To Love an Obscurial (Newt Scamander x Credence Barebone)

Prologue

Newt Scamander watched in shock as the last wisp of the obscurial disappeared over the wreckage of the subway tunnel. The Aurors had destroyed an innocent boy whom they couldn't even begin to understand: Credence, a boy who had faced unimaginable horrors and pain with incredible bravery. Newt could only watch silently as Percival Graves began to berate the Aurors for the terrible thing they had done. But Newt only heard distant yelling as he tried to process the events that had just occurred.

-------

Newt opened his suitcase and finished last night's half-hearted effort to pack, absentmindedly petting the niffler that had come up to greet him. He was leaving New York to return to his simple cottage in the English countryside. Although he was sad at the thought of leaving Queenie, Jacob, and Tina behind, Newt was vaguely comforted at the thought that he might leave his more painful memories here in New York. Ever since Credence had been destroyed, the memories had kept him awake in the long hours before dawn, flashing through his head like sparks. The dying girl in Sudan. Memories of Credence's abuse. His scars. Eyes going white as he lost control. His soft brown eyes, darkened by fear as Mr. Graves approached. His screams of pure pain and agony as the Aurors slowly destroyed him-

No. Newt, stop this. It was your bloody fault, but you can't change the past, and you can't save Credence, thought Newt, trying unsuccessfully to dispel the awful thoughts. But a small voice in the back of his mind chimed in, adding: But you can change the future...