HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Written by
Steve Kloves
1.
DARKNESS.
THUNDER -- or something like it -- sounds in the
distance.
BOOM. Then again. BOOM.
We GLIDE THROUGH the inky blackness. Ambient flashes
illuminate the silhouette of the WB LOGO. We PASS
THROUGH.
INTO more darkness. Lost. More FLASHES. And we --
CUT TO:
A SINGLE EYE
Blank behind glasses. FLASH! The PUPIL CONTRACTS and
we --
CUT TO:
1 INT. MINISTRY OF MAGIC - ATRIUM - WIDER ANGLE - DAY 1
To find... HARRY POTTER, standing numbly beside ALBUS
DUMBLEDORE amidst a MOB of REPORTERS. CAMERAS FLASH.
Dumbledore's hand finds his shoulder and Harry is moving,
drifting through the chaos, Dumbledore protective,
graceful, dignified.
CLOSEUP - HARRY'S GLASSES
His eyes dart from side to side. The lenses glimmer with
abstraction. We --
DISSOLVE INTO:
2 EXT. LONDON OFFICE BUILDING - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 2
... glass, a window, its surface prickling with another
kind of ambient light. We are looking INTO a conference
room where office workers sit around a table. But the
light has caught one worker's eye, then another, and soon
they are all rising, stepping to the window, mesmerized
by what lies beyond.
(CONTINUED)
2.
2 CONTINUED: 2
WORKERS' POV - LONDON SKYLINE
Blood-red and stormy. A VORTEX of CLOUDS -- strangely
ominous -- hangs high in the sky, flashing from within,
as if about to rain blood over the city. We --
CUT INTO:
THE STORM
itself and...
... PLUMMET, London expanding, stretching out on all
sides. We SWEEP madly OVER Charing Cross, leaving the
Muggle world behind and SWOOP INTO...
3 EXT. DIAGON ALLEY - DAY 3
... Diagon Alley just as the front window of OLLIVANDER'S
WAND SHOP EXPLODES. Witches and wizards flee. In the
drifting smoke, DEATH EATERS appear, accompanied by a
tall, sinewy beast of a man, FENRIR GREYBACK. With a
casual sweep of his hand he sends a wizard flying and a
witch screams. In deep b.g., two Death Eaters abduct a
SHROUDED FIGURE (Ollivander). Greyback grins, then
APPARATES, along with the others...
... leaving Diagon Alley behind. The streets of London
appear below once more, and then the river. Black trails
-- the Death Eaters -- streak across the sky and then
turn TRANSLUCENT as they encircle the MILLENNIUM BRIDGE.
Pedestrians peer upward, bewildered, sensing a shift in
the atmosphere. And then...
The BRIDGE CRUMBLES into the THAMES, the image
horrifyingly beautiful, as is the SOUND of it, a ROAR, a
wail, the last cry of a lion. Then the image begins to
FADE and all goes slowly SILENT, until only a WHISTLING
WIND is heard and...
4 EXT. MILL TOWN - LATE AFTERNOON 4
... tall grasses toss dreamily in a SLANTING RAIN. An
OLD MILL lists like an ancient ruin against a charcoal
sky. A DARK FIGURE (NARCISSA MALFOY) MATERIALIZES. As
she turns for the town in the distance, another witch
materializes: BELLATRIX LESTRANGE.
BELLATRIX
Narcissa!
3.
5 EXT. SPINNER'S END - LATE AFTERNOON (MOMENTS LATER) 5
Like a rat in a maze, Narcissa makes her way through a
labyrinth of dilapidated brick houses. Bellatrix trails.
BELLATRIX
Cissy! You mustn't do this. He
can't be trusted.
NARCISSA
The Dark Lord trusts him.
BELLATRIX
The Dark Lord is mistaken.
Narcissa turns, shocked. Bellatrix looks shocked
herself, rain running down her cheeks.
BELLATRIX
Or so I believe.
NARCISSA
Well, who can one trust these
days?
6 INT. MILL HOUSE - SAME TIME - LATE AFTERNOON 6
Grim and dark, lit by guttering candles. RAIN drums the
roof eerily. A KNOCKER CLANGS. A SQUAT MAN SHUFFLES
forth, something familiar in his gait.
7 EXT. HOUSE (SPINNER'S END) - SAME TIME - LATE AFTERNOON 7
The door cracks, spilling sallow light onto Narcissa and
Bellatrix. A face: WORMTAIL.
8 INT. HALLWAY - LATE AFTERNOON (MOMENTS LATER) 8
The sisters follow Wormtail down a narrow hallway.
BELLATRIX
He lives in this Muggle dunghill?
Wormtail glowers over his shoulder at her. They pass
into...
9 INT. MILL HOUSE - SITTING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON (MOMENTS 9
LATER)
... a room where a MAN sits by the window running with
RAIN, his face hidden by the Daily Prophet.
(CONTINUED)
4.
9 CONTINUED: 9
On the front page is a PHOTOGRAPH of the MILLENNIUM
BRIDGE CRASHING INTO THE THAMES. But even more prominent
is the SILHOUETTE of a YOUNG WIZARD and a HEADLINE:
HARRY POTTER: THE CHOSEN ONE?
Young Wizard Destined to Kill You-Know-Who?
The paper drops and SEVERUS SNAPE eyes the women
curiously.
SNAPE
Run along, Wormtail.
10 INT. MILL HOUSE - SITTING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON (MOMENTS 10
LATER)
Snape fills the last of three goblets with wine.
NARCISSA
I've nowhere else to turn,
Severus.
Snape hands her a goblet, extends one to Bellatrix.
BELLATRIX
You must be joking.
Snape smiles faintly, brings the goblet to his own lips.
NARCISSA
I know I ought not to be here.
The Dark Lord himself has
forbidden me to speak of this --
SNAPE
If the Dark Lord has forbidden it,
you ought not to speak.
(eyes shifting)
Put it down, Bella. We mustn't
touch what isn't ours.
Bellatrix, DARK CURIO in hand, glowers, sets it back
down.
SNAPE
As it so happens I'm aware of your
situation, Narcissa.
BELLATRIX
The Dark Lord told you?
You?
SNAPE
Your sister doubts me, Narcissa.
Understandable.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
5.
10 CONTINUED: 10
SNAPE (CONT'D)
Over the years I have played my
part well. So well I've deceived
one of the greatest wizards of all
time.
Bellatrix makes a scathing sound. Snape turns, eyes
hard.
SNAPE
Dumbledore is a great wizard.
Only a fool would question it.
NARCISSA
I... I don't doubt you, Severus.
BELLATRIX
You should feel honored, Cissy.
As should Draco --
NARCISSA
He's just a boy!
SNAPE
I can't change the Dark Lord's
mind. But it might be possible
for me to help Draco. To provide
some... protection.
Bellatrix eyes Snape keenly.
NARCISSA
Do you mean it, Severus?
SNAPE
I can try.
NARCISSA
Oh, Severus, please, if you
would... (I would be forever in
your debt.)
BELLATRIX
Swear to it.
Snape's eyes shift, meet Bellatrix's challenging gaze.
BELLATRIX
Make the Unbreakable Vow.
(as Snape looks away)
You see. It's just empty words.
Oh he'll try. He'll give it his
best effort. But when it matters
most he'll slither back into his
hole. Bloody coward...
(CONTINUED)
6.
10 CONTINUED: (2) 10
Bellatrix goes on MUTTERING as she splashes some wine
into a goblet. Snape turns back, anger flashing in his
eyes.
SNAPE
Take out your wand.
Bellatrix freezes, goblet to her lips. As she lowers it,
a rivulet of red runs out of the corner of her mouth.
NEW ANGLE - MOMENTS LATER
Snape faces Narcissa. Bellatrix, hand faintly trembling,
places the tip of her wand over their LINKED hands.
BELLATRIX
Will you, Severus Snape, watch
over Draco Malfoy as he attempts
to fulfill the Dark Lord's wishes.
SNAPE
I will.
A SINGLE STRAND of LIQUID FIRE issues from Bellatrix's
wand and wends its way around their hands.
BELLATRIX
And will you, to the best of your
ability, protect him from harm?
SNAPE
I will.
A SECOND STRAND of FIRE intertwines with the first.
BELLATRIX
And should it prove necessary, if
it seems Draco will fail... will
you yourself carry out the deed
that the Dark Lord has ordered
Draco to perform?
Snape's hand TWITCHES within Narcissa's. Bellatrix
waits.
SNAPE
I will.
11 EXT. LONDON UNDERGROUND - NIGHT 11
A TRAIN blasts through the station.
7.
12 EXT. "TREATS" FOOD STAND - SAME TIME - NIGHT 12
Late. Lonely men and women loiter on the platform. At a
food stand, patrons grimly read their TABLOID of choice.
CAMERA TRACKS PAST The Daily Mail, The Sun, The Mirror --
LANDS ON... the Daily Prophet. The SILHOUETTE. The
HEADLINE: "HARRY POTTER: THE CHOSEN ONE?"
But the (unseen) reader is fixated on a SMALLER ITEM,
tucked at the bottom corner of the back page: "Malfoy
Sentenced to Azkaban." TWO PHOTOGRAPHS accompany the
piece, one of LUCIUS MALFOY, another of Narcissa and
DRACO MALFOY as they exit a courtroom. Draco's eyes look
distant, haunted.
WAITRESS (O.S.)
Harry Potter. Who's Harry Potter?
The paper drops, reveals... Harry. He glances up at the
YOUNG WAITRESS who stands over him. Pretty. Very
pretty.
HARRY
Oh. Um. No one. Bit of a
tosser.
As she leans over to clear his chips wrappings, Harry's
gaze drifts over the smooth skin of her neck, the spray
of freckles across one cheek...
WAITRESS
Funny that paper of yours. Couple
nights ago, I could swear I saw
one of the pictures move.
HARRY
Really.
WAITRESS
Thought I'd gone round the twist.
She makes a face, smiles. A smile to die for. Starts to
go.
HARRY
Hey. I was wondering...
WAITRESS
Eleven. That's when I get off.
(the smile)
You can tell me all about that
tosser Harry Potter.
Harry watches her go, then quickly reaches into his coat
and fumbles out a S'Mints container. Just then...
(CONTINUED)
8.
12 CONTINUED: 12
... a LIGHT on the opposite PLATFORM FLICKERS. Harry
looks. It FLICKERS again and this time a small cloud of
GLITTERING DUST dances over the opposite platform. As a
TRAIN ROARS past, Harry squints through the flickering
windows and watches the dust transform into... ALBUS
DUMBLEDORE. Leveling his glasses, he peers across the
platform, smiles and gives Harry a wave.
13 EXT. OPPOSITE PLATFORM - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 13
As Harry arrives, he finds Dumbledore studying a PERFUME
ADVERTISEMENT which shows a MODEL with a WAND in her
teeth: "Tonight Make a Little Magic With Your Man."
DUMBLEDORE
I once knew a Muggle girl from
Liverpool with hair like spun
silk. No light could resist it...
(turning)
You've been reckless this summer,
Harry.
HARRY
I like riding round on the trains.
It takes my mind off... things.
Harry hesitates, notices Dumbledore's hand is ASH BLACK.
DUMBLEDORE
Rather unpleasant to behold, isn't
it? The tale is thrilling if I do
say so myself, but I'm afraid now
is not the time to tell it. Take
my arm.
(extending it)
Do as I say.
Harry glances across the platform, sees the freckled
Waitress appear, eye his empty table. Slowly, he reaches
out and -- instantly -- all goes BLACK in a RUSH of SOUND
and FURY, as if Harry had been pitched headlong into a
tornado. Seconds later...
14 EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 14
... he re-emerges into the world, reeling, eyes stinging
with tears. Slowly, his planet stops spinning.
HARRY
I just Apparated, didn't I?
(CONTINUED)
9.
14 CONTINUED: 14
DUMBLEDORE
Indeed. And quite successfully I
might add. Most people vomit
their first time.
HARRY
Can't imagine why...
NEW ANGLE - MOMENTS LATER
Dumbledore leads Harry up a steep narrow street lined
with darkened houses.
DUMBLEDORE
Welcome to the charming village of
Budleigh Babberton, Harry. I
assume right about now you're
wondering why I've brought you
here, am I right?
HARRY
(glancing about)
After all these years, I just sort
of roll with it, sir.
Dumbledore smiles mildly, then pauses, his face
darkening. Before them stands a SMALL STONE HOUSE. But
something is wrong about the place.
DUMBLEDORE
Wand out, Harry.
15 INT. SLUGHORN'S HOUSE - SAME TIME - NIGHT 15
THROUGH a crack in the front door: Dumbledore and Harry
move swiftly up the walk and enter.
DUMBLEDORE
Lumos...
The tip of Dumbledore's WAND BLAZES. He sweeps the
shadows. CALLS OUT.
DUMBLEDORE
Horace!
Nothing. Dumbledore points his wand down a NARROW
HALLWAY. Motes of dust dance in the wandlight, but
nothing else. He starts down the hallway, toward the
OPEN DOORWAY at its end. Slowly, the room beyond comes
INTO VIEW:
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 10.
16 INT. SLUGHORN'S HOUSE - SITTING ROOM - NIGHT 16
Utter devastation. A GRANDFATHER CLOCK lays upon the
floor, its face cracked. A PIANO sags in the corner,
keys strewn like teeth upon the rug. A copy of the Daily
Prophet trembles in the breeze from a half-open window.
As Harry looks, a DROP of something WET strikes the word
"CHOSEN." His gaze rises.
He GASPS. A substance DARK and GLUTINOUS is spattered
upon the ceiling. Dumbledore raises his wand. The
ceiling SCREAMS RED. Another drop falls and this one
strikes Harry's SCAR. As Harry moves to wipe it away,
Dumbledore grabs his hand.
Training his light on Harry's forehead, Dumbledore flicks
a blackened finger over the scar. Brings it to his
tongue. Reacts. Turning, his eyes narrow on an
OVERSTUFFED ARMCHAIR. Moving to it, he JABS his wand
into the plump seat cushion.
ARMCHAIR
Merlin's Beard!
Instantly, the Armchair mutates into HUMAN FORM, though
briefly gets caught inbetween. After a bit of GRUMBLING,
SEAM-SPLITTING and the POPPING of a cushion button or
two, a FAT OLD MAN (HORACE SLUGHORN) in a pair of WELL-
WORN lilac pajamas appears.
SLUGHORN
(rubbing his rump)
There's no need to disfigure me,
Albus!
DUMBLEDORE
I must say, you make a very
convincing armchair, Horace.
SLUGHORN
It's all in the upholstery.
(patting his stomach)
I come by the stuffing naturally.
What gave me away?
DUMBLEDORE
(nodding to the
ceiling)
Dragon's blood.
SLUGHORN
Yes, well, I couldn't very well
use wizard's blood, could I? Oho!
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 11.
16 CONTINUED: 16
Slughorn takes a step back, having spotted Harry. The
blood on Harry's forehead only serves to highlight his
scar.
DUMBLEDORE
Ah yes. Introductions. Harry,
this is an old friend and
colleague of mine, Horace
Slughorn. Horace, this is, well,
you know who this is.
(a droll whisper)
Apparently there's some thought he
may be the Chosen One.
Slughorn stares at Harry as if hypnotized.
DUMBLEDORE
So why all the theatrics, Horace?
You weren't perhaps expecting
someone else, were you?
SLUGHORN
(blinking)
S-someone else? I'm sure I don't
know what you mean.
Dumbledore raises an eyebrow. Slughorn caves.
SLUGHORN
Oh all right! The Death Eaters
have been trying to recruit me for
over a year. Do you know what
that's like? One can only say no
to these people so many times
before they...
DUMBLEDORE
Take matters into their own hands?
Slughorn eyes Dumbledore miserably, gestures.
SLUGHORN
I never stay anywhere more than a
week. The Muggles who own this
place are in the Canary Islands.
DUMBLEDORE
Well, I think it should be put
back in order for them, don't you?
Mind?
(CONTINUED)
12.
16 CONTINUED: (2) 16
Dumbledore raises his wand. Instantly, the grandfather
clock resumes its rightful place, shattered lanterns re-
ignite and the blood on the ceiling evaporates -- just as
the piano keys tumble back into place with a pleasant
MUSICAL run.
DUMBLEDORE
That was fun. May I use the loo?
As Dumbledore heads down the hall, Slughorn calls after.
SLUGHORN
Don't think I don't know why
you're here, Albus! The answer is
still no! Absolutely,
unequivocally no!
Dumbledore doesn't respond. Slughorn glances at Harry.
The silence is palpable. Awkward. A beat. Then:
SLUGHORN
You look very like your father.
Except for your eyes. You've
got --
HARRY
My mother's eyes, yeah.
SLUGHORN
(smiling softly)
Lily. Lovely Lily. She was
exceedingly bright -- your mother.
Even more impressive when one
considers she was Muggle-born.
HARRY
One of my best friends is Muggle-
born. She's the best in our year.
SLUGHORN
Oh, but you mustn't think I'm
prejudiced! No, no, no! Your
mother was one of my absolute
favorites! Look, there she is.
Right up front.
Slughorn waves to a dresser crowded with PHOTOGRAPHS.
SLUGHORN
All mine, each and every one. Ex-
students, I mean. You recognize
Barnubas Cuffe, of course, editor
of the Daily Prophet.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 13.
16 CONTINUED: (3) 16
SLUGHORN (CONT'D)
Always takes my owl should I want
to register my opinion on the news
of the day. And there's Ambrosius
Flume of Honeydukes. Sends a
hamper of chocolate to the house
each birthday. That is, when I
had a house. And Gwenog Jones,
captain of the Holyhead Harpies --
free tickets whenever I want them.
Of course, I haven't been to a
match in some time...
Harry steps forward, takes a picture of one particular
BOY, a boy who resembles... Sirius. Seeing Harry thus
distracted, he studies him intently, like a rare object.
SLUGHORN
Ah yes. Regulus Black. You no
doubt know of his older brother
Sirius. Died a few weeks ago. I
taught the whole Black family
except Sirius. Shame. Talented
boy. I got Regulus when he came
along, of course, but I'd have
liked the set.
DUMBLEDORE
Mind if I take this? I do love
knitting patterns.
Slughorn blinks, looks away from Harry and finds
Dumbledore standing there, clutching a MUGGLE MAGAZINE.
SLUGHORN
Of course. But you're not
leaving?
DUMBLEDORE
I think I know a lost cause when I
see one. Regrettable. I would
have considered it a personal
triumph had you consented to
return to Hogwarts, Horace. You
are, like my friend Mr. Potter --
one of a kind.
17 EXT. SLUGHORN'S HOUSE - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 17
Dumbledore HUMS placidly as he and Harry make their way
down the walk. Seconds later, the front door swings
open.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 14.
17 CONTINUED: 17
SLUGHORN
All right! I'll do it. But I'll
be wanting Professor
Merrythought's old office, not
that water closet I had formerly.
And I expect a raise! These are
mad times we live in! Mad!
DUMBLEDORE
Indeed they are.
18 EXT. STREET (BUDLEIGH BABBERTON) - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 18
Dumbledore leads Harry back toward the Village Square.
HARRY
Sir, exactly what was that all --
DUMBLEDORE
You are talented, famous and
powerful -- everything Horace
values. Professor Slughorn is
going to try to collect you,
Harry. You would be his crowning
jewel. That is why he is
returning to Hogwarts. And it is
crucial he return...
Harry looks intrigued by this last statement, but before
he can pursue it, Dumbledore glances ruefully at the
moon.
DUMBLEDORE
I fear I may have stolen a
wondrous night from you, Harry.
She was, truthfully, very pretty.
The girl.
HARRY
It's alright, sir. I'll go back
tomorrow, make some excuse --
Harry stops. Dumbledore is shaking his head.
DUMBLEDORE
You'll not be going back to Little
Whinging tonight, Harry.
HARRY
But, sir. What about Hedwig? And
there's my trunk --
(CONTINUED)
15.
18 CONTINUED: 18
DUMBLEDORE
Both are waiting for you.
Dumbledore extends his arm. Mystified, Harry reaches
out. As his fingers touch the silk of Dumbledore's
cloak, he...
19 EXT. THE BURROW - NIGHT (SECONDS LATER) 19
... APPARATES INTO VIEW, stumbling to one knee and
wincing.
HARRY
Sir?
Dumbledore is gone. Harry rises, glances about. In the
distance a CROOKED HOUSE shimmers. A PRETTY GIRL with
RED HAIR flits briefly past an upstairs window. GINNY
WEASLEY.
20 INT. WEASLEY HOUSE - STAIRCASE - SAME TIME - NIGHT 20
Ginny DASHES down a vertiginous staircase, flies into the
kitchen and finds...
21 INT. WEASLEY HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS ACTION - NIGHT 21
... a LARGE TRUNK and an OWL CAGE. Curious, she cocks
her head to one side. The owl does the same in return.
GINNY
Hedwig...? Mum!
22 INT. WEASLEY HOUSE - DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY - SAME TIME - NIGHT 2
2
GINNY'S POV, looking up -- a dizzying perspective of
twisting railings and crooked bedroom doors. A CLOCK
hangs IN VIEW, bearing NINE HANDS, each inscribed with a
Weasley name, each pointing to MORTAL PERIL. MRS.
WEASLEY appears, looks down.
MRS. WEASLEY
What is it, Ginny? Is it your
father? Has something happened at
the Ministry? Has he been
kidnapped? Is it the Death
Eaters?
GINNY
Exactly. How'd you guess?
(CONTINUED)
16.
22 CONTINUED: 22
Mrs. Weasley throws her hands up over her face.
GINNY
I'm joking, Mum.
MRS. WEASLEY
You're worse than Fred and George.
GINNY
Now you're joking. I was only
wondering when Harry got here.
MRS. WEASLEY
Harry who?
GINNY
Harry Dimpleton. Harry Potter, of
course.
MRS. WEASLEY
I think I'd know if Harry Potter
was in my house, wouldn't I?
GINNY
Well his trunk's in the kitchen.
And his owl.
MRS. WEASLEY
I seriously doubt that.
Just then, HEDWIG SCREECHES O.S. Ginny gives her an I-
told-you-so when another door opens and RON WEASLEY looks
down.
RON
Harry? Did someone say Harry?
GINNY
Me, nosy. Is he up there with
you?
RON
`Course not. Think I'd know if my
best friend was in my room,
wouldn't I?
Another door opens: HERMIONE, in a robe, TOOTHBRUSH in
hand.
HERMIONE
Was that an owl I heard?
(CONTINUED)
17.
22 CONTINUED: (2) 22
GINNY
Harry's. Haven't seen him, have
you? Apparently, he's wandering
about the house.
HERMIONE
Really?
HARRY (O.S.)
Really.
Ginny spins. Harry. Standing in the doorway of the
kitchen.
RON/HERMIONE/MRS. WEASLEY
Harry!
As the others rocket downstairs, Ginny gives Harry a
great grinning hug. There is something oddly charged in
the moment, a surprise to both of them. The others
arrive. More hugs.
MRS. WEASLEY
But why didn't you tell us you
were coming?
HARRY
Didn't know.
(a shrug)
Dumbledore.
MRS. WEASLEY
That man. But then, what would we
do without him? Ron!
Ron is about to touch Hermione. She retracts her neck.
RON
You've a bit of...
He gestures to the stray lace of toothpaste on Hermione's
chin. Quickly she wipes it off, gives him an odd look.
23 EXT. THE BURROW - ATTIC - NIGHT (LATER) 23
The Daily Prophet tumbles within a makeshift campfire of
BLUE FLAMES, but magically doesn't disintegrate. Harry
teases the fire with the tip of his wand, where The
Chosen One? mingles with Draco's haunted face in the
flames.
HARRY
When'd you get here?
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 18.
23 CONTINUED: 23
HERMIONE
A few days ago. Though... for a
bit, I wasn't sure I was coming.
Harry looks up, sees her glance at Ron.
RON
Mum sort of lost it last week.
Said Ginny and I had no business
going back to Hogwarts. That it's
too dangerous.
HARRY
Oh come on...
HERMIONE
She's not alone. Even my parents
-- and they're Muggles -- know
something bad is happening.
RON
Anyway, Dad stepped in, told her
she was being barmy. Took a day
or two, but she came round.
HARRY
But we're talking about Hogwarts.
Dumbledore. What could be safer?
Hermione and Ron exchange another glance.
HERMIONE
There's been a lot of chatter
lately. That he's gotten... old.
HARRY
Rubbish. He's only -- what?
RON
A hundred and fifty. Give or take
a few years.
Silence. Nods. Then the three break out laughing. Grow
quiet again. Harry takes another poke at the Prophet.
Draco's haunted face appears briefly, then is gone.
