Scene one
Estella Avery and old Amos Diggory emerge onto Platform 9 and for the first-time young Estella sees the hustle and bustle of the young wizards being sent to Hogwarts by their anxious but proud parents.
Amos: (Solemnly) It feels like only yesterday that I was here seeing off my own son on his first trip to Hogwarts. Remember Stella, we may not be blood, you and I…but I will always see you as my family.
The old man appears to be holding back tears.
Estella: I will write to you as often as I can Mr Diggory. I look forward to seeing you at Christmas.
Estella is less emotional. Mr Diggory had shown her great kindness and she cared about the old man deeply, but he was not family. Estella had no family. Mr Diggory had lost his son Cedric, in a story that everyone already knows. His wife died soon after. He took Estella in when the Ministry asked him too after her own mother didn't make it through childbirth. She was the closest to a new child he would ever get.
Amos hugs Estella who does not reciprocate. She's not a big hugger.
Amos: Good luck!
Estella: I think I will need it!
Estella boards the train and makes her way through the carriage feeling more and more anxious as to where she will place herself amongst her new peers. This is until she sees two boys engaged in almost awkward conversation. Familiar with awkward scenarios, here is where she feels most comfortable and so before thinking she opens the door to their compartment.
Both boys stare at her as young boys often do when a pretty girl enters their lives abruptly. Estella was very pretty, with her long jet black loose curls and blue eyes.
Estella: (More of an announcement than a question) Can I sit here?
Both boys almost in unison: Yes.
Scorpius: (Awkwardly)Woul-Would you like a sweet?
Estella eagerly takes one and pops it in her mouth. Steam comes out of her ears for it is a Peper Imp he has given her.
The three laugh together and the two boys ease up.
Albus: I'm Albus, (more hesitantly) Albus Potter.
Scorpius: And my names Scorpius Malfoy.
Scorpius wasn't as reluctant to reveal his surname as Albus, not that he was any more at ease with his surname, he just hated the whole thing equally.
Estella: I'm Estella Avery.
Albus: It is nice to meet you, Estella. Or do prefer Stella?
Estella: Just Estella. Are you Albus or Al?
Albus: Albus
Scorpius: You said you were an Avery?
Estella: Yes.
Scorpius: There's not many of them left are there?
Estella: Just me…my mother was an only child and she's…well I never met her.
Scorpius: I am sorry.
Estella: (Angrily) I don't need your sympathy.
The two boys look at each other with shock at this outburst.
Estella: (Awkwardly) I apologise. I have quite a temper, so people often tell me.
Scorpius: People talk about your mother, don't they? Her husband died at the Battle of Hogwarts and no one knows who your father is.
Estella opens her mouth as if to express more rage but is stopped…
Scorpius: People talk about my father too. They say I am Voldemort's son. That my parents used a Time Turner to send my mother back to ensure he provided our family with the powerful wizard heir that my father couldn't.
Estella: Rubbish. Time Turners have been long destroyed; everyone knows that.
Scorpius: (Sadly) That is what my mother and father keep saying. It doesn't matter though; people still believe it. Albus's cousin was with him when he boarded the train, and she couldn't get away from me fast enough.
Albus: (Defensively) She's alright really…when you get to know her.
Estella: They say I am the daughter of some drunk Muggle who my mother was supposably spotted with, that the Avery line of pureblood witches and wizards, ends with me being born.
Albus: Do people still care about that kind of thing?
Estella: Mostly no, not anymore. The idea of the "Sacred Twenty-Eight" has faded but is not wholly gone. The stauncher pureblood families can now tolerate their children mixing with those who aren't from wholly wizard heritage, though muggles will likely always be a step too far for them.
Albus: And I thought my family situation was dramatic before I met you two.
Estella: (Confrontationally) You're the son of the great Harry Potter. Savior of the world. What do you have to complain about?
Albus becomes awkward.
Estella, realising she has been unkind and seeking to change the subject, spots something exciting in Scorpius's sweets stash.
(With excitement) Is that a packet of the new Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Jelly Bean Roulette?
Scorpius: (Holding up a small sweet box) Yes, it is, I have not tried any of them yet as you are supposed to take them with friends and well…I have not got any yet.
Estella: We can be your friends. At least until we get to Hogwarts. Can't we Albus?
Albus: (Unsurely) Emm…
Estella: (More assertively) Can't we Albus?
Albus: (Resignedly but content) We can. So how does this work?
Scorpius looks delighted as he hands each of his new friends a jelly bean and takes one for himself.
Scorpius: So, we each take a jelly bean and pop it in our mouth at once. Two of us will taste something delicious like toffee or roast chicken! The other will get something horrid like a goblin's stinky sock!
Albus: Three
Estella: Two
Scorpius: One
The three stick the sweets in their mouth at once. Estella and Scorpius smile at the delightful flavours they are experiencing. Albus spits his out and it sticks to the window. The three laugh together heartily.
