OPENING TITLE.
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" upon a black sky.VOLDEMORT
One year. One year I spent sending Harry Potter dreams, luring him to enter the Department of Mysteries and retrieve the Prophecy, so that I might know what role he is destined to play in opposing me. And all I asked of you was to take it from him and bring it to me. You have failed me, Lucius.
LUCIUS
My Lord, I...I have no excuses. I have always tried my utmost for you. I beg to be given another chance to prove myself.
VOLDEMORT
I can be generous, Lucius. I can allow a second chance. But not, I think, to you.
The Death Eaters' ranks part and a white-faced DRACO MALFOY is pushed forward.
INT. HARRY'S BEDROOM IN THE DURSLEY'S HOUSE. NIGHT.
HARRY POTTER wakes, jerks his cheek off the window where's he's fallen asleep in the chair before it. He adjusts his glasses (his wand is in his hand), rubs at his cheek, rubs the mist off the window. He has a notecard resting on his knee; he picks it up and his eyes scan it briefly with a sense of having done so a dozen times today. Shot shows the words on it, handwritten in large script: "I will be there tonight. -A. Dumbledore" Harry sets it back on his lap, settles back into his vigil, chin on his hand. Shot scans around the bedroom. Harry's bedroom has never been a cheery place, but now even the few illustrations he once had up have been replaced with newspaper clippings, some from the Prophet and a few from Muggle newspapers. Without overwhelming the viewer, the shot lingers on the following headlines:
"Unprecedented Rise In Murders In Britain" (Muggle newspaper)
"Dark Mark Seen Nightly: No End To Reign Of Terror?" (Prophet)
"Muggle-Borns Targeted by You-Know Who" (Prophet)
"Dementor Attacks Increase" (Prophet)
"Fugitive Sirius Black Killed; Exonerated Posthumously" (Prophet)
The shot tracks down to the animated wizarding photos Harry has at his bedside, beneath the clippings on the wall. Harry still has the photo of his mother and father spinning about together on a happier autumn; near it is a new one, one of Sirius, smiling, laughing at some private joke.
Hedwig in her cage turns her head towards the window and hoots. Harry sits up straighter in response. Outside the window an intense point of light can be seen. It flares and Harry has to avert his eyes. As he does so there is a knock on his bedroom door; the door opens. ALBUS DUMBLEDORE stands in the doorway, the flare from his wandtip fading.
DUMBLEDORE
Good evening, Harry.
He enters the room. (Dumbledore keeps his left hand concealed until specified later.)
I apologize for the short notice. May I sit?
Harry
nods. Dumbledore sits on the only other available spot in the room, the
edge of
Harry's bed.
DUMBLEDORE
I know your summers here have never been particularly pleasant, Harry, but I imagine this one is even less so. I would like to remedy that in a small way, if I can. If you will let me.
Harry meets his eyes, then drops his gaze to his lap.
DUMBLEDORE
There is a matter or two I must tell you about first. Sirius, in his will, left you Grimmauld Place, as well as ownership of his house-elf, Kreacher.
HARRY
I don't want either of them.
DUMBLEDORE
I can see why you might feel that way. I don't expect you to take possession of either of them just yet, but I will ask you to accompany me tonight on a task. After which I will take you to surroundings where I believe it will please you far more to spend the summer. The Weasleys have invited you to stay with them.
Harry looks up at that, not quite brightening but clearly it's a more hopeful prospect.
INT. DURSLEY HOUSE GROUND FLOOR AND STAIRCASE. NIGHT.
Dumbledore leads Harry down the stairs. Harry carries Hedwig's cage in one hand and is floating his trunk down the stairs behind him with his wand. Staring up at them from the bottom of the staircase is VERNON DURSLEY, shocked to be seeing them.
DUMBLEDORE
Good evening. You will want to say goodbye to Harry, I am sure. He will be leaving you for the duration of the summer.
MR. DURSLEY
Goodbye? Good riddance, more like. You're welcome to him.
Dumbledore gives him a small polite smile.
DUMBLEDORE
Such affection for your nephew is admirable.
He and Harry continue down the stairs.
MR. DURSLEY
Don't make me the butt of your jokes, you...weirdo!
Dumbledore stops and looks directly at him with that same smile.
DUMBLEDORE
Jokes? No, no, these are manners.
They turn to go.
EXT. PRIVET DRIVE. NIGHT.
DUMBLEDORE
You are not yet of age to Apparate, so I will take you with me by side-along. Take my arm, Harry.
He extends his left arm to Harry. His left hand bears a silver ring with a cracked black stone, but even more striking is that his left hand is blackened and withered-looking.
HARRY
Sir--! Your hand--?
DUMBLEDORE
Oh, that. I fear that would take quite a lot of explaining. Later, perhaps.
After a beat, Harry carefully takes his arm.
EXT. STREET IN BUDLEIGH BABBERTON VILLAGE. NIGHT.
With a flash, Harry and Dumbledore materialize on the street.
DUMBLEDORE
Ah, here we are. Budleigh Babberton.
HARRY
What's here, sir?
DUMBLEDORE
I have lost
count of the number
of times I have said this in recent years, but we are, once again, one
member
of staff short. We are here to persuade an old colleague of mine to
come out of
retirement and return to Hogwarts. Stay close to me, Harry. Nighttime
is not a
good time to be out, these days.
I've heard.
He pulls his trunk behind him
as they go. Dumbledore has stopped at a doorway and raps on the door.
After a
second's pause, the door is opened by a portly older balding man,
walrus-mustached, in a velvet dressing gown--HORACE SLUGHORN.
DUMBLEDORE
Good evening,
Horace.
SLUGHORN
No. Oh, no,
Albus. No. You're
not going to get your way this time.
Dumbledore
reacts as if
Slughorn is not protesting.
DUMBLEDORE
Harry, this is
my old friend
and former Hogwarts professor, Horace Slughorn.
SLUGHORN
Oh, no you
don't, Albus. It
won't work. I'm staying safe right here.
DUMBLEDORE
Horace, this is
Harry Potter.
Slughorn
stops short. He turns
surprised eyes on Harry.
SLUGHORN
Harry Potter?
Oh, my, I--of
course I'm pleased to meet the famous Harry Potter--pleased to meet
you, Harry,
I mean.
He takes
Harry's hand and
shakes it. His voice is warming in a "must cultivate the famous kid"
way, not horribly smarmy but clearly trying to make up for his earlier
gaffe.
SLUGHORN
Your mother was
a favorite
student of mine, you know.
