[KJRiddle]

I changed some small things on my previous script of the first chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I couldn't find a good part for the Battle over Little Whinging, so that part is now kind of 'missing'. I continued the script after the arrival of the Order of the Phoenix at the Burrow.

I really hope you'll enjoy reading, and soon I'll post the Wedding of Bill and fleur and Infiltration of the Ministry, on which I'm still working.

DEATHLY HALLOWS: The Dark Lord Ascending/The New Minister:    

---

DEATHLY HALLOWS: The Dark Lord Ascending/The New Minister HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART I Written by Steven Kloves Based on the book by J.K. Rowling We home in on a dark COUNTRY ROAD. The only LIGHT is coming from an old LAMPPOST that FLICKERS. Then it goes out. When it goes back on, a CLOAKED PERSON has appeared out of nowhere. The CAMERA looks up and the LOGO emerges in the sky. EXT. WILTSHIRE/MALFOY MANOR – NIGHT – 19/7/1997 A WIDE HELICOPTER SHOT from MALFOY MANOR. We follow the CLOAKED PERSON to the WROUGHT-IRON GATES. He rolls his SLEEVE. He shows the DARK MARK on his left forearm. The GATES swing open. When he arrives at the FRONT DOOR, he knocks and he is revealed to be Severus Snape. Narcissa Malfoy appears in the doorstep. NARCISSA MALFOY Follow me, the Dark Lord is waiting for you. INT. MALFOY MANOR/DRAWING ROOM – SECONDS LATER We home in on the DARK SILHOUET of Lord Voldemort. Sitting at the HEAD of a LONG TABLE in front of the FIREPLACE. A HUGE SNAKE draped around his NECK. The DOOR slams open. LORD VOLDEMORT Snape … You are very nearly late. SEVERUS SNAPE My Lord, there was some business to take care of. LORD VOLDEMORT I hope you have the information I asked for. Snape takes place next to Voldemort. The CAMERA shows the present DEATH EATERS sitting at the table. The FRIGHTENED Carrows. A CROUCHED Peter Pettigrew. A PROUD Bellatrix Lestrange. The DEPSONDENT Narcissa Malfoy, the BEATEN UP Lucius Malfoy and the TERRIFIED Draco Malfoy. SEVERUS SNAPE My Lord, The Order of the Phoenix intends to move Harry Potter from his current place of safety on Saturday next, at nightfall. LORD VOLDEMORT Interesting. And this information comes … SEVERUS SNAPE … from the source we discussed, My Lord. One of the DEATH EATERS stands up and takes off his DEATH EATER MASK. YAXLEY My Lord, I have heard differently. LORD VOLDEMORT Speak, Yaxley. YAXLEY I have heard that Potter will be moved the thirtieth, the night before the boy turns seventeen. SEVERUS SNAPE And what source is so reliable that we can trust on this? YAXLEY One of the officials close to the Minister for Magic himself. He told me that the escort of Potter will be arranged by the Order of the Phoenix and some of the Aurors for ultimate protection. SEVERUS SNAPE I assure you Yaxley, the Auror Office will play no further part in the protection of Harry Potter. The Order knows that we have infiltrated the Ministry of Magic. Voldemorts EYES NARROW. He STROKES the snake with his LONG FINGERS. LORD VOLDEMORT Where are they going to hide the boy next? SEVERUS SNAPE At the home of one of the Order, My Lord. The place has been given every protection the Order and the Ministry could provide. I think there won’t be a chance taking him there, My Lord. Unless … the Ministry will have fallen before the Order can move Potter. LORD VOLDEMORT Well Yaxley … Will the Ministry have fallen by that time? Yaxley SWALLOWS and looks around ANXIOUS. YAXLEY My Lord, infiltrating the Ministry of Magic … I have, with difficulty and after great effort, succeeded in placing an Imperius Curse upon one of the highest officials within the Ministry: Pius Thicknesse. LORD VOLDEMORT Let me make something clear … The new Minister for Magic we are dealing with is nothing compared to Cornelius Fudge. Rufus Scrimgeour is an intelligent person and although we already have infiltrated the Ministry, he is not blind. Before I take over the Ministry for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour must be surrounded by our people. One failed attempt on his life will set me back a long way. YAXLEY Yes, My Lord. But I … LORD VOLDEMORT Silence! Voldemort RAISED his hand. His SNAKE opens his MOUTH and HISSES ANGRILY. LORD VOLDEMORT The Ministry of Magic will not be mine next Saturday. If we cannot touch the boy at his destination, then it must be done while he travels. SEVERUS SNAPE Permission to speak, My Lord. LORD VOLDEMORT Yes. SEVERUS SNAPE Now the Order of the Phoenix knows the Ministry of Magic has been infiltrated, they will certainly not make use of any way of traveling controlled by the Ministry of Magic. That means … LORD VOLDEMORT … he will have to move in the open. The EYES of Voldemort TWINKLE. A SUPPRESSED SMILE appears on his face. LORD VOLDEMORT Next Saturday we will be ready when Harry Potter shall be moved from his safety. No mistakes are allowed, there have been too many mistakes where Harry Potter is concerned. Some of them have been my own. That Potter lives is due more to my errors, than to his triumphs. We get an CLEAR SHOT of the MALFOYS looking down FRIGHTENED. LORD VOLDEMORT Lucius! Lucius Malfoy looks up ANXIOUS. He stands up and SQUARES HIS SHOULDERS. LUCIUS MALFOY Yes, My Lord. LORD VOLDEMORT Now I am not allowed to make any mistake concerning the boy, I am in desperate need of another wand. And after your failure last summer, I see no reason for you to have a wand any more. LUCIUS MALFOY My Lord? LORD VOLDEMORT Give me your wand, Lucius. Lucius HESTITATES. He SWALLOWS. He HANDS OVER his WAND to Voldemort. Lucius seems to EXPECT that Voldemort would give him HIS WAND. LORD VOLDEMORT You are suggesting I will give me my own wand? I have give you your liberty, is that not enough for you? But I have noticed that you and your family seem less than happy of late … what is it about my presence in your home that displeases you? LUCIUS MALFOY Nothing … nothing, My Lord. LORD VOLDEMORT Such lies! CRUCIO! Voldemort WAVES his WAND. Lucius FALLS DOWN and WRIGGLES in PAIN. Bellatrix Lestrange STANDS UP. BELLATRIX LESTRANGE My Lord, it is an honour to have you here, in our family’s house. There can be no higher pleasure. LORD VOLDEMORT No higher pleasure. That means a great deal, Bellatrix, from you. Her EYES get FILLED with TEARS of HAPPINESS. Voldemort DEMANDS her to sit. LORD VOLDEMORT Wormtail … Bring us the prisoner. INT. MALFOY MANOR/HIDDEN BASEMENT – SECONDS LATER Wormtail walks down the DARK STAIRCASE. He opens a LOCKED DOOR. He enters the BASEMENT. TWO PRISONERS are sitting in the CORNER of the EMPTY CHAMBER. TIED UP. Prisoners are REVEALED to be Ollivander and an UNKNOWN WOMAN. Wormtail grabs her with his SILVER HAND. They LEAVE. UNKNOWN WOMAN Please … Don’t do this … INT. MALFOY MANOR/DRAWING ROOM – SECONDS LATER Voldemort looks back when Wormtail enters. LORD VOLDEMORT Do you recognize our guest, Severus? SEVERUS SNAPE I do. LORD VOLDEMORT And you, Draco? Wasn’t she one of your teachers at Hogwarts? The one that wrote an impassioned defense of Mudbloods in the Daily Prophet. Professor Charity Burbage … Not content with corrupting and polluting the minds of wizarding children. Charity Burbage was CRYING and BEGGING FOR HER LIFE. CHARITY BURBAGE (crying) Severus … please … LORD VOLDEMORT Avada Kedavra! A JET of GREEN LIGHT knocked her over. She is DEAD. LORD VOLDEMORT Dinner, Nagini … The SNAKE slipped of his shoulders towards Charity Burbage. Voldemort LAUGHS while the DEATH EATERS look FRIGHTENED. LORD VOLDEMORT By the end of the summer, the Ministry of Magic will have been fallen and Harry Potter shall be dead. INT. MINISTRY FOR MAGIC/MINISTER’S OFFICE – MORNING – 26/7/1997 We home in an a DESK filled with PAPERWORK. A hand grabs the QUILL and dips it in an INKWELL. Before he can start writing, we hear a door open up. MINISTRY OFFICIAL (O.S.) Sir, they are ready. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR (O.S.) Thank you. He puts down the QUILL. We see his face. He stands up and DUSTS his ROBES. INT. MINISTRY FOR MAGIC/CONFERENCE ROOM – MOMENTS LATER Rufus Scrimgeour walks on the STAGE. ATTENDED by two AURORS. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR As you all know, the world has changed. He PAUSES for a while. He puts his GLASSES on the tip of his NOSE. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR More people are disappearing every day. A WIDE SHOT of the press and the MINISTRY OFFICIALS present in the COGERENCE ROOM. Several PICTURES are made. REPORTER 1 Is there any news on the disappearance of Charity Burbage and Amelia Bones? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR There is no news regarding those two disappearances. REPORTER 2 (O.S.) Is there any progress in the murder investigation of Albus Dumbledore? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Albus Dumbledore has been killed by Death Eaters who have succeeded in penetrating the castle of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. REPORTER 3 (O.S.) Are our children still save at Hogwarts now Dumbledore is no more? REPORTER 4 (O.S.) Is it true that Severus Snape was involved the death of Dumbledore? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR The only thing I can assure you is this: dark times lie ahead. The Ministry of Magic is working on ultimate security for both the Wizarding as the Muggle World. The Muggle Prime Minister has been contacted recently and has been informed of the open war we have with the Dark Forces of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. A HUGE FLASH and the image of Scrimgeour FREEZES and TURNS INTO this picture on the FRONTPAGE of the DAILY PROPHET.

DEATHLY HALLOWS: Leaving Privet Drive/The Seven Potters:    

---

DEATHLY HALLOWS: Leaving Privet Drive/The Seven Potters INT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE/HARRY POTTER’S BEDROOM – EVENING – 27/7/1997 The camera SLIDES over the DAILY PROPHET with SCRIMGEOUR at the CONFERENCE. An older copy with the FACE of Albus Dumbledore ‘ALBUS DUMBLEDORE: IN MEMORIAM’. SCHOOLBOOKS. SOCKS. THE FAKE LOCKET. The camera goes up and we see Harry sitting on his BED. He holds his INVISIBILTY CLOAK, the MARAUDERS MAP and an PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM. He tries to put it in a RUCKSACK. VERNON DURSLEY (O.S.) Boy! INT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE/LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER Harry walks in with his RUCKSACK and WAND. VERNON DURSLEY Put that thing away! HARRY POTTER You mean this? Harry points it at Vernon who JUMPS BACKWARDS. Petunia Dursley SCREAMS. VERNON DURSLEY Put it away! And sit down! I have changed my mind. HARRY POTTER What a surprise. VERNON DURSLEY I have decided I don’t believe a word of it. According to you, Petunia, Dudley and I are in danger. You claim that this Lord … HARRY POTTER … Voldemort. VERNON DURSLEY You claim that he will find you here and so we are not safe anymore? I think you are just … We think that this is a plot to get the house! HARRY POTTER The house? What house? VERNON DURSLEY This house! Our house! House prices are sky-rocketing round here! You want us out of the way so you have … HARRY POTTER Are you out of your mind? A plot to get this house? Are you actually as stupid as you look? PETUNIA DURSLEY Don’t you dare to talk to us like that! HARRY POTTER In case you’ve forgotten, I’ve already got a house, my godfather left me one in London. So why would I want this one? All the happy memories? VERNON DURSLEY So you claim that … HARRY POTTER Lord Voldemort is on the move! Hundreds of people are disappearing and dying these days. These crashes and explosions and derailments and whatever has happened since we last watched the news … Even the fogs are caused by his hand. Mr. Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt were quite clear about all this! VERNON DURSLEY Let’s say … for the sake of argument … we accept this protection. I still don’t see why we can’t have this Kingsley bloke! HARRY POTTER As I’ve told you, Kingsley is protecting your Prime Minister. You saw him on the news! Do you actually think he will escort three Muggles to safety while the government is in grave danger? Hestia Jones and Dedalus Diggle are members of the Order of the Phoenix, they are skilled and they are armed … in case something should happen. VERNON DURSLEY But what about my work? What about Dudley’s school? I don’t suppose those things matter to a bunch of layabout wizards … HARRY POTTER Don’t you understand? He will torture and kill you like they did my parents! Everyone goes SILENT. Dudley SWALLOWS. Vernon and Petunia look each other in the eyes. DUDLEY DURSLEY I’m going with these Order people. HARRY POTTER Dudley, for the first time in your life, you’re actually talking sense. They’ll be here in about five minutes so be ready. INT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE/HALLWAY – SECONDS LATER Harry walks away but HALFWAY up the STAIRS, the DOORBELL rings. Harry runs to the DOOR and Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones appears in the DOORSTEP. DEDALUS DIGGLE Harry Potter! An honour as ever! HARRY POTTER Thanks Dedalus. Thank you both for doing this. Vernon, Petunia and Dudley arrive in the HALLWAY. DEDALUS DIGGLE I see you are packed and ready! The plan is that we leave just before Harry does. So I would like to ask you to follow us to the car where we … I presume you know how to drive, I take it? VERNON DURSLEY Know how to …? Ofcourse I bloody know how to drive! DEDALUS DIGGLE Excellent! You, Harry, will wait here for you guard. There has been a little change in the arrangements. Mad-Eye will explain everything when they arrive. HESTIA JONES Perhaps we should wait outside in the hall, Dedalus. VERNON DURSLEY There’s no need. Well, this is goodbye, then, boy. Come on, Dudley … Petunia. HESTIA JONES Excuse me? HARRY POTTER It doesn’t matter. Honestly. HESTIA JONES Doesn’t matter? Don’t these people realize what you’ve been through? What danger you are in? The unique position you hold in the hearts of the movement against Voldemort? HARRY POTTER They think I’m a waste of space, actually. But I’m used to it. DUDLEY DURSLEY I don’t think you’re a waste of space. HARRY POTTER Well … er … thanks Dudley. DUDLEY DURSLEY You saved my life. HARRY POTTER Actually the Dementor would