Scene two
The Hogwarts Main Hall during the Sorting Ceremony. Most people ignored Scorpius and Estella, though many came over to greet Albus.
Rose Granger Weasley: I see you have picked up another stray Albus (She looks Estella up and down) I thought the Malfoy boy I left you with was bad enough.
Albus: (Innocently) Rose, this is Estella.
Rose: (Interrupting him) Estella Avery, yes, I know. Did she tell you how her dad murdered our uncle Fred?
Estella: (Assertively) Octavian Burke have been married to my mother but he was not my father, he was dead long before I was born.
Rose: (Cruelly) Oh I forgot no one knows who your dad is. But your mum was an Avery and so are you. (Contemptuously) And they were among Voldemort's oldest and staunchest supporters. Didn't your mum even continue to cling desperately to those disgusting ideas even after the war? Disgusting ideas for a disgusting family.
Estella begins to fume.
Scorpius puts his hand on her shoulder.
Scorpius: (Whispers) It's not worth it.
Before Estella can say more Rose turns away from them and begins to introduce herself to those seeking to talk to Albus for there was no shortage of those. He was a Potter.
The crowd parts as Victorie Weasley, a blonde and beautiful girl of seventeen makes her way towards her cousins.
Rose: (Delighted) Victorie!
Victorie: My two cousins! Rose and Albus!
She hugs both
Victorie: I just came to say to you two that me, Louis, Dominque, and Cousins James, Fred, Molly, Lucy, and Roxanne are very much looking forward to having you both in Gryffindor this year!
Rose: (Excitedly) And we can't wait either, can we Albus?
Albus: (Not convincingly) Yeah
Victorie spots Albus's two new friends and frowns at them. She knows both and makes plain with her looks that she doesn't approve of them mixing with her kin.
Professor McGonagall: Miss Weasley, please return to the Gryffindor benches. Just because you are our new Head girl, that does not give you the right to break my rules.
Victorie: Of course, Professor McGonagall. (She winks at Albus and Rose). See you both soon.
The sorting ceremony begins and the sorting hat is brought to the fore.
Sorting Hat: And so, begins another year
So many I already have seen passed
Now I hope you lend me your ear
As I begin my task
What house shall you be in?
Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin?
And so, I must persist
That from coming before me, you must not desist…
Estella Avery!
Estella makes her way to the front of the hall and sits upon the stool.
Sorting Hat: (Before it is even fully over her head) Slytherin!
A half-hearted clap comes from the Slytherin benches. They are not particularly enthusiastic about their new member.
A few more students pass under the hat.
Sorting Hat: Rose Granger-Weasley!
Rose sits under the hat.
Sorting Hat: Gryffindor!
Cheers erupt from the Gryffindor benches and Rose is congratulated by her new house peers including Polly Chapman. A pretty and confident girl who Rose previously befriended on the train.
Sorting Hat: Scorpius Malfoy!
The hat is placed on Scorpius's head and almost as quickly as with Estella the hat declares:
Slytherin!
Polly Chapman: (Slightly contemptuously) No surprise there.
The Slytherin benches cheer. The negative rumours of his parentage were easier for them to stomach than Estella's.
Sorting Hat: Albus Potter!
The hat is placed on Albus Potter's head.
Sorting Hat: Ah a Potter! Now this one is intriguing.
The hat deliberates and is seemingly confused. After a lengthy period, it comes to its conclusion.
Sorting Hat: Slytherin!
Silence reigns. A highly uncomfortable silence.
Polly Chapman: That can't be right. He looks just like Harry Potter but…clearly is not.
Even the staff appear to be taken aback, though they are trying to hide it.
Scorpius: You can stand with me and Estella!
Albus: (Awkwardly) Yes…sure.
Rose: Albus? This is wrong Albus. This was not what was supposed to happen!
Estella: What? Are you worried you won't be able to use your connection to your cousin to become popular now?
Rose: No one asked you!
Albus: (Still disorientated) Please…leave it.
Estella reluctantly backs off. Rose doesn't.
Rose: (Furiously) Are you going to let her speak to me like that?
Scorpius looks like he is about to say something but a glare from Rose shuts him down.
Albus: I'm not in charge of her.
Estella gives a satisfied, almost mocking grin and Rose storms off.
Scene three
Slightly later in the year
Madam Hooch: Now everyone we don't have all day! Stand over a broom.
Everyone rushes to claim a broom.
Madam Hooch: Stick your hands over the broom and say: "Up!"
Everyone: Up!
Rose and Estella both get their broom first try. They give each other a cold stare; they were two talented witches who have fast become rivals.
Madam Hooch: Come now everyone, I have no time for time wasters! Say it like you mean it!
Everyone: Up, Up!
Everyone's broom, even Scorpius's comes to them. Everyone but Albus.
Albus: Up! (More desperately) Up!
The students, except Estella and Scorpius, begin to mutter and giggle to themselves.
Polly Chapman: Are you sure your Harry Potter's son? You certainly don't seem to be to me!