24 INT. WEASLEY'S WIZARD WHEEZES (DIAGON ALLEY) - CLOSE ON A 24
SHOPPING BAG - DAY
bearing Weasley's Wizard Wheezes clutched in the hand of
a boy being pulled by his mother through the throng
packed sardine-tight in the store.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 19.
24 CONTINUED: 24
It's utter madness: Ever-Bashing Boomerangs whip through
the air, Dr. Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start No-Heat
fireworks spit sparks, and Nose-Biting Teacups bare tiny
porcelain teeth. FRED & GEORGE WEASLEY, in SCREAMING
MAGENTA, stand upon a counter, selling to the masses:
FRED/GEORGE
Step up! Step up!
GEORGE
We've got Fainting Fancy...
FRED
Nosebleed Nougats...
GEORGE
And just in time for school...
FRED
Puking Pastilles!
A BOY stops chewing, turns PALE GREEN -- literally.
FRED/GEORGE
Into the cauldron, handsome.
Together, with the tips of their toes, Fred and George
launch a SLOSHING CAULDRON down the counter, drop down on
either side of Harry, begin to steer him through the
store.
FRED
What'd you think, Harry?
HARRY
Amazing.
GEORGE
(to a browsing boy)
Pocket that and you'll pay in more
than Galleons, my friend.
FRED/GEORGE
We've got eyes in the back of our
heads.
The boy, working a SCREAMING YO-YO, blanches as Fred and
George turn, reveal they do in fact have EYES IN THE BACK
OF THEIR HEADS -- phony, but unnerving. As the EYES
WINK, the tiny boy bolts.
GEORGE
Bloody urchins.
Harry eyes a display of ORANGE AND BLACK LUMPS.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 19A.
24 CONTINUED: (2) 24
HARRY
Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder?
FRED
A real money spinner that.
FRED
Handy if you need to make a quick
escape. Hello, ladies!
George drops one of the lumps in Harry's hand, turns to
Ginny and Hermione, who peruse a display of "Wonder Witch
Love Potions."
GEORGE
Yes, they do really work.
FRED
Then again, the way we hear it,
sis, you're doing just fine on
your own.
GINNY
Meaning?
FRED
Are you not currently dating Dean
Thomas?
(CONTINUED)
20.
24 CONTINUED: (3) 24
Harry pretends to consider a rack of "Ten-Second Pimple
Vanisher," but secretly eavesdrops.
GINNY
None of your business.
HERMIONE
These are adorable.
Inside a cage, small round BALLS of FLUFF roll about,
SQUEAK.
FRED
Aren't they now. Pygmy Puffs.
Can't breed them fast enough.
Just then a HUGE BOY (CORMAC McLAGGEN) passes behind
Hermione and, with his eyes, takes the full measure of
her. Noticing, she turns, receives a faint smile as he
moves on.
RON
How much for this?
A TINY WOODEN MAN ascends a TINY GALLOWS and... DROPS.
George rides a rolling ladder INTO FRAME, drops next to
Fred.
FRED/GEORGE
Five Galleons.
RON
How much for me?
FRED/GEORGE
Five Galleons.
RON
But I'm your brother!
FRED/GEORGE
Ten Galleons.
RON
C'mon. Let's go.
The trio head for the door, passing LAVENDER BROWN, who
smiles flirtatiously at an oblivious Ron.
LAVENDER BROWN
Hi, Ron.
RON
Hi.
21.
25 EXT. DIAGON ALLEY - LATE AFTERNOON (MOMENTS LATER) 25
The sun fades over an IRON ARCHWAY -- Welcome to Diagon
Alley! -- as Harry, Ron and Hermione pass beneath. All
around them, SHOPS sit silent, windows BOARDED-UP or
SHATTERED. People scurry by, avoiding the SCARY FACES of
the witches and wizards who peer out from the SECURITY
POSTERS plastered to every LAMP POST. Bellatrix is
there: "KNOWN DEATH EATER," And Greyback: "WEREWOLF."
And LUCIUS MALFOY: "CAUGHT."
HERMIONE
How is it Fred and George are
doing it? Half the alley's closed
down.
RON
Fred reckons people need a laugh
these days.
HARRY
Reckon he's right...
Harry eyes the poster of Bellatrix, her mocking half-
smile.
HERMIONE
Oh no. Look.
Harry and Ron follow her gaze to the wreck that is
Ollivander's Wand Shop.
HERMIONE
But everyone got their wands from
Ollivander. Young. Old...
HARRY
Good. Bad. Speaking of which...
Across the avenue, DRACO MALFOY and Narcissa pause,
glance around, then slip quickly down an alley.
RON
Is it just me? Or do Draco and
mummy look like two people who
don't want to be followed?
26 EXT. VARIOUS STREETS - DIAGON ALLEY - LATE AFTERNOON 26
The trio trail Draco and Narcissa, who navigate these
dark streets with ease. Hermione, lagging a bit, glances
up at the darkening sky. When she looks back, she sees
Ron and Harry far ahead. They turn a shadowy corner,
vanish.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 22.
26 CONTINUED: 26
NEW ANGLE - SHOP FRONT - MOMENTS LATER
Harry and Ron duck inside a shop front. At the end of
the alley, a single shop glimmers dully: Borgin &
Burkes. Narcissa and Draco enter, greet a STOOPED MAN
(BORGIN). He POINTS. Draco walks to a LACQUERED
CABINET, plays his fingers over its glassy surface.
Narcissa speaks and Draco turns, finds Borgin holding the
curtain to the back room aside. Draco hesitates, then
follows his mother through.
RON
What're they playing at?
HARRY
Dunno. Let's get closer.
RON
(a nod; stopping)
Hey. Where's Hermione?
NEW ANGLE - ANOTHER ALLEY - DUSK
Hermione moves through the shadows, alone, peering down
side streets, each darker than the next, lost, but
holding it together, when... a SHADOW FLICKERS overhead.
She looks up, sees a FIGURE (Greyback) leap from one roof
to another. She stands perfectly still, then... hears
VOICES.
NEW ANGLE - OTHER ALLEYS - DUSK
Harry and Ron race down one passage then another. Stop.
RON
Harry, where is she?
HARRY
I don't know. I'm turned around.
NEW ANGLE - BORGIN & BURKES - BACK COURTYARD - DUSK
Hermione creeps to the end of a narrow passage, toward
the VOICES, and finds herself... behind Borgin & Burkes.
FIGURES encircle an old cauldron, among them Greyback,
Bellatrix, Narcissa, and in the very center... Draco.
Hermione squints against the brilliance of the FIRE, the
FIGURES twisting like Giacomettis. Draco extends his
left arm... when a SHADOW falls over Hermione, fingers
find her arm. She wheels, terrified.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 23.
26 CONTINUED: (2) 26
Ron.
HERMIONE
Bloody hell.
RON
Sorry.
Just then, the cauldron EXPLODES with light. Instantly,
the group, including Draco, disperses.
HARRY
What just happened?
HERMIONE
I don't know.
Harry stares at the SMOKE drifting from the cauldron. A
SOUND RISES, growing more powerful and the ROAR of a...
27 EXT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - MOVING - LATE AFTERNOON 27
... TRAIN overtakes us, the scarlet stack of the Hogwarts
Express churning furiously towards the horizon.
LUNA
Quibbler...? Quibbler...?
28 INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - AISLE - SAME TIME - LATE AFTERNOON 28
LUNA LOVEGOOD moves down the aisle wearing a pair of RED
and BLUE CARDBOARD GLASSES (SPECTRESPECS) identical to
the ones modeled by a witch on the cover of the current
issue of The Quibbler, a stack of which Luna clutches to
her chest.
LUNA
There's an article on Wrackspurts
this month. Quibbler...?
The loitering STUDENTS ignore her, including DEAN THOMAS,
currently WHISPERING to Ginny, who smiles mildly, more
interested in the PURPLE PYGMY PUFF perched on her
shoulder.
LUNA
He's lovely. They've been known
to sing on Boxing Day, you know.
Quibbler?
GINNY
Please. What's a Wrackspurt?
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 24.
28 CONTINUED: 28
LUNA
They're invisible creatures that
float in through your ears and
make your brain go fuzzy.
(moving off)
Quibbler? Quibbler?
29 INT. COMPARTMENT - SAME TIME - DUSK 29
Harry, Ron and Hermione sit together. Hermione has a
book entitled Advance Rune Translation open on her lap,
while Ron lets Harry's INVISIBILITY CLOAK play through
his fingers.
HARRY
Don't you see, it was a ceremony.
An initiation.
HERMIONE
Stop, Harry, I know where you're
going with this --
HARRY
It's happened. He's one of them.
RON
One of what?
HERMIONE
Harry is under the impression that
Draco Malfoy is now a Death Eater.
RON
You're barking. What would You-
Know-Who want with a sod like
Malfoy?
HARRY
So what's he doing in Borgin and
Burke's? Browsing for furniture?
RON
It's a creepy shop. He's a creepy
bloke.
HARRY
Look. His father's a Death Eater.
It only makes sense. Besides,
Hermione saw it. With her own
eyes.
HERMIONE
I told you. I don't know what I
saw.
(CONTINUED)
25.
29 CONTINUED: 29
Harry rises, snatches the cloak from Ron's hands.
HARRY
I need some air.
30 INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - AISLE - DUSK (MOMENTS LATER) 30
A blood-red sun shimmers through the windows, staining
the interior a deep scarlet. Students read, play cards.
In one compartment, CRABBE and GOYLE slumber sloppily.
As Harry enters, the ACCORDION doors to the NEXT CAR
SQUALL open and a PAIR of TWIN GIRLS emerge. He watches
them when a VOICE causes him to turn back. As the
accordion doors slowly close, he spies Malfoy sitting
with PANSY PARKINSON and a BOY with the cheekbones of a
sphinx (BLAISE ZABINI).
Harry studies Malfoy when a BOY pushes through the
accordion doors. As they begin to close, slowly, Harry
reaches into his pocket and removes the ORANGE AND BLACK
LUMP Fred gave him in Diagon Alley. He eyes Malfoy, eyes
the closing door and -- impulsively -- pitches the lump
into the air. It soars through the narrowing crease of
the doors and -- just as Malfoy glances his way -- just
as it reaches the apex of its flight -- POOF! -- explodes
softly, raining DARK POWDER.
31 EXT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - MOVING - SAME TIME - DUSK 31
One train car -- and only one -- goes DARK:
32 INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - AISLE/COMPARTMENT - SAME TIME - DUSK
32
CHAOS. PANICKED VOICES. Then, like a thinning mist, the
darkness eerily recedes, the red light of dusk returns
and Malfoy is revealed, standing in the DOORWAY of the
car. As he looks on warily, students return to their
seats. Across the way, Crabbe & Goyle continue to
slumber.
MALFOY
What just happened? Blaise?
BLAISE
(tense himself)
Don't know.
Just then, a SMALL BAG TEETERS... then tumbles from a
luggage rack. Malfoy wheels, eyes the bag.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 26.
32 CONTINUED: 32
PANSY
Relax, boys. The lights went out
is all. Come, Draco. We'll be
at Hogwarts before you know it.
She pats the seat. Draco eyes the bag, slings it back
onto the luggage rack and plops down. Pansy strokes his
hair.
MALFOY
Hogwarts. What a pathetic excuse
for a school. I think I'd pitch
myself off the Astronomy Tower if
I thought I had to continue on for
another two years.
Pansy, gently twisting one of Draco's locks, stops.
PANSY
What's that supposed to mean?
MALFOY
Let's just say I don't think
you'll be seeing me wasting my
time in Charms Class next year.
Confused, Pansy glances at Blaise, who snorts derisively.
MALFOY
Amused, Blaise? We'll see just
who's laughing in the end.
Blaise shakes his head, smiling as he looks out the
window at the darkness. Just then the small bag in the
upper rack shifts. Malfoy's eyes play over it.
33 EXT. STATION - DUSK/EVENING 33
The Hogwarts Express steams into the station.
34 INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - AISLE - SAME TIME - DUSK/EVENING 34
Ron and Hermione step into the crowded aisle.
HERMIONE
Where's Harry?
RON
Probably on the platform. C'mon.
27.
35 INT. COMPARTMENT - DUSK/EVENING 35
As Blaise and Pansy make to exit, Malfoy takes down the
small bag, grips the handle thoughtfully.
MALFOY
You two go on. I want to check
something.
Malfoy slides shut the door. LETS THE BLINDS DOWN. A
beat.
MALFOY
Didn't mummy ever tell you it's
bad manners to eavesdrop, Potter?
Petrificus Totalus!
Malfoy wheels, points his wand at the luggage rack.
Something hits the floor with a THUMP. The Invisibility
Cloak slips away and reveals Harry, paralyzed on the
floor. Malfoy grins.
MALFOY
Oh, right, she was dead before you
could wipe the drool off your
chin.
Malfoy brings his boot down hard on Harry's face. SNAP!
Blood squirts from Harry's nose. Malfoy snatches up the
Invisibility Cloak, pitches it over Harry.
MALFOY
Enjoy the ride back to London.
36 EXT. STATION - EVENING (MOMENTS LATER) 36
Malfoy steps off, pulls his cloak tight and disappears
into the night. Softly, a SOUND rises, of a GIRL LIGHTLY
HUMMING and we --
CUT TO:
37 INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - AISLE - EVENING 37
... STRANGE MOVING POV - HALF RED/HALF BLUE
Luna Lovegood wanders down the aisle HUMMING, red and
blue Spectrespecs wobbling on the bridge of her nose. Up
ahead one compartment's BLINDS are shut. Luna stops
HUMMING. Cocks her head curiously. As she does, the
LIGHT from an overhead lantern kicks off the cheap
plastic lenses of her glasses and, for the briefest of
seconds, a FLUTTERING CLOUD appears.
(CONTINUED)
28.
37 CONTINUED: 37
Of tiny insects. Or pixie dust. Or a trick of the
light.
38 INT. COMPARTMENT - SAME TIME - EVENING 38
Luna's SILHOUETTE SWELLS over the blinds, then the door
opens. She calmly draws her wand and sends forth a blast
of RED LIGHT. The Invisibility Cloak slithers from
Harry's body.
LUNA
Hello, Harry.
HARRY
Luna. How'd you...?
LUNA
Your head's full of
Wrackspurts.
them.
39 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - FRONT STEPS - NIGHT (LATER) 39
The castle glitters. Harry, face blood-spattered, nose
slightly off-center, approaches with Luna.
HARRY
Sorry I made you miss the
carriages, Luna.
LUNA
It's alright. I enjoyed our walk.
It was like being with a friend.
HARRY
I am your friend, Luna.
LUNA
That's nice.
Just then PROFESSOR FLITWICK rushes forth clutching a
long roll of PARCHMENT bearing all students' names.
FLITWICK
About time! I've been looking all
over for you two. Names.
HARRY
Professor Flitwick, you've known
me for five years.
FLITWICK
No exceptions, Potter.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 29.
39 CONTINUED: 39
LUNA
Who are those people?
Harry turns, sees Luna staring into the darkness, where
SHADOWS drift eerily, like ghosts.
FLITWICK
Aurors. For security.
MALFOY (O.S.)
It's a not a cane, you cretin.
It's a walking stick.
Harry and Luna turn. Draco stands amidst a mountain of
TRUNKS and OWL CAGES, watching Filch pass a long SECURITY
DETECTOR over a WALKING STICK.
FILCH
And what exactly would you be
wanting with a walking stick?
SNAPE
It was his father's.
Snape separates from the shadows. Draco eyes him warily,
then snatches the stick from Filch.
MALFOY
Is my father's. He's not dead.
Snape watches Malfoy carefully wrap the stick in felt,
lay it back inside his trunk.
SNAPE
It's alright, Mr. Filch. I can
vouch for Mr. Malfoy.
Draco eyes Snape warily again, then begins to slouch off,
catches Harry looking.
MALFOY
Nice face, Potter.
Harry puts a hand to his nose, watches Malfoy disappear
into the darkness, trailed by Snape.
LUNA
Would you like me to fix it?
Personally I think you look a bit
more devil-may-care this way. But
it's up to you.
HARRY
Have you ever fixed one? A nose.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 29A.
39 CONTINUED: (2) 39
LUNA
No. But I've done several toes
and how different are they really?
This does not fill Harry with confidence.
Nevertheless...
HARRY
What the hell. Give it a go.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 30.
39 CONTINUED: (3) 39
LUNA
Episkey.
Luna poises her wand over Harry's nose and... gives it a
TAP. It VIBRATES WILDLY and then... SNAPS into place.
HARRY
Well? How do I look?
LUNA
Exceptionally ordinary.
HARRY
Brilliant.
40 INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 40
Hermione cranes her neck, looking for Harry, while Ron
stuffs his face with pudding, MUMBLING, MOUTH FULL:
RON
Don' you worry. He'll be `long
soon `nuff --
HERMIONE
(whacking him)
Will. You. Stop. Eating! Your
best friend is missing!
RON
Oi! Turn around, you lunatic.
Hermione spins, sees Harry and Luna approaching. In the
light of the hall, Harry's blood-spattered face is quite
the sight.
GINNY
He's covered in blood again. Why
is it he's always covered in
blood?
RON
Looks like his own this time.
HERMIONE
(as he arrives)
Where've you been, Harry? And
what happened to your face?
HARRY
Later. What've I missed?
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 31.
40 CONTINUED: 40
RON
(shrugging; still
eating)
Sorting Hat urged us all to be
brave and strong in these troubled
times -- easy for it to say --
it's a hat, isn't it? First Years
seemed to enjoy it, though.
Wankers. Filch give you the wand
outside?
Harry nods. Ginny, damp napkin in hand, begins to dab
his face, then feels suddenly awkward. Harry takes it
from her.
HARRY
Thanks...
Just then, the light in the Hall begins to gently dim and
all eyes turn to Dumbledore, standing at the top of the
Hall, ashen hand raised to the enchanted ceiling, where
clouds respond to his gestures and shroud a gleaming full
moon.
HERMIONE
What's happened to his hand?
DUMBLEDORE
The very best of evenings to you!
First off, please join me in
welcoming the newest member of our
staff, Horace Slughorn.
MILD APPLAUSE ensues. Harry claps perfunctorily, his
eyes drifting to the entrance of the Hall as a pair of
Aurors station themselves just outside.
DUMBLEDORE
Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to
say, has agreed to resume his old
post of Potions master. Meanwhile
the post of Defense Against the
Dark Arts will be assumed by
Professor Snape.
This is greeted by stunned silence. Dumbledore frowns,
then attempts to generate something by CLAPPING his hands
once. A few Slytherins join in and some dim-witted First
Years.
DUMBLEDORE
Now, as you know, each and every
one of you was searched upon your
arrival tonight. You have a right
to know why.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 32.
40 CONTINUED: (2) 40
DUMBLEDORE (CONT'D)
(a beat)
Once there was a young man who,
like you, sat in this very Hall.
Walked this castle's corridors.
Slept beneath its roof. He
seemed, to all the world, a
student like any other. His name?
Tom Riddle.
The Hall goes utterly silent.
DUMBLEDORE
Today, of course, the world knows
him by another name. Which is
why, as I stand looking out upon
you all tonight, I am reminded of
a sobering fact. Each day, every
hour, this very minute perhaps,
dark forces attempt to penetrate
this castle. But in the end,
their greatest weapon remains...
you.
Harry eyes Malfoy, slouched low, lazily levitating a fork
with his wand, as if Dumbledore were unworthy of
attention.
DUMBLEDORE
Just something to keep in mind.
Now, off to bed. Pip pip!
RON
(as they rise)
That was cheerful.
41 INT. CORRIDOR - MORNING 41
A TEEMING MASS of STUDENTS fight their way to class on
first day of term. Amidst it all, McGonagall stands tall
and stern. The twins pass by, bearing identical looks of
consternation.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
History of Magic is up, ladies,
not down. Mr. Davies -- that's
the girl's toilet...
McGonagall's eyes shift, find Harry and Ron sitting upon
a ledge, clearly deriving immense pleasure from the
chaos.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Potter!
(CONTINUED)
33.
41 CONTINUED: 41
Harry's smile droops. McGonagall beckons with a finger.
HARRY
This can't be good.
Ron grins as Harry makes his way "upstream" to
McGonagall.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Enjoying ourself, are we?
HARRY
Well, you see, I've got an open
period this morning, Professor --
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
So I noticed. I would think you'd
want to fill it with Potions. Or
is it no longer your ambition to
become an Auror?
HARRY
It is. Or was. But I was told I
had to get an Outstanding in my
O.W.L. --
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
And so you did when Professor
Snape was teaching Potions.
However, Professor Slughorn is
perfectly happy to accept N.E.W.T.
students with `Exceeds
Expectations.'
HARRY
Really? Well... brilliant. I'll
head there straight away.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Good. And take Weasley with you.
He looks far too happy over there.
42 INT. CORRIDOR/SLUGHORN'S CLASSROOM - MORNING (MOMENTS 42
LATER)
Ron trails Harry toward an open door.
RON
But I don't want to take Potions!
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 34.
43 INT. SLUGHORN'S CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS ACTION - MORNING 43
As Harry drags Ron inside, the other students turn in
unison. Hermione frowns. Lavender, seeing Ron, beams.
SLUGHORN
Harry m'boy! I was beginning to
worry! And I see we've brought
someone with us...
RON
Ron Weasley, sir. But I'm dead
awful at Potions, a menace
actually, so I probably should
just be going --
SLUGHORN
Nonsense, we'll sort you out. Any
friend of Harry's is a friend of
mine. Right then, books out --
HARRY
Um, sorry, sir, but I haven't got
my book yet -- nor's Ron. You
see -- (until this morning...)
SLUGHORN
Not to worry. You can get what
you need from the cupboard.
As Harry and Ron step to the cupboard, Slughorn resumes,
gesturing to the cauldrons bubbling before him.
SLUGHORN
Now, as I was saying, I've
prepared a few concoctions this
morning. Any ideas what these
might be? Yes, Miss...?
HERMIONE
Granger, sir. That one there is
Veritaserum. And that would be
Polyjuice Potion. And that...
In the cupboard, Harry and Ron find two TEXTBOOKS -- one
new, one shabby and soiled. Both snatch for the new when
a box -- marked "BEZOARS" -- tips. As Harry makes a grab
for it, Ron wrests free the new textbook and goes off
grinning.
HERMIONE
... is Amortentia! The most
powerful love potion in the world.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
35.
43 CONTINUED: 43
HERMIONE (CONT'D)
It's rumored to smell differently
to each person, according to what
attracts them. For example, I
smell freshly mown grass and
new parchment and spearmint
toothpaste --
Hermione blushes, stops herself. Slughorn regards her.
SLUGHORN
One of my best friends is Muggle-
born. She's the best in our
year...
Harry, settling into his seat with the soiled textbook,
looks up just as Slughorn's eyes shift to him for
confirmation. As Harry nods, Hermione glances curiously
at him.
SLUGHORN
Now Amortentia doesn't create
actual love, of course. That's
impossible. But it does cause a
powerful infatuation or obsession.
For that reason, it is probably
the most dangerous potion in this
room.
Slughorn turns, finds a sea of dreamy faces leaning into
the VAPORS. Instantly, he CLANGS a cover onto the
cauldron, bringing them round. As Ron blinks, he finds
Lavender still staring dreamily -- at him. Noticing,
Hermione's eyes narrow.
KATIE BELL
Sir, you haven't told us what's in
that one.
SLUGHORN
Ah yes...
Slughorn steps to a SMALL BLACK CAULDRON. Begins to
ladle a bit of GOLDEN LIQUID into a TINY VIAL.
SLUGHORN
What you see before you, ladies
and gentlemen, is a curious little
potion known as Felix Felicis.
But it is more commonly referred
to as --
HERMIONE
Liquid luck.
A buzz runs through the class. Even Malfoy perks up.
(CONTINUED)
36.
43 CONTINUED: (2) 43
SLUGHORN
Yes, Miss Granger. Desperately
tricky to make. Disastrous should
you get it wrong. But brewed
correctly, as this has been, it
has remarkable powers. One sip
and you will find that all your
endeavors succeed... at least
until the effects wear off.
KATIE BELL
But then why don't people drink it
all the time?
SLUGHORN
Because taken in excess it causes
giddiness, recklessness and
dangerous overconfidence.
BLAISE
Have you ever taken it, sir?
SLUGHORN
Twice. Once when I was twenty-
four. Once when I was fifty-
seven. Two tablespoons taken at
breakfast. Two perfect days...
Slughorn eyes the vial dreamily, adrift. Finally he
blinks.
SLUGHORN
So. This is what I offer each of
you today. One tiny vial of
liquid luck... to the student who,
in the hour that remains, manages
to brew an acceptable Draught of
Living Death, the recipe for which
can be found on page ten of your
textbook.
