SCENE 63
EXT. HOGWARTS—DAY
An ominous procession of AURORS marches up the drive toward the castle, among them, THESEUS and LETA.
CLOSE ON AN UPPER WINDOW. STUDENTS staring down at the strangers, nudging one another. The AURORS enter the school.
SCENE 64
INT. DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS CLASSROOM—DAY
DUMBLEDORE is teaching. A space in the middle of the room, all students enjoying the spectacle. A large boy—MCCLAGGAN—is braced for attack, his robes covered in dust, his tie knotted around his ear. He and DUMBLEDORE circle each other.
DUMBLEDORE
What were the three biggest mistakes that you made last time?
MCCLAGGAN
Caught by surprise, sir.
DUMBLEDORE
What else?
MCCLAGGAN
Didn’t parry before counter-curse, sir.
DUMBLEDORE
Very good. And the last one . . . the most important one?
MCCLAGGAN looks away, thinking. DUMBLEDORE hits him unawares. MCCLAGGAN flies into the air, DUMBLEDORE conjures a sofa, MCCLAGGAN hits it and slides to the floor.
DUMBLEDORE
Not learning from the first two.
The class laughs. The door opens. TRAVERS, THESEUS, and four other AURORS enter, YOUNG MINERVA MCGONAGALL behind them.
MCGONAGALL
This is a school, you’ve no right—
TRAVERS
I’m the Head of Magical Law Enforcement and I have the right to go wherever I please.
(to the students)
Out of here.
They don’t move.
DUMBLEDORE
(to the students)
Go with Professor McGonagall, please.
They file out, curious or alarmed. The last out is MCCLAGGAN.
MCCLAGGAN
(to TRAVERS)
He’s the best teacher we’ve got.
DUMBLEDORE
(quiet)
Thanks, McClaggan.
TRAVERS
Get out!
MCGONAGALL
Come, McClaggan.
The door closes.
TRAVERS
Newt Scamander is in Paris.
DUMBLEDORE
Really?
TRAVERS
Cut the pretense. I know he’s there on your orders.
DUMBLEDORE
If you’d ever had the pleasure to teach him, you’d know Newt is not a great follower of orders.
TRAVERS tosses a small book to DUMBLEDORE, who catches it in one hand.
TRAVERS
(indicating the book)
You’ve read The Predictions of Tycho Dodonus?
DUMBLEDORE
Many years ago.
TRAVERS
(reads)
“A son cruelly banished
Despair of the daughter
Return—”
DUMBLEDORE
Yes, I know it.
TRAVERS
There’s a rumor this prediction refers to the Obscurial. They say that Grindelwald wants—
DUMBLEDORE
—a highborn henchman. I’ve heard the rumor.
TRAVERS
And yet Scamander appears wherever the Obscurial goes, to protect him. Meanwhile you have built up quite a little network of international contacts—
DUMBLEDORE
(quiet, steely)
However long you keep me and my friends under surveillance, you’re not going to discover plots against you, Travers, because we want the same thing: the defeat of Grindelwald. But I warn you, your policies of suppression and violence are pushing supporters into his arms—
TRAVERS
I’m not interested in your warnings!
(controlling himself)
Now, it pains me to say it, because—well, I don’t like you.
TRAVERS and DUMBLEDORE both chuckle.
TRAVERS
But . . . you are the only wizard who is his equal. I need you to fight him.
A pause. The AURORS watch.
DUMBLEDORE
I cannot.
TRAVERS
Because of this?
He casts a spell to show moving pictures of TEENAGE DUMBLEDORE and TEENAGE GRINDELWALD. The AURORS are shocked.
The TEENAGE DUMBLEDORE and TEENAGE GRINDELWALD stare intently into each other’s eyes.
TRAVERS
You and Grindelwald were as close as brothers.
DUMBLEDORE
We were closer than brothers.
DUMBLEDORE is looking at the pictures. These memories are agony. He is full of remorse but, almost worse: nostalgia for the only time in his life he felt fully understood.
TRAVERS
Will you fight him?
DUMBLEDORE
(pained)
I can’t.
TRAVERS
Then you have chosen your side.
He flicks his wand once more. Thick metal cuffs—Admonitors—appear on DUMBLEDORE’S wrists.
TRAVERS
From now on, I shall know every spell you cast. I’m doubling the watch on you, and you will no longer teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.
(to THESEUS)
Where’s Leta? We need to go to Paris!
He storms out. The AURORS follow. THESEUS is last to the door.
