Disclaimer: I don't own Rose Granger-Weasley, Newt Scamander or any other character created by J.K. Rowling. My aim is merely to entertain and play around with them a little.

Chapter thirty-nine: In which Credence makes a mistake

As soon as Rose and Joao had gathered the rest of the gang and announced grimly what they had been privy to in the gardens, they said their goodbyes and went back to the hotel, choosing the men's room as a meeting-room.

Theseus was pacing back and forth, muttering under his breath from time to time. Joao had summoned one of his superiors, a tall, dark-haired and heavily wrinkled man with whom he was talking in quick Portuguese near the door. Newt was watching his brother, brow furrowed. Nagini was looking deep in thought, fists closed tight as if she was determined to do something. Tina and Rose were conversing quietly, sitting on one of the beds.

"Abernathy wants to end you himself," Rose hissed, angry beyond belief that that snake of a man would dare even considering harming her friend.

Tina sighed. "I'd expected it. We weren't really more than civil when I worked under his orders. He must have been quite enraged when I became an Auror again. He never made it himself…"

"Just…be careful," the red-head continued. "He'll maybe try to corner you or something. Don't go anywhere on your own."

Tina smirked. "Rose, I doubt that, if Abernathy manages to 'corner me', he'll be the one getting out alive. I'm an Auror, and he was the Head of the Wand Permit Office. Guess who, between the two of us, has learned the most jinxes and curses?"

Rose sighed. "Grindelwald must have taught them some things."

At that Tina's air turned sombre. "How I wish that Dumbledore had already broken this stupid blood-pact! Then he'd take care of it and we'd be at peace…"

Rose turned her gaze to Nagini, reminded of what she would one day become. "For a time at least…"

"Don't think like that," her friend chastised her. "Hope is nice, you know…"

At that, Rose smiled a little. She didn't really want to elaborate on why she was persuaded that Grindelwald's fall wouldn't mean the end of troubles…at all…

A few minutes later, Joao's superior left the room, bidding them goodbye in Portuguese. The Brazilian Auror then started explaining what had been discussed and decided. The Brazilian Ministry had decided that the threat of a rally was too severe to just sit back and wait. Groups of Aurors would be sent around the country to watch each Pureblood family that could be contacted by Grindelwald's followers. If it ever looked like a rally would happen at one's home or other, then the whole contingent would swarm the place to nip it in the bud.

The strategy was sound, if not a bit too passive to Theseus and Tina's tastes. They were both prone to action before thought, and they feared that Grindelwald would remain invisible to the Aurors' eyes.

Still, they agreed to it. Theseus announced that he would go to the Brazilian Ministry the following day to monitor things, make sure every Pureblood family in Brazil was really being watched, and to check if there was any news. They all thought that, after the fiasco at the Silvas', Grindelwald wouldn't wait too long to try and strike again.

Newt had a book-signing the following afternoon, in Brazilia itself. Tina would accompany him, Nagini and Rose as a bodyguard of sorts, and Joao said he'd provide them with a guide who spoke English.

It seemed like, once again, they'd have to sit down and wait for something interesting to happen, and that made Rose's skin crawl more than the anticipation of an incoming confrontation…

The morning after, everyone was quite tense. The previous night, although supposed to have been some kind of stress-relief, had had the opposite effect: if anything, it'd made each member of their strange group even more on edge.

Nagini, especially, appeared to have slept the least. She looked haggard, not really there, and she didn't answer any of Tina's enquiries, merely shrugged and continued getting dressed, dark eyes miles away.

Theseus had left early, not seeing them off, but Joao was there when they reached the lobby, a tall, blonde man next to him. The Auror smiled warmly at Rose who, against her better judgement, found herself blushing, remembering what had almost occurred the previous evening.

"Good morning, people!" he said, joyful as ever. "This is Michael Santino. He will be your guide in Brazilia."

Tina, ever the cautious woman, eyed the newcomer with a furrowed brow. "And what do you do, Michael?"

The other man smiled, but it was laced with something edgy, as if he didn't appreciate the brunette's suspicion. "I'm an Auror," he answered in a rich, American-accented voice.

Rose realised that 'Michael' wasn't a very Brazilian name.

"Is that so?" Tina continued, hand poised at her side, as if she was ready to draw out her wand.

Joao chuckled, lifting a hand to defuse the situation. "It's alright, Miss Goldstein. Michael has been my partner for ages. His mother is a…how do you say? Non-Magical person?"

Tina sighed, sharing a quick glance with Rose before looking back at the blonde man. "In my experience, it doesn't mean he wouldn't be a sympathiser to Grindelwald's ideals." She turned to Rose again, dropping her voice. "I wish Queenie was here."

Rose chuckled, drawing Joao's gaze to her again, before she stared their guide down. "Mister Santino, given the…dangers that we would be facing outside of this hotel, my friend's fears are justified. Would you agree to submit yourself to a verbal contract?"

