Once More with Phoenix

Once More with Phoenix

Scene 1

Going Through the Motions

SOUND EFFECT: Piano introduction to “Going Through the Motions” plays.

Friday morning, the fifth-year Gryffindor boys’ dormitory. Harry awakes in his four-poster bed and stretches, nodding to Ron, who’s also waking up, rubbing his eyes and yawning hugely.

Cut to Harry, Ron and Hermione walking into the Great Hall, then sitting at the Gryffindor table to eat breakfast. They nod and chat with Neville and Ginny while eating; other members of the DA walk by, waving hello, and Harry nods to them discreetly.

Cut to Ron and Hermione sitting in the library reading the same spellbook together, looking like they’re having a row about something; Madam Pince comes by and shushes them. Ginny walks past and sits with Luna at another library table. They take out parchment and quills to write, talking (inaudibly) while they do so.

Cut to Harry in a Potions lesson, Snape glaring malevolently at him; Neville melts another cauldron and Harry grimaces, glaring back at Snape. Hermione helps Neville clean up.

Cut to Harry walking through the corridors of Hogwarts with an evening sky showing through the windows as the song introduction continues; he reaches Umbridge’s office, puts his hand on the door knob--and then sings:

HARRY

Every single night, the same arrangement–
I come here to write and write.
From my friends I feel this strange estrangement;
I should not be here, something isn’t right.
Why should I be cool and stay in school
When Voldemort’s so cruel?

Harry enters the office; Umbridge nods grimly at him and motions to the writing table with a sweeping gesture of her hand.

HARRY, cont’d

(sitting and picking up a quill)

I’m just going through the motions
Writing all these lies.
And Dumbledore won’t even meet my - eyes!

Umbridge stands over him with her hands on her hips while he writes and his hand bleeds.

HARRY, cont’d

I was always brave and kind of righteous,
Now I just write lines and bleed.
One foot in the grave’s no way to live.
I’ve got a fight to lead.

UMBRIDGE

(singing and pointing at parchment)

You must do the deed.

HARRY

(standing and trying to leave the DADA office)

This I do not need.

Umbridge twirls over to the door to block his exit, her skirts swirling around her.

UMBRIDGE

(wagging her finger in his face as she sings)

You might be adored by Dumbledore
But now I run the show!

She pushes Harry back into his chair and puts the quill back in his hand with a flourish.

UMBRIDGE, cont’d

So you can’t just go through the motions,
Faking it somehow.

HARRY

(sighing and beginning to write again)

How’d I know she’d say that to me? ...OWWWW!

Harry holds up his bleeding hand, protesting to Umbridge.

HARRY, cont’d

Voldemort’s my main endeavour--

UMBRIDGE

(hands on hips again, indignantly)

Will you tell your lies forever?

HARRY

(putting his finger in her face)

You’re the one who lies--

UMBRIDGE

(turning away and ignoring him)

--whatever--

HARRY

(standing and flinging open the door, dashing into the corridor and slamming the door shut behind him, while Umbridge pounds on the closed door)

I don’t want to be--

Harry sings in the middle of the corridor, his hands up.

HARRY, cont’d

Going through the motions
While another dies.
No one wants to hear
That You-Know-Who is near
They’re all just ruled by fear--and lies!

Music swells; cut to Room of Requirement, next morning...

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