have only taken your soul. Hestia looks ANGRY to Vernon. Petunia starts to CRY and HUGS Dudley. PETUNIA DURSLEY So sweet of my little Dudders. Such a lovely boy … saying thank you. HESTIA JONES But he hasn’t said thank you at all! HARRY POTTER Yeah, but coming from Dudley that’s like ‘I love you’. VERNON DURSLEY Are we going or not? He WALKS out followed by Petunia who is still HUGGING Dudley. Harry and Dudley look each other in the EYES on more time and then they go OFF SCREEN. HESTIA JONES They will arrive any minute, you will be in save hands. DEDALUS DIGGLE Good luck, Harry. I hope we meet again! HARRY POTTER Thank you, guys. Goodbye! Harry shuts the DOOR behind and runs up the STAIRS. INT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE/HARRY POTTER’S BEDROOM – SECONDS LATER Harry grabs the FAKE LOCKET and puts it in his RUCKSACK. Then he grabs HEDWIG’s CAGE. Suddenly a BRIGHT HEADLIGHT shines through his window. Harry looks more closely and sees BROOMS flying towards the house, led by an FLYING MOTORCYCLE. He RUNS downstairs with the HEDWIG in his hands. EXT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE/BACKGARDEN – MOMENTS LATER Harry WALKS through the GLASS DOORS of the CLOSED VERANDA. Hagrid is sitting on the FLYING MOTORCYCLE and steps off it. RUBEUS HAGRID Hi, Harry! HARRY POTTER Hagrid! Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger LAND on the LAWN. They step of their BROOMS. HARRY POTTER Ron! Hermione! HERMIONE GRANGER He were so worried! She HUGS him for some seconds. Ron SMILES. RON WEASLEY Glad to see you mate. Four more people step of their BROOMS. A SMILING Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. A GRINNING Fred and George Weasley. FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY Hi, Harry! Alastor Moody LEANING on his WALKING STICK. Kingsley Shacklebolt holding his BROOM. Mr. Weasley SMILES KINDLY. Three more other people LAND in the GARDEN. HARRY POTTER I wasn’t expecting this many of you! ALASTOR MOODY Change of plan. Let’s go in before we talk you through it. EXT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE/KITCHEN – SAME TIME HARRY POTTER Kingsley, I thought you were looking after the Prime Minister. KINGSLEY SHACKLEBOLT He can get along without me for one night. You´re more important. NYMPHADORA TONKS Harry! Guess what? She shows a RING on her LEFT HAND. SMILING she EMBRACES Lupin. HARRY POTTER (surprised) You got married? REMUS LUPIN I’m sorry you couldn’t be there, Harry, it was very quiet. HARRY POTTER That’s amazing! Congratulations! RON WEASLEY Luckily you won’t miss the wedding of Bill and Fleur. HARRY POTTER Bill and Fleur? Harry TURNS AROUND and looks at Fleur Delacour and a RED-HAIRED PERSON standing in the CORNER of the kitchen. He walks towards Harry and SHAKES his HAND. BILL WEASLEY Great pleasure to finally meet you. Bill Weasley. HARRY POTTER Ron’s oldest brother? BILL WEASLEY The one and only. FLEUR DELACOUR Harry! HARRY POTTER Fleur Delacour? Are you marrying Bill Weasley? FLEUR DELACOUR Yes. Next week we will get married at the Burrow. I am glad you can be there! I can never thank you enough for saving my sister Gabrielle from those horrible creatures. ALASTOR MOODY Enough! We’ll have time for a cosy catch-up later. As everyone already knows, we had to abandon Plan A. Pius Thicknesse has gone over to the Dark Side, which gives us a big problem. He’s made it an imprisonable offence to connect this house to the Floo Network, place a Portkey here or Apparate in or out. All done in the name of your protection, to prevent You-Know-Who getting in at you. Absolutely pointless, seeing as your mother’s charm does that already. What he’s really done is to stop you getting out of here safely. Second problem: you’re still under-age, which means you’ve still got the Trace on you. HARRY POTTER The Trace? ALASTOR MOODY The Trace, the Trace! The charm that detects magical activity around under-seventeens, the way the Ministry finds out about under-age magic! If you, or anyone around, casts a spell to get you out of here, Thicknesse is going to know about it, and so will the Death Eaters. KINGSLEY SHACKLEBOLT And we can’t wait for the Trace to break, because the moment you turn seventeen, you’ll lose all the protection your mother gave you. HARRY POTTER So what are we going to do? ALASTOR MOODY We’re going to use the only means of transport left to us: brooms and Hagrid’s flying motorbike. The one thing we’ve got our side is that You-Know-Who doesn’t know we’re moving you tonight. We’ve leaked a fake trail to the Ministry: they think you’re not leaving until the thirtieth. But we can never be sure enough. He’s bound to have a couple of Death Eaters patrolling g the skies in this general area, just in case. So we’ve given a dozen different houses every protection we can throw at them. They all look like they could be the place we’re going to hide you because all of them got some connection with the Order: my house, Kingsley’s place, the house of Tonks’s parents. Get it? HARRY POTTER Yeah. ALASTOR MOODY You’ll be going to Tonks’s parents. From there you are able to use a Portkey to the Burrow. HARRY POTTER Maybe they won’t know which of the secure houses I’m heading for at first, but won’t it be sort of obvious once fourteen of us fly off Tonks’s parents? ALASTOR MOODY Ah! I forgot to mention the key point. Fourteen of us won’t be flying to Tonks’s parents. There will be seven Harry Potters moving through the skies tonight, each of them with a companion, each pair heading for a different safe house. HARRY POTTER No! No way! HERMIONE GRANGER I told them you’d take it like this. HARRY POTTER If you think I’m going to let six people risk their lives … no way! And by the way, you can’t do this if I don’t cooperate. You need me to give you some hair. FRED WEASLEY Thirteen of us against one bloke who’s not allowed to use magic; we’ve got no chance. HARRY POTTER Funny. Really amusing. ALASTOR MOODY If it has to come to force, then it will. MUNDUNGUS FLETCHER I say we don’t force him. If Harry doesn’t want us to … ALASTOR MOODY Shut up, you coward! GEORGE WEASLEY Mundungus, why did you actually joined the Order of the Phoenix? MUNDUNGUS FLETCHER I am not afraid! But I told you that I prefer to be a protector. ALASTOR MOODY Shut up. As I’ve already told you, you spineless worm, any Death Eaters we run into will be aiming to capture Potter, not kill him. Dumbledore always said You-Know-Who would want to finish Potter in person. It’ll be the protectors who have got the most to worry about. Harry PULLS out some HAIR. MOODY prepares the POLYJUICE POTION. He divides the THICK DARK MUD in SIX GLASSES. ALASTOR MOODY Altogether, then … Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Fleur and Mundungus grab a GLASS. They DRINK and start to TRANSFORM into Harry slowly. Moody shows a PACKAGE of CLOTHING and some GLASSES. GEORGE WEASLEY Wow, Fred. We’re actually identical! ALASTOR MOODY Here I have some fitting clothes. Ron SNEAKILY looks down his UNDERWEAR. RON WEASLEY I knew Ginny lied … HERMIONE GRANGER Harry, your eyesight is awful! ALASTOR MOODY Good. The pairs will be as follows: Mundungus will be travelling with me, by broom. MUNDUNGUS FLETCHER Why am I with you? ALASTOR MOODY Because you’re the one that needs watching! Arthur and Fred … Remus with George … Bill, you take your fiancée … Miss Granger will be guarded by Kingsley and Ron will pair up with Nymphadora. HAGRID Which leaves you and me, Harry! We'll be on Sirius’ old bike. ALASTOR MOODY Three minutes before we’re supposed to leave. No point locking the back door, it won’t keep Death Eaters out when they come looking. Come on …

