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This event of the Calamity focused on Foundables relating to the Circus Arcanus.[1]

Brilliant Circus Arcanus Tent[]

"Did you hear? The Calamity has brought the circus to town!"
Constance Pickering[src]
"Hang on, Constance. These Foundables are from the Circus Arcanus, an exploitative traveling show from the 1920s. It may even have had ties to Grindelwald."
Harry Potter[src]
"Well, if it’s that awful, should we be returning things to it?"
Constance Pickering[src]
"We have to, I'm afraid. It might seem counter-intuitive, but there’s no telling what the consequences would be if Foundables weren't returned to their proper place in time."
Harry Potter[src]
Images Name Description Remarks
Brilliant Graphorn WU
Brilliant Graphorn A hulking, hump-backed beast from the mountains of Europe, this Graphorn pulled the wagon that bore the Circus Arcanus from town to town and served as an act in the traveling show.
"Ooh, that must be a Graphorn! They're terribly strong beasts. I bet this one was used to pull a wagon or something else horrible."
Constance Pickering[src]
ZouwuWU
Brilliant Zouwu Kept in captivity by Ringmaster Skender, this Zouwu astounded crowds at the Circus Arcanus until its escape in the streets of Paris.
"Oh,a Zouwu! I've heard of those. They're incredibly fast and can travel a thousand miles in a day. Seems like such a sad life to send it back to."
Constance Pickering[src]
"The alternative is that it remains trapped in that whirlwind until some Muggle comes across it and violat the Statute of Secrecy — potentially dying in the process."
Harry Potter[src]
"I know you're right, Harry. I just hate to think of returning that magnificent beast back to a cold cage."
Constance Pickering[src]
Brilliant Fire-breather WU
Brilliant Fire-breather One of the Circus Arcanus' human acts, Fire-breather amused crowds with his pyrotechnic skills.
"I'd much rather be one of the circus' non-beast performers. At least that fellow could get out and stretch his legs among the crowd..."
Constance Pickering[src]
"I’m not so sure about that. From what I've learned, some of the performers may have been there against their will."
Harry Potter[src]
Oni WU
Brilliant Oni This Oni was an exhibit in the Circus Arcanus, where visitors admired the Japanese beast's impressive tusks and claws.
"I never thought I'd see an Oni in person. Circus Arcanus must have been an amazing thing to witness... unless you were actually a part of it. Then, not so much."
Constance Pickering[src]
Skender the Ringmaster WU
Skender the Ringmaster As the Ringmaster of the Circus Arcanus, Skender presented himself to audiences as charismatic showman. Backstage, however, he treated the show's subjects with cruelty.
"He's a rather unpleasant-seeming fellow, isn't he? Why do I think he was the one who run the whole show..."
Constance Pickering[src]
"Yeah, he was, by all accounts, a deeply awful individual. I'm not sorry to see him go."
Harry Potter[src]
Brilliant Circus Arcanus House-Elf WU
Brilliant Circus Arcanus House Elf This House Elf worked at the Circus Arcanus and was responsible for the packing and unpacking of the show's attractions, among other tasks.
"I know we need to return these Foundables, but we're sending a House-Elf back to a time of slavery."
Constance Pickering[src]
"Constance, that House-elf has lived his life already. We don't know what that life entailed. Sending these Foundables back presents a bit of a moral quandary, no doubt.

But we can’t know the ramifications of failing to do so. What if this House-elf had some unsung role in bringing down Grindelwald? Not sending him back could be disastrous.
"
Hermione Granger[src]
"It would seem that the latest surge has begun to subside. It’s funny, I hadn't really given much thought to the moral complexities of the Calamity until now.

I think, in some ways, returning things to an unpleasant past — or returning unpleasant things to an unsuspecting past — is the hardest part of being a member of this task force.
"
Constance Pickering[src]

Brilliant Circus Arcanus Backstage[]

"There’s a new surge in the Calamity and guess what? The Circus Arcanus has returned.

What is it about this particular, rather obscure circus from a hundred years ago, that is driving the Calamity?
"
Constance Pickering[src]
Images Name Description Remarks
Brilliant Oni Poster WU
Brilliant Oni Poster This poster, which depicts a Japanese beast known as the Oni, promoted the traveling Circus Arcanus.
"As a llittle girl, I used to adore vintage circus posters. Now that I've finally seen an old-timey circus up close, I think I've lost my desire to go to one."
Constance Pickering[src]
Brilliant Nagini WU
Brilliant Nagini Held captive and exploited by the cruel Ringmaster Skender, Nagini was a headlining act of the Circus Arcanus. She eventually escaped during a show in Paris, fleeing with the Obscurial Credence Barebone.
"Nagini... now that’s curious. Didn’t Voldemort have a snake by that name?"
Constance Pickering[src]
Kappa WU
Brilliant Kappa Known as a Japanese water demon, this Kappa was kept in a bathtub and exhibited in the traveling Circus Arcanus.
"Is that a Kappa? They rather unpleasant creatures that feed on blood and enjoy strangling unwary humans.

To be honest, in this case, returning it to captivity in the circus seems like the best option for everyone involved. Except for maybe the Kappa.
"
Constance Pickering[src]
Brilliant Firedrakes WU
Brilliant Firedrakes These fiery, winged lizards were an exhibit in the traveling Circus Arcanus - until they were released from their cage, creating a conflagration that allowed Nagini and Credence Barebone to escape.
"I don't know of a safe way to contain fiery, flying reptiles, but cramming them together in a cage just seems cruel. Not to mention a fire hazard."
Constance Pickering[src]
Brilliant Clown
Brilliant Clown This clown wandered through the crowds of the Circus Arcanus, entertaining visitors to the traveling show.
"Guh, I hate clowns. They give me the collywobbles. That said, judging from the depressed look on this one's face, I feel a bit bad sending him back to that horrible circus."
Constance Pickering[src]
Brilliant Candy Floss Stand WU
Brilliant Candy Floss Stand One of the various vendors selling concessions at the Circus Arcanus, this stand sold delicate towers of pink candy floss.
"Now this is more like it! Nothing morally ambiguous about returning fluffy, pink candy floss back where it belongs, is there?

Unless it was made by...

Nope, nope. It's just plain, old candy floss. Nothing tragic about it.
"
Constance Pickering[src]
"Reports of Circus Arcanus Foundables are becoming less frequent. I think we're in the clear with this Calamity surge.

I must say, I find it rather incredible that the Calamity seemed to almost be testing our moral fortitude. I wonder what caused that?

There has been a lot of discussion members of the SOS Task Force, and even inside the Ministry. People are agonising over some of the choices we have to make.

I don’t think it’s ever going to feel perfect to return Tom Riddle to Hogwarts right around the time he's learning about Horcruxes, for example... but we have to do it.

Any other choice would be irresponsible at best, and catastrophic at worst.
"
Constance Pickering[src]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

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