#creature newt

[willofhounds]

Gather my strength all my passion ablaze ch4

Newt's POV

Ten years later

The streets were loud and filled with more people than Newt had ever seen. It was within this crowd just moments before that Newt had lost Nai. They had been separated when someone had bumped into Newt.

Now he was desperately trying to find the one he considered his brother. Nai looked to be fifteen or sixteen in human year. His mind was more like six or seven.

Nai was a niji made human through Karoku's experiment. Karoku taught them how to read, write, math, and history. His unbiased opinions allowed them to see the whole story rather than just pieces.

Until three months ago when the man just disappeared. It wasnt until three days after he left that Newt and Nai went looking for him. They found a trail of blood and a bracelet with three gems on it. But no Karoku.

After another two days, they decided to leave the forest. Together he and Nai went to the cities looking for Karoku without luck. Now Newt was alone in a strange city.

Cold feeling people pushed past him causing the boy to flinch. His senses were heightened from his time in the forest as well as his time as a niji. Every part of him screamed to run and return to the forest. At this point though he wasnt even sure if he could find his way back.

Nai had led him to this area as if following something only he could see. Newt's bond with Karoku was on another level than Nai's. The blue-haired man had formed a more emotional bond than a physical.

Karoku always thought it was his empathic ability. They bonded when Newt finally accepted help. There was a connection that was always in the back of his mind. He could feel Karoku's emotions. They were small things at first but as time passed the bond grew stronger. Distance didnt seem to matter with the bond. Karoku was always there and it didnt scare him.

Then he was gone. When Karoku disappeared he would get faint impressions. Then when they had gone silent. Karoku was there in the back of his mind. Just there wasnt any emotions. It scared him to think that the other was hurt somewhere and they couldn't find him.

Suddenly he was shoved into the building closest to him by an ice-cold body. Newt flinched as his shoulder hit brick. A pained whine escaped him.

A gentle hand pulled him away from the wall. At first, he tried to pull away but then he noticed that it was warm. A smile crossed his face as he turned to face the person.

A bright, look crossed his features. Only for it to fall when he finds a black-haired man standing just over six feet tall with blue eyes. He wore a black tuxedo with a black tie. Glasses sat on his nose as he smiled at Newt.

The smile was gentle like Karoku's smile. He was warm and Newt couldn't help but step towards the man. Trying to feel the warmth rather than the coldness that was all around them.

It was only after seeing the lips moving that he realized that the man was speaking, "...are you okay? Do you need help?"

Newt signed, 'I'm sorry. I was looking for someone.'

Blue eyes widened behind the glasses. Then the man signed back, 'Are you mute? Deaf? Do you need help finding the person?'

'I'm mute. Always have been.' He snapped back angrily.

The man gave him a small smile before asking, "Is there someone here that I can return you to?"

Newt shook his head as he replied, 'No sir. I'm sure he will find me soon. I'll wait for him here."

The man cocked his head to the side like a curious animal. It was much like the nijis of the forest when they were inspecting something new. Still, he stepped back and away from the man.

Warm or not he didn't know this man and could not trust him. As he was when he first met Karoku he was mistrustful of the man in front of him.

A hand reached out for him and the man's jacket sleeve pulled back. It revealed a bracelet with one medium-sized red crystal in the middle with two smaller blue crystals. It was slightly different from the one that Nai was wearing but it was close enough. This man had to know where Karoku was!

When Newt grabbed the man's forearm he froze. It was the first contact he had made willingly. So far he was reluctant for any contact with the man.

When he went to touch the bracelet the man pulled away. He inquired carefully, "What's wrong, child?"

'Your bracelet! What is it from? Do you know Karoku? Where is he?'

Surprise crossed the man's face. Then it became closed off rather than the openness it was before. It made Newt step back in fear. Maybe this man wasnt a friend of Karoku's.

The man questioned, "Did you not hear me earlier? I am Captain Hirato of Circus. These bracelets are id bracelets."

'Circus? Like with the animals?' He questioned curiously.

Karoku had explained the concept to him and Nai. He had warned that not all circus' were good. Some abused animals.

