Prompt: Newt is a teacher, and Credence is one of his students. He's noticed that Credence is a pretty moody kid, and he's kind of concerned about him. Credence does well in class, never misses an assignment, has decent grades, and isn't an obvious target of bullying, but that doesn't mean there isn't something else going on.

When it comes time for parent-teacher conferences, Newt is a bit apprehensive. What if Credence's dad (who has a different last name than Credence - what's up with that?) is the source of the boy's unease? So he's rehearsing in his head, constantly reminding himself that he is a professional, and there are steps to be taken when reporting abuse, etc. etc. etc.

Turns out, Mr. Graves is a Top Notch Father. He helps him with his homework, they hang out together all the time - like he's a really good dad, and there's no reason to worry. Credence is just an Emo Kid with Emo Tendencies. So, potential child abuse case avoided. Excellent. Now how does Newt cope with his sudden crush on his favorite student's dad?

Newt ran his fingers across the paper and smiled. This was the best work in the whole class and surely deserved the top mark. So, he wrote it down with the red-colored pen he was holding.

"Credence Barebone…" Newt murmured when he read the name of the student who did it. Now, when he thought about it, the test they did last month was a pretty hard one, as the director herself asked it to be, and Credence got the top mark here as well. Newt wasn't happy about having to make the test that hard – he never liked tests in school as well, so he kind of felt bad for his students.

Biology was a subject where you have to see, to explore things to understand them. He disliked the school program and opted to make his lessons more interesting by bringing plants and small animals at the actual classes. Obviously, the students were kind of thrilled, anticipating his lessons, because they were curious what Mr. Scamander will drag in next time, will it be disgusting as those frogs from three lessons ago? Or something cute like the rabbits from the previous one?

They were teenagers. Seriously, it was hard to make teenagers interested in something besides movies, games or comics these days. It was sort of a challenge for Newt, who simply wasn't made for the 'teaching' work. He would better do as an actual researcher, he knew that, but his old friend practically dragged him in this school, because "We need a biology teacher, Newt. I don't know anyone better at biology than you."

Tina was a good friend, a specialist herself – she was teaching History in there – but sometimes she simply couldn't read between lines. Newt was socially awkward, he wasn't good with adult people, his communication skills were practically nonexistent, but when it came to kids of teen age, he was feeling really helpless.

It shocked him when the school director accepted him right away after a glance at his resume. Mrs. Picquery just smiled at him, reassuringly patted on shoulder and said "It's good to have such a specialist as our staff member. Welcome to the team, Mr. Scamander. And good luck."

She actually wished him good luck and Newt didn't know what to expect. Was it that bad that he will need luck? Will these teenagers eat him alive or what?

He was a nervous wreck at his first class. The kids kept giggling as he stuttered and god, how many times he dropped the chalk while writing on the blackboard? Around hundred, if not more. But after a week, he realized that teenagers weren't dangerous creatures, they were a bit nicer than those. Actually, they warmed up to him. Even the ones who didn't do a thing at first, started to be interested in his subject, so nothing could make him happier.

There also was this particular student who made Newt glow with happiness when he saw boy's work, simple work in class, homework, tests, projects – it didn't matter what it was, Credence Barebone did great in everything.

However, the moody atmosphere around the boy made Newt quite curious about his life in general. He didn't talk often with his classmates, always stayed alone during breaks and even walked home alone. He'd always wear these dark clothes, with long sleeves and have this weirdly neat hairstyle.

Newt wasn't expert in teenagers, excuse him, but anyway, something seemed off about this boy and he felt like he had to do something about that? Newt didn't really want to compare Credence to anything like that, but the boy surely reminded him of a cornered animal, who had suffered for a long time. He did want to help him.

Newt wasn't expert in many things, talking to someone about a sensitive subject among them. You never know when you may hurt the person with your words or questions, even if you totally don't mean it. So, Newt didn't try to approach Credence directly, instead he resumed his observations and decided to take action after the school conference they had next week, when he will actually meet Credence's father and talk with him.

Tina told him that the boy's family consisted only of his father and himself, which made Newt kind of anxious. What if Credence was abused and no one could help him? Plus, the man had different last name, which can only lead to the fact that Credence wasn't his actual kid and that he was adopted.

Just what kind of horrors didn't Newt think of for the past weeks, he practically exhausted his mind thinking of millions of possibilities. A loud knock to the door made him snap back to reality.

"Come in." Newt said, and the door swung open. Hazel eyes raised from the paper work and they focused on the woman in the doorway.

"Newt, sweetie." She said and put some of her golden curls behind her ear. "The conference starts soon, why are you still in there?"

Queenie Goldstein, Tina's younger sister and the school's secretary. She was a rare beauty, even Newt could say that. However, everyone knew that her heart belonged to their teacher of Physics, Jacob Kowalski, who was oh-not-so-secretly crushing on her as well.

Newt managed a small smile "I'm finishing already, will be there in five."

Queenie eyed him for a minute – he felt like she could see through him – but then just shrugged, and waved at him as she walked away skipping.

Newt took a deep breath and exhaled. He was a professional, and there were many possibilities of helping someone who was abused. He will just have to see the man firstly, talk to him and maybe after that, he will take action as well.

The hall was almost full when Newt slipped through the doors and took a seat beside Jacob at the teachers' desks. Jacob was nervously fidgeting under the table while sneaking glances to Queenie, who was talking with Tina at the other end of hall. Newt nudged his colleague's shoulder and that slightly jumped up, then turned to glare at him.

"What is it, Jacob?" Newt smirked "Is today finally the day?"

"Shut up, Newt." Jacob bit back "You're the last I want to be teased by." His scowl turned into a smile as he watched Queenie again "But yes, I'm going to ask her for a date today."

