This was all Queenie's fault, Percival thought as he looked at the mirror. Well, Percival corrected himself, it was his idea. An idea that had been rattling around his head since... since their return from their trip around the world. He had thought of it first, and then the others had started to consider it. When Credence had pointed out that even he had a few happy memories from his childhood, Queenie had spoken up.

First, there had been the visit from Georgia and her son. Percival was proud she had chosen to name the boy after him, despite the difficulties it caused in conversation. Georgia didn't seem to mind about the people Percival had chosen to open his heart to - that was a relief. He knew his parents would be disgusted with him if they were still alive. He didn't need that from his baby sister as well. But she was flawlessly polite, and seemed genuinely happy that Percival wasn't alone. Newt had very carefully chosen the safest of his creatures to show Percival's nephew, and the little boy's face had lit up with delight to see them. The niffler in particular was surprisingly tolerant of cuddles.

After a few blissful days his sister and nephew left - Georgia saying they should visit her when she'd finished her current assignment, and asking Newt if he would be willing to give her an interview - apparently the Brit had captured the hearts of many readers of Witches Weekly, so an interview would be a real scoop. Embarrassed, Newt had begun to refuse when Theseus had accepted for him. Percival ushered his sister and her son into the fireplace before an argument broke out.

Before they could consider the interview, Queenie had suggested this. What had followed was days of discussion, making sure they all could handle what he might say. It had been realised late on that someone else would need to cast the spell, who would also be affected. Credence had volunteered, and the final details were decided.

Queenie had been busy with some scraps of fabric, Tina had researched her favourite stories, Newt had talked to his creatures, and Jacob had been baking all day. Theseus had spent the day in MACUSA’s cells, interrogating Gregory, but Percival knew he had taken this hardest, was glad he'd agreed to the plan.

He splashed water on his face. On previous times, when he had fallen under that spell, it had been easy. Now, he could say no and his lovers would understand. But he wanted some good memories of being a child. They were willing to give him that. With a deep breath, he left the bathroom, heading to the bedroom where the others were waiting.

"Are you sure about this?" Queenie asked, and Percival nodded, each of his lovers kissing him in turn, Jacob and Queenie hugging him tightly for a moment and then releasing him. Credence reached for his hand, and Percival squeezed and headed to the kitchen.

The air filled with a pink light, almost blinding, before it faded away.

***

Percy wasn't at home. He was with a man he didn't know, who had long curly black hair and was looking at him as though he was just as confused as Percy felt. The door opened, and another man walked in, firing off spells Percy knew were for healing. He wasn't meant to need healing spells unless there were broken bones, but he also didn't want to anger this man. The man crouched down and smiled. He had a nice smile.
"Hello Percy. I'm Newt, and this is my friend Credence. I think you've got a bit lost. It's okay if you are scared."
"Graves' don't get scared." Percy told him, surprised when that made Newt look like he wanted to cry.
"Okay. But Credence is lost, so he's scared. That's alright isn't it?"

Percy thought for a moment, and nodded, then looked up at the two men. They were both smiling, and he could smell food. His stomach growled slightly.
"Sorry." He whispered, ducking his head.

"You must be hungry." Newt said, and he crouched to Percy's height, holding his hand out towards him. "Want to come with me and find some food?”
Percy paused then nodded, walking over and taking Newt's hand.
"What's happening?" He whispered. "Where's... Where's Pa?"
"Pa... Pa asked for me to look after you. For a holiday. You know what a holiday isn't, don't you Percy?"

Percy nodded quickly. He wasn't stupid, and didn't want any of Father's friends to think that he was.
"Well, you're just staying with me and my friends for today. For longer if you want." Newt's voice sounded funny as he said it. His eyes looked so sad that Percy wanted to hug him and make it better. He cuddled him for a moment, head resting on the man's hip, and long fingers ruffled his hair. It felt nice. He knew he was a big boy, too old to want cuddles, but it was nice. He bit his lip, and hoped that Pa wouldn't know how weak he was.

