This is a request for @WriterGirlme

Prompt: I am a Ravenclaw and he is a Hufflepuff. He got expelled but our families were friends so we were always in contact. Now he works for the Ministry and I am a writer. Since he was writing a book, I help him write it and realize I am in love with him and he does too which we should have realized a long time ago but never did. Theseus and Leta help us to realize it in some way.

~~

"Don't go," you pleaded, clutching Newt's scrawny wrist. "Please. You're my best friend."

Newt looked away sadly, chewing his lip to keep the tears brimming in his eyes at bay. "I'm sorry, (Y/N)," he said softly. "There's nothing I can do."

You grabbed his shoulders, holding him firmly to the spot. He couldn't leave you. Not yet. "No, I don't accept that. We can appeal to the board, I'm sure Professor Dumbledore-"

"Professor Dumbledore did all he could, (Y/N). I'm expelled. For good." He shrugged your hands off his shoulders, turning away and bracing his hands against the windowsill. You could see the tension in his back and biceps, built up like a canon waiting to explode. Hogwarts was his home, it always had been. For him to be expelled... you knew it was devastating to him.

You placed a hand on his shoulder blade quietly. "What are you going to do?" You breathed, trying to memorize the feel of Newt's skin under your fingertips. "Where will you go?"

"Not home," Newt laughed bitterly.

You frowned. "Don't say that."

Newt sighed, settling onto his elbows. "I don't want to go back. My parents..." he swallowed, adam's apple bobbing. "I don't know how I could face them after this. In their eyes I've ruined the family."

You gently tugged on Newt's shoulder, pulling his attention to you. You wanted to tell Newt he was wrong, that his family wouldn't judge him, compare him to his brother behind his back, remember him as the failure of the family. But you couldn't.

Instead, you just wrapped your arms around his shoulders, letting him release all of his sadness into your shirt as you held him for the last time in a long time.

~~~

You fidgeted nervously next to Leta as you stood outside of the speakeasy bar in Manhattan. Tonight would be the first night you saw Newt- besides years of writing letters- since you both left hogwarts.

"It'll be alright, (Y/N)," Leta said soothingly, placing a hand on your shoulder. "He wants to see you."

"I guess... it's just been so long. Aren't you worried it's going to be awkward? You are engaged to his brother." You hesitated.

Leta dismissed you with a wave of her hand. "Newt and I were a long time ago. We're both past it. I love Theseus, and, well... he's interested in someone else."

You frowned. "Really? It's not that auror from the ministry, is it? Newt told me about her last week in a letter... she seemed awfully rude."

Leta smiled, an amused twinkle in her eye. "No, it's not her," she took your hand and led you to the hidden entrance to the speakeasy. "Stop worrying and let's go!" She pulled her wand from the folds of her dress and tapped on the door. A small slit opened just above your head and two small, beady, glaring eyes looked out at you.

"Password?" The voice grumbled.

"Toadstools," Leta replied, her eyes glancing to you.

The door swung open, scents of whiskey and heavy perfume floating out to tickle your nose. "No shouting, spitting, spellcasting, sniveling, or suspicious behavior allowed."

Leta walked into the bar, winking at the goblin that opened the door. You murmured a quick thanks and darted in behind her.

"I'll get drinks, you go find Newt and Theseus." Leta pushed you towards the tables crowded in front of a small stage.

"No, Leta, wait!" You cried, but she was already gone. You sighed, trying to smother your anxiety.

He wants to see you.

"Newt!" You exclaimed, spying him and Theseus seated at a table in the corner of the restaurant, arms crossed and identical scowls on their faces. Ever the ones to fight, they were.

His eyes snapped up from the glass of water he was holding, instantly lighting up like a Christmas tree. His mouth tugged into a shy smile and he waved you over, pulling a chair out next to him. You crushed your nerves into a small, hard ball of nothingness that you buried deep down inside and made your way over to the table.

"Hello, (Y/N)," Theseus said, standing up and giving you a quick hug. "Is Leta coming?" He asked, settling back down in the chair across from Newt. You resisted the urge to tease him; his captivation with Leta was so obvious it was practically slapping you in the face.

"Yes, she'll be along soon. She's getting some drinks," your eyes darted to Newt, drinking up his tan complexion and glittering eyes. "Hello, Newt." You said softly.

His eyes snapped to yours, his cheekbones dusting red over his smattering of freckles. "Hello, (Y/N). Good to see you."

You smiled warmly. "Good to see you, too." It made your insides all gooey to know that Newt was happy to see you. And he may not have shown it like Theseus did, but you could tell he was happy to see you. He was the same way he was at school; all shy glances and warm words that let you know he cared.

Newt smiled, ducking his head. "How have you been?" He took a sip of his water and cleared his throat. "Theseus tells me you're working on a book?"

"Oh, yeah. I thought you knew that?" You waved to Leta as she came into view, an armful of bottles clutched to her chest. You felt your anxiety melting away as the conversation became easier and more natural.

"No, yes- well, I knew you had an idea, I just didn't know you had started writing the manuscript. I was actually thinking of, um, writing a book myself."

"Hello!" Leta cried, setting the bottles down with a ceremonious crash. "Theseus, Newt, so good to see you!" She pulled up a chair next to Theseus, her eyes blazing with excitement and her cheeks hot with red blush.

Theseus kissed her on the cheek. "Hello, darling." He said. You rolled your eyes. "Thank you for getting some more drinks. We're celebrating tonight."

"We are?" You perked up, reaching for a bottle of gigglewater.

Theseus smiled a proud smile at his brother, a rare sight to see. "Yes. Newt got a book contract this morning."

Newt blushed. "Well, actually-"

"Newt, that's amazing!" Your mouth dropped open in shock. "You just said you were thinking about it, I didn't know you were actually doing it! How long did it take you to get that deal? Why, it took me months to get mine-"

"I haven't written anything yet, it's just a preliminary thing- more of a commission, really." Newt winced, flushing under the weight of so many attentive stares.

"But still, that's very impressive. Who is the deal with?"

"The Department Of Education at the Ministry," Theseus piped in with a sly smile. "I helped connect him."

"Good for you." You muttered under your breath, rolling your eyes. It was always like Theseus to try and claim all the glory.

"(Y/N), I know you're working on your own manuscript, but maybe you could help Newt get started with his book." Leta proffered, taking a sip of her beer.

Newt choked on his water.

You blushed, trying to ignore the way the prospect of spending more time with Newt made you feel. "Well... I've been pretty busy lately, but, if you'd like me to, Newt, I'd be happy to help."

Newt's face was beet red as he coughed, doubled over in his chair. "Oh- yeah- um, sure-" another cough. "I mean- if you don't mind-"

You smiled. "I don't mind. I think it's a great idea," You glanced in Leta's direction, a knowing smile on your lips. "It'll be fun to get the old Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff team back together, don't you think?"

Newt placed a hand on his chest, breathing out the last embers of his cough. "Yes, we, that sounds great."

You grinned. "Want to meet up tomorrow? There's a little cafe near the university. We can go there and discuss."

"Sure." Newt nodded, looking extremely flustered.

Leta clapped her hands excitedly. "It's a date!"

