Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

Prologue: A Chat with Dumbledore

Hogwarts Castle, a grand structure in the Scottish Highlands containing some of the most ancient magic known to wizard-kind and the training ground for the next generation of young witches and wizards. One of its past students, Phelan Hawthorn, found himself returning at the request of one of his former professors: Albus Dumbledore, his Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. He walked through the grand halls and entered the classroom to see that it was empty.

Phelan: Hello? Professor?

Dumbledore: Apologies, Mr. Hawthorn.

Phelan looked up in time to see Dumbledore levitate down from the roof while cupping his hands together, holding something.

Dumbledore: I had second-years in earlier. I was just trying to clean up the remnants of our lesson.

Phelan: Cornish pixies, I assume?

Dumbledore: You assume right.

Dumbledore opened what resembled a bird cage and placed the tiny blue winged creature inside much to its own dismay.

Phelan: That lesson is always a nightmare.

Dumbledore: That it is. At least, as a student, you only had to do it once.

Phelan: Professor Dumbledore, I very much doubt we're here to discuss my time as a student in this school. At least, I hope we aren't.

Dumbledore: Quite right. Come up to my office, we'll discuss it there.

The two walked up to Dumbledore's office at the back of the classroom. Inside the room had little personality. Filled with tomes and artefacts rather than photos and decorations. They took a seat at his desk.

Dumbledore: Would you care for some tea?

Phelan: Very kind, thank you.

Dumbledore flicked his wand and two tea cups levitated to the desk. The one given to Phelan was much more ornate, almost as if it were a collector's piece. A tea pot filled both of their cups.

Phelan: So, why have I been summoned?

Dumbledore: Newton Scamander. You two shared classes in your time at Hogwarts.

Phelan: Newt? What about him?

Dumbledore: He has found himself travelling to New York City. It is of my opinion that he may need some help.

Phelan: Help with what exactly? What manner of creature is he chasing this time?

Dumbledore: No creature. I'm afraid I cannot impart you with much information.

Phelan: Of course not. One of your many talents is keeping your associates in the dark.

Dumbledore: And yet I hope I may still rely on your assistance.

Phelan: I'm afraid not. You were a wonderful professor, Albus. But for me to travel all the way to New York just to help out a man who was at best an acquaintance during my school years? You weren't that good.

Dumbledore: I see. Well, I'm afraid this next part will leave you rather displeased.

Phelan: How do you mean?

Dumbledore: In all honesty, I did see your unwillingness to co-operate coming. Suffice it to say, that tea cup you've been sipping so adamantly is a portkey.

Phelan: A portkey?

Dumbledore: One that will activate right about... now.

As soon as he said 'now', the space around him warped as he was pulled into the tea cup.

———

Phelan was pulled out of the portkey as he tumbled onto the ground faster than he anticipated. He picked himself up and took note of his new surroundings. Large buildings and crowds of people swarming through the streets. The dead giveaway for his location was the easily identifiable Statue of Liberty on an island to the side. He'd been transported to New York City.

Phelan: Albus!

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