That made his blood boil in anger at the thought. He had been abused by his father and that was how he ended up with Karoku. Newt didnt even know if his older brother was alive. Any abuse made him feel murderous and ready to kill any abuser. Whether they abused humans or animals it didnt matter. Those that abused deserved a fate worse than death.

Hirato blinked in surprise. The coldness that had seeped over the man was gone. A laugh escaped Hirato and Newt cocked his head to the side.

Hirato replied with a shake of his head, "No child. I am part of the National Defense Group. The group is officially called Circus to make the civilians feel better. We protect the world from creatures that you will probably never see. What about my id bracelet interests you?"

'Karoku had one,' he signed, 'Nai has it now. Do you know where Karoku is?'

Hirato shook his head as he said, "Currently there is no one with the name Karoku in Circus. To check our complete records I would need to be on the airship. Come with me and we will see if we cant find your friend."

Newt shook his head fear clear in the green eyes. No, he wouldn't be going anywhere with this man. Not without Nai.

Newt's magic reacted to his emotions and Hirato was thrown away from his. The man's head cracked loudly against the far wall. Newt didnt even wait to see what happened.

@evening-rose-309 @grimalkinmessor

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19714171

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[willofhounds]

Gather my strength all my passion ablaze ch1 preview

For @evening-rose-309 without you this story would have just been an idea.

Newt's POV

Even at his young age he knew he was different from other children. His body temperature sense was off when it came to people. Nobody but Theseus felt warm to him.

Everytime his parents would reach for him he would flinch away. Their coldness was the strongest he felt even with new people. It scared him because he didn't know why they felt that way.

He didn't know when it started but his father began striking him. The flinches became more apparent. The coldness no longer the reason. He was afraid of being hit.

One day his father took it too far. Theseus had just left for school and Newt was practically mute. He would barely make any sounds for fear of being hit.

Newt had been beaten so badly he couldn't move. His magic sensing his panic at the sounds of his father's return sent him away. To try and save his life it changed him into his animagus form.

Newt who had been studying the magical creatures knew that he was a niji. They were small creatures that tended to be short, round and plump. They usually had straight horns and small wings on their backs.

His form was long and skinny. His horns had a slight curve to them. The body ached from his injuries and his magic was desperately trying to save him.

The place he was brought to was warm in ways he had never felt before. A gentle breeze ruffled his fur and magic of the land entertwined with his. With the help of the land's magic his wounds healed.

A pack of nijis had been nearby and to his surprise they were warm. It was the most warmth he had felt in his life. Humans were never as warm as the nijis. Even Theseus couldn't compare. With them he felt safe.

The niji helped him heal and encouraged him to learn the ways of the forest. Their forest spanned several miles but they kept to the inner parts. Niji were small creatures and beyond being able to fly and hide they didn't have any natural defenses.

Newt's magic would protect him from the other creatures of the forest but being different meant he drew more attention. The other nijis began to slowly drift away from him one by one. The only one staying was a small niji.

It was the smallest of them all and never seemed to grow. Its heart was the bigger of them all. When the others left him behind because of the attention he drew this little one stayed.

Together they would travel through the forest avoiding the wolves that wanted to eat them. Berries were their food sources.

The forest swiftly became a home for the young human child turned niji. He slowly began to heal mentally from the fear and pain he had suffered. Here it was eat and run to survive. There wasn't scary humans to be afraid of. Until there was.

[willofhounds]

Captured beast within a human skin ch 7

Newt's POV

He sat in the room he was given cross legged. Today was going to be a pack history lesson. To help with the transition and to teach another his uncle brought his daughter with him. Sophia Donner had brown hair and green eyes just like him.

Once they were settled Sherman explained, "Years ago your father had a brother. Riley Donner was the older of the two of them. As you know we change before the age of eighteen. Riley was one of the rare few that never changed. I helped him escape the town. If I had not the hunters would have killed him. Riley met a human girl and fell in love. They had two son, Theseus and yourself. You both are of magic but only you have the wolf gene. We didn't even think it was possible for a wolf to appear after so long."

Sophia stared at him for a long moment before she said, "You have our eyes. All Donners have green eyes but I have never seen any so vibrant."

