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Chapter Text

Tina rubs her eyes, glances at the clock on the beige-colored wall of her bedroom and immediately shoots up in bed.

"Oh no."

It's 7:30, which means already half an hour late. She's supposed to be having a meeting with Mr. Graves right at this moment, regarding the mission she will be assigned.

"Oh no, no, no."

She runs to the living room, passing a confused Queenie in the kitchen, who is looking at her trying not to laugh.

"Do you really think this is funny?", Tina glares at her sister, looking positively disheveled, her hair flying to all directions and her feet bare while frantically going through the pile of clothes left on the sofa.

"No, not at all", Queenie stifles a giggle, "but you should at least get something to eat before running off to work. Here, I made you coffee."

Queenie knows all too well how her sister can be in the mornings before drinking her coffee. And so, she has developed the habit of waking up to make some for her, a gesture Tina really appreciates.

The brunette seems to have found what she's looking for, because now she's disappeared behind the bedroom door again to change.

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Twenty minutes and a cup of coffee later, Tina finally enters the MACUSA building. She rushes from the central hall, to the elevator, to the major investigation department and pushes the wooden door to see the face of a very annoyed Percival Graves.

"Nice of you to finally join us, Miss Goldstein. You're nearly an hour late," he says, taking a look at his watch.

Tina, embarrassed, ducks her head and mumbles the best apology she can. There's not much she can say to explain her being that late and it's not like she can give him the traffic excuse, given the wizarding world's long history of apparating. Graves waves her off and proceeds to explain the operation she'll be taking part in, while gesturing for her to sit down on one of the empty chairs of the conference room.

"I'm afraid the others went on with their respective missions, so you'll be alone in this for the first few days, until we can send backup. Now this is a delicate matter, I want your full attention."

Tina just stares at him, eyes wide open and ready to take on the responsibility. She's never been assigned an important mission since her instatement as an auror five years ago. She is now twenty-five years old and finally considered worthy of taking the lead, the best she can do is listen to her superior and find out every detail she can about the case.

Graves draws his wand from the front pocket of his black satin pants and conjures a paper with the image of a bearded man, perhaps in his 40s. He's wearing a fierce look on his face, shifting his bright blue eyes from the brunette's face to take a look around the room as if he is physically present there.

"Albus Dumbledore. Saint on the outside, devil on the inside, that's what they say. He seems to be running an underground business to make money off providing no-majs with highly dangerous potions and substances, such as Veritaserum and Polyjuice Potion. In the meantime, he uses the Kowalski bakery at 443 Rivington Street, here in New York, as cover for his illegal activities."

The woman tries to process the information she's given, thinking it impossible that the same man in the picture, with the kind-looking smile and gleaming eyes, is the mastermind behind such a well-cooked operation. "Wait, isn't the Kowalski bakery owned by a no-maj?"

Mr. Graves gives a small knowing smile. "Indeed it is. We believe Mr. Kowalski is under the influence of the Imperius Curse. If we are correct, Dumbledore is taking advantage of his exemplary work to divert the attention from himself, thus not only destroying this poor man's career, but most importantly, breaking our most sacred law."

Tina always had a strong sense of right and wrong. Growing up, she was the protective one, stepping in front of every danger for her sister and, to most people's irritation, standing up for everything she believed in. So it came naturally to her to be angry at the man in the picture not only for endangering no-maj lives, but also for risking the exposure of the wizarding world. "What am I to do?" she asks determined, looking up at Graves who is now pulling a chair for himself.

"You'll be an undercover agent, responsible for gathering enough information on Dumbledore and his business for us to arrest him, while acting as someone who's willing to work for him," he pauses, standing up again and approaching the opposite wall. He reaches for a big carton box placed on the highest shelf and puts it on the table.

"What's this?"

"This is everything you'll need, your fake backstory, your personal information and the exact reason why you'll say you're there," he says, opening the box and showing Tina its contents. Some folders, a few stray papers and a formal dress wrapped up in a plastic bag.

