"They won't be here any sooner or later by you watching the seconds, my boy."

"I can send them a note if you've changed your mind", Percival suggested when Credence did not take his eyes off the grandfather clock.

Leta and Theseus had arrived in New York city the night before. Percival had gone to the port-key field to greet them, and he had treated them to dinner at a restaurant. Credence had spent the evening with the Goldstiens, as everyone had agreed that Percival would test the waters before inviting them home.

Leta and Theseus had been lovely company, especially since he hadn't seen Theseus since before he was taken prisoner by Grindelwald. They had quite a bit to catch up on.

Leta had mostly stayed quiet and not revealed the slightest hint of whether or not she knew Credence's heritage. Not that Graves was in a rush to find out.

"I haven't!", Credence said, almost upset. "I just want to be ready..."

"And is everything else prepared?", the wizard wondered, hoping for an opportunity to distract the child.

Credence glanced at him. His brown eyes were so wide and cautious, like a young auror on their first field exercise. "I think so..."

"You tidied up your room?"

"Yes", Credence replied.

"And you brushed your hair?"

Credence brought up a hand and patted himself on the head. "Yes."

"And did you water the bird?"

Credence opened his mouth to reply before his eyes widened. He gasped, then he was up like a golden snitch,darting off in the direction of the office.

To Graves extreme dismay the breeder had refused to have the bird returned. They were offended by the mere suggestion that their bird wasn't good enough for whomever the Lestranges had gifted to. Because apparently the Lestranges had quite a long history of purchasing birds from the breeder.

In the time it took for him to exchange the letters with said breeder, however, Credence had managed to overcome his discomfort over the bird's origin and happily (albeit shyly and quietly) refilled its food container and water bowl every morning and every afternoon when they returned from the Woolworth's building.

Graves took a seat and watched Credence pass by with the bowl. A splash sounded from the kitchen as Credence emptied it followed by the sound of the tap running, and then Credence crossed the living room once more to return the bowl. Graves was fully aware that there were spells for this sort of thing, both to keep it sanitized and full of fresh water, but he was actually thankful for the small routine the bird provided.

The boy had yet to try and name the bird again and they were existing in a sort of limbo where Graves both enjoyed the routine it provided, but at the same time kept buying ad space to try and find a buyer. Sure, the majority of wizarding families had a bird of their own; usually an owl; but Graves was still uneasy about confirming the Lestranges' behavior by officially keeping it. And he would have to, because if he ever planned to utilize it for what it was trained for (delivering his written communications) his entire mail network would soon know that he had accepted the bird.

As Credence once more returned to resume his surveillance of the grandfather clock Graves' eye caught something that paused his musings.

"Credence", he said. "Hold it right there."

As predicted Credence went rigid. Graves branded his wand. Credence watched the tip in anticipation.

"Do you remember the spell for removing messes?" He kept his tone coy to make it clear that the boy wasn't in any trouble. Sure, there were dark stains from the water on his shirt, but he didn't doubt that Credence would still be upset that he had managed to spill water on his nice and expensive clothes.

The boy hardly needed any time to think.

"Tergio!"

"Very good, just watch your pronunciation, my boy. Ter-gee-o." Then he flicked his wand, repeating the word, and the water stain disappeared from the child's clothing.

"There, now you're just as handsome as an hour ago", Percival said.

Credence blushed gently but straightened his posture in agreement. It had taken him quite some time to pick it out that morning, but eventually he had settled on a neat striped vest he hadn't touched since it arrived at Christmas.

"And my bow?", the boy asked, trying in vain to crane his neck and look at the emerald green bow tie.

Percival smiled and waved for him to come closer. And for the third time that morning he gave the piece of silk a gentle tug so that it stood proud, much like a butterfly. He hadn't asked Credence directly, but he had a fleeting suspicion the choice of color was to match his own scorpion pins that were keeping his own tie in place.

Perhaps he himself had unconsciously picked it out in the store for that very reason.

Seeing that they still had a little more time before their guests were supposed to arrive, Percival picked up the child and placed him in his lap. Credence didn't question this, and instead just gazed at the wizard with his large brown eyes.

