Hi.
I'm not dead.
I'm just sorry I've taken so long.
Thank you all for the reviews and kudos that have kept dropping in despite me not updating. I just hope there's someone left to read this :')
So, an explanation:
I started writing this, telling everything. Everything: Graves stressing over packing, to traveling there, introductions to everyone, brunch, and games and the nieces asking Credence a bunch of questions then playing hairdresser (I had A WIZARD CHRISTMAS MASS SCENE with Credence worrying about JESUS!) and I was at 10k words and I hadn't even gotten to the evening (which was the part I *wanted* to write to begin with) and it resulted in me getting writer's block about everything. My solution: Summarizing the entire thing and writing this.
The reason this all took so long is because I'm graduating in a this spring (in a week now) and now I'm finally done with stressing about my grades.
But now... *drum roll* IT'S HERE!
THE PROMISED CHRISTMAS CHAPTER! :'D
*Cries*
The December night was quiet. Even the hoo-hooing of a distant owl was muffled by the snow.
The inhabitants had all retreated inside, but a snowman and a number of half-buried snow lanterns - with their faint glow - showed of the activities that had taken place during the day.
In the sitting room three wizards were warming themselves in front of the fireplace. The Christmas tree standing big and round in the corner, the branches covered in ribbons and candles; matching the many pine garlands hanging along the walls. The air smelled of gingerbread and you could hear a Christmas hymn on the radio somewhere deeper into the house.
Director Graves and the rest of the adults were enjoying the peace and quiet now that the children had been tucked into bed. He himself was planning to retire to his room soon where Credence was already sleeping.
The Director had actually been tempted to spend the holiday in his apartment in New York City. But since he had already missed out on Thanksgiving he wanted the opportunity to meet his family outside of a crowded hospital room.
And to introduce the boy.
He was happy he decided to go though. And in hindsight it was probably the best choice for the boy as well.
He didn't know what he had imagined they would do in New York City. He wasn't good at games and the house-elf hadn't arrived yet, so they had no treats or festive food available.
- If he had stayed there was also the risk of Picquery demanding he'd attend MACUSA's Yule ball, which he wanted to avoid to all costs. The charade of apologizes and condolences from aristocrats and politicians alike all over again. -
And even if poor Credence had almost been stampeded by Percival's two older nieces when they arrived with floo (Maggie, the youngest, couldn't stampede yet; being only six months) he obviously had more fun with them than he would have had with Percival on his own. Gilda (six years) and Camille (four) had kept the entire family busy with popcorn garlands, christmas radio programs, puzzles and demanded games for the entire day. When dinner was finished Credence had passed out on the couch.
The Director of Magical Security had felt rather pleased at the impressed look his mother had given him when he had gathered the boy up in his arms and carried him upstairs.
- Like she'd expected her up-until-just-recently bachelor son to not know any better and carry the six year old by his ankles.
Or levitate him. -
Across the group of sofas his brother-in-law, Glenn, got up and started walking over to the liquor cabinet.
"Would you like one, Dad?", he asked the older Graves, who was sitting in his usual armchair.
Percival's sister Daisy, the wife of Glenn, was off to make sure all the children were asleep, and not perched by the window looking for reindeer. Something you had to double check the night before Christmas, she said.
His mother was somewhere else in the house, perhaps looking over the presents for tomorrow.
"Fire or Bourbon?", his father asked next to his pipe. He was reading the sunset paper.
"I was thinking Fire", Glenn replied.
The older wizard puffed out some orange smoke, turned the page, and then said:
"Alright", he said, nodding.
Glenn turned his head as he unscrewed the crystal bottle.
"How about you, Percival?"
"Blishen or Pheonix?", Percival wondered, referring to the brand.
"Ogden, actually. You still want some?"
He thought for a moment.
"Sure", he said.
Glenn poured three glasses and Percival summoned his with a wave of his wand. His father did the same, although the Director noticed he was scowling at something he was reading.
"Anything interesting happening, Dad?", Percival wondered before he took the first sip.
His father nodded, albeit confused.