Excitement seizes the class. Slughorn smiles knowingly.
SLUGHORN
You should know that in all the
years of my previous tenure at
Hogwarts, not once did a student
brew a potion of sufficient
quality to claim this prize. In
any event -- good luck.
Slughorn sets the vial upon his desk, where it SHIMMERS
in a SHAFT of SUNLIGHT. Harry opens his book. Frowns.
The MARGINS of the page before him are black with the
tight SCRIBBLINGS of a previous owner.
(CONTINUED)
37.
43 CONTINUED: (3) 43
The same CREEPY GRAFFITI fills the next page as well, on
and on throughout the book. Shaking his head, Harry runs
his finger under the first PRINTED INSTRUCTION:
"Cut up one Sopophorous bean."
Harry takes the SILVER DAGGER upon his desk, poises it
over the BEAN when... Ron's bean shoots across the room
and bounces off Katie Bell's head. Harry surveys the
rest of the room: everyone is struggling to cut the
resistant legume. He glances back to his book, considers
the instruction again.
As ARROW has been drawn from the word "Cut" to the
margin, where a modification has been written in the
tight scrawl:
"Crush with blade -- releases juice better."
Harry considers the dagger in his hand, then places the
flat of the blade against the bean and presses.
Instantly, the protective parchment covering the desk
runs RED with juice.
HERMIONE
How did you do that?
HARRY
Crush it. Don't cut it.
HERMIONE
No. The instructions specifically
say to cut.
HARRY
No. Really --
HERMIONE
Sh!
Harry shrugs, lifts the parchment and tips the juice into
his cauldron. It HISSES, then turns LILAC. Harry grins.
CAMERA BEGINS SLOW DOLLY TOWARDS the vial of Felix
Felicis and...
MONTAGE BEGINS
Students struggle. A cauldron overflows. Lavender eyes
Ron.
CAMERA CREEPS TOWARD VIAL. THE SUNLIGHT SHIFTS.
Hermione grows more and more frustrated. Her hair grows
bushier in the steam rising from her cauldron...
(CONTINUED)
38.
43 CONTINUED: (4) 43
Harry's finger traces under the official instruction...
then drifts to the spidery scrawl in the margin...
Malfoy cuts himself, curses...
CAMERA CREEPS CLOSER TO VIAL. SUNLIGHT SHIFTS AGAIN.
Harry, cool as a cucumber, adds one last ingredient,
steps back, done...
Hermione, hair like Medea now, glowers at him...
THE LIGHT SHIFTS ONE LAST TIME. THE VIAL GLIMMERS LIKE
GOLD.
MONTAGE ENDS.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Slughorn wends his way amongst the cauldrons, nodding
with sympathy at the fiascos before him. Then... he
stops, staring in disbelief at the pearly sheen of one
bubbling potion.
SLUGHORN
Merlin's Beard! But it's perfect.
So perfect I daresay one sip would
kill us all! Your mother was a
dab hand at potions, but this...
My, my, what can't you do, m'boy?
Perhaps you will save us all in
the end...
All eyes turn to Harry. His smile falters.
SLUGHORN
Here you are then, as promised.
One bottle of Felix Felicis. Use
it well.
Slowly, Harry reaches out... takes the glittering vial.
44 EXT. CASTLE - NIGHT 44
The Castle is dark, but for one WINDOW.
45 INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - SAME TIME - NIGHT 45
Dumbledore sits alone at his desk, the deep lines of his
face illuminated by the shimmering PENSIEVE. TWO OBJECTS
of note are before him. One is a BLACK-STONED RING. The
other is TOM RIDDLE'S DIARY.
(CONTINUED)
39.
45 CONTINUED: 45
He briefly balances the ring upon the tip of an ashen
finger, then turns a page of the battered diary. His
face is troubled. A KNOCK. He takes the ring and diary,
slips them inside a drawer. The door swings open,
reveals Harry.
DUMBLEDORE
Good evening, Harry. You got my
message, I see. Come, come. Sit.
Harry steps forward, eyes the Pensieve curiously. Sits.
DUMBLEDORE
So. How are you?
HARRY
Fine, sir.
DUMBLEDORE
Enjoying your classes? Professor
Slughorn, for one, is most
impressed with you.
HARRY
I think he overestimates my
abilities, sir.
DUMBLEDORE
Do you?
HARRY
Definitely.
Dumbledore smiles affectionately, nods.
DUMBLEDORE
And what of your activities
outside the classroom? Do they
bring you satisfaction?
HARRY
Sir?
DUMBLEDORE
I notice you spend a great deal of
time with Miss Granger. One can't
help but wonder if --
HARRY
No! I mean... she's brilliant.
And we're friends. But... no.
DUMBLEDORE
Forgive me, Harry, I...
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 40.
45 CONTINUED: (2) 45
Dumbledore smiles faintly, shakes his head.
DUMBLEDORE
... I was merely curious.
(rising)
In any event, I'm sure you're
wondering why I've summoned you
here tonight. The answer lies
here.
Dumbledore swings open a cabinet where DOZENS upon DOZENS
of GLITTERING VIALS stand like tiny glimmering soldiers.
DUMBLEDORE
What you see before you are
memories. In this case pertaining
to one individual: Voldemort. Or
as he was known then... Tom
Riddle.
Dumbledore reaches down with his damaged hand and removes
a stoppered VIAL, dusty and veined with age.
DUMBLEDORE
This vial contains a most
particular memory -- of the day I
first met him. I'd like you to
see it. If you would...
Dumbledore extends his ashen hand and Harry rises,
gingerly takes the vial and removes the cork. He tips
the contents into the Pensieve. Dumbledore nods and
Harry leans into the iridescent liquid, his face breaking
the surface...
46 FLASHBACK - EXT. STREET (LONDON) - DAY (YEARS PAST) 46
A horse-drawn MILK CART rattles across a RAIN-SWEPT
London street and a YOUNG DUMBLEDORE appears in a PLUM
VELVET SUIT. We TRACK him down the street (and see him
eye a LOVELY LASS appreciatively) until he reaches a GRIM
BUILDING surrounded by IRON GATES. As Dumbledore passes
through, CAMERA RISES:
W O O L' S ORPHANAGE
The IMAGE SHUDDERS and we --
CUT TO:
41.
47 INT. ORPHANAGE - CORRIDOR - PENSIEVE - DAY 47
A skinny, sharp-featured woman, MRS. COLE, leads
Dumbledore down a drab corridor. CHILDREN'S VOICES carry
from an unseen COURTYARD, splashing and shrieking, in the
midst of some game.
MRS. COLE
I must confess to a bit of
confusion upon receiving your
letter, Mr. Dumbledore. In all
the years Tom's been here, he's
never once had a family visitor.
Frankly, I was stunned to find
that someone knew of his
existence.
DUMBLEDORE
I am not family. But his name has
been known to me since birth.
MRS. COLE
I see...
But she doesn't really. She stops, frowns.
MRS. COLE
I think I should tell you. He's a
funny boy -- Tom. Odd. There
have been incidents with the other
children. Nasty things.
DUMBLEDORE
Perhaps you could give me an
example.
Mrs. Cole starts to speak, then shakes her head, moves
off. As Dumbledore makes to follow, his eyes happen upon
a FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH on the wall, old and yellowing,
depicting a SEASIDE SCENE of a SHARP ROCK OUTCROPPING and
a CAVE. As he exits, we HOLD ON it.
NEW ANGLE - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE TOM RIDDLE'S ROOM
Mrs. Cole's hand appears. KNOCKS. She turns the KNOB.
48 INT. ORPHANAGE - RIDDLE'S ROOM - PENSIEVE - DAY 48
A small room, grim and shadowy. TOM RIDDLE, 11 years
old, sits atop a bed, hands in lap. The walls CRAWL with
REFLECTED RAIN, oozing like oil down a grimy window.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 41A.
48 CONTINUED: 48
MRS. COLE
You've got a visitor, Tom.
(CONTINUED)
42.
48 CONTINUED: (2) 48
Dumbledore steps forward, extends his hand.
DUMBLEDORE
How do you do, Tom.
Riddle eyes Dumbledore briefly, looks away.
MRS. COLE
Well, I'll leave you two to
yourselves.
Mrs. Cole exits, closing the door. Dumbledore studies
Riddle, then begins to tour the room. Carefully placed
upon a low shelf are some ODD SOUVENIRS. A grouping of
SEVEN STONES... A book containing SEVEN MATCHES. SEVEN
BRASS KEYS...
Moving on, Dumbledore passes a TALL CABINET, tracing his
FINGERS over its surface, as if the wood's grain were
Braille, as if somehow "seeing" what lies within.
Then Dumbledore pauses. Strewn on a small table are a
grouping of SEVEN DARK DRAWINGS. A BOY and GIRL, their
faces anguished. A sea-swept CAVE. The same cave from
the photograph. Dumbledore begins to reach out...
TOM RIDDLE
Don't.
Dumbledore stops, turns. Finds Riddle's level gaze on
him.
DUMBLEDORE
As you wish.
Riddle looks away and Dumbledore, for the first time,
notices his hands. They are splayed, utterly still, and
INTERLACED with a SILKY WEB, where a SPIDER knits back
and forth.
TOM RIDDLE
You're the doctor, aren't you?
DUMBLEDORE
No. I am a Professor.
TOM RIDDLE
I don't believe you. I hear Mrs.
Cole talking, her and the rest of
the staff. They want me looked
at. They think I'm different.
DUMBLEDORE
Perhaps they're right.
(CONTINUED)
43.
48 CONTINUED: (3) 48
TOM RIDDLE
I'm not mad.
DUMBLEDORE
Hogwarts is not a place for mad
people.
Riddle looks up, cocks his head ever-so-slightly.
DUMBLEDORE
It's a school. A school of...
magic.
Riddle stays looking, but says nothing.
DUMBLEDORE
You can do things, can't you, Tom?
Things the other children can't.
Riddle eyes Dumbledore intensely, unblinking.
TOM RIDDLE
Yes.
DUMBLEDORE
Tell me some of the things you can
do, Tom.
TOM RIDDLE
(watching the spider)
I can make things move -- without
touching them. I can make animals
do what I want without training
them. I can make bad things
happen to people who are mean to
me. I can make them hurt... if I
want.
Dumbledore studies Riddle -- then the boy looks up.
TOM RIDDLE
Who are you?
DUMBLEDORE
I'm like you, Tom. Different.
Riddle closes his hands and the web collapses.
TOM RIDDLE
Prove it.
It is not a request. Without breaking his gaze,
Dumbledore's eyes narrow ever-so-slightly and... the
WARDROBE BURSTS INTO FLAMES. Riddle wheels.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 43A.
48 CONTINUED: (4) 48
Slowly smiles. Dumbledore studies him. Abruptly, the
wardrobe begins to SHAKE. Riddle's smile fades.
(CONTINUED)
44.
48 CONTINUED: (5) 48
DUMBLEDORE
I think there is something trying
to get out of your wardrobe, Tom.
Open it. Open. It.
Terrified, Riddle steps to the burning wardrobe and
throws open the door. On the topmost shelf, above a rail
of threadbare clothes, a SMALL BOX SHAKES VIOLENTLY.
DUMBLEDORE
Take it out.
As Riddle's fingers touch the box, the flames engulfing
the wardrobe vanish, but the box continues to SHAKE --
the only sound in the now-silent room.
DUMBLEDORE
Is there anything in that box you
ought not to have?
Riddle eyes Dumbledore, a trifle fearfully this time. He
spills the box onto the bed: a YO-YO, a silver THIMBLE,
and a tarnished MOUTH ORGAN.
DUMBLEDORE
Why did you want these things,
Tom?
TOM RIDDLE
(looking off)
I like having things that belonged
to other people. It makes me feel
... close to them.
Dumbledore studies Riddle's profile, pondering this.
DUMBLEDORE
Thievery is not tolerated at
Hogwarts. At Hogwarts, you will
be taught not only how to use
magic, but to control it.
Understood?
(as Riddle nods)
I'll be going now, Tom. Leave
your window open tonight. An owl
will bring you a message. Read it
carefully.
Dumbledore starts to exit, when:
TOM RIDDLE
I can speak to snakes too.
Dumbledore stops and we are ON his face, his back to
Riddle.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 45.
48 CONTINUED: (6) 48
TOM RIDDLE
They find me. Whisper things. Is
that normal. For someone like me?
DUMBLEDORE
It is unusual. But not unheard
of.
Dumbledore exits then, without a backward glance, leaving
11-year-old Tom Riddle alone. The IMAGE SHUDDERS and...
49 INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - NIGHT (PRESENT) 49
... Harry and Dumbledore reappear. The room has grown
DIM in their absence. Dumbledore gestures. LAMPS BLAZE
to LIFE.
HARRY
Did you know, sir? Then?
DUMBLEDORE
Did I know that I had just met the
most dangerous Dark Wizard of all
time? No. Had I...
Dumbledore falters, his expression troubled. Harry looks
up from the Pensieve, where young Tom Riddle's fragmented
face floats on the surface, eyes Dumbledore.
DUMBLEDORE
Over time, while here at Hogwarts,
Tom Riddle grew close to one
particular teacher. Can you guess
which teacher that might be?
HARRY
You didn't bring Professor
Slughorn back simply to teach
Potions, did you, sir?
DUMBLEDORE
No. I did not. You see,
Professor Slughorn possesses
something I desire very dearly.
And he will not part with it
easily...
(eyeing Harry
knowingly)
I'd rather not divulge any more
just yet, Harry. But I promise.
In time you will know everything.
(CONTINUED)
46.
49 CONTINUED: 49
HARRY
You said Professor Slughorn would
try to collect me.
DUMBLEDORE
I did.
HARRY
Do you want me to let him?
Dumbledore trails his ashen fingers in the surface of the
Pensieve, vanquishing young Tom Riddle's face.
DUMBLEDORE
Yes.
50 EXT. QUIDDITCH PITCH - MORNING 50
Harry tries -- with little success -- to get the
attention of the throng of aspiring Quidditch players
assembled on the pitch.
HARRY
All right! Queue up! Excuse
me...
GINNY
SHUT IT!
Instant silence. Harry frowns, nods to Ginny
nevertheless.
HARRY
Thanks. All right. This morning
I'll be putting you all through a
few drills to assess your
strengths. But know this: Just
because you made the team last
year does not guarantee you a spot
this year. Is that clear?
Ron looks unnerved at this, sweating so much he's
attracted a PESKY FLY. CORMAC McLAGGEN, the huge boy
from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, sidles up.
CORMAC
No hard feelings, Weasley,
alright?
RON
Hard feelings?
(CONTINUED)
47.
50 CONTINUED: 50
CORMAC
I'll be going out for Keeper as
well. Nothing personal.
RON
Really? Strapping guy like you,
you've got a Beater's build, don't
you think? Keeper needs to be
agile, quick --
Cormac nabs the FLY between two fingers, kills the BUZZ.
CORMAC
I like my chances. Say... think
you could introduce me to your
friend Granger? Wouldn't mind
getting on a first name basis,
know what I mean?
Cormac gives a lewd wink, saunters off. Ron glances up
to the stands. Hermione smiles, waves.
BEGIN MONTAGE
Ginny flies swiftly, handling the Quaffle with ease.
TWO SECOND YEARS collide in mid-air.
Cormac makes a brilliant save.
Ron makes a shaky save.
Hermione looks on, nervous for him.
Katie Bell snatches a Quaffle with one hand, splits two
defenders beautifully and makes a slick blind pass to
Dean who jets high in the air, then lets the Quaffle roll
off his fingers... right into Ginny's hands as she races
below.
Seamus sends a Bludger rocketing into the stands,
scatters a group of onlookers, leaving only Neville, who
sidles delicately to the right as the others leg it.
TWO THIRD YEARS collide in mid-air.
Cormac makes a brilliant save.
Ron turns the wrong way but makes the save anyway as the
Quaffle caroms off the tail of his broom.
Hermione looks on more nervously.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 47A.
50 CONTINUED: (2) 50
DEMELZA ROBINS, bent low over her stick, pins the Quaffle
under her chin, splits two Bludgers and a pair of
Beaters.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 48.
50 CONTINUED: (3) 50
TWO FOURTH YEARS collide in mid-air.
Two aspiring Beaters "whiff" on a pair of Bludgers, whack
each other instead and plummet to the pitch as the
Bludgers ricochet off one another and go flying into the
stands, scattering onlookers yet again and leaving, as
before, only Neville. This time, he sidles delicately to
the left.
Cormac makes a brilliant save.
The Quaffle bounces off Ron's head.
Hermione looks on extremely nervously.
TWO FIFTH YEARS collide in mid-air.
END MONTAGE.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The survivors press ICE PACKS to their heads, run TAPE
round twisted fingers. Only Ron, hovering at the west
goal, and Cormac, hovering at the east, remain on the
pitch. Luna, Spectrespecs in place, eyes Cormac -- cool,
confident, clear. Then eyes Ron -- sweaty, nervous,
SWARMING in WRACKSPURTS.
HARRY
All right. Cormac. Ron. It's
down to you two for Keeper. We'll
decide it with a shootout.
Demelza, you'll bring the Quaffle
up against Cormac. Ginny, you'll
take on Ron.
CORMAC
Hang on. She's his sister. How
do I know she won't toss him a
floater?
GINNY
Piss off, Cormac. How `bout I
toss you a floater?
HARRY
Quiet! I'm Captain. We do it my
way. Now line up. On three.
One. Two... Three!
Demelza and Ginny rocket forth. Ron weaves nervously
while Cormac hovers in place, a confident sneer on his
face.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 49.
50 CONTINUED: (4) 50
HARRY
(under his breath)
C'mon, Ron...
Demelza hunkers over her broom once again, flying like an
arrow, then goes into a wide, sweeping slide. Ginny
blasts over the pitch, ginger hair streaming like flames,
then rolls recklessly to the side. As one, they both let
fly...
Hermione, face buried in her fingers, MUTTERS SOMETHING.
Cormac, at the last moment, inexplicably rolls his broom
to the right and the Quaffle sails over his shoulder.
Ron, zig-zagging crazily, nearly falls off, rights
himself in a panic, and deflects Ginny's Quaffle... with
his forehead. As a few partisan CHEERS erupt from the
stands, Harry grins, then has to restrain himself.
Hermione opens her eyes slowly.
LAVENDER BROWN
Isn't he brilliant?
Hermione stares balefully at Lavender, then notices
Cormac eyeing his broom incredulously. She gets up,
slips away.
51 INT. COMMON ROOM - NIGHT 51
Harry scans his Potions book. Hermione peruses the
Prophet. Ron cracks walnuts, pitching the pieces into
the fire.
RON
Have to admit, thought I was going
to miss that last one. Hope
Cormac's not taking it too hard.
Behind her paper, Hermione rolls her eyes.
RON
Has a bit of a thing for you,
Hermione. Cormac.
HERMIONE
He's vile.
Ron considers this, then glances across the room at
Lavender.
HARRY
Ever heard of this spell?
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 50.
51 CONTINUED: 51
Harry points to a notation in the margin underlined three
times: "Sectumsempra. For Enemies." Hermione frowns.
HERMIONE
No I have not. And if you had a
shred of self-respect you would
turn that book in.
RON
Not bloody likely. He's top of
the class. Even better than you,
Hermione. Slughorn thinks he's a
genius.
Hermione casts Ron a withering glance.
RON
What?
HERMIONE
I'd like to know just whose book
that was. Let's take a look,
shall we?
HARRY
(holding it out of
reach)
No.
HERMIONE
(suspicious)
Why not?
HARRY
It's... old. The binding is
fragile.
HERMIONE
The binding is fragile?
She makes another grab for it, but Harry holds it clear.
Then Ginny appears, plucks it out of his hand.
GINNY
Who's the Half-Blood Prince?
HERMIONE/RON
The who?
GINNY
That's what it says. Right here.
`This Book is the Property of the
Half-Blood Prince.'
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 51.
51 CONTINUED: (2) 51
Ginny points. Written on the frontispiece is: "This
Book is the Property of the Half-Blood Prince."
52 EXT. MAIN STREET (HOGSMEADE VILLAGE) - DAY 52
Students lean into a bitter wind, trudging through deep
snow.
HERMIONE
For weeks you carry around this
book, practically sleep with it...
and you have no desire to find out
who The Half-Blood Prince is?
HARRY
I didn't say I wasn't curious.
And, by the way, I don't sleep
with it.
RON
(a sarcastic chortle)
Yeah. Right.
(as Harry glares)
Well, it's true. I like a nice
chat before I go to bed. Now
you're always reading that bloody
book. It's like being with
Hermione.
This time it's Hermione's turn to glare.
HERMIONE
Well, I was curious. So I went
to --
HARRY/RON
The library.
HARRY
And?
HERMIONE
And... nothing. There's no
reference to the Half-Blood Prince
anywhere.
HARRY
Good. That settles it then.
Hermione starts to object, when:
HAGRID
Hey, you three!
(CONTINUED)
52.
52 CONTINUED: 52
HAGRID emerges out of the trees, beard crusted in white,
looking like a crazed Father Christmas. Behind him, deep
in the woods, DARK SILHOUETTES -- AURORS -- can be seen.
Hermione eyes them briefly, then nods to the PULSATING
BURLAP BAG Hagrid clutches in his fist.
HERMIONE
What've you got there, Hagrid?
Hagrid tips open the bag. The trio grimace. Hagrid
CHUCKLES.
HAGRID
Stinksap. Burn the whiskers right
off yer chin. Trees `ere are
drippin' with it.
HERMIONE
Stinksap? You're not sick, are
you?
HAGRID
It's not fer me. It's fer Aragog.
Yeh remember Aragog, don' yeh?
RON
Spider? About six feet tall? Ten
feet wide?
HAGRID
Tha's the one. He's taken ill.
I'm hopin' ter nurse `im back.
Keep yer fingers crossed.
Hagrid crosses his fingers. Ron forces a grin, does the
same, shakes his head as Hagrid disappears back into the
trees.
RON
Barking. Does he not remember
that raving arachnid tried to eat
us? What?
Ron sees Hermione staring at the Aurors again.
HERMIONE
The Aurors. I know they're here
to protect us, but... somehow I
don't feel any safer.
Just then Harry spies Slughorn, heading down towards the
Village, passing a weary Flitwick coming the other way.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 52A.
52 CONTINUED: (2) 52
SLUGHORN
Filius! I was hoping to find you
at the Three Broomsticks.
FLITWICK
Emergency choir practice, I'm
afraid, Horace.
Harry watches Slughorn continue on toward the Village.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 53.
52 CONTINUED: (3) 52
HARRY
Who's up for a Butterbeer?
53 INT. THREE BROOMSTICKS - DAY (LATER) 53
As the trio enter, Harry glances round, locates Slughorn
at the bar, planted plumply on a stool.
HARRY
No. Over here.
Hermione and Ron, in the midst of seating themselves at a
perfectly acceptable -- and clean -- table, see Harry
seat himself at one strewn with the detritus of a
previous customer -- but which puts him in direct view of
Slughorn. They exchange a glance, shrug, join Harry.
Ron starts to take the chair directly opposite Harry --
blocking his view.
HARRY
No, no. Sit next to me.
Ron stops, exchanges another glance with Hermione.
RON
O-kay.
A SKINNY KID in an apron appears, tosses a FILTHY RAG
upon the table -- which begins to wipe the surface on its
own. Harry cranes his neck around the kid to keep
Slughorn in view.
SKINNY KID
What'll we have?
HERMIONE
Three Butterbeers. Splash of
ginger in mine, please.
The kid WHISTLES and the rag leaps back into his pocket.
Harry continues to eye Slughorn, when he sees Draco.
They lock eyes briefly, then Draco exits.
RON
Aw, bloody hell...
Harry turns, sees Ron glowering at Ginny, who sits in a
dark corner with Dean, their faces lit by a guttering
candle.
HERMIONE
Oh, honestly, Ronald. They're
just holding hands...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 54.
53 CONTINUED: 53
HERMIONE (CONT'D)
(as Dean kisses
Ginny)
And snogging.
RON
I'd like to leave.
HERMIONE
Leave? You can't be serious.
RON
That happens to be my sister.
HERMIONE
So? What if she looked over here
and saw you snogging me? Would
you expect her to get up and
leave?
Ron blinks, utterly speechless. Then:
SLUGHORN
Harry, m'boy!
Slughorn's voice BOOMS so loudly even Ginny jumps -- and
catches Harry looking. As Slughorn waddles over,
SLOSHING mug in hand, Harry rises immediately -- an
action so grossly out of character that Hermione regards
him with amused curiosity.
HARRY
Hello, sir. Wonderful to see you.
