HARRY POTTER
AND THE
PRISONER OF AZKABAN
by
Steve Kloves
Based on the book by
J.K. Rowling
FULL TAN DRAFT
February 24, 2003
FADE IN:
1 EXT. NUMBER FOUR PRIVET DRIVE - MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT 1
The street slumbers, adrift in shadow. Then... a curious
BEAM OF LIGHT BOBS beyond the second-story window of
Number Four.
2 INT. HARRY'S ROOM - SAME TIME - MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT 2
A tent of blankets. Within... the SHADOW of a BOY. A
WHISPER:
HARRY
Lumos Maxima...
The tent BLOOMS SOFTLY with light -- briefly illuminating
a bedside PHOTOGRAPH (of James & Lily Potter) -- then
goes dark.
HARRY
Lumos Maxima...
The blankets bloom once again when, down the hall, a
TOILET FLUSHES. Instantly, the SHADOW stiffens, the
blankets DIM, and the tent flattens. Just as...
... the bedroom door OPENS, revealing... UNCLE VERNON.
He peers inside, eyes flashing suspiciously, then...
withdraws.
The tent rises.
HARRY
Lumos Maxima...
As the blankets blaze, we CUT INSIDE, find a SKINNY BOY
with a crow's nest of black hair, thick glasses sitting
crookedly atop his nose: HARRY POTTER. Open before him
is Violeta Stitch's Extreme Incantations. Once again, he
speaks:
HARRY
Lumos... MAXIMA!
2A EXT. NUMBER FOUR PRIVET DRIVE - SAME TIME - NIGHT 2A
A BLINDING BLAST OF LIGHT FLASHES from the second story
window of Number Four. DOGS BARK. And a TITLE CARD
appears:
HARRY POTTER
and the
Prisoner of Azkaban
3.
2B INT. HARRY'S ROOM - SAME TIME - NIGHT 2B
The light in the hallway SNAPS on, Harry's tent droops
once more and, seconds later, Harry's door eases open.
Uncle Vernon peers in and switches on the light. The
room is utterly SILENT. Slowly, he closes the door.
3 OMITTED 3
thru thru
5 5
6 INT. FOUR PRIVET DRIVE - STAIRWAY/FRONT HALL - DAY 6
The DOORBELL CHIMES and a shrill VOICE THUNDERS:
AUNT PETUNIA (O.S.)
Harry!
Harry!
Harry bounds down the stairs and into the front hall,
where his AUNT PETUNIA and cousin DUDLEY stand stiffly.
Petunia flicks a bit of fluff from Dudley's sweater,
glowers crossly at Harry, and jerks her head toward the
door.
AUNT PETUNIA
Well, go on. Open it.
Harry reaches for the knob when -- BLAM! -- it BURSTS
OPEN, revealing a LARGE, WADDLING WOMAN (AUNT MARGE) and
a LARGE WADDLING BULLDOG (RIPPER). Uncle Vernon lurches
forward out of the teeming RAIN, an ENORMOUS SUITCASE in
hand, and drops it on Harry.
AUNT PETUNIA
Marge! Welcome! How was the
train?
AUNT MARGE
Wretched. Ripper got sick.
AUNT PETUNIA
Ah. How... unfortunate.
AUNT MARGE
I would've left him with the
others, but he pines so when I'm
away. Don't you, darling?
Aunt Marge puckers her lips at Ripper and leads him down
the hallway. Harry follows with Uncle Vernon.
(CONTINUED)
4.
6 CONTINUED: 6
HARRY
Uncle Vernon. I need you to sign
this form.
UNCLE VERNON
What is it?
HARRY
Nothing. Something for school...
Uncle Vernon eyes the PARCHMENT in Harry's hand
suspiciously.
UNCLE VERNON
Later perhaps. If you behave.
HARRY
I will if she does.
AUNT MARGE
(turning, eyeing Harry)
So. Still here, are you?
HARRY
Yes.
AUNT MARGE
Don't say 'yes' in that ungrateful
tone. Damn good of my brother to
keep you, if you ask me.
(to Vernon, Petunia)
It'd have been straight to an
orphanage if he'd been dumped on
my doorstep.
Just then Dudley -- sitting comatose before the TV --
emits a HOLLOW, BRAIN-DEAD CHUCKLE.
AUNT MARGE
Is that my Dudders! Hm? Is that
my neffy poo? Come and say hello
to your Auntie Marge.
Marge flashes a thick FAN of POUND NOTES. Dudley blinks,
waddles forward, and extends his plump palm obediently.
Harry looks on, then sees Ripper snuffling about his
ankle.
7 INT. FOUR PRIVET DRIVE - DINING ROOM - DUSK 7
As Harry clears the dishes, Uncle Vernon brings out a
bottle of brandy.
(CONTINUED)
5.
7 CONTINUED: 7
UNCLE VERNON
Can I tempt you, Marge?
AUNT MARGE
Just a small one. A bit more... a
bit more... That's the boy.
(taking a
sloppy sip)
Aah. Excellent nosh, Petunia.
It's normally just a fry-up for
me, what with twelve dogs.
She smacks her lips, lowers her brandy, and lets Ripper
take a slobbery lap out of the glass... then catches
Harry looking.
AUNT MARGE
What are you smirking at! Where
is it that you send him, Vernon?
UNCLE VERNON
St. Brutus's. It's a first-rate
institution for hopeless cases.
Hearing this, Harry frowns, glances at Uncle Vernon, who
glares darkly at him.
AUNT MARGE
I see. And do they use the cane
at St. Brutus's, boy?
HARRY
(sarcastically)
Oh, yes. I've been beaten loads
of times.
AUNT MARGE
Excellent. I won't have this
namby-pamby wishy-washy nonsense
about not hitting people who
deserve it.
(another sip)
Still. Mustn't blame yourself for
how this one's turned out, Vernon.
It all comes down to blood. Bad
blood will out. What is it the
boy's father did, Petunia?
AUNT PETUNIA
(agitated)
Nothing. That is... he didn't
work. He was -- unemployed.
(CONTINUED)
6.
7 CONTINUED: (2) 7
AUNT MARGE
Of course. And a drunk,
I expect --
HARRY
That's a lie.
Aunt Marge pauses on her wine, eyes narrowing on Harry.
AUNT MARGE
What did you say?
HARRY
My dad wasn't a drunk.
POP! The GLASS in Aunt Marge's hand EXPLODES.
AUNT PETUNIA
Oh my goodness! Marge!
AUNT MARGE
Not to worry, Petunia. I have a
very firm grip.
Harry stares at the shattered glass in surprise.
UNCLE VERNON
You go to bed. Now.
AUNT MARGE
Quiet, Vernon. It doesn't matter
about the father. In the end it
comes down to the mother. You see
it all the time with dogs. If
there's something wrong with the
bitch, there'll be something wrong
with the pup...
HARRY
Shut up! Shut up!
Aunt Marge starts to reply, when -- ZING! -- a BUTTON on
her dress sails into the air. SEAMS GROAN. THREAD
SNAPS. Aunt Marge's eyes WIDEN. Her cheeks BILLOW. Her
whole body BILLOWS. And she begins to INFLATE like a
MONSTROUS BALLOON.
UNCLE VERNON
MARGE!
As she rises, Uncle Vernon leaps for her. RIPPER GROWLS,
fixes his teeth to his trousers. Harry frightened by
what he's done, watches Aunt Marge BOUNCE GENTLY across
the ceiling and into the CONSERVATORY.
7.
7A EXT. BACK YARD - CONTINUOUS ACTION - DUSK 7A
The others race outside. As Aunt Marge begins to float
away, Uncle Vernon grips her hands.
UNCLE VERNON
Don't worry! I've got you...
Slowly... to his horror... Uncle Vernon himself begins to
RISE. Aunt Marge looks fearfully into his eyes...
AUNT MARGE
Vernon. Don't you dare --
But he does. He lets go. Falls to his knees. And
watches Aunt Marge float away.
8 INT. HARRY'S ROOM - DUSK (SECONDS LATER) 8
Harry crashes inside, takes his TRUNK, then puts his heel
to a LOOSE FLOORBOARD and removes his WAND from its
hiding place. Turning, he grabs the PHOTOGRAPH of his
parents.
9 INT. HALLWAY - DUSK (SECONDS LATER) 9
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Harry tows the TRUNK down the
stairs... finds Uncle Vernon waiting for him.
UNCLE VERNON
YOU BRING HER BACK! YOU BRING HER
BACK AND PUT HER RIGHT!
HARRY
No! She deserved what she got!
And you... you keep away from me.
Uncle Vernon eyes Harry's wand nervously, then grins with
knowing cruelty.
UNCLE VERNON
You're not allowed to do magic out
of school. They won't have you
now. You've got nowhere to go.
Harry realizes it's true. Briefly falters. Then:
HARRY
Anywhere's better than here.
9A EXT. NUMBER FOUR PRIVET DRIVE - DUSK (SECONDS LATER) 9A
As Harry storms out with his trunk, we DOLLY TO the
street WITH him. High in the sky, a plump DOT rises.
Aunt Marge.
8.
10 EXT. MAGNOLIA CRESCENT - NIGHT (LATER) 10
Harry walks and walks and walks, then... stops. Glances
about. An empty PLAYGROUND. SWINGS CREAKING gently on
rusted chains. A tiny CAROUSEL, kissed gently by the
wind, turning slowly.
Harry drops the trunk. Sits. Deep in the night, an
ALARM SHRIEKS, goes SILENT. Harry, still as a statue.
Listening. In the trees above, LEAVES TREMBLE. The WIND
gathers.
Harry turns, studies the swaying swings, the carousel.
Then, he... stiffens. Turns back. Sensing something in
the shadows across the street, he rises. Slowly draws
his wand.
Then he sees... it. Something BIG. Darker than the
shadows which conceal it. Something with WIDE, GLEAMING
EYES.
