Percival was sick with worry at the thought of sending Goldstein and Newt to Britain, into the clutches of the aurors that despised Theseus and would happily blackmail him. He couldn't stop it though. Newt was right - this was the only course of action available to them, and if they got it right it would mean Theseus had the evidence he needed. He couldn't stop it.

The extradition treaty stood - and that meant that the Ministry would expect MACUSA to hand over the younger Scamander if they got the chance. If he hadn't met Newt, if he had still been head auror, he probably would have done it without a second thought. He couldn't let himself dwell on what mistakes he might have made in the past, whether there were innocent men he had handed over to Britain without a backwards glance. Theseus was a British auror - there were some at least in their ranks that he could trust, and he couldn't let himself think too much.

Fontaine easily agreed, and what was left for him was to brief Goldstein as Fontaine readied a surveillance spell for a handkerchief that Newt could keep in his pocket. Theseus was pacing around the aurors' office, clearly impatient and nervous - he reminded Percival of some kind of wild beast, or the hippogriffs which he had always spoken about with such fondness.

Tina Goldstein hurried into what had once been his office a few minutes later. Percival was standing against the wall, using its support to lessen the weight on his ruined leg.
"Sir?"
"Hello Tina." He smiled at her fondly. "Good day?"
"Better now I hear I've got something interesting to do, assuming you're not expecting me to pass as your girl again - I don't think I can make a very convincing job of it."
"I agree. Newt thought I was forcing you..." Percival shook his head to chase away that train of thought. "No, not that. I've told him you work for MACUSA."
"How did he-"
"He took it better than could be expected," Percival answered. "He's worried, but he trusted you. He suggested you actually, for someone who could support him." A frown flickered across his face and he glanced down at his artificial leg. "I can't go with you. I'd only slow you down if you need to get out of somewhere quickly, and I don't want him to suffer because of me."

Tina hesitated and nodded, clearly unsure if she should argue or agree with what he was saying.
"Try and make sure he isn't tortured," Percival pleaded. "He seemed so calm... said it had happened before, and that he'd rather avoid it... I know Theseus. Theseus has always been an idiot. He'd plunge himself head first into danger if it would protect even a stranger, and I think his brother feels the same. The thought of that level of self-sacrifice being a family trait... it's a wonder any of them have lived long enough to reproduce."

Tina coughed in an attempt to hide a smile.
"I'll take care of him sir. As best as I can."
"You'll have a dual use portkey, one chance to get him in and one to get him out. He'll let you know when he has the evidence."
"And how do I explain staying in England?"
"Make up a relative to visit? Say you wanted progress, or that you-" Percival considered. "Say that you've been asked by MACUSA to observe what has been happening in the Ministry, and report back on their handling of the Grindelwald case."

She nodded, and once the portkey was secured Percival led her back to his home.

The two brothers were sitting facing each other at the kitchen table, pieces of paper spread out before them. They were leaning in, talking animatedly in lowered voices - Percival was hit by the sudden sensation that he had stumbled upon a council of war. He paused in the doorway, not wanting to disturb them. Theseus sat up, coughing to clear his throat.
"Sorry," he murmured. "We were just... discussing our options. I wanted to ensure he was briefed about all of the aurors. There are certain ones that I'd rather he remain close to if possible - Bulstrode's a decent enough woman, but Abbot's been gunning for me for years."

"You're sure about this Newt?"
"I don't want to spend the rest of my life running. That means I need to turn and face whatever it is that they're going to throw at me, and anyway there's no point in worrying. Worrying only means you suffer twice." Those words were accompanied by such a brilliant smile that for a moment Percival found himself believing him.
Theseus stood up and walked around the table, embracing his brother for a moment and then stepping away and looking towards Tina.
"You take good care of him, you hear me?"
"I'll do what I can," she reassured him, meeting his eyes. "I know how I'd feel if it was my little sister risking her life."

"Your little sister is nearly taller than I am, able to read minds, and has most of MACUSA wrapped around her little finger," Percival pointed out. Tina didn't even try and hide her smirk, merely nodded.
"None of that stops me worrying about her. It's what older siblings do. And Mister Scamander?"
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Look after Mister Graves while I'm gone. MACUSA needs him."

Theseus nodded, reaching out to shake her hand.
"Agreed." The tension in the room lessened a little. Percival watched as Newt prepared a small bag of things, and then tried to hand his bowtruckle to his brother.

