Ian stood at the entrance to the African Wizarding Market.
The night wind swept dust and the scent of herbs across his face. His gaze lingered for a long while on the "International Wizarding Union Notice."
Mid-20th Century.
Beware of cross-border illicit magical item smuggling.
Those key words circled through his mind, gradually becoming linked to a name.
"Newt Scamander." Ian muttered, unable to stop the corner of his mouth from lifting slightly.
That famous Magizoologist, the mild-mannered gentleman whose suitcase held an entire zoo, did indeed have a "record" that gave countless countries headaches. That eccentric, kind Ministry of Magic employee from the United Kingdom, who loved Fantastic Beasts, had been fired for studying prohibited Magical Creatures before later becoming the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
To protect and rescue those Magical Creatures, Professor Newt had done plenty of cross-border "smuggling," even causing quite a stir in Paris. That was precisely why it was hard not to wonder whether the International Wizarding Union had issued this notice in another attempt to stop the old gentleman's latest "act of kindness."
Newt's suitcase.
It was the nuclear deterrence of the Wizarding World.
He was famous throughout the world for that magical suitcase filled with strange creatures.
The International Wizarding Union had clearly seen only the surface of "illegally transporting rare creatures" while ignoring Newt's original intention of protecting them.
They cared more about order than life.
But to Ian, this notice was an excellent opportunity.
If Newt really was active here, then not only did he possess a great many rare Magic Materials, he also knew secret routes leading all over the world. More importantly, although Newt was not a combat-oriented wizard, his profound understanding of Magical Creatures and considerable attainments in alchemy made him a valuable