SNAPE
I’d say that the rumours of Hogwarts’s beloved Scorpion King losing his mind are well founded.
SCORPIUS
There was a stolen Time-Turner. I stole a Time-Turner. With Albus. We tried to bring Cedric Diggory back from the dead, when he was dead. We tried to stop him winning the Triwizard Tournament. But by doing so we turned him into an almost different person entirely.
SNAPE
Harry Potter won that Triwizard Tournament.
SCORPIUS
He wasn’t supposed to do it alone. Cedric was supposed to win it with him. But we humiliated him out of the tournament. And as a result of that humiliation he became a Death Eater. I can’t work out what he did in the Battle of Hogwarts – whether he killed someone or – but he did something and it changed everything.
SNAPE
Cedric Diggory killed only one wizard and not a significant one – Neville Longbottom.
SCORPIUS
Oh, of course, that’s it! Professor Longbottom was supposed to kill Nagini, Voldemort’s snake. Nagini had to die before Voldemort could die. That’s it! You’ve solved it! We destroyed Cedric, he killed Neville, Voldemort won the battle. Can you see? Can you see it?
SNAPE
I can see this is a Malfoy game. Get out before I alert your father and plunge you into deep trouble.
SCORPIUS thinks and then plays his final, desperate, card.
SCORPIUS
You loved his mother. I don’t remember everything. I know you loved his mother. Harry’s mother. Lily. I know you spent years undercover. I know without you the war could never have been won. How would I know this if I hadn’t seen the other world . . . ?
SNAPE says nothing, overwhelmed.
Only Dumbledore knew, am I right? And when you lost him you must have felt so alone. I know you’re a good man. Harry Potter told his son you’re a great man.
SNAPE looks at SCORPIUS, unsure what’s going on. Is this a trick? He is quite seriously at a loss.
SNAPE
Harry Potter is dead.
SCORPIUS
Not in my world. He said you were the bravest man he’d ever met. He knew, you see – he knew your secret – what you did for Dumbledore. And he admired you for it – greatly. And that’s why he named his son – my best friend – after you both. Albus Severus Potter.
SNAPE is stopped. He is deeply moved.
Please – for Lily, for the world, help me.
SNAPE thinks and then walks up to SCORPIUS, taking out his wand as he does. SCORPIUS steps back, scared. SNAPE fires his wand at the door.
SNAPE
Colloportus!
An invisible lock slams into place. SNAPE opens a hatch at the back of the classroom.
Well, come on then . . .
SCORPIUS
Just a question, but where – exactly – are we going?
SNAPE
We’ve had to move many times. Everywhere we’ve settled they destroyed. This will take us to a room hidden in the roots of the Whomping Willow.
SCORPIUS
Okay, who’s we?
SNAPE
Oh. You’ll see.
ACT THREE SCENE SIX
CAMPAIGN ROOM
SCORPIUS is pinned to the table by a rather magnificent-looking HERMIONE. Her clothes faded, her eyes blazing, she is full warrior now and it rather suits her.
HERMIONE
You make one more move and your brain will be a frog and your arms will be rubber.
SNAPE
Safe. He’s safe. (Beat.) You know you never could listen. You were a terrible bore of a student and you’re a terrible bore of – whatever you are.
HERMIONE
I was an excellent student.
SNAPE
You were moderate to average. He’s on our side!
SCORPIUS
I am, Hermione.
HERMIONE looks at SCORPIUS, still very distrustful.
HERMIONE
Most people know me as Granger. And I don’t believe a word you say, Malfoy.
SCORPIUS
It’s all my fault. My fault. And Albus’s.
HERMIONE
Albus? Albus Dumbledore? What’s Albus Dumbledore got to do with this?
SNAPE
He doesn’t mean Dumbledore. You may need to sit down.
RON runs in. His hair spiked. His clothes scruffy. He is slightly less good at the rebel look than HERMIONE is.
RON
Snape, a royal visit and – (he sees SCORPIUS, and is immediately alarmed) what’s he doing here?
He fumbles out his wand.
I’m armed and – entirely dangerous and seriously advise you—
He realises his wand is around the wrong way and turns it right.
—to be very careful—
SNAPE
He’s safe, Ron.
RON looks at HERMIONE, who nods.
RON
Thank Dumbledore for that.
ACT THREE SCENE SEVEN
CAMPAIGN ROOM
HERMIONE is sitting studying the Time-Turner as RON tries to digest it all.
RON
So you’re telling me that the whole of history rests on . . . Neville Longbottom? This is pretty wild.
HERMIONE
It’s true, Ron.
RON
Right. And you’re sure because . . .
HERMIONE
What he knows about Snape – about all of us – there’s no way he could . . .
RON
Maybe he’s a really good guesser?
SCORPIUS
I’m not. Can you help?
RON
We’re the only ones that can. Dumbledore’s Army has shrunk considerably since its peak, in fact, we’re pretty much all that’s left, but we’ve kept fighting on. Hiding in plain sight. Doing our best to tickle their nose hairs. Granger here is a wanted woman. I’m a wanted man.
SNAPE (dryly)
Less-wanted.
