by Kena Worthen
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Why, when I open my mouth to speak does idiocy come out?
ALBUS POTTER: Because you are, in fact, a right proper idiot.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: She’s melting. I can feel it. (Comforting) Don’t be too worried about Lily, mate. She’s just... a Gryffindor.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: It’s not like there was ever any real chance she would be sorted with us. Potters don’t belong in Slytherin. (Noting ALBUS’s face) Oh, come off it, you know know what I mean. You’re just... you’re not like them, Albus.
ALBUS POTTER; No, I’m not.
Suddenly, we are in Hermione’s office at the Ministry. She is pouring over piles of paperwork, and MCGUFFIN enters, hands in pockets. She is stressed.
KERES MCGUFFIN: Six attacks in the past five months, Minister.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: (She bristles, they are not friends) Supreme Mugwump McGuffin. So strange to see you out of the courtroom. (Relenting) Their escalation is precisely what my Aurors are attempting to quell.
KERES MCGUFFIN: Chase this person down.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: I thank you for the advice. If you will, I’ve got quite the workload.
The scene changes, and we are, once again, in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. SCORPIUS sits with a pile of books before him, studying furiously. ALBUS sits beside him. Several other students, including FRANK and JAMES, are scattered around the room.
ALBUS POTTER: And this is a
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Leaping Toadstool.
ALBUS POTTER: Right.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: They leap. (He mimes it).
ALBUS POTTER: Funnily enough, I worked that bit out for myself.
KAYLIN BLACKWELL: Well, look who it is.
JULIANNE RYCROFT: The Death Eater’s son and The Cursed Child, enjoying their little secret romance.
STELLA TOWIE: What an absolute tosser.
KENDALL BETCHER: Oi, squib!
As he passes by ALBUS, he tosses his drink in his face, soaking the front of ALBUS’s shirt. FRANK, furious, rushes to his friend.
FRANK LONGBOTTOM: Are you mad?
KAYLIN BLACKWELL: What, Frankie?
KENDALL BETCHER: Come on, Longbottom, we’re only joking with him.
STELLA TOWIE: Harry Potter’s son, the Slytherin Squib. What a laugh.
JULIANNE RYCROFT: What a pathetic excuse for a wizard.
ALBUS POTTER: (Exploding) I didn’t ask for this, you know that! I didn’t choose to be his son.
Blackout
Act 1 Scene 5
INT. Malfoy Manor: Draco’s office, SCORPIUS is reading. DRACO enters
DRACO MALFOY: What are you doing in here? This is no place for schoolwork, I don’t have empty space. Clear the clutter.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: It’s summer holiday, I don’t have schoolwork, it’s just some reading that I’ve (clearing out) Sorry.
SCORPIUS knocks over a picture frame. The glass shatters.
DRACO MALFOY: (angry) This is precisely what I was attempting to avoid, Scorpius! You come in here and break things and... Just, be careful. Please.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: (referring to family picture) She was beautiful wasn’t she?
DRACO MALFOY: Your mother was the best thing that ever happened to me. Let’s not distract you from your studies (SCORPIUS stands, awkwardly immobile) You’re still here? Scorpius, please. Do you not have friends to pester, rather than hovering over your father?
SCORPIUS MALFOY: I could do. (Contemplative) I had considered that, actually, but you know, not everyone is available when you want them to be? Albus is busy and
DRACO MALFOY: What did you say?
SCORPIUS MALFOY: (Frantic) I said... Nothing. Busy people, you understand. Of course you do, you’re always working. (Desperate) Not that that’s a bad thing. Dedicated to the job, and such. It’s just...
DRACO MALFOY: Scorpius. You said "Albus".
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Sorry, I, I said, ah... what did I say?
DRACO MALFOY: "Albus".
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Erm, no I didn’t... (Covering his tracks, quite poorly) I mean, uh, oh, sorry, yeah. I did. You know, the portrait of Dumbledore. I talk to it. In my spare time. Tell him what a useless headmaster he was. Kick it, for good measure.
DRACO MALFOY: Are you and the Potter child friends?
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Friends. I mean, that’s a strong word, isn’t it? (He realizes, finally, that coming clean is his only option) Dad, he is in Slytherin. You said it yourself, (Mimicking) "find friends of the proper sort". The Hat sorted him....properly.
DRACO MALFOY: If your mother could see you now...
