Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Transcription
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Thedigitalheart oftheWizardingWorld www.pottermore.com HarryPotterandtheCursedChildPartsOneandTwomaynotbeperformedinwholeorinpartand nousemaybemadeofitwhatsoeverexceptunderexpresslicensefromtherightsholdersofthe work,J.K.RowlingandHarryPotterTheatricalProductionsLimited. Pleaseemailinquiries@hptheatricalproductions.comwithanyinquiries. ToJackThorne whoenteredmyworld anddidbeautifulthingsthere. —J.K.Rowling ForJoe,Louis,Max,Sonny,andMerle...wizardsall... —JohnTiffany ToElliottThorne,bornApril7,2016. Aswerehearsed,hegurgled. —JackThorne CONTENTS PARTONE ACTONE ACTTWO PARTTWO ACTTHREE ACTFOUR ABOUTTHEPRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIESOFTHEORIGINALSTORYTEAM ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACTONE,SCENEONE KING’SCROSS Abusyandcrowdedstation.Fullofpeopletryingtogosomewhere.Amongstthehustleandbustle,two largecagesrattleontopoftwoladentrolleys.They’rebeingpushedbytwoboys,JAMESPOTTERand ALBUSPOTTER,theirmother,GINNY,followsafter.Athirty-seven-year-oldman,HARRY,hashisdaughter, LILY,onhisshoulders. ALBUS:Dad.Hekeepssayingit. HARRY:James,giveitarest. JAMES:IonlysaidhemightbeinSlytherin.Andhemightso...(Offhisdad’sglare.)Fine. ALBUS(lookingupathismum):You’llwritetome,won’tyou? GINNY:Everydayifyouwantusto. ALBUS:No.Noteveryday.Jamessaysmostpeopleonlygetlettersfromhomeaboutonceamonth.I don’twantto... HARRY:Wewrotetoyourbrotherthreetimesaweeklastyear. ALBUS:What?James! ALBUS looksaccusinglyatJAMES . GINNY:Yes.YoumaynotwanttobelieveeverythinghetellsyouaboutHogwarts.Helikesalaugh, yourbrother. JAMES(withagrin):Canwegonow,please? ALBUS looksathisdad,andthenhismum. GINNY:Allyouhavetodoiswalkstraightatthewallbetweenplatformsnineandten. LILY:I’msoexcited. HARRY:Don’tstopanddon’tbescaredyou’llcrashintoit,that’sveryimportant.Besttodoitatarun ifyou’renervous. ALBUS:I’mready. HARRYandLILYputtheirhandsonALBUS ’strolley—GINNYjoinsJAMES ’strolley—together,the familyrunhardintothebarrier. ACTONE,SCENETWO PLATFORMNINEANDTHREE-QUARTERS WhichiscoveredinthickwhitesteampouringfromtheHOGWARTSEXPRESS. Andwhichisalsobusy—butinsteadofpeopleinsharpsuitsgoingabouttheirday—it’snowwizards andwitchesinrobesmostlytryingtoworkouthowtosaygood-byetotheirbelovedprogeny. ALBUS:Thisisit. LILY:Wow! ALBUS:Platformnineandthree-quarters. LILY:Wherearethey?Aretheyhere?Maybetheydidn’tcome? HARRYpointsoutRON,HERMIONE,andtheirdaughter,ROSE.LILYrunsharduptothem. UncleRon.UncleRon!!! RONturnstowardsthemasLILYgoesbarrelinguptohim.Hepicksherupintohisarms. RON:Ifitisn’tmyfavoritePotter. LILY:Haveyougotmytrick? RON:AreyouawareoftheWeasleys’WizardWheezes–certifiednose-stealingbreath? ROSE:Mum!Dad’sdoingthatlamethingagain. HERMIONE:Yousaylame,hesaysglorious,Isay—somewhereinbetween. RON:Hangon.Letmejustmunchthis...air.Andnowit’sjustasimplematterof...ExcusemeifI smellslightlyofgarlic... Hebreathesonherface.LILYgiggles. LILY:Yousmellofporridge. RON:Bing.Bang.Boing.Younglady,getreadytonotbeingabletosmellatall... Heliftshernoseoff. LILY:Where’smynose? RON:Ta-da! Hishandisempty.It’salametrick.Everyoneenjoysitslameness. LILY:Youaresilly. ALBUS:Everyone’sstaringatusagain. RON:Becauseofme!I’mextremelyfamous.Mynoseexperimentsarelegendary! HERMIONE:They’recertainlysomething. HARRY:Parkedallright,then? RON:Idid.Hermionedidn’tbelieveIcouldpassaMuggledrivingtest,didyou?ShethoughtI’dhave toConfundtheexaminer. HERMIONE:Ithoughtnothingofthekind,Ihavecompletefaithinyou. ROSE:AndIhavecompletefaithhedidConfundtheexaminer. RON:Oi! ALBUS:Dad... ALBUS pullsonHARRY’srobes.HARRYlooksdown. Doyouthink—whatifIam—whatifI’mputinSlytherin... HARRY:Andwhatwouldbewrongwiththat? ALBUS:SlytherinistheHouseofthesnake,ofDarkMagic...It’snotaHouseofbravewizards. HARRY:AlbusSeverus,youwerenamedaftertwoheadmastersofHogwarts.Oneofthemwasa SlytherinandhewasprobablythebravestmanIeverknew. ALBUS:Butjustsay... HARRY:Ifitmatterstoyou,you,theSortingHatwilltakeyourfeelingsintoaccount. ALBUS:Really? HARRY:Itdidforme. Thisissomethinghe’sneversaidbefore,itresonatesaroundhisheadamoment. Hogwartswillbethemakingofyou,Albus.Ipromiseyou,thereisnothingtobefrightened ofthere. JAMES:ApartfromtheThestrals.WatchoutfortheThestrals. ALBUS:Ithoughttheywereinvisible! HARRY:Listentoyourprofessors,don’tlistentoJames,andremembertoenjoyyourself.Now,ifyou don’twantthistraintoleavewithoutyou,youshouldleapon... LILY:I’mgoingtochasethetrainout. GINNY:Lily,comestraightback. HERMIONE:Rose.RemembertosendNevilleourlove. ROSE:Mum,Ican’tgiveaprofessorlove! ROSEexitsforthetrain.AndthenALBUS turnsandhugsGINNYandHARRYonelasttimebefore followingafterher. ALBUS:Okay,then.Bye. Heclimbsonboard.HERMIONE,GINNY,RON,andHARRYstandwatchingthetrain—aswhistles blowupanddowntheplatform. GINNY:They’regoingtobeokay,right? HERMIONE:Hogwartsisabigplace. RON:Big.Wonderful.Fulloffood.I’dgiveanythingtobegoingback. HARRY:Strange,Albeingworriedhe’llbesortedintoSlytherin. HERMIONE:That’snothing,Roseisworriedwhethershe’llbreaktheQuidditchscoringrecordinher firstorsecondyear.AndhowearlyshecantakeherO.W.L.s. RON:Ihavenoideawhereshegetsherambitionfrom. GINNY:Andhowwouldyoufeel,Harry,ifAl—ifheis? RON:Youknow,Gin,wealwaysthoughttherewasachanceyoucouldbesortedintoSlytherin. GINNY:What? RON:Honestly,FredandGeorgeranabook. HERMIONE:Canwego?Peoplearelooking,youknow. GINNY:Peoplealwayslookwhenyouthreearetogether.Andapart.Peoplealwayslookatyou. Thefourexit.GINNYstopsHARRY. Harry...He’llbeallright,won’the? HARRY:Ofcoursehewill. ACTONE,SCENETHREE THEHOGWARTSEXPRESS ALBUS andROSEwalkalongthecarriageofthetrain. TheTROLLEYWITCHapproaches,pushinghertrolley. TROLLEYWITCH:Anythingfromthetrolley,dears?PumpkinPasty?ChocolateFrog?CauldronCake? ROSE(spottingALBUS ’slovinglookattheChocolateFrogs):Al.Weneedtoconcentrate. ALBUS:Concentrateonwhat? ROSE:Onwhowechoosetobefriendswith.MymumanddadmetyourdadontheirfirstHogwarts Express,youknow... ALBUS:Soweneedtochoosenowwhotobefriendswithforlife?That’squitescary. ROSE:Onthecontrary,it’sexciting.I’maGranger-Weasley,you’reaPotter—everyonewillwantto befriendswithus,we’vegotthepickofanyonewewant. ALBUS:Sohowdowedecide—whichcompartmenttogoin... ROSE:Weratethemallandthenwemakeadecision. ALBUS opensadoor—tolookinonalonelyblondkid—SCORPIUS —inanotherwiseempty compartment.ALBUSsmiles.SCORPIUSsmilesback. ALBUS:Hi.Isthiscompartment... SCORPIUS:It’sfree.It’sjustme. ALBUS:Great.Sowemightjust—comein—forabit—ifthat’sokay? SCORPIUS:That’sokay.Hi. ALBUS:Albus.Al.I’m—mynameisAlbus... SCORPIUS:HiScorpius.Imean,I’mScorpius.You’reAlbus.I’mScorpius.Andyoumustbe... ROSE’sfaceisgrowingcolderbytheminute. ROSE:Rose. SCORPIUS:Hi,Rose.WouldyoulikesomeofmyFizzingWhizbees? ROSE:I’vejusthadbreakfast,thanks. SCORPIUS:I’vealsogotsomeShock-o-Choc,PepperImps,andsomeJellySlugs.Mum’sidea—she says(sings),“Sweets,theyalwayshelpyoumakefriends.”(Herealizesthatsingingwasa mistake.)Stupididea,probably. ALBUS:I’llhavesome...Mumdoesn’tletmehavesweets.Whichonewouldyoustartwith? ROSEhitsALBUS outofsightofSCORPIUS . SCORPIUS:Easy.I’vealwaysregardedthePepperImpasthekingoftheconfectionerybag.They’re peppermintsweetsthatmakeyousmokeattheears. ALBUS:Brilliant,thenthat’swhatI’ll—(ROSEhitshimagain.)Rose,willyoupleasestophittingme? ROSE:I’mnothittingyou. ALBUS:Youarehittingme,andithurts. SCORPIUS ’sfacefalls. SCORPIUS:She’shittingyoubecauseofme. ALBUS:What? SCORPIUS:Listen,Iknowwhoyouare,soit’sprobablyonlyfairyouknowwhoIam. ALBUS:WhatdoyoumeanyouknowwhoIam? SCORPIUS:You’reAlbusPotter.She’sRoseGranger-Weasley.AndIamScorpiusMalfoy.Myparents areAstoriaandDracoMalfoy.Ourparents—theydidn’tgeton. ROSE:That’sputtingitmildly.YourmumanddadareDeathEaters! SCORPIUS(affronted):Dadwas—butMumwasn’t. ROSElooksaway,andSCORPIUS knowswhyshedoes. Iknowwhattherumoris,andit’salie. ALBUS looksfromanuncomfortableROSEtoadesperateSCORPIUS . ALBUS:What—istherumor? SCORPIUS:Therumoristhatmyparentscouldn’thavechildren.Thatmyfatherandmygrandfather weresodesperateforapowerfulheir,topreventtheendoftheMalfoyline,thatthey...thatthey usedaTime-Turnertosendmymotherback... ALBUS:Tosendherbackwhere? ROSE:Therumoristhathe’sVoldemort’sson,Albus. Ahorrible,uncomfortablesilence. It’sprobablyrubbish.Imean...look,you’vegotanose. Thetensionisslightlybroken.SCORPIUSlaughs,patheticallygrateful. SCORPIUS:Andit’sjustlikemyfather ’s!Igothisnose,hishair,andhisname.Notthatthat’sagreat thingeither.Imean—father-sonissues,Ihavethem.But,onthewhole,I’dratherbeaMalfoy than,youknow,thesonoftheDarkLord. SCORPIUS andALBUS lookateachotherandsomethingpassesbetweenthem. ROSE:Yes,well,weprobablyshouldsitsomewhereelse.Comeon,Albus. ALBUS isthinkingdeeply. ALBUS:No.(OffROSE’slook.)I’mokay.Yougoon... ROSE:Albus.Iwon’twait. ALBUS:AndIwouldn’texpectyouto.ButI’mstayinghere. ROSElooksathimasecondandthenleavesthecompartment. ROSE:Fine! SCORPIUS andALBUS areleft—lookingateachother—unsure. SCORPIUS:Thankyou. ALBUS:No.No.Ididn’tstay—foryou—Istayedforyoursweets. SCORPIUS:She’squitefierce. ALBUS:Yes.Sorry. SCORPIUS:No.Ilikeit.DoyoupreferAlbusorAl? SCORPIUS grinsandpopstwosweetsintohismouth. ALBUS(thinks):Albus. SCORPIUS(assmokecomesoutofhisears):THANKYOUFORSTAYINGFORMYSWEETS, ALBUS! ALBUS(laughing):Wow. ACTONE,SCENEFOUR TRANSITIONSCENE Andnowweenteranever-worldoftimechange.Andthissceneisallaboutmagic.Thechangesare rapidasweleapbetweenworlds.Therearenoindividualscenes,butfragments,shardsthatshowthe constantprogressionoftime. Initiallywe’reinsideHogwarts,intheGreatHall,andeveryoneisdancingaroundALBUS. POLLYCHAPMAN:AlbusPotter. KARLJENKINS:APotter.Inouryear. YANNFREDERICKS:He’sgothishair.He’sgothairjustlikehim. ROSE:Andhe’smycousin.(Astheyturn.)RoseGranger-Weasley.Nicetomeetyou. TheSORTINGHATwalksthroughthestudents,whospringintotheirHouses. Itbecomesquicklyapparenthe’sapproachingROSE,whoistenseassheawaitsherfate. SORTINGHAT: I’vedonethisjobforcenturies Oneverystudent’sheadI’vesat OfthoughtsItakeinventories ForI’mthefamousSortingHat I’vesortedhigh,I’vesortedlow, I’vedonethejobthroughthickandthin Soputmeonandyouwillknow WhichHouseyoushouldbein... RoseGranger-Weasley. HeputshishatonROSE’shead. GRYFFINDOR! There’scheeringfromtheGryffindorsasROSEjoinsthem. ROSE:ThankDumbledore. SCORPIUS runstotakeROSE’splaceundertheSORTINGHAT’sglare. SORTINGHAT:ScorpiusMalfoy. HeputshishatonSCORPIUS’shead. SLYTHERIN! SCORPIUS wasexpectingthis,henodsandhalfsmiles.There’scheeringfromtheSlytherinsas hejoinsthem. POLLYCHAPMAN:Well,thatmakessense. ALBUS walksswiftlytothefrontofthestage. SORTINGHAT:AlbusPotter. HeputshishatonALBUS’shead—andthistimeheseemstotakelonger—almostasifhe tooisconfused. SLYTHERIN! There’sasilence. Aperfect,profoundsilence. Onethatsitslow,twistsabit,andhasdamagewithinit. POLLYCHAPMAN:Slytherin? CRAIGBOWKERJR.:Whoa!APotter?InSlytherin. ALBUS looksout,unsure.SCORPIUS smiles,delighted,asheshoutsacrosstohim. SCORPIUS:Youcanstandnexttome! ALBUS(thoroughlydiscombobulated):Right.Yes. YANNFREDERICKS:Isupposehishairisn’tthatsimilar. ROSE:Albus?Butthisiswrong,Albus.Thisisnothowit’ssupposedtobe. AndsuddenlyaflyinglessonishappeningwithMADAMHOOCH. MADAMHOOCH:Well,whatareyouallwaitingfor?Everyonestandbyabroomstick.Comeon,hurry up. Thekidsallhurryintopositionbesidetheirbrooms. Stickoutyourhandsoutoveryourbroom,andsay,“Up!” EVERYONE:UP! ROSE’sandYANN’sbroomssailintotheirhands. ROSEandYANN :Yes! MADAMHOOCH:Comeon,now,I’venotimeforshirkers.Say“UP.”“UP”likeyoumeanit. EVERYONE(barROSEandYANN):UP! Broomssailup,includingSCORPIUS’s.OnlyALBUSisleftwithhisbroomonthefloor. EVERYONE(barROSE,YANN,andALBUS ):YES! ALBUS:Up.UP.UP. Hisbroomdoesn’tmove.Notevenamillimeter.Hestaresatitwithdisbelievingdesperation. There’sgigglingfromtherestoftheclass. POLLYCHAPMAN:OhMerlin’sbeard,howhumiliating!Hereallyisn’tlikehisfatheratall,ishe? KARLJENKINS:AlbusPotter,theSlytherinSquib. MADAMHOOCH:Okay.Children.Timetofly. AndsuddenlyHARRYappearsfromnowherebesideALBUSassteamexpandsalloverthestage. We’rebackonplatformnineandthree-quartersandtimehastickedonmercilessly.ALBUSis nowayearolder(asisHARRY,butlessnoticeably). ALBUS:I’mjustaskingyou,Dad,ifyou’ll—ifyou’lljuststandalittleawayfromme. HARRY(amused):Second-yearsdon’tliketobeseenwiththeirdads,isthatit? AnOVER-ATTENTIVEWIZARDbeginstocirclethem. ALBUS:No.It’sjust—you’reyouand—andI’mmeand— HARRY:It’sjustpeoplelooking,okay?Peoplelook.Andthey’relookingatme,notyou. TheOVER-ATTENTIVEWIZARDprofferssomethingforHARRYtosign—hesignsit. ALBUS:AtHarryPotterandhisdisappointingson. HARRY:Whatdoesthatmean? ALBUS:AtHarryPotterandhisSlytherinson. JAMES rushespastthem,carryinghisbag. JAMES:SlytheringSlytherin,stopwithyourdithering,timetogetontothetrain. HARRY:Unnecessary,James. JAMES(longgone):SeeyouatChristmas,Dad. HARRYlooksatALBUS ,concerned. HARRY:Al— ALBUS:MynameisAlbus,notAl. HARRY:Aretheotherkidsbeingunkind?Isthatit?Maybeifyoutriedmakingafewmorefriends... withoutHermioneandRonIwouldn’thavesurvivedHogwarts,Iwouldn’thavesurvivedatall. ALBUS:ButIdon’tneedaRonandHermione.I’ve—I’vegotafriend,Scorpius,andIknowyoudon’t likehimbuthe’sallIneed. HARRY:Look,aslongasyou’rehappy,that’sallthatmatterstome. ALBUS:Youdidn’tneedtobringmetothestation,Dad. ALBUS picksuphiscaseandmakeshardaway. HARRY:ButIwantedtobehere... ButALBUSisgone.DRACOMALFOY,hisrobesperfect,hisblondponytailpreciselyplaced, emergesfromwithinthecrowdstobebesideHARRY. DRACO:Ineedafavor. HARRY:Draco. DRACO:Theserumors—aboutmyson’sparentage—theydon’tseemtobegoingaway.Theother HogwartsstudentsteaseScorpiusaboutitrelentlessly—iftheMinistrycouldreleaseastatement reaffirmingthatallTime-TurnersweredestroyedintheBattleoftheDepartmentofMysteries... HARRY:Draco,justletitblowover—they’llsoonmoveon. DRACO:Mysonissufferingand—Astoriahasn’tbeenwellrecently—soheneedsallthesupporthe canget. HARRY:Ifyouanswerthegossip,youfeedthegossip.There’vebeenrumorsVoldemorthadachild foryears,Scorpiusisnotthefirsttobeaccused.TheMinistry,foryoursakeaswellasours, needstosteerwellclear. DRACOfrowns,annoyed,asthestageclearsandROSEandALBUS standreadywiththeircases. ALBUS:Assoonasthetrainleavesyoudon’thavetotalktome. ROSE:Iknow.Wejustneedtokeepthepretenseupinfrontofthegrown-ups. SCORPIUS runson—withbighopesandanevenbiggercase. SCORPIUS(hopeful):Hi,Rose. ROSE(definitive):Bye,Albus. SCORPIUS(stillhopeful):She’smelting. Andsuddenlywe’reintheGreatHallandPROFESSORMcGONAGALLisstandingatthefrontwith abigsmileonherface. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:AndI’mpleasedtoannounceGryffindor ’snewestmemberoftheQuidditch team—our—(sherealizesshecan’tbepartial)yoursuperbnewChaser—RoseGrangerWeasley. Thehalleruptsintocheers.SCORPIUSclapsalongsidethemall. ALBUS:Areyouclappinghertoo?WehateQuidditchandshe’splayingforanotherHouse. SCORPIUS:She’syourcousin,Albus. ALBUS:Doyouthinkshe’dclapforme? SCORPIUS:Ithinkshe’sbrilliant. ThestudentscircleALBUSagainassuddenlyaPotionsclassbegins. POLLYCHAPMAN:AlbusPotter.Anirrelevance.Evenportraitsturntheotherwaywhenhecomesupthe stairs. ALBUS hunchesoverapotion. ALBUS:Andnowweadd—isithornofbicorn? KARLJENKINS:LeavehimandVoldemort’schildtoit,Isay. ALBUS:Withjustalittlesalamanderblood... Thepotionexplodesloudly. SCORPIUS:Okay.What’sthecounter-ingredient?Whatdoweneedtochange? ALBUS:Everything. Andwiththat,timemoveseveronwards—ALBUS’seyesbecomedarker,hisfacegrowsmore sallow.He’sstillanattractiveboy,buthe’stryingnottoadmitit. Andsuddenlyhe’sbackonplatformnineandthree-quarterswithhisdad—whoisstill tryingtopersuadehisson(andhimself)thateverythingisokay.Bothhaveagedanother year. HARRY:Thirdyear.Bigyear.HereisyourpermissionformforHogsmeade. ALBUS:IhateHogsmeade. HARRY:Howcanyouhateaplaceyouhaven’tactuallyvisitedyet? ALBUS:BecauseIknowit’llbefullofHogwartsstudents. ALBUS screwsupthepaper. HARRY:Justgiveitago—comeon—thisisyourchancetogonutsinHoneydukeswithoutyour mumknowing—no,Albus,don’tyoudare. ALBUS(pointinghiswand):Incendio! Theballofpaperburstsintoflameandascendsacrossthestage. HARRY:Ofallthestupidthings! ALBUS:TheironicthingisIdidn’texpectittowork.I’mterribleatthatspell. HARRY:Al—Albus,I’vebeenexchangingowlswithProfessorMcGonagall—shesaysyou’re isolatingyourself—you’reuncooperativeinlessons—you’resurly—you’re— ALBUS:Sowhatwouldyoulikemetodo?Magicmyselfpopular?ConjuremyselfintoanewHouse? Transfiguremyselfintoabetterstudent?Justcastaspell,Dad,andchangemeintowhatyouwant metobe,okay?It’llworkbetterforbothofus.Gottogo.Traintocatch.Friendtofind. ALBUS runstoSCORPIUS ,whoissittingonhiscase—numbtotheworld. (Delighted.)Scorpius...(Concerned.)Scorpius...Areyouokay? SCORPIUS saysnothing.ALBUS triestoreadhisfriend’seyes. Yourmum?It’sgotworse? SCORPIUS:It’sgottheworstitcanpossiblyget. ALBUS sitsdownbesideSCORPIUS . ALBUS:Ithoughtyou’dsendanowl... SCORPIUS:Icouldn’tworkoutwhattosay. ALBUS:AndnowIdon’tknowwhattosay... SCORPIUS:Saynothing. ALBUS:Isthereanything...? SCORPIUS:Cometothefuneral. ALBUS:Ofcourse. SCORPIUS:Andbemygoodfriend. AndsuddenlytheSORTINGHATiscenterstageandwe’rebackintheGreatHall. SORTINGHAT: Areyouafraidofwhatyou’llhear? AfraidI’llspeakthenameyoufear? NotSlytherin!NotGryffindor! NotHufflepuff!NotRavenclaw! Don’tworry,child,Iknowmyjob, You’lllearntolaugh,iffirstyousob. LilyPotter.GRYFFINDOR. LILY:Yes! ALBUS:Great. SCORPIUS:Didyoureallythinkshe’dcometous?Pottersdon’tbelonginSlytherin. ALBUS:Thisonedoes. Ashetriestomeltintothebackground,theotherstudentslaugh.Helooksupatthemall. Ididn’tchoose,youknowthat?Ididn’tchoosetobehisson. ACTONE,SCENEFIVE MINISTRYOFMAGIC,HARRY’SOFFICE HERMIONEsitswithpilesofpaperinfrontofherinHARRY’smessyoffice.Sheisslowlysortingthroughit all.HARRYentersinarush.Heisbleedingfromagrazeonhischeek. HERMIONE:Howdiditgo? HARRY:Itwastrue. HERMIONE:TheodoreNott? HARRY:Incustody. HERMIONE:AndtheTime-Turneritself? HARRYrevealstheTime-Turner.Itshinesoutalluringly. Isitgenuine?Doesitwork?It’snotjustanhour-reversalturner—itgoesbackfurther? HARRY:Wedon’tknowanythingyet.Iwantedtotryitoutthereandthenbutwiserheadsprevailed. HERMIONE:Well,nowwehaveit. HARRY:Andyou’resureyouwanttokeepit? HERMIONE:Idon’tthinkwe’veachoice.Lookatit.It’sentirelydifferenttotheTime-TurnerIhad. HARRY(dry):Apparentlywizardryhasmovedonsincewewerekids. HERMIONE:You’rebleeding. HARRYcheckshisfaceinthemirror.Hedabsatthewoundwithhisrobes. Don’tworry,it’llgowiththescar. HARRY(withagrin):Whatyoudoinginmyoffice,Hermione? HERMIONE:IwasanxioustohearaboutTheodoreNottand—thoughtI’dcheckwhetheryou’dkept yourpromiseandwereontopofyourpaperwork. HARRY:Ah.TurnsoutI’mnot. HERMIONE:No.You’renot.Harry,howcanyougetanyworkdoneinthischaos? HARRYwaveshiswandandthepapersandbookstransformintoneatpiles.HARRYsmiles. HARRY:Nolongerchaotic. HERMIONE:Butstillignored.Youknow,there’ssomeinterestingstuffinhere...Therearemountain trollsridingGraphornsthroughHungary,therearegiantswithwingedtattoosontheirbacks walkingthroughtheGreekSeas,andthewerewolveshavegoneentirelyunderground— HARRY:Great,let’sgetoutthere.I’llgettheteamtogether. HERMIONE:Harry,Igetit.Paperwork’sboring... HARRY:Notforyou. HERMIONE:I’mbusyenoughwithmyown.Thesearepeopleandbeaststhatfoughtalongside Voldemortinthegreatwizardingwars.Thesearealliesofdarkness.This—combinedwithwhat wehavejustunearthedatTheodoreNott’s—couldmeansomething.ButiftheHeadofMagical LawEnforcementisn’treadinghisfiles— HARRY:ButIdon’tneedtoreadit—I’moutthere,hearingaboutit.TheodoreNott—itwasmewho heardtherumorsabouttheTime-Turnerandmewhoacteduponit.Youreallydon’tneedtotell meoff. HERMIONElooksatHARRY—thisistricky. HERMIONE:Doyoufancyatoffee?Don’ttellRon. HARRY:You’rechangingthesubject. HERMIONE:Itrulyam.Toffee? HARRY:Can’t.We’reoffsugaratthemoment.(Beat.)Youknow,youcangetaddictedtothatstuff? HERMIONE:WhatcanIsay?Myparentsweredentists,Iwasboundtorebelatsomepoint.Fortyis leavingitalittlelate,but...You’vejustdoneabrilliantthing.You’recertainlynotbeingtoldoff —Ijustneedyoutolookatyourpaperworkeverynowandagain,that’sall.Considerthisa gentle—nudge—fromtheMinisterforMagic. HARRYhearstheimplicationinheremphasis,henods. How’sGinny?How’sAlbus? HARRY:ItseemsI’masgoodatfatherhoodasIamatpaperwork.How’sRose?How’sHugo? HERMIONE(withagrin):Youknow,RonsayshethinksIseemoreofmysecretary,Ethel,(she indicatesoff)thanhim.Doyouthinkthere’sapointwherewemadeachoice—parentoftheyear orMinistryofficialoftheyear?Goon.Gohometoyourfamily,Harry,theHogwartsExpressis abouttodepartforanotheryear—enjoythetimeyou’vegotleft—andthencomebackhere withafreshheadandgetthesefilesread. HARRY:Youreallythinkthiscouldallmeansomething? HERMIONE(withasmile):Itcoulddo.Butifitdoes,we’llfindawaytofightit,Harry.Wealwayshave. Shesmilesoncemore,popsatoffeeinhermouth,andleavestheoffice.HARRYisleftalone. Hepackshisbag.Hewalksoutoftheofficeanddownacorridor.Theweightoftheworld uponhisshoulders. Hewalks,tired,intoatelephonebox.Hedials62442. TELEPHONEBOX:Farewell,HarryPotter. HeascendsawayfromtheMinistryofMagic. ACTONE,SCENESIX HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE ALBUS can’tsleep.Heissittingatthetopofthestairs.Hehearsvoicesbelowhim.WehearHARRY’s voicebeforehe’srevealed.Anelderlymaninawheelchairiswithhim,AMOSDIGGORY. HARRY:Amos,Iunderstand,Ireallydo—butI’monlyjusthomeand— AMOS:I’vetriedtomakeappointmentsattheMinistry.Theysay,“Ah,Mr.Diggory,wehavean appointmentforyou,let’ssee,intwomonths.”Iwait.Verypatiently. HARRY:—andcomingtomyhouseinthemiddleofthenight—whenmykidsarejustgettingready fortheirnewyearatschool—it’snotright. AMOS:Twomonthspass,Ireceiveanowl,“Mr.Diggory,I’mawfullysorry,butMr.Potterhasbeen calledawayonurgentbusiness,we’regoingtohavetoshiftthingsaroundalittle,areyou availableforanappointmentin,let’ssee,intwomonths’time.”Andthenitrepeatsagain,and again...You’reshuttingmeout. HARRY:OfcourseI’mnot.It’sjust,I’mafraid,asHeadoftheDepartmentofMagicalLaw EnforcementI’mafraidI’mresponsible— AMOS:There’splentyyou’reresponsiblefor. HARRY:Sorry? AMOS:Myson,Cedric,youdorememberCedric,don’tyou? HARRY(rememberingCedrichurtshim):Yes,Irememberyourson.Hisloss— AMOS:Voldemortwantedyou!Notmyson!Youtoldmeyourself,thewordshesaidwere,“Killthe spare.”Thespare.Myson,mybeautifulson,wasaspare. HARRY:Mr.Diggory,asyouknow,IsympathizewithyoureffortstomemorializeCedric,but— AMOS:Amemorial?Iamnotinterestedinamemorial—notanymore.Iamanoldman—anold dyingman—andIamheretoaskyou—begyou—tohelpmegethimback. HARRYlooksup,astonished. HARRY:Gethimback?Amos,that’snotpossible. AMOS:TheMinistryhasaTime-Turner,doesitnot? HARRY:TheTime-Turnerswerealldestroyed. AMOS:ThereasonI’mherewithsuchurgencyisI’vejustheardrumor—strongrumor—thatthe MinistryseizedanillegalTime-TurnerfromTheodoreNottandhaskeptit.Forinvestigation.Let meusethatTime-Turner.Letmehavemysonback. There’salong,deadlypause.HARRYisfindingthisextremelydifficult.WewatchasALBUS movescloser,listening. HARRY:Amos,playingwithtime?Youknowwecan’tdothat. AMOS:HowmanypeoplehavediedfortheBoyWhoLived?I’maskingyoutosaveoneofthem. ThishurtsHARRY.Hethinks,hisfacehardens. HARRY:Whateveryou’veheard,theTheodoreNottstoryisafiction,Amos,I’msorry. DELPHI:Hello. ALBUS jumpsamileasDELPHI—atwenty-something,determined-lookingwoman—is revealed,lookingthroughthestairsathim. Oh.Sorry.Didn’tmeantostartle.Iusedtobeabigstair-listenermyself.Sittingthere. Waitingforsomeonetosaysomethingthetiniestbitinteresting. ALBUS:Whoareyou?Becausethisissortofmyhouseand... DELPHI:I’mathief,ofcourse.I’mabouttostealeverythingyouown.Givemeyourgold,yourwand, andyourChocolateFrogs!(Shelooksfierceandthensmiles.)EitherthatorI’mDelphini Diggory.(Sheascendsthestairsandsticksoutahand.)Delphi.Ilookafterhim—Amos—well, Itry.(SheindicatesAMOS.)Andyouare? ALBUS(ruefulgrin):Albus. DELPHI:Ofcourse!AlbusPotter!SoHarryisyourdad?That’sabitwow,isn’tit? ALBUS:Notreally. DELPHI:Ah.HaveIjustputmyfootinit?It’swhattheyusedtosayaboutmeatschool.Delphini Diggory—thereisn’taholeshecouldn’tdigherselfinto. ALBUS:Theydoallsortswithmynametoo. Pause.Shelooksathimcarefully. AMOS:Delphi. Shemakestodepartandthenhesitates.ShesmilesatALBUS. DELPHI:Wedon’tchoosewhowe’rerelatedto.Amos...isn’tjustmypatient,he’smyuncle,it’spart ofthereasonItookthejobatUpperFlagley.Butthat’smadeitdifficult.It’stoughtolivewith peoplestuckinthepast,isn’tit? AMOS:Delphi! ALBUS:UpperFlagley? DELPHI:St.Oswald’sHomeforOldWitchesandWizards.Comeseeussometime.Ifyoulike. AMOS:DELPHI! Shesmilesandthentripsasshetravelsdownthestairs.SheenterstheroomwithAMOSand HARRYinit.ALBUS watchesher. DELPHI:Yes,Uncle? AMOS:Meettheonce-greatHarryPotter,nowastone-coldMinistryman.Iwillleaveyouinpeace,sir. Ifpeaceistherightwordforit.Delphi,mychair... DELPHI:Yes,Uncle. AMOS ispushedoutoftheroom.HARRYisleft,lookingforlorn.ALBUS watcheson,thinking carefully. ACTONE,SCENESEVEN HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE,ALBUS’SROOM ALBUS issittingonthebedastheworldgoesonoutsidehisdoor.Stillagainsttheconstantmotion outside.WeheararoarfromJAMES(off). GINNY:James,please,ignoreyourhair,andtidythatdamnroom... JAMES:HowcanIignoreit?It’spink!I’mgoingtohavetousemyInvisibilityCloak! JAMES appearsatthedoor,hehaspinkhair. GINNY:That’snotwhyyourdadgaveyouthatCloak! LILY:Who’sseenmyPotionsbook? GINNY:LilyPotter,don’tthinkyou’rewearingthosetoschooltomorrow... LILYappearsatALBUS ’sdoor.She’swearingfairywingsthatflutter. LILY:Ilovethem.They’refluttery. SheexitsasHARRYappearsinALBUS’sdoorway.Helooksthrough. HARRY:Hi. There’sanawkwardpausebetweenthem.GINNYappearsinthedoorway.Sheseeswhat’s happening,shestaysamoment. Justdeliveringapre-Hogwartsgift—gifts—Ron’ssentthis... ALBUS:Okay.Alovepotion.Okay. HARRY:Ithinkit’sajokeabout—Idon’tknowwhat.Lilygotfartinggnomes,Jamesgotacombthat’s madehishairturnashadeofpink.Ron—well,Ron’sRon,youknow? HARRYputsdownALBUS ’slovepotiononhisbed. Ialso—thisisfromme... Herevealsasmallblanket.GINNYlooksatit,sheseesHARRYistrying,andthenshesoftly walksaway. ALBUS:Anoldblanket? HARRY:Ithoughtalotaboutwhattogiveyouthisyear.James—well,Jameshasbeengoingonabout theInvisibilityCloaksincetimeitself,andLily—Iknewshe’dlovewings—butyou.You’re fourteenyearsoldnow,Albus,andIwantedtogiveyousomethingwhich—meantsomething. This...isthelastthingIhadfrommymum.Theonlything.IwasgiventotheDursleyswrapped init.Ithoughtithadgoneforeverandthen,whenyourgreat-auntPetuniadied,hiddenamongst herpossessions,surprisingly,Dudleyfoundthisandhekindlysentitontome,andeversince then—well,anytimeI’vewantedluckI’vefounditandjusttriedtoholditandIwonderedif you... ALBUS:Wantedtoholdittoo?Okay.Done.Let’shopeitbringsmeluck.Icertainlyneedsome. Hetouchestheblanket. Butyoushouldkeepit. HARRY:Ithink—believe—Petuniawantedmetohaveit,that’swhyshekeptit,andnowIwantyouto haveitfromme.Ididn’treallyknowmymother—butIthinkshe’dhavewantedyoutohaveit too.Andmaybe—Icouldcomefindyou—andit—onHallows’Eve.I’dliketobewithiton thenighttheydied—andthatcouldbegoodforthetwoofus... ALBUS:Listen,I’vegotquitealotofpackingtodo,andyouundoubtedlyhaveMinistryworkcoming outofyourears,so... HARRY:Albus,Iwantyoutohavetheblanket. ALBUS:Anddowhatwithit?Fairywingsmakesense,Dad,invisibilitycloaks,theyalsomakesense— butthis—really? HARRYisslightlyheartbroken.Helooksathisson,desperatetoreachout. HARRY:Doyouwantahand?Packing.Ialwayslovedpacking.ItmeantIwasleavingPrivetDriveand goingbacktoHogwarts.Whichwas...well,Iknowyoudon’tloveitbut... ALBUS:Foryou,it’sthegreatestplaceonearth.Iknow.Thepoororphan,bulliedbyhisuncleandaunt Dursley... HARRY:Albus,please—canwejust— ALBUS:...traumatizedbyhiscousin,Dudley,savedbyHogwarts.Iknowitall,Dad.Blah,blah,blah. HARRY:I’mnotgoingtorisetoyourbait,AlbusPotter. ALBUS:Thepoororphanwhowentontosaveusall.SomayIsay—onbehalfofwizardingkind— howgratefulweareforyourheroism.Shouldwebownoworwillacurtsydo? HARRY:Albus,please—youknow,I’veneverwantedgratitude. ALBUS:ButrightnowI’moverflowingwithit—itmustbethekindgiftofthismoldyblanketthatdid it... HARRY:Moldyblanket? ALBUS:Whatdidyouthinkwouldhappen?We’dhug.I’dtellyouIalwayslovedyou.What?What? HARRY(finallylosinghistemper):Youknowwhat?I’mdonewithbeingmaderesponsibleforyour unhappiness.Atleastyou’vegotadad.BecauseIdidn’t,okay? ALBUS:Andyouthinkthatwasunlucky?Idon’t. HARRY:Youwishmedead? ALBUS:No!Ijustwishyouweren’tmydad. HARRY(seeingred):Well,therearetimesIwishyouweren’tmyson. There’sasilence.ALBUSnods.Pause.HARRYrealizeswhathe’ssaid. No,Ididn’tmeanthat... ALBUS:Yes.Youdid. HARRY:Albus,youjustknowhowtogetundermyskin... ALBUS:Youmeantit,Dad.And,honestly,Idon’tblameyou. There’sahorriblepause. Youshouldprobablyleavemealonenow. HARRY:Albus,please... ALBUS picksuptheblanketandthrowsit.ItcollideswithRON’slovepotion,whichspillsall overtheblanketandthebed,producingasmallpuffofsmoke. ALBUS:Noluckorloveforme,then. ALBUS runsoutoftheroom.HARRYgoesafterhim. HARRY:Albus.Albus...Please... ACTONE,SCENEEIGHT DREAM,HUT-ON-THE-ROCK There’saLARGEBOOM.Thenthere’saLARGECRASH.DUDLEYDURSLEY,AUNTPETUNIA,andUNCLE VERNONarecoweringbehindabed. DUDLEYDURSLEY:Mum,Idon’tlikethis. AUNTPETUNIA:Iknewwemadeamistakecominghere.Vernon.Vernon.There’snowherewecanhide. Notevenalighthouseisfarenoughaway! There’sanotherLARGEBOOM. UNCLEVERNON:Holdon.Holdon.Whateveritis,it’snotcominginhere. AUNTPETUNIA:We’recursed!He’scursedus!Theboyhascursedus!