{OPENING SCENE!}- SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE-1926-NIGHT

A large, isolated, derelict chateau emerges from the darkness. we focus on a cobbled square outside the building, shrouded in mist, eerie, silent

five Aurors stand, wands aloft, tentative as they edge toward the chateau. a sudden explosion of pure white light sends them flying.

we whip around to find their bodies scattered, lying motionless at the entrance to a large parkland. a figure enters the frame, his back to us; ignoring the bodies, he stares out into the night sky as we pan up toward the moon.

[MONTAGE]

we see various magical newspaper headlines from 1926 relating to Ash's attacks all over the world: ASH STRIKES AGAIN IN EUROPE, HOGWARTS SCHOOL INCREASES SECURITY, ANTI-WIZARD FEELING ON THE RISE, WHERE IS ASH?, IS ANYONE SAFE? He's a serious threat to the magical community and he's vanished. moving photos detail destroyed buildings, fires, screaming victims. the articles come thick and fast- the worldwide hunt for Ash continues. we push in on a final article displaying the statue of liberty.

[TRANSITION TO SHIP GLIDING INTO NEW YORK-NEXT MORNING]

A bright, clear New York day. seagulls swoop overhead.

A large passenger ship glides past the Statue of Liberty. Passengers lean over the rails, looking excitedly toward the oncoming land.

we push in toward a figure sitting on a bench with her back to us- Rose Scamander, weather-beaten, wiry, wearing an old blue overcoat. Beside her rests a battered brown leather case. A catch on the case flicks open of its own accord. Rose swiftly bends down to close it. placing the case on her lap, Rose leans in, whispering "Dougal you settle down now, please. it won't be long"

[NEW YORK-DAY AERIAL SHOT][SHORTLY AFTERWARD-DAY]

Among bustling crowds, Rose walks down the gangplank of the ship as we push in toward her case. 

C.O "next"

Rose stands at customs- a long row of desks by the shipyard, manned by serious-looking American officials. A customs official examines Rose's very tattered British passport

CO "British, huh?"

Rose "yes"

CO "First trip to New York?"

Rose "yes" 

CO (gesturing to Rose's case) "Anything edible in there?"

Rose (placing a hand over her breast pocket) "no"

CO "livestock"

the catch on Rose's case flicks open again. Rose looks down and hastily closes it. 

Rose "must get that fixed- ahh, no"

CO (suspicious) "let me take a look"

Rose places the case on the desk between them and discreetly flicks a brass dial to MUGGLEWORTHY.

The customs official spins the case toward him and pops the catches, lifting the lid to reveal: pajamas, various maps, a journal, an alarm clock, a magnifying glass, and a Hufflepuff scarf. finally satisfied, he closes the case.

CO "Welcome to New York"

Rose "thank you"

Rose gathers her passport and case.

CO "next!"

Rose exits through customs.