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KING’S CROSS
A busy and crowded station, full of people trying to go somewhere. Amongst the hustle and bustle, two large cages rattle on top of two laden trolleys. They’re being pushed by two boys, JAMES POTTER and ALBUS POTTER. Their mother, GINNY, follows after. A thirty-seven-year-old man, HARRY, has his daughter LILY on his shoulders.
ALBUS
Dad. He keeps saying it.
HARRY
James, give it a rest.
JAMES
I only said he might be in Slytherin. And he might, so . . . (off his dad’s glare) fine.
ALBUS (looking up at his mum)
You’ll write to me, won’t you?
GINNY
Every day if you want us to.
ALBUS
No. Not every day. James says most people only get letters from home about once a month. I don’t want to . . .
HARRY
We wrote to your brother three times a week last year.
ALBUS
What? James!
ALBUS looks accusingly at JAMES.
GINNY
Yes. You may not want to believe everything he tells you about Hogwarts. He likes a laugh, your brother.
JAMES (with a grin)
Can we go now please?
ALBUS looks at his dad, and then his mum.
GINNY
All you have to do is walk straight at the wall between platforms nine and ten.
LILY
I’m so excited.
HARRY
Don’t stop and don’t be scared you’ll crash into it, that’s very important. Best to do it at a run if you’re nervous.
ALBUS
I’m ready.
HARRY and LILY put their hands on ALBUS ’s trolley – GINNY joins JAMES ’s trolley – and together, the family run hard into the barrier.
PLATFORM NINE AND THREE-QUARTERS
Which is covered in thick white steam pouring from the HOGWARTS EXPRESS.
And which is also busy – but instead of people in sharp suits going about their day, it’s now wizards and witches in robes mostly trying to work out how to say goodbye to their beloved progeny.
ALBUS
This is it.
LILY
Wow!
ALBUS
Platform nine and three-quarters.
LILY
Where are they? Are they here? Maybe they didn’t come?
HARRY points out RON, HERMIONE and their daughter ROSE. LILY runs hard up to them.
Uncle Ron. Uncle Ron!!!
RON turns towards them as LILY goes barrelling up to him. He picks her up into his arms.
RON
If it isn’t my favourite Potter.
LILY
Have you got my trick?
RON
Are you aware of the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes certified nose-stealing breath?
ROSE
Mum! Dad’s doing that lame thing again.
HERMIONE
You say lame, he says glorious, I say . . . somewhere in between.
RON
Hang on. Let me just munch this . . . air. And now it’s just a simple matter of . . . excuse me if I smell slightly of garlic . . .
He breathes on her face. LILY giggles.
LILY
You smell of porridge.
RON
Bing. Bang. Boing. Young lady, get ready to not being able to smell at all . . .
He lifts her nose off.
LILY
Where’s my nose?
RON
Tada!
His hand is empty. It’s a lame trick. Everyone enjoys its lameness.
LILY
You are silly.
ALBUS
Everyone’s staring at us again.
RON
Because of me! I’m extremely famous. My nose experiments are legendary!
HERMIONE
They’re certainly something.
HARRY
Parked all right then?
RON
I did. Hermione didn’t believe I could pass a Muggle driving test, did you? She thought I’d have to Confund the examiner.
HERMIONE
I thought nothing of the kind, I have complete faith in you.
ROSE
And I have complete faith he did Confund the examiner.
RON
Oi!
ALBUS
Dad . . .
ALBUS pulls on HARRY ’s robes. HARRY looks down.
Do you think – what if I am – what if I’m put in Slytherin . . .
HARRY
And what would be wrong with that?
ALBUS
Slytherin is the house of the snake, of Dark Magic . . . it’s not a house of brave wizards.
HARRY
Albus Severus, you were named after two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.
ALBUS
But just say . . .
HARRY
If it matters to you, you , the Sorting Hat will take your feelings into account.
ALBUS
Really?
HARRY
It did for me.
This is something he’s never said before, it resonates around his head a moment.
Hogwarts will be the making of you, Albus. I promise you, there is nothing to be frightened of there.
JAMES
Apart from the Thestrals. Watch out for the Thestrals.
ALBUS
I thought they were invisible!
HARRY
Listen to your professors, don’t listen to James, and remember to enjoy yourself. Now, if you don’t want this train to leave without you, you should leap on . . .
LILY
I’m going to chase the train out.
GINNY
Lily, come straight back.
HERMIONE
Rose. Remember to send Neville our love.
ROSE
Mum, I can’t send a professor love!
ROSE exits for the train. And then ALBUS turns and hugs GINNY and HARRY one last time before following after her.
ALBUS
Okay, then. Bye.
He climbs on board. HERMIONE, GINNY, RON and HARRY stand watching the train – as whistles blow up and down the platform.
GINNY
They’re going to be okay, right?
HERMIONE
Hogwarts is a big place.
RON
Big. Wonderful. Full of food. I’d give anything to be going back.
HARRY
Strange, Al being worried he’ll be sorted into Slytherin.
HERMIONE
That’s nothing, Rose is worried whether she’ll break the Quidditch scoring record in her first or second year. And how early she can take her O.W.Ls.
RON
I have no idea where she gets her ambition from.
GINNY
And how would you feel Harry, if Al – if he is?
RON
You know Gin, we always thought there was a chance you could be sorted into Slytherin.
GINNY
What?
RON
Honestly, Fred and George ran a book.
HERMIONE
Can we go? People are looking, you know.
GINNY
People always look when you three are together. And apart. People always look at you.
The four exit. GINNY stops HARRY.
Harry . . . he’ll be all right, won’t he?
HARRY
Of course he will.
THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
ALBUS and ROSE walk along the carriage of the train.
The TROLLEY WITCH approaches, pushing her trolley.
TROLLEY WITCH
Anything from the trolley, dears? Pumpkin Pasty? Chocolate Frog? Cauldron Cake?
ROSE (spotting ALBUS ’s loving look at the Chocolate Frogs)
Al. We need to concentrate.
ALBUS
Concentrate on what?
ROSE
On who we choose to be friends with. My mum and dad met your dad on their first Hogwarts Express you know . . .
ALBUS
So we need to choose now who to be friends with for life? That’s quite scary.
ROSE
On the contrary, it’s exciting. I’m a Granger-Weasley, you’re a Potter – everyone will want to be friends with us, we’ve got the pick of anyone we want.
ALBUS
So how do we decide – which compartment to go in . . .
ROSE
We rate them all and then we make a decision.
ALBUS opens a compartment door – to look in on a lonely blond kid – SCORPIUS – in an otherwise empty compartment. ALBUS smiles. SCORPIUS smiles back.
ALBUS
Hi. Is this compartment . . .
SCORPIUS
It’s free. It’s just me.
ALBUS
Great. So we might just – come in – for a bit – if that’s okay?
SCORPIUS
That’s okay. Hi.
ALBUS
Albus. Al. I’m – my name is Albus . . .
SCORPIUS
Hi Scorpius. I mean, I’m Scorpius. You’re Albus. I’m Scorpius. And you must be . . .
ROSE ’s face is growing colder by the minute.
ROSE
Rose.
SCORPIUS
Hi Rose. Would you like some of my Fizzing Whizzbees?
ROSE
I’ve just had breakfast, thanks.
SCORPIUS
I’ve also got some Shock-o-Choc, Pepper Imps and some Jelly Slugs. Mum’s idea – she says (sings), ‘Sweets they always help you make friends’ (he realises that singing was a mistake) . Stupid idea probably.
ALBUS
I’ll have some . . . Mum doesn’t let me have sweets. Which one would you start with?
ROSE hits ALBUS, out of sight of SCORPIUS.
SCORPIUS
Easy. I’ve always regarded the Pepper Imp as the king of the confectionery bag. They’re peppermint sweets that make you smoke at the ears.
ALBUS
Brilliant, then that’s what I’ll— ( ROSE hits him again.) Rose, will you please stop hitting me?
ROSE
I’m not hitting you.
ALBUS
You are hitting me, and it hurts.
SCORPIUS ’s face falls.
SCORPIUS
She’s hitting you because of me.
ALBUS
What?
SCORPIUS
Listen, I know who you are, so it’s probably only fair you know who I am.
ALBUS
What do you mean you know who I am?
SCORPIUS
You’re Albus Potter. She’s Rose Granger-Weasley. And I am Scorpius Malfoy. My parents are Astoria and Draco Malfoy. Our parents – they didn’t get on.
ROSE
That’s putting it mildly. Your mum and dad are Death Eaters!
SCORPIUS (affronted)
Dad was – but Mum wasn’t.
ROSE looks away, and SCORPIUS knows why she does.
I know what the rumour is, and it’s a lie.
ALBUS looks from an uncomfortable ROSE to a desperate SCORPIUS.
ALBUS
What – is the rumour?
SCORPIUS
The rumour is that my parents couldn’t have children. That my father and my grandfather were so desperate for a powerful heir, to prevent the end of the Malfoy line, that they . . . that they used a Time-Turner to send my mother back—
ALBUS
To send her back where?
ROSE
The rumour is that he’s Voldemort’s son, Albus.
A horrible, uncomfortable silence.
It’s probably rubbish. I mean . . . look, you’ve got a nose.
The tension is slightly broken, SCORPIUS laughs, pathetically grateful.
