Chapter 168: A Gift, and Newt's Place at Home
Newt opened the suitcase on the desk as he spoke.
"I have been thinking about this since that night in the Forbidden Forest," he said. "Having a case of your own would make things much easier for you. It is not completely finished yet, but only the details are missing. With your ability, I am sure you can handle the rest."
So the guess had been right. Newt really did mean to give him a suitcase like his own.
"Thank you," Leonardo said. "I was actually hoping to ask if you could help me expand the space in my Flask, but this is… a very generous gift…"
He did not get to the end of the sentence. Newt lifted a hand to stop him, tone warm.
"Leonardo, you said it yourself. It is a gift. I remember your birthday is coming up. Think of this as an early present.
"No more refusals. This case suits you. Now, come and have a look inside."
He beckoned.
Leonardo did not argue further. He accepted the kindness and, at the same time, began wondering how to repay it.
They stepped into the case together.
The sight that met Leonardo left him speechless.
An endless stretch of grassland.
Warm air, carrying the scents of dry grass and soil, washed over him.
A soft sunlight shone overhead, bright without being harsh.
Twisted trees cast pools of shade. A little pond lay clear and still nearby, and beside it a dry, hay‑lined cave opened in the side of a low hill.
"This level is the entrance," Newt said.
"Entrance?"
Leonardo blinked. This was just the entrance?
Newt walked toward what looked like an ordinary rock face.
He lifted a hand and traced a complex pattern in the air. The stone rippled like water, revealing a spiral of wooden steps leading down.
"Come on," he said. "Have a look at the other 'floors'."
Leonardo followed him down into a completely different world.
Dry heat rolled over them. Sand dunes rose and fell in the distance. A few lizard‑like creatures, their scales gleaming like gemstones, glanced their way and then dove into the sand.
"Each layer of space is independent and isolated," Newt explained, a hint of pride in his voice. "The environment and climate can all be fine‑tuned.
"The heat here does not touch the grassland above. You can use this one for magical plants that need specific conditions, or for magical experiments that are… less than stable, and best kept separate."
They crossed the desert. On the far side, Newt opened another "door".
This time, it led into a chilly cavern. Drops of water clung to the stone walls. It was perfect for nocturnal or cold‑loving creatures.
Scamander craft at its finest. Layer upon layer of expanded space, all cleanly separated. There was nothing else like this anywhere in the world.
"My own case has seen a great deal," Newt said quietly. "It has helped me save and shelter more lives than I can count."
He looked at Leonardo, eyes deep and gentle.
"This is safe enough. Private enough. Wide enough to hold every wild idea you have."
He took out a small notebook and handed it over.
"This has the methods for opening and repairing the sections. If anything is unclear, just write to me."
"Oh, and I made a few extra modifications. You can shrink or enlarge the case's exterior and change its appearance. Easier to carry when you go back to school."
Leonardo accepted the booklet with both hands.
"Thank you," he said, sincerely. "I will put it to good use."
Newt clapped him on the shoulder.
"You are welcome. Come on, let us go and eat."
They stepped out of the case. Newt looked up to find Tina standing there, arms folded.
She was smiling, but her fire‑salamander eyes did not match the curve of her mouth.
"In such a hurry to drag him off?" she said. "Come along. You can explain over dinner what you meant by 'a small accident'."
…
At the table.
"So your 'small accident'," Tina said, very evenly, "was that if Leonardo had not reacted in time, a Killing Curse would have hit you in the back.
"And then you were sealed off by a ward and left a child to face a pack of murderous poachers alone."
Her hands shook on her knife and fork. The words stayed measured, but the fear and anger under them were impossible to miss.
Newt did not dare meet her eyes. "Leonardo stayed very calm," he said, stumbling a little. "He is very perceptive. His magic is excellent…"
"No one needs you to praise Leonardo's brilliance right now," Tina cut in. "And you can put the trip with Rolf to find the Abraxans on hold."
She flicked him a look that said plainly: We will be talking about this later.
Their grandson, Rolf Scamander, had no idea yet that his dream journey had just been postponed.
Tina turned to Leonardo. Her gaze was full of fondness and apology.
"I am sorry, Leonardo," she said. "We meant this to be a holiday for you. Newt did not take proper care of you this time."
Leonardo straightened, meeting her eyes.
"Please do not apologise, Grandma Tina," he said. "That was a battle we fought side by side.
"Mr Scamander has taught me so much. He is my teacher and my friend. When a friend is in danger, no witch or wizard would stand by and do nothing."
Tina sighed.
"You are far too mature for your age," she murmured.
Leonardo smiled.
"My Defence Against the Dark Arts professor told us that when facing dangerous enemies, the most important things are calm and sharp senses," he said. "I only happened to put that lesson into practice."
Quirrell had said that once. Tom had provided a vivid demonstration.
At that, Tina nodded. Her eyes grew even warmer.
"Newt has told me you are a boy who loves to learn," she said. "In that case, once we have eaten, we can talk about other things. Defence Against the Dark Arts. Duelling tricks. I used to be an Auror in America. Perhaps some of it will interest you."
"That would be wonderful. It would be an honour," Leonardo said, eyes lighting up.
This kindly‑looking woman had once been an exceptional Auror.
In America, she had hunted more than a few of Grindelwald's "saints", chasing his followers across half a continent.
Unlike Newt, who fought with a small army of magical creatures, Tina had been a pure duellist.
An elite Auror from that chaotic era never lacked for real skill.
And there was no such thing as too much to learn.
After dinner, Leonardo followed Tina and picked up a host of practical spells and techniques.
As they worked, she saw for herself just how terrifying his gift really was.
Every spell clicked at once. A few tries, and it moved under his wand as smoothly as if he had known it for years. His reactions during their practice bouts drew one pleased surprise after another.
"Leonardo," she said at last, "to be honest, you are a perfect candidate for an Auror."
Newt's head snapped round at once.
"Er, Tina, actually, Leonardo…"
She gave him a sideways look.
"Oh? You disagree?"
"…"
With a case to match Newt's, new spells and battle tricks from Tina, and a very clear idea of Newt's position at home, Leonardo took his leave in excellent spirits.
He had just reached for Aurelius when a ball of crimson fire burst into being beside him.
Fawkes swept out of the flames and dropped a letter into Leonardo's hand.