you read the name. 

Theseus Scamander: Head of the Auror Office

It was fresh. Both the plaque and the words. You did have half a mind to give Theseus his own, rather normal, brady bottle as a congratulations for his promotion. But, upon pushing the door open further than the three inches it already was open, you realised maybe it wasn’t the best idea. 

The bracket of the door was broken from where he’d clearly slammed the door closed. You figured maybe that was why the door was open and he didn’t know. 

“Theseus?”

Inside his office, you found everything from his desk on the floor. His coat and jacket were stamped into the carpet. Beneath your heels, glass crunched and the door fell open a little more when you gripped onto it for stability. 

Then you saw him. 

His hair was all over the place, his eyes were red, his cheeks were stained from tears. The tie around his neck was loose, but not fully gone. And, despite trying to keep his composure, the minute his eyes met yours, it was gone in an instant.

Racing inside, you quickly wrapped your arms around his frame as he fell to his knees, bringing you with him. Sobbing into your shoulder and neck, you held him a little tighter before using your wand to fix the door, quickly and quietly. 

Once it was fixed and locked, you waited until Theseus had calmed a little before moving your head back to look at him. 

You didn’t say a word. You didn’t have to. Theseus knew you. Despite the years and the growth, he still knew you. 

I’m so sorry. Don’t worry. I’m here. You’re not alone.

Drying the falling tears, you looked him over. There were no cuts or stray shards from the shattered glass. Just a sad and heartbroken man. 

“I…I can’t go home. She’s still there. I can’t…” His voice broke and it broke your heart. 

Holding back your tears for him and for Leta, you pulled him back in for a tight hug. And, over the years, you helped him where you could. 

First, it was with staying at your place until he was brave enough to face his own home. Each day, you’d take your break from work and walk to the local bakery. On the way, like you’d done for so many years, you passed Theseus and Leta’s home. 

And each time, you’d spot Theseus. And each week, he got closer and closer to the door, until one afternoon, you watched him walk inside. 

That night, he didn’t come home. But you found him. Sat in his kitchen, going through Leta’s things. 

Just eighteen months after her death, Theseus decided to move. 

“It’s too hard,” he had told you. “It’s like I’m waiting for her to walk inside and…come home.”

You understood, and over the following few years, you watched Theseus find a way to live again, as well as just breathe. You even helped him get ready for his first date. 

“You should know, I have less experience in this world than you do.”

“Still,” Theseus sighed. “Which one? Blue? Or-”

You reached forward, taking the second tie from him and throwing it back into his wardrobe. “Blue. Definitely blue. And- come here.”

Positioning him in front of you, you fixed his hair before he could run his fingers through it again out of nervousness. Finally, you fixed his tie. 

“There,” you smiled, softly. “Handsome as ever.”

“You think I’m handsome?”

“Uhh…” You stalled, both because of his question and because, standing so close to him, sent you right back to Hufflepuff common room, the first time you’d held his hand. 

Quickly, you cleared your throat. “You better get going. Before you’re late.”

Looking at the clock, he swore. “You’re right. Thanks for your help.”

For the first time, Theseus kissed you on the cheek. It was barely a second thought. Just a quick kiss as a goodbye before the door closed behind him on his way out. 

And yet…

It sent your head into a spin. 

“Pull yourself together,” you told yourself as you cleaned up your home. 

By the time you saw him again, everything was normal. Until the day things started to change. 

“Alright, what is going on between you two?” Newt finally asked. 

He’d been noticing the change for a while. Maybe just under a year? 

You and Theseus had been growing closer – closer than ever. Newt felt for certain that things his brother and you didn’t tell him, you most certainly told each other. 

Newt also knew that he hadn’t seen that kind of light in his brother’s eyes since they were kids. The kind of light that only came to him when he was around you. 

But in the most recent weeks, something had…changed. 

“What? No. Nothing.” His brother had always been a terrible liar. 

“Theseus.”

“Nothing it’s-.”

Newt smiled to himself as he fed Dougal. “You like her.”

Theseus forced a laugh. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“And she likes you, too.”

Theseus leaned forward, quickly following his brother, being sure to avoid the stray tail of another long-named animal. “She-she does?”

Newt chuckled. “You should see the way she looks at you when you’re not looking.”

“And-whoa.” Theseus ducked to avoid another branch. “And how is that? Exactly?”

“Like how you look at her when she’s not looking.” Newt explained. “Don’t you find it rather annoying? Looking at one another when the other isn’t looking back?”

His brother chuckled. “I guess that is kind of annoying. But,” he smiled. “Does she really look at me?”

“Are you kidding?” Jacob said, emerging from behind the tree of Pickett’s family. “She can’t take her eyes off of you. And neither can you, for her.”

A blush spread across Theseus’s face as he smiled and looked away. 

“So, when are you thinking about doing it?”

“What?”

“Asking her out,” Jacob specified. 

“Right,” Theseus nodded. “Asking her out. Soon. Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“She’s…she’s my…friend.”

Jacob chuckled. “She’s more than your friend.”

Jacob had a point. 

A very correct, very good point. 

But despite his age and…wisdom when it came to asking a woman out on a date…for the first time, he felt like a fish out of water. 

Not that he liked to admit it, but he’d been shot down a couple of times over the years – politely, but it was still a no. He didn’t want you to say no. He didn’t want you to say no, find it odd and then leave your friendship for dust. 

He didn’t want to get it wrong. 

Not with you. 

Three days later, he spent twenty minutes pacing outside your office door. He’d had his speech rehearsed (and written down, just in case he forgot). He knew you – you knew him. There was no reason to be nervous. 

And yet, he was. 

