Chapter 25: The Woolworth Building

Percy and Credence

Petra wasn't very keen on Percy's idea of him and Credence going, unsupervised, a half an hour's walk away to the Magical Congress of the United States of America. Credence was realizing that the 'mistress of the house' duties were passed to her when Mrs. Boyd was away at work. Percy finally won his sister over, saying that they would stay together and go in the light of day and not talk to strangers – or No-Majes – and that how could you possibly be a wizard who has come to New York only to not visit MACUSA? It was after Petra had finally broken down that Credence felt it was necessary to speak up.

"It's just that," he said, "That's where the New Salem Philanthropic Society was. It was just a couple blocks away from the Woolworth Building."

"Oh." But Percy Boyd wasn't the type to be talked out of an idea because of a setback. "Listen, I don't want to run into 'em any more than yous, so we won't go anywhere near that place. But you can't not see MACUSA while you's here. That's like… that's like goin' to California and not lookin' for no gold!"

So, there they went, donned in hats and coats. Percy had somewhat fudged Petra's idea of 'daylight', as the sky was modestly hidden behind its own coat of threatening, gray clouds.

I hate New York, Credence's mind had on repeat as they drew nearer to the Woolworth Building, I hate New York, I hate New York… He tried not to let it show on his face, but it did. He couldn't help it. The familiarity of the streets made his head hang low; each crack of a whip on a horse made him flinch. He thought he had left those feelings behind.

He had. He had left them behind in New York.

"Where's MACUSA?" he asked when they got to the front doors of the Woolworth Building. No-Majes were going in and out, conducting their No-Maj business. As a rule, they didn't notice the small door on the left that only wizards had a reason to care about. It didn't matter that there was a guard posted in front of it.

Percy flashed the man an I.D. card that his sister had given him, "Educational tour." He turned to Credence and waved his hands mystically in front of the gold-framed door as the guard opened it, "Watch and learn."

Everything changed.

A lobby with typical No-Maj drab had been clearly visible through the glass pane, but as the Obscurial stepped through, a warping filled his ears. Everything spun for a second, and when he regained his balance the plain reception desk was no longer in front of him. Framed in pillars, a grand set of golden stairs rose up. A spinning clock hung from a roof that faded into an image of the sky outside, heavy-laden storm clouds and all. Down below, windows and reflective gold gave the inside of MACUSA a friendly glow, even as the vastness of its space daunted the minds and dared the hearts. Employees were everywhere, donned in sharp-looking clothes. They didn't take any notice of the two boys standing near the doors. House elves were employed at elevators and wand-shiners. The movement of everything going on could almost be felt as a current of wind flowing like a river down the busy walkways.

"I told yous. It's the best part of New York!" Percy declared, relieved to see his friend's awed expression. "C'mon. We gotta see everythin' before it gets dark and this place is huge."

Credence remembered thinking that the only time he would ever set foot in MACUSA was in a cell under high security; but to the hundreds of busy witches and wizards, the two boys might as well have been invisible. They tromped all over the spotless marble floors, watched adults hurry about their work, and tried to think up ways of getting into as many restricted sections as possible. When they were finally circling back to the entrance, Credence marveled at the fifty-foot-high canvas with the President's portrait that hung like a massive flag on the wall. The clock, which Credence got a closer look at, didn't have any numbers on it, but words, arranged in increasing severity of color:

Zero Threat,

Level 1: Low Threat,

Level 2: Moderate Threat,

Level 3: High Alert,

Level 4: Danger,

Severe: Unexplained Activity, and

Emergency.

A young wizard stopped as he was walking by when he saw them staring upward. "Hey. Didn't think I'd be seein' yous again."

"Oh, hey Abernathy," Percy and Credence greeted their former prefect. Credence quickly moved his gaze back to the clock. He had never liked Alton Abernathy's eyes.

"No need to worry 'bout that," Alton said, mistaking his gaze, "It's been stuck on Level 2 for years. Can't really get around it in a big city, and especially since –" he lowered his voice, watching the Obscurial, "- especially since them Second Salemers set up not far from here. I'd be careful if I was you."

"Yep, careful, will do. Nice to see ya. So long." Percy half pushed Abernathy on his way. When he was gone, Percy let out a sign, "Ugh. MACUSA's just made him more of a know-it-all. Hey, where'd you go?"

He had turned back around to find Credence had disappeared from right beside him.

"Here!" a voice hissed. Percy jogged to where Credence was hiding behind a pillar, peering out at a couple of men speaking in low tones just down the next level of stairs.

Percy looked between them and Credence a couple of times in complete bewilderment. "What's the problem?"

Credence hissed, "That's Mr. Graves!"

A/N: So, I think it would be safe to assume that Credence would have some PTSD due to everything that happened in his childhood, and that he would associate the location of New York with that. This entire part is exploring that being brought to the surface a bit more. And you didn't think that I would leave Percival Graves with just that mini-cameo back in Summer Trials, did you? Tell me what you think!