This is it... the moment... the aftermath... and Theseus Scamander... wait what? Yeah I'm introducing Theseus and as I have no idea what he's actually like this is a bit of well improv would be the right word. Also thank you CrystalVixen93 for the review
Disclaimer: I do not own most of the characters or the world or the settings or the... you get the idea
Chapter 25:
After getting a portkey back to London, reciting the entire story to Adriana's boss, and her bosses boss. And all the Aurors. Dumbledore. The Minister of Magic. Everyone else, because everyone wanted to know. And then Theseus Scamander. Adriana wanted to scream. Theseus wouldn't go away. She hated Theseus. Well, hate was a strong word, intense dislike was better.
"Ah, Percival Graves!" Theseus said. "Newton!" He paused. "Adriana." The dislike was mutual.
"Theseus." Adriana responded curtly. "Percival this is Theseus Scamander."
"Ah yes, we were in contact over... over Grindelwald." Percival managed. He didn't want to deal with this. Newt shuffled awkwardly.
"Hello Theseus." He mumbled.
"I heard you had just gotten back from America." Theseus continued. "I was wondering if you could tell me exactly how MACUSA let Grindelwald escape." This was why Adriana disliked him. He was snide. He was a fantastic Auror. A war hero. Adriana would never deny his skill. After all, he'd been the poster boy for Aurors. It was his personality. Snide, a little too arrogant to the point of being pompous. And how he treated Newt. Adriana liked Newt. He'd been a bit weird in school, but he'd been alright and he was only a year younger. He was sweet. Theseus had always disapproved of Newt's fascination with mystical creatures. He'd wanted him to be an Auror or something. Just like his big brother. But Newt wasn't having it. Theseus had always been pushy but Adriana didn't cross paths with him too often.
"You can talk to anyone. We've given the story enough times Theseus." Adriana said sharply. She wanted to get Percival home. Safe.
"I'd like a first-hand account Adriana." Theseus responded. "I'd like to be caught up as well on any other events relating to Grindelwald's forces."
"Last time I checked Theseus, dealing with local Grindelwald fanatics is my job." Adriana shot back. "Yours is to deal with external threats."
"Weren't you dealing with undercover work?" Theseus sniped. "You know, busting illegal saloons. Or were you on protection details."
"Actually, Theseus, I hunt down corrupt wizards and witches. Something you don't do since you're so busy trying to catch a wizard whom you got nowhere near in eighteen months." Adriana snapped back. Percival gripped Adriana's arm to calm her. Newt shuffled in the background.
"Well Adriana I see you haven't changed." Theseus said coolly. He turned to Percival. "I know we've only conversed in letters but I think we should sit and talk a bit." Percival stared at him. He did remember the letters between the two. They'd stopped not long before he'd been taken. Theseus had announced that he'd heard rumours of Grindelwald in Central Europe and he was going to go in deep cover.
"I think we might as well." Percival said. He'd accepted that everyone was going to ask. At least Theseus was related to the discussion. "But not here. I want to rest."
"Then we can go to my office." Theseus said enthusiastically. Percival raised an eyebrow.
"I was thinking somewhere that I'm more comfortable." Percival said. "I'm going back to Adriana's if you want to join us." He'd noticed the tension between the two but right now he just wanted to sit on the sofa, with Adriana curled up next to him and some cinnamon cocoa in hand. Theseus looked surprised.
"You haven't moved, have you?" He asked Adriana shrewdly.
"No." She said curtly. "Don't expect a welcome mat." Theseus muttered something that might have been a touch rude. Adriana glared and dragged Percival away. Newt waved his goodbye as the two left to apparate home. They got through the front door. Adriana helped Percival get to the sofa, letting him rest his leg.
"Adriana." Percival said. She went to him with some ice in hand. She gently pressed it against his ankle and sat by him. He gripped her arm, rubbing circles. "Are you alright?" Adriana gave a light chuckle.
"I should be asking you that." She said. "I'm fine though. I'm just... worried." Percival continued to rub her arm.
"Me too." He said truthfully. He slumped so that he was lying flat on the sofa. "Is there something going on between you and Theseus?"
"Oh." Adriana muttered, looking at the floor. "We don't get along. He's... he's just too... arrogant I guess."
"He didn't seem so bad in his letters." Percival reasoned. "If you'd rather I can talk to him alone." Adriana smiled at him.
"Nah, I'm a professional, I'll behave." She said. Percival chuckled a bit. There was a knock at the door. Adriana went to let Theseus in.
"Look Adriana, this is a serious situation." Theseus told her quietly.
"I know. I'll be civil. This is too important." Adriana said. Theseus nodded and followed her into the living room. Adriana settled herself onto the sofa, hand entwined with Percival's.
"Let's start from the beginning." Theseus said. Percival began talking, with Adriana chipping in. Theseus listened intently. He didn't interrupt and kept his questions to the end. It was apparent that Adriana and Theseus were avoiding getting too worked up to prevent an outburst. They were true to their word and remained civil. Eventually Theseus was satisfied and left, thanking Percival for his time.
"That wasn't the worst interaction we've had." Adriana said lightly. Percival smiled slightly. "Come on, you should go to bed."
"So should you." Percival countered. Adriana nodded, something else on her mind. She helped Percival upstairs. She gave him some privacy to get changed and clean up. She returned to his room in her nightgown.
"Percival." She started, sitting next to him on the bed. "Can I ask you something?" He looked at her curiously but part of him filled with dread that she was going to ask about Grindelwald.
"Yes." Percival said, mentally preparing himself.
"Why did you protect me?" She asked. It was bugging her.
"What do you mean?" Percival asked in confusion.
"When Grindelwald blew up the ceiling, you practically threw yourself on top of me." Adriana said slowly. "You got hurt protecting me." Percival stared at her.
"I care about you." He said rather bluntly. Adriana flushed slightly.
"I do to." She said. "But why?"
"Are you saying that if I was in danger you wouldn't protect me?" Percival asked, almost teasingly.
"No." Adriana said in a fluster. "No, I mean, that explosion. You could have died doing that."
"Adriana you'd risk your life for me, why wouldn't I do the same for you?" Percival asked. She looked at him with slightly watery eyes.
"I just... I'm being an idiot." She said, wiping her face. Percival pulled her to him. He hated seeing her in pain or crying or anything that seemed negative.
"What is it?" He asked. Adriana pressed herself against his chest. They shuffled around a bit so that they were lying on the bed, curled up together. Most of Adriana tried to fit onto or next to Percival's chest. He wrapped strong arms around her. "What's wrong?"
"I was scared." Adriana mumbled into his nightshirt. "I was scared that you were going to die or be seriously hurt and it would be my fault."
"It wouldn't be your fault." Percival soothed.
"Yes, it would. You were protecting me." Adriana said. "I don't want to lose you." Percival felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. He knew, or rather he'd hoped, that what he'd seen from Adriana had been feelings but this was a borderline confession.
"You think I could stand to lose you either?" He asked softly. Adriana nuzzled him. He kissed the top of her head. He manoeuvred the covers over them.
"Percival what are you doing?" She asked, almost scandalised.
"Getting ready for bed." He answered. "Please stay. I just need you here. Safe." Adriana huffed and pulled the covers more firmly over herself.
"You could have just asked me to stand up." She said. Percival smiled slightly. Adriana settled against him.
"Goodnight." He whispered. The light went out and the curtains closed. There was movement and lips ghosted over his cheek.
"Goodnight." Adriana whispered back.