"It says some No-Majs' been robbing a bank dressed as Santa Claus."
"Santa Claus?" That was a first.
"I heard about that!", Glenn proudly announced as he sat back down.
"Happened yesterday. They're still looking for 'em", he told them.
"Where?", Percival wondered.
"Cisco, Texas", his father read outloud. His brow was still furrowed, still puzzled.
"Daisy wouldn't let me bring it up around the kids", Glenn continued.
"Would ruin the Christmas spirit, she said, if they heard Santa's been robbing the bank."
Percival chuckled.
"Poor devils. A manhunt on Christmas Eve…", the Director continued, a tad more serious as he thought about the No-majs.
"Yeah…", Glenn agreed.
The two men took a sip each.
He was surprised to hear that there was a second prohibited topic, though. All the adults had agreed not to discuss Grindelwald under any circumstances. To let them focus on the holiday.
- Daisy especially could become very upset when reminded that she hadn't realized her big brother was being held captive. He didn't blame her though, considering both she and Glenn had had their hands full with their newly arrived baby. -
But it was also for Credence's sake.
Percival hadn't disclosed all the details to his family yet. All they knew was that Credence was an orphan with exceptionally strong magical powers. And that before Grindelwald had come to New York city he had not been an orphan.
Which wasn't a lie, technically.
His father puffed his pipe.
"Such strange things they get up to nowadays, No-Majs…", he grumbled.
"It's those automobiles", he concluded and turned the page.
The two younger wizards did not attempt to argue.
Percival was just about to ask how Glenn's parents were doing when a new voice entered the conversation.
"Percival?"
He looked up at the voice of his sister. She was standing in the doorway.
"There's someone looking for you", she said.
It wasn't until then that he noticed Credence standing by her. He looked tired. And was frowning.
The wizard straightened like a rod in his seat. What had happened last time Credence was out of bed was still fresh in his mind.
After all, it was less than a week ago. Daisy obviously did not know of this, but that had obviously not stopped her from bringing the boy to him.
He quickly set down his glass and gestured for him to come over.
"Hi little guy", Graves said and brushed him over the hair when he had trotted over. At the same time he discreetly checked the hem of his pyjama pants for any signs of black smoke.
There wasn't any.
"What's up?"
The boy mumbled something that he couldn't make out.
"Come again?"
Credence hesitated, but then he said, still in a barely audible voice:
"My stomach hurts…"
His stomach?
"Well, that doesn't sound good", Graves said.
Better than any emotional distress that might trigger the obscurus, but he was unsure of how to proceed. He was an auror, not a healer.
How did children even get stomach aches?
His pondering was interrupted, however, by Credence sniffling. A lone, small tear making its way down his cheek.
The Director would not deny that it made his heart beat pick up. He distracted himself with brushing it away with his thumb.
"Hey…", he said.
Credence looked up, his brown eyes shiny with tears.
"Wanna sit with me?", the wizard wondered.
Credence hesitated for a second, his bottom lip trembling, but nodded.
Graves easily lifted him to sit on his lap, being mindful not to lay any pressure around the boy's abdomen since he was obviously in a lot of pain. Despite that Credence whimpered as he was sat down.
"Sorry", the wizard said and rubbed his back in an attempt to comfort him.
"I'm sure we can make it go away", he told him.
How that was supposed to happen he did not know.
"Hey, Daisy?", as he continued to rub the boy's back.
"Yeah?"
"Credence has a stomach ache. Got anything for that?"
"Oh, you've got a tummy ache, baby?", she asked and immediately came over, leaving a Glenn the glass he had poured for her. She squatted next to her brother's legs.
Credence turned his head, and nodded. Percival could feel his little cheek rub against his sweater.
"Well, um… Is he allergic to anything?", she asked, now to Percival.
"Like what?", he wondered.
She shrugged.
"Milk, those sort of things. I know there was cream in the sauce..."
He felt his eyes widen at that.
"I have no idea…", he admitted.
" But… he's had milk before..."
Credence hummed.
"Well, if he's had no problems before he probably just had too much to eat", she said.
