By the time Newt and Credence arrived in their room in the Leaky Cauldron, the younger man looked on the verge of collapse. Without even asking Newt's permission (something which truly showcased how poorly Credence was feeling), the boy collapsed onto one of the rickety beds, panting heavily. Eying the young man closely, it was obvious that whatever mysterious sickness was plaguing the young man had worsened significantly since they had arrived in London. Where the boy had been pale before, his skin had now taken on a grey tint and was covered in a concerning mixture of both sweat and goosebumps. Credence's breathing was also rather worrisome, seeming labored. What truly concerned Newt, however, was the boy's eyes – there was not even a hint of fear or awe, or any other emotion…simply all-encompassing tiredness.

Credence was feverish, of that Newt was sure. Regardless of that knowledge, Newt refrained from offering the boy a fever reducer or any other sort of magical healing element…after seeing how extremely the Dreamless Sleep Newt had given Credence on their first night together had effected the young man, he was incredibly hesitant to use any more magic on Credence's already strained body.

Newt had no doubt that the boy's poor health had at least a little to do with the events of New York and how MACUSA had practically destroyed the young man, leaving only a fragment of him unscathed. Being Obscurial alone had its strains on the host, not even looking at the possible issues that could arise from being attacked so violently in that form. It was possible that most of the boy's magical reserves had gone into the recreation of his body and keeping himself alive, and that any further strain on his magic (including forcing his body to process things it was unfamiliar with) could be potentially dangerous to body the young man's health as well as his magic. In fact, Newt theorized that the boy's fever was caused by his magic trying to build itself back up again as quickly as possible.

Newt tried to ignore the niggling voice in the back of his head that reminded him of the boy's absolute power on the boat, and the possibility that this could be something not related to Credence's magical issues at all, and was more something having to do with the unhealthy environment he grew up in. After all, the boy was around Muggles all the time, associating with them, and from what he saw of where the boy lived in Tina's vision, it did not seem like the most sanitary place. Newt didn't want to think about those things, especially not the graphic image his brain had concocted of Credence's twisted, pained body, unable to move properly, just like all those poor, sick Muggles…thinking on that, after all, would force Newt into investigating the possibility that there was something more the matter with Credence than he originally thought…and though it might have been selfish, Newt had already decided that he could only deal with so much and would not push the boy into divulging any health issues he was having, at least until the sickness was too much to ignore.*

Instead, Newt went into the restroom, drawing a bath – not cold, but cool enough that it would help to calm Credence's fever for the time being. He set out a couple of the scratchy towels the Leaky Cauldron provided with the room, before going to retrieve the young man. He had not moved from his position on the bed, Newt's coat splayed out around his form. Newt hesitated, before speaking.

"I...are you up for taking a bath?" Newt asked, trying to make his tone as neutral as possible – after all, he did not want to make Credence feel forced into anything, even if it were the best for his health at the time being. However, he should have known better to even ask such a thing, as Newt had discovered in the past several days that Credence wasn't necessarily very forthcoming about his feelings or emotions or opinions…or anything really. As expected, Credence merely gave a half-shrug to Newt's question, continuing to try and steady his breathing.

Taking a deep, calming breath, Newt said, "It will help with your fever, to lower it, that is. I don't want to risk overwhelming your magical core by giving you a fever reducer or any other potions at the moment, as those specific potions rely on your magical core to work properly, and given the…excitement of the past week, especially this morning, I do not think it wise to mess about in that sort of business right now. But yes, as I was saying, I drew a bath for you, and it may feel a little cool, but I'm hoping it will help with your fever for the time being-"

Credence suddenly began trying to push himself up into a sitting position, slowly but surely managing the feat. "Th-thank you M-Mr. Scamander. I will…take a bath…"

Newt smiled to hide his wince. At least the young man was beginning to learn that Newt would ramble on for days, unless he was interrupted. He quickly moved to help the boy, but Credence ignored his outstretched hands, climbing to his feet on his own, before shuffling to the bathroom. Newt followed hesitantly, suddenly feeling very shy and nervous – these emotions appeared to be mirrored by Credence who stood awkwardly in the middle of the bathroom, shifting on his feet as his hands twitched nervously at his side.

