The stairs you were on closed in on the next doorway, the one you intended to walk through. As soon as it jerked to a stop, you tore off as though there was a firecracker being lit at your heels. Thank Merlin that almost everyone went home, you wouldn't want them to notice you.

"Transfiguration classroom..." you passed the door, but then backtracked to take a peak inside. It was empty and dark, it sent a shiver down your spine.

That can't be right.

Newt was nowhere to be seen at all. The second floor corridor was deserted and everything seemed so still, apart from the dancing flames of the torches on the wall. You felt your heart sink. Amelia wouldn't lie to you, you were just too late. Newt had gone into hiding again. Sighing, you dragged your feet back to the staircase.

What exactly was he hiding from though? Why hasn't he shown his face to anyone? Your mind started to theorise where he could have gone. Definitely not the common room, Amelia would have seen him. The Forbidden Forest? That's crazy, it's too cold. He even warned you not to go in there at the start of the month because the ground would get too slippery.

The crash to your right startled you out of your thoughts.

You jumped, head snapping towards the source of the sound. It was a door, not a classroom door, more of a broom closet door, but you don't remember any broom closets on this floor. Curiosity got the better of you, so with your wand in hand, you opened the door.

And the mystery of the missing Scamander boy was solved.

There he was, clutching his head as he pushed himself up into a standing position. He stumbled backwards, the wall catching him before he fell again. You looked around the tiny room that he was hiding in. It looked normal, except for the tanks of tadpoles, streelers, the make-shift nest for chicks and a cauldron along with a few bottles at the corner.

"Newt," you rushed over to the boy, strangely in his Hogwarts robes, and helped to steady him. He winced slightly as he let go of his head, and then he flashed you an awkward smile.

"Don't worry, just had a fall, I'm alright (Y/N)," he said softly as he gently freed himself from your touch and headed towards his creatures.

"Were you here the whole time?" you asked, following closely behind, "I've been looking everywhere for you since term ended. I was so worried!"

He didn't look at you as he crouched down, stroking the head of a chick with his shaking finger, "In fairness, you did find me once."

From the way he was acting, it did seem as though Newt was going with option one as explained by Lincoln earlier. Not only did Newt not apologise for disappearing, he didn't even want to look at you. But that was how Newt usually acted, he had trouble with eye contact. And from the looks of it, he was just tending to the creatures left out in the cold like he always did.

Why did he have to be so confusing?

"Newt," you said, "I just wanted to spend time with you before Christmas."

He didn't move or respond, and you couldn't help but feel disappointed. Whatever you wanted to say was swept from your head, apart from one sentence.

"And Lincoln wants his sweater back."

"Oh," he said as he brushed past you, "Alright, I'll..."

Suddenly, he stopped, right in front of the door. You took a step forward, puzzled. You were about to place your hand on his shoulder, but that was when he moved away and sneezed. Twice.

"Newt, you alright?"

He nodded and turned around with a sheepish look on his face.

"I'm fine, don't worry."

But he looked far from it. It was as though there were several spotlights on his face, for you could finally see it clearly.

He was flushed, very flushed. His cheeks were tinted a little more red than it usually should be. The dark circles around his eyes screamed for the sleep he never got, and he just looked so fragile.

"No you're not."

You put your hand up to his forehead and on instinct, he moved away, but you could feel the heat radiating from him.

"You're like a heater!"

"Really?" he smiled awkwardly again, "It feels kind of chilly in here though."

Something clicked inside your brain and that was enough for you to put your foot done and say, "We're going to the Hospital Wing."

The smile was wiped off his face immediately and replaced with fear as you grabbed his warm hand and led him outside. He resisted and shook his head frantically, "No, no, I'm fine, (Y/N), I'm-"

His words were interrupted by another sneeze. He let go of your hand and turned away from you, sneezing again. You crossed your arms, but your expression softened.

Once he was done, he rubbed his nose and turned back, hanging his head low, "Alright, I'm not fine, but please don't send me to the Hospital Wing."

"Why? Afraid of what potion the nurse'll give you?" you looked over his shoulder to the abandoned cauldron, "Were you trying to brew your own medicine?"

Newt didn't reply, so you took it as a yes.

"C'mon Newt, the nurse won't kill you. The most she'll do is fuss a lot."

"I rather you do it," he mumbled.

