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
After hearing Scorpius’s whole story, Ron and Hermione are amazed. Scorpius asks for help, and Ron says that they’re basically all that’s left of Dumbledore’s Army. Hermione asks what their lives are like in the other world, and Scorpius explains that she’s Minister for Magic, Ron runs a joke shop, and they’re married and have kids. Hermione and Ron are both shocked to hear this and don’t quite know what to say to each other.
Scorpius knows that he can’t correct the timeline alone, and so he asks Hermione and Ron for support, knowing that they can help inspire his bravery and enable him to overcome his obstacles. This exchange also underscores the calm, pleasant life that Albus and Scorpius’s attempts to change the past have destroyed for Ron and Hermione.
Themes
Snape says that he must be dead, presumably, noting that Scorpius was very surprised to see him. Scorpius explains that he died bravely, killed by Voldemort, and Snape digests this. Turning back to the matter at hand, Hermione explains that Shield charms should fix what Albus and Scorpius did and insists on going herself. Snape says that as soon as she steps outside, the dementors would find her, but Hermione replies that this is their only chance to reset the world.
In this moment, Scorpius brings up the crucial value of sacrifice. In the alternate timeline, Snape sacrificed himself for the good of the wizarding world, and now, Hermione is willing to put herself in harm’s way in order to do the same. These actions are what establish the characters as heroes, as they are willing to risk their lives for the betterment of society.
Themes
Hermione says that they can turn time in their world, go back to the first task, then go to the second task, and return safely. If they get it right, Harry is alive, Voldemort is dead, the Augurey is gone, and no risk is too great. Though she says that she is sorry for what it will cost Snape. Snape assures her that some costs are meant to be borne. They start up the Time-Turner, and the stage warps once more.