Maybe you had been right all those years ago. He wasn’t stupid, but he certainly was an idiot. 

“Knock, knock.”

“Just a minute!” Your voice shouted from somewhere inside, followed by the sound of a box falling, a creak of a ladder and then a clatter of something else. 

“Y/n?” He rushed inside, looking for you amongst the different muggle items you’d educated him on over the last couple of years. 

“Theseus?”

“Yeah,” he answered. “I was hoping- where are you?” The more he looked around your office, the more lost he seemed to get. 

“Uhh,” you looked around you. “Between the tapestries and the telephones!”

Theseus looked around him. “Telephone…telephone…Ah!”

Spotting the small sign just across the room, he followed it until he found you stuck in the middle of a pile of different fabrics and wires. 

“Are you alright?”

You nodded with a chuckle as you dusted yourself off. “I’m fine. Did you need something?”

“Uhh,” Theseus had to knock himself back into shape. Looking at you…this was why he wrote his speech down. One simple look at you, and it was like his brain cut off entirely. “Yeah. Yes. I was hoping I could…ask you something?”

“Oh, well, just give me a moment.”

Theseus watched you for a moment, struggling to find a normal way out of the pile. “Would you like some help?”

“Please.”

A soft chuckle escaped him. “Alright, pass me your hand.”

In three swift movements, your hand was in his and he soon hand you standing in front of him. For a second, he was reminded of a memory he’d almost forgotten about. 

Brushing his thumb over your knuckles, he watched your breath hitch in your chest for a moment. And he smiled. 

“What…what was it that you…wanted to ask me?”

“Well…” Theseus took a breath.

He’d known you for years. There was once a time you’d purposely not look at him, annoyed by his very existence. But now…now your eyes wouldn’t leave him. And he’d never been more grateful. From the minute he saw that hint of a smile on your face in the Hufflepuff common room, something inside of him had wanted to see it again. 

And that Christmas…

He knew you. He knows you. 

And you know him. 

“I was hoping you’d accompany me to dinner. As a date. A romantic one.”

“I…” You were speechless, but the fact you didn’t curse him or push him away was a good sign. “You…”

He chuckled. “You know, it’s not often I see you speechless.”

“Well, it’s a shock.”

Theseus cringed a little, “A bad one?”

You just smiled. “Oddly…no. Not at all.”

“Oddly?” 

You rolled your eyes with a soft chuckle. “Considering our history started out because I cursed your shoelaces because you’d annoyed Newt-”

“I knew that was you!” 

You laughed, feeling Theseus’s arms pull you closer before you could move away. 

“I knew that was you,” he laughed.

“You were rather annoying at that age. And every age.”

He chuckled. “And now?”

You shrugged, trying to hide your smile though you were failing. “A little less so now.”

He smiled, leaning closer, pressing his forehead to yours as he kept you in his arms. “So, what do you say to a date?”

You smiled. “I’d love to.”

Theseus lifted his hand and rested it on your cheek, his thumb brushing your cheekbone before he leaned across and placed a kiss on your other. “Wonderful.”

A smile broke out on your face that Theseus knew he would never forget. 

“I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow,” he told you. “In the meantime, would you like some help with…all of this?”

You chuckled. “Love some. Maybe you can help me find my wand.”

Theseus shrugged and stepped back for a moment to draw his own. “Accio.”

There was a small tapping sound before your wand came rushing out underneath the pile of wooden crates in the corner and straight into Theseus’s hand. 

“I believe this is the wand you’re looking for.”

“That it is,” you smiled. “Thank you.”

“…Didn't we agree not to bring work home?” You heard someone sigh as they came up to you, peeking over your shoulder to see the multitude of sketches in front of you.

“Hello, Mr. Scamander! How may I help you today? Would you like one of our new suits or would you rather take something a tad more festive?” You grinned at him, flashing two of your newly made sketches at him as he pulled a face on your take on professionalism. 

“What do I have to do to get your mind off your work for once?” He muttered as he plucked the papers off your hands.

A flick of his wand and the mess of papers on the table arranged themselves into a neat stack and a swish made them all disappear from where they were, earning a disgruntled complaint from you.

“Hey! Don't magic my papers away, give them back!”

You were admittedly a little miffed at his little charade due to it being the holiday season, which was a busy time for a fashion designer for a clothing apparel store like you. 

“No.” 

“Please?”

“No.”

“I bet you'll end up giving in to me by the end of the day! And then I'll make you wear stupid sweaters all the way till Christmas when you do!” 

Theseus rolled his eyes and walked away. 

“Nice try but that's not happening.” He paused. 

“But if I do win, and I will, you'll banish all work outside the door, yes?” 

“Deal!” Mirth twinkled in your eyes as you agreed to the terms of the bet, knowing full well that he wouldn’t last. 

Not for long, anyway.

Alas, he eventually gave in to your infamous puppy dog eyes moments after. Theseus Scamander, a renowned war hero, digging his own grave and set for humiliation the next day in his own department.

The next day, dressed by the hands of one imp of a girlfriend, he got a peck on the cheek and a wish of good luck before he left for work. You were having way too much fun with this that he could see the mirthful glee in your eyes.

Oh, the joy.

He tried. He swore he tried not to let you have your way but even he knew that you had him wrapped around your little finger. To which he groaned and ran a hand over his face at the prospect of facing others decked out in such…

“Merlin’s beard, Theseus! What's with that horrendous sweater you're wearing today?” A loud voice belonging to one of his other Aurors sounded from the other end of the MACUSA's office.

The guy had spotted poor Theseus while he had been trying to sneak out of his office and grab a cup of well-needed coffee inconspicuously. Apparently, his plan had been foiled and every single head in the department turned to face him and his… Current predicament.

