NEWT

  Bunty! You’re here!

  BUNTY

  Yes.

  NEWT

  How is she?

  BUNTY

  Oh, she’s fine.

  Newt bends down as a Niffler runs toward him.

  NEWT

  Whoa, what’s Alfie done now? You’ve not been biting Timothy’s bottom again, have you?

  DUMBLEDORE

  Miss Broadacre. I trust my brother has been a gracious host?

  BUNTY

  Yes. Ever so gracious.

  Dumbledore glances at his brother.

  DUMBLEDORE

  I’m delighted to hear. So, rooms have been arranged for you in the village, and Aberforth here will prepare you a delicious dinner. His own recipe.

  We CUT TO:

  65 INT. HOG’S HEAD—LATER—NIGHT

  PLOP! Aberforth, greasy pot in hand, LADLES a thick grayish STEW into the chipped bowls sitting before the group, who sit at a long table.

  ABERFORTH

  There’s more of that if you want it.

  The others stare queasily at their bowls as Aberforth heads for the stairs.

  BUNTY

  Thank you. Thanks.

  Aberforth pauses, glowering down at a smiling Bunty, then nods shortly and continues on up.

  THESEUS

  Astonishing . . . Never has something that looked so repellent tasted so delicious.

  The Qilin BLEATS with pleasure. The others all dip their spoons.

  JACOB

  Who’s this little one . . . Hey, do you mind?

  Newt watches Jacob jockeying with the Qilin over the stew in his bowl.

  NEWT

  She’s a Qilin, Jacob. She’s incredibly rare. One of the most beloved creatures in the wizarding world.

  JACOB

  Why?

  NEWT

  Because she can see into your soul.

  JACOB

  Oh, you’re kidding me.

  NEWT

  (shaking his head)

  So if you’re good and worthy, then she’ll see that. If, on the other hand, you’re cruel and deceitful, then she will know that too.

  JACOB

  Oh yeah? Does she just tell you that or . . . ?

  NEWT

  Not exactly tells—

  LALLY

  Well, she bows. But only in the presence of someone truly pure of heart.

  Jacob gazes at Lally, captivated.

  LALLY (CONT’D)

  I mean, almost none of us are, of course. No matter how good a person we try to be. There was actually a time, many, many years ago, when the Qilin chose who would lead us.

  Jacob takes his bowl and moves to the Qilin’s milk bowl. The Qilin dances around him. Jacob spoons some of the stew into the Qilin’s bowl.

  Newt smiles, enjoying the moment, when his gaze catches sight of the mirror. Words are surfacing, one by one:

  I WANT TO COME HOME.

  66 INT. UPPER ROOM—HOG’S HEAD—MOMENTS LATER—NIGHT

  Within, Dumbledore and Aberforth stand opposite each other, their voices low, but their postures suggesting their discussion is tense.

  DUMBLEDORE

  Come with me. I’ll help you. He’s your son, Aberforth. He needs you.

  We see the POV is Newt’s. He begins to turn away when he notices something in Aberforth’s hand: a FEATHER, strewn with ASH, darkening Aberforth’s fingers where he touches it. A PHOENIX FEATHER.

  Newt knocks . . .

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  Newt.

  Aberforth brushes past Newt wordlessly, still clutching the feather.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  (to Newt)

  Come in.

  Newt enters.

  NEWT

  Albus. The mirror downstairs. There’s a message.

  DUMBLEDORE

  Close the door.

  Newt closes the door, then turns back to Dumbledore.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  It’s from Credence, Newt. The summer Gellert and I fell in love, my brother fell in love as well. With a girl from the Hollow. She was sent away. There were rumors. About a child.

  NEWT

  Credence?

  DUMBLEDORE

  He’s a Dumbledore. Had I been a better friend, to Aberforth . . . If I’d been a better brother, he might have confided in me. Perhaps things would have been different. This boy could have been part of our lives. Part of our family.

  (a beat)

  Credence can’t be saved, I know you know that. But he may yet be able to save us.