~~~

The next day

You frowned at yourself in the mirror, smoothing down the front of your jacket. "Are you sure this is appropriate? It seems a little... flirty."

Leta grinned, placing her hands on your shoulders lovingly. "It's perfect, trust me," she sighed. "Oh, (Y/N), I'm so glad something is finally happening between the two of you!"

You frowned. "What do you mean? Nothing is going on between the two of us."

"Well... not yet." Leta smirked at you in the mirror.

You whirled around, pointing a finger accusingly in her chest. You felt your cheeks heat up in embarrassment. "Leta Lestrange, what did you do?"

She pushed away your finger gently, frowning at you. "I didn't do anything. It's about what you're going to do. Newt obviously likes you. This is the perfect chance for you to get together!"

You gasped. "You- you-" You sputtered. "You meddling little- bastard! What, was this just one big plot to get Newt and I together?!"

Leta shrugged. "Not totally, but partly."

You scowled, balling your fists into your jacket pockets. "I can't believe you! You know how I feel about you meddling in my life. The last time you tried to do this the guy turned out to be a complete psycho!"

"But you know Newt. You guys are perfect for each other! It won't be like last time. Besides, you have to admit... he's pretty cute."

"You're engaged to his brother." You crossed your arms, raising an accusing eyebrow.

Leta waves a hand. "I can acknowledge that he's attractive without being attracted to him. They're two different things."

You pinched the bridge of your nose, wishing to god this conversation was over. "Just- why-" you sighed. "I don't understand. You know relationships don't exactly 'work out' with me. How do you know this will be any different?"

Leta smiled knowingly, the smile of someone who had spent weeks masterminding a plan to get her fiancé's brother and her best friend to get together. "Trust me, (Y/N). I know."

~~

The cafe you picked was small, quaint, and perfect for a first date, as Leta had put it. It sat nestled in the outskirts of the local university, squished beneath a bookshop and a butcher, its teal facade faded and cracked from years of tear and wear. The inside was cozy, buttercream yellow, and totally empty except for you and Newt.

You took a bite of your croissant, eyes flicking over the pages strewn about on the table. "I thought you hadn't started it yet?"

"Er, not officially, no," Newt said, scratching the back of his neck. "These are just writings I've done on my travels. They aren't connected or anything."

You picked up a piece of parchment, cluttered with drawings of a frog-like beast and scribbled notes in deep black ink, with the only neat paragraph boxed off in a small corner of the paper. "It's very... busy."

Newt dipped his head, concealing an embarrassed blush. "Yes, er, sometimes when you're traveling, you don't have as much time to sit down and write."

You placed the parchment back down on the table and smiled knowingly. "Don't worry about it, I know exactly what you're talking about. It's very difficult to be a writer and be neat at the same time." You heard the tinkle of a small bell and resisted the urge to scream when you looked up.