He had on a horrid Christmas sweater indeed.  It was a shade of brilliant bloody red with Christmas-styled patterns all over it along with “Let's get elfed up!” written in big bold letters smack in the center. He could feel his ears start to turn red with embarrassment at all the attention he was getting.

All eyes were on him at this point and he had utterly no idea how he should be reacting. Thus, he decided to settle back into his old habits and played it cool, giving a small cough before declaring. “I thought that it'd be great to make this place a little more festive seeing as Christmas is coming so I took it upon myself to wear…A celebrative artifact of sorts.” 

He got himself a few looks of disbelief before he scurried back behind the doors of his one safe haven, his office.

True to your word, you've kept him on a daily sweater schedule much to his displeasure. Knowing that he lost the bet, Theseus sucked it up and wore it…. again and again and again. Until one day, he just decided to give up hiding and simply went about the office as he usually did. 

No more hiding.

He walked out of his office with confident strides and his head held high.

“Theseus? Why does that look like something belonging to the shop a couple of streets down?”

Great, now even Mr. Graves himself had come down to preen at his newly acquired fashion sense.

He paused, sheepishly rubbing his neck before answering his higher-up. “The owner's my girlfriend and I lost a bet, unfortunately. This is the result of her getting back at me, you see.” 

There was a moment of silence before the man nodded in understanding, moving over to give Theseus a well-meaning pat on the back. 

“Unfortunately, yes. But it doesn't hurt to see your colorful collection of sweaters once in a while…Really brightens up the place.”

“Now please Mr.Scamander, we’ve got an important hearing with the board and surely you wouldn’t want to turn up in that now, would you?”

Trust Theseus to never put a bet out whenever you're involved again. He'll never be able to live it down.

Heck, he'd probably be damned if Newt ever saw him on one of those ugly sweaters.

The little meeting, if you can call it that, Newt had with the German prime minister was very disappointing. Who would have known that he would acquit Grindelwald of his crimes (side eye). Most people with common sense knew Grindelwald wasn’t innocent, everyone wanted answers from Vogel as he sauntered away with a knowing smirk.

Jacob took it the hardest as he yelled at the prime minister.

“Jacob we have to leave” Lally pulled him by the arm as you all walked towards the door. You halted in your steps as you looked around.

“Where’s Theseus?” You frantically asked Newt since he was the one with him.

“The German ministry took him” Newt said as he marched out of the building. You looked over to the entrance that Newt eyed. Your eye met with the auror that Theseus spoke to earlier. He smirked at you as he challenged you with his stare.

You turned away as Lally called out to you not wanting for you to be taken as well. You clenched your fist as you followed your companions.

The next day you all went to the German ministry of magic demanding to know where Theseus had went.

“The man that I am inquiring about is the head of the British auror office. How can you have misplaced the head of the British auror office?” Newt questioned the man as you all followed him around the cramped office.

“As our contention said, since he was never in our custody, we never misplaced him.” He said with a serious face. Your jaw clenched at his answer.

“Sir, there were dozens of people there” Lally calmly said. Your mind started to go through the number of faces and landed on the one smug bastard. Jacob saw and grabbed you by the coat as he pointed to your face at the auror.

“He looks like this! This is the man that took Theseus!” Jacob said as he tried to show him but the man just looked a little confused. Jacob let go as he looked away with disappointment and then started to frantically point outside of the room.

“There he is! That’s the man look, look!” Jacob brought him along with Newt leading the way out.

“Hey! Where’s Theseus! Where did you take Theseus!” Jacob kept shouting to the man but he didn’t stop walking. Your pursuit on the man stopped as a divider stop your group.

Defeated you all went outside to regroup and come up with a plan.

“Newt?” Lally pointed to a floating glove that was gesturing you all in a direction, which lead to Dumbledore.

“Theseus has been taken to the Erkstag.” Dumbledore said to you all as he began to walk to leave the ministry’s ground.

“Wait, no, but the Erkstag shut down years ago.”

“Yes, well, it’s the Ministry’s secret little bed and breakfast now.” He pulled out a card and gave it to Newt along with a piece of paper that flew into Jacob’s face.

“I trust you’re enjoying your wand, Mr. Kowalski?”

“Me? Oh, uh… yeah, thank you Mr. Dumbledore. It’s a real pip”

“I advise you to keep it close. Professor Hicks”

“Dumbledore”

“Assuming you’re not otherwise engaged, and frankly even if you are, y/n has gotten invitations to tonight’s candidates’ dinner.”

“Are you not coming along, professor?” You question the man but he gave you a sorry smile.

“Something came up and I’m afraid I won’t be making it, my dear” he then turned his attention to Lally.

“Be sure to take Mr. Kowalski. I’m quite sure there is going to be an assassination tonight. Anything you can do to scotch that will be greatly appreciated.” She accepted the demand.

Dumbledore said his goodbyes and walked out of the little space you were all gathered in. Newt followed him a short step away and began to ask him something.

“How does he know?” Jacob asked.

“Know what?” You asked back.

“About the assassination? How does he know there’s going to be an assassination tonight?”

“Ah, that is the power of Dumbledore” Lally said as she smirked over to you. You laughed as you looked at Jacob’s confused face.

“I don’t get it?”

—

All three of you attended the dinner while Newt went to get Theseus out of Erkstag. You smoothed down your emerald gown as you entered the venue. Everything looked grand and lovely. But there was a chill in the air as you walked past the German prime minister. He had a smug look as he greeted you with a nod.

“Let’s find our seats quickly… I’m sensing something bad” you told the other two. You and Lally sat on opposite sides of Jacob, he looked around on the table picking up the utensils. An enchanted pitcher came around and filled your glass cups with water.