DUMBLEDORE
Harry will be in
his sixth year
at Hogwarts, this coming year.
Dumbledore's
motives dawn on
Slughorn and he looks much as he did when he opened the door.
SLUGHORN
Oh, no, Albus.
You don't know
what you're asking.
DUMBLEDORE
I do, and I know whom I'm asking it of. Horace, think. Can you resist the chance to say that you had a hand in the education of this boy? Now that lines of alliance are being drawn?
SLUGHORN
Why are you doing this in front of the boy? What he must think of me!
DUMBLEDORE
He will remember you as someone who taught him what he needed.
Slughorn is torn. Then:
SLUGHORN
I must be mad. I'll do it.
DUMBLEDORE
Excellent. I knew you could be counted on. We will see you the first of September, Horace.
He turns to go, Harry follows.
SLUGHORN
I expect a pay rise, Dumbledore!
He slams the door. Harry and Dumbledore glance over their shoulders at it, then continue walking away.
HARRY
What was that about?
DUMBLEDORE
Professor Slughorn is a Slytherin, Harry. Like Professor Snape, he is one of the few members of that house I would trust with my life. We will need allies among all the houses in the times to come.
He stops upon the street; Harry stops too and faces him.
DUMBLEDORE
Now. Off to the Weasleys. Your friend Miss Granger has been invited to stay as well. I would encourage you to keep both her and your friend Ron Weasley close this year. In fact I suggest that you share with them what you and I have discussed, and will discuss. You especially will need allies in the times to come.
The shot rises up into the sky. Fade to black.
Fade up on:
INT. HARRY'S BEDROOM AT THE WEASLEY'S. DAY.
Shot of Harry, asleep face up. A pillow is thrown at his head and he jerks awake as it falls aside.
HERMIONE'S VOICE
Ron, don't hit him!
HERMIONE GRANGER and RON WEASLEY bound up to Harry, plunking themselves next to him as Harry grabs for his glasses and puts them on.
RON
When'd'you get here, mate? We only just found out!
HARRY
Late.
HERMIONE
You all right, Harry?
He knows what she's asking.
HARRY
Yeah. I'm okay.
RON
We heard Dumbledore was bringing you.
HARRY
He did. We stopped off to see someone he knew. Horace Slughorn.
RON
Who's he?
HARRY
Used to be a Hogwarts professor. Guess we need a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
HERMIONE
They do seem to disappear with uncommon speed. You'd think that position was cursed or something.
With a pop, FRED and GEORGE WEASLEY appear. They are dressed rather nicely; not quite as gaudy as "wizarding pimp" but with a touch of flamboyance.
GEORGE
Hello, Harry.
FRED
Good to get away from those muggles, isn't it?
Harry is pleased to see them.
HARRY
Hey, Fred, Hey, George. How's the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes business?
FRED
Brilliant. We've got a shop in Diagon Alley and our own flat right above it.
GEORGE
Rent was cheap, too. Lots of places closing up because of the attacks.
FRED
So we're just what people need to take their mind off gloomy things, aren't we?
FRED AND GEORGE
(with a little bow and flourish; this is obviously a "thing")
Entertainment Enterpreneurs!
GINNY'S VOICE
Hello!
GINNY WEASLEY enters through the door, bearing a breakfast tray. She looks different from the last time Harry saw her: older, subtly made-up, quite pretty. (A/N: In other words, without the mousy appearance that's been foisted on Bonnie Wright in the films to dull her down in comparison to the other girls.)
FRED
Hello, Ginny. Pleased to see us, little sis?
He makes as if to get her into a playful headlock.
GINNY
Careful.
She indicates the tray but isn't upset; she maneuvers around him without difficulty.
GINNY
I'm happy to see anyone who isn't Marie Antoinette down there. Hello, Harry.
She sets the tray down next to Harry's bed. Note that during this she has not avoided Harry's eyes but nor has she had any special moony gazes for Harry. She speaks to him like anyone she'd be pleased to see, without any awkwardness.
GEORGE
Is she still here?
GINNY
She'll be here the whole summer! You remember Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons, Harry? She's marrying our oldest brother Bill next year! And she's staying here for the summer planning the wedding and if I hear one more word about what colors we've all got to wear I think I'll scream.
RON
'S a bit much, yeah.
Harry is looking at Ginny. He's clearly surprised by this easily-conversing (and not to mention pretty) Ginny.
HERMIONE
I hear all brides-to-be get like that.
GINNY
(lowering her voice conspiratorially)
Even Mum thinks she's a snob, but don't let on I told you.
FLEUR DELACOUR appears in the doorway.
FLEUR
Oh, hello, Harry. Good to see you again. Ginny, could you come with me? I have the most marvelous idea for how you and my sister could wear your hair for the wedding.
GINNY
Okay.
Fleur leaves; Ginny dramatically rolls her eyes and goes after her, Hermione stifling a giggle. Harry is left staring after Ginny for a beat.
EXT. WEASLEY BACKYARD. DAY.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are in mid-conversation; though it is a pretty day their mood is somber because of what Harry has told them. Ginny and the twins are seen in the distance in the yard.
HERMIONE
That's what Dumbledore said about the Prophecy? That you've got to kill Voldemort or he's got to kill you?
RON
Could be worse, couldn't it? It could have said that he was doomed to become Voldemort, or something. It's not as if Voldemort doesn't deserve killing.
HERMIONE
But Voldemort still doesn't know. The Prophecy was smashed before any of them could hear it.
RON
So they did all that for nothing.
HARRY
Sirius died for it. Don't say it was for nothing.
A moment of eye-exchange silence, broken by Ginny running up to them.
GINNY
Hermione, come save me, will you? Fleur's coming this way and she's got that look.
Hermione runs off with Ginny, Harry looking after them.
HARRY
Ginny's...talking more these days.
RON
Yeah, she's over her crush on you at last! Thank God for that. She started dating Dean Thomas.
HARRY
She's dating someone?
RON
Yeah. It's all right, though. Dean knows she's got six brothers who'll break him in half if he tries anything.
Harry doesn't quite gulp, but he's still looking after Ginny. An owl swoops by and drops a letter into Harry's hands; Harry rips it open.
RON
What's it say?
Harry has the first full smile he's had all film.
HARRY
I'm Quidditch Captain.
EXT. THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS AT KING'S CROSS STATION. DAY.
