Chapter 3
Credence sleeps through the night and well into the morning. Both Tina and Queenie coo at his sleeping form when they check up on him. Graves can't find it in himself to wake the boy, he's probably getting the first decent nights rest in Merlin knows how long. As it nears noon Graves sits with a coffee and goes over intelligence reports. He is distracted when a little figure pads into the room. Credence is rubbing his eyes and an adorable groggy expression on his cherubic face. He's dragging a soft throw blanket behind him. Without any hesitation he sits right next to Graves on the couch, burrowing into his side and wrapping the blanket around himself. The hand not holding his coffee wraps around the child securely. Credence lounges with Graves quietly, seemingly content where he is. Percival automatically begins stroking along Credence's arm and back, offering comfort and a kind touch. Credence is practically purring beside him. His little hands fiddle and play with the buttons on Graves' shirt. Forgetting the reports for the moment Graves simply sits back and enjoys the late morning with Credence in comfortable silence.
After that morning Credence takes to following Graves around the apartment. The boy loves nothing more than watching the older man perform magic. A few days into this babysitting arrangement Graves, on impulse, offers the young boy his wand. He was expecting Credence to shy away from it but the boys grabs it when offered. He swooshes the wand playfully and harmless blue sparks shoot out the end. Credence squeals in delight, a big smile spreading across his face. Graves is delighted at the display. He's never seen Credence, as an adult or child, look so happy and he has never heard him laugh. Tina's words come back to him unbidden then. Would it be better for Credence to stay as a child and grow up again but as a wizard this time? There hasn't been any appearance of the obscurus so far. Percival decides on a course of action. He is determined to seek the best help for Credence. He summons Tina for lunch.
When the three of them are seated around the table Tina looks at him expectantly. Credence is attempting to make another sandwich for himself at the table, making quite the mess. "Do you know where Newt Scamander is?" Graves gets straight to the point.
It's obvious that whatever Tina was expecting it wasn't that, she goes along with it anyway "Well since you took over watching Credence he was travelling to Japan and was causing trouble, why?"
"I think he might be able to help Credence or at the very least be able to help us figure some things out."
"How so?"
"He knows more about obscurials than anyone else. Yes Credence's current situation is unique but the point still stands. And if we are to understand the threat, if any, the obscurus poses now then he would be the best to consult."
She makes a show of mulling it over but Graves knows she will do it, any excuse to get the magizoologist back in New York, "I'll send him an owl it might be a few days before a reply though."
"That's fine but get him back here as fast as you can Tina."
They lapse into silence and watch Credence as he manages to smear jam across the table. Looking very pleased with himself. When Graves magics the mess away Credence holds out his hand for the wand. Graves hands it over, Tina makes a noise of protest but silences herself before Graves can. Again Credence enthusiastically waves the wand and yellow sparks fly from the wand. A peal of laughter fills the kitchen. If Graves wasn't so focused on the boy he would see the look of wonder and joy on Tina's face.
It is one of the best days in Graves' recent memory.
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Newt replies that he will be back in New York in just a few days, having been kicked out of Japan and already on a boat to the west coast. Tina is visibly excited to see Newt again so soon but is apprehensive about what the Brit might find with Credence. Graves' couldn't blame her. If Sacamander has bad news about Credence's condition Graves would be crushed. He has gotten so used to the other person in house and he genuinely enjoys the company of the quiet, thoughtful boy. He wonders if the adult Credence would be the same. From what he's heard from Tina and Queenie he would be more shy and skittish. He hopes Credence's time as a child will benefit his adult self.
One morning days later, while Graves and Credence are enjoying their morning routine, quietly reading in the sitting room with tea and coffee, the lanky magizoologist unceremoniously stumbles out of the fire place. He dusts of his blue coat and spins around in an almost complete circle before facing the two people on the couch. Credence has jumped at the intrusion and his little hand was grabbing at Graves'. He held the boy's hand and rubbed soothing circles into it with his thumb. He levels a stare at the other wizard "A bit of warning next time Mr. Scamander."
"Yes, yes apologies. Hello again Credence." His frenetic energy dissipates as he approaches Credence. Newt kneels down so he is at eye level with Credence. Tina steps out of the fire place. Graves merely nods in greeting which she returns. They both watch Newt interact with Credence. Graves must admit that the other wizard is excellent with the child. He puts Credence at ease and the boy complies with everything that is asked of him. Newt takes measurements and asks for a demonstration with Graves' wand, which Credence enjoys far too much. But no one is going to hamper his enjoyment. When all is said and done all four are seated in the sitting room. Credence in Graves' lap on the sofa, Newt and Tina in separate armchairs opposite them. "What do you hope the outcome for Credence is?" Before Graves can answer Tina responds "Well there are a few different avenues we could go down. We want to know if he can be returned to his adult self, or if there he can remain as a child and grow and what the role of the obscurus will have in all of this." Newt doesn't respond immediately, brows furrowed, deep in thought. "I think..." he says slowly "the best option is for Credence to stay as a child and learn as much magic as he can. There is the possibility that we can stop the obscurus from growing in him as he is no longer repressing his magic. Once we are sure the obscurus is gone from his child form he may be powerful enough to transform himself back into his adult self." Graves is shocked. Could it be that easy? Remove the obscurus and turn him back into an adult? He hadn't dared hope for such an outcome! "Is that possible?" he chokes out, desperate to believe the British wizard. "I don't see why not. From what I can tell the obscurus has also been reduced in size and power, so if Credence can freely express his magical side then the obscurus should shrink and fade. It would have no anger or sadness to feed off of. And we know Credence is extremely powerful, if he can access that power now he should have no problem turning himself back. The key is to help him control his power before attempting anything."
"He can use my wand, there is no way he will be allowed one of his own at his current age." Credence huffs indigently at that. Face turning into an adorable pout. "Does that sound like a good plan to you?" he asks the boy. The child nods staring at Newt, showing his support for the plan.
"Excellent, then the only thing to do now is to lay low and help him develop his magic." Newt says rising from his seat. "I am staying in New York for longer this time and so I can come by if Credence needs any help."
Graves nods. Tina and Newt leave soon after, clearly wanting to spend some time together. He looks back down at Credence. "So what do you say, want to learn some magic?" Graves grins at the boys enthusiasm.