Percival thought back to the dinner. Credence had been sitting with Gilda and Camille by a smaller table. - The girls had been very excited to pretend they were attending a restaurant. - In all honesty he hadn't paid him much attention other than making sure the turkey and sweet potatoes were somewhat proportioned to the brussel sprouts and to wipe his chin from sauce afterwards (it was shortly thereafter the boy fell asleep on the couch).
"Do you think that's it, Credence?", he asked the boy.
"Had too much pumpkin pie?"
"Maybe...", Credence mumbled.
"Well, we do have some chamomile drops for gas", Daisy said. "But I doubt they'll work if he's just stuffed. Some tea might do something though…"
She tilted her head at Credence.
"Would you like some tea, honey?"
Credence shook his head no.
"Okay", she told him and brushed him over the head.
"That's alright."
"You could try to massage it a bit", she suddenly said.
"Massage it?"
Credence looked up at this as well.
"You know, 'love circles'. Glenn and I read about it in the domestic column. You seem to be a natural though", she said and nodded towards his occupied hand on the boy's back.
He felt himself blush. He never expected himself to receive compliments on love circles . Nonetheless from his sister.
"Try it", she coaxed, nudging him in the side of the leg.
Percival and the boy met eyes.
Credence looked as unsure as he was. Albeit more tired. And with shiny eyes from the recent tears.
To be honest, Percival was willing to try anything to make the boy feel better.
"Yeah, let's try it", he decided.
Daisy seemed very content with this and rose to return to her seat.
Then, carefully, Graves turned the boy around and hoisted up his shirt for better access. Now, he had only ever seen Credence without a shirt during bathtime and when he got in and out of clothes (and even then he hadn't paid him much attention) but the boy's belly did look… rounder than usual. And when he put his hand against it he noticed Credence was breathing in shallow short breaths.
"Where does it hurt?", the wizard wondered, his voice slightly hushed to exclude the rest of his family who had resumed the steady stream of small talk.
"Everywhere…", the boy told him.
If he hadn't suspected Credence was serious he would have found the boy's deadpan humorous.
He decided to start by just moving his thumb up and down in the same way he had done against the boy's back.
"How's that?"
Credence was quiet for a moment, considerate as always. He shifted a little.
"Could you do more left?"
He moved his hand.
"Right there?"
A hum.
After a few moments the boy leaned back against Percival's chest, a little sigh leaving his lips.
Percival knew one thing: He would have to ask Daisy for that domestic column.
The wizard scooted back and let himself get comfortable. After all, he would probably have to sit there for a while.
"You comfy?", he asked, just to be sure.
Credence wiggled around just a little to finally settle against man's chest. With his cheek snuggly against Percival's vest he nodded; looking as content as you could be with a tummy ache. Then he yawned, managing (to somehow) look even more adorable, as he dried away the last of his tears with his sleeve.
Graves couldn't help but smile as he continued to make circles with his thumb. And after a moment of consideration he leaned in and nuzzled the top of Credence's hair.
Credence, sweet thing, stiffened a little in surprise, eyes flying open; but as soon as he realized he was being cuddled he relaxed and closed his eyes again. Even sleepily moving into the caress.
"Tell me if you need anything else, my boy", the wizard mumbled into the bowl cut.
"Okay", the boy replied.
The Director hummed gently against his hair before sitting back in the sofa. He then sat there focusing on the repeated circle motions, letting his family's small talk fade into the background.
He didn't realize he had fallen asleep until he was startled awake by a nudge to his arm. If his arms hadn't been wrapped around Credence he probably would have jinxed his "attacker".
He blinked to find his mother, hand still hovering over his arm.
"Sorry", she whispered.
"No, it's alright", he told her, and tried sitting up without stirring the boy.
He doubted he was making a very good job though.
"Don't worry about him. He's been out for hours", his mother told him. Still whispering.
He yawned.
"What time is it?", he wondered.
The firewood had sunken into glowing charcoals, and someone had turned off the radio. Someone had draped a blanket over the two of them, and it slid down to land by his feet as he moved about.