Joao and Michael's eyes widened. They were obviously wondering how on Earth she knew what verbal contracts were and entailed. Tina and Newt themselves seemed at a loss…

Joao's smile returned. "Do it, Michael. I trust Miss Rose knows what she is asking."

Rose returned his smile, grateful for the trust, even though she knew it was more than likely based on his attraction to her. "Tina?" she said, grabbing her friend's hand, "Come with me, please, I want to have a witness." She smiled gently at their guide for the day, trying to signify that nothing would be amiss, and they walked to a more secluded part of the lobby.

Newt and Nagini remained rooted near Joao, both looking quite lost.

Brazilia was way hotter than Rio, that's the first thing that Rose noticed when their Portkey landed near a fake-antique column. Her thin white dress clung to her in a matter of seconds, and she cast a Chilling Charm over herself and Nagini nearby, gaining a thankful smile from the girl who looked as uncomfortable in the heat as the red-head.

Michael, who was back to a more cheery behaviour after having accepted the verbal contract – it was almost as effective as an Unbreakable Vow, just less invasive – quickly led them down an animated street where various merchants tried to sell exotic fruits, potions of all makings, and dress robes enchanted to keep their owner cool.

The line in front of the bookshop they were scheduled for was much less consequent than it had been in London, Rio and even Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the ridiculously-called Welsh town they'd visited once for a book-signing. In fact, if Rose's memory served, Newt had signed fewer books that day than there were letters in the town's name…

Still, they settled, bottles of magically-chilled water on the desk, enough chairs for all, and a long day ahead of them…

It was only 3pm when something started brewing outside the quaint little shop. Newt hadn't had a visitor at the desk for about half-an-hour, but crowds were amassing outside, facing the opposite pavement as if something was occurring there.

Tina, ever practical, asked Newt, Rose and Nagini to stay behind while she and Michael made their way outside to see what exactly was happening. Rose, in case, drew out her wand. Newt did the same, and placed himself in front of Nagini, just in case.

At that very moment, someone screamed outside, and people started running left and right. Rose saw bolts of light over the running crowds, and understood that spells were being cast. She didn't miss the green hue of some.

Without thinking, she sprang into action and ran outside, trying to locate Tina amidst the commotion.

People were fighting. Some were casting jinxes at people's backs, snarls on their faces, and shouted in Portuguese. Casting a quick Shield over a girl who was going to be Stunned, Rose ran forward, not stopping until she saw Tina and Michael, casting spells this way and that to protect civilians and themselves.

Rose was reminded of how her History books had described the Battle of Hogwarts, the one during which her parents and Uncle had defeated Voldemort's army. The attackers were many, men and women alike, with nasty expressions on their faces. The only thing missing was the Dark Mark on their forearms.

Soon, though, it was over, Brazilian Aurors Apparating all around the place, and the attackers Disapparating in the same breath, leaving injured, shocked or dead people in their wake.

Rose ran to Tina, wand still held up. The brunette jumped, startled and still high on adrenaline. "What happened?" Rose asked.

It was Michael, who held his left wrist as if he'd been struck there, who answered. "They were shouting Grindelwald's mantra. The people they attacked….Half-Bloods or No-Maj-borns."

Rose's brow furrowed. "Grindelwald's mantra? But…the Ministry had it all under control. All Houses were under surveillance!"

Tina pursed her lips. "Something must have gone wrong."

"Evidently," the red-head answered. "Come on," she said, eager to leave this place, "let's go find the others and go back to Rio."

They ran back to the bookshop, deserted except from Newt, who was lying on the floor, unconscious.

Tina squealed, running to his side to check his pulse, while Rose stood, frozen, until her friend confirmed that he was alive, just Stunned. Muttering the counter-curse under her breath, she then hurried to her brother's side, helping him up.

Newt blinked once or twice, turning to Rose then Tina, and staring at her as he said "Credence was here. He took Nagini."

Tina and Rose shared another dark glance. They really needed to get back to Rio…

Theseus and Joao were in a right state when finally reached the Brazilian Ministry. They gathered in a meeting-room, away from prying eyes and ears. Both men looked as though they wanted nothing more than to punch a wall which, while not unusual for Theseus, definitely was for Joao.

"What happened?" Tina asked, unwilling to way any longer to learn what exactly had been going spectacularly wrong.

"We were betrayed," said Joao grimly. "Two of my colleagues were tasked to watch a House near Manaus. They went to Grindelwald's side. The rally happened there in the late morning, followed by riots and attacks in Brazilia, where you were; Salvador; and here, in Rio."

Tina cursed loudly, smacking her hand against her head. "Couldn't you know who was more at risk of turning?"

"No," Joao said harshly. "Everyone was tested, everyone was asked questions. We all thought they were safe."

"And you were wrong," she countered, visibly enraged at the situation.

Newt cut the argument short, staring right at his brother. "Credence has Nagini, now."

Theseus pursed his lips. "What did he do?"

