Tina thought of the orange-furred feline currently monopolizing her beloved sister's bed day and night.
"Well… I might know a magical creature that could do the job…"
"But I'll have to ask Newt first, to see if it's willing."
Seraphina gave a relieved nod. "I'll leave it in your hands."
"No problem, Madam President."
As Tina stepped out of the office, Seraphina exhaled. Dealing with subordinates who didn't understand subtlety was exhausting.
In moments like this, she missed the days when she was like Tina… honest, blunt, and blissfully unaware of politics. But those days were long gone.
Society had polished her into something sharp and cold. She could feel the years of compromise and diplomacy pressing down on her.
Maybe it's time to consider retirement.
Tina returned to the Auror department, nodding at colleagues as she made her way to her desk. Waiting for her was a package wrapped in plain kraft paper.
Her heart skipped when she saw the sender.
The British Ministry of Magic.
It's from Newt.
Her heart pounded. He wrote to me…
Tina tore the wrapping with practiced ease and unfolded the letter, scanning the familiar handwriting with both eagerness and caution.
Hi Tina,
Long time no see. Are you busy recently?
That was the only personal line.
The rest was classic Newt… a detailed, rambling account of his latest encounter with a particularly skittish magical beast somewhere in Eastern Europe.
Tina sighed, a soft, helpless smile on her lips. Of course.
Not even a whisper of 'I miss you' or 'I love you.' Typical.
If he ever did say something like that, she'd probably drop everything and board the next Portkey to England.
Really, Newt…
Garfield had once called Newt 'a rock-headed gentleman.' and she had to admit… it was accurate.
If he had even half, no, a quarter of Garfield's shameless flirtation, she wouldn't be so worried about those giggling little witches chasing after him in Britain.
Grumbling under her breath, she sat down and pulled out parchment and quill. With practiced strokes, she began writing her reply.
Dear Newt,
It really has been a while, hasn't it? You and I seem to be living in different universes, while you're out making friends with magical creatures, I'm dealing with magical explosions and rogue spells on a daily basis.
Minister Seraphina Picquery is… concerned. She believes that even in custody, Grindelwald remains a threat. He nearly charmed a team of elite Aurors.\
She's asked if it's possible to use a magical creature as a guard, something immune to his influence.
I thought of Garfield. Do you think he'd be suitable? Let me know.
Looking forward to your reply.
Your friend…
Tina
She folded the letter and handed it to the office's letter dispatcher. But the moment he scanned it and saw Seraphina Picquery's name, his brow furrowed.
Protocol required letters involving the President to be reviewed for clearance.
He brought it directly to Seraphina.
She read it over, nodded. "It's fine. This was a personal request, far easier than sending an official letter through channels."
"Yes, ma'am."
The dispatcher resealed the letter and placed it in the outgoing international mail.
Once done, he drew his wand and wrote a quick memo on enchanted parchment.
President Seraphina Picquery requests the assistance of a British magical creature to guard the highly dangerous dark wizard Grindelwald in place of human Aurors.
With the note in hand, the dispatcher made his way toward the secured kitchen entrance. A guard stood watch.
"Message for internal distribution."
The guard took the slip, nodded, and tucked it into his sleeve.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
At dinnertime, the same guard stepped inside the Ministry kitchen.
It was alive with activity.
House-elves darted through the air and across countertops, levitating pans, chopping vegetables mid-air, flipping omelets, and stirring simmering sauces.
The rich scent of roasted meats, sweet custards, and fresh herbs filled the space.
One elf looked up from stirring a pot the size of a cauldron. "Can we help you, sir?"
"Need a food check for the prison staff." The guard said briskly.
"Right this way, please." The elf replied, wiping his hands on a napkin.
The elf led the guard into a side compartment of the Ministry kitchen, where several trays of food were already laid out.
Milk.
Porridge.
Bread and jam.
Some barbecue.
Simple, hearty, prison fare.
The guard flicked his wand over the food. A faint golden shimmer confirmed everything was clean and safe.
"Looks fine."
"Now step out for a moment."
