Newt & Dumbledore Are Connected In 'Beasts'

On Sunday night, the newest, magic-filled trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them premiered during the MTV Movie Awards broadcast and revealed a whole new side to future textbook writer Newt Scamander: he was kicked out of Hogwarts. But it turns out, during his expulsion there was a major Harry Potter character who still supports him — Colin Farrell's villainous character, says in voiceover, "I wonder... what makes Albus Dumbledore so fond of you, Mr. Scamander?" But how do Newt Scamander and Dumbledore know each other? There are a few more clues embedded in Farrell's dialogue. He says, "Kicked out of Hogwarts for endangering human life with a beast. Yet one of your teachers argued strongly against your expulsion."

That implies heavily that Dumbledore is the teacher who argued against Scamander's expulsion. However, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , Dumbledore's backstory reveals that he was already well known for being a brilliant wizard even when he was still a student, so it's possible that the two became friends outside of Hogwarts. That could suggest that in addition to being his teacher, Dumbledore and Newt had been friends or worked on magic together. Or another professor could've stuck up for Newt, with Dumbledore also advocating for him in another way.

But the simplest explanation is probably the true one: a pre-Headmaster of Hogwarts Professor Dumbledore took a liking to Newt Scamander, despite his dangerous stunt. It would make a lot of sense, since Dumbledore never lost his appreciation for rule-breaking, daring students, from his tragic mentorship of Tom Riddle to all the help he gave Harry, Ron, and Hermione over their years at Hogwarts. Following the rules is not the way to get Dumbledore's attention... but going on a big adventure chasing magical creatures through New York City? I think he'll be very impressed.

Check out the latest Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them trailer below.

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures/Youtube