This gets quite a few laughs. Even Rose joins in though seemingly reluctantly.
Estella: I didn't see YOU getting it first go either Polly.
Polly Chapman: You probably enchanted yours with dark magic. Everyone knows that's how your family does things.
Madam Hooch: Cease this at once girls.
Polly Chapman: Why should we? Estella the terror has this coming to her.
Estella raises her wand.
Scorpius: Please Estella, just think a min-
Estella: Opungo!
The jinx causes Polly's broom to rise and chase her.
Polly: (Batting it repeatedly) Get it away!
Rose: (To Hooch) You can't let her away with this!
The students begin laughing at Polly now.
Madam Hooch: Surgito!
The broom falls lifeless back to the ground.
And I won't! Miss Avery, you have really outdone yourself this time. Using magic to attack a fellow student. In all my years, I hav-
Estella: (Interrupting her) Attack is a strong word.
Madam Hooch: (Angrily) And now talking back to me! Report to the Headmistress at once. From what I gather she is already sick of seeing you and you have only been here a few months.
Rose: Why not remove house points?
Madam Hooch: It is because I am the teacher here and not you Miss Granger-Weasley. Besides, I doubt that would be much of a deterrence to Miss Avery.
Estella confidently strides away to the headmistress's office.
Scene four
We return to Platform 9 and the beginning of a new year.
Harry: Your second year will be better Al; I am sure of it.
Albus: I highly doubt it, and I am called Albus not Al. Why give me a name and not use it?
Harry: You know I struggled at Hogwarts as well at times. And not just with the additional problems I faced but just with school in general. I always knew I had my friends looking out for me though. Maybe you could try making some new ones this year, fit in with your peers a bit more.
Albus: (Angrily) Stop doing that!
Harry: (Confused) Doing what?
Albus: Trying to make me "fit in more." As if the rest of them would have me!
Harry: Are the other children being unkind?
Albus: (Ignoring him) And I have friends. I have Scorpius and Estella. I know you don't approve of them but I like them.
A small crowd begins watching the father and son squabble. There often was a crowd watching Harry Potter but the raised voices had attracted more onlookers.
James Potter: Look what you've done now Albus, you've embarrassed Dad nearly as much as you did when you joined Slytherin!
Harry: (To James) Not helpful James.
James: (With a sly smirk) See you at Christmas Dad.
Harry: (Back to Albus) You know I have no problem with Slytherin or you being in it.
Albus: Just my friends then?
Harry: (Unconvincingly) Me and Draco have had our…problems, in the past but if his son makes you happy then I am happy.
Albus: And Estella?
Harry: (Sternly) I remember her mum Artemis well. She was an awful woman, who tried her best to keep horrible ideas alive.
Albus: Estella never knew her mother, besides I am sure it would have made no difference even if she had. You're my father, and I'm nothing like you.
Albus disappeared onto the train before a shocked Harry could respond.
Draco Malfoy approaches Harry.
Draco: Potter.
Harry: Draco.
Relations between these two were better than they had been before. That still did not mean they were on good terms though, just that they didn't actively dislike each other.
Draco: I need a favour. Well Astoria has requested one…and she is not very well you see.
From the tone of his voice, you can tell this is one of the hardest things Draco has ever done.
Harry: I am sorry to hear that.
Draco: (Gives a curt nod in response. It isn't friendly but it isn't cold.)
It is my son. These rumours persist that Scorpius is Voldemort's son despite assurances given by us the contrary. If the Ministry could release a statement, making clear once more that the Time-Turners were destroyed, my wife…(awkwardly) and me would be grateful.
Harry: There have been rumours that Voldemort had a child for almost as long as he has been dead. Scorpius is not the first to be accused and he will likely not be the last. It will blow over; a Ministry intervention won't do much help.
Draco: (Angrily) So will you do nothing to help my boy?
Harry: Frankly Draco, you are not helping things by letting him befriend the Avery girl. Do you not remember the newsletter her mum used to circulate around Diagon Alley? The ones that claimed there was a Muggle-born conspiracy within the Ministry to end Wizard-kind? That called for Purebloods to overthrow their government? Or that book she wrote that was immediately banned under the Defence Against Dark Magic Act? The one that called Voldemort a saviour and liberator.
Draco: Your son is friends with her too! Besides, everyone knows the story of how Artemis Avery had too many fire whiskeys one night and had a child with a Muggle. They were spotted in the Hogshead.
Harry: Well hopefully Albus someday will see sense and find better friends.
Draco storms off.
Rose and Albus wait together on the train before it departs.
Albus: Why are you here Rose? We aren't friends, you've made that clear.
Rose: Yes, but my mum and dad think we are. So as soon as this train leaves, or your little band of slithering misfits arrive. I'm off.
Scorpius and Estella board together. Scorpius has a huge suitcase while Estella has a smaller, more practical one.
Scorpius: (Hopeful) Hi Rose.
Estella greets her rival with something more along the lines of a low pitched growl.