Sherman snorted. Newt glared at the man who shrugged.

Matthew rolled his eyes as he said, "Knock it off, Sherman," then he turned serious, "Soph, there is going to be a meeting at the diner tonight. The entire clan is going to be there."

At his look of confusion Sherman explained, "The pack is mainly the town members. The clan is the enterity of the Wolf Lake area. There are two other packs who belong to the clan. Willard Cates is the clan and pack head. Out of all our leaders he has lasted the longest uncontested. 25 years of being pack and clan head. That may change tonight for two reasons. One Willard isn't well. He is slowly dying of a cancer that even we cannot treat. The second reason is you. Many of the older wolves will not like bringing you in. While some of the younger wolves like Tyler and the pup pack led by Lucas Cates will accept. The older wolves will see your human side as a weakness."

Being human wasn't a weakness. It was what set them apart from being consumed by the beast.

Newt asked, "What is the difference between us and werewolves? Or animagi? Why would the old wolves see humanity as weakness?"

The two men exchanged glances before Sherman replied an odd look in his eyes, "The older wolves believe that we should return to our roots. Back to the times we spent more time in our wolf skin than our human one. In a way they are not wrong about that. At the same time doing that would make us forget what separates us from beasts. Skinwalkers were what inspired the first animagus. We travel freely between wolf and human skin. Wizards are whatever animal is their animal spirit."

The man paused for a moment then continued, "Werewolves are another matter entirely. Wizards weren't wrong when they thought that the werewolves originally descended from skinwalkers. We dont know when it happened exactly but this story is passed down from black wolf to black wolf as we are the rarest of all wolves. I will explain to you in class why."

Matthew opened his mouth to question but was stopped by an upheld hand. Sherman said his eyes becoming glazed, "When wizards first decided we were dark creatures we hid ourselves. Tried to make ourselves seem more muggle. There were more of us back then and more places in the world where the moon was always full. Because of a select few there are only a handful of communities like ours left. Wizards labeled us extinct almost a millennia ago. They hunted us down like animals. Some of us were stronger in magic than others but they outnumbered us. When we tried to go into hiding that's when the certain members came out. They were the worst of the worst. Instead of helping hide their fellow skinwalkers they chose instead to betray their brothers and sisters. So many of us were lost because of them. Children killed because they had the gene. Adults trying desperately to save their cubs."

Sherman's voice was broken by the end of his recount. Somehow despite the impossibility of it. Harrison knew the other had seen the horrors he spoke of.

They all listened at rapt attention as the man continued, "Those who betrayed us were banished by the moon and Magic herself. Cursed to never change again under their own power. That their bites would forever infect others as punishment for their crimes. Two years before we were officially declared extinct the black wolves banded together. There were more of us back then. So many more," it almost seemed as if he was going to stop again. Then suddenly he spoke, "It was sacrificial magic. A very rare very dark ritual that sacrificed all but one black wolf per clan. Magic gave us safe havens in exchange. Places where the moon would always be full. A place where the betrayers could no longer go for they would be forced to change each night. This is one such community and clan."

His uncle said after a long moment of silence, "I never knew that history Sherman. How many people know about it?"

Sherman gave a grim smile in return, "Only the black wolves."

Newt asked meeting the elder black wolf's eyes, "Why is there going to be a clan meeting?"

Sherman sighed, "Two reasons. One is you. Being a half breed in their eyes is not going to help you. Even if you are a black wolf. To them that just a sign that things are about to turn for the worse. The other reason is the war. Some of us have been enlisted to fight. The younger ones of course. We just don't know if we can afford to lose any of the younger wolves."

Newt had heard about the war. His mother was downright distraught over the fact that Theseus had enlisted.

For his part, Newt had been hurt that Theseus didn't tell him. His older brother's letter had just stopped coming. In a way he felt abandoned by the older boy.

Then there was Tyler who had been drafted almost immediately into the service. Tyler who sent weekly letters despite now being out of country. It hurt that his brother wouldn't do the same.

