Percival is back and recovering well enough. He has feelings of crushing guilt, betrayal, and sadness at his situation, but one of the things that helps to ease some of the pain is Percival's secret friend, a white Thestral he kept hidden away on his family estate.

When Newt returns, he is surprised when Tina tells him that Percival has invited him and the gang to his estate for the weekend, both to thank Newt personally and also to be more personable. When they meet, Newt is captivated by Percival while the older man remains guarded. Then during the visits Newt sees Percival flying through the air atop the white Thestral and he immediately loses his heart to the man who could care for such a misunderstood creature.

The two of them connect over there loves of magical creature, with Newt slowly but surely earning the Thestral's trust and Percival's heart.