Rose: (Definitively) Bye Albus.
Scorpius: (Still hopefully) You know I think she is starting to warm up to me.
Estella: (To herself) I will never understand boys.
We are now in Hogwarts Great Hall and Professor McGonagall is giving her headmistress's address.
Professor McGonagall: I am pleased to announce, that the superb Miss Rose Granger Weasley has been selected as Gryffindor's new chaser!
The hall erupts into applause including Scorpius but minus Albus and Estella.
Estella: (Bitterly) Stop clapping for her Scorpius, you are embarrassing yourself.
Scorpius continues and Estella reluctantly respects his conviction.
Albus: Scorpius, we hate Quidditch and she's playing for Gryffindor.
Scorpius: But she's your cousin Albus?
Albus: Do you think she would clap for me?
Scorpius: Well, I think she is brilliant.
Estella: I will never understand boys.
We next are in potions class and the other students are gathering around Scorpius and Albus.
Polly Chapman: Albus Potter, what an embarrassment to the family name. He cannot even make a potion.
Albus: And now we add, is it horn of Bicorn?
Scorpius: I am not sure, hold on a second and I'll check the book.
Fionn Finnigan: The Potty Potter and Voldemort's son making a potion, let us hope it doesn't burn down the school.
Albus: (Ignoring Scorpius) And then salamander blood…
The potion explodes. The class laughs.
Scorpius: (Hastily scrolling through the book) Hold on, I'll find the counter ingredient.
Estella pushes her way through the laughing crowd and throws a handful of some newts' eyes into the potion. It settles.
Rose: Using Dark Magic again I suspect Avery.
Scorpius: (To Estella) Thank you.
However, Estella is looking to see mainly what Albus's reaction is.
Albus: Yeah, thanks Estella.
This makes her smile, a far from common occurrence in Estella Avery.
Scene five
We are back again at Platform 9 and the beginning of another year. Albus looks different, he is not only a year older and more mature but increasingly morbid and cynical looking.
Harry: Your third year. It is a good year; I am sure you will like some of the changes.
A wizard approaches Harry and hands him a piece of paper which he somewhat awkwardly signs as an autograph much to Albus's disgust.
Harry draws another piece of paper from his pocket and hands it to Albus.
Here is your permission slip for Hogsmeade. It is a chance for you to stuff your face with sweets behind Mum's back. The three broomsticks are also an excellent place to- "
Albus- (Interrupting him) Let me guess, "Make new friends."
Harry: No Albus, I was going to say-
Albus wrinkles up the piece of paper.
Harry: Albus, we are all concerned that you are isolating yourself, that you are spending too much time with-
Albus: (Interrupting him again) You know I don't think I'll like Hogsmeade. It'll be full of Hogwarts's students and I definitely don't like them.
He draws his wand and points it at the piece of paper.
Albus: Incendio!
The paper is incinerated.
Harry: (Confused and concerned) What did you do that for?
Albus: You know I actually didn't expect that to work. I never quite got a grasp on that spell.
Before Harry could protest, he hears a laugh from behind him.
Estella: (Delightedly) Albus!
She proceeds to give her friend a passionate hug.
Albus: (Equally as enthusiastically) Estella!
Estella had grown beautiful by now. Her jet-black hair, still in long loose curls, and blue eyes paired magnificently with her skin that was as pale as milk. Her high cheekbones gave her a sophisticated look that was well beyond her age.
Estella: (Turning to Harry) It is true Mr Potter, last time he cast that spell he nearly set fire to his arm!
Albus: Well, we cannot all be natural wonders at magic like you.
Estella: Well, my last report card did read: "Talented young witch but an impertinent and uncooperative student whose disciplinary record already reads like a medium sized textbook."
Estella and Albus laugh heartedly while Harry just looks concerned.
Estella: Oh, where are my manners, Mr Diggory would be furious at me for not properly introducing myself to you Mr Potter. (She holds her hand out for a handshake) Estella Avery,
Harry: (Half-heartedly shaking her hand and looking ominous)) Yes, I know who you are. Send my regards to Amos.
Albus: (Dismissively) Anyway Dad, train to catch. Have another year of disappointing the family name ahead. Let me know how that spell you are working on to turn me into the son you want me to be works out.
Albus leaps aboard the train without saying anything further.
Estella: Well goodbye Mr Potter.
Harry: (Passive aggressively) Bye.
Estella boards the train and Ginny joins Harry.
Ginny: I'm sorry you and Albus are not getting on these days.
Harry: (Sadly) So am I…
Ginny: If you made more of an effort with his friends maybe…he cares about them, and he sees how you react when they are around.
Harry: (Defensively) He was fine before he met them.
Estella and Albus are making their way through the train.
Estella: We best find Scorpius.
Albus: You don't have to do that you know.
Estella: What?
Albus: Suck up to my dad. (Bitterly) He is not that great.
Estella: (Defensively) I wasn't sucking up to Harry Potter.
Albus: (Frostily) Then what was that you just did?
