Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

here, both are failing.
HARRY: You know, I thought I’d lost him — Voldemort — I thought I’d lost him — and then my
scar started hurting again and I had dreams of him and I could even speak Parseltongue again
and I started to feel like I’d not changed at all — that he’d never let me go —
ALBUS: And had he?
HARRY: The part of me that was Voldemort died a long time ago, but it wasn’t enough to be
physically rid of him — I had to be mentally rid of him. And that — is a lot to learn for a
forty-year-old man.
He looks at ALBUS.
That thing I said to you — it was unforgivable, and I can’t ask you to forget it but I can hope
we move past it. I’m going to try to be a better dad for you, Albus. I am going to try and—be
honest with you and . . .
ALBUS: Dad, you don’t need to —
HARRY: You told me you don’t think I’m scared of anything, and that — I mean, I’m scared of
everything. I mean, I’m afraid of the dark, did you know that?
ALBUS: Harry Potter is afraid of the dark?
HARRY: I don’t like small spaces and — I’ve never told anyone this, but I don’t much like — (he
hesitates before saying it) pigeons.
ALBUS: You don’t like pigeons?
HARRY (he scrunches up his face): Nasty, pecky, dirty things. They give me the creeps.
ALBUS: But pigeons are harmless!
HARRY: I know. But the thing that scares me most, Albus Severus Potter, is being a dad to you.
Because I’m operating without wires here. Most people at least have a dad to base themselves
on — and either try to be or try not to be. I’ve got nothing — or very little. So I’m learning,
okay? And I’m going to try with everything I’ve got — to be a good dad for you.
ALBUS: And I’ll try and be a better son. I know I’m not James, Dad, I’ll never be like you two —
HARRY: James is nothing like me.
ALBUS: Isn’t he?
HARRY: Everything comes easy for James. My childhood was a constant struggle.
ALBUS: So was mine. So you’re saying — am I — like you?