Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two Read online

  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.

  ACT ONE SCENE SEVEN

  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 . . .

  ACT ONE SCENE EIGHT

  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 bac
k. 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 . . .

  ACT ONE SCENE NINE

  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.

  ACT ONE SCENE TEN

  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 fir
st, 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.