“Keep your wits about yourself,” you said as you looked around the room, bringing the cup to your lips as you spoke to your friends.

“Whoa” you snapped your head to Jacob, “the guy with the hair, sitting next to Edith. He looks like he’s killed a man” you deflated as you looked at the woman who was happy to see Jacob. He wasn’t wrong but it wasn’t something to draw attention to.

“He also looks like my uncle Dominic”

“Is your uncle the Norwegian Minister of magic?”

“No”

“Didn’t think so”

You smiled into your drink as you looked around the room once again. The room was beautiful and pretty lively with the amount of people, chatting and eating all around you. Plates of food were floated to each table and it smelled absolutely delicious.

“Wow, this, this is food” Jacob said as he cut into his steak and took his first bite.

“My god, I don’t know if it’s something you guys do differently but every food I eat from you witches are top notch.” You agreed as you were eating your food.

Suddenly, the room went quiet, you looked in the direction that everyone was looking, Grindelwald. He stood at the top of the stairs surveying the room. His eyes landed on the table that you and your friends were sitting. His eyes squinted when he made eye contact with you, a small smile on his lips. He turned to the house elf and he continued to play the soft melody again.

Jacob got up from his seat as the group walked by your table, he called out to Queenie.

“Queenie, Queenie..” he was about to raise his voice more before Lally pulled him back in his seat. You soothed his back trying to comfort him. He had a dishearten look as Queenie walked away from him again.

“It’s ok Jacob” he sighed as he grabbed his refilled drink.

“I can’t believe they would just let him come” you mumbled under your breath as you watched him talk to the Brazilian prime minister.

“Politics my dear” Lally said and the both of you sure a look.

“Excuse me” she immediately got up as she went to the table where the three prime ministers sat.

“I’m guessing Lally saw something I didn’t catch” you said to Jacob. When he didn’t respond you looked at him with worry.

“Jacob?” You followed his line of vision and see that Grindelwald is antagonizing him. You turned to Jacob but he had already gotten up from his seat and walked over to him. You threw your head back as you got up slowly as not to draw too much attention.

You drew your wand out just in case Grindelwald wanted to play dirty, you listened to Jacob demanding him to let Queenie go.

You were about to reach out to Jacob when the Norwegian prime minister stood up from his seat, “assassin!” He shouted and drew everyone’s attention to Jacob, who was holding his fake wand out to Grindelwald.

What happened next was just a whirlwind - wild winds, flying napkins, crashing plates. Lally’s spell has done its job: chaos.

“Y/n, meet us at our meeting point!” Shouted Lally as she reached for Jacob. You helped her by deflecting the attack spells thrown at Jacob. Your eyes meet those of the auror who took Theseus and started to attack him mainly. You had him on his toes as every spells he sent were sent back with more force by you.

Once you knew Jacob and Lally made it out you sent one final spell, sending the auror flying and landing against the other side of the room. With that you apparitioned out of there to meet up with Jacob and Lally.

—

You made it a couple blocks from where the candidates’ dinner had taken place. Lally and Jacob waited for you and once you got to them, you all used the portkey and went to Hogwarts.

Dumbledore was waiting at the castle entrance for your arrival, he spotted all three of you running over to him.

“I’m glad you all made it” he ushered you all in and into the safety of the castle.

“How did it go?” He asked and all three of you exchanged looks.

“Let us catch our breaths professor and we’ll tell you.” You said as you walked past him and into the hall that lead to the great hall.

“You made it just in time for dinner” he said leading the other two behind you.

“Ah, Hogwarts dinner is the best” you said to your friends, “ the house elves are the best when it comes to cooking.”

You opened the double doors to the hall and took in the sight of your old stomping grounds. Nostalgia hit you as you looked at the few students who were still eating, remembering when you spent your time there. Dumbledore cupped your shoulder as he looked at you with a smile.

“It’s like home” you smiled up at him. You could feel the little eleven year old girl in you gushing again at the sight of the floating candles and the night sky.

“This is amazing” Jacob echoed your thoughts as he looked around the grand hall. A couple of students can be seen whispering as they point over to your group.

“Eat and I’ll show you where you’ll be staying until the morning” Dumbledore said as he walked towards some teachers that were at the head of the room. You instructed your companions over to the Slytherin table. Being used to sitting in the section your body took you there on instinct.

There were a couple of Slytherin students as you sat down. They looked at each of you and whispered to each other.

“Is it something we did?” Jacob said as he watched two of the students leave in a hurry, more likely to tell the other what they have seen.

“Pardon me, are you y/n l/n?” Two girls that were sitting on the other end of the table stood behind you as you gathered some food to eat. You turned to look at them, “yes?”

“The y/n l/n who won us quidditch cup five years in a row?” You fully turned yourself around giving them a smile.

“That would be me” you sat straight with pride as the two students fangirl over you. You thank them for their praises, “I hope the next team is putting on their best.”

“They are”

“Mhm”

“That’s good”

“What do you do now?” One of them asks you.

“I work for the ministry of magic now”

“Oh, are you head of the auror’s?”

“No, I’m more of his second in hand” you thought about it. Both girls nodded and thanked you for speaking to them as they ran off to tell the rest of the house about you.

“I didn’t think you would have played quidditch” Lally said as she took a bite from her food. “What position did you play?”

“Beater” you gave her a toothy smile.

“You a beater? I can hardly believe that.”

“I was, I was. It was spectacular” you sighed as you remembered the good times.

“I went against Theseus and was pretty close to losing to him” you added on.

“Ooh I bet that sours him” the both of you share a laugh.