[willofhounds]

Captured Beasts within a human skin ch 6

A/N thanks for everyone's support. I'm sorry this is almost two weeks late. There was a death in the family that I had to deal with. Hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Newt's POV

The day that his Yule break started he flooed home. As part of his suspension away from the other students he was not allowed on the train. Not that he minded. With his senses as enhanced as they were the noise would only agitate him.

When he arrived his father and mother welcomed him with open arms. They were proud of him for being a skinwalker. They had high birthrates but only a small percentage lived past their teens. At least that's what he learned from Sherman.

His brother was a little more stand offish. It had been that way since Newt threw the older Scammander across the room.

It was a final person that surprised him. According to both the letter and his parents he wasn't supposed to arrive until the next day. Still Gellert stood leaning slightly against the doorframe. His mismatched eyes held concern and worry for his betrothed.

Newt greeted breathlessly, "Gellert."

It was a surprise to see his betrothed there but not an unwelcome one. He gave his father an inquiring glance.

The elder nodded and said, "The woods would probably be best, Newt. I'm sure you have grown since that night in the hospital wing."

The worry in his betrothed eyes grew but Newt had already grabbed the other's hand. He led him through the manor to outside.

The first thing he checked when they reached the forest was the expansion charms on his clothes. Once he was sure they would hold he removed his robes.

Gellert asked his voice soft and soothing, "What has happened, Newton? Your family wouldn't tell me anything and your letters were vague."

Newt sighed slightly as he answered, "I hid something from them. From you as well. I didn't know for sure that's what I was but all the signs were there. Had it not been for my father's past I certainly would have died on Halloween. Tell what do you know of Skinwalkers?"

Gellert leaned back on his heels as he said, "They are an extinct creature. Its been almost a millennia since they were last scene."

Newt ducked his head as he said, "They aren't extinct. My father comes from a clan of skinwalkers. He wasn't able to make the transformation however. He was never given the option to. To save his life he ran away from the pack."

Gellert didn't say anything. Instead he listened intently.

Newt continued calmly, "On Halloween I did transform. My brother was the one they prepared in case the gene was passed on. Theseus however never changed. When I was small I noticed the changes between myself and those around me. Creatures are comfortable with me. I am not comfortable with humans. With a handful of exceptions."

He glanced at his betrothed. Newt felt comfortable around the man. Just as he felt comfortable with Albus. Both men calmed him. However like Tyler, Gellert calmed his wolf while Albus did not.

Gellert inquired a strange light entering his eyes, "You're skinwalker? What color is your fur?"

"Would you like to see," came his soft but wary question. It would hurt if Gellert didn't want to see him in his other form. However he would respect his betrothed's wishes.

Gellert replied an honest look in his eyes, "Of course, Newton."

"Just dont run," he ordered quietly. Not that he thought Gellert would.

The older man stepped back to allow Newt room to make the change. He called his wolf forward feeling his bones crack and break as the change started. It was faster than the first time he tried and would continue to do so until he perfected it.

It only took a second for a pure black wolf to be standing before Gellert. The older man could only stare at him for a long moment. Then he reached out a hand and gently ran it through Newt's fur. The wolf in him rumbled with contentment.

Gellert said in awe, "You're certainly magnificent. If anyone were to look at you now they wouldn't see an animagi or a werewolf. They would simply see a wolf."

Newt leaned into the warm touch. This was a better reaction than he could have hoped for.

Newt didn't stay long in his wolf form. Changing back was always harder to going to. He never wanted to leave his wolf form for it was freer that his human one. As a wolf he run and do as he pleased.

No matter how many times he changed back he was always stiff afterwards. Gellert gave him a small smile that made Newt blush.

In the end he spent more time with his betrothed than his family. When he went back to Hogwarts things began to change.

Sherman Blackstone who had been healthy before the holidays looked barely as if he was barely keeping it together. When Newt asked if there was something he could do all he got was a shake of the head. Tyler didn't return with him and that put the younger wolf on edge. Something was happening.

[willofhounds]

Alone ch1 preview

It seemed as if Newt had simply blinked. A completely different forest surrounded him. His magic no longer pulling trying to lead him elsewhere. Neither did he feel he could find his own way back.

