SCENE 26
EXT. LONDON BACK STREET—EVENING
NEWT Apparates and walks on briskly beneath an increasingly stormy sky. Seconds later, STEBBINS, an Auror, Apparates some yards behind him. They have been playing this game for an hour. NEWT turns a corner into a darker alleyway, peers back around the corner, and points his wand back at STEBBINS.
NEWT
(sotto voce)
Ventus.
STEBBINS is immediately caught in a hurricane for one. To the confusion and amusement of passing Muggles, his hat flies away, he is almost knocked off his feet, and cannot proceed.
Smiling slightly, NEWT withdraws his head, still leaning against the wall of the dark alleyway, to find a single black glove hanging in the air in front of him. He looks at it, expressionless. It gives a little wave, then points into the far distance. NEWT looks to where it is pointing. High on the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, a tiny human figure raises its arm.
NEWT looks back at the glove, which makes as though to shake hands. NEWT takes it, and he and the glove Disapparate—
SCENE 27
EXT. DOME OF ST. PAUL’S—EVENING
—Apparating beside a dandyesque forty-five-year-old wizard with graying auburn hair and beard. NEWT hands back his glove.
NEWT
Dumbledore.
(amused)
Were the less conspicuous rooftops full, then?
DUMBLEDORE
(looking out over city)
I do enjoy a view. Nebulus.
A swirling fog descends over London.
They Disapparate.
SCENE 28
EXT. TRAFALGAR SQUARE—EVENING
DUMBLEDORE and NEWT Apparate and walk on past the great stone Landseer lions. The darkening sky is becoming increasingly ominous. A flock of pigeons rises into the air at their approach.
DUMBLEDORE
How was it?
NEWT
They’re still convinced that you sent me to New York.
DUMBLEDORE
You told them I didn’t?
NEWT
Yes. Even though you did.
A beat. DUMBLEDORE inscrutable, NEWT wanting answers.
NEWT
You told me where to find that trafficked Thunderbird, Dumbledore. You knew that I would take him home and you knew I’d have to take him through a Muggle port.
DUMBLEDORE
Well, I’ve always felt an affinity with the great magical birds. There’s a story in my family that a phoenix will come to any Dumbledore who is in desperate need. They say my great-great-grandfather had one, but that it took flight when he died, never to return.
NEWT
With all due respect, I don’t believe for a minute that’s why you told me about the Thunderbird.
A noise behind them. The silhouette of a man appears out of shadows. They Disapparate—
SCENE 29
EXT. VICTORIA BUS STATION—EVENING
Footsteps nearby. Both ready their wands, but the footsteps die away. They walk on.
DUMBLEDORE
Credence is in Paris, Newt. He’s trying to trace his real family. I take it you’ve heard the rumors about who he really is?
NEWT
No.
DUMBLEDORE and NEWT board a stationary bus.
DUMBLEDORE
The purebloods think he’s the last of an important French line, a baby whom everyone thought lost . . .
A look between them. NEWT is astonished.
NEWT
Not Leta’s brother?
DUMBLEDORE
That’s what they’re whispering. Pureblood or not, I know this: An Obscurus grows in the absence of love as a dark twin, an only friend. If Credence has a real brother or sister out there who can take its place, he might yet be saved.
(beat)
Wherever Credence is in Paris, he’s either in danger or a danger to others. We may not know who he is yet, but he needs to be found. And I rather hoped you might be the one to find him.
DUMBLEDORE conjures NICOLAS FLAMEL’S card from thin air and offers it to NEWT, who eyes it with suspicion.
NEWT
What’s that?
DUMBLEDORE
It’s an address of a very old acquaintance of mine. A safe house in Paris, reinforced with enchantments.
NEWT
Safe house? Why would I need a safe house in Paris?
DUMBLEDORE
One hopes you won’t, but should things at some point go terribly wrong, it’s good to have a place to go. You know, for a cup of tea.
NEWT
No, no, no—absolutely not.
SCENE 30
EXT. LAMBETH BRIDGE—NIGHT
They Apparate onto a bridge.
NEWT
I’m banned from international travel, Dumbledore. If I leave the country, they will put me in Azkaban and throw away the key.
DUMBLEDORE stops.
DUMBLEDORE
Do you know why I admire you, Newt? More, perhaps, than any man I know?
(off NEWT’S surprise)
You don’t seek power or popularity. You simply ask, is the thing right in itself? If it is, then I must do it, no matter the cost.
He walks on.
NEWT
That’s all very well, Dumbledore, but, forgive me for asking, why can’t you go?
They stop.
DUMBLEDORE
I can’t move against Grindelwald. It has to be you.
(beat)
Well, I don’t blame you, in your shoes I’d probably refuse too. It’s late. Good evening, Newt.
DUMBLEDORE Disapparates.
NEWT
Oh c’mon!
DUMBLEDORE’S empty glove reappears and tucks the business card bearing the address of the safe house into NEWT’S top pocket.
NEWT
(exasperated)
Dumbledore.