“Whats quidditch?” Jacob asked and you and Lally began to tell him the wonderful game. By the end of the explanation he was looking forward to a game.

“I think there’s a game for the World Cup, if I remember correctly?” You all sat with empty plates as you chatted for the remainder of dinner. All of the students had ate their fill and left long ago.

“Do you miss it?” Lally looked at you, she was leaning on her palm as she asked you this question.

“I do, it was simple times. Had I known that my time here were the good times I would miss.. I wouldn’t have wished to grow up so fast.” You smiled and took a deep breath releasing it slowly as you looked around the big room. Flashes of your time in the great hall past before you like the ghost that roam the castle. Sitting with your group of friends talking about the cute boys in your year. Teasing Theseus and having your friends tease you in return when you’re back in the dungeon, talking about how much you actually want to kiss him.

You sighed as you zoned out.

“Must be nice” Jacob said with a warm smile, you gave him one back.

“I have room for the three of you. It’s a tight squeeze if you don’t mind sharing the room?” Dumbledore said standing next to Jacob.

“Jesus!” Jacob held the table as he looked at Dumbledore with wide eyes.

“Thank you professor, I think we’ll be ok with sharing the room.” You said.

“Good” he gestured to the door as he began to walk and show you the way.

“When did he get there?” Jacob whispered to you and you shrugged your shoulders.

“It’s Dumbledore”

—

The night was restless, for you at least, Lally took the bed after you making her take it since you wanted to stay up a little longer. Jacob was fine sleeping on the couch and was knocked out as soon as his head hit the pillow.

You stayed up all night thinking about Theseus. You hoped he was doing fine and safe. You knew he was fine since Newt was with him but you still couldn’t help but worry. You sat on the windowsill as you looked over the black lake. The giant squid surfaced every now and then as if it was checking up on you, you doubt it could see you but it was a comforting thought.

You did nod off for a minute but when your head touched the cool glass it woke you up and the sun was shining. You looked to the other two and they were getting up putting their shoes on.

“Hardly slept, huh” Jacob gave you a closed mouth smile as you nodded to him. You and Lally changed your clothes using your wands, feeling a little better not being in the gown. You changed Jacob too.

“I’m never gonna stop being amazed” you smiled.

Dumbledore fetched you all to go and have some breakfast. On the way to the great hall you had stopped in front of the trophy case and pointed to one of the pictures sitting around the trophy.

“Look that’s me right there” you said with a happy tone as Jacob and Lally came to see.

“Look at you. A little mini y/n” Jacob said as he looked at the moving picture of a younger you. Your younger self sneered at Jacob for looking at her too long.

“Rude”

“Yea…I didn’t like people looking at me much back then” you said as you gave him an apologetic smile and gave a scolding glare to your younger self, she at least had the decency to look sorry.

“Come on let’s go eat” you said as you looked at all the pictures and found the one of Theseus and his team. His younger self stood proudly with his chest puffed and smiled at you. You tapped the glass gently and followed your friends.

All three of you sat at the end of the Slytherin table and as time passed the other two wondered off. You leaned on your palm as you watched the students mingle and move about. The feeling of nostalgia came back again and you sighed with a small smile.

Your mind flashed a couple of times to moments you had eating in these very seats. Joking around with your housemates.

Flashback

“What are you looking for y/n?” Your friend asked as she looked in the direction you were looking.

“She’s waiting to see Theseus” your other friend teased as she tickled your side. You swatted her hand away as you huffed.

“Am not..I’m just waiting for the owl to come with my mail” you stuck your nose up as you went back to picking your food. The other two girls looked over your head and broke into laughter.

“Whats so funny?”

“You! No need to be shy about you fancying Scamander.”

“Yea he’s very handsome, y/n.” You rolled your eyes.

“I don’t fancy him”

“Yes you do”

“Mhm very much”

The two of them nodded as you rolled your eyes.

“No need to pout y/n. There he is” your friend whispered to you as she nudged your arm. Your head snapped to the doors as Theseus walked in. He was laughing with a couple of his housemates as he made his way to his table. Still with a smile on his face he moved his head to look over at your table. Your eyes connected and his smile seemed to grow even more as his eyes warmed.

You were the first one to look away as you looked at your food. Your friend poking your cheek as she teased you about having a silly smile. A smile you didn’t know you had on until you felt your cheeks hurt.

You swatted your friend again and they went back speaking about something else. You picked at your food go over what your friends said. Picking your head up you looked up and were met with blue eyes. Theseus didn’t stop looking at you when he sat at his table. Your cheeks felt warm as you gave him a small smile back and continued to eat your food.

You snapped out of your daydream as the younger Theseus blended into his older self. There he stood out of breath with his brother, his eyes trained on you. They looked tired but still held the same adoration and warmth that he had back then. You rushed out of your seat and you jumped him.

“You’re ok?” You asked him through his shoulder.

“I’m fine” he said as he held you tighter. You buried your face into his neck. You pulled back and held his face as you looked him over. He gave you a small smile as he gave you a soft kiss on the lips.

Newt cleared his throat to signal to the two of you of not being alone. You looked at Newt and pulled away from Theseus. A couple of students giggling.

“I’m glad you’re ok too, Newt.” You said as you patted his arm. He gave his thanks as looked at his brother. He nodded his head as he walked around you and over to Jacob.

“Brings back memories” Theseus looked around the room.

“Yea…” you kept your eyes on him as he released a big sigh. His right hand came up to grab your hand as he brought you close to his body. He tucked your head under his chin as he held you around the waist. He felt around your waist and back. Then settled his hands back to your waist.

“I’m glad you’re ok” he whispered to you as he pulled you closer.