Harry steps back. Afraid to look. Afraid not to. Wand
outstretched... he TRIPS, tumbles over the forgotten
trunk. The tip of his wand BLAZES.
BANG! TWIN BEAMS of BLINDING LIGHT spear the night.
HARRY
Aaaah!
GIANT WHEELS bear down. Harry rolls clear -- just as a
PREPOSTEROUSLY PURPLE, TRIPLE-DECKER BUS SCREECHES to a
halt. GOLD LETTERS glimmer above the windscreen: The
Knight Bus.
DOORS HISS. Snap back. REVEAL STAN SHUNPIKE, an 18-
year-old boy in a WRINKLED CONDUCTOR'S UNIFORM. Pasty
face. Raccoon eyes. Stan looks like he hasn't seen the
sun in years.
STAN SHUNPIKE
(wearily, drearily)
Welcome to the Knight Bus.
Emergency transport for the
stranded witch or wizard. My name
is Stan Shunpike, and I will be
your conductor this evening.
(peering at Harry)
Wha' choo doin' down there?
HARRY
Fell over.
STAN SHUNPIKE
Wha' choo fall over for?
(CONTINUED)
9.
10 CONTINUED: 10
HARRY
I didn't do it on purpose.
Stan eyes Harry suspiciously, nods slowly.
STAN SHUNPIKE
Well, come on then. Let's not
wait for the grass to grow.
As Stan grabs Harry's trunk, Harry peers into the shadows
across the street -- now simply shadows -- and climbs
aboard.
11 INT. THE KNIGHT BUS - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 11
No seats. Only BEDS. The BRASS frames need a shine, the
lines a wash. In one bed, a DISHEVELED WIZARD GRUNTS,
turns over in his sleep.
DISHEVELED WIZARD
Not now... I'm pickling slugs...
Behind the wheel, ERNIE, an UNSHAVEN WIZARD in THICK
GLASSES, stares straight ahead, armpits stained with
sweat. A SHRUNKEN HEAD dangles from the rearview mirror,
MUTTERING incessantly through the STITCHES that lace its
mouth.
STAN SHUNPIKE
Take 'er away, Ern.
SHRUNKEN HEAD
Yeah, take it away!
BANG! Ernie rockets away and the beds -- as one -- slide
six inches to the rear. Harry drops onto the bed
nearest, peers up at the CHANDELIER SWAYING directly
above his head. Beyond the windscreen ONCOMING TRAFFIC
WHIPS past in a blur.
STAN SHUNPIKE
Wot you say your name was again?
HARRY
I didn't.
Stan, huddled in an armchair, peeks over The Daily
Prophet, eyes Harry coolly, before disappearing once
more. Harry brushes the fringe of his hair over his
scar, watches an AMBULANCE -- SIREN WAILING -- careen
past.
(CONTINUED)
10.
11 CONTINUED: 11
STAN SHUNPIKE
Whereabouts you headin'?
Harry hesitates. He hadn't thought about this. Decides.
HARRY
The Leaky Cauldron. That's in
London --
STAN SHUNPIKE
Is it now? Get that, Ern? The
Leaky Cauldron. That's in London.
Stan grins with sinister delight, showing BAD TEETH.
SHRUNKEN HEAD
Leaky Cauldron! Stay away from
the pea soup!
As the Shrunken Head CACKLES with delight, Harry peers
out the windscreen, watches London careering by.
HARRY
Isn't this a bit... dangerous?
STAN SHUNPIKE
Naah. Haven't had an accident
in -- what? -- a week is it, Ern?
SHRUNKEN HEAD
Heads up! Little old lady at
twelve o'clock!
Sure enough, directly ahead, a LITTLE OLD LADY is
crossing the street. Ernie HITS the BRAKES HARD and
Harry flies forward, palms to the window. The brakes
pinch down, the bus stops inches from the old lady, and
Harry flies back onto his bed. BANG! The bus rockets
forward once more.
As Harry rights himself, he notices the HEADLINE of
Stan's Daily Prophet: ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN! Below, a
sunken-faced MAN with long, matted hair glowers from a
MOVING PHOTOGRAPH.
HARRY
Who is that? That man.
STAN SHUNPIKE
Who is that? That's Sirius Black,
that is. Don' tell me you ne'er
been hearin' o' Sirius Black?
(CONTINUED)
11.
11 CONTINUED: (2) 11
Harry shakes his head, still staring at the man's face.
STAN SHUNPIKE
A murderer, he is. Got 'imself
locked up in Azkaban for it.
HARRY
How'd he escape?
STAN SHUNPIKE
Tha's the question, isn't it?
He's the firs' that's done it.
Gives me the collywobbles thinking
he's out there, though, I'll tell
you that. Big supporter of You-
Know-'Oo, Black was. Reckon you
heard o' him.
Harry nods and, as he does, Black's eyes shift. Meet
Harry's.
HARRY
Yeah. Him I've heard of.
Just then, a pair of DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES sweep directly
toward the Knight Bus. Before can scream, the entire
Knight Bus SQUEEZES DOWN and shoots the gap between the
two onrushing buses. The Shrunken Head winces.
SHRUNKEN HEAD
Hate that.
HARRY
This bus. Don't the Muggles ever...
STAN SHUNPIKE
Them! Don' listen properly, do
they? Don' look properly either.
Never notice nuffink, they don'.
Just then, a COUPLE walking a DOG are engulfed by a RUSH
of WIND as the (invisible) Knight Bus WHOOSHES past. The
couple glances about in bewilderment. The DOG YAPS
madly.
SHRUNKEN HEAD
Turn! Turn!
Ernie fans the wheel, sending the Knight Bus into a
dizzying 360-degree turn. HEADLIGHTS pinwheel past the
windows as the bus rides up on two wheels and Harry is
sent flying once more. Grabbing fast to the center POLE,
he pirouettes through the air when Ernie... SLAMS on the
BRAKES.
12.
12 EXT. CHARING CROSS ROAD/LEAKY CAULDRON - NIGHT 12
The Knight Bus fishtails INTO VIEW and SQUEALS to a stop,
centimeters from a PARKED CAR. WHOOSH! The bus settles
and -- TINK! -- taps the bumper. Instantly, the car's
ALARM wails.
12A INT. THE KNIGHT BUS - SAME TIME - NIGHT 12A
The chandelier sways drunkenly as the bus doors open.
The steps GROAN with heavy feet and a FIGURE appears:
TOM, Innkeeper of the Leaky Cauldron pub.
TOM
Mr. Potter... at last.
12B EXT. LEAKY CAULDRON - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) 12B
As the Knight Bus rockets off, Tom and Harry are
revealed, Harry glances up, reads the SIGN above: THE
LEAKY CAULDRON. Tom drags Harry's trunk inside, then
pauses and, with a FLICK of his wand, silences the car
alarm.
13 INT. LEAKY CAULDRON - BAR/HALLWAY - NIGHT (MOMENTS 13
LATER)
Harry trails Tom through the quiet room. The BARTENDER
glances up, his gaze lingering perhaps a bit too long. A
solitary WIZARD reads a book while, at his elbow, his
COFFEE CUP STIRS ITSELF. Tom leads Harry upstairs.
14 INT. LEAKY CAULDRON - BACK ROOM - NIGHT 14
As Harry follows Tom inside, he finds a SNOW WHITE OWL
(HEDWIG) perched atop a chair.
HARRY
Hedwig!
TOM
Right smart bird you've got there,
Mr. Potter. Arrived only minutes
before yourself.
A MAN CLEARS his throat. Harry turns, finds a PINSTRIPED
SILHOUETTE (CORNELIUS FUDGE) at the window, staring at
the ghostly shadows beyond. Harry's reflection shivers
in the glass, but the man doesn't turn. Tom takes a
position against the wall, fishes a pair of WALNUTS from
his pocket and -- CRACK -- crushes the shells between his
palms.
(CONTINUED)
13.
14 CONTINUED: 14
CORNELIUS FUDGE
I should tell you, Mr. Potter,
earlier this evening your uncle's
sister was located just south of
Sheffield, circling a chimney
stack. The Accidental Magic
Reversal Department was dispatched
and she's been properly punctured
and
her memory modified. She has no
recollection of the incident
whatsoever.
Harry waits. A man condemned. Then Fudge turns.
CORNELIUS FUDGE
So that's that, and no harm done.
(smiling)
Pea soup?
Harry glances warily from the steaming TUREEN of GREEN to
Tom, who works a grimy thumb into his gum, frees a walnut
sliver.
HARRY
No thank you. Minister... I don't
understand. I broke the law.
Underage wizards aren't allowed to
use magic at home --
CORNELIUS FUDGE
(dishing up a bowl)
Oh, come now, Harry. The Ministry
doesn't send people to Azkaban for
blowing up their aunts! On the
other hand... running away like
that... given the state of
things... very, very
irresponsible.
HARRY
'The state of things' sir?
CORNELIUS FUDGE
We have a killer on the loose.
HARRY
Sirius Black, you mean. But...
what's that got to do with me?
CRACK! Tom SHATTERS another WALNUT. Fudge smiles
nervously.
(CONTINUED)
14.
14 CONTINUED: (2) 14
CORNELIUS FUDGE
Hm? Oh, nothing. You're safe,
that's what matters. Tomorrow
you'll be on your way to Hogwarts.
These are your new schoolbooks.
I took the liberty of having them
brought here for you.
Harry eyes the STACK of BOOKS. One is bound by a ROPE.
CORNELIUS FUDGE
By the way, Harry. Whilst you're
here it would be best if you
didn't... wander.
15 OMITTED 15
16 EXT. LEAKY CAULDRON - ROOM ELEVEN - MORNING 16
THROUGH the window: the rooftops of London. A TRAIN
PASSES and CAMERA PULLS BACK, REVEALS Harry, standing
with Hedwig. He turns, eyes his schoolbooks. He studies
the GROWLING TOME -- The Monster Book of Monsters -- then
gives the rope a tug. Instantly...