"I think he had agreed to meet her at the bookshop, but he hadn't expected me to be alone with her. She didn't want to go with him; so he Stunned her, then me. When Rose woke me up, they were gone."

The older brother nodded gravely. "Your locating spell: will it work?"

Newt nodded. "I just need my case." His brother nodded again.

Rose, whose head had done a weird ping-pong motion between the two, held a hand up. "Wait a second, what are you two talking about?"

Theseus didn't give her an answer and strode out of the room; Newt turned to her, almost sheepish. "I can locate Credence, track his magic."

"Can you?" Tina asked, surprised. "I thought that was impossible!"

"Credence is an Obscurial," Newt explained as he would a child. "His magic is different than ours, it leaves out specific tracks. Especially now that he has a wand."

"He has a wand?!" Tina looked properly shocked, then.

"Grindelwald must have given him one."

Rose shook her head, still at a loss. "How are you going to track him, then? What's in your case, Newt?"

Her brother avoided meeting her eyes, telling her that he was somehow ashamed of what he'd done, or brought with him. "The other Obscurus."

Tina and Rose looked at him as if he'd announced he'd grown a pair of wings…

When Theseus had retrieved Newt's case from the hotel, the magizoologist went down the ladder with Tina, who was still quite cross with him, while Rose, Joao and Theseus joined a group of trusted Aurors in the Ministry lobby.

"When we've found him," Theseus was saying, Joao translating immediately after, "we'll need to tread carefully. He may be in a safe-house with the others, but he also may be alone. Either way, he's extremely dangerous." The Brazilian Aurors nodded gravely, pursing their lips.

When Newt emerged from the case in the middle of a circle of sombre-looking men, he was holding a vial containing a wisp of very angry magic.

"This," he said, uncorking it and waving his wand over it, "it going to find Credence. And," he waved his wand again, summoning a map of Brazil, "we're going to track it." He blew on the vial, and the wisp of Obscurial magic flew off, through a wall and out in the world.

Rose gritted her teeth. "Are you sure it's going to work?"

Newt stared at the map, where a drop of blue magic was moving at an extraordinary speed. "It is working."

And so it was.

For several minutes, everyone held their breath, watching the spot of magic fly North from Rio, further and further away and into the jungle, until it stopped a little to the right of the city of Manaus, where the rally had taken place.

When it stopped and settled there, the almost religious silence that had fallen over the Aurors was broken: everyone started speaking, giving orders here and there in a hissed version of Portuguese. Theseus watched it unfurl, looking sporadically at Joao who would then translate something to him.

At long last, everyone was standing, wand held tightly in their fist. "We'll Disillusion ourselves," Joao started, "before Apparating there. We'll surround the house. It has no neighbours. Then we go in, two by two." When every English-speaking person had nodded their ascent, they cast the Disillusionment Charm over themselves, and each grabbed the arm of someone who knew where they were going, being pulled into several Side-Alongs.

They Apparated outside of Manaus, apparently, five-hundred meters away from the target. It was a quiet neighbourhood, which happened to consist in both Muggle and Wizarding families. The Aurors who'd known the area had family nearby. It must have been the Brazilian equivalent of Ottery Saint-Catchpole…

The house that Credence had taken Nagini to was a white, mansion-like estate, with vines climbing on the façade of this one-storey property. Something though, perhaps the car parked in front, told Rose that it hadn't been borrowed from a wizarding owner.

"I smell death," she said, being reminded of Paris again.

Tina nodded gravely. "I agree."

Slowly, they surrounded the house. Rose didn't dare cast an Hominum Revelio, by fear of being heard or noticed, but in the end, she didn't need to: an Auror did it for her, and they were, yet again, too late.

"They are gone," Joao said with a displeased look. "But not long ago." He watched his colleagues go in, and gestured the gang to do the same.

Unsurprisingly, they had entered yet another version of Nurmengard, void of anything interesting or important. The bedrooms that had been used were emptied of any personal contents; and the dining-room table was void of any papers that might have helped them find Grindelwald.

"They burnt it all," Theseus announced after checking scorch marks near the fireplace. "There's nothing left."

"Wait," Newt said, getting on his knees as he would do trying to locate a hiding creature. He crouched next to what looked like a radiator – definitely a Muggle house, then – and came back up with a torn piece of paper.

He put it down on the dining-table, his friends pouring over it eagerly.

"It's a map," Joao said. "Or, a piece of a map."

Theseus nodded. "I see an 'O' that's been highlighted. Might be where they're going next."

Rose knew he was right. She leaned in, trying to read the tiny name that was near the 'O', to get a clue, anything else than the meaningless blur of road-lines. "Pa-Pach-Pachuca," she deciphered. "Where is Pachuca?" she asked around.

Joao pursed his lips. "It's near Mexico City."

They all stared down at the piece of paper, their sole lead, a feeble one, but also, a logical one.

"They've gone to Mexico," Theseus confirmed, a determined look on his face. "Then that's where we'll go too."