SCORPIUS
And it’s just like my father’s! I got his nose, his hair and his name. Not that that’s a great thing either. I mean – father-son issues, I have them. But, on the whole, I’d rather be a Malfoy than, you know, the son of the Dark Lord.
SCORPIUS and ALBUS look at each other and something passes between them.
ROSE
Yes, well, we probably should sit somewhere else. Come on, Albus.
ALBUS is thinking deeply.
ALBUS
No (off ROSE ’s look) , I’m okay. You go on . . .
ROSE
Albus. I won’t wait.
ALBUS
And I wouldn’t expect you to. But I’m staying here.
ROSE looks at him a second and then leaves the compartment.
ROSE
Fine!
SCORPIUS and ALBUS are left – looking at each other – unsure.
SCORPIUS
Thank you.
ALBUS
No. No. I didn’t stay – for you – I stayed for your sweets.
SCORPIUS
She’s quite fierce.
ALBUS
Yes. Sorry.
SCORPIUS
No. I like it. Do you prefer Albus or Al?
SCORPIUS grins and pops two sweets in his mouth.
ALBUS (thinks)
Albus.
SCORPIUS (as smoke comes out of his ears)
THANK YOU FOR STAYING FOR MY SWEETS, ALBUS!
ALBUS (laughing)
Wow.
TRANSITION SCENE
And now we enter a never-world of time change. And this scene is all about magic.
The changes are rapid as we leap between worlds. There are no individual scenes, but fragments, shards that show the constant progression of time.
Initially we’re inside Hogwarts, in the Great Hall, and everyone is dancing around ALBUS.
POLLY CHAPMAN
Albus Potter.
KARL JENKINS
A Potter. In our year.
YANN FREDERICKS
He’s got his hair. He’s got hair just like him.
ROSE
And he’s my cousin. (As they turn.) Rose Granger-Weasley. Nice to meet you.
The SORTING HAT walks through the students who spring into their houses.
It becomes quickly apparent he’s approaching ROSE, who is tense as she awaits her fate.
SORTING HAT
I’ve done this job for centuries
On every student’s head I’ve sat
Of thoughts I take inventories
For I’m the famous Sorting Hat.
I’ve sorted high, I’ve sorted low,
I’ve done the job through thick and thin
So put me on and you will know
Which house you should be in . . .
Rose Granger-Weasley.
He puts his hat on ROSE ’s head.
GRYFFINDOR!
There’s cheering from the Gryffindors as ROSE joins them.
ROSE
Thank Dumbledore.
SCORPIUS runs to take ROSE ’s place under the SORTING HAT ’s glare.
SORTING HAT
Scorpius Malfoy.
He puts his hat on SCORPIUS ’s head.
SLYTHERIN!
SCORPIUS was expecting this, he nods and half smiles. There’s cheering from the Slytherins as he joins them.
POLLY CHAPMAN
Well, that makes sense.
ALBUS walks swiftly to the front of the stage.
SORTING HAT
Albus Potter.
He puts his hat on ALBUS ’s head – and this time he seems to take longer – almost like he too is confused.
SLYTHERIN!
There’s a silence.
A perfect, profound silence.
One that sits low, twists a bit and has damage within it.
POLLY CHAPMAN
Slytherin?
CRAIG BOWKER JR
Whoah! A Potter? In Slytherin.
ALBUS looks out, unsure. SCORPIUS smiles, delighted, as he shouts across to him.
SCORPIUS
You can stand next to me!
ALBUS (thoroughly discombobulated)
Right. Yes.
YANN FREDERICKS
I suppose his hair isn’t that similar.
ROSE
Albus? But this is wrong, Albus. This is not how it’s supposed to be.
And suddenly a flying lesson is happening with MADAM HOOCH.
MADAM HOOCH
Well, what are you all waiting for? Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up.
The kids all hurry into position beside their brooms.
Stick out your hands out over your broom, and say, ‘Up!’
EVERYONE
UP!
ROSE ’s and YANN ’s brooms sail into their hands.
ROSE and YANN
Yes!
MADAM HOOCH
Come on now, I’ve no time for shirkers. Say ‘UP’. ‘UP’ like you mean it.
EVERYONE (bar ROSE and YANN )
UP!
Brooms sail up, including SCORPIUS ’s. Only ALBUS is left with his broom on the floor.
EVERYONE (bar ROSE , YANN and ALBUS )
YES!
ALBUS
Up. UP. UP.
His broom doesn’t move. Not even a millimetre. He stares at it with disbelieving desperation. There’s giggling from the rest of the class.
POLLY CHAPMAN
Oh Merlin’s beard, how humiliating! He really isn’t like his father at all is he?
KARL JENKINS
Albus Potter, the Slytherin Squib.
MADAM HOOCH
Okay. Children. Time to fly.
And suddenly HARRY appears from nowhere beside ALBUS as steam expands all over the stage. We’re back on platform nine and three-quarters and time has ticked on mercilessly. ALBUS is now a year older (as is HARRY, but less noticeably).
ALBUS
I’m just asking you Dad if you’ll – if you’ll just stand a little away from me.
HARRY (amused)
Second-years don’t like to be seen with their dads is that it?
An OVER-ATTENTIVE WIZARD begins to circle them.
ALBUS
No. It’s just – you’re you and – and I’m me and—
HARRY
It’s just people looking okay? People look. And they’re looking at me, not you.
The OVER-ATTENTIVE WIZARD proffers something for HARRY to sign – he signs it.
ALBUS
At Harry Potter and his disappointing son.
HARRY
What does that mean?
ALBUS
At Harry Potter and his Slytherin son.
JAMES rushes past them carrying his bag.
JAMES
Slythering Slytherin, stop with your dithering, time to get on to the train.
HARRY
Unnecessary, James.
JAMES (long gone)
See you at Christmas, Dad.
HARRY looks at ALBUS, concerned.
HARRY
Al—
ALBUS
My name is Albus, not Al.
HARRY
Are the other kids being unkind? Is that it? Maybe if you tried making a few more friends – without Hermione and Ron I wouldn’t have survived Hogwarts, I wouldn’t have survived at all.
ALBUS
But I don’t need a Ron and Hermione – I’ve – I’ve got a friend, Scorpius, and I know you don’t like him but he’s all I need.
HARRY
Look, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to me.
ALBUS
You didn’t need to bring me to the station, Dad.
ALBUS picks up his case and makes hard away.
HARRY
But I wanted to be here . . .
But ALBUS is gone. DRACO MALFOY, his robes perfect, his blond ponytail precisely placed, emerges from within the crowds to be beside HARRY.
DRACO
I need a favour.
HARRY
Draco.
DRACO
These rumours – about my son’s parentage – they don’t seem to be going away. The other Hogwarts students tease Scorpius about it relentlessly – if the Ministry could release a statement reaffirming that all Time-Turners were destroyed in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries . . .
HARRY
Draco, just let it blow over – they’ll soon move on.
DRACO
My son is suffering and – Astoria hasn’t been well recently – so he needs all the support he can get.
HARRY
If you answer the gossip, you feed the gossip. There’ve been rumours Voldemort had a child for years, Scorpius is not the first to be accused. The Ministry, for your sake as well as ours, needs to steer well clear.
DRACO frowns, annoyed, as the stage clears and ROSE and ALBUS stand ready with their cases.
ALBUS
As soon as the train leaves you don’t have to talk to me.
ROSE
I know. We just need to keep the pretence up in front of the grown-ups.
SCORPIUS runs on – with big hopes and an even bigger case.
SCORPIUS (hopeful)
Hi Rose.
ROSE (definitive)
Bye Albus.
SCORPIUS (still hopeful)
She’s melting.
And suddenly we’re in the Great Hall and PROFESSOR McGONAGALL is standing at the front, with a big smile on her face.
PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL
And I’m pleased to announce Gryffindor’s newest member of the Quidditch team – our – (she realises she can’t be partial) your superb new Chaser – Rose Granger-Weasley.
The Hall erupts into cheers. SCORPIUS claps alongside them all.
ALBUS
Are you clapping her too? We hate Quidditch and she’s playing for another house.
SCORPIUS
She’s your cousin, Albus.
ALBUS
Do you think she’d clap for me?
SCORPIUS
I think she’s brilliant.
The students circle ALBUS again as suddenly a Potions class begins.
POLLY CHAPMAN
Albus Potter. An irrelevance. Even portraits turn the other way when he comes up the stairs.
ALBUS hunches over a potion.
ALBUS
And now we add – is it horn of Bicorn?
KARL JENKINS
Leave him and Voldemort’s child to it, I say.
ALBUS
With just a little salamander blood . . .
The potion explodes loudly.
SCORPIUS
Okay. What’s the counter-ingredient? What do we need to change?
ALBUS
Everything.
And with that, time moves ever onwards – ALBUS ’s eyes become darker, his face grows more sallow. He’s still an attractive boy, but he’s trying not to admit it.
And suddenly he’s back on platform nine and three-quarters with his dad – who is still trying to persuade his son (and himself) that everything is okay. Both have aged another year.
HARRY
Third year. Big year. Here is your permission form for Hogsmeade.
ALBUS
I hate Hogsmeade.
HARRY
How can you hate a place you haven’t actually visited yet?
ALBUS
Because I know it’ll be full of Hogwarts students.
ALBUS screws up the paper.
