Chapter Text
1932
Grindelwald had made everyone question everything. Their worth, their purpose, their roles in society, the reasons they hid behind the orders of the Ministry, anything to do with order and control and safety. Wizards and witches alike had begun to argue all around, comparing both sides of the coin - some wanting to rebel, others wanting to remain hidden. As of yet there had been little adverse affects to going against Grindelwald's suggestions, other than the fact you could no longer trust your neighbour for fear of them seeing things so differently.
Aurora Scamander had seen the depths people were willing to go to remain hidden, and just how far others would go to prove a point. She stopped conversing so freely with her friendly companions, stopped sharing her opinions on society and how it was affecting everyone. It didn't seem to be her voice that mattered now, the majority of the population was beginning to side with the raw possibility of freedom and a life away from the shadows, muggles be damned. It was hard to stay under the radar as an Auror for the British Ministry of Magic, but it was even harder to keep your mouth shut when you worked in the Muggle Relations department.
Aurora's oldest brother, Theseus, had organised employment for her not long after she'd finished her apprenticeship at the Ministry, having bounced around a little with no real aspirations. While she was appreciative, some days were difficult to swallow, especially after the rise of Grindelwald, and at times she would resent him for forcing her to take this role. He claimed it would provide a comfortable life, with safety being his main concern as she was now a trusted insider who was known for their brutal honesty, even when it wasn't wanted. She worked closely with the Obliviation Department to ensure the safety of the wizarding world and muggle-kind alike, though Aurora was one of the few that actually held a soft spot for the muggles.
She wasn't sure why; perhaps it was their morbid curiosity to believe in something higher than themselves, or their avid fascination with the unexplained, or perhaps it was even how some were so content with their little lives that they really did not understand the true dangers of the world around them. Sometimes she would stand in the town square and just watch as they went about their day, running various errands or sharing friendly conversation. The brunette never hid from them, she didn't need to, but was always careful as to what she carried on her person because despite their more-simple understandings, they, too, had bad people on their side. Those that would steal, and harm, and take advantage of the weak, but never truly gaining much for their efforts except an increased ego, or a few extra coins if they were lucky. Aurora didn't like that - she hated bullies.
Being a year younger than Newton Scamander, she observed the cruelty behind other's words when faced with something or someone they did not approve of. Her brother, being the quiet, self-contained yet endlessly kind wizard he was, often took the brunt of the abuse from other students. They would mock him, steal his books and belongings, threaten the creatures he promised to protect, even bring harm to them if they were bold enough at the time, but despite this, his heart never soured. Leta Lestrange was in a similar situation, finding comfort in Newt's solidarity when she needed shelter from the accusations and cruel words of other students that knew of her family's history. Aurora would often find them in one of Newt's favourite hiding spots, together, conversing over his creatures or discussing the copious levels of homework they had been given. She liked that he had someone who understood, who felt an outsider as he did, though she didn't wish for either of them to feel that way.
She wasn't unliked as a witch at Hogwarts, but she also wasn't particularly favored. She didn't stand for unnecessary bullying and would often take the situation into her own hands, fixing it through a crafty spell or a physical prompt, often leading to various levels of detention and consequence. But she never minded - a 'necessary evil' she would call it, a small smirk gracing her features at the assailant's discomfort and shock. She was smart for her age - always ahead of the game with her lectures - but she never flaunted this, it was only proven through the level of intellectual work given back to her professors. Aurora excelled particularly in the Art of Transfiguration as well as Charms, and would regularly use her ability to transform to disarm the bullies, often giving them enough of a shock that they'd back down rather quickly.
When Newt took the blame for Leta Lestrange somehow obtaining a Jarvey, it left him under scrutiny from the schoolboard, as well as the Ministry for illegal possession of such a creature including the animal welfare issues surrounding him. Albus Dumbledore, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at the time, had willed the schoolboard not to take such drastic action as to expel him, and that it had clearly been a misunderstanding, stating that Newt would never try to harm another student, nor a muggle, but it had been to avail. He was taking the fall for Leta's foolish mistake, and it was going to stick.
Aurora hated bullies. She had approached Dumbledore in his office, later that same day, and begged him to find another way to punish him. Even if it meant forcing Newt to sit at a desk and volunteer to complete paperwork for the rest of the year, which they both knew was one of his worst fears - his Boggart had proven this. She even requested she talk to the board herself, but one look of disdain and she diminished the idea entirely. He could see the cogs turning behind her eyes, plans forming and unforming, different emotions crossing her features.
