MEMORY, FUNERAL OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

Silence. The stage is completely dark. The pause is felt, and it is necessary.

Ethereal music is heard all around. Then a faint, nearly imperceptible light appears. Ever so gradually, the light brightens and we see a tomb of flawless white marble. It is engraved with the name DUMBLEDORE.

Then a new light appears. Within the halo it creates on the stage stands a young girl with red hair, in a shabby but delightful dress. She is facing the audience. Her expression is filled with apprehension, she is very slowly wringing her hands. It is YOUNG GINNY.

The voice of a boy is heard from off. It sounds older than it should, in many respects. Every heartfelt word he speaks is wearisome, sorrowful, and deliberate. It is the voice of YOUNG HARRY. The audience is to believe that they are witnessing a memory from HARRY POTTER's point of view.

YOUNG HARRY (from off): Ginny, listen... I can't be involved with you anymore. We've got to stop seeing each other. We can't be together.

YOUNG GINNY: It's for some stupid, noble reason, isn't it?

YOUNG HARRY (from off): It's been like... like something out of someone else's life, these last few weeks with you. But I can't... we can't... I've got things to do alone now. (beat) Voldemort uses people his enemies are close to. He's already used you as bait once, and that was just because you're my best friend's sister. Think how much danger you'll be in if we keep this up. He'll know, he'll find out. He'll try and get to me through you.

YOUNG GINNY (fiercely): What if I don't care?

YOUNG HARRY (from off): I care. How do you think I'd feel if this was your funeral... and it was my fault?

The light engulfing DUMBLEDORE's tomb softens to black. YOUNG GINNY looks somehow older, her emotional state is felt through the soulful, long-lasting delivery of this moment, in both dialogue and expression — revealing precisely why HARRY recalls it so clearly.

YOUNG GINNY: I never really gave up on you. Not really. I always hoped... Hermione told me to get on with life, maybe go out with some other people, relax a bit around you... because I never used to be able to talk if you were in the room, remember? And she thought you might take a bit more notice if I was a bit more... myself.

YOUNG HARRY (from off): Smart girl, that Hermione. I just wish I'd asked you sooner. We could 've had ages — months — years maybe.

YOUNG GINNY (half-laughing): But you've been too busy saving the wizarding world.

She looks down and reaches out a hand, as if taking YOUNG HARRY's in her own. YOUNG GINNY lifts her eyes to face the audience again.

Well, I can't say I'm surprised. I knew this would happen in the end. I knew you wouldn't be happy unless you were hunting Voldemort.

The gossamer light surrounding YOUNG GINNY begins to darken. It cannot hide her emerging, delicate smile.

Maybe that's why I like you so much.