Chapter 178
After resolving Lindsay Lohan's big issue, Martin flew straight to England.
The film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World had been officially greenlit, and Martin's Meyers Pictures, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures, was holding auditions for the film's characters in London.
"Charlotte, Charlotte, hurry up! Aren't you ready yet? We're running a bit late!"
From downstairs, Charlotte's mother urged her to hurry. The little girl, about ten years old with brown hair, reluctantly stepped away from the mirror, grabbed her schoolbag off the chair, and walked downstairs. "Okay, Mom, I'm coming!"
As the sound of footsteps approached, Charlotte, dressed in her Gryffindor costume, appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"How do I look, Mom?"
She twirled around with a smile.
"Fantastic! You look just like Hermione Granger has stepped right out of the pages of the book."
Charlotte giggled, tugging at her mother's sleeve as they made their way to the door. "Come on, Mom, where are we signing up?"
"In the Grand Theatre in Trafalgar Square, darling. I just hope it's not too crowded."
On their way to Trafalgar Square, Charlotte was full of questions, bouncing in her seat with excitement.
"Mom, do you think I'll really get to meet Martin today?"
"Mom, do you really think I look like Hermione?"
"Mom, I've never acted before, do you think they'll pick me?"
"Sweetheart, you're just nervous. I know you're incredibly talented, but remember, it's not up to me. Just be yourself. As for seeing Martin, the papers said he'd be there, but I'm not sure if that's true," her mother reassured her.
"Oh my God, I really hope he does show up! I'll have to talk to him about the future plotlines of Harry Potter."
The car wound its way through the old streets of London before parking near the square.
When Charlotte and her mother arrived at the registration point in Trafalgar Square, they were shocked to see the theatre already packed. Hundreds of children and their parents filled the area.
The registration for the audition was taking place on the theatre stage.
A long line snaked out from the stage. There were easily over a thousand people, the line twisting and winding through the theatre and extending all the way to the square outside.
"Oh my God, so many people! We're late, Mom!" Charlotte complained, pulling at her mother's sleeve. "Can't you drive faster?"
"Okay, okay, enough complaining! You know who's responsible for the delay, don't you? Let's just get in line now before it gets even longer," her mother gently reminded her.
Charlotte nodded. Despite the long line, more people kept joining, and she feared she wouldn't even get a chance to audition if they didn't hurry.
She quickly moved ahead, and her mother followed.
In front of them was an energetic little boy with reddish-blonde hair, waving a magic wand and casting spells out loud. "Avada Kedavra! Wingardium Leviosa! Alaho Cave!"
After a while, the boy seemed to tire of his spells. Turning around, he spotted Charlotte and greeted her cheerfully.
"Hi! My name's Rupert Grint, and I'm here for the Ron Weasley audition. You must be Hermione, right?"
Charlotte immediately liked the boy—well, at least he had good taste!
"Hi, I'm Charlotte Watson, but you can call me Emma. I'm here for Hermione's audition."
"Nice to meet you, Emma. You can call me Rupert—or Rube."
The two quickly hit it off, chatting excitedly.
At that moment, the crowd erupted into excited shouts.
"Martin! It's Martin!"
"Hey, Martin, look over here!"
"Martin! I'm your biggest fan! You have to pick me for Harry Potter!"
Rupert rolled his eyes and muttered, "Emma, you know Martin will never pick him. He'll pick me. I know Martin."
"What? You know Martin?" Charlotte asked, surprised.
But Rupert didn't hear her because Martin had just walked by, and Rupert joined the frenzied shouts.
"Martin! Martin! It's me, Rupert Grint! I'm here for the signing!"
Charlotte rolled her eyes. So this is what he meant by 'knowing' Martin…
The noise in the theatre was so deafening that Martin didn't hear any of the shouts. He simply walked straight onto the stage and took a seat at the end of the row.
Rupert's face lit up. Turning to Charlotte, he said, "Did you see that? Martin just glanced at me! He really knows who I am!"
Charlotte nodded half-heartedly. "Yeah, yeah, he knows you. I'm sure he's hoping you get the part of Ron. But I think the boy in front of you is more like Harry."
"Impossible! Who?" Rupert asked, turning to look.
It was a young boy in his teens, being interviewed by reporters.
The boy had sea-blue eyes full of enthusiasm and curiosity, a shy smile, and a gentle demeanor that made him the spitting image of the Harry Potter character in Martin's book. Even the reporters were captivated by him, and one approached with a microphone.
"Can I ask your name, young man?" the reporter inquired.
"Daniel," the boy replied, his freckled face glowing with confidence under the stage lights.
"Daniel Radcliffe," he added proudly.
"Which school do you attend, Daniel?"
"Sussex House Secondary School."
"And why are you auditioning for the Harry Potter movies?"
Daniel looked surprised at the question, replying with a grin, "Why else? I love the books. I love the characters. I just had to try."
"So, which role are you auditioning for?"
"Harry Potter, of course," Daniel said, flashing a confident smile.
"You seem sure of yourself. Do you have any acting experience?"
"Yes, I've done a couple of roles, like in David Copperfield and The Tailor of Panama, but those were supporting parts because I was younger. But this time, it's different. Harry is the protagonist! That's why kids like me love Martin's Harry Potter books. Don't you agree?"
"Yeah!" several voices around the room echoed in agreement.
"Wow, this kid is experienced," Emma remarked to Rupert, impressed.
Rupert muttered to himself, "Maybe I should try for Ron after all."