Hermione, brow wrinkling, turns to Ron, silently mouths:
wonderful to see you?
HARRY
So what brings you here, sir?
SLUGHORN
Oh, the Three Broomsticks and I go
way back. Longer than I'd care to
admit. In fact, I remember when
it was simply One Broomstick!
As Slughorn GUFFAWS, Harry joins in, LAUGHING HEARTILY as
well. Slughorn's belly trembles next to Hermione's cheek
and his waving mug sloshes over, spattering the table.
SLUGHORN
Oops! All hands on deck, Granger!
Hermione smiles thinly, when a WHISTLE is heard and the
FILTHY RAG is back, whisking away Slughorn's mess as the
SKINNY KID slides three foaming mugs onto the table.
(CONTINUED)
55.
53 CONTINUED: (2) 53
(In the b.g. Katie Bell emerges from the back, starts for
the exit. Her friend LEANNE follows her out.)
SLUGHORN
Listen, m'boy. In the old days, I
used to throw together the
occasional supper and invite a
select student or two. Would you
be game?
HARRY
I'd consider it an honor, sir.
SLUGHORN
You'd be welcome too, Granger.
Hermione, in the midst of emptying her Butterbeer in one
long draw, SLAMS down her mug -- leaving behind a
"mustache."
HERMIONE
Be delighted, sir.
SLUGHORN
Brilliant. Look for my owl.
(exiting, to Ron)
Good to see you, Wallenby.
Ron frowns as Slughorn waddles away, turns to Harry.
RON
What're you playing at?
HARRY
Dumbledore asked me to... get to
know him.
RON
Get to know him?
HARRY
Dunno. But it must be important.
Otherwise Dumbledore wouldn't ask.
Slam! Ron turns, sees that Hermione has emptied his mug
as well. Ron gestures to her upper lip.
RON
Um... You've got a little...
Without a thought, she flicks her tongue up, wipes it
clean.
56.
54 EXT. ROAD (OUTSIDE HOGSMEADE) - DAY (MOMENTS LATER) 54
The snow falls heavily now. Ron and Harry walk together,
while Hermione trails several yards behind, pirouetting
happily, letting snowflakes fall on her tongue.
RON
Bit worried about her. Did you
hear that rubbish she was talking
back in the pub? Her and me
snogging. Ha. As if...
LEANNE (O.S.)
Katie. You don't know what it
could be!
Up ahead, Katie Bell and Leanne stand in the drifting
snow, ARGUING. Katie holds a SLENDER PACKAGE. Hermione
comes bumping up, drapes her arms over the boys.
HERMIONE
What's up?
At that very instant, Katie Bell RISES SIX FEET INTO THE
AIR. Hair dancing violently in the wind, her face
remains eerily placid. Then she... SCREAMS. Harry and
Ron DASH FORWARD, seize her ankles. At their touch, she
FALLS to the snow, THRASHING and SHRIEKING, EYES ROLLED
UP in her skull.
LEANNE
I warned her! I warned her not to
touch it!
Hermione looks. Lying in the snow is the PACKAGE, TORN.
RON
Harry, she's swallowing her
tongue --
HERMIONE
I'll get someone --
HARRY
There's no time!
Suddenly, a MASSIVE FIGURE LURCHES out of the WHITE:
Hagrid.
HAGRID
Get back! All o' yeh!
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 57.
54 CONTINUED: 54
He says this so forcefully the others instantly obey.
Effortlessly, he scoops up Katie's thrashing body and
then, as if calming a terrified animal, presses his face
close to hers and WHISPERS with great TENDERNESS:
HAGRID
Now, now. Now, now...
Over and over he repeats this, soothingly, the words like
a mantra, until Katie's lids flutter and her body goes
limp.
HAGRID
Don' go touchin' tha' but by the
wrappin's. Unnerstan'?
Hagrid nods darkly to the package in the snow. Harry
kneels. Poking through the paper is an ORNATE OPAL
NECKLACE. Taking off his scarf he carefully enfolds
package and rises. Then, along with the others, he
watches Hagrid lumber off, Katie cradled in his arms. In
seconds they are swallowed by the snow. The only sound
is the ROAR of the WIND.
55 INT. McGONAGALL'S OFFICE - LATER (LATE AFTERNOON) 55
The necklace lies green and glittering upon McGonagall's
desk.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
You're sure Katie did not have
this in her possession when she
entered the Three Broomsticks,
Leanne?
LEANNE
It's like I said. She went to the
loo and when she came back she had
the package. She said it was
important she deliver it.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Did she say to whom?
Leanne shakes her head.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
All right, Leanne. You may go.
(as Leanne exits)
Why is it always you three? Hm?
When something happens?
(CONTINUED)
58.
55 CONTINUED: 55
RON
Believe me, Professor, I've been
asking myself the same question
for six years.
Just then, Snape appears at the door, eyes the trio.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Severus.
SNAPE
Is this it?
McGonagall nods. Snape takes his wand, lifts the
necklace like a dead snake. Eyes it with fascination.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
What do you think?
SNAPE
I think Miss Bell is lucky to be
alive.
HARRY
She was cursed, wasn't she? I
know Katie. Off the Quidditch
pitch she wouldn't hurt a fly. If
she was bringing that to someone,
she wasn't doing it knowingly.
Snape eyes Harry levelly.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Yes. She was cursed.
HARRY
It was Malfoy.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
That's a very serious accusation,
Potter.
SNAPE
Indeed. Your evidence?
HARRY
I... just... know.
SNAPE
You... just... know. Once again
you astonish with your gifts,
Potter, gifts mere mortals could
only dream of possessing. How
grand it must be to be the Chosen
One.
(CONTINUED)
59.
55 CONTINUED: (2) 55
Ron and Hermione avert their eyes uncomfortably.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
I suggest you return to your
dormitory. All of you.
56 INT. BOYS' DORMITORY (GRYFFINDOR TOWER) - NIGHT 56
Harry and Ron lie awake in the darkened dormitory. Ron
stares at the ceiling. Harry eyes "Malfoy" on the
Marauder's Map.
RON
What do you suppose Dean sees in
her? Ginny.
HARRY
What does she see in him?
RON
Dean? He's brilliant.
HARRY
You called him a slick git not
five hours ago.
RON
Yeah, well, he was running his
hands all over my sister, wasn't
he? Something snaps. You've got
to hate him. You know, on
principle.
HARRY
(troubled by this)
I suppose.
RON
So what is it? He sees in her?
HARRY
I don't know. She's smart.
Funny. Attractive...
RON
Attractive?
HARRY
You know. She's... got nice skin.
RON
Skin? You're saying Dean's dating
my sister because of her skin?
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 60.
56 CONTINUED: 56
HARRY
Well, no. I mean... I'm just
saying it could be a contributing
factor.
Silence. Then:
RON
Hermione's got nice skin.
Wouldn't you say? As skin goes, I
mean.
HARRY
I've never really thought about
it. But I suppose, yeah. Very
nice.
Another silence. Suddenly it feels weird.
HARRY
I think I'll be going to sleep
now.
RON
Right.
Harry sets the Map aside. We HOLD. Malfoy's DOT moves
down the 7th Floor corridor... and disappears.
SLUGHORN (V.O.)
A toast!
57 INT. SLUGHORN'S OFFICE - NIGHT 57
Slughorn stands at the head of a table, goblet raised to
the students seated before him, which in addition to
Harry and Hermione include MARCUS BELBY, Blaise Zabini,
NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM and the TWINS. A distinctive CRYSTAL
HOURGLASS sits in the center of the table.
SLUGHORN
To Hogwarts' best and brightest!
CORMAC
Here, here!
Hermione exchanges a wry glance with Harry, who notices
that ONE SETTING is EMPTY. The twins make -- and drink --
their toast in perfect unison. Neville stares hopelessly
at the vast array of forks, knives and spoons placed
beside his plate.
NEVILLE
Which one do I use for the soup?
(CONTINUED)
61.
57 CONTINUED: 57
Hermione grins, looks up, and gets a WINK from Cormac.
CUT TO:
SAME SCENE - LATER
SLUGHORN
So tell me, Cormac. See much of
your Uncle Tiberius these days?
CORMAC
Yes, sir. In fact, I'm meant to
go hunting with him and the
Minister for Magic over holiday.
SLUGHORN
Well, be sure to give them both my
best. What about your uncle,
Belby? Working on anything new?
(to the others)
For those of you who don't know,
Marcus' uncle invented the
Wolfsbane Potion.
As he speaks, Belby never once looks up from his plate.
MARCUS BELBY
Dunno. He and me dad don't get
on. Probably because Dad thinks
potions are rubbish. Says the
only potion worth having is a
stiff one at the end of the --
(day.)
SLUGHORN
And you, Miss Granger? What is it
your family does in the Muggle
world?
HERMIONE
My parents are dentists. They
tend to people's teeth.
SLUGHORN
Fascinating. And is that
considered a dangerous profession?
HERMIONE
No. Though, a boy named Robbie
Fenwick did bite my father once.
Needed ten stitches.
As Slughorn nods, the door GROANS. Everyone turns.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 61A.
57 CONTINUED: (2) 57
SLUGHORN
Miss Weasley! Come in, come in.
GINNY
Sorry, I'm not ordinarily late --
She falters, eyes red, uncharacteristically flustered.
(CONTINUED)
62.
57 CONTINUED: (3) 57
SLUGHORN
No matter. You'll be just in time
for dessert. That is -- if Belby
leaves you any.
As Ginny moves to her seat, Hermione WHISPERS to Harry.
HERMIONE
Look at her eyes. They've been
fighting again. Her and Dean.
Harry nods, then stands as Ginny reaches the table -- the
only one. Hermione notices, eyes him with amusement as
he sits.
HARRY
What?
HERMIONE
Nothing.
As Hermione smiles, she lightly strokes the crystal
hourglass with a finger and we --
DISSOLVE TO:
58 INT. SLUGHORN'S OFFICE - NIGHT (LATER) 58
... LATER, the sand having run out with the evening.
Slughorn says his goodbyes.
SLUGHORN
Thank you, one and all, for a most
stimulating evening. We'll have
to do it again.
Slughorn closes the door, turns, sends a FLOOR LAMP
WOBBLING and, catching it, finds Harry.
SLUGHORN
Oh. Potter.
HARRY
Sorry, sir, I was just admiring
your hourglass.
SLUGHORN
Ah, yes. A most intriguing
object. The sands run in
accordance to the quality of the
conversation. When it is
stimulating, the sands run slow.
When it is not...
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 63.
58 CONTINUED: 58
HARRY
I think I'll be going.
SLUGHORN
Nonsense. You have nothing to
fear, m'boy. As for some of your
classmates, well, let's just say,
they're unlikely to make the
shelf.
Slughorn steps to a makeshift bar, begins to construct a
drink.
HARRY
The shelf, sir?
Slughorn gestures to the PHOTOGRAPHS seen earlier, now
ranged like a menagerie atop a low bookcase. Once again,
Lily Potter and Regulus Black up front.
SLUGHORN
Anyone who aspires to be anyone
hopes to end up here. Then
again... you are already someone
aren't you, Harry?
HARRY
I don't really know how to answer
that, sir.
SLUGHORN
Your mother was modest too. Your
father not so much. As you can
see, he did not make the shelf.
Slughorn smiles genially, turns back to his drink, using
a pair of TONGS to drop ice into his glass.
HARRY
Did Voldemort ever make the shelf,
sir?
Slughorn stiffens, his back to Harry. His hand trembles
and the ice slips from the tongs. Harry notices.
HARRY
You knew him, didn't you, sir?
Tom Riddle. You were his teacher.
SLUGHORN
Mr. Riddle had many teachers while
here at Hogwarts.
HARRY
What was he like?
(CONTINUED)
64.
58 CONTINUED: (2) 58
Harry can see the vein in Slughorn's temple pulsating.
Fearing he may have overstepped...
HARRY
I'm sorry, sir. Forgive me. He
killed my parents, you see...
Harry stops, frowns. Slughorn turns, studies Harry.
Nods.
SLUGHORN
Of course. It's only natural that
you should want to know more. I'm
afraid I must disappoint you,
Harry. When I first met young Mr.
Riddle, he was simply a quiet,
albeit brilliant, boy committed to
becoming a first-rate wizard. Not
unlike the others I've known. In
fact, not unlike... you. If the
monster existed, it was buried
deep within.
CLOSE ON THE HOURGLASS
Nary a grain trickles through.
59 INT. GREAT HALL - MORNING 59
Ron enters the Hall, eyes lowered, knuckles taped for
Quidditch, flexing his fingers anxiously as he makes for
the Gryffindor table. Neville passes going the other
way.
NEVILLE
Good luck, eh, Ron?
Ron nods shortly, then Seamus comes up on his side,
WHISPERS CONSPIRATORIALLY.
SEAMUS
Counting on you, Ron. I've two
Galleons on Gryffindor.
As Seamus peels off, Ron cuts his eyes toward the
Slytherin table, where the Quidditch team sits together.
One Slytherin juts his chin toward Ron, MUTTERS
something. A few turn, snigger. Ron averts his eyes
and... almost runs into Cormac, who eyes him with disdain
as he passes. Frowning, Ron drops down opposite Harry
and Hermione. Harry eyes him briefly, knowingly, pushes
a plate across. Ron takes a fork, pokes at it glumly.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 64A.
59 CONTINUED: 59
RON
So. How was it?
Hermione continues to read the Prophet, unaware of Ron's
mood.
HERMIONE
How was what?
RON
(with mock
refinement)
Your dinner party.
HERMIONE
Dead boring. Though I think Harry
enjoyed dessert.
(CONTINUED)
65.
59 CONTINUED: (2) 59
Harry's eyes shift, find Hermione smiling faintly from
behind the Prophet.
HERMIONE
Ol' Sluggy's having a Christmas
do, you know. And we're meant to
bring someone...
RON
I expect you'll be going with
McLaggen. Isn't he a member of
the Slug Club?
HERMIONE
Actually, I was going to ask you.
RON
Really?
HERMIONE
Really. But seeing as you have
such a distaste for the idea --
LAVENDER BROWN
(passing by)
Good luck today, Ron! I know
you'll be brilliant!
Ron smiles feebly, looks back down at his plate.
Hermione stares daggers.
RON
I'm resigning. After today's
match. McLaggen can have my spot.
Hearing this, Hermione turns back. Harry catches her
eye, extends a SHAKING HAND to indicate Ron's mental
state.
HARRY
Have it your way. Juice?
Hermione blinks, surprised by Harry's callousness. Ron
is surprised as well -- and mildly put out.
RON
Sure...
As Harry pours, Luna arrives at the table wearing a HAT
that bears an uncanny resemblance to a real lion.
LUNA
Hello, everyone. You look
dreadful, Ron.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 65A.
59 CONTINUED: (3) 59
Ron nods grimly, lifts his glass. Luna turns to Harry.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 66.
59 CONTINUED: (4) 59
LUNA
Is that why you just put something
in his cup. Is it a tonic?
The tiny vial of Felix Felicis glints in Harry's palm.
HERMIONE
Don't drink that, Ron!
But Ron's frozen in mid-sip, looking at Harry's palm too.
Quickly, he gulps down the rest.
HERMIONE
You could be expelled for that.
HARRY
Dunno what you're talking about.
Harry pockets the vial, winks at Luna. Ron rises.
RON
C'mon, Harry. We've got a game to
win.
CLOSEUP - QUAFFLE
As it ROCKETS into the AIR...
60 EXT. QUIDDITCH PITCH - DAY 60
Instantly, Slytherin snatches the Quaffle and rushes en
masse toward Gryffindor's end, weaving and passing with
wicked skill, culminating in a vicious, slicing shot on
goal. Just when it appears it will clear the hoop, Ron
streaks out of nowhere and sends the Quaffle screaming in
the opposite direction. Ginny pauses on her broom,
stunned.
GINNY
What's gotten into him?
She glances up at Harry, circling high above and he
grins. Just then, Dean streaks by:
DEAN
Ginny! Let's go!
Instantly, she rolls backward, jets off and races down
her fellow Chasers. Flying in spread formation, Dean --
on the far wing -- starts the Quaffle "up the line" until
it lands in Ginny's hand.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 67.
60 CONTINUED: 60
Pitching herself into a wide slide to avoid a PAIR of
WHISTLING BLUDGERS, she leans recklessly off her broom
and whips the Quaffle through the goal untouched.
As the CROWD SCREAMS, Harry eyes the Gryffindor section,
where Luna's LION HAT ROARS, Lavender CLAPS for Ron and
Hermione sits with her arms crossed, a look of supreme
annoyance on her face. Harry grins, jets off.
61 INT. GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM - NIGHT 61
The room teems with students celebrating Gryffindor's
victory. It feels like Mardi Gras. Or a mosh pit. Or a
riot. And Ron is right smack in the middle of it.
CROWD
Weasley! Weasley! Weasley!
Harry takes his backslaps on the periphery, smiling as he
sips a Butterbeer and enjoys Ron's turn in the spotlight.
HERMIONE
Ron seems to be enjoying himself.
HARRY
Yep. Apparently it's his lucky
day.
HERMIONE
You shouldn't have done it, Harry.
HARRY
Yeah. I suppose I could've just
used, I dunno... a Confundus
charm?
HERMIONE
(caught)
That was different. It was
tryouts. This was an actual
match --
She stops. Harry dangles the vial. The SEALING WAX is
UNBROKEN, the bottle full.
HERMIONE
You didn't put it in?
(as he shakes his
head)
Ron only thought you did?
He nods. She POPS him playfully on the arm when WHISTLES
and CATCALLS rise. They turn to see what the commotion
is about and find, smack dab in the center of the room...
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 68.
61 CONTINUED: 61
Ron and Lavender. In a clinch. Kissing. Harry stares,
blinks, then turns back... to no one. His eyes shift,
track Hermione as she bumps through the crowd toward the
portrait hole.
62 EXT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT (SECONDS LATER) 62
Harry leaves the ROAR of the party for the QUIET of the
corridor. Ahead, a door stands ajar. CHIRPING can be
heard.
63 INT. CHAMBER - SAME TIME - NIGHT 63
Hermione sits atop a desk, a small ring of TWITTERING
BIRDS circling her head. The birds change color as they
orbit, from sunny yellow to a dark, angry scarlet.
HERMIONE
Charms spell. Just practicing.
HARRY
Ah. Well... they're really good.
HERMIONE
(studying her wand)
How does it feel, Harry? When you
see Dean with Ginny?
(off his look)
I know, Harry. You're my best
friend. I see how you look at
her.
Just then the DOOR BURSTS WIDE and Ron rushes in, pulling
a GIGGLING Lavender by the hand. They stop. Take
inventory.
LAVENDER BROWN
Oops. I think this room's taken.
As Lavender pulls Ron out, he cuts his VOICE LOW to
Harry.
RON
What's with the birds?
Before Harry can reply, Hermione rises, points her wand.
HERMIONE
Oppugno!
Instantly the birds race like angry red bullets toward
Ron, who flees, SLAMMING SHUT the door.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 69.
63 CONTINUED: 63
As the birds hit the door, they EXPLODE SOFTLY into small
FEATHER CLOUDS and Hermione covers her face and SOBS.
Harry goes to her, hesitates, then tentatively drapes his
arm over her. As she turns her face into his chest, he
pulls her closer, watching as, across the room, the last
scarlet feather drifts to the floor, joining the pool
already there.
HARRY
It feels like this.
64 EXT. CASTLE - WINDOW - SAME TIME - NIGHT 64
THROUGH the icy window, we see Harry cradling Hermione
within. As CAMERA DRIFTS AWAY, RISING THROUGH the
FALLING SNOW, the VIEW EXPANDS. In the Common Room, the
party rages on, while three windows down, Lavender pulls
Ron into a kiss. Figures pass by windows, including one
tall, pale boy standing at a WINDOW on the SEVENTH FLOOR:
Malfoy. As he turns away, the castle slides FROM VIEW
and the CAMERA TILTS UP TO the sky, drifting with snow.
65 INT. CORRIDOR - DAY 65
Tinsel decks the banisters and mistletoe droops from the
ceiling. As Ron and Harry make their way down the
crowded corridor, passing the BIRDCAGE, Ron walks with a
new air of confidence, not exactly strutting, but close.
RON
Look, I can't help it if she's got
her knickers in a twist. What Lav
and I have -- well, let's just say
there was no stopping it. It's
chemical. Will it last? Who
knows? Point is, I'm a free
agent.
66 INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT 66
Harry trails Hermione through the stacks.
HERMIONE
He's at perfect liberty to kiss
whomever he likes. I really
couldn't care less. Was I under
the impression that he and I would
be attending Slughorn's Christmas
party together? Yes. Of course,
now, given the circumstances, I've
had to make other arrangements.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 70.
66 CONTINUED: 66
HARRY
Have you?
HERMIONE
Yes. Why?
HARRY
I just thought, you know, since
neither one of us can take who
we'd really like... maybe we'd go
together. As friends.
HERMIONE
(stopping)
Why didn't I think of that?
HARRY
So who are you taking?
HERMIONE
(evasively)
Um... it's a surprise. Besides,
it's you we need to worry about.
And you can't pick just anyone.
See that girl over there. That's
Romilda Vane. Rumor has it she's
trying to slip you a love potion.
HARRY
Really...?
Harry considers a fine-boned GIRL with RAVEN HAIR
(ROMILDA VANE). She is exquisite, an absolute work of...
HERMIONE
(snapping fingers)
Hey! She's only interested in you
because she thinks you're the
Chosen One. You know that, right?
HARRY
But I am the Chosen One.
Hermione cocks her head at him, exasperated.
HARRY
Okay. Kidding. I'll just ask
someone I like. Someone cool.
71.
67 INT. STAIRCASE/CORRIDOR - NIGHT 67
Luna Lovegood, decked out in a set of SPANGLED SILVER
ROBES, and Harry, in basic black, make their way toward
the STRAINS of CHRISTMAS MUSIC, RED LANTERNS lighting
their way.
LUNA
I've never been to this part of
the castle. At least not while
awake. I sleepwalk, you see.
It's why I wear shoes to bed.
As Harry and Luna pass out of sight, we PICK UP Malfoy,
standing in the shadows of an alcove. He watches them
go, then moves off.
68 INT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - ANOTHER CORRIDOR - SAME TIME - 68
NIGHT
In the f.g., the BIRDCAGE glimmers dully in the gray
moonlight streaming through a window. Within, the TWO
BIRDS huddle quietly. We RACK FOCUS and see, THROUGH the
grid of wire, a FIGURE APPROACHING.
Draco moves down the corridor, eyes fixed oddly ahead.
He looks pale in the moonlight. In his fist he grips an
APPLE. As he passes the cage, we HOLD ON the BIRDS.
69 INT. SEVENTH FLOOR CORRIDOR - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 69
Draco approaches. Stops. Turns to the wall. Closes his
eyes.
70 INT. ROOM OF REQUIREMENT - NIGHT (SECONDS LATER) 70
CAMERA GLIDES PAST dozens of TOWERING SHELVES, dust-
strewn and listing like dominoes, cluttered with all
matter of strange OBJECTS. Draco appears, his legs
pushing him on, wending his way through the narrow
passages.
NEW ANGLE - BEHIND LARGE RECTANGULAR MASS
We RISE ABOVE it, watch Draco walk directly TOWARD us and
stop. He stares at the solid mass before him. Reaches
out and takes the fringe of the tapestry covering it.
Tugs. The tapestry shivers like water to the floor,
revealing...
A CABINET, identical to the one in Borgin & Burkes.
(CONTINUED)
72.
70 CONTINUED: 70
Draco runs a hand over the glossy finish, comes away with
DUST upon his fingertips. Glancing around, he spies a
BUST of a WOMAN wearing a TIARA, removes the SILK SCARF
hanging from her porcelain neck and gently wipes the dust
away from the cabinet. Bringing the apple up, he opens
the cabinet and places it within. Shuts it. Closing his
eyes, he MUTTERS a LOW INCANTATION, barely discernible.
He reaches out. Opens it. The apple is gone. He closes
the cabinet again. Waits. Longer this time. Finally,
he opens it. Removes the apple. Rotates it.
Someone has taken a BITE out of it.
71 INT. SLUGHORN'S OFFICE - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 71
FLASH! A CAMERA POPS, reveals Harry smiling with
Slughorn before a PHOTOGRAPHER (ADRIAN). The ceiling and
walls are draped with HANGINGS of emerald, crimson and
gold, so the room feels like a tent... or the inside of a
gift box. It is LOUD and packed with people.
SLUGHORN
Thank you, Adrian!
(quietly to Harry)
One of mine. Class of `78. I had
hoped for more out of him, but at
least the pictures are in focus.
(suddenly)
Oh my! Excuse me, Harry. I must
greet the new Minister of Magical
Transportation. Class of `67.