Estella: I was creating a good first impression with the dad of one of my best friends.
Albus smiles, for once he knew he was being seen as his own person. Not Harry Potter's son.
Now will we go find Scorpius?
Albus: Thank you.
Estella: (Assertively) Yeah, I forgive you.
The two find Scorpius sitting on his own in a carriage.
Both: Scorpius!
They realise the boy has been crying
Both: Scorpius?
Estella: It is your mum, isn't it?
Scorpius nods.
Albus: She has got worse, hasn't she?
Scorpius: As worse as it can possibly get. She's…
Estella takes a seat beside Scorpius, Albus does likewise.
Estella: (Drawing from her own experience) You don't have to say it. We know what you mean.
Albus: Is there anything we can do?
Scorpius: Will you both come to the funeral?
Albus: Of course.
Estella: No question about it.
Scorpius: You are both such good friends.
Albus: We are here for you mate.
Estella puts her arm around Scorpius, Albus follows her lead.
Estella: If we are together, none of us will ever have to face the world alone.
Albus: You've got that right Estella.
Scorpius: (To Estella) By Dumbledore you have.
The trio hug each other passionately.
It is back to the Great Hall, back to the sorting ceremony.
Sorting Hat: Lilly Potter
Albus's younger sister takes a seat beneath the hat.
Sorting Hat: Gryffindor!
Lilly: Yes!
The Gryffindor benches cheer including the rest of Albus's family. Rose is the first to congratulate her cousin, another one who she believes went the way the Potters all should.
Albus: Oh great.
Scorpius: She was never going to come to us.
Slytherin Prefect: Potters do not really belong here anyway.
Estella: Well, Albus belongs here.
Slytherin Prefect: (To Estella) He probably belongs here more than you, blood trai-
Estella: (Confrontationally) Go on then…say it.
The prefect backs down though. He was about to say "blood traitor" but clearly knows of the severe social implications that using such words incur now. Still, the point was made. Just because you heavily taboo the words used to express it, does not make the original prejudice go away.
Albus: I didn't ask to be his son.
Scene six
This scene begins at Harry and Ginny's house. It is a pleasant but spacious two floored farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Dales. It is the night before the three children will depart for Hogwartss again.
Ginny: For the love of Merlin James, will you please stop staring at yourself in the bathroom mirror!
James: (Panicked) I can't go to Hogwarts like this Mum! My hair is pink! What will they say about me at the station tomorrow? What will Margot think?
Lilly: (Mockingly) Ohh James has got a girlfriend.
James: You little rat!
He goes to grab his sister but she flies down the hall with her new fairy wings.
Ginny: Not in the house Lilly!
James: (Beside himself) I will just have to not go this year, or cut all my hair off! It will grow back, won't it?
Ginny: (Flustered) No you will not cut your own hair James Potter!
As chaos is unfolding Albus is sitting in his room looking glum. For the other two Hogwarts is exciting, for him it is like facing a life sentence in Azkaban.
He takes a photograph from above his bed and looks at it before packing it away. It is Scorpius, Estella, and himself and it was taken in the courtyard at Hogwarts when they were first years. All three of them a copy of it and Albus smiles as he packs his most treasured possession.
The smile drops as his father knocks on the bedroom door.
Harry: Sorry to intrude Albus. But I have the traditional pre-Hogwarts gift from Ron.
Harry holds out a love potion. Albus takes it, barely looks at it and throws it carelessly on top of his bed.
Albus: (Unimpressed) Great. Tell him I said thanks.
Harry: Ron is just being…well Ron. He gave James a comb that turned his hair pink. (Laughing) It was hilarious seeing his face when he realised. You know how vain he is!
Albus continues packing in stony silence.
He gave Lilly a pair of fairy wings that your uncle George had designed especially for her. I think the joke for that one is meant to be more on me and your mum.
Albus still does not rise to the conversation.
Ginny appears in the doorway but seeing that Harry is trying, does not intervene.
Harry: But this year Albus, I want to give you a gift of my own.
He holds out an aged blanket.
Albus: An old blanket?
Harry: This is the only thing I have that my mother gave me. When I was delivered to the Dursleys after your grandparents died, it was in this blanket. I thought they would have certainly thrown it out, but when your Great Aunt Petunia died, Dudley found this among her things and was kind enough to give it to me when we last visited them. It might sound silly Albus but I hold this blanket sometimes when I want it to give me luck. Maybe it will do the same for you.
Albus sceptically holds the blanket and closes his eyes as if making a wish.
Albus: Done. I will let you know if it works.
Harry: (Handing it towards Albus) Here you can take it with you if you like.
Albus: (Definitively) I'm okay Dad. Well, I am quite busy at the minute and I am sure you are too so if you could…
Harry: (Not taking the hint) I could help you pack. I used to love packing as it meant I would soon be leaving Privet Drive…
Albus: And going back to Hogwarts I know. Hogwarts is a very different place for me Dad.
