"I want the X-mas chapter out before actual X-mas" Ha! :'D

Part 2 is here though! And Goldstein sisters! Queenie was fun to write :3

Thanks for all the reviews and follows guys, you make this all worth it!

Enjoy~

The discussion with Abernathy went on for longer than Graves had estimated, but eventually the auror was sent on his way with some notes and a reference to a few relevant cases. He had had questions on how to track down a suspected animagus in the New York area.

Returning his attention to his typewriter Graves worked for a good solid hour before he heard a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in", he called.

It was Miss Tocker.

"Yes?", he said.

"Excuse me, sir", she said.
"I think this is intended for you", she said and held out her hand to display a Rat memo. It was sniffing her fingertips.

He raised an eyebrow. It wasn't often he was sent rat memos; when people wanted to tell him something they could do that during a meeting. And when he did miss Tocker usually collected them until lunch. Unless they were stamped with Urgent or were from the President.

Which was practically the same thing.

But considering he was working from the office today it was understandable that people would send him a note instead.

"Who is it from?", he wondered.

"The Wand Permit Office", she replied.

This only managed to confuse him further.

Still, he wasn't going to refuse it.

"Thank you, miss Tocker", he said, and saw how the memo scurried down her side to run towards his desk at his words. By the time it had climbed onto his desk his secretary had left the room.

Seeing it up close he saw that there was something off about it. It was very white. As if it was made out of regular writing paper instead of the usual forms and reports.

Now curious he wasted no time in unfolding it with a wave of his wand .

The content surprised him.

It was a drawing.

A child's by the looks of it.

That's when he remembered Credence.

He quickly looked around the room from his desk. Then he checked underneath it just to be sure.

The boy wasn't there.

And Graves realized that he had never felt Credence return.

"Merlin's beard!"

He wasn't doing a very good job at this guardian thing, was he?

The Director of Magical Security was just about the leap up from his chair when he realized he probably had the answer right in front of him.

He looked at the picture. By his interpretation it was of a boy, probably Credence, sitting at a desk with a woman standing next to it. It looked like she was making some sort of potion with her wand. It was made in pencil with the single exception being the curly, blond hair of the woman, which was golden.

It did not give him that much information. He flipped it over, and sure enough, there, in neat billowing handwriting much to elegant to have been written by Credence, it said:

"Dear Director Graves. Credence apologizes if he made you worried. He really didn't mean to wander off anywhere, and all I will say (because it's a long story otherwise) is that he's safe and sound at The Wand Permit Office now where I'm keeping an eye on him until you can come pick him up. / Queenie Goldstein"

He immediately recognized the name as Tina's sister.

He waved for his pocket watch, which proclaimed that it was just about time for lunch. He didn't think he could continue working, or at least not until he was sure of Credence's whereabouts, so he folded up the drawing again and put it in his pocket.

He rose and with a wave of his wand the documents on his desk arranged themselves for when he got back. Then he took his and Credence's coats (as the boy had left it in the office) and told Tocker he was going out for lunch. Though he chose to spare her the details that the boy had been momentarily missing.

He met Tina in the elevator. Or rather, they bumped into each other as he stepped in at the same time she was getting off.

"Sir!", she greeted.

"Goldstein", he replied, albeit more surprised.

"What are you doing here?", he wondered. Though he thought he already knew the answer to that question.

"I just wanted to say hi to Credence", she told him. Her gaze searched around his tailcoat, but coming up empty handed she frowned a little.

"Where's Credence?", she asked him.

"I'm just about to pick him up", he told her.

She was just about to open her mouth to ask him something when a voice sounded from behind them.

"Hey, are you going on or not…!", Red asked demanded. "You're blocking the door."

The witch and the wizard both jerked at the realization.

"Yes, sorry, I'm going down. Wand Permit Office", he said and quickly stepped inside.

Tina looked surprised but followed as he waved her inside.

"He's with your sister", he told her while Red pulled the lever to start the descent towards the Wand Permit Office.

"With Queenie?", she repeated.

