Hollywood Zenith

Right on cue, Samuel entered the stage. The venue had a similar design to most of the talk shows of this era; although it was being taped, the audience could enjoy the show live with special tickets.

Samuel decided to wear a black outfit, Lauren wanted him to dress up as his character, but it would be a little overboard. It would have been great publicity for the merchandise.

He walked gallantly while smiling and waving toward the crowd cheering for him. He underestimated his popularity as he felt genuine happiness in their eyes. Some of them also waved toward him while others stood up from their seat; he felt a little grateful for their gesture.

His charming gait and cool and calm personality greatly invigorated the crowd; they were getting louder and louder with each step. The band was also in a full festive mood as they played an upbeat intro for the new star.

For now, only Samuel appeared on the stage; it was done to give the main actor some extra screen time. The rest of the cast would be called later.

Samuel shook hands with Matilda.

" Great to meet you. I am envious; they are much more lively for you." She said while shaking hands.

" Ah, I am also surprised. It is nice to meet you too. I would not spite me with hard questions." Samuel smiled and took his seat.

After the crowd settled down, Matilda started the interview after taking her seat.

" Hi, Sam. I hope the seats are fine. It's not everyday we get little stars on the set."

"I hope not; otherwise, I would be out of work even before starting my career." Samuel smiled and nodded to convey that he was comfortable. Matilda also smiled; she could tell this would be a good show.

" Now, How old are you Sam?"

" Twelve "

" You are twelve years old and you filmed this when you were like ten and a half?"

" No, elevan."

" I also found out that you are not an actor really, you didn't act before this film."

" You are right. It sort of just happened."

" t-thats really hard to believe, I have seen some of the clips of the movie. I never noticed it."

" Thank you but I really didn't know anything about it before this movie. I took acting lessons for few months to prepare for audition."

" Must be talent or hard work, you really shine on the screen."

" Well, I tried. It is up to the movie goers to decide."

Samuel was tight-lipped about it, so Matilda changed the subject.

" What about the books, you read the books?"

" Yeah, It would be hard to find someone who hasn't."

" Fair point, what about the audition? Were you nervous going to it?"

" I didn't really think I would get it, but I just kind of thought that it would be a good experience. You know it's not every day you get to meet Director Columbus or Mr. David, all those people. It would be a lie to say I was not nervous, but I really wanted to get the part."

Columbus, who was listening behind the scene, facepalmed; this kid was too terrifying! Changing his personality on a whim was not ordinary feet for anyone, and here looking at Samuel being humble scared him.

But it was good, knowing his real identity would be too horrible for kids watching at home; no, it would be the same even for adults.

Matilda, who was oblivious to it, continued-

" I love the books so much, and from what I can see, the movie will also be beautiful, but I can understand. It's a big challenge; I mean, that's like the most famous literary figure of our time, Harry Potter.

I mean to cast in that. That's a pretty big thing, you know."

" Yeah, It's a great thing. It still feels like a dream to me that I could be a part of it."

" Were your parents okay with it right away or did they have a little reservation?"

" Shit! Why is she asking about his parents? I really wanted to warn her before the interview, but it would have spooked her out." Columbus thought. He also knew that it would go against the promise he made to his higher-ups.

" They were apprehensive about it at first but seeing that I was passionate about it, they had a change of heart.

They had one concern that I would get my hopes up for nothing. You know, they had interviewed thousands of people for this part, and they knew about it.

When I started, I was not aiming for the main part, but over the month, It somehow seemed possible.

Regardless, there was only a slim chance of me getting the part, and they didn't want me to be disappointed."

" And did you know that they had seen thousands of kids before you trying to find the 'Harry'"

" Somewhat, I mean you could have seen the crowd when I first went for audition."

" Right, there was like a worldwide search, they kept looking and looking. They couldn't find the young harry, then you walked in and you were it young Sam." Matilda was hyping him up to make him comfortable. There was also some truth to her statement.

" Thank you." Samuel said with a smile. There was a rare shyness in his expression.

The crowd clapped to cheer him on. This was a different feeling for him; although he acted and talked like an adult, he was still a little kid at heart.

For the first time, he felt like he had accomplished something. It was different from earning money; fame was much more infectious. What's more, they were cheering for him.

Matilda noticed the slight change in his expression.

" Moving on. How long does it take to film the movie?"

" I think late september to early May."

" Wow, that's pretty long. Most movies takes about three months but I heard there were a lot of special effects."

" Yeah, you are right."

" And how do you do the Quidditch scenes? I was curious since I saw the scene. Was it blue screen?"

" I can't tell you that."

" You can't tell. It's a secret?" Matilda was surprised by his answer.

" Yeah."

" I have been in movies. Come on, Sam."

" No, I can't help you."

" Alright, you are not in the liberty to discuss. I can understand."

" I am not in the liberty to divulge that information."

" You don't want, Joe getting mad at you."

" It's not like that. I would have told you but it is secret for a reason."

Everyone laughed, seeing Samuel act all mysterious. They all thought it was related to his contract, but there was no such thing; he was going with the flow.

" Ok, what about her? When you met her were you little impress? I mean, she wrote the whole thing, that's got to be nerve racking?"

" Yeah, when I first met her, I was in awe. She is so cool and nice."

" What about the premier? Are you prepared? I heard they would be hosting it in the states?"

" I am excited. It would be nice to be with the crew again, like a small get together. I am looking forward to it."

" That's nice. I have a little confession to make since we are talking about the movie. I wanted to play Ron's and Ginny's mom, that is Julie Walker, in the movie.

It's only one part in this book, but she had a bigger part in the other book."

" Yeah"

" That was my role!" Matilda said with a stone face, but the crowd was amused.

" But they didn't think that I could do the british accent and sad to say they are probably right."

She tried to do the accent but failed miserably. Her punchline was when she started making strange noises that sounded more like an animal's cry than human language.

After a few seconds, she moved on to the next question.

" I may have the exclusive news regarding your next move in the industry. It's pretty big if you ask me."

" Well, it would be good if you tell me too." Samuel knew what she was eluding toward. The show got Amelia's permission before disclosing the news.

" You are smiling; I would be too if I was offered to be featured on the cover of entertainment magazines; Vanity fair and TV guide are only some of the names.

How do you feel about being on the cover pages of so many popular magazines? I mean, you are twelve; what do you feel about that?"

" Seriously, I don't know. It is certainly a privilege, how many people my age have got such an opportunity? It is surreal."

" What about the sequels? Are you doing the other Harry Potter movies?"

" At the moment, I don't know. I would try my best."

" Right, There could be an issue with the age of the character."

" Um, Harry kind of grows with the books, so it is doable. But everything is up to the studio how they want to proceed in the future. If they want me to do it, I would be happy."

" I think they might. You did a good job so far, little Sam. You are so adorably cute and composed. I want to just like take you to a great adventure and put you on a roller coaster!"

They all laughed, and Samuel waited for the noise to die before responding.

" That would be cool." Matilda chuckled, hearing his reply.

" That's so like british people, ' that would be cool' " She emulated his response.

" Hey, that's it. That was a great accent!" Samuel pointed out.

Everyone loved his quick-witted response and sense of humor. Seeing a good atmosphere, Matilda knew that it was time.

" We are going to meet the rest of the cast of this great movie. Hermione is coming up and Ron too. Right after this, so don't go anywhere, we will be right back."

That was the cue for a small break.