"Now Mr. Barebone, it's quite alright," Karen was saying, dabbing at Credence's face and neck with a damp washcloth. "Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. It's okay to keep them sometimes, so long as they are properly positioned and healthy. Although we will need to carefully monitor them in order to make sure they don't start causing problems."

"M-monitor?" Credence muttered thickly.

"Yes, with more frequent cleanings, x-rays and regular check ups, usually three months apart instead of the usual six."

What the hell was he getting himself into?

"I think I'd really like to go home now," Credence whimpered, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Oh, I think you'll be alright," Karen soothed, brushing the hair out of his face. "We're almost done, Mr. Barebone. You can even go back to sleep if you want. I promise we don't mind."

As if sleep would still be possible after what he'd just been told.

"You may want to consider getting braces," said Dr. Carter, and Credence shook his head, refusing the idea of metal wires on his teeth. "However, we would need to remove your wisdom teeth prior to any sort of orthodontic treatment."

By now Credence had started tuning them out, ignoring what was being said as he started spinning his worry ring. He knew perfectly well from reading his mother's Harry Potter books that teeth could be magically straightened in the wizarding world, and he decided right then and there that as soon as he went back to Nurmengard, he would look into having his teeth straightened with the proper spells.

"I just want to get done and go home," the Obscurial whined, looking for all the world like a tired five-year old who desperately needed a nap.

"You're ready to continue?" the dentist asked, and this time Credence nodded, pausing to wipe the tears from his eyes and blow his nose on a tissue.

The chair was readjusted, the crystals on Credence's silver ring glinting in the overhead lights. The Obscurial settled as comfortably as he could, clutching his mother's blanket and opening his mouth so the dentist could begin his work.

There were a few medical murmurings, though Credence wasn't really sure if he should be paying attention to it. He was too tired to focus on what was happening around him, and he was already half asleep when the dentist selected one of his molars and began cleaning out the crevices in his tooth.

"You're doing fine, Mr. Barebone. That's it. A little wider, please."

Unable to stifle a yawn, the Obscurial abandoned his ring, giving in to the warmth and comfort that surrounded him. He allowed himself to rest, the soft fabric draped across his chest, across his arms and legs, and before he knew it Credence was fast asleep.

.oOo.

"My son did what?!" Dragon exclaimed, a look of astonishment etched into the lines on her face.

"He fell asleep," Karen told her, seemingly amused by her reaction. "Twice, actually. He's really a sweet little thing, but he's very tired from all he's been through this morning." She stepped aside, motioning towards the door on her right. "You can take him home now. Although he might be a little groggy after so much sleep."

Dragon and Nagini exchanged a look, the both of them wearing equally stunned expressions.

"Asleep?" Nagini's hissed, her mind struggling to process what they'd been told.

They had been expecting Credence to cause a scene during his appointment. Maybe not a major one, but surely he would have done something that hinted at his true nature as an Obscurial.

Dragon said nothing, moving past the assistant and walking down the hall.

"He's in the back room on the left," Karen informed them.

Dragon turned the corner, and sure enough there was her son, sound asleep in the dentist's chair with his thumb in his mouth. He had curled up on his side, sucking his thumb while drooling on his mother's blanket.

"He looks so cute I almost took a picture of him," Karen admitted. "Though obviously I wouldn't do such a thing without your permission! But your son is adorable, miss Dragon. He really is."

There was silence. Dragon's jaw dropped, staring at her son in disbelief. Then Nagini covered her mouth with her hand, snickering and giggling. Karen's cheerful laughter joined Nagini's smothered giggles, the both of them finding amusement in the situation, as well as Dragon's reaction.

"Well, it's better than we expected," Nagini said, a smile blossoming on her face.

"Credence?" Dragon approached her sleeping son and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Credence, sweetie, it's time to go home." She gave him a gentle nudge, and Credence began to stir. "Creeds, are you ready to go?"

Shifting slightly under the warmth of his mother's blanket, Credence closed his eyes and continued sucking his thumb. When his mother tried to elicit a response, a mumbled string of incomprehensible nonsense dribbled past his lips, saliva dripping onto his shirt.

"Nagini, can you give me a hand?" Dragon asked, and the Maledictus hurried over to the chair, placing one arm under Credence's back while helping to lift him out of his seat.

Together they managed to ease him into a sitting position, holding him steady and helping him onto his feet. It was then that Credence came awake, still groggy and swaying slightly as they walked him out the door, and loudly exclaimed, "I don't have time for this nonsense!"

"What?" Nagini took one look at him and started laughing. Dragon rolled her eyes, huffing out an exasperated sigh.

"Come on, let's just take him home, Nagini," she muttered.

.oOo.

Credence was barely conscious of the return trip, stepping over the threshold where he was then helped into bed by Dragon and Nagini. He was nearing the edge of the mattress when his eyes closed, his chin sinking towards his chest.

"Easy now," Dragon was saying, her voice somewhere far away. "Easy... Nagini, get his other arm. Gently now."

