Percival Graves

Percival Graves was the Director of Magical Security for the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) and the Head of its Department of Magical Law Enforcement during the 1920s. A respected and powerful Auror, he was a key figure in the American wizarding government. However, the individual known as Percival Graves throughout the 1926 Obscurus incident in New York City was, in fact, the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in disguise. “Graves” served as the primary antagonist, manipulating events to locate a powerful Obscurial while investigating the arrival of Newt Scamander. All information about Percival Graves comes from outside the original seven novels. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film)

The real Percival Graves was a descendant of Gondulphus Graves, one of the original twelve Aurors recruited to protect the American wizarding community in the 18th century. By 1926, he had risen to become one of the most senior officials at MACUSA. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film, Pottermore) At some point prior to November 1926, the real Graves was attacked and impersonated by Gellert Grindelwald, who sought to use Graves's high-ranking position to find an Obscurus he had foreseen in a vision. The fate of the real Percival Graves is unknown. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film) Operating as Graves, Gellert Grindelwald investigated the mysterious magical force causing destruction across New York City. He interrogated Newt Scamander upon his arrival and grew suspicious of his motives. He also took a special, manipulative interest in Credence Barebone, the abused adopted son of Mary Lou Barebone, promising to free him from his mother and teach him magic in exchange for help locating the Obscurial child. When Newt's Niffler robbed a bank, “Graves” arrived on the scene and arrested Newt and Porpentina Goldstein, accusing Newt of conspiring with Grindelwald to break the International Statute of Secrecy. He summarily sentenced both of them to death without a proper trial. After they escaped, “Graves” discovered that Credence Barebone was the Obscurial he had been searching for. He tried to win Credence over, but his earlier cruelty led Credence to go on a rampage in his Obscurus form. In the ensuing chaos in a subway tunnel, “Graves” was confronted by Newt and the MACUSA Aurors. He was ultimately subdued by Newt and revealed to be Gellert Grindelwald in disguise by a Revelio charm. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film)

As impersonated by Gellert Grindelwald, Percival Graves appeared as a tall, handsome man in middle age with dark, slicked-back hair streaked with grey at the temples. He dressed impeccably in dark, tailored 1920s suits, projecting an image of authority and severity. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film) His personality was commanding, arrogant, and ruthless. He was impatient with the procedures of MACUSA, displaying a belief that the wizarding world was superior and should not have to hide from No-Majs. He was a master manipulator, preying on Credence Barebone's vulnerabilities with false promises of affection and belonging, only to discard him with immense cruelty. The personality of the true Percival Graves is largely unknown, though he was described as respected. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film)

The magical abilities displayed by “Percival Graves” were those of Gellert Grindelwald, one of the most powerful dark wizards of all time.

• Wandless Magic: He demonstrated an exceptional talent for performing complex magic without a wand, such as torturing Newt Scamander with lightning-like bolts of energy, summoning objects from a distance, and repairing massive amounts of property damage with a wave of his hand.
• Non-Verbal Magic: He almost exclusively used non-verbal spells during combat, showcasing his immense skill and power.
• Dueling: “Graves” was a phenomenally skilled duelist, able to single-handedly fight and overpower numerous trained MACUSA Aurors at once. He was only defeated after being distracted and disarmed by Newt's Swooping Evil.
• Human Transfiguration: Gellert Grindelwald's ability to perfectly assume Graves's identity for a prolonged period suggests a mastery of Human Transfiguration far beyond what could be achieved with Polyjuice Potion. (J.K. Rowling interview)
• Apparition: He was highly skilled at Apparition, using it effectively in combat.

• Wand: “Graves” used a sleek, black wand of unknown length, wood, and core material. It was not the Elder Wand, which Grindelwald had already acquired by this time. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film)
• Deathly Hallows Necklace: He gave a necklace bearing the symbol of the Deathly Hallows to Credence Barebone as a way for the boy to contact him. This served as a major clue to his true identity as Gellert Grindelwald. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film)

• Credence Barebone: “Graves” forged an abusive, manipulative relationship with Credence. He exploited Credence's emotional needs, offering false comfort and a promise of magical education to convince the boy to find the Obscurial. Once he incorrectly believed Credence was a Squib, he dismissed him with cold disdain, which triggered Credence's destructive transformation.
• Newt Scamander: He viewed Newt as an immediate threat and a liability, quickly arranging for his execution to cover his own tracks and seize Newt's collection of magical creatures.
• Porpentina Goldstein: As her superior, “Graves” treated the demoted Auror with contempt, seeing her as an interfering nuisance. He showed no hesitation in sentencing her to death alongside Newt.
• Seraphina Picquery: He acted as the trusted Director of Magical Security to the President of MACUSA, but he secretly manipulated her and the events in New York City to further his own goals of exposing the wizarding world and instigating a war with the No-Majs.

• Percival: A name of Welsh origin, famous from Arthurian legend. Sir Percival was one of the three Knights of the Round Table to complete the Quest for the Holy Grail. The name suggests nobility and purpose. It is also one of Albus Dumbledore's middle names, creating a link between Grindelwald's alias and his former friend.
• Graves: A surname of English origin that can mean “steward” or “manager,” reflecting his high-ranking position at MACUSA. It also directly translates to “tombs,” an ominous name fitting for a dark wizard in disguise who deals in death and manipulation.

Percival Graves is a character created for the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film and does not appear in the original seven *Harry Potter* novels. In the film, he is portrayed by actor Colin Farrell. J.K. Rowling has confirmed that the real Percival Graves is a canon character who existed and was a talented wizard. She stated that Gellert Grindelwald's impersonation was achieved through advanced Transfiguration, not Polyjuice Potion. (J.K. Rowling interview) In the sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Grindelwald has reverted to his true form and no longer uses the Graves disguise. The status and whereabouts of the real Percival Graves remain unknown. (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald film)