Faces familiar and unfamiliar are seen as the Hogwarts Express prepares to board and depart. There is unprecedented security; Aurors are patrolling, standing with wands at the ready like guards with guns. One or two are ushering the students onto the train and follow them on as the last ones board at that particular door. We see MAD-EYE MOODY and NYMPHADORA TONKS among them. (Tonks is brown-haired.) Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny board; as Ginny is nearing the train DEAN THOMAS comes up to her and she is pleased to see him. She moves away from the others with Dean, evidently to board at a different door with him. Harry notices this as she moves out of the shot but does not linger on it and turns back to board.
INT. HARRY'S COMPARTMENT ON THE TRAIN. TWILIGHT.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, LUNA LOVEGOOD, and NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM are all in the compartment together. The countryside goes by outside the window in the dimming afternoon.
LUNA
Will we be having the D.A. again this year, Harry?
HARRY
(kindly; he's flattered she asked)
I don't think so. It looks like we'll have a good Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, so, no need.
LUNA
Pity. I rather liked the D.A. It was almost like having friends.
A beat of reaction, but before anyone can speak, two glittering notes poof into existence in the compartment, one in front of Harry and one in front of Neville. Startled, Harry unrolls his.
HARRY
It's from Slughorn. He wants me to come to his compartment for a little get-together with a few others.
Neville has unrolled and read his.
NEVILLE
I've got one too.
They look at each other nonplussed.
INT. SLUGHORN'S COMPARTMENT ON THE TRAIN. TWILIGHT.
Harry and Neville shoulder through the door. Slughorn is present along with BLAISE ZABINI, CORMAC MCLAGGEN, and MARJORIE BELBY. Zabini looks a snobbish aristocrat, McLaggen is well-built and wiry, Belby pretty and fashionable. Because of the angle we cannot see who is in the seat closest to the door, opposite the side Slughorn is on (which is whom Harry and Neville are looking at, so they do not see that corner or that person either). Slughorn has set out a small feast including champagne goblets on the little table in the middle.
SLUGHORN
Harry, my boy, come in, sit down! And Mr. Longbottom, such a pleasure to meet you! The son of two such brave war heroes; you must do them proud every day.
He's really turning on the charm. He's shaking Neville's hand as Neville finds a seat. Both Neville and Harry are sitting down keeping their eyes on Slughorn, so they still do not see who is in the corner by the door.
NEVILLE
I--I don't really--well, I try, sir.
SLUGHORN
I'm sure you do, splendid, splendid. Help yourselves; I'm sure you've met everyone? Mr. Zabini, Mr. McLaggen, Miss Belby, and of course you know Mr. Malfoy.
The person in the corner is suddenly the focus. Harry sees Draco Malfoy seated there; Harry looks as if he could shoot lasers from his eyes. Draco, however, isn't even looking in Harry's direction. He looks as if he does not want to be there, sour-faced as usual, but for once it does not appear to do with Harry--something different than just avoiding Harry's eyes because he dislikes that Harry is here. Harry senses it and his look of hatred shifts to just a little puzzlement. Meanwhile Slughorn is still talking.
SLUGHORN
Such a pleasure to have the cream of Hogwarts here for a little get-together! Now, Mr. McLaggen--may I call you Cormac?--how is your Uncle Tiberius? I know you went hunting nogtails with him in, I think, Norfolk?
Slughorn is picking up his champagne and a pheasant leg as he speaks. He bites into the pheasant as McLaggen answers. McLaggen also takes a piece of something tasty from the table as he does.
MCLAGGEN
Oh, yes, that was fun. We went with Bertie Higgs and Rufus Scrimgeour--that was before Rufus became minister, of course--
SLUGHORN
Of course, of course.
During this Draco still hasn't shown any interest in the conversation and Harry is still looking puzzled.
INT. CORRIDOR JUST OUTSIDE SLUGHORN'S COMPARTMENT. NIGHT.
Night has fallen; Harry and Neville push their way out of the compartment.
NEVILLE
That was dead boring. Food was good, though.
Draco and Zabini push their way out of the compartment. They pass Harry and Neville; Zabini gives them the once-over but Draco ignores them. Harry follows Draco with his eyes.
NEVILLE
Malfoy didn't look like he was having a good time either.
HARRY
He should have been eating it up.
(beat)
Neville, go back to the compartment. I'll be there soon.
He is pulling something folded out of his trouser pocket.
NEVILLE
Train's almost there, Harry.
HARRY
Tell the others to go on ahead. I'll catch up.
Neville goes (in the opposite direction from where Zabini and Draco went). The item Harry is unfolding is his Invisibility Cloak. He waits for a moment, clearly making sure no one sees him, then throws it over himself. There is the momentary glittery haze around him (which will be used later in scenes where it is suggested only the audience, or a particular individual, can see Harry behind the cloak), then he disappears; the shot follows the place he would be, falling in behind Draco and Zabini (Zabini behind). When Draco and Zabini go through their compartment door Zabini has a moment of puzzlement as he goes to close the door and feels something whisper across his hand; then he closes the door.
INT. SLYTHERIN COMPARTMENT. NIGHT (CONTINUOUS WITH THE LAST SCENE)
PANSY PARKINSON, VINCENT CRABBE, and GREGORY GOYLE are seated within as Zabini and Draco enter and take seats.
PANSY
How was it?
The shot swoops a little to indicate Harry climbing up onto a momentarily empty seat and hoisting himself up to the empty back corner of the luggage rack. After the shot settles there for a second, it cuts back to the Slytherins.
ZABINI
That Slughorn. My mother told me about him. "He'll try to cultivate you, darling, just like all those with connections."
PANSY
Sly old devil!
ZABINI
That's why he's Slytherin, like us.
He gives her a tweak, and she giggles.
CRABBE
Was the food any good?
DRACO
I dunno, I didn't eat anything.
Pansy, all solicitous, turns to Draco (who is sitting next to her).
PANSY
Poor thing, aren't you feeling well?
She pulls at Draco's shoulders, draws him into a casual lying position with his head in her lap.
DRACO
I just haven't time for all that nonsense.
ZABINI
I would have thought you'd have liked being part of his Slug Club.
DRACO
What's it going to matter, anyway? When the Dark Lord takes over, you think it's connections like Slughorn's that'll matter?
PANSY
You say that like you have different connections in mind.
DRACO
Maybe I do.
ZABINI
(laughing)
Watch out, Pansy, you've got a would-be Death Eater on your lap.
Draco sits up, annoyed.
DRACO
Oh, shut up. Come on, we're here.