DEATHLY HALLOWS: Stay at the Burrow/Harry's Seventeenth Birthday:    

---

DEATHLY HALLOWS: Stay at the Burrow/Harry's Seventeenth Birthday EXT. THE BURROW/BACKYARD – NIGHT – 28/7/1997 Harry Potter walks out of the BACKDOOR and sits down on the DISORGANIZED BRICK WALL separating the BACKYARD from the CORNFIELD. He takes off his BROKEN GLASSES and throws them on the ground FURIOUSLY. Then the BACKDOOR opens and Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger walk out. RON WEASLEY What is it, mate? HARRY POTTER I’ve got to go. I can’t stay here. HERMIONE GRANGER Don’t be silly, Harry. HARRY POTTER You’re all in danger because of me. RON WEASLEY Because of you? HARRY POTTER Yes, because of me. It’s because of me Mad-Eye died! It’s because of me your brother is heavily injured! Hermione kneels before him and picks up his SHATTERED GLASSES. She takes out her WAND and points it directly to them. HERMIONE GRANGER Oculus Reparo. The SHATTERED GLASS is restored instantly and Hermione puts the glasses back on Harry’s head gently. She smiles and lays her hand on his SHOULDER. HERMIONE GRANGER You’re not going anywhere. RON WEASLEY The whole bloody point of tonight was to get you here safely, and thank goodness it worked. HERMIONE GRANGER Fleur’s even agreed to get married here rather than in France, they’ve arranged everything so that we can all stay together and the Order can look after you. HARRY POTTER I won’t be staying here! I’m going to finish what Dumbledore started. I’m going to destroy those Horcruxes, Hermione. RON WEASLEY And we’re coming with you! Suddenly Harry COLLAPSES. He SCREAMS and seems to be in serious pain. He presses his HAND against the LIGHTNING-SHAPED SCAR on his forehead. We cut to an old, emaciated man lying on the ground of a dark basement. Voldemort is standing in front of him with his SMOKING WAND pointed at the man. LORD VOLDEMORT (furious) You told me the problem would be solved by using another’s wand! OLLIVANDER No! I beg you! I beg you! LORD VOLDEMORT You lied to Lord Voldemort, Ollivander. OLLIVANDER I did not! I swear I did not! I do not understand. The connection exists only between your two wands … LORD VOLDEMORT Lies! EXT. THE BURROW/BACKYARD – MOMENTS LATER We zoom out of the LIGHTNING-SHAPED SCAR on Harry’s forehead. Ollivander SCREAMING in the far distance. Ron and Hermione help Harry to get up his feet as he opens his eyes. HERMIONE GRANGER Harry, are you all right? HARRY POTTER I’m fine. RON WEASLEY What happened? HARRY POTTER You remember Mr. Ollivander? HERMIONE WEASLEY The wandmaker who sells wands at Diagon Alley? RON WEASLEY He’s been missing for a year now. What about him? HARRY POTTER He looks pretty badly. Voldemort was torturing him for information. Ollivander told him about some sort of connection between two wands, I think he was talking about the connection between my wand and Voldemort’s. RON WEASLEY What about it? HARRY POTTER Something strange happened tonight. When Voldemort caught up with me … My wand acted at its own accord. It was like my wand was trying to protect me from him at its own accord. HERMIONE GRANGER That’s impossible, wands cannot act on its own accord. HARRY POTTER I know, but I didn’t do anything. It just happened. But I think Voldemort’s after something. And Ollivander holds some crucial information about it. HERMIONE GRANGER It was supposed to have stopped! Your scar … it wasn’t spooused to do this anymore! You mustn’t let that connection between you and You-Know-Who open up again. Dumbledore wanted you to close you mind! Harry, he’s taking over the wizarding world. Don’t let him inside your head too! EXT. THE BURROW/OTTERY ST. CATCHPOLE – MORNING 30/7/1997 A WIDE SHOT of the Burrow with a GOLDEN SKY in the background. We hear the CROWING of a rooster and see a small SQUALL going through the surrounding CORNFIELD. INT. THE BURROW/KITCHEN – CONTINUES Harry walks down the STAIRS in his PYJAMAS. Hundreds of COOKING POTS, STEW-PANS and PLATES are piled up on the KITCHEN TABLE. Molly Weasley is cleaning the empty KITCHEN CABINETS. HARRY POTTER Good morning, Mrs. Weasley. MOLLY WEASLEY (enthusiastic) Harry! HARRY POTTER What’s going on? MOLLY WEASLEY I just started with cleaning the house. When Bill and Fleur get married I want the place to be spick-and-span. HARRY POTTER And how is George doing? MOLLY WEASLEY He’s doing great. Fred’s looking after him. But … Harry, I want to ask you something. Molly walks away from the KITCHEN CABINETS and comes to a standstill in front of Harry. Her EYES piercing Harry’s and she puts her hand on his shoulder. MOLLY WEASLEY Ron and Hermione seem to think that the three of you are dropping out of Hogwarts. HARRY POTTER Yes, we are. MOLLY WEASLEY May I ask why you are abandoning your education? HARRY POTTER Well, Dumbledore left me … stuff to do. Ron and Hermione know about it, and they are determined to come with me. MOLLY WEASLEY And what stuff, is that? HARRY POTTER I’m sorry, I can’t … MOLLY WEASLEY Frankly, I think Arthur and I have a right to know, and I’m sure that the parents of Hermione would agree! HARRY POTTER Dumbledore didn’t want anyone else to know, Mrs. Weasley. I’m sorry. Ron and Hermione don’t have to come, it’s their choice. MOLLY WEASLEY I don’t see that you have to go either! You’re barely of age, any of you! It’s utter nonsense, if Dumbledore needed work doing, he had the whole Order at his command! Harry, you must have misunderstood him. Probably he was telling you something he wanted done, and you took it to mean that he wanted you … HARRY POTTER I didn’t misunderstand. It’s got to be me. MOLLY WEASLEY Well, then. While we’ve still got you here, you won’t mind helping with the preparations for Bill and Fleur’s wedding, will you? There’s still so much to do. HARRY POTTER No, of course not. MOLLY WEASLEY (smiling) Sweet of you. INT. THE BURROW/RON’S BEDROOM – MOMENTS LATER Ron is lying back down on his BED with his legs crossed. Hermione and Harry are sitting on the other side. Hermione is sorting her BOOKS into TWO ENORMOUS PILES. RON WEASLEY I told you. She’s determined to get it out of us. Dad and Lupin’ve both asked as well, but when I said Dumbledore told you not to anyone except us, they dropped it. HERMIONE GRANGER They’re just worried. HARRY POTTER Of course they’re worried. And … well, I know just said that you wanted to come with me, but … RON WEASLEY Here he goes. HARRY POTTER Listen! HERMIONE GRANGER No, Harry, you listen. We’re coming with you. That was decided a long time ago. HARRY POTTER But … RON WEASLEY Shut up! HARRY POTTER Are you sure you’ve thought this through? HERMIONE GRANGER Let’s see. I’ve been packing from the moment I got here, so