Surprisingly he didn't feel any worry about not making it back. Even at the tender age of seven he knew he would not be missed. Nor did he feel he was in any danger here. His magic would protect him as it always had.

After a few minutes of wandering he heard a rustling to the left of him. Newt turned curious of what creature he might find. Instead of a creature it was a pink haired boy.

Onyx eyes met green and for a moment they just stared at each other.

Newt thought the boy was about his age. The way he dressed was strange. His shirt barely covered his any of his torso and there weren't any sleeves. He was also wearing shorts that came down to his knees. A scale like scarf was wrapped around his neck.

Newt had to wonder if the other was cold. While it wasn't winter out to be wearing so little clothes had to be chilling. Right?

The boy's name turned out to be Natsu. He was a wizard from the guild known as Fairy Tail. Having never heard of such a thing he thought the other was lying.

He was proven wrong by the other when he was dragged through the forest and out onto a road. Everything about the world felt different. This was not his own. Even at his young of an age he could tell.

Natsu dragged him to a giant building in the middle of town. The same symbol on his shoulder lay on a banner.

There he met Makarov. The old man had gentle grey eyes. When Newt explained his situation in private Makarov promised to look into it. Until then he was welcome to stay with the guild.

There were several orphaned children that called Fairy Tail home. Natsu, Gray an ice wizard, Erza who specialized in weapons and Cana. One more was welcomed greatly into their ranks.

Makarov even let him join the guild. His guild mark was on his upper right bicep. It would be easy to hide or to show if he chose to. It was two days later that they recieved an answer.

An old woman came to visit the guild with an orange haired man. The man's hazel eyes widened at the sight of him. They widened even further at the sight of his guild mark.

He introduced himself as Loke of Blue Pegasus another wizarding guild in front of the wizards. When they were alone he was told the truth.

Loke was in fact Leo the Lion. He was the Leader of the Zodiacs. Then he explained that this was not Earth. Not the one that he knew.

Leo explained that he was coming into his abilities as the 13th Zodiac. Officially he didn't exist to the wizards. Officially there were only 12 of the Zodiacs.

Unofficially there was a 13th gate. As Leo the Lion was the light. Lupus the Wolf was the darkness. They were polar opposites of each other.

Despite being the darkness Leo did not treat him any different. He taught Newt how to sense the magics around him. How to pass between the gates so that he could travel to the Celestial World. Finally how to return home.

Almost a month passed between when he left his world and when he returned to it. His magic was stronger than before his life force renewed. Due to his and lack of training his life force drained slowly.

As he grew older he would have to visit the Celestial World more often to regain his life force. Though it wouldn't be the only reason.

Leo introduced him to the other spirits. He and Aries were quick to become friends.

[willofhounds]

Captured beast within a human skin ch1

Newt's POV

From the time he was small he knew that he was different. Creatures of all kinds loved and cared for him. People thought of him as strange and didn't want to be around him.

When he was five he noticed that he felt a certain pull to run in the forest outside their manor. To be out under the light of the full moon. At first he was frightened of it. It didn't take long however to realize that no he was not a werewolf.

Finding a book in his parents library explained it. Though he didn't find it until he was nearly eleven. Though it was supposedly only a legend. He read:

There are those on this earth who can walk between the spirit and the human world. They are given the powers to change between human and animal skin.

Those truly intune with their other half find themselves drawn towards creatures and away from humans. They are drawn to the forests and the moon. Some lose themselves to their inner beast and never live as a human again. Others cannot bare the change and die trying to become their inner beast. Others still live and die by the power they receive.

The beginning of the transformation is said to bring unnatural colored eyes and bouts of extreme strength. It is said that the a new skinwalker cannot successfully transform without their clan.

The transformation is said to start in the teenage years. Those that survive typically would have full control before adulthood.

The book didn't have much more useful information after that. All he really knew was that he had some kind of animal inside him. What kind was the question?

For him the strange things didn't end there. Soon he went to Hogwarts where he realized most wizards thought skinwalkers were extinct. Most wizards also hated anything to do with creatures. To them creatures were simply mindless beasts that needed to be put down.

