Chapter Text
Newt, as had been his custom since his first year at Hogwarts, waited until the crowd of students had cleared in the narrow corridors, and then headed for the end of the train, where it was much more probable to find an empty compartment.
After six years at school, his social life hadn't improved a lot. It was true that at present he got along better with a couple of his classmates, but they traveled to Hogwarts with their girlfriends, as was to be expected from them, and Newt hated feeling like the odd one out anywhere (a feeling he was quite familiarised with, to tell the truth, but that didn't mean that he liked it), so he didn't even bother to search for any of his mates.
With a sigh of relief, though not surprised in the slightest, he found what he was looking for. That compartment seemed to be the shunned one, as it was usually avoided by most, and that was the reason why Newt preferred it. His reputation couldn't worsen more anyway, so in for a penny, in for a pound.
When he'd just sat down next to the window, a nearby presence and the sound of fast breathing at the door of the compartment made him turn to the unwelcome intrusion.
A tall, slender and dark-haired girl with brown eyes and fair skin was looking at him in mild surprise. Newt didn't remember having crossed paths with her ever before. Not that he payed a lot of attention to the rest of the students (he preferred nature and creatures by far), but after six years, she should be familiar to him, even if vaguely, specially taking into account that she seemed to be of his same age more or less. By her appearance, it was clear that she wasn't among the youngest students.
"Oh. Excuse me. May I stay here? The other compartments are full and, well... I don't know anyone in this train. But if you'd rather be alone, then I'll..."
"Oh, no, no. I... I mean... Of... Of course you can sit here," he cut her off quickly. The idea of sending her packing ashamed him. She'd just admitted that she didn't know anyone in the train, and he'd be very inconsiderate and rude to deny her a seat when there was enough room in his compartment.
"Thanks," she replied with a shy smile, stepping into the space and choosing the seat in front of him. "I'm Tina. Tina Goldstein. Glad to meet you."
He recognised her American accent. She surely came from the United States no less. That explained why he'd never seen her before. But why was an American girl in the Hogwarts Express? "Glad... Glad to meet you too. I'm Newt Scamander," he said as introduction, unable to help the stutter that always bothered his speech when he was nervous.
"As you must have guessed, I'm new here. Ilvermorny has granted me a scholarship to spend my senior year at Hogwarts. It's the first time they carry out such an initiative, as a way to motivate students to excel at their studies," Tina explained with a hint of pride in her tone. It was obvious that that chance to study abroad meant a lot to her, and with reason. Who wouldn't dream of such an opportunity?
"Congratulations," he said with a sincere touch of admiration. "It must be very exciting for you."
"And scary," she admitted with a chuckle. "It's a great change. I had never left the United States."
"As... As far as I know, the subjects are practically the same in both schools, that shouldn't be so different," Newt tried to appease, guessing some of her fears. If she'd earned that scholarship, she must be a brilliant and responsible student, worried about the results of her hard work.
"I hope so. I'd like to become an Auror, by the way. The MACUSA demands an outstanding academic record to admit new recruits," she provided.
"I'm sure you'll do excellently," Newt encouraged courteously.
"You're very kind. And you? What would you like to devote yourself to?," Tina asked with genuine curiosity in her voice.
He blushed. "Well, I'm afraid my aspirations aren't that interesting or thrilling. I'd like to... to devote my life to studying magical creatures from all around the world," he revealed, expecting once more the usual condescending or at least puzzled reaction he was used to whenever he talked about his love for creatures.
But she hardly showed puzzlement, and there was no trace of condescension in her sweet face, to his surprise. "That indeed sounds interesting and thrilling. And if it's what you really like, then go for it."
He smiled at her openly for the first time since she'd shown at the compartment door. "Thanks for your encouragement. Not many appreciate my vocation, my family included. Except... Except for my mother." He also thought about Leta. She'd been among the very few who'd fully approved of his aspirations, but their friendship had cooled since her expulsion from Hogwarts, inevitably. Currently, it had been many months since they'd exchanged letters for the last time. She'd stopped writing, and Newt hadn't insisted. He'd heard that her family had sent her to Ireland, where the Lestranges had business and connections. Newt surmised that she'd started anew, leaving him behind definitely. It hurt a lot, and he missed her, but it was better to let the past fly.
"Well, if it means anything coming from a stranger, don't listen to anyone and pursue your dreams, Newt. It's your life," Tina advised simply, making his heart swell a bit in gratitude.
"Thank you, Tina." Then he couldn't hold back his own curiosity. "What house do you belong to in Ilvermorny?"
She looked very pleased at his question. "Thunderbird."
"Oh! Those are extraordinary creatures. I'd love to see thunderbirds one day," he admitted, longing pouring from his voice. "If Thunderbird is your house, that must mean that you are brave and have a... an adventurous spirit, doesn't it?," he ventured boldly. "But on... on the other hand, it's not so strange, if you want to become an Auror." He cleared his throat, embarrassed by his own reactions. He hardly knew her, for Merlin's beard. But she was having a strong effect in him, making him feel both drawn to her and terribly scared. He'd never been very lucky in his interactions with girls. None of them apart from Leta had ever paid any attention to him. No wonder his reaction; the fact that Tina was showing kindness and interest in him was a huge novelty. Though, all things considered, it wasn't so strange that, as a newcomer who didn't know anyone yet, she would clutch at a straw. And it turned out that that straw was him, the freak she'd happened to find in the only compartment which wasn't full in the whole train.
Surely very soon she'd meet other people she'd find far more appealing and less awkward than him.
Tina giggled lightly, flattered by his shy praise. "I hope so. That's how I like to see myself, at least," she stated in tease. "And what about you? What house do you belong to in Hogwarts?"
"Hufflepuff," he declared without missing a beat. He'd always felt secretly proud of his house, though many despised and undervalued it, specially those belonging to Gryffindor and Slytherin, but he didn't care about their opinion.
"You're a hard worker, patient, loyal and humble then?," she asked, again in that lightly teasing tone.
His cheeks must be red like poppies by then. "I'd... I'd like to think so."
To his relief, she then changed the topic. "I suppose that the Sorting Hat will place me in a house upon arriving in Hogwarts. If I'm gonna spend the whole year there, I'll have to belong somewhere. I've been told that the hat weighs your traits and qualities, and announces your house in consequence."
Newt nodded. "Yes. But it mainly takes into account your preferences. Your choices weigh more than your features. Only in case that you don't have any preferences, it will place you in the house best suited for your natural qualities. But otherwise, it will listen to you," he pointed out.
Tina remained silent for a short while, thinking. "Well, in that case, I don't have any preferences, I'm new to all this and I shouldn't rush into anything... I think I'll let the Sorting Hat decide by itself."
Newt felt a pang of disappointment, because he was certain that she wouldn't be placed in Hufflepuff (she looked much more like a candidate for Gryffindor or Ravenclaw), though he did his best not to let it show. He didn't want to influence her decisions, and anyway it was best for everyone to belong to the house where they fit the most. Leta had belonged to Slytherin, but that hadn't stopped them from striking up a friendship. "That's wise. Things will be fine, you'll see," he said in encouragement.
She smiled at him sweetly and again his heart jumped a bit. "I hope so, Newt."