Chapter Text
It was clear from when he first saw the new human that things would be different. Looking at him, the demiguise didn't see more pain, or blades stealing his fur or threats of what they would do, how they could hurt him until he would show them what they wanted. The old humans seemed to think he could see the future, could tell them how a game of cards would fall. His sight didn't work like that. He saw what was likely. Ask him to predict the roll of a dice and he couldn't answer - not if the dice was fair. All six sides were equal so he couldn't pick.
The human was dressed funny, wearing a coat that reminded him of feathers, and the human crouched beside his case and spoke softly, seemingly unperturbed as the demiguise disappeared from sight.
"I know, you must be very scared, you poor thing, well, if you let me see you I can see if you have injuries, but I understand you might be shy. I'm going to open the door of the cage. If you run away, I won't stop you, but if you would like to come with me you can. I travel, and we are in the middle of a city now. I can find a better home for you."
With that, the man opened the door, pocketed his wand and stepped back. The demiguise looked up at him and tilted his head. He could see it wasn't a trap. He reached up, climbing the human and cuddling onto his back. He was startled when he noticed a bowtruckle sat on his shoulder.
The human scooped the bowtruckle up and put it in his hair.
"There we go, now, come on, the smugglers will be getting back soon and it really would be best for all of us if they weren't to catch us..." With that, the human did the thing that magical humans did, where they disappeared and then reappeared somewhere else. Normally the demiguise was frightened by that, but with this human he wasn't.
"You need a name." The human told him as he appeared into view. "I can't call you demiguise, it would be rude... how do you feel about Dougal?"
Dougal considered for a moment, and then nodded.
"Hello Dougal, I'm Newt."
Dougal nodded his head in understanding, knowing that Newt was his human and he would help him. He could see that Newt was the kind of person to get into a lot of trouble.
"I'm a magizoologist." Newt explained. "I'm researching creatures. I observe mostly, see their habits, but if a creature is injured, or in need of rescue, I take them with me. I know that Demiguise are very clever creatures. Do you think you would be willing to see what other creatures I have here? If it would interest you?"
Dougal nodded again, following Newt around the case. He hid from some of the larger beasts, seeing Newt crushed beneath their hooves or ripped apart by fangs. Slowly, he came to see that the beasts liked Newt, and he calmed a little.
Newt paused for a moment beside a small hollow filled with jewellery. Inside there was a small folded over cloth. Newt pealed it back. Inside, there were three dark small blobs, only the size of Dougal's fist.
"These are the niffler puggles." Newt explained. "Nick, Noel and Nancy...their mother was caught in a trap and I ... I couldn't save her, so I brought them with me... they need warmth, so I've charmed this..."
Dougal tilted his head, looking at the creatures curiously. They were only babies, and really they needed care, but with what the human did it wouldn’t be safe for Newt to carry them. He paused, then reached into the golden hollow and lifted the three puggles into his arms, stroking his fingers through their fur.
“Are you going to look after them for me?” Newt asked. Dougal looked at the three sleeping infants, and nodded his head. They needed to be looked after, and he knew he could take better care of them than any of the other creatures there.
“That is most kind of you.” Newt said with a smile, his eyes lighting up. Dougal nodded his head, and then went over to where Newt had stored the food. He found some small insects, which he chewed and then carefully fed the paste to each of the puggles in turn. They squeaked at him, and Dougal saw that they would grow strong.
***
It turned out that looking after three young nifflers was more of a chaotic experience than Dougal had expected. They were bigger now, half the size of full grown nifflers, and they were always exploring. They weren’t bad, not exactly. But they were nifflers, and like all nifflers they liked treasure. The very hint of something sparkly would have Nancy racing across the case. Nick was worse. He was able to duck out of Dougal’s grip and then race into Newt’s pocket, shoving a shining coin in his pouch. Newt would return the naughty puggle when he noticed it was there, and Dougal would chitter at the creature in warning, but the next chance Nick got he was back to his thieving ways.
Dougal found it hard to rest, his mind full of all the different ways that Nick could find himself getting hurt. He could have so many different accidents, and that frightened Dougal. He was fond of the young nifflers. They were like a family to him.
In desperation, he found some wool at the back of Newt’s shed, and fashioned three leashes. He wasn’t going to lose any of his foster children. Newt laughed when he saw them, but didn’t take any of them away, so Dougal decided that this was clearly a sign of approval. It was much easier to keep track of them once they were unable to run away, and he could see them getting stronger. They were doing so well.
Eventually, Nancy and Noel were released back into the freedom of the world outside. Nick remained, too much of a troublemaker to leave the case. Dougal was glad for that, not wanting to have to say goodbye to all three of his adoptive children.
Newt smiled at him.
“Think you could help with the next batch of hatchlings?” He asked, and Dougal was quick to nod.