“So, Grindelwald suggests you get married, and you go along with it?” Tina asked, glaring at Percival furiously. “Why… Why did you think that was a good idea? To one of the kids I’m keeping an eye on of all things?!”

“For a start he’s an adult. Anyway, the wedding bound him to my magic. Unless he’s wanting to leave, I couldn’t throw him out.” Percival tried to reason, even though he was Goldstein’s superior and knew that he shouldn’t be worried about her opinion of his personal life. “Even if I could, he begged me to let him stay Goldstein. He has nowhere else to go.”
“So what’s your plan?” Goldstein asked, sounding more agitated. “He was kneeling at your feet. Do you have any idea what Grindelwald even did to him? Because Queenie panicked the second she saw him, and she normally stays fairly calm. You’ve seen her work before. Whatever you’ve done, it’s scared my sister, and I trust her judgement.”

“I’m not… We aren’t sleeping in the same bed or anything like that.” Percival said honestly.
“Director, just… promise me you and he haven’t done anything … intimate.”
“Not while I was awake, no.” Percival answered.
“What?” Tina shouted, then seemed to realise how loud she had become as Percival locked the kitchen door.
“He snuck up on me. I lashed out but I healed-“
“You hurt him?” Tina asked, and Percival stared as she drew her wand.

Percival cleared his throat.
“Auror Goldstein. Remember your place.”
“It’s not my place I’m worried about.” She snapped, but she pocketed the wand once more. He stared her down.
“I appreciate the role you played in my rescue. And I appreciate your sister’s helping with Credence. But I am still your boss.”

“Director, what do you want me to do?” Goldstein asked, crossing her arms.
“I want you to understand that I’m doing what I can for him. And I want your advice about what I can get him doing.”
“Get him doing?” Tina asked. “Because it seemed like you already had some ideas.”

Percival looked away. What she had said about Grindelwald was preying on his mind.
“I thought perhaps he could organise some of the files for our office.” He answered, and Tina nodded, then frowned.
“He does… he does know about Grindelwald, doesn’t he?”

“I didn’t think it was appropriate to say.” Percival answered, and there was a knock from inside the kitchen. “Auror Goldstein, understand I’m doing what I can.”
“I know.” Tina answered. “But I’m not sure you’re going about it in the right way.” She went over to the door and unlocked it.

***

Credence stepped out of the kitchen, flashing a shy smile at his husband, and ducking his head as his husband summoned a chair over to the table. He carried in the chicken pie that Queenie had made, and placed it in the middle, smiling as she waved her wand and distributed the food more evenly. He worried for a moment that his cooking would be cold, but somehow it was still warm. He kept glancing at Mister Graves, but he didn’t seem to mind that Credence was eating with the others. He kept his head down, but Queenie’s hand reached out to brush his occasionally, and that was nice.

She was a remarkable cook, and more than that she was patient and kind. If Credence had known that his husband was friends with a mind reader he would have been frightened. But she was so gentle that his terror was fading a little. She made him feel safe, just like his husband did.

The food was delicious, and he was careful to eat before his husband was finished, knowing he probably wasn’t allowed to eat after Mister Graves had. Then he collected up all the plates and went to wash them up, so that they could speak. He didn’t understand why his husband was being so kind to him, but he was grateful for it.

***

When Credence left the room, Percival looked towards Queenie.
“Well?”
“He’s a very frightened young man. But there’s nothing in his mind that shouldn’t be. He’s not a spy. He’s just trying to give you what you want.”

“I want privacy.” Percival murmured.
“He… he told me about this morning. He didn’t mean to upset you. I think you need to lock your door.”
“I will. I normally would.” Percival answered, then looked at Queenie. “I know that your sister thinks I’m making a mistake by letting Credence stay. What do you think?”
“I think he needs help.” Queenie paused. “And more than that, he needs friendship. I think him staying here might be a good idea, as long as you don’t keep him trapped. I’d like to see him again. Ideally, you’d get him to see a Healer, but I don’t think he’s going to agree to that.”

“Alright.” Percival agreed. “You should visit again. You too Tina. And I want your notes about him on my desk in the morning.”

Tina looked like she was about to argue, but then she nodded.

The two of them left through the front door, and a few minutes after Credence emerged from the kitchen. He moved to kneel at Percival’s feet, but Percival waved his hand to get him to sit beside him.
“Credence?”
“Yes Mister Graves?”
“I’ve got work again tomorrow. Do you think you could sort out some files for me, if I show you what to do?”
“I will try sir.” Credence answered, and Percival frowned.
“You can call me Percival.”

Credence’s face lit up, and Percival tried to keep his expression neutral as he began to explain the task. Credence picked up the task fairly quickly, organising the files into batches from the information that had been left visible by Percival’s spell.
“You should get some sleep soon.” Percival smiled. “Don’t be working all night, okay?”
“Yes, thank you…” There was a slight pause, and then Credence gave a smile that was almost cheeky. “Goodnight Percival.”
“Goodnight Credence.”

That night, Percival was careful to ward the door closed.