Chapter 11

They entered a cave that lead to a bamboo wood. Newt walked ahead calling out.


"Titus, Finn, Poppy, Marlow, Tom?"


They neared a tree that housed said Bowtruckles. Newt had produced another and holding him in his hand.


"He has a cold. He needed body warmth."


Rayla smiled as Jacob went 'aw'.


Newt extended his hand holding the Bowtruckle toward the tree. The others in the tree clicked when they saw the one in Newt's hand.


"Right, on you hop."


The tiny Bowtruckle didn't want to leave Newt. He clutched his hand and Newt tried to place him in the tree.


"See he has some attachment issues. Now come on Pickett. No, they're not going to bully you. Now come on."


Newt finally gives up and puts Pickett on his shoulder. "All right. But that is exactly why they accuse me of favoritism."


He turned and saw an empty, hanging nest. He frowned slightly.


"I wonder where Dougal's gone."


From a nest sitting on the ground nearby there are chirping sounds that caught Newt's attention.


"All right, I'm coming. I'm coming, Mum's here, mum's here."


Rayla smiled at his soft and caring way with these creatures.


Newt reached into the nest and scooped up a baby Occamy.


"Ah, hello. Let me take a look at you."


Jacob walked up next to him.


"I know these guys."


Newt glanced at him, "New Occamy, your Occamy."


Jacob looked momentarily shocked. "What do you mean? My Occamy?"


"Yes, do you want to..?"


He gestured to him in asking if he wanted to hold it.


"Oh wow. Yeah, sure. Okay."


Newt began to feed the other Occamys as


Jacob held the baby gently in his hands. He moved to stroke its head, but jerked his hand back when it snapped at him.


Rayla stepped toward him.


"Don't do that. Their eggshells are made of silver, so they're incredibly valuable, you see? So their nests tend to get ransacked by hunters and they to defend themselves early."


Jacob nodded, "Okay."


She held her hands out, "Er, can I..?"


Jacob handed it to her and she held it for a second before handing it to Newt.


In a croaky voice Jacob spoke up as he looked around him.


"Mr. Scamander?"


"Call me Newt."


"Newt... I don't think I'm dreaming."


Amused, Newt glanced at him. "What gave it away?"


"I ain't got the brains to make this up."


Rayla chuckled to his left. Newt looked slightly intrigued and flattered. He spoke to Jacob.


"Actually, would you mind throwing some of those pellets in with the Mooncalves over there?"


"Yeah, sure."


"Just over there."


"Bugger. Niffler's gone. Of course he has, little bugger. Any chance to get his hands on something shiny."


"I think you mean paws."


As he headed in the direction Newt had pointed to, Newt turned to Rayla.


"Uh, I'd like to show you something, if you'd like."


She nodded eagerly. He took her hand and led her down a little ways. He stopped and turned around to face her.


"Wo-would it be okay if I covered your eyes before we get there?"


She raised an eyebrow, but because of sheer curiosity she nodded. He moved behind her and put his hands over her eyes. She felt her heart beating faster at his touch and closeness to her.


He led her a little more before taking his hands away from her eyes. She blinked her eyes open and gasped in delight.


"It's home!"


She saw a habitat that looked just like the moors of Scotland. She and Newt stood at the waters edge. A horse-like creature lept from the water and dove back in.


"You have a Kelpie?!"


She turned her head to look at Newt, who was watching her reaction closely.


"Oh, uh yeah I do. She was quite difficult to get in here though."


Rayla laughed, "I'll bet."


He couldn't help but smile too. Her smile and laugh was infectious.


"Her name is Lily."


"That's pretty."


She bit her lip, hesitating to say what's been on her mind.


"You know, honestly, you seem so familiar. You went to Hogwarts, right?"


"Er, yes. I was in Hufflepuff."


It came to her.


"Oh yeah! You were the Hufflepuff who was friends with Leta Lestrange. You took the fall for her when she did that experiment."


He looked at her.


"You know that it was Leta's?"


"Yeah, I saw it happen, plus you never seemed like a person to ever harm a creature or person in any way. Not even a simple experiment, though I don't think her experiment was 'simple'. I think that's why I trust you so much after just meeting you."


He smiled at her, but a question came to his mind.


"Wait, if you knew who I was, why did you never talk to me?"


She smiled and shook her head, "If I'm going to be honest, Leta Lestrange scared me."


He laughed, "I think that she makes plenty of people feel that way."


She nodded, "You know, it's easy to talk to you."


She turned completely and faced him. They were really close and her heart was beating fast. She could feel his breath.


When it felt like the two were going to lean in, a cold wind came and hit them. She shivered. "What is that?"


Newt looked in the direction of Jacob.


"Oh no."


He took off in to Jacob, Rayla close behind. 

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