Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter, #8)(32)

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 realizes his wand is the wrong way around 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 Defense 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, whose 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.

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 offense, 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.