HERMIONE
To be clear: in this other world . . . before you meddled?
SCORPIUS
Voldemort is dead. Killed in the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry is Head of Magical Law Enforcement. You’re Minister for Magic.
HERMIONE stops, surprised by this, she looks up with a smile.
HERMIONE
I’m Minister for Magic?
RON (wanting to join the fun)
Brilliant. What do I do?
SCORPIUS
You run Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.
RON
Okay, so, she’s Minister for Magic and I run a – joke shop?
SCORPIUS looks at RON’s hurt face.
SCORPIUS
You’re mostly focused on bringing up your kids.
RON
Great. I expect their mother is hot.
SCORPIUS (blushing)
Well . . . um . . . depends what you think of . . . the thing is, you two, sort of have kids – together. A daughter and a son.
The two look up, astonished.
Married. In love. Everything. You were shocked the other time too. When you were Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and Ron was married to Padma. You’re constantly surprised by it.
HERMIONE and RON both look at each other and then look away. And then RON looks back. RON clears his throat repeatedly. With less conviction each time.
HERMIONE
Close your mouth when you’re looking at me, Weasley.
RON does so. Though he remains discombobulated.
And – Snape? What does Snape do in this other world?
SNAPE
I’m dead, presumably.
He looks at SCORPIUS. SCORPIUS’s face drops, SNAPE smiles thinly.
You were a little too surprised to see me. How?
SCORPIUS
Bravely.
SNAPE
Who?
SCORPIUS
Voldemort.
SNAPE
How very irritating.
There’s a silence
as SNAPE digests this.
Still, there’s glory in being taken down by the Dark Lord himself, I suppose.
HERMIONE
I’m sorry, Severus.
SNAPE looks at her, and then swallows the pain. He indicates RON with a flick of his head.
SNAPE
Well, at least I’m not married to him.
HERMIONE
Which spells did you use?
SCORPIUS
Expelliarmus in the first task and Engorgio in the second.
RON
Simple Shield Charms should set both of those right.
SNAPE
And then you left?
SCORPIUS
The Time-Turner took us back, yes. That’s the thing – this Time-Turner, you only get five minutes in the past.
HERMIONE
And can you still only move in time not space?
SCORPIUS
Yes, yes, it’s – uh – you travel back in the same spot you stand in—
HERMIONE
Interesting.
SNAPE and HERMIONE both know what this means.
SNAPE
Then it’s just me and the boy.
HERMIONE
No offence, Snape, but I’m not trusting this to anyone . . . it’s too important.
SNAPE
Hermione, you’re the most wanted rebel in the wizarding world. Doing this will require you to go outside. When was the last time you were outside?
HERMIONE
Not for a long time but—
SNAPE
If you’re found outside, the Dementors will kiss you – they’ll suck out your soul . . .
HERMIONE
Severus, I’m done with living off scraps, making failed attempts at coups, this is our chance to reset the world.
She nods at RON, who pulls down a map.
The first task of the tournament took place at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. We turn time here, get to the tournament – block the spell and then return safely. With precision – it can be done and it won’t require us to show our faces outside in our time at all. Then we’ll turn time again, make our way to the lake, and reverse the second task.
SNAPE
You’re risking everything—
HERMIONE
We get this right, Harry’s alive, Voldemort’s dead and the Augurey is gone. For that no risk is too great. Though I am sorry what it will cost you.
SNAPE
Sometimes costs are made to be borne.
The two look at each other, SNAPE nods, HERMIONE nods back, SNAPE’s face crumbles slightly.
I didn’t just quote Dumbledore, did I?
HERMIONE (with a smile)
No, I’m pretty sure that’s pure Severus Snape.
She turns to SCORPIUS, she indicates the Time-Turner.
Malfoy.
SCORPIUS brings her the Time-Turner. She smiles at it, excited to use a Time-Turner again, excited to use it for this.
Let’s hope this works.
She takes the Time-Turner, it begins to vibrate, and then it explodes into a storm of movement.
And there is a giant whoosh of light. A smash of noise.
And time stops. And then it turns over, thinks a bit, and begins spooling backwards, slow at first . . .
There is a bang and a flash, and our gang disappears.
ACT THREE SCENE EIGHT
EDGE OF THE FORBIDDEN FOREST, 1994
And we watch our scene from Part One replayed, but at the back of the stage rather than the front. We pick out ALBUS and SCORPIUS in their Durmstrang robes. And through it all we hear the ‘brilliant’ (his words again) LUDO BAGMAN.
SCORPIUS, HERMIONE, RON and SNAPE watch out anxiously.
LUDO BAGMAN
And Cedric Diggory has entered the stage. And he seems ready. Scared but ready. He dodges this way. He dodges that. The girls swoon as he dives for cover. They cry as one: don’t damage our Diggory, Mr Dragon. And Cedric skirts left and he dives right – and he readies his wand—
SNAPE
This is taking too long. The Time-Turner is spinning.
LUDO BAGMAN
What has this young, brave, handsome man got up his sleevies now?
As ALBUS attempts to summon Cedric’s wand, HERMIONE blocks his spell. He looks at his wand, disconsolate, unsure why it hasn’t worked.