Harry: (Persistent but undoubtedly well meaning) Still I would like to help you pack, and please take the blanket-
Albus: (Losing his temper) No! I don't want help from you packing and I don't want your mouldy blanket!
Harry: (Hurt) Mouldy blanket?
Albus: You believe everyone should worship you as you were "the chosen one" who saved the world!
Harry: I never did what I did seeking gratitude and I am not going to rise to an argument with you Albus.
Albus: You believe we should all dance to your tune, do as you say, regardless of what everyone else wants. Regardless of what I want!
Albus throws Harry's blanket out the open bedroom window.
Harry: (Finally losing his temper) Well at least you have a dad to help you pack! I didn't!
Outside of the room there is a furious and panicked nock somewhere else in the house.
Albus: You know what I wished for Dad when I held your stupid blanket. I wished you weren't my dad.
Harry: (Furious) Well I sometimes wish you weren't my son.
Albus nods coldly to this. It is as if it is confirmation of what he always knew.
The frantic knocking starts again. Harry almost immediately realises the gravity of what he has done.
Harry: (Definitively and convincingly) No, I didn't mean that.
Albus: Yes, you did.
Harry: (Pleading) Please Albus. Let's just talk-
Ginny rushes into the room. She heard the shouts but this was not why there is an urgent look on her face. Something bigger is happening.
Ginny: Harry there is an Auror here who needs to talk to you straight away!
Harry: Tell him he can wait I need to speak-
Ginny: Harry it is serious. They need you now.
Harry looks at Ginny and at Albus. He must go but he knows he can't leave things the way they are with Albus.
Albus: (Coldly) Go be the hero.
Harry reluctantly heads to Ginny and rushes towards the door.
Harry: We will talk later Albus, I love you son.
Even though he had much more pressing concerns at the time, he still was painfully aware that Albus didn't say it back.
Scene seven
The scene changes to Platform 9 , only instead of following Harry and Albus, we follow Amos Diggory and Estella Avery. Amos and has gotten much older and frailer since we last saw him.
Amos: And remember Stella, write to me as often as I can. Your letters never fail to raise my spirits.
Estella: I will try Mr Diggory.
Amos: And try to stay out of trouble more this year. I'm an old man and don't need the stress! I don't want any more letters about how you threatened to feed a first year to the Merpeople.
Estella: (Protesting) He threw mashed potatoes at Scorpius and me! Besides the Merpeople don't actually eat humans…I think.
Amos: Or how you hid giant spider eggs in one of your classmates' satchels and it had to be incinerated before they hatched?
Estella: She was harassing Albus! And that was a major overaction from Professor Longbottom I would add.
Amos: Or how you snuck puking pastels to those Gryffindor girls?
Estella: (Laughing) That was just funny.
Amos gives Estella a not mad, just disappointed look.
Estella: (Beaten) I'll try Mr Diggory
Amos: Oh please, can you just call me Amos for once?
The old man is disappointed that his adopted child still does not see him as family. He tries her best to hide it though, conscious that Estella is not Cedric.
Estella: (Turning to leave) Anyway, I must go.
Estella goes to leave but Amos stops her.
Amos: Stella, (He draws a necklace from his pocket) This belonged to your mother.
Estella: (Shocked) My mother? We have never spoken about her before.
Amos: She was wearing it…when she died. I don't know much more than that, the Ministry gave it to me when they brought you to come and live with me.
Amos hands it to Estella who grabs it eagerly. It is a simple necklace by all accounts. A simple chain with a metal creature hanging from it, a lion with two additional heads, one a goat, one a dragon. The eyes of all being different colours of precious gems.
Estella: (In awe) A Chimera.
Amos: It's the Avery family sigil. This necklace was something of an heirloom of theirs I suspect. Anyway, I'm sorry it took me so long to give it to you. If it's an Avery heirloom, (these last words sting a bit) it belongs to the last of the Avery's.
Estella: I love it! Thank you, Mr Diggory!
She hugs Mr Diggory who is taken aback by an out of character sudden burst of emotion. It pains him slightly, that she is so delighted to finally have something of her mothers. A woman who supported the man who killed his son, yet at the same time he is content to see her happy.
Mr Diggory: It's so nice to see you smile for once Stella.
The smile doesn't last as the Granger-Weasley family makes their way past. Hermione and Ron are too busy having an animated discussion about work to see her but Rose does. She glares, Estella reciprocates. Even Rose's little brother, Hugo. A Gryffindor second year now mimics his older sister's example.
Mr Diggory: (Innocently) One of your friends Stella?
Not only had his body been growing frail but Estella had noticed that Mr Diggory's mind was starting to decline a bit too. Mr Diggory knew all about Rose from Estella's rants. A couple of times this summer, she had even saw him talking to his wife and son when he thought he was alone.
Estella: Well, we are not strangers.
Estella boards and finds Scorpius sitting on his own in the train compartment.
Estella: Still getting on the train early Scorpius?