"Just past eleven, darling", she replied.
"Really?" He glanced at the clock, confirming this.
"The others have already gone to bed. I figured you'd like to spend at least half of the night in your bed."
She shifted her attention to the boy in his arms. Just gazed, as if thinking over something important.
Percival waited.
He hadn't had the opportunity to talk about the sudden addition to the household with his mother. He doubted he would indulge upon right there and then, however, sleepy and with the boy present; but he did not want to miss anything she wanted to say to him.
She tilted her head. Then reached out to carefully brush some loose strands on the Credence's forehead.
She sat there for a moment. Then sighed, withdrawing her hand.
"It's so strange...", she finally said, finally looking at her son.
"You write to us that you've been tasked with housing a child. I admit , we were both confused and terrified, your father and I. We thought it was such a strange assignment. Only a few months since you came back, a few days before the holidays...", she said, as if the two timings were as impactful as one another.
"We figured you'd be up the walls ", she told him.
"And next time I see you, less than a week later… "
She shook her head, but not unkindly.
"It's like you've been doing this for far longer. And you actually seem to be enjoying yourself."
"You flatter me mother", the Director said.
She got a crease between her eyebrows.
"Don't get excited, Percival. There is still room for improvement."
But then she smiled, winking at him with both eyes.
The wizard returned the wink, then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, careful not to disturb the boy, before standing up.
"Good night, mother", he said.
"Good night, darling", she replied and followed him out of the living room, a spell folding up the blankets left on the sofa behind them.
He was woken up by the bedroom door bursting open. Followed by an intent patting and tugging on his arm.
"Wake up Uncle Percival! Up! It's Christmas! It's Christmas!", Gilda yelled.
"Merry Christmas!", her four year old sister declared next to her.
They were both dressed in pyjamas, seemingly just out of bed.
"Merlin...", Percival groaned, rolling over, as his niece had practically yelled straight into his ear.
"You too!", Gilda said pointing at Credence; who was wide awake from the sudden charging of the room.
"Merry Christmas!", Camille cheered again.
"Merry Christmas", Credence greeted back in a more in-door voice. Then yawned.
The wizard habitually summoned his pocket watch. He groaned again when he saw the time.
"Girls, it's half past six in the morning", he said.
"We know", Gilda said.
"Won't you let your uncle sleep in during the holiday?", he wondered. A hint of a begging in his voice.
"Mama said we couldn't look in the stockings without Credence", she explained.
The wizard furrowed his brow and rose onto his elbow.
"What about breakfast?", he wondered.
Gilda shook her head.
"We don't need breakfast", she said matter-of-factly.
"No breakfast", Camille dittoed, mimicking her older sister.
Percival wondered what his sister had to say about that.
But considering he probably wouldn't be able to go back to sleep after this the wizard took his wand from the nightstand and flicked it towards the curtained window. They pulled away to reveal the snow covered yard, contrasted to the light blue sky above, letting the morning sun stream into the room.
He sat up and stretched then turned to see Credence still bundled up in the blanket. He had his eyes closed again, nowhere near as excited as the girls.
Graves reached back and carded his fingers through Credence's hair to try and rouse him more awake. It made the boy's brown eyes fly open.
"You feeling better, my boy?"
The boy yawned and started rubbing his eye, but nodded. Still not attempting to get out of bed.
"What's with Credence?", Gilda wondered.
"He had a tummy ache, but he's better now", the wizard answered.
"Okay", Gilda said.
Then she seized Credence up with a look.
"Hurry up now", she ordered.
Credence made wide eyes and started unravel himself from the blanket, timid as he was.
Percival then followed the children to the living room where the stockings were waiting.
"Look, she's moving", Credence remarked.
Graves hummed in agreement as he looked at the witch from above the boy's head.
They were looking at a picture of Morgan le Fay. Credence had not heard of her before, but before Percival could divulge on an explanation they had realized the card featured a brief summary of her on the back.
Educative candy. The Director approved.
"What happens if you flip it upside down?", Percival wondered.