"Sorry?"

His face became redder, "Nothing."

Actually, you heard him clearly, you just wanted to make sure you were hearing it right. It didn't matter because you could feel your heart beat slightly faster than usual.

"Alright," you said, trying not to expose your nervousness, "I'll take you back to the common room, where, as you said, it'll be warmer."

You took off your scarf and wrapped it around Newt. Managing a smile, Newt allowed you to take his hand and lead him back, all the while trying not to collapse.

—

He had changed out of his robes and into a set of comfy pyjamas. Sitting by the fireplace, he sneezed twice, sinking deeper into the cocoon of blankets that you gave him earlier. He was drained, very drained, and he had no idea why he only waited until now to finally get some rest.

You set two steaming mugs of tea on the table and felt his head again.

"You sure you're feeling alright here?" you asked, frowning at how hot his forehead was, "You know you could always go back to your dormitory to rest."

"Yes," he replied simply, but then he changed his mind as the back of his head started to throb, "No."

"Okay, bed it is for yo-"

"No!"

He sounded louder than he did before, but it came out hoarse. Clearing his throat, he said, "I rather stay here."

"Newt, you can lie down on your bed and actually get some sleep."

"But here I can lie down on you and sleep."

Somehow, butterflies had flew into your stomach as you stood there, mouth slightly open. Newt must have realised what he had just said because the next thing you knew he was stammering.

"I-I meant t-that it's more cosy here," he tried to cover up, "A-and I'm kinda wrapped up, can't really move. I mean, too tired t-to move, that is."

You tried your best to stop the silly grin on your face from showing but failed. Before you sat down though, you looked around the common room, "Anyone else here?"

Shaking his head, Newt said, "No, Amelia sleeps really early. We're the only two left."

Somewhere in the back of your mind, there was a cheer. You sat down beside the sick boy, not without stumbling a bit. There was a small gap between you two, and from the corner of your eye, you could see Newt shutting his eyes really tight like there was a pain he was going through.

"Newt, you alright?"

His reply was short and direct, "Headache."

"Do you..." the butterflies seemed to be holding a party in you, "Do you um...want to lie down? On my lap?"

Slowly, he laid down, hand to his head. Usually, Newt would have been too flustered to do this, but he must be feeling absolutely terrible. You massaged his temples, hoping that would distract him from your fast pulse.

There was so much heat Newt was giving out that it was comparable to the fireplace. As you adjusted to Newt being on your lap, you asked as your forehead ceased, "Newt, are you sure you don't want any medicine? I could give you muggle ones, my mum packed some."

"No."

It was probably useless to persuade this stubborn boy to seek treatment, so you dropped the matter. Resisting the urge to run your hand through his hair, you asked, "Why did you stay for Christmas?"

He stayed really still on your lap, but he responded in a voice no louder than a mutter, "I didn't want to ruin Christmas for my family."

"What, wh-"

And before you finished your question, everything started to make sense. Newt knew he was falling sick and if he went back in this state, his family (especially his brother) would have to care for him instead of celebrating the holiday.

"Oh," you said, and feeling a bit cheeky, you asked, "Then are you here to ruin my Christmas?"

"No, no, no, no," he shot up from your lap, "I-I didn't mean to. I'm sorry, I didn't-"

You laughed, "I'm kidding, Newt, I know you wouldn't. But why did you avoid everyone?"

"I thought I would get better on my own," he said, "I didn't want you to see me like this. I thought if I had recovered..."

The next part was inaudible and you had to ask him to repeat himself. Avoiding your eye contact, he muttered, "I could spend Christmas with you."

You thought you could melt on the spot. Lincoln was right, Newt wouldn't have the guts to break you. And he didn't make your heart, he melted it, and that was the unspoken option three.

"Newt..."

His eyes finally met yours. You held your gaze with him for what seemed like an entire hour before he acted first. He winced as his hand went straight up to his head.

"Hey," you said, slightly disappointed, "you wanna lie down again?"

"Mm."

As he did, the clock stroke twelve. Little snowflakes appeared in front of the clock's face like fireworks. Looks like you would be spending Christmas with him.

"Merry Christmas, Newt."

"Merry-" he broke off to sneeze twice again, "Merry Christmas, (Y/N)."

Your heart warmed, and the two of you drifted off to sleep, just like the snow that had started to fall outside.