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TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAMWORK

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

A few minutes passed in tense silence when, suddenly, the enchanted feather began to twitch. Its movement grew more frantic, turning violently under the glass bowl. Both Newt and Jacob glanced up from their table, following the feather's erratic behavior. Their eyes locked onto a man approaching them.

He wore a long black coat and a hat, his face set in a serious expression.

Jacob leaned in, curiosity piqued. "Is that the guy we're looking for?" he asked, his voice low but eager.

Newt gave him a subtle nod, his attention fixed on the man.

As the man drew closer, Newt gently lifted the glass bowl, allowing the feather to soar into the air. The moment the feather shot toward the man, Newt and Jacob jumped from their seats in surprise, quickly moving to stop him from walking past.

"Bonjour. Bonjour, monsieur," Newt stammered nervously, fumbling with his hands. The man paused, his eyes narrowing with a hint of mistrust. Jacob gave a polite nod, hoping the gesture would ease the tension.

The man studied them for a moment, then turned as though he planned to walk away.

"No, wait! Sorry," Newt called out hurriedly, rushing to catch up. "We were just wondering if you've come across a friend of ours."

Yusuf, the man, halted and turned back, his gaze steady.

"Tina Goldstein," Jacob added quickly, watching as a flicker of recognition sparked in the man's eyes.

"Paris is a large city," the man said calmly, though the lie was evident in his tone.

Newt pressed on, his voice steady. "She's an Auror," he said, locking eyes with Yusuf. "And when Aurors go missing, the Ministry tends to get involved... So—"

Yusuf raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Newt's boldness.

Newt paused for a beat, his voice dropping slightly. "No, I suppose it's probably better if we just report her absence."

Jacob, sensing the tension, nodded emphatically.

"Is she tall?" Yusuf asked suddenly, eager to shift the conversation.

"Dark?" he began, but Jacob quickly interjected.

"Intense," Jacob said, his mind recalling Tina's sometimes awkward but fierce presence.

Newt and Yusuf exchanged a glance, confusion settling over both their faces. Jacob swallowed hard, trying to steer the conversation in a less awkward direction.

"Yeah, what I meant to say was..." Jacob hesitated, searching for the right word.

"Different," he finally said, satisfied with his choice.

Newt nodded in agreement. "Very intense," he added, thinking of Tina's fiery temper.

Yusuf mulled it over for a moment, his eyes narrowing in thought. Then, he spoke.

"I saw someone like that last night," he revealed, taking a deep breath as he met Newt's gaze.

"Perhaps if I showed you where..." Yusuf offered, his voice tentative but kind.