HARRY
Just give it a go – come on – this is your chance to go nuts in Honeydukes without your mum knowing – no Albus, don’t you dare.
ALBUS (pointing his wand)
Incendio!
The ball of paper bursts into flame, and ascends across the stage.
HARRY
Of all the stupid things!
ALBUS
The ironic thing is I didn’t expect it to work. I’m terrible at that spell.
HARRY
Al–Albus, I’ve been exchanging owls with Professor McGonagall – she says you’re isolating yourself – you’re uncooperative in lessons – you’re surly – you’re—
ALBUS
So what would you like me to do? Magic myself popular? Conjure myself into a new house? Transfigure myself into a better student? Just cast a spell, Dad, and change me into what you want me to be, okay? It’ll work better for both of us. Got to go. Train to catch. Friend to find.
ALBUS runs to SCORPIUS, who is sitting on his case – numb to the world.
(delighted) Scorpius . . .
(concerned) Scorpius . . . are you okay?
SCORPIUS says nothing. ALBUS tries to read his friend’s eyes.
Your mum? It’s got worse?
SCORPIUS
It’s got the worst it can possibly get.
ALBUS sits down beside SCORPIUS.
ALBUS
I thought you’d send an owl . . .
SCORPIUS
I couldn’t work out what to say.
ALBUS
And now I don’t know what to say . . .
SCORPIUS
Say nothing.
ALBUS
Is there anything . . .
SCORPIUS
Come to the funeral.
ALBUS
Of course.
SCORPIUS
And be my good friend.
And suddenly the SORTING HAT is centre stage and we’re back in the Great Hall.
SORTING HAT
Are you afraid of what you’ll hear?
Afraid I’ll speak the name you fear?
Not Slytherin! Not Gryffindor!
Not Hufflepuff! Not Ravenclaw!
Don’t worry, child, I know my job,
You’ll learn to laugh, if first you sob.
Lily Potter. GRYFFINDOR!
LILY
Yes!
ALBUS
Great.
SCORPIUS
Did you really think she’d come to us? Potters don’t belong in Slytherin.
ALBUS
This one does.
As he tries to melt into the background, the other students laugh. He looks up at them all.
I didn’t choose, you know that? I didn’t choose to be his son.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC, HARRY’S OFFICE
HERMIONE sits with piles of paper in front of her in HARRY ’s messy office. She is slowly sorting through it all. HARRY enters in a rush. He is bleeding from a graze on his cheek.
HERMIONE
How did it go?
HARRY
It was true.
HERMIONE
Theodore Nott?
HARRY
In custody.
HERMIONE
And the Time-Turner itself?
HARRY reveals the Time-Turner. It shines out alluringly.
Is it genuine? Does it work? It’s not just an Hour-Reversal Turner – it goes back further?
HARRY
We don’t know anything yet. I wanted to try it out there and then but wiser heads prevailed.
HERMIONE
Well, now we have it.
HARRY
And you’re sure you want to keep it?
HERMIONE
I don’t think we’ve a choice. Look at it. It’s entirely different to the Time-Turner I had.
HARRY (dryly)
Apparently wizardry has moved on since we were kids.
HERMIONE
You’re bleeding.
HARRY checks his face in the mirror. He dabs at the wound with his robes.
Don’t worry, it’ll go with the scar.
HARRY (with a grin)
What you doing in my office, Hermione?
HERMIONE
I was anxious to hear about Theodore Nott and – thought I’d check whether you’d kept your promise and were on top of your paperwork.
HARRY
Ah. Turns out I’m not.
HERMIONE
No. You’re not. Harry, how can you get any work done in this chaos?
HARRY waves his wand and the papers and books transform into neat piles. HARRY smiles.
HARRY
No longer chaotic.
HERMIONE
But still ignored. You know there’s some interesting stuff in here . . . there are mountain trolls riding graphorns through Hungary, there are giants with winged tattoos on their backs walking through the Greek Seas, and the werewolves have gone entirely underground—
HARRY
Great, let’s get out there. I’ll get the team together.
HERMIONE
Harry, I get it. Paperwork’s boring . . .
HARRY
Not for you.
HERMIONE
I’m busy enough with my own. These are people and beasts that fought alongside Voldemort in the great wizarding wars. These are allies of darkness. This – combined with what we have just unearthed at Theodore Nott’s – could mean something. But if the Head of Magical Law Enforcement isn’t reading his files—
HARRY
But I don’t need to read it – I’m out there, hearing about it. Theodore Nott – it was me who heard the rumours about the Time-Turner and me who acted upon it. You really don’t need to tell me off.
HERMIONE looks at HARRY – this is tricky.
HERMIONE
Do you fancy a toffee? Don’t tell Ron.
HARRY
You’re changing the subject.
HERMIONE
I truly am. Toffee?
HARRY
Can’t. We’re off sugar at the moment.
Beat.
You know, you can get addicted to that stuff?
HERMIONE
What can I say? My parents were dentists, I was bound to rebel at some point. Forty is leaving it a little late, but . . . you’ve just done a brilliant thing. You’re certainly not being told off – I just need you to look at your paperwork every now and again, that’s all. Consider this a gentle – nudge – from the Minister for Magic .
HARRY hears the implication in her emphasis; he nods.
How’s Ginny? How’s Albus?
HARRY
It seems I’m as good at fatherhood as I am at paperwork. How’s Rose? How’s Hugo?
HERMIONE (with a grin)
You know, Ron says he thinks I see more of my secretary Ethel ( she indicates off ) than him. Do you think there’s a point where we made a choice – parent of the year or – Ministry official of the year? Go on. Go home to your family Harry, the Hogwarts Express is about to depart for another year – enjoy the time you’ve got left – and then come back here with a fresh head and get these files read.
HARRY
You really think this could all mean something?
HERMIONE (with a smile)
It could do. But if it does, we’ll find a way to fight it, Harry. We always have.
She smiles once more – pops a toffee in her mouth and leaves the office. HARRY is left alone. He packs his bag. He walks out of the office and down a corridor. The weight of the world upon his shoulders.
He walks, tired, into a telephone box. He dials 62442.
TELEPHONE BOX
Farewell, Harry Potter.
He ascends away from the Ministry of Magic.
HARRY AND GINNY POTTER’S HOUSE
ALBUS can’t sleep. He is sitting at the top of the stairs. He hears voices below him. We hear HARRY ’s voice before he’s revealed. An elderly man in a wheelchair is with him, AMOS DIGGORY.
HARRY
Amos, I understand, I really do – but I’m only just home and—
AMOS
I’ve tried to make appointments at the Ministry. They say ‘Ah, Mr Diggory, we have an appointment for you, let’s see, in two months.’ I wait. Very patiently.
HARRY
—and coming to my house in the middle of the night – when my kids are just getting ready for their new year at school – it’s not right.
AMOS
Two months pass, I receive an owl, ‘Mr Diggory, I’m awfully sorry, but Mr Potter has been called away on urgent business, we’re going to have to shift things around a little, are you available for an appointment in, let’s see, two months’ time.’ And then it repeats again, and again . . . You’re shutting me out.
HARRY
Of course I’m not. It’s just, I’m afraid, as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement I’m responsible—
AMOS
There’s plenty you’re responsible for.
HARRY
Sorry?
AMOS
My son, Cedric, you do remember Cedric, don’t you?
HARRY (remembering Cedric hurts him)
Yes, I remember your son. His loss—
AMOS
Voldemort wanted you ! Not my son! You told me yourself, the words he said were ‘kill the spare’. The spare. My son, my beautiful son, was a spare.
HARRY
Mr Diggory, as you know, I sympathise with your efforts to memorialise Cedric but—
AMOS
A memorial? I am not interested in a memorial – not any more. I am an old man – an old, dying man – and I am here to ask you – beg you – to help me get him back.
HARRY looks up, astonished.
HARRY
Get him back? Amos, that’s not possible.
AMOS
The Ministry has a Time-Turner does it not?
HARRY
The Time-Turners were all destroyed.
AMOS
The reason I’m here with such urgency is I’ve just heard rumour – strong rumour – that the Ministry seized an illegal Time-Turner from Theodore Nott and has kept it. For investigation. Let me use that Time-Turner. Let me have my son back.
There’s a long, deadly pause. HARRY is finding this extremely difficult. We watch as ALBUS moves closer, listening.
HARRY
Amos, playing with time? You know we can’t do that.
AMOS
How many people have died for the Boy Who Lived? I’m asking you to save one of them.
This hurts HARRY. He thinks, his face hardens.
HARRY
Whatever you’ve heard – the Theodore Nott story is a fiction, Amos. I’m sorry.
DELPHI
Hello.
ALBUS jumps a mile as DELPHI – a twenty-something determined-looking woman – is revealed looking through the stairs at him.
Oh. Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle. I used to be a big stair-listener myself. Sitting there. Waiting for someone to say something the tiniest bit interesting.
ALBUS
Who are you? Because this is sort of my house and . . .
DELPHI
I’m a thief of course. I’m about to steal everything you own. Give me your gold, your wand and your Chocolate Frogs! (She looks fierce and then smiles.) Either that or I’m Delphini Diggory. (She ascends the stairs and sticks out a hand.) Delphi. I look after him – Amos – well, I try. (She indicates AMOS. ) And you are?
ALBUS (rueful grin)
Albus.