"I'm sure they'll explain it to us when we get there", he said. Then the elevator jerked into movement.

They made small talk about Tina's regained position and Graves' uncertainty about toys. He didn't bring up the nap time though. He thought he could figure that out on his own.

As they were walking down the hallway towards Wand Permit he stopped her.

He took a one-over of the hallway to make sure no one unnecessary would overhear, then turned back to her.

"Tina, I need to tell you, before we get there", he said lowering his voice slightly.

She, being the intelligent witch she was, listened intently as he spoke.

"The first night the obscurus appeared."

Her eyes widened slightly. Then she frowned.

"What happened?", she wondered, in the same hushed voice. She didn't sound too surprised by the news though, Percival noted. She just sounded concerned.

"He… um, I accidently brought up my house elf."

"Your house elf…?", she repeated. Then she brought up her hand to her face in realization.

"Oh dear…"

"I didn't tell him directly, but he's clever. He understood what had happened himself. Or at least enough", he told her.

"He became upset, blaming himself for what had happened. That's when it appeared."

She nodded.

"Ah, poor thing", she sighed and pushed her hair back from her face. Then she aimed her brown eyes at him.

"What happened then? Could you… handle it?", she asked, careful on how she worded it.

He nodded.

"Yeah. I wasn't sure at first, but it worked. Somehow..."

"Well, what did you do?"

"I just…", he shrugged, unsure on how to explain it. "Held him. Talked to him. Let him cry for a bit. It took a while, but it sort of disappeared after that."

He looked in her eyes to see if she understood.

"Then he fell asleep..."

He noticed she had a subtle smile on her lips.

She placed her hand on his arm, squeezing it gently.

"I told you, you were the better choice", she said.

He had to huff in annoyance.

"Not this again, Tina-"

"Really though!", she interrupted him.

He let his mouth clap shut as she spoke.

"It shows how much trust he's able to put in you. He barely lets me touch him. You held him. That's an improvement, Percival."

He couldn't help but feel a bit better at the praise. She had that power, Tina.

"And about the obscurus", he asked her, "It's not new that it's appearing, is it?"

Tina nodded and they continued down the hall.

"It happened three times on the Underage magic use. Nothing serious. It didn't... explode like it used to. It was in the beginning when everything was still new and confusing. When we had to explain who Grindelwald was, the things he was responsible for..."

She took a deep breath.

"It was a hard time for him..."

They were both quite for a few moments.

"So, is he eating properly?", she asked him suddenly.

"I think he is… I'm honestly not sure how to tell…", he admitted to the witch.

"But he's eating?" The tone she was using didn't leave any room for hesitation.

"Yes, he's eating", he assured her. An unspoken ma'am in his head.

She smiled.

"That's good to hear."

The Wand Permit Office was the same as he remembered it.

The constant, although quiet, scuttering of rat memos running in the pipes running along the ceiling. The floorspace being dominated by desks cluttered with piles of applications, and cupboards, presumably filled with even more applications.

The workspace Tina had been demoted to; and absolutely despised knowing her abilities were suited for something more. The place where her sister still worked.

They didn't have to look for long to find them. After all, the place was rather small. The sign in the roof was of good help as well.

Tina's sister, Queenie, was sitting by a desk, scribbling on something with a quill. Credence was sitting across from her, probably drawing.

It was Queenie who noticed their presence first.

"Teenie?", was the first thing she said, her tone surprised, but pleasantly so. Credence immediately looked up.

"And, Mr Percival", she continued, not as surprised.

"Hello, miss Goldstein", the Director said.

She laughed, a pretty laugh.

"Oh, you can call me Queenie", she told him.

While she talked Credence slipped off his chair and ran up to them. His eyes wide and urgent.

"Credence!", Percival greeted. He brushed him through the hair as he came up to him and clung to his leg.

"Did you get lost before?"

Credence didn't answer. Instead his mouth had formed a troubled line and he was tugging at Graves' coat sleeve.

"Mr Percival…", he whispered.

Not knowing what he wanted the Director glanced at both witches. Tina looked as confused as him, and Queenie was smiling at the two of them. Figuring Credence might want some kind of confirmation he wasn't upset with him he picked the boy up.

