- Your POV -

"Where'd you go?" Queenie asks when you get back to their apartment.

You smile, "I went for a walk."

"I know that, silly. Ooh, who's the boy?" She asks slyly, reading your thoughts like an open book.

Smiling, you reply as you start eating the supper that Queenie made, "I met him right after I ran away before I met you. I-I wanted to see him again and - and, well, be his friend."

"Aww, that's very sweet. Are you going to go again tomorrow?"

"I-I think I will if you don't mind." You answer, taking a bite of the delicious food.

The door opens and a frazzled-looking Tina walks in and takes her coat off. She notices us and smiles softly.

"Hello." She greets us, but before she can continue, Queenie interrupts.

"Teen, that's wonderful!"

Your eyes flicker to Queenie, wondering what she could be talking about.

"You can stay here, Y/n. Until you come of age and are able to move out," Tina informs you.

"Really?" Disbelief and happiness swell within you, as you look at the sisters who are also extremely happy.

"Of course! Although, there's the issue of your schooling. . ."

"You could teach me?" You ask hesitantly, nervously shuffling the food on your plate.

"Oh, I don't know about that. . ." She frowns thoughtfully.

"I'm a fast learner, I swear! And I'll do all the chores and you won't regret taking me in!" You ramble on.

Queenie looks to her sister, "I could teach her all the important things, and we have books on history and potions and defense against the dark arts. The rest we could get from the library. It could work."

Tina considers this, and then warns you, "But if you don't do your work we'll have to send you to a real school and not homeschool you anymore."

"I promise I'll do everything you ask of me! Oh, thank you!!!" You leap from your seat and hug Tina and Queenie.

They smile and hug you back.

"Now, help me with dishes," Queenie says, and you are happy to comply.

~

The next day, you started your studies. Luckily, you have already been taught to read and write and do simple math equations.

You crack open the dusty book and start reading. You take notes in order to really grind it into your memory. You find a book on botany and find that you enjoy learning about plants, especially flowers. You also find a book on healing. You take special note of these books before placing them on your dresser.

Of course, you don't have a wand and you can't perform magic with a wand because you are underage. But, over the years, you have become quite good at completing wandless magic and you can do some wordless magic as well.

Though, you don't dare practice them on anything until Queenie and Tina get home. They were very specific in their instructions.

You make yourself some lunch and work steadfastly to clean the house after you study. When they get home, they marvel at all the work you got done, and all the lessons you got through.

"At this rate, you'll be smarter than us!" Queenie jokes, and Tina smirks and nods.

"Queenie, can I go for a walk?" You ask her.

"Of course, sweetie! Just be careful!"

"I will!" You call over your shoulder before heading out the door.

You wander around for a bit before you spot him. Hunched shoulders shielding him from the world, he stands on the street corner and hands out leaflets. No one pays him any mind though. No one but you.

Smiling, you make your way to him. His dark hair is slightly ruffled from the wind, and you can't see his face clearly.

"Hello again," You greet cheerfully.

His head jerks up and he looks at you in shock. He didn't think he'd ever see you again. Your e/c eyes meet dark brown ones.

He doesn't say anything, he just simply looks at you, not daring to believe his eyes. Grinning, you take one of his pamphlets and examine it. It's an anti-witch/wizard pamphlet, you discover.

Your smile fades a bit as you read. Letting out a thoughtful hum, you notice him staring at you as you read. You look back at him and smile.

"Interesting," you say as you tuck it into your pocket. "May I keep it?"

"Y-yes," He stutters. He thought that you would be angry at the content, but you seem fine with it.

"So, your name's Credence?"

He ducks his head again, "Yes. A-and you're Y/n?"

You grin, "Yes, that's me. Do you mind if I hang around? I could help you pass out papers?"

He looks at you in shock again, and then he shrugs.

Smirking again, you take some papers and start to offer them to everyone who passes by.

"So, Credence, do you do this often?"

He nods in answer, and you realize that he's not very talkative.

"Well, maybe I could make a habit of it too," You offer slyly, looking at him again.

He looks into your eyes briefly before glancing down again, "T-that'd be nice."

His voice is a whisper, but you hear it loud and clear.

"Yes, it would."

You stand in silence for a bit, but it's not the uncomfortable kind.

"I should go now," You say sadly.

He looks sad at the prospect too, but you quickly add, "I'll see you tomorrow, Credence."

He nods and watches you leave.

When you're gone, he lets himself smile a bit before he too heads home.