"I don't understand why we have to apparate!" Credence moaned, rubbing his forehead. "It's quicker than walking and much neater than floo powder," was Caoimhe's reply. "Remind me why we have to go to this banquet again?" Credence asked. "All of the people who served in the war are going for a big celebration," Caoimhe said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She was wearing a lavender lace dress that was shorter in the front than in the back to display a pair of lavender satin heels. Her hair had been ironed to perfection and pulled up in a French twist with a few strands loose around her face. Her freckles were barely visible under the amount of makeup she was forced to wear. Soft, pink cheeks with pink lips and false eyelashes. (Caoimhe, as Credence knew, hated dressing up. She saw no point in it.)

"I feel like a clown," she sighed. "You don't look like one," Credence remarked, allowing her to hook her arm through his. "Let's just try and get through this as quickly as possible," she muttered. He chuckled as they stepped into the lavish building.

Tables were everywhere, covered in white tablecloths. Wizards and witches that served were posing for pictures for the newspaper. The sound of talking filled the room, along with a few polite laughs.

"Merlin's beard! This is worse than I thought!" Caoimhe moaned. Credence pat her hand clumsily in an attempt to comfort her. She seemed to understand, so she quickly kissed his cheek before giggling and pointing off in the distance.

Newt stood in his finery looking rather uncomfortable as a beautiful red-haired lady attempted to flirt with him. He kept glancing around anxiously, trying to get away, but the girl clung to him like glue.

"Ha! Finally, some entertainment! Wait until Tina comes!" she giggled. As much as Credence loved to hear her laugh, he nudged her. "Go save him."

"Why?"

"Because, he's your brother for Merlin's sake!"

"It's entertaining!"

"Not for Newt it isn't!"

She laughed. "Fine." She walked over to Newt. Caoimhe wheeled around until she was face to face with the girl. She said something that made the girl frown angrily, but Credence couldn't hear it. Caoimhe grabbed Newt's arm and dragged him away from the girl, who stormed off.

"Why is everyone so interested in me here?" Newt muttered. "Because you're a super famous author who served in a war against the most powerful dark wizard of all time. That kind of attracts female attention," Caoimhe said. "Why would that matter? They all know I'm married," Newt said, rubbing the back of his neck. "They know. They just don't care," she replied. Credence laughed. "Just try and learn how to stand up for yourself, okay? I'm not always going to be around," Caoimhe snickered. Newt elbowed her just as Tina walked up.

Tina was beautiful in her blue satin dress. It only went down to her knees, but Credence thought it made her look lovely.

"Newt, don't shove around Caoimhe!" she said in a serious yet teasing voice. Caoimhe it the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.

"Excuse me? Could I get a picture of Credence and Caoimhe for the Daily Prophet?" a tiny man squeaked, holding a camera that looked far to big for him. "Um... sure," Credence stuttered. Caoimhe gently took his hand and slung it around her shoulders. He relaxed a little and kissed her forehead. The camera clicked, and the little man ran off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time Dumbledore was up on stage to make his speech, everyone had sat down. He cleared his throat and began.

"Thank you. First of all, I would like to acknowledge the people who willingly-" Credence snorted into his tea. "-joined the fight and were more than willing to die for our cause.

"I would first like to thank the Scamander family. All of them had participated in the battle, and they allowed their house to be turned into our headquarters. So, if everyone could give them a round of applause."

The people burst out clapping. The whole Scamander family, including Credence and Tina, turned bright red, and searched desperately for a place to hide.

"I would also like to take a moment to remember..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"That was boring," Caoimhe sighed, leaning against Credence. The night was chilly, and the dress she was wearing was not very effective against the cold. So, Credence pulled off his coat and draped it around her shoulders. She instantly nestled into it, clearly relieved to have some kind of protection from the cold. He leaned down to kiss her, not just because he loved her, but because she deserved at least one for all the happiness she had brought him.