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Rolf Scamander wandered into the kitchen just before sunrise, preparing to make breakfast and enjoy the peace and quiet, when his eyes were suddenly drawn to the date circled on the calendar stuck to the far wall. February 24. He damn near had a heart attack. Breakfast forgotten, he ran back into the bedroom, shaking his wife awake. “I’m sorry love, but you’ve got to get up — it’s today.”
His wife opened her eyes slowly and spoke, voice thick with sleep. “Well of course it’s today. Yesterday is over, and tomorrow is yet to come.”
A smile tugged at Rolf’s lips, but he continued on. No time to waste. “You’re right. But today is the day, Luna. The day of the Visit.”
The Visit had quite surely earned capital status by now, he thought. Every year, Rolf’s grandfather came to visit for his birthday celebration — Rolf and Luna baked his favorite cake, wished him well, and he proceeded to stay at their house for as long as he liked. Last year had been a new record, he hadn’t left until the spring, saying winters back home weren’t quite the same. Some years Rolf’s grandmother came as well, but usually he arrived alone. And then, of course, there were the creatures. Oh, the creatures. A magizoologist by trade, Newt Scamander never left home without a few of what he called his ‘closest friends’. And who he brought along was always a mystery.
Luna Lovegood was suddenly wide awake. “The Visit? Already?”
“It’s today. February 24. He could be here any minute!”
“Oh…” Luna shot out of bed. “You go make the cake, I’ll be right out!”
Rolf left her to get ready and went to the kitchen, opening all the cabinets. He rifled through everything in search of the necessary ingredients, and was quite relieved to find them all present. Thank Merlin. He placed them on the counter and grabbed a bowl, beginning the process — muggle baking had always been a hobby of his, although he preferred not to be under a time crunch if possible.
Luna joined him in the kitchen a short while later. “What did I make last year?” he asked her.
“I think it was a Bowtruckle,” she said.”
“So much for this year’s plan...” Rolf muttered.
“I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” Luna said, kissing him on the cheek.
———
Rays of sunlight were streaming in through small cracks in the wooden window-blinds as Rolf and Luna prepared for the arrival of a certain magizoologist. Little Lorcan and Lysander were scurrying around the house, blonde ringlets bouncing to and fro as their parents grew ever more frantic. A ticking clock was perched on a crowded wall, its hands moving ever closer to Newt’s arrival.
“Luna!” Rolf called. “Any sign of him yet?”
Luna peered through one of the many windows on the second floor of the family’s cottage. “I don’t see him!” she called back from the top of the stairs, where she was fastening a baby gate to the wall. Not for her own children, but rather in anticipation of whatever Newt was bringing along this time. Better safe than sorry, even if it would be unlikely to be of any use.
“Excellent.” Rolf turned back to the oven and pulled out a tray upon which sat a slightly sunken, but at least recognizable, blueberry cake in the shape of a Niffler.
Suddenly there was a knock on the front door, and Rolf barely managed to hold on to the tray, quickly placing it on the countertop. “Luna, he’s here!”
Luna opened the baby gate and ran down the stairs, and together they opened the door. An old man with wavy gray hair and even more freckles than Rolf was standing on the doorstep. “Grandad!” Rolf exclaimed. “Come in, come in. You’re right on time, I just finished the cake.”
“I can always count on you for a good dessert, Rolf,” Newt said with a smile, stepping inside. “Where might the twins be?”
As if on cue, Lorcan and Lysander came barreling into the room. “Papa Newt!”
Newt reached into his jacket and pulled out two bags of sweets, handing them to the young boys. “American sweets for you two,” he said as they happily took them. “Just don’t eat them all today!” The boys ran off with their new treasure, and Newt turned back to Rolf and Luna. “Oh, and how could I forget! I must introduce my companion, of course — this is Murray.” He gestured at his left shoulder. “He’s nervous from the trip, bless him.”
Luna looked at the seemingly empty spot where Newt was pointing. “Has he gone exploring?”
Newt chuckled. “No, no, he likes his home comforts. Murray is a Demiguise — a descendant of my old friend Dougal, actually.”
Rolf stared at his grandfather. “You brought a Demiguise?” he asked incredulously.
Newt waved a hand. “Oh, don’t worry, Murray will be fine.”
“I’m sure he will.” Rolf shook his head.
“I’ve never seen a real Demiguise before — will he show himself soon, do you think?” Luna asked, eyes wide.
“Once he’s settled down a bit, I’m sure — right, Murray?” Newt addressed his left shoulder. “Well now, I believe I heard something about cake?”
“Right. Yes. We’ll eat it now then, I suppose.” The three made their way into the dining room and sat down.
Luna turned to Rolf. “It seems like something is missing…” she said. Rolf’s ears turned crimson and he got up to fetch the cake. Looking at the countertop, however, he noticed something rather alarming. “The cake!” he exclaimed. “I left it right here — it’s gone!” He turned to Luna. “Do you think maybe the twins…” he started, before Newt interrupted.
“We’re also missing a Demiguise, Murray jumped off my shoulder on the way here.”
“You’re telling me Murray kidnapped your birthday cake?”
“... yes.”
Rolf sighed. The Visit never does seem to go to plan, does it. “Well, I guess we had better go find them both.
Fin.