Theseus scoffs, “Well, I presumed it was, considering you invited me to Greece. Of all places!”

Without warning, you abruptly halt, swiftly turning to face him.

“We find ourselves on this beautiful, secluded Grecian beach, and you're complaining?” You gesture to your surroundings in big movements, arms moving in sweeping motions.

You’re right, he’s being dramatic. Perhaps he finds himself a little sceptical towards your shenanigans with Newt. How you were always closer to his brother than him, even though he never dared admit it to himself that he wished it was the other way around.

Theseus is silent when you fix him with a stern gaze, nearing him. “All I’m saying is, you should loosen up a little.”

There it is. That glint in your stare. It’s hopeful.

Theseus realised long ago that he would do anything for you and be anything you wanted him to be.

“I am loose. I can be loose.”

Your laugh comes off more like a scoff. You don’t believe him one bit. “Right.”

Then, your fist connects with his arm. It’s playful, just like old times. Theseus winces, his palm instinctively rubbing his bicep as he shoots you a maddened look. Despite the irritation etched on his face, the subtle curve on his lips betrays it.

You laugh again. It’s light and sends his heart thrumming faster than ever. 

“Come on –”

"Look!" newt exclaims, his voice ringing out excitedly. “Over there.” He points toward the shore with the widest grin Theseus has ever seen.

You immediately grip Theseus’ wrist, pulling him along as you dash towards Newt.

“Hippocamps,” you breathe out, merely a whisper, eyes trained on the clear waters beyond.

Theseus turns to you and clocks on your wide-eyed gaze. Your mouth hangs slightly agape in utter awe as you take in the scene unravelling before you. Glints of deep blue swirl under the crystal waters, their scales glistening like scattered glitter under the Grecian sun.

Then, you release your hold on his hand. 

“I’m going in.”

The brothers snap their heads to you, “What?”

You turn to Theseus, “I know these creatures better than anyone. You know that.” Then, your gaze shifts to Newt, “Even more than you, Newt.”

A beat. He sees that you’re now looking at him expectantly as if you need his assurance. That he trusts you. He really doesn’t know why you need it.

“Just… be careful.”

You purse your lips and nod. “I will.”

The waves lap rhythmically as you approach the waters cautiously, gentling wading through and towards the Hippocampi. The water rises to your waist. You catch a hint of a tail under the sunlight, iridescent and reflecting the ocean's blue and green hues.

You take a deep breath – the key is to be calm. Extremely calm. You extend your palm, luminous kelp in your grasp, hoping to lure the creature.

Then, its head emerges from the waters, a horse for a head. The creature curiously eyes the kelp in your hand as you watch in controlled excitement as the others drift closer. You cannot help but smile.

Yet, something beneath you rumbles. It’s so slight that you almost miss it. But it sends a rippling uneasiness to your surroundings that it alarms the creatures. The air shifts, and before you know it, the Hippocampi sense an unseen threat and quickly disappear into the ocean.

Your smile drops.

You see it, a sleek form of green drifting in the depths beneath you. It glides through the water with stealth.

Ashore, Theseus senses your concern. “Something’s wrong.”

Then, he sees you turn to them with panicked eyes.

Abruptly, the water erupts with a powerful surge, and a beast rises from the depths and leaps into the air. Its mane of waterweed cascades with its movement.

It’s a Kelpie.

Newt and Theseus watch in stunned silence.

As the Kelpie vanishes beneath the waves, you’re gone.

Theseus’ heart drops.

Instinctively, Theseus calls your name, charging towards the place you stood moments before. In his sprint, he throws a quick, urgent glance over his shoulder at Newt, who scrambles closely behind, his expression etched with mirrored exasperation.

“Why in Godric’s name is a Kelpie doing here?!”

“That’s a good question –”

Theseus isn’t listening anymore. He can’t think right now, his heart pounding fiercely. Each step intensifies the knot in his stomach.

He finds himself slicing through the waves and propelled beneath the surface. His vision goes blur momentarily; elusive silhouettes move around him like drifting shadows. But as his eyes begin to take focus, he sees Newt, a feet away, seemingly going after the Kelpie.

Theseus whirls around, eyes scanning his surroundings.

He sees you, conscious. You’re looking at him with wide eyes, struggling to stay afloat.

Theseus closes in, and he reaches out, arms enveloping you. With a forceful pull, you are brought to the surface, head heavy against his chest. Your sharp gasp pierces the air, it resonates loudly, but it settles a sense of relief in Theseus.

As you’re pulled to shore, you’re induced into a coughing fit, water forcefully expelling from your lips. Theseus hovers above you, his hand on the back of your head, lifting it from the ground in an attempt to ease your choking. His other palm rests against your cheek firmly.

He says your name, his voice laced with reassurance, yet his gaze lingers with a perpetual panic as he hovers above you, the sunlight casting a halo through his tousled hair. Theseus looks truly distressed.

“Have you no compassion for my poor nerves?!” he exclaims, exasperated in all his dramatic and uptight glory.

“Just… trying to keep you on your… toes, that’s all,” you manage to croak out.

Theseus's laugh passes off as an exhale and grins, shaking his head. Quickly, he presses a kiss to your forehead.

You instantly feel your cheeks start to burn.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

You just smile. “No promises.”

Then, laughter echoes in the distance. Both of you turn to find Newt emerging from the shore, eyes bright.

"I love you"

Leta says, before pointing her wand at Grindelwald.

In that moment, time stretches, everything slows, each second dragging out in agonizing clarity. My head whips to look at Theseus. A defeated expression laid across his face.

The room is a maelstrom of blue fire. Flames whip around the room like flashes of light lashing at me. I can just barely make out the figures of my friends.

