Gwenlyn Jenkins

Gwenlyn Jenkins
Biographical information
Born	Before 1927
Blood status	Squib
Physical information
Species	Human
Gender	Female
Hair colour	Brown
Relationship information
Family members	Karl Jenkins (possibly) Jenkins family
Affiliation
Occupation	Assistant to Skender (formerly) Assistant to Newton Scamander
Loyalty	Circus Arcanus (formerly) Newton Scamander

"Oh, you know you seem to have your own source of magic, Miss Jenkins. Compassion."

— Newt Scamander

Gwenlyn Jenkins was a Squib woman who lived in the early 20th century. Despite her lack of magical ability, she held a deep affinity for magical creatures. With few options available due to her Squib status, she found employment as an assistant at the Circus Arcanus, a travelling magical circus operated by Skender.

Biography

Gwenlyn began her career as an assistant and worker at Circus Arcanus sometime after 1927, as she never encountered the Zouwu that escaped from the circus that year.

"But you're just a Squib! You can't even cast a spell."

— Skender

Though technically part of the staff, Gwenlyn was treated poorly by Skender, who frequently dismissed her value and made demeaning remarks about her Squib identity. The other workers weren't any kinder. When she was sent to fetch Burgle, Skender's house-elf, she tried to open a locked door. A wizard performer spotted her, mocked her for being non-magical, and casually unlocked it with a flick of his wand.

At some point, Skender acquired a suitcase, stolen from none other than Newton Scamander — and left it unattended atop a box. Drawn by the trembling sound from the case, Gwenlyn approached it. Upon opening it, she witnessed Dougal the Demiguise emerge and wander off. Instinctively, she followed the creature, eventually coaxing him back inside. Her curiosity led her to step into the suitcase herself, where she discovered an expansive magical habitat filled with magical beasts.

Gwenlyn facing the Zouwu

"By exploiting these creatures? I can't let that happen."

— Gwenlyn standing up against Skender

Inside, she encountered a Zouwu, the very same one once mistreated by Skender before it escaped. Despite the Zouwu's initial hostility, Gwenlyn was able to bond with her, whom she saw as nothing but "an overgrown pussycat". However, Skender soon noticed her absence and followed her into the suitcase, intent on erasing her memory with a Memory Charm. Before he could act, Gwenlyn used a cat bird toy to summon the Zouwu, who confronted her former captor. Though the Zouwu didn't attack, her presence alone gave Gwenlyn the moment she needed to trap Skender inside a containment box.

Newt: "I'd be indebted if you would consider joining me."

Gwenlyn: "Of course, but where are we going?"

Newt: "Oh, wherever we're needed, for the world is full of fantastic beasts."

— Newt's offer to Gwenlyn

Shortly afterward, Newt Scamander arrived, having tracked down his stolen suitcase. He cast a Banishing Charm on the trapped Skender. Impressed by Gwenlyn's courage and the natural rapport she had formed with his creatures, Newt offered her to join him on his travels and work for him. Gwenlyn accepted, possibly taking on a role similar to that of Bunty Broadacre.

Physical description

Gwenlyn wore a green plaid dress with puffed sleeves and a belted waist. She also wore her hair in short, styled curls and round eyeglasses.

Personality and traits

Gwenlyn: "They're amazing. How did you ever come to care for so many strange creatures?"

Newt: "Well, there are no strange creatures, Miss Jenkins. Only blinkered people."

Gwenlyn: "Yes, you're right, of course. And it was really something to be among them."

— Gwenlyn and Newt's shared interest in magizoology

Gwenlyn was kind-hearted, especially toward magical creatures, by which she was intrigued. She treated them with care and gentleness, earning their trust, as seen when she entered Newt's suitcase. Despite being a Squib and often looked down on by Skender, she quietly did her work without much complaint. But when enough was enough, she stood her ground, as shown when she stood up to Skender and locked him in a box.

Appearances

• Harry Potter (website) (First appearance) (Concept art only) (As "Gwenlyn")
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (First identified as Gwenlyn Jenkins)