Percival smiled slightly, seeing Credence working in the kitchen. There was a skill to No-Maj cooking, and the younger man was good at it. He thought for a second that Grindelwald could have chosen much worse for him, but he pushed that thought away. He was responsible for the boy, and he refused to take advantage of him. He wasn’t going to let this carry on. He just needed to find the boy somewhere he would be safe, something that he could do which would save him from the streets. Once that was done, he didn’t need to stay. It would be better for everyone if Percival went back to being alone.

He knew now that Credence was cared about, at least by Auror Goldstein. Perhaps when she arrived for dinner, it would be easier to know what to do. Credence didn’t want to leave him, but he had nothing to offer him. He paused, then got up from his seat and walked to his bookshelf, picking out a handful of volumes – ones about history of magic, and those with pictures of different creatures and of famous witches and wizards. He didn’t choose any spell books – he didn’t want Credence to attempt to practice spells alone, and if the boy was a squib there was no point in humiliating him by emphasising his inability.

“Credence?” He called out, and the younger man looked over at him. “You can look at these books if you’d like.” He pointed at the pile, and saw Credence’s face lighting up at the sight of them. He was so hopeful, and he looked so young and innocent at that moment. It was Percival who looked away, frowning at the noise of the doorbell.

He opened the door, nodding a greeting at both Goldsteins.
“Thank you both for coming tonight.”
Auror Goldstein, Tina, was still wearing the same pantsuit she had been wearing in the office, while her younger sister was wearing a pink dress which clung to her figure and made her look feminine.

“That’s alright.” The younger, Queenie, said softly. “You know I am willing to assist in an emergency Director Graves. Teenie said you needed our help.” She paused, standing in the doorway, her eyes widening slightly. “No.” She whispered, making Tina freeze and turn towards her.
“What is it Queenie?” Tina reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. Queenie shrugged it off.

“Thank you for coming. Credence has been staying with me for the last two days.” Percival spoke before she could explain it, holding out the certificate for Tina to take. “Grindelwald’s work. I wanted to ensure that this wasn’t a trap.”

Tina looked at the certificate, lip curling with anger and disgust.
“He’s only a boy Director.” She muttered, seeming to struggle to decide between letting her fury show and respecting that Percival was her boss.

“Let me see him.” Queenie said softly, looking into Percival’s eyes. “He’s terrified.”
“He doesn’t need to be.” Percival answered. “I have been trying to take care of him. I’m not happy about the situation, but he has nowhere to go. So I’m letting him stay. He doesn’t need to be afraid of me.”
“But he is.” Queenie replied calmly, leading the three of them further into the Director’s apartment. She had never been here before, but she seemed to know where she was going.

Percival followed her to the kitchen. She was stood in the doorway, looking down at Credence who was knelt in the middle of the kitchen floor, his hands held behind him, his head bowed. He was perfectly still, but Queenie was shaking a little, hand clasped to her mouth.

“Credence?” Percival called out, and the boy looked up. “This is my friend, Queenie, and her sister, Tina. They wanted to meet you.”

***

Credence stared at the two women in surprise, fear itching beneath his skin. He didn’t want to make a mistake or displease his husband, but he didn’t even understand what his husband expected of him. He wouldn’t be allowed to stay. He tried to understand what his husband was planning for him. The nearer lady was pretty, but she looked like she was going to cry. The other lady looked angry, but something about her appearance nagged at the back of his mind, leaving him with a sense that there might have been a moment in his past when he had seen her before.

He was on his knees because that was where he belonged. Because his husband didn’t want him, because he had failed and might be handed over to his friends. He bit his lip in fear, watching as the pretty lady walked closer, crouching in front of him.
“Hello Credence.” She greeted him.
He licked his lips, speaking shakily.
“Hello Ma’am. Mister Graves said you were having dinner with us. Do you want me to finish getting it ready for you?”
“That would be good.” She said softly, and there was a sad look in her eyes which he found worrying. “Don’t you worry about me Mister. We just came here to help, and I’m sure your dinner will be better than the Director’s cooking.”

“I heard that.” His husband grumbled in response. Credence ducked his head down in an attempt to hide his smile, but the lady seemed to notice anyway. He got to his feet, and prepared the food, carefully carrying the plates to the kitchen and then kneeling at his husband’s feet. Mister Graves reached out for a moment, his fingers stroking Credence’s hair, before the other lady coughed and Mister Graves moved his hand away.

The blonde woman spoke after a moment.
“Director, he doesn’t think he’s meant to eat with us.”
“Get up Credence. Why didn’t you make yourself food?”
“I’m sorry Mister Graves.” Credence murmured. “I… didn’t think you would want me eating with your friends. I thought there might… be something more useful that I could do.”
The blonde lady looked like she might be about to start crying. The other lady stood up, staring at Mister Graves with disgust.
“You …” Words seemed to fail her for a moment, and Credence cringed, afraid that she was about to lash out at him. His heart raced, and she looked furious.

“I can make more food.” Credence murmured quickly. The soup was nearly finished, but there were a few dregs, and he had left a couple of potatoes. The blonde paused and got to her feet.
“Let me help you.” She said softly. Neither Mister Graves or the other woman made any attempt to stop them.

She walked with him to the kitchen, and he risked a glance at her.
“Is… is that lady your wife Ma’am?”
“She’s my sister, but she’s always been the career girl. I’m Queenie and that’s Tina. She works with Director Graves.”
“Are you…” There was a momentary pause, before he got up the courage to ask. “Are you magic as well?”
“We both are.” She agreed. “I’m skilled at legilimency. It means I can read minds…”

Credence flinched back from her for a moment, worried she would tell his husband that some of his thoughts were wrong, that he was a failure. She reached out towards him.
“You don’t need to worry sweetheart.” She said softly. “I’m not trying to get you into trouble…” She paused, opening the cupboard with the wave of her hand. Credence noticed she was holding a stick in her hand, a white shell on the end of it nestled against her palm. “Why don’t we see what we’ve got here? We can split the food you’ve already made, and add something else, a pie or something, how does that sound honey?”

Credence nodded, startling slightly at the sound of shouting from the dining room. Queenie flashed him a smile.
“Don’t worry, now, what kind of pie shall we make?”