This didn't immediately work, the bowtruckle clinging to Newt's hand and whimpering pathetically. Newt tried to shake it away, with little success.
"Pickett..." Newt pleaded. "I don't know if it'll be safe. I can't have you getting hurt."
Theseus gripped Pickett's body, wrapping his fingers around the bowtruckle, then screaming and letting go.

Percival glanced over to see a spot of blood on Theseus's finger.
"The little bastard bit me."
Newt sighed, letting Pickett scurry back onto his hand.
"This is why people say I spoil you." He stared at the bowtruckle and shook his head. "Miss Tina?"
"Just Tina, Newt."
"Tina, could you look after Pickett?"

She nodded, and Pickett clambered up onto her shoulder. He stuck his tongue out at Theseus, and blew a little raspberry. Percival had to hide a smile at that.
"He'll look after me," Newt reassured Theseus. "And if I get locked up, he's the best at getting me out of it."
"Still no need for teeth," Theseus grumbled, as the bowtruckle sat on Tina's shoulder looking surprisingly smug for a small green stick.

Percival looked between the two of them.
"Goldstein, I expect regular updates. Newt, try and not get killed."
Newt nodded, embracing his brother tightly and then hugging Percival.
"I'll miss you," Newt whispered, before rushing back to Goldstein and holding his hands behind his back. "If I'm playing a hostage, I'd best be cuffed."
Goldstein bound his hands behind his back, as Percival tried to ignore how worried he was about what was happening.

Newt mattered to him. The thought of Newt not coming back frightened him.
"Wait!" he called out, walking over to Newt and taking his own watch off, placing it on Newt's wrist. "If you tap the glass five times quickly, it will send an alert. I'll get the other side of it from Picquery. Then if you need help, we'll know. Your brother and I will come and find you."
Newt nodded, but the smile he gave back now was a little more fragile.

***

Ex-Director Graves took a step backwards, and Tina wrapped her hand around Newt's arm. She gripped the portkey, and the two of them were pulled away from America, across the Atlantic.

It took a moment for her to recognise the building they were in - but it was the Ministry. With a flick of her wrist, she pulled out her wand and pressed it into the back of Newt's neck, marching him down the corridor towards what she remembered as the Auror offices.

A large female auror waddled up to her with a smile, nodding at the two of them.
"Hello. I'm from MACUSA, we believe you were looking for this particular..." She shrugged, and Newt cringed slightly, trying to shrink from her arms.
"Do you want me to take him?" The auror asked.
"I promised that I'd see him to the Ministers myself," Tina tried to explain.
"I can do it," the auror answered, then frowned a little. "You can come with me if you want." There was a sympathetic look in her eyes as she spoke, but she took control of Newt, marching him along the corridor, prodding her wand into him. "What are you doing back here Scamander?"
"Got caught."
"Your brother's in America. You chose a bad time to get caught. I'll let him know you're here." The British auror kept her voice low, but Newt nodded quickly.
"Thank you." Genuine relief sparkled across Newt's face, just for a moment.

The minister looked up.
"Bulstrode. Who is this?"
"I thought you'd know Scamander after the chase he's led us through," the British auror snapped.
"Not him. The girl."
"Auror Goldstein,” Tina introduced herself quickly. "I brought him in. And I was asked by Auror Fontaine to check on your progress in the Grindelwald case."
"That has nothing to do with me. Bulstrode, take Scamander to the cells and then I want you to show Goldstein the progress. Let Abbot know that his pet project is back."

Tina could see the terror on Newt's face, but there was nothing that she could say. Bulstrode led Newt down to the cells, Tina following in their wake. Tina watched as Newt was shown into the cell. Bulstrode was gentle enough with her actions.
"I'll let you know what your brother says,” she murmured, and then stepped away, locking the cell door. "This way Auror Goldstein. I will show you what progress we've made. I think it'll get easier now that we have Scamander here."
"Scamander?"
"He and Grindelwald were lovers. He'll come looking for him."

***

Newt closed his eyes, leaning back against the wall of the cell. His brother being informed would have been a comfort, if Theseus didn't already know where he was. Now it was nothing. He just had to wait, and remind himself that this was all part of the plan. This was the plan. He was exactly where he was meant to be at this moment in time.

He heard footsteps approaching the cell, and wondered which of his tormentors he was about to face. For a moment, he expected to find himself faced with mismatched eyes, but it was Abbot who opened the door, his brown hair in waves to his shoulders, face softer than most aurors. It was the smirk on his lips that made Newt cringe.
"So, you came home. You miss me that much?”