Grindelwald deflects Leta's attack. Shocking her. She continues to blast Grindelwald as the fire begins to swirl into one giant whirlpool in the mild of the room.

"NOOO" I scream, my voice a desperate cry swallowed by the roaring flames.

"GO!" Leta shouts, ".. go" she says with even more resolve, as she shakes under the force of her wand, directly deflecting Grindelwald's attack.

Whips of flames lash out at Theseus, who fights, desperately, to reach Leta, deflecting the flames one at a time, barely having time to finish deflecting one before another comes at him. I wince as one of the flames grazes me, searing my skin. Drawing my wand, I begin to counter some of the flames coming for Theseus as well. My eyes darting between Theseus and Leta, my heart pounding in my skull. All I can hear is my own heavy exasperated breathing

Leta’s figure starts to waiver, slowly being consumed by Grindelwald’s inferno. Newt clings to Theseus, his face contorted in anguish as he struggles to reach Leta, but it's too late.

I grab onto the pair and disapparate us out of the colosseum.

However, relief has not come yet, as Grindelwald's flames continue to shoot out. All of us constantly on our toes to dodge the flames.

"Theseus!" I shout, grabbing onto the stunned man and pulling him out of the way of the flames. Grabbing onto his shoulders I turn him towards me. He is in shock. His eyes red and glassed with tears, vacant. "We have to keep moving, AGHH" I say, yelping in pain as I go to shake Theseus out of it and tug at the burn wound on my arm, the pain setting in. My sudden exclamation seems to snap him out of it. Glancing quickly at the wound on my arm, and then locking eyes with me, he gives me a firm nod before tugging me out of the way of more flames.

When we do finally make it out of harm's way, a giant fire demon comes blasting out of the ground.

Only with the help of an alchemist do we have any hope of our own or the cities' survival. Our own flames burst out of the ground in the circle formed by us. Creating a wall to trap the beast, however, it slips past the barrier.

I watch, mortified.

It's headed for the city.

I scrunch my sleeves up a bit, prepared to go chasing after it, when a hand grabs onto my arm, holding me back.

It's Newt.

"Wait. Y/N. Look." He says, gazing up wondrously at the sky, a familiar sparkle of amazement in his eyes. One Newt Scamander wore quite regularly.

I look up at the sky to see orange flames diverging from the wall, following the Grindelwald beast. It starts to consume it, less and less blue remains visible, the beast visibly struggling as it begins to descend to the ground, its wings flailing in the air while it lets out a pained cry. And then it crashes.

Silence falls over the battlefield.

Everyone is okay. Except for Queenie, who we lost to Grindelwald's reign, and Leta...

Leta.

"Y/N! Y/n!" Theseus calls, his voice cutting through the silence. He races over to me, stumbling a bit over the rocks and dirt. Once he reaches me, he engulfs me in a hug that makes me feel swallowed by him.

"Oh my god, Theseus! I'm so sorry.. Leta-" My voice trembling as I grip onto him tightly, securing the hug,

"I'm so glad you're okay, y/n," He says to me, cutting me off in a hoarse whisper. My eyebrows twist in confused, I open my mouth to speak again, heartbroken for him and his loss, but he continues, "I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

He pulls me closer, I can feel his emotions, a mixture of desperation and relief, through the tightness of his grasp. I can barely breathe under his hold. I open my mouth to speak again, but the words catch in my throat. Instead, I let myself settle into his embrace, feeling his tears drop down onto my shoulder.

~~~~~

*Time Skip*

~~~~~

“To a job well done,” Theseus says, a broad smile on his face.

“To us,” you reply, your eyes meeting his with a warm glow. You both took a sip of your drinks, savoring the rich, mellow flavors.

“We did good,” Theseus states, leaning back into his chair, sat across from me, with a contented sigh. “I can’t remember the last time we had such a clear-cut success.”

"I'm just glad we got out of there alive," I laugh breathily, a grin plastering my face,

"Well of course we did, I dare say we've always made a pretty good team," Theseus winks at me, setting his glass down on my desk and leaning forward, resting his elbows on the edge of the flat wooden surface.

My heart flutters at the sight of him. His blue eyes. Chiseled jaw and cheek bones. And his curled wisps of hair, falling down in front of it face, disheveled the earlier battle.

"Pretty good?" I smirk at him, setting my glass down as well, "Is that all? I thought we were quite exceptional."

"I suppose we were Y/N, yes." He tries to hide his smile, throwing a quick glance around the office, "Only because of you though, you were stunning." I giggle, trying hard to hide the flush on my face, "How did you know so much about Werewolfs anyway?"

I pause, raising my eyebrow a bit in confusion, "My year with Newt? Remember?"

"Oh.." Theseus shifts awkwardly, his eyes flickering around the room again, "Yeah. Right. That." He sits up straight from his leaned position, adjusting his suit.

"Yeah.." I say, peering at him quizzically, "That."

"Hey!" He says, a bit too loudly, throwing a smile on his face, his eyes lighting up, "What do you say we go get some real drink? I'm tired of looking at work anyway," He rolls his eyes dramatically, "I need at least a week away from this place after the months we've had,"

He pops out of his seat and walks around the desk to me. With a little twist of his wrist and a bow, he holds his hand out to me, as if asking me to dance.

"M'lady?" He says,

I giggle, partially laughing at him, but mostly because of how nervous he makes me.

I take his hand, and follow him out of my office.

---------

"I DID NOT" Theseus yells, grinning from ear to ear. Realizing how loud he's being, he shrinks down a bit, his cheeks flushing bright pink from his embarrassment. Luckily, no one in the bar seems to mind, to entranced in their own affairs.