"Yes, sir!" The elf replied without hesitation. Though it had no idea what the man was doing, obedience was baked into its very bones.
Once alone, the guard pulled a small slip of parchment from his sleeve, the note from Seraphina Picquery.
With practiced care, he lifted a slice of bread, slid the note into the sandwich, and muttered a spell under his breath.
The parchment shimmered once, then turned invisible, concealed perfectly within the meal.
His task complete, he exited the compartment and nodded to the waiting elf. "Deliver the tray."
"Right away, sir!"
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
As the day ended, Tina trudged home, her body heavy with exhaustion.
She opened the door and was immediately embraced by the comforting aroma of home-cooked food.
"Queenie, I'm back."
From the kitchen, Queenie popped her head out, apron slightly askew and cheeks flushed from the stove. "Sister! Just in time, dinner's almost ready."
"I'm going to wash up first."
"Okay~"
A warm dinner, shared in a cozy home, was the best antidote to a long, draining day.
Tina felt her weariness melt away as they ate.
After dinner, Queenie left with Garfield and Baima for their usual evening walk.
They planned to check in on that poor boy Steve, whose luck seemed to have bottomed out lately.
Tina, too tired to join them, fell asleep almost immediately.
She dreamed.
In her dream, Newt stood before her, mulling over her request.
He looked thoughtful, touched, even, and just as he was about to nod and say yes…
THUMP
An orange blur dropped from the sky, right between them.
Garfield!!!
That smug, purring lump had once again stolen her sister's attention and now was sabotaging her dreams too.
Rage burned inside her.
She fought with Newt.
The proposal fell apart in a swirl of feathers, fur, and frustration.
"Ugh…" Tina woke with a groan.
She turned on her desk lamp and squinted at her pocket watch. Midnight.
Thirsty, she padded out of her room for a glass of water, but something felt… off.
Queenie wasn't back.
Where is she? Still out playing around?
That didn't feel right. Queenie never liked crowds or noise.
It has to be that orange menace's fault.
She glanced at the magical family clock on the wall. Tina's own pointer read 'At Play.'
She sighed, resigned to the fact her sister was growing up and harder to keep track of. Tina sat in the living room, doing some paperwork by wandlight.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
Half an hour later, the front door finally creaked open.
Queenie entered, flushed, carrying Garfield in her arms. Baima trailed in behind, tail swishing.
"Where were you?"
"Sister, you won't believe it… we met the most fascinating person tonight." Queenie's eyes sparkled.
"Oh?"
"Interesting how? You sure he's not a dark wizard? Or a con artist?"
"It's not like that!" Queenie said quickly. "I can't tell you everything right now, I'm sorry."
"But I promise… Mr. Morgan is a very good man."
Given Queenie's gift for reading minds, Tina trusted her judgment. Still, she wasn't thrilled.
She gave Garfield a dry glare. "Don't stay up too late. You're still a cat, not a king."
Back in bed, Tina closed her eyes and wished she could return to that dream, but this time, reach Newt without Garfield in the way.
Hmph.
╭(╯╰)╮
"Achoo!" Garfield sneezed.
Pandora, floating in a bubble nearby, narrowed her eyes. "Someone must be cursing you in the livestream chat."
"Three days of fishing, two days of half-hearted streaming and you didn't even give them a proper goodbye last time."
"As a king." Garfield declared, tail flicking smugly, "I am wealthy and whimsical."
"More like spoiled and shameless!" Pandora huffed. "Perverted cat."
Meanwhile, Tina's letter had reached England via enchanted post aboard the Ministry's Plop Cruise Ship.
Newt read it carefully, eyes lingering on Seraphina Picquery's name. He frowned.
This isn't a decision I should make alone…
He folded the letter and sent an owl to someone he trusted implicitly.
At Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore sipped his morning tea and read Newt's letter over toast.
Garfield is powerful, no doubt. But what if Grindelwald gets to him?
He tapped the letter thoughtfully, eyes distant. But in the end, Dumbledore trusted his instincts.
Garfield might be a walking bundle of chaos, but he wouldn't betray them.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
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