... the book LEAPS to the floor, pages flying, bookcovers
SNAPPING. Harry gives chase, then the book turns, begins
NIPPING viciously at his shoes. Harry vaults atop the
bed, watches the book disappear underneath, then grabs a
PILLOW.
Seconds later, the book scuttles into view and Harry
POUNCES -- FLUMPH! The BOOK ROARS angrily, muffled
beneath the pillow. Harry takes the ROPE, prepares to
rebind it.
17 INT. LEAKY CAULDRON - HALLWAY/ROOM ELEVEN - MORNING 17
A YOUNG WITCH in maid's robes pushes a cart down the
hall. Harry exits his room as the witch KNOCKS on a
door.
YOUNG WITCH
Housekeeping.
As she opens the door, she's greeted by a THUNDEROUS ROAR
and a RUSH of WIND.
YOUNG WITCH
(unperturbed)
I'll come back later.
(CONTINUED)
15.
17 CONTINUED: 17
Something SMALL and FAST dashes by Harry's feet.
Looking, he spies a rather ragged-looking RAT (SCABBERS),
pursued by a decidedly UGLY ORANGE CAT (CROOKSHANKS).
18 OMITTED 18
thru thru
22 22
23 INT. LEAKY CAULDRON - STAIRWAY - MORNING (MOMENTS 23
LATER)
As Harry moves down the stairs, VOICES come from below.
RON (O.S.)
I'm warning you, Hermione! Keep
that bloody beast of yours away
from Scabbers or I'll turn it into
a tea cozy.
HERMIONE (O.S.)
He's a cat, Ronald! What do you
expect? It's in his nature.
As Harry reaches bottom, he finds RON WEASLEY
protectively cradling Scabbers, while HERMIONE GRANDER
does her best to restrain a HISSING Crookshanks.
RON
A cat! Is that what they told
you? Looks more like a pig with
hair if you ask me.
HERMIONE
That's rich coming from the owner
of that smelly old shoe brush.
(cooing to the cat)
It's all right, Crookshanks. You
just ignore the mean little boy...
Then, sensing another presence in the room, both turn.
HERMIONE/RON
Harry.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP - A DOG-EARED CLIPPING
from The Daily Prophet.
(CONTINUED)
16.
23 CONTINUED: 23
A HEADLINE SCREAMS: "GRAND PRIZE WINNER VISITS EGYPT!"
In the accompanying PHOTO, the entire WEASLEY FAMILY
stands before the GREAT PYRAMIDS, waving. Smack in the
middle is Ron, Scabbers perched on his shoulder.
23A INT. LEAKY CAULDRON - MORNING (MOMENTS LATER) 23A
As Ron smoothes the dog-eared clipping onto the table,
Harry studies it. Hermione ignores it, stroking
Crookshanks.
HARRY
Egypt! What's it like?
RON
Brilliant. It's got loads of old
stuff. Mummies. Death masks.
Tombs --
HERMIONE
You know, the ancient Egyptians of
the Nile River delta worshipped
the cat goddess Bast.
Ron glares stonily at Hermione, then turns back to Harry.
RON
I also got a new wand.
Just then, a COMMOTION is HEARD. The Weasleys -- PERCY,
FRED, GEORGE, GINNY, ARTHUR, and MOLLY -- arrive en
masse, laden with purchases from Diagon Alley.
GEORGE
Not flashing that clipping about
again, are you, Ron?
RON
I haven't shown anyone!
FRED
No, not a soul. Unless you count
Tom. The day maid. The night
maid. The cook. The bloke that
came to fix the toilet. That
wizard from Belgium...
Mrs. Weasley takes Harry's face in her hands, smiles. As
if relieved to see him.
MRS. WEASLEY
It's good to see you, Harry.
(CONTINUED)
17.
23A CONTINUED: 23A
HARRY
Good to see you too, Mrs. Weasley.
ARTHUR WEASLEY
Harry. I wonder if I might have a
word.
HARRY
Of course, Mr. Weasley.
As Mr. Weasley pulls Harry away, the others continue to
hover over the clipping in the b.g.
FRED
George's nose looks positively
massive in that photograph.
GINNY
That's your nose, Fred.
FRED
Bloody hell. 'Tis, isn't it?
Take after your side of the
family, don't I, Mum?
Harry notices Mr. Weasley glance edgily at a FUGITIVE
POSTER tacked to the wall. In it, SIRIUS BLACK glowers
under the words, "Have You Seen This Man?"
ARTHUR WEASLEY
Harry. There are some within the
Ministry who would strongly
discourage me from divulging what
I'm about to tell you. But I
think you need to know the facts.
Because you're in danger. Grave
danger.
Harry's eyes drift to the fugitive poster.
HARRY
Has this anything to do with him,
sir?
ARTHUR WEASLEY
What do you know of Sirius Black,
Harry?
HARRY
That he escaped from Azkaban.
That he killed someone...
(CONTINUED)
18.
23A CONTINUED: (2) 23A
ARTHUR WEASLEY
Harry, thirteen years ago, when
you stopped...
Mr. Weasley hesitates, unable to continue.
HARRY
Voldemort...?
ARTHUR WEASLEY
(nodding nervously)
Black lost everything. But he
remains a loyal servant to this
day. In his mind, only you stand
in the way of...
Once again, Mr. Weasley hesitates.
HARRY
Voldemort...?
ARTHUR WEASLEY
Harry, I hate it when you say --
HARRY
I know, sorry. Ron hates it too.
ARTHUR WEASLEY
In Black's mind, only you stand in
the way of... You-Know-Who
returning to power. That's why
he's broken. That's why he's
broken out of Azkaban. To find
you. And...
Mr. Weasley hesitates yet again.
HARRY
Kill me?
Mr. Weasley nods. Nervously.
ARTHUR WEASLEY
Harry. I want you to swear
that -- whatever you might hear --
you won't go looking for Black.
HARRY
Mr. Weasley, why would I go looking
for someone who wants to kill me?
Mr. Weasley nods, then claps Harry on the shoulder.
(CONTINUED)
19.
23A CONTINUED: (3) 23A
ARTHUR WEASLEY
Just watch yourself, will you,
Harry?
24 OMITTED 24
& &
25 25
26 EXT. PLATFORM NINE AND THREE QUARTERS - MORNING 26
As the HOGWARTS EXPRESS BLEATS ITS HORN, we CRANE OVER
the milling horde of students. Parents hurry their
children onboard, tiny siblings wave goodbyes... and Mr.
Weasley dashes through the throng and up to an open train
window.
MRS. WEASLEY
Ron!
She hands Scabbers through the open window to him.
27 INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - TRAIN CAR - DAY (MOMENTS LATER) 27
The aisle teems with students. Harry, Ron and Hermione
work their way down the aisle, looking for an empty
compartment.
HARRY
I didn't mean to blow her up. I
just...
(troubled by
the memory)
... lost control.
RON
Brilliant!
HERMIONE
Honestly, Ron, it's not funny.
Harry's lucky he wasn't expelled.
RON
I still think it was brilliant.
SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! A copy of the The Monster Book of
Monsters SCUTTLES CRAB-LIKE down the aisle, pursued by
NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM.
NEVILLE
Hi, Harry. Ron. Hermione.
(CONTINUED)
20.
27 CONTINUED: 27
HARRY/HERMIONE/RON
Hi, Neville.
As he bumps past, Hermione nods to a compartment.
HERMIONE
C'mon. We're in here.
28 INT. TRAIN COMPARTMENT - CONTINUOUS ACTION - DAY 28
As they slip inside, they find a MAN in SHABBY ROBES
(PROFESSOR LUPIN) slumped against the window, asleep. He
looks ill, exhausted. The trio eye him warily. WHISPER.
RON
Who d'you reckon he is?
HERMIONE
Professor R.J. Lupin.
RON
You know everything. How is it
she knows everything?
HERMIONE
It's on his case.
She points. Stamped in peeling letters on a BATTERED
CASE is "Professor R.J. Lupin."
HARRY
Is he really asleep?
HERMIONE
Seems to be. Why? What is it,
Harry?
HARRY
Close the door.
Hermione and Ron exchange a curious glance, then Ron
rises, slides the door shut, OVER CAMERA, and we --
CUT TO:
29 EXT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - LATE DAY (LATER) 29
Storm clouds, like dark ghosts, toss SHEETS of RAIN onto
the scarlet engine as it heads north.
21.
30 INT. TRAIN COMPARTMENT - LATE DAY 30
Ron and Hermione stare at Harry, faces stricken in the
lantern light that now glows in the compartment.
Crookshanks slumbers in his CAGE.
RON
Let me get this straight. Sirius
Black escaped from Azkaban to come
after you?
HARRY
Yes.
HERMIONE
But they'll catch Black, won't
they? I mean... eventually?
RON
Sure -- Of course, no one's ever
broken out of Azkaban before and
he's a raving, murderous
lunatic...
Just then, the COMPARTMENT RATTLES. Lanterns flicker.
The train LURCHES, begins to SLOW. Hermione slides down
the seat, pinning Ron against the window. They exchange
an awkward glance, then Hermione carefully slides to the
other end of the seat and glances at her WATCH. Frowns.
HERMIONE
Why're we stopping? We can't be
there yet...
Harry rises, slides open the door, peers into the
corridor.
HARRY'S POV -- All along the carriage, HEADS look out
curiously. Then -- the train JERKS -- the car SWAYS --
and the LAMPS running along the ceiling FLICKER and...
31 EXT. TRAIN - SAME TIME - DUSK 31
... die. One by one. Until all is...
32 INT. TRAIN COMPARTMENT - SAME TIME - DUSK 32
Dark.
RON
What's going on?
(CONTINUED)
22.
32 CONTINUED: 32
A thin WISP of STEAM escapes Ron's mouth. Harry notices.
HARRY
Dunno... Maybe we've broken down?
HERMIONE
Ouch! Ron, that was my foot!
SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK. Ron, a dark silhouette against the
window, wipes a patch of condensation from the window.
