A hearing and the murder of three
So I'm alive! Feels like forever since I updated this Story but anyway another chapter done and dusted.
SCENE 17
EXT. OVERCAST LONDON, WHITEHALL—THREE MONTHS LATER
—AFTERNOON
A gloomy silence. Establishing shot.
An owl flutters down into the Ministry.
SCENE 18
INT. MINISTRY OF MAGIC—AFTERNOON
NEWT SCAMANDER sits alone in a dingy waiting area, staring abstractedly
into space. After a moment, he feels something tugging on his wrist. He looks
down. Pickett, a Bowtruckle, is swinging on a loose thread in his cuff.
The thread snaps. Pickett falls. NEWT'S button rolls away down a corridor.
NEWT and Pickett watch it go.
A beat.
Then both chase after it. NEWT just gets there first. As he bends to pick it up, he
finds himself confronted by a pair of female feet.
There were a few laughs at the mazoologists in question.
LETA (O.S.)
They're ready for you, Newt.
He stands up. Face-to-face with LETA LESTRANGE, who is beautiful and
smiling, NEWT stuffs the button and Pickett into his pocket.
NEWT
Leta . . . what are you doing here?
LETA
Theseus thought it would be good if I became part of the Ministry family.
"Who calls it the ministry family." Said someone.
Theseus was trying to hide the blush that covered his face.
NEWT
Did he actually say the words "Ministry family"?
She gives a little laugh. They head off along the corridor. Tension. A lot of history.
NEWT
That sounds like my brother.
Theseus elbowed newt in the side.
LETA
Theseus was disappointed you couldn't come to dinner. Any of the nights we asked you.
NEWT
Well, I've been busy.
LETA
He's your brother, Newt, he likes spending time with you. And so do I.
NEWT spots Pickett climbing onto his lapel and holds out the breast pocket of
his coat.
NEWT
(to Pickett)
Oi, you! Hop in, Pick.
Pickett snuggles down.
LETA
(smiling)
Why do strange creatures love you so much?
NEWT
Well, there are no strange creatures—
"Only blinkered people" both Leta and newt looked at each other and laughed
NEWT & LETA
"—only blinkered people."
There were a few laughs.
She is smiling again. NEWT—just—reciprocates.
LETA
How long did you get in detention for saying that to Prendergast?
NEWT
You know, I think it was a month that time.
LETA
And I set off a Dungbomb under his desk so I could join you, do you remember?
They have come within sight of scary, official doors leading to the meeting room.
THESEUS SCAMANDER emerges.
NEWT
No, I actually don't remember that.
There were a few curious looks, how the arrival of one person could be such a mood change.
Rebuffed, she comes to a halt. NEWT walks away toward THESEUS, who is very
like NEWT, but more outgoing, easier in manner. THESEUS winks at LETA
before turning to NEWT.
THESEUS
Hello.
LETA
Theseus. We were just talking about Newt coming for dinner.
THESEUS
Really? Well . . . Look, before we go in there I—
NEWT
—It's my fifth attempt, Theseus. I know the form.
THESEUS
This isn't going to be like the other times. This is . . . Just try and
keep an open mind, will you? And maybe a little less—
A wordless gesture indicates Pickett, NEWT'S blue coat, and his messy hair.
NEWT
—like me?
"What?" There were more than a few irked looks.
They went keen on how newt downgraded himself.
THESEUS
(not without affection)
Well, it can't hurt. Come on, let's go.
SCENE 19
INT. MINISTRY OF MAGIC, HEARING ROOM—AFTERNOON
NEWT and THESEUS enter the room, where TORQUIL TRAVERS (harsh, mean-
spirited), ARNOLD GUZMAN (American), and RUDOLPH SPIELMAN (who is
still bruised from GRINDELWALD'S escape, the bloody bite visible on his neck)
are already sitting.
There were a few sighs of relief, at least he wasn't dead.
Two empty chairs, which NEWT and THESEUS take. The corners of the room
are in darkness.
TRAVERS
Hearing commences.
The quill begins to write. TRAVERS opens a file in front of him, which contains
pictures of NEWT'S Wanted pictures and of the post-Obscurial devastation in
New York.
TRAVERS
You want an end to the ban on your traveling internationally. Why?
NEWT
Because I like to travel internationally.
There were a few laughs at newts comeback.
SPIELMAN
(reading from his own file)
"Subject uncooperative and evasive on reasons for last international
trip."
All look at NEWT, waiting.
NEWT
It was a field trip. I was collecting material for my book on magical beasts—
TRAVERS
You destroyed half of New York.
"True"
NEWT
No, that's actually factually incorrect on two counts—
A few laughs.
THESEUS
(quiet but stern)
Newt!
NEWT stops, frowns.
GUZMAN
Mr. Scamander, it's clear you're frustrated and, frankly, so are we.
In the spirit of compromise, we'd like to make a proposition.
Many were leaning in now curious as to what proposition the modesty could be willing to prove.
NEWT glances at THESEUS warily. THESEUS nods: Listen.
NEWT
What kind of proposition?
TRAVERS
The committee will agree to lift your travel ban under one condition.
NEWT waits. SPIELMAN leans forward.
SPIELMAN
You join the Ministry. Specifically, your brother's department.
NEWT digests this, then:
Judging by the look newt gave of at this idea it was clear on his opinion of the whole matter.
"Theseus while I admire what you do, merlin himself would have to resurrect before i ever joined your department."
Many agreed with the man.
However much he may have like to have newt working with him he knew newt wouldn't do it, not to say that newts comment didn't hurt a little bit.
