MINISTRY OF MAGIC, OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

Lights come up on a quaint room. Crooked towers of books surround a single, overflowing bookcase. There is a rack of broomsticks and a fine desk inundated with mounds of half-rolled scrolls by stacks of parchment and folders. Spotlighted is an unassuming wand box situated beside a hovering Golden Snitch encased in glass and an animated photograph of a happy family. Other photographs share space on the stone wall with a large framed painting of a Ministry official seated at the same desk.

The MAN IN THE PORTRAIT is sleeping soundly. His snoring ceases when the door begins to rattle. The rattling comes to a stop. MAN IN THE PORTRAIT leaves his chair and strains to hear the discussion happening in the corridor. The door swings wide, knocking over a stack of books. HARRY enters in a rush, followed closely by GINNY, who looks troubled.

GINNY: Didn't mean to startle you.

HARRY: I assume you've gotten word from McGonagall? Did Al disturb the Sorting Ceremony again?

GINNY: It's nothing like that, Harry.

HARRY walks his briefcase to the desk. He finds a place to put it, along with AMOS DIGGORY's cap.

HARRY: What are you doing here?

GINNY (smiling faintly): Does a woman need an excuse to see her husband?

HARRY (distantly): Hmm? No. Of course not, sweetheart. I've just... Forgive me, it's been a very difficult morning. Your brother...

GINNY: I heard. Voldemort's back! (she giggles, still looking uncomfortable) I should have owl'd. I suppose I wanted to surprise you, but... I should've known better.

HARRY: What you saw in the corridor, I... It was nothing. I had just made her my Second In Command and —

GINNY (taken aback): Your second?

HARRY: It's not as if she hasn't earned it.

GINNY leans down to restack the books. There's a pause.

GINNY: So, you'll be seeing a lot more of each other.

HARRY: Ginny, I...

GINNY (standing): You don't need to say it, Harry. I understand that it looks more threatening than it is. It's all right.

HARRY touches her face. He gives GINNY a long kiss before walking back to the desk. GINNY follows and begins sorting the mess of papers and scrolls.

HARRY: I know the way it must feel. I can't involve you in my day-to-day. I wish I could, in fact. There's much that confuses me right now.

GINNY: I have a suggestion of how you can overcome some of that stress. (she gestures to the untidiness) Conceivably, less paperwork would do the trick. You know, that's why I had George make you that quill that writes in your own handwriting. Give it to that Delphi girl. Have her wade through this mess. She needs to earn her keep.

HARRY's eyes linger on the wand box. GINNY notices.

GINNY: Is that...?

HARRY: Yes. Voldemort's wand. Delphi believes I should use it, that the phoenix tail core will remember me. (beat) She makes a compelling argument and, I'll admit, it would be nice to do magic properly again. Lately, I —

GINNY (earnestly): Harry, you mustn't. I know better than anyone. It's wise to steer clear of items that Lord Voldemort once possessed.

HARRY: Well, it's not as if it's a Horcrux.

GINNY: I know that, Harry, but you must protect yourself. Who's to say Voldemort didn't leave behind a trap that was meant to harm you in some way... long after his death?

HARRY sits at his desk, opens the briefcase, and begins to remove the items within. In the silence, GINNY approaches the painting and smiles at the MAN IN THE PORTRAIT, who removes his tall wizard's cap and bows. With her back turned, HARRY hastily removes the Time-Turner from his pocket and places it in a drawer.

HARRY: I had to tell them about the Horcruxes, actually. Percy gave me no choice. The people needed to know why I could be so confident Voldemort would never return, but I'm afraid it only created room for doubt. Delphi suggested that we go on a goodwill tour to guide public discourse on the matter. Especially since Percy has granted the Daily Prophet an exclusive.

MAN IN THE PORTRAIT: Good day to you, Madam. It's nice to see a different woman in here for a change.

GINNY looks stung by his words, it's obvious that MAN IN THE PORTRAIT was referring to DELPHI. Distressed, she has a sudden shift in attitude. GINNY adjusts her hair, pinches her cheeks, and puts on a smile. She glides over to HARRY and playfully thrusts his chair away from the desk so she can sit on his knee. She leans down and gently kisses him on both cheeks.