The boy rotated the card a few degrees to the left, and then to the right, much like a No-Maj steering wheel.
"She doesn't seem to care that much...", he said.
So the picture did not have the same mechanics as a painting then. A good thing perhaps, considering they were meant to be played with by children.
He doubted Morgan le Fey wanted to be spun around in school bags and
The opening of the socks had started calmly enough. Credence had received candy canes, as well as set of a toque and gloves. There was also a scarf with a broom and star motive. Luckily it did not feature an animated pattern, as it could prove to be a hassle when traversing among No-Majs.
What had been most interesting, however, were the pentagon shaped boxes at the bottom of the sock. Credence had recognized them from the candy store the week before.
It took a few moments of tinkering to figure out how to open it, but the boy did without any assistance.
The director had looked over his shoulder to see a brown frog sit within the package.
To him, it had been obvious that it wasn't a real one. He could easily see that it was merely an animated piece of food. Much like the marzipan they had bought; with skates that had actually skated around the plate for a bit before being consumed. The molding wasn't very detailed either, making it a dead giveaway to the non-authenticity of the frog.
Credence on the other hand-
As soon as the frog started climbing out of the box, reaching for his little hands, the boy had shoot a feet up in the air with a cry of alarm, sending the box flying onto the carpet. Well there the chocolate frog launched into the air, startling both the girls, making them scream as well. This had led to Credence screaming even more.
All in all, it had been a lot of screaming.
The room calmed down after a well aimed Petrificus totalus from the Director of magical security, making the chocolate frog freeze on top of the coffee table.
By that point the entire family had gotten gathered in the living room, wondering what all the commotion had been about.
"Did you give the children a frog for Christmas?", Percival's mother had demanded.
"Santa did, apparently ", Daisy had said, sending her husband a glare.
And Glenn had proposed that they would open the presents, considering everyone had already gathered in the living room. Despite no one having eaten breakfast yet.
Meanwhile Percival and Credence experimented with the pentagon shaped card the rest of the family continued with the presents. Credence had already opened the box of colored crayons and the card saying that he and Percival would go to The Unicorn Playbox where he would be able to pick out whatever he wanted.
Percival had wanted to give him something other than colored crayons, but he still wasn't sure of what, if any , toy the boy might want.
Percival himself had received a brand new bathrobe. What had happened to the old one remained unsaid for the sake of the children.
"How about that big one? Who's it for?", Graves' father wondered.
Graves glanced over to see Glenn pull out a big box from underneath the christmas tree. His daughters nipping around his heels.
"It's for Credence", Glenn said.
Credence looked up from the card at the sound of his name.
"Pardon?", he said.
"You've got another present", Glenn told him.
The boy blinked.
So did Percival.
"Who is it from?", he wondered. He glanced around on his family members, but they seemed as clueless as he did.
Glenn looked at the label again.
"From: Tina ", he read out loud.
Credence looked up at Graves. His brown eyes wide.
Percival indicated with his eyebrows that he was just as surprised as he was.
Glenn placed the gift next to Credence on the sofa. Gilda and Milly followed behind him, no doubt wanting to know what was inside.
Credence just stared at it.
Graves gentle nudged him in the side.
"Go on then, my boy", Graves said next to his ear.
"It's for you after all."
Credence set down his card on Graves' leg and slipped off his lap. Then carefully, as if the bow and the wrapping was made out of silked ice (a fabric Needle had yet tried to clad Graves in) he untied the package.
Gilda and Milly stood watching like owls. Even Graves' mother straightened a little to be able to see.
Credence lifted away the lid, and a unison gasp went through Gilda and Milly at the reveal.
At first Percival had no idea what it was Tina had gifted the boy. All he could see was brown fluff surrounded by satin.
A coat perhaps?
Luckily Gilda was there to inform him.
"Credence got a teddy bear!"
Teddy bear.
Bear, as in the animal.
He leaned forward to have a better look.
He supposed it looked like a bear with its round ears. Though he had never seen a bear wear a bow tie.
Credence lifted the Teddy bear out of the box, and Graves had to cough as he choked on some air.