Scorpius: Estella! You know I like to avoid the staring…the shouting. People writing "Son of Voldemort" on my trunk. That one never gets old.
Estella: You would have thought people would have realised by now that you are the spitting image of your father.
Scorpius: I suspect they have. The same way people hate you for either having a muggle father or a Death Eater mother. Witch hunts are never really about witches after all, they don't make sense when you really think about it. It is just further demonising of someone you have decided you don't like already.
Estella: (Nods in agreement) Too true Scorpius.
Albus enters the compartment and is unexpectantly being followed by Rose.
Scorpius: Albus! And Rose. What do you smell of?
Rose: (Confused) What do I smell of?
Scorpius: No, it's a nice thing you smell of like fresh flowers and fresh…oh…err..bread!
Everyone looks at Scorpius, feeling sorry for him.
Albus: (Mouths silently to him) Bread?
Scorpius: (Digging desperately) I mean nice bread, good bread, the…bready bread. What is wrong with bread?
Rose: (To Albus) I am here for you Albus. With friends like the Dark Witch and Lord Breadboy, you'll probably need me.
Estella: Be careful you don't hit your massive head on the way-out Rose. (Sarcastically) I personally would be so upset if you did.
Albus cracks a quick smile, seeing this makes Estella reciprocate.
Rose leaves shaking her head.
Rose: (To herself) You smell like bread?
Estella: (To Albus) What did she want?
Albus: To become friends again apparently.
Scorpius: Well, that is nice of her.
Albus: She eventually admitted it was because my mum had written to her dad, saying how "she was worried about me."
Estella: That sounds more like the Rose we know and love.
Albus: She did have some news though, it's due to be in The Prophet tomorrow.
Scorpius: Oh news, I love the news!
Albus: There was an attempted mass breakout from Azkaban yesterday. My father rushed off in the middle on some mysterious mission, now I know what it was.
Estella: (Shocked) How is that even possible? There hasn't even been one prisoner who has escaped from there in over two decades.
Scorpius: I take back what I said, I don't love the news.
Albus: It gets worse, the Aurors managed to stop most of them. (Bitterly) My father was "very brave" apparently, but one got away. That must be why he didn't come home.
Estella: Who is it?
Albus: Rose didn't say but it's a Death Eater, one of the old guard too apparently. Rose overheard her mum saying they are getting ready for a big raid; they must have him cornered.
Scorpius: Well, thank Dumbledore they are soon to catch him!
Albus: Yet another thing we will have to thank our saviour for.
Scene eight
Hermoine Granger, now Minister of Magic walks flustered around her relatively newly acquired office. Harry burst through her door suddenly looking tired but delighted.
Harry: It's over!
Hermoine: (Equally as pleased) He's in custody?
Harry: (Somewhat awkwardly) Well…eh…. no. Rudolphus Lestrange is dead.
Hermione: Tell me nobody did something that they shouldn't have. I thought I made it very clear that the Aurors were not to use lethal force unless deemed absolutely necessary.
Harry: It wasn't like that. He did himself in.
Hermione: Tell me everything.
Harry: It was true, the tip off we were given. When we got to the ruins of Avery Hall and he was there, it was like he wasn't even bothering to hide. Initially, I thought he was looking for a fight, that he was going to go down punching. When we went through the front door though he just stood there looking, well disappointed and disillusioned. Like the world he had hoped to find was gone. We were going to approach him, to arrest him but that's when he raised his wand. He just stated that he wasn't going back to Azkaban and blew up half the East Wing, himself included.
Hermione: Did we lose anyone?
Harry: No, I got my people out just in time.
The worry was starting to go again from Hermione's face.
Hermione: Is there any chance he could have escaped? Did you find his body?
Harry: No one could have survived the blast Hermione; we haven't found a body as it was surely disintegrated. We combed the whole property before we left, just to make sure though.
Hermione: And Azkaban, I want double the Aurors manning the prison just to make sure there are no weaknesses.
Harry: Already done.
Hermione falls into her chair with a sigh.
Hermione: We got lucky Harry. This could have been bad.
Harry: (Pouring himself a fire whiskey from the cabinet) Could it really have? Even if a couple of Death Eaters slipped our net, even if they had evaded us for more than a day, what could they have done? The world they came from, the culture they cherished of blood purity and "Sacred families," is pretty much gone. We helped make a better world.
Hermione smiles in response.
I think Rudolphus saw that after he got away from Azkaban. That's why he did what he did.
Hermione beckons for the bottle and a glass then pours herself a fire whiskey.
Harry: (Jokingly) Hermione Granger! Drinking on the job and at this time of the morning!
Hermione: Neither of us has been to bed so there are different rules for what morning is. I am the child of two dentists. Sugar is off limits to me so I have to find some way to rebel.
Harry: I hope Ginny isn't annoyed at me not being able to make it to the train this morning to see the children off.
Hermione: I did make it to the station and I think Ron was angrier that I had to rush things than he would have been if I had not turned up at all.
Have you been keeping up with your paperwork?
