Unlikely Companions

Chapter 22 Guaranteed Fear

Bleakness had crept upon the house again. There had been another attack, and they were still helpless. Credence realized that even the stolen moments of happiness with Mathilda, usually shared in empty corners, were few and far in between. And they simply didn't hold the same magic anymore, since almost nothing did.

Dumbledore had left them with the same uncertainty as before; a mess of half-truths and rumors about Grindelwald, a feeling of hopelessness, and a handful of riddles for possible solutions.

It was unnerving to all occupants of the Scamander household.

Mathilda, now fully healed, was anxious to do something other than pick up a new book daily. Credence was anxiously waiting for her to stop coming up with crazier schemes every day.

"We need to leave, Credence," she said one day.

"No. Why would we do that?"

"Because we are doing nothing here."

"We are doing something. We are reading and learning about the magical world."

"I would prefer it if you practiced magic."

"I don't have a wand."

"We can get one in Diagon Alley. I'm sure Newt wouldn't mind if we went there for a few hours."

"No," Credence said. "We won't leave this house."

"Why not?"

"Because the last time we left a safe place, I was taken and you almost died!"

She took a step back, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Fine," she said. "Then, we'll use my wand."

"No."

"Credence..."

"I said 'no,' Mathilda."

"Why are you so afraid of magic?"

"I'm not afraid of it, I'm afraid about what it might bring upon us."

"Cre- what?"

"I almost lost you once," he said. "I can't lose you again. And I can't put the others at risk."

"But, you wouldn't be doing that. I don't understand –"

"Grindelwald is after me," he said. "We are safe here, and here is where we'll stay. Is that clear?"

"Fine," she agreed after a while. "We'll stay here for as long as we can."