we’re ready to leave at a moment’s notice, which for your information has included doing some pretty difficult magic, not to mention smuggling Mad-Eye’s whole stock of Polyjuice Potion right under Ron’s mum’s nose. And I’ve also modified my parents’ memories, so that they’re convinced they’re really called Wendell and Monica Wilkins, and that their life’s ambition is to move to Australia, which they have now done. That’s to make it more difficult for Voldemort to track them down and interrogate them about us. Because, unfortunately, I’ve told them quite a bit about you. Assuming I survive the hunt for the Horcruxes, I’ll find Mum and Dad and lift the enchantment. If I don’t … well, I think I’ve cast a good enough charm to keep them safe and happy. Wendell and Monica Wilkins don’t know that they’ve got a daughter, you see. Hermione’s eyes are swimming in TEARS. Ron gets back off the bed and puts his arm around her COMFORTING. HERMIONE GRANGER Didn’t realize that Ron and I know perfectly well what might happen if we come with you? Well, we do. Ron, tell Harry what you’ve done. RON WEASLEY Look, when we three don’t turn up at Hogwarts again, everyone’s going to think Hermione and I must be with you, right? Which means the Death Eaters will go straight for our families to see if they’ve got information on where you are. And because I can’t hide my whole family and they really can’t all leave their jobs, we’re putting out the story that I’m seriously ill with spattergroit, which is why I can’t go back to school. If anyone comes calling to investigate, Mum or Dad can show them my ghoul. HARRY POTTER What’s a ghoul? RON WEASLEY It lives on my attic for years now. It’s probably the most ugly creature you’ve ever seen. He’s wearing my old pyjamas and we gave him red hair, so it resembles me. HARRY POTTER And your parents are in on this plan? RON WEASLEY Dad is. Mum … well, you’ve seen what she’s like. She won’t accept we’re going until we’ve gone. HERMIONE GRANGER But, what we really need to decide, is where we’re going after we leave here. I know you said you wanted to go to Godric’s Hollow, where your parents died. And I understand why, but … well … shouldn’t we make the Horcruxes our priority? HARRY POTTER If I knew where any of these Horcruxes were, I’d agree with you. But we haven’t got a clue! The only thing we have is the fake Horcrux Dumbledore and I found three months ago. Harry grabs the FAKE LOCKET and opens it. The CAMERA homes in on the NOTE Harry unfolds. We see the INITIALS ‘R.A.B.’ at the bottom of the NOTE. HARRY POTTER To the Dark Lord. I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. HERMIONE GRANGER We know. But let’s say this R.A.B. person found a way to steal the real locket, we’re still going to have to try and trace it, aren’t we? To find out whether or not it’s destroyed. RON WEASLEY And how do you destroy a Horcrux? HERMIONE GRANGER Well, I’ve been researching that. Hermione starts searching between the PILES OF BOOKS and grabs an OLD BOOK that says: ‘SECRETS OF THE DARKEST ARTS.’ HARRY POTTER I thought you said there weren’t any books on Horcruxes in the school library. HERMIONE GRANGER There weren’t. Dumbledore removed them all from the Restricted Section, but he … he didn’t destroy them. RON WEASLEY You stole that book from Dumbledore’s Office? HERMIONE GRANGER It wasn’t stealing! They were still library books, even if Dumbledore had taken them off the shelves. Anyway, this is the book I found. It’s a horrible book, really, full of the darkest magic. The more I’ve read about these Horcruxes, the more horrible they seem, and the less I can believe Voldemort actually made six. It warns in this book how unstable you make the rest of your soul by ripping it, and that’s just by making one Horcrux! RON WEASLEY So does it say how to destroy Horcruxes in that book? HERMIONE GRANGER Yes. From all that I’ve read, what Harry did to Tom Riddle’s diary in the Chamber of Secrets, was one of the few really foolproof ways to destroying a Horcrux. HARRY POTTER What, stabbing it with a Basilisk fang? HERMIONE GRANGER Yes, because only the darkest magic is able to destroy Horcrux, including the venom of a Basilisk. The problem is that we don’t have a Basilisk fang, and that only ripping, smashing or crushing a Horcrux won’t destroy it. You’ve got to put it beyond magical repair. RON WEASLEY But even if we wreck the thing that piece of soul lives in, why can’t that bit of soul in it just go and live in something else? HERMIONE GRANGER Because a Horcrux is the complete opposite of a human being. Look, if I picked up a sword right now, and ran you through with it, I wouldn’t damage your soul at all. RON WEASLEY Which would be a real comfort to me, I’m sure. HERMIONE GRANGER It should be, actually! But my point is that whatever happens to your body, your soul will survive, untouched. But it’s the other way round with a Horcrux. The fragment of soul inside it depends on its container, its enchanted body, for survival. It can’t exist without it. HARRY POTTER That diary sort of died when I stabbed it with the Basilisk fang. HERMIONE GRANGER And once the diary was properly destroyed, the bit of Voldemort’s soul trapped in it, could no longer exist. HARRY POTTER I really wonder how Dumbledore destroyed the second Horcrux he discovered. HERMIONE GRANGER You mean the Ring belonging to Voldemort’s mother? HARRY POTTER Yes, Dumbledore showed me the Diary and the Ring the evening we found out about the Horcruxes. Why didn’t I ask him how he’d destroyed it? HERMIONE GRANGER I think the most important thing is now, to find out where the other four Horcruxes are! RON WEASLEY And what they are. HARRY POTTER I’ve been thinking what they could be. When Dumbledore showed me these memories of Voldemort, I noticed that even as a boy, Voldemort attached much value to his origin. And besides that, he seemed to like collecting trophies. RON WEASLEY Trophies? HARRY POTTER Yes. In the orphanage he grew up, he had a box in which he kept all kinds of stuff he stole from the other kids. HERMIONE GRANGER The Ring of his mother! He probably attached much value to it, because it was one of the few things he had from her. HARRY POTTER Exactly. RON WEASLEY And the locket. What about that? HARRY POTTER We can only speculate about that. But I think it’s also something to do with Voldemort’s descend. HERMIONE GRANGER The snake! HARRY POTTER Hermione, you’re right! His snake’s probably one of the most valuable things Voldemort’s ever had. RON WEASLEY But the problem is, it’s of such value to him, that the bloody thing is always near him. Suddenly the DOOR is smashed open. CROOKSHANKS, who is now lying next to Hermione, streaks under the bed. HISSING INDIGNANTLY. Ron jumps off his bed and Hermione knocks over the PILES OF BOOKS. Molly Weasley walks in. MOLLY WEASLEY (enraged) I’m so sorry to break up your cosy little gathering, Ronald Weasley. But I told you to clean up your room immediately! And there are wedding presents stacked in my room that need sorting out, and I were under the impression that you had agreed to help! RON WEASLEY Were no bloody house-elves! MOLLY WEASLEY (furious) Now! EXT. THE