DELPHI
Of course! Albus Potter! So Harry is your dad? That’s a bit wow isn’t it?
ALBUS
Not really.
DELPHI
Ah. Have I just put my foot in it? It’s what they used to say about me at school. Delphini Diggory – there isn’t a hole she couldn’t dig herself into.
ALBUS
They do all sorts with my name too.
Pause. She looks at him carefully.
AMOS
Delphi.
She makes to depart and then hesitates. She smiles at ALBUS.
DELPHI
We don’t choose who we’re related to. Amos isn’t just my patient, he’s my uncle, it’s part of the reason I took the job at Upper Flagley. But that’s made it difficult. It’s tough to live with people stuck in the past, isn’t it?
AMOS
Delphi!
ALBUS
Upper Flagley?
DELPHI
St Oswald’s Home for Old Witches and Wizards. Come see us some time. If you like.
AMOS
DELPHI!
She smiles and then trips as she travels down the stairs. She enters the room with AMOS and HARRY in it. ALBUS watches her.
DELPHI
Yes, Uncle?
AMOS
Meet the once-great Harry Potter, now a stone-cold Ministry man. I will leave you in peace, sir. If peace is the right word for it. Delphi, my chair . . .
DELPHI
Yes, Uncle.
AMOS is pushed out of the room. HARRY is left, looking forlorn. ALBUS watches on, thinking, carefully.
HARRY AND GINNY POTTER’S HOUSE, ALBUS’S ROOM
ALBUS is sitting on the bed as the world goes on outside his door. Still against the constant motion outside. We hear a roar from JAMES (from off).
GINNY
James, please, ignore your hair, and tidy that damn room . . .
JAMES
How can I ignore it? It’s pink! I’m going to have to use my Invisibility Cloak!
JAMES appears at the door, he has pink hair.
GINNY
That’s not why your dad gave you that cloak!
LILY
Who’s seen my Potions book?
GINNY
Lily Potter, don’t think you’re wearing those to school tomorrow . . .
LILY appears at ALBUS ’s door. She’s wearing fairy wings that flutter.
LILY
I love them. They’re fluttery.
She exits as HARRY appears in ALBUS ’s doorway. He looks through.
HARRY
Hi.
There’s an awkward pause between them. GINNY appears in the doorway. She sees what’s happening and stays a moment.
Just delivering a pre-Hogwarts gift – gifts – Ron’s sent this . . .
ALBUS
Okay, a love potion. Okay.
HARRY
I think it’s a joke about – I don’t know what. Lily got farting gnomes, James got a comb that’s made his hair turn a shade of pink. Ron – well, Ron’s Ron you know?
HARRY puts down ALBUS ’s love potion on his bed.
I also – this is from me . . .
He reveals a small blanket. GINNY looks at it – she sees HARRY is trying, and then she softly walks away.
ALBUS
An old blanket?
HARRY
I thought a lot about what to give you this year. James – well, James has been going on about the Invisibility Cloak since time itself, and Lily – I knew she’d love wings – but you. You’re fourteen years old now, Albus, and I wanted to give you something which – meant something. This – is the last thing I had from my mum. The only thing. I was given to the Dursleys wrapped in it. I thought it had gone forever and then – when your Great Aunt Petunia died, hidden amongst her possessions, surprisingly, Dudley found this – and he kindly sent it on to me, and ever since then – well, any time I’ve wanted luck I’ve found it and just tried to hold it and I wondered if you . . .
ALBUS
Wanted to hold it too? Okay. Done. Let’s hope it brings me luck. I certainly need some.
He touches the blanket.
But you should keep it.
HARRY
I think – believe – Petunia wanted me to have it, that’s why she kept it and now I want you to have it from me. I didn’t really know my mother – but I think she’d have wanted you to have it too. And maybe I could come find you – and it – on Hallows’ Eve. I’d like to be with it on the night they died – and that could be good for the two of us . . .
ALBUS
Listen, I’ve got quite a lot of packing to do, and you undoubtedly have Ministry work coming out of your ears so . . .
HARRY
Albus, I want you to have the blanket.
ALBUS
And do what with it? Fairy wings make sense, Dad, Invisibility Cloaks, they also make sense – but this – really?
HARRY is slightly heartbroken. He looks at his son, desperate to reach out.
HARRY
Do you want a hand? Packing. I always loved packing. It meant I was leaving Privet Drive and going back to Hogwarts. Which was . . . well, I know you don’t love it but . . .
ALBUS
For you, it’s the greatest place on earth. I know. The poor orphan, bullied by his Uncle and Aunt Dursley—
HARRY
Albus, please – can we just—
ALBUS
—traumatised by his cousin Dudley, saved by Hogwarts. I know it all, Dad. Blah blah blah.
HARRY
I’m not going to rise to your bait, Albus Potter.
ALBUS
The poor orphan who went on to save us all – so may I say – on behalf of wizarding kind. How grateful we are for your heroism. Should we bow now or will a curtsey do?
HARRY
Albus, please – you know, I’ve never wanted gratitude.
ALBUS
But right now I’m overflowing with it – it must be the kind gift of this mouldy blanket that did it . . .
HARRY
Mouldy blanket?
ALBUS
What did you think would happen? We’d hug. I’d tell you I always loved you. What? What?
HARRY (finally losing his temper)
You know what? I’m done with being made responsible for your unhappiness. At least you’ve got a dad. Because I didn’t, okay?
ALBUS
And you think that was unlucky? I don’t.
HARRY
You wish me dead?
ALBUS
No! I just wish you weren’t my dad.
HARRY (seeing red)
Well, there are times I wish you weren’t my son.
There’s a silence. ALBUS nods. Pause. HARRY realises what he’s said.
No, I didn’t mean that . . .
ALBUS
Yes. You did.
HARRY
Albus, you just know how to get under my skin . . .
ALBUS
You meant it, Dad. And, honestly, I don’t blame you.
There’s a horrible pause.
You should probably leave me alone now.
HARRY
Albus, please . . .
ALBUS picks up the blanket and throws it. It collides with Ron’s love potion, which spills all over the blanket and the bed, producing a small puff of smoke.
ALBUS
No luck or love for me, then.
ALBUS runs out of the room. HARRY goes after him.
HARRY
Albus. Albus . . . please . . .
DREAM, HUT-ON-THE-ROCK
There’s a LARGE BOOM. Then there’s a LARGE CRASH. DUDLEY DURSLEY , AUNT PETUNIA and UNCLE VERNON are cowering behind a bed.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Mum, I don’t like this.
AUNT PETUNIA
I knew we made a mistake coming here. Vernon. Vernon. There’s nowhere we can hide. Not even a lighthouse is far enough away!
There’s another LARGE BOOM.
UNCLE VERNON
Hold on. Hold on. Whatever it is, it’s not coming in here.
AUNT PETUNIA
We’re cursed! He’s cursed us! The boy has cursed us! (Seeing YOUNG HARRY. ) This is all your fault. Get back in your hole.
YOUNG HARRY flinches as UNCLE VERNON holds out his rifle.
UNCLE VERNON
Whoever’s there I should warn you – I’m armed.
There’s a MASSIVE SMASH. And the door falls off its hinges. HAGRID stands in the middle of the door. He looks at them all.
HAGRID
Couldn’t make us a cup o’ tea, could yeh? It’s not been an easy journey.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Look. At. Him.
UNCLE VERNON
Stand back. Stand back. Behind me, Petunia. Behind me, Dudley. I’ll soon see this scarramanger off.
HAGRID
Scarrawhat? (He picks up UNCLE VERNON ’s gun.) Haven’t seen one of these for a while. ( He twists the end of the gun and ties it in a knot.) Oops-a-daisy. (And then he gets distracted. He’s seen YOUNG HARRY .) Harry Potter.
YOUNG HARRY
Hello.
HAGRID
Las’ time I saw yeh, yeh was only a baby. Yeh look a lot like yer dad, but yeh’ve got yer mum’s eyes.
YOUNG HARRY
You knew my parents?
HAGRID
Where’s me manners? A very happy birthday to yeh. Got summat fer yeh here – I mighta sat on it at some point, but it’ll taste all right.
From inside his coat he pulls a slightly squashed chocolate cake with ‘Happy Birthday Harry’ written on it in green icing.
YOUNG HARRY
Who are you?
HAGRID (laughing)
True, I haven’t introduced meself. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. (He looks around himself. ) What about that tea then, eh? I’d not say no ter summat stronger if yeh’ve got it, mind.
YOUNG HARRY
Hogwhere?
HAGRID
Hogwarts. Yeh’ll know all about Hogwarts, o’ course.
YOUNG HARRY
Er – no. Sorry.
HAGRID
Sorry? It’s them as should be sorry! I knew yeh weren’t gettin’ yer letters but I never thought yeh wouldn’t even know abou’ Hogwarts, fer cryin’ out loud! Did yeh never wonder where yer parents learnt it all?
YOUNG HARRY
Learnt what?
HAGRID turns menacingly towards UNCLE VERNON .
HAGRID
Do you mean ter tell me, that this boy – this boy! – knows nothin’ abou’ – about ANYTHING?
UNCLE VERNON
I forbid you to tell the boy anything more!
YOUNG HARRY
Tell me what?
HAGRID looks at UNCLE VERNON and then at YOUNG HARRY.
