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Candles hanging from the dark wooden bookcase flickered as Ariadne read with the light from her wand. There was only a limited amount of knowledge she could have soaked up from the limited amount of books about Obscurials. They weren't commonly studied, especially with the rarity of the parasite. Also with the fact that the child possessed by the Obscurus almost never made it past their tenth birthday made it difficult for information to be passed.
Engrossed with the markings of an Obscurial, a hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality.
"Follow me," Graves solemnly informed. She snapped the book shut before Graves could see what page she was on, hoping that he assumed she was just shocked by his presence. His footsteps were heavy as they made their way to the highest floor. Golden engravings on the wall depicted victorious scenes from history as well as portraits of former Presidents.
"What's going on?" Ariadne finally asked, her voice low as they made their way inside the Pentagram office. She could recognise a few faces, crowded around the room. Minister Hector Podmore nodded towards her as she caught his eye. Though Ariadne had never personally talked to him, she had seen him at ministry parties including the one Barracus held.
"Something or someone killed Senator Shaw and the Confederation finally decided to call a meeting," Graves answered, leading her to the front of the office.
"Who is Senator Shaw?"
"A No-maj politician," he answered. They walked over a large star engraved into the floor as everyone settled in. Madam Picquery stood in front of a golden throne, the etching of a bald eagle carved into it.
Soon the room darkened and chatter was silenced.
"Let's see it," a voice called out somewhere from the other side of the crowd. Madam Picquery sighed, though with a wave of her hand a hologram of Senator Shaw illuminated the room. Gasps could be heard as Ariadne's eyes widened. She had seen the markings on his face in the book she was reading. That would mean...
"No human could have done that," another voice let out.
"Yes, this was done by a beast."
"We also believe that this creature is the same one that wrecked havoc a few days ago," Madam Picquery reported, glancing towards Graves who nodded. "May we agree that Grindelwald has no influence on these attacks?"
The Swiss delegate, Heinrich Eberstadt stood up, his voice bellowing over the crowd, "He may not have been behind these attacks but our American friends have permitted a breach of the Statute of Secrecy that threatens to expose us all."
"I will not be lectured by the man who let Gellert Grindelwald slip through his fingers," Madam Picquery didn't even bother to glance at him as she countered his words. Graves' head lowered at the mention of the wizard until a higher pitched voice entered the room.
"Madam President, I'm so sorry to interrupt but this is critical," Tina's words slowed down as she finally took in her surroundings. The crowd of ministers and delegates turned to face her while Ariadne inhaled sharply. The sound of Tina's heels could be heard as silence covered the room.
"You'd better have an excellent excuse for this intrusion, Miss Goldstein," Madam Picquery began, annoyance hidden in her voice. She held her hands tightly in front of her as she stared down at the brunette witch.
"Yes, I do," Tina uttered, taking a few steps closer to the throne, "Ma'am, yesterday a wizard entered New York with a case," she glanced down to the suitcase in her hand, "This case of magical creatures and unfortunately some have escaped." That was Newt's case. Tina had held it this morning and Newt had placed it beside his chair at dinner. Sitting up straighter, Ariadne knew how this would look. Tina was blaming Newt. Merlin, he better not have an obscurus inside.
"He arrived yesterday?" Madam Picquery's words came out like venom as Tina nodded, "You have known for twenty-four hours that an unregistered wizard set magical beasts loose in New York and you see fit to tell us only when a man has been killed?"
"Who has been killed?" Tina queried, her voice small and frightened.
"Where is this man?" Slowly, Tina set the brown case flat on the floor. Unlatching the bag, Tina knocked three times before stepping back. A moment passed before Newt opened the case, his body half submerged into the luggage. Whispers started to fill the room as he cautiously got up. His eyes found Tina first, who seemed unsure of her actions. She hadn't expected the accusatory tone that Madam Picquery had harboured. Soon after Jacob got up, a wide smile on his face before his eyes darted around the room. Awkwardly, Newt kneeled down to close his case.
"Scamander?" Delegate Podmore blurted out, shocked at the sudden appearance.
"Oh, hello, Minister."
"Theseus Scamander? The war hero?" A man asked, making Ariadne's eyes snap towards him. Merlin, would he be glad that his reputation precedes him. The brunette witch peered at Graves through the corner of her eye, hoping to see some recognition at his name; she got nothing.
"No, this is his little brother," revealed Podmore, "And what are you doing in New York?"
"I came to buy an Appaloosa Puffskein, sir."
"Right, what are you really doing here?"
"Goldstein, who is this?" Madam Picquery questioned.
"This is Jacob Kowalski, Madam President, he's a No-maj who got bitten by one of Mr Scamander's creatures," Tina explained as murmurs filled the room at the mention of a No-maj. Newt's eyes were trained on the floating image above as Jacob worriedly glanced around. His eyes found Ariadne's through the crowd and she gave him a small sympathetic smile.
"Merlin's beard," Newt gasped, taking a step back.
"You know which of your creatures was responsible, Mr Scamander?" Madam Ya Zhou asked, an accent thickly intertwined with her words.
"No creature did this," he concluded, "Don't pretend. You must know what that was, look at the marks." He took another step back as the image floated closer towards him, "That was an Obscurus."
Mumbles followed as Graves sat up straighter, "You go too far, Mr Scamander. There is no Obscurial in America," Madam Picquery objected, her voice strong and clear as Newt glanced back up at the image. She had repeated the exact same words that Graves had spoken to Ariadne, "Impound that case, Graves."
"No, give that back!" The case flew towards Graves before Newt could do anything.
"Arrest them," Madam Picquery declared. Newt tried to reach for his wand but Graves disarmed him and hurled him in the air. All three of them were forced onto the ground, kneeling as their hands flew behind their backs. Ariadne froze at the magic that coursed through Graves. He had restrained the trio without speaking or using his wand. Three aurors stood behind them as Graves rose, the case in his hand.
"Don't hurt those creatures," Newt begged, his eyes flying towards Ariadne who sat behind Graves, "Please, you don't understand. Nothing in there is dangerous, nothing!"
"We'll be the judges of that. Take them to the cells!" Hurt covered Tina's features as her eyes locked with Ariadne's. Jacob looked confused while Newt was distraught.
"Don't hurt those creatures," pleaded Newt, his voice raw of emotions, "Nothing in there is dangerous. Please don't hurt my creatures." The auror behind him was struggling to pull him away from the office. Newt's voice could be heard echoing throughout the corridor as he cried out.
"He's right, you know," Ariadne attested, whispering continued as she stood up, "You have books in your library to prove it," She pointed above to Senator Shaw, "That man was killed by an Obscurus. Let us not be blinded by your ignorance."
"We will reconvene after a brief recess," Madam Picquery ordered, a sickly false smile on her face before she turned to Ariadne and Graves, "Follow me out."
[1333 words]
a/n
now things are starting to get interesting.
kjlyds