Chapter 25

Unlikely Companions

The wedding had been prepared to perfection thanks to Queenie's unending creativity and Mathilda's use of advanced magic. Newt's yard had been completely fixed for the occasion, decorated with thousands of flowers, glittering ornaments, and a small tent that had been put up for guests.

There were only two small tables with seats, and a bigger table with food. Besides their group, not many people would be coming to join them. It was a simple and small affair.

Even then, Mathilda couldn't control herself, and she had been playing around with different dresses all morning. From the delicate lilac model to the striking midnight blue dress, none of them seemed to please her.

"I give up," she said in the early afternoon, dropping next to Credence on the couch. "I don't know what to wear."

He turned to kiss her forehead, letting his hand rest against her cheek as he spoke.

"I think it doesn't matter," he said. "You'll look beautiful with anything you decide to wear."

"At this rate, I'll end up attending the wedding in rags… or in my underwear."

He blushed at that, but smiled softly despite himself. He trusted her, and he knew that she will solve the problem eventually.

"Will you help me choose?" she suddenly asked. "I could really use the help."

"S-sure," he said. "I'll help you."

In the end, she settled for a sky-blue dress that contrasted nicely with her hair, and matched perfectly with his royal blue shirt. She stood next to him, holding into his arm as she shed a few tears when the newlyweds shared their vows, and sat at his side as they ate and talked after the ceremony was over.

He was overjoyed to have her at his side. To be able to intertwine his fingers with hers after so long. To know that at any moment, he could turn his head and kiss her. He could feel his chest about to explode every time he thought about their more recent conversations – those where they made plans to leave England, to live somewhere on the countryside where trouble couldn't find them.

Mathilda, next to him, was nervous. She would be talking to Dumbledore soon, to discuss where she had to go next – which is when she would tell him that she was leaving with Credence. She didn't know how her old Professor would react, but after everything, her happiness came first.

So, when he approached her, she stood straight, squeezed Credence's fingers, and followed Dumbledore to the edge of the yard where no one would disturb them.

"You and Credence seem to be getting along better," he said. "Has something new happened?"

"No," she said. "My feelings for him have remained constant since the last time you saw us together."

"Hmm. It's strange. You've changed since then, become stronger. So has he."

"What do you mean?"

"You were apart for some time, on my orders. But, nothing has driven you apart. In fact, it has made your feelings deeper."

She turned to face him, stopping him in his walk.

"On your orders?" she repeated. "You wanted to separate us?"

"Being near Credence is dangerous," he said, beginning to walk again. "You know that well enough, Mathilda."

Her hand rose, unconsciously, to touch the healed injury on her shoulder.

"I don't regret what I've done for him."

"You shouldn't," Dumbledore said. "But I think I'll regret keeping you both away."

"Why?"

"I know you, Mathilda," he said, winking at her. "You forget that I was your teacher not that long ago."

"So?"

"I know you won't come back to the hunt for Grindelwald after the wedding."

"That is true," she said, letting out a long exhale. "How did you know?"

"Your closeness with Credence is very telling. You'll be leaving with him, won't you?"

"Yes, I will."

"That's good," he said. "It'll be good for both."

"And for you? For the cause, the fight? Will it be good?" she asked.

"You know how this is going to end, Mathilda. It's useless for me to keep sending innocent people to investigate for me when I know that only one thing can stop Grindelwald."

"What is it?" she asked. "What can finally stop him?"

"Me," he said. "It's time I got personally involved in this war."

She stayed silent for a few seconds, thinking. Then, she grinned.

"It was about time, Professor. We have waited a long time for you to finally say that."

He chuckled softly, nodding.

"Yes, indeed you have."

They stayed quiet as they continued walking. Mathilda threw a look at Credence, who was already beginning to fidget on his seat as he looked for her.

"You're free to go, Mathilda," he said. "Take Credence with you, and protect him."

"I will, Professor."

"He makes you happy," he said after a second. "He loves you deeply, and so do you."

"I wouldn't use the word 'love,' yet," she said.

"Love, my dear, is the strangest thing. Even when you deny it, you can still find it in the most unlikely companions, in the most unexpected circumstances, and in the most difficult times." He paused. "Because, after all, love is the most powerful thing that we have. We saw it today, and we will see it time and time again, until the end of times."

The End