Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Hello,
This is going to be a review (sort of) of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script. Now if you are reading the book, haven't finished the book or going to watch the play, I would suggest that you don't continue reading, but of course you can because spoilers will be in tags. Let's begin

I have been a Harry Potter fan for a very long time, read all of the books and watch all the films (obviously), played the games.
When I first read the article on there being news about there being a play which was going to be a sequel to the books I was very happy, so happy I wanted to buy tickets and that exact moment. When I heard that it was going to be made into a book I admit I nearly cried. I didn't care whether the book was a script or novel, I was just happy I was going to be able to read the Harry Potter universe again. Once the book arrived (today, the date of when this post is released) it took me 2 hours to read this with no stopping at all.

Now to begin in my opionion this book is awesome. I absolutely love the story which has been created, the connections between characters, seeing the canon from a different view and seeing new characters old and new.

If wanted I can add a list of characters and relatives.

As this play is split into two parts the spoilers are going to split as well. Its only going to contain the most important details.

Spoiler: Spoilers for Part 1- Act 1

The story begins at the start of epilogue, there are some small changes such as characters saying things which other characters said, but i can look past that. We got to learn how Albus and Scorpius (rumour going round saying that he is the son of Voldemort, this becomes important later on) became friends, Albus and Scorpius both join Slytherin.
A time jump.
Harry finds a time turner.
Amos Diggory finds out Harry has a Time Turner and wants him to go back and save and Cedric (his son). Albus over hears and tells Scorpius.
Albus and Scorpius jump off the Hogwarts Express so that they can steal the Timer Turner.
They go to Amos and tell him that Harry was lying about there being a Timer Turner. Albus and Scorpius along with Delphi (Amos' Niece) steal the Timer Turner which is locked up in the Minister for Magic's Office (SURPRISE) Hermione is Minister for Magic.
Timer Turner locked up in a Bookcase, have to solve some riddles. Scorpius solves them and saves Albus and Delphi from being eaten (I think) by the books.

Spoiler: Spoilers for Part 1- Act 2

Forgot to mention, the three of them take Polyjuice Potion, so that they be disguised as Delphi is Hermione, Albus is Ron and Scorpius is Harry.
To continue where we left off inside one of the books was the Time Turner.
Harry has a dream, near end of dream he sees Albus. Then there's Parseltongue heard, saying He's coming. Voice of Voldemort, says as well Harry Potter.
Albus was wearing Durmstrang robes.
Albus and Delphi practice spells. Only Albus and Scorpius use the Time Turner.
Harry arrives in the Forbidden Forest (A, S and D were here) he meets (SURPRISE) Bane. Bane says he saw Albus in the stars and that there is a black cloud around him.
A and S are in 1994, the first task of The Triwizard Tournament (SEVERAL SURPRISES) we see Ludo Bagman and meet young Hermione. Also see Cedric Diggory, trying to get gold egg, Time Turner goes wrong, A uses spell on Diggory's spell it is summoned to him. Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum and Charlie Weasley are mentioned.
They get dragged back to the future (ooh reference), met by Harry, Ginny, Draco (I skipped the scene where they decided to find the kids).
Harry talks to Dumbledore's portrait.
We find out what's changed A is actually in Gryffindor, Ron is married to Padma,
Harry no longer wants A and S to be friends due to the black cloud mentioned by Bane because he thinks it's S.
Harry asks Professor McGonagall to keep A and S separated by using the Marauder's Map.
We meet a new version of Hermione who is the Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. She is now mean.
Due to Ron and Hermione not getting married they never had children therefore Rose Granger-Weasley was never born.
Draco and Harry have argument about keeping A and S separated, Harry asks Draco if he is sure S is his son. Draco gets angry and they have a duel.
Delphi arrives in Hogwarts, easy to get in due to lax security. Talking to S we find out she's never been to Hogwarts as she was ill as a child. We also find out that they failed because in the history books it says that after failing the first task Cedric was more determined win the second task.
Find out Delphi didn't have friends when she was younger so you had an imaginary one.
A and S go the girl's Bathroom.
Harry and Draco go McGonagall, she didn't see them on map as they were wearing the invisibility cloak. They see on the map that they are in the bathroom.
(SURPRISE) we see Moaning Myrtle. The three of them talk about the second task. They ask for help, she tells them use the sink to get to the lake, they used Gillyweed to breath in the water. They use the sink
Harry, Ginny, McGonagall, Draco arrive in Bathroom, use map see S and A travel under the school. They disappear.
Myrtle tells Harry that they want to save Cedric, he realises that he must have the Time Turner
We are now in 1995, the second task.
A and S use spell on Diggory, Engorgement Charm, and he grows and floats from the lake into the air.
Time Turner sends them back.
S comes out of the lake, but A is not there. He calls for him.
(SURPRISE) we meet Dolores Umbridge she is now Headmistress in this timeline.
S asks her to help find Albus Potter and she says Not been a Potter at the school for many years.
Not so much rest in peace, Harry Potter, more rest in perpetual despair. (actual quote)
Harry Potter is DEAD.
Died over 20 years ago as part of failed coup on the school.
She mentions today is Voldemort Day.