Tina looks curiously at the items as Graves continues. "Now, Dumbledore usually lets his employees stay there in order to work long hours on end. However, you can also be arranged to move to a house just a block away from the bakery. It's your choice to make."

To be honest, she does have a sense of risk, and this particular operation is bound to be one of the most dangerous she has ever faced, considering she is also to be on her own. But staying at the enemy's lair can make all the difference in the world, since surely that way it will be easier for her to become a trusted member of the business. Weighing her options, and switching her eyes from her boss to the gown in the shade of dark green, Tina finally answers.

"I'll do it. I'll ask to stay there just as any other one of his employees." There's determination in her voice, and Mr. Graves picks up on it right away. He might have been her superior for all the five years she's worked as an auror but he is also the one who believed in her from the start, the one who didn't give up on her when she made a mistake or when people dismissed her because of her young age.

"Excellent."

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Tina returned home that Friday evening to a celebratory dinner. As she enters the apartment, the scent of hotdogs instantly invades her nostrils and she takes off her coat while gaping at her smiling sister. "Mercy Lewis, when did you manage to make all this?", she asks, a surprised expression decorating her features, as she places her cloche hat on the hanger next to the entrance.

Queenie's smile becomes even wider and she goes on to explain, "Well I heard you, Teenie. I felt your excitement when we were at MACUSA this morning so I came home earlier to prepare something for you." Her smile falters a bit. "I know it's not much, I just thought that we haven't had hotdogs in a while and I know they're your favorites."

Tina takes a few steps and pulls her sister into a hug, lingering a bit before pulling back again. "I love you so much, Queenie. Thank you for this." she mumbles. Queenie smiles again, "I love you too. Why don't you go wash up before the food's too cold?"

The brunette enters the bathroom and gives a tentative glance at the mirror in front of her, while washing her hands. This is it, she finally got her first mission. She really is proud of herself and she can't help but turn her mind to her parents, hoping they are proud of her too, looking out for her from wherever they are.

The rest of the night goes by quickly, with the two sisters talking and laughing, discussing everything they haven't had the chance to talk about in the past weeks because of Tina's long work hours. After a surprise strudel for dessert, both of them finally turn in, a new day awaiting tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Tina meets up with Mr. Graves on Monday morning to finalize the details of the case. As she sits opposite from her boss, she can't help but feel excited for her first day tomorrow and she is quite confident in herself, something she's not entirely accustomed to. It might be because of the lack of actual missions lately, or the fact that her opportunities to show her worth have been scarce this past year. Either way, it's a change in attitude she's particularly enjoying.

"So, how did you find out about Dumbledore's secret operation?", Tina asks Graves, taking a sip from her still hot coffee.

"We got the tip from someone who used to work there. See, he managed to escape without being caught and told us everything before fleeing the country."

The brunette goes on with another question. "How am I going to approach this man? The documents you gave me describe my backstory in detail, however i didn't see anything regarding this matter. Dumbledore might want to seem harmless but he is still very powerful."

"That he is. Which is why you can't reveal your motives early. We've been watching him, monitoring his every move, his habits and his ways."

Tina's eyes are fixed on her boss and she's intently listening to his every word. "The plan is to get close to him, not as an undercover business man, but as an accidental meeting, a casual flirt, if you will. Particularly, one that takes place down at the Cotton Club, on 125th Street."

Her eyes widen, she can't believe this. "But, that's one of the most exclusive speakeasies in town!"

"Indeed it is, which is why you need a membership card to enter. Dumbledore has one, as a regular in the club, and now you do too."

As he says that, Graves pulls a small piece of hard paper from his front coat pocket and hands it over to Tina. The details on the rectangular card are immaculate and the brunette can't help but feel excited about going to the Cotton Club after hearing so much about it.

"All you have to do is approach him and subtly tell him you're looking for a job, putting your own charm to it of course. He's always ready to add new people to his business."

Tina then nods, and with these last words, Graves leads her to the door, wishing her luck as she leaves the room.

She is instructed to pack her suitcase and leave it at a safe place until she has secured her position. Graves explains that she is most likely to be followed, which immediately rules out the possibility of Tina leaving her things at home or MACUSA. He has arranged for a retired wand permit office employee whose house is just a few blocks away from the bakery to keep the case secure.