  As Newt reacts, Dumbledore holds up his hand, fingers stained with soot.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  Phoenix ash. The bird comes to him because he’s dying, Newt. I know the signs.

  (off Newt’s look)

  You see, my sister was an Obscurial.

  Newt stares at Dumbledore. Stunned.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  And like Credence, she never learned to express her magic. Over time it grew darker and began to poison her.

  Dumbledore looks to the painting.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  Worst of all, none of us were capable of easing her pain.

  NEWT

  Can you tell me how it is—how it came to an end for her?

  PRELIMINARY GRAPHIC FOR DUMBLEDORE FAMILY TREE

  DUMBLEDORE FAMILY CREST

  DUMBLEDORE

  Gellert and I had made plans to go away together. My brother didn’t approve. One night, he confronted us. Voices were raised. Threats made. Aberforth drew his wand, which was foolish. I drew my wand, which was even more foolish. Gellert just laughed. No one heard Ariana coming down the stairs.

  Dumbledore’s eyes glitter as he stares at the painting.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  I can’t say for certain it was my spell. It doesn’t really matter. One minute she was there, and the next she was gone . . .

  His voice trails off.

  NEWT

  I’m so sorry, Albus. If it’s of any comfort, perhaps she was saved some pain—

  DUMBLEDORE

  Don’t. Don’t disappoint me, Newt. You of all people. Your honesty is a gift, even if at times a painful one.

  Newt studies Dumbledore as he stares off toward the painting once more.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  Our friends downstairs will be tired and wanting to go home. You should go.

  Newt begins to exit, then stops just shy of the door.

  NEWT

  Albus. Lally said something earlier. About most of us ultimately being imperfect. But even if we’ve made mistakes, terrible things, we can try to make things right. And that’s what matters. The trying.

  Dumbledore doesn’t turn, just stares at the painting.

  67 EXT. NURMENGARD CASTLE—LATE DAY

  The camera circles high across the slate sky above the castle. Far below, we see an ARMY OF DARK-CLAD FIGURES assembled. As Grindelwald and Credence make their way toward the castle, the figures part. Reaching the entrance, Grindelwald turns, surveying them.

  GRINDELWALD

  Our time is close, my brothers and sisters. The days of hiding are over. The world will hear our voice. And it will be deafening.

  A ROAR goes up amongst the throng. Grindelwald smiles faintly, then his eyes fix on Kama, standing to one side in front of the cheering Acolytes, somehow both a part of the throng and separate. Grindelwald steps over to him and, to Kama’s surprise, takes his face in both hands.

  GRINDELWALD (CONT’D)

  You didn’t come here to betray Dumbledore. You know in your pure-blood heart your place is here. To believe in me is to believe in yourself.

  He stares deeply into Kama’s eyes one more moment and walks him down into the crowd, gently pushing him into the assembled troops.

  GRINDELWALD (CONT’D)

  Prove your loyalty, Mr. Kama.

  Then releases him, before turning for the castle.

  Historically, wizards and witches have not been treated well by people. And—just to give my own take on his backstory—I have a hunch that Grindelwald experienced something unforgivable or even extremely brutal at a very young age, and that was when his hatred of Muggles began. It just grew stronger and stronger and every passing day confirmed his belief that there’s nothing good in Muggles.

  — MADS MIKKELSEN

  (Gellert Grindelwald)

  68 INT. CELLAR—NURMENGARD—MOMENTS LATER—LATE DAY

  CLOSE ON—THE DEAD QILIN.

  As the limp creature’s head flops to one side, the laceration across its throat is revealed.

  . . . UNDERWATER, looking upward through a strangely undulating surface. All is eerily SILENT, like a dream, then a FIGURE appears—indistinct through the liquid—cradling something. The figure PLUNGES his hands into the water and the face of the DEAD QILIN turns our way. Blood blooms from its ragged throat.

