Unspoken // Theseus Scamander

Chapter Twenty-Nine - The Dark Wizard

Word Count: 1,721 words. 

Warnings: Mentions of suicide (sort of). 

Grindelwald's POV

She had always been such a gentle child. Natalia Clayton was never cruel when she was younger but she had changed after that day, everyone had changed. There were clear skies and the Hollow was empty of threats; at least threats that they could see. It happened long before Ariana died.

The picture he held in his hand was burned slightly, its top left corner charred and part of it missing. He had tried to throw in the fireplace, but it had not burned.

The picture moved and Natty smiled up at him. She sat by the lake on a log with her hands in the air. Gellert smiled at the memory despite himself.

"My Lord?" Credence's small voice asked.

Grindelwald pocketed the photo and retrieved a different one. "Come sit, my boy."

He did as he was told, taking a gentle seat beside the Dark Wizard. Gellert handed the photo to the nervous boy. He took it.

"That is your mother," he explained. "Anna."

He was thoughtful as he looked at the picture. It was Muggle made, and did not move, but Gellert knew that Credence was used to such things.

"And who is that?" he posed, letting out a small cough.

"That is Natalia Clayton," he explained. "Your aunt that has abandoned you."

Credence nodded slowly, swallowing his struggling breath. "The Auror."

Gellert placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder. "I will never abandon you Aurelius."

Clearly unsure of the name, Credence looked away from him. They both watched the phoenix rise into the air and let out a shriek. Ashes fell from its body, settling on the rocks beneath.

ᵜᵜᵜᵜᵜ

Natalia Clayton's POV

I had been back at work barely a week and was already waiting for my next day off. It was funny how I had worked almost two decades in the Auror's office, waiting to become the real thing and now that I was... I wasn't sure what I wanted.

"Hello beautiful," Theseus greeted, wrapping his arms around my waist to hug my back.

Having been waiting for him in his office, I was looking at the latest cases, trying to see if any of them could be linked to Grindelwald.

"Hello," I returned, placing a hand against his. "I thought you were at a meeting."

"It finished early," he explained, turning to lean against his desk. He spotted what I was reading. "I've already looked through them all. They're all just bad wizards."

I sighed, sending him a smile before taking a step towards him. Theseus welcomed me into his arms and I stood between his legs. He tucked my hair behind my ears.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm alive, I'm annoyed, I'm... confused," I explained.

Theseus nodded, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Abe will come around."

"He's been ignoring me for over a week," I began. "And as for Albus..."

"Do you still think he's hiding something from you?" Theseus posed.

"I know that he is."

"Hey..." he tried then, pulling my gaze to his. "I love you."

"I love you too."