Figuring it was best to just get the awkwardness out in the open, Newt questioned, "Will you…need help in undressing?"

Credence's face turned bright red, his stutter coming out more pronounced than before. "N-n-no, sir…I can…I-I can manage it…"

Newt cleared his throat, looking away from the boy. "A-ah, right. I will…leave you to it, then. If you begin to feel under the weather, please don't hesitate to shout for me. I will just be in the other room."

After he closed the door, Newt remained near it for a couple minutes, listening to the sound of Credence slowly shedding his clothing, before the telltale splashes of him getting into the tub sounded. Satisfied that Credence was safely in the tub and currently not in danger of falling over, Newt went to his suitcase, laying it on one of the beds, opening it a crack to peek inside. As he expected, Dougal was right at the entrance, staring up at Newt with wide, incredibly wise eyes, his furry hands latched onto the ladder.

"Dougal," Newt warned, "I know you had a fun time in New York, romping about, but I'm in a rather delicate situation at the moment. We will have to wait until Credence is situated at Hogwarts, before I let you out for play time anytime soon."

The demiguise's eyes glimmered as he tilted his head slightly, seemingly understanding Newt. However, he did not move. Likewise, Newt saw his niffler nuzzling about at the bottom of the ladder, its black eyes glittering curiously as it stared upwards.

"Now now, what is going on with all of you? Ever since New York, you have all been acting up, hanging about right near the entrance to the suitcase. You all know better than that!" Newt admonished, subconsciously placing a hand on his hip, cocking it out to the side slightly, as his other hand kept the suitcase open. "Credence is in a very volatile condition right now, and judging by the way he reacted to Diagon Alley just a bit ago, it would most surely be overwhelming for him to see all of you."

Hearing the young man's name, the niffler perked up, Dougal's eyes flashed, and further into the suitcase, Newt heard the signature call of the Graphorn family. How odd…perhaps the creatures were stirring more than usual, because they sensed Credence's presence and were curious about him. Or fearful of him…after all, none of his creatures ever dared to step foot into the frozen wasteland, located in the farthest reaches of Newt's suitcase.

Newt was just about to close his suitcase, when a slight whining sound was heard. Gently nudging Dougal aside, Newt's eyebrows shot up at seeing Pickett giving him a pouty look from the top of the ladder.

"Pickett! How in Merlin's beard did you manage to make it all the way here from your tree?" Pickett glanced at the demiguise, who was now carefully descending the ladder, before giving Newt a triumphant look. Rolling his eyes, Newt said, "Dougal, I've told you a hundred times, not to encourage him."

In spite of his words, Newt gently allowed Pickett to climb into his hand, before placing him on his shoulder. Although he had tried to tell himself it was for the best, letting Pickett get back to his tree whilst Newt tended to Credence, he had indeed missed his small, constant companion. Now that they were on dry land and Credence's powers had calmed down a bit, Newt figured it couldn't hurt to at least allow Credence to know about Pickett, given the fact that Pickett was not necessarily a very intimidating little fellow.

Speaking of Credence, Newt heard curious splashing sounds from the restroom, before the pipes began gurgling as the water drained out of the tub. Going over to the door, Newt listened carefully for a moment, before saying, "Credence? Are you in need of any assistance?"

There was an ever so slight gasp, Newt's loud voice having apparently surprised the boy, before Credence responded back with, "N-no sir…b-but…my…I mean…th-that is to say…"

Newt softly patted Pickett's head, when the bowtruckle made a few questioning chirps. "Do you need your nightshirt?" Newt guessed.

There was a brief hesitation, before Credence admitted, "Y-yes, Mr. Scamander…" sounding strangely ashamed.

