Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

PROFESSOR McGONAGALL: Dumbledore is dead, Harry. And I’ve told you before, portraits don’t
represent even half of their subjects.
HARRY: He said love had blinded me.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL: A head teacher’s portrait is a memoir. It is supposed to be a support
mechanism for the decisions I have to make. But I was advised as I took this job to not
mistake the painting for the person. And you would be well advised to do the same.
HARRY: But he was right. I see it now.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL: Harry, you’ve been put under enormous pressure, the loss of Albus, the
search for him, the fears as to what your scar might mean. But trust me when I tell you, you
are making a mistake.
HARRY: Albus didn’t like me before. He might not like me again. But he will be safe. With the
greatest respect, Minerva — you don’t have children —
GINNY: Harry!
HARRY: — you don’t understand.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL (deeply hurt): I’d hope that a lifetime spent in the teaching profession
would mean . . .
HARRY: This map will reveal to you where my son is at all times — I expect you to use it. And if
I hear you don’t — then I will come down on this school as hard as I can — using the full
force of the Ministry — is that understood?
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL (bewildered by this vitriol): Perfectly.
GINNY looks at HARRY, unsure of what he’s become. He doesn’t look back.