KING'S CROSS — PRESENT

HERMIONE hurries to stop them, arms spread wide.

PERCIVAL: Your compassion is to be admired, Hermione — but when man is unwilling to acquiesce, the might of a higher authority will usurp him.

HERMIONE: One more chance. He's owed that, at least.

PERCIVAL sighs and she faces DELPHI.

Go. Tell him to come out.

RON (to HERMIONE, under his breath): What are you doing? She's part of the problem here.

HERMIONE (to RON): Harry listens to her.

PERCIVAL: Tick-tock.

HERMIONE rushes to DELPHI.

HERMIONE (to DELPHI): Refusing an order from the Minister of Magic is a high crime. The sentence far outweighs the offense of dueling in front of Muggles.

DELPHI: He knows that already.

HERMIONE: Then he's confused. Remind him. This makes Harry look suspicious to the Rita Skeeters of the world. They don't see him like... like we see him. He's playing right into their hands. (beat) It'll get much worse if he resists. I can't help Harry if he resists.

DELPHI nods and approaches the ticket counter. She is alone.

PERCIVAL: Miss Drake...

She turns back worriedly.

Tidy up this mess, will you?

HARRY sees DELPHI coming. He takes a step back. She joins him behind the counter.

DELPHI (timidly): The world has gone crazy, have you noticed?

HARRY: You shouldn't be here.

DELPHI: But here I am anyway. Talking to you.

HARRY is looking past her.

HARRY: Well, I can't talk so...

DELPHI: You have to. You think you can just ignore everything that's happened?

PERCIVAL: Hiding is beneath you, Potter. Come out. Promptly!

HARRY: What have I become, Delphi?

DELPHI: You haven't become anything — you simply are as you are.

HARRY: What if I'm still a Horcrux? (beat) Maybe I should turn myself in. Let them — destroy it.

DELPHI: What? And have them kill you?

HARRY: Then tell me what to do.

DELPHI: Your soul is intact and greater than any splinter of his. Be yourself, not a Horcrux. And restore the wizarding world.

HARRY: But how do I restore the wizarding world if I'm the problem?

HARRY swallows and they look at one another for a long time.

PERCIVAL: How much blood is on your hands, Harry Potter? Don't make this worse.

HARRY (to DELPHI): Voldemort must be stopped. I won't become who they want me to be. I'll die before I do that. There has to be an answer out there somewhere.

DELPHI: And you'll find it. Is there any way you can escape?

HARRY: I doubt it.

PERCIVAL: This is my last warning!

DELPHI: Then we need to consider using the Time-Turner. What if —?

There is a loud scuffle. A few spells flash unexpectedly across the stage. HARRY hears voices behind them. A Ministry official from stage right is sent upwards and away, flung over the train car. Stage left, PERCIVAL and his forces are surprised. They can see what's coming before we can. A dramatic choral melody is heard, it builds in volume as the scene progresses.

Suddenly, members of The Tempest emerge from behind the ticket counter, they're running. They come to a stop, wands and weapons at the ready. Among the former Death Eaters are werewolves, goblins, vampires, house elves, and a massive troll. But that's not all. Booming footsteps rattle the auditorium as a shadow spreads long across the stage, darkening the skylights. There's a distant scream.

DRACO: There's a giant outside. Anyone seeing this? A bloody giant.

GEORGE: Oh no.

PERCIVAL: What's the meaning of...? Harry — is this your doing?!

HARRY: The Tempest. What are they —? 

DELPHI: They've come to save you.

HARRY looks out in amazement as ROBESPIERRE steps forward. Opposite him, SHACKLEBOLT orders GEORGE to remove DRACO as their forces gather to prepare for battle. GEORGE and DRACO exit. RON and HERMIONE remain but look hesitant. The weight of this moment is felt by all.

HARRY: Robespierre? Since when are the elves involved?

DELPHI: You didn't hear. Minister Clearwater dismantled Hermione's department this morning.

