The little Scottish owl finished gobbling down the strip of meat Queenie had offered it. It hooted twice, grateful and then fluttered back out the window into the evening air.
Left behind on the counter was a dark-green envelope, sealed with a familiar wax crest.
From England.
Sender: Newt Scamander.
Queenie's brows rose. She drew her wand and scanned the letter. No curses, no hexes, nothing malicious. Satisfied, she broke the seal and passed it to Garfield.
Garfield blinked blearily as he read.
Wake up, Queenie. Hello, Garfield.
This letter is a bit rushed. Tina wrote to me saying that the American magical community is in need of a magical creature to help guard Grindelwald. She asked whether Garfield might be suitable.
I checked with Dumbledore. He says he believes Garfield can handle the task, but emphasized that Garfield must agree of his own will.
I hope Garfield understands the danger Grindelwald poses to the wizarding world, and that he'll accept the responsibility.
As a reward, Dumbledore knows of a herb capable of granting animals the ability to speak. Garfield may have it if he accepts.
Your friend,
Newt Scamander.
"Guard… Grindelwald?" Garfield muttered.
He rubbed his plump chin thoughtfully.
That sounded like trouble.
Grindelwald without a wand was still Grindelwald. Magic prison or not, the man's charisma alone could topple kingdoms.
His words were spellbinding, persuasive, and capable of digging straight into whatever someone needed most. Worse, some of those words literally carried enchantments.
Definitely something to be wary of.
Garfield didn't want to wade into such murky waters.
But… Newt had written personally. And Dumbledore, Dumbledore of all people, had vouched for him.
Garfield sighed. Underneath the sass, the fur, the fat, he was soft-hearted.
"Fine," Garfield said at last. "I'll take the job. But I have conditions."
Queenie raised a brow. Of course he did.
"Three meals a day… rich ones. Afternoon tea. Snacks. Payment. And…" Garfield added, "They must agree to send Modesty Barebone to Hogwarts."
"Turn her over to Dumbledore for proper teaching."
Modesty Barebone.
Queenie's expression softened. Tina had told her all about the girl… the terrible home, the fear, the way Modesty somehow survived without turning Obscurial.
A miracle, really. And talented too, if given warmth instead of dread.
Queenie carefully wrote down Garfield's demands and tucked the note into her coat to send to Tina that evening.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the shop closed. Queenie returned home with Garfield, Baima, and the two succubi sisters, Lilith and Vivienne.
Inside their small apartment, Tina looked up and promptly froze.
(Д≡Д)
"Succubi…? Those? Real ones? But, those are ancient legend…"
The magical world she knew suddenly felt too small, too outdated for whatever Garfield had dragged into it.
Garfield padded over and tapped Tina's foot with his tail. "Tina. Don't overthink it. They're not part of your wizarding world."
"Their paths won't cross yours much. Just forget them and focus on your work."
Tina slowly exhaled. Garfield was right, his magic wasn't wizard magic at all.
He didn't fit into their system, nor did his bizarre entourage. She had tried to suppress the unease and confusion before by burying herself in work… confronting it again made her heart twist.
And Garfield taking on Grindelwald… She wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or terrified. But she trusted Newt. She trusted Dumbledore even more.
She would trust Garfield too.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
That night, Tina delivered Garfield's conditions to President Seraphina Picquery. The moment Modesty Barebone's name was mentioned, Seraphina's eyes lit with interest.
"Tina, we cannot gamble with the lives of our own people," President Seraphina Picquery said firmly. "That is the foundation of our world, our humanity. However…"
She tapped her desk thoughtfully. "Sending Modesty Barebone to Hogwarts… that is not unreasonable. But the girl must be asked first."
"Her choice matters most. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, Madam President." Tina nodded immediately.
Within the hour, a pair of Aurors was dispatched to fetch Modesty.
The girl had been deeply shaken by the chaos of Grindelwald and Credence. There had been a time she wished to abandon magic entirely, dreaming instead of a normal childhood.
But Tina had slowly earned her trust back. Modesty now lived with a kind wizarding family and had finally begun to heal.
So when the Ministry came for her again, fear naturally returned.
Tina took Modesty gently from the Aurors and held her small hand as they walked down the corridor toward the President's office.
On the way, Modesty whispered nervously, "Sister Tina… the Minister wants to expel me from the magic world, doesn't she?"
Tina stopped, knelt, and pulled the girl into a warm hug.
"No, sweetheart. She only wants to talk to you."
"Really not expel me?"
"No."
"…Then I'm not scared."
Together, they entered Seraphina's office. The Minister studied the girl closely, her expression softening.
"Your magical fluctuations are strong," She said approvingly. "A very promising seedling. Modesty, child, would you like to study in England?"
The girl froze. Study abroad?
Seeing her confusion, Seraphina explained everything, Grindelwald's imprisonment, Garfield's unusual role, the request from Newt and Dumbledore, and the opportunity before her.
Then she asked gently, "What do you think, child?"
Modesty tugged on Tina's sleeve. "Is that orange cat really strong?"
Tina nodded. "Very strong."
"What's Hogwarts like?"
"Older than Ilvermorny. One of the greatest magical schools in the world."
"Is Dumbledore scary?"
"No," Tina smiled. "He's kind. And incredibly skilled."
Modesty thought for a moment.
"Okay… I want to go. But… can I meet the orange cat first?"
Seraphina glanced at Tina, who answered, "He stays at my home sometimes. Queenie takes care of him. So yes, we can arrange that."
At this, curiosity sparked in Seraphina's eyes as well.
"Tina, may I come along? I would like to see… this Garfield myself."
Tina almost refused on instinct. But this was the President of the Magical Congress. Refusing her would be political suicide. And besides… Garfield wouldn't care about such things.
So Tina nodded. "Of course. But Madam President, I will need time to prepare."
"Very well," Seraphina agreed. "Tomorrow evening, then. After dinner."
"Understood."
Plans set, Tina left the office feeling simultaneously relieved and anxious.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
As soon as she got home, Tina blurted out the news.
"Queenie! Garfield! The President is coming over for dinner tomorrow and she's bringing Modesty!"
One second later…
Garfield vanished into thin air.
Tina blinked. "…He left?"
"Sister, you really don't understand politics at all." Queenie sighed.
Garfield reappeared a moment later with a heavy thump, fixing Tina with a look of pure resignation.
He wasn't an idiot, unlike certain Aurors with zero political instinct.
"Queenie," Garfield said, "Prepare the rare ingredients. The expensive ones. Tonight."
Queenie nodded. As for money…
Garfield, wealthy as a small kingdom, would foot the bill.
The Next Day
After hours of preparation, the apartment was filled with the aroma of a luxurious feast. Tina wiped sweat from her brow.
Queenie put the finishing touches on the dishes. The succubi sisters had polished every inch of the home until it sparkled.
Everything was ready.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
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