Austria dealt a fridged dusk, but Credence found himself embracing it with a red-nipped nose and trembling fingers. He let his breath fog a small cloud, surrendering a pained sigh. There were starlings in the sky, fluttering in unison. [ F r e e . ] Credence watched them from the castle top’s balcony where he’d made perch. There was a heaviness in his heart that kept him looking up, looking for something to release him from that weighting burden. And even as his name had been restored - something still felt wrong. That was all he ever wanted. But in his thoughts, he still self-identified himself as Credence, not fully feeling worthy of the Dumbledore surname. But there was more than just that, keeping him restless…
He wondered where she was, now. He wondered…if she’d forgive him. Letting go of her hand was the hardest thing, he’d ever had to do. And he did it without even looking her in the face because he knew if he had, he’d not have taken Grindelwald’s offer. And Credence realized it now, as he watched the flock flutter together and spin in spirals, working the sky together and forming something beautiful. Was that how she saw me? He wondered cautiously, remembering when he’d danced around the Eiffel tower, exposing what he was to her. I hope so. It had been the seventh day he’d woken up and Nagini was not by his side. And it hurts.
He closed his eyes a moment and took in a deep breath. It didn’t clear that lump in his throat, however. But he felt himself materialize and he took flight, his murmuration spiraling up into the sky where it met the starlings. They fluttered quick away from him, but he only followed and soon they realized he was no threat to them. And together they collided and glided past the frozen bluff and down unto a river pass where he stirred up frost and shivered the branches on iced trees. He let the starlings lead him to wherever they were going. For a while he felt as if he’d been soaring for hours. Maybe days. Hopefully, forever. But somehow he’d sensed her aura drawing closer and closer.
The starlings fluttered around a small inn and settled in the field beyond its resting point. His shadow overhead, gently descending and formed his physical embodiment again. He glanced around himself looking at the little refuge she managed to find. He wasn’t sure where this was, but more importantly . . . “Nagini.” His whisper was soft barely even existing as he glanced inside the window. She was asleep, a beauty cradled unto herself as if she were missing someone to hold onto. And boldly, he slipped inside her window, carefully. He held a soft hold on her with an anticipating gaze. Her eyes were open, but he knew she was sound. And he knelt down beside her bed. He took a moment to study her and an eagerness to slip beneath the covers overtook him. But he only stayed there kneeling. And he had to blink away the oncoming tears.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered but held his breath as that lump in his throat began to stab at him again. “For abandoning you…” He slid his hand forward, palm up, scars exposed, and he took hold of hers’. The scales about her wrist were growing ever so slowly now. But all he could feel was the softness of her palm pressing into his. And he closed his eyes, letting that beauty seep in. Her touch always seemed to dull his pain slightly. But he’d already placed her in danger so many times before. And it was because of him, her scales began to dapple her wrists more boldly. If only she didn’t try to stop Gunnar Grimmson when he’d laid waste to Irma’s apartments, she’d not be even closer to serpentine state. He drooped his head and just felt the pulse-beat in her palms. “I had to leave you.” He confessed gently. “The path I’m on, what I am, will hurt you.” And when he opened his eyes, he realized they spilled out a tear for every time he regretted leaving her. And they streamed down his cheeks. Quickly, he wiped at them and sniffled. “Your time is limited.” He fought past the sniffles. “Don’t waste it on me. You’re free.”
“Aurelius?” the voice was faint and soft. Credence knitted his brows before planting a kiss atop Nagini’s hand. “Aurelius… The voice cooed again. Gently, he stood up and looked at her one last time. “Credence!” And with a gasp his eyes flashed open. His breath released the gasp with fog again and he stared out against the snowcaps that towered over their own refuge. Glancing behind him, that woman, Queenie. stood at the door to the castle’s rooftop and offered him the smallest of compassions. “Honey, it’s time.” She was sweet to him and he was thankful for that. Her heart hurts too. She nodded her head towards the door. “Come on, it’s cold out here. I’ve made some coco.”
“I’ve . . . only seen coco before.” Credence admitted. But he wasn’t truly interested in it. “I’ll be in.” He promised. And when Queenie nodded with a smile and left, Credence turned his attention down at the little black starling he’d been cradling in his hands. The stream of tears were still fresh on his cheeks, but he knew that’s what he would say to Nagini if he could. He took another look to the sky, sucking in a deep and brave breath. And with one swift motion he threw his hands open and let the starling take flight. It rejoined its flock and he watched them spiral in flight together. “I love you.” He confessed to the sky. Maybe, wherever she was, she’d feel it. “Thank you.” He finished before wiping away that weakness. And he turned towards this new path and left the starlings, flying free.
First of all, how dare you hurt me. Who said you could do that? Second, I just want to love Credence so hard and there's nothing but a smile on his bloody precious face. Thirdly, how dare you hurt me.
I absolutely love how you've captured his pain and his guilt with leaving Nagini. Ugh, makes my blackened heart come to life so that it can just feel a crap ton of pain. I love this. I want to see where you take Credence from here and watch him become worse or better. Whatever you do with him, I am excited to read his journey. Bless this sad child and bless you for your lovely writing. It's making me want to write a sad drabble now.
something to release him from that weighting burden. And even as his name had been restored - something still felt wrong. That was all he ever wanted. But in his thoughts, he still self-identified himself as Credence, not fully feeling worthy of the Dumbledore surname. But there was more than just that, keeping him restless… 
the little black starling he’d been cradling in his hands. The stream of tears were still fresh on his cheeks, but he knew that’s what he would say to Nagini if he could. He took another look to the sky, sucking in a deep and brave breath. And with one swift motion he threw his hands open and let the starling take flight. It rejoined its flock and he watched them spiral in flight together. “I love you.” He confessed to the sky. Maybe, wherever she was, she’d feel it. “Thank you.” He finished before wiping away that weakness. And he turned towards this new path and left the starlings, flying free. 