DUMBLEDORE
(quietly)
Theseus.
THESEUS looks back.
DUMBLEDORE
Theseus, if Grindelwald calls a rally, don’t try and break it up. Don’t let Travers send you in there. If you ever trusted me—
TRAVERS (O.S.)
THESEUS!
THESEUS leaves.
SCENE 65
INT. DESERTED HOGWARTS CORRIDOR—DAY
The late afternoon sun falls through the windows as LETA walks along a corridor populated only with memories. She stops beside an open door.
The Great Hall is lit with floating candles.
SCENE 66
INT. EMPTY HOGWARTS CLASSROOM—DAY
LETA walks slowly into the classroom, then turns to look back into the corridor and—
DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE 67
INT. EMPTY HOGWARTS CLASSROOM—SEVENTEEN YEARS PREVIOUSLY—MORNING
13-YEAR-OLD LETA stands hiding inside the empty classroom while students in cloaks trundle by, pushing trunks and carrying owls. It is the last day of the winter term and nearly everyone is going home.
ANGLE ON TWO 13-YEAR-OLD GRYFFINDOR GIRLS pushing trunks.
GRYFFINDOR GIRL 1
You know she stays here every vacation. Her family don’t actually want her home.
GRYFFINDOR GIRL 2
I don’t blame them, she’s so annoying. Even the name Lestrange makes me feel sick—
LETA flings herself into their path, pointing her wand.
13-YEAR-OLD LETA
Oscausi!
GRYFFINDOR GIRL 2’S mouth is sealed shut as though she never had one. Triumphant, LETA flees the scene, pushing past shocked students.
GRYFFINDOR GIRL 1
(screams)
Professor McGonagall! LESTRANGE HAS DONE IT AGAIN!
MCGONAGALL (O.S.)
Lestrange, stop running! LESTRANGE! Disobedient children. Stop! Shame on the House of Slytherin. One hundred points! Two hundred! Get back here, right now! Stop! Stop it! Stop it! You stop it! Get back here!
GRYFFINDOR GIRL 1
Miss, it was Lestrange. She’s horrible—
McGONAGALL silences the girl.
ANGLE ON LETA, sprinting around a corner.
She wrenches open a side door and plunges inside.
SCENE 68
INT. HOGWARTS CUPBOARD—SEVENTEEN YEARS PREVIOUSLY—MORNING
13-YEAR-OLD LETA slams the door and stands there, ear against it. She hears running, distant shouts. Then a sound behind her makes her jump and turn around.
13-YEAR-OLD NEWT is already in occupation of the cupboard. He has hidden a couple of tanks here, one containing tadpoles, another Streelers. A lined cardboard box serves as a nest for the raven chick he is cradling in his hand. It wears a splint on its broken leg. NEWT and LETA stare at each other.
13-YEAR-OLD LETA
Scamander . . . why aren’t you packing?
13-YEAR-OLD NEWT
I’m not going home.
13-YEAR-OLD LETA
Why not?
13-YEAR-OLD NEWT
(of the raven)
He needs me. It was hurt.
LETA takes in the tanks, then the ugly little bird, to which NEWT now feeds an earthworm.
13-YEAR-OLD LETA
What is that?
13-YEAR-OLD NEWT
A raven chick.
She is mildly intrigued now.
13-YEAR-OLD LETA
The raven’s my family’s emblem.
She watches him stroking the bird’s head. As he places the chick gently in her hands, she seems to see him plainly for the first time.
DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE 69
INT. DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS CLASS—FOURTEEN YEARS PREVIOUSLY—DAY
It is Boggart time. DUMBLEDORE supervises the line of teenagers advancing to try their luck. “Riddikulus”—“Riddikulus”—gusts of hilarity as a shark becomes a flotation device, a zombie’s head turns into a pumpkin, a vampire turns into a buck-toothed rabbit.
DUMBLEDORE
All right, Newt. Be brave.
16-YEAR-OLD NEWT moves to the front of the queue. The Boggart turns into a Ministry desk.
DUMBLEDORE
Mmm, that’s an unusual one. So Mr. Scamander fears what more than anything else in the world?
16-YEAR-OLD NEWT
Having to work in an office, sir.
The class roars with laughter.
DUMBLEDORE
Go ahead, Newt.
16-YEAR-OLD NEWT
Riddikulus!
NEWT turns the desk into a gamboling wooden dragon and moves aside.
DUMBLEDORE
Well done. Good job.