RON
There's something moving out
there. I think... people are
coming aboard.
Suddenly the CAR SWAYS violently... rights itself. The
METAL WINDOW TRIM at Ron's fingertips begins to VIBRATE.
RON
Bloody hell. What's happening?
SSSSST! A soft CRACKLING fills the car and FLAMES
bloom... in the hands of R.J. Lupin. In the SHIVERING
LIGHT, his face looks tired and gray, but his eyes are
alert. Wary.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Don't. Move.
A HAND -- slimy and scabbed -- a hand of death -- GRIPS
the half-open compartment door, pushes it aside.
REVEALS: a TOWERING, CLOAKED FIGURE, its face hidden
beneath its black hood. CROOKSHANKS' hair rises and as
she HISSES...
WHOOSHHHHH. The folds of the hood TREMBLE. A CHILL,
RATTLING INTAKE OF AIR is heard. The FLAMES in Lupin's
hands SPUTTER. A SOUND SWELLS in Harry's ears. Eerie.
Painful. The sound of a WOMAN SCREAMING. Harry's eyes
roll up, eyelids fluttering.
And then... a SILVERY WHITE LIGHT drifts from his mouth.
The world spins off its axis and Harry falls... glasses
tumbling hard to the ground... then Harry... the muscles
of his jaw twitching. THUNDER CRACKS. LIGHTNING paints
the ICY windows...
WHITE.
BLACK.
WHITE.
(CONTINUED)
23.
32 CONTINUED: (2) 32
BLACK...
With a DESPERATE GASP, Harry opens his eyes. Blinks.
DUSK IS GONE. The windows BLACK. The floor at his spine
is SHAKING GENTLY. The train moving again. His eyes
shift, see a DROP OF WATER, newly unfrozen, running
slowly down the window.
HERMIONE
Harry? Harry, are you all right?
Hermione's troubled face hovers above him. He nods.
Sits up. Ron -- pale, nervous -- extends his hand.
Harry's glasses.
HARRY
Thanks.
Harry slips them on. Discovers the cold sweat glazing
his brow. SNAP! Professor Lupin breaks a ragged
triangle of CHOCOLATE off the SLAB in his hands. Holds
it out.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Chocolate. Eat. It'll help.
HARRY
What was that -- that thing?
PROFESSOR LUPIN
A Dementor. One of the guards of
Azkaban. It's gone now.
Harry frowns in confusion.
HERMIONE
It was searching the train, Harry.
For Sirius Black.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
I need to have a word with the
driver. Excuse me.
(the chocolate)
Eat. It'll help.
As he leaves, Harry turns to Ron and Hermione.
HARRY
What happened to me?
(CONTINUED)
24.
32 CONTINUED: (3) 32
RON
Well, you sort of went... rigid.
We thought maybe you were having a
fit or something.
HARRY
And did either of you? You
know... pass out?
RON
No. I felt... weird. Like I'd
never be cheerful again. But...
no.
Harry turns to Hermione. She shakes her head.
HERMIONE
I was trembling. Cold. But
then... Professor Lupin made it go
away...
HARRY
But someone was screaming. A
woman.
Hermione and Ron glance nervously at each other.
HERMIONE
No one was screaming, Harry.
Harry looks to the window and we PUSH IN ON his
REFLECTION. It becomes a GLIMMERING PUDDLE and...
33 OMITTED 33
34 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - NIGHT 34
SPLASH!... a CARRIAGE WHEEL shatters the glassy surface
as we TILT UP, catch a procession of HORSELESS CARRIAGES,
carrying students toward the glimmering castle.
Gradually, the sweet sound of a CHOIR rises on the air, a
FLASH of LIGHTNING bleaches the night sky and we --
CUT TO:
35 EXT./INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT (LATER) 35
... the CAMERA as it GLIDES TOWARD the windows of the
Great Hall, TOWARD the CANDLELIT SILHOUETTES glimmering
within, PASSING THROUGH the glass.
(CONTINUED)
25.
35 CONTINUED: 35
At the High Table, Lupin sits with SEVERUS SNAPE, MINERVA
McGONAGALL, RUBEUS HAGRID and ALBUS DUMBLEDORE. We TRACK
ALONG the FACES of the choir, singing to the strains of a
HARPSICHORD, and LAND ON a QUINTET OF TOADS (one of
which -- TREVOR -- belongs to NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM, who
looks on with pride).
ARGUS FILCH, Hogwarts' caretaker, stands grimly to the
side as red-eyed MRS. NORRIS switches her tail at his
feet. As the choir's song concludes, DUMBLEDORE rises,
beaming over the sea of black hats.
DUMBLEDORE
Welcome! Welcome to another year
at Hogwarts! I have a few things
to say, before we become befuddled
by our excellent feast. I myself
am particularly looking forward to
the flaming kiwi cups, which,
while somewhat treacherous for
those of us with facial hair...
McGONAGALL clears her throat.
DUMBLEDORE
Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to
welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who
has kindly consented to fill the
post of Defense Against the Dark
Arts. Good luck to you,
Professor.
Amid SCATTERED APPLAUSE, Harry, Ron, Hermione CLAP
LOUDLY.
HERMIONE
Of course! That's why he knew to
give you the chocolate, Harry.
DUMBLEDORE
As some of you may know, Professor
Kettleburn, our Care of Magical
Creatures teacher for many years,
has decided to retire in order to
spend more time with his remaining
limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted
to announce that his place will be
filled by none other than our own
Rubeus Hagrid!
(CONTINUED)
26.
35 CONTINUED: (2) 35
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stare at each other --
stunned -- then APPLAUD vigorously. Hagrid turns ruby
red, rises, and nearly topples the staff table, sending
water goblets weaving.
DUMBLEDORE
(turning grave)
Finally, on a more disquieting
note, Hogwarts -- at the request
of the Ministry of Magic -- will,
until further notice, play host to
the Dementors of Azkaban.
A MURMUR of apprehension fills the hall. At the
Slytherin table, DRACO MALFOY, flanked by the ever-
present CRABBE and GOYLE, catches Harry's eye, feigns
a dead faint.
DUMBLEDORE
The Dementors will be stationed at
the entrances to the grounds. While
they are under strict orders not to
enter the castle itself, you will on
occasion see them as you go about
your daily activities. Under no
circumstances are you to approach
them. It is not in the nature of
a Dementor to be forgiving.
36 INT. ENTRANCE HALL - NIGHT (LATER) 36
Students exit the Great Hall, scale the Marble Staircase.
37 INT. MARBLE STAIRCASE/SEVENTH FLOOR - NIGHT 37
Harry, Ron and Hermione arrive at the seventh floor
landing and approach the FAT LADY in the portrait.
HARRY
Fortuna Major.
38 INT. GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM - NIGHT 38
The Gryffindors trail through the common room, the girls
heading one way, boys the other.
39 INT. TOWER DORMITORY - NIGHT (LATER) 39
While those around him sleep, Harry takes the PHOTOGRAPH
of his parents, sets it next to his bed, then glances
around in quiet contentment.
(CONTINUED)
27.
39 CONTINUED: 39
RON
Good to be home, eh, Harry?
Harry turns -- caught -- and finds Ron studying him from
his own bed, Scabbers cradled in his hand. Harry nods
and turns to the window..
39A EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - SAME TIME - NIGHT 39A
The Dementors drift to their positions outside the
grounds.
39B INT. TOWER DORMITORY - SAME TIME - NIGHT 39B
Harry continues to stare.
HARRY
Yeah...
As his breath CLOUDS THE GLASS, we gradually...
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
40 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - GROUNDS - MORNING 40
As BRIDGE and CASTLE glimmer in the distance, Hagrid
emerges from the Forbidden Forest, dragging a fistful of
dead FERRETS by the tail. A BIRD appears, circles his
head playfully, CHIRP-CHIRP-CHIRPING merrily before it...
... flutters off, pin-wheeling past flowers, into a
BIRDBATH, finally coming to rest upon...
... an ANCIENT TREE. It TWITTERS cheerfully, singing its
lovely song, when -- THWOCK! -- a branch punts the bird
into the air. As feathers fly, the WHOMPING WILLOW
resumes its shape.
41 OMITTED 41
42 INT. DIVINATION CLASSROOM - MORNING 42
Harry, Ron and Hermione sit on fat little pouffes in a
murky, incense-laden room, along with Neville, Dean,
Seamus, LAVENDER BROWN, PARVATI PATIL and others.
(CONTINUED)
28.
42 CONTINUED: 42
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY (O.S.)
Welcome, my children. In this
room, you shall explore the
mysterious art of Divination. In
this room, you shall discover if
you possess...
A crimson scrim FLUTTERS and SYBIL TRELAWNEY, Divination
Professor, glides dramatically INTO VIEW, eyes huge and
bug-like behind enormous glasses.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
... the Sight. Hello. I am
Professor Trelawney. Together, we
shall cast ourselves into the
future. But know this. One
either has the Gift or not. It
cannot be divined from the pages
of a book. Books only cloud one's
Inner Eye.
HERMIONE (O.S.)
(under her breath)
What rubbish.
Ron spins. Frowns at Hermione.
RON
Where'd you come from?
HERMIONE
Me? I've been here all along.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
(spinning on Neville)
You, boy! Is your grandmother
well?
NEVILLE
I... I think so.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
I wouldn't be so sure of that.
(continuing)
The first term will be devoted to
the reading of tea leaves. If all
goes well, we will proceed to
palmistry, fire omens, and
finally... the crystal ball.
(eyeing Parvati)
By the way, dear, beware a red-
haired man.
(CONTINUED)
29.
42 CONTINUED: (2) 42
Parvati eyes Ron dubiously. Edges her pouffe away.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
Unfortunately, classes will be
disrupted in February by a nasty
bout of flu. I myself will lose
my voice. And in late spring, one
of our number will... leave us
forever.
As the class exchanges uneasy glances, Trelawney smiles
brightly.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
Well then. Shall we?