(as he goes)
Mingle, m'boy! Mingle! We're all
friends here. And we run the
world.
Harry watches Slughorn make a beeline across the room,
along the way nodding to the twins, who have apparently
come with each other.
VOICE (O.S.)
Drink?
Harry turns, finds Neville standing with a tray.
HARRY
Neville...?
NEVILLE
I didn't make the cut for the Slug
Club. It's okay. He's got Belby
handing out towels in the loo.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 73.
71 CONTINUED: 71
As Neville turns away, Harry notices a pair of GIRL'S
FEET protruding from beneath a CRIMSON HANGING. His gaze
rises, finds Hermione peeking out. As he moves off, we
see Luna talking to a small, stout bespectacled man
(ELDRED WORPLE).
ELDRED WORPLE
Lovegood, did you say? I once
encountered a seriously unbalanced
man by that name at a book
signing. Claimed to run a
magazine...
NEW ANGLE - HERMIONE - BEHIND THE HANGING - SECONDS LATER
HARRY (O.S.)
What're you doing?
Hermione YELPS, turns, pulls Harry behind the hanging.
Her hair is slightly askew, her lipstick a bit blurry.
HARRY
And what's happened to you?
HERMIONE
Hm? Oh, I've just escaped -- I
mean, left Cormac. Under the
mistletoe.
HARRY
Cormac! That's who you invited!
HERMIONE
I thought it would annoy Ron most.
But he's a menace. He's got more
tentacles than a Snarfalump plant.
WAITER (O.S.)
Dragon tartar?
They turn, find a WAITER peeking in, tray in hand.
HERMIONE
No thank you.
WAITER
Just as well. They give one
horribly bad breath.
HERMIONE
(grabbing the tray)
On second thought -- maybe it'll
keep Cormac at bay. Oh no, here
he comes!
(CONTINUED)
74.
71 CONTINUED: (2) 71
Hermione pops two of the Dragon blobs into her mouth,
shoves the tray in Harry's hand and flits away.
NEW ANGLE - PARTY - SAME TIME
Snape, looking bored, stands on the periphery of a
conversation, when he sees Hermione exit one side of the
hanging and Cormac enter the other.
NEW ANGLE - BEHIND THE HANGING - SAME TIME
HARRY
I think she went to powder her
nose.
Harry looks past Cormac's shoulder, out past the hanging
and sees Slughorn laughing with a guest. Cormac plucks a
dragon blob off the tray in Harry's hand, pops it.
CORMAC
Slippery little minx, your friend.
Likes to work her mouth too,
doesn't she? Yak yak yak. What
is this I'm eating, by the way?
HARRY
Dragon balls.
As Cormac's face freezes, Harry starts to head toward
Slughorn when the HANGING IS SWEAP ASIDE: Snape.
SNAPE
What's going on back here?
Cormac SPEWS raw dragon all over Snape's shoes. Snape
surveys the damage, then his eyes rise darkly.
SNAPE
You've just bought yourself a
month's detention, McLaggen.
McLaggen dashes off. Harry makes to follow.
SNAPE
Not so quick, Potter.
HARRY
I think I should rejoin the party,
sir. My date...
SNAPE
... can surely survive your
absence for another minute or two.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
75.
71 CONTINUED: (3) 71
SNAPE (CONT'D)
Besides, I only wish to convey a
message.
HARRY
A message...?
SNAPE
From Professor Dumbledore. He
asked that I give you his best and
that he hopes you enjoy your
holiday. You see, he's traveling
and won't return until term
resumes.
HARRY
Traveling? Where?
Snape merely stares a Harry silently, briefly, then
exits, taking Harry's gaze with him, to Slughorn once
again, wildly gesturing with a full glass of wine.
MALFOY (O.S.)
Take your hands off me, you
filthy squib!
A frown overtakes Slughorn's face and he turns toward the
source of the commotion, exits Harry's view. Harry
emerges from the hanging, finds Malfoy in Filch's rough
grip.
FILCH
Professor Slughorn, sir! I've
just discovered this boy lurking
in an upstairs corridor. He
claims to have been invited to
your party.
MALFOY
Okay, okay, I was gate-crashing.
Happy?
SNAPE
I'll escort him out.
Draco's eyes shift, regard Snape. He shrugs free of
Filch.
MALFOY
Certainly... Professor.
72 EXT. DARK CORRIDOR - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 72
CAMERA GLIDES in the DARKNESS. VOICES are HEARD.
(CONTINUED)
76.
72 CONTINUED: 72
MALFOY (O.S.)
Maybe I did hex that Bell girl.
Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?
Two SILHOUETTES come INTO VIEW -- Malfoy, slumped against
the wall in lazy insolence, and Snape.
SNAPE
I swore to protect you. I made
the Unbreakable Vow --
MALFOY
I don't need protection. I was
chosen for this! Out of all
others. Me! And I won't fail
him.
SNAPE
You're afraid, Draco. You attempt
to conceal it, but it's obvious.
Let me assist you --
MALFOY
No! I was chosen. This is my
moment!
Malfoy exits. Then Snape.
WIDER ANGLE
Harry is revealed in an adjacent alcove. He's heard all.
A TRAIN is HEARD...
73 EXT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - MOVING - DAY 73
The Hogwarts Express CHUGS through a SNOWY COUNTRYSIDE.
74 INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - MOVING - DAY 74
Ron lies on his back, while Harry sits opposite, leafing
through the Half-Blood Prince's potions book.
RON
Unbreakable Vow. You're sure
that's what Snape said.
HARRY
Positive. Why?
RON
It's just, well, you can't break
an Unbreakable Vow.
(CONTINUED)
77.
74 CONTINUED: 74
HARRY
I'd worked that much out for
myself, funnily enough.
RON
No, you don't understand -- Oh,
bloody hell...
Lavender stands outside the compartment door. Fogging
the glass with her breath, she ETCHES "Ron + Lav,"
encircles it with a HEART, mimes "I miss you," and exits
with a pout.
HARRY
Lovely.
RON
All she wants to do is snog me.
My lips are getting chapped.
Look.
HARRY
I'll take your word for it.
Just then, Hermione passes by, breaks stride as she spots
Lavender's handiwork, then continues on. Ron shakes his
head.
HARRY
So what happens? If you break an
Unbreakable Vow?
Ron glowers, watching as Lavender's heart slowly
VANISHES.
RON
You die.
75 INT. WEASLEY HOUSE - SAME TIME - NIGHT 75
The house glows with light and HOLIDAY MUSIC rings from
the WIRELESS. Fred and George fill cups with STEAMING
NOG and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny ferry plates of food.
MRS. WEASLEY
Eat up, eat up, everyone! There's
more to come!
Harry sits in deep conversation with LUPIN, TONKS, and
MR. WEASLEY. Ron sits by silently. Lupin looks haggard.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 78.
75 CONTINUED: 75
HARRY
Draco's plotting something, I know
it, something to do with
Voldemort. He's been given a task
or a mission -- and Snape was
offering to help.
LUPIN
Voldemort has chosen Draco Malfoy
for a mission?
HARRY
I know it sounds mad --
LUPIN
Has it occurred to you, Harry,
that Snape was simply pretending
to offer Draco help so that he
could find out what he's up to?
HARRY
That's not what it sounded like.
TONKS
Perhaps Harry's right, Remus. To
make an Unbreakable Vow, after
all --
LUPIN
It comes down to whether or not
you trust Dumbledore's judgement.
He trusts Snape. Therefore, I do.
HARRY
But Dumbledore can make mistakes.
He's said it himself --
LUPIN
You're blinded by hatred.
HARRY
I'm not --
LUPIN
(sharply)
You are! People are disappearing,
Harry. Daily. We can only put
our trust in a handful of people.
If we start fighting amongst
ourselves, we're doomed.
Tonks gives Harry a furtive glance, as if to say, "Leave
it."
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 78A.
75 CONTINUED: (2) 75
GINNY
Open up, you.
Harry turns, finds Ginny, holding something in her
fingers.
GINNY
Don't trust me?
He obliges and she pops a SMALL TART in his mouth.
HARRY
It's good.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 79.
75 CONTINUED: (3) 75
GINNY
`Course `tis. Made them myself.
She smiles at him, hooks her ginger hair over one ear and
Ron plops down between them. Big brother to the rescue.
76 EXT. REEDS (SURROUNDING BURROW) - NIGHT (LATER) 76
Within the reeds. An eerie POV. TRACKING Harry and Mr.
Weasley as they walk from the house to the adjacent
WORKSHOP.
77 INT. MR. WEASLEY'S WORKSHOP - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 77
Harry trails Mr. Weasley through his cluttered workshop,
which is chock-a-block with MUGGLE OBJECTS: Steam irons.
Toasters. Clock radios. Plugs. Lots of plugs. The
PARTY can still be heard, drifting faintly from the main
house.
MR. WEASLEY
You'll have to forgive Remus. It
takes its toll -- his condition.
HARRY
(studying him)
Are you alright, Mr. Weasley?
Arthur tries a smile, but it fades. He frowns, pained.
MR. WEASLEY
We're being followed, all of us.
Molly doesn't leave the house most
days. It's not been easy.
HARRY
(a nod, then)
Did you get my owl?
MR. WEASLEY
Yes, but I thought it best if I
replied in person. If
Dumbledore's traveling, it's news
to the Ministry. But perhaps
that's the way Dumbledore wants
it. As for Draco Malfoy -- I know
a bit more.
HARRY
Go on.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 80.
77 CONTINUED: 77
MR. WEASLEY
I sent an agent to Borgin &
Burkes. From what you describe, I
think what you and Ron saw at the
end of the summer -- the object
that Draco seemed so interested in
-- was a Vanishing Cabinet.
HARRY
A Vanishing Cabinet?
MR. WEASLEY
They were all the rage when
Voldemort first rose to power.
You can imagine the appeal.
Should the Death Eaters come
calling, one needed only slip
inside and disappear for an hour
or two. But they're tricky
contraptions. Require a
tremendous amount of looking
after. Eventually they fell out
of favor.
HARRY
What happened to it? The one at
Borgin & Burkes?
MR. WEASLEY
Nothing. It's still there.
Harry nods, pondering this.
MR. WEASLEY
Harry. You know, I went through
all this before -- the last time
around. Times like these -- dark
times -- do funny things to
people. It can bring them
together and it can tear them
apart. Things... speed up. It's
what happens when you don't know
if today will be your last.
78 EXT. REEDS (SURROUNDING BURROW) - NIGHT (LATER) 78
Similar eerie POV. On the porch, Molly and Arthur,
looking middle-aged and fragile, say goodbye to Lupin and
Tonks.
81.
79 EXT. PORCH - SAME TIME - NIGHT 79
While the others TALK, Lupin stands a bit off to the
side, staring into the reeds. His nostrils flair subtly.
TONKS
It was delicious, Molly. Really.
MRS. WEASLEY
You're sure you won't stay?
TONKS
No, we should go.
(under her breath)
The first night of the cycle is
always the worst --
Tonks gestures vaguely to the moon. Arthur glances at
Lupin.
ARTHUR'S POV - LUPIN'S HAND
... as the HAIRS on the knuckles RISE.
BACK TO SCENE
MRS. WEASLEY
Remus...?
80 INT. WEASLEY HOUSE - SECOND FLOOR - SAME TIME - NIGHT 80
Harry peers through the ripples of an imperfect
windowpane, studying the others below. A FLOORBOARD
CREAKS. He turns, watches Ginny emerge into the light,
in a robe, twisting her wet hair in a towel.
GINNY
Everyone gone to bed?
HARRY
Soon.
GINNY
I don't sleep these days. So I
wash my hair. Silly, right?
Harry just stares at her, the air prickling with silence.
Ginny eyes him knowingly.
GINNY
Happy Christmas, Harry.
82.
81 EXT. PORCH - SAME TIME - NIGHT 81
Lupin continues to peer into the reeds. His PUPILS
CONTRACT.
TONKS
Sweetheart...
LUPIN
There's someone out there. I can
smell him. There's more than
one --
Suddenly -- throughout the reeds -- TORCHES BLAZE.
82 INT. WEASLEY HOUSE - SECOND FLOOR - SAME TIME - NIGHT 82
The rippled window behind Harry blushes with light.
Ginny's eyes shift from Harry to the trees beyond.
GINNY
Oh my god...
Harry turns, his BREATH FOGGING the WINDOWPANE as, far
below, FLAMES SNAKE out of the reeds and SLITHER toward
the house. Bellatrix emerges, peering up through the
darkness toward Harry's SILHOUETTE, a mad grin on her
face. As she SHRIEKS EERILY, his eyes flash with hatred.
83 EXT. WEASLEY HOUSE - PORCH - SAME TIME - NIGHT 83
Harry bursts through the front door, wand drawn, pelts
toward Bellatrix. She grins, turns, and vanishes into
the reeds.
MR. WEASLEY
Harry, no!
Flames race up the porch steps, climb the walls of the
house. Lupin draws his wand and races after Harry.
TONKS
Remus!
Ron, Fred and George appear, join Arthur as he dashes
toward the smoking marsh. Arthur glances back as Ginny
emerges.
MR. WEASLEY
Ginny, stay with your mother!
Without hesitation, she races for the reeds.
83.
84 EXT. REEDS (SURROUNDING BURROW) - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 84
Harry careens through the marsh, reeds flashing past,
then spies Bellatrix. She GRINS, looking like a crazed
wood nymph, then flits off, her LAUGHTER mocking him. As
he pursues, FIRE SNAKES through the reeds toward him.
NEW ANGLE
Fred, George, Ron and Arthur fan out, running full-out,
their feet kicking up SPARKS as SHADOWS splinter
throughout the reeds. It's like chasing ghosts.
NEW ANGLES
Ginny, copper hair gleaming, races through the reeds.
Bellatrix leads Harry on, grinning madly.
Ginny comes dashing to a halt, chest heaving as she peers
into the smoking marsh. A HUGE FIGURE QUIVERS through a
veil of smoke. Ginny's eyes SHIFT, see Bellatrix racing
forward through the reeds, then SHIFT back as the veil of
smoke evaporates, reveals... Greyback. Bellatrix makes
an ODD, CLICKING noise -- like a signal -- and Greyback
edges forward, sweeping away the reeds in front of him
and revealing...
... Harry as he pelts forward.
GINNY
No, Harry! It's a trap!
Harry falters, looking toward Ginny's voice and spies
Greyback. Bellatrix stops dead, wheels in her tracks
and, seeing Ginny, SHRIEKS with RAGE. Raising her wand,
she fires a BOLT of RED LIGHT which explodes in a SHOWER
of SPARKS around Ginny. Ginny fires back, then wheels
away, flashing through the reeds and coming face to face
with...
Greyback, sharp teeth glittering.
GREYBACK
Don't you smell clean.
Just then, a BOLT OF BLUE bursts off Greyback's back and
he turns, sees Harry standing several yards off. As
Greyback gives chase, Ginny pelts after and we CUT BACK
AND FORTH BETWEEN Harry, Ginny and the beast between
them, faster and faster, their BREATHS shortening
until...
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 84.
84 CONTINUED: 84
Greyback rushes into a clearing, panting, glancing about.
Just then, TWIN BOLTS of light blast from opposite sides
of the clearing and Greyback is lifted in the air,
slammed to the ground. As he regains his feet he looks
into the reeds and sees Harry and Ginny, wands poised.
He grins... when Bellatrix's odd, CLICKING signal carries
through the night once again. Turning away, he exits.
Harry and Ginny slowly step out of the reeds, stare at
each other wordlessly. Then... Ron, Fred, George, Arthur
and Lupin come thrashing into the clearing, stop. All
around them, the reeds SMOKE, the flames dying. Across
the marsh, Bellatrix's cackle rises briefly on the air --
then all is quiet.
HERMIONE (V.O.)
You're lucky you weren't killed.
85 INT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - CORRIDOR - SAME TIME - DAY 85
Hermione reads the Daily Prophet as she walks alongside
Harry. The HEADLINE is GLOOMY: "MORE DISAPPEARANCES."
HERMIONE
You have to realize who you are,
Harry.
HARRY
(sharply)
I know who I am, Hermione,
alright?
(frowning)
Sorry.
HERMIONE
So tell me what Arthur said.
HARRY
If Dumbledore's traveling places,
it's news to the Ministry. But
get this: that night at Borgin &
Burkes? It seems Draco was
looking at a Vanishing Cabinet.
HERMIONE
What would Draco want with a
Vanishing Cabinet?
HARRY
You tell me.
Hermione frowns, pondering this. Then:
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 84A.
85 CONTINUED: 85
HERMIONE
He looks different, don't you
think? Draco. Almost... ill.
HARRY
Who could tell the difference?
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 85.
85 CONTINUED: (2) 85
RON (O.S.)
Lav, c'mon. Of course I'll wear
it.
They glance ahead, see Ron and a pouting Lavender. Ron
holds a GOLD CHAIN which spells out "My Sweetheart."
LAVENDER BROWN
That's my Won-Won.
HERMIONE
Excuse me, I have to go vomit.
As Hermione exits, Harry spies Ginny, in an alcove,
sitting by as Dean laughs with SEAMUS. Looking up, she
sees Harry, gives a feeble wave. He waves back and we --
CUT TO:
86 INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - NIGHT 86
HARRY'S FACE PLUNGING INTO WATER, BREAKING THE SURFACE...
87 FLASHBACK - INT. SLUGHORN'S OFFICE - NIGHT (YEARS PAST) 87
We emerge from the CRACKLING EMBERS of a FIREPLACE. A
much younger -- and more smartly dressed Slughorn probes
a dish of CRYSTALLIZED PINEAPPLE as he holds court before
16-YEAR-OLD TOM RIDDLE and five other BOYS. The CRYSTAL
HOURGLASS sits on a side table.
TOM RIDDLE
Sir, is it true that Professor
Merrythought is retiring?
Slughorn chuckles, wags a sugar-encrusted finger at
Riddle.
SLUGHORN
Now, Tom, I couldn't tell you if I
knew, could I? I must say, m'boy,
I'd like to know where you get
your information. More
knowledgeable than half the staff,
you are.
(as the other boys
laugh)
By the way, thank you for the
pineapple -- you're quite right,
it is my favorite -- how is it you
knew?
(CONTINUED)
86.
87 CONTINUED: 87
TOM RIDDLE
Intuition.
Riddle smiles but his expression suggests intuition had
nothing to do with it. Slughorn chuckles uneasily.
SLUGHORN
Good gracious, look at the time.
Off you go, boys, or Professor
Dippett will have us all in
detention. Lestrange, Avery,
don't forget your essays...
As the others file out, Slughorn busies himself with some
papers when -- Ping! -- he turns, finds Riddle still
there, standing by the crystal hourglass.
SLUGHORN
Look sharp, Tom. You don't want
to be caught out of bed after
hours...
TOM RIDDLE
I know a secret shortcut or two.
SLUGHORN
Yes, I imagine you do. Something
on your mind, Tom?
TOM RIDDLE
Yes, sir. I couldn't think of
anyone else to go to. The other
professors, well, they're not like
you. They might... misunderstand.
SLUGHORN
Go on.
Riddle slips off the RING on his left hand, begins to
roll it between his fingers. It is set with a BLACK
STONE.
TOM RIDDLE
I was in the library the other
night, in the Restricted section,
and I read something rather odd,
about a bit of rare magic, and I
thought perhaps you could
illuminate me...
Suddenly, a DENSE FOG engulfs the room and SLUGHORN'S
VOICE twists into an ANGRY SHRIEK:
(CONTINUED)
87.
87 CONTINUED: (2) 87
SLUGHORN
I don't know anything about such
things and I wouldn't tell you if
I did! Now get out of here at
once and don't ever let me catch
you mentioning it again!
The FOG grows thicker and...
88 INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - NIGHT (PRESENT) 88
... CAMERA EMERGES FROM the swirling Pensieve. Harry
blinks, finds Dumbledore studying him from across the
room.
DUMBLEDORE
Confused? I would be surprised if
you weren't.
HARRY
I don't understand -- what
happened?
DUMBLEDORE
This is perhaps the most important
memory I've collected. It's also
a lie.
(off Harry's look)
This memory has been tampered
with. In this case by the person
whose memory it is, our friend
Professor Slughorn.
HARRY
But why would he tamper with his
own memory?
DUMBLEDORE
I suspect he is ashamed of it.
HARRY
Why?
DUMBLEDORE
Why indeed.
Dumbledore trails his withered fingers in the Pensieve.
DUMBLEDORE
I asked you to get to know
Professor Slughorn and you've done
so.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
88.
88 CONTINUED: 88
DUMBLEDORE (CONT'D)
Now I want you to persuade him to
divulge his true memory. Any way
you can.
HARRY
I don't know him that well, sir --
DUMBLEDORE
You're the Chosen One, Harry. And
Horace is, at heart, a decent man.
Provide the proper circumstances
and he will confess his sins.
Dumbledore lifts his fingers from the Pensieve, studies
them. They are, in this moment, iridescent, whole.
DUMBLEDORE
This memory is everything, Harry.
Without it, we are blind. Without
it, we leave the fate of our world
to chance. You have no choice.
You must not fail.
As Harry watches, the damp sheen enveloping Dumbledore's
hand evaporates and once again his fingers decay.
89 INT./EXT. SLUGHORN'S CLASSROOM - DAY 89
As the CLASS BELL RINGS, a group of FIRST YEARS rise.
SLUGHORN
Now don't forget to look over the
chapter on antidotes. I'll be
poisoning one of you next time we
meet. I'm joking! Off you go!
Don't forget your rattails, Miss
Alys.
As the tiny ones scurry out, Harry is revealed, waiting
just outside the door. He enters. For a moment,
Slughorn merely HUMS over his briefcase, unaware.
Then...
SLUGHORN
Ah! If it isn't the Prince of
Potions himself! To what do I owe
the pleasure?
HARRY
Well, sir, I wondered if I might
ask you something.
SLUGHORN
Ask away, my dear boy, ask away!
(CONTINUED)
89.
89 CONTINUED: 89
HARRY
Well, you see, the other day I was
in the Restricted Section -- in
the library -- and I stumbled upon
something rather odd while
reading. Something about a bit of
rare magic...
SLUGHORN
Yes? And exactly what was this
rare magic.
HARRY
I'm not sure... That is, I don't
recall the name... exactly. But
it got me wondering... Are there
some kinds of magic you're not
allowed to teach?
Slughorn looks up, eyes Harry carefully.
SLUGHORN
I'm a Potions Professor, Harry.
Perhaps your question would best
be posed to Professor Snape.
HARRY
Yes, well, we don't exactly see
eye-to-eye, sir. What I mean to
say is, he's not like you. He
might... misunderstand.
Recognition flickers in Slughorn's eyes. A glint of
fear.
SLUGHORN
There can be no light without the
dark. And so it is with magic.
Myself, I have always strived to
live within the light. I suggest
you do the same.
Slughorn gathers his briefcase, starts to exit.
HARRY
Did you say the same to Tom
Riddle, sir? When he came asking
questions.
Slughorn freezes in the doorway, then slowly turns.
SLUGHORN
Dumbledore put you up to this.
Didn't he? Didn't he!
(CONTINUED)
90.
89 CONTINUED: (2) 89
HARRY
Sir --
Slughorn silences him with an upraised hand. Then,
without another word, he is gone.
90 INT. CORRIDOR - DAY (MOMENTS LATER) 90
Lightning flashes. Thunder rumbles. Rain lashes the
windows. Through the birdcage's grid of wires someone
approaches. We RACK FOCUS... FIND Harry. As he passes,
we HOLD ON the cage. One bird is missing. Only the
BLACK one remains. As thunder BOOMS, the bird RUFFLES
its feathers.
Harry glances down the corridor adjacent, sees a FIGURE
start up the far stairwell. As the SHADOW ASCENDS, Harry
follows.
91 INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME - DAY 91
The FIGURE continues on, passes OUT OF VIEW. Harry
follows.
92 INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME - DAY 92
Harry, still trailing. The FIGURE turns a corner...
93 INT. SEVENTH FLOOR CORRIDOR 93
... comes INTO VIEW. It's Draco. He stops halfway down,
looks back the way he came. HARRY'S SHADOW scales the
wall as he approaches. Draco watches calmly, then turns,
CLOSES HIS EYES. And simply... DISAPPEARS.
Harry turns the corner. Stops. No one.
94 INT. ROOM OF REQUIREMENT - DAY (SECONDS LATER) 94
Draco wends his way through the towering shelves, removes
the tapestry and faces the gleaming cabinet. He reaches
into his coat and carefully removes the WHITE BIRD.