This wounds SCORPIUS, and he collects his belongings sadly.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: I suppose I’ll be off, then? (Beat) Oh, sorry, I think this got mixed in with mine. (Reading) Erm, whats a, "Bagglenox"?
DRACO snatches the paper from SCORPIUS’s grasp.
DRACO MALFOY: It’s something that is of no concern to you.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: But that signature, McNair, wasn’t he a Death
DRACO MALFOY: Do not concern yourself with adult matters that you cannot possibly grasp! You are never to enter this room without my express permission. Do we have an understanding?
SCORPIUS MALFOY: (Defeated) Of course.
Blackout
Act 1 Scene 6
Int. HERMIONE’s office. She is sitting at her desk,pouring over paperwork with a solemn expression. HARRY enters.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: How did it go?
HARRY POTTER: Turns out, our prime suspect was just a low level potions dealer. I don’t think he’s intelligent enough
to have pulled of these disappearances without leaving a trace... I don’t buy it.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: Fine. Keep looking.
HARRY POTTER: Sometimes I forget that you’re the Minister of Magic.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: I don’t know... I always imagined I’d be your boss someday.
HARRY chuckles.
HARRY POTTER: Your office is even worse than mine.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: With great responsibility comes great mess. (She pauses) And it isn’t. I’ve seen your office.
HARRY POTTER: I’m a busy man.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: So I’ve gathered. Too tired for a liitle fudge?
She stands and moves to him, closing the gap. They are currently, and have been for some time, having an affair. They kiss, before she breaks away.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: Is there anything else to report?
HARRY POTTER: You’re changing the subject.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: I truly am.
HARRY POTTER: Just a small thing, a store in Knockturn Alley was robbed. Only one thing stolen.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: You didn’t think this important?
HARRY POTTER: Not particularly. The only thing missing is a Bagglenox. Some sort of tracking device, apparently.
HERMIONE WEASLEY: Right. Well, investigate it. To be safe.
HARRY POTTER: To be safe.
He exits, leaving HERMIONE staring after him smiling.
Blackout
Act 1 Scene 7
Platform 9 3/4, once again. The Weasley’s and Potter’s stand to one side of the stage, though ALBUS has isolated himself.
RON WEASLEY: Fifth year. Unbelievable. Rosie, I left a special package in your case, just for Filch. Use it well.
GINNY POTTER: You’re terrible.
ALBUS POTTER: Right then, can I go?
ROSE WEASLEY: Albus.
HARRY POTTER: It’s alright, Rose. Albus, can I speak to you for a moment?
ALBUS POTTER: Can you, just, please, spare me the lecture?
HARRY POTTER: That’s not what I’m... look, I wanted you to have this. (He holds out his Golden Snitch. It is the same one he caught his first year at Hogwarts).
ALBUS POTTER: A snitch?
HARRY POTTER: I caught it, my first year... When I lost my way, it helped me. I thought, I dunno, I just think it might be a good token, for
ALBUS POTTER: For what? What would I do with it? Im rubbish on a broom, I’ll never pl
ay Quidditch. So... Thanks for the gesture dad, but really, you should keep it.
HARRY is slightly heartbroken. He looks at his son, desperate to reach out.
HARRY POTTER: Do you want a hand? Getting your luggage onto the train? I always loved the ride to Hogwarts, which, well I know that it hasn’t been exactly easy for you there but...
ALBUS POTTER: For you, it was wonderful. I know. Poor, orphaned Harry Potter, never shown an ounce of love until Albus Dumbledore, who I’m named for, by the way, brought him to Hogwarts, which saved him. I’ve heard it a million times.
HARRY POTTER: I won’t rise to bait, Albus Potter.
ALBUS POTTER: What bait? You’re the orphan who saved us all.
HARRY POTTER: I never asked for any of that. Albus, I just thought
ALBUS POTTER: Thought what, exactly? That you’d give me a ruddy old Snitch and we would hug, I would tell you that I’m sorry for being a terrible son, and that I’ve always loved you? What? Is that what you thought?
HARRY has finally lost his temper.
HARRY POTTER: I am done, Albus. I’m done with your moaning, I’m done being made out to be responsible for your misery. At least you’ve got a family, a father! Because I didn’t. I was alone.
ALBUS POTTER: Am I supposed to think you unlucky?
HARRY POTTER: You wish me dead?
ALBUS POTTER: No, blimey! I just wish you weren’t my dad.