HAGRID
Harry – yer a wizard – yeh changed everything. Yer the most famous wizard in the whole world.
And then right from the back of the room and whispering around everyone, words said with an unmistakeable voice. The voice of VOLDEMORT. . .
Haaarry Pottttter . . .
HARRY AND GINNY POTTER’S HOUSE, BEDROOM
HARRY wakes suddenly. Breathing deeply in the night.
He waits a moment. Calming himself. And then he feels intense pain, in his forehead. In his scar. Around him Dark Magic moves.
GINNY
Harry . . .
HARRY
It’s fine. Go back to sleep.
GINNY
Lumos.
The room is filled with light from her wand. HARRY looks at her.
A nightmare?
HARRY
Yes.
GINNY
About what?
HARRY
The Dursleys – well it started there – then it became something else.
Pause. GINNY looks at him – trying to work out where he is.
GINNY
Do you want a Sleeping Draught?
HARRY
No. I’ll be fine. Go back to sleep.
GINNY
You don’t seem fine.
HARRY says nothing.
(Seeing his agitation.) It can’t have been easy – with Amos Diggory.
HARRY
The anger I can cope with, the fact he’s right is harder. Amos lost his son because of me—
GINNY
That doesn’t seem particularly fair on yourself—
HARRY
—and there’s nothing I can say – nothing I can say to anyone – unless it’s the wrong thing of course.
GINNY knows what – or rather who – he’s referring to.
GINNY
So that’s what’s upsetting you? The night before Hogwarts, it’s never a good night if you don’t want to go. Giving Al the blanket. It was a nice try.
HARRY
It went pretty badly wrong from there. I said some things Ginny . . .
GINNY
I heard.
HARRY
And you’re still talking to me?
GINNY
Because I know that when the time is right you’ll say sorry. That you didn’t mean it. That what you said concealed – other things. You can be honest with him Harry . . . that’s all he needs.
HARRY
I just wish he was more like James or Lily.
GINNY (dryly)
Yeah, maybe don’t be that honest.
HARRY
No, I wouldn’t change a thing about him . . . but I can understand them and . . .
GINNY
Albus is different and isn’t that a good thing. And he can tell – you know – when you’re putting on your Harry Potter front. He wants to see the real you.
HARRY
‘The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.’
GINNY looks at him, surprised.
Dumbledore.
GINNY
A strange thing to say to a child.
HARRY
Not when you believe that child will have to die to save the world.
HARRY gasps again – and does all he can not to touch his forehead.
GINNY
Harry. What’s wrong?
HARRY
Fine. I’m fine. I hear you. I’ll try to be—
GINNY
Does your scar hurt?
HARRY
No. No. I’m fine. Now, Nox that and let’s get some sleep.
GINNY
Harry. How long has it been since your scar hurt?
HARRY turns to GINNY, his face says it all.
HARRY
Twenty-two years.
THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
ALBUS walks quickly along the train.
ROSE
Albus, I’ve been looking for you . . .
ALBUS
Me? Why?
ROSE isn’t sure how to phrase what she has to say.
ROSE
Albus, it’s the start of the fourth year, and so the start of a new year for us. I want to be friends again.
ALBUS
We never were friends.
ROSE
That’s harsh! You were my best friend when I was six!
ALBUS
That was a long time ago.
He makes to walk away, she pulls him into an empty compartment.
ROSE
Have you heard the rumours? Big Ministry raid a few days ago. Your dad apparently was incredibly brave.
ALBUS
How do you always know about these things and I don’t?
ROSE
Apparently he – the wizard they raided – Theodore Nott I think – had all sorts of artefacts that broke all sorts of laws including – and this has got them all gooey – an illegal Time-Turner. And quite a superior one at that.
ALBUS looks at ROSE, everything falling into place.
ALBUS
A Time-Turner? My dad found a Time-Turner?
ROSE
Sh! Yes. I know. Great, right?
ALBUS
You’re sure.
ROSE
Entirely.
ALBUS
Now I have to find Scorpius.
He walks down the train. ROSE follows, still determined to say her piece.
ROSE
Albus!
ALBUS turns decisively.
ALBUS
Who’s told you that you have to talk to me?
ROSE (sprung)
Okay, maybe your mum owled my dad – but only because she’s worried about you. And I just think—
ALBUS
Leave me alone, Rose.
SCORPIUS is sitting in his usual compartment. ALBUS enters first, ROSE still tailing him.
SCORPIUS
Albus! Oh hello Rose, what do you smell of?
ROSE
What do I smell of?
SCORPIUS
No, I meant it as a nice thing. You smell like a mixture of fresh flowers and fresh – bread.
ROSE
Albus, I’m here, okay? If you need me.
SCORPIUS
I mean, nice bread, good bread, bread . . . what’s wrong with bread?
ROSE walks away, shaking her head.
ROSE
What’s wrong with bread!
ALBUS
I’ve been looking for you everywhere . . .
SCORPIUS
And now you’ve found me. Tada! I was hardly hiding. You know how I like to . . . get on early. Stops people staring. Shouting. Writing ‘son of Voldemort’ on my trunk. That one never gets old. She really doesn’t like me does she?
ALBUS hugs his friend. With fierceness. They hold for a beat. SCORPIUS is surprised by this.
Okay. Hello. Um. Have we hugged before? Do we hug?
The two boys awkwardly dislocate.
ALBUS
Just a slightly weird twenty-four hours.
SCORPIUS
What’s happened in them?
ALBUS
I’ll explain later. We have to get off this train.
There’s the sound of whistles from off. The train starts moving.
SCORPIUS
Too late. The train is moving. Hogwarts ahoy!
ALBUS
Then we have to get off a moving train.
TROLLEY WITCH
Anything from the trolley, dears?
ALBUS opens a window and makes to climb out.
SCORPIUS
A moving magical train.
TROLLEY WITCH
Pumpkin Pasty? Cauldron Cake?
SCORPIUS
Albus Severus Potter, get that strange look out of your eye.
ALBUS
First question. What do you know about the Triwizard Tournament?
SCORPIUS (happy)
Ooooh, a quiz! Three schools pick three champions to compete in three tasks for one Cup. What’s that got to do with anything?
ALBUS
You really are an enormous geek you know that?
SCORPIUS
Ya-huh.
ALBUS
Second question. Why has the Triwizard Tournament not been run in over twenty years?
SCORPIUS
The last competition included your dad and a boy called Cedric Diggory – they decided to win together but the Cup was a Portkey – and they were transported to Voldemort. Cedric was killed. They cancelled the competition immediately after.
ALBUS
Good. Third question. Did Cedric need to be killed? Easy question, easy answer: No. The words Voldemort said were ‘kill the spare’. The spare. He died only because he was with my father and my father couldn’t save him – we can. A mistake has been made and we’re going to right it. We’re going to use a Time-Turner. We’re going to bring him back.
SCORPIUS
Albus, for obvious reasons, I’m not a massive fan of Time-Turners . . .
ALBUS
When Amos Diggory asked for the Time-Turner my father denied they even existed. He lied to an old man who just wanted his son back – who just loved his son. And he did it because he didn’t care . . . because he doesn’t care. Everyone talks about all the brave things Dad did. But he made some mistakes too. Some big mistakes, in fact. I want to set one of those mistakes right. I want us to save Cedric.
SCORPIUS
Okay, whatever was holding your brain together seems to have snapped.
ALBUS
I’m going to do this, Scorpius. I need to do this. And you know as well as I do, I’ll entirely mess it up if you don’t come with me. Come on.
He grins. And then disappears ever up. SCORPIUS hesitates for a moment. He makes a face. And then hoists himself up and disappears after ALBUS .
THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS, ROOF
The wind whistles from all angles and it’s a fierce wind at that.
SCORPIUS
Okay, now we’re on the roof of a train, it’s fast, it’s scary, this has been great, I feel like I’ve learnt a lot about me, something about you, but—
ALBUS
As I calculate it we should be approaching the viaduct soon and then it’ll be a short hike to St Oswald’s Home for Old Witches and Wizards . . .
SCORPIUS
The what? The where? Look, I am as excited as you are to be a rebel for the first time in my life – yay – train roof – fun – but now – oh.
SCORPIUS sees something he doesn’t want to see.
ALBUS
The water will be an extremely useful back-up if our Cushioning Charm doesn’t work.
SCORPIUS
Albus. The Trolley Witch.
ALBUS
You want a snack for the journey?
SCORPIUS
No. Albus. The Trolley Witch is coming towards us.
ALBUS
No, she can’t be, we’re on top of the train . . .
SCORPIUS points ALBUS in the right direction, and now he can see the TROLLEY WITCH, who approaches nonchalantly. Pushing her trolley.
TROLLEY WITCH
Anything from the trolley, dears? Pumpkin Pasty? Chocolate Frog? Cauldron Cake?
ALBUS
Oh.
TROLLEY WITCH
People don’t know much about me. They buy my Cauldron Cakes – but they never really notice me. I don’t remember the last time someone asked my name.
ALBUS
What is your name?
TROLLEY WITCH
I’ve forgotten. All I can tell you is that when the Hogwarts Express first came to be – Ottaline Gambol herself offered me this job . . .
SCORPIUS
That’s – a hundred and ninety years. You’ve been doing this job for a hundred and ninety years?