CUT TO:
TEACUP - DETAIL - LATER
Inside, a CLOUD of TEA LEAVES mutates oddly. Harry,
sitting opposite Ron now, frowns at the leaves, consults
the SYMBOLS in the textbook (Unfogging the Future) at his
elbow. Trelawney walks amongst them, robes flowing.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
Broaden your minds, my dears. And
allow your eyes to see... beyond.
Trelawney takes Lavender Brown's cup, peers inside.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
A five-leaf clover... You can
expect to wake with a horrible
rash tomorrow morning, dear.
(then, casually)
Mr. Longbottom, after you've
broken your first cup...
CA-CHINK! Neville fumbles the cup in his hands and the
brittle CRASH of CHINA is heard.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
... would you be so kind as to
select one of the blue ones? I'm
rather partial to the pink.
(pausing by Ron)
What do you see in Mr. Potter's
cup, Mr. Weasley?
(CONTINUED)
30.
42 CONTINUED: (3) 42
RON
Well. He's got a wonky sort of
cross -- that's trials and
suffering. But this lot here
could be the sun -- that's great
happiness. So... he's going to
suffer but be very happy about it.
Professor Trelawney takes the cup, peers inside, and
GASPS.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
Ahhh!
PARVATI
What is it, Professor?
Trelawney regards Harry with a mixture of pity and fear.
PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY
My dear boy... You have the Grim.
SEAMUS
The Grin? What's the Grin?
PARVATI
The Grim.
Not the grin, you idiot.
DEAN THOMAS
But what does it mean, Professor?
LAVENDER
'The Grim...'
All turn, see Lavender bent over her textbook.
LAVENDER
'Taking the form of a giant
spectral dog, it is among the
darkest omens in our world. It is
an omen... of death.'
Harry peers into his cup. The tea leaves shift. The dog
disappears. And a new image emerges slowly...
Sirius Black.
43 EXT. CASTLE/BRIDGE/WHOMPING WILLOW/HAGRID'S HUT - DAY 43
The trio emerge from the BRIDGE and make their way toward
Hagrid's hut. The Whomping Willow looms in the distance.
(CONTINUED)
31.
43 CONTINUED: 43
HERMIONE
Death omens. Honestly. If you
ask me, Divination's a very wooly
discipline. Now Ancient Runes.
That's a fascinating subject.
RON
Ancient Runes? Exactly how many
classes are you taking this term?
HERMIONE
A fair few.
RON
Hang on. Ancient Runes is the
same time as Divination. You'd
have to be in two classes at once.
HERMIONE
Don't be silly. How could anyone
be in two classes at once?
(mimicking Trelawney)
Broaden your minds...
43A EXT. HAGRID'S HUT - DAY (MOMENTS LATER) 43A
STUDENTS gather around Hagrid as Harry, Ron and Hermione
arrive. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle stand with the
Slytherins.
HAGRID
C'mon now, get a move on! Got a
real treat for yeh. Great lesson
comin' up. Follow me.
44 EXT. PADDOCK - HAGRID'S HUT - DAY (MOMENTS LATER) 44
Hagrid leads them toward a small paddock just this side
of the Forbidden Forest. In the paddock, a freestanding
IRON RACK hangs with DEAD FERRETS, BUZZING with FLIES.
Nearby is a PUMPKIN PATCH.
HAGRID
Gather 'round. Find yerself a spot.
That's it. Now, firs' thing yeh'll
want ter do is open yer books --
DRACO
And exactly how do we do that?
(CONTINUED)
32.
44 CONTINUED: 44
Hagrid looks. Belts, rope, Spellotape: any means
available have been employed to bridle The Monster Book
of Monsters, which QUIVER VIOLENTLY.
HAGRID
Crikey. Didn' yeh know? All yeh've
got ter do is stroke 'em. Look --
Hagrid takes Hermione's copy, SNAPS the Spellotape
binding it. As it begins to BITE, Hagrid calmly runs a
forefinger down the book's spine and it... SHIVERS.
Falls quietly open.
Hagrid glances at the class, looking suddenly unsure.
HAGRID
Righ' then. So... so... yeh've
got yer books, an' now yeh need
the Magical Creatures. Right.
So... I'll... I'll go an' get 'em.
Hagrid turns, disappears into the trees. Draco shakes
his head, SPEAKS LOUDLY to Crabbe and Goyle.
DRACO
God, this place is going to the
dogs. Wait until my father hears
Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching
classes.
HARRY
Listen, you stupid prat --
Eyes WIDENING in fear, Malfoy steps back, points.
DRACO
Potter, there's a Dementor behind
you.
Harry JUMPS, wheels in fear, finds... nothing. Instantly,
the SLYTHERINS make an eerie OOH... and OOH sound, then
break up laughing. Harry reddens, embarrassed, then...
A STRANGE BEAST (BUCKBEAK) emerges from the trees. It
has the torso, hind legs, and tail of a horse, but the
front legs, wings and head of a giant eagle. The
students step back in fear, then Hagrid appears, shooing
the beast on.
HAGRID
Gee up, there!
(grinning)
Beau'iful, isn' he?
(CONTINUED)
33.
44 CONTINUED: (2) 44
There seems no consensus on this, but the students stare
in wary wonder nonetheless. As Hagrid coaxes the beast
to the center of the paddock, Ron stares uneasily.
RON
Hagrid. Exactly what is that?
HAGRID
A Hippogriff, o' course. Now,
firs' thing yeh gotta know is
they're proud. Easily offended,
Hippogriffs are. Don't never
insult one, 'cause it migh' be
the las' thing yeh do. Right
then -- who wants ter come an'
say hello?
The entire class STEPS BACK, leaving Harry in front.
HAGRID
Good man, Harry!
Harry looks around, then -- reluctantly -- approaches.
HAGRID
Tha's it. Easy now... stop! This
here's Buckbeak, Harry. Yeh want
ter let 'im make the firs' move.
It's polite, see? Jus' take step
forward, give 'im a bow, and if
Buckbeak bows back, yeh're allowed
ter touch him. Ready?
Unsure, Harry nods anyway. Steps forward. And... bows.
Buckbeak's head cocks, eagle eyes studying Harry cannily.
Harry waits. And waits...
HAGRID
Back off, Harry! Back off!
Harry starts to step back, when... Buckbeak ducks his
beak. Hagrid sighs, relieved.
HAGRID
Well done, Harry! Go on. Give
'im a pat.
Tentatively, Harry reaches out, lays his hand on
Buckbeak's fierce beak. The class CLAPS. Harry
smiles.
(CONTINUED)
34.
44 CONTINUED: (3) 44
HAGRID
Look at that! I reckon he migh'
let yeh ride 'im!
HARRY
(smile drooping)
Excuse me?
HAGRID
We'll jus' set yeh behind the
wing joint. Mind yeh don' pull
any feathers out. He won' like
that.
Hagrid lifts Harry high, drops him onto Buckbeak's
back, and before Harry's settled, SLAPS Buckbeak's
hindquarters.
HAGRID
Off yeh go!
As Buckbeak GALLOPS FORWARD, Harry slides scarily back,
giant WINGS unfold, huge and powerful, and -- WHOOSH! --
they SOAR into the air. Rising higher. And higher.
And higher.
Gradually, Harry loosens his hold on Buckbeak's neck.
Losing himself in the joy of flying. Smiling at the
sight of his and Buckbeak's SHADOW racing across the
grass below. Circling over the Whomping Willow, past
Hogwarts castle, and then SWOOPING, with heart-stopping
speed, over the Black Lake, Buckbeak's talons tickling
the smooth glass of the water, summoning the GIANT SQUID
to the surface briefly. Hagrid WHISTLES then, and
Buckbeak wheels, beating his way back to the paddock,
galloping to a halt. As Harry slides off, the class
CHEERS -- all except Draco, who narrows his eyes
maliciously.
HAGRID
Good work, Harry!
(under his breath)
How'm I doin' me firs' day?
HARRY
Brilliant... Professor.
They both grin, when Draco pushes past them roughly,
strides toward Buckbeak.
(CONTINUED)
35.
44 CONTINUED: (4) 44
DRACO
Give me a go at that thing. If
Potter can do it, it must be
easy. You're not dangerous at
all, are you, you great ugly
brute --
HAGRID
Malfoy! No!
In a flash, Buckbeak's steely talons SLASH DOWN. Malfoy
freezes. Looks down at the BLOOD BLOSSOMING on his
robes. SHRIEKS. Instantly, Harry dashes forward.
Buckbeak WHIPS AROUND, raises its talons and -- seeing
Harry -- lowers them. Ducks its beak. Harry...
realizing what he's done... breathes.
DRACO
It's killed me! It's killed
me!
HAGRID
Calm yerself! Yer fine... jus'
a scratch...
Hagrid looks: a DEEP GASH glistens on Draco's limp
arm.
HERMIONE
Hagrid. He's got to be taken to
a hospital. I'll go with you,
if you like --
HAGRID
No. I'm the teacher. You all...
you all just... Class dismissed!
And with that, Hagrid -- looking shaken -- swoops up
Malfoy, flops him over his shoulder, and lumbers
toward the castle.
45 INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT 45
As Lavender and Parvati huddle over a DOZEN TEACUPS,
Avidly interpreting patterns in HUSHED VOICES, Draco,
arm bound in a SLING, holds court before a clot of
Slytherins.
PANSY
Does it hurt terribly, Draco?
(CONTINUED)
36.
45 CONTINUED: 45
DRACO
(a tad theatrical)
It comes and goes. Still... I
consider myself lucky. According
to Madam Pomfrey, another minute
or two... and I could've lost the
arm.
Harry, Ron and Hermione watch from the Gryffindor table.
RON
The little git. He's really
laying it on thick, isn't he?
HARRY
At least Hagrid didn't get sacked.
HERMIONE
Yes. But I hear Draco's father's
furious. I don't think we've
heard the end of this...