The train is indeed slowing. Everyone stands, grabs his or her trunk in preparation to leave Crabbe and Goyle's trunks are on the luggage racks while Draco's is on the seat and Pansy and Zabini's are by the door. Crabbe swings his off the luggage rack next to where Harry is; it appears to hit something in the space where Harry is and there's a little involuntary noise, just a tiny one, from Harry. Shot of Draco's face, who does not look in that direction but hesitates for the smallest moment. Goyle opens the compartment door and everyone goes; Draco lingers last, fixing the straps on his trunk.
PANSY
Coming?
DRACO
Go ahead. I'll be right behind you.
The instant the door closes behind her Draco whips around, wand in hand, aiming a jinx at the corner where Harry is.
DRACO
Petrificus Totalis!
The jinx not only freezes Harry; it shakes him and he topples from the rack, hitting the ground, frozen, face up, the Invisibility Cloak partly over him so that parts of him--his middle, part of his leg--are still invisible. Low shot aimed up, almost from Harry's POV but not quite as part of his face can be seen. Draco stands over him, neither smug nor furious but grim.
DRACO
Hello again, Potter.
Shot of Harry's frozen face. His eyes can move, but he mostly keeps them on Draco. Back to same low shot aimed up at Draco. He crouches over Harry.
DRACO
You've got no idea what you've done to my family, do you, Potter.
He straightens up. Shot on Draco from the waist up. He brings his foot down deliberately (below the level of the shot). There is a crack.
DRACO
That's for my father.
Shot of Harry's face, bridge of his nose showing blood under the skin surface, blood coming from his nose. Shot takes in both Harry and Draco. Draco lifts the cloak and throws the cloak over Harry. Harry disappears under it.
DRACO
And that's for me. I don't reckon they'll find you until the train's back in London. See you around, Potter. Or...not.
He takes his trunk handle and leaves, letting the compartment door slide shut.
EXT. ARRIVAL AT HOGWARTS STATION. NIGHT.
Crane shot-type pan; Students are walking away from the train, boarding the thestral-driven coaches. A shot of Ron and Hermione with their trunks, waiting to board a coach looking at each other, puzzled, still looking about to see where Harry is.
INT. SLYTHERIN COMPARTMENT. NIGHT.
Harry's POV. Conveyed by the angle of the shot and by the haze-filter used to suggest what Harry sees through the cloak. The compartment is darkened, but a little light can still be seen. Harry's breathing is loud and rapid, suggesting his panic that he will be forgotten on the train (or maybe suffocate in his own blood) (A/N:I know, too dark.) There is no other noise, suggesting everyone has moved off the train and is well away from it.Then footsteps are heard in the corridor, a light gets brighter. A silhouette walks by in the corridor: a figure holding a Lumos-ed wand. The compartment door opens just an inch and the lit wand pokes inside, then goes back out. The figure almost moves by, then stops. The door opens fully.
TONKS
Aparecium!
Light fills the compartment, outlining Tonks as well as making the haze-filter of the cloak glow (like the crazing on porcelain). Tonks inhales.
Harry!
She steps into the compartment and drags the cloak off Harry (the haze-filter swoops away). She aims her wand.
Finite Incantatum!
Shot changes to Tonks helping Harry up. She aims her wand at his face.
TONKS
Episkey!
A
flash and Harry's nose is healed. The blood disappears from his face
though not
from his shirt (which is quite a mess). Tonks puts her hand on his
cheek in a
sisterly "Glad you're safe" way and smiles.
Come on, let's get your trunk. I'll take you to the Gate entrance. I'll send a Patronus to let them know we're coming that way.
She nudges open the window of the compartment, pushes her wand out of it.
TONKS
Expecto Patronum!
The silver Patronus is large and four-footed, suggesting a dog or a wolf but it streaks off too quickly for an observer to be sure.
EXT. APPROACHING HOGWARTS GATE. NIGHT.
Harry and Tonks approach the gate, appearing to be in mid-conversation. Harry's trunk floats behind them with Hedwig's cage on top of it.
HARRY
Is that your real hair color? I'm just used to seeing you in purple.
TONKS
I haven't felt very festive recently.
HARRY
The war.
TONKS
(after
a beat)
Something like that.
As they arrive at the gate, there's a black shape behind it.
TONKS
Snape.
It is.
TONKS
I thought Hagrid would get the message.
SNAPE
Hello, Nymphadora.
TONKS
(wearily,
as if this
is old conflict)
Don't call me Nymphadora.
SNAPE
Not particularly glamourous these days, are we?
Short reaction shot on Tonks from the shoulders up, to give the hint he also means her hair, during Snape's lines.
SNAPE
Ah well. I suppose that when one's--
TONKS
Shut it, Snape.
SNAPE
Mr. Potter. Once again The Chosen One must make a grand entrance.
TONKS
It wasn't his fault--
HARRY
Let it go, Tonks.
She hugs him briefly.
TONKS
Bye, Harry.
HARRY
Thanks again.
Snape opens the gate for him and he steps inside.
SNAPE
Oh, and, Tonks? I see your Patronus has changed. I preferred the previous one. This one looks a little...shabby.
She shoots him a dirty look and stalks off out of the shot. The shot lingers on Harry and Snape looking daggers at each other.
SNAPE
Fifty points from Gryffindor for lateness, I think. And twenty more for the disrespectful state of your attire. You know, I don't believe any house has ever been in negative figures this early in the term. You might have set a record, Potter.
INT. THE GREAT HALL. NIGHT.
The Arriving feast. Harry, still in bloody shirt, makes his way down the tables. He exchanges glances with Malfoy, who can hardly be bothered to glare at him. Hermione sees him before Ron; Ron is still scarfing down pudding.
HERMIONE
Harry!
Ron turns. Both of them see his bloody shirt.
RON
(mouth full)
Wha' happened?
Harry
sits, too tired to seethe properly.
HARRY
Malfoy. What else? And then Snape.
RON
Snape. Eeuch. One good thing about this year--we never have to have class with him again. I'm not taking Advanced Potions, not if it means we have to put up with that git.
Hermione dips a serviette into a waterglass and begins to dab at the blood on Harry's shirt, mothering him as she answers. (After a moment Harry decides he might as well not try to stop her.)
HERMIONE
You'd have to if you want to become an Auror. That, and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
RON
Yeah, well, some things just aren't worth it, are they?
Hermione looks at Harry as if to say she knows what's on his mind.
HARRY
I'm going on with Defense Against the Dark Arts, but I doubt Snape would let me in Potions anyway. Doesn't matter.
Dumbledore is calling for attention at his podium.
DUMBLEDORE
Welcome to you all.