TROLLEY WITCH
These hands have made over six million Pumpkin Pasties. I’ve got quite good at them. But what people haven’t noticed about my Pumpkin Pasties is how easily they transform into something else . . .
She picks up a Pumpkin Pasty. She throws it like a grenade. It explodes.
And you won’t believe what I can do with my Chocolate Frogs. Never. Never. Have I let anyone off this train before they reached their destination. Some have tried – Sirius Black and his cronies, Fred and George Weasley. ALL HAVE FAILED. BECAUSE THIS TRAIN – IT DOESN’T LIKE PEOPLE GETTING OFF IT . . .
The TROLLEY WITCH ’s hands transfigure into very sharp spikes. She smiles.
So please retake your seats for the remainder of the journey.
ALBUS
You were right, Scorpius. This train is magical.
SCORPIUS
At this precise moment in time, I take no pleasure in being right.
ALBUS
But I was also right – about the viaduct – that’s water down there, time to try the Cushioning Charm.
SCORPIUS
Albus, this is a bad idea.
ALBUS
Is it? (He has a moment’s hesitation, then he realises the time for hesitation has passed.) Too late now. Three. Two. One. Molliare!
He incants as he jumps.
SCORPIUS
Albus . . . Albus . . .
He looks down desperately after his friend. He looks at the approaching TROLLEY WITCH. Her hair wild. Her spikes particularly spiky.
Well, as fun as you clearly look, I have to go after my friend.
He pinches his nose, he jumps after ALBUS, incanting as he goes.
Molliare!
MINISTRY OF MAGIC, GRAND MEETING ROOM
The stage is flooded with wizards and witches. They rattle and chatter like all true wizards and witches can. Amongst them, GINNY , DRACO and RON. Above them, on a stage, HERMIONE and HARRY .
HERMIONE
Order. Order. Do I have to conjure silence? (She pulls silence from the crowd using her wand.) Good. Welcome to this Extraordinary General Meeting. I’m so pleased so many of you could make it. The wizarding world has been living in peace now for many years. It’s twenty-two years since we defeated Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts and I’m delighted to say there is a new generation being brought up having known only the slightest conflict. Until now. Harry?
HARRY
Voldemort’s allies have been showing movement for a few months now. We’ve followed trolls making their way across Europe, giants starting to cross the seas, and the werewolves – well, I’m distressed to say we lost sight of them some weeks ago. We don’t know where they’re going or who’s encouraged them to move – but we are aware they are moving – and we are concerned what it might mean. So we’re asking – if anyone has seen anything? Felt anything? If you could raise a wand, we will hear everyone speak. Professor McGonagall – thank you.
PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL
It did look like the Potions stores had been interfered with when we returned from summer break, but not a huge amount of ingredients were missing, some Boomslang skin and lacewing flies, nothing on the Restricted Register. We put it down to Peeves.
HERMIONE
Thank you, Professor. We shall investigate. ( She looks around the room. ) Nobody else? Fine, and – gravest of all – and this hasn’t been the case since Voldemort – Harry’s scar is hurting again.
DRACO
Voldemort is dead, Voldemort is gone.
HERMIONE
Yes, Draco, Voldemort is dead but these things all lead us to think that there is a possibility that Voldemort – or some trace of Voldemort – might be back.
This gets a reaction.
HARRY
Now this is difficult but we have to ask it to rule it out. Those of you with a Dark Mark . . . have you felt anything? Even a twinge?
DRACO
Back to being prejudiced against those with a Dark Mark are we, Potter?
HERMIONE
No, Draco. Harry is simply trying to—
DRACO
You know what this is about? Harry just wants his face back in the newspapers again. We’ve had rumours of Voldemort coming back from the Daily Prophet once a year every year—
HARRY
None of those rumours came from me!
DRACO
Really? Doesn’t your wife edit the Daily Prophet ?
GINNY steps towards him, outraged.
GINNY
The sports pages!
HERMIONE
Draco. Harry brought this matter to the attention of the Ministry . . . and I, as Minister for Magic—
DRACO
A vote you only won because you are his friend.
RON is held back by GINNY as he charges at DRACO .
RON
Do you want a smack in the mouth?
DRACO
Face it – his celebrity impacts upon you all. And how better to get everyone whispering the Potter name again than with (he does an impression of HARRY ) ‘my scar is hurting, my scar is hurting’. And do you know what this all means – that the gossipmongers once again have an opportunity to defame my son with these ridiculous rumours about his parentage.
HARRY
Draco, no one is saying this has anything to do with Scorpius . . .
DRACO
Well, I, for one, think this meeting a sham. And I’m leaving.
He walks out. Others start to disperse after him.
HERMIONE
No. That’s not the way . . . come back. We need a strategy.
ST OSWALD’S HOME FOR OLD WITCHES AND WIZARDS
This is chaos. This is magic. This is St Oswald’s Home for Old Witches and Wizards and it is as wonderful as you might hope.
Zimmer frames are conjured into life, knitting wool is enchanted into chaos, and male nurses are made to dance the tango.
These are people relieved of the burden of having to do magic for a reason – instead, these witches and wizards do magic for fun. And what fun they have.
ALBUS and SCORPIUS enter, looking around themselves, amused, and – let’s face it – slightly scared.
ALBUS and SCORPIUS
Um, excuse me . . . Excuse me. EXCUSE ME!
SCORPIUS
Okay, so this place is wild.
ALBUS
We’re looking for Amos Diggory.
There is suddenly total silence. Everything is instantly still. And slightly depressed.
WOOL WOMAN
And what’you boys want with that miserable old sod?
DELPHI appears with a smile.
DELPHI
Albus? Albus! You came? How wonderful! Come and say hello to Amos!
ST OSWALD’S HOME FOR OLD WITCHES AND WIZARDS, AMOS’S ROOM
AMOS looks at SCORPIUS and ALBUS , irritated. DELPHI watches the three of them.
AMOS
So let me get this straight. You overhear a conversation – a conversation which was not meant for you to overhear – and you decide, without prompting – in fact, without leave – to interfere, and interfere hard, in someone else’s business.
ALBUS
My father lied to you – I know he did – they do have a Time-Turner.
AMOS
Of course they do. You can move along now.
ALBUS
What? No. We’re here to help.
AMOS
Help? What use could a pair of undersized teenagers be for me?
ALBUS
My father proved you don’t have to be grown up to change the wizarding world.
AMOS
So I should allow you to get involved because you’re a Potter? Relying on your famous name are you?
ALBUS
No!
AMOS
A Potter who is in Slytherin house – yes, I’ve read about you – and who brings a Malfoy with him to visit me – a Malfoy who may be a Voldemort? Who’s to say you’re not involved in Dark Magic?
ALBUS
But—
AMOS
Your information was obvious but the confirmation is useful. Your father did lie. Now leave. The pair of you. And stop wasting my time.
ALBUS (with power and strength)
No, you need to listen to me, you said it yourself – how much blood is on my father’s hands. Let me help you change that. Let me help correct one of his mistakes. Trust me.
AMOS (his voice raised)
Did you not hear me, boy? I see no reason to trust you. So go. Now. Before I make you leave.
He raises his wand ominously. ALBUS looks at the wand – he deflates – AMOS has crushed him.
SCORPIUS
Come on mate, if there’s one thing we’re good at, it’s knowing where we’re not wanted.
ALBUS is reluctant to leave. SCORPIUS pulls him by the arm. He turns and they walk away.
DELPHI
I can think of one reason why you should trust them, Uncle.
They stop.
They’re the only ones volunteering to help. They’re prepared to bravely put themselves at risk to return your son to your side. In fact, I’m pretty sure they put themselves at risk even getting here . . .
AMOS
This is Cedric we’re talking about . . .
DELPHI
And – didn’t you say yourself – having someone inside Hogwarts might be a massive advantage?
DELPHI kisses the top of AMOS ’s head. AMOS looks at DELPHI, and then turns to look at the boys.
AMOS
Why? Why do you want to put yourself at risk? What’s in it for you?
ALBUS
I know what it is to be the spare. Your son didn’t deserve to be killed, Mr Diggory. We can help you get him back.
AMOS (finally showing emotion)
My son – my son was the best thing that ever happened to me – and you’re right it was an injustice – a gross injustice – if you’re serious . . .
ALBUS
We’re deadly serious.
AMOS
This is going to be dangerous.
ALBUS
We know.
SCORPIUS
Do we?
AMOS
Delphi – perhaps if you were prepared to accompany them?
DELPHI
If that would make you happy, Uncle.
She smiles at ALBUS , he smiles back.
AMOS
You do understand even getting the Time-Turner will risk your lives.
ALBUS
We’re ready to put our lives at risk.
SCORPIUS
Are we?
AMOS (gravely)
I hope you have it in you.
HARRY AND GINNY POTTER’S HOUSE, KITCHEN
HARRY , RON , HERMIONE and GINNY sit eating together.
HERMIONE
I’ve told Draco again and again – no one in the Ministry is saying anything about Scorpius. The rumours aren’t coming from us.
GINNY
I wrote to him – after he lost Astoria – to ask if there’s anything we could do. I thought maybe – as he was such a good friend to Albus – maybe Scorpius might want to stay over part of the Christmas break or . . . My owl came back with a letter containing one simple sentence: ‘Tell your husband to refute these allegations about my son once and for all.’
