Prologue
Chapter 2
"Newt?"
Newt Scamander was a 29-year-old young man with red brown hair and blue eyes. He prided himself on being a magizooligist and writing his very first book in the making.
Newt looks down at the voice that belonged to his ward, the just turned 13-year-old Elizabeth Dorvac.
Over a year ago while on the hunt for a creature, Newt came across a case that eerily mimicked one of the Sundanese girl who became an obscurus. She was barely eleven, surprising Newt since all obscurus took over at ten. Perhaps it was because she was so tiny from being starved.
Newt wasn't able to help the Sundanese girl but hoped to help this one. Elizabeth Dorvac lived in his suitcase for four months before Newt could get her comfortable enough around magic and his creatures. He wanted her to be able to explore the world but knew that the Ministry of Magic would be looking for her.
He rustled up an old uniform from his days at Hogwarts and cut her hair before changing her name to the opposing gender's equivalent.
Thus, Eli Scamander was born.
"Newt?" The child tugged at his coat this time.
"Yes, Sprout?" Newt gives her his full attention.
"Are we almost there?" She questioned, peering over the side of the boat.
"Soon," Newt promises when a latch on his suitcase flicks open at its own accord.
Eli notices this, looking down at the case. "It's probably the Dougal."
Newt nods, pulling the case into his lap and leaning down to whisper to it. "Dougal, you settle down now, please. It won't be long."
"I'll be back inside soon," Eli approaches to pat the suitcase.
Newt smiles down at his ward as she moves the suitcase to sit by her feet and takes a seat by Newt.
The boat soon docks and the girl slips her hand into Newt's, following him down the gangplank of the ship and towards the customs official.
They were going to test the passport that Newt made for Eli. He wanted her to be able to use it in case of an emergency and they didn't have access to put her in his case.
Newt hands two battered passports to the customs official as Eli slips her hand into his. He gives it a comforting squeeze.
"British, huh?" The man comments.
"Yes," Newt nods.
"First trip to New York?" The man looks down at Eli with a smile.
Eli lets out a cautious nod, dropping Newt's hand in preference of snuggling to his side.
"Anything edible in there?" The man questioned, gesturing to the case at their feet.
"No," Newt lies, looking down at Eli to make sure that Pickett was hidden in her hat where he loved to nap in her long curls.
"Livestock?" The man continues.
If it was a muggle suitcase, Newt wasn't sure how he would even fit any livestock inside.
Like they know the man is talking about them, the latch on Newt's suitcase flicks open again. Eli ducks forward and quickly snaps it back into place before fleeing back to Newt's side.
"Gotta get that fixed," Newt carefully wraps an arm around Eli's shoulders. "Ahh, no."
The man narrows his eyes at Newt before he looks down at Eli.
"Get over here, kid." He jerks his head to his side. "I wanna take a look."
Newt gives Eli a little shove towards the man before he places the case onto the desk between them and flicks the dial to 'MUGGLEWORTHY'.
The man glances down at Eli as he spins the case towards him. "What's your name?"
"He doesn't talk," Newt pipes up. "Childhood accident. He's very sensitive about it. It's Eli Scamander."
Newt spots Eli's hand begin to shake and knows that they need to get out of there soon.
The man pops open the case to reveal nothing out of the ordinary. He sighs, closing the case. "Welcome to New York," He then turns to Eli. "Stay outta trouble."
Eli nods, darting back over to Newt's side as he grabs the case and their passports.
"It's okay," Newt whispers to her as he soothes the shaking child and guides them out of customs.
