19 Years Later

by Kena Worthen

  JAMES POTTER: Yes, Professor.

  MINERVA MCGONAGALL: I can assure you that should I find any of you out of your beds tonight, a visit from Voldemort would be deemed pleasant by comparison.

  FRANK LONGBOTTOM: Yes, Professor.

  LILY POTTER: Yes, Professor.

  MINERVA MCGONAGALL: Professor Longbottom will escort you to your respective dormitories. And if someone would, send Mr. Malfoy to me?

  ROSE WEASLEY: I will, Professor.

  MINERVA MCGONAGALL: Go on, get out, the lot of you.

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: Come.

  They exit, and Rose turns away, breaking off from the group. Only Lily notices, and she hangs back, reluctant.

  LILY POTTER: It feels weird to be back... after so long away. Schools gone on for the better part of two months and we’re just... On the outside. Are you gonna change into your robes?

  ROSE WEASLEY: Have you seen Scorpius?

  LILY POTTER: (Taken aback) No, I... You heard Frank, he said he wasn’t feeling well, that he stayed back in the dorm.

  ROSE WEASLEY: Brilliant, thanks.

  LILY POTTER: Rose, Slytherin common room is the opposite direction.

  ROSE WEASLEY: Lucky thing that’s not where I’m going, then.

  ROSE turns, leaving LILY to exit, bewildered. ROSE crosses the stage and happens upon SCORPIUS, who is seated.

  ROSE WEASLEY: Hogwarts doesn’t quite feel like home anymore, does it? That’s Albus’ wand?

  He does not turn around.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: (Darkly) Hello Rose. How did you know where to find me?

  ROSE WEASLEY: Scorpius Malfoy, missing class and a meeting with McGonagall because he’s sick? Surely you could have thought of something more realistic. Black lake’s where the three of used to sit and talk, first year.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: (He indicates to the wand) I found it, the next morning, he must have dropped it when (He struggles to find the words) It just... I don’t know. It makes me

  feel like he’s not gone. It’s a part of him that’s still around, and if I hold onto it, maybe he’ll... It’s stupid.

  ROSE WEASLEY: I’m worried about you.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Come now Rose, that would imply that you have a soul. (Beat) Do you know I can’t remember the last thing I said to him? I know that I yelled, but, I have no idea what I said, and it might have been the last thing I’ll have ever said.

  ROSE WEASLEY: Scorpius, I need you.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: I’m not entirely positive I heard you correctly.

  ROSE WEASLEY: At the hospital, I overheard something. You remember when that body turned up, a few months back? What do you remember about her?

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: A quiz! Well, she was around our age, dead for at least three months, and couldn’t be identified. Where are you going with this?

  ROSE WEASLEY: And when did Cecilia first show up?

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Five months ago. Rose, do you really

  ROSE WEASLEY: Scorpius, what if I told you that my mother lied? That they’ve known, all along, the name of the girl. It’s Cecilia Sinclaire. Look, the real Cecilia dies five

  months ago, and you just happen to meet someone using her name mere days later, a girl that is now missing, along with my cousin? Put the pieces together. It all fits.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: (Contemplative, slowly) Well, when you put it like that...

  ROSE WEASLEY: All I know is that she has Albus, and I’m going to find him. (Beat) And I’d really like it if you’d come with me.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Are you mad? Have you gone completely, utterly mental? You think that you and I should go marching after a murderer?! What would we say? "Oh, hello ma’am, seems you have our friend. We know you kill people in your spare time, but if you can make an exception this once, we’ll take him and be on our way! Cheers!" I want Albus back as much as you do, probably more if you think about it, but we don’t know where he is or how to find him, and we can’t very well bring him home if we’re dead!

  ROSE WEASLEY: You don’t get it! It’s my fault he’s gone. If I hadn’t been such a, monster

  SCORPIUS cuts her off with a hug.

  ROSE WEASLEY: Do we hug? Is this a thing we do?

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Sorry. It felt right in the moment. (Beat) It isn’t your fault.

  ROSE WEASLEY: You’re saying that to appease me. So, are you coming with?