Part two of the play

Spoiler: Spoilers for Part 2- Act 3

As said by Dolores Umbridge he has the potential to be Head Boy, natural leader, wonderfully athletic. He is very good at Quidditch, a Seeker.
She puts her hand to her heart and touches her wrists together and says For Voldemort and Valour.
Around the school he is called Scorpion King.
As mentioned by Polly Chapman (she was part of orginal timeline) says "Like the Augurey (IMPORTANT) the future is ours to make.
S goes to the library and finds a history book which says thay Cedric becomes a Death Eater
S then goes to Potions classroom, (SURPRISE) Snape is alive in this timeline.
S asks him for help, he tells Snape that there was another world where Voldemort was defeated at the Battle of Hogwarts and which Harry Potter and Dumbledore's Army won. He also said that he stole a Time Turner with A and that they tried to bring Cedric back and stop him winning the tournament.
We then find out that Cedric became a Death Eater because he was humilated out of the tournament, he killed Neville Longbottom. Neville was supposed to kill Nagini in order for Voldemort to die.
He then says that he knows that Snape loved Harry's mother, and that the won would never have been won without him. Also said Harry Potter told his son you're a great man.
S then says "He said you were the bravest man he'd ever met." He knew your secret, what you did for Dumbledore. He admired you for it and that's why he named his son, after you both, Albus Severus Potter. Snape is moved by this.
He then takes S to the Whomping Willow.
We then meet...Warrior Hermione.
Snape and H are working on the same side. Ron is also there, he says at end of the scene, Thank Dumbledore for that.
S then tells H and R that the whole of history rests on Neville.
In this timeline, H and R are yet again not married and don't have children.
S then says to Snape that in the other timelines he is dead.
Snape is says how irritating to be killed by Voldemort, still some glory in being killed by him.
Dementors will kiss H and R if they go outside.
So the group, S, Snape, H and R use the Time Turner in order to go back to the first task and change things.
When the past version of Albus tries to summon Cedric's wand, Hermione blocks it.
They are then sent back to the alternate 2020. (the time turner only allows the user to be 5 minutes in the past).
But they are now outside where the Dementors are.
H tells R that she has always loved him.
H and R kiss, and then they are pulled apart by the Dementors and they are kissed. They no longer have souls, so dead.
They are then stopped by Umbridge, she suspected that Snape was working with Dumbledore's army. Snape casts a spell and she is thrown backwards through the air.
He then casts a Patronus, a doe, the same as Lily Potter's.
Snape then tells S to tell Albus Severus, That he is proud that he carries my name.
Snape tells him to go and S runs, Snape is then kissed.
S is now back in the real 2020 with Albus back. S says that he has lost the Timer Turner.
S and A then then tell McGonagall everything that they did.
A dream, young Harry and Aunt Petunia are in the Graveyarrd at Godric's Hollow, at Lily and James Potter's graves.
Voldemort now appears at the end of the scene saying "I smell guilt, there is a stench of guilt upon the air" and "Do you still see with my eyes, Harry Potter?"