Newt gave him a back rub to calm his nerves down "Good luck to you, my friend. Don't worry, I don't think she's capable of rejecting you."

At that, Jacob relaxed and smiled at him "Yeah, thank you."

Both of them turned their attention on the conference which was about to start as the last of parents entered the hall and shortly after, the director entered as well.

The general conference, which included every staff member of the school and parents of all students, tucked in the big hall, went without much fuss. The director as always had her speech, pointing out problems and ways of solving those. Some other teachers had a saying as well, thing which Newt refused to do, since he didn't do well with speaking in front of that many people, plus he hadn't any problems with his students.

It finished as fast as it started and now they had to head to their classes and have a talk with the parents directly. Newt didn't like the idea of having a class of his own, because well, teenagers were scary and no, he didn't want to deal with them more than it was necessary. But after some weeks in the position of a classroom teacher, he warmed up to his students, every single one of them being dear to him.

Newt entered his classroom, but it was almost empty, except for the man standing beside his desk. Probably other parents didn't rush much. When Newt entered, the man's head turned in his direction and Newt felt the urge to say something very inappropriate, because holy fuck, why such handsome people even exist?

The man smiled at him and Newt felt attacked by his handsomeness. He managed somehow to smile back, and he was sure he looked like a complete idiot, but what the fuck, man.

"Mr. Scamander I suppose?" the stranger asked and his voice sent chills down Newt's spine. Great. Was he blushing yet?

"Yeah," Newt managed to say and added without looking the man directly in the face – don't get him wrong, he would stare at that face for hours, but without anyone knowing it – "mister…?"

"Oh, Graves. Percival Graves."

Graves. Newt thought it was familiar, but didn't quite remember having a student with that name. Newt didn't have to think long though, because the next moment the door swung open and there was Credence standing here with two cans of coffee. He walked to the man and offered one to him, smiling brightly.

"Here, dad."

Dad? Is this man Credence's mysterious father?

Handsomeness aside, Newt watched the man carefully. But Credence's smile was kind of distracting, because it looked so innocent and natural?

"Thank you, son." Graves replied, taking the coffee and ruffling his neatly arranged hair. The boy pouted a bit while trying to press the sticking out hair back to its place.

"So, you're Credence's father I suppose?" Newt asked, his eyes never leaving the two in front of him.

"Oh, yeah. I'm hoping he doesn't give you any troubles. Thank you for watching after him." Graves said and smiled.

Newt flushed "N-no, of course not. He's one of the best students."

Graves watched him amused "Is that so? I'm happy to hear that, it makes me proud." And added, in a more shushed tone "Because you know, when my parents went to school conferences, it was a catastrophe. I never was a good kid, always gave them headaches."

So, he was a bad boy, huh?

"I-I see." Newt stuttered cutely. "Credence is a very good student. I'm glad to have the opportunity to teach him." Newt said and watched the boy fondly. Credence smiled shyly at him and Newt thought he was going to cry, because god, Credence smiled at him!

"Dad, I love Mr. Scamander's lessons, they're always so interesting!" The boy beamed, holding onto his dad's hand.

"I can tell that by the amount of your extra researching on your assignments, son." Graves chuckled and Newt's heart skipped a beat.

It was so weird to see Credence behave like that and his dad doesn't seem like a bad person either. He was kind of ashamed about his earlier thoughts, because no abused child smiles like that to their abuser. That was the smile of a kid loving and respecting his parent. Probably Graves was the single person that made him smile until now, and hearing that Newt made him happy in his own way, made the teacher almost cry. It's nothing more wonderful for a teacher than a student who likes their lessons.

"Mr. Scamander?"

Newt probably spaced out, but Graves' voice brought him back to earth.

"Umm, y-yes?" Gods, will he stop stuttering already or not?

"Thank you." The man said, lips forming a gentle smile. No, Mr. Graves that isn't good, you're not doing anything good by smiling like that to a person who already started crushing on you the moment when they saw you the first time in that coat. Blaming the coat, that face and that smile won't help you Newt, get your shit together.

"As I said, the pleasure's mine." Newt replied, and thanked whatever deities above, when another parents walked in and started gathering.

The rest of the conference went smoothly, actually better than Newt expected, because everyone showered him with compliments saying that their kids weren't so enthusiastic about school in ages and he made them work hard. Newt felt like a small ball of happiness, being flustered for the most time.

The kids were grinning beside their parents, little devils.

They finished the conference and everyone headed for their home, leaving the blushing teacher by himself. Well, almost by himself.

Newt thought that he was alone and sighed deeply brushing his bangs aside to wipe on the sweaty forehead. Someone cleared their throat and Newt jumped in his seat, eyes meeting with the person's.

"Mr. Graves? You didn't leave yet?"

Graves came closer to his desk and slightly leaned on it. Newt nervously bit his bottom lip. Could you please stop being so hot at least for a moment there, Mr. Graves? What are you doing is simply illegal.

"I was thinking, Mr. Scamander, " he started, dark eyes looking directly in Newt's "if you could visit us sometime for dinner. Credence would be happy having you over." Graves' eyes sparkled as he added "Both of us would be happy."

Newt could just nod dumbly in response, because was it considered a date if Credence will be here as well? Newt would like to think of it as one, since he was surely finding the dinner with this man appealing. Or rather the man was appealing.

Graves just chuckled and went to catch up with his son. Newt heard them laugh and he unconsciously smiled.

"So, kid, ready for the baseball game tomorrow?"

"Hell yeah!"

"Language, Credence."

"Boo, dad. You're not better when you talk with your business partners on phone."

"You shouldn't use me as someone to look up to, though."

No, Mr. Graves, you are totally someone to look up to, as Newt thinks.