Newt glanced at Tina. He got the feeling that she had deliberately placed herself on Queenie's other side. He couldn't stop thinking about what Queenie said earlier, about the walls around Tina's heart. He thought he had a vague idea of what Queenie was getting at, but he wasn't sure. Something wasn't right with Tina's behavior, he knew that. She had been acting even more distant with him since yesterday in the case, and the few words they had exchanged were clipped and fragile. To be fair, he hadn't exactly been friendly to her either, since Queenie had badgered him about his feelings for Tina. She definitely didn't feel the same way.
Why would she?
Letting out a tiny sigh, he walked on with the Goldstein sisters, his case swinging slightly in his hand. The atmosphere between the three of them was uncomfortable, with Queenie vainly trying to make conversation between them. It was not a successful attempt.
"So, Newt, when are you heading back to London again?", Queenie tried.
"The twenty-seventh."
"Tina, he should stay longer, shouldn't he?"
"Mhmm," Tina replied noncommittaly.
After several more tries that resulted in one word answers, Queenie huffed and sent annoyed glances at both of them. "Are you two even going to speak to each other?"
Newt's ears burned and he casted a swift, unsure glance at Tina who was currently making an offended scoffing noise in her throat at her sister.
"We do speak!" Tina protested, eyes flashing.
"Not right now, you're not," Queenie insisted.
Newt felt like he ought to back Tina up. "Well, frankly, I think you're doing enough talking for the both of us."
Queenie looked affronted. "The both of you have barely been joining in the conversation!"
"Queenie," Tina said, "Whether we're talking or not isn't your business."
Newt could tell she was not trying to be unkind, but Queenie looked hurt anyways. Trying to soothe the matter, he said, "I think the amount of conversation Tina and I have is just fine."
Queenie raised her eyebrows skeptically. "I know what's going on here, even if both of you are a bit late on the uptake. And let me tell you, treading circles around each other ain't gonna help," she then shook her head, taking them for a lost cause.
Newt felt his own eyebrows raising. He had no idea what was 'going on here', as Queenie put it. And where was here? Was she talking about this very moment? Or could she have been referring to his somewhat off relationship with Tina?
Tina looked as if she was a bit more educated on this situation then he was, but before he could ask what Queenie had meant, they reached the end of the street, and spotted Jacob standing outside of his bakery.
"Hey, guys!" Jacob waved as he joined the group. "What's up?"
The atmosphere around them changed and became more light-hearted at Jacob's cheery greeting. Queenie gave him a radiant smile, and they began to head towards the park, which was close by.
They walked through the entrance, which had an elaborately designed archway standing over it. A lady and was walking her dog; the rhinestone studded collar on the dog was shining, complete with the jangling of a bell.
Suddenly, Newt felt his case expand, and a black furry thing shot out of it, sight set on the collar. He groaned frustratedly before giving chase, hoping that this wouldn't end up like last time, where he'd gotten himself arrested. Tina, Queenie, and Jacob ran after him, having realized what was happening. Newt was gaining on the Niffler, and he lunged for it, but the Niffler was quicker. It dodged to the side and slipped away, intent on its treasure.
"Bugger!" Newt muttered.
The Niffler was growing nearer to the dog. Any moment now, and and the Niffler would get its prize. Putting on a burst of speed, Newt intercepted the beast, causing it to change course. The lady with the dog stared at Newt, scandalized, and hurried away, dog in tow.
His creature was running in the opposite direction now, heading towards a few scattered coins lining the ground. Groaning, the four of them set off after it, but not before the Niffler had managed to stuff the coins into into its pouch. Catching sight of them, it darted off again.
"We need to split up!" Newt directed.
Nodding, the foursome branched off in different directions. Newt sincerely hoped they weren't attracting much attention, especially from Muggles. Glancing up briefly, he saw that a few people were staring, but they looked away quickly.
The Niffler was all over the place, running away while simultaneously trying to stuff more sparkling trinkets into its already overflowing pouch at the same time. Tina ran up from behind it, and dived, but the Niffler slipped out of her grasp. However, Tina had driven it directly towards Newt, and it was now pelting at him so fast it was unable to stop. The Niffler's eyes widened as it recognized him, and it wildly tried to change course.
Newt made a a desperate grab at the Niffler, and caught hold of its leg. It struggled hopelessly as Newt turned it upside down and vigorously shook it, stolen goods pouring out of its pouch like a waterfall. He set down his case, which had been clutched tightly in his hand all this time, and flipped open the lid.
"For the last time, you pilfering pest, paws off what doesn't belong to you!" he scolded exasperatingly, shoving the Niffler inside and snapping the lid shut after it.
Tina, Queenie, and Jacob scrambled to a halt beside him, all panting hard.
"Good show, Newt," Jacob remarked.
Tina pushed her hair out of her face. "Well, now that that's over with, who wants to feed the ducks?"
"I'll go," Jacob said. He held up a small bag. "I brought a loaf of bread from the bakery."
"I think I'll stay here," Queenie said, walking over to a bench and collapsing on it. "That wild goose chase sure wore me out!"
Newt stayed behind, too. He said that he'd keep Queenie company, but what he really wanted to do was ask Queenie some questions. Taking a seat in the bench, he watched Tina and Jacob walk off before speaking.
"You can tell me if it's none of my business, but–" he began.
"I know what you're about to say, Newt," Queenie told him, tapping the side of her head. "You're about to ask me what I meant back in the apartment, when I said that thing about Tina, right?"
"Yes."
"I don't know if Tina would want me to tell you this–"
"It's alright. Never mind," Newt interjected. "I shouldn't have asked."
"What I was going to say, was that I'm going to tell you anyway," she finished with a giggle.
"Oh." Embarrassed, he cleared his throat, and fixed his eyes on his shoes.
"Anyways, Teen's always kept to herself for the most part," Queenie began, "She never went out, and never had many boyfriends. But there was this one guy, his name was Malcolm, and he hurt her real bad, Newt. Sorta like how Leta hurt you."
Newt flinched slightly at the sound of his past love's name.
"And Malcolm and Tina, they had this thing going on in their seventh year at Ilvermorny. For once, he made her feel loved and important. You see, none of the other guys at school really paid her any attention. He made her feel special. But it turned out to be a sham. Malcolm had been cheating on her since before they even started their relationship, and Teen found out one day. She was heartbroken, she wouldn't even let me talk to her," Queenie's eyes glistened with tears. "And after she found out, she was never really the same with her heart again. She's scared of getting hurt again, you see, so she protects herself, builds these barriers around her heart. Teenie seems to think the only thing love can bring is pain, Newt, and she's never really opened up to anyone since Malcolm. But she's different with you. I know that she trusts you, because you're different. She's always felt a sense of safety around you, but she's also scared. What Malcom did, Newt, it really scarred her. She needs someone to love her, and sometimes a sister just ain't enough." Her voice wavered at the end, and Newt could tell that she felt deep sorrow for Tina.
As Newt processed this new information, he looked over to where Tina was, throwing out bread crumbs for the ducks, and felt anger boiling within him. He couldn't think of anyone less deserving of pain than her.