NEWT
No, I—that isn't my kind of—Theseus is the Auror. I think my talents lie elsewhere—
GUZMAN
Mr. Scamander. The wizarding and non-wizarding worlds have been
at peace for over a century. Grindelwald wants to see that peace
destroyed, and for certain members of our community his message
is very seductive. Many purebloods believe it is their birthright to
rule not only our world but the non-magic world as well. They see
Grindelwald as their hero, and Grindelwald sees this boy as a means
to make this all come true.
Hearing this, NEWT frowns, watching as CREDENCE'S face emerges in the
surface of the table.
NEWT
I'm sorry. You're talking about Credence as if he were still here.
"So everyone thinks I died." Credence piped up.
THESEUS
He survived, Newt.
NEWT stops cold, his eyes fixed on THESEUS. THESEUS nods.
THESEUS
He's still alive. He left New York months ago. He's somewhere in Europe. Where exactly, we don't know, but—
NEWT
And you want me to hunt Credence down? To kill him?
Credence tensed you at this, his hands griping the arm rests to the point the he's starting to break through the leather to expose the Cotten underneath.
"Credence I would never agree to that."
Out of the shadows in the corner comes deep, nasty laughter.
GRIMMSON
Same old Scamander.
NEWT reacts to the sound of the voice. GRIMMSON moves into the light.
Scarred, brutal, he is a beast hunter for hire.
There were a irked looks at this new man.
NEWT
(furious)
What's he doing here?
GRIMMSON
Taking on the job you're too soft to do.
GRIMMSON walks toward them while the ghostly image of CREDENCE
shimmers on the enchanted surface of the table.
GRIMMSON
(of CREDENCE)
Is that it?
NEWT rises furiously, storms toward the door.
TRAVERS
(calling after him)
Travel documentation denied!
THESEUS stares at the door as it closes. The committee looks unsurprised, turns
their gazes to the smirking GRIMMSON.
SCENE 20
INT. MINISTRY OF MAGIC, CORRIDOR—AFTERNOON
THESEUS chases after NEWT.
THESEUS
Newt!
NEWT stops. Turns.
THESEUS
(testy)
You think I like the idea of Grimmson any more than you do?
"Well you didn't exactly make any attempt to speak up about your dislike."
NEWT
Listen, I don't want to hear how the ends justify the means, Theseus.
THESEUS
I think you're gonna have to pull your head out of the sand!
NEWT
(exasperated)
Okay, right, here we go. What a selfish . . . irresponsible . . .
THESEUS
You know, the time is coming when everyone's going to have to pick a side. Even you.
The sad truth of this whole thing
This was the thought of many.
NEWT
I don't do sides.
THESEUS
Newt . . .
He turns to go, but THESEUS runs after him, grabs his arm to hold him back.
THESEUS
(pulling him in for a hug)
C'mere.
NEWT doesn't reciprocate but doesn't fight him off either.
THESEUS
(in NEWT'S ear)
They're watching you.
A few backs straighten at this confession.
SCENE 21
INT. MINISTRY OF MAGIC, HEARING ROOM—AFTERNOON
GRIMMSON is sitting in what was NEWT'S seat, facing the committee.
GRIMMSON
Well, gentlemen. I assume this means I have the job.
SCENE 22
EXT. SKYLINE OF UPMARKET QUARTER OF PARIS—AFTERNOON
Establishing shot.
SCENE 23
EXT. ELEGANT STREET OF 19TH-CENTURY PARISIAN HOUSES—
AFTERNOON
GRINDELWALD and ACOLYTES stand in the street. GRINDELWALD points his
cane at a particularly fine house.
A clatter announces the arrival of a horse-drawn hearse.
NAGEL, KRALL, CARROW, ABERNATHY, KRAFFT, ROSIER (female), and
MACDUFF approach the front door. KRALL opens it with his wand. The
ACOLYTES enter.
PARISIAN MAN (O.S.)
Chérie?
PARISIAN WOMAN (O.S.)
(worried)
Qui est là?
GRINDELWALD looks around the street, calm, waiting, tapping on the pavement
with his cane.
We see a green flash—the Killing Curse. The door reopens. Two black coffins
exit. GRINDELWALD watches as NAGEL and KRAFFT load the coffins onto the carriage.
No one says a word shocked at this act by grindelwald.
How casually he can take life.
SCENE 24
INT. GRINDELWALD'S HIDEOUT, DRAWING ROOM—AFTERNOON
GRINDELWALD surveys the elegant clutter left by the haut bourgeois family he
has just murdered.
GRINDELWALD
Yes. This will be suitable after a thorough cleanse.
(to NAGEL)
I want you to go to the circus now. Give my note to Credence, begin his journey.
Credence can't help but shiver at the mere thought of the man ever coming near him.
NAGEL nods and leaves.
ROSIER
When we've won, they'll flee cities in the millions. They've had their time.
GRINDELWALD
We don't say such things out loud. We want only freedom. Freedom to be ourselves.
ROSIER
To annihilate non-wizards.
GRINDELWALD
Not all of them. Not all. We're not merciless. The beast of burden will always be necessary.
We hear the sound of a child close at hand.
Now many occupants of the room backs straighten.
SCENE 25
INT. GRINDELWALD'S HIDEOUT, NURSERY—AFTERNOON
GRINDELWALD enters. A small child looks up, puzzled. GRINDELWALD
contemplates him for a moment, then nods at CARROW and turns to leave.
We see another green flash as GRINDELWALD closes the door.
There is silence...
No one says a word...
What can they say...
The lengths one man would go to...
Albus looked down in shame, this was not the man he loved, this was someone else.
The resolve to capture Grindelwald stronger than ever.
This had to end.