Thorns and Roses ❦ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ❦ Newtina

Chapter Eleven

Scotland was particularly beautiful, lush greens and immense forestry covering everything the eye could see. Credence figured that its beauty was amplified by the magic that lay within it. Grindelwald had told him of the only wizard nearly as powerful as him, Albus Dumbledore, a professor at Hogwarts, a school that resided in the mountains. It was where witches and wizards alike were trained all sorts of magic Credence didn't know. However, Rosier and Grindelwald were still under the presumption that Credence had attended Ilvermorny, when in reality he didn't even know what the school was. It was a magical institute, of course, but what would happen once the pair acquired him a wand, and Credence proved unable to recall the simplest of spells? Would Grindelwald cast him aside, declaring him a fraud and leaving him in the dust? This was a worry that often plagued the boy, and he took it upon himself to listen closely to the uttering of Rosier as she cast a spell. Grindelwald was capable of wordlessly casting them, a feat Credence hoped wouldn't pass him by.

In the months following the ballroom attack, Grindelwald, Rosier, and Credence had grown wary and were forced to move locations frequently. "It is the only way to keep us safe," Grindelwald explained. "Now that our movement has forcefully made ourselves known, we must stay diligent and on the move. Our members in the Ministry are struggling to keep suspicions at bay." Credence wondered if Newt worked in the Ministry. It would make sense for them to have spies there to keep an eye on his dastardly doings. If his only goal was to capture Credence and use him for research, whatever that entailed, and put him on display like he were some type of zoo animal, Credence would do whatever it took to keep himself safe.

Even if it took acts he wasn't proud to commit. 

The group was eating at an underground pub in a place called Elmwood Alley, where people in masks and long, draping cloaks stalked around. It was an eerie street, lined with taboo stores and suspicious figures. Despite the sunlight, the alley was masked in thick fog that manifested out of nowhere, and it felt as if a storm was approaching. They'd entered the pub through a back door, and a man cast a spell on them before they entered the building. It made everyone nearly unrecognizable, "for protection," Grindelwald had explained. It was odd, though, as Credence observed no one else had this charm placed on them. Grindelwald must be very famous, he thought to himself. Though he didn't agree with the man's practices, and certainly not what he'd asked him to do in the ballroom, Credence understood Grindelwald wanted the greater good. If Newt Scamander was truly as dangerous as Grindelwald had said, it was important they took precautionary, though often violent, measures. Credence just wished he didn't have to put Tina at risk. 

Grindelwald ordered drinks for everyone, providing Credence with the tallest glass. He had wrinkled his nose first at the burning sensation the liquid gave him, though he grew accustomed to it as he continued to drink. He began to feel a bit dizzy, setting his glass down before a bartender handed him a glass of clear liquid. "Here, this'll help ya," he said, a creepy smile spreading itself across his face, revealing chipped teeth and tobacco stains around his mouth. Credence nodded his thanks, revelling in the freshness of the water and the way it soothed his burning throat. It cleared his mind as well, lifting some of the fog that had begun to settle itself. Grindelwald and Rosier spoke in hushed voices, often observing the area around them to make sure no one was alerted by their presence.

Credence looked around the pub, observing the various men and women who crowded the room. There was a mystifying young woman with golden hair and a moonlike glow to her dancing in a corner, singing a beautiful song with the lightest of voices. The men were captured by her presence, seemingly drooling over her as she smiled  and turned on her heel. Credence could feel himself being drawn in, her beauty gracing him over when a flash of movement caught his eye. Bewildered, Credence turned to see a poster in the corner of the pub, with a moving figure that adorned a striped suit and held a number in front of him smiling curtly. WANTED, it said above the photo of the man. He looked so familiar... Credence's thoughts were interrupted as the bartender moved in front of him, smiling again. "Mustn't dwell too much," He simply said, and handed Credence another drink. He refused, and the bartender raised an eyebrow. "Why not anymore? Must be gettin' thirsty, all this runnin' around you're doing," the man objected. "Plus, it keeps your attention on the Veela's attractions." Credence pondered what the man meant by "Veela" before realizing he meant the woman that was dancing, who, upon further inspection, looked otherworldly. The men at the table were leaning closer to her, and Credence watched as she teased them, revelling in their admiration. Credence almost found himself entranced by her, but stopped when he realized, with horror, that he could be in her position. Used as a pet for entertainment, and nothing more. Credence became increasingly upset, feeling sorry for the creature. He could only imagine what she endured when the show was over. She was probably kept in another man's case. He vowed to remember her, to free her once Grindelwald had freed the other people. The bartender sighed as he watched Credence. His breath reeked, and Credence only took the cup, removed from his trance, to keep the bartender away. When the bartender turned his back, the poster was gone.