It is 16-YEAR-OLD LETA’S turn, but she doesn’t move. She is terrified.
DUMBLEDORE
(kind, to LETA)
Leta, it’s only a Boggart, it can’t hurt you. Everyone’s scared of something.
A group of girls stands together, enjoying her fear.
GRYFFINDOR GIRL 1
I’ve been looking forward to this.
LETA steps forward. The Boggart transforms and at once, all laughter is extinguished. Green light is reflected on every horrified face.
We see a shadow, with a tiny human hand. LETA lets out a sob and runs from the room.
SCENE 70
EXT. HOGWARTS LAKE, BOWTRUCKLE ISLAND—FOURTEEN YEARS PREVIOUSLY—EVENING
NEWT finds LETA sitting by the lake, tearstained, eyes swollen. They look at each other.
16-YEAR-OLD LETA
I don’t want to talk about it!
He holds out his hand and she lets him pull her up. He leads her past a few trees until they reach the one where Bowtruckles are climbing and fighting and playing. They freeze at the humans’ approach but relax when they recognize NEWT. He holds out a finger. One of them jumps on.
16-YEAR-OLD NEWT
They know me, or they’d hide. They only nest in trees with wand-quality wood, did you know that?
(beat)
And they have very complex social lives. If you watch them for long enough, you realize . . .
He trails off. She is watching him, not the Bowtruckles. NEWT reaches across to her, the Bowtruckle standing on his wrist. His hand grazes hers.
DUMBLEDORE (V.O.)
Hello, Leta.
DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE 71
INT. EMPTY HOGWARTS CLASSROOM—AFTERNOON
LETA is still sitting at her old desk in the present-day classroom. DUMBLEDORE enters.
DUMBLEDORE
This is a surprise.
LETA
(cold)
Finding me in a classroom? Was I such a bad student?
DUMBLEDORE
On the contrary, you were one of my cleverest.
LETA
I said bad, not stupid. Don’t bother answering. I know you never liked me.
DUMBLEDORE
Well, you’re wrong. I never thought you bad.
LETA
You were alone, then. Everybody else did.
(very quietly)
And they were right. I was wicked.
A beat as he considers her.
DUMBLEDORE
Leta, I know how painful the rumors about your brother Corvus must be for you.
LETA
No, you don’t. Not unless you had a brother who died too.
DUMBLEDORE
In my case, it was my sister.
She stares at him, both hostile and curious.
LETA
Did you love her?
DUMBLEDORE
Not as well as I should have done.
He steps toward LETA.
DUMBLEDORE
It’s never too late to free yourself. Confession is a relief, I’m told. A great weight lifted.
She stares at him. What does he know—or suspect?
DUMBLEDORE
(sotto voce)
Regret is my constant companion. Do not let it become yours.
SCENE 72
INT. GRINDELWALD’S HIDEOUT, DRAWING ROOM—END OF DAY
QUEENIE is on the sofa, beside a table of tea and cakes. She sets down her empty teacup. We feel her slight awkwardness as it is instantly refilled by ROSIER.
QUEENIE
Oh, no, thank you. You’ve been real kind, but my sister Tina’s probably worried sick about me, you know. Banging on all the doors and things, so I think I’d better be going.
ROSIER
But you haven’t met your host.
QUEENIE
(a little wistfully)
Oh, are you married?
ROSIER
(smiling)
Let’s say . . . deeply committed.
QUEENIE
(innocent)
You see, I can’t tell if you’re making a joke or if you’re just . . . French.
ROSIER laughs and leaves. QUEENIE is confused. An enchanted teapot hovering in midair nudges her, intent on refilling her cup.
QUEENIE
(to the teapot)
Hey, knock it off.
The door opens. GRINDELWALD enters. QUEENIE stands and the teapot and cups smash to the ground. She draws her wand and aims it at GRINDELWALD.
QUEENIE
You stay right there. I know what you are.
He walks slowly toward her.
GRINDELWALD
Queenie, we are not here to hurt you. We only want to help you. You’re so very, very far from home. Far away from everything you love. Everything that was comfortable.
QUEENIE stares, keeping her wand raised.
GRINDELWALD
I would never see you harmed, ever. It is not your fault that your sister is an Auror. I wish you were working with me now towards a world where we wizards are free to live openly, and to love freely.
GRINDELWALD’S hand touches her wand-tip and lowers it.
GRINDELWALD
You are an innocent. So go now. Leave this place.