MALFOY MANOR, EXTERIOR

Half the stage is taken up by the grand façade of a dark and imposing residence, with high hedges and decorative gates that have been left open for a visitor. At the front door is HARRY POTTER and a tall cabinet. The cabinet is adorned with swirling iron ornamentation. HARRY knocks firmly. DRACO answers moments later at his leisure, as if he hadn't been expecting HARRY.

DRACO (with a lordliness only he can deliver): Hello, Potter.

HARRY (impatiently): Where is he? Where is Al?

DRACO: He's here. With Scorpius.

HARRY: Well, I need my son back with me and safe.

DRACO: I thought you would.

HARRY (reluctantly): I appreciate you informing me of his whereabouts. I was worried sick...

DRACO: I've been meaning to write you lately. Concerning Ginny, you have my deepest sympathies. I know intimately what it is like to lose your wife. To be unable to fill the void left behind. In this time, when you are full of grief, it's far too easy to make poor decisions. I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear this from, but —

HARRY: You're right about that.

HARRY tries to brush past DRACO, but some unseen magic is keeping him from entering MALFOY MANOR. DRACO admires the front door with a curious grin.

DRACO: Old magic. I've never seen it in action. Interesting — the house only keeps away those who intend to inflict harm on someone within. Who, I wonder? Me? My son? (beat) Your son?

HARRY retreats a step and sniffs loudly.

HARRY: Bring him out.

DRACO leans back to look inside, lights come up on the interior of the foyer. The décor is dark and opulent, a shiny black floor and a glistening chandelier. ALBUS and SCORPIUS are waiting on the other side of the front door. DRACO pretends not to notice.

DRACO: You know, Harry... I thought maybe — as he was such a good friend to Scorpius — maybe Albus might want to stay over part of the Christmas break or...

HARRY (yelling): ALBUS SEVERUS POTTER! You come out this instant!

DRACO: If you're at all attempting to get your son to like you, this isn't the way.

HARRY: Al didn't like me before. He might not like me again. But he will be safe.

DRACO: I can assure you that Albus is, and will remain, safe under my care. You have my word. As a father.

HARRY: Under your care?

DRACO: He's hurting. He needs a friend. It's been a stressful time and — maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea for Albus to —

HARRY has had enough. He takes out his wand. DRACO raises his hands in peace.

HARRY: Malfoy...

DRACO: All right. He's coming. He's coming right now.

DRACO gestures for ALBUS to come to the door. ALBUS is reluctant but complies. SCORPIUS stands beside DRACO. HARRY is enraged.

HARRY: Of all the reckless, stupid things. For a moment, I thought you were taken again!

ALBUS: I wasn't.

HARRY: But you don't care at all what that did to me? And why — why did you run? Because of me? Because of something I said?

ALBUS: I don't know. I just wanted to see Scorpius.

HARRY: And did Scorpius — encourage you to leave?

HARRY gives SCORPIUS a scathing look. ALBUS shakes his head — more in disappointment than frustration.

ALBUS (to SCORPIUS): Should I tell him? (he faces HARRY) I'm gonna live here from now on. At Malfoy Manor.

HARRY (laughing): No, you're not.

ALBUS: Yes, I am.

HARRY (no longer laughing): And your brother and sister?

ALBUS: I'll see them at Hogwarts. The only person I wouldn't be seeing is you. And that sounds brilliant. (beat) Dad, you have two choices, either you allow me to —

HARRY: No, you're the one with the choice, Al. You come outside right now, or you get in deeper, much deeper trouble — do you understand?

ALBUS (he does an impression of HARRY): Deeper, much deeper trouble...

DRACO looks past ALBUS at the cabinet beside HARRY.

DRACO: Why have you brought furniture to my doorstep? If you're trying to win my favor through a gift, I should tell you I have a more... refined palate.

HARRY: Tool of the trade, a collapsible vanishing cabinet. You know all about those... don't you, Draco?

HARRY's insult stifles a reply. He aims his gaze at ALBUS.

Al, if you don't leave with me willingly, I'll send you home in that box.

ALBUS: Scare tactics, Dad? I don't scare easily.

HARRY (his tone more threatening): It doesn't matter how you feel about it. Either way, you're coming.

DRACO steps over the threshold.

DRACO: Harry, are you sure you want to use this — on your son?

HARRY: Yes.

DRACO (after a beat): Albus, you are always welcome here, but you need to respect your father's wishes.

DRACO points ALBUS in the right direction. ALBUS lowers his head and leaves.

HARRY: It's time to come home. Let's go.

ALBUS stops and turns to SCORPIUS. He faces his dad, looking defiant.

ALBUS: No.

HARRY: Excuse me?

ALBUS: I said no. I'm not a child.

HARRY: Wrong. You're my child.

ALBUS: You aren't in charge of me! You're hardly in charge of yourself!

HARRY grabs his son by the arm. DRACO doesn't like where this is going. HARRY pulls ALBUS close.

HARRY (fiercely): Do you want a smack in the mouth?

ALBUS (surprised): What?

DRACO: Harry, I don't think that's —

HARRY: Stay out of this, Malfoy!

HARRY starts dragging ALBUS away from the house.

ALBUS: You been keeping his letters from me, I found them in your bedside table!

HARRY: Al, you're coming home.

ALBUS: No, I'm living here now.

HARRY: Over my dead body!

ALBUS: Fine by me!

HARRY tries to pull ALBUS towards the cabinet. He tears himself away.

No! You can't make me!

HARRY is suddenly very calm. He raps his knuckles against the side of the cabinet. The ornamental iron fastenings connect and extend like arms. They grab hold of ALBUS.

HARRY: Have I forgotten to mention? This isn't a choice.

ALBUS is lifted off his feet.

ALBUS (half-screaming): I hate you!

HARRY: Hate me all you want. You're coming home.

ALBUS looks down desperately after his friend. The cabinet pulls him in. It's a violent struggle. HARRY gently closes the door. All goes silent, the iron arms retract. SCORPIUS hurries forward and opens the door. ALBUS has vanished through a trapdoor in the stage. He's gone. DRACO looks on disapprovingly, shocked to see this response from HARRY POTTER.

SCORPIUS (to HARRY): What did you do to him?

HARRY knocks his fist against the cabinet again. The cabinet retracts through the trap door but seems to collapse magically to the size of a large wooden block that HARRY lifts with two hands. HARRY walks off without saying a word. He exits as DRACO and SCORPIUS look on. DRACO rests a hand on his son's shoulder.

DRACO: It's all right, Scorpius. He's home.