HERMIONE
He’s obsessed.
GINNY
He’s a mess – a grieving mess.
RON
And I’m sorry for his loss, but when he accuses Hermione of . . . well . . . (he looks across at HARRY ) Oi droopy drawers, like I say to her all the time, it could be nothing.
HERMIONE
Her?
RON
The trolls could be going to a party, the giants to a wedding, you could be getting bad dreams because you’re worried about Albus, and your scar could be hurting because you’re getting old.
HARRY
Getting old? Thanks, mate.
RON
Honestly, every time I sit down now I make an ‘ooof’ noise. An ‘ooof’. And my feet – the trouble I’m having with my feet – I could write songs about the pain my feet give me – maybe your scar is like that.
GINNY
You talk a lot of rubbish.
RON
I consider it my speciality. That and my range of Skiving Snackboxes. And my love for all of you. Even Skinny Ginny.
GINNY
If you don’t behave, Ronald Weasley, I will tell Mum.
RON
You wouldn’t.
HERMIONE
If some part of Voldemort survived, in whatever form, we need to be prepared. And I’m scared.
GINNY
I’m scared too.
RON
Nothing scares me. Apart from Mum.
HERMIONE
I mean it, Harry, I will not be Cornelius Fudge on this one. I will not stick my head in the sand. And I don’t care how unpopular that makes me with Draco Malfoy.
RON
You never really were one for popularity were you?
HERMIONE shoots RON a withering look as she aims to hit him but RON jumps out of the way.
Missed.
GINNY hits RON . RON winces.
Hit. A very solid hit.
Suddenly an owl is in the room. It swoops in low and drops a letter on Harry’s plate.
HERMIONE
Bit late for an owl isn’t it?
Harry opens the letter. Surprised.
HARRY
It’s from Professor McGonagall.
GINNY
What does it say?
HARRY ’s face drops.
HARRY
Ginny, it’s Albus – Albus and Scorpius – they never made it to school. They’re missing!
WHITEHALL, CELLAR
SCORPIUS is squinting at a bottle.
SCORPIUS
So we just take it?
ALBUS
Scorpius, do I really need to explain to you – uber geek and Potions expert – what Polyjuice does? Thanks to Delphi’s brilliant preparation work, we are going to take this potion and be transformed, and thus disguised we will be able to enter the Ministry of Magic.
SCORPIUS
Okay, two points, one, is it painful?
DELPHI
Very – as I understand it.
SCORPIUS
Thank you. Good to know. Second point – do either of you know what Polyjuice tastes of? Because I’ve heard it tastes of fish, and if it does I will just vomit it back up. Fish doesn’t agree with me. Never has. Never will.
DELPHI
Consider us warned. (She knocks back the potion.) It doesn’t taste of fish. ( She begins to transform. It’s agonising.) Actually it tastes quite pleasant, yum. It is painful but . . . (She burps, loudly.) Take it back. There is a – slight – (She burps again and turns into HERMIONE .) Slight – overpowering – fishy residue.
ALBUS
Okay, that’s – wow!
SCORPIUS
Double wow!
DELPHI/HERMIONE
This really doesn’t feel how I – I even sound like her! Triple wow!
ALBUS
Right. Me next.
SCORPIUS
No. No way, José. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it (he puts on a pair of familiar-looking glasses with a smile) together.
ALBUS
Three. Two. One.
They swallow.
No, that’s good (he’s racked with pain) . That’s less good.
They both start to transform and it’s agonising.
ALBUS turns into RON , SCORPIUS into HARRY .
The two look at each other. There’s a silence.
ALBUS/RON
This is going to be slightly weird isn’t it?
SCORPIUS/HARRY (full of drama – he’s really enjoying this)
Go to your room. Go straight to your room. You’ve been an incredibly awful and bad son.
ALBUS/RON (with a laugh)
Scorpius . . .
SCORPIUS/HARRY (tossing his cloak over his shoulder)
It was your idea – I be him and you be Ron! I just want to have a little fun before I . . . (And then he burps loudly.) Okay, so that’s utterly horrible.
ALBUS / RON
You know, he hides it well, but Uncle Ron’s got a bit of a gut growing.
DELPHI/HERMIONE
We should go – don’t you think?
They emerge on to the street. They enter a telephone box. They dial 62442.
TELEPHONE BOX
Welcome, Harry Potter. Welcome, Hermione Granger. Welcome, Ron Weasley.
They smile as the telephone box disappears into the floor.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC, MEETING ROOM
HARRY , HERMIONE , GINNY and DRACO pace around a small room.
DRACO
Have we searched thoroughly beside the tracks . . .
HARRY
My department have searched once and are searching again.
DRACO
And the Trolley Witch is not able to tell us anything useful?
HERMIONE
The Trolley Witch is furious. She keeps talking about letting down Ottaline Gambol. She prides herself on her Hogwarts delivery record.
GINNY
Have there been any instances of magic reported by the Muggles?
HERMIONE
None so far. I have made the Muggle Prime Minister aware and he is filing what is known as a misper. Sounds like a spell. It isn’t.
DRACO
So now we’re relying on Muggles to find our children? Have we told them about Harry’s scar too?
HERMIONE
We’re merely asking the Muggles to help. And who knows how Harry’s scar might be involved but it’s certainly a matter we’re taking seriously. Our Aurors are currently investigating anyone involved in Dark Magic and—
DRACO
This is not Death Eater-related.
HERMIONE
I’m not sure I share your confidence . . .
DRACO
I’m not confident, I’m right. The sort of cretins pursuing Dark Magic now. My son is a Malfoy, they wouldn’t dare.
HARRY
Unless there’s something new out there, something to—
GINNY
I agree with Draco – if this is a kidnap – taking Albus I understand, taking them both . . .
HARRY locks eyes with GINNY , it becomes clear what she wants him to say.
DRACO
And Scorpius is a follower not a leader despite everything I’ve tried to instil in him. So it’s undoubtedly Albus who got him from that train and my question is, where would he take him?
GINNY
Harry, they’ve run away, you and I know it.
DRACO notices the couple staring at each other.
DRACO
Do you? Know it? What aren’t you telling us?
There’s a silence.
Whatever information you’re concealing, I recommend you share it now.
HARRY
Albus and I had an argument, the day before last.
DRACO
And . . .
HARRY hesitates and then makes brave eye contact with DRACO .
HARRY
And I told him that there were times when I wished he weren’t my son.
There’s another silence. A profoundly powerful one. And then DRACO takes a dangerous step towards HARRY .
DRACO
If anything happens to Scorpius . . .
GINNY steps in between DRACO and HARRY .
GINNY
Don’t throw around threats Draco, please don’t do that.
DRACO (roar)
My son is missing!
GINNY (an equal roar)
So is mine!
He meets her look. There’s real emotion in this room.
DRACO (lip curling, every inch his father)
If you need gold . . . everything the Malfoys have . . . he’s my sole heir . . . he’s my – only family.
HERMIONE
The Ministry has plenty in reserve, thank you Draco.
DRACO makes to leave. He stops. He looks at HARRY .
DRACO
I don’t care what you did or who you saved, you are a constant curse on my family, Harry Potter.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC, CORRIDOR
SCORPIUS/HARRY
And you’re sure it’s in there?
A GUARD walks past. SCORPIUS/HARRY and DELPHI/HERMIONE try to affect performances.
Yes Minister, I definitely think this is a matter for the Ministry to ponder at length, yes.
GUARD (with a nod)
Minister.
DELPHI/HERMIONE
Let’s ponder it together.
The GUARD walks on, they let out a sigh of relief.
It was my uncle’s idea to use the Veritaserum – we slipped it into a visiting Ministry official’s drink. He told us that the Time-Turner had been kept and even told us where – the office of the Minister for Magic herself.
She indicates a door. Suddenly they hear a noise.
HERMIONE (from off)
Harry . . . we should talk about it . . .
HARRY (from off)
There’s nothing to talk about.
DELPHI/HERMIONE
Oh no.
ALBUS/RON
Hermione. And Dad.
The panic is instant and infectious.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
Okay. Hiding places. No hiding places. Anyone know any Invisibility Charms?
DELPHI/HERMIONE
Do we go – in her office?
ALBUS/RON
She’ll be coming to her office.
DELPHI/HERMIONE
There’s nowhere else.
She tries the door. She tries it again.
HERMIONE (from off)
If you don’t talk to me or Ginny about it . . .
SCORPIUS/HARRY
Stand back. Alohomora!
He aims his wand at the door. The door swings open. He grins – delighted.
Albus. Block her. It has to be you.
HARRY (from off)
What is there to say?
ALBUS/RON
Me. Why?
DELPHI/HERMIONE
Well, it can’t be either of us can it? We are them.
HERMIONE (from off)
What you said was obviously wrong – but – there are more factors at play here than—
ALBUS/RON
But I can’t . . . I can’t . . .
There’s a small kerfuffle and then ALBUS / RON ends up standing outside the door as HERMIONE and HARRY enter from off.
HARRY
Hermione, I’m grateful for your concern but there’s no need—
HERMIONE
Ron?
ALBUS/RON
Surprise!!!
HERMIONE
What are you doing here?
ALBUS/RON
Does a man need an excuse to see his wife?
He kisses HERMIONE firmly.
HARRY
I should go . . .
