Newt quietly pulled his foot back.
Credence stood where he was, taking it all in.
So that was what had happened.
His parents hadn't rejected him. He hadn't been abandoned because he was a monster. It had all just been an accident.
The gloom that had weighed on his heart for years lifted at once. Suddenly, he felt so much lighter.
"Come home with me." Dumbledore walked up to him, his voice gentle. "Meet your father. He's been looking for you for years."
Credence looked at him for a long time, then nodded.
Dumbledore smiled, took a brand-new wand from his pocket, and offered it to him.
"Give it a try."
Credence took the wand, raised his hand, and casually pointed it to one side.
Boom!
A terrifying blast of magical power erupted from the tip, blowing a newly repaired gravestone to pieces.
Even Credence was startled. He stared blankly at the wand in his hand.
Hermione walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
"Well?" She beamed at him. "Doesn't this thing work way better than the Speed Force?"
Barry Allen: Bruce, this thing works way better than the Speed Force!
Credence: ?
The old Dumbledore home, Godric's Hollow.
A month had passed since the great battle in Paris.
Credence now wore clean, well-fitting clothes and looked much more lively. The gloom that had lingered in his eyes for years had finally vanished completely.
He had officially rejoined his family and changed his name to Aurelius Dumbledore.
Nagini walked over and gently slipped her arm through his.
Aberforth watched them with a broad smile. He was very pleased with his daughter-in-law, too.
Hermione pushed the door open and walked in.
"Ready?" She glanced at Nagini.
Nagini took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
Beside her, Credence looked tense.