ETHEL: The Muggles! They've shown themselves to the Muggles!

PERCIVAL: I command you, by the authority of —

ROBESPIERRE (to PERCIVAL): We no longer recognize your authority.

PERCIVAL waves his hand at ETHEL as if to ask if she's listening.

PERCIVAL: You are exposing our world. You must turn back now and rejoin —

ROBESPIERRE: We are through hiding. For centuries, we have had to live half-lives, oppressed and controlled by your structures of authority. We have been enslaved and shamed into hiding.

HERMIONE: You're not wrong, Robe. But this isn't the way.

ROBESPIERRE: Why must we limit our freedoms? Why must we not be allowed to exist?

PERCIVAL is suddenly alarmed at these words.

PERCIVAL (stammering): It is - a regrettable necessity. One that guarantees —

ROBESPIERRE: Today, we recover our rights. Today we eliminate the prejudices that have kept us chained. The domination of the Ministry of Magic has ended.

HERMIONE: Please, don't do this.

PERCIVAL: Our governing body - has stood strong for over - three hundred years.

ROBESPIERRE (steady): Empires fall.

PERCIVAL: You are outmatched!

ROBESPIERRE: True.

PERCIVAL: You are ungoverned!

ROBESPIERRE: Deliberately.

ROBESPIERRE faces HARRY. Gradually, each member of The Tempest turns their heads toward HARRY. They consider him with urgent expressions of belief and loyalty.

But we will be led.

There is a sense of gentle recognition on HARRY's face as he steps out from behind the counter. One by one, the many different magical breeds genuflect as a gesture of reverence and dedication. Even the Death Eaters bend the knee. HARRY walks among them, DELPHI close behind. He is both overwhelmed and grateful, though DELPHI can see that he is unconvinced.

PERCIVAL: There you are. We've been looking for you.

DELPHI (quietly): Harry, this is your chance.

HARRY (in a stupor): Chance to what?

DELPHI: Escape. They're here to protect you. Let them.

HARRY: But I -

DELPHI: Engage Percy. When the spells start flying, you run. Find your answer.

HARRY: And how do you suggest I proceed?

DELPHI touches HARRY's arm, she looks deeply into his eyes.

DELPHI: Be yourself, not the Horcrux of Tom Riddle.

HARRY walks to the front of the group and stands beside ROBESPIERRE, who rises. HARRY faces PERCIVAL. There is visible friction between them.

HARRY (to PERCIVAL): Sorry, been called away on urgent business.

PERCIVAL: Pale skin, madness in your eyes. How familiar.

PERCIVAL steps out.

It would be wise of you to come with us.

HARRY: No.

PERCIVAL: Do you have nothing to say in defense of your actions?

HARRY: What is there to say?

PERCIVAL: Harry... we should talk about it...

HARRY: There's nothing to talk about.

PERCIVAL: You speak so boldly, yet friends and family are on my side. You're all alone on this.

HARRY: Ah. Turns out I'm not.

HARRY tilts his head to regard The Tempest. They stand.

PERCIVAL: Is your allegiance to them now?

HARRY: Did you not hear me? I see no reason to have faith in anything anymore. So go. Now. Before I make you leave.

PERCIVAL: Harry, you're mixed-up. Let me help you change that. Let me help before you make any more mistakes. Have faith in us.

HARRY: No, you need to listen to me. I'm the one with blood on my hands. You said it yourself. Wait, I'm mistaken. You're the one responsible for the death of my wife and son.

HARRY's gaze narrows. PERCIVAL looks from HARRY to ROBESPIERRE, trying to give them every chance.

PERCIVAL: I can't let you do this. Potter, you're coming with me. Even if I have to drag you out of here.

HARRY: You can try.

PERCIVAL: You think you're stronger than the Ministry of Magic?

HARRY: No. I'm not. But we are.