"You nervous?"

The child nodded.

"So am I", Percival confessed. "It's going to be just fine", he told him, and kissed him on the forehead, to which Credence habitually curled up underneath his chin.

A shrill signal rang out and Credence startled so hard that Percival's teeth clapped hard as the child collided with him.

"Aaa! I'm sorry!", Credence squeaked.

"I'm fine…" That was lie.

He gingerly brought his hand up to touch the skin. By some miracle he hadn't bit his lip or tongue. "How about you go get the door?", he suggested.

Credence frantically shook his head.

"I c-can't…!"

"They are here to see you, after all. You're the host", Percival said. "I'm just here to look pretty."

Credence opened his mouth to protest again, but quickly shut it again. And to Graves' surprise the boy slipped off his lap and ran off in the direction of the door.

Graves forgot about the pain in his face and bounced up to follow him. When he arrived at the tambour Credence had already reached up to put his hand on the doorknob. There was a pause and Credence glanced over his shoulder at him. Graves nodded at him encouragingly.

Credence turned the doorknob.

And sure enough, Theseus and Leta were standing outside. And they looked quite surprised when it was Credence who swung out with the door. In turn, Credence seemed to startle himself and for a moment he looked like an owl who had crashed straight into breakfast.

This wasn't the first time he went to open the door. But it was the first time it was someone other than Tina or Queenie coming to visit.

"Hello", Theseus said, ever the one to bridge a conversation. "Does a boy named Credence live here?"

"Y-yessir!", Credence said.

"Excellent!", Theseus said, sharing a I told you this was the right place look with Leta who only playfully rolled her eyes at him. "Then may we please come inside?"

"Yessir!", Credence nodded. Then before the guests could even make it past him he retreated back to the safety behind Percival's long legs. So the sudden bravado was only temporary, Percival mused as he touched the boy's bowl cut.

"I think what Credence means to say is Welcome", Percival supplied, then he gestured for the hanging by the door where they could relieve themselves of their coats.

"Have you been in a fight, Graves?", Theseus wondered as he took off his jacket. He used his wand to shut the door that Credence had left wide open.

"No, just headbutted", Percival replied. "Did you get any sleep, Leta?", he wondered.

"Yes, your recommendation of the hotel was well-founded", she told him. "The breakfast buffet was quite different from what we're used to", she informed him.

And then there was an awkward pause as neither party knew how they wanted to proceed. And once again Theseus was the one to save the atmosphere.

"Hey Credence", Theseus said.

Credence peeked out from behind Percival.

"My brother told me you collect cards", Theseus said. "Is that right?"

Percival could tell the wizard had caught the child's attention. Theseus pulled out a box from within a pocket. Percival recognized the logo of the Chocolate frog cards, but despite accompanying Credence to look at the card-stand in the stores when they went into town on the weekends he had never seen such a large box before. But it was fairly obvious that it was some kind of set, unlike the individual ones you usually bought.

Credence's eyes went wide as Theseus placed it in his hands.

"Is it for me?", he wondered.

"Yes", Theseus affirmed. "Not that I would complain if I may try a frog."

Credence gasped. "Yessir! Thank you sir!"

"How about we get some coffee for that, hmm?", Percival suggested.

Once the adults had been provided hot caffeine beverages the boy did not waste a minute to diligently open the package, careful not to tear the pretty artwork outside, to reveal three chocolate frog cards. Credence picked up the first box, opened it a little, then quickly slammed it shut with his palm. He waited a few seconds, then opened the box fully to reveal the frog laying frozen inside it.

Credence then took it out to bite the head off the frog.

"How nifty", Percival said. "They usually jump around and cause havoc", he told their guests.

"Yes, I noticed." Theseus nodded in agreement. "I saw a group of children outside the shop. They were trading them with each other, I think. You'll make sure to mention that these are from overseas on the playground, won't you Credence? They'll be exclusive. Lots of money value."

Credence's awe over the cards only seemed to increase. So much that Percival doubted that he'd ever trade the cards away, even if he had other children to trade them with.