"There is nothing more to be done for him, Miss Scamander," he had suggested gently, trying to coax her from her thoughts.
Her eyes met his in an instant, defiance written all over them. "Then if he is to be expelled," she huffed a quiet breath, not entirely believing what she was about to say. "Then I am to leave as well."
His brows furrowed, a look of contained shock making its way round. "You cannot abandon your studies," he advised in disbelief. "You're a smart witch but you still have two years until graduation," he paused. "Have you spoken to anyone about this?"
The look of uncertainty that flashed provided his answer. "I don't need permission," she warned quietly. "He is my brother, and he has been unrightfully charged for a misunderstanding,"
After a little back and forth between them, Albus offered to speak to the board one final time. She'd been thankful for his last attempts, though was not entirely hopeful it would provide what she had wanted - sanctity and forgiveness for Newt's mistake. It wasn't until several days later that she was called into a meeting with her professors, and one member from the Ministry that it had begun to sink in. Newt couldn't turn back now, it was done, but what did that mean for her?
"I understand you disagree with our decision to expel your older brother, Newton Scamander," the man had started. Aurora stepped forward to talk but a hand was raised in her direction to stop her, so she held her tongue. "And that you have threatened to take your leave also if he is to be removed from the school,"
She narrowed her eyes at him, a slight head tilt evidencing her suspicions as to where he was going with this. If he would not change his mind, why was she here? Were they to punish her, too?
"Your academic records are flawless, and your professors had a lot to say about you," he suggested, pretending to read through her Hogwarts file in thought. She risked a look in the direction of her teachers, uncertainty causing her to wring her hands repeatedly behind her back, but none of them gave her so much as a smile. "Though it appears you have had numerous warnings and disciplinaries for physical conflict against other students,"
"I don't like bullies, sir," she replied in a small, yet defiant voice.
"Do you consider me to be a bully?" He challenged, his head turning to look at her small form in the large, open hall. Her professors were willing her not to take the bait, to just hold off for a few more minutes, not bite back in retort. Her only response was her fists clenching behind her back, fingernails digging half-moons into her palms, her jaw snapping shut in disregard to his question.
He let out a chortle of amusement and the fire began to rise within her. She knew he was looking down at her like nothing more than a child who got caught with their hand in the biscuit jar, and she hated it. She hated everything about him. She hated that she was in a room surrounded by some of the nicest people she'd ever come to know, but not one of them was standing up for her, allowing him to taunt her.
"We would like to offer you the possibility of an early graduation, Miss Scamander," he raised, changing topics slightly. This piqued her interest. "In return for remaining at Hogwarts this academic year, you will take your finals at the end of the summer semester, two years early. Providing you do well, you shall graduate with honors and may leave Hogwarts to find your way in the wizarding world," He made eye contact with her. "At your own risk."
"And my brother, what happens to him?" She asked delicately.
"His expulsion has been cleared by the Ministry and will be effective as of Monday morning. He is to leave the grounds and not return, unless under exceptional circumstances." He finalised, slamming the folder in front of him closed. "I might suggest you consider your options carefully, Miss Scamander," he warned.
She was at a loss. If she left, she could try to help Newt find his way, having now been kicked out of the best Wizarding school in Britain. Perhaps he could find a place to finish his studies at another school, but then who would take him after being expelled from somewhere such as this? She looked at each of her professor's faces, hoping to gain an insight into their thoughts. Most of them provided nothing, but Albus and Minerva were raising their brows, encouraging her to make the decision.
"Newt can have his briefcase returned to him, at your earliest convenience?"
"Are you bargaining with me, Miss Scamander?" He asked incredulously. She was walking on thin ice.
"I will stay for this final year, I will pass my exams, I will stay out of trouble," she suggested, meekly. "If he can have it back. It was our father's," With a few alterations, she thought.
The stare-down between the member of the Ministry and Aurora was unnerving, the silence deafening. Neither stood down, but neither dared walk any further. There was a mutual understanding that she would keep her promise, provided he kept his.
"Very well," he finalised, a huff of exasperation escaping his taut mouth. "As of Monday, Master Scamander is expelled from Hogwarts, and Miss Scamander is to complete the remaining two years in this academic year. I hope you know what you are doing," He warned but then waved his hand at her, advising she leave quickly before he changed his mind.