Parseltongue again, saying He's coming and then Harry Potter.
Harry wakes up with Ginny, his scar is still hurting and he says to Ginny that he thinks the we are all still in danger.
In next scene A and S talk about what has happened and S reveals that he had the Time Turner all along (everyone was searching for it in the lake).
They now want to destory it
In the Owlery, they are deciding on what spell to use to destory the Time Turner.
Delphi comes in and then tell her from what they did Voldemort was alive. Delphi now understands why they cant bring back Cedric, Delphi takes the Timer Turner and holds it, Albus sees a Tattoo on the back of her neck, an Augurey tatoo.
She says that the Augurey are sinister looking black birds that cry when rain's coming. It was believed by wizards that the Augurey's cry foretold death. Her guardian kept one in a cage. She told Delphi that the bird cried because it could that she was going to come to a sticky end. Euphemia Rowle, took Delphi in for the gold, A asked why would you want a tattoo of her bird then.
She then says it reminds me that the future is mine to make.
S then says that the Rowles were pretty extreme Death Eaters. He then told Delphi to give the Time Turner back to him.
S then says that in the other world they called her The Augurey.
She says she likes that name. She then overpowers them both with quick spells.
D then says lets sort this mess out once and for all.
A asks who are you?
D says. "I am the new past. (snaps A's wand) I am the new future. (snaps S's wand) I am the answer this world has been looking for.
Next scene R and Hermione talk.
Same scene Ron says he saw A run off with an older girl with silver and blue hair. Harry then realises its Delphi Diggory.
They are then talking to Amos, Harry then says he knows what he has been doing, he tells him his niece was was seen with A and S when they dissappeared.
Amos then says that he doesn't have a niece, he doesn't have any brothers or sisters and neither did his wife.
Draco then says we need to find out who she is.
Next scene, Delphi says that she wants to rebirth the Dark. S says that she wants to bring back Voldemort.
Delphi then tells them a prophecy, "When spares are spared, when time is turned, when unsees children murder their fathers: then will the Dark Lord return."
She says Cedric is the spare and A is the unseen child.
She uses the Timer Turner and then they go back to the third task.
They are in the maze, later, Cedric disarmed Delphi and bound her. He released A and S.
The Timer Turner activates again and they grab it.
Delphi then says they S was right, prophecies can be prevented, maybe unbroken. Time to try something new. She then crushes the Time Turner and then flies away.
S then says that they are trapped where ever they are, and A says that they need to stop her.
Next scene, Harry says that she must have used a Confundus Charm on him. Faked being a nurse and his niece.
Hermione says that she checked Ministry records, and that Delphi doesn't exist.
Harry, H, R, D, and G search the room looking for something about Delphi, they find the propercy painted on a lamp, to read it Harry speaks Parseltongue. The prophecy previously mentioned.

