>>2369896Then one day, this tall dashing man in a nice experience looking suite and scarf, with shined work shoes, striked up a conversation about, ooooo, I dunno…witches. And how maybe they’re real, but don’t tell your mother I’m telling any of this to, btw, my name is Mr. Graves. Oh, btw, check it out, I’m actually a wizard myself.
Abused children like the ability to keep a secret of their own that doesn’t evolve keeping the secret of the abuse itself. Especially when his “family and mother” only offer him brimstone and whippings when confessing something (like being late to get home for instance). But here’s Mr. Graves, a secret to keep from his family that likes to talk about the opposite of what they preach, that witches shouldn’t be burned and killed, but should be praised! And they are wonderful! And…hmm, by the by, Credence, do you know how special you are? Did you know you have magical blood in you? Yes! YOU! Omg, you’re so amazing, and you didn’t even know it, did you. But remember, don’t tell your crazy mother. This is just between us, ok?
It’s a simple power play that snowballs and suddenly it’s ‘let’s meet in the alleyway and discuss more of this later.’ Which then turns into ‘I have a task for you, please, you’re the only one I trust to do this.” Along the way, Grindelwald gives him soft touches here and there, pats on the back, words of praise, fuck, even a silver piece of jewelry, while wrapping his warm arms around his neck and holding him for a moment longer than intended.
