Gellert Grindelwald looked like he did on wanted posters and newspaper pictures, Tina thought, but they never did convey how he had a presence of almost elegant, refined power.

She and Graves had simultaneously bound Grindelwald in Incarcerous ropes. Even within the shackles, he was still a force of nature, speaking in a careless tone of surety.

"I've heard whispers about the American Muggle Scourers," Grindelwald said, ignoring the Aurors, instead addressing Mabel Arden. "I didn't realize that it was led by a witch. And an Obscurial, at that..."

Arden quirked a brow at Grindelwald. "I was the first witch in generations, even though many Scourers tried to breed magic out of our blood."

"And the other Scourers triggered your Obscurus with their prejudices," Grindelwald said. "Your parents?"

"They eventually took me to Haven to grow up among other wizards and witches," Arden said evenly. "Which I believe you organized a raid on recently."

Grindelwald smirked. "It had its purposes."

"Face-stealing, authority-abusing bastard," Graves said, and Tina put a restraining hand on his shoulder before he could hex Grindelwald. She dearly wanted to hex Grindelwald, too, but right now-

"We're not here for this," Monty interrupted, glaring at Grindelwald. "Miss Arden, you said you could help Credence."

"I can," Arden said.

Monty had transfigured one of the chairs into his laboratories into a couch, and Credence had been moved onto it. Credence's skin was an unearthly color; it was as if there were galaxies underneath his veins, darkness ravaging his body.

Arden gently handed her salamander to Esek. At Ariana's curious gaze, she said, "Her name is Isla. She serves the same purpose to me as your phoenix does."

Then she went to Credence's side and began to speak.

"I was born," Arden said, "into the Scourers of the old order. Mr. Grindelwald was correct about the prejudices of the Scourers. The organization has its ties with anti-magic sentiment."

"And we're changing that," Esther said.

"Yes," Arden said, with a firm nod to her daughter. "We are. I'm named after Mabel Harden of the old Salem days, a witch who turned in her own mother over to non-magical authorities. That Mabel was a Scourer, and when MACUSA struck back against Scourers—executing and jailing them—she raged, and she passed along a centuries-old grudge through our family."

"Risa said you've been recruiting half-bloods, No-Maj-borns, anyone from Haven who wants to join," Graves said.

"Indeed," Arden said. "To survive, our organization has to take a new path. There are many wrongs in this country that need to be righted. There are many hatreds that shouldn't continue to be perpetuated."

Aden's gaze was cool when she turned to Grindelwald. She added, "MACUSA has its faults as well," and Tina found herself agreeing with an incline of her head.

"This idealism sounds very pretty, but it's rather useless," Grindelwald said. "Where were your ideals when Credence Barebone became an Obscurial?"

"He's a weapon to you," Graves retorted. "As if you care."

"No," Arden cut in. "Credence Barebone was partially my fault, in a fashion. I didn't realize that he was an Obscurial, even though I had been watching the family for years, waiting for them to collect the debt we owe them."

She removed the black gloves on her hands. "I suppose," she said, laying her hands on Credence's, "this is penance."

Darkness swirled around Mabel Arden. A storm cloud seemed to settle around her, ebbing, expanding, and the place where her and Credence's hands were joined ignited with dark flames. She took the black fire into herself, setting her hands against her heart-

"You can't do that," Ariana said, her eyes wide in realization. "Let me-you'll-"

"It's all right, little Obscurial," Arden said, smiling. "I've been ready for this. Essie and Esek will bring the Scourers into a new age, and I hope you and Credence and your friends will be a part of it."

Esther and Esek were unmoving, silent, but they seemed prepared. Their mother, Tina guessed, had already said goodbye to them.

Mabel Arden said, "I hope that for every child who grows up wanting to burn the world for turning its back on him, for hating him for being different, there will be a child just like him who wants to save it."

She was a whirlwind of shadow and flames that burned itself out, died into nothingness, leaving behind a dream too big to ever be fulfilled.

"A life for a life," Monty said in her wake.