Newt nodded, returning to his closed suitcase. He flicked the dial, before opening it once more, removing the nightshirt and underpants Credence had been using to sleep in, before returning to the bathroom door. Newt hesitated, before closing his eyes and extending his hands. "I…my eyes are closed…"

Newt heard the door creak open hesitantly, before the clothing was removed from his hands. After the door shut once more, Newt quickly went over to the bed with his suitcase on it, sitting down heavily and staring at nothing in particular as he willed his blush to go away – he did not want Credence to think Newt's own embarrassment meant something it didn't, thus making the boy uncomfortable.

When the boy exited the bath, Newt briefly glanced at him, before his eyes widened, and he looked away, his blush returning in full force. Credence looked…different, with his hair still wet, not combed down into its normal fashion. The nightshirt, also…seemed to suit Credence rather well, it's soft white fabric causing the boy's skin to have more of a healthy look to it. Credence appeared to feel at least a bit better, as he walked to his bed quickly, sliding beneath the covers easily (though the young man's embarrassment at being so exposed in front of another man might have played a factor in that).

Newt cleared his throat, as he avoided looking at Credence, setting his suitcase down beside his bed. He decided that he actually wanted a good night's sleep, after the day he had, and sleeping in the suitcase (only to be constantly interrupted throughout the night) did not seem like a very good way to achieve that. With a wave of his wand, Newt (poorly) transfigured his own clothing into pajamas, sliding beneath the sheets, letting Pickett burrow into the crook of his neck as he usually did at night. Newt was about to Nox the lights, when Credence suddenly asked, "That thing…w-what is it?"

Ah, right. Credence had probably glimpsed Pickett when he had retrieved his night clothes. "His name is Pickett, and he is a bowtruckle. Harmless little fellows, so long as you don't go for their home tree."

Newt glanced sideways into the other bed, seeing the covers pulled up to Credence's nose in a somewhat protective way. His eyes were wide, curious…perhaps a bit scared, but it was true that his eyes were mostly full of wonder, much like they had been in Diagon Alley, earlier that day. Perhaps, Newt did not give the young man enough credit.

"Is he…magical?"

"But of course," Newt said with a smile, rubbing Pickett's head, causing the bowtruckle to whine in protest, his rest having been interrupted. "That is my job, after all – to learn more about magical creatures, so as to help them to be less misunderstood. Less feared."

Credence nodded, biting his lip. He seemed done talking for the night, so Newt waved his wand, spelling the lights out. However, after a few minutes of Newt shifting on the rickety metal bed, trying to find a comfortable position that would not crush Pickett, Credence spoke once more. "Do you…truly think I am magical?"

Newt blinked, shocked by the boy's hesitance. "But of course, Credence. You couldn't have an Obscurus without being so."

Credence appeared to be processing this for a moment, before he said, "Am I…w-will I be one of those bad magic people you talked about? Will I be…a-am I evil?"

Newt closed his eyes. "Of course not, Credence," Newt said, his voice soft, tender. "Of course not. It's the choices you make that determine who you are. You have the ability to mold whether or not you become a dark wizard, a wizard of the light, neither, or something in between. No one is born innately evil…do you understand, Credence?"

"Y-yes, Mr. Scamander," Credence replied back, his voice barely above a whisper. After a moment, he added, "Th-thank you…"

"No problem," Newt said quietly, staring into the darkness. After several minutes, Credence's breathing evened out, and Newt knew he was asleep. Glancing sideways at the younger man, a moonbeam had cast a beam of white light through the curtains onto Credence's soft, thin face. Newt couldn't help but wonder if he himself believed everything he had just said (however much he wished to). Visions of Credence drowning in dark magic, of him being called to the magic surrounding Knockturn Alley, danced through Newt's head.

Perhaps Newt's creatures weren't the only misunderstood things. Perhaps other witches and wizards weren't the only ones with a lack of understanding.

* Newt was referencing a fear that Credence might have polio, as this was a common disease of the time period.

A/N I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! I finished writing it right after my Spanish final, as I was steadily getting drunker (I am very drunk as I am writing this ahah). But everything went well with my finals! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much to everyone that commented on/bookmarked/subscribed to/left kudos for this story! You all mean the world to me! Please feel free to leave a comment if you so desire! 3