"What is it?", he wondered.

Credence immediately looked more pleased, although his wide eyed look was still there.

The boy hesitated a moment, but then leaned in towards the wizard, putting his hands in a cup against the wizard's ear.

The Director didn't know how many years it had been since he was in this position, but he obliged in participating in the much secretive mean of communication; trying not to squirm too much as Credence's breath tickled his ear.

The boy whispered into his ear:
"Mr Percival, that lady can read minds…!"

Graves immediately got why the boy had been so restless.

He leaned out, a smile on his face. Credence looked as astonished as before sharing this information.

Queenie giggled from over the desk and Credence looked her, blushing a little; aware of that she knew what he had told the Director.

"Yes, Credence, she can", Graves agreed.

He looked at the blonde.

"I am well aware of it."

Queenie blinked at him. There had been a few meetings regarding her, and other legilimens', ability over the years.

Credence seemed to be further amazed over this fact.

"Hi Credence", Tina said from next to them.

"Hi, Miss Tina", the boy responded.

Then he was quiet for a moment.

"I was actually wondering that too", Queenie suddenly said from over the desk, no doubt having heard Credence wondering the same. Whatever the same was.

"Pardon?", Tina said.

"What you're doing here", Queenie clarified.

"Oh", Tina said.
"The Director and I ran into each just now", she explained.

"And since he was heading here I figured you and I could go eat lunch. If you want to..."

Queenie hummed, the slightest hint of disbelief in her tone. Though she didn't linger on it.

Graves adjusted his hold on the boy.

"I can't thank you enough", he told the younger of the sisters.

"I guess I owe both of you dinner now...", he said looking between the two.

They both laughed.

"Oh, he hasn't been any trouble, sir!", Queenie said.

"He's been lovely company", she added, then giggled as Credence blushed again.

"He's so polite!", she gushed.

"That's good to hear", Graves said and smiled at the boy.

"Now, could you please tell me how you ended up here?"

Credence looked at him with his big brown eyes. Then he looked down.

"That man was still there when I came back, I asked… um…"

"Tocker?"

"Yes... And so I figured I could take a walk around the floor and come back a little later. But the corridors didn't go around like I thought…", he told him.

"I found an elevator and asked the them to take me to the entrance, because I thought I knew the way back from there."

He started fiddling with Graves' vest buttons. Seemingly unaware of it.

"He didn't…", Queenie filled in.
"I, um, thought it would be better if he came with me than to try finding his way back himself..."

"No, I think that was a good idea, actually", Graves said before the blonde could apologize about her decision.

He really should have informed Credence of the irregular layout of the corridors in the building before sending him off on his own. The limits of architecture had apparently never been an issue to the original architects. Anyone could get lost in there; you could even end up on another floor if you tried hard enough.

"Seems you've had more fun here than you did in my office", he said, looking at the boy.

"I've been drawing", Credence said. He didn't make any attempt to disagree though; which the Director took care to note.

"Did you draw that picture I got?", he wondered. And as he said it the drawing came out of his pocket to unfold itself in the air. Tina walked up to look at it over his shoulder.

Credence hummed in agreement. As he did he rested his head against the man's shoulder. The boy seemed to be unaware of this as well.

"Is that Queenie?", Tina asked him.

Credence hummed again and Graves could feel his little head move as he nodded.
"She's making coffee", he then said.

So it wasn't a potion, Graves thought to himself.

"It seems to be very accurate in that case", he chuckled.

"I can make some if you'd like", Queenie perked up from the desk.

The Director thought for a moment. He hadn't actually had any since that morning.

"Is it okay to wait a little longer before we go have lunch?", he asked Credence.

The boy shrugged.
"I don't mind."

"Then, yes please", the Director told the blonde.

"Coming right up", she said. Then adding:
"I'll get one for you too, Tina", before rising from the desk and disappearing amongst the desk.

"Thanks Queenie", the auror called after her.

Meanwhile Graves pocketed the drawing again.

