7 YEARS LATER

The morning in our remote cottage started the way it always did – with the sound of my husband chasing after his Niffler who, by the sounds of it, was doing his very best to avoid him. Some things never changed.

Without a sigh, I went to sit up, rubbing my eyes when the bedroom door flew open. I looked to the doorway, already knowing what was to come. Sure enough, my son ran into the bedroom and dived straight into the bed. He knew he wouldn't be allowed into the bed if his father was still here and relished the chance to curl up beside me.

"Good morning mum," Jacob greeted, sitting up on the bed beside me. He reached up to push the mess of reddish brown curls, that he'd inherited from his father, out of his eyes.

"Good morning sweetheart," I said back, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of his head before proceeding to kiss the whole of his face. He giggled, trying to get away from me.

There was an almighty crash.

I pulled away with a sigh, rolling my eyes. My son mirrored the gesture and clambered out of the bed, already knowing that our morning of relaxing had been cut short. Sliding out of bed, I grabbed my wand and nightgown. Putting the gown over my pyjamas, I padded down the stairs, ready to do some damage control. Jacob followed me, eyes scanning the scene for his dad.

"Now wait a minute," I heard Newt say quietly from the front room, "You know that doesn't belong to you. Just give it back and we can –"

There was the sound of something hitting the floor and I assumed that Newt had attempted to catch the Niffler only to fall on the floor when the mischievous creature darted away from him.

"Listen here." I rounded the corner to see Newt, sprawled on the floor like I knew he would be. Still dressed in his pyjamas, Newt approached the Niffler cautiously, arms outstretched towards the creature and I sighed.

"Jacob, sweetheart," setting a hand on his shoulder, I gently nudged him in the direction of the kitchen. "Why don't you go and get one of the house elves to fix you up some breakfast? It looks like mummy's going ot have to help daddy so I won't be able to make you breakfast."

"Ok." He turned to leave before pausing and tugging on my arm to catch my attention, "But be careful of the baby."

I said nothing in return, simply watching him head off into the kitchen. He really was incredibly bright for a four-year-old. Looking back to the spectacle my husband was putting on, I was surprised to see that he had managed to corner the creature who was having fun playing with my husband. But I knew it wouldn't last – it never did. Just as I had predicted, the Niffler had scrambled over the sofas and narrowly avoided Newt's hands.

"Now, be a good boy and give mummy the –"

"I thought we agreed that I was mummy?" I called out, walking into the room, and catching Newt by surprise. "You remember what happened when Jacob overheard you asking the creatures to call you mummy, don't you?"

"It took forever to teach him that I was daddy," he mumbled as he rose to his feet and taking me in his arms to press a kiss to my cheek. "Good morning, love. Did we wake you?"

"You always do," I nudged him slightly, dropping a brief kiss to his lips as I elbowed him out of the way. "So, what was it this time, then?"

Instead of answering with his words, he raised my left hand to my gaze. My eyes narrowed in on my left finger, before moving to the Niffler who was giggling quietly in the corner of the room, staring down at us from one top of the shelf. Honestly, how had the little bugger even managed to get it off my finger?

"Oh," I said plainly, mind whirring on what I could do to get my wedding ring back.

"Oh?" Newt repeated, growing slightly incredulous as he stared between me and the Niffler. "He's got your wedding ring and all you can say is 'Oh'?"

"You know he'll give it back eventually." Reaching up to pat his cheek, I made my way slowly towards the Niffler.

Newt's eyes followed my progression through the room. "What are you doing?"

"Dear husband," I muttered, eyes focused on the creature who tilted his head curiously as he saw me hand my wand off to Newt. "I am going to test one of your hypotheses."

"Which one?"

"You'll see." Throwing him a smile from over my shoulder, I focused my attention back on the Niffler. "Now, you don't want that silly ring, do you? That old thing?"

The Niffler narrowed its eyes and I pointedly ignored Newt who simpered, hurt by my words. Honestly, why did the man not know that that ring was one of my most cherished possessions?

"There's something better that." My words tempted the Niffler who leaned down towards me a little. "All you have to do is give me my ring back." He grew alert, clutching the ring to his chest as he eyed me suspiciously. I smiled reassuringly, "I promise."

He seemed torn between wanting to see what was more precious than my wedding ring, and wanting to keep said ring to himself. Keeping my eyes on the Niffler, I untied my gown to show the bulging bump hidden from sight by my pyjama top. The Niffler's eyes grew wide, following the movement of my hand as I rubbed my stomach.

"Now, isn't this much more precious than a ring? This is one of my favourite gifts from your mummy. Can I have the ring back then?"

The Niffler reluctantly handed the ring back to me and I promptly replaced it on my finger. He stared at me, waiting for me to do what I promised and I rolled my eyes before settling down onto the sofa. The creature moved instantly, draping itself over my stomach with a content sigh.

Rubbing my fingers over its head, I smiled gently as my eyes moved towards Newt who hadn't moved from his spot. He continued to watch the interaction with interest and I laughed gently.

"I take it that this supports your hypothesis then? That Nifflers prefer precious things rather than just sparkly things?"

He nodded, approached the sofa to kneel before it. Taking my hand, he murmured a sticking charm to keep the ring in place and thwart any more of the Niffler's attempts. When he was done, he pressed a kiss to my fingers and rubbed a hand over my stomach, being careful not to jostle the Niffler who had fallen asleep. The Niffler had finally found the most precious thing in the room and could now rest easy.

"You want to go and write about this, don't you?" I asked knowingly.

Newt grinned sheepishly, "I might even include it in my next report."

"Well, when you go towards your office, can you pop into the kitchen and fix me some tea and breakfast? It doesn't seem like I'll be able to move anytime soon."

"Of course, love." He rose to his feet, "What are you craving today?"

"Thankfully it's nothing that is normally unpalatable – just some pancakes will do." Nodding in acknowledgement, he went to leave the room when I suddenly remembered, "Oh! And check on Jacob, please. You know what a mess he can make."

"Anything else?" he asked, stopping in the doorway.

"Yes actually." I grinned when he rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Your newest report, once you've written it up."

"Anything for the missus."