When a young witch or wizard suppressed their innate magic, either through will power or as a result of violence or abuse, a powerful parasite could form within that child - a dark energy called an Obscurus. The force is caused by an ‘internalised hatred of one’s own magic’ and can cause death and destruction wherever it goes. Ultimately, an Obscurus and its host could not co-exist and the witch or wizard would likely die young. Credence Barebone was a rare example of a wizard who lived with his condition beyond his childhood.