"Don't worry, miss dragon lady. I've got him." Nagini slid her arm under his, holding on tight while using her free hand to pull the covers back on the bed. That was when she heard him groan, his lashes lifting to reveal cloudy brown eyes, staring vacantly into space.

"Ugh... wh-what happened?" Credence slurred, sounding as though he'd consumed a large amount of alcohol. His eyes closed momentarily, blinking and looking around in a daze.

He had no idea how he wound up back in his room. The last thing he remembered was crying and begging to go home. That was when it all began to blur together, sights and sounds that were better left forgotten.

"We very nearly experienced the apocalypse," his mother said, the soft pillows cushioning the back of his head as she helped lie down and get comfortable. "That's what happened, Creeds. But you're home now, and you can sleep all you want, sweetie pie."

"Sleep?" Credence burbled, barely able to keep his eyes open. "I can sleep now?"

"I still can't believe he did that, miss dragon lady." Nagini drew the covers up to his chest, tucking him in then moving to sit at the foot of the bed. "But I guess he needed it, otherwise he wouldn't have fallen asleep."

"I can't believe it either," said Dragon, sinking down into the chair beside her son's bed. "But it was worth it, I think. We managed to get Credence through his first dentist appointment, and we all survived to tell about it. That alone is quite an accomplishment."

"Hmm... I was what?" Credence tried following their conversation, but he was half asleep and it was far too difficult to keep track of what was being said.

"Credence," Nagini said sweetly, looking down at her tired friend. "You did very well this morning. Better than either of us thought you would. And now that it's over, you won't keep having toothaches all the time."

"That's nice, Grandma..." His eyes drifted closed, and within a matter of minutes Credence was sound asleep.

.oOo.

In the days that followed, Credence began working feverishly on his latest project, revising the lyrics that had come to him during his trip to the dentist. And although he'd only been asleep for a short while, it was long enough for his mind to conjure up the most beautiful dream. A dream in which he was surrounded by rose petals, and scarlet stars mirrored the colors of the flowers in bloom.

"But where will we obtain such things for ze video?" Vinda questioned, raising an eyebrow and peering over the Obscurial's shoulder. "Ze flowers... perhaps we could collect zem from our master's garden. With his permission of course. But ze rest?"

Credence was hunched over the desk in his room, writing on a roll of parchment that was trailing over the edge of the furniture. His messy hair was falling forward into his face, and every now and then he would pause to pick at his teeth.

"Mr. Grindelwald could provide the bones from his vaping collection," Credence said, chewing the end of his quill. Moments later the quill was replaced with his thumb, and he continued to write. "Maybe my mother could help... provide something from her crafting supplies..."

His voice trailed off into silence, his thoughts wandering over the props and costume design, thinking that Queenie would happily conjure up some scarlet robes trimmed in gold, with delicate stitching and ornate spirals down the sleeves. He was so preoccupied with his writing that he didn't hear his mother enter the room, the door opening as Vinda Rosier let her in.

The winged wolf stood off to the side, watching him for a minute before glancing in Rosier's direction.

"Is he still working?" Dragon mouthed these words to Vinda Rosier, who responded with a nod and a smile. She turned her attention to her son, his thumb still in his mouth, sucking gently. He then slipped a second finger in his mouth, feeling the layer of clear plastic on his teeth.

"Credence, quit picking your teeth," Dragon told him, startling her son.

The Obscurial leapt nearly a foot out of his chair, one hand on the desk as he turned in his seat. "Ma!" he exclaimed, trembling slightly. "I-I'm sorry. It just... it feels strange... Like something is stuck on them."

"That's the sealant, sweetie," Dragon said. "It's supposed to feel like that. The dentist said the excess will wear off in a day or two. It won't be so noticeable then."

"Oh..." Credence flushed slightly. He knew that, but it was still a feeling that took some getting used to. "Ma, do you think Mr. Grindelwald will help us with our video?" he asked, his words tumbling quickly, one right after the other. "I need roses... red roses, if that's alright. Some watermelon, a lot actually. Maybe some of your crafting supplies, red stars, red robes if Miss Goldstein wants to help - "

Dragon held up her paw to silence him. "Credence Aurelius Dumbledore, you don't have to worry about any of that. Mommy will talk to the master and everything will be provided."

A smile slowly spread across his face. "Thank you," he said softly, the warmth of her love and affection filling his heart.

"It's not a problem, Creeds," Dragon insisted. "If you need something, all you have to do is ask. And besides, mommy really wants to hear you sing again, sweetheart."

"Ma..." His blush deepened, and Credence bowed his head.

It was such a blessing to finally have a mother who cared about him. These people, the friends he'd made since leaving his home in New York, were like family. A new family, one that loved and accepted him for who he was, despite his flaws and shortcomings. In the end Credence was finally able to see that his mother truly loved him with all her heart. She only wanted to give him the care and attention he never had growing up. And although he'd been truly terrified of visiting the dentist, it felt nice knowing that his mother was there for him, doing what she could to care for her precious baby boy.