"So you've been working from the office today, sir?", Tina asked.

"Yes", he replied.

"For the afternoon as well?", she wondered.

"No", he said.

"I need to attend a meeting at two though. I can't just do paperwork all day..."

He knew the witch wasn't trying to make simple small-talk. She was wondering the same thing he had been all weekend...

"Don't really know what to do about this one, though", he admitted and hitched up the boy a little further on his arm.

Because, although he'd surely manage to get permission through the President herself, there were more than enough topics that weren't suited for small ears.

And the auror next to him was surely aware of this.

Credence, being completely oblivious about this, said timidly:
"I can be quiet, Mr Percival."

The wizard smiled.

"Yes, I'm sure you can, little guy. The thing is it wouldn't be fair for you to just sit and listen to us talk for two hours."

The last part actually made Credence pale.

"You said at two?", Tina asked him.

He nodded, already knowing what she was thinking.

And sure enough, she frowned.

"I'm still out on my rounds by then..."

"I know, Tina. But I wasn't asking-" He didn't get any further before he was interrupted.

"I could babysit!"

The whole company turned their heads at the same time to see Queenie come around the corner smiling vibrantly at them over the coffee tray.

Graves was slightly at loss, but Tina didn't waste any time speaking.

"Queenie?"

"Oh, I think it's a great idea, Teenie", the witch said as she took out her wand, then with a quick,"Locomotor", made the coffee potstart pouring itself.

Graves finally found his tongue at that.

"Oh, Miss Goldstein, I can't ask you to do that…"

"Queenie", she corrected him.

"And do you take with cream?"

"Er, just black is fine", he said and set Credence down on the ground. He could feel the boy's hands take a hold of his tail coat as he listened to the adult's conversation.

"But really, you don't have to", Graves tried again.

"I was going to ask the witches at Underage Magic Use if they could keep an eye on him."

"But I'd love to do it!", she said and sent him the steaming cup through the air. The Director caught it easily.

"But what about your work, Queenie…?", Tina reminded.

Her sister made a dismissive wave with her hand.

"Tina, you know how 'busy' it gets around here", she said, complete with air quotes.

"It actually get's kind of lonely...", she added with a fake pout.

"Oh, don't be so boring Tina!", she then laughed as the older gave her a berating look, no doubt scolding her in her thoughts.

Graves suspected the auror didn't want her sister to goof around in front of him.

He couldn't say he minded it though. And neither did Credence.

It was obvious he was entranced by the behavior of both women by how he was watching them from next to the wizard. The communication that consisted solely on facial expressions on one side.

(If he hadn't been their boss he would have thought it was rather entertaining.)

Credence seemed far happier in their presence than he had been with Patricia, the witch at the office of Underage Magic Use.

As the wizard thought back on that Friday he actually started doubting his previous plan of action. They had said they would help if he needed anything, but did the witches at Underage Magic Use want to watch the obscurial? He obviously couldn't vouch for the other witches and wizards working there, but Patricia's reaction hadn't been promising. How she had just stood there when he cried…

Tina's sister on the other hand was the literal definition of empathy. She could read minds. And she was Tina's sister!

And since she seemed so eager to…

He reached out and ran a hand through the boy's hair, making the boy look up.

"What do you think, Credence?", the wizard asked.

The witches looked over as well, equally as curious for the answer.

Credence must have gotten self-conscious over the sudden attention because he moved a little closer to the man's leg. His eyes passing from Graves to the witches and back again.

"You want to spend the afternoon with Queenie? While I go to my meeting", Graves continued.

However, Queenie was already smiling, so the thousand dragotquestion wasn't hard to foresee.

"If it isn't too much trouble…", Credence said.

Queenie made a happy little squeak, but she stayed composed. Even though it was clear she was restraining herself from jumping up and down. Or whatever witches did when they were happy.

Next to Queenie Tina shrugged. She clearly wasn't against the idea. Actually, she had a slight smirk on her lips.

"I said it before, honey: You're no trouble at all!", the blonde chimed.

"Should we say quarter to two?", Graves wondered.