Harry notices Dumbledore's blackened left hand, still as ugly as it had been when he last saw it.
HARRY
His hand's not better.
Hermione too looks surprised.
HERMIONE
But it's been all summer!
DUMBLEDORE
I should like to introduce our new teachers to you. Will you welcome Professor Horace Slughorn, who has kindly agreed to come from his comfortable retirement to resume his old position of Potions Master.
A beat.
RON
Potions Master? I thought he was going to teach Defense.
HARRY
I thought so too.
DUMBLEDORE
And the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be filled by Professor Snape.
Shot and zoom in of Snape's impassive face. Shot and zoom on Harry's dismayed one.
HARRY
Oh, no.
INT. POTIONS CLASS. DAY.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all about the same table. The class gives the impression of more of a lab than a sit-down class; there are protective gloves and cauldrons and flasks and vials and a large multi-shelf of glass-jarred ingredients along one wall. The class may include a familiar face or two such as PARVATI PATIL and SEAMUS FINNEGAN.
SLUGHORN
Welcome, welcome! Well! My advanced sixth-year class, how very nice. Now, if you'll all begin by opening your copies of Advanced Potion-Making--
Harry raises a hand.
HARRY
Professor Slughorn--Ron and I didn't know if we'd be taking this class, so, we don't have books yet. Is it all right if we share with Hermione until...
SLUGHORN
Oh, you needn't do that, the class has a few old copies still, I'm sure. Let me look...
He rummages in the desk and pulls out two battered copies.
SLUGHORN
Here you are.
One for you, Harry,
and--Rupert, was it?
Ron.
SLUGHORN
Very good, very good! Now, before we begin, you've all had the opportunity to observe these three cauldrons on your way in.
He gestures at three cauldrons bubbling away with different contents in front of his desk.
SLUGHORN
Can any of you hazard a guess at what is in any of them?
Hermione raises her hand. Slughorn indicates she should answer. Hermione points at each in turn.
HERMIONE
That's Polyjuice potion, sir, and that's Veritaserum, and that's Amortentia.
Slughorn looks pleasantly taken aback.
SLUGHORN
Why, that's excellent! All three! I didn't expect anyone to get the Amortentia; it's rare.
HERMIONE
I recognized the mother-of-pearl sheen, and the steam rising in characteristic spirals.
SLUGHORN
Well! I shall have to keep an eye on you, young woman! You have great promise. Now, everyone, I have a little incentive for your first lesson.
He holds up a tiny sealed vial full of golden liquid.
SLUGHORN
The name of this potion is Felix Felicis. I expect, my dear, that you can tell me what that is?
HERMIONE
Oh! That's...luck potion, sir. Liquid luck.
SLUGHORN
Indeed! Quite controlled except in the most minute doses, and highly illegal in sporting events, examinations, or elections. But on an ordinary day, the contents of this vial would provide twenty-four hours of perfect bliss. Now, how can you win this little vial? I am putting you all to the task of producing a cauldronful of Draught of the Living Death.
There is murmuring about the class.
SLUGHORN
I know, I know it is far more advanced than anything you have done so far. I do not expect anyone to do it perfectly. But whoever makes the most succesful attempt, will, at the end of the class, win little Felix here. The best of--
He winks.
SLUGHORN
--luck to you all!
Ron and Harry and most of the rest of the class open their books. Hermione is already heading to the storage shelves.
RON
Draft of the Living Death...here we go.
Harry also finds the page. Shot of the inside of the book.
HARRY
Mine's all marked up with notes.
RON
Hm. Saw a dirty limerick on the inside of my cover, but that's all. Ooh, long list of ingredients.
He looks over his shoulder at Hermione, who has gathered four jars already, balancing them.
RON
Think we should even try? Against her?
HARRY
Guess we ought to give it a go.
Hermione plunks down her jars of ingredients.
HERMIONE
Here. There's enough Valerian roots in here for all of us, but don't think I'm going to coddle you at every step!
Harry is still looking in his book.
HARRY
This note says that sopophorous beans work better than Valerian root.
HERMIONE
What?
HARRY
Look.
He shows her the book. Handwritten in the text are the words, "Use 1 sopophorous bean instead--releases more juice"
HERMIONE
(reading aloud)
"...releases more juice." Well, I'm not going to take the word of some unknown person's notes over the text! You do as you please.
She turns back to her own cauldron. Harry and Ron exchange a look, then Ron shrugs and turns back to his own book. Harry looks at the text again, then turns to get his ingredients. Shot of him picking up the jar marked Sopophorous Beans, considering. Then he turns to take it back to his desk.
INT. POTIONS CLASSROOM. DAY.
Later in class. Slughorn has a large pocket watch that he consults, then begins to walk down the aisles, looking into the cauldrons.
SLUGHORN
Time's up! Let us see how you have all done.
Hermione is looking into Harry's cauldron. She is astounded, speaks quietly to Harry.
HERMIONE
How did you--Harry, the text says you're not even supposed to be able to finish it within an hour. That looks like the completed potion!
Harry looks at his open book, touches the page, lingering on the handwritten notes that are here and there on it. He looks contemplative, not smug, as if even he cannot believe it.
SLUGHORN
(in the background)
Very nice; very good; hmm; oh, you used a brass stirring rod, didn't you, Mr. Finnegan, too bad; very good; not bad at all, Miss Patil...
He arrives at Harry, Ron, and Hermione's desk.
SLUGHORN
Well! Miss Granger, I could have guessed you'd do so well. Very nice indeed! I think--
He sees Harry's cauldron and stops short.
SLUGHORN
Oh, my. Oh, my, Harry, I was not wrong about you--you have your mother's cleverness, don't you! Why, that's perfect, it looks very nearly completed, even in such a short time! Class, we have a winner.
He hands the Felix Felicis to Harry. Harry is quietly respectful, still not quite able to believe the results.
HARRY
Thank you, sir.
SLUGHORN
Remember, no sporting competitions! All right, class, very nicely done for your first day.
Everyone begins to pack up. Hermione puts her things in her bag with a neutral expression, not looking at Harry.
HARRY
I suppose you think I cheated?
She looks up at him, obviously not quite wanting to go that far with her thoughts. She chooses words that are a gentle compromise.
HERMIONE
Well, you had help. Just because it worked once, I wouldn't believe everything those notes say. You can get in trouble trying unknown things in magic.
RON
I wonder whose that book was?
Harry picks up the book, looks inside the front cover. Looks inside the back cover. Stops and reads. Shot of the inside of the back cover. Written in the same hand are the words: "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince."