GINNY (coy and smiling): How is it you've grown handsomer and handsomer as you've aged? And you're taller.

HARRY (with a laugh): I'm sitting, Ginny.

GINNY plays with his hair. She prefers it messy.

GINNY: Remember how worried I was that Lily might not be getting her acceptance letter to Hogwarts? Well, the house is empty now and life will start getting easier for us. We'll be... I don't know.... different. Isn't that exciting?

HARRY (looking past her at the newspaper): Mmm hmm.

GINNY: Let's have another baby.

HARRY (suddenly alert): What?

GINNY (excitedly): Or if not another baby, a holiday. I want a baby or a holiday, and I'm going to insist on it.

HARRY: A baby — OR — a holiday?

GINNY: I think it would do wonders, don't you? In this new version of us — I had in my head.

HARRY: This probably should be discussed when you have my fullest attention. And today has been just about the busiest day I've had in years so —

GINNY, smiling ear to ear, kisses him then covers his mouth with her hand.

GINNY: Shut up. Will you shut up for once?

Pause for another kiss. A thought occurs to GINNY.

I want to do one of those marriage renewal things I've read about.

HARRY (muffled): You want to marry me again?

GINNY: Marriage renewal. What do you think?

GINNY allows him to speak.

HARRY: It seems — unnecessary — if you want my opinion.

GINNY: We were so young when we did it the first time — well, to be honest, I can't remember much of it and... We were parents right away with Teddy. I've always wanted a chance with...just us. The truth is — I love you, Harry Potter, and whatever time says — I'd like the opportunity to say so in front of lots of other people. Again. As a woman.

HARRY: You're sweet. And I love you, too. But I really don't have the time for this, Gin. Shall we talk about it later, honey? Maybe with a drink in the Leaky Cauldron?

GINNY stands and forces a smile. HARRY shows his exhaustion with a weak laugh.

HARRY: I want to be excited about this with you, but you're... you're throwing a lot at me. Take a look at the headlines of the Daily Prophet, and you can have an idea of the number of things on my plate right now.

GINNY: It's fine. I should go...

GINNY frowns and looks away.

HARRY (losing his patience): I spend every day patching cracks in the walls, and more of them always seem to spring up. I'm worried it's all gonna come crashing down on me if I'm not careful. The last thing I need —

GINNY (quickly): Don't say what you're about to say. I... (GINNY puts out a hand as if trying to stop his thoughts with magic) I shouldn't have suggested... I... wasn't thinking.

Visibly hurt, GINNY walks away from the desk trying not to cry. HARRY sighs. He knows he's failing her.

HARRY: Things will slow down, Gin. I know they will. (beat) It's only work.

GINNY turns to look at him, the joy on her face has been replaced with overwhelming concern.

GINNY: That's not true. I could handle your busy work life — even the loneliness of our home. And bed. But there's more going on. (beat) I may act strong or act like it doesn't bother me that she's around you so often. But, I'm sorry, Harry. I can't pretend not to be bothered by it.

HARRY: The Tempest got the jump on me last time. If it wasn't for —

GINNY: I'm sure she was amazing. Thank her for me, will you? (beat) Don't think I haven't noticed the way she looks at you. Even the boys have noticed. I'm embarrassed, frankly.

HARRY: Delphi is supposed to be a support mechanism for the decisions I have to make.

GINNY: And that was much easier when the role was filled by my brother.

GINNY looks more defeated by the second.

My seer says the two of you have... a connection. Is that true?

HARRY (inelegantly): I — I don't know. We work well together.

GINNY: That's not reassuring.

HARRY: What do you want me to say?

GINNY: How about, No, Ginny. You're bloody stupid for saying that. I love you.

HARRY: Stop. I do love you. I'll keep saying it if I must. And let's consider the source, shall we? Your seer vanished for ten years after Voldemort was defeated because so many of her visions were wrong that people demanded their money back.

GINNY: She denies that.

