AN: We weren't introduced to a new Head of the Auror Office, so enter the OC(s)

-O-O-

July, 1927

The courtroom was humming with debate, waving fingers, pointed gestures. Dozens of languages she did not understand.

The room did not quiet until Picquery held out a hand, effectively earning attention.

"Since the incidents of last December within our city, international sentiments have plummeted to a point I can no longer ignore. I've asked us to gather today, first to urge us towards unification, even now. And secondly, to assure you that the breach of our Congress last year has made way for extensive security measures. While we try to determine the depth of Grindelwald's following and his motives, we must also search where our loyalties lie…"

"Loyalties? Loyalties that have left the smallest groups unprotected? Hunted?" Africa's chief shouted above other murmurs.

"International safety has always been a priority of this Congress!" Picquery tried, but someone shouted over her.

"So say the Americans!"

"Cowards!"

"Killers of your own kind, deserters of others!"

"Can we consider building international relations trustworthy when your own Congress has been infiltrated and your head Auror forgone to the cause we all apparently pledge to put an end to? Then this dark wizard, conveniently lost?" Spain's minister asked.

Tina snapped.

Her hands gripped at the arms on either side of her chair. "Precival Graves was murdered and impersonated by a overzealous lunatic that we've now lost track of. Would it be wise to insult his memory like that?" An insult to the Magical Congress of the United States that if nothing else, had excelled at uniting magic across borders. She wanted to continue, but bit back.

Her fellow Aurors were staring, including the newly appointed head, Alexander Passwater who was ever even keeled.

The room grew eerily still, except for Madame Picquery's warning glare.

"We will not win this if we cannot unite. We do not need to agree, but we must ally with one another. We are not countries, but wizards. Please be assured that MACUSA will do everything in its power to protect all of wizardkind, not only ourselves. Take my words, or leave them. Darkness will come, and where we choose to act is the true test," Picquery finished, addressing her colleagues once more.

Attitudes stirred more than quelled, wizards Disapparated one by one, leaving a weary and weatherworn MACUSA to their consequences.

-O-O-

Tensions continued to rise, and by August Grindlewald's trail was lost. Part of Tina wondered if…if there was a possibility…with his power…could he cease to have a body at all?

It was a silly thought, and a dark thought, that had her biting her nails at her desk, and filling herself with cups of tea which she'd taken habit to over coffee in the three week since Newt had departed in May.

A cold trail meant a lot of desk work, and paperwork. Regrettably, Tina wasn't particularly organized, probably to Picquery and Passwater's chagrins.

And since they'd virtually considered Grindelwald to be a non-threat for the time being, monitoring any leaks on the case she'd been placed in charge of had her sulking, lost in thought and not always thoughts about work.

It bothered her, and she tried to suppress it. But it seemed to be unavoidable. She didn't have time thnk about him. She had to find something useful. A clue.

Most of her time was spent in the Library of Congress researching or in the lunchroom waiting for the kettle to whistle.

She supposed her moods weren't hard to spot. On her fourth cup of the day, her supervisor, the recently promoted Alexander Passwater, approached just as she'd tapped the tip of her wand to the teakettle and asked that she schedule a meeting with Picuqery.

"I don't pretend like I'm an expert on women, but you've been acting strange, Goldstein," he'd said, not meeting her eyes, trying to diffuse the uncomfortable air in approaching his new female employee with something he probably attributed to women's troubles.

Her second private meeting with the President proved to be much less tense, but encountered issues Tina wasn't prepared for.

"Your disposition doesn't have anything to do with Newt Scamander, does it?" Madame President obviously did not mind cutting straight to the chase.

Tina shifted uncomfortably, half horrified. "No, ma'am."

"Love does strange things to us. It wouldn't be something to embarrassed of."

"I'm not in l…" she began, but Picquery threw her an incredulous look.

"At any rate, I don't want a valuable member of our law enforcement to fizzle out."

She set her shoulders. It wasn't lost on her that the President of MACUSA had just considered her significant. "No ma'am." Tina defended. "I'm just going through growing pains with the new changes and the general unease. I'll get over it eventually."

"Your defense of Percival Graves at our last meeting was surprising."

"Yes, well…I didn't see eye to eye with him more often than not, but he was my supervisor. And dedicated to the safety of us all."

"Kind words."

Tina didn't let her expression change. She just nodded.

The President eyed her intently.

"I have needed someone…an Ambassador to represent us and our mission to those across the sea. Perhaps you're the woman for the job, Miss Goldstein."

Now Tina balked. "Madame President, I don't think…"

"It probably wouldn't be such a bad idea to stretch your wings a bit, Miss Goldstein. You're still very green. Smart, but green."

"I wouldn't…"

"You'd be based in London, England. From the Ministry's main headquarters."

It was bait. Not that she needed it.

"I'm honored, Madame President."

"I could release you as soon as October."

"Oh. Well…I'd…be…grateful, Madame President."

Picquery, for the first time Tina could remember, smiled warmly. "I sensed this since Mr. Scamander's first notorious visit to our city. It was at least a small part of the reason I promoted you in the first place. Don't underestimate my eyes and ears, Miss Goldstein."

-O-O-

September saw another short visit, and a version of Tina that was more disgruntled and on-edge than ever before. She was tense, conversation short, and talked with no one about what had been brewing behind closed doors in the Auror office. Maybe it was because of it or in spite of it that he found himself sorting out one certain phrase he'd rehearsed in his mind since docking.