HARRY POTTER: (Exploding) Well, I wish you weren’t my son! (Silence. A photo snaps, sound of the flash is deafening.) Albus, I’m sorry, I spoke out of anger, I didn’t mean
ALBUS POTTER: You did, though. It’s okay. At least we’re not lying to ourselves anymore. The thing is, I don’t even blame you. I need to go.
HARRY POTTER: Albus, do not walk away!
ALBUS POTTER: Why? Why not? What good is standing here hashing out our feelings going to
Suddenly, the stage is thrown into darkness
LILY POTTER: What’s happening?
The lights return, and we see Hooded figures have surrounded those on Platform 9 3/4.
HARRY POTTER: Albus, get behind me.
Their argument is, at least momentarily, placed on hold. Hooded Figures slowly advance. Suddenly, faster than anyone can react, one of them raises her wand.
KERES MCGUFFIN: Crucio!
A wizard screams in agony, and battle erupts. ALBUS stands motionless, frozen in fear.
JAMES POTTER: Stupefy!
Behind ALBUS, a Hooded Figure falls; JAMES has knocked him out of the way.
JAMES POTTER: ALBUS! What are you doing?!
His cry startles ALBUS, and he extracts his wand.
ALBUS POTTER: Stupefy!
His spell connects, but is weak, and the Hooded Figure sends a silent curse his way. ALBUS cries out in pain. Ginny, from across the stage, sees her son, but she cannot reach him to help.
HOODED FIGURE 2: Tarantallegra!
GINNY POTTER: No!
HOODED FIGURE 2: Crucio!
HOODED FIGURE: Expelliarmus!
ALBUS’s wand goes flying out of his hand.
HOODED FIGURE 1: Crucio!
ALBUS is knocked down and screams in agonizing pain.
ROSE WEASLEY: ALBUS!
She attempts to run to him, but held back by RON. HOODED FIGURE 1 looms over ALBUS, wand raised, ready to enact the killing curse. HARRY watches in horror as the HOODED Figure advances on his son.
HOODED FIGURE 1: Avad
HARRY POTTER: Avada Kedavra!
HOODED FIGURE 1 drops, instantly dead at ALBUS’s feet, the others turn and flee.
HOODED FIGURE 3: (Quickly turning back while fleeing) Morsmordre!
MCGUFFIN fires a blinding white curse into the air, and the platform is thrust into a breif darkness. The lights slowly return, the alive HOODED FIGURES are gone but the dead ones remains. HARRY moves to touch his son, who, terrified, recoils.
HARRY POTTER Albus...
Blackout
Act 1 Scene 8
INT. HARRY’s bedroom. The lights remain off as we overhear overlapping reporter voices.
REPORTER 3: THE BOY WHO LIVED CAST KILLING CURSE.
REPORTER 1: UNFORGIVEABLE CAST ON PLATFORM 9 and 3/4.
REPORTER 4: HARRY POTTER AND SON ARGUMENT PROVIDES DEADLY CONSEQUENCES.
REPORTER 2: TRAGEDY STRIKES AT PLATFORM 9 3/4.
REPORTER 4: MASKED VIGILANTES SCARE UP OLD FEARS.
REPORTER 3: HARRY POTTER TO FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR CASTING KILLING CURSE.
The voiceovers continue until their words are unintelligible, descending to chaos.
VOLDEMORT VOICE OVER: (Whispered) Harry Potter.
The voice cuts the air. HARRY is immediately awoken, the silence lingers.
HARRY POTTER: Lumos.
GINNY POTTER: (Through sleep) Harry?
HARRY POTTER: I’m sorry for waking you. It was just a nightmare.
He kisses her tentatively. Their marriage is suffering.
GINNY POTTER: Because of the trial? Or Albus?
HARRY POTTER: I suppose. I dunno. Because of all of it.
GINNY POTTER: He won’t stay angry forever.
HARRY POTTER: I told him I didn’t... I was wrong. Cruel.
GINNY POTTER: Yes. You were. But you didn’t mean it, and I don’t think Albus did either. He hurting, Harry. School is terrible for him, and he’s, he’s in pain.
HARRY POTTER: But what if it isn’t school? What if it’s me?
GINNY POTTER: Maybe so. But Albus will come around, and Hermione will handle the trial. We can talk about it in the morning.
HARRY POTTER: (Agitated) The trial is in the morning.
GINNY POTTER: And we’ll deal with it then.
HARRY POTTER: I’m going for a walk. I just... I just need some air.