Visibly, Credence's breathing slowed back to normal, color restored to his cheeks, and before he woke, Ariana had her arms around him, saying, over and over, "Don't ever do that again."

It wasn't quite a happy ending.

Gellert fluidly snapped the ropes around him in a single motion, and he surveyed them with an mixed expression of distaste (Tina, Monty, Graves, Esek, Esther) and intensity (Ariana and the still-unconscious Credence).

He lashed out a wandless spell like an invisible battering ram, and it was fast. Tina, Graves, and Monty were thrown by it, his first targets, the obvious threats, and they didn't stir from where they fell. Esek got caught up in the attack, too, stumbling when empty cauldrons cascaded around him.

Ariana shouted their names. Esther ran beside her, and Esther said, "Just like we practiced, Ana?"

Ariana nodded. She said, "I'm sorry about your mother."

"It's fine," Esther said, her voice slightly cracking. She recovered herself. "Come on. Mourning later. Let's make sure that Grindelwald doesn't kidnap you and Credence, shall we?"

Ariana held her hands forward, palms out, her eyes shining white. "Let's," she said.

She purposefully stood in front of Credence lying supine on the transfigured couch.

"Leave, Gellert," Ariana said. "It's over."

"Credence made a deal with me," Gellert said, his wand flying back into his hand, which Graves had confiscated. "I expect him to honor it, and for you to come along as well. I can help you both, Mausi. Please."

Ariana sent out a funnel of black from her outstretched palms, and Fawkes, behind her, lent her fire. It twisted through the air, sweeping toward Gellert, but Gellert, his mouth in a frustrated line, batted it away with a shield charm.

He didn't notice Esther underneath the funnel.

She was running underneath it, the shadows masking her presence, and she leaped at him with her knife.

"Clever," Gellert said, "but you're still a Muggle, girl."

He whipped out a red light at her. Ariana shielded Esther in time, the funnel converging to absorb the spell's impact.

Esther retreated closer to Ariana, grinning. "Thanks."

"This isn't some child's game," Gellert said to Ariana. "Your Obscurus-"

"I think I can control it," Ariana said. "But not just that."

She took her wand from her coat pocket, and she held it how Graves had taught her, pointed straight forward. "Reducto."

It was a stream of blue. It wasn't a complicated spell, but at last minute, she slipped her wand away, wrapped her hand around her wrist, and propelled the blue light forward with a tail of Obscurus black.

The Reductor curse spun, and Ariana silently whispered an apology to Credence, who she had overheard describe Obscurus pulsing to an inquisitive Monty.

Again, Gellert spelled a shield, opening his mouth to try to persuade her again. He wasn't treating this as a duel, more like a conversation, Ariana thought in irritation.

The pulsed Reductor/Obscurus ripped through his shield, and Gellert disappeared in a burst of Apparition to avoid being struck.

"Now," Ariana said, when he reappeared, "are you taking this seriously?"

His blue eyes gleamed. "Be careful what you wish for, Ariana."

But before Gellert could respond with an incantation, Monty's Floo flashed green, and a visitor gracefully emerged, looking alarmed at what he saw.

"Albus," Ariana said softly. Her brother.

Like Gellert, he was older, too. Auburn-haired, auburn-bearded, his robe plum purple, and his eyes as blue as hers.

"I may have called in help earlier," said Graves, wincing, brushing off dust off his coat and hobbling to his feet. Protectively, he moved in front of Ariana. "I sent a pigeon to Theseus Scamander asking him to convince Albus Dumbledore to come to New York by any means necessary. By threat, bribery, or lying because I've heard he doesn't involve himself with certain matters if a specific name is mentioned."

"Ah," Albus said, blinking. "I take it that there is no such thing as a World's Fair Exposition for sweets. Gellert-?"

Gellert raised an eyebrow. "Albus," he said, in greeting.

Ariana fought the urge to bury her face in her hands.

Then Albus saw her and he stiffened. "Ariana?" he said. "By what dark magic are you alive? Is this an illusion? The Resurrection Stone-?"

"Time travel," Ariana said, with a sigh. "You indirectly saved me. In another future, you sent Credence-" she twitched her shoulder in his direction "-to pick me up through time."

