HARRY AND GINNY POTTER'S HOUSE, KITCHEN

HARRY walks unhappily down a staircase. He puts on his glasses. The house is dark, except for a glow emanating from the kitchen. GINNY is sitting at the table eating porridge. HARRY enters. She looks at him.

GINNY: Oh. Sorry. Did I wake you?

HARRY: No, I had a nightmare.

He opens the ice box, pours himself a drink, and takes a seat on a stool near the door. He grunts. HARRY and GINNY sit far apart. The Weasley family clock stands between them.

GINNY: A nightmare?

HARRY: Yes.

GINNY: About what?

HARRY: The Dursleys — well, it started there — then it became something else. (HARRY hesitates, revisiting the nightmare in his mind) I was dreaming about the first time I spoke Parseltongue.

GINNY: At the zoo. Your cousin Dudley's birthday.

HARRY: Yes — I was watching the snake escape its habitat and then I — I heard him — Voldemort — so clearly. I haven't had a dream like it for years.

GINNY: Voldemort? Harry...

HARRY: He was speaking through the snake. When I realized it was Nagini, I was too late. It... (HARRY pantomimes the snake diving into his throat) ...just like it had done with Bathilda Bagshot. Nagini wanted to control me. From inside.

GINNY: That's terrifying. What do you think it means?

HARRY: Nothing. It's just a dream.

GINNY (in a timid voice): You're sure?

HARRY: Entirely.

GINNY stands with her bowl and spoon, then takes HARRY's empty glass and brings everything to the kitchen sink. HARRY is pacing around the small room. He touches his forehead. GINNY starts washing the dishes.

GINNY: You could be getting bad dreams because you're worried about Albus... (beat, she peers over her shoulder) And your scar could be hurting because you're getting old.

HARRY: Getting old? (he laughs) Honestly, every time I sit down now I make an "ooof" noise. An "ooof."

GINNY (looking troubled): So, your scar is hurting?

HARRY (trips in surprise): What? No. I've already explained —

GINNY: You didn't deny it just then. That's all.

HARRY: Ginny, what's going on? What are you doing up at this hour?

GINNY: Can't sleep.

HARRY approaches the clock. He studies it before glancing over at her.

HARRY: Come back to bed. Do you want a Sleeping Draught?

GINNY: No. I'll be fine.

HARRY: You don't seem fine.

GINNY: Me?

GINNY spins off the faucet. She returns to her seat at the table without a sound. Time passes sluggishly.

It's the clock. I cannot take my eyes off of it.

HARRY (pointing): I know it says that Teddy is in MORTAL PERIL, but until we know anything for sure...

GINNY: I trust... (she stops herself) I believe that if I needed to — say goodbye — you would tell me.

HARRY hesitates. He looks unresolved. GINNY is just sitting, studying the family clock as HARRY tries to process it all.

HARRY (looking closer, he adjusts his glasses): IMMINENT DANGER? So, that's what's upsetting you.

GINNY (nodding): It's the first night at Hogwarts and Albus is in danger. It hasn't budged for hours.

HARRY: No wonder you can't sleep.

GINNY: Something's wrong, I can feel it.

HARRY: It's Malfoy's son.

GINNY: He has a name.

GINNY reaches into her pocket. She removes a medium sized, ruby red egg. The color of the shell is faded and aged in spots. GINNY places it on the kitchen table with a thud.

I knew I should've used this on him, but I just... thought I was overreacting.

HARRY: What is that?

GINNY: A fossilized Chimaera egg. It's Mum's.

HARRY (sounding cautious): Should I be concerned about this?

GINNY: I didn't want to tell you. I thought my worries would only confirm your prejudice against Slytherin house, but now I wish I had.

She looks up at the clock, then back down at the egg.

Chimaera eggs have been said to radiate brief, but powerful defensive magic that can only be — absorbed — while you sleep. Then it lasts for a day or so. At least that's how the legend goes. They are fragile, so only a fossilized Chimaera egg is strong enough to withstand the pressure.

