"Annie, let me introduce you. This is Vivian, Isabella's mother—Vivian Carlson."
"Vivian, this is Harry Potter's author, Joanne Rowling… uh…"
Jessica hesitated, raising an eyebrow and letting out a strange sound:"Was that introduction a bit redundant? I assume you already know her, right?"
"Oh~ nowadays, who doesn't know the mother of Harry Potter?" Vivian extended her hand with a smile. "Hello, Ms. Rowling. I've heard so much about you. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise," Rowling replied with a smile. "Vivian, may I call you that?"
"Of course~"
"I really admire you, because your daughters are amazing…"
Every country is the same in this: when adults and kids are together, the adults naturally lead the conversation.
Tonight's dinner had, in fact, started because of Isabella. Yet once they met, the conversation flowed most freely between Vivian and Rowling. Though this was their first encounter, there was no awkwardness between them. While emotional intelligence helped, it was more about their shared life experiences.
"Vivian, I've heard your story. I'm sorry about Eric, but I really admire your strength."
"Thank you."
"I mean it from the heart. I'm also a single mother. When I divorced, I didn't have a stable job. Writing was my profession, but before I became famous, it was hardly enough to survive. Back then, my daughter and I lived off government assistance. Looking back, it was truly a nightmare."
"But God watches over those who strive, doesn't He? You found a new life with your own hands."
"Yeah~ you're right. God bless."
Vivian was a widow; Rowling divorced.
Though their situations were different, their independent spirits were the same.
And that was the best topic to bridge the gap.
Of course, even while chatting casually, they didn't forget the main purpose. The little girl who had spoken so confidently in her audition was now utterly focused on eating, like a machine. After she diligently finished her meal, the conversation naturally shifted to the star herself.
"Isabella?"
Rowling called her with a warm smile.
"Hm?"
The girl froze mid-swipe with her fork.
Like a groundhog, she looked up. "Aunt Annie, you called me?"
"Yeah~ I feel like you're a little different now than you were in the audition."
"How different?"
"You were confident in the DV, but now you're quiet."
"…"
Hearing this, Isabella immediately glanced around.
Seeing everyone's eyes on her, she rotated her utensils in her hands in a helpless gesture. "Aunt Annie, you're elders, and my mom's here. If I act silly now, I'd definitely get scolded at home."
"My mom would say I have no manners, no upbringing, and that I've embarrassed her. So…"
Isabella paused, then shrugged. "To avoid getting scolded, I have to be quiet."
"Right, Kesha?"
At this, Isabella nudged her sister with her elbow.
"Uh… yeah~"
The sudden 'speaking up for me' moment made Katherin pause for a second, then she nodded vigorously.
Their candid exchange, paired with their lack of coordination, made Rowling and the others laugh heartily.
Vivian put a hand to her forehead, both exasperated and amused.
"Good, you said it yourself. I'll deal with you when we get home."
"Ah~ see, kids are tough to manage~"
Isabella shrugged with both hands.
"Hahaha—"
The laughter grew even louder.
Of course, no one took the jokes seriously.
Once the conversation shifted to Isabella, Rowling didn't hide her admiration for her.
"Isabella, tonight's dinner is actually your second interview. I have two questions. If your answers satisfy me, you can go straight to the final interview. Are you ready?"
Isabella put down her knife and fork and dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
"I'm ready."
"Okay. First question: I want to know why you secretly came for this audition without telling your mother."
"Second question: Do you only want to play Hermione Granger? Or, if I choose you but think you're not suitable for Hermione, how would you feel?"
Once the questions were asked, all eyes in the room focused on Isabella.
Rowling and Susie's eyes were full of curiosity.
Vivian and Katherin's gaze reflected more complex emotions.
Isabella shook her head slightly, exhaling softly.
"Aunt Annie, I see these two questions as one. If you think I'm not suitable for Hermione, I'd be very sad—because auditioning for Hermione is the main reason I sneaked away from my mom."
"I came for two reasons: first, I genuinely like Hermione Granger; second, I believe playing Hermione could change my destiny. The second reason is even more important than the first."
"My family is in difficulty. My sister and I want to help our mother. I believe only Hermione Granger can do all this. I might sound a bit pragmatic, but I have to say… if my family weren't in trouble, I probably wouldn't have come."
After she finished speaking, the large private room fell silent.
Katherin bit her lip;Vivian closed her eyes;Susie and Jesse looked toward Rowling.
Rowling, who had been watching the girl, smiled with some emotion. "You're very honest."