Walking through the streets of New York, the brunette can feel the chilly December breeze on her face, as she throws some glances here and there. Bustling coffee shops, store owners flipping their sign to say "Come in, we're open!" and people making their way through the cobblestones are everywhere she looks.

Then she sees it. Standing out from the rest of the buildings, because of its warm colors and beautiful display, is the Kowalski bakery. It's always been left unnoticed by Tina, even though she sees it every day on her way to work. Until today.

This time, she strays from the road to home and pushes the glass door open instead, immediately engulfed in the warm atmosphere and welcoming smells. The bell above her head rings, signifying her presence, as she takes a surprised look around. The bakery is larger than it seems on the outside, baked goods filling her vision.

"Hello, can I help you?", the man that has emerged from the back of the shop interrupts the brunette's train of thought. She glances at him, instantly recognising him. The kind eyes and sweet smile belong to Jacob Kowalski, though Tina can see something else hiding behind his accomodating appearance. Her first thought is the Imperius curse, however, she's never been close to one of its victims before, so she can't be sure of it.

"Yes, thank you", she quickly replies, not wanting to draw any suspicion on her.

A few minutes later, she is once again walking towards her home, now holding a paper bag. She knows Queenie is waiting for her, it's her day off after all.

Monday evening comes around and Tina is in her room, her brown leather case open on the bed with a few clothes already inside and a piece of paper in her hands. "He's considered everything, hasn't he?", she mumbles to herself as she reads through the folder containing her information, her mind occasionally drifting to Queenie and their parents.

She snaps out of her thoughts when she hears the door open with a creak, the face of a saddened Queenie appearing behind it.

"You're thinking of Ma and Pa again. I miss them too."

Queenie sits besides Tina on the bed and wraps an arm around her sister. She knows they are to be separated the next day but she is not yet ready, neither to say goodbye for who knows how long, nor to stop worrying about Tina.

"Be careful out there, okay? Try to come back to me in one piece", she says with a low voice, wiping a tear that has escaped the corner of her eye. Tina turns fully towards her sister and gives her a much-needed hug.

"Don't worry, Queenie, it'll be alright. I'll be back before you know it." She strokes the blonde's curls to comfort her.

After sitting there for a few more minutes, Queenie finally gets up from the bed, muttering something about baking a cake and Tina is left alone once again.

Lying in bed that night, the brunette is nervous about the upcoming meeting with Dumbledore. Will she manage to get the job without blowing her cover? Or will he see right through her?

Her questions are all answered on Tuesday evening, the cold weather making Tina wrap her grey coat tighter around her slim figure as she knocks twice on the red painted door.

She hears ruffling from inside the house and finally, the door opens to reveal Robert Jamison from the wand permit office. A man in his 60s, his brown eyes covered by the thick lenses of his round glasses.

"Miss Goldstein, come on in." He gives a smile and steps aside for Tina to enter the house. Inside it's warm and cozy, far from the situation outside. "Can I get you something, a hot drink maybe?" he asks politely and Tina shakes her head.

"No, thank you, I'd better get going soon." He nods.

"Of course. Good luck, Tina. And be careful." She nods, carefully placing her suitcase on the table after Robert instructs her to do so.

Before she steps out, he gets ahold of her hand and adds, "You remind me of your father, all determined and ambitious. Always trying to do something for the world, even from an office job. I really admired him back in the day." He gives her a smile and his last words make Tina's eyes water. "And I really admire you too, Tina" he continues. "I wish you the best." She whispers a small thank you and squeezes the man's hand. His words do mean a lot, especially coming from someone who knew her father. Saying her goodbyes, she steps outside and takes a deep breath, ready to begin.

Tina goes over her information in her head and in a few minutes she's standing in front of the Cotton Club. She could have apparated there but sometimes she feels better walking, thinking, especially now that she is overcome by a feeling of anxiety.

She walks down the stairs leading to the entrance and flicks her wand over her body. Her work clothes and grey coat are quickly replaced by the chiffon dress Graves supplied her with, paired with emerald green earrings and matching elbow length gloves.

