Theo woke to the faint morning glow seeping through the curtains, heart fluttering with excitement. Today, Newt had promised, a new friend awaited in the suitcase. He hurried over, small feet barely making a sound on the polished floor.
The suitcase lay open, its soft golden light spilling into the corner of the room. Twig, the Bowtruckle, was already perched on its mossy branch, twitching fingers in greeting. Theo crouched, whispering, "Good morning, Twig." The little creature twitched in response, and a smile spread across Theo's face. It was comforting, the way the tiny being recognized him.
"Ready for another?" Newt's calm voice came from the doorway, notebook in hand. "A Niffler will join you today. Remember, observe first, respond second."
Theo's eyes widened. Nifflers were known for mischief—shiny objects, curious behavior, and unpredictable movements. He swallowed a little nervousness and leaned closer. From a tiny nook at the edge of the suitcase, a small black shape shimmered, bright eyes glinting. The Niffler sniffed the air and darted toward a scattered pile of coins, paws skittering over the moss.
"Meet Shimmer," Theo whispered softly, giving the creature its first name. The Niffler paused, cocked its head, and sniffed the air again, almost as if acknowledging the name. Theo's chest warmed. Giving the creature a name seemed to form an invisible bond—a silent agreement between them.
Newt crouched beside him, eyes gentle. "Observe carefully. Watch how it approaches objects, how it tests its surroundings. Trust is built through patience and attention."
Theo nodded, watching every twitch of Shimmer's tiny paws. The Niffler pawed at a shiny pebble, then darted back, eyes flicking toward him. Theo remained still, hands hovering above the moss. Slowly, the creature approached, sniffing the air between him and the coins. Theo breathed gently, letting the rhythm of the suitcase guide him. When Shimmer finally touched his palm lightly, Theo felt a spark of connection, a small thrill that hummed in his chest.
Morning passed in careful observation. Theo learned Shimmer's habits—how it paused before reaching for shiny objects, how it sniffed and tilted its head when curious, how it responded to his calm movements. He also tended the plants, gently adjusting leaves, shifting moss, and ensuring water flowed evenly across the small pools. Twig watched closely, occasionally twitching fingers in what Theo suspected was approval.
After a simple meal, Theo returned for the afternoon session. Today's task was subtle but challenging: create paths in the moss and plants that allowed both creatures to explore safely without disturbing the ecosystem. He crouched, surveying the miniature world. Twig twitched in one corner, Shimmer sniffed another, and the plants leaned gently toward the light. Every movement required attention, every gesture precision.
Theo began carefully. He nudged moss hills into new positions, tilted leaves for shade, and adjusted water currents so the tiny pools flowed evenly. Shimmer darted back and forth, testing boundaries, sniffing coins, and occasionally giving a small squeak. Theo held his hand still, redirecting gently when necessary, speaking softly, "Careful, Shimmer… you can go there." Twig responded predictably, weaving through moss paths, and Theo realized he was beginning to coordinate multiple creatures simultaneously.
Hours passed unnoticed. The suitcase glowed warmly, alive with activity. Plants leaned toward light, moss curved into smooth paths, Twig perched calmly, and Shimmer curled into a tiny nook, eyes alert but relaxed. Theo leaned back, small hands resting on his knees, heart swelling with quiet pride. He had managed more than one creature and more than one plant, still under Newt's watchful guidance.
Newt spoke softly, notebook closed. "You are learning more than observation now. Coordination, patience, and understanding—these are skills that cannot be rushed. Naming them was the first step. Responding to them with care is the second. You are beginning to understand the language of creatures."
Theo smiled quietly, closing the suitcase gently. The glow faded to a steady pulse, leaving the world inside humming softly with life. He pressed a hand to the lid, feeling the small rhythm beneath his fingertips. Shimmer and Twig had trusted him today. That was more important than any spell he could cast.
Before bed, he opened his notebook and sketched both creatures, noting their habits, small quirks, and the new paths he had created. Each line carried meaning, a record of growth—not just for the suitcase world, but for him. In the quiet, golden light, Theo curled into his bed, medallion in hand, notebook beside him, and smiled. For the first time, he felt like a true caretaker of his own magical world, a responsibility that made him both proud and quietly exhilarated.