SEAMUS
He's been sighted!
They turn. Seamus and the other Gryffindors are huddled
over a copy of The Daily Prophet.
RON
Who?
But the PHOTOGRAPH on the Prophet's front page provides a
chilling answer: Sirius Black. Hermione reads over the
shoulders of others. WHISPERS half to herself:
HERMIONE
Achintee? That's not far from
here...
NEVILLE
You don't think he'd come to
Hogwarts, do you?
LAVENDER
With the Dementors at every
entrance?
LAVENDAR
Dementors? He's already slipped
by them once, hasn't he? Who's
to say he can't do it again?
(CONTINUED)
37.
45 CONTINUED: (2) 45
As a flicker of fear passes through Harry's face, BEM,
a Nigerian boy, stares grimly at the grainy image of
Black.
BEM
That's right. Black could be
anywhere. It's like trying to
catch smoke. Like trying to
catch smoke with your bare
hands.
46 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - MORNING 46
Beautiful flowers gleam in the dawn light, then, slowly
begin to WITHER. The dew FREEZES, the grass grows
brittle. Seconds later, the Dementors sweep by.
47 OMITTED 47
& &
48 48
49 INT. LUPIN'S CLASSROOM - MORNING 49
A tall WARDROBE RATTLES VIOLENTLY as Harry, Ron and
several classmates regard it warily.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Intriguing, yes? Would anyone
like to venture a guess as to
what's inside?
SEAMUS
(in a hushed voice)
That's a Boggart, that is.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Very good, Mr. Finnigan. Can
anyone tell us what a Boggart
looks like?
HERMIONE
No one knows.
Ron JUMPS, glances at Hermione, then WHISPERS to Harry.
RON
When'd she get here?
(CONTINUED)
38.
49 CONTINUED: 49
HERMIONE
Boggarts are shape-shifters.
They take the shape of whatever
a particular person fears most.
That's what makes it so --
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Terrifying, yes. Luckily, a very
simple charm exists to repel a
Boggart. Let's practice it now,
shall we? Without wands,
please... Riddikulus!
STUDENTS
Riddikulus!
DRACO
(muttering softly)
It's this class that's ridiculous.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Good. So much for the easy part.
You see, the incantation alone
is not enough. What really
finishes a Boggart off is...
laughter. You need to force it
to assume a shape you find truly
amusing. Neville, come up here,
will you?
Neville eyes the rattling wardrobe, steps forward
queasily.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
What would you say is the thing
that frightens you most?
NEVILLE
Profter... Snafpt...
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Didn't catch that, Neville, sorry.
NEVILLE
Professor Snape.
Everyone LAUGHS good-naturedly. Lupin nods thoughtfully.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Hmmm... yes. Neville, I believe
you live with your grandmother?
(CONTINUED)
39.
49 CONTINUED: (2) 49
NEVILLE
Yes, but I don't want the Boggart
to turn into her either.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
It won't. But I want you to
picture her clothes, only her
clothes, very clearly in your
mind. Can you do that?
NEVILLE
(closing his eyes)
She carries a red handbag...
PROFESSOR LUPIN
That's fine. We don't need to
hear it. If you see it, we will.
Now, when I open this wardrobe,
Neville, here's what I want you to
do...
Lupin leans close to Neville, WHISPERS. Neville's eyes
POP OPEN in shock. Consider Lupin uncertainly.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
You can do this, Neville.
Neville nods nervously, takes a deep breath.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Right then. Wand at the ready.
One. Two. Three!
SPARKS jet from Lupin's wand, strike the doorknob, and
the wardrobe BURSTS OPEN. Instantly, Snape appears, eyes
flashing hideously as he stalks forward. Neville backs
away in fright.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Think, Neville. Think!
NEVILLE
R-r-riddikulus!
CRACK! Snape stumbles in a FLASH OF LIGHT and
reappears... in a LONG, LACE-TRIMMED DRESS, TOWERING
MOTH-EATEN HAT, and CRIMSON HANDBAG. Instantly, the
class ROARS (except for Draco and his fellow Slytherins).
Neville blinks, amazed, then slowly, grins himself.
Lupin drops the needle on an OLD GRAMAPHONE. As a
SCRATCHY RHUMBA fills the room, he points to Ron.
(CONTINUED)
40.
49 CONTINUED: (3) 49
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Ron! Forward!
Snape DISSOLVES into a mad whirling mass, then mutates
into a... GIANT SPIDER. As Ron GASPS, Harry and Hermione
exchange an uncertain glance. Lupin puts his hands on
Ron's shoulders to steady him. Ron raises his wand.
RON
Riddikulus!
CRACK! ROLLER SKATES materialize on the spider's hairy
feet and it begins to shuffle crazily in place.
Instantly, Ron relaxes as the class' LAUGHTER rings out.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Parvati!
As Parvati steps up, the spider SPINS faster and faster,
a DIZZYING BLUR, then reappears as a VAMPIRE.
PARVATI
Riddikulus!
As the vampire WHIPS its cloak across its eyes, we CUT
BEHIND... so our POV is of the students. SWISH! The
cloak reopens, the class LAUGHS, and we REVERSE again...
see that the vampire is now dressed like CARMEN MIRANDA.
As it begins to SHIMMY about -- against its will -- the
class starts to CLAP.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Mr. Thomas!
As Dean steps up, the vampire's undulating body
attenuates, its skin darkening with diamond-thatched
SCALES becoming... a GIANT COBRA.
DEAN THOMAS
Riddikulus!
The cobra's hooded head BOBS back and forth, transforms
into a JACK-IN-THE-BOX. Lupin grins and...
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Next!
... turns, sees Harry step forward expectantly. Concern
flickers through Lupin's face. The Jack-In-The-Box
pivots on its spring, its face tumbling toward Harry,
becoming more sinister, transforming into a...
(CONTINUED)
41.
49 CONTINUED: (4) 49
... Dementor. Suddenly the MUSIC FADES. Harry starts to
raise his wand, then... freezes, transfixed. The
Dementor looms closer and closer, when...
... Lupin steps between, snaps his wand.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Here!
CRACK! -- the Dementor vanishes and a ROILING MIST
appears, which becomes CLOUDS. Something glows within
the clouds, white, silvery and round...
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Riddikulus!
POP! The orb deflates like a punctured balloon, WHIZZES
crazily about the room, then darts back into the
wardrobe. The door SLAMS SHUT and the CLASS CHEERS.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Well done, everyone. I think
that's enough excitement for today.
As the students exit, chattering loudly, only Harry,
subdued, remains behind. At the doorway, Lupin glances
back, exchanges a private glance with him. As he exits,
the WARDROBE gives one last RATTLE.
50 EXT. CLOCK TOWER COURTYARD - MORNING (TWO WEEKS LATER) 50
A great buzzing queue of STUDENTS -- Third Years and
older -- each clutching a PERMISSION FORM -- pass by a
glowering Filch.
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
Remember! These visits to
Hogsmeade Village are a privilege.
Should your behavior reflect
poorly on the school in any way,
that privilege shall not be
extended again.
Harry approaches her, but before he can utter a syllable:
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
No permission form. No visiting
the Village. That's the rule,
Potter.
(CONTINUED)
42.
50 CONTINUED: 50
HARRY
Yes, Professor, but I thought if
you said I could go --
PROFESSOR McGONAGALL
But I don't say so. A parent or
guardian must sign, and since I am
neither, it would be
inappropriate.
(a flicker of pity)
I'm sorry, Potter. But that's my
final word.
Ron and Hermione -- watching Harry expectantly from
across the way -- see him turn, shake his head. Their
faces fall. Harry raises his hand in farewell. Watches
them go.
PROFESSOR LUPIN (O.S.)
So. No Hogsmeade, eh ?
51 OMITTED 51
thru thru
54 54
55 EXT. BRIDGE (HOGWARTS GROUNDS) - MORNING (MOMENTS 55
LATER)
Deep in the distance, some BOYS skate about on brooms,
tossing a RAGGED QUAFFLE back and forth. CAMERA TILTS.
FINDS Harry and Lupin walking along the bridge.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Well, don't feel too bad. I was
roundly disappointed the first
time I went.
HARRY
Really?
PROFESSOR LUPIN
No. I was just trying to make you
feel better. Honeydukes' sweets
are the best in the world. Their
Pepper Imps are so strong you
smoke at the ears. And Zonko's
Joke Shop may be dangerous, but
you can't beat their Stink
Pellets.
(CONTINUED)
43.
55 CONTINUED: 55
HARRY
(nodding glumly)
Not to mention The Shrieking
Shack, which, according to
Hermione, is the most severely
haunted building in Britain.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Yes, that too...
HARRY
Professor, can I ask you
something?
PROFESSOR LUPIN
You'd like to know why I stopped
you from facing the Boggart.
(off Harry's surprise)
I should think it'd be obvious. I
assumed the Boggart would take the
shape of Lord Voldemort.
Harry frowns. Lupin studies him curiously.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
But clearly... I was wrong.
HARRY
I did think of Voldemort first.
But then, I remembered that night
on the train... and the
Dementors...
(CONTINUED)
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Well, well. I'm impressed. That
suggests that what you fear most
of all is... fear. Very wise.
HARRY
Before I fainted... I heard
something. A woman. Screaming.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Dementors force us to relive the
worst memories of our lives. Our
pain becomes their power.
HARRY
I think it was my mother. The
night she was murdered.
Harry looks up. Finds Lupin studying him.
(CONTINUED)
44.
55 CONTINUED: (2) 55
PROFESSOR LUPIN
The first time I saw you, Harry, I
recognized you immediately. Not
by your scar. By your eyes.
They're your mother Lily's.
(nodding)
Yes. I knew her. She was there
for me at a time when no one else
was. We used to talk for hours.
She was not only a singularly
gifted witch but an uncommonly
kind woman. She had a way of
seeing the beauty in whoever she
met, even -- and perhaps most
especially -- when that person
couldn't see it in themselves...