"Thank you."
Isabella nodded and asked, "So… Aunt Annie, are you satisfied with my answer?"
Rowling didn't answer immediately. Instead, she asked back, "Do you know why I was so eager to meet you?"
"Because… you're a mother too?"
"You're smart. I divorced my ex-husband because he was abusive. The worst time was seven years ago—he threw me out and wouldn't let me see my daughter. She was only four months old then."
Rowling recalled, "After he pushed me out, the only thought in my mind wasn't divorce—it was that my daughter couldn't survive without me. He was drunk and incapable, so I called the police and got my daughter back."
"I love my child, just like your mother loves you."
Before she finished speaking, Vivian already sniffled.
Seemingly unwilling to show weakness in front of her daughter, she turned her head away.
Susie thoughtfully handed over tissues, while Jesse lightened the somber moment with a smile.
"Okay, Isabella, we're very satisfied with your answers. Congratulations—you passed the second interview."
"Next, you'll face the final interview."
"We can tell you in advance who the examiners are and the content. On the day of the final interview, besides Annie, the film's producer David Heyman and director Chris Columbus will also be present. The test will focus on actual acting."
"Since you have no acting experience, but we really like you, we've decided to provide you with an acting coach for pre-exam training, to better prepare you for the final interview."
"So…"
"Good luck."
To be honest, the moment Isabella learned Rowling had invited her to dinner, she understood she was now Rowling's top choice for Hermione Granger, at least at this moment.
So, advancing straight from the second interview to the final didn't surprise her.
But she also admitted that she was thrilled.
Because once Rowling liked her, she was only one step away from changing her destiny~Wasn't she?
At 6:30, the group sat down to dinner.
By almost 8 PM, everyone stood to leave.
Susie had finished her last duty in the project and retired gracefully;
Jesse still had to deliver Isabella's audition materials and results to Warner, playing the dutiful assistant for a while;
Rowling returned home to care for her child—she had only stepped out for dinner, her daughter three years younger than Isabella;
And Isabella…
After passing the second interview, Isabella was happy.
At the table, she giggled and chatted.
But at home…
Vivian called her two daughters over.
Under their mother's gaze, Isabella immediately wilted.
Her behavior—accepting blame, seeking a light scolding—left Vivian somewhat speechless.
After a long silence, all her instructions were finally condensed into a single sigh:
"Mom loves you both. Mom also knows you love me, so if you have anything on your mind, you can tell me directly."
"Don't do anything that worries Mom again, okay?"
"Okay, Mom." Katherin nodded in agreement.
"Mm." Isabella simply responded with a soft acknowledgment.
Their obedient behavior made Vivian feel a little at ease. "Alright, you've both had a long day and are probably tired. Go to your rooms, wash up, and rest."
"Okay." Katherin nodded once more.
Isabella, ears perked like a little dog, slipped away quietly.
"Alright, Mom~ Love you~ Goodnight~"
Before she even finished speaking, the little girl had already darted upstairs.
The trailing sound of her sprint made Katherin twitch at the corner of her eye.
Wait…
One second she's all pitiful, and the next second she's sprinting away so energetically??Does she not finish acting out her little performances???
If Isabella knew her sister's thoughts, she would probably roll her eyes and say:
"Sis! Mom already forgave us, and you're still not running? Staying here waiting for her to change her mind?"
In Isabella's eyes, when Mom's mood was good, escaping was the best way to avoid getting scolded. But…
Vivian took a deep breath.
Her youngest daughter's 'escape' made her feel like she had uncovered everything.
"So today was Isabella's idea, right?"
"No——"
This question made Katherin come back to her senses. She decisively shook her head. "It was my idea."
She still remembered the bet.
Openly covering for her sister left Vivian momentarily speechless.
"Alright, alright, your idea, your idea. I got it."
Vivian let it go.
Heart tired.jpg...
Warner acted quickly.
Just the night before, Jesse had mentioned bringing in a teacher for acting lessons. By noon the next day, Vivian had received a scheduled call.
It was from Dame Maggie Smith, who had swept the European and American film industries in 1970 with The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, winning both the BAFTA and the Oscar for Best Actress. Yes, she was the same Maggie Smith personally chosen by Rowling for Professor McGonagall.
As a national treasure of the British performing arts scene, Maggie Smith usually didn't take students.
Thus, upon receiving Jesse's call, Vivian, knowing how rare an opportunity this was, immediately took action. She bought a small gift as a token of appreciation and had her 'grown-up' daughters get ready.