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: You’re still talking about finding Cec (Exasperated, his voice nearly breaking) Are we having the same conversation?

  ROSE WEASLEY: You won’t change my mind.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Rose, the only thing that could, maybe possibly be more stupid than your plan would be to bring a time turner into this, go back in time to try to erase our past mistakes, and thereby make them all worse in the present. It’s a terrible idea.

  ROSE WEASLEY: The wand.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Sorry, the what?

  ROSE WEASLEY: The wand chooses the wizard. True or false?

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: True.

  ROSE WEASLEY: Good. Next question, wands bond to their owners?

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: To varying degrees, but there are some that

  ROSE WEASLEY: Will do anything to get back to their owners, so...

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: So?

  ROSE WEASLEY: (Excitedly) Some woods, specifically, will guide the path back to those tho whom they truly belong. Spruce, English Oak

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Black walnut, alder, blackthorn... Right, (Loud, frustrated and exasperated, though excitable) Still not getting you.

  ROSE WEASLEY: Albus’ wand is made of Black Walnut wood. If we let it guide us...

  SCORPIUS MALFOY (Eureka) It will lead us straight back to him! By Dumbledore, I love it. Though there is still the awful bit about walking into the arms of a murderer, but I’m starting let that go. Rose WEASLEY, I could kiss you!

  ROSE WEASLEY: How ’bout a handshake?

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Yeah, that’ll do.

  ROSE WEASLEY: How did you convince Julianne Rycroft to lie for you?

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: (Cocky) Being a Malfoy does have its perks. You know, it is baffling, what a few galleons can do.

  ROSE WEASLEY: I never took you for the bribing sort.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: Oh, I am full of surprises.

  ROSE WEASLEY: Just to say, you’re an idiot. Are you ready?

  Scorpius places his hand on the wand, over hers.

  SCORPIUS MALFOY: (Gulping) Not particularly.

  A light glows at the tip of the wand.

  Blackout.

  Act 2 Scene 6

  INT. HERMIONE’S OFFICE. HARRY POTTER enters.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: You’re late.

  HARRY POTTER: You’re angry.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: No. I’m stressed. My approval ratings have plummeted, if I don’t have any leads on what happened at Hogwarts soon, I (She breathes) I need my Aurors to do their jobs.

  HARRY POTTER: Fine. So give them something. Bring them in! We know enough that this is a real case. The robberies, pureblood disappearances...

  MCGUFFIN enters

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: McGuffin.

  HARRY POTTER: To what do I owe the pleasure?

  KERES MCGUFFIN:nI was told I could find you here, Mrs. WEASLEY.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Minister.

  KERES MCGUFFIN: Of course. Minister.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Knocking is appreciated, McGuffin. I’m in a meeting. If you have time, I’ll be with you once we’ve concluded. Otherwise, feel free to make an appointment with my secretary.

  KERES MCGUFFIN: I think you’ll find your meeting has ended. (Extends a letter)

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: (Reading) What is this?

  KERES MCGUFFIN: Merely a proposal.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: This is not a proposal. This is blackmail.

  HARRY POTTER: (Reading) This is preposterous. You’ve no proof.

  KERES MCGUFFIN: Haven’t I?

  HARRY POTTER: No.

  KERES MCGUFFIN: Very well. Whether or not I have physical evide
nce, I think you’ll come to find, is terribly inconsequential. A reputation is such a flimsy, delicate thing.

  HARRY POTTER: The wizarding community adores Hermione.

  KERES MCGUFFIN: At one time, perhaps. But as our Minister? Well, support is waning. Many feel that her priorities have fallen... out of line. If she is so distracted by (she

  sneers at HARRY) work that she is unable to prevent an attack on her own children, well, surely, she is ill equipped to protect the rest of us? I personally have complete faith in you. How tragic to be among the minority.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Need I remind you of the illegalities of what you’ve proposed?