HERMIONE
Harry. My point is whatever Draco says – the things you said to Albus . . . I don’t think it’ll do any of us any good for you to dwell on it . . .
ALBUS/RON
Oh, you’re talking about how Harry said sometimes he wished I— (he corrects himself) Albus weren’t his son.
HERMIONE
Ron!
ALBUS/RON
Better out than in, that’s what I say . . .
HERMIONE
He’ll know . . . we all say stuff we don’t mean. He knows that.
ALBUS/RON
But what if sometimes we say stuff we do mean . . . what then?
HERMIONE
Ron, now’s not the time, honestly.
ALBUS/RON
Of course it isn’t. Bye, bye darling.
ALBUS/RON watches her go, hopeful she’ll walk past her office and away. But of course she doesn’t. He runs to block her before she enters through her door. He blocks her once, and then blocks her again, swinging his hips to do so.
HERMIONE
Why are you blocking the entrance to my office?
ALBUS/RON
I’m not. Blocking. Anything.
She again makes for the door, he blocks her again.
HERMIONE
You are. Let me into my room, Ron.
ALBUS/RON
Let’s have another baby.
HERMIONE tries to dodge past him.
HERMIONE
What?
ALBUS/RON
Or if not another baby, a holiday. I want a baby or a holiday and I’m going to insist on it. Shall we talk about it later, honey?
She tries to get into the room one final time, he blocks her with a kiss. It develops into quite a struggle.
Maybe with a drink in the Leaky Cauldron? Love you.
HERMIONE (relenting)
If there’s another stink pellet in there then Merlin won’t help you. Fine. We’re due to update the Muggles anyway.
She exits. HARRY exits with her.
ALBUS / RON turns towards the door. She re-enters, this time, alone.
A baby – OR – a holiday? Some days you are off the scale you know that?
ALBUS/RON
It’s why you married me isn’t it? My puckish sense of fun.
She exits again. He starts to open the door but again she re-enters, he slams it closed.
HERMIONE
I can taste fish. I told you to stay away from those fish finger sandwiches.
ALBUS/RON
Right you are.
She exits. He checks she’s gone and the relief floods out of him as he opens the door.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC, HERMIONE’S OFFICE
SCORPIUS / HARRY and DELPHI / HERMIONE are waiting on the other side of HERMIONE ’s office door as ALBUS / RON enters – he slumps, exhausted.
ALBUS/RON
This is all too weird.
DELPHI/HERMIONE
You were impressive. Good blocking action.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
I don’t know whether to high-five you or frown at you for kissing your aunt about five hundred times!
ALBUS/RON
Ron’s an affectionate guy. I was trying to distract her, Scorpius. I did distract her.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
And then there’s what your dad said . . .
DELPHI/HERMIONE
Boys . . . she will be back – we don’t have long.
ALBUS/RON (to SCORPIUS / HARRY )
You heard that?
DELPHI/HERMIONE
Where would Hermione hide a Time-Turner? (She looks around the room and sees the bookcases.) Search the bookcases.
They start to search. SCORPIUS / HARRY looks at his friend, concerned.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
Why didn’t you tell me?
ALBUS/RON
My dad says he wishes I weren’t his son. Hardly a conversation starter is it?
SCORPIUS / HARRY tries to work out what to say.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
I know the – Voldemort thing isn’t – true – and – you know – but sometimes, I think I can see my dad thinking: how did I produce this?
ALBUS/RON
Still better than my dad. I’m pretty sure he spends most of his time thinking: how can I give him back?
DELPHI / HERMIONE tries to pull SCORPIUS / HARRY towards the bookcases.
DELPHI/HERMIONE
Maybe if we could concentrate on the matter at hand.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
My point is – there’s a reason – we’re friends, Albus – a reason we found each other, you know? And whatever this – adventure is about . . .
Then he spots a book on the shelf that makes him frown.
Have you seen the books on these shelves? There are some serious books here. Banned books. Cursed books.
ALBUS/RON
How to distract Scorpius from difficult emotional issues. Take him to a library.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
All the books from the Restricted Section and then some. Magick Moste Evile , Fifteenth-Century Fiends . Sonnets of a Sorcerer – that’s not even allowed in Hogwarts!
ALBUS/RON
Shadows and Spirits . The Nightshade Guide to Necromancy .
DELPHI/HERMIONE
They are quite something aren’t they . . .
ALBUS/RON
The True History of the Opal Fire . The Imperius Curse and How to Abuse it .
SCORPIUS/HARRY
And lookee here. Whoah. My Eyes and How to See Past Them by Sybill Trelawney. A book on divination. Hermione Granger hates divination. This is fascinating. This is a find . . .
He pulls the book from the shelf. And it falls open. And speaks.
BOOK
The first is the fourth, a disappointing mark
You’ll find it in parked but not in park.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
Okay. A book that talks. Bit weird.
BOOK
The second is the less fair of those that walk on two legs.
Grubby, hairy a disease of the egg.
And the third is both a mountain to climb and a route to take.
ALBUS/RON
It’s a riddle. It’s giving us a riddle.
BOOK
A turn in the city, a glide through a lake.
DELPHI/HERMIONE
What have you done?
SCORPIUS/HARRY
I, uh, I opened a book. Something which has – in all my years on this planet – never been a particularly dangerous activity.
The books reach out and grab ALBUS/RON. He only just eludes their grasp.
ALBUS/RON
What is that?
DELPHI/HERMIONE
She’s weaponised it. She’s weaponised her library. This is where the Time-Turner will be. Solve the riddle and we’ll find it.
ALBUS/RON
The first is a fourth. You’ll find it in parked, not in park. Ed – De—
The books start to try and swallow DELPHI / HERMIONE .
SCORPIUS/HARRY
The second is a disease of the egg, the less fair of those who walk on two legs . . .
DELPHI/HERMIONE (effusively)
Men! De – men – tors. We need to find a book on Dementors ( the bookcase pulls her in ), Albus!
ALBUS/RON
Delphi! What is going on?
SCORPIUS/HARRY
Concentrate, Albus. Do what she said. Find a book on Dementors and be very careful.
ALBUS/RON
Here. Dominating Dementors: A True History of Azkaban .
The book flies open and swings dangerously at SCORPIUS/HARRY, who has to dodge out of the way. He falls hard against a bookcase which attempts to consume him.
BOOK
I was born in a cage
But smashed it with rage
The Gaunt inside me
Riddled me free
Of that which would stop me to be.
ALBUS/RON
Voldemort.
DELPHI plunges through the books, back as herself.
DELPHI
Work faster!
She’s pulled back in screaming.
ALBUS/RON
Delphi! Delphi!
He tries to grab her hand, but she’s gone.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
She’d become herself again – did you notice?
ALBUS/RON
No! Because I was more worried about her being eaten by a bookcase! Find. Something. Anything on him.
He finds a book.
The Heir of Slytherin ? Do you think?
He pulls the book from the shelf, it pulls back, ALBUS/RON is consumed by the bookcase.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
Albus? Albus!!
But ALBUS / RON is gone.
Okay. Not that. Voldemort. Voldemort. Voldemort.
He scans the shelves.
Marvolo: The Truth , this must be . . .
He pulls it open. Again it swings away, revealing a splintering light, and a deeper voice than previously heard.
BOOK
I am the creature you have not seen
I am you. I am me. The echo unforeseen.
Sometimes in front, sometimes behind,
A constant companion, for we are entwined.
ALBUS emerges from the books. As himself again.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
Albus . . .
He tries to grab him.
ALBUS
No. Just – THIIIIINK.
ALBUS is violently pulled back into the bookcase.
SCORPIUS/HARRY
But I can’t . . . an invisible echo, what is that? The only thing I’m good at is thinking and when I need to think – I can’t.
The books pull him inside them; he’s powerless. This is terrifying.
There’s silence.
Then BANG – a shower of books are released from the bookcase – and SCORPIUS re-emerges. Smashing the books aside.
SCORPIUS
No! You don’t! Sybill Trelawney. No!!!
He looks around, sunk but full of energy.
This is all wrong. Albus? Can you hear me? All this for a frigging Time-Turner. Think, Scorpius. Think.
Books try and grab him.
A constant companion. Sometimes behind. Sometimes in front. Hang on. I’ve missed it. Shadow. You’re a shadow. Shadows and Spirits . It must be . . .
He climbs up the bookcase, which is horrifying as it rises up at him. Grabbing at him with his every step.
He pulls the book from the shelf. It comes out and the noise and chaos suddenly stop.
Is that—
Suddenly there’s a smashing and ALBUS and DELPHI fall out of the shelves and down to the floor.
We beat it. We beat the library.
ALBUS
Delphi, are you . . . ?
DELPHI
Wow. Quite a ride.
ALBUS notices the book SCORPIUS is holding to his chest.
ALBUS
Is that? Scorpius? What’s inside that book?
DELPHI
I think we should find out don’t you?
SCORPIUS opens the book. In the centre of it – a spinning Time-Turner.
SCORPIUS
We’ve found the Time-Turner – I never thought we’d get this far.
ALBUS
Mate, now we’ve got this, the next stop is saving Cedric. Our journey has only just begun.
SCORPIUS
Only just begun and it’s almost half-killed us. Good. This is going to be good.
Whispers rise to a roar. And we cut to black.
INTERVAL
PART ONE
ACT TWO