Lupin's eyes glaze in memory, then he blinks, smiles.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Which perhaps explains her
affection for your father. James
had, shall we say, a certain
talent for trouble. A gift, rumor
has it, he passed on to you.
Lupin turns, eyes Harry affectionately. Harry smiles
vaguely.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
I could tell you stories -- and
there are many about your parents,
Harry -- but know this...
(eyeing Harry intensely)
They lived. Every moment of every
day. You should know that.
That's how they'd want to be
remembered.
56 INT. GREAT HALL - EVENING (LATER) 56
The Hall buzzes with tales of Hogsmeade, as students swap
stories, sample sweets, and send SOAP BUBBLES of all
shapes, sizes and colors into the air. A MARIONETTE of a
HARLEQUIN cavorts atop the Gryffindor table, moving its
limbs in response to the STRANDS of LIGHT that extend
from Neville's fingertips. Seamus passes his hand
through the light beams and -- FLUMPH! -- the Harlequin
collapses.
(CONTINUED)
45.
56 CONTINUED: 56
HERMIONE
And the post office! It's about
200 owls, all sitting on color-
coded shelves, depending on how
fast you want your letter to go!
RON
And Honeyduke's is brilliant!
Sugar Quills, Flaming Whizbees --
and blood-flavored lollipops for
Halloween!
Harry nods, picking quietly through the spray of
brilliantly colored sweets on the table. Hermione
notices.
HERMIONE
But, I mean, after awhile, it got
a bit boring. Don't you think,
Ron?
RON
Huh? Oh. Yeah. Dead depressing.
Hang on. I almost forgot. I got
you something wicked at Dervish
and Banges. It's a Pocket
Sneakoscope.
Ron places a SMALL GLASS SPINNING TOP on the table.
RON
If there's someone untrustworthy
around, it's meant to light up
and spin. Mind you, Fred and
George say it's rubbish, sold for
wizard tourists, but I thought,
you know, it can't
hurt, given that...
HARRY
Sirius Black's trying to kill me.
Harry looks up, GRINS at the two of them.
HARRY
I'm glad you had a good time.
Really. And thanks for this.
(eyeing the Sneakoscope)
Rubbish or not, you're right. It
can't hurt.
With that, Harry pops a PEPPER IMP into his mouth.
(CONTINUED)
46.
56 CONTINUED: (2) 56
RON
Oh, careful of those, they'll make
your...
On cue, SMOKE CURLS from Harry's ears and nose.
RON
Never mind.
57 INT. MOVING STAIRCASE/SEVENTH FLOOR CORRIDOR - NIGHT 57
(LATER)
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione climb the stairs, they find a
crowd gathering on the Seventh Floor landing.
RON
What's the hold-up? Only Neville
ever forgets the password.
PERCY
(pushing past)
Let me through, please. Excuse
me, thank you, I'm Head Boy...
(stopping dead)
Back! All of you! No one is to
enter this dormitory until it has
been fully searched!
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchange dark glances, when...
Ginny emerges from the crowd, her face ashen.
GINNY
The Fat Lady... she's gone.
RON
Probably stuffing her face with
the apples in that still life on
the second floor again.
GINNY
No. You don't understand --
Hermione GASPS. GRABS Harry's arm. He looks. SEES:
The Fat Lady's portrait has been SLASHED VICIOUSLY, great
strips of canvas hanging from the frame. Just then,
Dumbledore appears.
DUMBLEDORE
Mr. Filch. Round up the ghosts.
Tell them to search every painting
in the castle for the Fat Lady.
(CONTINUED)
47.
57 CONTINUED: 57
Just then, there is a SCREAM. The students dash to the
landing, where all THE PAINTINGS WHISPER FEARFULLY.
Filch's rheumy eyes peer up, searching the upper shadows,
then... narrow.
FILCH
There'll be no need for
ghosts, Professor...
Filch extends a crooked finger. High up, near the
ceiling, the Fat Lady cowers in a portrait not her own,
trembling.
DUMBLEDORE
Dear lady. Who did this to you?
FAT LADY
(in a trance)
Eyes like the devil he's got. And
a soul as dark as his name. It
was him, Headmaster. The one they
talk about. He's here. Somewhere
in the castle. Sirius Black.
As the students REACT, Dumbledore's VOICE cuts through.
DUMBLEDORE
Secure the castle, Mr. Filch. The
rest of you... to the Great Hall.
58 MONTAGE - SECURING THE CASTLE - NIGHT 58
CLOCK TOWER DOOR: Great GROANING TUMBLERS fall.
SPINDLES rotate. CYLINDERS -- one after another -- fire
into place.
WINDOWS: Iron SPIKES, sharp as razors, rise instantly.
59 OMITTED 59
60 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - CONTINUOUS ACTION - NIGHT 60
One by one, deep in the distance, the LIGHTS of the Great
Hall go out. Dementors appear, COVERING FRAME, then
separate like a curtain...
61 INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT (HOURS LATER) 61
CAMERA DRIFTS THROUGH the silent room, OVER an ocean of
SLEEPING BAGS, FINDS Harry lying awake, staring at the
net of stars glimmering beyond the highest window.
(CONTINUED)
48.
61 CONTINUED: 61
A gentle CREAK is heard and Harry's eyes shift, see Snape
pass through the great doors, converge with Dumbledore.
SNAPE
I've done the dungeons,
Headmaster. No sign of Black.
Nor anywhere else in the castle.
DUMBLEDORE
(nodding)
I didn't really expect him to
linger.
SNAPE
Remarkable feat, don't you think?
To enter Hogwarts castle on one's
own, completely undetected...
Dumbledore gazes at the students, refusing to take the
bait.
SNAPE
You may recall, prior to the start
of term, I did express my concerns
when you appointed Professor --
DUMBLEDORE
I do not believe a single
professor inside this castle
would have helped Sirius
Black enter it, Severus.
As Snape's eyes glitter darkly, Dumbledore gazes out over
the slumbering students.
DUMBLEDORE
No... I feel quite confident the
castle is safe. And I'm more than
willing to let the students return
to their Houses. But tomorrow.
For now, let them sleep...
As Dumbledore's gaze finds Harry, he shuts his eyes,
feigns sleep.
DUMBLEDORE
It's astonishing what the body can
endure when the mind allows itself
to rest.
62 EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - DAY 62
The Whomping Willow idly casts off a few withering
leaves.
(CONTINUED)
49.
62 CONTINUED: 62
SIR CADOGAN (V.O.)
What villains are these that
trespass upon my private lands!
63 INT. GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM - MORNING 63
The Fat Lady has been replaced by a PAINTING of a TINY
KNIGHT (SIR CADOGAN). Stalking a bare stretch of grass
as his PONY grazes nearby, he brandishes his sword wildly
as a group of Gryffindors regard him warily.
SIR CADOGAN
Who dares challenge Sir Cadogan!
Back, you scurvy braggarts! You
rogues!
SEAMUS
He's barking mad!
DEAN THOMAS
What d'you expect? After what
happened to the Fat Lady, none of
the other pictures would take the
job.
NEVILLE
But he keeps changing the
password. Twice just this
morning! I've taken to keeping a
list.
As Neville holds up a wrinkled piece of parchment, Harry,
Ron and Hermione begin to exit.
SIR CADOGAN
Farewell, comrades! If ever you
have need of noble heart and
steely sinew, call upon Sir
Cadogan!
RON
Yeah, we'll call you... if we ever
need someone mental.
64 OMITTED 64
65 INT. LUPIN'S CLASSROOM - MORNING (LATER) 65
SNAP! Snape PULLS DOWN a SCREEN over the blackboard,
turns.
(CONTINUED)
50.
65 CONTINUED: 65
SNAPE
Turn to page 394.
As the students eye Snape with guarded curiosity, Malfoy
finishes SCRAWLING something on a bit of PARCHMENT and
balls it up in his hands. As he opens them, a MOTH
flutters from his palms.
HARRY
Excuse me, sir, but... where's
Professor Lupin?
SNAPE
That's not really your concern, is
it, Potter? Suffice it to say,
your Professor finds himself
incapable of teaching at the
present time. Page 394.
Snape waves the MOTH away, blows out a candle and a SLIDE
SHOW BEGINS. An ANCIENT WOODCUT of a HORRIFIC BEAST
flickers at the front of the room. Ron frowns down at
his book.
RON
Werewolves?
HERMIONE
But, sir, we've only just begun
learning about Red Caps and
Hinkypunks. We're not meant to
start nocturnal beasts for
weeks --
SNAPE
Quiet!
RON
(to Harry)
When did she come in? Did you see
her come in...
SNAPE
Now. Which of you can tell me the
difference between an Animagus and
a werewolf?
As the class stares mutely at a SLIDE of an ATTACKING
WEREWOLF, Hermione waiting desperately for someone to
respond to Snape's question, the moth flutters by Harry.
(CONTINUED)
51.
65 CONTINUED: (2) 65
SWAT! He pins it to his desk. A tiny cloud of moth dust
mushrooms into the air and Harry lifts his palm.
Malfoy's PARCHMENT has reappeared.
SNAPE
No one? How... disappointing.
HERMIONE
Please, sir, an Animagus is a wizard who elects to turn
into an animal. A werewolf has no choice in the matter.
Furthermore, the werewolf actively hunts humans and
responds only to the call of its own kind --
Malfoy lets out a LOW HOWL.
SNAPE
Quiet, Malfoy! Though one must
admit to feeling your pain. That
is the second time you have spoken
out of turn, Miss Granger. Tell
me. Are you incapable of
restraining yourself? Or do you
take pride in being an
insufferable know-it-all?
RON
(to Harry)
He's got a point, you know.
Harry stares at the parchment. Malfoy has drawn a crude
caricature of Harry in his Quidditch robes being STRUCK
BY LIGHTNING over and over.
SNAPE
Five points from Gryffindor!
(to the class)
As a antidote to your ignorance, I
prescribe two rolls of parchment
on the werewolf by Monday morning,
with particular emphasis placed on
recognizing it.
