The boy’s efforts to change the past have some interesting repercussions in the present. This allows some of the most beloved and hated original characters to make guest appearances. These altered timelines also sometimes produce peculiar changes in character, some of which seem unrealistic.
This was an enjoyable read. It was wonderful to return to the Harry Potter world, but at times I struggled to find Rowling’s voice in this script.
*Spoiler Alert*
Several things struck me as odd in this story:
- Ron. Ron was never a favourite character of mine, but he was a well rounded character in the original books. In Cursed Child he’s a pathetic idiot. I also don’t understand why he’s running Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes.
- Hermione as a bitter Defence against the Dark Arts teacher because she and Ron never married. Cedric becoming a Death Eater because he was humiliated.
- Scorpius and Albus’ awkward hugs and attractions to Rose and Delphi respectively. One of the most adorable aspects of this pair’s friendship is the vague sexual tension between them, yet they both have crushes on girls? I would’ve enjoyed this story more if it included an actual romance between these two rather than the unclear implications of a potential one.
- Why Delphi happened. Voldemort always struck me as being more asexual and I can’t imagine him feeling lustful towards anyone. That being said, I do think he may have seen the value in having an heir. He was proud of his Wizarding heritage and bloodline, and Bellatrix would’ve been the most obvious choice to bear this heir. However, if Delphi was born shortly before the Battle of Hogwarts then that means Bella was pregnant when the snatchers brought Harry, Hermione, and Ron to Malfoy Manor. Even if she disguised her pregnancy or carried small, several things happened during this time that placed the unborn heir in danger and I don’t see either Voldemort or Bella risking his heir’s health. This also introduces the question of how Hermione didn’t notice Bellatrix was pregnant when Polyjuiced as her.