Harry Potter and the Cursed Child gave us an insight into so many of our favourite Harry Potter characters’ futures. Here’s just a few surprising facts we learnt about them in their later years.

Spoiler warning: naturally, this article will contain spoilers for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child...

1. Harry and Dudley kept in touch

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, there was a bizarre, yet strangely touching moment between Harry and his cousin, Dudley, where the pair shook hands and seemed to put their differences behind them.

In Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, we don’t see Dudley in the flesh, but Harry does mention that they’re still in contact. And by this point, it appears that Aunt Petunia has passed away too. We learn that the pair still talk when Harry passes on an old childhood blanket to Albus, which surprisingly, Aunt Petunia had kept in her possession...

HARRY

I thought a lot about what to give you this year. James – well, James has been going on about the Invisibility Cloak since time itself, and Lily – I knew she’d love wings – but you. You’re fourteen years old now, Albus, and I wanted to give you something which – meant something. This – is the last thing I had from my mum.The only thing. I was given to the Dursleys wrapped in it. I thought it had gone forever and then – when your Great Aunt Petunia died, hidden amongst her possessions, surprisingly, Dudley found this – and he kindly sent it on to me, and ever since then – well, any time I’ve wanted luck I’ve found it and just tried to hold it and I wondered if you . . .

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

2. Hermione’s done quite well for herself

There is a heated discussion between Hermione and the short-lived Minister for Magic Rufus Scrimgeour in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where Scrimgeour asks Hermione if she plans a career in Magical Law. To this, Hermione retorts that no, she’s hoping to do some good in the world.

This turned out to be half-true – Hermione did end up in a job in Magical Law... but didn’t do things by halves, taking the top job itself: Minister for Magic. We can’t imagine the wizarding world in safer hands.

Ever wondered what job you'd take at the Ministry? See if you'd be the Minister like Hermione here.

3. Draco’s wife suffers a tragic fate

During the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Draco is seen with a wife and son, Astoria and Scorpius. In the play, we learn a lot more about Draco’s son, Scorpius, but never meet Astoria on stage. This is because she is tragically unwell from a “blood malediction” passed down from a cursed ancestor, and eventually passes away. Despite being frail for a long time, Astoria longed for a child, and the couple had Scorpius.

4. But Scorpius has helped Draco mellow out in his later years

Despite their differences, Scorpius seemed to bring out a better side to Draco, despite their tensions. For while Draco spent his time at Hogwarts bullying just about everyone, Scorpius led with kindness and intelligence, finding sanctuary in the Hogwarts library, and forgoing popularity for hanging out with the equally-unpopular Albus Potter. After Astoria’s death, the father and son seemed closer. And Draco’s excitement at coming across a farmer’s market just showed us how far this former Death Eater has come. Oh, and not forgetting his long ponytail either.

5. Ron carries on Fred Weasley’s legacy

After Fred’s passing in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Ron continues the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes business with his brother, George. And beyond running a joke shop, Ron has really leaned into his fun dad and fun uncle status during the play, often playing the joker in the family. In one cute scene, Ron is seen amusing Harry’s daughter, Lily, who finds Uncle Ron hilarious. After spending his Hogwarts years mostly worrying about Lord Voldemort with Harry, we’re happy Ron gets to chill out a bit in his middle age.

6. Ginny’s love of Quidditch still shines on

After years of success playing for the all-female Quidditch team, the Holyhead Harpies, Ginny has left her professional playing days behind to work in sports journalism when we meet her again, 19 years later. Writing for the Daily Prophet, Ginny is now the editor of the esteemed newspaper’s sports section. This is especially heartening when you remember that Ginny had a poster of Gwenog Jones, the then-captain of the Holyhead Harpies, in her bedroom when she was a teenager.

7. Harry reveals an unusual fear

During a bonding session with Albus, Harry reveals some hidden truths about himself we had no idea about until now... including a secret fear of something quite expected.

So, what could it be? We know his Boggart was a Dementor – and of course there were many other things for Harry to fear across his life. So, Harry opens up to his son and tells him about his dread when it comes to dark and enclosed spaces (no doubt due to his childhood years growing up in a cupboard...) but adds a final addition we really weren’t expecting.

HARRY
I don’t like small spaces and – I’ve never told anyone this but I don’t much like – (he hesitates before saying this) pigeons.
ALBUS
You don’t like pigeons? HARRY (he scrunches up his face) Nasty, pecky, dirty things. They give me the creeps.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

So, there you have it. What unexpected facts about your favourite characters did YOU learn from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? For more info, quizzes, behind-the-scenes facts and more about Cursed Child, why not visit our hub?