HARRY: What pressure?

GINNY: To be under your pillow at night. I only know what this is because my mother would make me slip it under Fred and George's pillows when they came home for Christmas. Alternating every week or so. I had a light step back then. Lighter than Mum's, that is.

HARRY (dubiously): Sleeping on an old egg protects you from Dark Magic? This is starting to sound...

GINNY: I know. You don't have to say it. Mothers were desperate back then, I understand that now. You had been attacked in your bed as a child. No one could understand how a defenseless boy was able to survive the Killing Curse.

HARRY: That couldn't have been cheap.

GINNY: No. I honestly don't know how she could afford it back then. But a mother will go to any lengths to protect her own. (beat, she admires the egg) They're all bought up now. Passed down through the family.

HARRY looks skeptical. GINNY brushes it off with a shrug.

I'm sure it doesn't even work. I mean, you wouldn't know unless you attacked a child.

HARRY: Probably some opportunistic wizard with a lot of fossilized eggs looking to cash-in on a craze.

GINNY (with a laugh): Sounds like something Fred would've done.

HARRY (mockingly): "How did the Potter boy live, you wonder? Buy this rare egg and see for yourself."

GINNY: Something like that. Mum brought it over the moment she learned Al was sorted into Slytherin.

HARRY: And you think I'm prejudiced against them. (HARRY faces the clock) Eggs, Magic Clocks, Sorting Hats, bad dreams and the visions of seers... Al is going to be his own person. As his parents, all we can do is wait — wait for the moment he either succeeds or fails. (beat) I just wish he was more like James or Lily.

GINNY: Al is different. We used to think that was a good thing.

HARRY: I still do.

GINNY: But...

HARRY: But what he needs are new friends. Better friends.

GINNY: No, what he needs is for you to be there for him. I... I do, too.

With a deep breath, HARRY approaches GINNY. He leans down to kiss her. She sits further back.

HARRY (nodding, gives her space): The clock has you pointing to CONFLICTED now. Why is that?

GINNY takes an envelope out of her pocket and slides it across the kitchen table.

GINNY: A Ministry owl came while you were sleeping. It's from her.

HARRY reaches for the letter.

HARRY: Delphi? What does it say?

GINNY (impassioned): I'm not allowed to read it. "For Harry's Eyes Only". (beat, GINNY glares) She really doesn't like me, does she?

HARRY: How could she? You've never tried to get to know one another.

GINNY: I don't need to know her.

HARRY: Why are you letting yourself get this upset about a confidential dispatch?

GINNY: Because I'm worried about us. Isn't that evident?

HARRY: I guess. I mean, you could've made it — more evident — I suppose.

GINNY: I don't advertise the fact. I prefer not to be seen as a tragic case, you know?

GINNY watches him carefully. HARRY rolls his eyes.

HARRY: I'll just go back to the bedroom, then. Shall I?

GINNY (getting more irascible by the second): Not at all. I can leave the room if you want to read Delphi's private message in private.

HARRY: Sorry. That's — I didn't mean — I just — don't understand what's going on.

GINNY: Maybe next time I'll simply send back a howler.

HARRY: You'll do no such thing.

GINNY (she's had enough): That girl went to school with Teddy. And James! She could be your daughter, Harry!

HARRY: What does her age have to do with anything? There's nothing going on between us, Ginny! I love you.

GINNY: Well, you have a funny way of showing it.

GINNY looks accusingly at HARRY. Growling, he pulls out a chair at the other end of the table. HARRY sits testily. A short house elf in a striped dressing gown and night cap, ROBESPIERRE, appears in the doorway. He sees what's happening and stays a moment. ROBESPIERRE notices GINNY and HARRY sitting apart. He enters, squints in the light, and runs hard up to them. Surprised to see their house elf, HARRY takes ROBESPIERRE by the hand.