Vivian held a small grudge too.
Isabella, however, didn't care. She was thrilled. Not only would this solve the acting problem and secure Hermione Granger, but the teacher Rowling had arranged for her was none other than the beloved Professor McGonagall herself?
Oh~This was her favorite Hogwarts headmistress~Uh…
One of them?
Because Hogwarts had other headmasters too—Dumbledore and Snape. True Harry Potter fans liked the old headmaster and the Half-Blood Prince.
Maggie Smith lived in South Kensington, just a half-hour walk from Mayfair. So even though Vivian bought the gift at the last minute, they arrived at Professor McGonagall's residence on time.
With Rowling as the intermediary, Maggie Smith welcomed them warmly.
She was especially polite toward Vivian for bringing a gift.
Since learning acting is a long process, Vivian didn't stay too long. After scheduling a lesson time, she left. At that point, Maggie Smith turned her serious attention to Isabella. Just a few glances, and the sixty-six-year-old was already drawn to the young girl's presence.
"I think I understand why Susie recommended you so strongly, Isabella. You look even better in person than in the DV."
"Thank you for the compliment, Dame Smith."
"Just call me Maggie."
"Alright, Professor Maggie."
"Annie said you've never studied acting, but I've seen your audition materials. Your enunciation while reading the novel Susie gave you is quite clear. In industry terms, your line delivery is pretty solid. So before formal lessons, I want to know—have you really never done any acting? Do you have absolutely no understanding of it?"
"Uh… I've really never studied acting, but…"
"But what?"
Maggie Smith's interest was piqued.
"But I know about the experiential school, method school, and performance school…"
Isabella answered truthfully.
The elderly lady chuckled.
"Okay, okay, now I believe you've never studied acting. And that's actually a good thing. If you haven't studied acting, our lessons should go very smoothly."
"What? Why?"
Isabella was puzzled. "Do you mean it's easier to draw on a blank canvas?"
"Something like that…"
Maggie Smith blinked and shook her head.
"Because in my view, experiential, method, and performance approaches are not what children should learn. Or I should say, teaching acting techniques to minors can be harmful."
"Take method acting, for example, Isabella. Since you can name it, you probably know it focuses on emotional memory. During training, an actor must constantly recall past memories that left a strong impression, connecting those memories with intense emotions…"
"For example, fear: someone afraid of insects feels like countless compound eyes are staring at them. That fear gives them goosebumps. Method acting teaches the actor to record such scenes and, whenever performing, to hypnotize themselves to relive the fear. It helps actors immerse themselves quickly, but…"
Maggie Smith paused, then continued:"This technique can also be harmful. From a psychological perspective, overcoming sadness allows you to grow and live happily, whereas repeatedly reliving fear can lead to depression."
"The experiential approach is similar. Want to think what the character thinks? Feel what the character feels? That's a good way to play a role, but even adults struggle with it. How much more so children?"
"It can easily cause mental breakdowns."
"Performance acting is the simplest of the three. You don't need to memorize emotions or become the character, but analyzing a character and designing actions and inner feelings is still not suitable for a child."
"So…"
Maggie Smith elongated her voice, eyes sparkling as she looked at Isabella.
Isabella felt she was starting to understand.
"Professor Maggie, do you mean there are other ways of acting in the world?"
"Of course."
"You want me to guess?"
"Do you have an answer?"
Though Isabella hadn't studied acting, she thought she had heard of a fourth major approach besides experiential, method, and performance. That was—"natural acting?" She furrowed her brow, unsure.
Even she felt the answer was a little funny.
But—
"Yeah~ Miss Granger~ Congratulations, you're correct~"
Before Isabella finished speaking, the elderly lady stopped smiling.
Straightening up, her expression serious, her eyes deep and still as a well.
Not only that, her formal tone made Isabella feel like she was in a classroom.
At this moment, she wasn't facing a kindly old lady—she was facing a strict headmistress.
Very strict~
"Miss Granger, do you have any questions?"
The calm question made Isabella's mouth slightly open.
After a two-second pause, she shook her head instinctively. "No, Professor McGonagall."
If there had been a mirror, she would have noticed a trace of timidity as she shook her head.
Cautious when facing authority;Sincere when facing seriousness.
This behavior brought back Maggie Smith's smile.
"Okay, Isabella, you did very well."
At that moment, she became Maggie Smith again.
The sudden shift between character immersion and detachment left Isabella slightly dazed.
After a few seconds, she brightened up again.
Because she realized the lessons seemed more interesting than she had imagined.