Holding it in one hand, he studies it, gently stroking
its feathers with the other. For a moment, he seems lost
in the activity, lost in the bird's coal black eyes, its
bobbing head. Then, gently, he places it in the cabinet
and closes the door. Waits.
When he opens the cabinet, the bird is gone. He closes
the cabinet once more.
(CONTINUED)
91.
94 CONTINUED: 94
A feather, white and gleaming, clings to the cuff of his
jacket. He takes it, turns it in the light. It is
fragile, translucent. He looks briefly lost again, then
blinks, turns back to the cabinet, slowly reaches out and
opens it. The bird is there.
Dead.
95 INT. COMMON ROOM - NIGHT 95
Hermione does her homework while Harry peers at the
Marauder's Map. They are the only ones present.
HERMIONE
Did you actually expect you could
just walk up to Ol' Sluggy and ask
him to reveal his deepest, darkest
secret? Honestly, Harry,
sometimes I think the Daily
Prophet should call you the Dim
One.
HARRY
Nice.
HERMIONE
(rising to go)
You're going to have to persuade
him somehow. And now, I'm afraid,
you've made it a lot harder.
HARRY
Hermione. I think Malfoy's
leaving the castle.
Hermione stops dead, looks back at Harry. He nods.
HARRY
I've seen it. Sometimes...
sometimes he just disappears off
the Map.
HERMIONE
That's... not possible. No one
can leave the castle these days.
The Map is wrong.
HARRY
The Map is never wrong.
Hermione frowns, thinking, then shakes her head, turns
away.
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 92.
96 INT. BOYS' DORMITORY (GRYFFINDOR TOWER) - NIGHT (LATER) 96
Harry slumps into the darkened dormitory. Stops. On the
floor, glittering in the moonlight, is a trail of CANDY
FOILS. A bit further along, Ron sits in his PJ's upon
the window sill, a HEART-SHAPED BOX by his side.
RON
It's beautiful, isn't it? The
moon.
HARRY
Divine. Had ourselves a little
late-night snack, did we?
RON
It was on your bed. The box.
Thought I'd try one...
HARRY
Or twenty.
RON
I can't stop thinking about her,
Harry.
HARRY
Really? Honestly, I reckoned she
was starting to annoy you.
RON
She could never annoy me. I
think... I think I love her.
HARRY
Excuse me?
Ron nods. Harry looks bewildered.
HARRY
Well... Brilliant.
RON
Do you think she knows I exist?
HARRY
Bloody well hope so. She's been
snogging you for three months.
RON
Snogging? Who're you talking
about?
HARRY
Who're you talking about?
(CONTINUED)
93.
96 CONTINUED: 96
RON
Romilda, of course. Romilda Vane.
Harry stares at Ron... then grins.
HARRY
Okay. Very funny.
He turns to his bed, throws back the covers when... the
heart-shaped box caroms off his head.
HARRY
What the hell was that for?
RON
It's no joke! I'm in love with
her!
HARRY
Okay! Fine! You're in love with
her! Have you ever actually met
her!
RON
No. Can you introduce me?
Harry stops rubbing his head, eyes Ron oddly, then
glances at the candy box at his feet. There is an
envelope. Taking it, he slides out a card: "Dear Harry.
Thinking sweet thoughts of you. Happy Valentine's Day.
Romilda." He suppresses a smile.
HARRY
Ron, these chocolates, they're --
C'mon. I'm going to introduce you
to Romilda Vane.
97 INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 97
Harry leads Ron, still in his PJs, toward a door.
RON
How do I look?
HARRY
Devastatingly handsome.
Harry RAPS on the door. FOOTSTEPS -- followed by a LOUD
CRASH.
SLUGHORN (O.S.)
Damn it all!
(CONTINUED)
94.
97 CONTINUED: 97
The door OPENS. Slughorn stands in a GREEN VELVET
DRESSING GOWN and matching NIGHTCAP, looking bleary-eyed
and annoyed. Something SMOKES on the floor behind him --
the FLOOR LAMP he'd sent wobbling the night of the dinner
party.
SLUGHORN
Yes???!!!!
(warily)
Oh. Potter. It's you. I'm
afraid I'm busy at the moment --
He starts to close the door. Harry sticks his foot in.
HARRY
Sir. I'm sorry. I wouldn't
bother you if it weren't
absolutely --
RON
Where's Romilda?
Slughorn squints over Harry's shoulder at Ron who is
doing precisely the same from the other side.
SLUGHORN
What's the matter with Wenby?
Harry leans forward, WHISPERS into Slughorn's ear. He
frowns.
SLUGHORN
Ah. Very well. Bring him in.
98 INT. SLUGHORN'S OFFICE - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 98
Slughorn, with practiced ease, mixes a concoction of
powders and potions into a goblet while Ron peers into a
mirror. As he paces, Harry passes "the shelf" and finds,
front and center, a PHOTOGRAPH of himself and Slughorn --
the one taken at the Christmas party. In deep b.g. is
photograph of Snape, as a young student, clutching his
POTIONS TEXTBOOK.
SLUGHORN
I'd have thought you could whip up
a remedy for this in no time,
Harry -- an expert potioneer like
you.
HARRY
I figured this called for a more
practiced hand, sir.
(CONTINUED)
95.
98 CONTINUED: 98
RON
Hello, darling. Fancy a drink?
Slughorn and Harry turn, watch Ron WINK into the mirror.
SLUGHORN
Hm. Perhaps you're right.
As Slughorn goes back to mixing, Harry eyes him
furtively.
HARRY
I'm sorry, sir. About the other
day. Our... misunderstanding.
Slughorn eyes Harry briefly, looks away.
SLUGHORN
Yes, well, water under the bridge
as they say, correct?
HARRY
I mean, I'm sure you're tired of
it, after all these years. The
questions. About... Voldemort.
Slughorn's mixing hand falters instantly.
SLUGHORN
I'll ask you not to use that name.
Slughorn's stare is fierce. Finally, he turns, goblet in
hand, and puts a smile on his face, his voice cheery.
HARRY
Yes, sir. It's just, well,
Dumbledore once said that fear of
a name only increases fear of the
thing itself. It seemed sensible.
SLUGHORN
With all due respect, Dumbledore
sometimes forgets that most of us
do not possess powers so great
that we can risk offending the
most dangerous Dark Lord who ever
lived.
Slughorn's stare is fierce, as fierce as the one
Dumbledore fixed Harry with. Finally, he turns away.
SLUGHORN
Alright, m'boy! Bottoms up!
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 95A.
98 CONTINUED: (2) 98
RON
What's this?
(CONTINUED)
96.
98 CONTINUED: (3) 98
SLUGHORN
A tonic for the nerves.
Ron drinks. Beams briefly. Then his grin sags.
RON
What happened to me?
HARRY
Love potion.
SLUGHORN
And a bloody strong one at that.
RON
I feel really... bad.
SLUGHORN
Pick-me-up's what you need, m'boy.
(eying Harry again)
Do us all good, I think. I've got
butterbeer, wine -- ah -- and a
dazzling oak-matured mead. I had
other intentions for this but
given the circumstances...
Slughorn takes a STOUT BOTTLE and fills a glass for Ron.
As Ron SIPS, Slughorn fills a pair for he and Harry.
SLUGHORN
There we are, Potter. To life!
CRASH! -- Ron's glass hits the floor and he crumples to
his knees, then tumbles full out on the rug, SPASMING
horribly, FOAM oozing over his lips. Harry rushes to
him.
HARRY
Ron! Professor, help him!
Ron!!!
SLUGHORN
I d-don't understand --
HARRY
Professor! Do something!!
Slughorn shuffles haplessly through his bag, MUMBLING, at
a loss. Harry turns back to Ron -- his skin is turning
BLUE.
HARRY
He's choking!!
(CONTINUED)
97.
98 CONTINUED: (4) 98
Harry glances about, then leaps up, and frantically
begins to strip the walls of its potion stores, looking
for something, anything. A box tumbles, something
spills: a scattering of stones, no bigger than a robin's
egg, shriveled and dry. Snatching one, he wrenches open
Ron's jaw and THRUSTS it deep into his THROAT. Instantly
Ron stops moving, paralyzed. The room is suddenly
silent. He's not breathing. Harry places both hands
behind Ron's head and gives it a SHAKE. Another.
HARRY
Breathe! C'mon, Ron, don't be a
prat. Breathe! BREATHE!
Harry shakes him again and again... then stops. Ron's
head rolls limply from his fingers. Slughorn looks on,
mouth agape. Useless. Then... A COUGH, a great
hiccupping COUGH -- like a swimmer almost drowned -- and
Ron is back. Breathing.
RON
These girls are gonna kill me,
Harry.
Harry grins. Then Ron's eyes flutter. Out. But
breathing.
99 INT. HOSPITAL WING - EARLY MORNING (LATER) 99
Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Ginny and a very
somber Hermione circle Ron's bed as MADAM POMFREY
ministers to him. Slughorn sits off to the side, in a
chair, looking stunned.
DUMBLEDORE
Quick thinking on your part,
Harry. Using a Bezoar. You must
be very proud of your student, eh,
Horace?
SLUGHORN
Hm? Oh. Yes... very proud.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
I think we all agree that Mr.
Potter's actions were heroic. The
question is: Why were they
necessary.
DUMBLEDORE
Why indeed.
Dumbledore takes the half-empty bottle of mead, still
bearing a bit of GIFTWRAP.
(CONTINUED)
98.
99 CONTINUED: 99
DUMBLEDORE
This appears to be a gift, Horace.
You don't by chance remember who
gave you this bottle, do you --
which by the way possesses
remarkably subtle hints of
licorice and cherry when not
polluted with poison.
SLUGHORN
Actually I had intended to give it
as a gift myself.
DUMBLEDORE
To whom might I ask?
SLUGHORN
You, Headmaster.
Just then -- the DOOR BURSTS OPEN: Lavender Brown.
LAVENDER BROWN
Where is he? Where's my Won-Won!
Has he been asking for me?
(stopping; glaring
daggers)
What's she doing here?
HERMIONE
I might ask you the same.
LAVENDER BROWN
I happen to be his girlfriend.
HERMIONE
I happen to be his... friend.
LAVENDER BROWN
Don't make me laugh. You haven't
spoken in weeks. I suppose you
want to make up with him now that
he's suddenly all interesting.
HERMIONE
He's been poisoned, you daft
dimbo! And for the record, I've
always found him interesting.
Hermione frowns, a bit embarrassed. Ron SNORTS,
stirring.
LAVENDER BROWN
Ha! See? He senses my presence.
I'm here, Won-Won. I'm here --
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 99.
99 CONTINUED: (2) 99
RON
Er... My... Nee... Er! My! Nee!
Ron, in a haze, reaches out blindly. Blushing, Hermione
takes his hand. Instantly, he falls unconscious again.
Lavender, vibrating with rage, stalks out. Dumbledore
beams.
DUMBLEDORE
Ah, to be young and feel love's
keen sting. Come, everyone, I
think Mr. Weasley is well tended.
As Dumbledore leads the others past Harry, Harry studies
him. Ginny passes, face very close, WHISPERING as she
indicates Ron and Hermione.
GINNY
`Bout time, don't you think?
Harry watches her go, hopelessly smitten, sees that
Slughorn has paused in the doorway.
SLUGHORN
I've always cherished my students.
They're my life...
Then he is gone too. Harry turns back, studies Hermione,
hand enfolded over Ron's. She looks up, sees his faint
smile.
HERMIONE
Oh shut up.
100 INT. GREAT HALL - DAY 100
Harry spoons soup into his mouth while perusing the Half-
Blood Prince's Potion book, his eyes lingering, as
before, over the SECTUMSEMPRA SPELL: "For Enemies." Ron
absently twirls his wand as he covertly eyes Lavender.
Hermione frowns over the Prophet when... a snowflake
falls upon her nose.
HERMIONE
Ron. Stop. You're making it
snow.
RON
Huh?
Ron looks up, sees that it is SNOWING exclusively over
the trio. Hermione places her hand atop his wand and he
blinks, as if the gesture kindles some sense-memory.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 100.
100 CONTINUED: 100
RON
Tell me again how I broke up with
Lavender?
Harry pauses on his soup, exchanges a glance with
Hermione, who carefully withdraws her hand from Ron's.
HERMIONE
Um, well, she came to visit you in
the hospital, you see, and you
talked -- I don't believe it was a
long conversation --
RON
Don't get me wrong. I'm bloody
thrilled to be shot of her. It's
just she seems... a bit put out.
As one, the three glance over at Lavender and are
rewarded with a lethal squint.
HERMIONE
Does, doesn't she? And you say
you don't remember a thing from
that night? Not one thing?
RON
Well... there is... something.
(as Hermione hangs)
But no. It can't be. Besides, I
was completely boggled, wasn't I?
HERMIONE
Right. Boggled...
Hermione slumps back, frowning. Harry smiles with
amusement. Just then, a MILD COMMOTION draws his
attention. At the back of the Hall, a group of girls
surrounds a new arrival.
HERMIONE
That's Katie. That's Katie Bell.
Katie Bell, pale but smiling, greets the other girls.
After a moment, she looks up. Finds Harry standing
before her.
HARRY
How are you, Katie?
KATIE BELL
Give me a moment, girls.
The girls drift off. Harry watches them go, curious,
then:
(CONTINUED)
101.
100 CONTINUED: (2) 100
KATIE BELL
I know you're going to ask, Harry.
But I don't know who cursed me.
I've tried to remember. Honestly.
But I just... can't...
Katie's eyes shift. She goes ashen. Harry turns,
follows her gaze and finds... Malfoy, staring at her.
Katie backs away, retreating to the other girls. Harry
watches her go, then looks back. Catches Malfoy fleeing
the Hall.
101 INT. CORRIDOR - DAY (MOMENTS LATER) 101
Malfoy hurtles past, forehead gleaming with sweat, passes
OUT OF FRAME. Seconds later, Harry appears, follows. As
he passes the birdcage... we HOLD. It's now EMPTY.
102 OMITTED 102
103 INT. BATHROOM - SAME TIME - DAY 103
Malfoy lurches to the mirror, steadies himself against
the sink. Then, with a great, heaving shudder begins
to... CRY.
In the MIRROR, we see the bathroom DOOR ease open:
Harry. He stops, stunned. Malfoy's eyes shift.
Horrified to be exposed. He wheels, points his wand.
WHOOSH! The LAMP next to Harry's head SHATTERS. FLAMES
spider up the ceiling.
Harry draws his own wand, fires back. The CISTERN behind
Malfoy EXPLODES and WATER sweeps the ceiling, rains down.
Malfoy HOWLS with RAGE. Harry readies himself.
MALFOY
Cruci--
HARRY
SECTUMSEMPRA!
BLOOD SPURTS from Malfoy's face and SCARLET SLASHES OOZE
through the white of his shirt. He staggers, HOWLS again
and COLLAPSES. Harry glares at his wand in horror, then
slushes across the floor, the water running red with
Malfoy's blood.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 102.
103 CONTINUED: 103
MALFOY
Don't touch me! Don't you dare
touch me!
Harry stops dead... transfixed by a FLASH of SOMETHING
DARK pushing through the wet fabric of Malfoy's
shirtsleeve. Just then... Snape BURSTS THROUGH THE DOOR.
Seeing Malfoy -- and the nature of his injuries -- he
eyes Harry with keen curiosity. Kneeling, he traces the
TIP of his WAND over Malfoy's wounds, MURMURING an EERIE
INCANTATION. Instantly, the skin begins to knit itself
together. Harry backs away, Snape's ancient CHANT
ringing in his ears, blood floating like crimson flowers
on the floor, backing away until he reaches the door...
104 INT. COMMON ROOM - DAY 104
Harry sits numbly, the Potions textbook lying limp in his
hand. Hermione, Ron and Ginny sit together, a bit apart,
keeping a kind of vigil. Finally, Ginny rises, steps to
him.
GINNY
You have to get rid of it. Today.
105 INT. SEVENTH FLOOR CORRIDOR - DAY (LATER) 105
Harry, Potions book in hand, follows Ginny past the empty
birdcage and down the corridor when she pauses, turns to
the wall and shuts her eyes.
GINNY
Take my hand.
106 INT. ROOM 0F REQUIREMENT - DAY (SECONDS LATER) 106
Ginny and Harry materialize.
HARRY
The Room of Requirement...
Ginny nods, turns away. Harry follows.
NEW ANGLE - SECONDS LATER
Harry eyes the shelves that tower above him and the odd
things they hold: a SMALL CAGE bearing the SKELETON of
some long-dead creature. A JAR of QUIVERING EYEBALLS
which track him as he passes.
(CONTINUED)
103.
106 CONTINUED: 106
GINNY
Over the years, if someone had a
secret, if they wanted to conceal
something, this is where they
came. Some of these things are
almost as old as the castle
itself.
HARRY
Who showed you this? First.
GINNY
Fred and George. First year. I
hid Tom Riddle's diary here for a
time. Wish I'd left it...
As Ginny drifts in the memory, Harry studies her, then a
SCUFFLING SOUND is heard nearby. They turn, look off.
GINNY/HARRY
(at the same time)
What was that?
They turn back, look at each other. Ginny smiles. Then:
NEW ANGLE - BEHIND VANISHING CABINET
Harry and Ginny approach. The SCUFFLING GROWS LOUDER.
Harry reaches out, pulls aside the tapestry. Reacts.
The cabinet door VIBRATES. Slowly, he opens it and...
... the BLACK BIRD flies free in a rush of FLAPPING
wings.
GINNY
See, you never know what you'll
find up here.
Harry nods, looks back to the cabinet, mystified.
GINNY
All right. Close your eyes. That
way you can't be tempted.
Ginny slips the book from his fingers and starts to back
away. She mouths: Close... your... eyes. As she leaves
FRAME, CAMERA PUSHES EVER-SO-SLOWLY IN ON Harry. Still.
Waiting. For a long moment, there is only silence. Then
a shadow gently eclipses Harry's face.
GINNY
There's something else. Another
secret of sorts. One of mine...
(CONTINUED)
104.
106 CONTINUED: (2) 106
Ginny leans in then and places her mouth on Harry's.
GINNY
That can stay hidden up here too,
if you like.
Harry opens his eyes, watches Ginny back away, then
disappear around the corner. He stares at the empty air,
blinking, then watches the black bird flutter overhead.
107 INT. CORRIDOR - LATE AFTERNOON (LATER) 107
Harry, looking a tad dazed, walks aimlessly.
RON (O.S.)
So. Did you and Ginny do it?
Harry jumps, watches Ron appear.
HARRY
What?
RON
You know. Hide the book.
HARRY
Oh. Yeah.
Just then, Slughorn rounds the far end of the corridor
and -- spying Harry -- does a little Oliver Hardy "Oops"
and retreats.
RON
Still no luck with Slughorn, I
take it?
Harry shakes his head -- then stops cold, stares at the
empty space where Slughorn stood moments before.
HARRY
Say that again.
108 INT. COMMON ROOM - DUSK 108
The tiny VIAL of FELIX FELICIS glimmers in Harry's palm
as he and Ron and Hermione huddle in the empty dormitory.
They exchange glances, then Harry brings the vial to his
lips.
HERMIONE
Well? How do you feel?
(CONTINUED)
105.
108 CONTINUED: 108
HARRY
Excellent. Really excellent.
HERMIONE
Now remember. Slughorn usually
eats early, takes a short walk and
then returns to his office.
HARRY
Right. I'm going down to
Hagrid's.
HERMIONE
What? No, Harry -- you've got to
go see Slughorn. We have a plan --
HARRY
No. I've got a good feeling about
going to Hagrid's. I feel like
it's the place to be tonight, know
what I mean?
HERMIONE/RON
No.
HARRY
Trust me. I know what I'm doing.
Or at least Felix does.
109 INT. CORRIDOR - DUSK (MOMENTS LATER) 109
A BOY with a PREFECT'S BADGE patrols the corridor.
Bored, he ponders the progress of his FAINT MUSTACHE in a
mirror. Harry walks by, unseen.
110 INT. ENTRANCE HALL - DUSK (MOMENTS LATER) 110
Filch paces, standing guard while Mrs. Norris sits calmly
by. A MOUSE appears in the OPEN helmet of a SUIT OF
ARMOR, washes its face with its tiny paws, then spies
Mrs. Norris -- who HISSES. The mouse makes a quick
retreat and the FACE PLATE comes CLANGING down. As Filch
wheels, Harry strolls past.
111 EXT. GROUNDS/HOGWARTS CASTLE - DUSK (MOMENTS LATER) 111
TWO AURORS, twin SILHOUETTES, patrol the grounds. Harry
approaches, about to intersect their paths when, at the
last second, something on the ground catches his eye. He
KNEELS, considers a BEETLE on its back, legs churning
helplessly. Harry extends his finger, letting the tiny
bug gain purchase, then tips it upright...
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 105A.
111 CONTINUED: 111
...just as the Aurors' SHADOWS quiver over him and
vanish. Rising, Harry starts off in one direction, then
stops, as if compelled by some inner voice, and heads the
opposite way.
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 106.
112 EXT. GREENHOUSE - DUSK (MOMENTS LATER) 112
Harry HUMS placidly. Up ahead, a FIGURE ripples beyond
the steamy panes of the Greenhouse. It's Slughorn,
hunched over a PLANT whose TENDRILS coil eerily,
resisting his attentions. Snip! He stealthily removes a
sprig, looks up and JUMPS.
SLUGHORN
Merlin's beard, Harry!
HARRY
Sorry, sir. I should've announced
myself. Cleared my throat.
Coughed. You probably feared I
was Madam Sprout.
SLUGHORN
Well, yes, actually --
(paranoid)
Why would you think that?
HARRY
Just the general behavior, sir.
The sneaking around. The jumping
when you saw me. By the way,
those Tentacula leaves -- they're
quite valuable, aren't they?
SLUGHORN
Ten galleons a leaf to the right
buyer -- not that I'm familiar
with such back alley transactions.
One hears rumors is all. My own
interests are purely academic, of
course.
HARRY
Personally, these plants have
always kind of freaked me out.
Harry gives a little SHIVER of the shoulders, smiles.
Slughorn cocks his head, studies him oddly.
SLUGHORN
Exactly how did you get out of the
castle, Harry?
HARRY
Through the front doors, sir. I'm
off to Hagrid's, you see. He's a
very dear friend and I felt like
paying him a visit. So if you
don't mind, I'll be going.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 107.
112 CONTINUED: 112
SLUGHORN
Harry!
HARRY
Sir?
SLUGHORN
It's nearly nightfall. Surely you
realize I can't allow you to roam
the grounds all by yourself.
HARRY
Well, then by all means come
along, sir.
113 EXT. HAGRID'S HUT - DUSK (MOMENTS LATER) 113
Harry appears over a rise, strolling happily along...
when Slughorn appears, huffing and puffing to keep up.
SLUGHORN
Harry, I must insist you accompany
me back to the castle immediately!
HARRY
That would be counterproductive,
sir.
SLUGHORN
And what makes you say that?
HARRY
No idea.
Slughorn frowns impatiently -- then stops, blinks.
SLUGHORN
Merlin's beard...
Up ahead, Hagrid sits disconsolately upon a stump.
Nearby, Aragog's massive body lies legs up.
SLUGHORN
Is that an actual Acromantula?
HARRY
A dead one, I think, sir.
NEW ANGLE - SECONDS LATER
Harry and Slughorn approach a sullen Hagrid.
(CONTINUED)
108.
113 CONTINUED: 113
HAGRID
`Arry. `Orace.
SLUGHORN
My god, dear man. How did you
ever manage to kill it?
HAGRID
Kill `im! Me oldest friend, `e
was!
SLUGHORN
I'm sorry, I... (didn't realize.)
Slughorn falters helplessly. Hagrid waves his hand.
HAGRID
Ah, don' worry yerself. Yer not
alone. Seriously misunderstood
creatures -- spiders. It's the
eyes, I reckon. Unnerve people.
HARRY
Not to mention the pincers.
Harry makes a little claw motion with his hand, while
making a CLICKING sound. Hagrid eyes Harry curiously.
HAGRID
I reckon that too... How'd yeh get
outta the castle anyways?
HARRY
Through the front doors.
SLUGHORN
Hagrid. I wouldn't want to be
indelicate, but Acromantula venom
is uncommonly rare and, well, if
you wouldn't mind my extracting a
vial or two -- purely for academic
pursuits...
HAGRID
Don' suppose it's doin' `im any
good, izzit?
SLUGHORN
My thoughts exactly! Always carry
a few spare ampoules for just such
occasions. Old Potion Master's
habit, you know...
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 108A.
113 CONTINUED: (2) 113
Slughorn rummages about his pockets, extracts some SMALL
VIALS -- all empty save for one containing a HAIRY WORM --
then scrambles up close to Aragog. Harry and Hagrid
watch.