Only his favorite professor really showed an interest in creatures beyond killing them. Despite Newt being a Hufflepuff the man treated him kindly. He allowed the young boy access to all the books he could find on creatures. Newt had to hide his interest in skinwalkers. Even if he liked the professor there was no telling what his reaction would have been.

Things progressed normally or as normally as it could for an upcoming magizoologist. Until Newt's fifth year came along. His parents had been trying to find someone to betrothe him to. Finally a German wizard agreed.

Newt who had never been the confrontational type found himself agitated. He didn't want to be promised to some unknown person. Unbeknownst to the red head he was coming into his inheritance. Even for skinwalkers it was early. Most didn't start showing signs until they were fifteen or sixteen.

The change was causing him to be on edge easier. To try to take the edge off he was in the forest ignoring the fact that he supposed to be meeting his suitor. A hippogriff stood not far grazing. Its eyes occassionally watching him. They were a curious amber.

He lay on the grass allowing the sun to bear down on his face. There was no place he would rather be. Even Hogwarts didn't compare. There weren't any people trying to hurt him. The only ones he missed were Professor Dumbledore and Leta.

When Lena lifted her head to stare at something behind him he knew he wasn't alone. She didn't react in the way if it a family member. Whoever it was, was new to her. That meant they were new to him too.

He bent his head back to see a blond haired man standing in the grass. He was wearing a black dress robe open revealing a grey button down dress shirt and black slacks. He wore shiny black dress shoes. All in all he was the perfect picture of a pureblood heir.

He turned over ducking his head to avoid the other's stare. Even with his turbulent emotions he couldn't meet anyone's eyes. Lena stomped her hoof against the ground. She didn't like being ignored as all hippogriffs hated it.

The man said with a smile as he bowed low at the hip, "I'm sorry noble hippogriff. I should have greeted you first."

Lena eyed the man for a moment before bowing in return. Newt moved closer to her side to put distance between them. The man's mismatched eyes followed the movement as he straightened.

He said with a curious tilt to his head, "Your parents have the entire manor looking for you."

Newt wanted to tsk in irritation but he refrained. This wasn't the time to be showing that his emotions weren't in check. He glanced Lena who was watching them now. She had always been protective of him. Even when no one else cared.

The man said cocking his head to the side curiously, "You are certainly different from what I expected. I've seen your brother on several occasions yet he doesn't compare go you."

Newt felt his face flare up with a bright red blush. He ducked his head away and the whispers that he could hear but not make out grew louder. His connection to the clan he didn't even know was growing stronger. The dreams becoming more frequent.

He said quietly, "Are you the one my parents wanted me to meet? I told them I don't want to be in an arranged marriage. I want to tend to creatures and travel the world."

If his parents heard that they would have his head. They didn't want him talking like that. They thought he should be more Slytherin. He was a Hufflepuff for a reason. He wore his heart on his sleeve.

The man a quiet laugh as he responded, "I can see that. It's not often a hippogriff is so protective of a human. She must care for you a great deal. What's her name?"

Newt found himself replying before he even thought about it, "Her name is Lena. She has looked after me since I was a child."

He didn't hear her move and was somewhat surprised when she nuzzled his cheek. Without hesitation he reached over his shoulder to pet her. The feather were soft against his hand. The familiar motion calmed him.

When the man moved towards him, Newt was reminded of his presence. Blue eyes jumped up to meet the mismatched ones for a brief moment before skirting away again. His eyes rested on the green grass below his feet.

He heard and sensed the man move from his position. When he came closer Newt could see his shiny black shoes in his field of vision. He was close enough to smell the scent of expensive cologne that almost masked the true scent.

The scent was that of lunar flowers bathed in moonlight. It was unlike anything he ever smelled before. Who was this guy?

[willofhounds]

Captured beast within a human skin ch9

Newt's POV

He flinched at the loud sounds from all around him. It wasn't as bad as the war but it still hurt. His senses were heightened more so than normal with the full moon only the next night.

The docks were as disgusting as ever. The smelled of rotten fish and unwashed people. He quickly made his way out onto the streets of New York. His entire goal was to reach Arizona so he could release Frank. That meant only staying in New York for the day.

