Unspoken // Theseus Scamander

Chapter Twenty-One - Find Him

Word Count: 2,609 words. 

Warnings: None. 

I rushed to Hogwarts quicker than I thought I could. Drowned by guilt for leaving Credence alone, I knew that it would not be for long. He would be leaving tomorrow, and I would go with him. I was done losing people.

When I hurried through the halls of my old school, I missed the students waiting outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and stepped inside. I wasn't expecting to see the Ministry.

"Ms. Clayton," the Auror in front of Albus greeted me. He had been Head Auror before Theseus took over.

"Mr. Scrimgeour," I replied, taking note of the other wizards in the room. Theseus stood aside and I hadn't missed the small intake of breath he had taken as our eyes met. "To what do we owe the pleasure?" I continued, facing the older man.

"I was simply asking Albus a couple of questions."

"What sort of questions?" I prodded then. Scrimgeour and I had never gotten along. He was one of the men who had insisted that a woman could not be an Auror.

"Nothing to worry about Natalia," Albus tried and I cast my gaze to him. He shook his head, but then I noticed the bindings on his wrists.

"Why the tracking cuffs?" I asked then. "I wasn't aware he was a danger."

"That's above your pay grade," he commented.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "You aren't my boss," I countered. "You retired. I am unsure as to why Mr. Scamander is not dealing with this."

Fighting the urge to look back at Theseus, who was being entirely too quiet in the corner, I faced the former Head Auror.

"That is a private matter."

"Is it?" I pondered with a smile.

He nodded slowly. "We have overstayed our welcome," he said then, dismissing me and turning away. He led the Auror's towards the door. "I look forward to seeing you back at the Ministry once you are done in Paris, Ms. Clayton."

I turned then, nodding. "As do I."

Theseus followed the man, but he was last to leave the room. Casting me a gentle glance, he smiled warmly before disappearing from my sight.

When the door closed, Dumbledore spoke up. "You know," he began, "when you get all passive aggressive, you remind me of Grindelwald."

I rolled my eyes, turning back to him. "Comparing me to a monster is not a compliment."

He tossed his hands, leaning back against his desk. I could see the cuffs again. "What are they for?"

Albus hesitated, taking a deep breath. "They arrived here to ask me to fight."

"Fight who?"

"Grindelwald."

"And you refused?" I questioned and took his silence as confirmation. Scoffing then, I turning away, running a hand through my hair. "Well that rules out what I came here to say."

"Natalia..."

"How can you do this?" I cut him off, facing my brother again. "How can you sit there, in your fancy chair, teach these kids how to defend themselves, and refuse to fight perhaps the biggest threat to their lives? How can you do that?"

I could clearly see he was struggling with his own decision, but I cared little for that. "You do not understand."

Shaking my head, I sighed. "That's what I've been hearing my entire life."