An alternative and fictional book based on the story before Fantastic Beasts, of Newt Scamander's times in Hogwarts, first love, and the reason for his briefcase to be filled with magical creatures.
↠ Hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I e...
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The first weeks were tough for Newt. Despite being a sweet boy, he had a hard time making friends. He wasn't used to the kind of routine Hogwarts had but his level of enthusiasm was higher than his tiredness so he was holding on.
By far his favourite subject was Transfiguration. Don't take it wrong, studying and interacting with the creatures Hogwarts had to offer was his favourite thing. However, Newt had a big admiration towards his Transfiguration teacher, Albus Dumbledore. He couldn't tell what it was but he always felt that, that teacher in particular, looked at him in a different way, different from all the other teachers. Thanks to that, Newt put an extra effort into that subject; something that pleased Dumbledore.
"Mr. Scamander." He heard Dumbledore once calling when the class ended "I heard you're a big fan of magical creatures."
"Yes sir!" Newt replied.
"Then I may have something that interests you. Come with me!"
Newt was curious. He felt honoured that a man like Dumbledore wanted to show him something, to him only. But he was also nervous. He wanted to make a good impression. Little did he know, the good impression had already been done. Dumbledore felt something towards that student, he wasn't just another ordinary hufflepuff.
"Where are we going professor?" Newt asked, following Dumbledore outside Hogwart's castle.
"Not far!" He replied, going through a path in the grass that lead to the Dark Forest. Newt was curious but nervous to know where he was being taken to but he remained quiet during the rest of the walk.
When Dumbledore finally stopped, Newt looked back to see how far he was from Hogwarts. He could still see the castle, but he knew he was far from it.
"And now we must wait." Dumbledore said, looking ahead.
"Wait for what?" Newt asked, confused with all that mysthery. He had just finished that sentence when something flew right above him.
"It's a Hippogriff!" the boy exclaimed, observing that fantastic creature.
"What can you tell me about it?" Dumbledore asked, turning his attention to Newt.
"Well-" the boy started, never taking his eyes off the creature "A Hippogriff is a magical creature that has the front legs, wings, and head of a giant eagle and the body, hind legs and tail of a horse. A Hippogriff may be one possible corporeal form of the Patronus Charm. My mom used to be a breeder of hippogriffs, before she had me."
"A fantastic creature isn't it?" Dumbledore asked, looking up to the hippogriff "I know things like this interest you Newt. I'm a fan of them myself!" the professor smiled, remaining quiet for a few seconds, but then turning back to Newt "But now off you go. It's late and you have classes first thing in the morning!"
Newt smiled. He'd gladly fight back to observe the hippogriff for a little longer but he was already thankful for such opportunity.
Things in Hogwarts were going well, at least better than home. He usually stayed in school during the holidays. Not many students stayed there but he didn't mind being alone. After all it's not like he had much company during the school months.
Being a bright student, he managed to get really good grades. "I'm proud of you, Newt!" Dumbledore once said to him, making him smile.
But he wasn't only good in classes. Despite not being popular, he had managed to get in the Hufflepuff Quidditch team by his second year in Hogwarts, playing as Keeper. And by the end of his third year, fourteen year old Newt along with his team won the Quidditch Cup.
"To Newt Scamander!" One of his teammates said, raising his glass when they got to the Great Hall "The best keeper Hufflepuff has ever found!"
Newt smiled, kissing the throphy that was now on his hands "And I say gentlemen, let's win it again next year!" He passionately shouted, raising the trophy above his head.
Despite everything that changed over the years, one thing remained the same. Ever since professor Dumbledore had shown the hippogriff to Newt, he tried - at least once a week - to sneak out of his bed in the middle of the night and see some creatures. Sometimes he'd follow the path Dumbledore had shown him, other times he'd walk towards Mort's house to check on the creatures that lived in the field next to it. So far he had found not only hippogriffs but a lot of other creatures. At first he'd just go there to observe them, but soon he decided to not only do that but also to study them.
Each night he went there, he'd take a backpack with him. Inside, he had a small book and a pen. His aim was to not only make a list of the creatures but also to draw them - several angles - and write down every information he had about them - things he observed and information he had gathered, especially using the books on the school library. That was his passion. And by the end of his fifth year, his book was already filled with over fourty drawings and twenty different creatures. There was nothing he treasured more than that little book of his.
All these memories where coming back to him. Now that he was once more on the Hogwarts' Express, about to start his sixth year. Now with seventeen years old.
This chapter is a little different from what I had in mind but it was my only idea to sum up all Newt's years in Hogwarts until the sixth. Don't worry, the next chapters will still be about him in school!
FACT #2: (This one is not related to Fantastic Beasts, just something I found quite curious!) In the last two years students in Hogwarts have to study for their Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test (NEWT)? // Author's note: Newt hm.. Just a coincidence Miss. J.K. Rowling? Haha!