The box should have been a tale tale sign, but still-!
It was almost larger than Credence!
Milly must have realized the same thing, because her little mouth was hanging wide open.
"Wow…!", Daisy swooned from across couches as she righted Maggie on her lap; the only one who did not pay attention to the appearance of the large teddy bear.
"That's so nice Credence!", she continued.
"Yeah…", Percival agreed.
Credence returned to his lap, bringing the bear with him.
Now, Percival had never had two children in his lap at the same time, but he imagined it was fairly similar to what he was experiencing at that moment.
"Is it really for me?", Credence whispered.
"Unless we have another Credence here I would assume so, my boy", Percival replied.
Credence blushed. Then he hugged the large stuffed toy to his chest and burrowed his little nose in the brown fur. Despite not being able to see Credence's mouth the wizard knew he was smiling from the twinkling in his eyes.
Percival put his cheek against the side of the boy's head; snuggling him playfully.
"You'll make sure to thank Tina next time you see her, right?"
Credence nodded.
"Good boy", he said and kissed his ear.
This wasn't the end of surprise Christmas presents for Credence.
"Another one?!", Graves exclaimed when Glenn pulled out another box from underneath the tree.
Not that it was bad news, he was just wondering who was left to give Credence presents. And who he hadn't sent holiday greetings to...
Glenn came over with a slim, oblong box.
For a moment the MACUSA worker inside him jerked awake, as it looked very similar to a wand box. Now, he didn't think anyone in their right mind would send a child a wand, considering it was illegal , but he had heard of worse cases.
"Does it say who it's from?", he asked. His voice came out much tenser than he wanted it and Credence actually looked up in slight alarm.
Glenn did not pick up on this, and merely shrugged after giving it a once over.
"Nope", he said, then handed it to the boy.
Credence hesitated.
The director immediately felt bad.
"Sorry", he said. He pulled the boy into his lap. Squeezing him together with the bear.
"I'm being silly. Open it", he coaxed.
Credence didn't relax completely, but did untie the ribbon and opened the lid.
The wizard felt even more silly at the reveal.
It was a quill.
Of course it was a quill.
It was quite a nice one as well. It was a creamy brown, almost beige; long and elegant with an engraved bronze nib.
Credence carefully took it out. That's when something strange happened.
It… flashed . Shades of gold, silver and grey as it caught the light.
He had never seen anything like it.
"By Merlin's beard! What is that…!", he whispered.
Credence, not having seen that many quills, did not seem as amazed.
"It might say in there", the boy said.
"Pardon?", the wizard said, eyes still glued on the beautiful quill.
"There is a letter in the box", Credence said matter-of-factly.
"Who is it from?", Percival wondered. He refrained from reading over his shoulder. After all, it was addressed for the boy.
"Mr Scamander", Credence said, still reading.
It took the Director a moment to remember the Magizoologist.
"He says the feather is from Frank, the thunderbird."
"A thunderbird? ", Graves repeated.
"Wait, Frank ?", he added after a second.
"That's the bird that helped remove the people's memories."
The Director blinked.
Tina and Picquery had told him about that, as well as a few reports; he had just had a hard time picturing it in front of him.
A wild beast helping to restore one of the largest reveals of the magic community.
It just seemed too unlikely to be true.
Not that he was complaining. He did not want to be the one to handle such a spectacle (Which he undoubtedly would have had to do had he not been imprisoned).
"Right...", he said, deciding not to linger on the topic.
"He says he wants me to write to him", Credence continued.
At this the Director was surprised.
"Do you?", Graves wondered.
Credence thought for a moment. Then finally nodded.
"I think I do", he said.
"Then I think you should do it", Percival said.
"I've never written with a feather before, though", Credence said hesitantly.
Graves smiled.
"Don't worry, my boy. It's not much different from a dip pen", he assured.
Credence seemed calmed by this, and proceeded in turning the letter over, and back again.
"Mr Percival?", his voice unsure.
"Yes, my boy?"
A pause.
"It doesn't give any address…"