  KERES MCGUFFIN: Certainly not. I’ve offered you to step down of your own accord, to care for your family, your sister in law, your nephew, for that, surely, no one would find fault. Or, you can refuse, and I just may lose sight of this letter. If that were to happen, well, the resulting removal would be entirely out of my control.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: And who is to become Minister of Magic in my place? You?

  KERES MCGUFFIN: If the public so wishes. (She claps her hands together) Well, I best leave you to it. Good day, Mr. Potter. Minister.

  She exits.

  HARRY POTTER: (Enraged) Dammit! You can’t do this Hermione.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: I have to. This is bigger than my career, than myself. I have to protect my family. We don’t know what she knows

  RON WEASLEY: What who knows?

  They freeze. She hastily tosses the letter onto her desk.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: I, nothing. It’s a case, love, I, what are you doing here?

  RON WEASLEY: I just wanted to drop by, bring my wife a toastie... Has something happened?

  HARRY POTTER: We’re fine.

  He has spoken a bit too quickly.

  RON WEASLEY: Okay. Right then.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY Thank you, Ron, for the lunch. (She opens the bag and extracts a joke chicken. RON doubles in laughter).

  HARRY POTTER: Ah, a joke chicken.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: How very Ron of you.

  RON WEASLEY: Been working on that one for weeks. (There is an awkward silence) Right. Well then. I’ll just be off. He steps forward to kiss HERMIONE before turning

  to leave, walking backwards toward the door. He collides with the desk, knocking the letter to the floor.

  RON WEASLEY: See you at home, then? (He notices the letter and reaches for it). Oh, sorry, I, What is this? (Reads the letter) They’re calling for your removal?

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Yes.

  RON WEASLEY: But this is...? (Quoting) "Lest you should wish to see your relationship with one Mr. Potter made public." Relationship? Sorry, what are they saying, that you two are having, what, an affair?

  RON looks serious for a moment, before breaking into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

  HARRY POTTER: Ron, I

  RON WEASLEY: That is the biggest bit of rubbish I’ve heard in a long while. You two? Together? (Another fit of laughter) Who wrote this? I’d love to know. Give ’em a piece of my mind. Oh when I get my hands on them, I’ll

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Ronald, stop.

  RON WEASLEY: What? (Beat) Why’ve you two gone so quiet? (He smiles half heartedly, doubt beginning to settle) Cause of this?

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: It’s damaging, Ron. Terribly so. My career, everything we’ve worked for

  RON WEASLEY: And it’s rubbish. Isn’t it?

  HARRY POTTER: Of course. It’s a load of

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Harry. I can’t.

  RON WEASLEY: If there’s something you’re not telling me, I deserve to know.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Yes, my love, you do.

  RON WEASLEY: Hermione. There is a sick silence.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: I am so sorry.

  RON WEASLEY: (Entirely crushed) When?

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Six years ago.

  RON WEASLEY: And it was just the once?

  HARRY POTTER: No.

  RON WEASLEY:I I’m not even sure how to look at you.

  HARRY POTTER: Ron

  RON WEASLEY: Don’t. Anything you say now will only make things worse. The only two friends I’ve ever had lied to me. For six years. And Harry, while my sister, your bloody

  wife is dying, in a hospital bed, you’re here with my wife

  HARRY POTTER: (Seeing red) Trying to find what hurt her! How dare you. Ginny is the only woman I’ve ever loved. The only woman I’ve ever

  RON WEASLEY: Well you’ve got a bloody mad way of showing it, haven’t you!

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Ron, please, it was a mistake

  RON WEASLEY: For six years? That’s not a mistake, Hermione. That’s choices. You chose him. Over me. Over our children.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Would would please let me speak for a minute.

  RON WEASLEY: What for? So I can help you feel better about hurting me? And I suppose Albus will completely understand that his father took time out of searching for him to focus on (He breaks) snogging his Aunt? It was always the two of you, wasn’t it? I was always the one left behind,

  always the one ignored, forgotten. The spare. I... I don’t have time for this, now.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY:m Ronald, please don’t leave. (She goes to touch him, and he recoils.) I’m so sorry.

  RON WEASLEY: Got to go.

  HARRY POTTER: Where?