Queenie smiled, if possibly, brighter.

"Yes!", she said with a clap of her hands.

Immediately Tina elbowed the younger in the side; even if she tried being discreet by sipping her coffee.

Queenie sobered up, or at least tried to, and said with a nod:

"Sounds great. Sir." Though the smile she was trying to supress destroyed the business-like attempt.

"Great", Graves agreed.

"Right, Credence?", he asked the boy.

The boy nodded.

"Then quarter to two it is", Graves decided.

He finished his coffee, then the two had to leave because Percival's lunch break did have a limit; and Tocker would get nervous if he didn't get back on time.

"Where is the obscurial?"

"Good afternoon to you, too, Madame President."

The witch sent him a no-nonsense look, as usual, as she seated herself at the head of the table.

He sighed gently at the failed attempt at humouring her, but sat down himself with the other attending wizards and witches (who had all stood up when Picquery walked in).

"The boy is at the Wand Permit Office."

She briefly glanced up from her scroll.

"I thought Goldstein was relocated."

He thought the fact that she wasn't questioning this was a good sign.

"No, it's actually her sister", he said.

"The legilimens?"

He nodded.

"Queenie", he heard himself correct.

"We're trying it for today", he continued. But before he could divulge on the potential problems of this plan (considering it wasn't Queenie's job to watch MACUSA's children) the president said, without looking at him:

"Whatever you think works best, Director."

The wizard blinked. He had expected her to demand some kind of motivation of his choices.

After all, she did everytime else.

His confused pause in conversation must have spoken for itself because she looked up and added matter-of-factly:

"He's your responsibility, Graves."

Then she looked at her scroll again.

"You signed the papers."

He was quiet for another moment. Just to let this information sink in.

Because it sounded very much like Picquery's was planning for this to be permanent, considering she was giving him free reigns.

And he didn't know what to think about that.

He felt like that was a discussion for another time though, considering almost everyone had gotten seated and were waiting for the meeting to commence.

"You still want me to send you reports on the obscurus?", he asked.

"Of course", she replied.

"We need them for documentation."

Then she straightened in her seat and said in a louder voice to the assembled witches and wizards at the table, effectively ending their private conversation:

"Let's get started, we have a lot to cover before Christmas."

It was an effective two hours. Despite that Graves knew he wasn't as focused as he should have been. When it wasn't his turn to speak his thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.

What was the boy doing right now? Was he hungry? Credence had eaten all his lunch, but the wizard hadn't really figured out the metabolic rate of children yet.

Maybe he should have brought the fruit basket with them when he dropped the boy off.

And on the topic of food: What were they supposed to eat for dinner tonight? And he had to order some more groceries.

He almost laughed at himself when that crossed his mind.

He didn't think he'd ever sound so domestic.

A sharp look from Picquery scattered his musings, however.

"Did you have fun with Queenie?", the wizard asked as they walked down the steps of the Woolworth building. Briefcase in one hand, boy in the other.

"Miss Queenie is nice", Credence said. "Just like Miss Tina."

Tina would surely be happy to hear that. Even if it didn't answer the question.

He didn't except the answer to be anything other than yes, though. The boy had been so excited when he had come to pick him up. He had had another drawing for him.

"We tried playing hide and seek, but it didn't really work, because Miss Queenie knew where I was before she finished counting. And we couldn't do it the other way around because she's too big to hide under the desks."

"But then she made a rat. She made it run away to hide, then we both looked for it."

Graves had to glance around to make sure the boy's words hadn't caught any nomaj's attention. It wasn't everyday women made rats.

Luckily nobody seemed to pay any attention to them.

Perhaps it was Credence's age. After all, children usually said strange things.

Still, they would have to have a talk about that when they got home.

"Like a competition?", the wizard wondered.

Credence thought for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"Who won?", Graves asked.

"We didn't keep count", the boy told him.

"But", he continued,"I think I won."

Graves chuckled.

"You just need a pipe and you'll be ready for business", the wizard told him.

Credence was quiet for a moment.

"But, Mr Percival… I don't smoke..."