  NEW ANGLE—GRINDELWALD

  He stands waist-deep in a pool, shirtsleeves rolled up past his elbows, holding the Qilin underwater as he murmurs indistinctly. He waits for the water to grow still, then WHISPERS:

  GRINDELWALD

  Rennervate . . .

  Credence, Vogel, and Rosier watch from the shadows.

  With great tenderness, Grindelwald plays his fingers over the Qilin’s throat, mending the flesh there. BUBBLES rise from the pool. The Qilin’s head breaks the surface and it SCREECHES. Grindelwald lifts it from the water.

  GRINDELWALD (CONT’D)

  Vulnera Sanentur . . .

  As the scars vanish under his fingertips, the Qilin turns its head to him, its eyes still eerily vacant, but otherwise appearing healthy and whole.

  Grindelwald smiles, strokes it.

  GRINDELWALD (CONT’D)

  There, there. There, there . . .

  (without turning)

  Come look.

  Vogel glances away, staying put, but Credence leaves the shadows and goes to the edge of the pool.

  GRINDELWALD

  This is why we’re special. To conceal our powers is not merely an affront to ourselves. It’s sinful.

  Grindelwald places the Qilin at the side of the pool, where it stays standing. Credence studies the newly reborn Qilin, bewitched. Gratified by Credence’s reaction, Grindelwald looks back to the Qilin . . . then stops, his smile faltering. A PALE SHADOW, identical to the Qilin in his hands, appears briefly within the currents of the water. His eyes harden.

  GRINDELWALD (CONT’D)

  Was there another?

  CREDENCE

  Another?

  GRINDELWALD

  That night. Was there another Qilin?

  In the shadows, Vogel turns, looks back to the pool. Grindelwald’s eyes are pinched with fury. Credence, his face pale and slick, looks suddenly uneasy.

  CREDENCE

  I don’t think so—

  With frightening speed, Grindelwald throws Credence back from the pool with a powerful burst of water and pins him to the wall. Grindelwald Apparates from the water, his fingers laced about Credence’s throat and face. His eyes glitter with anger.

  GRINDELWALD

  That’s twice you’ve failed me! Do you not understand the danger you’ve put me in?!

  Credence remains frozen like a terrified child under Grindelwald’s grip.

  GRINDELWALD (CONT’D)

  One last chance. Understood? Find it.

  69 INT. HOG’S HEAD—MORNING

  Newt is inside his case.

  Theseus is holding the Qilin, like a baby.

  Theseus hands the Qilin to Newt, the pair like two doting parents. Theseus and Bunty look on as Newt gently lowers the Qilin into his case.

  70 EXT. HOGWARTS—SAME TIME—MORNING

  Mist hangs over the grounds. Bridge and castle glow softly in the morning light.

  71 INT. 7TH FLOOR CORRIDOR—HOGWARTS—SAME TIME—MORNING

  We follow Lally, Newt, Theseus, and Jacob toward an ornate door emerging from the wall at the far end of the corridor.

  HOGWARTS EXTERIOR LOCATION RENDERING

  72 INT. ROOM OF REQUIREMENT—MOMENTS LATER—MORNING

  Newt, Theseus, Lally, and Jacob suddenly appear in a sparsely appointed room.

  Jacob, looking utterly confused, follows Newt’s gaze to the far end of the room, where FIVE CASES—identical to Newt’s—stand in a circle in front of a huge, ornate BHUTANESE PRAYER WHEEL. Bunty stands by the cases.

  JACOB

  Hey, Newt, what is this place?

  NEWT

  The room we require.

  Dumbledore strides into view.

  DUMBLEDORE

  I trust all of you have the tickets that Bunty gave you?

  Nods all around. Jacob dutifully holds his up for all to see.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  You’ll need them to gain access to the ceremony.

  “THE WALK OF THE QILIN” TICKET DESIGN

  Dumbledore’s eyes shift, clock Newt staring at the circle of cases.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  What do you think, Newt? Can you tell which one is yours?

