Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Read online

  DELPHI: Albus. I am the new past.

  She pulls ALBUS's wand from him and snaps it.

  I am the new future.

  She pulls SCORPIUS's wand from him and snaps it.

  I am the answer this world has been looking for.

  ACT THREE, SCENE SEVENTEEN

  MINISTRY OF MAGIC, HERMIONE'S OFFICE

  RON is sitting on HERMIONE's desk eating porridge.

  RON: I can't get over it, really. The fact that in some realities we aren't even, you know, married.

  HERMIONE: Ron, whatever this is, I've got ten minutes until the goblins show up to talk security at Gringotts --

  RON: I mean, we've been together so long -- and married for so long -- I mean, so long --

  HERMIONE: If this is your way of saying you want a marital break, Ron, then, to be clear, I will skewer you with this quill.

  RON: Shut up. Will you shut up for once? I want to do one of those marriage renewal things I've read about. Marriage renewal. What do you think?

  HERMIONE (melting slightly): You want to marry me again?

  RON: Well, we were only young when we did it the first time and I got very drunk and -- well, to be honest, I can't remember much of it and . . . The truth is -- I love you, Hermione Granger, and whatever time says -- I'd like the opportunity to say so in front of lots of other people. Again. Sober.

  She looks at him, she smiles, she pulls him to her, she kisses him.

  HERMIONE: You're sweet.

  RON: And you taste of toffee . . .

  HERMIONE laughs. HARRY, GINNY, and DRACO walk in on them as they move to kiss again. They spring apart.

  HERMIONE: Harry, Ginny, and -- I, uh -- Draco -- how lovely to see you --

  HARRY: The dreams. They've started again, well, they haven't stopped.

  GINNY: And Albus is missing. Again.

  DRACO: Scorpius too. We've had McGonagall check the entire school. They're gone.

  HERMIONE: I'll get the Aurors summoned immediately, I'll --

  RON: No, you won't, it's all fine. Albus -- I saw him last night. It's all good.

  DRACO: Where?

  They all turn to look at RON, he's briefly disconcerted but batters on.

  RON: I was having a couple of firewhiskies with Neville in Hogsmeade -- as you do -- setting the world to rights -- as we do -- and we were coming back -- quite late, very late, and trying to work out which Floo I could use because when you've had a drink sometimes you don't want to use the tight ones -- or the turny ones or --

  GINNY: Ron, if you could get to the point before we all strangle you?

  RON: He hasn't run away -- he's having a quiet moment -- he's got himself an older girlfriend --

  HARRY: An older girlfriend?

  RON: And a cracking one at that -- gorgeous silver hair. Saw them on the roof together, near the Owlery with Scorpius playing the gooseberry. Nice to see my love potion being used well, I thought.

  HARRY has a thought.

  HARRY: Her hair -- was it silver and blue?

  RON: That's it -- silver, blue -- yup.

  HARRY: He's talking about Delphi Diggory. Niece of -- Amos Diggory.

  GINNY: This is about Cedric again?

  HARRY says nothing, thinking fast. HERMIONE looks around the room, concerned, and then shouts out of the door.

  HERMIONE: Ethel! Cancel the goblins.

  ACT THREE, SCENE EIGHTEEN

  ST. OSWALD'S HOME FOR OLD WITCHES AND WIZARDS, AMOS'S ROOM

  HARRY walks in, wand outstretched, with DRACO.

  HARRY: Where are they?

  AMOS: Harry Potter, and what can I do for you, sir? And Draco Malfoy. I am blessed.

  HARRY: I know how you've used my son.

  AMOS: I've used your son? No. You, sir -- you used my beautiful son.

  DRACO: Tell us -- now -- where are Albus and Scorpius? Or face the profoundest consequences.

  AMOS: But why would I know where they are?

  DRACO: Don't play the senility card with us, old man. We know you've been sending him owls.

  AMOS: I've done nothing of the kind.

  HARRY: Amos, you're not too old for Azkaban. They were last seen on the Hogwarts tower with your niece when they disappeared.

  AMOS: I have no idea what you are . . . (He stops, a beat, confused.) My niece?

  HARRY: There are no depths to which you won't sink, are there -- yes, your niece, are you denying she was there under your express instructions?

  AMOS: Yes, I am -- I don't have a niece.

  This stops HARRY.

  DRACO: Yes, you do, a nurse, works here. Your niece . . . Delphini Diggory.

  AMOS: I know I don't have a niece because I never had any brothers and sisters. And nor did my wife.

  DRACO: We need to find out who she is -- now.

  ACT THREE, SCENE NINETEEN

  HOGWARTS, QUIDDITCH PITCH

  We open on DELPHI, enjoying every second of her changed identity. Where there was discomfort and insecurity, now there's just power.

  ALBUS: What are we doing on the Quidditch pitch?

  DELPHI says nothing.

  SCORPIUS: The Triwizard Tournament. The third task. The maze. This is where the maze was. We're going back for Cedric.

  DELPHI: Yes, it is time to spare the spare once and for all. We will go back for Cedric and in doing so we will resurrect the world you saw, Scorpius . . .

  SCORPIUS: Hell. You want to resurrect hell?

  DELPHI: I want a return to pure and strong magic. I want to rebirth the Dark.

  SCORPIUS: You want Voldemort's return?

  DELPHI: The one true ruler of the wizarding world. He will return. Now, you've ensured the first two tasks are a little clogged up with magic -- there are at least two visits from the future in both of them and I will not risk being revealed or distracted. The third task is clean, so let's start there, shall we?

  ALBUS: We won't stop him -- whatever you force us to do -- we know he needs to win the tournament with my dad.

  DELPHI: I don't just want you to stop him. I want you to humiliate him. He needs to fly out of that maze naked on a broomstick made of purple feather dusters. Humiliation got you there before and it'll get us there again. And the prophecy will be fulfilled.

  SCORPIUS: Wasn't aware that there was a prophecy, what prophecy?

  DELPHI: You have seen the world as it should be, Scorpius, and today we're going to ensure its return.

  ALBUS: We won't. We won't obey you. Whoever you are. Whatever you want us to do.

  DELPHI: Of course you will.

  ALBUS: You'll have to use Imperio. You'll have to control me.

  DELPHI: No. To fulfill the prophecy, this has to be you, not a puppet of you. You have to be the one to humiliate Cedric, so Imperio just won't do -- I'll have to force you by other means.

  She takes out her wand. She points it at ALBUS, who sticks his chin out.

  ALBUS: Do your worst.

  DELPHI looks at him. And then turns her wand on SCORPIUS.

  DELPHI: I will.

  ALBUS: No!

  DELPHI: Yes, as I thought -- this seems to frighten you more.

  SCORPIUS: Albus, whatever she does to me -- we can't let her --

  DELPHI: Crucio!

  SCORPIUS yells out in pain.

  ALBUS: I will . . .

  DELPHI (laughing): What? What on earth do you think you can do? A wizardwide disappointment? A sore on your family name? A spare? You want to stop me hurting your only friend? Then do what you're told.

  She looks at ALBUS, his eyes stay resistant.

  No? Crucio!

  ALBUS: Stop. Please.

  CRAIG runs in, full of energy.

  CRAIG BOWKER JR.: Scorpius? Albus? Everyone's looking for you --

  ALBUS: Craig. Get away. Get help!

  CRAIG BOWKER JR.: What's happening?

  DELPHI: Avada Kedavra!

  DELPHI sends a blast of green light across the stage -- CRAIG is propelled backwards by it -- and is immediately killed.