"Yes, you did!" I screech, giggling, "I SAW you with my own two eyes, don't even bother to hide it,"

"I don't know what you're talking about," He huffs, rolling his eyes

I sigh and relax into my chair, a soft smile on my face as I stare at him, admiring him.

Both of us are sat in the middle of the bar, on two large and luscious red velveted chairs. Between us is a low square coffee table, sat just below our knees, that is adorned with gold lining and decoration.

The warm, pinkish, glow emitting from the candles and stained-glass lamp above us only further illuminates his cheek bones and jaw, the way it tightens as his mind wanders. Even through the smile on his face, you can still see the reminisce of anger, distress, in his features.

"I don't know how I ever made do that year without you," He says, his voice deepens a bit, sincerely.

"Oh please," I shrug it off playfully, "You had Leta, and if I remember correctly, you two were all over each other when I left," I force a small laugh at the statement,

"Y/N." He says, a serious looking cresting over his features, he leans in towards me. He pauses a moment, taking exhaling deeply, "Me and Leta... we ended our engagement."

The air feels like it is sucked out of my lungs momentarily, "What.."

"6 months before her death," He casts his eyes down at his feet, "Right after I stopped getting letters from you,"

My mouth goes dry.

"But... but why? How could you let that happen?"

He sighs, dropping his head down, now almost curled over in his chair, "I had to let her go. She left me... because of you." He heart plumets, "Because of my feelings.. for you."

My heart begins to race a million miles per hour. My eyes widen. I can believe what I'm hearing.

Theseus gazes up at me, waiting for me to say something, but when I open my mouth to speak, I close it again immediately. After all of these years, I have rehearsed over and over again in my head what I would say if I told Theseus how I felt. On occasion, what I would say.. what I would do, if I ever found out that he felt the same way. Yet, I'm frozen.

Realizing I won't respond, he continues, "Y/N.." His voice sounds pleading, "I have loved you since Hogwarts. I have always loved you. And my feelings have only grown with every passing day," My heart flutters, "I didn't know how to tell you... so I didn't"

"B-but, you loved Leta," I say, "You loved Leta."

No matter what I do, I can't seem to put the pieces together in my head. It's also too unbelievable.

"I thought I did. She was attractive, sweet and smart.. and got along with Newt," He says softly, remembering the woman he lost, "But I confused romantic feelings with loving her as a friend. Once her and I had dated a few months, I began to wonder if I had made a mistake," He pauses, taking a deep slow breath, "By then, you had started talking about leaving for America with Newt for Dumbledore, and not long after that you were gone. I realized that you weren't going to be mine... so I tried to make it work with Leta," A bittersweet smile graces his features, "She saw right through me," He chuckles, "Confronted me about my feelings for you after I- well. After I stopped getting letters from you, I-" He hesitates, sitting up and clearing his throat a bit, "The point is, she confronted me. I had to admit to it. She told me she also had feelings for Newt. And that was the end of our engagement."

We both sit there in silence for a little while.

After all these years, he's always loved me.

He's always loved me back.

"Do you.. do you still love me?" I ask, bravely "Still."

My heart is pounding its way out of my chest. All I can do is fiddle with my hands as I anxiously wait for his confirmation.

His eyes soften as they lock with mine, "I will never stop loving you,"

I could have melted right there.

"Oh my lord, you dense oaf" I laugh, tossing the tiniest decorative pillow I have ever seen, from behind me, at him. He laughs, blocking it, causing it to bounce off his arm and land on the floor next to us. "You know, for being head of the British Auror Office, you are concerningly clueless," I say, "I have been helplessly in love with you since our 5th year,"

He laughs lightly, "Merlin... I wish I had known that a lot sooner,"

"Would have saved us a lot of heartache," I sigh, relaxing back into my chair and casting my gaze down to my lap.

"Hey, Y/N?" He says, "Can I kiss you?"

I've never smiled as big as I did right then. Butterflies in my stomach and blush dusting my cheeks, I nod eagerly.

He stands up from his seat and makes his way over to me. I stand up to meet him.

There he is.

Standing in front of me. Our noses brushing lightly against each other and our breaths mixing. Both of us are grinning like lovesick teenagers.

Being this close to him, getting to gaze into his magical blue eyes, getting to admire every detail on his face, makes me almost not even feel it needed to kiss him. Almost.

His hand finds its way to my waist, right above my hip. His grip is firm and yet careful.

Somehow, both slowly and with the urgency of a man who would die without it, he pulls me in and locks his lips with mine.

They're soft and warm, yet strong and assertive. I feel as though I am getting the life kissed out of me.

My body goes limp a bit as I lean into him, from my chest down to my toes, I am flushed against him.

He only pulls me in closer, kissing me with even more passion.

Only when I need air, in fact, a bit after that, do I pull away.

Both of us are breathing heavy, eyes darting from each other's eyes to each other's lips.

"I can't believe I didn't do that sooner," He says,

I break out into a smile and kiss him again. Both of us grinning against each other's lips.

"Oi! You two! Break it up! I don't care who you are! No one is getting down and dirty inside of my bar." The bartender yells at us,

We both pull away from each other, faces flushed, adjusting our clothes (and for one of us, ourselves) before going to escape from the peering eyes of those around us in the bar.

I sit back in my seat, to find that I have sat on something rather odd.

Standing up again, I turn to look at my seat.

"What is it, love?" Theseus asks, coming up behind me,

There on my seat, is the tiny decorative pillow that the two of us had cast away to the floor moments ago. On top of it, a small scroll of paper is displaying itself.

"It's Newt."

Stay Tuned for Pt. 2!!

(I love little outro songs <3)