And then the Time-Turner spins and they look at it and panic as they’re pulled into it.
A dog – he’s transfigured a stone into a dog – dog diggity Cedric Diggory – you are a doggy dynamo.
ACT THREE SCENE NINE
EDGE OF THE FORBIDDEN FOREST
They are returned from time, at the edge of the forest, and RON is in a lot of pain. SNAPE looks around, immediately aware of the mess they’re in.
RON
Ow. Ow. Owwwwwww.
HERMIONE
Ron . . . Ron . . . what has it done to you?
SNAPE
Oh no, I knew it.
SCORPIUS
The Time-Turner did something to Albus too. The first time we went back.
RON
Useful – time to – ow – tell us.
SNAPE
We’re above ground. We need to move. Now.
HERMIONE
Ron, you can still walk, come on . . .
RON does stand up, shouting in pain. SNAPE raises his wand.
SCORPIUS
Did it work?
HERMIONE
We blocked the spell. Cedric kept his wand. Yes. It worked.
SNAPE
But we came back to the wrong place – we are outside. You are outside.
RON
We need to use the Time-Turner again – get out of here—
SNAPE
We need to find shelter. We’re horribly exposed.
Suddenly from around the auditorium, the feel of the breath of an icy wind.
Some black robes arise around people. Black robes that become black shapes. That become Dementors.
HERMIONE
Too late.
SNAPE
This is a disaster.
HERMIONE (she realises what she has to do)
They’re after me, not any of you.
Ron. I love you and I always have. But the three of you need to run. Go. Now.
RON
What?
SCORPIUS
What?
Can we talk about the love thing first?
HERMIONE
This is still Voldemort’s world. And I am done with it. Reversing the next task will change everything.
SCORPIUS
But they’ll kiss you. They’ll suck out your soul.
HERMIONE
And then you’ll change the past. And then they won’t. Go. Now.
The Dementors sense them. From all sides screaming shapes descend.
SNAPE
Go! We go.
He pulls on SCORPIUS’s arm. SCORPIUS reluctantly goes with him.
HERMIONE looks at RON.
HERMIONE
You’re supposed to be going, too.
RON
Well, they are after me a bit and I really am in quite a lot of pain. And, you know, I’d rather be here. Expecto—
As he reaches up to cast the spell, HERMIONE stops his arm.
HERMIONE
Let’s keep them here and give the boy the best chance we can.
RON looks at her and then nods sadly.
HERMIONE
A daughter.
RON
And a son. I liked that idea too.
He looks around – he knows his fate.
I’m scared.
HERMIONE
Kiss me.
RON thinks and then does. And then the two are yanked apart. And pinned to the ground. And we watch as a golden-whitish haze is pulled from their bodies. They have their souls sucked from them. And it is terrifying. SCORPIUS watches – helplessly.
SNAPE
Let’s get down to the wate
r. Walk. Don’t run.
SNAPE looks at SCORPIUS.
Stay calm, Scorpius. They may be blind but they can sense your fear.
SCORPIUS looks at SNAPE.
SCORPIUS
They just sucked out their souls.
A Dementor swoops down low over them and settles in front of SCORPIUS.
SNAPE
Think of something else, Scorpius. Occupy your thoughts.
SCORPIUS
I feel cold. I can’t see. There’s a fog inside me – around me.
SNAPE
You’re a king, and I’m a professor. They’ll only attack with good reason. Think about those you love, think about why you’re doing this.
SCORPIUS
I can hear my mother. She wants me – my – help but she knows I can’t – help.
SNAPE
Listen to me, Scorpius. Think about Albus. You’re giving up your kingdom for Albus, right?
SCORPIUS is helpless. Consumed by all the Dementor is making him feel.
SNAPE
One person. All it takes is one person. I couldn’t save Harry for Lily. So now I give my allegiance to the cause she believed in. And it’s possible – that along the way I started believing in it myself.
SCORPIUS smiles at SNAPE. He steps decisively away from the Dementor.
SCORPIUS
The world changes and we change with it. I am better off in this world. But the world is not better. And I don’t want that.
Suddenly DOLORES UMBRIDGE emerges in front of them.
DOLORES UMBRIDGE
Professor Snape!
SNAPE
Professor Umbridge.
DOLORES UMBRIDGE
Have you heard the news? We’ve caught that traitorous Mudblood Hermione Granger. She was just out here.
SNAPE
That’s – fantastic.
DOLORES is staring at SNAPE. He looks back.
DOLORES UMBRIDGE
With you. Granger was with you.
SNAPE
With me? You’re mistaken.
DOLORES UMBRIDGE
With you and Scorpius Malfoy. A student I’m becoming increasingly concerned about.
SCORPIUS
Well . . .
SNAPE
Dolores, we’re late for class, so if you’ll excuse us . . .
DOLORES UMBRIDGE
If you’re late for class, why are you not heading back to the school? Why are you heading to the lake?
There’s a moment of pure silence. And then SNAPE does something hugely unusual – he smiles.
SNAPE
How long have you suspected?