  RON WEASLEY

  When I decide, I’ll let you know... Mate.

  HERMIONE and HARRY sit in a thick, heavy silence.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY

  What have we done? Ron, wait

  HARRY POTTER: Let him go, Hermione.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: That is my husband, your best friend, a man who we’ve betrayed in the most terrible way. I’m not allowing

  ELLEN MERRYRITE: Minister?

  HERMIONE’s sheepish secretary has entered.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Merryrite.

  ELLEN MERRYRITE: Uhm, Mr. Potter, I didn’t expect to see... (She holds out a letter) Minister, this came for you. From Hogwarts.

  HARRY takes the letter.

  HARRY POTTER: Neville’s found a lead.

  Blackout

  Act 2 Scene 7

  INT. NEVILLE’s office at Hogwarts. Paperwork is strewn all over, NEVILLE is rummaging through the room, frantic. HARRY and HERMIONE enter.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Neville, are you all?

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: (Stuttering like a madman) Hermione, I mean Minister, I mean Her- Mini-Mione.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Neville

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: No, listen this is big, terribly important. I can’t believe I’ve missed it. I couldn’t risk sending it by OWL, you understand? Of course you do, this is. It’s about her. Cecilia. It’s not Cecilia, that much is obvious, but its about her.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: What about her Neville?

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: It was all in here, in this book. I’d gone through everything before and I must have been blind before but it was in the margins, the notes she made. (He is still searching through the clutter) Well it’s not her book. See, thats the thing. That’s how I knew.

  HARRY POTTER: Neville you’re not making a bit of sense

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: When I went through Cecilia’s books, I noticed the writing in the margin. It was hers. It all leads back to her.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Which her?

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: Trelawney.

  HARRY POTTER: What does she have to do with anything? Sybil Trelawney has been dead five years.

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: Harry, I’m not daft, I know she’s dead, but this book was hers. This writing is hers. And Cecilia had it. When Cecilia and Albus went missing we collected their belongings, its standard procedure, I went through her things myself, and I found it, a book on divination. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but it was off, there was something familiar.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Why are you so sure that it’s hers?

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: Did you know that we’re happening upon the sixth anniversary of her death?

&nb
sp; HARRY POTTER: I hadn’t realized.

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: No, I’m not trying to, (He takes a breath) When I graduated, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I married Hannah, we had Frank, and I just... did nothing. It was Sybil who reached out to me, when the Herbology position opened. She recommended me, wrote me a letter. I owe everything to her.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: (Sarcastic) What, did she have a vision of you in the position?

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: (Genuine) Yes. Listen, please, I’m getting there, I promise. When I realized that it was almost the anniversary, I pulled out the letter, and I, well I

  saw it. Look. In the margin.

  HARRY POTTER: The squiggle?

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: Look.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: (Realization) They’re the same.

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: This is Sybil’s book.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY

  Having the book, yes, it’s odd, but it isn’t

  necessarily indicative of any sort of wrong doing.

  HARRY POTTER: She could have taken the book from the classroom.

  NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM: When she died, I cleared her office myself. There was nothing left. Nothing to take.

  DRACO and MCGONNOGALL enter, panicked.

  DRACO MALFOY: Minister.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: Knocking is an dying art, I see.

  DRACO MALFOY (Sarcastic) Charming as ever.

  HARRY POTTER: Professor McGonnogall, what you doing here?

  MINERVA MCGONNOGALL: As headmistress of this school, I find my presence to be far less strange than your own, Mr. Potter.

  DRACO MALFOY: Scorpius and Rose are missing.

  HERMIONE WEASLEY: (Horrified) Missing?

  DRACO MALFOY: Scorpius found it necessary to pay another student tocover for his absence from a meeting with ProfessorMcGonnogall. Rose was sent to find him. Neither returned.

  HARRY POTTER: And the grounds have been searched?

  MINERVA MCGONNOGALL: And the forest. I have enlisted Bane’s help, but so far there has been no sign of either child.

  DRACO MALFOY: Scorpius is hardly a leader.