opens a compartment door – to look in on a lonely blond kid — SCORPIUS – in an otherwise empty compartment. ALBUS smiles. SCORPIUS smiles back.
ALBUS
Hi. Is this compartment. .
SCORPIUS
It’s free. It’s just me.
ALBUS
Great. So we might just – come in – for a bit – if that’s okay?
SCORPIUS
That’s okay. Hi.
ALBUS
Albus. Al. I’m – my name is Albus. .
SCORPIUS
Hi Scorpius. I mean, I’m Scorpius. You’re Albus. I’m Scorpius. And you must be. .
ROSE’s face is growing colder by the minute.
ROSE
Rose.
SCORPIUS
Hi Rose. Would you like some of my Fizzing Whizzbees?
ROSE
I’ve just had breakfast, thanks.
SCORPIUS
I’ve also got some Shock-o-Choc, Pepper Imps and some Jelly Slugs. Mum’s idea – she says (sings), ‘Sweets they always help you make friends’ (he realises that singing was a mistake). Stupid idea probably.
ALBUS
I’ll have some. . Mum doesn’t let me have sweets. Which one would you start with?
ROSE hits ALBUS, out of sight of SCORPIUS.
SCORPIUS
Easy. I’ve always regarded the Pepper Imp as the king of the confectionery bag. They’re peppermint sweets that make you smoke at the ears.
ALBUS
Brilliant, then that’s what I’ll— (ROSE hits him again.) Rose, will you please stop hitting me?
ROSE
I’m not hitting you.
ALBUS
You are hitting me, and it hurts.
SCORPIUS’s face falls.
SCORPIUS
She’s hitting you because of me.
ALBUS
What?
SCORPIUS
Listen, I know who you are, so it’s probably only fair you know who I am.
ALBUS
What do you mean you know who I am?
SCORPIUS
You’re Albus Potter. She’s Rose Granger-Weasley. And I am Scorpius Malfoy. My parents are Astoria and Draco Malfoy. Our parents – they didn’t get on.
ROSE
That’s putting it mildly. Your mum and dad are Death Eaters!
SCORPIUS (affronted)
Dad was – but Mum wasn’t.
ROSE looks away, and SCORPIUS knows why she does.
I know what the rumour is, and it’s a lie.
ALBUS looks from an uncomfortable ROSE to a desperate SCORPIUS.
ALBUS
What – is the rumour?
SCORPIUS
The rumour is that my parents couldn’t have children. That my father and my grandfather were so desperate for a powerful heir, to prevent the end of the Malfoy line, that they. . that they used a Time-Turner to send my mother back—
ALBUS
To send her back where?
ROSE
The rumour is that he’s Voldemort’s son, Albus.
A horrible, uncomfortable silence.
It’s probably rubbish. I mean. . look, you’ve got a nose.
The tension is slightly broken, SCORPIUS laughs, pathetically grateful.
SCORPIUS
And it’s just like my father’s! I got his nose, his hair and his name. Not that that’s a great thing either. I mean – father-son issues, I have them. But, on the whole, I’d rather be a Malfoy than, you know, the son of the Dark Lord.
SCORPIUS and ALBUS look at each other and something passes between them.
ROSE
Yes, well, we probably should sit somewhere else. Come on, Albus.
ALBUS is thinking deeply.
ALBUS
No (off ROSE’s look), I’m okay. You go on. .
ROSE
Albus. I won’t wait.
ALBUS
And I wouldn’t expect you to. But I’m staying here.
ROSE looks at him a second and then leaves the compartment.
ROSE
Fine!
SCORPIUS and ALBUS are left – looking at each other – unsure.
SCORPIUS
Thank you.
ALBUS
No. No. I didn’t stay – for you – I stayed for your sweets.
SCORPIUS
She’s quite fierce.
ALBUS
Yes. Sorry.
SCORPIUS
No. I like it. Do you prefer Albus or Al?
SCORPIUS grins and pops two sweets in his mouth.
ALBUS (thinks)
Albus.
SCORPIUS (as smoke comes out of his ears)
THANK