"How did you get here?", Credence asked.

"We took a port-key", Theseus explained.

"It wasn't very hard to have one arranged, despite the short notice. Perks of being employed by the ministry."

"What's a port-key?", the boy asked shyly.

Percival watched in interest. He had never thought about it before, but he could not recall Credence asking a stranger for these kinds of explanations. The boy tended to save them for later until he and Graves were in private where he could voice his ignorance and craving for understanding.

Theseus went on a semi long explanation on how the phenomenon worked, using and pointing at a few objects around the apartment for examples.

"It's not a very pleasant experience to be honest, but there aren't that many other ways to get into The States by magical means. Imagine how impressive it would have looked to arrive on hippogriff-back, though", Theseus said as he sat back.

"And we all know that it is against the statute of secrecy to travel using magical creatures...", Leta tut-tutted as she nudged him in the side.

Credence, always the avid listener, turned and tugged on Percival's sleeve.

"Hippogriffs are half horses, half eagles", the boy proudly informed him.

It took Percival a moment to realize that Credence probably thought he didn't know about the beasts. And Percival knew about them. Or, maybe he did mix them up with griffins sometimes...

"So that's the one", he mused, happy to encourage the child.

"Mr Scamander told me about them in his letters." Credence continued, now to the entire party. Then he suddenly gained a flustered look. "Or, I mean… Mr Newton Scamander..."

Both Theseus and Leta smiled at the small correction.

"I'm sure he'd love to hear you call him Newt, Credence", Leta told him.

"He actually prefers it, most of the time", Theseus agreed.

"And speaking of Newt", Leta continued. "He sends his best regards to both of you. Right now all his time is spent finalizing his book for the publisher."

"Yes, the Minister of Education is looking forward to the release. Credence has been getting excerpts of the art, haven't you Credence?"

Credence nodded. "I have!" He had been particularly captivated by the unicorn pictures.

Theseus hummed. "Which reminds me, how is that Nomaj-protection project you've mentioned-?"

Leta interrupted him by placing her hand over Theseus'. "You can stop making small talk for me now, Love", she said. She sounded like she had been bottling up the request for quite some time, but only now had gathered her wits to bring it up.

Theseus blinked, but simply shut his mouth and smiled at her encouragingly.

She sighed gently as she braced herself, but nevertheless, she looked steady once she looked at Graves and Credence sitting across from her. "There's no need to drag this out any longer. We're not kneazles dancing around a hot cauldron", she said. "You want to know the truth, don't you Credence?"

Percival could feel Credence tense in apprehension. After all, they had managed to make this feel like an ordinary visit up until now. Were they really ready to do this? Percival didn't have to mull over this for long though, because, brave boy that he was, Credence slipped off the sofa and walked over.

Leta left her seat to meet him halfway and squatted in front of the child, coming down to his level of height. She grasped his hand, and Percival could tell that he blushed gently.

She held his gaze for a moment.

"You are not my brother."

If he hadn't been trained in the arts of masking his relief during negotiations Percival would have melted into a puddle right there on his couch.

It felt like the flimsy, malfunctioning broom he had been sitting on for two straight weeks had suddenly come back to life and was flying steadily and well balanced again. As if he didn't need to anticipate the moment to disappearate once it finally gave in and sent him falling uncontrollably towards the ground; the ground where new unknown threats lurked.

As much as he found Leta to be a pleasant character he didn't actually want the Lestranges as some kind of in-laws. He didn't want to give them an excuse to try and cohere his sweet Credence into blood pride and black magic.

No one noticed the inner relief of the wizard, however, as everyone still had their eyes glued on Credence; who seemed to have been stunned silent.

"You seem disappointed...?", the witch said.

Credence blushed gently.

He turned and looked at Graves. His brown eyes pleading for something. Percival waved at him encouragingly, just as he had the first time Credence was going to receive money from Percival's father.

"I… I-I wouldn't have minded it… T-to be related to you…"

Leta lifted her hand and touched Credence's cheek with the palm of her hand.