  Newt looks another moment, then shakes his head.

  NEWT

  No.

  DUMBLEDORE

  Good. I’d be worried if you could.

  LALLY

  I assume the Qilin’s in one of these cases?

  DUMBLEDORE

  Yes.

  LALLY

  Well, which one is it?

  DUMBLEDORE

  Which one indeed.

  JACOB

  Oh, it’s like a three-card monte thing.

  (as the others eye him)

  Like a shell game thing. Like a short con.

  (giving up)

  Never mind, it’s a Muggle thing.

  DUMBLEDORE

  Grindelwald will do anything within his power to get his hands on our rare friend. Therefore it’s essential we keep whoever he dispatches on his behalf guessing so the Qilin gets to the ceremony safely. If by teatime, the Qilin—not to mention all of us—are still alive, we should consider our efforts a success.

  Dumbledore puts his hat on and wraps a scarf around his neck.

  JACOB

  For the record, no one ever died playing three-card monte.

  DUMBLEDORE

  An important distinction. All right, everyone choose a case and we’ll be on our way. Mr. Kowalski, you and I will proceed together first.

  NEWT’S CASE AND REPLICAS

  JACOB

  Me? Okay . . .

  Jacob steps forward, selects a case, then stops as Dumbledore clears his throat and almost imperceptibly shakes his head. Jacob selects another and points. Dumbledore nods and turns away.

  Jacob picks up the case. Nods. Glances around. Frowns. No exit.

  The Bhutanese prayer wheel glitters in front of Dumbledore. He reaches out, touches it, and a beautiful glow fills the room.

  DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)

  I’m looking forward to you educating me a little further on the finer points of three-card monte.

  He looks over to Jacob, reaches out his hand to him.

  JACOB

  My pleasure.

  Jacob takes Dumbledore’s hand, and together they disappear into the wheel as it rapidly spins.

  As they vanish, the others consider the remaining cases.

  BUNTY

  Well, good luck, everybody.

  Newt walks forward and picks up a case.

  NEWT

  Good luck.

  Newt vanishes.

  LALLY

  And you too, Bunty girl.

  Lally walks forward, picks up another case, and vanishes.

  THESEUS

  See you, Bunty.

  Theseus walks forward and picks up another case before disappearing into the wheel too.

  Bunty takes a deep breath, then picks up the last case. She walks toward the prayer wheel and vanishes.

  73 EXT. BASE OF EYRIE—BHUTAN—DAY

  Green mountains rise in the distance, and at the very top, almost settled into the very sky, we glimpse the Eyrie.

  A crowd gathers at the base of an enormous set of steps that climb toward the sky, on top of which sits the magnificent Eyrie. A figure stands in front of a gilded cage set beneath the steps.

  VOGEL

  It is not lost on those of us in leadership that we are currently a world divided. Each day brings talk of another conspiracy.

  Vogel’s speech is seen projected into Magical Ministries around the world.

  VOGEL (CONT’D)

  Each hour another dark whisper. These whispers have only increased in recent days with the addition of a third candidate. There is only one way to leave absolutely no doubt that a worthy candidate exists amongst the three who have been presented.

  EYRIE LOCATION RENDERING

  BUTTERBEER LABELS AND CUSTOM TYPEFACE

  “THE WALK OF THE QILIN” CEREMONIAL BANNER

  Vogel enters the golden cage and emerges with something cradled in his arms. As he resumes his place and slowly reveals what he holds, there is a palpable GASP.

  A Qilin.

  VOGEL (CONT’D)

  As every schoolboy and girl knows: The Qilin is the purest of creatures in our wonderful, magical world. It cannot be deceived.

  (holding it before him)

  Let the Qilin unite us!

  74 EXT. ROOFTOPS—BHUTAN—DAY

  We drop through layers of cloud to a village and a series of terraced rooftops, where dark-clad figures appear. Rosier stands at the head of one group, Helmut the other. They scan the streets below, at the massing crowds, eyes searching.