Chapter 26: A Distraction
Percy and Mr. Graves
"Mr. who?" Percy whispered back, because it felt like he should be whispering, even though the men couldn't hear them.
"You don't know?" Credence's brow was furrowed. "MACUSA sent him after the trial when they found out I was at Ilvermorny. I think they're supposed to report to him if anything bad happens."
A blurry memory was starting to surface in Percy's mind, but the Obscurus must have not cared enough about Mr. Graves for it to remember him. "So they reported after you gave me my scar?"
"Well," Credence hesitated, "I don't think Professor Blygull exactly told MACUSA about that."
"Oh." Percy looked between the Obscurial and Mr. Graves again, then ducked behind the pillar as well. "What's the plan?"
"He'll start asking questions if he sees me here."
"So, we gotta scoot?"
"Or hide."
"Or both."
Percy whipped his head around. How could a place so big could have so few escape routes? Up the stairs? They would be seen for sure, and two young boys in a room full of smartly-dressed adults might attract attention anyway. To the right? Impossible; they would cross right in front of them. Left? Not unless they wanted to tip over the staircase's gold railing onto the level below. The exit doors were so close. They were within sight, just down the last few stairs and a hop-skip-and-a-jump, and then they would be out of the way of nosy Aurors. Percy's ears involuntarily tuned in to the footsteps of Graves and his companion, which seemed to be thudding each stair as they stepped closer. Closer…
"I've got an idea," he whispered, speaking in a rush. "He just can't see you, right? So, I cause a distraction, you make a break for the doors, I say adios and follow at a casual, innocent-lookin' grandma-stroll. Sound good?"
"What are you gonna do?" Credence rejoined, but Percy just said, "I'll think of somethin'!" and slid out of their hiding spot. He tried to make his walk look confident as he headed on a collision course with the Aurors.
"Sorry, mister," Percy mumbled as he pretended to brush past them, then he stop in his tracks, as if he had been struck by a sudden thought. "Say, you ain't Aurors, are yous?"
Mr. Graves' companion turned to Percy the way he might have looked at a whiny house elf, but Mr. Graves answered, "Yes, I am. But if you came to find Aurors, we usually take assignments directly from our superiors or by written complaint."
Percy backed up a few steps to make sure their attention was trained in the opposite direction from the doors. His mind had gotten doused by a bucket of whitewash, and was now as blank as paper - except for one, unsavory idea. Out of the corner of Percy's eye, Credence was just visible creeping out from behind the pillar. Percy had better say something and say it fast. "You got any idea what's goin' on at Ilvermorny right now?"
Graves' dark eyes narrowed slightly; dark eyes, dark hair – the combination made his brows look perpetually furrowed. "There have been a few rumors."
"And you still ain't doin' nothin' about it? Boy, what's this country comin' to? Did you know that an Obscurial's been allowed to attend classes and everythin' last year?"
At the word 'Obscurial', Percy saw Credence pause his slinking and stop to listen. Get away you lily-livered simp! It's part of the distraction! he shouted in his head, still trying to keep his eyes on the men.Giving the Obscurial away would kind of ruin the point. He had to stay focused. Focused on acting like – well, like Sam.
Mr. Graves smiled in an amused sort of way, "You can be assured that MACUSA is aware and is monitoring the situation."
"Then how come you didn't do nothin' after the last attack?" Percy asked.
Just. Go! he inwardly shouted at Credence.
The Auror stared at him for so long and hard that even the crotchety man with him cleared his throat uncomfortably. Finally, Graves said, "I wouldn't worry about MACUSA's involvement if I was you. We have everything under control. Now, you should head home before it rains." He patted Percy's shoulder, then moved on past with his friend closely following.
"Obscurus attack at Ilvermorny…?" Percy heard Graves' companion ask once they were past. The Auror hadn't been as paranoid as Percy had thought he would be. He wasn't even as paranoid as Petra got sometimes. The twelve-year-old looked this way and that. Now, where had Credence disappeared to?