In the icy cold, Credence stared at the Obscurus in a bubble.

"Credence? Credence!"

He glanced over to Newt, who was running-and then slowed to a stop. The older wizard always gave Credence his space, something Credence appreciated immensely. But just this once, he found himself needing someone to hug him.

"Credence, what are you doing the cold?" Newt asked. "I think the Ocamies have been wondering where you were."

Credence didn't answer him, his eyes on the Obscurus.

"What happened to him?" he asked. "Or her?"

"The girl it belonged to died," Newt said slowly. "It can't hurt anyone without the host."

"Am I going to end up like that?" Credence asked, emotion rising in his throat.

"What? No!" Newt cried. "Can I come over there?"

Credence nodded, and Newt looked him in the eye.

"You're getting better," Newt assured him. "You're getting so much better at controlling your magic. Why, just yesterday you Transfigured a match into a needle! You're making leaps and bounds!"

"R-Really?" Credence couldn't help but ask.

"Of course you are," Newt said, opening his arms. Credence almost rushed into them, wanting to be hugged, to be reassured.

"It's alright," Newt murmured. "It's alright."

There was a poignant silence between the two of them.

"Oh, Tina wrote again," Newt added, once they'd climbed out of the case. He handed Credence the letter. He ripped it open excitedly, and Newt couldn't help but smile.

Newt sighed as he opened another letter from his editor, praying that hopefully this would be the last of the edits that had plagued him during the oncoming month.

Mr. Scamander,

I am delighted to inform you that your manuscript is to go on publication tomorrow. Here is your check.

Sincerely,

Florian Flourish

"Mr-Newt, what's wrong?" Credence asked, clearly sensing that Newt was overcome with the news.

"Nothing's wrong," Newt said with a grin. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is going into publication tomorrow!"

"Does that mean you'll be bringing Tina a copy?" Credence regretted the words as soon as they flew from his mouth.

Newt chuckled. "Of course. Can't break one's promise to a lady," he said. "Especially one that could hex-"

He stopped, hastily remembering that Credence didn't like mentions of hexes, curses, or jinxes. And to be honest, could he really blame him?

"Do you want to come along?" Newt asked.

Credence shook his head, a strange smile on his face. "I think Tina would like to see you more."

"We're a family," Newt said quickly. "She'd want to see you."

"Family?" Credence asked.

"Certainly," Newt said. "Besides, I'd bet Tina would like to see you show off your magic-if you're up to it, of course."

"No, no, I'd like to go," Credence admitted. "I won't be a bother?"

"You're not a bother," Newt said gently. "Let's go see Tina."