HAGRID
Wish yeh coulda seen `im in `is
prime. Magnificent `e was. Jus'
magnificent...
Hagrid BLINKS wildly, then takes out a handkerchief and
SNORTS LOUDLY into it. Slughorn looks up, studies
Hagrid's sorry expression with empathy and steps away.
SLUGHORN
Why don't I say a few words? I
trust he had family?
HARRY
Oh yeah.
SLUGHORN
(clearing his throat)
Farewell...
Slughorn frowns.
HAGRID
Aragog.
SLUGHORN
(a nod)
Farewell, Aragog, king of
arachnids. Though your body will
decay, your spirit lingers on in
the quiet, web-spun places of your
Forest home. May your many-eyed
descendents ever flourish and your
human friends find solace for the
loss they have sustained.
HAGRID
Tha' was... tha' was... beautiful.
Hagrid wipes his eyes, then rises. He walks to Aragog,
studies him lovingly, then puts a shoulder to the big
beast's body... and sends him tumbling into the freshly-
dug grave adjacent with a SICKENING THUNK.
HAGRID/SLUGHORN (O.S.)
(singing)
And Odo the hero, they bore him
back home...
109.
114 INT. HAGRID'S HUT - NIGHT (HOURS LATER) 114
Harry, Hagrid and Slughorn sit at the massive kitchen
table, which is strewn with EMPTY WINE BOTTLES. Hagrid
and Slughorn are feeling no pain, while Harry looks clear-
eyed, focused.
HAGRID/SLUGHORN
To the place he'd known as a lad,
They laid him to rest with his hat
inside out and his wand snapped in
two, which was sad...
As they finish, both men CHUCKLE. Hagrid tops off
everyone's mug with a bit more wine. Harry brings his
mug to his lap... then slyly pours it into the bucket at
his feet.
HAGRID
I had `im from an egg, yeh know.
Tiny little thing he was when he
hatched. No bigger'n a Pekinese.
SLUGHORN
Sweet. I once had a fish.
Francis. Lovely little thing.
One day I came downstairs and he'd
vanished. Poof.
HAGRID
Tha's odd.
SLUGHORN
Isn't it? That's life, I suppose.
One goes along and then... poof.
HAGRID
Poof.
HARRY
Poof.
They all nod soberly. Slughorn's eyes rise to the
ceiling.
SLUGHORN
That's never unicorn hair, Hagrid?
Hagrid looks up, reels a bit. Nods.
SLUGHORN
But my dear chap, do you know how
much that's worth?
(CONTINUED)
110.
114 CONTINUED: 114
HAGRID
No idea... no idea at all...
Thunk! Hagrid's great shaggy head hits the table.
Instantly, he is SNORING, so DEEPLY his MUG shimmies
across the table. Slughorn smiles, regards Harry, who
merely stares back. Slughorn averts his eyes. Suddenly
nervous. A WIND rises outside. Windowpanes rattle.
SLUGHORN
It was a student who gave me
Francis. One spring afternoon I
discovered a bowl upon my desk
with a few inches of clear water.
There was a flower petal floating
upon the surface. As I watched,
the petal sank, but just before it
touched bottom... it transformed.
Into a wee fish. It was beautiful
magic, wondrous to behold. The
petal had come from a lily.
Hearing "lily," Harry looks up. Slughorn nods.
SLUGHORN
Your mother. The day I came
downstairs, the day I found the
bowl empty... was the day she...
Slughorn falters, pain etching his face.
SLUGHORN
I know what you want. But I can't
give it to you. It will ruin
me...
Harry studies Slughorn a moment, thinking, then speaks.
HARRY
Do you know why I survived? The
night I got this.
Slughorn looks up, sees Harry pointing to his scar.
HARRY
Because of her. Because she
sacrificed herself. Because she
refused to step aside. Because
her love was more powerful than
Voldemort.
SLUGHORN
Please don't say his --
(CONTINUED)
111.
114 CONTINUED: (2) 114
HARRY
I'm not afraid of the name,
Professor. And I'm not afraid of
him. And you shouldn't be either.
She didn't just die for me that
night. She died for you too. She
died for everyone who's ever woken
in the middle of the night afraid
a Death Eater waited on their
doorstep.
Slughorn gazes into the guttering candle before him.
HARRY
Professor. I'm going to tell you
something, something others have
only guessed at. It's true. I am
the Chosen One.
Slughorn looks up. Harry nods.
HARRY
Only I can kill him. But in order
to do so, I need to know what Tom
Riddle asked you that night in
your office all those years ago.
And I need to know what you told
him.
Slughorn's eyes well with tears, his hands tremble.
HARRY
Be brave, Professor. Be brave
like my mother. Otherwise you
disgrace her. Otherwise she died
for nothing. Otherwise, the bowl
remains empty forever.
Slughorn shakes his head, staring into the candle.
Finally, slowly, he removes his wand.
SLUGHORN
Don't think too badly of me once
you've seen it. You don't know
what he was like... even then.
Slughorn fishes out a tiny vial -- the one with the WORM
-- but his hand is shaking so violently, Harry has to
take it. Slowly, Slughorn raises his wand, touches it to
his temple and withdraws a LONG, SILVER THREAD. Harry
extends the vial and... it drops within.
112.
115 INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - NIGHT 115
Dumbledore holds the vial in wonderment. The worm hangs
in eerie suspension.
DUMBLEDORE
How is he? Horace?
Harry shrugs. Dumbledore nods, then tips his hand. A
LONG strand hangs suspended like glass. A pearl forms...
and as it hangs... Harry's eyes shift, notice a DRAWING
on Dumbledore's desk, one of Tom Riddle's drawings seen
at the orphanage, of the CAVE and the distinct
OUTCROPPING. Then... the pearl drops.
116 FLASHBACK - INT. SLUGHORN'S OFFICE - NIGHT (YEARS PAST) 116
As before. The CRACKLING EMBERS of the FIRE. Slughorn,
a circle of six. Riddle commanding the room.
TOM RIDDLE
Sir, is it true that Professor
Merrythought is retiring?
Slughorn chuckles, wags a sugar-encrusted finger at
Riddle.
SLUGHORN
Now, Tom, I couldn't tell you if I
knew, could I? I must say, m'boy,
I'd like to know where you get
your information. More
knowledgable than half the staff,
you are.
(as the other boys
laugh)
By the way, thank you for the
pineapple -- you're quite right,
it is my favorite -- how is it you
knew?
TOM RIDDLE
Intuition.
SLUGHORN
(an uneasy chuckle)
Good gracious, is it that time
already? Off you go, boys, or
Professor Dippett will have us all
in detention. Lestrange, Avery,
don't forget your essays...
The others exit, when -- PING! -- Slughorn turns, eyes
the hourglass, finds Tom Riddle still there.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 113.
116 CONTINUED: 116
SLUGHORN
Look sharp, Tom. You don't want
to be caught out of bed after
hours...
TOM RIDDLE
I know a secret shortcut or two.
SLUGHORN
Yes, I imagine you do. Something
on your mind, Tom?
TOM RIDDLE
Yes, sir. I couldn't think of
anyone else to go to. The other
Professors, well, they're not like
you. They might... misunderstand.
SLUGHORN
Go on.
TOM RIDDLE
I was in the library the other
night, in the Restricted section,
and I read something rather odd,
about a bit of rare magic and I
thought perhaps you could
illuminate me. It's called, as I
understand it... a Horcrux.
Slughorn's weak smile evaporates altogether.
SLUGHORN
Excuse me?
TOM RIDDLE
Horcrux. I came across the term
while reading and I didn't fully
understand it.
SLUGHORN
I'm not sure what you were
reading, Tom, but that's very Dark
stuff, very Dark indeed.
TOM RIDDLE
Yes, sir. Which is why I came to
you. I mean no disrespect to the
rest of the staff, but I thought
if anyone could tell me... it
would be you.
Slughorn frowns, clearly disturbed, then speaks quietly.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 114.
116 CONTINUED: (2) 116
SLUGHORN
A Horcrux is an object in which a
person has concealed part of their
soul.
TOM RIDDLE
Yes, I thought it might be
something like that. But I don't
understand how that works, sir.
SLUGHORN
One splits one's soul and hides
part of it in an object. By doing
so, you are protected should you
be attacked and your body
destroyed.
TOM RIDDLE
Protected?
SLUGHORN
That part of your soul that was
hidden, lives on. In other words,
you cannot die.
Riddle nods and TURNS AWAY, staring at himself in the
MIRROR on the wall opposite. A hint of RED glints in his
eyes.
TOM RIDDLE
How does one split his soul, sir?
SLUGHORN
I think you can guess the answer
to that, Tom.
TOM RIDDLE
Murder.
SLUGHORN
Yes. Killing rips the soul apart.
It is a violation against nature.
After, one is never the same.
TOM RIDDLE
Out of curiosity, sir -- can you
only split your soul once? For
instance, isn't seven the most
powerfully magical number --
SLUGHORN
Seven! Merlin's beard, Tom!
Isn't it bad enough to think of
killing one person? To rip the
soul into seven pieces...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 115.
116 CONTINUED: (3) 116
SLUGHORN (CONT'D)
(stopping; worried)
This is all hypothetical, isn't
it, Tom? All academic...
TOM RIDDLE
Of course, sir. And I promise
I'll not speak of our
conversation. It'll be our little
secret...
Riddle reaches out then and pinches the FLAME of a
candle, killing it. As SMOKE RISES, we --
DISSOLVE INTO:
117 INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - SAME TIME - NIGHT (PRESENT) 117
... the surface of the Pensieve, where Riddle quivers.
We RACK FOCUS and Dumbledore's troubled face bleeds
through Riddle's.
HARRY
Sir --
Dumbledore holds up his withered hand, silencing him,
turns away. Harry studies him, waiting, the hush
palpable.
DUMBLEDORE
(haunted)
This is beyond anything I
imagined. In my life I have seen
things that are unimaginably
horrific. I know now... you will
see worse.
Dumbledore looks off, his eyes distant. Harry watches
him intently, as do the HEADMASTERS in their frames
above. Finally, tentatively, Harry speaks.
HARRY
Do you mean to say he succeeded,
sir? In making a Horcrux?
DUMBLEDORE
Oh he succeeded. And not just
once. Think, Harry. He's just
told us.
HARRY
Seven. He made seven -- the most
powerfully magical number. But...
what are they exactly?
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 116.
117 CONTINUED: 117
DUMBLEDORE
They can be anything. The most
commonplace of objects. A ring,
for example. Or a book...
Dumbledore slides open a drawer, removes the RING and Tom
Riddle's battered DIARY.
HARRY
Tom Riddle's diary --
DUMBLEDORE
It's a Horcrux, yes. Four years
ago, when you saved Ginny
Weasley's life in the Chamber of
Secrets, when you brought me
this --
(holding up the
diary)
I knew. This was a different kind
of magic. Very dark. Very
powerful. But until tonight, I
had no idea just how powerful...
HARRY
And the ring...?
DUMBLEDORE
Belonged to Voldemort's mother.
It was difficult to find and...
(raising his damaged
hand)
... even more difficult to
destroy.
HARRY
But if you could find them all.
If you did destroy each Horcrux...
DUMBLEDORE
One destroys Voldemort.
Harry begins to reach out for the ring...
HARRY
But how would you find them? They
could be hidden anywhere, couldn't
they...
DUMBLEDORE
True. But magic, especially Dark
magic...
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 117.
117 CONTINUED: (2) 117
Just then, as the flash of Harry's fingers make contact
with the ring, IMAGES FLASH by in DIZZYING succession:
VOLDEMORT'S FACE, twisted in pain. A DERELICT HOUSE,
deep in a haunted clearing. An ANCIENT CUP, gleaming as
it tumbles from an old woman's hand. A SNAKE (NAGINI)
slithering through damp grass. Dumbledore slipping the
ring onto his finger, recoiling as his skin decays...
DUMBLEDORE
... leaves traces.
Harry's clenched hand SPASMS, RELEASES. The ring
skitters across Dumbledore's desk and Harry brings a hand
to his chest, a look of bewilderment on his face.
Dumbledore watches the ring spin down, then glances at
Harry and slowly extends his own hand, lightly touching
the center of Harry's chest with the tips of ashen
fingers, as if reading braille, as if he can somehow
"see" into Harry's heart. Trepidation -- and recognition
-- flicker over his face.
HARRY
It's where you've been going,
isn't it, sir? When you leave the
school.
Harry's eyes drift once again to the postcard on the
desk. Dumbledore withdraws his hand, nodding, still
studying Harry oddly, his voice, when it comes, distant.
DUMBLEDORE
Yes. And I think... perhaps... I
may have found another. But this
time I cannot hope to destroy it
alone.
Harry peers into Dumbledore's eyes. Dumbledore nods.
DUMBLEDORE
Once again, I shall ask too much
of you.
118 INT./EXT. GARGOYLE CORRIDOR - LATE DAY 118
Harry stands at a window, looking out. He brings his
fingers to his chest again when... Hermione comes up
behind him.
HERMIONE
Harry. It's time.
118.
119 INT./EXT. COURTYARD - LATE DAY (MOMENTS LATER) 119
Harry, Hermione and Ron walk.
HARRY
Hermione, is the Room of
Requirement unplottable?
HERMIONE
If one wants it to be. Why?
HARRY
It would explain why I thought
Malfoy was leaving the castle when
he disappeared off the Map.
HARRY
He was going to the Room of
Requirement.
HERMIONE
Of course, and that explains the
Vanishing Cabinet as well!
RON
No. I got an owl from Dad this
morning. The one at Borgin &
Burke's? It's still there.
HARRY
But I'm telling you. I saw it --
Just then, the twins appear, pass. Harry watches them, a
thought forming.
HARRY
What if there are two? Vanishing
cabinets.
HERMIONE
What if there are?
HARRY
I don't know...
Harry watches the twins vanish around a corner.
RON
Good luck, mate.
Harry turns back to Ron and Hermione, neither able to
fully conceal heir concern. He smiles reassuringly,
continues on.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 119.
119 CONTINUED: 119
HARRY
I don't need luck. I'll be with
Dumbledore.
120 EXT. ASTRONOMY TOWER - DYING LIGHT (LATER) 120
As Harry trots up the spiraling exterior stairs, he hears
VOICES coming from the topmost level and pauses, peering
up through the grid-like floor above: Dumbledore and
Snape.
SNAPE
Have you ever considered that you
ask too much? That you take too
much for granted? Has it ever
crossed your brilliant mind that I
don't want to do this anymore?
DUMBLEDORE
Whether it has or hasn't is
irrelevant. I will not negotiate
this with you, Severus. You
agreed. There's nothing more to
discuss.
Harry stands poised, peering upward, where Dumbledore
squints toward the dying sun and Snape glares at his
back. Finally, Snape turns away and -- before Harry can
react -- is descending the stairs. Seeing Harry, Snape
falters briefly, then continues on without a word. As
his FOOTSTEPS fade, Harry ascends to the upper tier.
Dumbledore turns. Smiles.
DUMBLEDORE
Harry. You need a shave, my
friend.
Harry runs his hand over his face.
DUMBLEDORE
At times I forget how much you've
grown. At times I still see the
small boy from the cupboard.
(smiling)
Forgive my mawkishness, Harry. I
am an old man.
HARRY
You look the same to me, sir.
DUMBLEDORE
Like your mother, you are
unfailingly kind.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
120.
120 CONTINUED: 120
DUMBLEDORE (CONT'D)
A trait people never fail to
undervalue. I'm afraid.
Dumbledore turns then, eyes the fiery sky again.
DUMBLEDORE
The place to which we journey
tonight is exceedingly dangerous,
Harry. I promised that you could
accompany me and I stand by that
promise. But there is a
condition: You must obey any
command I give you -- without
question.
HARRY
Yes, sir.
DUMBLEDORE
Understand what I'm saying.
Should I tell you to hide, you
must hide.
Harry nods.
DUMBLEDORE
Should I tell you to run, you will
run.
Harry nods.
DUMBLEDORE
And should I tell you to abandon
me and save yourself...
Harry's eyes rise, meet Dumbledore's.
DUMBLEDORE
You will do so.
Harry hesitates.
DUMBLEDORE
Your word, Harry.
Harry debates this internally, then, finally, nods.
HARRY
My word.
DUMBLEDORE
Take my arm.
(CONTINUED)
120A.
120 CONTINUED: (2) 120
HARRY
Sir, I thought one couldn't
Apparate within Hogwarts.
DUMBLEDORE
Being me has its privileges.
The WIND GUSTS and Harry reaches out. Dumbledore's CLOAK
BILLOWS and we are TOSSED INTO...
121 EXT. OCEAN - DUSK (MOMENTS LATER) 121
BLACK. Undulating. The sound of WAVES. We EASE UP, out
of the ocean. A GIANT WAVE crashes over a jagged
outcropping. As the SPRAY clears... Dumbledore and Harry
are revealed. Dumbledore eyes the TOWERING CLIFF FACE
opposite, the CAVE.
HARRY
It's there, isn't it?
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 121.
122 EXT. CAVE - SAME TIME - DUSK 122
Harry and Dumbledore materialize. It is quiet here,
eerily so, the waves merely distant thunder. As Harry
glances about, Dumbledore moves to an archway, passes
beyond. Harry follows, finds Dumbledore standing below a
towering dome of rock, probing its mysteries with the
light from his wand.
DUMBLEDORE
This is the place. Oh yes, this
place has known magic.
(closing his eyes)
Where you stand, Harry, Tom Riddle
once stood many, many years ago,
when he was but a poor orphan boy
with a penchant for cruelty...
Dumbledore's wand stops briefly in its arc and his face
registers pain, as if detecting some past unpleasantry.
He begins to TRACE HIS FINGERS over the surface of the
rock.
DUMBLEDORE
One wintry afternoon, he lured two
younger classmates to this cave.
What happened is unclear. But
this much is known: the children
were damaged.
Dumbledore begins to MURMUR in a STRANGE WHISPER as his
fingers play over the rock... then stop. His eyes open.
He takes a dagger from his robes and draws the blade
across his forearm, speckling the rock face with scarlet
beads.
HARRY
Sir!
The rock face SIZZLES like acid and begins to crumble,
forming a narrow opening.
DUMBLEDORE
In order to gain passage, payment
must be made, payment intended to
weaken any intruder.
HARRY
You should've let me, sir.
DUMBLEDORE
Oh, no, Harry. Your blood is much
more precious than mine.
122.
123 EXT. ARCHWAY/UNDERGROUND LAKE - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 123
Dumbledore and Harry emerge onto the rim of a VAST LAKE
teeming with MIST. A chill hangs in the air.
DUMBLEDORE
Careful. The water.
Harry peers into the lake. It is black as ink.
NEW ANGLE - MOMENTS LATER
Harry follows Dumbledore around the rim of the lake. In
the center, a GREENISH GLOW shimmers in the mist.
DUMBLEDORE
It's there. The only question is
how do we get to it?
HARRY
We couldn't, perhaps, just try a
Summoning Charm, sir?
Dumbledore smiles, motions: Be my guest. Harry lifts
his wand.
HARRY
Accio Horcrux!
There is an EXPLOSION and something PALE erupts out of
the water. Harry nearly sheds his skin. Dumbledore
calmly watches it VANISH beneath the surface.
DUMBLEDORE
Perhaps not.
NEW ANGLE - MOMENTS LATER
Dumbledore leads Harry on. Stops. Takes a step back.
He CLOSES HIS EYES and to Harry's horror walks right to
the lake's edge. As the dark water laps over the toes of
his shoes, Dumbledore PASSES HIS HAND slowly through the
air, then closes it... as if gripping something
invisible. Taking his wand, he gives his CLENCHED FIST a
TAP and a thick coppery-green CHAIN appears out of thin
air, extending from the water to Dumbledore's hand.
DUMBLEDORE
If you would, Harry...
Quickly Harry grasps the end of the chain and together he
and Dumbledore pull, end over end, until the PROW of a
SMALL BOAT pierces the surface, green with algae.
(CONTINUED)
123.
123 CONTINUED: 123
NEW ANGLE - MOMENTS LATER
In eerie silence, the boat cleaves the water, ferrying
Harry and Dumbledore toward the GREENISH GLOW.
HARRY
Sir... have you ever taken Felix
Felicis?
DUMBLEDORE
Only recreationally. You see, I
believe one creates one's own
luck.
Harry looks down into the water, watches a FACE skim by
beneath the surface.
HARRY
Professor... there are bodies in
this lake.
DUMBLEDORE
Yes.
NEW ANGLE (SMALL ISLAND) - MOMENTS LATER
Here the GREENISH GLOW is ferocious. As the boat
arrives, Dumbledore steps out.
DUMBLEDORE
Remember... the water.
Harry nods, steps out carefully and joins Dumbledore at
the source of the GLOW -- a BASIN filled with a
PHOSPHORESCENT LIQUID. Dumbledore extends the tips of
his blackened fingers toward the basin, but cannot touch
the liquid.
HARRY
Do you think the Horcrux is in
there, sir?
DUMBLEDORE
Oh yes.
Dumbledore steps back, ponders the basin. Notes the
CRYSTAL GOBLET sitting beside it. Smiles ruefully.
DUMBLEDORE
It has to be drunk.
(as Harry reacts)
You remember the condition on
which I brought you with me?
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 124.
123 CONTINUED: (2) 123
Harry starts to respond. Stops. Nods.
DUMBLEDORE
This potion might paralyze me. It
might cause me to forget why I'm
here. It might create so much
pain I beg for relief. You are
not to indulge these requests,
Harry. It is your job to make
sure I keep drinking this potion
even if you have to force it down
my throat. Understood?
HARRY
Why can't I drink it, sir?
DUMBLEDORE
Because I am much older, much
cleverer... and much less
valuable.
(taking the goblet)
Your good health, Harry.
Dumbledore dips the goblet into the gleaming liquid and
brings it to his lips. Drinks deep. Closes his eyes.
HARRY
Professor?
Dumbledore shakes his head, silencing Harry, then dips
the goblet once more. Twice more he drinks. His hand
TREMBLES and he grips the side of the basin.
HARRY
Professor? Can you hear me?
Dumbledore says nothing. The corners of his eyes TWITCH.
His hand TREMBLES, savagely this time, and he nearly
drops the goblet. Harry reaches out, steadies his hand.
DUMBLEDORE
Don't... don't make me...
Harry eyes Dumbledore's anguished face, steels himself.
HARRY
You... you can't stop, Professor.
You've got to keep drinking. Like
you said. Remember.
DUMBLEDORE
Nooooooo!!!
(CONTINUED)
125.
123 CONTINUED: (3) 123
Harry staggers back, so primal is Dumbledore's plea.
Dumbledore's arm goes slack, the goblet clanging dully
against the side of the basin. Harry takes a breath,
steps forward, places his hand over Dumbledore's, lifts
the cup.
DUMBLEDORE
Make it stop... Please... make it
stop...
HARRY
It will, sir. It'll stop. But
only if you drink...
Harry, his own hand TREMBLING now, tips the goblet over
Dumbledore's lips.
DUMBLEDORE
My fault. It's all my fault...
Harry brings the goblet up once more. Dumbledore drinks.
DUMBLEDORE
Too much... I can't... take it...
I want... to die... kill... kill
me... KILL ME, HARRY!
HARRY
What?
DUMBLEDORE
Your word, Harry! Your word!
HARRY
No...
DUMBLEDORE
KILL ME! IT'S THE ONLY WAY!
Harry stands paralyzed, unsure what to do. Then...
Dumbledore collapses, rolls onto his back. Harry pelts
forward, dips the goblet into the basin and kneels by
Dumbledore.
HARRY
One more. Just one more. And
then -- I promise... I'll do what
you say.
Dumbledore, jaw clinched shut, eyes Harry.
HARRY
I promise.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 126.
123 CONTINUED: (4) 123
Dumbledore's jaw relaxes and Harry pries open his mouth,
tips the liquid down his throat. Pain ripples through
Dumbledore's face. He tries to speak, Harry eyeing him
with trepidation, fearful of what he will request. Again
and again Dumbledore struggles and then... his eyes...
open. Find Harry.
DUMBLEDORE
Water.
A shudder of relief goes through Harry. Grinning, he
leaps to the basin. A GOLDEN LOCKET now lies at the
bottom. Harry snatches it up.
DUMBLEDORE
Water...
HARRY
Aguamenti.
Instantly COLD CLEAR WATER rises in the basin.
HARRY
You did it, sir. Look --
Harry frowns. The goblet is empty.
DUMBLEDORE
Water!
Harry dips the goblet into the basin yet again, brings it
to Dumbledore's lips... but once again finds it empty.
Dumbledore tries to speak, but his lips are CRACKING, his
tongue like SAND. He GULPS DRILY for air.