Spoiler: Big Spoiler next last warning

Draco, says why is she obesses with all of this. Ginny says I think I've got an answer, she points up and it says on the ceiling "I will rebirth the Dark. I will bring my father back."
Each character is confused on how this is possible.
VOLDEMORT HAS A DAUGHTER

Spoiler: Spoilers for Part 1- Act 4 (Final)

Meeting at the Ministry of Magic and Hermione tells everyone that Voldemort had a child.
Ministry is questioniong those with Death Eater connections and so far no record has been found of the child or the prophecy.
A and S are in Scotland, 13th October 1981, day before Hallows' Eve. 39 years ago. 24hrs before Voldemorrt kills Lily and James Potter.
They then arrive in Godric's Hollow.
Harry again talks to Dumbledore's potrait.
Draco comes in and they talk, Draco has a Time Turner which doesn't have the five minute rule.
The reason that Draco and Astoria had a child is because he health was weak and that she didn't want to leave Draco alone when she died.
Back in Godric's Hollow, A and S are trying to work out how to get a message to Harry.
By using the pearl dust, the ingredient which is in a love potion (the potion was spilt in act 1) Tincture of Demiguise and Pearl Dust meet they burn. As Bathilda Bagshot lives in Godric's Hollow, they know that she never saw the point in witches and wizards locking their doors, they decide to go into her home and steal some wands.
Albus' room Harry is with Ginny and he sees the blanket (the one he mother left for him, kept in attic buy Aunt Petunia gave it to Dudley who sent it to Harry) had burns in it. A message was burned into it saying "Dad. Help. Godric's Hollow. 31/10/81"
They go to Godric's Hollow with Draco and Hermione and they use the Time Turner.
In Godric's Hollow in 1981, Harry and Ginny talk and they realise that Delphi doesn't want to kill baby Harry, but stop Voldemort from killing him.
Harry uses Polyjuice Potion in order to change in to Voldemort, so that he can trick Delphi. But they do not have a piece of him so that Harry can do so. Instead as they know what he looks like well enough they use a transfiguration spell to make him look like Voldemort.
They wait for Delphi to appear they all run out of the church. Harry/Voldermort leaves the church then goes back in.
He stops and asks whoever is following, me i assure you, you will regret it.
Delphi reveals herself.
He says I do not know you, leave me.
She says I am your daughter.
He says if i had one i'd know of you.
D says I am from the future. The child of Bellatrix Lestrange (OMG) and you. I was born in Malfoy Manor before the Battle of Hogwarts. A battle you are going to lose. I have come to save you.
Rodolphus Lestrange, Bellatrix's loyal husband who on return from Azkaban told me who I was and revealed the prophecy he thought I was destined to fulfil. I am your daughter, sir.
He says that i am familar with Bellatrix and there are similarites in your face. But without proof.
She speaks parseltongue.
He laughs thats your proof?
She rises into the air. and says I am the Augurey to your Dark Lord and ready to give all that I have to serve you.
Then they are a long conversation. (not going to type it up).
Harry then begins to shrink looking less like Voldemort.
She says Father?
She then realises that it is not Lord Voldemort.
She seals the church doors from the inside, so that Harry's friends cannot help him.
They have a duel.
A comes up from a grate in the floor, Harry protects him from killing curse, A then opens the door and the friends come through. They fire spells at Delphi and she is beaten.
Harry and his friends/family have to make a decison about about what to do with her. Kill her or take her to Azkaban.
Voldemort's voice is heard.
He is coming.
Next we see the death of Harry's parents, his friends/family are here to watch with him.
We next (SURPISE) see Hagrid. For the first time (from what i can remember) we see him seeing the bodies and picking up Harry.
They activate the Time Turner and leave.
Next scene, time has passed. Delphi has now been locked up in Azkaban (sequel? Please.)
S has asked out Rose and she said no.
S says he planeted the acorn and that acorn will grow into an eventual marriage.
Next scene Albus and Harry have a father and son conversation.
END

Those are all the spoilers from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, now I didn't put absolutely everything in, something things I have left out, so you have bits to look forward to. I hope you enjoyed reading the spoilers list as much as I enjoyed typing it out. To be honest this took me a long time to do so I hope you did.

Next, as with most books there are always going to be problems. This book has problems I won't deny that, but I look past it and enjoy the story.
I am sure somewhere on the internet someone on the internet has rewritten the entire script but as a novel. With dialogue problems and such fixed, but I will stick with the script, unless J.K. Rowling writes out a novel.

I would now like to talk about things being said about this book which are not logical (in my belief). This is going to be a small rant.
I am guessing a large amount of you have seen articles or even read articles about people saying that
They dont like this because its a script
They can't read it because it is a script
or one of the worst ones I've seen- Amazon review, this is going to be an actual quote.
"Very disappointed thought I was buying a book not script"- I expect if you are buying this you can read, therefore read the description or even read cover of the book.
Last (hopefully), as a sort of link to my previous point people are complaining about the fact the book was a script not a novel.
I'm not going to continue because this is section is becoming too long and I no longer want to waste my breath.

Now I want to end this on a some happy notes, as the story of Harry Potter has ended (said by J.K. Rowling) there will be no more books with him as the main character . But as the Cursed Child has ended hopefully they will make a sequel novel.

Spoiler: DONT READ THIS NEXT PART UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THE SCRIPT/SPOILERS

Now, as Delphi has been locked up in Azkaban in a sequel she breaks out or something, and becomes the villain of a trilogy.

