Dragon at heart book 2 (Crimes of Grindelwald)

Albus Dumbledore

"How was it?" began Dumbledore. He had disapereated us to the ground but had not taken away the fog.

"They're still convinced that you sent us to New York," Newt looked at the ground as he walked. 

"You told them I didn't?" Dumbledore checked.

"Yes. Even though you did." Newt had been lying to the ministry, hopefully for a good cause... "You told me where to find that trafficked Thunderbird, Dumbledore. You knew that I would take him home, and you knew I'd have to take him though a muggle port." He was annoyed and so was I.

"I've always felt an affinity with the great magical birds. There's a story in my family that a phoenix will come to any Dumbledore in desperate need. They say my great-grandfather had one. And that it took flight when he died, never to return." Dumbledore spoke with a sense of mystery. I think he liked feeding people riddles. "With all due respect, Professor," Newt said quickly. " I don't believe for a minute that's why you told me about the Thunderbird," 

"Frank," I added quietly . Suddenly a man came running out of the fog so Newt had to grab the back of my coat so we could disaparate quickly. 

We aperated by a large area where they kept lots of buses. 

"Credence is in Paris, Newt. Trying to trace his real family..."

" Hold on!" I stared at the men as we walked between the buses. "I thought Credence was dead, I saw him explode." 

"He's not but I take it you've heard the rumors about who he really is." Dumbledore continued.

"No," Newt and I said at the same time. Dumbledore hopped onto a bus and we followed sitting down opposite him. "The purebloods think he's the last of an important French line. A baby whom everyone thought lost."  Dumbledore spoke as if he didn't want to be heard.

"Not Leta's brother!" Newt said in disbelief. . 

"That's what they're whispering. And pureblood or not, I know this, an Obscurus grows in the absence of love, as a dark twin, an only friend. If Credence has a real brother or sister out there who can take his place, he might yet be saved. Wherever Credence is in Paris, he's either in danger or a danger to others,"Newt and I had been listened in silence . "We may not know who he is yet, but he needs to be found. And I rather hope you might be the ones to find him." A few seconds passed where I could tell Newt was thinking deeply before Dumbledore took out a brown card with a strange symbol shining and moving on it.

"What's that?" I reached out to get a closer look but Newt held me back.

"An address of a very old acquaintance of mine. A safe house in Paris reinforced with enchantments," Dumbledore smiled as I lurched out of Newt's grasp for a moment and grabbed the card.  It felt funny as if it had been hidden away for years. Newt gentility took it from me. 

"Safe house? Why would we need a safe house in Paris?" Newt examined the card for a few seconds

"One hopes you won't but should things at some point go terribly wrong, it's good to have a place to go. You know, for a cup of tea." Dumbledore turned to watch the driver of the bus start the engine and got up to walk out. 

"But I don't like tea!" I called after him but he had disapparated. 

"No. No,no,no -Absolutely not," Newt got up to follow him. We dispparated onto this strange bridge. "No, no, cause I'm banned from international travel, Dumbledore. If we leave the country, they will put us in Azkaban, and they will through away the key." Newt walked up to Dumbledore, furious.

 "Do you know why I admire you, Newt?" Dumbledore said calmly.

"What?" 

"More, perhaps, than any other man I know. You do not seek power. Or popularity. You simply ask, is a thing right in itself. If it is, you do it no matter the cost." He turned to go.

"That's all very well, Dumbledore, but forgive me for asking. Why can't you go?" Newt still held the card but seemed desperate to give it back.

"I cannot move against Grindelwald. It has to be you." There was a small pause. "Well, I can't blame you. In your shoes, I'd probably refuse too." Dumbledore took the card and from Newt and left only pure confusion on his face. "It's late. Good evening Newt." With that Dumbledore dispparated leaving us on the bridge. 

"Oh, come on." Newt muttered as the glove reappeared and pushed the card into Newt's coat pocket and patted it not realizing the very annoyed bowtruckle pocking his head out. Newt sighed before looking at me.

"Dumbledore."