GINNY POTTER: I love you.
Blackout
Act 1 Scene 9
INT. Slytherin Dorm. ALBUS sits up in bed, reading a scroll of parchment. SCORPIUS stirs.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Albus? Blimey... (Notices the letter) What are you doing up?
ALBUS POTTER: It’s... nothing. Just a letter. From mum. (Beat) Do you have to stare?
SCORPIUS MALFOY: It’s a touch weird, mate. Reading a letter at three in the morning.
ALBUS POTTER: You know, I didn’t ask for your opinion.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Yeah, but I was inclined to give it.
ALBUS POTTER: I’m going out.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Now?
ALBUS POTTER: Join me, or not. He shrugs, pulling on his robe and heading down the stairs.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Bloody hell. (He rushes after his friend) This is fun, breaking rules, rebelling for the first time in our lives but, may I know where we’re going?
ALBUS POTTER: No.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Right, of course not. Silly question. Follow up question: Stop.
ALBUS POTTER That’s not a question.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Oh look, he listens.
ALBUS POTTER: Scorpius, I said you didn’t have to come.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: I could’t really let you go alone, not after... I mean, are you sure you’re okay? What happened on the platform was heavy, mate, and
ALBUS POTTER: I’m not actually interested in talking about it. They asked if I wanted to come back to school. I said yes. I’m fine.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Fine? Albus, stalking the castle grounds at three in the morning doesn’t exactly scream happy and stable.
ALBUS POTTER: Go back to the castle if you like.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Albus, I’m your friend, I’m worried. We’re outside. It’s dark, it’s late or early depending on how you look at it, there’s a lake, there’s trees, there’s a girl...
CECILIA SINCLAIRE: Hi. Midnight stroll?
SCORPIUS MALFOY: (To her) Wait. (To Albus) There’s. Wait. Albus, there’s a girl. Albus, why is there an American by the Black Lake at three in the morning?
CECILIA SINCLAIRE: I can hear you.
ALBUS POTTER: She listens too.
&nbs
p; CECILIA SINCLAIRE: We don’t have curfew at Ilvermorny, I couldn’t sleep. Old habits, I guess. (She extends a hand) Cecilia Sinclaire.
ALBUS POTTER: You’re a transfer student.
CECILIA SINCLAIRE: Exchange. It’s only six months.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: (To himself) Albus, (gesturing towards Albus) Scorpius. I mean Albus, Scorpius.
CECILIA SINCLAIRE: Albus... It’s not, ’Potter’ is it? I heard about the fight. Between you and him. The Famous "Boy Who Lived".
ALBUS POTTER: You were there on the Platform?
CECILIA SINCLAIRE: No, I, uhm, I read about it. In the paper. (Bitterly sarcastic) It was a... lovely article. I can’t imagine that having Harry Potter as your dad is easy.
ALBUS POTTER: (Sarcastic) Oh it’s brilliant. Wonderful.
CECILIA SINCLAIRE: My father also made a name for himself.
ALBUS POTTER: Most people think it’s great to have a famous dad.
CECILIA SINCLAIRE: Most people don’t know what they’re talking about. Most people aren’t us.
ALBUS POTTER: (Intrigued) You don’t know me.
CECILIA SINCLAIRE: Not yet. (Flirty) See you around, Albus.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: Bye! (In disbelief) Albus, she just, A girl. (Beat) You seem to be handling this girl situation remarkably well.
ALBUS POTTER: (Suddenly anxious) Do you wanna head back? I’m tired.
SCORPIUS MALFOY: But it’s only three, I’m sorry, three fifteen.
ALBUS POTTER: (Bemused) Are you done?
SCORPIUS MALFOY: (Resigned) Sure. Whatever you say.
Blackout
Act 1 Scene 10
We are outside the courtroom at the Ministry.
GINNY stands outside the door, several other people, including a reporter, are milling about. HARRY approaches, looking more than a bit disheveled.
GINNY POTTER: You didn’t come home last night.
HARRY POTTER: It was a long walk.
GINNY POTTER: Don’t be cross with me, I’m not the reason we’re here.
HARRY POTTER: Do you want me to apologize for saving our son?
GINNY POTTER: How could you possibly
They are silenced by the sudden appearance of RON.
RON WEASLEY: Harry. Ginny.
GINNY POTTER: Ron. Where’s Hermione?
RON WEASLEY: Still in the courtroom.