EXT. QUIDDITCH PITCH. DAY.
Harry stands on the pitch in front of a small set of stands set up for those who are trying out. Students are clustered in them; at the top of the stands are those who have come to observe, including Hermione. Harry is in the middle of his announcement. KATIE BELL stands next to him holding her broom.
HARRY
...the only ones still here are me and Katie Bell, so we've got room for two more Chasers, two Beaters, and a Keeper. Everyone who's trying out, onto the pitch with your broom.
Ron descends from the stands with the others, holding his broom. He passes by Harry.
HARRY
You gonna do this? What position?
RON
Keeper, I hoped.
HARRY
Okay. Do great. I can't play favorites.
RON
Yeah, I know.
Ginny also walks by. Harry's at first surprised, then he smiles at her.
HARRY
You, too?
GINNY
Course. I'm a Weasley!
EXT. QUIDDITCH PITCH. DAY.
The tryouts are almost over. Spectators and disappointed hopefuls are on the stands. (Hermione is still there.) Still on the pitch are DEMELZA ROBINS, JIMMY PEAKES, RITCHIE COOTE, Katie, Ginny, Ron, and Cormac McLaggen.
HARRY
Okay. Chasers, Demelza Robins, Ginny Weasley.
They fist-pump in celebration with Katie.
HARRY
Beaters, Jimmy Peakes, Ritchie Coote.
They too look happy.
HARRY
Keeper.
He turns to Ron and McLaggen, who exchange competitive glances.
MCLAGGEN
Come on, Potter! You can't just choose your friends!
HARRY
Say that to me again and it definitely won't be you. McLaggen, you and Ron tied on saves.
He gestures to Katie Bell.
HARRY
You'll go up against Bell one at a time--first one who misses is out.
Ron, McLaggen, and Katie all fly up to the hoops on their brooms. Harry and the others follow a moment later to watch from a distance. Ron positions himself in front of the hoop, looking nervous. Katie has the Quaffle. She goes soaring by, throws it at Ron, who deflects it but it's a near thing. Ron flies back to join Harry. McLaggen looks more confident than Ron on his broom as he takes his place behind Harry with Ginny and Demelza and Ritchie and Jimmy. Again Katie goes soaring by, throwing the Quaffle at the hoop. McLaggen puts out a confident hand but he misses by a hair, looking surprised when the Quaffle goes through the hoop. Harry grins over his shoulder at Ron--then sees past him to Hermione, who appears to be reading a book on the stands but he sees her putting her wand away. He hesitates but recovers.
HARRY
Weasley's in.
McLaggen departs grumpily; as Ron, Ginny, and the rest of the new team fly about each other celebrating, Harry flies over to Hermione.
HARRY
Did you actually jinx McLaggen?
Hermione doesn't even look up from her book.
HERMIONE
You wouldn't have wanted McLaggen. He's argumentative and a bad team player and Ron's just as good. You've got the best team now, so it's perfectly fair.
HARRY
That's not the point! I can't believe--
He trails off. Now he's looking past Hermione to the other end of the pitch.
HERMIONE
What?
HARRY
Isn't that the Slytherin tryouts?
Hermione looks over her shoulder. A long view of silver-and-green players trying out at the other end of the pitch, with their own little set of stands.
HERMIONE
Yes...?
HARRY
Where's Malfoy?
INT. DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS CLASSROOM. DAY.
Students in the classroom, talking before class. (No desks.) Harry, Ron, and Hermione are together. Draco Malfoy is off in another corner, talking to no one. The classroom already seems darker and gloomier. Hermione, Ron, and Harry are glancing over at Draco.
HERMIONE
If Malfoy's not going out for Quidditch this year, good riddance, I say.
RON
Yeah, but it's not like him, is it?
Snape enters.
SNAPE
Quiet.
RON
(whispers)
Remind me why I let you talk me into this?
HARRY:
(wryly whispers)
I thought you talked me into this.
SNAPE
I wish to have your full attention.
He flicks his wand and a tiny spark hits Ron's arm, who winces and rubs the spot resentfully.
SNAPE
You have had five different teachers on this subject. The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a head is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed. Mutating. Indestructable.
Harry's expression is resentful, but a little torn--Snape is clearly promising to be a more useful teacher than many they've had.
SNAPE
You are, I believe, complete novices in the use of non-verbal spells. We shall begin to remedy that. Those who progress in magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this; it is a question of concentration and mind-power which some--
He looks pointedly at Harry.
SNAPE
--lack.
On his lips it has five syllables. Harry glares back.
INT. DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS CLASSROOM. DAY.
Later in class. In pairs, the students try to duel each other soundlessly. Ron and Harry are paired. Ron is trying to cast wordlessly without any success. Snape walks by, watching.
SNAPE
Pathetic, Weasley. Here, let me show you--
He raises his wand to Harry, who reacts instinctively, raising his wand.
HARRY
Protego!
Snape is knocked off-balance and goes right into a desk. He scowls as he rights himself. Any titters are quickly snuffed.
SNAPE
Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal skills, Potter?
HARRY
Yes.
SNAPE
"Yes, sir."
HARRY
There's no need to call me "sir," Professor.
Snorts and giggles from a few.
SNAPE
Detention, Saturday night, my office. I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter...not even "the chosen one."
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE CLASS. DAY.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione file out with the others.
RON
That was brilliant, Harry.
HERMIONE
You shouldn't have done it, though. What made you?
HARRY
He tried to jinx me, in case you didn't notice! I had enough of that during those Occlumency lessons. What's Dumbledore playing at, anyway, letting him teach Defense? Did you hear him talking about the Dark Arts? Like he's in love with them! "Ever-changing and eternal." "Unfixed and indestructable."
HERMIONE
I thought he sounded a bit like you, actually.
HARRY
What?
HERMIONE
The way you taught us last year. How fighting the Dark Arts comes down to being brave and quick-thinking. That's a lot of what he was saying, I thought.
Harry's taken aback; at that moment a note poofs into existence in front of Harry much as the one from Slughorn did. Harry unrolls it.
HARRY
It's from Dumbledore. He wants me to come see him in his office Saturday night.
He lets the parchment roll back with a satisfied snap as Ron and Hermione exchange a look of curiosity.
HARRY
Ha. So much for Snape's detention.
INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE. NIGHT.
Harry enters through the door.
HARRY
Good evening, Professor.
Dumbledore is standing by Fawkes, stroking the
phoenix. (A/N:
And a new euphemism is born.)
DUMBLEDORE
Good evening, Harry. You have been busy, haven't you? A detention under your belt already!