Handing over her membership card to the man at the door, she is thankful that the club doesn't have some other code. It makes everything easier, as she steps into the dimly lit, windowless space that is the Cotton Club.

Despite the grime atmosphere, the speakeasy is quite lively - especially for early hours. Several tables are layed out on the wooden floor and she observes the decorations; plain but pretty, she notes. The walls are covered in newspaper excerpts, some of them including moving faces of wanted criminals, while others are made up of pictures and articles about No-Maj Prohibition.

Tina walks up to the bar area, occupying a barstool while she gives her order to the house elf behind the counter. "A lobe blaster please", she says, reaching for her purse. Of course, she doesn't plan on getting drunk, but a drink is a must if she wants to maintain her cover.

"Make that two and add the lady's to my tab, thank you." The brunette freezes. The man beside her half smiles, as her gaze goes over his face. Icy, piercing blue eyes, hair and beard slowly going grey, the same expression from the newspaper cutout. It's him, it's Albus Dumbledore.

Well, that was easy. Now for the tough part. Tina puts on a charming smile and thanks the man. "I didn't catch your name", Dumbledore says in a raspy voice, still smiling.

"That's because I didn't give it. I'm Tina", the brunette replies, nodding to the house elf behind the counter upon receiving her drink. Her eyes return to the man beside her.

"What's the full form of that, Tina?" She doesn't like how her name sounds when voiced by him, but tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear and replies nonetheless. "Christina", she lies. Porpentina isn't that much of a common name to go by and he would figure out who she actually works for in the blink of an eye. "And you are?" She inwardly prays he doesn't suspect her as he chuckles, giving her his name.

"Dumbledore, Albus Dumbledore. It's nice to meet you." Tina pretends to be surprised as her eyes widen. "You mean thee Albus Dumbledore? I've heard so much", she says, leaning forward in her seat. Her acting seems to be working, because he appears flattered. "Good or bad?", he laughs, "I wouldn't be surprised honestly, I've stepped on a lot of toes these past years."

"Only good things", she claims with a fake smile, as she follows his eyes. He apparently seems to be interested in the neckline of her dress, as his gaze falls to it for a fleeting moment before meeting her brown eyes again. There's something uninterpretable behind his eyes, that the brunette decides to ignore when he speaks.

"So, what brings you here, Tina?" She thinks for a second, the moment finally here, after having rehearsed her next words dozens of times at home and on her way there.

"I've been traveling a lot lately, around the States and such. I just got back from Massachusetts today, can you believe how hard wizard transportation is these days?" she chuckles lightly. "I thought I would give myself a night out before looking for a job tomorrow, since I'm staying."

Tina is doing well, she can feel it. Dumbledore is visibly surprised to hear about her being that independent and he seems more and more interested by the second.

"Well, won't you look at that, a single woman, working and traveling. What kind of job did you have in mind?" The brunette smiles and puts on the most innocent face she can muster. "Oh, well... I'm good with secretary work for sure, and I have great people skills. I don't have any preference in particular, you know? Just gotta pay the bills somehow."

Looking at his expression, she can't help but think Men really love to play protector, huh, resisting to break into laughter at his predictability. Then again, she knows he's not dumb and this could easily be a trap. The fact that he doesn't offer her a job, though, makes those thoughts go away. He just nods and smiles, agreeing.

The evening goes by like that, flirting and throwing him subtle glances, in hopes of him falling for her act.

Apparating back to her office, where she knows Graves is waiting, Tina lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Well, that went better than expected." Her boss rushes over to her, his eyes wide, interested in what she has to say. "So?"

"I met him. He seems to be intrigued by this... Christina Arnold persona. I could have the job in a matter of days now."

Sighing, Mr. Graves nods, relieved. "Good. Get some rest, will you? You have some tough days ahead of you", he tells her, patting her arm.

After the brief talk with her superior, the brunette heads back to Robert's, relief washing over her as she gets settled there. Her plan is in motion and, even though it's only her first day, she feels confident about the outcome of this.

