Obscure Occurrences |C. BAREBONE|

☛ Forty-Five ☚

• August, 1927 •

A maledictus, witch and Obscurial walked into a bird market... And the world didn't end. Instead, together they linked their arms and kept close, their bodies shields for each other. The threesome feared harsh words and pain, they no longer wanted to hear freak spat from chapped lips. All they wanted to do was be free, they played those thoughts on repeat as they silently pushed through the daily crowd. But, Credence couldn't refrain from stealing a bag of birdseed as they passed a random stall. He needed it for the small bird he had adopted and he didn't go unnoticed. From the shadows, unnoticed, an ex-magical beast hunter followed and watched the three intently. They were indeed an odd group.

Shortly after exiting the bird market, the three reached eighteen, Rue Philippe Loraine; it was the address printed upon Credence's adoption papers. The very sight of the house sent shivers across the boy's form. But, they were still around the corner of the house, peering over the edge of a building toward the address to see a light glimmering in the attic. It was such a normal and mundane sight before a shadow moved across the light, generating a thrumming in Credence's heart.

"She's home" he announced with a potent fear. He was so scared in fact, that now he was finally there, the Obscurial was paralysed at the spot. He dare not proceed in thought of his dreams crashing. What if it wasn't her? What if she was already gone? What if it was just a trick of the light and a person hadn't been there in years? All these questions swirled in his mind until Nagini and Genevieve pried his hands from his back.

"Do not fear... We'll still be here" Genevieve reassured before Nagini finally pulled Credence toward the haunting residence.

As they made their way around the back toward the servants' passage, all their hearts beating in frantic unison, Nagini's nostrils suddenly flared in caution. There was something wrong and Genevieve could read that upon her features clearly. Yet, they crept forward anyway.

Once they finally reached the landing, outside a maid's room, Genevieve noticed the door slightly ajar as lamplight streamed through. On the other hand, Credence witnessed the shadow cast from the flame... It was a woman idly sewing. And at their approach, the woman ceased her movements. While Credence was captured in a concoction of anxiety and excitement, Nagini still wore her nerves upon her face. Genevieve could tell something was terribly wrong and only Nagini could sense it.

"Qui est là?" Who is there? A high, feminine voice questioned, causing Credence to neither move, nor speak. Both Genevieve and Nagini noticed this as the boy remained frozen between them.

"C'est votre fils, Madame" It is your son madam, Nagini spoke as Genevieve tightly took Credence's hand in her own, intertwining their fingers as she gently pulled him into the room. There, mended and freshly washed clothing hung in every free space by racks on the ceiling. It obscured their view from the woman. But they could still see her shadow.

That's when Nagini's senses became extremely alert. Especially, as they travelled closer toward the shadow. She could smell danger as she stood beside her best friends.

"Qui êtes-vous?" Who are you?

"Are you Irma? Are you-" Credence choked on his words, fear was obstructing the sentence as it travelled from his lips, "- Are you Irma Dugard?" He finally asked.

There was no response from the shadow but they moved through the hanging fabric despite no reply.

"I'm sorry-" he apologised meekly, "- Your name is on my adoption paper. Does this make sense? You gave me to Mrs Barebone in New York".

At that hideous woman's name, Genevieve flinched visibly. But what had her cowering further was the tiny had that quickly pulled the fabric before them aside.

There stood... Irma, a half-human, half-elf. She was of course not Credence's mother like he had expected and ultimately, this caused his features to morph into those of confusion and unpleasant disappointment. It was written upon his face as clear as day. Yet, Irma seemed to ignore it.

"I'm not you mother... I was only a servant-" she announced in a high pitched voice. "- You were such a beautiful baby. And you are a beautiful man.... I missed you" she smiled sadly before she dragged Credence into her embrace. Happily -despite the dismay- Genevieve allowed the woman to hold Credence close.

For a long time, Genevieve neglected her thoughts on underbeings, Muggles and elves. But, in this moment her hatred came hurtling back so suddenly.

How could she leave him to Mary Lou? Genevieve silently seethed as Credence asked:

"Why didn't they want me? But why is you name on my adoption paper?".

"I took you to Mrs Barebone because she was supposed to look after you".

Genevieve audibly grunted then, causing Nagini to send an Oh-so familiar look toward her. It was the one Tina used to direct her way. But, Nagini couldn't just stop to understand the witch, her fear was rapidly increasing.

Before Genevieve could comprehend, a sudden green light erupted from the hanging sheets; forcing Nagini to push the witch aside and out the line of fire. However, a body still fell, making Genevieve and Nagini suddenly release terrifying screams in fear of Credence being the one... Genevieve couldn't even think it as she fought off Nagini's hold and scrambled to where Credence's shadow should've been.

Grimmson emerged from the smouldering sheets with a triumphant grin, right until he was stood before a dead Irma and crying Genevieve. Meanwhile, Nagini was crawling away from him, her face stricken with horror and pity... Until all three looked up to see the swirling form of an Obscurus. Nagini hadn't exactly seen Credence in this form but Genevieve relished in it. Credence's being was so dark in this moment, his aura radiated an evil which made Genevieve smirk proudly.

Quickly, she stood to become closer to the Obscurus before she and Grimmson both cast a domed shield around themselves. Of course, Credence avoided Nagini at all costs as he dived and threw himself like bullets against Grimmson's shield charm. Each second was him attacking and reforming into pellets that assaulted Grimmson's defense. And though the barrier trembled beneath the force, it refused to give in, to crumble.

Finally, the Obscurus expanded in a heated fury and broke apart the attic piece by piece like a hurricane of hurt and torment. He was a tornado of darkness which attracted Genevieve Burnett. However, after Credence had relieved much of his frustration, Grimmson smiled up at the Obscurial before disappearing amongst the debris.

Mingling with the haphazard remains of the attic, Credence finally slammed into himself and reformed himself from tendrils of black. The agony was clear in his features, tired and haggard as he stood looking down at the body of Irma Dugard.

That feeling of being so close yet so far finally dawned on the boy before he -at last- fell in Genevieve's embrace. She would always be there but couldn't be everything he needed. Credence desired a happiness and heat shared between family. Of course, the dark witch couldn't be replaced, but Credence was finally being selfish much like her. He wanted the witch and his identity, his family... He wanted it all.