Never Forgotten: A New Take on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Act 1, Scene 2

ALBUS and ROSE board the Hogwarts Express together, carefully avoiding the OTHER STUDENTS who are rushing around. The two cousins place their luggage in the storage compartment before making their way down the corridor. The train suddenly rocks into motion beneath their feet, causing ALBUS to stumble.

Rose: Careful! Albus, you don't want to require medical attention before our classes start. You'll have plenty of time for that during the school year, trust me.

Albus: Wait- WHAT?

Rose: (dryly) I'm kidding.

ROSE helps ALBUS back to his feet and then starts down the corridor, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

Albus: Rose? Are you alright?

Rose: Perfect actually. I'm trying to decide how we should go about finding a compartment... this could be the most important decision of our lives!

ALBUS looks around nervously, not seeming to like the idea of that.

Albus: Are we, uhm, sure about that?

Rose: Yes. Our parents met on the Hogwarts Express their first year! Who we pick to sit with now could end up our friends for life.

Albus: Oh. Right.

Rose: Plus, I'm a Granger-Weasley. And you're a Potter! Everyone's going to want to be our friend if we play it right...

Albus: There's more to friendship than popularity, isn't there?

Rose: What do you mean?

ROSE glances at ALBUS, clearly confused.

Albus: N-nothing. Let's find a compartment.

Rose: Okay! So I'm thinking we should check them all out before making a decision on where to sit, just in case.

ALBUS nods, still not looking certain, and proceeds to push open the door to the compartment next to him. Inside sits a lonely-looking blonde boy in an otherwise-empty space. SCORPIUS looks up quickly and smiles at them. ALBUS smiles back as ROSE backs up slightly in recognition.

Albus: Hi! Is this compartment...?

Scorpius: It's free. It's just me in here I mean. Nobody else is coming to sit or anything. So yes. It's free.

Albus: Oh. Cool. Great! I think?

ALBUS turns back to ROSE with a questioning look.

Rose: Rrrright... Albus... you know who he is, right?

Albus: (whispers) Rose, he's right there!

SCORPIUS waves sheepishly at ROSE.

Rose: (whispers) Fine.

ROSE turns to SCORPIUS with a strained smile.

Rose: Hi. My name's Rose.

Scorpius: I know! I mean. Hi Rose. Can I call you Rose?

Rose: That's my name, isn't it...?

Albus: I'm Albus. Al. I mean my name's Albus Potter.

ROSE hits ALBUS'S arm out of sight.

Albus: Ow! What was that for?

Rose: What?

Albus: You hit me.

Rose: Did not.

Albus: Did to!

SCORPIUS shifts slightly, looking very uncomfortable.

Scorpius: I'm sorry. She's hitting you because of me...

ALBUS freezes, unsure of what to make of this, and ROSE crosses her arms with a sigh.

Scorpius: I know who you both are so it's only fair you know who I am.

Albus: What do you mean?

Scorpius: You're Albus Potter. She's Rose Granger-Weasley. And I'm Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Draco and Astoria Malfoy. Our parents... don't like each other very much.

Rose: My dad hates you.

Albus: Owch.

Rose: What? It's true!

Albus: Yes but you can't just SAY that out loud. I thought you were better at this friend stuff...

Rose: I am perfect at friend stuff! I just...

ALBUS gives ROSE a look and she rolls her eyes. SCORPIUS looks back and forth between the two of them, unsure of what to do. ALBUS turns back to SCORPIUS with an apologetic smile.

Albus: Sorry about her.

Scorpius: You don't have to stay here... it's alright.

Albus: Why shouldn't I? Parents don't impact how nice people are to one another. You seem great! Nice I mean.

Scorpius: Oh. Thanks?

Rose: Albus, he's the actual son of death eaters.

Albus: ... pardon?

Scorpius: My dad was one. Barely. We're not that... close though. But my mum wasn't a death eater! She would never.

Rose: Fine. Whatever.

SCORPIUS and ROSE glare at one another for a moment before ALBUS steps inbetween them.

Albus: If we're all going to sit here together, can we at least try to get along?

Rose: Woah woah woah! Sit here? With a Malfoy?!

Albus: Yeah.

Rose: No-

ALBUS gives ROSE a pleading look and she sighs, reconsidering.

Scorpius: If it helps... I do happen to have sweets.

Albus: What kinds? My mum never lets me have any.

Scorpius: All sorts, actually.

Albus: What would you recommend?

ALBUS finally walks into the compartment and decidedly takes a seat across from SCORPIUS. The Malfoy's eyes shine with hope as he stares at his new friend with a grin.

Scorpius: Peppermint Imps are the best by far.

ROSE hesitates, watching ALBUS. She bites her lip, trying to decide what to do. Right before she steps into the compartment, another person rushes by. It's her cousin, ROXANNE WEASLEY.

Roxy: Rosie! You have NO IDEA how amazing it is to see you! Okay so basically James- wait it's easier to just show you! Come on!

ROXANNE pulls ROSE away and ALBUS is left alone with SCORPIUS, both slightly stunned. ALBUS awkwardly turns back to the young Malfoy with a small cough.

Albus: Erm... hullo...

Scorpius: Thank you for staying with me. Nobody else would have.

Albus: No, you've got it all wrong! I'm here for your sweets.

SCORPIUS laughs and ALBUS grins, already at ease with his new friend.

Scorpius: So what should I call you? Albus or Al?

Albus: Albus is fine. What about you?

SCORPIUS scrunches his nose and tries to mimic ROSE.

Scorpius: Scorpius. That is my name, isn't it?

ALBUS winces, understanding the reference.

Albus: Sorry about Rose... she's a bit fierce.

Scorpius: It's alright. I'm used to it.

The two boys grin at each other again. Maybe they don't know what tonight will hold for either of them, but they've both found a friend. And that seems to be enough.