Tina visits the Cotton Club every night, because she "has become fond of the atmosphere", as she tells Albus on a Monday.

Their interactions more frequent, he seems to have warmed up to her, while she becomes closer and closer to completing her goal. One night, she even "accidentally" crashes into him, her drink spilling all over his suit. She apologizes over and over again, smoothing the fabric with her hands and getting closer to him than proper.

On a Wednesday evening, she finds herself sitting on a barstool once again, and Dumbledore finally asks her. "So, you still looking for a job?"

Tina nods, trying her best not to look suspicious as she sips her Sherry, listening intently to the man beside her. "Well, there's an opening in my business, if you're interested. You'd be doing mostly secretary work, shuffling papers and so on."

The brunette's eyes widen in supposed shock and she cracks another one of those fake smiles she's been using. "Really? That would be wonderful."

"I know it's not the best there is, but it's well-paid and, well, that counts for something, doesn't it?" he adds, and Tina can't help but notice his tone, speaking as if he's fishing for compliments.

She entertains him though, wanting to make as good an impression as possible. "Oh, definitely, and I'm sure it's much better than you're describing it. Thank you."

This is it, she finally did it. A wave of happiness and relief comes over her. Proud of reaching her first milestone in the case, she decides it's a good night as any to celebrate, so, she orders another drink.

"When do I start?", she asks the man, eager to find out when she'll finally get the chance to see the inside of the notorious business.

"Next Monday, in five days. You'll be working in the transports department, where the shipment of merchandise is arranged."

Smiling, Tina nods and then the realization hits her, she's really doing this. It's definitely dangerous, but also thrilling, being her first assigned mission.

The rest of the evening passes and Tina can't help but notice Dumbledore never informed her about her living in the business quarters, like she thought he would. Choosing to move past it, she says goodnight to her companion and heads out to the cold streets of New York, planning to return to Robert's place.

She's tired and slightly dizzy, unable to apparate. Having three of those drinks was a bad idea, she realizes. But, she's nearing the familiar house, only two more blocks to walk.

That's until she feels someone's hand reach for her, or, more accurately, her purse.

Clutching the small bag like her life depends on it, Tina attempts to hit the man with it. Her wand is inside the purse, so all she's armed with at that moment is her physical strength. It eventually fails her and she sees the thief grabbing her purse and running towards the opposite direction.

She sprints behind him, running and running, but he seems to only be getting farther away. Her legs are shaking and her head's still spinning, though she's not sure if that's from the shock or the alcohol.

Her legs betray her next, feeling too weak to continue, and the brunette stops chasing after the thief, not knowing how much she's run in the past - what was it, minutes? hours? she really can't tell.

When she thinks all is lost, cursing upon her idiotic decision to drink too much, that prevented her from defending herself properly, she suddenly sees something unexpected.

At first, she only hears the word "Accio!" being yelled at the running man. Then, she sees her purse flying from his arms, to another figure standing close by. The thief flees, evidently scared. It's too far to tell for sure, but the one holding her purse doesn't seem familiar, and once he starts walking towards her, her thought is confirmed. He's a total stranger.

He's got a peacock blue overcoat, that goes down from his neck to his calves. That's the first thing Tina notices, her eyes moving to his face next. It's still dark, and the unknown wizard isn't close enough for her to actually distinguish his features, but the brunette can make out what seems to be tangled, ginger hair and a worried expression.

Once he approaches her enough for his face to be seen, Tina observes his green eyes and a trail of freckles, covering his face and disappearing underneath his coat's neckline. "I believe this belongs to you." she hears him say in a low voice, with a hint of worry.

"Yeah, thank you so much", she replies, giving him a small smile and taking back her purse. She pulls her wand out -relieved that it's still there- only to tuck it in her grey coat's pocket. The man in front of her witnesses her movement, his realisation, that she's a witch, finally apparent to him. Tina can see the relief of not having to obliviate her in his face.

After a few seconds of silence, the brunette talks again. "Well, I should be going. Thanks again." She gives the stranger a genuine smile and turns around after he nods, walking back to Robert's.