Harry smiles. Dumbledore takes a bit of bird food from a container in his left hand and gives it to Fawkes.
HARRY
How is your hand, sir?
DUMBLEDORE
Professor Snape has a been a great deal of help with it. Nothing to worry about. Do you know why I asked you here, Harry?
HARRY
No, sir.
DUMBLEDORE
War is coming, Harry. Indeed, it is already here. Soon you will be at the heart of it. You know this.
HARRY
Yes.
DUMBLEDORE
I would be remiss if I let you go into it unprepared.Your teachers are doing what they can but there is other knowledge that you need that I think I am best prepared to give you. Knowledge about Tom Riddle.
HARRY
You still call him that.
Dumbledore opens a drawer of his desk and takes out a painted miniature.
DUMBLEDORE
This, Harry, is Tom Riddle's mother.
The portrait is of an odd-eyed, plain- and dull-faced girl. It moves, like a wizarding portrait, but she does not appear to want to interact with the observer. She has a locket around her neck.
DUMBLEDORE
Merope Gaunt. Daughter of a long line of pureblood wizards, descended from Salazar Slytherin himself, whose family were fiercely proud of it.
HARRY
Do you have a picture of his father?
DUMBLEDORE
I do not. Indeed, I do not believe there are any. Tom Riddle Senior was a Muggle, Harry.
HARRY
A Muggle--!
He is astounded.
HARRY
Voldemort, a half-blood? After all his--rubbish about purebloods? The stuff his Death Eaters go on and on about?
DUMBLEDORE
Indeed. It should be no surprise Tom Riddle rejects his Muggle heritage so vehemently. His mother used a love potion to ensnare his Muggle father, who abandoned her and their child when the potion wore off. She then died, leaving Tom to be raised in an orphanage. The Muggle world was not kind to young Tom Riddle.
HARRY
But he came to Hogwarts.
DUMBLEDORE
You are thinking of yourself, orphaned, unloved by your aunt and uncle, and how happy you were when you learned you were a wizard. The parallels have not gone unnoticed by me, either. But the difference, Harry, goes deeper. Tom Riddle, when I brought him to Hogwarts--
HARRY
You brought him?
DUMBLEDORE
Oh, yes. I, personally. He was a strange boy, knowing he had powers that made him different, but he was already using them to prove he was superior to those around him. Even when other children got hurt. You never were like that, Harry.
Harry looks shy in the face of the praise.
HARRY
He never changed, did he?
DUMBLEDORE
I thought he might, when he first came here. I thought being among other wizards would make him happy, would make him stop his petty and childish torments of others. Harry, you have touched Voldemort's soul; you have felt it. He's never changed from the frightened unhappy boy that he was; his defenses against his fear have only grown on a much larger scale. I do not believe he's ever loved, or ever been loved. That is the difference between you.
He gestures towards his pensieve.
DUMBLEDORE
I have something I want to show you. It is a memory of mine when Tom Riddle was at school. Come see.
Harry and Dumbledore approach the pensieve. They swirl into it.
INT. HOGWARTS MID-TWENTIETH CENTURY HALLWAY. DAY.
Harry and Dumbledore arrive. Sepia-toned surroundings. Red-haired, younger Professor Dumbledore walks by students. A short distance ahead, TOM RIDDLE, student, is standing near the younger Professor Slughorn. As the younger Dumbledore, with Harry and the older Dumbledore walking with him, gets near, he hears Riddle asks Slughorn:
RIDDLE
Sir, I wondered what you know about... about Horcruxes, sir?
The younger Dumbledore hesitates, but then keeps walking What Riddle and Slughorn are saying is lost as Dumbledore moves on. Harry and Dumbledore swirl out of the pensieve.
INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE. NIGHT.
DUMBLEDORE
Would that I had stayed to listen that day.
HARRY
Horcruxes, sir? What are Horcruxes?
DUMBLEDORE
For you to learn that, I need you to perform a task. I need you to get the memory of that conversation from Professor Slughorn.
HARRY
Me? Sir, why don't you ask him?
DUMBLEDORE
I have. He has refused me.
HARRY
But, sir, if he won't give it to you, why should I--
DUMBLEDORE
Harry. There will come a time when I am no longer here for you. I need to know that, when I am gone, I have left you capable. This task is for you.
INT. POTIONS CLASSROOM. DAY.
Shot of Harry's bubbling cauldron, which looks identical to Hermione's.
HERMIONE
I don't believe it.
Harry is grinning, Ron is smiling too, clearly siding with Harry.
RON
Guess you can't criticise that book now. His looks just as good as yours!
HERMIONE
Yes I can! I still don't think following the directions of an unknown someone is wise!
RON
Not unknown. He's the Half-Blood Prince!
HERMIONE
Who calls himself that, anyway?
HARRY
Whoever he was, he was handy with spells as well as potions. He's got them written in the margins all over this thing. Check this out:
Harry has the book open in his left hand, gestures with his wand in his right as he consults the book.
HARRY
Levicorpus!
A student at the next table suddenly upends and flies into the air, yelling. There is much laughter from everyone. Harry looks stricken.
HERMIONE
Harry!
HARRY
Hang on--!
He flips forward a page hurriedly. In the same manner, holding and consulting the book while he casts, he gestures with his wand differently.
HARRY
Liberocorpus!
The student crashes to the ground. More laughter.
HARRY
Sorry.
SLUGHORN
What in Merlin's name is all this? I hope you've all--
He sees Harry and Hermione's cauldrons.
SLUGHORN
Oh, so you have! Marvelous work, both of you. Miss Granger, I really think you must join Harry and the rest of us at my next little get-together. I know you'd enjoy it, and we'd be honored having a witch of your caliber in my little Slug Club.
Hermione is not really paying much attention to Slughorn. Her attention is still on Harry.
HERMIONE
Thank you, sir.
SLUGHORN
(dismissing everyone) Good day, class!
Harry looks at Slughorn's retreating back, thinking. He starts to take a step forward.
HARRY
Professo--
But he's stopped by Hermione's finger in his chest. She's not happy.
HERMIONE
I want to talk to you.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE POTIONS CLASSROOM. DAY.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione file out with the rest. Harry's rubbing the spot on his chest where Hermione poked him. He's not happy he missed the opportunity to talk to Slughorn.
HARRY
What is it?
HERMIONE
That spell! That...horrid, cruel spell! Honestly, Harry, if this Half-Blood Prince is all you two think he's cracked up to be, what is he doing inventing nasty spells like that?