(SeeingYOUNGHARRY.)Thisisall yourfault.Getbackinyourhole. YOUNGHARRYflinchesawayasUNCLEVERNONholdsouthisrifle. UNCLEVERNON:Whoever ’sthere,Ishouldwarnyou—I’marmed. There’saMASSIVESMASH.Andthedoorfallsoffitshinges.HAGRIDstandsinthemiddleof thedoorway.Helooksatthemall. HAGRID:Couldn’tmakeusacupo’tea,couldyeh?It’snotbeenaneasyjourney. DUDLEYDURSLEY:Look.At.Him. UNCLEVERNON:Standback.Standback.Behindme,Petunia.Behindme,Dudley.I’llsoonseethis scarramangeroff. HAGRID:Scarrawhat? HepicksupUNCLEVERNON’sgun. Haven’tseenoneoftheseforawhile. Hetwiststheendofthegunandtiesitinaknot. Oops-a-daisy. Andthenhegetsdistracted.He’sseenYOUNGHARRY. HarryPotter. YOUNGHARRY:Hello. HAGRID:Las’timeIsawyeh,yehwasonlyababy.Yehlookalotlikeyerdad,butyeh’vegotyer mum’seyes. YOUNGHARRY:Youknewmyparents? HAGRID:Where’smemanners?Averyhappybirthdaytoyeh.Gotsummatferyehhere—Imightasat onitatsomepoint,butit’lltasteallright. Frominsidehiscoathepullsaslightlysquashedchocolatecakewith“HappyBirthday Harry”writtenonitingreenicing. YOUNGHARRY:Whoareyou? HAGRID(laughing):True,Ihaven’tintroducedmeself.RubeusHagrid,KeeperofKeysandGroundsat Hogwarts.(Helooksaroundhimself.)Whataboutthattea,then,eh?I’dnotsaynotersummat strongerifyeh’vegotit,mind. YOUNGHARRY:Hogwhere? HAGRID:Hogwarts.Yeh’llknowallaboutHogwarts,o’course. YOUNGHARRY:Er—no.Sorry. HAGRID:Sorry?It’sthemasshouldbesorry!Iknewyehweren’tgettin’yerlettersbutIneverthought yehwouldn’tevenknowabou’Hogwarts,fercryin’outloud!Didyehneverwonderwhereyer parentslearntitall? YOUNGHARRY:Learntwhat? HAGRIDturnsmenacinglytowardsUNCLEVERNON. HAGRID:Doyoumeantertellme,thatthisboy—thisboy!—knowsnothin’abou’—about ANYTHING? UNCLEVERNON:Iforbidyoutotelltheboyanythingmore! YOUNGHARRY:Tellmewhat? HAGRIDlooksatUNCLEVERNONandthenatYOUNGHARRY. HAGRID:Harry—yerawizard—yehchangedeverything.Yerthemostfamouswizardinthewhole world. Andthen,rightfromthebackoftheroom,whisperingaroundeveryone. Wordssaidwithanunmistakablevoice.ThevoiceofVOLDEMORT... HaaarryPottttter. ACTONE,SCENENINE HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE,BEDROOM HARRYwakessuddenly.Breathingdeeplyinthenight. Hewaitsamoment.Calminghimself.Andthenhefeelsintensepaininhisforehead.Inhisscar. Aroundhim,DarkMagicmoves. GINNY:Harry... HARRY:It’sfine.Gobacktosleep. GINNY:Lumos. Theroomisfilledwithlightfromherwand.HARRYlooksather. Anightmare? HARRY:Yes. GINNY:Aboutwhat? HARRY:TheDursleys—well,itstartedthere—thenitbecamesomethingelse. Pause.GINNYlooksathim—tryingtoworkoutwhereheis. GINNY:DoyouwantaSleepingDraught? HARRY:No.I’llbefine.Gobacktosleep. GINNY:Youdon’tseemfine. HARRYsaysnothing. (Seeinghisagitation.)Itcan’thavebeeneasy—withAmosDiggory. HARRY:TheangerIcancopewith,thefacthe’srightisharder.Amoslosthissonbecauseofme— GINNY:Thatdoesn’tseemparticularlyfaironyourself... HARRY:—andthere’snothingIcansay—nothingIcansaytoanyone—unlessit’sthewrongthing, ofcourse... GINNYknowswhat—orratherwho—he’sreferringto. GINNY:Sothat’swhat’supsettingyou?ThenightbeforeHogwarts,it’sneveragoodnightifyoudon’t wanttogo.GivingAltheblanket.Itwasanicetry. HARRY:Itwentprettybadlywrongfromthere.Isaidsomethings,Ginny... GINNY:Iheard. HARRY:Andyou’restilltalkingtome? GINNY:BecauseIknowthatwhenthetimeisrightyou’llsaysorry.Thatyoudidn’tmeanit.Thatwhat yousaidconcealed...otherthings.Youcanbehonestwithhim,Harry...That’sallheneeds. HARRY:IjustwishhewasmorelikeJamesorLily. GINNY(dry):Yeah,maybedon’tbethathonest. HARRY:No,Iwouldn’tchangeathingabouthim...butIcanunderstandthem,and... GINNY:Albusisdifferentandisn’tthatagoodthing.Andhecantell,youknow,whenyou’reputting onyourHarryPotterfront.Hewantstoseetherealyou. HARRY:“Thetruthisabeautifulandterriblething,andshouldthereforebetreatedwithgreatcaution.” GINNYlooksathim,surprised. Dumbledore. GINNY:Astrangethingtosaytoachild. HARRY:Notwhenyoubelievethatchildwillhavetodietosavetheworld. HARRYgaspsagain—anddoesallhecannottotouchhisforehead. GINNY:Harry.What’swrong? HARRY:Fine.I’mfine.Ihearyou.I’lltrytobe— GINNY:Doesyourscarhurt? HARRY:No.No.I’mfine.Now,Noxthatandlet’sgetsomesleep. GINNY:Harry.Howlonghasitbeensinceyourscarhurt? HARRYturnstoGINNY,hisfacesaysitall. HARRY:Twenty-twoyears. ACTONE,SCENETEN THEHOGWARTSEXPRESS ALBUS walksquicklyalongthetrain. ROSE:Albus,I’vebeenlookingforyou... ALBUS:Me?Why? ROSEisn’tsurehowtophrasewhatshehastosay. ROSE:Albus,it’sthestartofthefourthyear,andsothestartofanewyearforus.Iwanttobefriends again. ALBUS:Weneverwerefriends. ROSE:That’sharsh!YouweremybestfriendwhenIwassix! ALBUS:Thatwasalongtimeago. Hemakestowalkaway.Shepullshimintoanemptycompartment. ROSE:Haveyouheardtherumors?BigMinistryraidafewdaysago.Yourdadapparentlywas incrediblybrave. ALBUS:HowdoyoualwaysknowaboutthesethingsandIdon’t? ROSE:Apparentlyhe—thewizardtheyraided—TheodoreNott,Ithink—hadallsortsofartifacts thatbrokeallsortsoflawsincluding—andthishasgotthemallgooey—anillegalTimeTurner.Andquiteasuperioroneatthat. ALBUS looksatROSE,everythingfallingintoplace. ALBUS:ATime-Turner?DadfoundaTime-Turner? ROSE:Shh!Yes.Iknow.Great,right? ALBUS:You’resure. ROSE:Entirely. ALBUS:NowIhavetofindScorpius. Hewalksdownthetrain.ROSEfollows,stilldeterminedtosayherpiece. ROSE:Albus! ALBUS turnsdecisively. ALBUS:Who’stoldyouthatyouhavetotalktome? ROSE(sprung):Okay,maybeyourmumowledmydad—butonlybecauseshe’sworriedaboutyou. AndIjustthink— ALBUS:Leavemealone,Rose. SCORPIUS issittinginhisusualcompartment.ALBUS entersfirst,ROSEstilltailinghim. SCORPIUS:Albus!Ohhello,Rose,whatdoyousmellof? ROSE:WhatdoIsmellof? SCORPIUS:No,Imeantitasanicething,yousmelllikeamixtureoffreshflowersandfresh—bread. ROSE:Albus,I’mhere,okay?Ifyouneedme. SCORPIUS:Imean,nicebread,goodbread,bread...what’swrongwithbread? ROSEwalksaway,shakingherhead. ROSE:What’swrongwithbread! ALBUS:I’vebeenlookingforyoueverywhere... SCORPIUS:Andnowyou’vefoundme.Ta-da!Iwashardlyhiding.YouknowhowIliketo—geton early.Stopspeoplestaring.Shouting.Writing“sonofVoldemort”onmytrunk.Thatonenever getsold.Shereallydoesn’tlikeme,doesshe? ALBUS hugshisfriend.Withfierceness.Theyholdforabeat.SCORPIUS issurprisedbythis. Okay.Hello.Um.Havewehuggedbefore?Dowehug? Thetwoboysawkwardlydislocate. ALBUS:Justaslightlyweirdtwenty-fourhours. SCORPIUS:What’shappenedinthem? ALBUS:I’llexplainlater.Wehavetogetoffthistrain. There’sthesoundofwhistlesfromoff.Thetrainstartsmoving. SCORPIUS:Toolate.Thetrainismoving.Hogwartsahoy! ALBUS:Thenwehavetogetoffamovingtrain. TROLLEYWITCH:Anythingfromthetrolley,dears? ALBUS opensawindowandmakestoclimbout. SCORPIUS:Amovingmagicaltrain. TROLLEYWITCH:PumpkinPasty?CauldronCake? SCORPIUS:AlbusSeverusPotter,getthatstrangelookoutofyoureye. ALBUS:Firstquestion.WhatdoyouknowabouttheTriwizardTournament? SCORPIUS(happy):Ooooh,aquiz!Threeschoolspickthreechampionstocompeteinthreetasksfor oneCup.What’sthatgottodowithanything? ALBUS:Youreallyareanenormousgeek,youknowthat? SCORPIUS:Ya-huh. ALBUS:Secondquestion.WhyhastheTriwizardTournamentnotbeenruninovertwentyyears? SCORPIUS:ThelastcompetitionincludedyourdadandaboycalledCedricDiggory—theydecidedto wintogetherbuttheCupwasaPortkey—andtheyweretransportedtoVoldemort.Cedricwas killed.Theycanceledthecompetitionimmediatelyafter. ALBUS:Good.Thirdquestion:DidCedricneedtobekilled?Easyquestion,easyanswer:No.The wordsVoldemortsaidwere“Killthespare.”Thespare.Hediedonlybecausehewaswithmy fatherandmyfathercouldn’tsavehim—wecan.Amistakehasbeenmadeandwe’regoingto rightit.We’regoingtouseaTime-Turner.We’regoingtobringhimback. SCORPIUS:Albus,forobviousreasons,I’mnotamassivefanofTime-Turners... ALBUS:WhenAmosDiggoryaskedfortheTime-Turnermyfatherdeniedtheyevenexisted.Heliedto anoldmanwhojustwantedhissonback—whojustlovedhisson.Andhediditbecausehe didn’tcare—becausehedoesn’tcare.EveryonetalksaboutallthebravethingsDaddid.Buthe madesomemistakestoo.Somebigmistakes,infact.Iwanttosetoneofthosemistakesright.I wantustosaveCedric. SCORPIUS:Okay,whateverwasholdingyourbraintogetherseemstohavesnapped. ALBUS:I’mgoingtodothis,Scorpius.Ineedtodothis.AndyouknowaswellasIdo,I’llentirely messitupifyoudon’tcomewithme.Comeon. Hegrins.Andthendisappearseverup.SCORPIUShesitatesforamoment.Hemakesaface. AndthenhoistshimselfupanddisappearsafterALBUS. ACTONE,SCENEELEVEN ROOFOFTHEHOGWARTSEXPRESS Thewindwhistlesfromallanglesandit’safiercewindatthat. SCORPIUS:Okay,nowwe’reontheroofofatrain,it’sfast,it’sscary,thishasbeengreat,IfeellikeI’ve learntalotaboutme,somethingaboutyou,but— ALBUS:AsIcalculateitweshouldbeapproachingtheviaductsoonandthenit’llbeashorthiketoSt. Oswald’sHomeforOldWitchesandWizards... SCORPIUS:Thewhat?Thewhere?Look,Iamasexcitedasyouaretobearebelforthefirsttimeinmy life—yay—trainroof—fun—butnow—oh. SCORPIUS seessomethinghedoesn’twanttosee. ALBUS:ThewaterwillbeanextremelyusefulbackupifourCushioningCharmdoesn’twork. SCORPIUS:Albus.TheTrolleyWitch. ALBUS:Youwantasnackforthejourney? SCORPIUS:No.Albus.TheTrolleyWitchiscomingtowardsus. ALBUS:No,shecan’tbe,we’reontopofthetrain... SCORPIUS pointsALBUS intherightdirection,andnowhecanseetheTROLLEYWITCH,who approachesnonchalantly,pushinghertrolley. TROLLEYWITCH:Anythingfromthetrolley,dears?PumpkinPasty?ChocolateFrog?CauldronCake? ALBUS:Oh. TROLLEYWITCH:Peopledon’tknowmuchaboutme.TheybuymyCauldronCakes—buttheynever reallynoticeme.Idon’trememberthelasttimesomeoneaskedmyname. ALBUS:Whatisyourname? TROLLEYWITCH:I’veforgotten.AllIcantellyouisthatwhentheHogwartsExpressfirstcametobe— OttalineGambolherselfofferedmethisjob... SCORPIUS:That’s—onehundredandninetyyears.You’vebeendoingthisjobforonehundredand ninetyyears? TROLLEYWITCH:ThesehandshavemadeoversixmillionPumpkinPasties.I’vegotquitegoodatthem. Butwhatpeoplehaven’tnoticedaboutmyPumpkinPastiesishoweasilytheytransforminto somethingelse... ShepicksupaPumpkinPasty.Shethrowsitlikeagrenade.Itexplodes. Andyouwon’tbelievewhatIcandowithmyChocolateFrogs.Never—never—haveIlet anyoneoffthistrainbeforetheyreachedtheirdestination.Somehavetried—SiriusBlack andhiscronies,FredandGeorgeWeasley.ALLHAVEFAILED.BECAUSETHISTRAIN —ITDOESN’TLIKEPEOPLEGETTINGOFFIT... TheTROLLEYWITCH’shandstransfigureintoverysharpspikes.Shesmiles. Sopleaseretakeyourseatsfortheremainderofthejourney. ALBUS:Youwereright,Scorpius.Thistrainismagical. SCORPIUS:Atthisprecisemomentintime,Itakenopleasureinbeingright. ALBUS:ButIwasalsoright—abouttheviaduct—that’swaterdownthere,timetotrytheCushioning Charm. SCORPIUS:Albus,thisisabadidea. ALBUS:Isit?(Hehasamoment’shesitation,thenrealizesthetimeforhesitationhaspassed.)Toolate now.Three.Two.One.Molliare! Heincantsashejumps. SCORPIUS:Albus...Albus... Helooksdowndesperatelyafterhisfriend.HelooksattheapproachingTROLLEYWITCH.Her hairwild.Herspikesparticularlyspiky. Well,asfunasyouclearlylook,Ihavetogoaftermyfriend. Hepincheshisnose,hejumpsafterALBUS,incantingashegoes. Molliare! ACTONE,SCENETWELVE MINISTRYOFMAGIC,GRANDMEETINGROOM Thestageisfloodedwithwizardsandwitches.Theyrattleandchatterlikealltruewizardsandwitches can.Amongstthem,GINNY,DRACO,andRON.Abovethem,onastage,HERMIONEandHARRY. HERMIONE:Order.Order.DoIhavetoconjuresilence?(Shepullssilencefromthecrowdusingher wand.)Good.WelcometothisExtraordinaryGeneralMeeting.I’msopleasedsomanyofyou couldmakeit.Thewizardingworldhasbeenlivinginpeacenowformanyyears.It’stwenty-two yearssincewedefeatedVoldemortattheBattleofHogwarts,andI’mdelightedtosaythereisa newgenerationbeingbroughtuphavingknownonlytheslightestconflict.Untilnow.Harry. HARRY:Voldemort’sallieshavebeenshowingmovementforafewmonthsnow.We’vefollowedtrolls makingtheirwayacrossEurope,giantsstartingtocrosstheseas,andthewerewolves—well, I’mdistressedtosaywelostsightofthemsomeweeksago.Wedon’tknowwherethey’regoing orwho’sencouragedthemtomove—butweareawaretheyaremoving—andweare concernedwhatitmightmean.Sowe’reasking—ifanyonehasseenanything?Feltanything?If youcouldraiseawand,wewillheareveryonespeak.ProfessorMcGonagall—thankyou. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Itdidlooklikethepotionsstoreshadbeeninterferedwithwhenwereturned fromsummerbreak,butnotahugeamountofingredientsweremissing,someBoomslangskin andlacewingflies,nothingontheRestrictedRegister.WeputitdowntoPeeves. HERMIONE:Thankyou,Professor.Weshallinvestigate.(Shelooksaroundtheroom.)Nobodyelse? Fine,and—gravestofall—andthishasn’tbeenthecasesinceVoldemort—Harry’sscaris hurtingagain. DRACO:Voldemortisdead,Voldemortisgone. HERMIONE:Yes,Draco,Voldemortisdead,butthesethingsallleadustothinkthatthereisapossibility thatVoldemort—orsometraceofVoldemort—mightbeback. Thisgetsareaction. HARRY:Nowthisisdifficultbutwehavetoaskittoruleitout.ThoseofyouwithaDarkMark...have youfeltanything?Evenatwinge? DRACO:BacktobeingprejudicedagainstthosewithaDarkMark,arewe,Potter? HERMIONE:No,Draco.Harryissimplytryingto— DRACO:Youknowwhatthisisabout?Harryjustwantshisfacebackinthenewspapersagain.We’ve hadrumorsofVoldemortcomingbackfromtheDailyProphetonceayeareveryyear— HARRY:Noneofthoserumorscamefromme! DRACO:Really?Doesn’tyourwifeedittheDailyProphet? GINNYstepstowardshim,outraged. GINNY:Thesportspages! HERMIONE:Draco.HarrybroughtthismattertotheattentionoftheMinistry.AndI—asMinisterfor Magic— DRACO:Avoteyouonlywonbecauseyouarehisfriend. RONisheldbackbyGINNYashechargesatDRACO. RON:Doyouwantasmackinthemouth? DRACO:Faceit—hiscelebrityimpactsuponyouall.Andhowbettertogeteveryonewhisperingthe Potternameagainthanwith(hedoesanimpressionofHARRY)“myscarishurting,myscaris hurting.”Anddoyouknowwhatthisallmeans—thatthegossipmongersonceagainhavean opportunitytodefamemysonwiththeseridiculousrumorsabouthisparentage. HARRY:Draco,nooneissayingthishasanythingtodowithScorpius... DRACO:Well,I,forone,thinkthismeetingasham.AndI’mleaving. Hewalksout.Othersstarttodisperseafterhim. HERMIONE:No.That’snottheway...Comeback.Weneedastrategy. ACTONE,SCENETHIRTEEN ST.OSWALD’SHOMEFOROLDWITCHESANDWIZARDS Thisischaos.Thisismagic.ThisisSt.Oswald’sHomeforOldWitchesandWizardsanditisas wonderfulasyoumighthope. Walkerframesareconjuredintolife,knittingwoolisenchantedintochaos,andmalenursesaremade todancetango. Thesearepeoplerelievedoftheburdenofhavingtodomagicforareason—insteadthesewitches andwizardsdomagicforfun.Andwhatfuntheyhave. ALBUS andSCORPIUS enter,lookingaroundthemselves,amused,andlet’sfaceit,slightlyscared. ALBUSandSCORPIUS:Um,excuseme...Excuseme.EXCUSEME! SCORPIUS:Okay,sothisplaceiswild. ALBUS:We’relookingforAmosDiggory. Thereissuddenlytotalsilence.Everythingisinstantlystill.Andslightlydepressed. WOOLWOMAN:Andwhatyouboyswantwiththatmiserableoldsod? DELPHIappearswithasmile. DELPHI:Albus?Albus!Youcame?Howwonderful!ComeandsayhellotoAmos! ACTONE,SCENEFOURTEEN ST.OSWALD’SHOMEFOROLDWITCHESANDWIZARDS,AMOS’SROOM AMOS looksatSCORPIUS andALBUS —irritated.DELPHIwatchesthethreeofthem. AMOS:Soletmegetthisstraight.Youoverhearaconversation—aconversationwhichwasnotmeant foryoutooverhear—andyoudecide—withoutprompting,infact,withoutleave—to interfere,andinterferehard,insomeoneelse’sbusiness. ALBUS:Myfatherliedtoyou—Iknowhedid.TheydohaveaTime-Turner. AMOS:Ofcoursetheydo.Youcanmovealongnow. ALBUS:What?No.We’reheretohelp. AMOS:Help?Whatusecouldapairofundersizedteenagersbeforme? ALBUS:Myfatherprovedyoudon’thavetobegrown-uptochangethewizardingworld. AMOS:SoIshouldallowyoutogetinvolvedbecauseyou’reaPotter?Relyingonyourfamousname, areyou? ALBUS:No! AMOS:APotterwhoisinSlytherinHouse—yes,I’vereadaboutyou—andwhobringsaMalfoy withhimtovisitme—aMalfoywhomaybeaVoldemort?Who’stosayyou’renotinvolvedin DarkMagic? ALBUS:But— AMOS:Yourinformationwasobviousbuttheconfirmationisuseful.Yourfatherdidlie.Nowleave. Thepairofyou.Andstopwastingmytime. ALBUS(withpowerandstrength):No,youneedtolistentome,yousaidityourself—howmuch bloodisonmyfather ’shands.Letmehelpyouchangethat.Letmehelpcorrectoneofhis mistakes.Trustme. AMOS(hisvoiceraised):Didyounothearme,boy?Iseenoreasontotrustyou.Sogo.Now.BeforeI makeyouleave. Heraiseshiswandominously.ALBUSlooksatthewand—hedeflates—AMOShascrushed him. SCORPIUS:Comeon,mate,ifthere’sonethingwe’regoodatit’sknowingwherewe’renotwanted. ALBUS isreluctanttoleave.SCORPIUS pullshimbythearm.Heturnsandtheywalkaway. DELPHI:Icanthinkofonereasonwhyyoushouldtrustthem,Uncle. Theystop. They’retheonlyonesvolunteeringtohelp.They’repreparedtobravelyputthemselvesat risktoreturnyoursontoyourside.Infact,I’mprettysuretheyputthemselvesatriskeven gettinghere... AMOS:ThisisCedricwe’retalkingabout... DELPHI:And—didn’tyousayyourself,havingsomeoneinsideHogwartsmightbeamassive advantage? DELPHIkissesthetopofAMOS ’shead.AMOS looksatDELPHI,andthenturnstolookattheboys. AMOS:Why?Whydoyouwanttoputyourselfatrisk?What’sinitforyou? ALBUS:Iknowwhatitistobethespare.Yoursondidn’tdeservetobekilled,Mr.Diggory.Wecan helpyougethimback. AMOS(finallyshowingemotion):Myson—mysonwasthebestthingthateverhappenedtome—and you’reright,itwasaninjustice—agrossinjustice.Ifyou’reserious... ALBUS:We’redeadlyserious. AMOS:Thisisgoingtobedangerous. ALBUS:Weknow. SCORPIUS:Dowe? AMOS:Delphi—perhapsifyouwerepreparedtoaccompanythem? DELPHI:Ifthatwouldmakeyouhappy,Uncle. ShesmilesatALBUS,hesmilesback. AMOS:YoudounderstandevengettingtheTime-Turnerwillriskyourlives. ALBUS:We’rereadytoputourlivesatrisk. SCORPIUS:Arewe? AMOS(gravely):Ihopeyouhaveitinyou. ACTONE,SCENEFIFTEEN HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE,KITCHEN HARRY,RON,HERMIONE,andGINNYsit,eatingtogether. HERMIONE:I’vetoldDracoagainandagain—nooneintheMinistryissayinganythingabout Scorpius.Therumorsaren’tcomingfromus. GINNY:Iwrotetohim—afterhelostAstoria—toaskifthere’sanythingwecoulddo.Ithought maybe—ashewassuchagoodfriendtoAlbus—maybeScorpiusmightwanttostayoverpart oftheChristmasbreakor...Myowlcamebackwithalettercontainingonesimplesentence: “Tellyourhusbandtorefutetheseallegationsaboutmysononceandforall.” HERMIONE:He’sobsessed. GINNY:He’samess—agrievingmess. RON:AndI’msorryforhislossbutwhenheaccusesHermioneof...Well...(Helooksacrossat HARRY.)Oidroopydrawers,likeIsaytoherallthetime,itcouldbenothing. HERMIONE:Her? RON:Thetrollscouldbegoingtoaparty,thegiantstoawedding,youcouldbegettingbaddreams becauseyou’reworriedaboutAlbus,andyourscarcouldbehurtingbecauseyou’regettingold. HARRY:Gettingold?Thanks,mate. RON:Honestly,everytimeIsitdownnowImakean“ooof”noise.An“ooof.”Andmyfeet—the troubleI’mhavingwithmyfeet—Icouldwritesongsaboutthepainmyfeetgiveme—maybe yourscarislikethat. GINNY:Youtalkalotofrubbish. RON:Iconsideritmyspeciality.ThatandmyrangeofSkivingSnackboxes.Andmyloveforallof you.EvenSkinnyGinny. GINNY:Ifyoudon’tbehave,RonaldWeasley,IwilltellMum. RON:Youwouldn’t. HERMIONE:IfsomepartofVoldemortsurvived,inwhateverform,weneedtobeprepared.AndI’m scared. GINNY:I’mscaredtoo. RON:Nothingscaresme.ApartfromMum. HERMIONE:Imeanit,Harry,IwillnotbeCorneliusFudgeonthisone.Iwillnotstickmyheadinthe sand.AndIdon’tcarehowunpopularthatmakesmewithDracoMalfoy. RON:Youneverreallywereoneforpopularity,wereyou? HERMIONEshootsRONawitheringlookassheaimstohithimbutRONjumpsoutoftheway. Missed. GINNYhitsRON.RONwinces. Hit.Averysolidhit. Suddenlyanowlisintheroom.ItswoopsinlowanddropsaletteronHARRY’splate. HERMIONE:Bitlateforanowl,isn’tit? HARRYopenstheletter.Surprised. HARRY:It’sfromProfessorMcGonagall. GINNY:Whatdoesitsay? HARRY’sfacedrops. HARRY:Ginny,it’sAlbus—AlbusandScorpius—theynevermadeittoschool.They’remissing. ACTONE,SCENESIXTEEN WHITEHALL,CELLAR SCORPIUS issquintingatabottle. SCORPIUS:Sowejusttakeit? ALBUS:Scorpius,doIreallyneedtoexplaintoyou—übergeekandPotionsexpert—whatPolyjuice does?ThankstoDelphi’sbrilliantpreparationwork,wearegoingtotakethispotionandbe transformed,andthusdisguisedwewillbeabletoentertheMinistryofMagic. SCORPIUS:Okay,twopoints,one,isitpainful? DELPHI:Very—asIunderstandit. SCORPIUS:Thankyou.Goodtoknow.Secondpoint:DoeitherofyouknowwhatPolyjuicetastesof? BecauseI’veheardittastesoffishandifitdoesIwilljustvomititbackup.Fishdoesn’tagree withme.Neverhas.Neverwill. DELPHI:Consideruswarned.(Sheknocksbackthepotion.)Itdoesn’ttasteoffish.(Shebeginsto transform.It’sagonizing.)Actuallyittastesquitepleasant,yum.Itispainfulbut...(Sheburps, loudly.)Takeitback.Thereisa—slight—(Sheburpsagain,sheturnsintoHERMIONE.)Slight— overpowering—fishyresidue. ALBUS:Okay,that’s—wow. SCORPIUS:Doublewow. DELPHI/HERMIONE:Thisreallydoesn’tfeelhowI—Ievensoundlikeher!Triplewow. ALBUS:Right.Menext. SCORPIUS:No.Noway,José.Ifwe’redoingthis,we’redoingit(heputsonapairoffamiliar-looking glasseswithasmile)together. ALBUS:Three.Two.One. Theyswallow. No,that’sgood.(He’srackedwithpain.)That’slessgood. Theybothstarttotransformandit’sagonizing. ALBUS turnsintoRON,SCORPIUS intoHARRY. Thetwolookateachother.There’sasilence. ALBUS/RON:Thisisgoingtobeslightlyweird,isn’tit? SCORPIUS/HARRY(fullofdrama—he’sreallyenjoyingthis):Gotoyourroom.Gostraighttoyour room.You’vebeenanincrediblyawfulandbadson. ALBUS/RON (withalaugh):Scorpius... SCORPIUS/HARRY(tossinghiscloakoverhisshoulder):Itwasyouridea—IbehimandyoubeRon!I justwanttohavealittlefunbeforeI...(Andthenheburpsloudly.)Okay,sothat’sutterly horrible. ALBUS/RON:Youknow,hehidesitwell,butUncleRon’sgotabitofagutgrowing. DELPHI/HERMIONE:Weshouldgo—don’tyouthink? Theyemergeontothestreet.Theyenteratelephonebox.Theydial62442. TELEPHONEBOX:Welcome,HarryPotter.Welcome,HermioneGranger.Welcome,RonWeasley. Theysmileasthetelephoneboxdisappearsintothefloor. ACTONE,SCENESEVENTEEN MINISTRYOFMAGIC,MEETINGROOM HARRY,HERMIONE,GINNY,andDRACOpacearoundasmallroom. DRACO:Havewesearchedthoroughlybesidethetracks... HARRY:Mydepartmenthavesearchedonceandaresearchingagain. DRACO:AndtheTrolleyWitchisnotabletotellusanythinguseful? HERMIONE:TheTrolleyWitchisfurious.ShekeepstalkingaboutlettingdownOttalineGambol.She pridesherselfonherHogwartsdeliveryrecord. GINNY:HavetherebeenanyinstancesofmagicreportedbytheMuggles? HERMIONE:Nonesofar.IhavemadetheMugglePrimeMinisterawareandheisfilingwhatisknown asamisper.Soundslikeaspell.Itisn’t. DRACO:Sonowwe’rerelyingonMugglestofindourchildren?HavewetoldthemaboutHarry’sscar too? HERMIONE:We’remerelyaskingtheMugglestohelp.AndwhoknowshowHarry’sscarmightbe involvedbutit’scertainlyamatterwe’retakingseriously.OurAurorsarecurrentlyinvestigating anyoneinvolvedinDarkMagicand— DRACO:ThisisnotDeathEater–related. HERMIONE:I’mnotsureIshareyourconfidence. DRACO:I’mnotconfident,I’mright.ThesortofcretinspursuingDarkMagicnow...Mysonisa Malfoy,theywouldn’tdare. HARRY:Unlessthere’ssomethingnewoutthere,somethingto— GINNY:IagreewithDraco.Ifthisisakidnap—takingAlbusIunderstand,takingthemboth... HARRYlockseyeswithGINNY,itbecomesclearwhatshewantshimtosay. DRACO:AndScorpiusisafollower,notaleader,despiteeverythingI’vetriedtoinstillinhim.Soit’s undoubtedlyAlbuswhogothimfromthattrainandmyquestionis,wherewouldhetakehim? GINNY:Harry,they’verunaway,youandIknowit. DRACOnoticesthecouplestaringateachother. DRACO:Doyou?Knowit?Whataren’tyoutellingus? There’sasilence. Whateverinformationyou’reconcealing,Irecommendyoushareitnow. HARRY:AlbusandIhadanargument,thedaybeforelast. DRACO:And... HARRYhesitatesandthenmakesbraveeyecontactwithDRACO. HARRY:AndItoldhimthatthereweretimeswhenIwishedheweren’tmyson. There’sanothersilence.Aprofoundlypowerfulone.AndthenDRACOtakesadangerousstep towardsHARRY. DRACO:IfanythinghappenstoScorpius... GINNYstepsinbetweenDRACOandHARRY. GINNY:Don’tthrowaroundthreats,Draco,pleasedon’tdothat. DRACO(roar):Mysonismissing! GINNY(anequalroar):Soismine! Hemeetsherlook.There’srealemotioninthisroom. DRACO(lipcurling,everyinchhisfather):Ifyouneedgold...EverythingtheMalfoyshave...He’s mysoleheir...He’smy—onlyfamily. HERMIONE:TheMinistryhasplentyinreserve,thankyou,Draco. DRACOmakestoleave.Hestops.HelooksatHARRY. DRACO:Idon’tcarewhatyoudidorwhoyousaved,youareaconstantcurseonmyfamily,Harry Potter. ACTONE,SCENEEIGHTEEN MINISTRYOFMAGIC,CORRIDOR SCORPIUS/HARRY:Andyou’resureit’sinthere? Aguardwalkspast.SCORPIUS/HARRYandDELPHI/HERMIONEtrytoaffectperformances. Yes,Minister,IdefinitelythinkthisisamatterfortheMinistrytoponderatlength,yes. GUARD(withanod):Minister. DELPHI/HERMIONE:Let’sponderittogether. Hewalkson,theyletoutasighofrelief. Itwasmyuncle’sideatousetheVeritaserum—weslippeditintoavisitingMinistry official’sdrink.HetoldusthattheTime-Turnerhadbeenkeptandeventolduswhere—the officeoftheMinisterforMagicherself. Sheindicatesadoor.Suddenlytheyhearanoise. HERMIONE(fromoff):Harry...weshouldtalkaboutit... HARRY(fromoff):There’snothingtotalkabout. DELPHI/HERMIONE:Ohno. ALBUS/RON:Hermione.AndDad. Thepanicisinstantandinfectious. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Okay.Hidingplaces.Nohidingplaces.AnyoneknowanyInvisibilityCharms? DELPHI/HERMIONE:Dowego...inheroffice? ALBUS/RON:She’llbecomingtoheroffice. DELPHI/HERMIONE:There’snowhereelse. Shetriesthedoor.Shetriesitagain. HERMIONE(fromoff):Ifyoudon’ttalktomeorGinnyaboutit... SCORPIUS/HARRY:Standback.Alohomora! Heaimshiswandatthedoor.Thedoorswingsopen.Hegrins—delighted. Albus.Blockher.Ithastobeyou. HARRY(fromoff):Whatistheretosay? ALBUS/RON:Me.Why? DELPHI/HERMIONE:Well,itcan’tbeeitherofus,canit?Wearethem. HERMIONE(fromoff):Whatyousaidwasobviouslywrong—but—therearemorefactorsatplay herethan— ALBUS/RON:ButIcan’t...Ican’t... There’sasmallkerfuffleandthenALBUS/RONendsupstandingoutsidethedoorasHERMIONE andHARRYenterfromoff. HARRY:Hermione,I’mgratefulforyourconcernbutthere’snoneed— HERMIONE:Ron? ALBUS/RON:Surprise!!! HERMIONE:Whatareyoudoinghere? ALBUS/RON:Doesamanneedanexcusetoseehiswife? HekissesHERMIONEfirmly. HARRY:Ishouldgo... HERMIONE:Harry.Mypointis...whateverDracosays—thethingsyousaidtoAlbus...Idon’tthink it’lldoanyofusanygoodforyoutodwellonit. ALBUS/RON:Oh,you’retalkingabouthowHarrysaidsometimeshewishedI—(hecorrectshimself) Albusweren’thisson. HERMIONE:Ron! ALBUS/RON:Betteroutthanin,that’swhatIsay... HERMIONE:He’llknow...Weallsaystuffwedon’tmean.Heknowsthat. ALBUS/RON:Butwhatifsometimeswesaystuffwedomean...Whatthen? HERMIONE:Ron,now’snotthetime,honestly. ALBUS/RON:Ofcourseitisn’t.Bye-bye,darling. ALBUS/RONwatcheshergo,hopefulshe’llwalkpastherofficeandaway.Butofcourseshe doesn’t.Herunstoblockherbeforesheentersthroughherdoor.Heblocksheronce,and thenblocksheragain,swinginghishipstodoso. HERMIONE:Whyareyoublockingtheentrancetomyoffice? ALBUS/RON:I’mnot.Blocking.Anything. Sheagainmakesforthedoor,heblocksheragain. HERMIONE:Youare.Letmeintomyroom,Ron. ALBUS/RON:Let’shaveanotherbaby. HERMIONEtriestododgepasthim. HERMIONE:What? ALBUS/RON:Orifnotanotherbaby,aholiday.IwantababyoraholidayandI’mgoingtoinsistonit. Shallwetalkaboutitlater,honey? Shetriestogetintotheroomonefinaltime,heblocksherwithakiss.Itdevelopsintoquite astruggle. MaybewithadrinkintheLeakyCauldron?Loveyou. HERMIONE(relenting):IfthereisanotherstinkpelletintherethenMerlinwon’thelpyou.Fine.We’re duetoupdatetheMugglesanyway. Sheexits.HARRYexitswithher. ALBUS/RONturnstowardsthedoor.Shereenters,thistime,alone. Ababy—OR—aholiday?Somedaysyouareoffthescale,youknowthat? ALBUS/RON:It’swhyyoumarriedme,isn’tit?Mypuckishsenseoffun. Sheexitsagain.Hestartstoopenthedoorbutagainshereenters,heslamsitclosed. HERMIONE:Icantastefish.Itoldyoutostayawayfromthosefishfingersandwiches. ALBUS/RON:Rightyouare. Sheexits.Hechecksshe’sgoneandtherelieffloodsoutofhimasheopensthedoor. ACTONE,SCENENINETEEN MINISTRYOFMAGIC,HERMIONE’SOFFICE SCORPIUS/HARRYandDELPHI/HERMIONEarewaitingontheothersideofHERMIONE’sofficedooras ALBUS/RONenters—heslumps,exhausted. ALBUS/RON:Thisisalltooweird. DELPHI/HERMIONE:Youwereimpressive.Goodblockingaction. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Idon’tknowwhethertohigh-fiveyouorfrownatyouforkissingyourauntabout fivehundredtimes! ALBUS/RON:Ron’sanaffectionateguy.Iwastryingtodistracther,Scorpius.Ididdistracther. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Andthenthere’swhatyourdadsaid... DELPHI/HERMIONE:Boys...Shewillbeback—wedon’thavelong. ALBUS/RON (toSCORPIUS/HARRY):Youheardthat? DELPHI/HERMIONE:WherewouldHermionehideaTime-Turner?(Shelooksaroundtheroom,shesees thebookcases.)Searchthebookcases. Theystarttosearch.SCORPIUS/HARRYlooksathisfriend,concerned. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Whydidn’tyoutellme? ALBUS/RON:MydadsayshewishesIweren’thisson.Hardlyaconversationstarter,isit? SCORPIUS/HARRYtriestoworkoutwhattosay. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Iknowthe—Voldemortthingisn’t—true—and—youknow—butsometimes,I thinkIcanseemydadthinking:HowdidIproducethis? ALBUS/RON:Stillbetterthanmydad.I’mprettysurehespendsmostofhistimethinking:HowcanI givehimback? DELPHI/HERMIONEtriestopullSCORPIUS/HARRYtowardsthebookshelves. DELPHI/HERMIONE:Maybeifwecouldconcentrateonthematterathand. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Mypointis,there’sareasonwe’refriends,Albus—areasonwefoundeachother, youknow?Andwhateverthis—adventure—isabout... Thenhespotsabookontheshelfthatmakeshimfrown. Haveyouseenthebooksontheseshelves?Therearesomeseriousbookshere.Banned books.Cursedbooks. ALBUS/RON:HowtodistractScorpiusfromdifficultemotionalissues.Takehimtoalibrary. SCORPIUS/HARRY:AllthebooksfromtheRestrictedSectionandthensome.MagickMosteEvile. Fifteenth-CenturyFiends.SonnetsofaSorcerer—that’snotevenallowedinHogwarts! ALBUS/RON:ShadowsandSpirits.TheNightshadeGuidetoNecromancy. DELPHI/HERMIONE:Theyarequitesomething,aren’tthey... ALBUS/RON:TheTrueHistoryoftheOpalFire.TheImperiusCurseandHowtoAbuseIt. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Andlookeehere.Whoa.MyEyesandHowtoSeePastThembySybillTrelawney.A bookonDivination.HermioneGrangerhatesDivination.Thisisfascinating.Thisisafind... Hepullsthebookfromtheshelf.Anditfallsopen.Andspeaks. BOOK:Thefirstisthefourth,adisappointingmark. You’llfinditinparkedbutnotinpark. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Okay.Abookthattalks.Bitweird. BOOK:Thesecondisthelessfairofthosethatwalkontwolegs. Grubby,hairy,adiseaseoftheegg. Andthethirdisbothamountaintoclimbandaroutetotake. ALBUS/RON:It’sariddle.It’sgivingusariddle. BOOK:Aturninthecity,aglidethroughalake. DELPHI/HERMIONE:Whathaveyoudone? SCORPIUS/HARRY:I,uh,Iopenedabook.Somethingwhichhas—inallmyyearsonthisplanet— neverbeenaparticularlydangerousactivity. ThebooksreachoutandgrabALBUS/RON.Heonlyjusteludestheirgrasp. ALBUS/RON:Whatisthat? DELPHI/HERMIONE:She’sweaponizedit.She’sweaponizedherlibrary.ThisiswheretheTime-Turner willbe.Solvetheriddleandwe’llfindit. ALBUS/RON:Thefirstisthefourth.You’llfinditinparked,notinpark.Ed—de— ThebooksstarttotrytoswallowDELPHI/HERMIONE. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Thesecondisadiseaseoftheegg,thelessfairofthosewhowalkontwolegs... DELPHI/HERMIONE(effusively):Men!De-men...tors.Weneedtofindabookondementors.(The bookcasepullsherin.)Albus! ALBUS/RON:Delphi!Whatisgoingon? SCORPIUS/HARRY:Concentrate,Albus.Dowhatshesaid.Findabookondementorsandbeverycareful. ALBUS/RON:Here.DominatingDementors:ATrueHistoryofAzkaban. ThebookfliesopenandswingsdangerouslyatSCORPIUS/HARRY,whohastododgeoutofthe way.Hefallshardagainstabookcasewhichattemptstoconsumehim. BOOK:Iwasborninacage Butsmasheditwithrage TheGauntinsideme Riddledmefree Ofthatwhichwouldstopmetobe. ALBUS/RON:Voldemort. DELPHIplungesthroughthebooks,backasherself. DELPHI:Workfaster! She’spulledbackin,screaming. ALBUS/RON:Delphi!Delphi! Hetriestograbherhand,butshe’sgone. SCORPIUS/HARRY:She’dbecomeherselfagain—didyounotice? ALBUS/RON:No!BecauseIwasmoreworriedaboutherbeingeatenbyabookcase!Find.Something. Anythingonhim. Hefindsabook. TheHeirofSlytherin?Doyouthink? Hepullsthebookfromtheshelf,itpullsback,ALBUS/RONisconsumedbythebookcase. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Albus?Albus!! ButALBUS/RONisgone. Okay.Notthat.Voldemort.Voldemort.Voldemort. Hescanstheshelves. Marvolo:TheTruth,thismustbe... Hepullsitopen.Againitswingsaway,revealingasplinteringlight,andadeepervoicethan previouslyheard. BOOK:Iamthecreatureyouhavenotseen. Iamyou.Iamme.Theechounforeseen. Sometimesinfront,sometimesbehind, Aconstantcompanion,forweareentwined. ALBUS emergesfromthebooks.Ashimselfagain. SCORPIUS/HARRY:Albus... Hetriestograbhim. ALBUS:No.Just—THIIIIIIINK. ALBUS isviolentlypulledbackintothebookcase. SCORPIUS/HARRY:ButIcan’t...aninvisibleecho,whatisthat?TheonlythingI’mgoodatisthinking andwhenIneedtothink—Ican’t. Thebookspullhiminsidethem;he’spowerless.Thisisterrifying. There’ssilence. ThenBANG—ashowerofbooksarereleasedfromthebookcase—andSCORPIUSreemerges. Smashingthebooksaside. SCORPIUS:No!Youdon’t!SybillTrelawney.No!!!! Helooksaround,sunkbutfullofenergy. Thisisallwrong.Albus?Canyouhearme?AllthisforafriggingTime-Turner.Think, Scorpius.Think. Bookstryandgrabhim. Aconstantcompanion.Sometimesbehind.Sometimesinfront.Hangon.I’vemissedit. Shadow.You’reashadow.ShadowsandSpirits.Itmustbe... Heclimbsupthebookcase,whichishorrifyingasitrisesupathim.Grabbingathimwith hiseverystep. Hepullsthebookfromtheshelf.Itcomesoutandthenoiseandchaossuddenlystop. Isthat— Suddenlythere’sasmashingandALBUSandDELPHIfalloutoftheshelvesanddowntothe floor. Webeatit.Webeatthelibrary. ALBUS:Delphi,areyou...? DELPHI:Wow.Quitearide. ALBUS noticesthebookSCORPIUS isholdingtohischest. ALBUS:Isthat?Scorpius?What’sinsidethatbook? DELPHI:Ithinkweshouldfindout,don’tyou? SCORPIUS opensthebook.Inthecenterofit—aspinningTime-Turner. SCORPIUS:We’vefoundtheTime-Turner—Ineverthoughtwe’dgetthisfar. ALBUS:Mate,nowwe’vegotthis,thenextstopissavingCedric.Ourjourneyhasonlyjustbegun. SCORPIUS:Onlyjustbegunandit’salmosthalfkilledus.Good.Thisisgoingtobegood. Whispersrisetoaroar.Andwecuttoblack. ACTTWO,SCENEONE DREAM,PRIVETDRIVE,CUPBOARDUNDERTHESTAIRS AUNTPETUNIA:Harry.Harry.Thesepotsaren’tclean.THESEPOTSAREADISGRACE.HARRY POTTER.Wakeup. YOUNGHARRYwakestoseeAUNTPETUNIAbearingdownonhim. YOUNGHARRY:AuntPetunia.Whattimeisit? AUNTPETUNIA:Timeenough.Youknow,whenweagreedtotakeyouin,wehopedwecouldimprove you—buildyou—makeyouadecenthumanbeing.SoIsupposeit’sonlyourselveswe’vegot toblamethatyou’veturnedout...suchalimpdisappointment. YOUNGHARRY:Itry— AUNTPETUNIA:Tryingisnotsucceedingthough,isit?Therearegreasesmearsontheglasses.There arescuffmarksonthepots.Nowgetupandgotothekitchenandgetscrubbing. Hegetsoutofbed.There’sawetsmeardownthebackofhistrousers. Ohno.Ohno.Whathaveyoudone?You’vewetthebed,again. Shepullsbackthecovers. Thisisveryunacceptable. YOUNGHARRY:I’m—sorry,IthinkIwashavinganightmare. AUNTPETUNIA:Youdisgustingboy.Onlyanimalswetthemselves.Animalsanddisgustinglittleboys. YOUNGHARRY:Itwasaboutmymumanddad.IthinkIsawthem—IthinkIsawthem—die? AUNTPETUNIA:AndwhywouldIhavetheslightestbitofinterestinthat? YOUNGHARRY:TherewasamanshoutingAdkavaAd-somethingAcabra—Ad—andthenoiseofa snakehissing.Icouldhearmymumscream. AUNTPETUNIAtakesamomenttoresetherself. AUNTPETUNIA:Ifyouwerereallyrelivingtheirdeath,allyou’dhearwouldbeascreechofbrakesand ahorrificthud.Yourparentsdiedinacaraccident.Youknowthat.Idon’tthinkyourmotherhad eventimetoscream.Lordspareyouthedetailsmorethanthat.Nowstripthosesheets,getinthe kitchen,andgetscrubbing.Idon’twanttohavetotellyouagain. Sheexitswithabang. AndYOUNGHARRYisleftholdingthesheets. Andthestagecontortsandtreesriseasthedreamtwistsintosomethingelseentirely. Suddenly,ALBUSappearsandstandslookingatYOUNGHARRY. Andthen,rightfromthebackoftheroom,Parseltonguewhispersaroundeveryone. He’scoming.He’scoming. Wordssaidinanunmistakablevoice.ThevoiceofVOLDEMORT... HaaarryPottttter. ACTTWO,SCENETWO HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE,STAIRCASE HARRYwakesinthedarkness,breathingdeeply.Hisexhaustionpalpable,hisfearoverwhelming. HARRY:Lumos. GINNYenters,surprisedbythelight. GINNY:Okay...? HARRY:Iwassleeping. GINNY:Youwere. HARRY:Youweren’t.Any—news?Anyowlsor...? GINNY:None. HARRY:Iwasdreaming—IwasunderthestairsandthenI—Iheardhim—Voldemort—soclearly. GINNY:Voldemort? HARRY:AndthenIsaw—Albus.Inred—hewaswearingDurmstrangrobes. GINNY:Durmstrangrobes? HARRYthinks. HARRY:Ginny,IthinkIknowwhereheis... ACTTWO,SCENETHREE HOGWARTS,HEADMISTRESS’SOFFICE HARRYandGINNYstandinPROFESSORMcGONAGALL’soffice. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Andwedon’tknowwhereintheForbiddenForest? HARRY:Ihaven’thadadreamlikeitforyears.ButAlbuswasthere.Iknowhewas. GINNY:Weneedtogetsearchingasquicklyaspossible. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:IcangiveyouProfessorLongbottom—hisknowledgeofplantsmightbe useful—and— Suddenlythereisarumbleinthechimney.PROFESSORMcGONAGALLlooksatit,concerned. ThenHERMIONEtumblesout. HERMIONE:Isittrue?CanIhelp? PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Minister—thisisquiteunexpected... GINNY:Thatmaybemyfault—IpersuadedthemtoputoutanemergencyeditionoftheDaily Prophet.Askingforvolunteers. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Right.Verysensible.Iexpect...therewillbequiteafew. RONburstsin.Coveredinsoot.Wearingagravy-staineddinnernapkin. RON:HaveImissedanything—Icouldn’tworkoutwhichFloototravelto.Endedupinthekitchen somehow.(HERMIONEglaresashepullsthenapkinoffhimself.)What? SuddenlythereisanotherrumbleinthechimneyandDRACOcomesdownhard,surroundedby cascadingsootanddust. Everyonelooksathim,surprised.Hestandsandbrushesthesootoffhimself. DRACO:Sorryaboutyourfloor,Minerva. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Idaresayit’smyfaultforowningachimney. HARRY:Quiteasurprisetoseeyou,Draco.Ithoughtyoudidn’tbelieveinmydreams. DRACO:Idon’t,butIdotrustyourluck.HarryPotterisalwayswheretheactionisat.AndIneedmy sonbackwithmeandsafe. GINNY:Thenlet’sgettotheForbiddenForestandfindthemboth. ACTTWO,SCENEFOUR EDGEOFTHEFORBIDDENFOREST ALBUS andDELPHIfaceeachother,holdingwands. ALBUS:Expelliarmus! DELPHI’swandfliesthroughtheair. DELPHI:You’regettingitnow.You’regoodatthis. Shetakesherwandbackfromhim. (Inaposhvoice.)“You’reapositivelydisarmingyoungman.” ALBUS:Expelliarmus! Herwandfliesbackagain. DELPHI:Andwehaveawinner. Thetwohigh-five. ALBUS:I’veneverbeengoodatspells. SCORPIUS appearsatthebackofthestage.Helooksathisfriendtalkingtoagirl—andpart ofhimlikesitandpartofhimdoesn’t. DELPHI:Iwasrubbish—andthensomethingclicked.Anditwillforyoutoo.NotthatI’masuper witchoranythingbut—Ithinkyou’rebecomingquitesomewizard,AlbusPotter. ALBUS:Thenyoushouldstickaround,teachmemore... DELPHI:OfcourseI’mstickingaround,we’refriends,aren’twe? ALBUS:Yes.Yes.Definitelyfriends.Definitely. DELPHI:Great.Wizzo! SCORPIUS:What’swizzo? SCORPIUS stepsforwarddecisively. ALBUS:Crackedthespell.Imean,it’sprettybasic,butIwas—well,Icrackedit. SCORPIUS(over-enthusiastic,tryingtojoinin):AndI’vefoundourwaythroughtotheschool.Listen, arewesurethiswillwork... DELPHI:Yes! ALBUS:It’sabrilliantplan.ThesecrettonotgettingCedrickilledistostophimwinningtheTriwizard Tournament.Ifhedoesn’twin,hecan’tbekilled. SCORPIUS:AndIunderstandthat,but... ALBUS:Sowejustneedtomessuphischancessupremelybadlyintaskone.Thefirsttaskisgettinga goldeneggfromadragon,howdidCedricdistractthedragon— DELPHIputsherhandintheair.ALBUS grinsandpointsather.Thesetwoaregettingonreally wellnow. Diggory. DELPHI:—bytransfiguringastoneintoadog. ALBUS:—well,alittleExpelliarmusandhewon’tbeabletodothat. SCORPIUS isn’tenjoyingtheDELPHI-ALBUS doubleact. SCORPIUS:Okay,twopoints,firstpoint,we’recertainthedragonwon’tkillhim? DELPHI:It’salwaystwopointswithhim,isn’tit?Ofcourseitwon’t.ThisisHogwarts.Theywon’tlet damagehappentoanyofthechampions. SCORPIUS:Okay,secondpoint—moresignificantpoint—we’regoingbackwithoutanyknowledge ofwhetherwecantravelbackafterwards.Whichisexciting.Maybeweshouldjust—trygoing backanhour,say,firstandthen... DELPHI:I’msorry,Scorpius,we’venotimetowaste.Waitingherethisclosetotheschoolisjusttoo dangerous—I’msurethey’llbelookingforyouand... ALBUS:She’sright. DELPHI:Now,you’regoingtoneedtowearthese. Shepullsouttwolargepaperbags.Theboyspullrobesfromthem. ALBUS:ButtheseareDurmstrangrobes. DELPHI:Myuncle’sidea.IfyouareinHogwartsrobespeoplewillexpecttoknowwhoyouare.But therearetwootherschoolscompetingattheTriwizardTournament—andifyou’rein Durmstrangrobes—well,youcanfadeintothebackground,can’tyou? ALBUS:Goodthinking!Hangon,whereareyourrobes? DELPHI:Albus,I’mflattered,butIdon’tthinkIcanpretendtobeastudent,doyou?I’lljustkeepinthe backgroundandpretendtobea—ooh,maybeIcouldpretendtobeadragontamer.You’redoing allthespellstuffanyway. SCORPIUS looksatherandthenatALBUS . SCORPIUS:Youshouldn’tcome. DELPHI:What? SCORPIUS:You’reright.Wedon’tneedyouforthespell.Andifyoucan’twearstudentrobes—you’re toobigarisk.Sorry,Delphi,youshouldn’tcome. DELPHI:ButIhaveto—he’smycousin.Albus? ALBUS:Ithinkhe’sright.I’msorry. DELPHI:What? ALBUS:Wewon’tmessup. DELPHI:Butwithoutme—youwon’tbeabletoworktheTime-Turner. SCORPIUS:YoutaughtushowtousetheTime-Turner. DELPHIisreallyupset. DELPHI:No.Iwon’tletyoudothis... ALBUS:Youtoldyouruncletotrustus.Nowit’syourturn.Theschoolisclosenow.Weshouldleave youhere. DELPHIlooksatthembothandtakesadeepbreath.Shenodstoherselfandsmiles. DELPHI:Thengo.But—justknowthis...Todayyougetanopportunityfewaregiven—todayyou gettochangehistory—tochangetimeitself.Butmorethanallthat,todayyougetthechanceto giveanoldmanhissonback. Shesmiles.ShelooksatALBUS.Sheleansdownandgentlykisseshimonbothcheeks. Shewalksawayintothewoodland.ALBUSstaresafterher. SCORPIUS:Shedidn’tkissme—didyounotice?(Helooksathisfriend.)Areyouokay,Albus?You lookalittlepale.Andred.Paleandredatthesametime. ALBUS:Let’sdothis. ACTTWO,SCENEFIVE FORBIDDENFOREST Theforestseemstogrowbigger,thicker—andamongstthetrees,peoplesearching,lookingforthe missingwizards.ButslowlypeoplemeltawayuntilHARRYisleftalone. Hehearssomething.Heturnstohisright. HARRY:Albus?Scorpius?Albus? Andthenhehearsthesoundofhooves.HARRYisstartled.Helooksaroundforwherethe noiseiscomingfrom. SuddenlyBANEstepsforwardintothelight.Heisamagnificentcentaur. BANE:HarryPotter. HARRY:Good.Youstillrecognizeme,Bane. BANE:You’vegrownolder. HARRY:Ihave. BANE:Butnotwiser.Foryoutrespassonourland. HARRY:Ihavealwaysrespectedthecentaurs.Wearenotenemies.YoufoughtbravelyattheBattleof Hogwarts.AndIfoughtbesideyou. BANE:Ididmypart.Butformyherd,andourhonor.Notforyou.Andafterthebattle,theforestwas deemedcentaurland.Andifyou’reonourland—withoutpermission—thenyouareourenemy. HARRY:Mysonismissing,Bane.Ineedhelpfindinghim. BANE:Andheishere?Inourforest? HARRY:Yes. BANE:Thenheisasstupidasyouare. HARRY:Canyouhelpme,Bane? There’sapause.BANElooksdownatHARRYimperiously. BANE:IcanonlytellyouwhatIknow...ButItellyounotforyourbenefitbutforthebenefitofmy herd.Thecentaursdonotneedanotherwar. HARRY:Neitherdowe!Whatdoyouknow? BANE:I’veseenyourson,HarryPotter.Seenhiminthemovementsofthestars. HARRY:You’veseenhiminthestars? BANE:Ican’ttellyouwhereheis.Ican’ttellyouhowyou’llfindhim. HARRY:Butyou’veseensomething?You’vedivinedsomething? BANE:Thereisablackcloudaroundyourson,adangerousblackcloud. HARRY:AroundAlbus? BANE:Ablackcloudthatmayendangerusall.You’llfindyoursonagain,HarryPotter.Butthenyou couldlosehimforever. Hemakesasoundlikeahorse’scry—andthenmakeshardaway—leavingabewildered HARRYbehind.Hebeginstosearchagain—nowwithevenmorefervor. HARRY:Albus!Albus! ACTTWO,SCENESIX EDGEOFTHEFORBIDDENFOREST SCORPIUS andALBUS roundacornertobefacedwithagapinthetrees... Agapthroughwhichisvisible...agloriouslight... SCORPIUS:Andthereitis... ALBUS:Hogwarts.Neverseenthisviewofitbefore. SCORPIUS:Stillgetatingle,don’tyou?Whenyouseeit? AndrevealedthroughthetreesisHOGWARTS—asplendidmassofbulbousbuildingsand towers. FromthemomentIfirstheardofit,Iwasdesperatetogo.Imean,Daddidn’tmuchlikeit therebuteventhewayhedescribedit...FromtheageoftenI’dchecktheDailyProphet firstthingeverymorning—certainsomesortoftragedywouldhavebefallenit—certainI wouldn’tgettogo. ALBUS:Andthenyougotthereanditturnedouttobeterribleafterall. SCORPIUS:Notforme. ALBUS looksathisfriend,shocked. AllIeverwantedtodowasgotoHogwartsandhaveamatetogetuptomayhemwith.Just likeHarryPotter.AndIgothisson.Howcrazilyfortunateisthat. ALBUS:ButI’mnothinglikemydad. SCORPIUS:You’rebetter.You’remybestfriend,Albus.Andthisismayhemtothenthdegree.Whichis great,thumbs-upgreat,it’sjust—Ihavegottosay—Idon’tmindadmitting—Iamatinybit— justatinybitscared. ALBUS looksatSCORPIUS andsmiles. ALBUS:You’remybestfriendtoo.Anddon’tworry—Ihaveagoodfeelingaboutthis. WehearRON’svoicefromoff—he’sclearlyincloseproximity. RON:Albus?Albus. ALBUS turnstowardsit,scared. ALBUS:Butwe’vegottogo—now. ALBUS takestheTime-TurnerfromSCORPIUS —hepressesdownuponitandtheTime-Turner beginstovibrateandthenexplodesintoastormofmovement. Andwithitthestagestartstotransform.Thetwoboyslookatit. Andthereisagiantwhooshoflight.Asmashofnoise. Andtimestops.Andthenitturnsover,thinksabit,andbeginsspoolingbackwards,slowat first... Andthenitspeedsup. ACTTWO,SCENESEVEN TRIWIZARDTOURNAMENT,EDGEOFTHEFORBIDDENFOREST,1994 SuddenlyeverythingisariotofnoiseasacrowdconsumesALBUSandSCORPIUS. Andsuddenlythe“greatestshowmanonearth”(hiswords,notours)isonstage,usingSonorusto amplifyhisvoice,and...well...he’shavingaball. LUDOBAGMAN:Ladiesandgentlemen—boysandgirls—Igiveyou—thegreatest—thefabulous —theone—andtheonlyTRIWIZARDTOURNAMENT. There’saloudcheer. Ifyou’refromHogwarts.Givemeacheer. There’saloudcheer. Ifyou’refromDurmstrang—givemeacheer. There’saloudcheer. ANDIFYOU’REFROMBEAUXBATONSGIVEMEACHEER. There’saslightlylimpcheer. SlightlylessenthusiasticfromtheFrenchthere. SCORPIUS(smiling):Thishasworked.That’sLudoBagman. LUDOBAGMAN:Andtheretheyare.Ladiesandgentlemen—boysandgirls—Ipresenttoyou—the reasonwhywe’reallhere—THECHAMPIONS.RepresentingDurmstrang,whateyebrows,what agait,whataboy,there’snothinghewon’ttryonabroomstick,it’sViktorKrazyKrum. SCORPIUSandALBUS(whoarereallygettingintoplayingtheDurmstrangstudentsnow):Go,go,Krazy Krum.Go,go,KrazyKrum. LUDOBAGMAN:FromtheBeauxbatonsAcademy—zutalors,it’sFleurDelacour! There’ssomepoliteapplause. AndfromHogwartsnotonebuttwostudents,hemakesusallgoweakyatthekneesy,he’s CedricDeliciousDiggory. Thecrowdgowild. Andthentheother—youknowhimastheBoyWhoLived,Iknowhimastheboywhokeeps surprisingusall... ALBUS:That’smydad. LUDOBAGMAN:Yes,it’sHarryPluckyPotter. There’scheering.Particularlyfromanervous-lookinggirlattheedgeofthecrowd—thisis YOUNGHERMIONE(playedbythesameactressasplaysROSE).Itisnoticeablethatthecheering forHARRYisslightlylessthanthatforCEDRIC. Andnow—silenceplease,all.The—first—task.Retrievingagoldenegg.Fromanestof —ladiesandgentlemen,boysandgirls,Igiveyou—DRAGONS.Andguidingthedragons —CHARLIEWEASLEY. Therearemorecheers. YOUNGHERMIONE:Ifyou’regoingtostandsocloseI’dratheryoudidn’tbreatheonmequitesomuch. SCORPIUS:Rose?Whatareyoudoinghere? YOUNGHERMIONE:Who’sRose?Andwhat’shappenedtoyouraccent? ALBUS(withabadaccent):Sorry.Hermione.He’sgotyoumixedupwithsomeoneelse. YOUNGHERMIONE:Howdoyouknowmyname? LUDOBAGMAN:Andwithnotimetoloselet’sbringoutourfirstchampion—facingaSwedishShort- Snout,Igiveyou—CEDRICDIGGORY. AdragonroardistractsYOUNGHERMIONE,andALBUSreadieshiswand. AndCedricDiggoryhasenteredthestage.Andheseemsready.Scared,butready.He dodgesthisway.Hedodgesthat.Thegirlsswoonashedivesforcover.Theycryasone: Don’tdamageourDiggory,Mr.Dragon! SCORPIUS looksconcerned. SCORPIUS:Albus,somethingisgoingwrong.TheTime-Turner,it’sshaking. Atickingbegins,anincessant,dangerousticking.It’scomingfromtheTime-Turner. LUDOBAGMAN:AndCedricskirtsleftandhedivesright—andhereadieshiswand—whathasthis young,brave,handsomemangotuphissleeviesnow— ALBUS(extendinghiswand):Expelliarmus! CEDRIC’swandissummonedtoALBUS ’shand. LUDOBAGMAN:—butno,what’sthis?IsitDarkMagicorisitsomethingelseentirely?Hiswandis flyingaway—CedricDiggoryisDisarmed— SCORPIUS:Albus,IthinktheTime-Turner—somethingiswrong... TheTime-Turner’stickinggetslouderstill. LUDOBAGMAN:It’sallgoingwrongforDiggors.Thiscouldbetheendofthetaskforhim.Theendof thetournament. SCORPIUS grabsALBUS . There’sacrescendointheticking,andaflash. Andtimeisturnedbacktothepresent,withALBUSholleringinpain. SCORPIUS:Albus!Didithurtyou?Albus,areyou— ALBUS:Whathappened? SCORPIUS:Theremustbesomelimit—theTime-Turnermusthavesomekindoftimelimit... ALBUS:Doyouthinkwe’vedoneit?Doyouthinkwe’vechangedanything? SuddenlythestageisinvadedfromallsidesbyHARRY,RON(whonowhasasidepartinginhis hairandwhosewardrobechoiceshavebecomerathermorestaid),GINNY,andDRACO. SCORPIUS looksatthemall—andslipstheTime-Turnerbackintohispocket.ALBUS looksat themrathermoreblankly—he’sinalotofpain. RON:Itoldyou.ItoldyouIsawthem. SCORPIUS:Ithinkwe’reabouttofindout. ALBUS:Hello,Dad.Issomethingwrong? HARRYlooksathissondisbelievingly. HARRY:Yes.Youcouldsaythat. ALBUS collapsesontothefloor.HARRYandGINNYrushtohelp. ACTTWO,SCENEEIGHT HOGWARTS,HOSPITALWING ALBUS isasleepinahospitalbed.HARRYsitstroubledbesidehim.Abovethemisapictureofa concernedkindlyman.HARRYrubshiseyes—stands—andwalksaroundtheroom.Hestretchesout hisback. Andthenhemeetseyeswiththepainting.Whichlooksstartledtobespotted.AndHARRYlooksstartled back. HARRY:ProfessorDumbledore. DUMBLEDORE:Goodevening,Harry. HARRY:I’vemissedyou.WheneverI’vedroppedinontheheadmistresslately,yourframe’sbeen empty. DUMBLEDORE:Ah,well,Idoliketopopintomyotherportraitsnowandthen.(HelooksatALBUS .)Will hebeallright? HARRY:He’sbeenouttwenty-fourhours,mostlyinordersoMadamPomfreycouldresethisarm.She saiditwasthestrangestthing,it’slikeitwasbrokentwentyyearsagoandallowedtosetinthe “mostcontrary”ofdirections.Shesayshe’llbefine. DUMBLEDORE:Adifficultthing,Iimagine,towatchyourchildinpain. HARRYlooksupatDUMBLEDORE,andthendownatALBUS . HARRY:I’veneveraskedhowyoufeltaboutmenaminghimafteryou,haveI? DUMBLEDORE:Candidly,Harry,itseemedagreatweighttoplaceuponthepoorboy. HARRY:Ineedyourhelp.Ineedyouradvice.BanesaysAlbusisindanger.HowdoIprotectmyson, Dumbledore? DUMBLEDORE:Youaskme,ofallpeople,howtoprotectaboyinterribledanger?Wecannotprotect theyoungfromharm.Painmustandwillcome. HARRY:SoI’msupposedtostandandwatch? DUMBLEDORE:No.You’resupposedtoteachhimhowtomeetlife. HARRY:How?Hewon’tlisten. DUMBLEDORE:Perhapshe’swaitingforyoutoseehimclearly. HARRYfrownsashetriestodigestthis. (Withsensitivity.)Itisaportrait’scurseandblessingto...hearthings.Attheschool,atthe Ministry,Ihearpeopletalking... HARRY:Andwhatisthegossipaboutmeandmyson? DUMBLEDORE:Notgossip.Concern.Thatyoutwoarestruggling.Thathe’sdifficult.Thatheisangry withyou.Ihaveformedtheimpressionthat—perhaps—youareblindedbyyourloveforhim. HARRY:Blinded? DUMBLEDORE:Youmustseehimasheis,Harry.Youmustlookforwhat’swoundinghim. HARRY:Haven’tIseenhimasheis?What’swoundingmyson?(Hethinks.)Orisitwho’swounding myson? ALBUS(mumblesinhissleep):Dad... HARRY:Thisblackcloud,it’ssomeone,isn’tit?Notsomething? DUMBLEDORE:Ahreally,whatdoesmyopinionmatteranymore?Iampaintandmemory,Harry,paint andmemory.AndIneverhadason. HARRY:ButIneedyouradvice. ALBUS:Dad? HARRYlooksatALBUS andthenbackatDUMBLEDORE.ButDUMBLEDOREisgone. HARRY:No,wherehaveyougonenow? ALBUS:We’rein—thehospitalwing? HARRYturnshisattentionbacktoALBUS . HARRY(discombobulated):Yes.Andyou’re—youwillbefine.Forrecuperation,MadamPomfrey wasn’tsurewhattoprescribeandsaidyoushouldprobablyeatlotsof—chocolate.Actually,do youmindifIhavesome—?I’vegotsomethingtotellyouandIdon’tthinkyou’lllikeit. ALBUS looksathisdad,whatdoeshehavetosay?Hedecidesnottoengage. ALBUS:Okay.Ithink. HARRYtakessomechocolate,heeatsabigchunk.ALBUS looksathisdad,confused. Better? HARRY:Much. Heholdsoutthechocolatetohisson.ALBUStakesapiece.Fatherandsonmunchtogether. Thearm,howdoesitfeel? ALBUS flexeshisarm. ALBUS:Itfeelsgreat. HARRY(soft):Wheredidyougo,Albus?Ican’ttellyouwhatitdidtous.Yourmumwasworried sick... ALBUS looksup,heisagreatliar. ALBUS:Wedecidedwedidn’twanttocometoschool.Wethoughtwecouldstartagain—inthe Muggleworld.Wediscoveredwewerewrong.WewerecomingbacktoHogwartswhenyou foundus. HARRY:InDurmstrangrobes? ALBUS:Therobeswere...Thewholething—ScorpiusandI—wedidn’tthink. HARRY:Andwhy—whydidyourun?Becauseofme?BecauseofwhatIsaid? ALBUS:Idon’tknow.Hogwartsisn’tactuallythatpleasantaplacewhenyoudon’tfitin. HARRY:AnddidScorpius—encourageyouto—go? ALBUS:Scorpius?No. HARRYlooksatALBUS ,tryingtoseealmostanauraaroundhim,thinkingdeeply. HARRY:IneedyoutostayawayfromScorpiusMalfoy. ALBUS:What?Scorpius? HARRY:Idon’tknowhowyoubecamefriendsinthefirstplace,butyoudid,andnow—Ineedyouto — ALBUS:Mybestfriend?Myonlyfriend? HARRY:He’sdangerous. ALBUS:Scorpius?Dangerous?Haveyoumethim?Dad,ifyouhonestlythinkhe’sthesonof Voldemort... HARRY:Idon’tknowwhatheis,Ijustknowyouneedtostayawayfromhim.Banetoldme— ALBUS:Who’sBane? HARRY:AcentaurwithprofoundDivinationskills.Hesaidthere’sablackcloudaroundyouand— ALBUS:Ablackcloud? HARRY:AndIhaveverygoodreasontobelievethatDarkMagicisinaresurgenceandIneedtokeep yousafefromit.Safefromhim.SafefromScorpius. ALBUS hesitatesamoment,andthenhisfacestrengthens. ALBUS:AndifIwon’t?Stayawayfromhim? HARRYlooksathisson,thinkingquickly. HARRY:There’samap.Itusedtobeusedforthosewantingtogetuptonogood.Nowwe’regoingto useittokeepaneye—apermanenteye—onyou.ProfessorMcGonagallwillwatchyourevery movement.Anytimeyouareseentogether—she’llcomeflying—anytimeyouattempttoleave Hogwarts—she’llfly.Iexpectyoutogotoyourlessons—noneofwhichyouwillnowshare withScorpius,andbetweentimes,youwillstayintheGryffindorcommonroom! ALBUS:Youcan’tmakemegointoGryffindor!I’mSlytherin! HARRY:Don’tplaygames,Albus,youknowwhatHouseyouare.IfshefindsyouwithScorpius,Iwill fixyouwithaspellwhichwillallowmeeyesandearsintoyoureverymovement,yourevery conversation.Inthemeantime,investigationswillbegininmydepartmentastohistrueheritage. ALBUS(startingtocry):But,Dad—youcan’t—that’sjustnot... HARRY:IthoughtforalongtimeIwasn’tagoodenoughdadforyoubecauseyoudidn’tlikeme.It’s onlynowIrealizethatIdon’tneedyoutolikeme,IneedyoutoobeymebecauseI’myourdad andIdoknowbetter.I’msorry,Albus.Ithastobethisway. ACTTWO,SCENENINE HOGWARTS,STAIRCASE ALBUS pursuesHARRYacrossthestage. ALBUS:WhatifIrun?I’llrun. HARRY:Albus,getbackinbed. ALBUS:I’llrunawayagain. HARRY:No.Youwon’t. ALBUS:Iwill—andthistimeI’llmakesureRoncan’tfindus. RON:DoIhearmyname? RONentersonastaircase,hissidepartingnowsuper-aggressive,hisrobesjustalittlebittoo short,hisclothesnowspectacularlystaid. ALBUS:UncleRon!ThankDumbledore.Ifeverweneededoneofyourjokesit’snow... RONfrowns,confused. RON:Jokes?Idon’tknowanyjokes. ALBUS:Ofcourseyoudo.Yourunajokeshop. RON (nowsupremelyconfused):Ajokeshop?Wellnow.AnywayI’mpleasedIcaughtyou.Iwasgoing tobringsomesweets—fora,uh,sortof,a,getwellsoon,but,uh...ActuallyPadma—she thinksaboutthingsalotmore—deeply—thanIdo—andshethoughtit’dbenicerforyouto getsomethingusefulforschool.Sowegotyoua—setofquills.Yes.Yes.Yes.Lookatthesebad boys.Topoftherange. ALBUS:Who’sPadma? HARRYfrownsatALBUS . HARRY:Youraunt. ALBUS:IhaveanAuntPadma? RON (toHARRY):TakenaConfundusCharmtothehead,hashe?(ToALBUS .)Mywife,Padma.You remember.Talksslightlytooclosetoyourface,smellsabitminty.(Leansin.)Padma,motherof Panju!(ToHARRY.)That’swhyI’mhere,ofcourse.Panju.He’sintroubleagain.Iwantedtojust sendaHowlerbutPadmainsistedIcomeinperson.Idon’tknowwhy.Hejustlaughsatme. ALBUS:But...you’remarriedtoHermione. Beat.RONdoesn’tunderstandthisatall. RON:Hermione.No.Nooooo.Merlin’sbeard. HARRY:AlbushasalsoforgottenthathewassortedintoGryffindor.Conveniently. RON:Yes,well,sorry,oldchap,butyou’reaGryffindor. ALBUS:ButhowdidIgetsortedintoGryffindor? RON:YoupersuadedtheSortingHat,don’tyouremember?Panjubetyouthatyoucouldn’tgetinto Gryffindorifyourlifedependedonit,soyouchoseGryffindortospitehim.Ican’tblameyou, (dry)we’dallliketowipethesmileoffhisfacesometimes,wouldn’twe?(Terrified.)Pleasedon’t tellPadmaIsaidthat. ALBUS:Who’sPanju? RONandHARRYstareatALBUS . RON:Bloodyhell,you’rereallynotyourself,areyou?Anyway,bettergo,beforeI’msentaHowler myself. Hestumbleson,notevenaninchofthemanhewas. ALBUS:Butthatdoesn’t...makesense. HARRY:Albus,whateveryou’refeigning,itisn’tworking.Iwillnotchangemymind. ALBUS:Dad,youhavetwochoices,eitheryoutakemeto— HARRY:No,you’retheonewiththechoice,Albus.Youdothis,oryougetindeeper,muchdeeper trouble—doyouunderstand? SCORPIUS:Albus?You’reokay.That’sfantastic. HARRY:He’scompletelycured.Andwe’vegottogo. ALBUS looksupatSCORPIUS andhisheartbreaks.Hewalkson. SCORPIUS:Areyoumadatme?What’sgoingon? ALBUS stopsandturnstoSCORPIUS . ALBUS:Diditwork?Didanyofitwork? SCORPIUS:No...But,Albus— HARRY:Albus.Whatevergibberishyou’retalking,youneedtostopit,now.Thisisyourfinalwarning. ALBUS lookstornbetweenhisdadandhisfriend. ALBUS:Ican’t,okay? SCORPIUS:Youcan’twhat? ALBUS:Just—we’llbebetteroffwithouteachother,okay? SCORPIUS isleftlookingupafterhim.Heartbroken. ACTTWO,SCENETEN HOGWARTS,HEADMISTRESS’SOFFICE PROFESSORMcGONAGALLisfullofunhappiness,HARRYisfullofpurpose,GINNYisnotsurewhatshe’s supposedtobe. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:I’mnotsurethisiswhattheMarauder ’sMapwasintendedfor. HARRY:Ifyouseethemtogether,thengettothemasquicklyaspossible,andkeepthemseparate. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Harry,areyousurethisistherightdecision?Becausefarbeitfrommeto doubtthewisdomofthecentaurs,butBaneisanextremelyangrycentaurand...it’snotbeyond himtotwisttheconstellationsforhisownends. HARRY:ItrustBane.AlbusistostayawayfromScorpius.Forhissake,andothers. GINNY:IthinkwhatHarrymeansis... HARRY(withfinality):TheprofessorknowswhatImean. GINNYlooksatHARRY,surprisedthathe’dtalktoherthatway. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Albushasbeencheckedbythegreatestwitchesandwizardsinthecountry andnoonecanfindorsenseahexoracurse. HARRY:AndDumbledore—Dumbledoresaid— PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:What? HARRY:Hisportrait.Wespoke.Hesaidsomethingswhichmadesense— PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Dumbledoreisdead,Harry.AndI’vetoldyoubefore,portraitsdon’t representevenhalfoftheirsubjects. HARRY:Hesaidlovehadblindedme. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Aheadteacher ’sportraitisamemoir.Itissupposedtobeasupport mechanismforthedecisionsIhavetomake.ButIwasadvisedasItookthisjobtonotmistakethe paintingfortheperson.Andyouwouldbewell-advisedtodothesame. HARRY:Buthewasright.Iseeitnow. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Harry,you’vebeenputunderenormouspressure,thelossofAlbus,the searchforhim,thefearsastowhatyourscarmightmean.ButtrustmewhenItellyou,youare makingamistake. HARRY:Albusdidn’tlikemebefore.Hemightnotlikemeagain.Buthewillbesafe.Withthegreatest respect,Minerva—youdon’thavechildren— GINNY:Harry! HARRY:—youdon’tunderstand. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL(deeplyhurt):I’dhopethatalifetimespentintheteachingprofessionwould mean... HARRY:Thismapwillrevealtoyouwheremysonisatalltimes—Iexpectyoutouseit.AndifIhear youdon’t—thenIwillcomedownonthisschoolashardasIcan—usingthefullforceofthe Ministry—isthatunderstood? PROFESSORMcGONAGALL(bewilderedbythisvitriol):Perfectly. GINNYlooksatHARRY,unsureofwhathe’sbecome.Hedoesn’tlookback. ACTTWO,SCENEELEVEN HOGWARTS,DEFENSEAGAINSTTHEDARKARTSCLASSROOM ALBUS enterstheclassroom—slightlyunsure. HERMIONE:Ahyes.Ourtrainabsconder.Finallyjoiningus. ALBUS:Hermione? Helooksamazed.HERMIONEisstandingatthefrontofthelesson. HERMIONE:ProfessorGrangerIbelieveismyname,Potter. ALBUS:Whatareyoudoinghere? HERMIONE:Teaching.Formysins.Whatareyoudoinghere?Learning,Ihope. ALBUS:Butyou’re...you’re...MinisterforMagic. HERMIONE:Beenhavingthosedreamsagain,haveyou,Potter?Todaywe’regoingtolookatPatronus Charms. ALBUS(amazed):You’reourDefenseAgainsttheDarkArtsteacher? Therearetitters. HERMIONE:Losingpatiencenow.TenpointsfromGryffindorforstupidity. POLLYCHAPMAN (standing,fullofaffront):No.No.He’sdoingitdeliberately.HehatesGryffindorand everyoneknowsit. HERMIONE:Sitdown,PollyChapman,beforethisgetsevenworse.(POLLYsighsandthensits.)AndI suggestyoujoinher,Albus.Andendthischarade. ALBUS:Butyou’renotthismean. HERMIONE:Andthat’stwentypointsfromGryffindortoassureAlbusPotterthatIamthismean. YANNFREDERICKS:Ifyoudon’tsitdownrightnow,Albus... ALBUS sits. ALBUS:CanIjustsay— HERMIONE:No,youcan’t.Justkeepquiet,Potter,otherwiseyou’lllosewhatlimitedpopularityyou alreadyhave.NowwhocantellmewhataPatronusis?No?Noone.Youreallyareamost disappointingbunch. HERMIONEsmilesathinsmile.Shereallyisquitemean. ALBUS:No.Thisisstupid.Where’sRose?She’lltellyouthatyou’rebeingridiculous. HERMIONE:Who’sRose?Yourinvisiblefriend? ALBUS:RoseGranger-Weasley!Yourdaughter!(Herealizes.)Ofcourse—becauseyouandRon aren’tmarriedRose— There’sgiggling. HERMIONE:Howdareyou!FiftypointsfromGryffindor.AndIassureyouifanyoneinterruptsme againit’llbeahundredpoints... Shestaresaroundtheroom.Noonemovesamuscle. Good.APatronusisamagicalcharm,aprojectionofallyourmostpositivefeelings,and takestheshapeoftheanimalwithwhomyousharethedeepestaffinity.Itisagiftoflight.If youcanconjureaPatronus,youcanprotectyourselfagainsttheworld.Which,insomeof ourcases,seemslikeanecessitysoonerratherthanlater. ACTTWO,SCENETWELVE HOGWARTS,STAIRCASES ALBUS walksupastaircase.Lookingaroundashedoes. Hedoesn’tseeanything.Heexits.Thestaircasesmoveinalmostadance. SCORPIUS entersbehindhim.Hethinkshe’sseenALBUS ,herealizesheisn’tthere. Heslumpsdowntothefloorasthestaircasesweepsaround. MADAMHOOCHentersandwalksupthestaircase.Atthetop,shegesturesforSCORPIUS tomove. Hedoes.Andslopesoff—hisabjectlonelinessclear. ALBUS entersandwalksuponestaircase. SCORPIUS entersandwalksupanother. Thestaircasesmeet.Thetwoboyslookateachother. Lostandhopeful—allatonce. AndthenALBUSlooksawayandthemomentisbroken—andwithit,possibly,thefriendship. Andnowthestaircasespart—thetwolookateachother—onefullofguilt—theotherfullofpain —bothfullofunhappiness. ACTTWO,SCENETHIRTEEN HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE,KITCHEN GINNYandHARRYwatcheachotherwarily.Thereisanargumentdue,andbothofthemknowit. HARRY:Thisistherightdecision. GINNY:Youalmostsoundconvinced. HARRY:Youtoldmetobehonestwithhim,butactuallyIneededtobehonestwithmyself,trustwhat myheartwastellingme... GINNY:Harry,youhaveoneofthegreatestheartsofanywizardwhoeverlived,andIdonotbelieve yourhearttoldyoutodothis. Theyhearaknockonthedoor. Savedbythedoor. Sheexits. Afteramoment,DRACOenters,consumedbyangerbuthidingitwell. DRACO:Ican’tstaylong.Iwon’tneedlong. HARRY:HowcanIhelp? DRACO:I’mnotheretoantagonizeyou.ButmysonisintearsandIamhisfatherandsoIamhereto askwhyyouwouldkeepaparttwogoodfriends. HARRY:I’mnotkeepingthemapart. DRACO:You’vechangedschooltimetables,you’vethreatenedbothteachersandAlbushimself.Why? HARRYlooksatDRACOcarefullyandthenturnsaway. HARRY:Ihavetoprotectmyson. DRACO:FromScorpius? HARRY:Banetoldmehesensedadarknessaroundmyson.Nearmyson. DRACO:Whatareyouimplying,Potter? HARRYturnsandlooksDRACOdeadintheeye. HARRY:Areyousure...areyoureallysurehe’syours,Draco? There’sadeadlysilence. DRACO:Youtakethatback...rightnow. ButHARRYdoesn’ttakeitback. SoDRACOtakeshiswandout. HARRY:Youdonotwanttodothis. DRACO:Yes,Ido. HARRY:Idon’twanttohurtyou,Draco. DRACO:Howinteresting,becauseIdowanttohurtyou. Thetwosquareup.Andthenreleasetheirwands. DRACOandHARRY:Expelliarmus! Theirwandsrepelandthenbreakapart. DRACO:Incarcerous! HARRYdodgesablastfromDRACO’swand. HARRY:Tarantallegra! DRACOthrowshimselfoutoftheway. You’vebeenpracticing,Draco. DRACO:Andyou’vegotsloppy,Potter.Densaugeo! HARRYjustmanagestogetoutoftheway. HARRY:Rictusempra! DRACOusesachairtoblocktheblast. DRACO:Flipendo! HARRYissenttwirlingthroughtheair.DRACOlaughs. Keepup,oldman. HARRY:We’rethesameage,Draco. DRACO:Iwearitbetter. HARRY:Brachiabindo! DRACOisboundtightly. DRACO:Thatreallythebestyougot?Emancipare. DRACOreleaseshisownbinds. Levicorpus! HARRYhastothrowhimselfoutoftheway. Mobilicorpus!Oh,thisistoomuchfun... DRACObouncesHARRYupanddownonthetable.AndthenasHARRYrollsaway,DRACOjumps ontothetable—hereadieshiswand,butashedoes,HARRYhitshimwithaspell... HARRY:Obscuro! DRACOreleaseshimselffromhisblindfoldassoonasithits. Thetwosquareup—HARRYthrowsachair. DRACOducksunderneathitandslowsthechairwithhiswand. GINNY:Ionlyleftthisroomthreeminutesago! Shelooksatthemessofthekitchen.Shelooksatthechairssuspendedintheair.Shesignals thembacktothefloorwithherwand. (Drierthandry.)WhatdidImiss? ACTTWO,SCENEFOURTEEN HOGWARTS,STAIRCASES SCORPIUS walksunhappilydownastaircase. DELPHIscurriesinfromtheotherside. DELPHI:So—technically—Ishouldn’tbehere. SCORPIUS:Delphi? DELPHI:Infact,technicallyI’mendangeringourentireoperation...whichisnot...well,I’mnota naturalrisk-takerasyouknow.I’veneverbeentoHogwarts.Prettylaxsecurityhere,isn’tthere? Andsomanyportraits.Andcorridors.Andghosts!Thishalf-headless,strange-lookingghosttold mewhereIcouldfindyou,canyoubelievethat? SCORPIUS:You’veneverbeentoHogwarts? DELPHI:Iwas—unwell—asachild—forafewyears.Otherpeoplegottogo—Ididnot. SCORPIUS:Youweretoo—ill?I’msorry,Ididn’tknowthat. DELPHI:Idon’tadvertisethefact—Iprefernottobeseenasatragiccase,youknow? ThisregisterswithSCORPIUS.HelooksuptosaysomethingbutDELPHIsuddenlyducksfrom viewasastudentwalkspast.SCORPIUStriestolookcasualuntilthestudentpasses. Havetheygone? SCORPIUS:Delphi,maybeitistoodangerousforyoutobehere— DELPHI:Well—someone’sgottodosomethingaboutthis. SCORPIUS:Delphi,noneofitworked,time-turning,wefailed. DELPHI:Iknow.Albusowledme.Thehistorybookschangedbutnotenough—Cedricstilldied.In fact,failingthefirsttaskonlymadehimmoredeterminedtowinthesecond. SCORPIUS:AndRonandHermionehavegonecompletelyskewwhiff—andIstillhaven’tfiguredout why. DELPHI:Andthat’swhyCedrichastowait.It’sallbecomequiteconfusedandyou’reentirelyrightto bekeepingholdoftheTime-Turner,Scorpius.ButwhatImeantwas—someone’sgottodo somethingaboutthetwoofyou. SCORPIUS:Oh. DELPHI:You’rebestfriends.EveryowlhesendsIcanfeelyourabsence.He’sdestroyedbyit. SCORPIUS:Soundslikehe’sfoundashouldertocryon.Howmanyowlshashesentyounow? DELPHIsmilessoftly. Sorry.That’s—Ididn’tmean—Ijust—don’tunderstandwhat’sgoingon.I’vetriedtosee him,talktohim,buteverytimeIdoherunsoff. DELPHI:Youknow,Ididn’thaveabestfriendwhenIwasyourage.Iwantedone.Desperately.WhenI wasyoungerIeveninventedonebut— SCORPIUS:Ihadoneofthosetoo.CalledFlurry.WefelloutoverthecorrectrulesofGobstones. DELPHI:Albusneedsyou,Scorpius.That’sawonderfulthing. SCORPIUS:Heneedsmetodowhat? DELPHI:That’sthething,isn’tit?Aboutfriendships.Youdon’tknowwhatheneeds.Youonlyknowhe needsit.Findhim,Scorpius.Youtwo—youbelongtogether. ACTTWO,SCENEFIFTEEN HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE,KITCHEN HARRYandDRACOsitfarapart.GINNYstandsbetweenthem. DRACO:Sorryaboutyourkitchen,Ginny. GINNY:Oh,it’snotmykitchen.Harrydoesmostofthecooking. DRACO:Ican’ttalktohimeither.Scorpius.Especiallysince—Astoriahasgone.Ican’teventalkabout howlosingherhasaffectedhim.AshardasItry,Ican’treachhim.Youcan’ttalktoAlbus.Ican’t talktoScorpius.That’swhatthisisabout.Notaboutmysonbeingevil.Becauseasmuchasyou mighttakethewordofahaughtycentaur,youknowthepoweroffriendship. HARRY:Draco,whateveryoumaythink... DRACO:Ialwaysenviedyouthem,youknow—WeasleyandGranger.Ihad— GINNY:CrabbeandGoyle. DRACO:Twolunkswhowouldn’tknowoneendofabroomstickfromanother.You—thethreeofyou —youshone,youknow?Youlikedeachother.Youhadfun.Ienviedyouthosefriendshipsmore thananythingelse. GINNY:Ienviedthemtoo. HARRYlooksatGINNY,surprised. HARRY:Ineedtoprotecthim— DRACO:Myfatherthoughthewasprotectingme.Mostofthetime.Ithinkyouhavetomakeachoice —atacertainpoint—ofthemanyouwanttobe.AndItellyouthatatthattimeyouneedaparent orafriend.Andifyou’velearnttohateyourparentbythenandyouhavenofriends...then you’reallalone.Andbeingalone—that’ssohard.Iwasalone.Anditsentmetoatrulydark place.Foralongtime.TomRiddlewasalsoalonelychild.Youmaynotunderstandthat,Harry, butIdo—andIthinkGinnydoestoo. GINNY:He’sright. DRACO:TomRiddledidn’temergefromhisdarkplace.AndsoTomRiddlebecameLordVoldemort. MaybetheblackcloudBanesawwasAlbus’sloneliness.Hispain.Hishatred.Don’tlosetheboy. You’llregretit.Andsowillhe.Becauseheneedsyou,andScorpius,whetherornothenow knowsit. HARRYlooksatDRACO,hethinks. Heopenshismouthtospeak.Hethinks. GINNY:Harry.WillyougettheFloopowderorshallI? HARRYlooksupathiswife. ACTTWO,SCENESIXTEEN HOGWARTS,LIBRARY SCORPIUS arrivesinthelibrary.Helooksleftandright.AndthenheseesALBUS .AndALBUS seeshim. SCORPIUS:Hi. ALBUS:Scorpius.Ican’t... SCORPIUS:Iknow.You’reinGryffindornow.Youdon’twanttoseemenow.ButhereIamanyway. Talkingtoyou. ALBUS:Well,Ican’ttalkso... SCORPIUS:Youhaveto.Youthinkyoucanjustignoreeverythingthat’shappened?Theworldhasgone crazy,haveyounoticed? ALBUS:Iknow,okay?Ron’sgonestrange.Hermione’saprofessor,it’sallwrong,but... SCORPIUS:AndRosedoesn’texist. ALBUS:Iknow.Look,Idon’tunderstandeverythingbutyoucan’tbehere. SCORPIUS:Becauseofwhatwedid,Rosewasn’tevenborn.Doyourememberbeingtoldaboutthe TriwizardTournamentYuleBall?AllthefourTriwizardchampionstookapartner.Yourdadtook ParvatiPatil,ViktorKrumtook— ALBUS:Hermione.AndRongotjealousandbehavedlikeaprat. SCORPIUS:Onlyhedidn’t.IfoundRitaSkeeter ’sbookaboutthem.Andit’sverydifferent.Rontook Hermionetotheball. ALBUS:What? POLLYCHAPMAN:Sshhhh! SCORPIUS looksatPOLLYanddropshisvolume. SCORPIUS:Asfriends.Andtheydancedinafriendlyway,anditwasnice,andthenhedancedwith PadmaPatilandthatwasnicer,andtheystarteddatingandhechangedabitandthentheygot marriedandmeanwhileHermionebecamea— ALBUS:—psychopath. SCORPIUS:HermionewassupposedtogotothatballwithKrum—doyouknowwhyshedidn’t? BecauseshehadsuspicionsthetwostrangeDurmstrangboysshemetbeforethefirsttaskwere somehowinvolvedinthedisappearanceofCedric’swand.Shebelievedwe—underViktor ’s orders—costCedricthefirsttask... ALBUS:Wow. SCORPIUS:AndwithoutKrum,Ronnevergotjealousandthatjealousywasall-importantandsoRon andHermionestayedverygoodfriendsbutneverfellinlove—nevergotmarried—neverhad Rose. ALBUS:Sothat’swhyDad’sso—didhechangetoo? SCORPIUS:I’mprettysureyourdadisexactlythesame.HeadofMagicalLawEnforcement.Marriedto Ginny.Threekids. ALBUS:Sowhyishebeingsucha— ALIBRARIANentersatthebackoftheroom. SCORPIUS:Haveyouheardme,Albus?Thisisbiggerthanyouandyourdad.ProfessorCroaker ’slaw —thefurthestsomeonecangobackintimewithoutthepossibilityofseriousharmtothetraveler ortimeitselfisfivehours.Andwewentbackyears.Thesmallestmoment,thesmallestchange,it createsripples.Andwe—we’vecreatedreallybadripples.Rosewasneverbornbecauseofwhat wedid.Rose. LIBRARIAN:Ssshhh! ALBUS thinksquickly. ALBUS:Fine,let’sgoback—fixit.GetCedricandRoseback. SCORPIUS:...isthewronganswer. ALBUS:You’vestillgottheTime-Turner,right?Noonefoundit? SCORPIUS takesitoutofhispocket. SCORPIUS:Yes,but... ALBUS snatchesitfromhishand. No.Don’t...Albus.Don’tyouunderstandhowbadthingscouldget? SCORPIUS grabsfortheTime-Turner,ALBUS pusheshimback,theywrestleinexpertly. ALBUS:Thingsneedfixing,Scorpius.Cedricstillneedssaving.Roseneedsbringingback.We’llbe morecareful.WhateverCroakersays,trustme,trustus.We’llgetitrightthistime. SCORPIUS:No.Wewon’t.Giveitback,Albus!Giveitback! ALBUS:Ican’t.Thisistooimportant. SCORPIUS:Yes,it’stooimportant—forus.We’renotgoodatthisstuff.We’llgetitwrong. ALBUS:Who’ssayingthatwe’llgetitwrong? SCORPIUS:Isay.Becausethat’swhatwedo.Wemessthingsup.Welose.We’relosers,trueandtotal losers.Haven’tyourealizedthatyet? ALBUS finallygetstheupperhandandpinsSCORPIUS totheground. ALBUS:Well,Iwasn’taloserbeforeImetyou. SCORPIUS:Albus,whateveryou’vegottoprovetoyourdad—thisisn’ttheway. ALBUS:Idon’thaveanythingtoprovetomydad.I’vegottosaveCedrictosaveRose.Andmaybe— withoutyouholdingmeback—Icanmakeapropergoofit. SCORPIUS:Withoutme?OhpoorAlbusPotter.Withhischiponhisshoulder.PoorAlbusPotter.So sad. ALBUS:Whatareyousaying? SCORPIUS(exploding):Trymylife!Peoplelookatyoubecauseyourdad’sthefamousHarryPotter, saviorofthewizardingworld.PeoplelookatmebecausetheythinkmydadisVoldemort. Voldemort. ALBUS:Don’teven— SCORPIUS:Canyouevenslightlyimaginewhatthat’slike?Haveyouevenevertried?No.Becauseyou can’tseebeyondtheendofyournose.Becauseyoucan’tseebeyondtheendofyourstupidthing withyourdad.HewillalwaysbeHarryPotter,youknowthat,right?Andyouwillalwaysbehis son.AndIknowit’shard,andtheotherkidsareawful,butyouhavetolearntobeokaywiththat, because—thereareworsethings,okay? Beat. TherewasamomentIwasexcited,whenIrealizedtimewasdifferent,amomentwhenI thoughtmaybemymumhadn’tgotsick.Maybemymumwasn’tdead.Butno,turnsout,she was.I’mstillthechildofVoldemort,withoutamother,givingsympathytotheboywho doesn’tevergiveanythingback.SoI’msorryifI’veruinedyourlifebecauseItellyou— youwouldn’thaveachanceofruiningmine—itwasalreadyruined.Youjustdidn’tmake itbetter.Becauseyou’reaterrible—themostterrible—friend. ALBUS digeststhis.Heseeswhathe’sdonetohisfriend. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL(fromoff):Albus?AlbusPotter.ScorpiusMalfoy.Areyouinthere— together?BecauseIadviseyounottobe. ALBUS looksatSCORPIUS ,hepullsaCloakfromhisbag. ALBUS:Quick.Weneedtohide. SCORPIUS:What? ALBUS:Scorpius,lookatme. SCORPIUS:That’stheInvisibilityCloak?Isn’titJames’s? ALBUS:Ifshefindsus,we’llbeforcedapartforever.Please.Ididn’tunderstand.Please. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL(fromoff—tryingtogivethemeverychance):Iamabouttoenter. PROFESSORMcGONAGALLcomesintotheroom,theMarauder’sMapinherhands.Theboys disappearbeneaththeCloak.Shelooksaround,exasperated. Well,wherehavethey—Ineverwantedthisthingandnowit’splayingtricksonme. Shethinks.Shelooksbackatthemap.Sheidentifieswheretheyshouldbe.Shelooksaround theroom.Objectsmoveastheboysinvisiblymovepastthem.Sheseeswherethey’re heading,shemakestoblockthem.Buttheyskirtaroundher. Unless.Unless...Yourfather ’sCloak. Shelooksbackatthemap,shelooksattheboys.Shesmilestoherself. Well,ifIdidn’tseeyou,Ididn’tseeyou. Sheexits.ThetwoboysremovetheCloak.Theysitinsilenceforamoment. ALBUS:Yes,IstolethisfromJames.He’sremarkablyeasytostealfrom;histrunkcombinationisthe datehegothisfirstbroom.I’vefoundtheCloakmadeavoidingbullies...easier. SCORPIUS nods. I’msorry—aboutyourmum.Iknowwedon’ttalkaboutherenough—butIhopeyou know—I’msorry—it’srubbish—whathappenedtoher—toyou. SCORPIUS:Thanks. ALBUS:Mydadsaid—saidthatyouwerethisdarkcloudaroundme.Mydadstartedtothink—andI justknewIhadtostayaway,andifIdidn’t,Dadsaidhewould— SCORPIUS:Yourdadthinkstherumorsaretrue—IamthesonofVoldemort? ALBUS(nods):Hisdepartmentarecurrentlyinvestigatingit. SCORPIUS:Good.Letthem.Sometimes—sometimesIfindmyselfthinking—maybethey’retruetoo. ALBUS:No.They’renottrue.AndI’lltellyouwhy.BecauseIdon’tthinkVoldemortiscapableof havingakindson—andyou’rekind,Scorpius.Tothedepthsofyourbelly,tothetipsofyour fingers.ItrulybelieveVoldemort—Voldemortcouldn’thaveachildlikeyou. Beat.SCORPIUSismovedbythis. SCORPIUS:That’snice—that’sanicethingtosay. ALBUS:Andit’ssomethingIshouldhavesaidalongtimeago.Infact,you’reprobablythebestperson Iknow.Andyoudon’t—youcouldn’t—holdmeback.Youmakemestronger—andwhenDad forcedusapart—withoutyou— SCORPIUS:Ididn’tmuchlikemylifewithoutyouiniteither. ALBUS:AndIknowI’llalwaysbeHarryPotter ’sson—andIwillsortthatoutinmyhead—andI knowcomparedtoyoumylifeisprettygood,really,andthatheandIarecomparativelylucky and— SCORPIUS(interrupting):Albus,asapologiesgothisiswonderfullyfulsome,butyou’restartingtotalk moreaboutyouthanmeagain,soprobablybettertoquitwhileyou’reahead. ALBUS smilesandstretchesoutahand. ALBUS:Friends? SCORPIUS:Always. SCORPIUS extendshishand,ALBUS pullsSCORPIUS upintoahug. That’sthesecondtimeyou’vedonethat. Thetwoboysbreakapartandsmile. ALBUS:ButI’mpleasedwehadthisargumentbecauseit’sgivenmeareallygoodidea. SCORPIUS:Aboutwhat? ALBUS:Itinvolvesthesecondtask.Andhumiliation. SCORPIUS:You’restilltalkingaboutgoingbackintime?Havewebeenhavingthesameconversation? ALBUS:You’reright—wearelosers.We’rebrilliantatlosingandsoweshouldbeusingourown knowledgehere.Ourownpowers.Losersaretaughttobelosers.Andthere’sonlyonewayto teachaloser—andweknowthatbetterthananyone—humiliation.Weneedtohumiliatehim.So inthesecondtaskthat’swhatwe’lldo. SCORPIUS thinks—foralongtime—andthensmiles. SCORPIUS:That’sareallygoodstrategy. ALBUS:Iknow. SCORPIUS:Imean,quitespectacular.HumiliateCedrictosaveCedric.Clever.AndRose? ALBUS:ThatI’msavingasasparklysurprise.Icandoitwithoutyou—butIwantyouthere.BecauseI wantustodothistogether.Setthingsrighttogether.So...Willyoucome? SCORPIUS:But,justaminute,isn’t—wasn’t—thesecondtasktookplaceinthelake,andyou’renot allowedtoleavetheschoolbuilding. ALBUS grins. ALBUS:Yes.Aboutthat...Weneedtofindthegirls’bathroomonthefirstfloor. ACTTWO,SCENESEVENTEEN HOGWARTS,STAIRCASES RONiswalkingdownthestaircase,consumedinhisthoughts,andthenheseesHERMIONEandhis expressionchangesentirely. RON:ProfessorGranger. HERMIONElooksacross,herheartleapsabittoo(thoughshewon’tadmitit). HERMIONE:Ron.Whatareyoudoinghere? RON:PanjugotinalittletroubleinPotionsclass.Wasshowingoff,ofcourse,andputthewrongthing withthewrongthingandnowhehasnoeyebrowsandaratherlargemustache,apparently.Which doesn’tsuithim.Ididn’twanttocomebutPadmasaysthatwhenitcomestofacialgrowths,sons needtheirfathers.Haveyoudonesomethingwithyourhair? HERMIONE:Justcombedit,Isuspect. RON:Well...Combingitsuitsyou. HERMIONElooksatRONslightlystrangely. HERMIONE:Ron,willyoustoplookingatmelikethat? RON (summoningconfidence):Youknow,Harry’sboyAlbus—saidtometheotherdaythathe thoughtyouandIwere—married.Ha-ha.Ha.Ha.Ridiculous,Iknow. HERMIONE:Veryridiculous. RON:Heeventhoughtwehadadaughter.That’dbestrange,wouldn’tit? Thetwolockeyes.HERMIONEisthefirsttobreakaway. HERMIONE:Morethanstrange. RON:Exactly.We’re—friends,andthat’sall. HERMIONE:Absolutely.Only—friends. RON:Only—friends.Funnyword—friends.Notthatfunny.Justawordreally.Friends.Friend. Funnyfriend.You,myfunnyfriend,myHermione.Notthat—notmyHermione,youunderstand —notMYHermione—notMINE—youknow,but... HERMIONE:Iknow. There’sapause.Neitherofthemmovethesmallestinch.Everythingfeelstooimportantfor movement.ThenRONcoughs. RON:Well.Mustgeton.SortPanjuout.Teachhimthefinerartsofmustachegrooming. Hewalkson,heturns,helooksatHERMIONE.Shelooksback,hehurriesonagain. Yourhairreallydoesverymuchsuityou. ACTTWO,SCENEEIGHTEEN HOGWARTS,HEADMISTRESS’SOFFICE PROFESSORMcGONAGALLisonstageonherown.Shelooksatthemap.Shefrownstoherself.Shetapsit withherwand.Shesmilestoherselfatagooddecisionmade. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Mischiefmanaged. There’sarattling. Thewholestageseemstovibrate. GINNYisthefirstthroughthefireplace,andthenHARRY. GINNY:Professor,Ican’tsaythatevergetsmoredignified. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Potter.You’reback.Andyouseemtohavefinallyruinedmycarpet. HARRY:Ineedtofindmyson.Weneedto. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Harry,I’veconsideredthisanddecidedIwantnopartofit.Whateveryou threaten,I— HARRY:Minerva,Icomehereinpeace,notwar.Ishouldneverhavespokentoyouthatway. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Ijustdon’tthinkIcaninterfereinfriendshipsandIbelieve— HARRY:IneedtosaysorrytoyouandsorrytoAlbus,willyougivemethatchance? DRACOarrivesbehindthemwithabangofsoot. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Draco? DRACO:Heneedstoseehisson,andIneedtoseemine. HARRY:LikeIsay—peace—notwar. PROFESSORMcGONAGALLstudieshisface;sheseesthesinceritysheneedstosee.Shetakesthe mapbackoutofherpocket.Sheopensitup. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Well,peaceiscertainlysomethingIcanbepartof. Shetapsitwithherwand. (Sighs.)IsolemnlyswearthatI’muptonogood. Themapislitintoaction. Well,theyaretogether. DRACO:Inthegirls’bathroomonthefirstfloor.Whatonearthwouldtheybedoingthere? ACTTWO,SCENENINETEEN HOGWARTS,GIRLS’BATHROOM SCORPIUS andALBUS enterabathroom.InthecenterofitisalargeVictoriansink. SCORPIUS:Soletmegetthisright—theplanisEngorgement... ALBUS:Yes.Scorpius,thatsoap,ifyoumay... SCORPIUS fishesasoapoutofthesink. Engorgio. Hefiresaboltfromhiswandacrosstheroom.Thesoapblowsuptofourtimesitssize. SCORPIUS:Nice.Considermeengorgimpressed. ALBUS:Thesecondtaskwasthelaketask.Theyhadtoretrievesomethingwhichwasstolenfrom them,whichturnedouttobe— SCORPIUS:—peopletheyloved. ALBUS:CedricusedaBubble-HeadCharmtoswimthroughthelake.Allwedoisfollowhiminthere anduseEngorgementtoturnhimintosomethingratherlarger.WeknowtheTime-Turnerdoesn’t giveuslong,sowe’regoingtobequick.GettohimandEngorgiohisheadandwatchhimfloat outofthelake—awayfromthetask—awayfromthecompetition... SCORPIUS:But—youstillhaven’ttoldmehowwe’regoingtoactuallygettothelake... Andthensuddenlyajetofwateremergesfromthesink—andafteritascendsaverywet MOANINGMYRTLE. MOANINGMYRTLE:Whoa.Thatfeelsgood.Neverusedtoenjoythat.Butwhenyougettomyage,you takewhatyoucan... SCORPIUS:Ofcourse—you’reagenius—MoaningMyrtle... MOANINGMYRTLEswoopsdownontoSCORPIUS . MOANINGMYRTLE:Whatdidyoucallme?DoImoan?AmImoaningnow?AMI?AMI? SCORPIUS:No,Ididn’tmean... MOANINGMYRTLE:What’smyname? SCORPIUS:Myrtle. MOANINGMYRTLE:Exactly—Myrtle.MyrtleElizabethWarren—aprettyname—myname—no needforthemoaning. SCORPIUS:Well... MOANINGMYRTLE(shegiggles):It’sbeenawhile.Boys.Inmybathroom.Inmygirls’bathroom.Well, that’snotright...Butthenagain,IalwaysdidhaveasoftspotforthePotters.AndIwas moderatelypartialtoaMalfoytoo.NowhowcanIhelpyoupair? ALBUS:Youwerethere,Myrtle—inthelake.Theywroteaboutyou.Theremustbeawayoutofthese pipes. MOANINGMYRTLE:I’vebeeneverywhere.Butwherespecificallywereyouthinking? ALBUS:Thesecondtask.Thelaketask.IntheTriwizardTournament.Twenty-fiveyearsago.Harry andCedric. MOANINGMYRTLE:Suchashametheprettyonehadtodie.Notthatyourfatherisnotpretty—but CedricDiggory—you’dbeamazedathowmanygirlsIhadtoheardoingloveincantationsin thisverybathroom...Andtheweepingafterhewastaken. ALBUS:Helpus,Myrtle,helpusgetintothatsamelake. MOANINGMYRTLE:YouthinkIcanhelpyoutravelintime? ALBUS:Weneedyoutokeepasecret. MOANINGMYRTLE:Ilovesecrets.Iwon’ttellasoul.Crossmyheartandhopetodie.Or—the equivalent.Forghosts.Youknow. ALBUS nodsatSCORPIUS ,whorevealstheTime-Turner. ALBUS:Wecantravelintime.You’regoingtohelpustravelthepipes.We’regoingtosaveCedric Diggory. MOANINGMYRTLE(grins):Well,thatsoundslikefun. ALBUS:Andwe’venotimetolose. MOANINGMYRTLE:Thisverysink.Thisverysinkemptiesdirectlyintothelake.Itbreakseverybylaw butthisschoolhasalwaysbeenantiquated.Diveinandyouwillbepipedstraighttoit. ALBUS pullshimselfintothesink,dumpinghiscloakashedoes.SCORPIUS copies. ALBUS handsSCORPIUS somegreenfoliageinabag. ALBUS:Someformeandsomeforyou. SCORPIUS:Gillyweed?We’reusinggillyweed?Tobreatheunderwater? ALBUS:Justlikemydaddid.Now,areyouready? SCORPIUS:Remember,thistimewecan’tbecaughtoutbytheclock... ALBUS:Fiveminutes,that’sallweallowfor—beforewegetpulledbacktothepresent. SCORPIUS:Tellmethisisallgoingtobeokay. ALBUS(grinning):It’sallgoingtobeentirelyokay.Areyouready? ALBUS takesthegillyweedanddisappearsdown. SCORPIUS:No,Albus—Albus— Helooksup,heandMOANINGMYRTLEarealone. MOANINGMYRTLE:Idolikebraveboys. SCORPIUS(alittlebitscared,atinybitbrave):ThenI’mentirelyready.Forwhatevercomes. Hetakesthegillyweedanddisappearsdown. MOANINGMYRTLEisleftaloneonstage. Thereisagiantwhooshoflightandsmashofnoise.Andtimestops.Andthenitturnsover, thinksabit,andbeginsspoolingbackwards... Theboysaregone. HARRYappearsatarun,adeepfrownonhisface,behindhimDRACO,GINNY,andPROFESSOR McGONAGALL. HARRY:Albus...Albus... GINNY:He’sgone. Theyfindtheboys’cloaksontheground. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL(consultingthemap):He’sdisappeared.No,he’stravelingunderHogwarts grounds,no,he’sdisappeared... DRACO:Howishedoingthis? MOANINGMYRTLE:He’susingaratherprettytrinketthingy. HARRY:Myrtle! MOANINGMYRTLE:Oops,youcaughtme.AndIwastryingsohardtohide.Hello,Harry.Hello,Draco. Haveyoubeenbadboysagain? HARRY:Whattrinketisheusing? MOANINGMYRTLE:Ithinkitwasasecret,butIcouldneverkeepanythingfromyou,Harry.Howisit you’vegrownhandsomerandhandsomerasyou’veaged?Andyou’retaller. HARRY:Mysonisindanger.Ineedyourhelp.Whataretheydoing,Myrtle? MOANINGMYRTLE:He’saftersavingadishyboy.AcertainCedricDiggory. HARRYimmediatelyrealizeswhat’shappened,andishorrified. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:ButCedricDiggorydiedyearsago... MOANINGMYRTLE:Heseemedquiteconfidenthecouldgetaroundthatfact.He’sveryconfident,Harry, justlikeyou. HARRY:Heheardmetalking—toAmosDiggory...couldhehave...theMinistry’sTime-Turner. No,that’simpossible. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:TheMinistryhasaTime-Turner?Ithoughttheyweredestroyed? MOANINGMYRTLE:Isn’teveryonesonaughty? DRACO:Cansomeonepleaseexplainwhat’sgoingon? HARRY:AlbusandScorpiusarenotdisappearingandreappearing—they’retraveling.Travelingin time. ACTTWO,SCENETWENTY TRIWIZARDTOURNAMENT,LAKE,1995 LUDOBAGMAN:Ladiesandgentlemen—boysandgirls—Igiveyou—thegreatest—thefabulous —theone—andtheonlyTRIWIZARDTOURNAMENT.Ifyou’refromHogwarts.Givemea cheer. There’saloudcheer. AndnowALBUSandSCORPIUSareswimmingthroughthelake.Descendingthroughthewater withgracefulease. Ifyou’refromDurmstrang—givemeacheer. There’saloudcheer. ANDIFYOU’REFROMBEAUXBATONSGIVEMEACHEER. There’saslightlylesslimpcheer. TheFrencharegettingintothis. Andthey’reoff...Viktor ’sashark,ofcourseheis,Fleurlooksremarkable,everplucky Harryisusinggillyweed,cleverHarry,veryclever—andCedric—well,Cedric,whata treat,ladiesandgentlemen,CedricisusingaBubbleCharmtocruisethroughthelake. CEDRICDIGGORYapproachesthemthroughthewater,abubbleoverhishead.ALBUS and SCORPIUS raisetheirwandstogetherandfireanEngorgementCharmthroughthewater. Heturnsandlooksatthem,confused.Andithitshim.Andaroundhimthewaterglowsgold. AndthenCEDRICstartstogrow—andgrowagain—andgrowsomemore.Helooksaround himself—entirelypanicked.AndtheboyswatchasCEDRICascendshelplesslythroughthe water. Butno,what’sthis...CedricDiggoryisascendingoutofthewaterandseeminglyoutof thecompetition.Oh,ladiesandgentlemen,wedon’thaveourwinnerbutwecertainlyhave ourloser.CedricDiggoryisturningintoaballoon,andthisballoonwantstofly.Fly,ladies andgentlemen,fly.Flyoutofthetaskandoutofthetournamentand—ohmy,itgetswilder still,aroundCedric,fireworksexplodedeclaiming—“RonlovesHermione”—andthe crowdlovethat—oh,ladiesandgentlemen,thelookonCedric’sface.It’squitesome picture,it’squitesomesight,it’squitesometragedy.Thisisahumiliation,there’snoother wordforit. AndALBUSsmileswidelyandhigh-fivesSCORPIUSinthewater. AndALBUSpointsup,andSCORPIUSnods,andtheystarttoswimeverupwards.AndasCEDRIC ascends,peoplestarttolaugh,andeverythingchanges. Theworldbecomesdarker.Theworldbecomesalmostblack,infact. Andthere’saflash.Andabang.AndtheTime-Turnertickstoastop.Andwe’rebackinthe present. SCORPIUS suddenlyemerges,shootingupthroughthewater.Andhe’striumphant. SCORPIUS:Woooo-hoooooo! Helooksaround,surprised.Where’sALBUS?Heputshisarmsintotheair. Wedidit! Hewaitsanotherbeat. Albus? ALBUS stilldoesn’temerge.SCORPIUS treadswater,hethinksandthenheducksbackintothe water. Heemergesbackupagain.Nowthoroughlypanicked.Helooksaround. Albus...ALBUS...ALBUS. Andthere’sawhisperinParseltongue.Whichtravelsfastaroundtheaudience. He’scoming.He’scoming.He’scoming. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:ScorpiusMalfoy.Getoutofthelake.Getoutofthelake.Rightnow. Shepullshimoutofthewater. SCORPIUS:Miss.Ineedhelp.Please,Miss. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Miss?I’mProfessorUmbridge,theheadmistressofyourschool,I’mno“Miss.” SCORPIUS:You’retheheadmistress?ButI... DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Iamtheheadmistress,andhoweverimportantyourfamilymaybe—itdoesn’t giveyouanexcusetodillydally,tomessabout. SCORPIUS:There’saboyinthislake.Youneedtogethelp.I’mlookingformyfriend,Miss.Professor. Headmaster.OneofHogwarts’sstudents,Miss.I’mlookingforAlbusPotter. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Potter?AlbusPotter?There’snosuchstudent.Infact,therehasn’tbeenaPotterat Hogwartsforyears—andthatboydidn’tturnoutsowell.Notsomuchrestinpeace,Harry Potter,morerestinperpetualdespair.Totaltroublemaker. SCORPIUS:HarryPotter ’sdead? Suddenlyfromaroundtheauditorium,thefeelofabreathofthewind.Someblackrobes arisearoundpeople.Blackrobesthatbecomeblackshapes.Thatbecomedementors. Flyingdementorsthroughtheauditorium.Theseblackdeadlyshapes,theseblackdeadly forces.Theyareeverythingtobefeared.Andtheysuckthespiritfromtheroom. Thewindcontinues.Thisishell.Andthen,rightfromthebackoftheroom,whispering aroundeveryone. Wordssaidwithanunmistakablevoice.ThevoiceofVOLDEMORT... HaaarryPottttter. HARRY’sdreamhascometolife. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Haveyouswallowedsomethingfunnyinthere?BecomeaMudbloodwithoutany ofusnoticing?HarryPotterdiedovertwentyyearsagoaspartofthatfailedcoupontheschool —hewasoneofthoseDumbledoreterroristswebravelyoverthrewattheBattleofHogwarts. Nowcomealong—Idon’tknowwhatgameyou’replayingbutyou’reupsettingthedementors andentirelyruiningVoldemortDay. AndtheParseltonguewhispersgrowlouderandlouder.Growmonstrouslyloud.Andgiant bannerswithsnakesymbolsuponthemdescendoverthestage. SCORPIUS:VoldemortDay? Wecuttoblack. ACTTHREE,SCENEONE HOGWARTS,HEADMISTRESS’SOFFICE SCORPIUS enterstheofficeofDOLORESUMBRIDGE.Heisdressedindarker,blackerrobes.Hehasa pensivelookonhisface.Heremainscoiledandalert. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Scorpius.Thankyousomuchforcomingtoseeme. SCORPIUS:Headmistress. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Scorpius,I’vethoughtforalongtimethatyouhaveHeadBoypotential,asyou know.Pure-blooded,anaturalleader,wonderfullyathletic... SCORPIUS:Athletic? DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Noneedtobemodest,Scorpius.I’veseenyouontheQuidditchpitch,there’s rarelyaSnitchyoudon’tcatch.Youareahighlyvaluedstudent.Valuedbythefaculty.Valued especiallybyme.I’vepositivelyglowedaboutyouindispatchestotheAugurey.Ourwork togetherflushingoutthemoredilettantestudentshasmadethisschoolasafer,purerplace— SCORPIUS:Hasit? Thereisthesoundofascreamfromoff.SCORPIUSturnstowardsit.Buthedismissesthe thought.Hemustandhewillcontrolhimself. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:ButinthethreedayssinceIfoundyouinthatlakeonVoldemortDay,you’ve become...odderandodder.Inparticular,thissuddenobsessionwithHarryPotter... SCORPIUS:Idon’t... DOLORESUMBRIDGE:QuestioningeveryoneyoucanabouttheBattleofHogwarts.HowPotterdied. WhyPotterdied.AndthisludicrousfascinationwithCedricDiggory.Scorpius,we’vechecked youforhexesandcurses—therewerenonewecansee—soI’maskingifthere’sanythingIcan do—torestoreyoutowhatyouwere... SCORPIUS:No.No.Considermerestored.Temporaryaberration.That’sall. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Sowecancontinueourworktogether? SCORPIUS:Wecan. Sheputsherhandtoherheart,andtouchesherwriststogether. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:ForVoldemortandValor. SCORPIUS(tryingtocopy):For—um—yes. ACTTHREE,SCENETWO HOGWARTS,GROUNDS KARLJENKINS:Hey,ScorpionKing. SCORPIUS ishigh-fived,it’spainful,hetakesit. YANNFREDERICKS:We’restillon,right,tomorrownight? KARLJENKINS:BecausewearereadytospillsomeproperMudbloodguts. POLLYCHAPMAN:Scorpius. POLLYCHAPMANisstandingonthestairs,SCORPIUS turnstowardsher,surprisedtohearher sayhisname. SCORPIUS:PollyChapman? POLLYCHAPMAN:Shallwecuttoit?Iknoweveryoneiswaitingtoknowwhoyou’regoingtoask because,youknow,youneedtoasksomeoneandI’vebeenaskedbythreepeoplealreadyandI knowI’mnotaloneinrefusingthemall.Incase,youknow,youweretoaskme. SCORPIUS:Right. POLLYCHAPMAN:Whichwouldbegreat.Ifyouwereinterested.Whichrumoris—youare.AndIjust wanttomakeclear—atthismoment—thatIamalsointerested.Andthatisn’tarumor.That’sa —f-a-c-t—fact. SCORPIUS:That’sum—greatbut—whatarewetalkingabout? POLLYCHAPMAN:TheBloodBall,ofcourse.Whoyou—theScorpionKing—aretakingtotheBlood Ball. SCORPIUS:You—PollyChapman—wantmetotakeyoutoa—ball? Thereisthesoundofscreamingbehindhim. Whatisthatscreaming? POLLYCHAPMAN:Mudbloods,ofcourse.Inthedungeons.Youridea,wasn’tit?What’sgoingonwith you?OhPotter,I’vegotbloodonmyshoesagain... Shebendsandcarefullycleansthebloodoffhershoes. LiketheAugureyinsists—thefutureisourstomake—sohereIam,makingafuture— withyou.ForVoldemortandValor. SCORPIUS:ForVoldemortitis. POLLYwalkson,SCORPIUS looksagonizedafterher.Whatisthisworld—andwhatishe withinit? ACTTHREE,SCENETHREE MINISTRYOFMAGIC,OFFICEOFTHEHEADOFMAGICALLAWENFORCEMENT DRACOisimpressiveinawaywehaven’tseen.Hehasthesmellofpowerabouthim.Flyingdowneither sideoftheroomareAugureyflags—withthebirdemblazonedinafascisticmanner. DRACO:Youarelate. SCORPIUS:Thisisyouroffice? DRACO:Youarelateandunapologetic,maybeyouaredeterminedtocompoundtheproblem. SCORPIUS:You’reHeadofMagicalLawEnforcement? DRACO:Howdareyou!Howdareyouembarrassmeandkeepmewaitingandthennotapologizefor it! SCORPIUS:Sorry. DRACO:Sir. SCORPIUS:Sorry,sir. DRACO:Ididnotbringyouuptobesloppy,Scorpius.Ididnotbringyouuptohumiliatemeat Hogwarts. SCORPIUS:Humiliateyou,sir? DRACO:HarryPotter,askingquestionsaboutHarryPotter,ofalltheembarrassingthings.Howdare youdisgracetheMalfoyname. SCORPIUS:Ohno.Areyouresponsible?No.No.Youcan’tbe. DRACO:Scorpius... SCORPIUS:TheDailyProphettoday—threewizardsblowingupbridgestoseehowmanyMuggles theycankillwithoneblast—isthatyou? DRACO:Beverycareful. SCORPIUS:The“Mudblood”deathcamps,thetorture,theburningaliveofthosethatopposehim.How muchofthatisyou?MumalwaystoldmethatyouwereabettermanthanIcouldsee,butthisis whatyoureallyare,isn’tit?Amurderer,atorturer,a— DRACOrisesupandpullsSCORPIUS hardontothetable.Theviolenceissurprisinganddeadly. DRACO:Donotusehernameinvain,Scorpius.Donotscorepointsthatway.Shedeservesbetterthan that. SCORPIUS saysnothing,horrifiedandscared.DRACOreadsthis.HeletsgoofSCORPIUS ’shead. Hedoesn’tlikehurtinghisson. Andno,thoseidiotsblastingMuggles,that’snotmydoing,thoughit’llbemetheAugurey askstobribetheMugglePrimeMinisterwithgold...Didyourmotherreallysaythatof me? SCORPIUS:ShesaidthatGrandfatherdidn’tlikeherverymuch—opposedthematch—thoughtshe wastooMuggle-loving—tooweak—butthatyoudefiedhimforher.Shesaiditwasthebravest thingshe’deverseen. DRACO:Shemadebeingbraveveryeasy,yourmother. SCORPIUS:Butthatwas—anotheryou. Helooksathisdad,wholooksbackwithafrown. I’vedonebadthings,you’vedoneworse.Whathavewebecome,Dad? DRACO:Wehaven’tbecomeanything—wesimplyareasweare. SCORPIUS:TheMalfoys.Thefamilyyoucanalwaysrelyontomaketheworldamurkierplace. ThishitshomewithDRACO.HelookscarefullyatSCORPIUS. DRACO:Thisbusinessattheschool—what’sinspiredit? SCORPIUS:Idon’twanttobewhoIam. DRACO:Andwhat’sbroughtthaton? SCORPIUS desperatelythinksforawayofdescribinghisstory. SCORPIUS:I’veseenmyselfinadifferentway. DRACO:YouknowwhatIlovedmostaboutyourmother?Shecouldalwayshelpmefindlightinthe darkness.Shemadetheworld—myworld,anyway—less—whatwasthewordyouused— “murky.” SCORPIUS:Didshe? DRACOstudieshisson. DRACO:There’smoreofherintherethanIthought. Beat.HelooksatSCORPIUScarefully. Whateveryou’redoing—doitsafely.Ican’tloseyoutoo. SCORPIUS:Yes.Sir. DRACOlooksathissononelasttime—tryingtounderstandhishead. DRACO:ForVoldemortandValor. SCORPIUS looksathimandbacksoutoftheroom. SCORPIUS:ForVoldemortandValor. ACTTHREE,SCENEFOUR HOGWARTS,LIBRARY SCORPIUS entersthelibraryandstartsdesperatelytolookthroughbooks.Hefindsahistorybook. SCORPIUS:HowdidCedricbecomeaDeathEater?WhathaveImissed?Findmesome—lightinthe darkness.Tellmeyoursecrets.WhathaveImissed? CRAIGBOWKERJR.:Whyareyouhere? SCORPIUS turnstolookataratherdesperate-lookingCRAIG,hisclothestatteredandworn. SCORPIUS:Whycan’tIbehere? CRAIGBOWKERJR.:It’snotreadyyet.I’mworkingasfastasIcan.ButProfessorSnapesetssomuchof it,andwritingtheessayintwodifferentways.Imean,I’mnotcomplaining...Sorry. SCORPIUS:Startagain.Fromthebeginning.What’snotready? CRAIGBOWKERJR.:YourPotionshomework.AndI’mhappytodoit—gratefuleven—andIknowyou hatehomeworkandbooksandIneverletyoudown,youknowthat. SCORPIUS:Ihatehomework? CRAIGBOWKERJR.:You’retheScorpionKing.Ofcourseyouhatehomework.Whatareyoudoingwith AHistoryofMagic?Icoulddothatassignmenttoo? Pause.SCORPIUSlooksatCRAIGamomentandthenwalksaway.CRAIGexits. AfteramomentSCORPIUSreturnswithafrown. SCORPIUS:DidhesaySnape? ACTTHREE,SCENEFIVE HOGWARTS,POTIONSCLASSROOM SCORPIUS runsintothePotionsclassroom,slammingbackthedoor.SEVERUSSNAPElooksupathim. SNAPE:Didnooneteachyoutoknock,boy? SCORPIUS looksupatSNAPE,slightlybreathless,slightlyunsure,slightlyexultant. SCORPIUS:SeverusSnape.Thisisanhonor. SNAPE:ProfessorSnapewilldofine.Youmaybehavelikeakingatthisschool,Malfoy,butthat doesn’tmakeusallyoursubjects. SCORPIUS:Butyou’retheanswer... SNAPE:Howverypleasantforme.Ifyou’vegotsomethingtosay,boy,thenpleasesayit...Ifnot, closethedooronyourwayout. SCORPIUS:Ineedyourhelp. SNAPE:Iexisttoserve. SCORPIUS:Ijustdon’tknowwhathelpI—need.Areyoustillundercovernow?Areyoustillworking secretlyforDumbledore? SNAPE:Dumbledore?Dumbledore’sdead.Andmyworkforhimwaspublic—Itaughtinhisschool. SCORPIUS:No.That’snotallyoudid.YouwatchedtheDeathEatersforhim.Youadvisedhim. Everyonethoughtyou’dmurderedhim—butitturnedoutyou’dbeensupportinghim.Yousaved theworld. SNAPE:Theseareverydangerousallegations,boy.Anddon’tthinktheMalfoynamewillpreventme inflictingpunishment. SCORPIUS:WhatifIwastotellyoutherewasanotherworld—anotherworldinwhichVoldemortwas defeatedattheBattleofHogwarts,inwhichHarryPotterandDumbledore’sArmywon,how wouldyoufeelthen... SNAPE:I’dsaythattherumorsofHogwarts’sbelovedScorpionKinglosinghismindarewell- founded. SCORPIUS:TherewasastolenTime-Turner.IstoleaTime-Turner.WithAlbus.Wetriedtobring CedricDiggorybackfromthedead,whenhewasdead.Wetriedtostophimwinningthe TriwizardTournament.Butbydoingsoweturnedhimintoanalmostdifferentpersonentirely. SNAPE:HarryPotterwonthatTriwizardTournament. SCORPIUS:Hewasn’tsupposedtodoitalone.Cedricwassupposedtowinitwithhim.Butwe humiliatedhimoutofthetournament.AndasaresultofthathumiliationhebecameaDeathEater. Ican’tworkoutwhathedidintheBattleofHogwarts—whetherhekilledsomeoneor—buthe didsomethinganditchangedeverything. SNAPE:CedricDiggorykilledonlyonewizardandnotasignificantone—NevilleLongbottom. SCORPIUS:Oh,ofcourse,that’sit!ProfessorLongbottomwassupposedtokillNagini,Voldemort’s snake.NaginihadtodiebeforeVoldemortcoulddie.That’sit!You’vesolvedit!Wedestroyed Cedric,hekilledNeville,Voldemortwonthebattle.Canyousee?Canyouseeit? SNAPE:IcanseethisisaMalfoygame.GetoutbeforeIalertyourfatherandplungeyouintodeep trouble. SCORPIUS thinksandthenplayshisfinal,desperatecard. SCORPIUS:Youlovedhismother.Idon’tremembereverything.Iknowyoulovedhismother.Harry’s mother.Lily.Iknowyouspentyearsundercover.Iknowwithoutyouthewarcouldneverhave beenwon.HowwouldIknowthisifIhadn’tseentheotherworld...? SNAPEsaysnothing,overwhelmed. OnlyDumbledoreknew,amIright?Andwhenyoulosthimyoumusthavefeltsoalone.I knowyou’reagoodman.HarryPottertoldhissonyou’reagreatman. SNAPElooksatSCORPIUS —unsurewhat’sgoingon.Isthisatrick?Heisquiteseriouslyata loss. SNAPE:HarryPotterisdead. SCORPIUS:Notinmyworld.Hesaidyouwerethebravestmanhe’devermet.Heknew,yousee—he knewyoursecret—whatyoudidforDumbledore.Andheadmiredyouforit—greatly.And that’swhyhenamedhisson—mybestfriend—afteryouboth.AlbusSeverusPotter. SNAPEisstopped.Heisdeeplymoved. Please—forLily,fortheworld,helpme. SNAPEthinksandthenwalksuptoSCORPIUS ,takingouthiswandashedoes.SCORPIUS steps back,scared.SNAPEfireshiswandatthedoor. SNAPE:Colloportus! Aninvisiblelockslamsintoplace.SNAPEopensahatchatthebackoftheclassroom. Well,comeon,then... SCORPIUS:Justaquestion,butwhere—exactly—arewegoing? SNAPE:We’vehadtomovemanytimes.Everywherewe’vesettledtheydestroyed.Thiswilltakeustoa roomhiddenintherootsoftheWhompingWillow. SCORPIUS:Okay,who’swe? SNAPE:Oh.You’llsee. ACTTHREE,SCENESIX CAMPAIGNROOM SCORPIUS ispinnedtothetablebyamagnificent-lookingHERMIONE.Herclothesfaded,hereyes blazing,sheisfullwarriornowanditrathersuitsher. HERMIONE:Youmakeonemoremoveandyourbrainwillbeafrogandyourarmswillberubber. SNAPE:Safe.He’ssafe.(Beat.)Youknowyounevercouldlisten.Youwereaterribleboreofastudent andyou’reaterribleboreof—whateveryouare. HERMIONE:Iwasanexcellentstudent. SNAPE:Youweremoderatetoaverage.He’sonourside! SCORPIUS:Iam,Hermione. HERMIONElooksatSCORPIUS ,stillverydistrustful. HERMIONE:MostpeopleknowmeasGranger.AndIdon’tbelieveawordyousay,Malfoy— SCORPIUS:It’sallmyfault.Myfault.AndAlbus’s. HERMIONE:Albus?AlbusDumbledore?What’sAlbusDumbledoregottodowiththis? SNAPE:Hedoesn’tmeanDumbledore.Youmayneedtositdown. RONrunsin.Hishairspiked.Hisclothesscruffy.Heisslightlylessgoodattherebellook thanHERMIONEis. RON:Snape,aroyalvisit,and—(heseesSCORPIUS andisimmediatelyalarmed)what’shedoinghere? Hefumblesouthiswand. I’marmedand—entirelydangerousandseriouslyadviseyou— Herealizeshiswandisthewrongwayaroundandturnsitright. Tobeverycareful— SNAPE:He’ssafe,Ron. RONlooksatHERMIONE,whonods. RON:ThankDumbledoreforthat. ACTTHREE,SCENESEVEN CAMPAIGNROOM HERMIONEissittingstudyingtheTime-TurnerasRONtriestodigestitall. RON:Soyou’retellingmethatthewholeofhistoryrestson...NevilleLongbottom?Thisispretty wild. HERMIONE:It’strue,Ron. RON:Right.Andyou’resurebecause... HERMIONE:WhatheknowsaboutSnape—aboutallofus—there’snowayhecould... RON:Maybehe’sareallygoodguesser? SCORPIUS:I’mnot.Canyouhelp? RON:We’retheonlyonesthatcan.Dumbledore’sArmyhasshrunkconsiderablysinceitspeak.Infact, we’reprettymuchallthat’sleft,butwe’vekeptfightingon.Hidinginplainsight.Doingourbest totickletheirnosehairs.Grangerhereisawantedwoman.I’mawantedman. SNAPE(dryly):Lesswanted. HERMIONE:Tobeclear:Inthisotherworld...?Beforeyoumeddled? SCORPIUS:Voldemortisdead.KilledintheBattleofHogwarts.HarryisHeadofMagicalLaw Enforcement.You’reMinisterforMagic. HERMIONEstops,surprisedbythis,shelooksupwithasmile. HERMIONE:I’mMinisterforMagic? RON (wantingtojointhefun):Brilliant.WhatdoIdo? SCORPIUS:YourunWeasleys’WizardWheezes. RON:Okay,so,she’sMinisterforMagicandIruna—jokeshop? SCORPIUS looksatRON’shurtface. SCORPIUS:You’remostlyfocusedonbringingupyourkids. RON:Great.Iexpecttheirmotherishot. SCORPIUS(blushing):Well...Um...Dependswhatyouthinkof...Thethingis,youtwosortofhave kids—together.Adaughterandason. Thetwolookup,astonished. Married.Inlove.Everything.Youwereshockedtheothertimetoo.WhenyouwereDefense AgainsttheDarkArtsteacherandRonwasmarriedtoPadma.You’reconstantlysurprised byit. HERMIONEandRONbothlookateachotherandthenlookaway.AndthenRONlooksback.RON clearshisthroatrepeatedly.Withlessconvictioneachtime. HERMIONE:Closeyourmouthwhenyou’relookingatme,Weasley. RONdoesso.Thoughheremainsdiscombobulated. And—Snape?WhatdoesSnapedointhisotherworld? SNAPE:I’mdead,presumably. HelooksatSCORPIUS,whosefacedrops.SNAPEsmilesthinly. Youwerealittletoosurprisedtoseeme.How? SCORPIUS:Bravely. SNAPE:Who? SCORPIUS:Voldemort. SNAPE:Howveryirritating. There’sasilenceasSNAPEdigests. Still,there’sgloryinbeingtakendownbytheDarkLordhimself,Isuppose. HERMIONE:I’msorry,Severus. SNAPElooksather,andthenswallowsthepain.HeindicatesRONwithaflickofhishead. SNAPE:Well,atleastI’mnotmarriedtohim. HERMIONE:Whichspellsdidyouuse? SCORPIUS:ExpelliarmusinthefirsttaskandEngorgiointhesecond. RON:SimpleShieldCharmsshouldsetbothofthoseright. SNAPE:Andthenyouleft? SCORPIUS:TheTime-Turnertookusback,yes.That’sthething—thisTime-Turner,youonlygetfive minutesinthepast. HERMIONE:Andcanyoustillonlymoveintime,notspace? SCORPIUS:Yes,yes,it’s—uh—youtravelbackinthesamespotyoustandin— HERMIONE:Interesting. SNAPEandHERMIONEbothknowwhatthismeans. SNAPE:Thenit’sjustmeandtheboy. HERMIONE:Nooffense,Snape,butI’mnottrustingthistoanyone,it’stooimportant. SNAPE:Hermione,you’rethemostwantedrebelinthewizardingworld.Doingthiswillrequireyouto gooutside.Whenwasthelasttimeyouwereoutside? HERMIONE:Notforalongtime,but— SNAPE:Ifyou’refoundoutside,thedementorswillkissyou—they’llsuckoutyoursoul. HERMIONE:Severus,I’mdonewithlivingoffscraps,makingfailedattemptsatcoups.Thisisour chancetoresettheworld. ShenodsatRON,whopullsdownamap. ThefirsttaskofthetournamenttookplaceattheedgeoftheForbiddenForest.Weturntime here,gettothetournament,blockthespell,andthenreturnsafely.Withprecision—itcan bedoneanditwon’trequireustoshowourfacesoutsideinourtimeatall.Thenwe’llturn timeagain,makeourwaytothelake,andreversethesecondtask. SNAPE:You’reriskingeverything— HERMIONE:Wegetthisright,Harry’salive,Voldemort’sdead,andtheAugureyisgone,forthatno riskistoogreat.ThoughIamsorrywhatitwillcostyou. SNAPE:Sometimescostsaremadetobeborne. Thetwolookateachother,SNAPEnods,HERMIONEnodsback,SNAPE’sfacecrumblesslightly. Ididn’tjustquoteDumbledore,didI? HERMIONE(withasmile):No,I’mprettysurethat’spureSeverusSnape. SheturnstoSCORPIUS,sheindicatestheTime-Turner. Malfoy— SCORPIUS bringshertheTime-Turner.Shesmilesatit,excitedtouseaTime-Turneragain, excitedtouseitforthis. Let’shopethisworks. ShetakestheTime-Turner.Itbeginstovibrate,andthenexplodesintoastormofmovement. Andthereisagiantwhooshoflight.Asmashofnoise. Andtimestops.Andthenitturnsover,thinksabit,andbeginsspoolingbackwards,slowat first... Thereisabangandaflashandourgangdisappear. ACTTHREE,SCENEEIGHT EDGEOFTHEFORBIDDENFOREST,1994 AndwewatchourscenefromPartOnereplayed,butatthebackofthestageratherthanthefront.We pickoutALBUSandSCORPIUSintheirDurmstrangrobes.Andthroughitallwehearthe“brilliant”(his wordsagain,hiswords)LUDOBAGMAN. SCORPIUS ,HERMIONE,RON,andSNAPEwatchoutanxiously. LUDOBAGMAN:AndCedricDiggoryhasenteredthestage.Andheseemsready.Scaredbutready.He dodgesthisway.Hedodgesthat.Thegirlsswoonashedivesforcover.Theycryasone:Don’t damageourDiggory,Mr.Dragon!AndCedricskirtsleftandhedivesright—andhereadieshis wand— SNAPE:Thisistakingtoolong.TheTime-Turnerisspinning. LUDOBAGMAN:Whathasthisyoung,brave,handsomemangotuphissleeviesnow? AsALBUSattemptstosummonCEDRIC’swand,HERMIONEblockshisspell.Helooksathiswand —disconsolate,unsurewhyithasn’tworked. AndthentheTime-Turnerspinsandtheylookatitandpanicasthey’repulledintoit. Adog—he’stransfiguredastoneintoadog—dogdiggity,CedricDiggory—youarea doggydynamo. ACTTHREE,SCENENINE EDGEOFTHEFORBIDDENFOREST Theyarereturnedfromtime,attheedgeofthewoods,andRONisinalotofpain.SNAPElooksaround, immediatelyawareofthemessthey’rein. RON:Ow.Ow.Owwwwwww. HERMIONE:Ron...Ron...Whathasitdonetoyou? SNAPE:Ohno.Iknewit. SCORPIUS:TheTime-TurnerdidsomethingtoAlbustoo.Thefirsttimewewentback. RON:Useful—timeto—ow—tellus. SNAPE:We’reaboveground.Weneedtomove.Now. HERMIONE:Ron,youcanstillwalk,comeon... RONdoesstandup,shoutinginpain.SNAPEraiseshiswand. SCORPIUS:Diditwork? HERMIONE:Weblockedthespell.Cedrickepthiswand.Yes.Itworked. SNAPE:Butwecamebacktothewrongplace—weareoutside.Youareoutside. RON:WeneedtousetheTime-Turneragain—getoutofhere— SNAPE:Weneedtofindshelter.We’rehorriblyexposed. Suddenlyfromaroundtheauditorium,thefeelofthebreathofanicywind. Someblackrobesarisearoundpeople.Blackrobesthatbecomeblackshapes.Thatbecome dementors. HERMIONE:Toolate. SNAPE:Thisisadisaster. HERMIONE(sherealizeswhatshehastodo):They’reafterme,notanyofyou.Ron.IloveyouandI alwayshave.Butthethreeofyouneedtorun.Go.Now. RON:What? SCORPIUS:What? RON:Canwetalkaboutthelovethingfirst? HERMIONE:ThisisstillVoldemort’sworld.AndIamdonewithit.Reversingthenexttaskwillchange everything. SCORPIUS:Butthey’llkissyou.They’llsuckoutyoursoul. HERMIONE:Andthenyou’llchangethepast.Andthentheywon’t.Go.Now. Thedementorssensethem.Fromallsides,screamingshapesdescend. SNAPE:Go.Wego. HepullsonSCORPIUS’sarm.SCORPIUSreluctantlygoeswithhim. HERMIONElooksatRON. HERMIONE:You’resupposedtobegoingtoo. RON:Well,theyareaftermeabitandIreallyaminquitealotofpain.And,youknow,I’dratherbe here.Expecto— Ashereachesuptocastthespell,HERMIONEstopshisarm. HERMIONE:Let’skeepthemhereandgivetheboythebestchancewecan. RONlooksatherandthennodssadly. Adaughter. RON:Andason.Ilikedthatideatoo. Helooksaround—heknowshisfate. I’mscared. HERMIONE:Kissme. RONthinksandthendoes.Andthenthetwoareyankedapart.Andpinnedtotheground.And wewatchasagolden-whitishhazeispulledfromtheirbodies.Theyhavetheirsoulssucked fromthem.Anditisterrifying. SCORPIUS watches—helplessly. SNAPE:Let’sgetdowntothewater.Walk.Don’trun. SNAPElooksatSCORPIUS . Staycalm,Scorpius.Theymaybeblindbuttheycansenseyourfear. SCORPIUS looksatSNAPE. SCORPIUS:Theyjustsuckedouttheirsouls. AdementorswoopsdownlowoverthemandsettlesinfrontofSCORPIUS. SNAPE:Thinkofsomethingelse,Scorpius.Occupyyourthoughts. SCORPIUS:Ifeelcold.Ican’tsee.There’safoginsideme—aroundme. SNAPE:You’reaking,andI’maprofessor.They’llonlyattackwithgoodreason.Thinkaboutthose youlove,thinkaboutwhyyou’redoingthis. SCORPIUS:Icanhearmymother.Shewantsme—myhelp—butsheknowsIcan’t—help. SNAPE:Listentome,Scorpius.ThinkaboutAlbus.You’regivingupyourkingdomforAlbus,right? SCORPIUS ishelpless.Consumedbyallthedementorismakinghimfeel. Oneperson.Allittakesisoneperson.Icouldn’tsaveHarryforLily.SonowIgivemy allegiancetothecauseshebelievedin.Andit’spossible—thatalongthewayIstarted believinginitmyself. SCORPIUS smilesatSNAPE.Hestepsdecisivelyawayfromthedementor. SCORPIUS:Theworldchangesandwechangewithit.Iambetteroffinthisworld.Buttheworldisnot better.AndIdon’twantthat. SuddenlyDOLORESUMBRIDGEemergesinfrontofthem. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:ProfessorSnape! SNAPE:ProfessorUmbridge. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Haveyouheardthenews?We’vecaughtthattraitorousMudbloodHermione Granger.Shewasjustouthere. SNAPE:That’s—fantastic. UMBRIDGEisstaringatSNAPE.Helooksback. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Withyou.Grangerwaswithyou. SNAPE:Withme?You’remistaken. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:WithyouandScorpiusMalfoy.AstudentI’mbecomingincreasinglyconcerned about. SCORPIUS:Well... SNAPE:Dolores,we’relateforclass,soifyou’llexcuseus... DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Ifyou’relateforclass,whyareyounotheadingbacktotheschool?Whyareyou headingtothelake? There’samomentofpuresilence.AndthenSNAPEdoessomethinghugelyunusual—he smiles. SNAPE:Howlonghaveyoususpected? UMBRIDGErisesofftheground.Sheopensherarmswide,fullofDarkMagic.Shetakesout herwand. DOLORESUMBRIDGE:Years.AndIshouldhaveacteduponitfarearlier. SNAPEisfasterwithhiswand. SNAPE:Depulso! UMBRIDGEispropelledbackwardsthroughtheair. Shealwayswastoograndforherowngood.There’snoturningbacknow. Theskyturnsevenblackerstillaroundthem. ExpectoPatronum! SNAPEsendsforwardaPatronus,andit’sabeautifulwhiteshapeofadoe. SCORPIUS:Adoe?Lily’sPatronus. SNAPE:Strange,isn’tit?Whatcomesfromwithin. Dementorsstarttoappearallaroundthem.SNAPEknowswhatthismeans. Youneedtorun.IwillkeepthematbayforaslongasIcan. SCORPIUS:Thankyouforbeingmylightinthedarkness. SNAPElooksathim,everyinchahero,hesoftlysmiles. SNAPE:TellAlbus—tellAlbusSeverus—I’mproudhecarriesmyname.Nowgo.Go. ThedoelooksbackatSCORPIUS,andthenstartstorun. SCORPIUS thinksandthenrunsafterthedoe,andaroundhimtheworldgetsscarier.A bloodcurdlingscreamgoesupatoneside.Heseesthelakeandthrowshimselfinside. SNAPEreadieshimself. SNAPEispulledhardtothegroundandthenpushedhighintotheairashissoulisripped fromhim.Asthescreamsjustseemtomultiply. Thedoeturnstohimwithbeautifuleyes,anddisappears. Thereisabangandaflash.Andthensilence.Andthenthere’smoresilence. It’ssostill,it’ssopeaceful,it’ssoperfectlytranquil. Andthen—SCORPIUSascendstothesurface.Breathingdeeply.Helooksaroundhimself. Breathingdeep,panickedbreaths.Helooksupatthesky.Theskycertainlyseems—bluer thanbefore. AndthenALBUSascendsafterhim.There’sasilence.SCORPIUSjustlooksatALBUS, disbelieving.Bothboysbreatheinandout. ALBUS:Whoa! SCORPIUS:Albus! ALBUS:Thatwasclose!DidyouseethatMerman?Theguywiththe—andthenthethingwiththe— whoa! SCORPIUS:It’syou. ALBUS:Itwasweirdthough—IthoughtIsawCedricstarttoexpand—butthenhesortofstarted shrinkingagain—andIlookedatyouandyouhadyourwandout... SCORPIUS:Youhavenoideahowgooditistoseeyouagain. ALBUS:Youjustsawmetwominutesago. SCORPIUS hugsALBUS inthewater,adifficulttask. SCORPIUS:Alothashappenedsincethen. ALBUS:Careful.You’redrowningme.Whatareyouwearing? SCORPIUS:WhatamIwearing?(Hepullsoffhiscloak.)Whatareyouwearing?Yes!You’rein Slytherin. ALBUS:Diditwork?Didwedoanything? SCORPIUS:No.Andit’sbrilliant. ALBUS looksathim—disbelieving. ALBUS:What?Wefailed. SCORPIUS:Yes.YES.ANDIT’SAMAZING. Hesplasheshardinthewater.ALBUSpullshimselfouttothebank. ALBUS:Scorpius.Haveyoubeeneatingtoomanysweetsagain? SCORPIUS:Thereyougo,yousee—alldryhumorandAlbus-y.Iloveit. ALBUS:NowI’mstartingtogetworried... HARRYentersandsprintstothesideofthewater.FollowedquicklybyDRACO,GINNY,and PROFESSORMcGONAGALL. HARRY:Albus.Albus.Areyouokay? SCORPIUS(overjoyed):Harry!It’sHarryPotter!AndGinny.AndProfessorMcGonagall.AndDad.My dad.Hi.Dad. DRACO:Hello,Scorpius. ALBUS:You’reallhere. GINNY:AndMyrtletolduseverything. ALBUS:Whatisgoingon? PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:You’retheonewho’sjustreturnedfromtime.Whydon’tyoutellus? SCORPIUS immediatelyregisterswhattheyknow. SCORPIUS:Ohno.Ohbother.Whereisit? ALBUS:Justreturnedfromwhere? SCORPIUS:I’velostit!I’velosttheTime-Turner. ALBUS(lookingatSCORPIUS ,deeplyannoyed):You’velostwhat? HARRY:Timetocutthepretense,Albus. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Ithinkyou’vegotsomeexplainingtodo. ACTTHREE,SCENETEN HOGWARTS,HEADMISTRESS’SOFFICE DRACO,GINNY,andHARRYstandbehindacontrite-lookingSCORPIUS andALBUS .PROFESSORMcGONAGALLis fuming. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Sotobeclear—youillegallyjumpedofftheHogwartsExpress,you invadedandstolefromtheMinistryofMagic,youtookituponyourselftochangetime, whereuponyoudisappearedtwopeople— ALBUS:Iagreeitdoesn’tsoundgood. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:AndyourresponsetodisappearingHugoandRoseGranger-Weasleywasto gobackintimeagain—andthistime,insteadoflosingtwopeopleyoulostahugenumberof peopleandkilledyourfather—andindoingsoyouresurrectedtheworstwizardtheworldhas everknownandheraldedinanewageofDarkMagic.(Dry.)You’recorrect,Mr.Potter,itdoesn’t soundgood,doesit?Areyouawarehowstupidyou’vebeen? SCORPIUS:Yes,Professor. ALBUS hesitatesamoment.HelooksatHARRY. ALBUS:Yes. HARRY:Professor,ifImay— PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Youmaynot.Whatyouchoosetodoasparentsisyourmatterbutthisismy school,andthesearemystudents,andIwillchoosewhatpunishmenttheywillface. DRACO:Seemsfair. HARRYlooksatGINNY,whoshakesherhead. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Ishouldexpelyoubut(withalooktoHARRY)allthingsconsidered—Ithinkit mightbesaferforyoutoremaininmycare.Youareindetentionfor—well,youcanconsider yourselfindetentionfortherestoftheyear.Christmasiscanceledforyou.Youcanforget visitingHogsmeadeeveragain.Andthat’sjustthestart... SuddenlyHERMIONEburstsin.Allactionandresolve. HERMIONE:WhatdidImiss? PROFESSORMcGONAGALL(fierce):Itisconsideredpolitetoknockwhenenteringaroom,Hermione Granger,maybeyoumissedthat. HERMIONErealizesshe’soverstepped. HERMIONE:Ah. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:IfIcouldalsogiveadetentiontoyou,Minister,Iwould.Keepingholdofa Time-Turner,ofallthestupidthings! HERMIONE:Inmydefense— PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Andinabookcase.Youkeptitinabookcase.It’salmostlaughable. HERMIONE:Minerva.(Thereisanintakeofbreath.)ProfessorMcGonagall— PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Yourchildrendidn’texist! HERMIONEhasnoreplytothat. Thishappenedinmyschool,undermywatch.AfterallthatDumbledoredid,Icouldn’tlive withmyself... HERMIONE:Iknow. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL(composesherselfforamoment):YourintentionstosaveCedricwere honorable,ifmisguided.Anditdoessoundasifyouwerebrave,Scorpius,andyou,Albus,but thelessonevenyourfathersometimesfailedtoheedisthatbraverydoesn’tforgivestupidity. Alwaysthink.Thinkwhat’spossible.AworldcontrolledbyVoldemortis— SCORPIUS:Ahorrificworld. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Youaresoyoung.(ShelooksatHARRY,DRACO,GINNY,andHERMIONE.)You’re allsoyoung.Youhavenoideahowdarkthewizardingwarsgot.Youwere—reckless—with theworldsomepeople—someverydearfriendsofmineandyours—sacrificedahugeamount tocreateandsustain. ALBUS:Yes,Professor. SCORPIUS:Yes,Professor. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Goon.Getout.Thelotofyou.AndfindmethatTime-Turner. ACTTHREE,SCENEELEVEN HOGWARTS,SLYTHERINDORMITORY ALBUS issittinginhisroom.HARRYentersandlooksathisson—fullofanger,butcautioustonotletit spill. HARRY:Thanksforlettingmecomeup. ALBUS turns,henodsathisdad.He’sbeingcautioustoo. Noluck,asyet,withtheTime-Turnersearching.They’renegotiatingwiththeMerpeopleto dredgethelake. Hesitsdownuncomfortably. Thisisaniceroom. ALBUS:Greenisasoothingcolor,isn’tit?ImeanGryffindorroomsareallwellandgoodbutthe troublewithredis—itissaidtosendyoualittlemad—notthatI’mcastingaspersions... HARRY:Canyouexplainwhyyoutriedtodothis? ALBUS:IthoughtIcould—changethings.IthoughtCedric—it’sunfair. HARRY:Ofcourseit’sunfair,Albus,don’tyouthinkIknowthat?Iwasthere.Isawhimdie.Buttodo this...toriskallthis... ALBUS:Iknow. HARRY(failingtocontainhisanger):IfyouweretryingtodoasIdid,youwentthewrongwayabout it.Ididn’tvolunteerforadventure,Iwasforcedintoit.Youdidsomethingreallyreckless— somethingreallystupidanddangerous—somethingthatcouldhavedestroyedeverything— ALBUS:Iknow.Okay.Iknow. Pause.ALBUSwipesawayatear,HARRYnoticesitandtakesabreath.Hepullshimselfback fromthebrink. HARRY:Well,Iwaswrongtoo—tothinkScorpiuswasVoldemort’sson.Hewasn’tablackcloud. ALBUS:No. HARRY:AndI’velockedawaythemap.Youwon’tseeitagain.Yourmumleftyourroomexactlyasit waswhenyouranaway—youknowthat?Wouldn’tletmegoin—wouldn’tletanyonegoin— youreallyscaredher...Andme. ALBUS:Reallyscaredyou? HARRY:Yes. ALBUS:IthoughtHarryPotterwasn’tafraidofanything? HARRY:IsthathowImakeyoufeel? ALBUS looksathisdad,tryingtofigurehimout. ALBUS:Idon’tthinkScorpiussaid,butwhenwereturnedafterfailingtofixthefirsttask,Iwas suddenlyinGryffindorHouse.Nothingwasbetterbetweenustheneither—so—thefactthatI’m inSlytherin—that’snotthereasonforourproblems.It’snotjustaboutthat. HARRY:No.Iknow.It’snotjustaboutthat. HARRYlooksatALBUS . Areyouokay,Albus? ALBUS:No. HARRY:No.Norme. ACTTHREE,SCENETWELVE DREAM,GODRIC’SHOLLOW,GRAVEYARD YOUNGHARRYstandslookingatagravestonecoveredinbunchesofflowers.Hehasasmallbunchof flowersinhishand. AUNTPETUNIA:Goonthen,laydownyourgrottylittleflowersandthenlet’sgo.Ialreadyhatethis poxylittlevillage,Idon’tknowwhyIevenhadthethought—Godric’sHollow,GodlessHollow, morelike,theplaceisclearlyahiveoffilth—goon,chop-chop. Heapproachesthegrave.Hestandsamomentmore. Now,Harry...Idon’thavetimeforthis.DuddyhashisCubstonightandyouknowhehates tobelate. YOUNGHARRY:AuntPetunia.We’retheirlastlivingrelatives,right? AUNTPETUNIA:Yes.YouandI.Yes. YOUNGHARRY:And—theyweren’tpopular?Yousaidtheydidn’thaveanyfriends? AUNTPETUNIA:Lilytried—blessher—shetried—itwasn’therfault,butsherepelledpeople—by herverynature.Itwasherintensity,itwashermanner,itwasher—way.Andyourfather— obnoxiousman—extraordinarilyobnoxious.Nofriends.Neitherofthem. YOUNGHARRY:Somyquestionis—whyaretheresomanyflowers?Whyarethereflowersallover theirgrave? AUNTPETUNIAlooksaround,sheseesalltheflowersasifforthefirsttimeanditmovesher hugely.Sheapproachesandthensitsbyhersister’sgrave,tryinghardtofighttheemotions astheycometoherbutsuccumbingallthesame. AUNTPETUNIA:Oh.Yes.Well,Isupposetherearea—few.Musthaveblownoverfromtheother graves.Orsomeone’splayingatrick.Yes,Ithinkthat’smostlikely,someyoungrapscallionwith toomuchtimeonhishandshasgonearoundcollectingflowersfromalltheothergravesand depositedthemhere— YOUNGHARRY:Butthey’reallmarkedwiththeirnames...“LilyandJames,whatyoudid,wewill neverforget,”“LilyandJames,yoursacrifice...” VOLDEMORT:Ismellguilt,thereisastenchofguiltupontheair. AUNTPETUNIA(toYOUNGHARRY):Getaway.Getawayfromthere. Shepullshimback.VOLDEMORT’shandrisesintotheairabovethePotters’gravestone,the restofhimrisesafter.Wedon’tseehisfacebuthisbodyprovidesajagged,horrificshape. Iknewit.Thisplaceisdangerous.ThesoonerweleaveGodric’sHollowthebetter. YOUNGHARRYispulledfromthestage,butturnstofaceVOLDEMORT. VOLDEMORT:Doyoustillseewithmyeyes,HarryPotter? YOUNGHARRYexits,disturbed,asALBUS burstsfromwithinVOLDEMORT’scloak.Hereachesout adesperatehandtowardshisdad. ALBUS:Dad...Dad... TherearesomewordsspokeninParseltongue. He’scoming.He’scoming.He’scoming. Andthenascream. Andthen,rightfromthebackoftheroom,whisperingaroundeveryone. Wordssaidwithanunmistakablevoice.ThevoiceofVOLDEMORT... HaaarryPottttter. ACTTHREE,SCENETHIRTEEN HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE,KITCHEN HARRYisinahorriblestate.Petrifiedbywhathethinkshisdreamsaretellinghim. GINNY:Harry?Harry?Whatisit?Youwerescreaming... HARRY:Theyhaven’tstopped.Thedreams. GINNY:Theyweren’tlikelytostopimmediately.It’sbeenastressfultimeand— HARRY:ButIwasneverinGodric’sHollowwithPetunia.Thisdoesn’t— GINNY:Harry,you’rereallyscaringme. HARRY:He’sstillhere,Ginny. GINNY:Who’sstillhere? HARRY:Voldemort.IsawVoldemortandAlbus. GINNY:AndAlbus...? HARRY:Hesaid—Voldemortsaid—“Ismellguilt,thereisastenchofguiltupontheair.”Hewas talkingtome. HARRYlooksather.Hetoucheshisscar.Herfacefalls. GINNY:Harry,isAlbusstillindanger? HARRY’sfacegrowswhite. HARRY:Ithinkweallare. ACTTHREE,SCENEFOURTEEN HOGWARTS,SLYTHERINDORMITORY SCORPIUS leansominouslyoverALBUS ’sheadboard. SCORPIUS:Albus...Psst...Albus. ALBUS doesn’twake. ALBUS! ALBUS wakeswithashock.SCORPIUS laughs. ALBUS:Pleasant.That’sapleasantandnotscarywaytowakeup. SCORPIUS:Youknowit’sthestrangestofthings,buteversincebeinginthescariestplaceimaginable I’mprettymuchgoodwithfear.Iam—ScorpiustheDreadless.Iam—MalfoytheUnanxious. ALBUS:Good. SCORPIUS:Imean,normally,beinginlockdown,beinginconstantdetention,it’dbreakme,butnow— what’stheworsttheycando?BringbackMoldyVoldyandhavehimtortureme?Nope. ALBUS:You’rescarywhenyou’reinagoodmood,youknowthat? SCORPIUS:WhenRosecameuptometodayinPotionsandcalledmeBreadHeadIalmosthuggedher. No,there’snoalmostaboutit,Iactuallytriedtohugher,andthenshekickedmeintheshin. ALBUS:I’mnotsurebeingfearlessisgoingtobegoodforyourhealth. SCORPIUS looksatALBUS ,hisfacegrowsmorecontemplative. SCORPIUS:Youdon’tknowhowgooditistobebackhere,Albus.Ihateditthere. ALBUS:ApartfromthePollyChapmanfancyingyoubits. SCORPIUS:Cedricwasadifferentpersonentirely—dark,dangerous.Mydad—doinganythingthey wantedhimto.Andme?IdiscoveredanotherScorpius,youknow?Entitled,angry,mean— peoplewerefrightenedofme.Itfeelslikewewerealltestedandweall—failed. ALBUS:Butyouchangedthings.Youhadachanceandyouchangedtimeback.Changedyourselfback. SCORPIUS:OnlybecauseIknewwhatIshouldbe. ALBUS digeststhis. ALBUS:DoyouthinkI’vebeentestedtoo?Ihave,haven’tI? SCORPIUS:No.Notyet. ALBUS:You’rewrong.Thestupidthingwasn’tgoingbackonce—anyonecanmakethatmistake— thestupidthingwasbeingarrogantenoughtogobacktwice. SCORPIUS:Webothwentback,Albus. ALBUS:AndwhywasIsodeterminedtodothis?Cedric?Really?No.Ihadsomethingtoprove.My dad’sright—hedidn’tvolunteerforadventure—me,this,it’sallmyfault—andifitwasn’tfor youeverythingcouldhavegoneDark. SCORPIUS:Butitdidn’t.Andyou’retothankforthatasmuchasme.Whenthedementorswere— insidemyhead—SeverusSnapetoldmetothinkofyou.Youmaynothavebeenthere,Albus,but youwerefighting—fightingalongsideme. ALBUS nods.Touchedbythis. AndsavingCedric—thatwasn’tsuchabadidea—notinmyhead,anyway—though,you know,right—thatwedefinitelycan’ttryagain. ALBUS:Yes.Ido.Idoknowthat. SCORPIUS:Good.Thenyoucanhelpmedestroythis. SCORPIUS revealstheTime-TurnertoALBUS . ALBUS:I’mprettysureyoutoldeveryonethatwasonthebottomofalake. SCORPIUS:TurnsoutMalfoytheUnanxiousisaprettygoodliar. ALBUS:Scorpius...Weshouldtellsomeoneaboutthis... SCORPIUS:Who?TheMinistrykeptitbefore,doyoureallytrustthemnottokeepitagain?Onlyyou andIhaveexperiencedhowdangerousthisis,thatmeansyouandIhavetodestroyit.Noonecan dowhatwedid,Albus.Noone.No,(slightlygrandly)it’stimethattime-turningbecameathingof thepast. ALBUS:You’requiteproudofthatphrase,aren’tyou? SCORPIUS:Beenworkingonitallday. ACTTHREE,SCENEFIFTEEN HOGWARTS,SLYTHERINDORMITORY HARRYandGINNYmovequicklythroughthedormitory.CRAIGBOWKERJR.trailsafterthem. CRAIGBOWKERJR.:CanIrepeatagain?Thisisagainsttherulesandit’sthemiddleofthenight. HARRY:Ineedtofindmyson. CRAIGBOWKERJR.:Iknowwhoyouare,Mr.Potter,butevenyoumustunderstandthatit’sagainst schoolcovenantforparentsorprofessorstoenteraHousequarterswithoutexpresspermission from... PROFESSORMcGONAGALLchargesinbehindthem. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Pleasedon’tbetiresome,Craig. HARRY:Yougotourmessage?Good. CRAIGBOWKERJR.(shocked):Headmistress.I’m—Iwasjust— HARRYpullsopenabed-curtain. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:He’sgone? HARRY:Yes. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:AndyoungMalfoy? GINNYpullsopenanother. GINNY:Ohno. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Thenlet’sturnthisschoolupsidedown.Craig,we’veworktodo... GINNYandHARRYstay,lookingatthebed. GINNY:Haven’twebeenherebefore? HARRY:Somethingfeelsevenworsethistime. GINNYlooksatherhusband,fulloffear. GINNY:Youspoketohimearlier? HARRY:Yes. GINNY:Youcametohisdormandtalkedtohim? HARRY:YouknowIdid. GINNY:Whatdidyousaytoourson,Harry? HARRYcanheartheaccusationinhervoice. HARRY:Itriedtobehonestlikeyousaid—Ididn’tsayanything. GINNY:Andyoucontrolledyourself?Howheateddiditget? HARRY:...Idon’tthinkI...YouthinkI’vescaredhimawayagain? GINNY:Icanforgiveyouforonemistake,Harry,maybeeventwo,butthemoremistakesyoumake, thehardertoforgiveyouitbecomes. Downloadedfromwww.eBookBB.com ACTTHREE,SCENESIXTEEN HOGWARTS,OWLERY SCORPIUS andALBUS emergeontoaroofbathedinsilverlight.There’ssofthootingallaroundthem. SCORPIUS:SoIthinkasimpleConfringo. ALBUS:Definitelynot.ForsomethinglikethisyouneedExpulso. SCORPIUS:Expulso?Expulsoandwe’llbeclearingbitsofTime-Turnerfromthisowleryfordays. ALBUS:Bombarda? SCORPIUS:AndwakeupeveryoneinHogwarts?MaybeStupefy.Theywereoriginallydestroyedusing Stupefy... ALBUS:Exactly,it’sbeendonebefore—let’sdosomethingnew,somethingfun. SCORPIUS:Fun?Look,manywizardsoverlooktheimportanceofchoosingtherightspell,butthis reallymatters.Ithinkit’samuch-underestimatedpartofmodernwitchcraft. DELPHI:“Amuch-underestimatedpartofmodernwitchcraft”—youtwoarethegreatest,youknow that? SCORPIUS looksup,surprisedtoseeDELPHIhasemergedbehindthem. SCORPIUS:Wow.You’re...um...Whatareyoudoinghere? ALBUS:Itfeltimportanttosendanowl—letherknowwhatwe’redoing,youknow? SCORPIUS looksathisfriendaccusingly. Thisconcernshertoo. SCORPIUS thinks,andthennods,acceptingthis. DELPHI:Whatconcernsme?What’sthisabout? ALBUS getsouttheTime-Turner. ALBUS:WeneedtodestroytheTime-Turner.ThethingsScorpiussawafterthesecondtask...I’mso sorry.Wecan’triskgoingbackagain.Wecan’tsaveyourcousin. DELPHIlooksatitandthenatthemboth. DELPHI:Yourowlsaidsolittle... ALBUS:Imaginetheworstpossibleworld,andthendoubleit.Peoplebeingtortured,dementors everywhere,adespoticVoldemort,mydaddead,meneverborn,theworldsurroundedbyDark Magic—wejust,wecan’tallowthattohappen. DELPHIhesitates.Andthenherfacebreaks. DELPHI:Voldemortruled?Hewasalive? SCORPIUS:Heruledeverything.Itwasterrible. DELPHI:Becauseofwhatwedid? SCORPIUS:HumiliatingCedricturnedhimintoaveryangryyoungman,andthenhebecameaDeath Eaterand—and—itallwentwrong.Reallywrong. DELPHIlooksatSCORPIUS ’sfacecarefully.Herfacesinks. DELPHI:ADeathEater? SCORPIUS:Andamurderer.HekilledProfessorLongbottom. DELPHI:Then—ofcourse—weneedtodestroyit. ALBUS:Youunderstand? DELPHI:I’llgofurtherthanthat—I’llsayCedricwouldhaveunderstood.We’lldestroyittogether, andthenwe’llgotomyuncle.Explainthesituation. ALBUS:Thankyou. DELPHIsmilesatthemsadly,andthentakestheTime-Turner.Shelooksatitandher expressionchangesslightly. Oh,nicemark. DELPHI:What? DELPHI’scloakhasloosened.AnAugureytattooisvisibleonthebackofherneck. ALBUS:Onyourback.Ihadn’tnoticeditbefore.Thewings.IsthatwhattheMugglescallatattoo? DELPHI:Oh.Yes.Well,it’sanAugurey. SCORPIUS:AnAugurey? DELPHI:Haven’tyoumettheminCareofMagicalCreatures?They’resinister-lookingblackbirdsthat crywhenrain’scoming.WizardsusedtobelievethattheAugurey’scryforetolddeath.WhenI wasgrowingupmyguardiankeptoneinacage. SCORPIUS:Your...guardian? DELPHIlooksatSCORPIUS ,nowshehastheTime-Turnershe’senjoyingthegameofthis. DELPHI:SheusedtosayitwascryingbecauseitcouldseeIwasgoingtocometoastickyend.She didn’tlikememuch.EuphemiaRowle...sheonlytookmeinforthegold. ALBUS:Whywouldyouwantatattooofherbird,then? DELPHI:Itremindsmethatthefutureisminetomake. ALBUS:Cool.ImightgetanAugureytattoo. SCORPIUS:TheRowleswereprettyextremeDeathEaters. AthousandthoughtswhirinsideSCORPIUS’shead. ALBUS:Comeon,let’sgetdestroying...Confringo?Stupefy?Bombarda?Whichwouldyouuse? SCORPIUS:Giveitback.GiveusbacktheTime-Turner. DELPHI:What? ALBUS:Scorpius?Whatareyoudoing? SCORPIUS:Idon’tbelieveyoueverwereill.Whydidn’tyoucometoHogwarts?Whyareyouhere now? DELPHI:I’mtryingtobringmycousinback! SCORPIUS:TheycalledyoutheAugurey.In—theotherworld—theycalledyoutheAugurey. AslowsmilegrowsonDELPHI’sface. DELPHI:TheAugurey?Iratherlikethat. ALBUS:Delphi? She’stooquick.Levelingherwand,sherepelsSCORPIUS,andsheisfarstronger.SCORPIUS triestokeepherback,butshequicklyoverpowershim. DELPHI:Fulgari! SCORPIUS ’sarmsareboundinvicious,luminouscords. SCORPIUS:Albus.Run! ALBUS looksaround,bewildered.Andthenstartstorun. DELPHI:Fulgari! ALBUS ispropelledtothefloor,hishandstiedbythesamebrutalbinding. AndthatisthefirstspellI’vehadtouseonyou.IthoughtI’dhavetouseplentymore.But you’refareasiertocontrolthanAmos—children,particularlymalechildren,areso naturallypliant,aren’tthey?Now,let’ssortthismessoutonceandforall... ALBUS:Butwhy?Butwhat?Butwhoareyou? DELPHI:Albus.Iamthenewpast. ShepullsALBUS’swandfromhimandsnapsit. Iamthenewfuture. ShepullsSCORPIUS’swandfromhimandsnapsit. Iamtheanswerthisworldhasbeenlookingfor. ACTTHREE,SCENESEVENTEEN MINISTRYOFMAGIC,HERMIONE’SOFFICE RONissittingonHERMIONE’sdeskeatingporridge. RON:Ican’tgetoverit,really.Thefactthatinsomerealitieswearen’teven,youknow,married. HERMIONE:Ron,whateverthisis,I’vegottenminutesuntilthegoblinsshowuptotalksecurityat Gringotts— RON:Imean,we’vebeentogethersolong—andmarriedforsolong—Imean,solong— HERMIONE:Ifthisisyourwayofsayingyouwantamaritalbreak,Ron,then,tobeclear,Iwillskewer youwiththisquill. RON:Shutup.Willyoushutupforonce?IwanttodooneofthosemarriagerenewalthingsI’veread about.Marriagerenewal.Whatdoyouthink? HERMIONE(meltingslightly):Youwanttomarrymeagain? RON:Well,wewereonlyyoungwhenwediditthefirsttimeandIgotverydrunkand—well,tobe honest,Ican’tremembermuchofitand...Thetruthis—Iloveyou,HermioneGranger,and whatevertimesays—I’dliketheopportunitytosaysoinfrontoflotsofotherpeople.Again. Sober. Shelooksathim,shesmiles,shepullshimtoher,shekisseshim. HERMIONE:You’resweet. RON:Andyoutasteoftoffee... HERMIONElaughs.HARRY,GINNY,andDRACOwalkinonthemastheymovetokissagain.They springapart. HERMIONE:Harry,Ginny,and—I,uh—Draco—howlovelytoseeyou— HARRY:Thedreams.They’vestartedagain,well,theyhaven’tstopped. GINNY:AndAlbusismissing.Again. DRACO:Scorpiustoo.We’vehadMcGonagallchecktheentireschool.They’regone. HERMIONE:I’llgettheAurorssummonedimmediately,I’ll— RON:No,youwon’t,it’sallfine.Albus—Isawhimlastnight.It’sallgood. DRACO:Where? TheyallturntolookatRON,he’sbrieflydisconcertedbutbatterson. RON:IwashavingacoupleoffirewhiskieswithNevilleinHogsmeade—asyoudo—settingthe worldtorights—aswedo—andwewerecomingback—quitelate,verylate,andtryingto workoutwhichFlooIcouldusebecausewhenyou’vehadadrinksometimesyoudon’twantto usethetightones—ortheturnyonesor— GINNY:Ron,ifyoucouldgettothepointbeforeweallstrangleyou? RON:Hehasn’trunaway—he’shavingaquietmoment—he’sgothimselfanoldergirlfriend— HARRY:Anoldergirlfriend? RON:Andacrackingoneatthat—gorgeoussilverhair.Sawthemontherooftogether,nearthe OwlerywithScorpiusplayingthegooseberry.Nicetoseemylovepotionbeingusedwell,I thought. HARRYhasathought. HARRY:Herhair—wasitsilverandblue? RON:That’sit—silver,blue—yup. HARRY:He’stalkingaboutDelphiDiggory.Nieceof—AmosDiggory. GINNY:ThisisaboutCedricagain? HARRYsaysnothing,thinkingfast.HERMIONElooksaroundtheroom,concerned,andthen shoutsoutofthedoor. HERMIONE:Ethel!Cancelthegoblins. ACTTHREE,SCENEEIGHTEEN ST.OSWALD’SHOMEFOROLDWITCHESANDWIZARDS,AMOS’SROOM HARRYwalksin,wandoutstretched,withDRACO. HARRY:Wherearethey? AMOS:HarryPotter,andwhatcanIdoforyou,sir?AndDracoMalfoy.Iamblessed. HARRY:Iknowhowyou’veusedmyson. AMOS:I’veusedyourson?No.You,sir—youusedmybeautifulson. DRACO:Tellus—now—whereareAlbusandScorpius?Orfacetheprofoundestconsequences. AMOS:ButwhywouldIknowwheretheyare? DRACO:Don’tplaythesenilitycardwithus,oldman.Weknowyou’vebeensendinghimowls. AMOS:I’vedonenothingofthekind. HARRY:Amos,you’renottoooldforAzkaban.TheywerelastseenontheHogwartstowerwithyour niecewhentheydisappeared. AMOS:Ihavenoideawhatyouare...(Hestops,abeat,confused.)Myniece? HARRY:Therearenodepthstowhichyouwon’tsink,arethere—yes,yourniece,areyoudenyingshe wasthereunderyourexpressinstructions? AMOS:Yes,Iam—Idon’thaveaniece. ThisstopsHARRY. DRACO:Yes,youdo,anurse,workshere.Yourniece...DelphiniDiggory. AMOS:IknowIdon’thaveaniecebecauseIneverhadanybrothersandsisters.Andnordidmywife. DRACO:Weneedtofindoutwhosheis—now. ACTTHREE,SCENENINETEEN HOGWARTS,QUIDDITCHPITCH WeopenonDELPHI,enjoyingeverysecondofherchangedidentity.Wheretherewasdiscomfortand insecurity,nowthere’sjustpower. ALBUS:WhatarewedoingontheQuidditchpitch? DELPHIsaysnothing. SCORPIUS:TheTriwizardTournament.Thethirdtask.Themaze.Thisiswherethemazewas.We’re goingbackforCedric. DELPHI:Yes,itistimetosparethespareonceandforall.WewillgobackforCedricandindoingso wewillresurrecttheworldyousaw,Scorpius... SCORPIUS:Hell.Youwanttoresurrecthell? DELPHI:Iwantareturntopureandstrongmagic.IwanttorebirththeDark. SCORPIUS:YouwantVoldemort’sreturn? DELPHI:Theonetruerulerofthewizardingworld.Hewillreturn.Now,you’veensuredthefirsttwo tasksarealittlecloggedupwithmagic—thereareatleasttwovisitsfromthefutureinbothof themandIwillnotriskbeingrevealedordistracted.Thethirdtaskisclean,solet’sstartthere, shallwe? ALBUS:Wewon’tstophim—whateveryouforceustodo—weknowheneedstowinthetournament withmydad. DELPHI:Idon’tjustwantyoutostophim.Iwantyoutohumiliatehim.Heneedstoflyoutofthatmaze nakedonabroomstickmadeofpurplefeatherdusters.Humiliationgotyoutherebeforeandit’ll getusthereagain.Andtheprophecywillbefulfilled. SCORPIUS:Wasn’tawarethattherewasaprophecy,whatprophecy? DELPHI:Youhaveseentheworldasitshouldbe,Scorpius,andtodaywe’regoingtoensureitsreturn. ALBUS:Wewon’t.Wewon’tobeyyou.Whoeveryouare.Whateveryouwantustodo. DELPHI:Ofcourseyouwill. ALBUS:You’llhavetouseImperio.You’llhavetocontrolme. DELPHI:No.Tofulfilltheprophecy,thishastobeyou,notapuppetofyou.Youhavetobetheoneto humiliateCedric,soImperiojustwon’tdo—I’llhavetoforceyoubyothermeans. Shetakesoutherwand.ShepointsitatALBUS,whostickshischinout. ALBUS:Doyourworst. DELPHIlooksathim.AndthenturnsherwandonSCORPIUS . DELPHI:Iwill. ALBUS:No! DELPHI:Yes,asIthought—thisseemstofrightenyoumore. SCORPIUS:Albus,whatevershedoestome—wecan’tlether— DELPHI:Crucio! SCORPIUS yellsoutinpain. ALBUS:Iwill... DELPHI(laughing):What?Whatonearthdoyouthinkyoucando?Awizardwidedisappointment?A soreonyourfamilyname?Aspare?Youwanttostopmehurtingyouronlyfriend?Thendowhat you’retold. ShelooksatALBUS,hiseyesstayresistant. No?Crucio! ALBUS:Stop.Please. CRAIGrunsin,fullofenergy. CRAIGBOWKERJR.:Scorpius?Albus?Everyone’slookingforyou— ALBUS:Craig.Getaway.Gethelp! CRAIGBOWKERJR.:What’shappening? DELPHI:AvadaKedavra! DELPHIsendsablastofgreenlightacrossthestage—CRAIGispropelledbackwardsbyit— andisimmediatelykilled. There’sasilence.Asilencethatseemstolastforalongtime. Didyounotunderstand?Thesearenotchildishgamesweareplayinghere.Youareuseful tome,yourfriendsarenot. ALBUS andSCORPIUS lookatCRAIG’sbody—theirmindsinhell. Ittookmealongtimetodiscoveryourweakness,AlbusPotter.Ithoughtitwaspride,I thoughtitwastheneedtoimpressyourfather,butthenIrealizedyourweaknesswasthe sameasyourfather ’s:friendship.Youwilldoexactlyasyou’retold,otherwiseScorpius willdie,justlikethatsparedid. Shelooksatthemboth. VoldemortwillreturnandtheAugureywillsitathisside.Justasitwasprophesized.“When sparesarespared,whentimeisturned,whenunseenchildrenmurdertheirfathers:Then willtheDarkLordreturn.” Shesmiles.ShepullsSCORPIUSviciouslytowardsher. Cedricisthespare,andAlbus— ShepullsALBUSviciouslytowardsher. —theunseenchildwhowillkillhisfatherbyrewritingtimeandsoreturntheDarkLord. TheTime-Turnerstartsrotating.Shepullstheirhandstoit. Now! Andthereisagiantwhooshoflight.Asmashofnoise. Andtimestops.Andthenitturnsover,thinksabit,andbeginsspoolingbackwards,slowat first... Andthenitspeedsup. Andthenthere’sasuckingnoise.AndaBANG. ACTTHREE,SCENETWENTY TRIWIZARDTOURNAMENT,MAZE,1995 Themazeisaspiralofhedgesthatdon’tstopmoving.DELPHIwalksdeterminedlythroughit.Behind hershedragsALBUSandSCORPIUS.Theirarmsbound,theirlegsreluctantlymoving. LUDOBAGMAN:Ladiesandgentlemen—boysandgirls—Igiveyou—thegreatest—thefabulous —theone—andtheonlyTRIWIZARDTOURNAMENT. There’saloudcheer.DELPHIturnsleft. Ifyou’refromHogwarts.Givemeacheer. There’saloudcheer. Ifyou’refromDurmstrang—givemeacheer. There’saloudcheer. ANDIFYOU’REFROMBEAUXBATONSGIVEMEACHEER. There’safulsomecheer. DELPHIandtheboysareforcedtomoveasahedgeclosesuponthem. TheFrench,finallyshowinguswhatthey’recapableofthere.Ladiesandgentlemen,Igive you—thefinaloftheTriwizardtasks.Amazeofmysteries,adiseaseofuncontrollable darkness,forthismaze—itlives.Itlives. VIKTORKRUM passesacrossthestage,movingthroughthemaze. Andwhyriskthislivingnightmare?BecauseinsidethismazeisaCup—andnotjustany Cup—yes,theTriwizardtrophystandswithinthisvegetation. DELPHI:Whereishe?WhereisCedric? AhedgealmostdissectsALBUSandSCORPIUS. SCORPIUS:Thehedgeswanttokillustoo?Thisgetsbetterandbetter. DELPHI:Youwillkeepuporfacetheconsequences. LUDOBAGMAN:Theperilsareplentiful,buttheprizesarepalpable.Whowillfighttheirwaythrough? Whowillfallatthefinalhurdle?Whatheroesdowehavewithinourmidst?Onlytimewilltell, ladiesandgentlemen,onlytimewilltell. Theymovethroughthemaze,SCORPIUSandALBUSbeingcompelledbyDELPHI.Asshemoves ahead,theboyshaveachancetotalk. SCORPIUS:Albus,weneedtodosomething. ALBUS:Iknow,butwhat?Shehassnappedourwands,we’rebound,andshe’sthreateningtokillyou. SCORPIUS:I’mreadytodieifit’llstopVoldemortreturning. ALBUS:Areyou? SCORPIUS:Youwon’thavetomournmeforlong,she’llkillmeandquicklykillyoutoo. ALBUS(desperate):TheflawintheTime-Turner,thefive-minuterule.Wedoallwecantorundown theclock. SCORPIUS:Itwon’twork. Asanotherhedgechangesdirection,DELPHIpullsALBUSandSCORPIUSinafterher.They continuethroughthismazeofdespair. LUDOBAGMAN:Nowletmeremindyouofthecurrentstandings!Tiedinfirstplace—Mr.Cedric DiggoryandMr.HarryPotter.Insecondplace—Mr.ViktorKrum!Andinthirdplace—sacré bleu,MissFleurDelacour. Suddenly,ALBUSandSCORPIUSemergefrombehindahedge,they’rerunning. ALBUS:Wheredidshego? SCORPIUS:Doesitmatter?Whichwaydoyouthink? DELPHIrisesupafterthem.She’sflying,andwithoutabroom. DELPHI:Youpoorcreatures. Shethrowstheboystotheground. Thinkingyoucanescapeme. ALBUS(astonished):You’renot—evenonabroom. DELPHI:Brooms—suchunwieldy,unnecessaryobjects.Threeminutesgone.Wehavetwominutes left.Andyouwilldowhatyou’retold. SCORPIUS:No.Wewon’t. DELPHI:Youthinkyoucanfightme? SCORPIUS:No.Butwecandefyyou.Ifwelaydownourlivestodoso. DELPHI:Theprophecymustbefulfilled.Wewillfulfillit. SCORPIUS:Propheciescanbebroken. DELPHI:You’remistaken,child,propheciesarethefuture. SCORPIUS:Butiftheprophecyisinevitablewhyareweheretryingtoinfluenceit?Youractions contradictyourthoughts—you’redraggingusthroughthismazebecauseyoubelievethis prophecyneedstobeenabled—andbythatlogicpropheciescanalsobebroken—prevented. DELPHI:Youtalktoomuch,child.Crucio! SCORPIUS israckedwithpain. ALBUS:Scorpius! SCORPIUS:Youwantedatest,Albus,thisisit,andwe’regoingtopassit. ALBUS looksatSCORPIUS ,finallyawarewhathehastodo.Henods. DELPHI:Thenyouwilldie. ALBUS(fullofstrength):Yes.Wewill.Andwe’lldosogladlyknowingit’sstoppedyou. DELPHIrisesup—fulloffury. DELPHI:Wedon’thavetimeforthis.Cru— MYSTERIOUSVOICE:Expelliarmus! Bang.DELPHI’swandispulledawayfromher.SCORPIUSlooksoninastonishment. Brachiabindo! AndDELPHIisbound.SCORPIUSandALBUSthenturnasoneandstareinastonishmentatwhere theboltcamefrom:ayoung,good-lookingladofseventeenorso,CEDRIC. CEDRIC:Comenofurther. SCORPIUS:Butyou’re... CEDRIC:CedricDiggory.Iheardscreaming,Ihadtocome.Nameyourselves,beasts.Icanfightyou. ALBUS wheelsaround,astonished. ALBUS:Cedric? SCORPIUS:Yousavedus. CEDRIC:Areyoualsoatask?Anobstacle?Speak.DoIhavetodefeatyoutoo? There’sasilence. SCORPIUS:No.Youjusthavetofreeus.That’sthetask. CEDRICthinks,tryingtoworkoutwhetherit’satrap,andthenwaveshiswand. CEDRIC:Emancipare!Emancipare! Theboysarefreed. AndnowIcangoon?Finishthemaze? TheboyslookatCEDRIC—theyareheartbroken. ALBUS:I’mafraidyouhavetofinishthemaze. CEDRIC:ThenIshall. CEDRICwalksconfidentlyaway.ALBUS looksafterhim—desperatetosaysomething,unsure whattosay. ALBUS:Cedric— CEDRICturnstowardshim. Yourdadlovesyouverymuch. CEDRIC:What? Behindthem,DELPHI’sbodycreepsintomovement.Shecrawlsalongtheground. ALBUS:Justthoughtyoushouldknowthat. CEDRIC:Okay.Um.Thankyou. CEDRIClooksatALBUS amomentmore,andthenwalkson.DELPHIpullsouttheTime-Turner fromwithinherrobes. SCORPIUS:Albus. ALBUS:No.Wait... SCORPIUS:TheTime-Turnerisspinning...Lookatwhatshe’sdoing...Shecan’tleaveusbehind. ALBUS andSCORPIUS bothscrambletograbpartoftheTime-Turner. Andthereisagiantwhooshoflight.Asmashofnoise. Andtimestops.Andthenitturnsover,thinksabit,andbeginsspoolingbackwards,slowat first... Andthenitspeedsup. Albus... ALBUS:Whathavewedone? SCORPIUS:WehadtogowiththeTime-Turner,wehadtotrytostopher. DELPHI:Stopme?Howdoyouthinkyou’vestoppedme?Iamdonewiththis.Youmayhavedestroyed mychancesofusingCedrictodarkentheworldbutmaybeyou’reright,Scorpius—maybe propheciescanbeprevented,maybepropheciescanbebroken.Whatisundoubtedlytrueis:I’m donewithtryingtouseyouannoying,incompetentcreaturesforanything.Nomorewasting precioussecondsoneitherofyou.Timetotrysomethingnew. ShecrushestheTime-Turner.Itexplodesinathousandpieces. DELPHIascendsagainintotheair.Shelaughsindelightasshesetsoffhardaway. Theboystrytochaseher,butthey’venottheslightestchance.Sheflies,theyrun. ALBUS:No...No...Youcan’t... SCORPIUS turnsbackandtriestopickuptheTime-Turnerpieces. TheTime-Turner?It’sdestroyed? SCORPIUS:Utterly.We’restuckhere.Intime.Whereverintimeweare.Whateveritisshe’splanningto do. ALBUS:Hogwartslooksthesame. SCORPIUS:Yes.Andwecan’tbeseenhere.Let’sgetoutofherebeforewe’respotted. ALBUS:Weneedtostopher,Scorpius. SCORPIUS:Iknowwedo—buthow? ACTTHREE,SCENETWENTY-ONE ST.OSWALD’SHOMEFOROLDWITCHESANDWIZARDS,DELPHI’SROOM HARRY,HERMIONE,RON,DRACO,andGINNYlookaroundasimpleoak-paneledroom. HARRY:ItmusthavebeenaConfundusCharmsheusedonhim.Usedonthemall.Shefakedbeinga nurse,shefakedbeinghisniece. HERMIONE:I’vejustcheckedinwiththeMinistry—butthere’snorecordofher.She’sashadow. DRACO:SpecialisRevelio! EveryoneturnstolookatDRACO. Well,itwasworthatry,whatareyouwaitingfor?Weknownothing,sowejusthaveto hopethisroomrevealssomething. GINNY:Wherecanshehavehiddenanything?It’squiteaspartanroom. RON:Thesepanels,thesepanelsmustconcealsomething. DRACO:Orthebeddoes. DRACOstartsexaminingthebed,GINNYalamp,asthereststartexaminingthewoodenwall panels. RON (shoutingashehammersonthewalls):Whatyouhiding?Whatyougot? HERMIONE:Maybeweshouldallstopforamomentandhaveathinkaboutwhat— GINNYunscrewsachimneyfromanoillamp.There’sabreathing-outnoise.Andthenhissing words.Theyallturntowardsit. Whatwasthat? HARRY:That’s—I’mnotsupposedtobeunderstanding—that’sParseltongue. HERMIONE:Andwhatdoesitsay? HARRY:HowdoI...?Ihaven’tbeenabletounderstandParseltonguesinceVoldemortdied. HERMIONE:Andnorhasyourscarhurt. HARRYlooksatHERMIONE. HARRY:Itsays“Welcome,Augurey.”IthinkIneedtotellittoopen... DRACO:Thendoit. HARRYshutshiseyes.HespeaksinParseltongue. Theroomtransformsaroundthem,becomingdarkerandmoredesperate.Awrithingmassof paintedsnakesemergesonallthewalls. Andonthem,writteninfluorescentpaint,aprophecy. Whatisthis? RON:“Whensparesarespared,whentimeisturned,whenunseenchildrenmurdertheirfathers:Then willtheDarkLordreturn.” GINNY:Aprophecy.Anewprophecy. HERMIONE:Cedric—Cedricwascalledaspare. RON:Whentimeisturned—shehasthatTime-Turner,doesn’tshe? Theirfacessink. HERMIONE:Shemustdo. RON:ButwhydoessheneedScorpiusorAlbus? HARRY:BecauseI’maparent—whohasn’tseenhischild.Hasn’tunderstoodhischild. DRACO:Whoisshe?Tobesoobsessedwithallthis? GINNY:IthinkI’vegottheanswertothat. Theyallturntoher.Shepointsup...Theircollectivefacessinkfurtherandfillwithfear. Wordsarerevealedonallthewallsoftheauditorium—dangerouswords,horriblewords. “IwillrebirththeDark.Iwillbringmyfatherback.” RON:No.Shecan’t... HERMIONE:Howisiteven—possible? DRACO:Voldemorthadadaughter? Theylookup,terrified.GINNYtakesHARRY’shand. HARRY:No,no,no.Notthat.Anythingbutthat. Cuttoblack. ACTFOUR,SCENEONE MINISTRYOFMAGIC,GRANDMEETINGROOM Wizardsandwitchesfromallovercramintothegrandmeetingroom.HERMIONEwalksontoahastily madestage.Sheraisesherhandforsilence.Silencefalls.She’ssurprisedatthelackofeffortittook. Shelooksaroundherself. HERMIONE:Thankyou.I’msopleasedsomanyofyouwereabletomakemy—second— ExtraordinaryGeneralMeeting.I’vegotsomethingstosay—Iaskthatwedealwithquestions —andtherewillbealotofquestions—afterIspeak. Asmanyofyouknow,abodyhasbeenfoundatHogwarts.HisnamewasCraigBowker.He wasagoodboy.Wehavenofirminformationwhowasresponsiblefortheactbutyesterday wesearchedSt.Oswald’s.Aroomthererevealedtwothings—one,aprophecythat promised—thereturnofdarkness—two,writtenontheceiling,aproclamation—thatthe DarkLordhada—thatVoldemorthadachild. Thenewsreverberatesaroundtheroom. Wedon’tknowthefulldetails.We’reonlyjustinvestigating—questioningthosewitha DeathEaterconnection...Andasyetnorecordhasbeenfoundeitherofthechildorofthe prophecy—but,itdoeslooklikethere’ssometruthtoit.Thischildwaskepthiddenfrom thewizardingworld,andnowshe’s—wellnowshe’s... PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:She?Adaughter?Hehadadaughter? HERMIONE:Yes.Adaughter. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Andisshenowincustody? HARRY:Professor,shedidaskfornoquestions. HERMIONE:It’sfine,Harry.No,Professor,that’swherethisgetsworse.I’mafraidwe’venomeansof takingherintocustody.Orindeed,stoppingherdoinganything.She’soutofourreach. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Wecan’t—lookforher? HERMIONE:Wehavegoodreasontobelieve—she’shiddenherself—intime. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Ofalltherecklessstupidthings,youkepttheTime-Turnerevennow? HERMIONE:Professor,Iassureyou— PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Shameonyou,HermioneGranger. HERMIONEflinchesinthefaceoftheanger. HARRY:No,shedoesn’tdeservethat.Youhavearighttobeangry.Youalldo.Butthisisnotall Hermione’sfault.Wedon’tknowhowthewitchgotholdoftheTime-Turner.Whethermyson gaveittoher. GINNY:Whetheroursongaveither.Orwhetheritwasstolenfromhim. GINNYjoinsHARRYonthestage. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Yoursolidarityisadmirable,butitdoesn’tmakeyournegligencenegligible. DRACO:Thenit’sanegligenceItooshouldface. DRACOwalksuptothestageandstandsbesideGINNY.ThisisalmostaSpartacusmoment. Therearegasps. HermioneandHarryhavedonenothingwrongbuttryandprotectusall.Ifthey’reguilty thenIamtoo. HERMIONElooksacrossathercohort—moved.RONjoinsthemonthestage. RON:Justtosay—Ididn’tknowaboutmuchofitsocan’ttakeresponsibility—andI’mprettysure mykidshadnothingtodowithit—butifthislotarestandingupherethensoamI. GINNY:Noonecanknowwheretheyare—whetherthey’retogetherorapart.Itrustthatoursonswill bedoingalltheycantostopher,but... HERMIONE:Wehaven’tgivenup.We’vegonetothegiants.Thetrolls.Everyonewecanfind.The Aurorsareoutflying,searching,talkingtothosewhoknowsecrets,followingthosewhowon’t revealsecrets. HARRY:Butthereisonetruthwecan’tescape:Thatsomewhereinourpastawitchistryingtorewrite everythingweeverknew—andallwecandoiswait—waitforthemomentsheeithersucceeds orfails. PROFESSORMcGONAGALL:Andifshesucceeds? HARRY:Then—justlikethat—mostofthepeopleinthisroomwillbegone.We’llnolongerexist andVoldemortwillruleagain. ACTFOUR,SCENETWO SCOTTISHHIGHLANDS,AVIEMORETRAINSTATION,1981 ALBUS andSCORPIUS arelookingataSTATIONMASTER,apprehensively. ALBUS:Oneofusshouldtalktohim,don’tyouthink? SCORPIUS:Hello,Mr.Stationmaster.Mr.Muggle.Question:Didyouseeaflyingwitchpassinghere? Andbytheway,whatyearisit?WejustranawayfromHogwartsbecausewewerefrightenedof upsettingthings,butthisisokay? ALBUS:Youknowwhatannoysmemostofall?Dadwillthinkwediditdeliberately. SCORPIUS:Albus.Really?Imean,reallyreally?We’re—trapped—lost—intime—probably permanently—andyou’reworryingwhatyourdadmightthinkaboutit?Iwillneverunderstand thetwoofyou. ALBUS:There’salottounderstand.Dad’sprettycomplicated. SCORPIUS:Andyou’renot?Nottoquestionyourtasteinwomen,butyoufancied...well... Theybothknowwhohe’stalkingabout. ALBUS:Idid,didn’tI?Imean,whatshedidtoCraig... SCORPIUS:Let’snotthinkaboutthat.Let’sfocusonthefactthatwehavenowands,nobrooms,no meansofreturningtoourtime.Allwehaveisourwitsand—no,that’sall,ourwits—andwe havetostopher. STATIONMASTER(inverystrongScots):Yekenth’auldreekietrainisrunninglate,boys? SCORPIUS:Sorry? STATIONMASTER:Ifyou’rewaitingoanth’auldreekietrain,you’llneedtaekenit’srunninglate.Train wirksoanth’line.It’sa’oanth’amendedtimebuird. Helooksatthem,theylookbackbewildered.Hefrownsandhandsthemanamended timetable.Hepointstotherightbitofit. Late. ALBUS takesitandexaminesit.Hisfacechangesashetakesinenormousinformation. SCORPIUS juststaresattheSTATIONMASTER. ALBUS:Iknowwheresheis. SCORPIUS:Youunderstoodthat? ALBUS:Lookatthedate.Onthetimetable. SCORPIUS leansinandreads. SCORPIUS:The30thOctober,1981.DaybeforeHallows’Eve,thirty-nineyearsago.But—whyisshe? Oh. SCORPIUS ’sfacefallsasherealizes. ALBUS:Thedeathofmygrandparents.Theattackonmydadasababy...Themomentwhen Voldemort’scursereboundedonhimself.She’snottryingtobringaboutherprophecy—she’s tryingtopreventthebigone. SCORPIUS:Thebigone? ALBUS:“TheonewiththepowertovanquishtheDarkLordapproaches...” SCORPIUS joinsin. SCORPIUSandALBUS:“...borntothosewhohavethricedefiedhim,bornastheseventhmonth dies...” SCORPIUS ’sfacefallswitheveryword. SCORPIUS:It’smyfault.Itoldherthatpropheciescanbebroken—Itoldherthewholelogicof propheciesisquestionable— ALBUS:Intwenty-fourhours’timeVoldemortcurseshimselftryingtokillthebabyHarryPotter. Delphiistryingtopreventthatcurse.She’sgoingtokillHarryherself.WeneedtogettoGodric’s Hollow.Now. ACTFOUR,SCENETHREE GODRIC’SHOLLOW,1981 ALBUS andSCORPIUS walkthroughthecenterofGodric’sHollowandit’sabustling,beautifullittle village. SCORPIUS:Well,there’snovisiblesignsofattackthatIcansee... ALBUS:ThisisGodric’sHollow? SCORPIUS:Yourdad’snevertakenyou? ALBUS:No,hetriedtoafewtimesbutIrefused. SCORPIUS:Well,there’snotimeforatour—wehaveamurderouswitchtosavetheworldfrom—but regard:TheChurch,St.Jerome’s... Asheindicatesachurchbecomesvisible. ALBUS:It’smagnificent. SCORPIUS:AndSt.Jerome’sgraveyardissupposedlymagnificentlyhaunted,(hepointsinanother direction)andthat’swherethestatueofHarryandhisparentswillbe— ALBUS:Mydadhasastatue? SCORPIUS:Oh.Notyet.Buthewill.Hopefully.Andthis—thishouseiswhereBathildaBagshotlived, lives... ALBUS:TheBathildaBagshot?AHistoryofMagicBathildaBagshot? SCORPIUS:Theverysame.Ohmy,that’sher.Wow.Squeak.Mygeeknessisa-quivering. ALBUS:Scorpius! SCORPIUS:Andhereitis— ALBUS:ThehomeofJames,Lily,andHarryPotter... Ayoung,attractivecoupleleaveahousewithababyinapushchair.ALBUSmovestowards them,SCORPIUSpullshimback. SCORPIUS:Theycan’tseeyou,Albus,itmightdamagetime,andwe’renotdoingthat—notthistime. ALBUS:Butthismeans,shehasn’t...We’vemadeit...Shehasn’t... SCORPIUS:Sowhatdowedonow?Getreadytofighther?Becauseshe’spretty...Fierce. ALBUS:Yes.Wehaven’treallythoughtthisonethrough,havewe?Whatdowedonow?Howdowe protectmydad? ACTFOUR,SCENEFOUR MINISTRYOFMAGIC,HARRY’SOFFICE HARRYishurriedlygoingthroughpaperwork. DUMBLEDORE:Goodevening,Harry. Abeat.HARRYlooksupattheportraitofDUMBLEDORE,hisfacepassive. HARRY:ProfessorDumbledore,inmyoffice,I’mhonored.Imustbewheretheactionistonight? DUMBLEDORE:Whatareyoudoing? HARRY:Goingthroughpapers,seeingifI’vemissedanythingIshouldn’thave.Marshalingforcesto fightinthelimitedwaywecanfight.Knowingthatthebattleisbeingragedfarawayfromus. WhatelsecanIdo? Pause.DUMBLEDOREsaysnothing. Wherehaveyoubeen,Dumbledore? DUMBLEDORE:I’mherenow. HARRY:Herejustasthebattleislost.OrareyoudenyingthatVoldemortisgoingtoreturn. DUMBLEDORE:Itis—possible. HARRY:Go.Leave.Idon’twantyouhere,Idon’tneedyou.Youwereabsenteverytimeitreally counted.Ifoughthimthreetimeswithoutyou.I’llfacehimagain,ifneedsbe—alone. DUMBLEDORE:Harry,don’tyouthinkIwantedtofighthimonyourbehalf?Iwouldhavesparedyouif Icould— HARRY:“Loveblindsus”?Doyouevenknowwhatthatmeans?Doyouevenknowhowbadthatadvice was?Mysonis—mysonisfightingbattlesforusjustasIhadtoforyou.AndIhaveprovedas badafathertohimasyouweretome.Leavinghiminplaceshefeltunloved—growinginhim resentmentshe’lltakeyearstounderstand— DUMBLEDORE:Ifyou’rereferringtoPrivetDrive,then— HARRY:Years—yearsIspenttherealone,withoutknowingwhatIwas,orwhyIwasthere,without knowingthatanybodycared! DUMBLEDORE:I—didnotwishtobecomeattachedtoyou— HARRY:Protectingyourself,eventhen! DUMBLEDORE:No.Iwasprotectingyou.Ididnotwanttohurtyou... DUMBLEDOREattemptstoreachoutoftheportrait—buthecan’t.Hebeginstocrybuttries tohideit. ButIhadtomeetyouintheend...elevenyearsold,andyouweresobrave.Sogood.You walkeduncomplaininglyalongthepaththathadbeenlaidatyourfeet.OfcourseIloved you...andIknewthatitwouldhappenalloveragain...thatwhereIloved,Iwouldcause irreparabledamage.Iamnofitpersontolove...Ihaveneverlovedwithoutcausingharm. Abeat. HARRY:Youwouldhavehurtmelessifyouhadtoldmethisthen. DUMBLEDORE(openlyweepingnow):Iwasblind.Thatiswhatlovedoes.Icouldn’tseethatyouneeded tohearthatthisclosed-up,tricky,dangerousoldman...lovedyou. Apause.Thetwomenareovercomewithemotion. HARRY:Itisn’ttruethatInevercomplained. DUMBLEDORE:Harry,thereisneveraperfectanswerinthismessy,emotionalworld.Perfectionis beyondthereachofhumankind,beyondthereachofmagic.Ineveryshiningmomentof happinessisthatdropofpoison:theknowledgethatpainwillcomeagain.Behonesttothoseyou love,showyourpain.Tosufferisashumanastobreathe. HARRY:Yousaidthattomeoncebefore. DUMBLEDORE:ItisallIhavetoofferyoutonight. Hebeginstowalkaway. HARRY:Don’tgo! DUMBLEDORE:Thosethatwelovenevertrulyleaveus,Harry.Therearethingsthatdeathcannottouch. Paint...andmemory...andlove. HARRY:Ilovedyoutoo,Dumbledore. DUMBLEDORE:Iknow. Heisgone.AndHARRYisalone.DRACOenters. DRACO:Didyouknowthatinthisotherreality—therealityScorpiussawinto—IwasHeadof MagicalLawEnforcement?Maybethisroomwillbeminesoonenough.Areyouokay? HARRYisconsumedinhisgrief. HARRY:Comein—I’llgiveyouthetour. DRACOwalkshesitantlyinsidetheroom.Helooksarounddistastefully. DRACO:Thethingis,though—neverreallyfanciedbeingaMinistryman.Evenasachild.Mydad, it’sallheeverwanted—me,no. HARRY:Whatdidyouwanttodo? DRACO:Quidditch.ButIwasn’tgoodenough.MainlyIwantedtobehappy. HARRYnods.DRACOlooksathimasecondmore. Sorry,I’mnotverygoodatsmalltalk,doyoumindifweskipontotheseriousbusiness? HARRY:Ofcourse.What—serious—business? Beat. DRACO:DoyouthinkTheodoreNotthadtheonlyTime-Turner? HARRY:What? DRACO:TheTime-TurnertheMinistryseizedwasaprototype.Madeofinexpensivemetal.Itdoesthe job—sure.Butonlybeingabletogobackintimeforfiveminutes—that’saseriousflaw—it isn’tsomethingyou’dselltotruecollectorsofDarkMagic. HARRYrealizeswhatDRACOissaying. HARRY:Hewasworkingforyou? DRACO:No.Myfather.Helikedowningthingsthatnooneelsehad.TheMinistry’sTime-Turners— thankstoCroaker—werealwaysalittlevanillaforhim.Hewantedtheabilitytogobackfurther thananhour,hewantedtheabilitytotravelbackyears.He’dneverhaveusedit.SecretlyIthinkhe preferredaworldwithoutVoldemort.Butyes,theTime-Turnerwasbuiltforhim. HARRY:Anddidyoukeepit? DRACOrevealstheTime-Turner. DRACO:Nofive-minuteproblem,anditgleamslikegold,justthewaytheMalfoyslikeit.You’re smiling. HARRY:HermioneGranger.Itwasthereasonshekeptthefirst,thefearthattheremightbeasecond. Hangingontothis,youcouldhavebeensenttoAzkaban. DRACO:Considerthealternative—considerifpeoplehadknownthatIhadtheabilitytotravelintime. Considertherumorthatwouldhavebeengivenincreased—credence. HARRYlooksatDRACO,understandinghimperfectly. HARRY:Scorpius. DRACO:WewerecapableofhavingchildrenbutAstoriawasfrail.Abloodmalediction,aseriousone. Anancestorwascursed...itshowedupinher.Youknowhowthesethingscanresurfaceafter generations... HARRY:I’msorry,Draco. DRACO:Ididn’twanttoriskherhealth,Isaiditdidn’tmatterwhethertheMalfoylinediedwithme— whatevermyfathersaid.ButAstoria—shedidn’twantababyfortheMalfoyname,for purebloodorglory,butforus.Ourchild,Scorpius,wasborn...itwasthebestdayofbothour lives,althoughitweakenedAstoriaconsiderably.Wehidourselvesaway,thethreeofus.Iwanted toconserveherstrength...andsotherumorsstarted. HARRY:Ican’timaginewhatthatwaslike. DRACO:Astoriaalwaysknewthatshewasnotdestinedforoldage.Shewantedmetohavesomebody whensheleft,because...itisexceptionallylonely,beingDracoMalfoy.Iwillalwaysbe suspected.Thereisnoescapingthepast.Ineverrealized,though,thatbyhidinghimawayfrom thisgossiping,judgmentalworld,Iensuredthatmysonwouldemergeshroudedinworse suspicionthanIeverendured. HARRY:Loveblinds.Wehavebothtriedtogiveoursons,notwhattheyneeded,butwhatweneeded. We’vebeensobusytryingtorewriteourownpasts,we’veblightedtheirpresent. DRACO:Whichiswhyyouneedthis.Ihavebeenholdingontoit,barelyresistingusingit,eventhough IwouldsellmysoulforanotherminutewithAstoria. HARRY:Oh,Draco...wecan’t.Wecan’tuseit. DRACOlooksupatHARRY,andforthefirsttime—atthebottomofthisdreadfulpit—they lookateachotherasfriends. DRACO:Wehavetofindthem—ifittakescenturies,wemustfindoursons— HARRY:Wehavenoideawheretheyareorwhentheyare.Searchingintimewhenyou’venoidea whereintimetosearch,that’safool’serrand.No,lovewon’tdoitandnorwillaTime-Turner, I’mafraid.It’suptooursonsnow—they’retheonlyoneswhocansaveus. ACTFOUR,SCENEFIVE GODRIC’SHOLLOW,OUTSIDEJAMESANDLILYPOTTER’SHOUSE,1981 ALBUS:Wetellmygranddadandgrandma? SCORPIUS:Thatthey’llnevergettoseetheirsongrowup? ALBUS:She’sstrongenough—Iknowsheis—yousawher. SCORPIUS:Shelookedwonderful,Albus.AndifIwereyouI’dbedesperatetotalktoher.Butsheneeds tobeabletobegVoldemortforHarry’slife,sheneedstothinkhemightdie,andyou’retheworst spoilerintheworldthatdidn’tturnouttobetrue... ALBUS:Dumbledore.Dumbledore’salive.WegetDumbledoreinvolved.Wedowhatyoudidwith Snape— SCORPIUS:Canweriskhimknowingyourdadsurvives?Thathehaskids? ALBUS:He’sDumbledore!Hecancopewithanything! SCORPIUS:Albus,therehavebeenaboutahundredbookswrittenonwhatDumbledoreknew,howhe knewitorwhyhedidwhathedid.Butwhat’sundoubtedlytrue—whathedid—heneedstodo —andI’mnotgoingtoriskmessingwithit.IwasabletoaskforhelpbecauseIwasinan alternatereality.Wearen’t.We’reinthepast.Wecan’tfixtimeonlytocreatemoreproblems—if ouradventureshavetaughtusanything,they’vetaughtusthat.Thedangersoftalkingtoanyone —infectingtime—aretoogreat. ALBUS:Soweneedto—talktothefuture.WeneedtosendDadamessage. SCORPIUS:Butwedon’thaveanowlthatcanflythroughtime.Andhedoesn’thaveaTime-Turner. ALBUS:WegetamessagetoDad,he’llfindawaytogetbackhere.EvenifhehastobuildaTime- Turnerhimself. SCORPIUS:Wesendamemory—likeaPensieve—standoverhimandsendamessage,hopehe reachesforthememoryatexactlytherightmoment.Imean,it’sunlikely,but...Standoverthe baby—andjustrepeatedlyshoutHELP.HELP.HELP.Imean,itmighttraumatizethebaby slightly. ALBUS:Onlyslightly. SCORPIUS:Abitoftraumanowisnothingcomparedtowhat’shappening...andmaybewhenhethen thinks—later—hemightrememberthefacesofusaswe—shouted— ALBUS:Help. SCORPIUS looksatALBUS . SCORPIUS:You’reright.It’saterribleidea. ALBUS:It’soneofyourworstideasever. SCORPIUS:Gotit!Wedeliveritourselves—wewaitfortyyears—wedeliverit— ALBUS:Notachance—onceDelphihassettimethewayshewantsshe’llsendarmiestotryandfind us—killus— SCORPIUS:Sowehideinahole? ALBUS:Aspleasurableasitwillbetohideinaholewithyouforthenextfortyyears...they’llfindus. Andwe’lldieandtimewillbestuckinthewrongposition.No.Weneedsomethingwecan control,somethingweknowhe’llgetatexactlytherighttime.Weneeda— SCORPIUS:There’snothing.Still,ifIhadtochooseacompaniontobeatthereturnofeternaldarkness with,I’dchooseyou. ALBUS:Nooffense,butI’dchoosesomeonemassiveandreallygoodatmagic. LILYexitsthehousewithBABYHARRYinapram,shecarefullyputsablanketonhim. Hisblanket.She’swrappinghiminhisblanket. SCORPIUS:Well,itisamoderatelycoldday. ALBUS:Healwayssaid—it’stheonlythinghehadfromher.Lookatthelovewithwhichshe’sputit onhim—Ithinkhe’dliketoknowaboutthat—IwishIcouldtellhim. SCORPIUS:AndIwishIcouldtellmydad—well,I’mnotsurewhat.IthinkI’dliketotellhimthatI’m occasionallycapableofmorebraverythanhemightthinkIam. ALBUS hasathought. ALBUS:Scorpius—mydadstillhasthatblanket. SCORPIUS:Thatwon’twork.Ifwewriteamessageonitnow,evenreallysmall,he’llreadittoosoon. Timewillbespoilt. ALBUS:Whatdoyouknowaboutlovepotions?What’stheingredienttheyallcontain? SCORPIUS:Amongstotherthings,pearldust. ALBUS:Pearldustisarelativelyrareingredient,isn’tit? SCORPIUS:Mainlybecauseit’sprettyexpensive.What’sthisabout,Albus? ALBUS:DadandIhadafightonthedaybeforeIwenttoschool. SCORPIUS:ThisIamawareof.Ibelieveitkindofgotusintothismess. ALBUS:Ithrewtheblanketacrosstheroom.ItcollidedwiththelovepotionthatUncleRongavemeas ajoke. SCORPIUS:He’safunnyguy. ALBUS:ThepotionspiltandtheblanketwascoveredinitandIhappentoknowforafactMumhasn’t letDadtouchthatroomsinceIleftit. SCORPIUS:So? ALBUS:Soit’scominguptoHallows’Eveintheirtimeaswellasours—andhetoldmehealways findsthatblanket,heneedstobewithitonHallows’Eve—itwasthelastthinghismumgavehim —sohewilllookforitandwhenhefindsit... SCORPIUS:No.Stillnotgettingyou. ALBUS:Whatreactswithpearldust? SCORPIUS:Well,itissaidthatiftinctureofDemiguiseandpearldustmeet...theyburn. ALBUS:Andistinctureof(he’sunsurehowtosaytheword)Demiguisevisibletothenakedeye? SCORPIUS:No. ALBUS:SoifweweretogetthatblanketandwriteonitintinctureofDemiguise,then... SCORPIUS(eureka):Nothingwouldreacttoituntilitcameintocontactwiththelovepotion.Inyour room.Inthepresent.ByDumbledore,Iloveit. ALBUS:Wejustneedtoworkoutwheretofindsome...Demiguises. SCORPIUS:Youknow,rumorhasitBathildaBagshotneversawthepointinwitchesandwizards lockingtheirdoors. Thedoorswingsopen. Rumorwasright.Timetostealsomewandsandgetpotioning. ACTFOUR,SCENESIX HARRYANDGINNYPOTTER’SHOUSE,ALBUS’SROOM HARRYissittingonALBUS ’sbed.GINNYenters.Shelooksathim. GINNY:Surprisedtofindyouhere. HARRY:Don’tworry,Ihaven’ttouchedanything.Yourshrineispreserved.(Hewinces.)Sorry.Bad choiceofwords. GINNYsaysnothing,HARRYlooksupather. YouknowI’vehadsomeprettyterribleHallows’Eves—butthisisundoubtedlyatleastthe —secondworst. GINNY:Iwaswrong—toblameyou.Ialwaysaccuseyouofjumpingtothingsanditwasmewho— AlbuswentmissingandIassumeditwasyourfault.I’msorryIdidthat. HARRY:Youdon’tthinkthisismyfault? GINNY:Harry,hewaskidnappedbyapowerfulDarkwitch,howcanthatbeyourfault? HARRY:Ichasedhimaway.Ichasedhimtoher. GINNY:Canwenottreatthisasifthebattleisalreadylost? GINNYnods.HARRYstartstocry. HARRY:I’msorry,Gin... GINNY:Areyounotlisteningtome?I’msorrytoo. HARRY:Ishouldn’thavesurvived—itwasmydestinytodie—evenDumbledorethoughtso—and yetIlived.IbeatVoldemort.Allthesepeople—allthesepeople—myparents,Fred,theFallen Fifty—andit’smethatgetstolive?Howisthat?Allthisdamage—andit’smyfault. GINNY:TheywerekilledbyVoldemort. HARRY:ButifI’dstoppedhimsooner?Allthatbloodonmyhands.Andnowoursonhasbeentaken too— GINNY:He’snotdead.Doyouhearme,Harry?He’snotdead. ShetakesHARRYinherarms.Thereisabigpausefilledwithpureunhappiness. HARRY:TheBoyWhoLived.HowmanypeoplehavetodiefortheBoyWhoLived? HARRYswaysamoment,unsure.Thenhenoticestheblanket.Hewalkstowardsit. ThisblanketisallIhave,youknow...ofthatHallows’Eve.ThisisallIhavetoremember them.Andwhilst— Hepicksuptheblanket.Hediscoversithasholesinit.Helooksatit,dismayed. Thishasgotholesinit.Ron’sidioticlovepotionhasburntthroughit,rightthroughit.Look atthis.It’sruined.Ruined. Heopensuptheblanket.Heseeswritingburntthroughit.He’ssurprised. What? GINNY:Harry,ithas—something—written— Onanotherpartofthestage,ALBUSandSCORPIUSappear. ALBUS:“Dad...” SCORPIUS:We’restartingwith“Dad”? ALBUS:Sohe’llknowit’sfromme. SCORPIUS:Harryishisname.Weshouldstartwith“Harry.” ALBUS(firm):We’restartingwith“Dad.” HARRY:“Dad,”doesitsay,“Dad”?It’snotthatdistinct... SCORPIUS:“Dad,HELP.” GINNY:“Hello”?Doesthatsay“Hello”?Andthen...“Good.” HARRY:“DadHelloGoodHello”?No.Thisis...astrangejoke. ALBUS:“Dad.Help.Godric’sHollow.” GINNY:Givemethat.Myeyesightisbetterthanyours.Yes.“DadHelloGood”—that’snot“Hello” again—that’s“Hallow”or“Hollow”?Andthensomenumbers—theseareclearer—“3—1— 1—0—8—1.”IsthisoneofthoseMuggletelephonenumbers?Oragridreferenceora... HARRYlooksup,severalthoughtssmashingthroughhisbrainatonce. HARRY:No.It’sadate.31stOctober,1981.Thedatemyparentswerekilled. GINNYlooksatHARRY,andthenbackattheblanket. GINNY:Thatdoesn’tsay“Hello.”Itsays“Help.” HARRY:“Dad.Help.Godric’sHollow.31/10/81.”It’samessage.Cleverboyleftmeamessage. HARRYkissesGINNYhard. GINNY:Albuswrotethis? HARRY:Andhe’stoldmewheretheyareandwhentheyareandnowweknowwheresheis,weknow wherewecanfighther. Hekissesherhardagain. GINNY:Wehaven’tgotthembackagainyet. HARRY:I’llsendanowltoHermione.YousendonetoDraco.TellthemtomeetusatGodric’swiththe Time-Turner. GINNY:Anditis“us,”okay?Don’teventhinkaboutgoingbackwithoutme,Harry. HARRY:Ofcourseyou’recoming.Wehaveachance,Ginny,andbyDumbledore—that’sallthatwe need—achance. ACTFOUR,SCENESEVEN GODRIC’SHOLLOW RON,HERMIONE,DRACO,HARRY,andGINNYwalkthroughapresent-dayGodric’sHollow.Abusymarket town(it’sexpandedovertheyears). HERMIONE:Godric’sHollow.Itmustbetwentyyears... GINNY:IsitjustmeoraretheremoreMugglesabout... HERMIONE:It’sbecomequitepopularasaweekendbreak. DRACO:Icanseewhy—lookatthethatchedroofs.Andisthatafarmers’market? HERMIONEapproachesHARRY—whoislookingaroundhimself,overwhelmedbyallthathe’s seeing. HERMIONE:Yourememberwhenwewerelasthere?Thisfeelsjustlikeoldtimes. RON:Oldtimeswithafewunwelcomeponytailsaddedtothemix. DRACOknowsabarbwhenhehearsone. DRACO:CanIjustsay— RON:Malfoy,youmaybeallchummychummywithHarry,andyoumayhaveproducedarelatively nicechild,butyou’vesaidsomeveryunfairthingstoandaboutmywife... HERMIONE:Andyourwifedoesn’tneedyoufightingherbattlesforher. HERMIONElookswitheringlyatRON.RONtakesthehit. RON:Fine.Butifyousayonethingaboutherorme... DRACO:You’lldowhat,Weasley? HERMIONE:He’llhugyou.Becausewe’reallonthesameteam,aren’twe,Ron? RON (hesitatinginthefaceofherunwaveringgaze):Fine.I,um,Ithinkyou’vegotreallynicehair. Draco. HERMIONE:Thankyou,husband.Nowthisseemsagoodspot.Let’sdothis. DRACOtakesouttheTime-Turner—itbeginsspinningwildlyastheotherstaketheirplaces aroundit. Andthereisagiantwhooshoflight.Asmashofnoise. Andtimestops.Andthenitturnsover,thinksabit,andbeginsspoolingbackwards,slowat first... Andthenitspeedsup. Theylookaroundthemselves. RON:So?Hasitworked? ACTFOUR,SCENEEIGHT GODRIC’SHOLLOW,ASHED,1981 ALBUS looksup,amazedtoseeGINNYandthenHARRY,andthenhetakesintherestofthehappyband (RON,DRACO,andHERMIONE). ALBUS:MUM? HARRY:AlbusSeverusPotter.Arewepleasedtoseeyou. ALBUS runsandthrowshimselfintoGINNY’sarms.GINNYreceiveshim,delighted. ALBUS:Yougotournote...? GINNY:Wegotyournote. SCORPIUS trotsuptohisdad. DRACO:Wecanhugtooifyoulike... SCORPIUS looksathisdad,unsureforamoment.Andthentheysortofhalfhuginavery awkwardway.DRACOsmiles. RON:Now,where’sthisDelphi? SCORPIUS:YouknowaboutDelphi? ALBUS:She’shere—she’stryingtokillyou,wethink.BeforeVoldemortcurseshimselfshe’sgoing tokillyouandsobreaktheprophecyand... HERMIONE:Yes,wethoughtthatmightbeittoo.Doyouknowwherespecificallysheisnow? SCORPIUS:She’sdisappeared.Howdidyou—howdidyou,withouttheTime-Turner— HARRY(interrupting):That’salongandcomplicatedstory,Scorpius.Andwedon’thavetimeforit. DRACOsmilesatHARRYgratefully. HERMIONE:Harry’sright.Timeisoftheessence.Weneedtogetpeopleintoposition.Now,Godric’s Hollowisnotalargeplacebutshecouldbecomingfromanydirection.Soweneedsomewhere thatgivesusgoodviewsofthetown—thatallowsformultipleandclearobservationpoints— andthatwill,mostimportantly,keepushidden,becausewecannotriskbeingseen. Theyallfrown,thinking. I’dsaySt.Jerome’sChurchticksallthoseboxes,wouldn’tyou? ACTFOUR,SCENENINE GODRIC’SHOLLOW,ST.JEROME’SCHURCH,SANCTUARY,1981 ALBUS issleepinginapew.GINNYwatcheshimcarefully.HARRYislookingouttheoppositewindow. HARRY:No.Nothing.Whyisn’tshehere? GINNY:We’retogether,yourmumanddadarealive—wecanturntime,Harry,wecan’tspeeditup. She’llcomewhenshe’sready,andwe’llbereadyforher. ShelooksatALBUS’ssleepingform. Orsomeofuswillbe. HARRY:Poorkidthoughthehadtosavetheworld. GINNY:Poorkidhassavedtheworld.Thatblanketwasmasterful.Imean,healsoalmostdestroyedthe world,butprobablybestnottofocusonthatbit. HARRY:Youthinkhe’sokay? GINNY:He’sgettingthere,itjustmighttakehimabitoftime—andyouabitoftimetoo. HARRYsmiles.ShelooksbackatALBUS .HARRYdoestoo. Youknow,afterI’dopenedtheChamberofSecrets—afterVoldemorthadbewitchedme withthatterriblediaryandI’dalmostdestroyedeverything— HARRY:Iremember. GINNY:AfterIcameoutofhospital—everyoneignoredme,shutmeout—otherthan,thatis,theboy whohadeverything—whocameacrosstheGryffindorcommonroomandchallengedmetoa gameofExplodingSnap.Peoplethinktheyknowallthereistoknowaboutyou,butthebestbits ofyouare—havealwaysbeen—heroicinreallyquietways.Mypointis—afterthisisover, justrememberifyoucouldthatsometimespeople—butparticularlychildren—justwant someonetoplayExplodingSnapwith. HARRY:Youthinkthat’swhatwe’remissing—ExplodingSnap? GINNY:No.ButtheloveIfeltfromyouthatday—I’mnotsureAlbusfeelsthat. HARRY:I’ddoanythingforhim. GINNY:Harry,you’ddoanythingforanybody.Youwereprettyhappytosacrificeyourselfforthe world.Heneedstofeelspecificlove.It’llmakehimstronger,andyoustrongertoo. HARRY:Youknow,itwasn’tuntilwethoughtAlbushadgonethatItrulyunderstoodwhatmymother wasabletodoforme.Acountercharmsopowerfulthatitwasabletorepelthespellofdeath. GINNY:AndtheonlyspellVoldemortcouldn’tunderstand—love. HARRY:Idolovehimspecifically,Ginny. GINNY:Iknow,butheneedstofeelit. HARRY:I’mluckytohaveyou,aren’tI? GINNY:Extremely.AndI’dbedelightedtodiscussjusthowluckyatanothertime.Butfornow—let’s focusonstoppingDelphi. HARRY:Wearerunningoutoftime. AthoughtoccurstoGINNY. GINNY:Unless—Harry,hasanyonethought—whyhasshepickednow?Today? HARRY:Becausethisisthedaythateverythingchanged... GINNY:Rightnowyou’reoverayearold,amIright? HARRY:Ayearandthreemonths. GINNY:That’sayearandthreemonthsshecouldhavekilledyouin.Evennow,she’sbeeninGodric’s Hollowfortwenty-fourhours.What’sshewaitingfor? HARRY:I’mstillnotentirelyfollowing— GINNY:Whatifshe’snotwaitingforyou—she’swaitingforhim...tostophim. HARRY:What? GINNY:Delphi’spickedtonightbecausehe’shere—becauseherfatheriscoming.Shewantstomeet him.Bewithhim,thefathersheloves.Voldemort’sproblemsstartedwhenheattackedyou.Ifhe hadn’tdonethat... HARRY:He’dhaveonlygotmorepowerful—thedarknesswouldonlyhavegotdarker. GINNY:ThebestwaytobreaktheprophecyisnottokillHarryPotter,it’stostopVoldemortdoing anythingatall. ACTFOUR,SCENETEN GODRIC’SHOLLOW,ST.JEROME’SCHURCH,1981 Thegrouparegatheredandfullofconfusion. RON:Soletmegetthisright—we’refightingtoprotectVoldemort? ALBUS:Voldemortkillingmygrandparents.Voldemorttryingtokillmydad? HERMIONE:Ofcourse,Ginny.Delphi’snottryingtokillHarry—she’sstoppingVoldemorttryingto killHarry.Brilliant. DRACO:So—wejustwait?UntilVoldemortturnsup? ALBUS:Doessheknowwhenhedoesturnup?Hasn’tshecomeheretwenty-fourhoursearlybecause