"You're safe here." Newt said gently. "There is no one here who wants you to be hurt. We all want to make sure you are safe and happy, does that sound good?"
Percy nodded, and let Newt take him to the other room, the other man following. A man who looked a bit like Newt came to greet them.
"Shit." He whispered. "He's even smaller than I remembered."
"Don't swear." A lady with brown hair snapped.
"It's okay little one." Said a very pretty lady with blond curls, who crouched beside him. "That's Theseus. He says bad words sometimes but he doesn't mean anything bad by it. You aren't in trouble. This is my sister Tina, I'm called Queenie. And by the oven is my husband Jacob."

Percy nodded, trying to remember all of the names. Theseus, Newt, Jacob, Tina, Queenie and... He worried for a moment that he didn't know the other man's name.
"That's Credence." Queenie said softly. "I'm not sure if Newt remembered to introduce you."
"He did." Percy said softly. "Thank you Ma’am."

“Oh you’re so polite!” Queenie cooed at him, reaching out to give his hand a squeeze. “But you can call me Queenie okay? You’re fine with staying with us tonight?”
He nodded. He was. He was a bit scared but he’d rather be here than at home. Queenie had a nice smile.

“Now, I wondered if you could help us with something?” Queenie asked, and he nodded. Boys were meant to help ladies, and she was nice.
“If I can.”
“That’s great, thank you. See, my husband is a baker, and we’ve been working on some recipes, but we really could do with someone new telling us which they think is best. Could you do that?”

Percy blinked but nodded.

Jacob walked over, carrying a plate. There were little pastry creatures on it, six little things that looked a bit like a mole with a duck’s beak, and six things that looked like snakes. And two circles.

Newt reached out for the circles and smiled at Percy.
“I don’t like eating the creatures.” He explained. Percy took one of the snakes when Tina held them out to him, poking the pastry creature carefully. It stayed still.
“They aren’t real creatures?” He whispered, and Newt smiled and shook his head.
“I know that. I just… I’d rather eat these.”
Percy ducked his head, worried he’d be in trouble for answering back. Instead, Newt reached out and cuddled him for a moment.
“See, that snake like thing is an occamy, they can change size. I’ve got some real occamy I’m looking after, and the other one? That’s a niffler. Do you know about nifflers?”

“They’re naughty like me.” Percy says quickly. Nifflers were bad. “They steal and they are pests.” Tina gasped, and Newt’s lips pressed together. Theseus’s eyes looked scary. They looked like he wanted to hit someone, and Percy was right there. He whimpered as Queenie cuddled him against her side and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
“No one’s going to hurt you here little one.” She promised, and Credence nodded, moving to sit beside him. Carefully, Percy ate both pastries, making sure not to get crumbs anywhere.

“I promise you’re safe.” Credence said, and Percy realised that was the first Credence had said to him. But he believed him. He nodded.
Newt grinned brightly.
“Hmm… see, nifflers definitely can be naughty. But they are funny, and kind, and clever. There’s a lot worse things that you could be like.”
Percy looked down, thinking about that. Maybe there wasn’t so much bad about him.

“Both the cakes are really nice Mister Jacob.” Percy told him, not wanting to cause any offence. “I think the niffler is…possibly my favourite?” He ducked his head down, hoping that wasn’t the wrong answer. Queenie squeezed his shoulder.

“That’s great.” Jacob grinned, tearing the leg off of his own niffler pastry and passing it to Percy. Percy ate it with a shy smile.

“Would you like to meet a real niffler?” Newt asked.
“Pa says animals are dirty…” Percy murmured, even though he really wanted to see the creatures.
“Well, my animals are well looked after. It’s up to you.” Newt promised. “But you should at least meet Pickett.”
“What’s a pickett?” Percy asked, then stared in wonder as Newt reached into his pocket and pulled out a little twig which seemed to be alive.

“Pickett here is a bowtruckle, he’s delicate so you have to be careful. Could you hold out your hands for him so I can get him a snack?”

Percy obediently held both his hands out flat in front of him, palms up, flinching a little at the familiar movement. Queenie reached out to show him how to cup his hands together.
“No one’s going to hurt you.” She repeated firmly, and Credence looked at him in something approaching fear. Silently, Queenie nodded.

Percy didn’t try to work out what the grownups were saying, far too distracted by the living stick Newt put in his hands. He examined it carefully, and it stared straight back at him, sticking out a tiny green tongue. He gasped.
“Hello…” He whispered to the tiny creature.