"I was wondering if you…I was thinking…" He paused, pressing his knuckles to his lips, thinking hard. "That's not right…"

"Tina, I was hoping to ask you…"

"Ask me what?"

He bolted to his feet from the bench outside the hotel. "Tina! Er…Hello."

There she stood, beautiful as ever in a skirt he hadn't seen before, looking bright and fresh in the mid-autumn air that was still tinged with remaining warmth. It was a relief. She'd been so gray for the past few weeks.

"Hi." She peered at him suspiciously. "Why are you talking to yourself?"

"Wasn't." He reached down to gather his things, gripping his case tight. "Thank you for meeting me. Again."

He didn't know why he said it. It sounded stupid and pointless. Pickett mewled quietly, unimpressed in the pocket of his waistcoat.

"You're acting very strange," she observed the obvious, if only to try and pinpoint the motive.

"Nerves. Seasickness. I always get seasick."

"Right." She gave a small scoff of a laugh, looking him up and down incredulously. "You'll be late if we wait any longer. Let's go."

Ticket checked and passport presented, Newt was left with no other diversions to delay his question. And Tina had noticed. Of course she would. He was a fool to think she'd leave it alone.

They had reached the point where it would've been proper to say their goodbyes, as they had several time before. But Tina lingered, arms crossed, eyes down, looking increasingly more hurt as passengers boarded.

"Well, thanks for coming…" she started, but he interrupted swiftly.

"Tina…what you said a few months ago about releasing the creatures… It is something I've known needs doing. That's the whole idea, you see. Rehabilitation, education, reinstallation…"

He was rambling. She was staring, stone faced.

He huffed, desperately trying to carve out his point. "I was wondering…I was hoping…"

"Yes," she said deliberately.

"Oh."

Her arms unfolded, hands going to his own, gripped at the handle of the case.

"I'd like that. Very much."

He grinned warmly. Her eyes grew watery.

He paused, smile faltering. He had known her long enough now, deep enough now that he didn't hesitate in asking.

"Tina, is there something that's been bothering you?"

"Actually, yes." Her chest heaved with her deep breath, and—he suspected—the weight of the entirety of MACUSA's Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"Picquery's made me an Ambassador. She wants me to station me overseas next month."

"Overseass? England? Tina, that's fantastic! Why didn't you say something sooner?"

She gave a watery half-smile. "Is it? I don't know."

"Why not?"

"Leaving Queenie. Besides, I'm no diplomat. And…" She thrust a hand out into the space between them. "I didn't know if you'd…if we'd…"

Newt shook his head, smiling knowingly. "You underestimate yourself…in both regards."

Her expression is half-stunned, half-awed. "What?"

He shifted the case to one hand, reaching to grab hers. "I…would love to have you in London."

She was breathless, then smiling. She hurried to wipe her cheeks of tears that clung at her eyelashes.

"And as for being a diplomat…You're raging, stunning practicality might give those old bullfrogs what they've been missing."

She laughed, sputtering. "First…" She breathed again, pulling herself together. "I want to see your world."

A horn blared, indicating the final boarding call. She didn't let go of his hand.

"I'll see you soon. On my side of the pond," he said, before leaning in to peck her cheek.

She breathed a laugh, giving his hand a squeeze.

"I'll send you correspondence about when I'd like to begin."

"OK. I'll start flat-hunting."

He nodded, Nervous Newt all over again, ducking his head and turning for the gangplank. He gave one last glance at her, grinning shyly before disappearing aboard.

She waited until they'd departed and until the tears were dried before hurrying for the office to hunt down a copy of the Daily Prophet classifieds.

-O-O-

A letter came the next week, with a large inkblot at the top corner, and a smattering of spindly Bowtruckle footprints.

12th September, 1927

My lovely Goldstein,

The chilling drizzle has not stopped since I docked in London. Its constricting, depressing, and it fuels me to restlessness. I've been spending spare time in the case, experimenting with venoms and medicines, and trying to come to terms with no longer having them with me.

With the book written, I can only trust my fellow wizards to educate themselves, and sentiments to improve with time. Still, its difficult to trust what's unfamiliar. And here I find myself on the reverse of my own argument: accepting the unknown with conviction even when all experience has told you to be wary.

There are some I could keep. But even telling myself that makes me wish I could care for them all, always.

Too many things are changing, and I can't seem to wrap my head around them all. I apologize for the short letter.

Yours,

Newt Scamander

-O-O-

September 17th, 1927

Newt,

We have been discussing our goals and intent in this new Ambassadorship. I will be accompanied by two other Aurors, Camilla Broadtree and Nathaniel Dowright. We wouldn't exactly be official Ambassadors, but a supplementary team concentrating on keeping tabs on Grindlewald and any followers and subsidiary groups as well as promoting general goodwill.

I've found a flat. It is small, and cheap. But its something to start with. I'll arrive October 10th and would love to be escorted through London by a true Brit.

In your debating about this new journey, try and be reminded that I'll be there by your side.

And just so you know, I wouldn't mind tending a tree of Bowtruckles or a pack of Mooncalfs until we're eighty…

If that's what you had in mind… Mooncalfs…

-Tina

-O-O-

The next letter was not a letter at all, but a map carefully marked with lines linking countries, beginning in the hills of Ireland and Scotland, heading down into Egypt and scattered countries within Africa, east into India and China, and down to Australia and its islands.

It set a smile across her face like there hadn't been in months.

Another thick envelope came the same day, containing her lease agreement.