BURROW/BACKYARD – MIDDAY We see Ron sneaking up on an UNSUSPECTING CHICKEN who is eating seeds in the grass. When Ron JUMPS to catch the chicken, it runs off SCREECHING. We cut to Hermione who is holding a CHICKEN and brings it to the HEN HOUSE. RON WEASLEY I’m sick and tired of this! I’ve been sorting presents whole bloody day, and I’ve even cleaned out places in this house of which I didn’t even knew they existed. Ron pauses and leans against the HEN HOUSE. Then Molly walks out of the BACKDOOR with a BASKET OF LAUNDRY in her arms. MOLLY WEASLEY Oh, good. You’ve shut the chickens away before the men arrive tomorrow to put the tent for the wedding. Millimant’s Magic Marquees, they’re very good. Bill’s escorting them. You’d better stay inside while they’re here, Harry. I must say it does complicate organizing a wedding, having all these security spells around the place. HARRY POTTER Oh, I’m sorry. MOLLY WEASLEY Oh, don’t be silly, dear! I didn’t mean … well, your safety’s much more important! Actually, I’ve been wanting to ask you how you want to celebrate your birthday tomorrow, Harry. Seventeen, after all, it’s an important day. HARRY POTTER I don’t want a fuss. Really, Mrs. Weasley, just a normal dinner would be fine. It’s the day before the wedding. MOLLY WEASLEY Oh, well, if you’re sure, dear. I’ll invite Remus and Tonks, shall I? And how about Hagrid? HARRY POTTER That’d be great. But please don’t go to loads of trouble. MOLLY WEASLEY Not at all, not at all … it’s no trouble. Oh, and Ron? If you’ve shut all the chickens away, would you mind feeding them? Thank you. Hermione, can you give me a hand with changing the sheets for Monsieur and Madame Delacour, you know they’re arriving at eleven tomorrow morning. INT. THE BURROW/KITCHEN – MORNING – 31/7/1997 Harry and Ron walk down the STAIRS. As he appears in the kitchen Molly walks to him and embraces him CHEERFUL. MOLLY WEASLEY Happy birthday, Harry! Both Harry and Ron are OVERWHELMED by the HUGE PILE of PRESENTS lying on the KITCHEN TABLE. MOLLY WEASLEY Arthur told me to wish you a happy seventeenth. He had to leave early for work, but he’ll be back for dinner. That’s our present on top. Harry and Ron sit down and Harry UNWRAPS the present on top. Inside there is a GOLDEN WATCH with MULTIPLE SILVER HANDS. MOLLY WEASLEY It’s traditional to give a wizard a watch when he comes of age. I’m afraid that one isn’t new like Ron’s, it was actually my brother Fabian’s and he wasn’t terribly careful with his possessions, it’s a bit dented on the back, but … Harry stands up and HUGS her gently. We see a TEAR OF HAPPINESS appear in her eye. Then the BACKDOOR opens and Bill walks in, followed by FOUR PEOPLE. First, a SHORT PLUMP WIZARD with a POINTED BLACK BEARD. MONSIEUR DELACOUR Ah! You must be Molly. He kisses Molly on the CHEECK twice and leaves Molly FLUSTERED. Then Fleur and her BEAUTIFUL BLOND MOTHER walk in, followed by her YOUNGER SISTER. MONSIEUR DELACOUR Dear lady! We are most honored at the approaching union of our two families! Let me present my wife, Apolline. MADAME DELACOUR (kisses Molly) Enchantée! What a lovely son you have, he has been telling us such amusing stories! MONSIEUR DELACOUR And Fleur told us you have been working very hard. MOLLY WEASLEY Oh, it’s been nothing, nothing! No trouble at all. Well, this is my son Ron and his friend Harry Potter. Harry shakes hands with Monsieur Delacour while Ron kisses Madame Delacour and Gabrielle with a BIG SMILE. MOLLY WEASLEY Ron will bring your luggage inside, won’t you, Ron? RON WEASLEY What? MOLLY WEASLEY Come, let me show you our humble home. INT. THE BURROW/STAIRCASE – MOMENTS LATER Harry walks up the STAIRS while we hear Molly and the Delacours talking downstairs. When he walks past Ginny’s BEDROOM, her DOOR opens and she appears in the doorway. GINNY WEASLEY (smiles) Harry, I couldn’t think what to get you … so, happy birthday. She EMBRACES him and KISSES him. Harry places one hand on her back and strokes his other hand through her hair. After some seconds Ron appears in the STAIRCASE with the BAGGAGE OF THE DELACOURS. Looking NERVOUS. RON WEASLEY Oh. Sorry. Harry and Ginny stop kissing and Ron continues his way to the next floor. HARRY POTTER (smiling) Never mind. As he disappears Harry and Ginny walk into her BEDROOM and Harry closes the door behind. They sit down on her BED and Harry puts his hand on her UPPER LEG. HARRY POTTER Ginny, I want you to know something. GINNY WEASLEY You’re leaving. I know. HARRY POTTER How … GINNY WEASLEY Mum told me. She knows we’re together, and … well … HARRY POTTER That means we won’t be seeing each other for quite a while. But you need to know that I … I love you so much, and that you don’t have to be worried. GINNY WEASLEY I’m not worried. I know you’ll manage. INT. THE BURROW/KITCHEN – EVENING Molly walks towards the KITCHE TABLE carrying a HUGE SNITCH BIRTHDAY CAKE. PURPLE LANTERNS are hanging on the ceiling over the guest: Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Rubeus Hagrid, Monsieur and Madame Delacour, Bill and Fleur, Fred and George, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Harry are sitting on a LONG TABLE. MOLLY WEASLEY Out of the way, out of the way! She lays down the BIRTHDAY CAKE on the table and everyone APPLAUDS. HARRY POTTER That looks amazing, Mrs. Weasley. MOLLY WEASLEY Oh, it’s nothing, dear. RUBEUS HAGRID Six years since the day we met, Harry, do you remember it? HARRY POTTER (grinning) Vaguely. Didn’t you smash down the front door, give Dudley a pig’s tail and tell me I was a wizard? RUBEUS HAGRID (blushes) I forget the details. Is everything all righ', Ron, Hermione? HERMIONE GRANGER We’re fine. How are you? RUBEUS HAGRID Not bad. Been busy, we go' some newborn unicorns, I’ll show you when you get back at Hogwarts. MOLLY WEASLEY Anyone wants some cake? HARRY POTTER Bill, any news about Mad-Eye? BILL WEASLEY Nothing. The Daily Prophet hasn’t said a word about him dying, or about finding the body. But that doesn’t mean much. It’s keeping a lot quiet these days. They have also hushed up the mass breakout. HERMIONE GRANGER Mass breakout? REMUS LUPIN Hermione, the Ministry of Magic is keeping lots of stuff quiet to avoid panic among the people. But the truth is that You-Know-Who is as powerful as he once was. And they know that it’s just a matter of time before Voldemort has taken over the whole wizarding world. RON WEASLEY Isn’t anyone at the Ministry prepared to stand up to him? REMUS LUPIN Of course, Ron, but people are terrified. Terrified that they will be next to disappears, their children next to be attacked. There are some nasty rumors going around. People are disappearing, that’s something the Ministry can’t hush up! Meanwhile, the new Minister for Magic remains shut up in his office all day: I just hope he’s working on a plan. Suddenly the BACKDOOR opens. Arthur Weasley and an UNKNOWN PERSON walk in. Everyone falls silent when they see the second person walking in. The man is LEANING on his CANE and observes the kitchen through his WIRE-RIMMED SPECTACLES. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Sorry to interrupt. Especially as I can see that I am gatecrashing a party. MOLLY WEASLEY (whispers) Arthur, why didn’t you tell me you would bring the Minister? ARTHUR WEASLEY (whispers) I didn’t knew he was coming with me. MOLLY WEASLEY (nervous) Minister, would you like some cake? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR No, thank you, Molly. I am here because I require a private word with Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger. RON WEASLEY Why us? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR I shall tell you that when we are somewhere more private. Is there such a place? ARTHUR WEASLEY Yes, of course. The living room is a perfect place if you would like some privacy. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Your son can lead the way. There will be no need to accompany us, Arthur, thank you. Harry stands up from the KITCHEN TABLE and passes Scrimgeour on his way to the LIVING ROOM. Ron and Hermione follow Harry SUSPICIOUSLY. INT. THE BURROW/LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER As Scrimgeour sits down in the ARMCHAIR, he waves to the OIL LAMPS who illuminate the living room with a SOFT LIGHT. Harry, Ron and Hermione sit down on the SOFA. AWAITING. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR I have some questions for the three of you, and I think it will be best if we do it individually. If you two can wait upstairs, I will start with Harry. HARRY POTTER They’re not going anywhere. You can speak to us together, or not at all. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Very well, then. First of all, I have been wanting to meet you for a very long time. There are some unanswered questions, especially about the night Dumbledore died. We know you and Dumbledore left the castle to take care of some business. Where were you going? HARRY POTTER (leaning forward) That … is none of your business. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR You seem really loyal to Dumbledore. HARRY POTTER That’s right. I’m Dumbledore’s man through and through. So if you’re here to interrogate me, you’re wasting your time. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Very well. The reason why I am here, because of Albus Dumbledore’s will. Are you aware of the fact Dumbledore left you something? HARRY POTTER No, we weren’t. But Dumbledore died over a month ago. Why has it taken this long to give us what he left? HERMIONE GRANGER Isn’t it obvious? They wanted to examine whatever he’s left us. You had no right to do that! RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR I have every right imaginable. The Decree for Justifiable Confiscation gives the Ministry the power to confiscate the contents of a will … HERMIONE GRANGER The law was created to stop wizards passing on Dark artifacts! And the Ministry is supposed to have powerful evidence that the deceased’s possessions are illegal before seizing them! Are you telling me that you thought Dumbledore was trying to pass us something cursed? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Are you planning to follow a career in Magical Law, Miss Granger? HERMIONE GRANGER No I’m not! I’m hoping to do some good in the world! HARRY POTTER So why have you decided to let us have our things now? Can’t think of a pretext to keep them? HERMIONE GRANGER No, it’ll be because the thirty-one days are up. They can’t keep the objects longer than that unless the can prove they’re dangerous. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Well, then. Let’s get to the point of my visit. Scrimgeour puts his hand inside his cloak and draws out a DRAWSTRING POUCH. From it he removes a SCROLL OF PARCHMENT which he unrolls. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR The Last Will and Testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. To Ronald Bilius Weasley, I leave my Deluminator, in the hope he will remember me when he uses it. Scrimgeour takes a SILVER CIGARETTE LIGHTER out of the POUCH. He leans forward and passes the DELUMINATOR to Ron, who takes it. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR A valuable object. Why would Dumbledore left you an item so rare? RON WEASLEY (stunned) I have no idea. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR All right, then. To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of the Tales of the Beedle the Bard, in the hope what she will find it entertaining and instructive. Scrimgeour pulls a SMALL OLD BOOK from the bag and gives it to Hermione, who is seized with emotion. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Why do you think Dumbledore left you that book, Miss Granger? HERMIONE GRANGER He … he knew I liked books. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR But why that particular book? HERMIONE GRANGER I don’t know. He must have thought I’d enjoy it. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Did you ever discuss codes, or any means of passing secret messages, with Dumbledore? HERMIONE GRANGER No, I didn’t. And if the Ministry hasn’t found any hidden codes in this book in thirty-one days, I doubt that I will. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR And finally, To Harry James Potter, I leave the Snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill. Scrimgeour pulls a WALNUT-SIZED GOLDEN BALL out of the bag. Its SILVER WINGS flutter when he gives the GOLDEN SNITCH to Harry, HESTITATING. Harry looks rather DISAPPOINTED. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Why did Dumbledore leave you this Snitch? HARRY POTTER No idea. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR You think this a mere symbolic keepsake? HARRY POTTER I suppose so. What else could it be? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR I’m asking the questions, Mr. Potter. HARRY POTTER (sneering) Understand, Minister. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR I notice that you birthday cake is in the shape of a Snitch. Why is that? HERMIONE GRANGER (laughs) Oh, it can’t be a reference to the fact Harry’s a great Quidditch Player, that’s way too obvious. There must be a secret message from Dumbledore hidden in the icing! RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR I don’t think there’s anything hidden in the icing, but a Snitch would be a very good hiding place for a small object. You know why, I’m sure? HERMIONE GRANGER Because Snitches have flesh memories. HARRY POTTER What? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Correct. A Snitch is not touched by bare skin before it is released, not even by the maker, who wears gloves. It carries an enchantment by which it can identify the first human to lay hands upon it, In case of a disputed capture. This Snitch will remember your touch, Potter. It occurs to me that Dumbledore, who had prodigious magical skill, whatever his other faults, might have enchanted this Snitch so that it will open only for you. Take it, it’s yours. Everyone has their eyes fixed on Harry when his bare skin touches the GOLDEN SNITCH as he takes it. When nothing happens, Harry quickly puts the SNITCH in his pocket. HARRY POTTER That was kind of an anticlimax. HERMIONE GRANGER That’s all, then, is it? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Not quite. Dumbledore left you a second bequest, Potter. HARRY POTTER What is it? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR The sword of Godric Gryffindor. HARRY POTTER (surprised) So? Where is it? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Unfortunately, that sword was not Dumbledore’s to give away. The sword of Gryffindor is an important historical artifact, and as such, belongs … RON WEASLEY That sword belongs to Harry! It chose him, he was the one who found it, it came to him out of the Sorting Hat four years ago! RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR According to reliable historical sources, the sword may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor. That does not make it the exclusive property of Mr. Potter, whatever Dumbledore may have decided. Why do you think … HARRY POTTER Maybe because Dumbledore thought it would look nice on my wall! RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR (furious) This is not a joke, Potter! Was it because Dumbledore believed that only the sword of Godric Gryffindor could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? Did he wish to give you that sword because he believed, as do many, that you are the one destined to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? HARRY POTTER Interesting theory. Has anyone ever tried sticking a sword in Voldemort? Maybe the Ministry should put some people on that, instead of wasting their time stripping down Deluminators, or covering up breakouts from Azkaban. So is this what you’ve been doing, Minister? Trying to break open a Snitch? People are dying. And you still expect us to cooperate with you while you’re letting this all happen? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR (enraged) You go too far! Scrimgeour stands up from the ARMCHAIR as Harry jumps to his feet too. Scrimgeour limps forward and jabs Harry hard in the chest with the point of his GLOWING WAND. It singes a hole in Harry’s SHIRT like a lit cigarette. RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Remembered you’re not at school, have you? Remembered I’m not Dumbledore, who forgave your insolence and insubordination? You may wear that scar like a crown, Potter, but it is not up to a seventeen year old boy to tell me how to do my job! It’s time you learned some respect! HARRY POTTER It’s time you earned it. Harry and Scrimgeour are virtually nose to nose. Their EYES filled with ANGER. Suddenly Remus, Bill and Arthur run in with their WANDS drawn. REMUS LUPIN What’s going on? RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR Nothing. I regret you attitude, Potter. You seem to think that the Ministry does not desire what you, what Dumbledore desired. We ought to be working together. HARRY POTTER I don’t like your methods, Minister. Nor does Dumbledore. Scrimgeour turns away and leaves the LIVING ROOM with his CLOAK flapping around his ankles. We hear him slam the BACKDOOR as he leaves the Burrow. ARTHUR WEASLEY What did he want? HARRY POTTER He gave us what Dumbledore left us. EXT. THE BURROW/OTTERY ST. CATCHPOLE – NIGHT We see LIGHT behind the windows of the Burrow. Then, a CURIOUS BEAM OF LIGHT BOBS behind the UPPER WINDOW. Seconds later the LIGHT goes out again. Turns back on. EXT. THE BURROW/RON’S BEDROOM – CONTINUES Hermione is sitting on Ron’s BED and is examining the copy of the TALES OF THE BEEDLE THE BARD. Harry and Ron are sitting in the far corner. Ron is putting the lights on and off with his DELUMINATOR. HERMIONE GRANGER What a horrible man! RON WEASLEY But you think there’s something in that Snitch, don’t you, mate? HARRY POTTER I know there’s something in it. I just know it. HERMIONE GRANGER And how do you explain the Ministry hasn’t found something? RON WEASLEY Hermione, Dumbledore’s a genius. He’s nuts, but he’s a genius. HERMIONE GRANGER That’s true. HARRY POTTER D’you think he knew the Ministry would confiscate his will and examine everything he’d left us? HERMIONE GRANGER Definitely. He couldn’t tell us in the will why he was leaving us these things, but that still doesn’t explain … RON WEASLEY … why he couldn’t have given us a hint when he was alive? HERMIONE GRANGER Well, exactly. If these things are important enough to pass on right under the nose of the Ministry, you’d think he’d have let us know why … unless he thought it was obvious. RON WEASLEY Thought wrong, then, didn’t he? HERMIONE GRANGER But, Harry. If that really is the Snitch you caught your first match, why didn’t he open when Scrimgeour gave it to you? HARRY POTTER Dunno. Unless … HERMIONE GRANGER Unless what? HARRY POTTER Hermione this is the Snitch I nearly swallowed! Harry presses the SNITCH to his mouth. And then we see an INSCRIPTION appear on the side of the SNITCH. It is written in a THIN SLANTING HANDWRITING and says: ‘I OPEN AT CLOSE.’ HARRY POTTER I open at close? I open at close … what’s that supposed to mean? HERMIONE GRANGER I have no idea. RON WEASLEY But, Hermione. What about the sword? Why did he want Harry to have the sword? HARRY POTTER And why couldn’t he just have told me? It was there, it was right there on the wall of his office during all our talks last year. If he wanted me to have it, why didn’t he just give it to me? HERMIONE GRANGER Harry, Dumbledore must have known that he couldn’t just leave you an old artifact that belongs to the school. HARRY POTTER But why did he … HERMIONE GRANGER The Basilisk venom! Of course … Harry! When you killed the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, you stabbed the Sword of Gryffindor through the roof of its mouth! It is covered in Basilisk venom! It could help us destroy the Horcruxes! HARRY POTTER Hermione, you’re right. That’s probably how Dumbledore destroyed the Ring that bellowed to Voldemort’s mother. RON WEASLEY And the book? What’s up with the book? HERMIONE GRANGER I don’t know. I never heard of the Tales of the Beedle the Bard. RON WEASLEY You’ve never heard of the Tales of the Beedle the Bard? You’re kidding, right? HERMIONE GRANGER No, I’m not! Do you know them, then? RON WEASLEY Well, of course I do! Oh, come on! All the old kid’s stories are supposed to be Beedle’s, aren’t they? The Fountain of Fair Fortune … The Tales of the Three Brothers … Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump … HERMIONE GRANGER Excuse me? What was that last one? RON WEASLEY Come off it! You must’ve heard of Babbitty Rabbitty … HERMIONE GRANGER Ron, you know full well that Harry and I were brought up by Muggles! We didn’t hear stories like that when we were little, we heard Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Cinderella! RON WEASLEY What’s that, an illness? HERMIONE GRANGER So, these are children’s stories. I wonder why Dumbledore … Suddenly we hear FOOTSTEPS walking up the stairs. RON WEASLEY (frustrated) Probably Mum. HERMIONE GRANGER All the same, we should go to bed. It wouldn’t do to oversleep tomorrow. RON WEASLEY No, that’s right. A brutal triple murder by the bridegroom’s mother might put a bit of damper on the wedding. I’ll get the lights. The LIGHT of the SOLITARY LAMP is absorbed by the DELUMINATOR when Ron CLICKS it. FADES TO BLACK.