HARRY
I'm trying, sir. I'm --
Harry stops. All is silent... except for the SOFT
LAPPING of the lake. He considers the GHOSTLY SHAPES
gliding just below the surface. Deciding, he dips the
goblet into the dark water. Instantly, the lake begins
to CHURN. Harry backs away, the goblet sloshing in his
hand. FACES, pale and haunted, quiver in the roiling
water.
Harry tips the water into Dumbledore's mouth. Dumbledore
blinks. His tongue probes his lower lip. Harry returns
to the water's edge, hesitates, then plunges the goblet
into water once more. Instantly, a SLIMY WHITE HAND
snags his wrist and Harry is pulled under. The goblet
bobs on the surface.
(CONTINUED)
127.
123 CONTINUED: (5) 123
NEW ANGLE - UNDERWATER
Utterly silent. Harry twists madly as HANDS reach for
him, turning him this way and that. HAUNTED FACES float
by.
NEW ANGLE - THE SURFACE
Harry breaks the surface, GASPING for air, blinking,
catching a glimpse of Dumbledore slumped against the
basin as he is...
NEW ANGLE - UNDERWATER
... pulled underwater once again, into the eerie SILENCE
of flailing arms. He shakes free again and again, but
there are too many hands, too many haunted faces. We
STAY UNDER a very long time, feel his lungs burning. His
eyes lose their focus, turning blank. Bubbles trail out
of his mouth as his face goes slack. He sinks deeper, in
free fall, takes one last look at the SHIMMERING SURFACE
ABOVE, the last thing he will see... when a SHADOW
SHIVERS briefly and...
... the SURFACE SIZZLES with RED LIGHT, like blood, then
becomes TRANSPARENT, revealing DUMBLEDORE, wand pointed
directly at the water.
NEW ANGLE - THE SURFACE
Harry breaks the surface, SPITTING UP WATER, GASPING FOR
AIR. Dumbledore staggers, slumps once more against the
basin, weakened by his effort. Harry scrambles up,
steadies him and the lake EXPLODES WITH FIRE. Harry
wheels, watches the bodies in the lake twist in pain.
DUMBLEDORE
Go...
Harry turns, confused. Dumbledore's hand finds his face.
DUMBLEDORE
We have to... go.
Harry glances to the boat. Flames lick the prow,
darkening the wood, but do not destroy it. He nods.
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 128.
124 EXT. CAVE - ENTRANCE 124
Harry and Dumbledore emerge from the cave. Dumbledore,
pale and weak, scans the stars wearily, leans heavily on
Harry.
HARRY
Don't worry, sir. We're nearly
there.
DUMBLEDORE
I am not worried, Harry. I am
with you.
A CHOIR IN FULL VOICE RISES ON THE AIR and we --
CUT TO:
125 INT. GREAT HALL - SAME TIME - NIGHT 125
We HOLD ON the Gothic glass of the main window. Ambient
light, ominous and cool, plays across its shimmering
surface. Flitwick, arms flowing gracefully, conducts a
group of FIFTH YEARS, looks up toward the window, eyes
the pulsating light.
126 EXT. COURTYARD - SAME TIME - NIGHT 126
McGonagall stands in the courtyard as the CHOIR DRIFTS
FAINTLY on the night air. She glances up to the sky, a
curious expression on her face, then spies a pair of
First Years straggling across the courtyard.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
To your Houses. No dawdling.
As they scuttle off, McGonagall looks back to the sky. A
VORTEX of CLOUDS swirls eerily in on itself. We PULL
BACK...
127 INT. CASTLE - WINDOW - SAME TIME - NIGHT 127
... out of a window, its glass prickling with ambient
light, and find Snape standing silently, staring at the
gathering storm, his expression inscrutable. The choir a
murmur.
129.
128 INT. COMMON ROOM - SAME TIME - NIGHT 128
Darker than usual. The fire muted. Ron and Hermione sit
together. Silent. Glance toward the window, the sky
beyond.
129 INT. HOSPITAL WING - SAME TIME - NIGHT 129
Draco's face, skin glimmering with the light crawling
across the ceiling above him. He stares, unblinking,
swings out of the bed. Bare feet -- Draco's -- drop to
the tiles.
130 INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 130
The choir echoes eerily. SIXTH YEARS, little more than
SHADOWS, hang out, giggling in dark corners. Malfoy
glides by in his bare feet. Unnoticed. A ghost.
131 INT. ROOM OF REQUIREMENT - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 131
Dense with shadow. Strange slashes of light. Malfoy, a
shadow within shadows, pulls the tapestry from the
Vanishing Cabinet, steps back...
He stares at the monolith before him, lifts his wand and
begins to CHANT eerily. The surface of the cabinet
glimmers, atremble in the ambient light. Almost alive.
Then he stops. Looking back, his eyes haunted, he slips
away.
Light plays within the cabinet. Movement. Shadows
flicker within, coalesce. We ease up, reveal...
Bellatrix. Greyback. And a few friends. Bellatrix
steps into the light. Glances around. Grins.
132 EXT. ASTRONOMY TOWER - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 132
Harry and Dumbledore materialize on the rooftop.
Dumbledore glances above, notes the clouds.
HARRY
We need to get you up to the
hospital, sir, to Madam Pomfrey --
DUMBLEDORE
No. Severus... Severus is who I
need... Go and wake him... Tell
him what has happened...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 130.
132 CONTINUED: 132
DUMBLEDORE (CONT'D)
Speak to no one else... I... I
shall wait here...
HARRY
All right. Okay.
Harry gently disengages from Dumbledore, leaves him
leaning against the ramparts. He dashes to the stairwell
door and, glancing back, sees Dumbledore MUTTERING
WEARILY as he GESTICULATES with his blackened hand.
HARRY
Sir, are you... praying?
DUMBLEDORE
(smiling faintly)
No, Harry. I do not pray. I was
merely closing a window -- the one
that had allowed us to Apparate.
Harry nods, begins to open the door, when FOOTSTEPS
sound. Draws his wand. Dumbledore cocks his head,
listening. Wincing, he straightens up, as if to mask his
infirmity.
DUMBLEDORE
Hide yourself below. And do not
speak or show yourself without my
permission. No matter what.
Harry looks down, through the LATTICEWORK at his feet, to
the tier below. The FOOTSTEPS DRAW CLOSER.
DUMBLEDORE
Do as I say, Harry.
Harry hesitates. Dumbledore's eyes blaze...
DUMBLEDORE
Trust me.
Harry meets Dumbledore's eyes, then pockets his wand and
slips down the stairs. As he reaches the level below,
the DOOR above FLIES OPEN. Harry peers up through the
grid, watches Malfoy come INTO VIEW.
DUMBLEDORE
Good evening, Draco. What brings
you out on such a fine Spring
evening? Or is it Summer?
Draco stands poised, wand in hand, eyes darting about.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 131.
132 CONTINUED: (2) 132
MALFOY
Who else is here? I heard you
talking.
DUMBLEDORE
I often talk aloud to myself. I
find it extraordinarily useful.
That which sounds sane at a
whisper can seem utterly mad when
said for all the world to hear.
Haven't been whispering to
yourself, have you, Draco?
Draco eyes Dumbledore with unease.
DUMBLEDORE
You are not an assassin, Draco.
MALFOY
How do you know what I am? I've
done things that would shock you.
DUMBLEDORE
Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping
she would, in turn, bear a cursed
necklace to me? Like replacing a
bottle of mead with one laced with
poison. Forgive me, Draco, but
these are attempts so feeble I
cannot help but question if your
heart has been really in them.
I'm curious. When Voldemort gave
you this task, when he asked you
to kill me, was it in a whisper?
MALFOY
He trusts me! I was chosen!
Malfoy thrusts out his arm, pulls back his sleeve and
reveals the DARK MARK. Dumbledore barely looks at it.
DUMBLEDORE
Then I shall make it easy for you.
Slowly and without intent, Dumbledore draws his wand.
Instantly Malfoy raises his own.
MALFOY
Expelliarumus!
Harry watches in horror as Dumbledore's wand flies free,
clattering across the grid above. Malfoy watches it roll
to a stop, a curious mixture of fear and awe at his own
actions. Dumbledore eyes the wand, then Draco.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 131A.
132 CONTINUED: (3) 132
DUMBLEDORE
Well done, Draco. But I warn you.
Killing is not nearly as easy.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 132.
132 CONTINUED: (4) 132
Malfoy looks into Dumbledore's eyes, then to the sky, at
the gathering clouds, twisting darkly, then glances to
the stairwell. Dumbledore notices.
DUMBLEDORE
You're not alone. Are you. There
are others. How?
A sneering smile plays over Malfoy's lips.
MALFOY
The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room
of Requirement.
DUMBLEDORE
That cabinet has been broken for
years.
MALFOY
I've been mending it.
DUMBLEDORE
Ingenious. Let me guess. It has
a sister. A twin.
MALFOY
In Borgin & Burkes. They form --
DUMBLEDORE
A passage, yes. Very good.
(eyes shifting)
I once knew a boy years ago who
made all the wrong choices. Let
me help you, Draco.
MALFOY
I don't want your help! Don't you
see! I have to do it! I have to!
(in a whisper)
I've got to kill you or he'll kill
me.
DUMBLEDORE
Say that again, Draco. But aloud
this time.
Draco looks deep into Dumbledore's eyes. His hand
trembles. Transfixed, Harry watches from the shadows.
Slowly, Malfoy begins to LOWER HIS WAND... when FOOTSTEPS
ECHO. The DOOR FLIES OPEN: Bellatrix, Greyback and the
others.
BELLATRIX
Well now, look what we have here.
Dumbledore. Wandless and alone.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 133.
132 CONTINUED: (5) 132
BELLATRIX (CONT'D)
Cornered in his own castle. Well
done, Draco.
Harry peers up, eyes flashing angrily at the sound of
Bellatrix's voice. He draws his wand slowly.
DUMBLEDORE
Good evening, Bellatrix. I think
introductions are in order.
BELLATRIX
Love to, Albus. But I'm afraid
we're on a bit of a tight
schedule.
(to Malfoy)
Do it.
Malfoy's wand rises once again. Harry raises his own,
aiming through the grid, poised. Just then, a SHADOW
splinters through the columns to his right. He looks,
finds Snape, quiet as a ghost, peering upward.
Carefully, Snape draws his wand, then turns to Harry, a
finger to his lips: Shhh. Then he is drifting upward.
Silent. A ghost again.
GREYBACK
He doesn't have the stomach. Like
his father. Let me finish him.
In my own way.
BELLATRIX
No! The Dark Lord was clear. The
boy's to do it. Go on, Draco.
Now!
Once again Draco raises his wand, his hand trembling.
Harry's own arm is stiff, sure. The vein in his hand
pulsates...
SNAPE (O.S.)
No.
Harry watches Snape come INTO VIEW.
DUMBLEDORE
Severus...
BELLATRIX
Well, look who's here. Hogwarts
own Defense Against the Dark Arts
teacher. Come to see the
slaughter?
DUMBLEDORE
Severus... please.
(CONTINUED)
134.
132 CONTINUED: (6) 132
SNAPE
I gave my word. I made a vow...
Harry's eyes dart back and forth frantically, trying to
make sense of the scene playing out above. Snape's arm
rises.
SNAPE
Avada Kedavra!
A JET of GREEN LIGHT hits Dumbledore squarely in the
chest. For a second he hangs, suspended upon the
ramparts, and then... the night swallows him.
HARRY SCREAMS in RAGE. Bellatrix raises her wand to the
sky and a DEAFENING BLAST shakes the castle, masking
Harry's cry. The CLOUDS EXPLODE with GRIM LIGHT,
mutating into a SKULL. As the Death Eaters flee, Snape's
arm drops limply to his side.
SNAPE
You can no longer stay here.
Draco, stunned, stares at the empty place where
Dumbledore stood only seconds before. Snape takes him by
the scruff of the neck, forces him through the door, then
follows.
Harry scrambles up the stairs and lurches to the
ramparts, BATHED IN THE GREEN LIGHT from above. He peers
down. Agony wrecks Harry's face and he has to steady
himself. He looks up into the leering skull above. Rage
fills his eyes.
132A EXT. ASTRONOMY TOWER - SAME TIME - NIGHT 132A
Snape leads Malfoy and Bellatrix down the spiraling
staircase.
132B INT. SLUGHORN'S CORRIDOR - NIGHT 132B
Snape leads on, his face a mask as he rounds a corner.
STUDENTS in pajamas and robes peer at the emerald sky,
then turn, stare curiously at their teacher and his
companions. Snape sweeps past wordlessly. Draco averts
his eyes. Bellatrix leers at a TINY FIRST YEAR, leans
close:
BELLATRIX
Boo.
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 134A.
132C INT. OUTSIDE GREAT HALL - NIGHT 132C
Hearing FOOTSTEPS, an AUROR turns, is BLASTED off his
feet as Snape and the others appear. Bellatrix lags,
then steps to the TOWERING DOORS of the Hall, peering
upward, past the FLOATING CANDLES to the vaulted ceiling,
solemn as a church. Raising her wand, she sends a FIERY
BOLT toward the GRAND WINDOW opposite. As it EXPLODES, a
BLAST of COLD AIR sweeps the room, EXTINGUISHING THE
CANDLES. Snape turns, looks back. Bellatrix simply
GRINS, a mad child.
132D INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME - NIGHT 132D
As Bellatrix's BLAST ECHOES, Ron and Hermione -- racing
side by side in their regular clothes -- glance at one
another, dash on.
132E EXT. CASTLE - SAME TIME - NIGHT 132E
Filch, on guard, looks up, watches SHARDS OF GLASS spill
from the window like jewels, standing transfixed as the
fragments lash his face, draw blood.
132F INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME - NIGHT 132F
Harry races on, glances out a window and sees Snape and
the others racing across a lower courtyard.
132G EXT. LOWER COURTYARD - SAME TIME - NIGHT 132G
Malfoy slows, glancing upward, watching the students come
to the windows and peer out at the emerald sky. They
look like ghosts in their nightclothes.
BELLATRIX
Draco! Draco!
(as he turns)
They'll kill you if you stay.
132H INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME - NIGHT 132H
Hermione and Ron push through the other students, who are
confused, crying. McGonagall appears, meets Ron and
Hermione's glance, continues on.
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 134B.
132I EXT. HAGRID'S HUT/GROUNDS - SAME TIME - NIGHT 132I
Quiet here. A VIEW TOWARD the castle. We HOLD. Slowly
FIGURES appear on the horizon. The Death Eaters.
Greyback. Bellatrix, Draco. And Snape.
133 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - NIGHT 133
Harry bursts through the entrance doors, wand in hand.
Before him, the grounds shimmer eerily in the GREEN GLOW.
He sees the FIGURES FLEEING towards Hagrid's Hut.
134 EXT. HAGRID'S HUT / GROUNDS - SAME TIME - NIGHT 134
Snape and the others race toward the edge of the grounds.
Suddenly, Snape pulls up, looks back. Sees Harry
sprinting toward him. Malfoy, looking edgy, is watching
Harry too.
SNAPE
Go on!
(CONTINUED)
135.
134 CONTINUED: 134
Just then a GIANT FIREBALL erupts into the sky. Snape
wheels, sees Bellatrix and the others silhouetted against
the flames. They've set Hagrid's Hut ablaze. Malfoy
stands paralyzed.
SNAPE
Go on!
NEW ANGLE - HARRY
Running. Harry bolts forth, wand in hand, vengeance in
his eyes. Up ahead, Snape stands stolidly, tall and
black against the raging fire. Harry points his wand,
fires a JET of RED LIGHT. Snape doesn't move, merely
lets it streak by his head. Harry stops, chest heaving,
and takes aim again.
HARRY
Cruciatus!
Snape raises his wand, parries the curse with ease.
HARRY
Incacerata!
Once again, Snape deflects the spell.
HARRY
Impedimenta!
Another lazy flick of the arm, another curse defeated.
Harry drops his arm in frustration.
HARRY
Fight! Fight back, you coward!
With staggering quickness, Snape's wand whips forth and
Harry is off his heels and crashing to the earth.
SNAPE
Don't ever associate that word and
my name again.
Harry raises himself up on one knee, points his wand
when... a JET of RED LIGHT sends him crashing back into
the grass. Snape wheels, sees Bellatrix standing behind.
SNAPE
No! He belongs to the Dark Lord!
Bellatrix eyes Snape levelly, then turns, trots off.
Snape glances at Harry, then turns away himself, walking.
Harry grimaces, pulls himself to his feet and aims one
last time.
(CONTINUED)
136.
134 CONTINUED: (2) 134
HARRY
Sectumsempra!
Bang! Snape wheels and once more sends Harry flying onto
his back. Harry stares at the stars as they wheel over
him, when Snape comes INTO VIEW.
SNAPE
You dare use my own spells against
me, Potter?
Harry goes still. His eyes shift, meet Snape's.
SNAPE
You may have gotten your mother's
eyes, but you're as dim as your
father. Yes. It's me. I'm the
Half-Blood Prince.
Snape kicks Harry's wand aside and turns away, joining
Malfoy and the others where they wait beyond the flaming
ruins of Hagrid's Hut. They head for the darkness of the
treeline. And VANISH. Harry pounds his fist into the
ground, then stops.
HARRY
Hagrid... HAGRID!
Harry races toward the hut when the DOOR flies off its
hinges. Seconds later, Hagrid stumbles out, beard
SMOKING.
HARRY
Hagrid! You alright?
HAGRID
Take more'n tha' ter finish me
off. Not sure about me `ouse,
tho'. But if anybody can put it
righ', Dumbledore can.
HARRY
Hagrid, Dumbledore --
HAGRID
Only thing I can't reckon is wha'
Snape was doin' with tha' lot.
Hagrid turns then, sees the HUGE THRONG of STUDENTS and
STAFF assembled outside the castle.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 137.
134 CONTINUED: (3) 134
HAGRID
An' wha's this wi' the Dark Mar'?
Who's been killed?
(stopping)
Where's Dumbledore, `arry?
Where's Dumbledore!!
Harry tries to speak, but he is mute. Hagrid goes still.
135 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - MIDDLE COURTYARD - NIGHT 135
Ron, Hermione and Ginny stand with the staff. They turn
and watch the throng of students part for Harry and
Hagrid.
Hagrid stops short, shattered by what he sees. Harry
pushes on, kneels. Dumbledore's eyes are closed, his
face peaceful. Harry straightens his half-moon
spectacles, wipes a trickle of blood from his mouth.
Runs the back of his hand, gently, over the weathered
cheek.
Then he notices something lying beside Dumbledore's ashen
hand: the locket. He takes it, considers it numbly.
Then begins to cry, great shudders of grief wracking his
body. Hermione gives Ginny a nudge and she steps
forward, drops beside him. At her touch, his head falls
on her shoulder and she begins to stroke him. Ron looks
on. Understands all.
McGonagall lifts a trembling wand to the sky and slowly
the TIP GLOWS to life. One after another, students and
staff do the same, lifting their wands in salute. As
CAMERA RISES, the pinpricks coalesce into one BLAZING
FIRE. The sky, briefly emerald, turns black once more.
The Dark Mark vanishes.
136 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - DAY 136
The castle sits silent. BLACK BANNERS fly on the
parapets.
136A EXT. BRIDGE - DAY 136A
Silent. Desolate.
137 INT. GREAT HALL - DAY 137
Dumbledore's chair -- empty. The House tables -- empty.
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 137A.
138 INT. CORRIDOR - DAY 138
A tapestry tosses lightly in the breeze. The PERCH in
the empty birdcage sways, SQUEAKING gently.
138.
139 INT. DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - DAY 139
Quiet. Still. Empty. Then:
The door eases OPEN and Harry enters. For a moment, he
simply stands staring. Taking inventory. Spying
something, he crosses to the great desk opposite. Looks
down.
Dumbledore's wand.
Reaching out, Harry takes it in hand. Old, oft-used and
bearing the impression of its owner's fingers, it is a
strangely beautiful object. Harry traces his thumb
lightly over the wood, transfixed, when...
... McGonagall enters.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Potter.
He doesn't respond, lost in the wand. McGonagall's eyes
drift to it, briefly, then study Harry's face. She
frowns, trying to call forth some words.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Potter, in light of what's
happened... should you feel the
need to talk to someone...
She falters. Harry gently sets the wand back upon the
desk, retraces his steps to the door, pauses for one last
look.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
You should know... Professor
Dumbledore...
Harry turns then, studying her drawn face, no words
necessary. At a loss, she finishes quietly:
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
You meant a great deal to him.
Harry's eyes rise. High upon the wall, the past
Headmasters snooze in their frames. The last looks
remarkably peaceful, the trace of a smile on his lips as
he sleeps.
Dumbledore.
Harry nods, lingering one last moment, and exits.
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 138A.
140 INT. TOWER DORMITORY - DAY 140
Harry stands at the window, alone in the empty dormitory.
At the doorway, he looks back. As if committing it to
memory.
141 INT. COMMON ROOM - DAY (MOMENTS LATER) 141
Harry starts down the stairs, stops. Hermione, Ron and
Ginny sit talking quietly. Ginny looks up. Smiles
softly.
142 EXT. ASTRONOMY TOWER - DAY 142
Harry and Hermione stand by the ramparts while Ron and
Ginny stand further along, just out of earshot. Harry
stares into the distance at the ashes of Hagrid's Hut.
Hermione toys with the locket before them.
HERMIONE
Do you think he would've done it.
Draco?
HARRY
No. He was lowering his wand. In
the end, it was Snape. It was
always Snape. And I did
nothing...
Hermione studies Harry, takes the locket from the
rampart.
HERMIONE
Strange. Thinking this is a piece
of Voldemort's soul...
HARRY
Yeah, strange. Only... it's not.
It's a fake.
As Hermione reacts, Harry nods.
HARRY
Go on. Open it.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 139.
142 CONTINUED: 142
Hermione pries open the locket and removes a piece of
PARCHMENT folded in a tight square. READS:
HERMIONE
`To the Dark Lord. I know I will
be dead long before you read this
but I want you 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. R.A.B.'
(looking up)
R.A.B.?
HARRY
Dunno. But whoever they are, they
have the real Horcrux. Which
means, it was a waste. All of it.
Hermione studies Harry's troubled face, then glances at
Ginny and Ron.
HERMIONE
Ron's okay with it, you know. You
and Ginny. But if I were you,
when he's around, I'd keep the
snogging to a minimum.
Hermione smiles faintly, trying to cheer him, but Harry
merely nods, looks away again.
HARRY
I'm not coming back, Hermione.
Hermione nods.
HERMIONE
We reckoned -- Ron and me.
HARRY
I have to finish what Dumbledore
started. I'm not sure where that
will lead me... but I'll let you
and Ron konw where I am -- when I
can. (ALT: I have to finish what
Dumbledore started. And... I have
to do it alone.)
HERMIONE
I've always admired your courage,
Harry, but sometimes... you're
really thick.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 140.
142 CONTINUED: (2) 142
Harry turns, looking at her in surprise.
HERMIONE
You don't honestly think you can
find all those Horcruxes by
yourself, do you?
(leaning in; a
whisper)
You need us, Harry.
Harry just stares at her. She cocks her head, smiling,
doing her best to coax one out of him. Finally, he does,
briefly.
HARRY
Yeah. I do. But do me a favor.
When I'm around? Keep the
snogging to a minimum.
Hermione looks stunned. Reddens.
HERMIONE
Like that's going to happen.
She glances at Ron, shakes her head.
HERMIONE
Besides, he's barking.
HARRY
Funny, he says the same about you.
HERMIONE
Yes, but I'm exceptionally
perceptive.
HARRY
You're brilliant. You both are.
Harry looks off again and Hermione follows his gaze. She
looks out over the grounds. Slowly losing herself. We
can tell. She's taking inventory. Pressing it into a
scrapbook.
HERMIONE
Do you think we'll ever... (come
back?)
She stops. Her eyes glisten briefly. Then she fights it
back. Tough. Harry fights back his own emotion, reaches
over and gives her hand a brief squeeze. Then releases
her.
(CONTINUED)
HARRY POTTER... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Rev. 11/6/07 141.
142 CONTINUED: (3) 142
HARRY
I don't know.
Hermione nods and Harry's eyes shift, consider Ron and
Ginny. As if sensing his gaze, Ron turns and they
exchange a look, something unspoken but true passing
between them.
Just then a SONG rises on the air, mournful and haunting,
and seconds later a BIRD soars out from beyond the
tallest turret and begins to stitch its way across the
sky.
Ron and Ginny cross to Harry and Hermione, lean against
the rampart. All look to the horizon, watching the bird
grow smaller while its song -- magically -- endures.
No one says a word.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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