HARRY (with sensitivity): Robespierre, why aren't you sleeping?

ROBESPIERRE (he indicates off): I heard someone screaming upstairs, Master Harry. It sounded... like a man.

GINNY: Harry had a bad dream.

ROBESPIERRE is holding another envelope. It carries the Hogwarts crest. The writing is in emerald-green ink. HARRY takes the envelope as ROBESPIERRE walks over to GINNY.

HARRY: From Hogwarts. Where did you get this?

HARRY tears it open.

GINNY (to herself): Imminent danger.

ROBESPIERRE: I was unnerved, Master, so I lit a candle. It flew to my window.

GINNY (concerned): Bit late for an owl, isn't it?

HARRY (reading): It's from Professor McGonagall.

GINNY: What does it say?

HARRY stands, still reading.

HARRY (suddenly alarmed): Ginny, it's Albus — Albus and Scorpius — they never made it to school. They're missing.

He drops the letter and rushes out of the room. GINNY lights her wand to see HARRY rummaging through the hallway closet. He rolls out a large chest, fiddles with the locks, and opens it. HARRY takes out a scrap of parchment and returns to the kitchen.

GINNY: What is that?

HARRY: The Marauder's Map.

He points his wand at the parchment.

"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good."

GINNY (in a hush): Hmm... That's what I'm afraid of.

HARRY looks at GINNY. He hears the implication in her emphasis and sighs. HARRY returns to his inspection of the map. ROBESPIERRE looks at HARRY and then GINNY.

HARRY (his face twisting into a frustrated snarl): Well, I've found him.

GINNY: At the castle?

HARRY shakes his head.

HARRY: Not exactly. Al is in the Forbidden Forest — with him.

GINNY: Well, they are together at least. What on earth would they be doing there?

HARRY: I don't know. They aren't moving.

GINNY: That does it! Harry. Will you get the Floo powder, or shall I?

GINNY moves their house elf aside and rushes to a cabinet in the kitchen. She takes out a small, childishly painted flower pot. HARRY grins. He speeds toward her and takes the pot. HARRY kisses GINNY.

HARRY: I like this side of you.

GINNY: It's always here. (beat, she kisses back) Get to the Forbidden Forest and find them both.

HARRY marches to the darkened living room and sets the flower pot on the mantle. GINNY grabs the egg off the kitchen table and follows.

And if he's still alive — after you scold him — find a way to get this egg under his pillow. I don't care what you think about it. I need all the assurances I can get. Do you hear me?

ROBESPIERRE enters the living room with GINNY's lit wand. He shines it on them just as HARRY pockets the egg and takes GINNY by the hand.

HARRY: I hear you about... work. I will try to be —

GINNY: Fine. That's fine.

HARRY: I need you to trust me.

GINNY: I want to trust you. I do. (beat, with conviction) I do trust you. I just... don't trust her.

ROBESPIERRE pulls on the belt of HARRY's housecoat. HARRY looks down.

ROBESPIERRE: Is Master Albus all right, sir?

HARRY: Yes, Robe. But it's my job to make sure he stays all right. (to GINNY) Don't give up on me, Gin.

GINNY: I haven't. Find him, Harry.

HARRY fits his wand and the map into his housecoat. He grabs a handful of sparkling powder from the flower pot and ducks into the large hearth. GINNY watches him go, hopeful he'll be walking back into the room before long. HARRY exits as a burst of intense emerald-green flames illuminate the living room. When they recede, only the light from GINNY's wand remains. ROBESPIERRE points it at the empty floo.

ROBESPIERRE: Might I fix us a spot of tea?

GINNY: No, thank you. Nox that and let's get some sleep.

ROBESPIERRE: As much as we're able, Mistress.

GINNY: Quite right.

ROBESPIERRE: Nox.

The light dims from GINNY's wand.

Fade to black.