FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
by
Laurasfantasia
FADE IN:
EXT. FORBIDDEN FOREST – NIGHT
Young NEWT in too-large billowing cloak CRASHES through the forest – something is chasing him. He glances back, and runs into a branch. Stumbling recovery, and the chase continues. One hand is pressed against his ribs.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
Hairy legs of acromantula are gaining on Newt. He throws a spell over his shoulder, and a nearby tree SMASHES. Another misses – he glances back looking panicked. 3rd spell causes a SCREECH, and acromantula tumbles over. Newt also stops, and hurries back to peer down over acromantula with concerned expression.
NEWT
(nodding, to reassure himself)
You'll be okay. Sleep it off.
Newt lowers wand and jogs off with jaunty grin, approaching the edge of the forest and emerging from it to reveal Hogwarts.
GAMEKEEPER (V.O.)
(angry)
Newton Scamander! Again?
Newt freezes and GAMEKEEPER, an old, grizzled man, marches into view. He grabs his collar-
MATCH CUT
INT. PROFESSOR'S OFFICE – NIGHT
-and pushes him through door. HEAD OF HUFFLEPUFF, younger professor in faded yellow robes, looks up from his book in surprise but sighs when he sees them.
GAMEKEEPER
Found him in the forest.
HEAD OF HUFFLEPUFF
(incredulous)
Again?
GAMEKEEPER
What I said. You gotta keep him out, professor, the damage he could do-!
HEAD OF HUFFLEPUFF
(nodding)
Yes yes, I'm aware. Thank you for bringing him here.
With clear dismissal, gamekeeper leaves.
HEAD OF HUFFLEPUFF
This is getting quite ridiculous Newton – I'm sorry, I'm going to have to write to your father.
NEWT
(reasoning)
But sir, it's only for research. And the centaurs don't mind at all, they said I'm welcome any time and that I'm-
HEAD OF HUFFLEPUFF
(derisive, exasperated)
Newt! I do not care what a centaur thinks, and neither does anyone else! You are a Hogwarts student and you must abide by Hogwarts rules! Now get to bed – and 50 points from Hufflepuff, for repeatedly flouting school rules!
Head of Hufflepuff glares until Newt turns to leave.
INT. HOGWARTS CORRIDORS – NIGHT
Newt traipses through empty corridors, and it becomes clear he's walking awkwardly with something concealed beneath his cloak. He reaches a set of barrels on the ground floor and taps them until the Hufflepuff common room is revealed.
INT. HUFFLEPUFF COMMON ROOM – NIGHT
Fire is burning and several older students are still up, either talking quietly or studying. Atmosphere is calm.
Newt grins as he pulls off his too-large cloak to reveal an unknown bat-like creature clinging to him. It drops to the floor as soon as it can, and a few students roll their eyes – this is normal.
Newt settles in a chair and pulls a small notebook and pencil out of his pocket, flicking past drawings of various creatures to a blank page. The creature SCUTTLES closer to peer up at him and he smiles, scratching the top of its head, and begins to draw.
BEGIN TITLES
CUT TO:
Much-improved drawing of creature
INT. MINISTRY OF MAGIC WAITING ROOM - DAY
PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
Older Newt in 20s, drawing in a sketchbook as he waits for appointment…
I have never written a script before in my life so I am certain there are formatting issues in this (besides the lack of indentation which isn't my fault) - but if you know better, please let me know so I can improve. This was mostly just an experiment at that, prompted by a recent imagining of what the start of Fantastic Beasts might be like. I have no proper plans to continue it but I might add further possible scenes if I get inspiration. Hope you enjoyed :)