RON
Oh, Hermione, let it go. You're just upset because you've never had competition before.
HERMIONE
That is not the point at all!
During the last exchange, Draco Malfoy walks off in the other direction. Harry follows him with his eyes.
RON
I think it's exactly the point. You feel threatened!
HERMIONE
I feel threatened by spells that hurt other people, yes!
During the last exchange, Harry slips away from Ron and Hermione and begins to follow Draco at a distance.
INT. SEQUENCE: HOGWARTS CORRIDORS. DAY.
Harry follows Draco around a couple of twists and turns, keeping his distance so that Draco won't know he's following him. At last Draco comes to a corridor and walks toward a blank wall. As he approaches, a door forms in the wall. When he reaches it, he goes through and closes it behind him. Harry starts to run toward the door but by the time he reaches it the door has disappeared entirely. He touches the wall in dismay.
That...git is using the
Room of Requirement!
EXT. VILLAGE OF HOGSMEADE. DAY.
Long establishing shot of students and village residents making free in Hogsmeade. The weather is chilly, pushing into early winter. Harry, Ron, and Hermione walk up one of Hogsmeade's streets, carrying bags of sweets. They are mid-conversation.
HERMIONE
Harry, anyone can use the Room of Requirement. And if they get there first, it won't open for anyone the first person doesn't want to come in.
RON
Yeah, but it's not right, is it? I mean, Malfoy! In our Room!
Hermione rolls her eyes.
HARRY
What's he up to in there? I'd like to know.
HERMIONE
He might not be up to anything, Harry.
HARRY
It's Malfoy. He's up to something.
RON
Look, change the subject, Harry, you're getting obsessed. Anyone find any information about Horcruxes?
HARRY
No.
HERMIONE
I couldn't find a word about them. Not in any library book I could think of.
RON
That's it, then. If Hermione can't find anything about them in a book, they don't exist, Harry. Dumbledore's having you on.
HAGRID'S VOICE
Harry! Ron, Hermione!
They turn at the voice. HAGRID, with Fang the dog, is coming up the street toward them. They all grin and Hermione shouts:
HERMIONE
Hagrid!
They run up to him.
HAGRID
Good to see yer! I hardly get to, these days, with you three so busy.
Ron leans in, mock-conspiratorial.
RON
It's sixth-year classes. They're hell.
The others laugh.
HAGRID
Come to my cabin for tea tomorrow night, if you can spare the time?
HARRY
(happily)
We will. Tomorrow!
HAGRID
Good, good!
He ruffles them all up good-naturedly and he and Fang move on. Harry, Ron, and Hermione start to saunter on; Katie Bell walks by them very rapidly, carrying a package, blank-faced.
HARRY
Hey, Katie. Good practice the other day!
Katie does not even blink as she continues on. It strikes Harry that this is odd.
HARRY
Katie?
Behind them, Fang has stopped in his tracks and is barking in their direction.
HAGRID
Fang? C'mon, stop that, you silly dog--
Fang bolts toward Katie.
HAGRID
Fang!
Fang is suddenly before Katie, barking. She stops. Fang gets a hold of the package in his teeth. She holds on and there is a sudden struggle. The package tears and a silver-and-opal necklace falls out of the package. It slides across a bit of Katie's bare wrist as it does, flashing malevolently where it contacts her skin. Katie screams and falls; the necklace is on the ground next to her, not touching her. Fang whines and backs away from them both. Hagrid, Ron, Hermione and Harry all run up to the fallen Katie.
HERMIONE
Don't touch it!
They draw back from the necklace.
HAGRID
'Ere, I'll carry her back to the castle.
He lifts the unconscious Katie as Hermione aims her wand at the necklace. A bubble forms around it and it lifts into the air. As Hagrid carries her, Hermione directs the necklace ahead of her carefully and she, Ron, Harry, and Fang all follow Hagrid.
INT. INFIRMARY. DAY.
Katie lies in a bed, weak but conscious. MINERVA MCGONAGALL, MADAME POMFREY, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all stand nearby. Katie has been talking.
KATIE:
The last thing I remember--someone commanding me to take the package back to the castle and to Professor Dumbledore. But they were behind me. I never saw them.
HERMIONE
The Imperius curse.
MCGONAGALL
Indeed, Miss Granger. The necklace, Professor Snape found, has a dreadful curse on it--you're lucky to be alive, Miss Bell.
POMFREY
Yes, and you'll be in the infirmary for a good week or more.
KATIE
I'll miss the first game of the season. Sorry, Harry.
POMFREY
All right, out, the lot of you. Let Miss Bell rest.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione move away.
HERMIONE
They wanted a cursed necklace to go to Dumbledore? Who would have done something like that?
HARRY
Bet I've got a guess.
A beat as Hermione realizes.
HERMIONE
Malfoy? Oh, Harry, he couldn't have.
HARRY
His father's house is probably full of cursed stuff like that.
RON
Look, Harry, Malfoy's a git, but that's murder you're talking about. Besides, it wouldn't have been a very smart murder, would it have?
HARRY
No one ever accused Malfoy of being smart.
EXT. QUIDDITCH PITCH. DAY.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team, minus Katie and plus Dean Thomas, are on the pitch flying, practicing. Dean Thomas tosses the Quaffle through the hoop as Ron fails to block it.
HARRY
Nice one, Dean!
Dean beams. Ron looks disgusted with himself. Harry gives an awkward smile to Ginny, who's hovering near him.
HARRY
You were right, Ginny, Dean was a good choice for substitute. He's doing really well.
GINNY
Ron's not. Look at him.
HARRY
Nerves, that's all.
GINNY
It's going to get worse before it gets better. The game's tomorrow.
She flies off to Dean; the two of them hover, talking happily as Harry watches with a twinge of jealousy.
HARRY
Good work, everyone, I think we'll flatten Slytherin.
Ron flies to Harry.
RON
I played like a sack of dragon dung.
HARRY
No, you didn't. You're the best keeper I tried out, Ron. It's just nerves. You'll be brilliant tomorrow.
Ron flies off morosely. Harry does not quite bite his lip. He glances back at Dean and Ginny. Dean leans in for a kiss from Ginny. Harry turns back, rolling his eyes, and zooms off after Ron. Hermione comes onto the pitch, looking rather tailored.
RON
Where've you been?
HERMIONE
Oh, fine, don't say hello. Professor Slughorn had one of his get-togethers.
RON
The Slug Club?
HERMIONE
Look, I didn't name it that.
HARRY
So how was it?
HERMIONE