New York was not a place he visited and with good reason. They had backwards laws on muggle wizard friendships. Essentially it was illegal to even be friends with a muggle.

He liked muggles. They didn't judge him for the fact that he brought a creature into his school, like the wizards who went to school with him. They saw him as just another man. A socially awkward man but only a man.

A metal click sound drew him back to the present. Dougal looked up at him with worry. His demigise was worried about something. Newt followed his rule in life. Worrying only meant you suffered twice.

Making his way through New York was not easy. His inner wolf wanted to attack the people around him. Too many humans in one spot for his liking.

Something smelled off however. He could vaguely sense the magics of the wizards and witches; but there was something else. A memory tried to surface but it didn't make it.

Heading towards the train station he passed by a bank. The scent was strong on the woman speaking. He wasn't really listening as he realized it didn't belong to her.

It was dark and dangerous. If he was in his wolf form his hackles would be raised. It was in that moment he recognized the scent. An obscurus. If the scent was anything to go by a powerful one.

Newt was surprised when Hubert broke out of the case. Immediately he chased after his Niffler. As he passed the woman though he cast a nonverbal tracking charm on her. If there was an obscurus in the city he would need to find them.

Then he chased after his Niffler. When he came to New York the last thing he expected was to have one of his creatures get loose. Not as unexpected was the choas that ensued.

Chasing Hubert was a messy job. The little creature tended to destroy things. Newt scrambling to catch him didn't help anything.

The muggle man only made it worse as his occamy egg began to hatch. The man struck him across the chin with a briefcase. While he was still dazed an auror grabbed him.

Despite his best attempts at explaining himself he was dragged to MACUSA. He could smell the deception but he wasn't sure why. Then he was dragged before the President.

It wasn't being dragged in front of the most powerful witch in MACUSA that made him pause. She barely even phased the wolf. The scent was that of lunar flowers bathed in moonlight made him pause. It was there buried under a forested scent. If he wasn't so familiar with it he would not have been able to sense it.

It was familiar but one he had not scented since he was 15. Right when the war had first started. The ring that was still on a necklace under his shirt.

The scent came from a dark haired man with grey eyes. The scents didn't belong together. This person's scent did not belong with his skin.

There was a flash of recognition in the man's eyes. That solidified his thoughts.

It was Gellert. Despite his travels he heard of what the man was doing.

"I made your position here

quite clear, Miss Goldstein," Newt blinked at the interruption of his thoughts.

"Yes, Madame President," replied the woman, "but I..."

Picquery growled, "You are no longer an Auror."

"No, Madam President, but..."

This would be his shortest visit to the Ministry. As long as they didnt open his case he could avoid getting dozens of permits.

Goldstein tried to explain, "Theres been a minor incident..."

The woman blew her off, "Well, this office is currently concerned with very major ncidents."

Picquery ordered, "Get out."

"Yes, maam."

Gellert watched them leave with an unreadable expression.

When they finally made it to the wand permit office she inquired, "So, you got your wand permit? All

foreigners have to have them in New York.

He lied, "I made a postal application weeks ago."

She bent down to look through the files, "Scamander... And you were

just in Equatorial Guinea?"

He answered easily, "Ive just completed year in the field. I'm writing a book about magical creatures."

She questioned almost hesitantly, "Like... an extermination guide?"

He snapped, "No. A guide to help people understand why we should be protecting these reatures instead of killing hem."

A dark haired man with onyx eyes appeared. He growled, "Goldstein! Where is she?"

Yelled an angry black haired man, "Where is she? Goldstein! Goldstein," the woman appeared looking sheepish, "Did you just butt in on the

Investigative Team again?"

She nodded. Newt realized that this man looked down upon her. Just like most of the world looked down upon him.

"Whereve you been?"

She tried to deflect, "What?"

The man snapped at him ,"Whered she pick you up?"

He queried mischievous as a Niffler after gold, "Me?"

The glare he received told him the man wasn't amused. Then he turned back to Goldstein, "Have you been tracking them Second Salemers again."