She rushed out of the hall, breathless, the large spruce doors slamming behind her. She pushed past other students, moving forward into a run to find her brother and tell him what had happened. Her mind was spiralling with warnings and stolen glances and looks of disappointment. She hadn't been able to save Newt, but at least she could return his beloved case to him. She had to tell him her news.
Once she was out of sight, she apparated to his more commonly used hiding place - the small cupboard off the Astronomy tower where he kept a few of his creatures to study as they developed. He took in her frantic state as she knelt next to him, eyes full of sorrow. Aurora explained everything that was going to happen to him over the next 72 hours, including his removal from the grounds first-thing Monday morning, and frustratingly he didn't look at all fazed. It was Leta who seemed more distraught than Newt, although as it was her fault to begin with, she could understand most of her distress.
Sure enough, when it came to the end of the summer semester, Aurora had passed all of her exams despite the workload being doubled, and was on her way out into the world. Newt had since left home to travel and research further into his various beasts, while Theseus had remained securely employed with the British Ministry of Magic. Aurora wasn't sure where she was to go from here, but hoped something would appear to keep her occupied until Newt returned, or at least until he settled somewhere long enough to visit.
That was how she came to stand where she was, many years later, with an open letter in her hand, her heart hammering at her chest. Newt had been injured. She was unaware as to what extent, but Theseus' letter had told her to find them promptly, apparently there was little time to waste.
Within an instant she was collecting a handful of her things, casting an undetectable expansion charm on her purse and walking out the door at a brisk pace. It had been almost a year since she'd laid eyes on either of her brothers, but she knew both of them had been deeply involved with the rise of Grindelwald. She'd cut out snippets of newspaper articles in an attempt to keep tabs on what was happening in the world, but after Grindelwald had made his initial stand, many witches and wizards siding with him, he had disappeared underground.
Her department at the Ministry was under threat due to the muggle disappearances occurring, no reasonable explanation available for the muggle Council to consider, and whispers were shared at every dark corner. She had tried to keep herself cheerful and charming, but with so many considering Grindelwald's offer it became difficult to maintain relationships with her colleagues, even more so when they asked for her opinion on such pressing matters.
While she was relieved to take a temporary leave of absence to assist her family, she knew that what she was leaving behind would not be better on her return. Perhaps her department would be closed down altogether, and the years she'd spent trying to maintain the barrier between the wizarding world and the muggles would come crashing down, no longer necessary.
Aurora burst through the front door, frantically searching for her boys, eyes landing on them as Theseus seemed to be unwrapping a dirty bandage from Newton's hand. She rushed into the living room, bag being strewn across the floor somewhere as she sunk to her knees to have a closer look. The brothers seemed surprised to see her, which she returned considering the letter she'd received a day prior from Theseus himself, but perhaps they meant she had arrived quicker than they'd anticipated.
Newt's hand was nearly devoid of skin, looking like a harsh burn through its entirety, as he instructed Theseus to gather some bits from his case. The bowtruckle which sat atop the armchair was holding his tiny hand out, too, with an even smaller bandage across it. She smiled sympathetically at Pickett and gently picked him up to hold him in front of her.
"And what kind of trouble have you been getting into, little man?" she asked sweetly, Pickett blowing a raspberry in her direction before pointing at Newt, as if to place blame. "And you?" She aimed at her brother in the chair.
Newt smiled sheepishly under her gaze, never very fond of direct eye contact. "I had to fight off a few others to keep some creatures alive," he suggested, quietening when Theseus returned with a small glass vial.
Aurora nodded her head, stepping back and allowing Theseus to begin working on Newt's injured hand again. The younger boy was wincing harshly, lip curling in pain as he supressed a groan. The red, angered flesh was shining now with a blue-ish hue, the skin seeming to regrow before their very eyes, although an open wound still remained. Ever the hero, Theseus re-wrapped Newt's hand and started to ask what exactly he was summoned here for, Aurora walking to the kitchen to make something for them all to drink. It turns out that Dumbledore himself had asked for Theseus's help, whether that be because of his status in the Ministry or because he was a previous war-hero, they seemed unsure, although as usual it looked as though Newt was keeping a lot of information hidden. Perhaps it was not his information to provide?