Hollywood Zenith

" What about the books? Have you read the original books yet?" Someone asked Samuel.

" Yeah, I read the first two books, but I have a lot to catch up on." The person directed the question toward Rupert.

" A long time ago, but to be honest. I have, since then, completely forgotten everything about it." Which again made the crowd chuckle. When Emma was asked the same question, she had a different answer.

" I have read the least of Harry Potter in my class. But unlike my counterpart Hermione, who is extremely intelligent and can use magic. I am an average girl who managed to get the part somehow. I cried, and I was just really excited, basically."

" And how do you feel about becoming famous?"

" Going to be cool!"

The reporters moved to director Columbus.

" It must be tough to cast young actors. What was your first impression?"

" I realized that they were all movie stars and amazing actors. And we needed to see them together; that was the other thing, we had different potential candidates for Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and we wanted to see them all together.

They were only around ten years old, but journalists asked them what they planned to do with their earnings.

" I am afraid I am really going to bore all of you, but I am afraid I will stick it in a back until I am twenty-one."

Her father shouted from the far back, ' That's my girl!' which made everyone laugh, but the interviewer continued-

" Sam, are you going to be a saver too?"

" I don't know. I have to think about it." If they knew Samuel's plan, they would think he was delusional.

" Rupert?"

" Well, speaking as a wizard, well, we are going to get paid muggle money, and I don't really understand it." He maintained his funny image. Everyone loved their combination.

Samuel is the calm one, Emma the nervous but with a great knack for interviews, and Rupert the funny one.

The last question was again directed at the director. They asked him about his experience and past movies that he directed.

" I learned a big lesson on the first two " Home Alone" films, and subsequently dealing with children in films, and I was concerned when I got this job that when we dealt with the children who would eventually get these roles that we would also make absolutely certain that the parents were wonderful as well because I felt a need to protect these kids against sort of the onslaught of publicity, against what eventually can go wrong if you star in a film of this magnitude.

But our team will always be there to ensure that didn't happen."

Columbus concluded the press conference and left the podium with the kids. They took a few pictures for the media before heading backstage.

It was a short interview, but this news's waves were immense. People already knew about the book being adapted; this was the first time they had seen the cast. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were the fan favorite, and everyone was excited to get a glimpse of the children who would play those roles.

The next day several photos of kids striking various poses were published, along with a lengthy article. The response was exactly how the production team anticipated. There were practically no bad things said about the casting choice.

Samuel was praised for his uncanny resemblance to the character; even his eye color matched Harry's.

The colleagues grabbed morning coffee while walking toward the office among the people going to work.

" Did you see today's newspaper?" the female colleague asked.

" Do you really take me as a newspaper guy? I have toilet paper at home." The man answered with a cheeky tone. They had worked for a few years and had a good friendship.

" Eww! Gross, I am not talking about that! It's about your favorite book."

" Favorite book? You mean the harry potter series?"

" Yes, I still can't understand why you like that children's book so much."

" You will never understand the beauty if you reject it because it is a children's book. Well, I didn't expect much from a muggle."

" Again, with that! If you truly are a fan, did you know they held a press conference to introduce the children playing main roles?"

" What? When did that happen? I knew about the movie, but they did an interview!"

" I guess you really are not a wizard, my friend." She said while making a sad face. They liked to go back and forth between their conversation; some may call it banter.

" You understood that reference!" On the other hand, he was excited that she grabbed that.

The newspapers read-

" The Birth of a New Franchise!

"Cushions were pulled out for three little stars for what may become one of the most valuable film franchises in history. Author Rowling will take us to see their creation filled with wands that can do magic."

With a huge picture of Samuel's face alongside the cartoon version of Harry read-

" Movie Magic is brewing for Sam Moore, an eleven-year-old British actor picked to play Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

Samuel got the most press out of the three as the main character, which was good and bad. This was the first time his face was known to the public. Although his hair was dyed and he had glasses on, if someone looked closely, they could find their similarities.

He was trying to hide his identity but was not too worried about it. Even if it got exposed, they could handle the repercussions. The only issue would be public sentiments; others could accuse him of bribing the upper film management to gain the role.

It was not true, but they had to be careful regardless; he didn't want to cause more trouble. It was bad already that he chose this career path. Except for Uncle George, no one in the family had a large presence in public.

It was not a coincidence, but it was by design.