"Trust me, my darling", she said. "If I could pick a little brother I would pick you in a heartbeat."

"But we'll both be fine, won't we? You have your Daddy after all. And I have my Theseus", she turned and smiled at her fiancée. Theseus smiled back at her. When she turned back her eyes widened, and it took Percival a moment to see what had startled her.

Wisps of grey was floating in the air around Credence. Flakes of ash, like the remnants of firewood after all the marshmallows had been eaten.

"Godness…!", Leta whispered. Luckily she only seemed amazed, instead of aghast as witches and wizards were when they witnessed the obscurus.

Percival heard a distant warning bell chime in his mind, but he didn't want to rush up and tear the moment apart. And besides, the obscurus seemed placid and compliant. Dare he say, calm?

"Credence", he called gently. Credence turned at the sound of his name and looked at Percival. His eyes were large and shiny. But happy. Tentative and happy.

Percival opened his arms to invite him over. Without the slightest hint of hesitation Credence stepped forward, then in a motion that both seemed to melt and evaporate him, a cloud of grey billowed forward. Percival barely had time to be startled before it leaped up into his arms, where the cloud sank away to reveal his boy.

Percival could see Theseus gawk at the maneuver while Leta just looked fascinated where she remained on the floor.

The wizard hugged him close and gave him a loud kiss on the head.

As much as he wanted to snuggle the boy for the rest of the weekend; to just dismiss the guests that had traveled across an entire ocean to bring them this information; he had some things he had to uncover to be completely sure. And Leta was aware, she knew the question everyone was asking.

They met eyes, and she returned to her seat. Theseus reached up an arm to hug her, perhaps give her an encouraging rub, but she gently brushed him off. And for a moment Graves couldn't help but compare her to the Madame president, as she sat with a straight posture and a no-nonsense grace about her.

Percival could feel Credence turn to observe her, perhaps not understanding what was left to say.

How can she be sure?

She took a deep breath, her brown eyes darting left and right as she ran over her memories one last time.

"When I was a little girl my father sent me to America. My brother and our servant went as well", she started. Percival could see Theseus nod. Whatever would come after this was new for him, too.

"No one knows this", Leta continues. "But my brother was swapped on the way over the ocean. You were on that boat, Credence. As were most likely your parents. But, as far as I know, there weren't any surviving wizarding families who missed a baby once we got back on land."

"And I would have kept it a secret, but doing so would put Credence in danger."

Graves could almost physically feel his defenses turn on with a spark of anger. His arm that enveloped the boy held him a little firmer; a little tigher.

"Danger?", he said, his voice low.

The witch aimed her brown eyes at him, fully aware of the turn of his mood.

"Yes. It's my older half-brother. He took an unbreakable vow to kill the person who my father loved most. My father didn't love me. And neither did he love Corvus' mother. But he loved Corvus. He was like a pile of shiny pennies to a dragon..."

At least that was a feeling the director could relate with...

"Who is this brother of yours?", Percival asked.

"His name is Yusuf Kama. But as I said, Credence is not Corvus. In the best of worlds that would be enough, but I suggest we make it official. Just to be sure."

"So a confirmation of blood relations? Or lack thereof", Percival filled in.

She nodded.

Percival sat back on the sofa. He allowed the boy's weight in his arms to ground him. It was all for him after all. He sighed and rubbed Credence's back.

"At least that won't be hard. All it takes is a quick visit to the bureau of LIEs."

"Lies?", Theseus said, cringing at the acronym.

"Bureau of Lineage investigation and eternization. We have so many magical children being born to Nomajs in America, and ideally they are to be integrated into wizarding society via other magical relatives. The family trees get so messy otherwise with all the adoptions. As well as... er… dating."

Theseus, already familiarized with the different customs of American wizard society, nodded; as if Percival had just answered a question he had mulled over for some time. Percival noticed Leta incline her head in curiosity, but she chose not to voice any follow-up questions.

"I remember that place", Credence said.

"They drew blood from my finger...", he said and looked at his fingertip as he remembered.