HARRY glances over at GREYBACK and ROBESPIERRE, who nod to the members of The Tempest behind them. PERCIVAL steps back, he drops SKEETER's book. The noise of it hitting the ground is abrupt. PERCIVAL takes out his wand. HERMIONE is shaking her head. She pulls RON away.

RON: No... Harry don't let this happen!

They exit.

PERCIVAL (firm): The Ministry will not be beaten today! It will not be beaten ever! Not by the likes of you! We are prepared for war!

HARRY (eyes low, never more determined): Very well. If that is your choice...

HARRY takes a step back. He quotes VOLDEMORT without hesitation.

...then on your head be it.

Spells go off on the Ministry side, and some of them fall. It appears at first like friendly fire. The Tempest see this as the sign to engage. They charge. The Battle of King's Cross has begun. The Ministry is overwhelmed from both sides. PERCIVAL and ETHEL are rushed away. DELPHI removes HARRY from the fight as KINGSLEY SHACKLEBOLT is killed by one of the Aurors.

HARRY: Kingsley!

DELPHI: They've infiltrated the Ministry.

As they turn, FENRIR GREYBACK throws them to the ground. HARRY scrambles for his wand, but the expression on GREYBACK's face has softened.

HARRY: What are you doing?! Get off me!

GREYBACK: We don't want you here, My Lord. We don't need you. Not for this.

HARRY realizes that FENRIR GREYBACK is on his side.

HARRY: They killed Kingsley!

GREYBACK looks confused. DELPHI sees this as an opportunity to manipulate them.

DELPHI: No more killing!

HARRY (nodding): Yes! No killing!

GREYBACK: Understood, My Lord.

DELPHI (to HARRY): Go. Leave.

DELPHI gets HARRY to his feet and pushes him toward the wings, stage right. As this happens, ROBESPIERRE is struck by a spell and falls dead. HARRY looks at ROBESPIERRE and SHACKLEBOLT - he is heartbroken. FENRIR GREYBACK genuflects again as HARRY leaves.

GREYBACK: My Blood for Blitzfanger!

OTHER VOICES: My Blood for Blitzfanger!

GREYBACK joins the fight. HARRY exits. There is almost a dance of spells and fighting happening here. The stage darkens. The ticket booth and adjoining wall glide toward center stage. We can see HARRY rushing through the empty corner of the station as the stage brightens. The fight continues from off. He climbs a set of stairs. When he reaches the top, RON and HERMIONE step out from an open door. HARRY stops.

RON: Harry, how could you do this?

HARRY: Get out of my way, Ron.

HERMIONE: The Time-Turner. Give it back. I should've never let you have it in the first place.

HARRY slowly takes out his wand. He raises it at them.

HARRY: I can't do that. I'm sorry.

RON is staring at the wand in HARRY's hand.

RON: Is that...?

HERMIONE: Voldemort's wand.

RON and HERMIONE are shocked by this. They look at him in an entirely different light. The haunting choral melody builds.

HARRY: Just go away, will you? I have to stop this.

RON: It's just us, Harry. No Ministry. No Tempest.

HARRY: Fine. I'll deal with you alone.

HERMIONE: We can help you. Just give us back the Time-Turner.

HARRY: I don't need your help. And I don't want your help.

RON: There's no stronger force in this world than the three of us when we put our heads together. You know that!

HARRY: Rubbish. Beautifully put but beautiful rubbish.

RON reaches out for the wand. HARRY dodges and backs away, holding the wand more firmly. The tip is pointed at RON's forehead.

I'll do it. I swear I will. Stay back.

HERMIONE looks ruined as they move aside. HARRY speeds through the doorway and exits. RON sighs and puts an arm to her back.

RON: Come on, Hermione, if there's one thing I'm good at its knowing when Harry needs time alone.

HERMIONE (sullenly): That's not Harry.

RON: Yes, it is. He only... Sometimes we say stuff we don't mean.

HERMIONE: And sometimes we do.