Harry: Yes, just this morning I glanced at the towering pile of papers on my desk briefly before embarking on a very important and dangerous mission.
Hermione: (Unimpressed) Harry, we talked about this.
Harry: (Understandingly) Yes…I suppose we did. I just think I am better out there, in the field. It wasn't through paperwork that I got the information about Rudolphus Lestrange being at the Avery's old house.
Hermione: Do they know yet how the prisoners got out of their cell last night? Can we rule out the possibility they had help?
Harry: We can. I talked to the guards on duty myself after things calmed down. There was actually no magic involved, one of them used a chicken bone he had fashioned into a lockpick to unlock his door. He managed to overpower a guard and once he had a wand in his possession, that's when all hell broke loose.
Hermione: I'll send you a report with some recommendations as to how we can improve security there in future, and stop something like that from happening again. (Realising her mistake) Which you won't read of course.
Harry: I ruled out an inside man almost instantly as when I was rebuilding the Aurors Department I only picked those I knew I could trust with my life. I only knew I could trust them by working with them, out in the world. There's no need to tell me off.
Hermione: (Seriously) Look Harry, I am not telling you off here. You did a great thing last night and today and we owe you our thanks, I owe you my thanks. But you need to try to read some of the documents, or at least just the ones I mark as high importance.
Harry: (Reluctantly) I will try, but mark too many as high importance and the deal is off.
Hermione: (Gladly) Thank you. You know I wouldn't be badgering you if I wasn't concerned about some of the trends we've been seeing.
Harry: Ah yes, the trends?
Hermione: For my own peace of mind, I am going to pretend that wasn't a question. How the giants have been gathering in the east and according to my Hungarian counterpart, have performed a war dance, something they have not done since the great wizarding wars. How the werewolves have all but disappeared underground, Trolls have been spotted riding Dragons of all things in the Mediterranean. And finally, how former Death Eaters and sympathisers have been sending a record number of seemingly coded messages to each other. Now Azkaban sees its first successful breakout in over twenty years and the first attempted one in twelve. There could be something to all of this Harry, they all fought for Voldemort in the past. They could be preparing for something, but what?
Harry: I'll see what I can find out on my travels…(defeatedly) and from my paperwork. Voldemort was the only thing that brought them together though, that much I do know for certain. He's dead, for good this time and without him, they are just men, women, and creatures with big chips on their shoulders. And if they try anything, and that is a big if, we will find a way to beat them.
Hermione: (Her confidence restored) We always do.
(Changing the subject) How's James, Albus, and Lilly?
Harry: James and Lilly are great. James did well in his O.W.L.S last year and is well on course to be captain of the Quidditch team.
Hermione: Not if Rose has anything to say about that.
They both chuckle.
Harry: (Continuing) Lilly herself has taken to Hogwarts like a merwoman to water and her report card last year was sparkling. She spent all summer bending my ear about how she couldn't wait to get back.
Hermione: Sounds exactly like our Hugo.
Harry: Albus….well with Albus sometimes I think I am better at paperwork than with him.
Hermione: Yes, Rose tells me that he has fallen in with a bad crowd. She assures me that she is going to try and make amends with him this year.
Harry: Speaking of the bad crowd my son has fallen in with, why do you think Rudolphus Lestrange made immediately for Avery Hall?
Hermione: It's big and it's abandoned. No one has lived there since that foul Artemis woman died. Do you know she called me a Mudblood in her newsletter? Not once mind you but in nearly every issue! But anyway, no point speaking ill of the dead, maybe Rudolphus heard about Avery Hall's abonnement in Azkaban?
Harry: (Doubtfully) Maybe.
Ethel enters the room.
Ethel: Sorry Minister, you received an owl from President Lovecraft of MACUSA.
Hermione: Thank you, Ethel.
Ethel leaves the room.
Harry: Is he still giving you grief about the International Wizarding Summit?
Hermione: Worse! A couple of weeks ago he was trying to have the planned venue moved to Britain.
Harry: But he knows we don't have the resources to pull it off here, especially at such short notice!
Hermione: I think that is why he did it. He and his supporters have always criticised my idea of all wizarding governments getting together to discuss common issues, and took great pleasure when my later suggestion that select muggle leaders should be invited also was roundly rejected.
Harry: Do you think he will manage to get it moved? I was quite looking forward to a week in the Himalayas.
Hermione: No. He holds a lot of away but not enough. I expect this letter to be just more wand waving and thinly veiled threats.
Harry: Let's hope so.
Hermione: (Changing the subject again) Anyway come to dinner at ours tonight, you and Ginny. It has been ages since we have all been together and Ron is always criticising me for how I see my secretary Ethel more than him.
Harry: I will make sure that works with Ginny but it should not be a problem. It will be great to see Ron again. Tonight, around eight?
Hermione: That suits well, see you then Harry Potter.
Harry leaves the office, as soon as he is on the other side of the door he sighs and expresses how exhausted he truly is.
