At the start of this project, I made the absolutely insane decision to restrict myself with a set of rules so that this would be a true MOD (modification) of the original script and not just a fan edit where I can do whatever I please.

Why

did none of you

stop me?!

Difficulty level increased 100x

Arrogance level at capacity

Despite the struggle I endured each day trying to make this story fit within my own parameters, I think it was worth it. Let's give ourselves a performance review, shall we? Peek at the old report card?

Here are the guidelines I set up:

1. I cannot change the title.

Done. Easy.

2. The original pitch must still be applicable.

My story fully aligns with the theme of the source material.

3. I have to use at least 50% of the original text.

*brushes dust off his shoulder*

I reconfigured and incorporated nearly 75% of the original content.

4. It must be in play format.

Check.

5. It must be two parts – same overall length.

Yes, but mmm... Mine is longer.

6. I can't introduce too many new characters.

I showed characters who were originally mentioned but not given acting parts like Neville Longbottom, Theodore Nott, Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange.

Characters who were never mentioned and should have been given roles like Arthur and Molly Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Bill and Fluer, Angelina and Roxanne, Dobby, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Kreacher, Dudley Dursley, and Fenrir Greyback. Oh yeah... AND TEDDY!

I even threw Justin Finch-Fletchley in there.

I mentioned characters who should've been mentioned like Rita Skeeter, Professor Flitwick, Mad-Eye Moody, Barty Crouch Jr., and the Carrows (I did show those two, but... y'know... dead).

I gave more meaning to throw-away characters like Craig Bowker Jr., Panju (although he's a puppet now), and Ethel. Even Amos Diggory could be on this list.

While I did minimize an interesting character like Scorpius, I gave that stage time to Draco who matters way more to Harry's overall story.  I also gave more to Hagrid, because of course you would in the finale.

I introduced you to Robespierre, the elf who leads the charge toward freedom, and a seer who gave new meaning to Harry's prophecy.

I kept ghosts and centaurs and added giants, trolls, goblins, werewolves, and vampires. I gave you comic relief, not in Ron but George (who was also originally mentioned but not given an acting role... for some ungodly reason).

I managed to get Dumbledore on stage, but not as a pathetic painting. I got Umbridge on stage, but as a dream. I got Voldemort on stage, but not as Voldemort. I even worked Nagini into a scene.

I *completely* changed Delphi and made Percy a big deal in this book... but we needed more than one antagonist. In my opinion, Percy was the obvious choice in that position of power, looking from book 1 to 7. Far better than having Hermione as Minister, especially because she made it clear that she never wanted such a job.

7. I can't introduce too many new settings.

Some of my favorite additions were to establish Harry's current life at the Ministry. His office, the Pit of Silence, the Interrogation Chamber. Even the necessity of having a spontaneous one-on-one with Percy in front of the magical elevators in the atrium. 

While you didn't get the roof of the Hogwarts Express, I gave you a fight scene between Harry and Draco on the roof of a train at King's Cross. Uhm, they also fought upside down on the ceiling, so...

The dream sequences brought Harry to a private dementor lesson and the Reptile House at the zoo. I'm very proud of how I used the dream sequences in this play, actually.

I brought Harry to 12 Grimmauld Place, but in an entirely unexpected way. I brought him to Number Four Privet Drive, but not in a dream sequence, because the house passed down to Dudley and June. I even gave Harry a reason to go back into the cupboard under the stairs.

Harry had a meeting with Hermione in her office, but it was now in the Elvish Welfare Division.

I gave Harry good reasons to visit Hogwarts, especially to see the Sepulcher off the Great Hall where Voldemort's body was being kept.

They spent some good time on the grounds and in the forest. I even brought back the Ford Anglia!

I got Harry into the Slytherin Dormitory, but while the boys were sleeping and with Draco's help.

I put Harry into Godric's Hollow but in the past. He wandered there while drunk and saw his parents house before and after the tragedy. That way, he still "got to watch" it happen. Only now, we see the aftermath with Sirius and Hagrid, and the hand-off of the motorcycle.

I don't show the Quidditch pitch, but I do show students on broomsticks in the distance. The original play hardly even mentions flying broomsticks and definitely doesn't show anyone flying. Oh, wait... Delphi was flying at one point. But that was... without a broomstick... smh. I found time to have to have a group of Aurors flying to a battle, Harry to fly his old Firebolt, and Kingsley to fly the baby to Privet Drive.

I just flat out skipped St. Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards. Meh on that one, tbh.

Oh... and the location "A BEAUTIFUL HILL" was scrapped. In case you forgot, that's where Harry and Albus went for a walk, not caring that Craig Bowker Jr. died, and when Harry originally confessed his greatest fear... PIGEONS!

8. The original plot points and themes must remain intact.

Using time travel to change the past. Delphi is the big bad, pulling strings and driving a wedge in the Potter family. Harry is having a tough time juggling work and family, and being a bad dad in the process. Lots of nostalgia, fanservice, etc.

Good good.

9. Harry must be the main character.

10. Ron and Hermione are secondary characters.

11. Ginny and family are tertiary characters.

Check, check, and check.

12. It must be worthy of carrying the mantle of the 8th and final Harry Potter story.

Here's what I originally wrote:

"Whatever I create, it must conform to that concept. When finished, it should feel like the 8th story. Although it's a play, this must be treated as if there were always going to be eight stories. And that means it has to make sense within the context and confines of JKR's seven novels."

I think I pulled it off, guys.

13. The 7th story must feel like the penultimate conclusion.

Again, what I originally wrote:

"The events of HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS need to read like the first of two conclusions. If this play is the final part of the series, the saga was supposed to end here. Just like any good finale, it is imperative that the story should have the appropriate resolution and make perfect sense to every reader and viewer. The MOD must be interpreted as a story that needed to be told and we were just waiting for it... because every book was leading directly toward the events of Cursed Child."

I'll leave the score up to the audience on that one.