Of coursevnot, sir," lied the woman. Then her eyes flashed at something over Newt's shoulder.

Abernathy snapped to attention as he greeted, "Afternoon, Mr. Graves, sir!"

Gellert returned coolly, "Afternoon, Abernathy."

Tina said showing Newt's case, "Mr. Graves, sir, this is Mr. Scamander.

He has a crazy creature in that case

and it got out and caused

mayhem in a bank, sir."

Gellert allowed an amused twitch of his lips as he said, "Lets see the little guy."

He reached to stop her but she already flipped the latches. When it popped open they were surprised to find a suitcase of pastries. He barely held back a sigh of relief. Then it hit him his creatures were out there. A muggle had them.

Even as his hands clenched at his sides he could feel a pair of eyes on him. He kept his eyes firmly down as he made plans to find the large muggle with his case.

"Tina," came the disappointed sigh.

Then he was gone. Abernathy let him go only a few moments later. It was obvious he didnt trust the woman. Not that it mattered to him he just needed to find his case before any of his creatures were hurt.

That would be the easiest time he had that day. As he left he could feel Gellert's gaze on his back.

[willofhounds]

Captured beast within a human skin ch7 preview

At his look of confusion Sherman explained, "The pack is mainly the town members. The clan is the enterity of the Wolf Lake area. There are two other packs who belong to the clan. Willard Cates is the clan and pack head. Out of all our leaders he has lasted the longest uncontested. 25 years of being pack and clan head. That may change tonight for two reasons. One Willard isn't well. He is slowly dying of a cancer that even we cannot treat. The second reason is you. Many of the older wolves will not like bringing you in. While some of the younger wolves like Tyler and the pup pack led by Lucas Cates will accept. The older wolves will see your human side as a weakness."

Being human wasn't a weakness. It was what set them apart from being consumed by the beast.

Newt asked, "What is the difference between us and werewolves? Or animagi? Why would the old wolves see humanity as weakness?"

The two men exchanged glances before Sherman replied an odd look in his eyes, "The older wolves believe that we should return to our roots. Back to the times we spent more time in our wolf skin than our human one. In a way they are not wrong about that. At the same time doing that would make us forget what separates us from beasts. Skinwalkers were what inspired the first animagus. We travel freely between wolf and human skin. Wizards are whatever animal is their animal spirit."

The man paused for a moment then continued, "Werewolves are another matter entirely. Wizards weren't wrong when they thought that the werewolves originally descended from skinwalkers. We dont know when it happened exactly but this story is passed down from black wolf to black wolf as we are the rarest of all wolves. I will explain to you in class why."

Matthew opened his mouth to question but was stopped by an upheld hand. Sherman said his eyes becoming glazed, "When wizards first decided we were dark creatures we hid ourselves. Tried to make ourselves seem more muggle. There were more of us back then and more places in the world where the moon was always full. Because of a select few there are only a handful of communities like ours left. Wizards labeled us extinct almost a millennia ago. They hunted us down like animals. Some of us were stronger in magic than others but they outnumbered us. When we tried to go into hiding that's when the certain members came out. They were the worst of the worst. Instead of helping hide their fellow skinwalkers they chose instead to betray their brothers and sisters. So many of us were lost because of them. Children killed because they had the gene. Adults trying desperately to save their cubs."

Sherman's voice was broken by the end of his recount. Somehow despite the impossibility of it. Harrison knew the other had seen the horrors he spoke of.

They all listened at rapt attention as the man continued, "Those who betrayed us were banished by the moon and Magic herself. Cursed to never change again under their own power. That their bites would forever infect others as punishment for their crimes. Two years before we were officially declared extinct the black wolves banded together. There were more of us back then. So many more," it almost seemed as if he was going to stop again. Then suddenly he spoke, "It was sacrificial magic. A very rare very dark ritual that sacrificed all but one black wolf per clan. Magic gave us safe havens in exchange. Places where the moon would always be full. A place where the betrayers could no longer go for they would be forced to change each night. This is one such community and clan."

His uncle said after a long moment of silence, "I never knew that history Sherman. How many people know about it?"

Sherman gave a grim smile in return, "Only the black wolves."