Gravely, Albus said, "If you are truly my sister, then I am sorry. What happened all those years ago was my fault."

"Well," Gellert said, tucking his wand away, "I suppose this is my cue to leave. The stars and tea leaves and whatnot have always told me to not duel you, Albus."

"I don't want to duel you either," Albus said cheerfully, but there was something weary and sorrowful in his tone.

Gellert smiled charmingly at Albus. He said, "I'm sure our paths will cross again," looking back at Credence for one last time, and then he Disapparated.

"Whose side are you on?" Graves said to Albus.

"He'll probably get over it in a couple years," said a tired voice, and Credence sat up, rubbing his forehead.

Graves muttered and shook his head, and went about busying himself to revive Tina, Monty, and Esek.

Credence said, "Hello, Albus."

"Hullo," Albus said, in obvious confusion. "I suppose you all have a lot to explain."

"We do," Ariana said. She embraced her brother, and then sat next to Credence.

"You know," she said. "You're right, flower boy. There's no self-loathing in the world that can match the self-loathing of an Obscurial. But you told me it's never our fault. You shouldn't have wanted to just leave like that-"

She looked at him, feeling angry and lost all at once.

Credence looked back at her, and said, "I'll stay for you, Ariana Dumbledore. If that's what you want."

"For yourself, too," she said.

It was a week later.

Graves was taking a sabbatical from work. It was partly lingering resentment he'd garnered recently due to MACUSA: what happened at Haven and the notable fact that nobody could tell that Grindelwald was out parading as him.

"And," he said, "I need a wand. That bastard didn't return mine and I don't want to be stuck with a family wand. I refuse to cheat with an Irving-nicked wand. Teenie?"

"You want me to come along?"

"Of course," Graves said. "Who else would have my back the next time I get body-swapped?"

Tina hesitated. "I don't want to leave Queenie here, and I do think this ridiculous wand process is a hassle, but-Director Talon used to be mentored by one of the Four. He never told me exactly who, but they taught him pulsing. I've always been wondering if I could talk to that witch or wizard one day."

"You coming?" Graves said, tilting his head to indicate Credence. It was a seemingly casual request, but Credence paused, found himself thinking.

"I'll drop by Britain to see Ariana and Albus for awhile," Credence said.

Ariana and Albus left for Hogwarts two days ago. Credence had stayed behind to help Graves and Tina figure out how to write up their report about Grindelwald, which left out some details here and there.

As for Esther and Esek, they were now the new Scourer leaders and had newfound responsibility in their hands. Credence still felt guilty for what happened to their mother, but they both brushed him off and said that Prometheus being destroyed—from what they knew of his future—it was worth it.

Esther had given Ariana Mabel Arden's salamander Isla, and Ariana was learning to manage her Obscurus with the little creature's help in the place of Fawkes.

"Where are you leaving for first?" Credence asked.

"Shikoba Wolfe is rumored to live in Arizona, gathering Thunderbird feathers from their nesting grounds for his wands," Graves said. "I'll go there first."

"I know a friend who should be in Arizona right around now," Credence said, with a small smile, remembering. "-I can catch up with you."

"And wherever you go, I'm going," Monty said brightly. "I intend to fully recompense for the unfortunate Prometheus mishap."

Graves scowled, but there was no real edge to it. They'd sorted out the betrayal confusion, and Monty had bested Graves in another quick-duel again.

"I have a feeling," Credence said, rueful, "that Ariana may try to come along as well."

"It might be educational," Graves said. "It's not every day you get to meet the Four."

Credence let out a sigh. "I'll see what her brothers think."

"Don't be downtrodden," Monty said. "Chin up. It's the next adventure."

"Until Grindelwald comes knocking sometime in the future," Tina pointed out.

"But we'll be ready for him," Graves said.

"Yes," Credence said. "We will."

This new future was certainly full of possibilities. He was no Seer, but he couldn't help himself envisioning all of them out under the searing sun of the desert, or traversing the murkiness of a swamp, or near a streaming river...

This is what it means, Credence thought, to stay.