HARRY: Well, forgive me if I don't rush to give people in her field an ounce of credit. (Harry stops himself) I know you enjoy your time with her. I want to encourage that. I don't mean to be critical, but you know how I feel about —

GINNY (looking deflated): It's okay, Harry. I know. You don't have to explain yourself. (beat) There's just been so much on my mind. I feel like none of us are ourselves. (her voice is brimming with emotion) Ron. You, me, Albus. I've just been looking for a sign, any reassurance that this is only a phase of life. I need to know that. Because I feel like some part of who we are is slipping away.

A stretch of silence lingers like a storm cloud on stage. Even the lights dim momentarily.

HARRY: What's the real reason you're here?

GINNY: Mum brought the family clock over if you can believe it. Says she doesn't need it any longer.

HARRY: I told you to ignore what it said about Teddy. And do we even have room for that thing in our house?

GINNY: We'll find out. The clock is in the front room for now. It'll go in the kitchen most likely. Dad says we should be keeping a constant watch on Albus. That a third year Slytherin is not to be trifled with.

HARRY: I seem to recall him saying that about a second year Slytherin a few months back.

GINNY: Yes, well... today they were more concerned with what the clock had to say about you.

HARRY: Let me guess. They thought my gear was broken because I've been pointed in the direction of WORK for two years straight. Or — wait — with all I've been dealing with today, MORTAL PERIL.

GINNY: No, Harry. This morning your lever was pointing at CONFLICTED. It was still there after I got dressed and went to the floo to check on you.

HARRY: Conflicted. That's a first.

GINNY: Yes — it is. Mum says there's been only one time any of us moved to CONFLICTED, and it was Percy when he started working as Junior Assistant to Cornelius Fudge. They were using him for information and he knew it. (beat) Why would the clock say that about you? Do you know?

HARRY: Your guess is as good as mine. I'd rather not have that clock in the house. Lily will get worried when she comes home for Christmas that, by summer, she won't have a father—with all I get caught up in these days.

GINNY: I'm not concerned with her. But I am concerned with me. I want my husband. I want him safe. Don't push us away, Harry. No matter what happens. I know it's your tendency to keep us distant for our —

HARRY: For your own good.

GINNY: But they need you. As much of you as they can get. And I need you, as well. I understand that the needs of a wife pale in comparison to the needs of the wizarding world, and you're the best there ever was at this job, (the MAN IN THE PORTRAIT grumbles to himself) but to me, you are so much more than the Prime Enforcer or the Boy Who Lived. You're the man I would spend every waking moment with if I could. I love you, Harry. I've always loved you, just as you are.

HARRY: Ginny, I love you, too. I know I've been busy. Too busy. I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry for... (beat) You know that everything I am... Every decision I make... I may not always know the smartest thing to do in any situation until it's staring me square in the face, but I'm trying.

GINNY: I know. Just maybe try a little harder when it comes to your family. We're nothing without you.

HARRY: That's not true. (he laughs) It's you we'd be nothing without. Our kids would be feral beasts living in the Forbidden Forest, were it not for your influence and gentleness.

GINNY: That may be how it appears, Harry, but it's not true. It's you, it's been that way from the start. (beat) I'm sorry I argued with you, Harry. I shouldn't be jealous. It's stupid. You just... you see her more than you see me. And she's so beautiful.

HARRY: You don't think you're beautiful to me?

GINNY: I don't feel like it. Forty is right around the corner.

HARRY: George will be pleased. Congratulations, Ginny!

HARRY and GINNY: Halfway to eighty!

Glad to be laughing again, GINNY kisses HARRY passionately, deeply. She holds both of his hands for a perfect moment.

GINNY: You're doing so well. We're proud of you, and all that you've sacrificed. I have known since I was a girl that Harry Potter would succeed at anything he put his mind to. (she places the palm of her hand on his cheek) Put your mind on us.

GINNY exits. The door closes and HARRY is standing alone in his office.

MAN IN THE PORTRAIT: She does make a fair point.

HARRY: Quiet, Beggarsbush! I meant what I said last week. I will turn your frame upside down if you don't learn your place.

MAN IN THE PORTRAIT shrieks and hurries back to his desk where he diligently gets to work on nothing at all.