Home Sweet Home

Newt carried Dawn into their house, and immediately Tina felt fully content for the first time in weeks. Dawn is okay. Newt is okay. The war is over. We're back home, she thought happily. "I wanna go in the case!" Dawn announced. "It's late, my little niffler. Perhaps tomorrow," Newt said gently. Dawn moaned dramatically. "Promise?" "I promise." He grinned, and Dawn happily scampered down from his arms and into her bedroom, shouting, "Read me a story, Mommy!"

Tina laughed, wrapping her arms around Newt. His scent had returned, so she inhaled it happily. "It's good to be home," she whispered. Newt kissed her forehead, but Dawn's head popped out from her bedroom. "I'm not going to stay four forever!" Tina rolled her eyes, but followed Dawn into her bedroom. Dawn scrambled under the covers, and Tina lay down next to her. 

"Will you tell me about the war?" Dawn asked. A lump formed in Tina's throat. "Dawn, I need you to know something." Dawn perked up, her green eyes sparkling. "Wars leave scars on a person."

"You mean like the scar Daddy has on his leg?"

"No. These scars are invisible, but they are much more effective than a normal scar. It changes people."

"Have you and Daddy changed because of the war?"

"Everyone changes in a war, sweetheart."

"How?"

"They're much sadder, much wiser than what they used to be."

"Will they ever be happy again?"

"Some will be, and some won't."

"Why do they participate in wars then? Wars sound awful!" 

Tina tucked a curl behind Dawn's ear. "They do it for people like you. People who are young and innocent. When we were your age, we had to live under the constant fear of Grindewald. Now, all the children have been set free. They can live their lives without knowing the fear that we did.   People are willing to give up their happiness and lives to see your happiness."

"You and Daddy did all that?" Dawn asked. "Yes, we did," Tina said softly. "I'm glad you did that," Dawn said, her eyes beginning to droop. Tina kissed her forehead, pulling the covers more snugly around her. Newt came in, gently blowing out the candle on her bedside table. He took Tina's hand, gave Dawn one last kiss, and lead Tina to their bedroom. Tina curled up against him, falling into a peaceful sleep.