HOGWARTS, STAIRCASES

The castle is asleep. ALBUS and SCORPIUS walk up a staircase, looking around as they do. HARRY enters behind his son. The surrounding portraits are roused by the sight of him.

The staircases move in almost a dance, separating HARRY from the boys. ALBUS walks up one staircase. SCORPIUS hesitates for a moment. The boy makes an apprehensive expression at HARRY. SCORPIUS slumps in place as the staircase sweeps around, separating ALBUS and SCORPIUS, who walks up his own. HARRY walks up another.

The staircases meet. HARRY is a foot away from ALBUS — their estrangement never clearer. And then ALBUS looks away and the moment is broken — and with it, possibly, a second chance.

SCORPIUS gestures for ALBUS to jump. He does, dangerously. The two boys look at each other. Lost and hopeful — all at once. ALBUS turns back to HARRY. And now the staircases part — the two look at each other — one full of guilt — the other full of disappointment — both full of unhappiness.

And then HARRY disappears ever up.