I also believe strongly that this fits into the canon of the Harry Potter Universe. No matter how many people say the novels are the only canon.

Second to last point, if you are not aware there is going to be another script released in November, Fantastic Beasts and where to find them. When it comes out I am of course going to watch the film (thats what the scipt is based on) and then read the scipt and hopefully do the same thing as I have done here.
All seven of the Harry Potter books are going to be re-released next year with new covers, so are the textbooks; Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Quidditch Through The Ages and The Tales Of Beedle The Bard.
Also in October, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is going to be released in a illustrated version.

Finally, sometime next year the Definitive Collector's Edition of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be released. If there are some differences between the two versions, next year I will do another post comparing the two.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

~wickedteam

 

I would rather allow you to read the spoilers sections, when they are completed.

--- Double Post Merged, Aug 4, 2016, Original Post Date: Aug 4, 2016 ---

Hopefully your view will change once you've finished.

 

She wrote it yes, but along with John Tiffany and Jack Thorne.
Could you give me an example of why you feel that it is a fan fic?

 

I did say she wrote along with them. I didn't say that she wrote the entire thing. I understand what you mean.

When I think of ideas I'm going to edit this post to give reasons for each of the points you've mentioned.

Spoiler: Novel and script spoilers

1)
2) Snape was never the master of the Elder Wand, the master was Draco because he was the orginal person to disarm Dumbledore, then the wand went to Harry and Voldemort became the master of the wand after he killed Harry, because Neville was killed by Cedric, he never killed Nagini.
3)
4) From what I know the only reason, was that in the Deathly Hallows Voldemort's name became cursed, so whoever said was tracked. I guess that they removed this at some point.
5)
6) Voldemort's daughter, he had a child so that incase he died he had someone to carry on his blood. As she is the last known living descendent of Salazar Slytherin

 

Spoiler: Counter counter Spoilers

2) I'm guessing something changed so that Snape didn't die (I'll search around looking for answer and when i do ill send a message)
Neville didnt kill Nagini, therefore Voldemort still had a Horcrux. Therefore he couldn't die anyway. Therefore Harry thinking the snake is dead tried to killed Voldemort, but died in the process.
4) "Fear of the name, increases the fear of the thing itself." answers im sure part of the argument and for starting once he has taken over i say that for the followers it is a sign of respect towards him. And for after he takes over it no longer matters whether they say his name or not because he is now in control.
6) Yes, Voldy was arrogrant, but I believe that he was clever enough to know that there was always a possibility that he could die. He was the last living descendent, that has to count for something. Thats why he had a child. That's what I think anyway.

Yeah that what has been annoying me so much, people complaining about "why is it a script, I thought it was a novel." If you bought this book I expect you can read, the cover says its a script and its been said by J.K that it is a script. Idiots.
Anyway there is a revised edition coming out next year, looking forward to that.

--- Double Post Merged, Aug 5, 2016, Original Post Date: Aug 5, 2016 ---

Have you read the script yet? It's a bit spoilery.

 

Ok so

Spoiler: Novel (small spoilers from script) spoilers

As you know Dumbledore's plan was for Snape to end up with the Elder Wand, that's why Snape killed him. But as you said Draco became the master of the wand, as he disarmed Dumbledore. Harry then disarmed Draco and he became master of the wand. Voldemort had the wand, but thinking that as Snape was the master of the wand he must die in order for him to be the master.
The argument which Vader is making is how come Snape is alive in the alternate timeline, if in order for Voldemort to become "master" of the wand he needs to die.

 

Ah what you said in the spoiler part now partly answers one of the questions on counter argument question 2. Still not sure something must have changed.
I believe it was becasue as this version is the rehersal edition was used during previews and the Definitive Collector's Edition will be released in 2017, which is the final script, I'm guessing spelling errors fixed, grammar errors maybe plot changes. I'm not completely sure as no information has been released about it apart from the name and when it's gonna be released. I'm still gonna buy it though.

--- Double Post Merged, Aug 5, 2016, Original Post Date: Aug 5, 2016 ---

Yes. Definitive Collector's Edition mentioned in post above.