Percival's strongest instincts screamed at him to stay beside Credence, to guard the obscurial. But the fight was continuing. The case was opened in the middle of the room, and there were more in the fight now now - Americans in the clothes they had worn before Grindelwald's takeover. Those must have been the witches and wizards that had used Newt's case as a refuge.

There were more than he expected. They were still outnumbered by Grindelwald's supporters, but they were aided by a number of creatures. There were large snake-like creatures twisting their way through the crowd, a thunderbird repeatedly diving down from the ceiling to attack, and what looked worryingly like a nundu was menacing some of the British.

Percival rejoined the fight, his wand out. He fought with the lowest rungs of MACUSA, and with those who had tried to resist Grindelwald's rule and had spent months hiding in a No-Maj bakery. His aurors were still trapped in the cells, many injured. He saw some of the fighters fall, but he kept going, blocking spells. He had left the President in his office. He had to survive so he could get her out of it again. That drove him on, and he sent further spells racing across the crowd.

A witch next to him fell backwards to the ground, and one of the large snakes let out a screaming sound before it went still. There was blood, more than he would have expected. The ceiling of the pentagon room started to shake, and Percival realised with horror that one of Grindelwald's followers was attempting to take it down.

He threw up a larger barrier, looking around for a few of the stronger magic users.
"We have to get everyone out of here." He shouted. They began to apparate away, grabbing the hands or the arms of others and pulling them from the room. There were bodies lying on the floor, some moving, others still. Percival watched as some of those were taken, and then the first few chunks of ceiling dropped onto the waiting crowd below. A few shield charms floated upwards, blocking the weight for now, but it wouldn't hold.

The room was almost empty, the air thick with dust. He raced to Credence's unconscious form, gathering him into his arms. He grabbed Grindelwald's shoulder, apparating the corpse with him - it was unpleasant but he knew he might have to prove the man was dead. He went to the main lobby, where the others were, and it was clear that his side had won. Grindelwald's followers were laying in groups, their hands bound, with Newt's group standing guard.

There were eyes on him, some wands aimed at him. To some of those within MACUSA, he was the worst kind of traitor, selling out those who had tried to resist Grindelwald. Percival placed Credence down gently, then raised his hands in silent surrender.
"He's dead.” He announced, pointing at Grindelwald's body. "We won."

Newt walked across the foyer, his nundu pacing behind him. He reached out and shook Percival's hand.
"It's an honour to finally meet the real you, Director Graves." There was clapping and cheering. Percival glanced down to see that Queenie was sitting beside Credence, gently stroking her fingers through his hair.
"He'll live." She whispered. "Go, free my sister."

Percival selected a few of the more talented fighters to accompany him to MACUSA's cells. He was ready for traps, for there to be pockets of resistance to them. But Grindelwald's followers had packed the Pentagram Room. It was his own aurors now that were waiting for him, and as he walked forwards they began to applaud.

He allowed himself one moment to accept their appreciation before he focused. Several of the aurors were clearly severely wounded, and a few were lying broken in their cells - some bodies were unrecognisable.
"Healers are on their way." he told them, walking to each cell in turn. "MACUSA thanks you for your service." He said softly to each of them. He saw their injuries, the pain they had suffered while he had been Grindelwald's toy. He felt like he had betrayed them. "We will not abandon any of you." He swore to them.

"What about Madam President?" One of the older men called out. Percival hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"She survived. I'm going to take a healer to her now."
"Thank you." Goldstein whispered. Percival bowed, and headed up the stairs. He arranged for a few of the healers busy with the wounded to make their way to the cells, and held back one of the top healers, Louise Burdock.

"The President needs your assistance." He told the older woman. She paused for a moment and then nodded, and Percival led the way to the office.

Seraphina waved a hand in greeting. She looked even more exhausted than she had with Grindelwald, but she smiled.
"We back in control director?"
"Yes Madam President. Now, Healer Burdock is going to take care of you. I need to check on a few others, but I will return soon."

That explained, he made his way along the corridor, determined that he would find Credence.

***

Credence was where Percival had left him. The injured individuals were laid out beside the Salem Statue, with healers moving between them, doing what they could to save lives and limbs. Queenie Goldstein was sitting beside Credence, talking to him softly. The boy was shaking a little in her arms, skin pale. But his eyes looked how they should, and he wasn't bleeding. Newt was racing around, tending to both animals and humans. The aurors were making their way up from the cells, supporting each other. Percival went over to help them, doing what he could to make things easier for them, performing basic triage.

He heard Queenie Goldstein squeal, and she raced forwards, wrapping her arms around her sister. The auror leaned on her sister's shoulder, blinking back tears. Percival returned to Credence. It took a moment for Credence to look up at him.
"You said-" He whispered softly. "You said you'd still... still be with me."

"I will." Percival promised. "Are you alright?"
Credence nodded, reaching up with his hand to tug at the hated collar around his throat. The white flowers twirling across the leather made it look almost innocent, but Credence yelped, snatching his hand back from the leather against his throat. He swallowed and whimpered softly.
"It hurts." He whispered, his voice shaking a little. Percival nodded.

"I'll get my aurors to take another look, see what we can do. We'll find a way of freeing you." Percival promised, even though he knew that he couldn't be certain of it. Grindelwald was a skilled wizard. If he didn't want it to be physically possible for this collar to be removed, it wouldn't be. Credence would be trapped. "Will you be alright, if I go and check on a few of the others? I'll come back."

Credence hesitated for a moment, blinking uncertainly before he nodded once.
"Just come back, okay?"
"I'll come back." Percival promised.

He worked through the aurors, and then spoke to the healers, asking after the others. There were a lot of wounded, and some of the prisoners were injured as well.
"I am going to contact the British with the President's assistance." He informed his aurors. "And anyone else who might help."

"We won sir." One of the junior aurors, Marcon, murmured. He was malnourished and badly bruised, but he was fighting to stay on his feet.
"We did." Percival agreed. "And now the hard work starts." The young auror laughed slightly in response.