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

DELPHINI DRAKE sees HARRY and relief floods out of her.

DELPHI: You're alive!

She embraces him. With fierceness. They hold for a beat. McGONAGALL is surprised by this.

I'm so sorry. I should've been there. I... all of us... we were so worried they had killed you... I just knew something was off when the Ministry took your body. Where have you been, Harry?

HARRY: There'll be time to catch up later.

DELPHI: Yes. Of course. Because we have to leave.

They separate, a smile breaks on her face.

I was here to borrow one of your broomsticks, in fact, before coming to see you, Minister.

PERCIVAL: Why? What have you gathered?

DELPHI: The location of their compound. Our contact on Knockturn Alley came through, map and all.

She hands a scrap of parchment to HARRY. He takes it eagerly, then passes it to SHACKLEBOLT.

The area is surrounded by concealed barriers and sensors. The only way around is to fly overhead and make landing on the roof. The Tempest are finally ours.

HARRY: Delphi! I could kiss you.

SHACKLEBOLT: They don't know you're alive, Harry. So, how can we use this to our advantage?

HARRY: I go in alone. Even if they know we're coming, it will create confusion.

SHACKLEBOLT and McGONAGALL look over the map.

SHACKLEBOLT: All we do is follow him in. We'll hide behind these doors. Then separate and search.

McGONAGALL: Don't we need to discuss the route you're taking — the —

PERCIVAL takes the map.

PERCIVAL: It's easy. Potter gets us in there. We zap You-Know-Who together. Done.

DELPHI: "Zap" him?

PERCIVAL (he corrects himself): Jinx him, bind him. What have you. Trust your Minister, Miss Drake. He won't let you down.

HARRY (ignoring PERCIVAL entirely): When can we be ready to attack?

DELPHI: Say the word.

SHACKLEBOLT: The Hit Wizards are standing by. They're prepared to bravely put themselves at risk.

HARRY: Good. No one enters before I do.

McGONAGALL: Loyalties have been wavering with the news of Voldemort's return. When the Aurors hear that you survived the Killing Curse again, they will unite behind you.

HARRY: We'll need it. Expect that curses will be flying in all directions.

PERCIVAL: While risking the lives of my family... We can't allow that to happen.

McGONAGALL: This is not the time for diplomacy, Minister.

PERCIVAL: I agree. This is war. And in times of war, drastic actions must be taken to preserve peace and safeguard those things we cherish most. We must act now, without delay.

DELPHI: What are you suggesting?

PERCIVAL: For something like this you need armaments less passive than wands, less inhibiting, yet still portable. (beat, he loops his arms behind his back) My commission of experimental defense researchers have made significant advancements toward weaponizing the more... problematic curses. Might be a massive advantage. I say the wise decision would be a two-pronged attack, one being myself and —

HARRY: You will do nothing — but sit on your hands — in your office — awaiting word of our success. Is that understood?

PERCIVAL: But, I —

SHACKLEBOLT: Harry's right. We don't need you for the battle.

PERCIVAL: Excuse me?

McGONAGALL: You shouldn't come — you're too big a risk. The Ministry will still need its leader, no matter the outcome.

PERCIVAL: This is my only sister! Penelope's sister-in-law! Our niece and nephews! I will not sit idly by while —

HARRY (getting louder): And it is my wife and children!

PERCIVAL: Face it, Potter. You tried to defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and failed. It's time we try a different tack.

HARRY gets to his feet, all action and resolve. The MAN IN THE PORTRAIT shrinks.

HARRY: I'm warning you, if I see anything more than a magic wand on this mission... if any harm comes to my family... I will bring down the Ministry of Magic with my bare hands.

ETHEL (with a gasp): Have you just issued a threat, Prime Enforcer?

PERCIVAL: I believe he did.

SHACKLEBOLT (cautiously): Maybe if we could concentrate — on the matter at hand...

PERCIVAL: Professor, if I may —

SHACKLEBOLT: You may not.

PERCIVAL (tentative): I could fight. I was a Gryffindor, you know. I can be brave. Fearless, even.

McGONAGALL: Your courage is... commendable, Minister Clearwater. But I'm not sure being fearless is going to be good for your health.

PERCIVAL looks at McGONAGALL a second and then exits with much harrumphing. ETHEL is close behind.

HARRY (powerfully): Everyone. Gear up. Delphi and I will gather every able-bodied wizard and witch in my department. Professor McGonagall, begin marshaling forces to fight in the limited way they can. Kingsley...

SHACKLEBOLT: I'll get the Aurors summoned immediately.

McGONAGALL and SHACKLEBOLT turn to exit.

HARRY: We'll meet in Hyde Park at dusk. Tell everyone to bring their fastest brooms.

And just like that, HARRY and DELPHI are left alone in his office. The MAN IN THE PORTRAIT goes to a coat rack in the painting and begins trying on hats. HARRY stares blankly at his desk.

DELPHI: What is it?

HARRY: The Time-Turner. It's in the middle drawer.

DELPHI: You're not considering using it, are you? (she leans forward to compel his eye contact) Harry, you cannot alter the past, no matter how desirable the outcome. Those were your words.

HARRY: No, but I could leave the present. Travel forward. I could see what happens during the raid on their compound... learn how to avoid any setbacks. I can't screw this up, Delphi. My family...

DELPHI: Then you should go. Have a look.

Beat.

What's stopping you?

HARRY: Theodore Nott. He told me I wasn't going to use it. Not yet. I just don't want to regret... not making the right decision. Ginny would know what to do.

DELPHI: What would she tell you to do?

HARRY: Not use it. (he laughs) I guess I have my answer.

DELPHI (suddenly meek): Harry, I... I had to do something I don't think you'll approve of — in order to get the information we needed — to learn the location of their compound.

HARRY: Did you hurt them?

DELPHI (looking ashamed): Yes. I used an unforg —

HARRY (coldly): I don't care. They took my family.

DELPHI smiles weakly.

DELPHI: I thought you might say that.

HARRY: Did anyone see?

DELPHI: No.

HARRY: Then... Auror's privilege.

DELPHI: Auror's privilege.

HARRY's gaze travels back to his desk, this time to the unassuming wand box situated beside a hovering Golden Snitch encased in glass.

HARRY: I need a wand.

HARRY thinks. DELPHI moves for the wand box.

No!

His command has a strange resonance in the auditorium. As if the echo holds the vastness of HARRY's willpower.

I... I can't.

DELPHI: Harry, if it could work — why not? You need to be at your best if you want to stop Voldemort and save your family.

HARRY: I still don't know exactly what's going on, Delphi. My scar hurts, and if there is some part of him still inside me... I need to protect everyone by avoiding any connection with him entirely. I'm not using his wand. I can't.

Stumbling over his own feet, HARRY moves rapidly to his closet where he takes down a few wand boxes, finds one he approves of and pockets it. He then begins adding curious apparel to his outfit, including a spell-scarred leather chest piece and a thicker cloak. HARRY loses his balance as he slips his arms through the sleeves. DELPHI looks concerned.

DELPHI: Hang on, Harry. Harry. (she helps him steady himself) You were practically dead fifteen minutes ago. Are you sure you're up to the task? You could stay behind, let the rest of us take lead. This is Lord Voldemort we're talking here.

HARRY adjusts the straps on his chest piece and reaches for one of his broomsticks on the wall. DELPHI follows suit. Two of HARRY's brooms sail into their hands. His face hardens.

HARRY: I just survived the killing curse for the third time. They can do their worst.

Beat, he tugs firmly on his cloak.

I'm the boy who bloody lived.