"They will probably have to do that again, my boy", Percival said, reaching up to take his little hand. He ran his fingertips over the child's, feeling the smooth unscarred skin against his own that was worn and experienced from years on the field.

"So they have already checked him for any family ties?", Leta wondered.

"Yes", Percival confirmed. "But you can only match with an established family. That's how we knew that his family was most likely foreign, or that he was nomaj-born. The idea of him being a lost French baby was never that far-fetched", he explained. "The Lestranges were one of the few families that never showed any interest to heathen America. That's why we could even entertain the idea", he admitted.

"But you're correct, now that you're here we can make a direct comparison. I'll be done before lunch."

It was nothing but a pin-prick, really. Two to be exact. Then both Credence and Leta had to let it fall on a piece of enchanted parchment.

And then they watched how two spiraling shapes never connected in confirmation. Instead they swirled around in different patterns.

Negative.

Such a beautiful word.

Percival stayed behind to gather the official paperwork. They needed copies for Kama. He was signing something when the sentence came. Floating across the reception desk.

"Sir, would you like to add young Mr Barebone to your lineage archive?"

His pen had stopped halfway through his signature.

"I'm sorry?"

The elf had looked at him, unimpressed. They were the beings expertized in banking and heritage.

"Since you are here, would you like to register Credence Barebone to your lineage? 80 percent of newly appointed guardians decide to adopt within six months after consenting guardianship."

He looked over his shoulder and saw Credence standing over by Tina, Leta and Theseus who were making polite small talk to each other. Tina hadn't been able to stay away when Percival flooed that they were going to Woolworth to make things official.

He rested his gaze on the child. Credence was pointing up into the misty ceiling. Most likely pointing out different locations to the foreigners.

Barebone. The mere name made him feel uneasy.

He had almost forgotten that that name was still associated with the boy. His sweet, amazing boy. Of course adoption was inevitable if Credence didn't return to his eighteen-year-old self. Which in itself was unlikely, because why would he? If it had been by the power of the obscurus maybe the obscurus realized itself that Credence was much happier in the shape that he was now.

Yet it was still too sudden. And then there was that foreboding number still hanging in the air. Eighteen.

"I…", he said. "I'll get back to you… Thank you for bringing this to my attention", he said, gathered up the papers into his bag and left to rejoin the group.

"Percival", the boy said when he arrived. "How old do you have to be to go to Hogwarts?"

"Eleven, I think", Percival replied. "But you're not going to Hogwarts. You'll be going to Ilvermorny, just like I did, and Tina and Queenie did, and almost everyone at MACUSA."

"Well...", Leta flicked in. "You don't always have to go to the closest one. I went to Hogwarts even though I was a French citizen."

Percival shared a look with Tina. She looked equally as uninterested by the idea. Credence, sweet thing, didn't pick up on the rivalry that had suddenly sparked above his head between the adults. He was busy wrapping his arms around Percival's waist.

"I'm not sure I want to go to a place called Hog-warts anyway. And the names of the houses don't even match up to their symbol."

"That's my boy!", Percival agreed and picked up the child.

Luckily Theseus and Leta didn't look too offended by the remark, and instead pleasantly basked in the joy that was Credence. And Percival couldn't help but wonder if they were considering what their own future children had in store for them by how Leta looped her arms into Theseus' and leaned against him gently.

No, he'd never want to send Credence across the ocean and be apart from him for entire school semesters. Still, school ; it was another thing he hadn't considered up until now. Credence was just the right age to start, wasn't he? But then there was the obscurus. He decided to deal with that a little later, however. Right now he only wanted to have a relaxing luncheon with his friends.

Please give me feedback on whether it works to just skip the scene where Percival and Tina talks to Credence. I felt it would be kind of repetitive from the Credence Wakes up Percival chapter 1, so I dove right in the morning when they arrive at the apartment instead.

I do have the scene when Leta and Theseus arrive to the port-key field. It's like 800 words long. If anyone wants it I can post it as a work in the series.

Anyway, Thanks for reading! And remember reviews fuel the muse to write!