sheisn’tsurewhenhe’llarriveandinwhatdirection?Thehistorybooks—correctmeifI’m wrong,Scorpius—shownothingaboutwhenandhowhearrivedinGodric’sHollow? SCORPIUSandHERMIONE:You’renotwrong. RON:Blimey!Therearetwoofthem! DRACO:Sohowcanweusethistoouradvantage? ALBUS:DoyouknowwhatI’mreallygoodat? HARRY:There’splentyyou’regoodat,Albus. ALBUS:Polyjuicing.AndIthinkBathildaBagshotmayhavealltheingredientsforPolyjuiceinher basement.WecanPolyjuiceintoVoldemortandbringhertous. RON:TousePolyjuiceyouneedabitofsomeone.Wedon’thaveabitofVoldemort. HERMIONE:ButIliketheconcept,apretendmouseforhercat. HARRY:HowclosecanwegetthroughTransfiguration? HERMIONE:Weknowwhathelookslike.We’vegotsomeexcellentwizardsandwitcheshere. GINNY:YouwanttotransfigureintoVoldemort? ALBUS:It’stheonlyway. HERMIONE:Itis,isn’tit? RONstepsforwardbravely. RON:ThenIwouldliketo—IthinkIshouldbehim.Imean,itwon’tbe—exactlynicebeing Voldemort—butwithoutwishingtoblowmyowntrumpet—Iamprobablythemostchilledout ofallofusand...somaybetransfiguringintohim—intotheDarkLord—willdolessdamage tomethan—anyofyoumore—intense—people. HARRYstepsaway,introspective. HERMIONE:Whoareyoucallingintense? DRACO:I’dalsoliketovolunteer.IthinkbeingVoldemortrequiresprecision—nooffense,Ron— andaknowledgeofDarkMagicand— HERMIONE:AndI’dliketovolunteertoo.AsMinisterforMagicIthinkit’smyresponsibilityandright. SCORPIUS:Maybeweshoulddrawlots— DRACO:You’renotvolunteering,Scorpius. ALBUS:Actually— GINNY:No,noway.Ithinkyou’reallmad.Iknowwhatthatvoiceislikeinsideyourhead—Iwon’t haveitinmineagain— HARRY:Andanyway—ithastobeme. EveryoneturnstoHARRY. DRACO:What? HARRY:Forthisplantoworkshehastobelieveit’shim,withouthesitation.She’lluseParseltongue— andIknewtherewasareasonwhyIstillhavethatability.Butmorethanthat,I—knowwhatitis tofeel—likehim.Iknowwhatitistobehim.Ithastobeme. RON:Rubbish.Beautifullyputbutbeautifulrubbish.Nowayareyougoingto— HERMIONE:I’mafraidyou’reright,myoldfriend. RON:Hermione,you’rewrong,Voldemortisnotsomethingtobe—Harryshouldnot— GINNY:AndIhatetoagreewithmybrother,but— RON:Hecouldgetstuck—asVoldemort—forever. HERMIONE:Socouldanyofus.Yourconcernsarevalid,but... HARRY:Hangon,Hermione.Gin. GINNYandHARRYmakeeyecontact. Iwon’tdoitifyoudon’twantmeto.Butitfeelsliketheonlywaytome,amIwrong? GINNYthinksamomentandthensoftlynods.HARRY’sfacehardens. GINNY:You’reright. HARRY:Thenlet’sdothis. DRACO:Don’tweneedtodiscusstherouteyou’retaking—the— HARRY:She’swatchingforhim—she’llcometome. DRACO:Andthenwhat?Whenshe’swithyou.MayIremindyouthisisaverypowerfulwitch. RON:Easy.Hegetsherinhere.Wezaphertogether. DRACO:“Zapher”? HERMIONElooksaroundtheroom. HERMIONE:We’llhidebehindthesedoors.Ifyoucangethertothispoint,Harry(sheindicatesthe pointwherethelightfromtherosewindowhitsthefloor),thenwecomeoutandmakesureshehas nochancetoescape. RON (withalooktoDRACO):Andthenwe’llzapher. HERMIONE:Harry,lastchance,areyousureyoucandothis? HARRY:Yes,Icandothis. DRACO:No,there’stoomanywhat-ifs—toomanythingsthatcangowrong—theTransfiguration couldnothold,shecouldseethroughit—ifsheescapesusnowthere’snotellingthedamageshe cando—weneedtimetoproperlyplan,to— ALBUS:Draco,trustmydad.Hewon’tletusdown. HARRYlooksatALBUS —moved. HERMIONE:Wands. Everyonewithdrawstheirwands.HARRYclaspshis. There’salightthatbuilds—thatoverwhelms... TheTransfigurationisslowandmonstrous. AndtheformofVOLDEMORTemergesfromHARRY. Andit’shorrendous. Heturns. Helooksaroundathisfriendsandfamily. Theylookback—aghast. RON:Bloodyhell. HARRY/VOLDEMORT:Itworked,then? GINNY(gravely):Yes.Itworked. ACTFOUR,SCENEELEVEN GODRIC’SHOLLOW,ST.JEROME’SCHURCH,1981 RON,HERMIONE,DRACO,SCORPIUS ,andALBUS standatthewindow,lookingout.GINNYcan’tlook.Shesits furtherback. ALBUS noticeshismumsittingapart.Hewalksovertoher. ALBUS:It’sgoingtobeokay,youknowthat,Mum? GINNY:Iknowitis.OrIhopeIdo.Ijust—don’twanttoseehimlikethat.ThemanIloveshroudedin themanIhate. ALBUS sitsbesidehismum. ALBUS:Ilikedher,Mum,youknowthat?Ireallylikedher.Delphi.Andshewas—Voldemort’s daughter? GINNY:That’swhatthey’regoodat,Albus—catchinginnocentsintheirweb. ALBUS:Thisisallmyfault. GINNYtakesALBUS inherarms. GINNY:Howfunny.Yourdadseemstothinkit’sallhis.Strangepairthatyouare. SCORPIUS:That’sher.That’sher.She’sseenhim. HERMIONE:Positions.Everybody.Andremember,don’tcomeoutuntilhe’sgotherinthelight— we’veoneshotatthis,wedon’twanttomessitup. Theyallmovefast. DRACO:HermioneGranger,I’mbeingbossedaroundbyHermioneGranger.(Sheturnstowardshim. Hesmiles.)AndI’mmildlyenjoyingit. SCORPIUS:Dad... Theyscatter.Theyhidebehindtwomajordoors. HARRY/VOLDEMORTreentersthechurch.Hewalksafewpacesandthenheturns. HARRY/VOLDEMORT:Whicheverwitchorwizardisfollowingme,Iassureyou,youwillregretit. DELPHIemergesbehindhim.Sheiscompelledtohim.Thisisherfatherandthisisthe momentshe’swaitedforherentirelife. DELPHI:LordVoldemort.Itisme.Iamfollowingyou. HARRY/VOLDEMORT:Idonotknowyou.Leaveme. Shebreathesdeeply. DELPHI:Iamyourdaughter. HARRY/VOLDEMORT:Ifyouweremydaughter,I’dknowofyou. DELPHIlooksathimimploringly. DELPHI:Iamfromthefuture.ThechildofBellatrixLestrangeandyou.IwasborninMalfoyManor beforetheBattleofHogwarts.Abattleyouaregoingtolose.Ihavecometosaveyou. HARRY/VOLDEMORTturns.Shemeetshiseyes. ItwasRodolphusLestrange,Bellatrix’sloyalhusband,whoonreturnfromAzkabantold mewhoIwasandrevealedtheprophecyhethoughtIwasdestinedtofulfill.Iamyour daughter,sir. HARRY/VOLDEMORT:IamfamiliarwithBellatrixandtherearecertainsimilaritiesinyourface— thoughyouhaven’tinheritedthebestofher.Butwithoutproof... DELPHIspeaksintentlyinParseltongue. HARRY/VOLDEMORTlaughsviciously. That’syourproof? DELPHIeffortlesslyrisesintotheair.HARRY/VOLDEMORTstepsback—amazed. DELPHI:IamtheAugureytoyourDarkLord,andIamreadytogiveallthatIhavetoserveyou. HARRY/VOLDEMORT(tryingnottoshowhisshock):Youlearnt—flight—from—me? DELPHI:Ihavetriedtofollowthepathyouset. HARRY/VOLDEMORT:Ihavenevermetawitchorawizardwho’sattemptedtobemyequalbefore. DELPHI:Donotmistake—Iwouldnotclaimtobeworthyofyou,Lord.ButIhavedevotedmylifeto beingachildyoucouldbeproudof. HARRY/VOLDEMORT(interrupting):Iseewhatyouare,andIseewhatyoucouldbe.Daughter. Shelooksathim,desperatelymoved. DELPHI:Father? HARRY/VOLDEMORT:Together,thepowerwecouldwield. DELPHI:Father... HARRY/VOLDEMORT:Comehere,inthelight,soImayexaminewhatmybloodmade. DELPHI:Yourmissionisamistake.AttackingHarryPotterisamistake.Hewilldestroyyou. HARRY/VOLDEMORT’shandturnsintoHARRY’shand.Helooksatit,astonishedanddismayed, andthenquicklypullsitinsidehissleeve. HARRY/VOLDEMORT:Heisababy. DELPHI:Hehashismother ’slove.Yourspellwillrebound,destroyingyouandmakinghimtoo powerfulandyoutooweak.Youwillrecovertospendthenextseventeenyearsconsumedina battlewithhim—abattleyouwilllose. HARRY/VOLDEMORT’shairbeginstosprout,hefeelsit,heattemptstocoverit.Hepullshis hoodoverhishead. HARRY/VOLDEMORT:ThenIwon’tattackhim.Youareright. DELPHI:Father? HARRY/VOLDEMORTshrinksdown—heisnowmoreHARRYthanVOLDEMORT.Heturnshisback toDELPHI. Father? HARRY(tryingdesperatelytostillsoundlikeVoldemort):Yourplanisagoodone.Thefightisoff.You haveservedmewell,nowcomehereintothelightsoImayexamineyou. DELPHIseesadoorslightlyswayopenandthenbepulledshut.Shefrownsatit,thinking rapidly,hersuspiciongrowing. DELPHI:Father... Shetriestogetaglimpseofhisfaceagain—thereisalmostadancehappeninghere. YouarenotLordVoldemort. DELPHIunleashesaboltfromherhand.HARRYmatchesher. Incendio! HARRY:Incendio! Theboltsmeetinabeautifulexplosioninthemiddleoftheroom. AndwithherotherhandDELPHIsendsboltstobothdoorsastheytrytoopenthem. DELPHI:Potter.Colloportus! HARRYlooksatthedoors,dismayed. What?Thoughtyourfriendsweregoingtojoinyou,didyou? HERMIONE(fromoff):Harry...Harry... GINNY(fromoff):She’ssealedthedoorsfromyourside. HARRY:Fine.I’lldealwithyoualone. Hemovestoattackheragain.Butsheisfarstronger.HARRY’swandascendsupwardstowards her.Heisdisarmed.Heishelpless. Howdidyou...?Whatareyou? DELPHI:I’vewatchedyouforalongtime,HarryPotter.Iknowyoubetterthanmyfatherdid. HARRY:Youthinkyou’velearntmyweaknesses? DELPHI:I’vestudiedtobeworthyofhim!Yes,eventhoughheisthesupremewizardofalltime,he willbeproudofme.Expulso! HARRYrollsawayasthefloorexplodesbehindhim.Hecrawlsfranticallyunderachurchpew, tryingtoworkouthowhecanfighther. Areyoucrawlingawayfromme?HarryPotter.Heroofthewizardingworld.Crawling awaylikearat.WingardiumLeviosa! Thechurchpewascendsintotheair. Thequestioniswhetherit’sworthmytimetokillyou—knowingthatassoonasIstopmy fatheryourdestructionwillbeassured.Howtodecide?Oh,I’mbored,I’llkillyou. Shesendsthepewdownharduponhim.Itsmashesasherollsdesperatelyaway. ALBUS emergesfromagrateonthefloor.Neithernotice. Avada— ALBUS:Dad... HARRY:Albus!No! DELPHI:Twoofyou?Choices,choices.IthinkI’llkilltheboyfirst.AvadaKedavra! ShefirestheKillingCurseatALBUS—butHARRYthrowshimoutoftheway.Theboltsmashes intotheground. Hefiresaboltback. Youthinkyou’restrongerthanme? HARRY:No.I’mnot. TheyfireboltsmercilesslyateachotherasALBUSrollsquicklyawayandslamsaspellinto onedoorandthenanother. Butweare. ALBUS opensbothdoorswithhiswand. ALBUS:Alohomora!Alohomora! HARRY:I’veneverfoughtalone,yousee.AndIneverwill. AndHERMIONE,RON,GINNY,andDRACOemergefromthedoors,andfireuptheirspellsat DELPHI,whoscreamsoutinexasperation.Thisistitanic.Butshecan’tfightthemall. Thereareaseriesofbangs—andthen,overwhelmed,DELPHItumblestothefloor. DELPHI:No...No... HERMIONE:Brachiabindo! She’sbound. HARRYadvancestowardsDELPHI.Hedoesn’ttakehiseyesoffher.Alltheothersstayback. HARRY:Albus,areyouokay? ALBUS:Yes,Dad,I’mokay. HARRYstilldoesn’ttakehiseyesoffDELPHI.He’sstillscaredofher. HARRY:Ginny,hashebeeninjured?Ineedtoknowhe’ssafe... GINNY:Heinsisted.Hewastheonlyonesmallenoughtocrawlthroughthegrate.Itriedtostophim. HARRY:Justtellmehe’sokay. ALBUS:I’mfine,Dad.Ipromise. HARRYkeepsadvancingtowardsDELPHI. HARRY:Alotofpeoplehavetriedtohurtme—butmyson!Youdarehurtmyson! DELPHI:Ionlywantedtoknowmyfather. ThesewordstakeHARRYbysurprise. HARRY:Youcan’tremakeyourlife.You’llalwaysbeanorphan.Thatneverleavesyou. DELPHI:Justletme—seehim. HARRY:Ican’tandIwon’t. DELPHI(trulypitiful):Thenkillme. HARRYthinksamoment. HARRY:Ican’tdothateither. ALBUS:What?Dad?She’sdangerous. HARRY:No,Albus... ALBUS:Butshe’samurderer—I’veseenhermurder— HARRYturnsandlooksathissonandthenatGINNY. HARRY:Yes.Albus,she’samurderer,andwe’renot. HERMIONE:Wehavetobebetterthanthem. RON:Yeah,it’sannoyingbutit’swhatwelearnt. DELPHI:Takemymind.Takemymemory.MakemeforgetwhoIam. RON:No.We’lltakeyoubacktoourtime. HERMIONE:Andyou’llgotoAzkaban.Sameasyourmother. DRACO:Whereyou’llrot. HARRYhearsanoise.Ahissingnoise. Andthenthereisanoiselikedeath—anoiselikenothingelsewe’veheardbefore. HaaarryPottttter... SCORPIUS:What’sthat? HARRY:No.No.Notyet. ALBUS:What? RON:Voldemort. DELPHI:Father? HERMIONE:Now?Here? DELPHI:Father! DRACO:Silencio!(DELPHIisgagged.)WingardiumLeviosa!(Sheissentupwardsandaway.) HARRY:He’scoming.He’scomingrightnow. VOLDEMORTcomesthroughthebackofthestage,andacrossit,andwalksdownintothe auditorium.Hebringsdeathwithhim.Andeveryoneknowsit. ACTFOUR,SCENETWELVE GODRIC’SHOLLOW,1981 HARRYlooksafterVOLDEMORThelplessly. HARRY:Voldemortisgoingtokillmymumanddad—andthere’snothingIcandotostophim. DRACO:That’snottrue. SCORPIUS:Dad,nowisnotthetime... ALBUS:Thereissomethingyoucoulddo—tostophim.Butyouwon’t. DRACO:That’sheroic. GINNYtakesHARRY’shand. GINNY:Youdon’thavetowatch,Harry.Wecangohome. HARRY:I’mlettingithappen...OfcourseIhavetowatch. HERMIONE:Thenwe’llallwitnessit. RON:We’llallwatch. Wehearunfamiliarvoices... JAMES(fromoff):Lily,takeHarryandgo!It’shim!Go!Run!I’llholdhimoff... Thereisablast,andthenalaugh. Youkeepaway,youunderstand—youkeepaway. VOLDEMORT(fromoff):AvadaKedavra! HARRYflinchesasgreenlightflashesaroundtheauditorium. ALBUS takeshishand.HARRYgraspsholdofit.Heneedsit. ALBUS:Hedideverythinghecould. GINNYrisesbesidehimandtakesHARRY’sotherhand.Heleansintothem,they’reholdinghim upnow. HARRY:That’smymum,atthewindow.Icanseemymother,shelooksbeautiful. There’sthesoundofbangingasdoorsareblastedoff. LILY(fromoff):NotHarry,notHarry,pleasenotHarry... VOLDEMORT(fromoff):Standaside,yousillygirl...Standaside,now... LILY(fromoff):NotHarry,pleaseno,takeme,killmeinstead... VOLDEMORT(fromoff):Thisismylastwarning— LILY(fromoff):NotHarry!Please...Havemercy...havemercy...Notmyson!Please—I’lldo anything. VOLDEMORT(fromoff):AvadaKedavra! Andit’slikelightningpassesthroughHARRY’sbody.He’ssenttothefloor,apuremessof grief. Andanoiselikeashrunkenscreamdescendsandascendsaroundus. Andwejustwatch. Andslowlywhatwasthereisnolongerthere. Andthestagetransformsandrotates. AndHARRYandhisfamilyandhisfriendsarerotatedoffandaway. ACTFOUR,SCENETHIRTEEN GODRIC’SHOLLOW,INSIDEJAMESANDLILYPOTTER’SHOUSE,1981 Andwe’reintheruinsofahouse.Ahousethathasundergoneaviciousattack. HAGRIDwalksthroughtheruins. HAGRID:James? Helooksabouthimself. Lily? Hewalksslowly,unwillingtoseetoomuchtoosoon.Heisentirelyoverwhelmed. Andthenheseesthem,andhestops,andhesaysnothing. Oh.Oh.That’snot—that’snot—Iweren’t—Theytoldme,but—Iwerehopingfor better... Helooksatthemandbowshishead.Hemuttersafewwords,andthenhetakessome crumpledflowersfromhisdeeppocketsandlaysthemonthefloor. I’msorry,theytoldme,hetoldme,Dumbledoretoldme,Ican’twaitwithyeh.Them Mugglesarecoming,yehsee,withtheirflashingbluesandtheywon’t’preciateabig lummoxlikeme,wouldthey? Heletsoutasob. Hardthoughitistoleaveyeh. Iwantyehtoknow—yehwon’tbeforgotten—notbyme—notbyanyfolk. Andthenhehearsasound—thesoundofababysnuffling.HAGRIDturnstowardsit,walking withmoreintensitynow. Helooksdownandstandsoverthecrib.Whichseemstoradiatelight. Well.Hello.YehmustbeHarry. Hello,HarryPotter. I’mRubeusHagrid. AndI’mgonnabeyerfriendwhetheryehlikeitornot. ’Cosyeh’vehadittough,notthatyehknowityet. An’yergonnaneedfriends. Nowyehbestcomewithme,don’tyehthink? Asflashingbluelightsfilltheroomgivingitanalmostetherealglow—heliftsBABYHARRY gentlyintohisarms. Andthen—withoutlookingback—hestridesawaythroughthehouse. Andwedescendintosoftblack. ACTFOUR,SCENEFOURTEEN HOGWARTS,CLASSROOM SCORPIUS andALBUS runintoaroom,fullofexcitement.Theyslamthedoorafterthemselves. SCORPIUS:Ican’tquitebelieveIdidthat. ALBUS:Ican’tquitebelieveyoudidthateither. SCORPIUS:RoseGranger-Weasley.IaskedoutRoseGranger-Weasley. ALBUS:Andshesaidno. SCORPIUS:ButIaskedher.Iplantedtheacorn.Theacornthatwillgrowintooureventualmarriage. ALBUS:Youareawarethatyou’reanutterfantasist. SCORPIUS:AndI’dagreewithyou—onlyPollyChapmandidaskmetotheschoolball... ALBUS:Inanalternaterealitywhereyouweresignificantly—reallysignificantlymorepopular—a differentgirlaskedyouout—andthatmeans— SCORPIUS:Andyes,logicwoulddictateIshouldbepursuingPolly—orallowinghertopursueme— she’sanotoriousbeauty,afterall—butaRoseisaRose. ALBUS:Youknowlogicwoulddictatethatyou’reafreak?Rosehatesyou. SCORPIUS:Correction,sheusedtohateme,butdidyouseethelookinhereyeswhenIasked?That wasn’thate,thatwaspity. ALBUS:Andpity’sgood? SCORPIUS:Pityisastart,myfriend,afoundationonwhichtobuildapalace—apalaceoflove. ALBUS:IhonestlythoughtI’dbethefirstofustogetagirlfriend. SCORPIUS:Oh,youwill,undoubtedly,probablythatnewsmoky-eyedPotionsprofessor—she’sold enoughforyou,right? ALBUS:Idon’thaveathingaboutolderwomen! SCORPIUS:Andyou’vegottime—alotoftime—toseduceher.BecauseRoseisgoingtotakeyears topersuade. ALBUS:Iadmireyourconfidence. ROSEcomespastthemonthestairs.Shelooksatthemboth. ROSE:Hi. Neitherboyknowsquitehowtoreply—shelooksatSCORPIUS. Thisisonlygoingtobeweirdifyouletitbeweird. SCORPIUS:Receivedandentirelyunderstood. ROSE:Okay.“ScorpionKing.” Shewalksoffwithasmileonherface.SCORPIUSandALBUSlookateachother.ALBUSgrins andpunchesSCORPIUSonthearm. ALBUS:Maybeyou’reright—pityisastart. SCORPIUS:AreyouheadingtoQuidditch?SlytherinareplayingHufflepuff—it’sabigone— ALBUS:IthoughtwehatedQuidditch? SCORPIUS:Peoplecanchange.Besides,I’vebeenpracticing.IthinkImightmaketheteameventually. Comeon. ALBUS:Ican’t.Mydad’sarrangedtocomeup— SCORPIUS:He’stakingtimeawayfromtheMinistry? ALBUS:Hewantstogoonawalk—somethingtoshowme—sharewithme—something. SCORPIUS:Awalk? ALBUS:Iknow,Ithinkit’sabondingthingorsomethingsimilarlyvomit-inducing.Still,youknow,I thinkI’llgo. SCORPIUS reachesinandhugsALBUS . What’sthis?Ithoughtwedecidedwedon’thug. SCORPIUS:Iwasn’tsure.Whetherweshould.Inthisnewversionofus—Ihadinmyhead. ALBUS:BetteraskRoseifit’stherightthingtodo. SCORPIUS:Ha!Yeah.Right. Thetwoboysdislocateandgrinateachother. ALBUS:I’llseeyouatdinner. ACTFOUR,SCENEFIFTEEN ABEAUTIFULHILL HARRYandALBUS walkupahillonabeautifulsummer’sday.Theysaynothing,enjoyingthesunon theirfacesastheyclimb. HARRY:Soareyouready? ALBUS:Forwhat? HARRY:Well,there’sthefourth-yearexams—andthenthefifthyear—bigyear—inmyfifthyearI did— HelooksatALBUS.Hesmiles.Hetalksquickly. Ididalotofstuff.Someofitgood.Someofitbad.Alotofitquiteconfusing. ALBUS:Goodtoknow. HARRYsmiles. Igottowatchthem—youknow—forabit—yourmumanddad.Theywere—youhad funtogether.Yourdadusedtolovetodothissmokeringthingwithyouwhereyou...well, youcouldn’tstopgiggling. HARRY:Yes? ALBUS:Ithinkyou’dhavelikedthem.AndIthinkme,Lily,andJameswouldhavelikedthemtoo. HARRYnods.There’saslightlyuncomfortablesilence.Botharetryingtoreacheachother here,botharefailing. HARRY:Youknow,IthoughtI’dlosthim—Voldemort—IthoughtI’dlosthim—andthenmyscar startedhurtingagainandIhaddreamsofhimandIcouldevenspeakParseltongueagainandI startedtofeellikeI’dnotchangedatall—thathe’dneverletmego— ALBUS:Andhadhe? HARRY:ThepartofmethatwasVoldemortdiedalongtimeago,butitwasn’tenoughtobephysically ridofhim—Ihadtobementallyridofhim.Andthat—isalottolearnforaforty-year-old man. HelooksatALBUS. ThatthingIsaidtoyou—itwasunforgivable,andIcan’taskyoutoforgetitbutIcanhope wemovepastit.I’mgoingtotrytobeabetterdadforyou,Albus.Iamgoingtotryand— behonestwithyouand... ALBUS:Dad,youdon’tneedto— HARRY:Youtoldmeyoudon’tthinkI’mscaredofanything,andthat—Imean,I’mscaredof everything.Imean,I’mafraidofthedark,didyouknowthat? ALBUS:HarryPotterisafraidofthedark? HARRY:Idon’tlikesmallspacesand—I’venevertoldanyonethis,butIdon’tmuchlike—(he hesitatesbeforesayingit)pigeons. ALBUS:Youdon’tlikepigeons? HARRY(hescrunchesuphisface):Nasty,pecky,dirtythings.Theygivemethecreeps. ALBUS:Butpigeonsareharmless! HARRY:Iknow.Butthethingthatscaresmemost,AlbusSeverusPotter,isbeingadadtoyou.Because I’moperatingwithoutwireshere.Mostpeopleatleasthaveadadtobasethemselveson—and eithertrytobeortrynottobe.I’vegotnothing—orverylittle.SoI’mlearning,okay?AndI’m goingtotrywitheverythingI’vegot—tobeagooddadforyou. ALBUS:AndI’lltryandbeabetterson.IknowI’mnotJames,Dad,I’llneverbelikeyoutwo— HARRY:Jamesisnothinglikeme. ALBUS:Isn’the? HARRY:EverythingcomeseasyforJames.Mychildhoodwasaconstantstruggle. ALBUS:Sowasmine.Soyou’resaying—amI—likeyou? HARRYsmilesatALBUS . HARRY:Actuallyyou’remorelikeyourmum—bold,fierce,funny—whichIlike—whichIthink makesyouaprettygreatson. ALBUS:Ialmostdestroyedtheworld. HARRY:Delphiwasn’tgoinganywhere,Albus—youbroughtheroutintothelightandyoufounda wayforustofighther.Youmaynotseeitnow,butyousavedus. ALBUS:Butshouldn’tIhavedonebetter? HARRY:Youdon’tthinkIaskmyselfthesamequestions? ALBUS(stomachsinkingfurther,heknowsthisisnotwhathisdadwoulddo):Andthen—whenwe caughther—Iwantedtokillher. HARRY:You’dwatchedhermurderCraig,youwereangry,Albus,andthat’sokay.Andyouwouldn’t havedoneit. ALBUS:Howdoyouknowthat?Maybethat’smySlytherinside.Maybethat’swhattheSortingHatsaw inme. HARRY:Idon’tunderstandyourhead,Albus—actually,youknowwhat,you’reateenager,Ishouldn’t beabletounderstandyourhead,butIdounderstandyourheart.Ididn’t—foralongtime—but thankstothis—“escapade”—Iknowwhatyougotinthere.Slytherin,Gryffindor,whatever labelyou’vebeengiven—Iknow—know—thatheartisagoodone—yeah,whetheryoulike itornot,you’reonyourwaytobeingsomewizard. ALBUS:OhI’mnotgoingtobeawizard,I’mgoingintopigeonracing.I’mquiteexcitedaboutit. HARRYgrins. HARRY:Thosenamesyouhave—theyshouldn’tbeaburden.AlbusDumbledorehadhistrialstoo, youknow—andSeverusSnape,well,youknowallabouthim— ALBUS:Theyweregoodmen. HARRY:Theyweregreatmen,withhugeflaws,andyouknowwhat—thoseflawsalmostmadethem greater. ALBUS looksaroundhimself. ALBUS:Dad?Whyarewehere? HARRY:ThisiswhereIoftencome. ALBUS:Butthisisagraveyard... HARRY:AndhereisCedric’sgrave. ALBUS:Dad? HARRY:Theboywhowaskilled—CraigBowker—howwelldidyouknowhim? ALBUS:Notwellenough. HARRY:Ididn’tknowCedricwellenougheither.HecouldhaveplayedQuidditchforEngland.Orbeen abrilliantAuror.Hecouldhavebeenanything.AndAmosisright—hewasstolen.SoIcome here.Justtosaysorry.WhenIcan. ALBUS:That’sa—goodthingtodo. ALBUS joinshisdadinfrontofCEDRIC’sgrave.HARRYsmilesathissonandlooksupatthesky. HARRY:Ithinkit’sgoingtobeaniceday. Hetoucheshisson’sshoulder.Andthetwoofthem—justslightly—melttogether. ALBUS(smiles):SodoI. TheEnd ThiseBookWasDownloadedfreefromwww.eBookBB.com|VisitUsforMoreStuff! ABOUTTHEPRODUCTION HarryPotterandtheCursedChildPartsOneandTwowasfirstproducedbySoniaFriedman Productions,ColinCallender,andHarryPotterTheatricalProductions.ItpremieredatthePalace TheatreinLondon,England,onJuly30,2016,withthefollowingcast(inalphabeticalorder): CRAIGBOWKERJR JeremyAngJones MOANINGMYRTLE,LILYPOTTERSR AnnabelBaldwin UNCLEVERNON ,SEVERUSSNAPE,LORDVOLDEMORT PaulBentall SCORPIUSMALFOY AnthonyBoyle ALBUSPOTTER SamClemmett HERMIONEGRANGER NomaDumezweni POLLYCHAPMAN ClaudiaGrant HAGRID,SORTINGHAT ChrisJarman YANN FREDERICKS JamesLeLacheur AUNTPETUNIA,MADAM HOOCH,DOLORESUMBRIDGE HelenaLymbery AMOSDIGGORY,ALBUSDUMBLEDORE BarryMcCarthy T ROLLEYWITCH,PROFESSORMCGONAGALL SandyMcDade STATIONMASTER AdamMcNamara GINNYPOTTER PoppyMiller CEDRICDIGGORY,JAMESPOTTERJR.,JAMESPOTTERSR TomMilligan DUDLEYDURSLEY,KARLJENKINS,VIKTORKRUM JackNorth HARRYPOTTER JamieParker DRACOMALFOY AlexPrice BANE NunoSilva ROSEGRANGER-WEASLEY,YOUNGHERMIONE CherrelleSkeete DELPHIDIGGORY EstherSmith RON WEASLEY PaulThornley YOUNGHARRYPOTTER RudiGoodman,AlfredJones,BiliKeogh,EwanRutherford,NathanielSmith,DylanStanden LILYPOTTERJR ZoeBrough,CristinaFray,ChristianaHutchings OTHERROLESPLAYEDBY NicolaAlexis,JeremyAngJones,RosemaryAnnabella,JackBennett,PaulBentall,MoragCross, ClaudiaGrant,JamesHoward,LowriJames,ChrisJarman,MartinJohnston,JamesLeLacheur, HelenaLymbery,BarryMcCarthy,AndrewMcDonald,AdamMcNamara,TomMilligan,JackNorth, StuartRamsey,NunoSilva,CherrelleSkeete SWINGS HelenAluko,MoragCross,ChipoKureya,TomMackley,JoshuaWyatt MOVEMENTCAPTAIN NunoSilva ASSISTANTMOVEMENTCAPTAIN JackNorth VOICECAPTAIN MoragCross PRODUCTIONCREDITS ORIGINALSTORY J.K.Rowling,JohnTiffany,JackThorne PLAYWRIGHT JackThorne DIRECTOR JohnTiffany MOVEMENTDIRECTOR StevenHoggett SETDESIGNER ChristineJones COSTUMEDESIGNER KatrinaLindsay COMPOSER&ARRANGER ImogenHeap LIGHTINGDESIGNER NeilAustin SOUNDDESIGNER GarethFry ILLUSIONS&MAGIC JamieHarrison MUSICSUPERVISOR&ARRANGER MartinLowe CASTINGDIRECTOR JuliaHoranCDG PRODUCTION MANAGER GaryBeestone PRODUCTION STAGEMANAGER SamHunter ASSOCIATEDIRECTOR DesKennedy ASSOCIATEMOVEMENTDIRECTOR NeilBettles ASSOCIATESETDESIGNER BrettJ.Banakis ASSOCIATESOUNDDESIGNER PeteMalkin ILLUSIONS&MAGICASSOCIATE ChrisFisher CASTINGASSOCIATE LotteHines ASSISTANTLIGHTINGDESIGNER AdamKing COSTUMEDESIGN SUPERVISOR SabineLemaître HAIR,WIGS&MAKE-UP CaroleHancock PROPSSUPERVISORS LisaBuckley,MaryHalliday MUSICEDITOR PhijAdams MUSICPRODUCTION ImogenHeap SPECIALEFFECTS JeremyChernick VIDEODESIGN FinnRoss,AshWoodward DIALECTCOACH DanieleLydon VOICECOACH RichardRyder COMPANYSTAGEMANAGER RichardClayton STAGEMANAGER JordanNoble-Davies DEPUTYSTAGEMANAGER JeneferTait ASSISTANTSTAGEMANAGERS OliverBagwellPurefoy,TomGilding,SallyInch,BenSherratt RESIDENTDIRECTOR PipMinnithorpe HEADOFWARDROBE AmyGillot DEPUTYHEADOFWARDROBE LauraWatkins WARDROBEASSISTANTS KateAnderson,LeanneHired DRESSERS GeorgeAmielle,MelissaCooke,RosieEtheridge,JohnOvenden,EmileeSwift HEADOFHAIR,WIGS&MAKE-UP NinaVanHouten DEPUTYHEADOFHAIR,WIGS&MAKE-UP AliceTownes HAIR,WIGS&MAKE-UP ASSISTANTS CharlotteBriscoe,JacobFessey,CassieMurphie HEADOFSOUND ChrisReid DEPUTYHEADOFSOUND RowenaEdwards SOUNDNO.3 LauraCaplin SFXOPERATOR CallumDonaldson HEADOFAUTOMATION JoshPeters DEPUTYHEADOFAUTOMATION JamieLawrence AUTOMATION NO.3 JamieRobson SHOWCHIEFLX DavidTreanor PERFORMERFLYINGT ECHNICIAN PaulGurney CHAPERONES DavidRussell,EleanorDowling GENERALMANAGEMENT SoniaFriedmanProductions EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR DianeBenjamin EXECUTIVEPRODUCER PamSkinner ASSOCIATEPRODUCER FionaStewart ASSISTANTPRODUCER BenCanning GENERALMANAGEMENTASSISTANT MaxBittleston PRODUCTION ASSISTANT ImogenClare-Wood MARKETINGMANAGER LauraJaneElliott REVENUEMANAGER MarkPayn ASSOCIATEPRODUCER(DEVELOPMENT) LucieLovatt DEVELOPMENTASSISTANT LydiaRynne LITERARYASSOCIATE JackBradley OFFICEASSISTANT JordanEaton HOUSESEATSASSISTANT VickyNgoma BIOGRAPHIESOFTHEORIGINALSTORYTEAM J.K.ROWLING istheauthorofthesevenHarryPotternovels,whichhavesoldover450millioncopiesandhavebeen translatedinto79languages,andthreecompanionbooksoriginallypublishedforcharity.Sheisalso theauthorofTheCasualVacancy,anovelforadultspublishedin2012,and,underthepseudonymof RobertGalbraith,istheauthoroftheCormoranStrikecrimeseries.J.K.Rowlingismakingher screenwritingdebutandisaproduceronthefilmFantasticBeastsandWheretoFindThem,afurther extensionofthewizardingworld,dueforreleaseinNovember2016. JOHNTIFFANY directedthestageadaptationofOnceforwhichhewastherecipientofmultipleawardsbothinthe WestEndandonBroadway.AsAssociateDirectoroftheRoyalCourt,hisworkincludesTheTwits, Hope,andThePass.HewasthedirectorofLettheRightOneInfortheNationalTheatreofScotland, whichtransferredtotheRoyalCourt,WestEnd,andSt.Ann’sWarehouse.Hisotherworkforthe NationalTheatreofScotlandincludesMacbeth(alsoBroadway),Enquirer,TheMissing,PeterPan, TheHouseofBernardaAlba,TransformCaithness:Hunter,BeNearMe,NobodyWillEverForgive Us,TheBacchae,BlackWatch,forwhichhewontheOlivierandCriticsCircleBestDirectorAwards, ElizabethGordonQuinn,andHome:Glasgow.OtherrecentcreditsincludeTheGlassMenagerieat AmericanRepertoryTheatreandonBroadwayandTheAmbassadorattheBrooklynAcademyof Music.TiffanywasAssociateDirectoroftheNationalTheatreofScotlandfrom2005to2012,and wasaRadcliffeFellowatHarvardUniversityinthe2010–2011academicyear. JACKTHORNE writesfortheater,film,television,andradio.HistheatercreditsincludeHopeandLettheRightOne In,bothdirectedbyJohnTiffany,TheSolidLifeofSugarWaterfortheGraeaeTheatreCompanyand theNationalTheatre,BunnyfortheEdinburghFestivalFringe,StacyfortheTrafalgarStudios,and 2ndMay1997andWhenYouCureMefortheBush.HisadaptationsincludeThePhysicistsforthe DonmarWarehouseandStuart:ALifeBackwardsforHighTide.OnfilmhiscreditsincludeWar Book,ALongWayDown,andTheScoutingBookforBoys.FortelevisionhiscreditsincludeTheLast Panthers,Don’tTakeMyBaby,ThisIsEngland,TheFades,Glue,Cast-Offs,andNationalTreasure. Hewon2016BAFTAsforBestMini-Series(ThisIsEngland’90)andBestSingleDrama(Don’tTake MyBaby),andin2012wonBestDramaSeries(TheFades)andBestMini-Series(ThisIsEngland ’88). ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AlltheactorsfromtheCursedChildworkshops,MelKenyon,RachelTaylor,AlexandriaHorton, ImogenClare-Wood,FlorenceRees,JeneferTait,DavidNock,RachelMason,Colin,Neil,Sonia, everyoneatSFPandTheBlairPartnership,RebeccaSaltfromJKRPR,NicaBurnsandallthestaffat thePalaceTheatre,and,ofcourse,ourincrediblecastwhohelpedshapeeveryword. 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Allrightsreserved;nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedinwholeorinpart,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans, electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise,withoutthepriorpermissionofthepublisher ThisdigitaleditionpublishedbyPottermoreLimitedin2016 PublishedinprintintheU.S.Ain2016byArthurA.LevineBooks,animprintofScholasticInc. Text©HarryPotterTheatricalProductionsLimited2016 HarryPotterPublishingandTheatricalrights©J.K.Rowling Artworkandlogoaretrademarksofand©HarryPotterTheatricalProductionsLimited HarryPottercharacters,namesandrelatedindiciaaretrademarksofand©WarnerBros.Ent.Allrightsreserved. J.K.ROWLING’SWIZARDINGWORLDisatrademarkofJ.K.RowlingandWarnerBros.EntertainmentInc. Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareused fictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,businessestablishments,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental. ISBN978-1-78110-704-1 TableofContents Pottermore.com Contents PARTONE ACTONE ACTTWO PARTTWO ACTTHREE ACTFOUR ABOUTTHEPRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIESOFTHEORIGINALSTORYTEAM ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AlsoBy Copyright