Porpentina Goldstein

Porpentina “Tina” Esther Goldstein is an American half-blood witch who worked as an Auror for the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA). A practical, determined, and highly skilled individual, she became a key figure in the global wizarding conflict against the Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald during the 1920s and 1930s. Alongside her future husband, Newt Scamander, her sister Queenie Goldstein, and the No-Maj Jacob Kowalski, she fought to protect both the magical and non-magical communities. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) Note: Tina Goldstein does not appear or is mentioned in the original seven Harry Potter novels. All information is sourced from the “Fantastic Beasts” film series, its published screenplays, and other official supplementary materials.

Porpentina Goldstein was born in the United States of America on August 19, 1901 (Pottermore). She and her younger sister, Queenie Goldstein, were orphaned at a young age when their parents died of Dragon Pox. The sisters raised each other, forming an exceptionally close bond. Tina attended Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where she was sorted into Thunderbird house (Pottermore). After graduating, Tina joined MACUSA and became a highly capable Auror. However, her career was derailed shortly before 1926 when she used an unauthorized spell to assault Mary Lou Barebone, the abusive No-Maj leader of the New Salem Philanthropic Society, in order to protect Mary Lou's adopted son, Credence Barebone. For this public breach of the International Statute of Secrecy, she was demoted to the Federal Wand Permit Office. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)

In December 1926, a demoted Tina encountered Newt Scamander in New York City. Seeing his case of magical creatures as her opportunity to regain her position, she brought him before MACUSA. This act embroiled her in the hunt for Newt's escaped beasts and the search for a dangerous Obscurial terrorizing the city. She, Newt, her sister Queenie, and the No-Maj Jacob Kowalski formed an unlikely alliance. Tina was instrumental in exposing the Head of Magical Security, Percival Graves, as the disguised Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald. For her bravery, she was reinstated as an Auror. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) In 1927, Tina traveled to Paris to track down Credence Barebone. Working against MACUSA's orders, she infiltrated the French Ministry of Magic and later joined Newt Scamander at the home of Nicolas Flamel. She was present at Grindelwald's rally at the Lestrange Mausoleum, where she witnessed her sister Queenie, distraught over the laws forbidding her marriage to Jacob, choose to join Grindelwald's side. (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)

Tina eventually became the Head of the Auror Office at MACUSA (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, published screenplay). She and Newt Scamander married at some point after the end of the global wizarding war. They had at least one son, who in turn had a son named Rolf Scamander. In their old age, Tina and Newt retired to Dorset, England. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, “About the Author” section of the 2001 edition)

Tina is described in the film screenplays as having “eyes like a salamander” and being “grounded” and “practical.” In the films, she is a tall, slender woman with dark, bobbed hair and determined features. She typically dresses in practical, professional attire, such as trousers and a long, dark coat. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) Initially, Tina appears stern, ambitious, and focused on rules, largely due to her desire to reclaim her former status at MACUSA. However, she is fundamentally righteous, compassionate, and brave. She possesses a powerful sense of justice, which led her to protect Credence Barebone even at great personal cost. While she can be socially awkward, especially around Newt Scamander, she is deeply loyal to those she cares about, particularly her sister Queenie.

• Duelling: As an Auror, Tina is a highly skilled and proficient duellist, capable of holding her own against multiple opponents and powerful Dark wizards. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)
• Defensive Magic: She is adept at casting shielding charms, such as the Protego Charm, often non-verbally. (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)
• Charms: Tina demonstrates proficiency with a wide range of general charms and spells useful for investigation and daily life.
• Apparition: Tina can Apparate competently. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)
• Non-verbal Magic: She frequently casts spells non-verbally, a sign of a skilled and disciplined witch. (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)

• Wand: Tina's wand was of an unknown wood, core, and length. It had a simple, unadorned, and functional design. (film)
• MACUSA Identification: As an employee of MACUSA, she carried official identification. (film)

• Newt Scamander: Tina and Newt's relationship began awkwardly but quickly grew into a deep, trusting partnership built on mutual respect. Their shared adventures fostered a romantic connection, and they eventually married.
• Queenie Goldstein: Tina is very protective of her younger, Legilimens sister. Queenie's decision to join Gellert Grindelwald caused Tina immense pain and created a deep rift between them.
• Jacob Kowalski: Though initially wary of the No-Maj baker, Tina grew to consider Jacob a close and loyal friend, valuing his courage and good heart.
• Gellert Grindelwald: As the Dark Wizard who infiltrated MACUSA under the guise of Percival Graves and who later lured her sister to his cause, Grindelwald was Tina's primary antagonist.

• Porpentina: An archaic form of “porcupine,” likely referencing a prickly or guarded exterior that protects a softer nature within.
• Esther: A name of Hebrew origin meaning “star.” In the Hebrew Bible, Queen Esther is a celebrated heroine who risked her life to save her people, reflecting Tina's own courage and strong moral compass.
• Goldstein: A common Ashkenazi Jewish surname, meaning “gold stone” in German/Yiddish.

• The character of Porpentina was first mentioned in the “About the Author” section of the 2001 real-world publication of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them textbook, fifteen years before the film's release. It stated that Newt Scamander lived in Dorset with his wife Porpentina.
• In the Fantastic Beasts film series, Tina Goldstein is portrayed by American actress Katherine Waterston.
• Her Ilvermorny house, Thunderbird, was revealed by J.K. Rowling on Pottermore. Thunderbirds are known to create storms as they fly, which can be seen as a metaphor for Tina's often turbulent but ultimately heroic journey.