"Excuse me," you breathed, scrambling up from the table and hurrying over to the counter.

"What are you doing here?!" You hissed.

Leta winked at you from across the bar, clad in a white waitress' outfit. "I'm undercover!"

"You are going to leave-" you pushed her towards the back room, glancing at Newt to make sure he didn't notice. "-right- now!"

Leta raised her hands in defense. "Relax. He won't notice. He's too absorbed in... other things."

Your face reddened, your hands clenching into fists at your side. "Just- ugh, just don't do anything weird." You stomped back to the table.

"I think if I copy these paragraphs down onto a separate pages it would be easier for me to write... (Y/N), what do you think?" Newt asked, looking up from the jumble of papers hopefully. "(Y/N)?"

You sat back down, trying to smooth out your annoyance. "Yeah, sounds great."

Newt frowned. "(Y/N), are you alright?"

You smiled briefly at Newt, smothering the blush that rose to your cheeks at his concerned gaze. "Yes, I'm fine, just a little distracted."

Newt smiled back. "Me, too."

Oh Lordy.

"Some coffee for the lovely couple?" A voice asked in an obviously fake French accent.

Oh fu-

"Yes, please, that would be wonderful," Newt looked up at the waitress, then frowned. "Wait... Leta, is that you?"

Leta's eyes darted to you briefly, panic flickering over her face before she raised a menu to cover the bottom half of her face. She giggled, a thinly veiled attempt at hiding her identity. "No... no! I don't know any Leta here."

Newt frowned. "Leta, I know that's you."

Leta dropped the menu with a sigh. "Alright, you got me."

"Well, you weren't exactly disguised. What's going on here?"

Your face turned beet red, and you balled your pants in your fists, trying to control your seemingly uncontrollable embarrassment. How could Leta do this to you?! You stood up, throwing your chair to the side. "I cannot believe you!" You hissed. "Newt, I'm so sorry. I didn't have anything to do with this."

Newt looked from you to Leta, confusion written on his face. "What- I don't understand-"

"I'm leaving," you muttered, grabbing your bag and your hat. "Thank you for lunch."

You rushed out of the restaurant, trying to ignore the swirling rage and humiliation festering in your belly. How could she do that, especially when she knew you liked him-

"(Y/N), wait!" A voice called. You stopped.

"Newt, I'm so sorry, I didn't have any idea that would happen." You turned, lowering your gaze. "You'd think being a Ravenclaw would make me a little bit smarter."

"It's alright. Leta told me you didn't have anything to do with it."

You sighed, laughing slightly. "It's so stupid."

Newt smiled. "You have to admit it's kind of funny."

You looked up at Newt, his crooked smile melting away your mortification bit by bit. "Maybe. Just maybe."

Newt's smile faded briefly, a look of concern flickering in his eyes. "You aren't... too mad, are you? I really am grateful to you helping me, I-I definitely think I'm making some progress."

You grinned. "No. I'm not that mad. Not anymore, at least. I mean, even if it was incredibly annoying... well, it brought us together, didn't it?"

Newt looked away, but there was a smile on his face and a happiness in his eyes that twinkled from under his hair that made you realize the warmth and calm in your chest whenever you looked at him wasn't coincidental.

"I love you," you whispered.

Newt's head snapped up. "What did you say?"

His shock hit you in the face like a brick. What were you doing?

"Oh- I'm sorry-"

"SHE LOVES YOU, YOU IDIOT!" Someone shouted. Leta stood leaning against the the door to the cafe, a great beaming satisfied smile plastered onto her face.

Newt whipped around, flushed and excited. "Y-you love me? Is that true?"

You took a hesitant step back. This was definitely not how you wanted the morning to go. But what could you do besides tell the truth?

"Yes," You breathed. Relief pulsed through you, the truth washing over you like a blanket of calm. You didn't have to pretend you didn't love him anymore. You'd been so blind; you'd loved him the whole time. Even if Leta had been incredibly annoying about it, you had to admit she had been the one to help you realize it.

Newt laughed, a short, happy laugh that filled you with a tingly warm feeling. He stepped forward and took your hand.

"What? What's so funny?" You asked, feeling embarrassment rise up in you again.

"No, it's nothing... I'm just surprised, that's all. I never would have guessed that you felt that way about me." Newt smiled.

You blushed, shifting from foot to foot. "I-it took me a while to realize it- too long- but yeah. I do."

Newt cupped your face in his hands, forcing you to meet his eyes. They were full and bright, sparkling with adoration and electric warmth. "(Y/N)," he said. "I love you too."

And he kissed you. His hand slid to the crook of your neck, the other still on your cheek, his touch sending electric tingles through your skin and down your spine. It was a kiss that made you want to melt, a kiss that made you never want to kiss anyone else.

"Woo! Get it on!"

"Shut up!"

~~~

euhhhdhfhfhhhgggg this is not super goooood I'm so sorry I feel so bad ew

also I have like a million requests rn and three other chapters that I wanted to work on so I will be updating soon but it'll definitely be slow

ok byee

-Elise