(suddenly)
Passing notes, Potter?
Snape SNATCHES the drawing from under Harry's nose. Eyes
it.
SNAPE
Not exactly Picasso, are you? I
hope you demonstrate more talent
on the Quidditch pitch this
weekend then you do as an artist.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
52.
65 CONTINUED: (3) 65
SNAPE (CONT'D)
If not, I fear you'll perish,
given the weather forecast. Until
that time, however, you'll forgive
me if I don't let you off
homework. Should you die, I
assure you... you need not hand it
in.
As Snape turns away, Malfoy sniggers with Crabbe, Coyle
and PIKE. Harry glances down at the drawing once more
and we hear a true RUMBLE of THUNDER and --
CUT TO:
... a STITCH OF LIGHTNING...
66 OMITTED 66
& &
67 67
68 EXT. QUIDDITCH PITCH - A STITCH OF LIGHTNING - DAY 68
as it strikes one of the GOLDEN QUIDDITCH RINGS and the
clouds bloom with ICY BLUE light. Far below, in the
stands, RAIN lashes the SEA OF UMBRELLAS. As one flies
free, soaring end over end into the sky, the...
... CROWD EXPLODES and two Quidditch squads -- Gryffindor
in SCARLET, Hufflepuff in CANARY-YELLOW -- shoot into the
air. Twin BLUDGERS FIRE skyward, and the match is on.
We CUT INTO Harry, rising like a rocket through the mist,
his robes SNAPPING VIOLENTLY in the wind.
INTERCUT HARRY'S POV
-- as he flies, RAIN falling like NEEDLES before him,
every dark cloud concealing potential danger. Beaters
crisscross his path. A BLUDGER WHIZZES past, then a
second ROCKETS DIRECTLY AT HIM.
SWOOP! -- Harry ducks, watches the BLUDGER SHATTER the
BROOM of a HUFFLEPUFF BEATER. The Beater goes into a
wild spiral, vanishes in the mist.
(CONTINUED)
53.
68 CONTINUED: 68
IN THE STANDS
Ron squints upward, the players little more than
STREAKING BLURS from his vantage. KA-SSSST! A STITCH OF
LIGHTNING strikes the TAIL of ANGELINA JOHNSON'S broom.
As it BURSTS into FLAMES, she PLUMMETS to the pitch. Ron
looks down at his own HAND. In the HIGHLY-CHARGED AIR,
the HAIR above his knuckles RISES.
In the sky, Harry flies fearlessly, searching for the
Snitch as Bludgers pierce the clouds above him and
CHASERS flit IN and OUT OF VIEW far below. Suddenly, in
the stands opposite, a BLACK UMBRELLA flies from the hand
of a RAVENCLAW GIRL. For a moment, it sails wondrously
through the heavy air, a Magritte dream, then -- WHOOP!
WHOOP! WHOOP! -- abruptly picks up speed, ROTATING LIKE
A HATCHET. Harry DUCKS, turns, and watches it disappear
into a bank of clouds. Then...
... something GLIMMERS: the Snitch. Instantly, Harry
jets off closing fast on the tiny, glimmering ball,
chasing it through one cloud... then another... and
another... until...
... he BREAKS into a clear patch of sky... only to find
the Snitch is gone. Angrily, Harry whips the Nimbus back
around, searching the horizon frantically, when he spies
something:
In the stadium's HIGHEST TOWER, something ENORMOUS
flickers briefly in SILHOUETTE, then is obscured by a
veil of mist.
Harry turns. In the distance, the stray umbrella spins
INTO VIEW, harpoons a player. Harry's eyes shift. The
SNITCH SHIMMERS like a FIREFLY in the dark underbelly of
a cloud. Harry begins to go... when the veil of mist
shrouding the high tower shifts and -- for one brief
moment -- a GREAT DOG is revealed. As this mist closes,
Harry frowns, jets away.
As Harry pelts after the Snitch, the crowd RISES TO THEIR
FEET, ROARING. Ron GRINS over the binoculars, watching
Harry shred the mist as he urges his broom on.
HARRY
Faster!
Come on!
The trace of a smile forms on Harry's lips as he closes
on the Snitch... only yards away... reaching out...
when...
(CONTINUED)
54.
68 CONTINUED: (2) 68
... a THIN GLAZE of ICE clouds his GLASSES. He wipes at
them, then flinches: BLOOD trickles down his cheek. The
rain is turning to needles. Needles of ice. Harry
glances at the HANDLE of his BROOMSTICK. The water
sluicing through the grain is FREEZING. VAPOR streams
from his mouth and nose.
SWOOSH! A dark SILHOUETTE passes on his right. He
turns. SWOOSH! -- a twin SILHOUETTE passes on his left.
Harry sees neither. Looks down. The layers of mist are
parting below. LIGHTNING STRIKES. Reveals: an ARMY OF
SILHOUETTES drifting onto the pitch. A vast legion of
them...
DEMENTORS.
A DISTANT WHISTLE weaves into the WIND, rises in pitch,
not a whistle at all, but a... SCREAM. A WOMAN'S SCREAM.
Harry's eyes flutter, and wisps of SILVERY WHITE LIGHT
float from his mouth. His glasses glaze over completely.
His fingers, rigid, can no longer grip the broom and...
He FALLS.
HERMIONE
No!!!
Harry and broom tumble in opposite directions.
The Nimbus soars end over end, tossed by the currents,
then drops... right into the Whomping Willow.
FLOOMPH! Harry, in freefall, drops through one cloud,
then another. Plummeting through the circling Dementors.
Then... a TALL FIGURE rises from the crowd. Raises an
OPEN HAND to the heavens. Eyes angry but clear.
Dumbledore.
An EXPLOSION -- more powerful than thunder -- rocks the
air.
A FLASH -- more fierce than lightning -- shocks the sky.
And then...
THE SCREEN GOES BLACK.
Not a sound. For the longest time. Then... VOICES:
RON
Looks a bit peaky, doesn't he?
(CONTINUED)
55.
68 CONTINUED: (3) 68
FRED
Peaky? What d'you expect him to
look like? He fell fifty feet.
GEORGE
Yeah, c'mon, Ron. We'll walk you
off the Astronomy Tower and see
how you come out looking.
HARRY
Probably a right sight better than
he normally does.
Harry opens his eyes and Ron, Fred, George, and Hermione
SLOWLY COME INTO FOCUS, standing at the foot of his bed
in the hospital wing.
HERMIONE
Harry! How're you feeling?
69 INT. HOSPITAL WING - DAY 69
As Harry edges up against his pillow, we see a NURSE in
the b.g., removing the SPOKES of an umbrella from a
Hufflepuff player's neck. Harry doesn't look so good
himself.
HARRY
Brilliant.
FRED
Gave us a right good scare, mate.
HARRY
What happened?
RON
You fell off your broom.
HARRY
Really? I meant the match. Who
won?
Silence. Uncomfortable glances.
HERMIONE
No one blames you, Harry. The
Dementors aren't meant to come on
the grounds. Dumbledore was
furious. After he saved you, he
sent them straight off.
(CONTINUED)
56.
69 CONTINUED: 69
Harry nods grimly, stares at the RAIN LASHING the window.
RON
There's something else you should
know, Harry. Your Nimbus -- when
it blew away? -- it sort of landed
in the Whomping Willow. And well...
He tips a BAG of SPLINTERED WOOD and TWISTED TWIGS onto
the bed. As Harry stares, we hear a gentle WIND, then...
PROFESSOR LUPIN (V.O.)
I'm sorry about your broom, Harry.
There's no chance of fixing it?
70 EXT. BLACK LAKE - LATE AFTERNOON 70
Harry shakes his head in response to Lupin's question,
then -- WHOOSH! -- sets Hedwig free of her traces. As
she soars into the sky, Harry and Lupin watch from the
lake's edge.
HARRY
Why do they affect me so,
Professor? I mean, more than
everyone else...
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Dementors are among the foulest
creatures that walk this earth.
They feed on every good feeling,
every happy memory, until a person
is left with nothing but his worst
experiences. You're not weak,
Harry. The Dementors affect you
most, because there are true
horrors in your past. Horrors
your classmates can scarcely
imagine. You have nothing to be
ashamed of.
HARRY
I'm scared, Professor.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
I'd consider you a fool if you
weren't.
(CONTINUED)
57.
70 CONTINUED: 70
HARRY
I need to learn how to fight them.
You could teach me, Professor.
You made that Dementor on the
train go away...
PROFESSOR LUPIN
There was only one that night...
HARRY
But you made it go away.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
(a beat)
I don't pretend to be an expert,
Harry. But yes, I can teach you.
Perhaps after the holiday. For
now, though, I need to rest. I'm
feeling... tired.
Harry turns, studies Lupin's haggard face. A weary smile
appears as Hedwig's reflection glides over Lupin's
irises.
PROFESSOR LUPIN
Beautiful...
Harry looks up, watches Hedwig pinwheel through the blue,
past the CLOCK TOWER and EXIT FRAME. CAMERA HOLDS, the
skies PALES, and SNOW begins to fall. We TILT DOWN...
70A EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE - DAY (WEEKS LATER) 70A
... to Hogwarts castle, weeks later, dusted in white.
71 EXT./INT. CLOCK TOWER - DAY 71
Harry, framed in the window, stares out, looking forlorn.
In REFLECTION, SNOW falls on the glass.
HARRY'S POV
A ragged line of students follows McGonagall toward the
bridge. Harry's POV becomes OBJECTIVE and...
72 EXT. CLOCK TOWER COURTYARD - DAY 72
... FOOTPRINTS appear in the snow, moving quickly to join
the other students.
(CONTINUED)
58.
72 CONTINUED: 72
Suddenly, Fred and George appear, heading the opposite
way and... the FOOTPRINTS reverse themselves... as if
Fred and George were escorting an invisible person.
FRED
Clever, Harry.
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