Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Parenthood
Time, Mistakes, and the Past
Friendship, Family, Love, and Bravery
Reputation and Expectation
Death and Sacrifice
Summary
Analysis
Scorpius visits Draco—he is the Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry. Around his office are flags with an Augurey on them. Draco is authoritative and scolds Scorpius harshly for being late. Scorpius is baffled at his father’s tone. Draco says that Scorpius’s questions about Harry Potter are disgracing the Malfoy name. Scorpius pushes back, asking if Draco is responsible for the “Mudblood” death camps, the torture, and wizards blowing up bridges to see how many Muggles they could kill.
Even though this is an alternate timeline, it brings out a different shade of Scorpius and Draco’s relationship, as in this timeline Draco is disappointed in Scorpius. Scorpius doesn’t feel that he is what his father wants him to be—living up to the Malfoy name—and as a result, their relationship is strained.
Themes
Scorpius says that Astoria told him Draco was a better man than Scorpius could see, but he’s not so sure. At this, Draco pulls Scorpius onto his desk violently, and Scorpius is terrified. Draco steps back—he doesn’t want to hurt Scorpius—and says that he has not been the one blowing up bridges.
This exchange, and Draco’s violence toward Scorpius, show just how difficult their relationship has become in this alternate timeline. Much like Harry and Albus in the primary timeline, Draco feels the pressure of maintaining his positive reputation in the world and struggles to connect with a son who doesn’t feel fully seen.
Themes
Draco asks if Astoria really said that about him, and Scorpius says that she always thought it was very brave how Draco stood up to his father to marry her. But that was a different version of Draco. Scorpius says he doesn’t like what they’ve become as a family. He says the Malfoys have always made the world a “murkier” place.
Love can inspire bravery, as Draco was able to stand up to his father in order to marry Astoria because of the love she inspired. But without that love, Draco and Scorpius have been left making the world a “murkier” place, unable to foster that same bravery to do the right thing.
Themes
Draco asks what’s brought this on, and Scorpius says that he’s seen himself in a different way. Draco says that he always loved Astoria because she helped him find light in the darkness, and that Scorpius does the same. Draco says that whatever Scorpius is doing, he should do it safely—Draco doesn’t want to lose him as well. Scorpius agrees. Draco and Scorpius salute with their wrists and say, “For Voldemort and Valor.”
By the end of the scene, Draco and Scorpius have come to a better understanding: Draco starts to recognize Scorpius for who he is rather than who Draco wants him to be—particularly when he realizes how much of his wife Astoria’s kindness and courage he sees in Scorpius. As a result, they are able to begin to reconcile and appreciate each other anew.
Themes
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