April 12.

  Billy once again looked around the Harry Potter produ studio; it was alive again, and he uood why projects like this demand so much from young actors. Today, after the processes were reinstated, the ag resumed, following a schedule that included seg a spot in the sed round of the Narnia casting.

  Billy’s presence, even just after the cert, was intimidating to the younger actors because of his incredible ag and singing skills. The British press was going crazy; the secret that he art of the cast erhaps the most important article of the year, as they po reveal it either halfway through or at the end of filming. Just being part of the produ was enough.

  The filming schedule for Harry Potter was intense, with a massive four-month rec span requiring numerous rehearsals. Everyone practiced without fear of ag; these were full rehearsals, especially fog on ag. Billy’s lines were minimal, and he expressed himself more through intense visual nguage.

  Along with physical movements, Billy watched many videos of high-risk athletes, from race car drivers to boxers, mixed martial artists, and others. His posture, with shoulders bad head held high, was a key differehat, among many things, gave the image of the character Viktor Krum.

  -Brilliant, I think we’re looking at a superstar, - ented James Phelps, alongside Oliver Phelps. Both were of a simir age ahe most pyful, along with a very nervous Robert Pattinson, who was still breaking out of his shell of shyness. He was usually quiet and didn’t have much to say beyond going with the flow.

  -I’m living in a fotten vil, with a few extras. After signing the fidentiality tracts, it’s likely the news will stay hidden for a while, but I think y some games. I still want to beat you in Street Fighter, - Billy said.

  The twins grinned widely. Every time they were around Billy, they brought out their best edic talents, more eic than they usually appeared, and Billy eheir pany.

  -Robert just wants to hide in his house! - Oliver Phelps joked.

  Robert Pattinson was sitting off to the side with a script in hand and an English diary on his p, doing something akin to an English homework assig. Both he and Billy were about the same age, set to turn 18 that year. However, Billy had already graduated after pleting a fast-track course, doing four years of school in two, each year densed into a single month.

  Robert smiled at the future vampire who would soon be hailed as one of the top heartthrobs of the 2000s.

  -e on, Robert, don’t be shy. How about a birthday party? - Oliver said, sittio Robert.

  -I’ve got a few things going ht now, - Robert replied.

  -Boo… you’re still shy, even now, - Oliver teased.

  Billy sat o Robert. Everyone participated in group rehearsals with the goal that wheime came for filming, it would all e together seamlessly in that special moment that would ultimately be captured on camera.

  The rehearsal was for a small se in a er of the studio, all against a green s. Billy’s appeal was enough for him to be part of the new ses approved by J.K. Rowling.

  [Se on the ship:

  Igor Karkaroff was leaning in the headmaster’s office for these occasions. The ship was moored nearby, rog from side to side. Billy stood on it with five other Durmstrang students, all around 17 years old, dressed in gray uniforms with fur cloaks draped over their bodies. Billy’s cloak was rge enough to cover three yers of clothing.

  -You are the most representative among us to participate iriwizard Tour. You know what to do; don’t disappoint me, - Karkaroff instructed.

  -Yes, Headmaster - murmured the four students.

  -At Hogwarts, you’ll meet many people with ideals but little ce to uphold them. You have nothing to do with that; you’ll hear sweet words, but don’t pay them any mind, - Karkaroff murmured.

  The five students hen turo leave, marking the exit of the five members of the Academy of Magid Sorcery. Billy was the st to leave, as the script dictated.

  -Viktor, stay behind, - Karkaroff called.

  -Headmaster, - Viktor replied, his at resonant and impressive—a good at, not overly exaggerated, but enough to be reizable as someone who isirely fluent.

  -gratutions on your participation in the Quidditch World Cup. Your performance surprised me, - Igor ented.

  -I did what was expected of me. -

  -You’re the academy’s star! I hope you’ll be the tour’s champion. Good luck, - Karkaroff replied.]

  ***

  Leightoer was utterly lost, sighing with a deep sense of sadness. She was pletely desperate, and though she wished to say otherwise, she found herself adrift in a mental void. She was in love—hopelessly in love—in a way she hought possible. It was a feeling of need and obsession. Billy hadn't called her in fifteen days, and it was exhausting, drainio think of anything other than the singer.

  -I see you're still sighing, - remarked Dougs Meester, Leighton’s father, his voice tinged with anger—a deep, simmering frustration over how to address this issue.

  -Nothing’s wrong, Dad. Stay out of my business, - Leighton snapped, closing the door to her room.

  She was desperate.

  Meanwhile, Billy was on a call with Gwen Stefani, talking about the perversions they shared. For an older woman, the coarse, suggestive nguage was thrilling. Remembering how their bodies iwined made her want to book a flight.

  -I think someone’s calling me, love, - Billy said to Gwen.

  -Let’s talk ter. I’ve been in the shower too long; my husband must be waiting for me, - Gwen replied.

  She hung up.

  -Leighton, sweetheart, how are you? - Billy said, having pletely fotten about the girl he left behind iates. Initially, he thought of keeping her around, but he often grew infatuated quickly and fot just as fast. Yet Leighton, with her angelic presence, was a beautiful exception.

  He sighed as he saw her name on his s.

  -Why didn’t you call me? - Leighton excimed, her voice full of reproach, expressing her frustration. The fifteen-day silence had caused her immense ay.

  -Because I fot. These past few days, I’ve been busy with the uping album unch. We’re expeg a big release, and I’ve been honing my ag skills. If possible, I’d love for us to be in a series or movie together. I haven’t been idle! - Billy expined, hoping she’d help him nd some roles in a way that suited him.

  The young woman thought it over as she sat on her bed, and her expression softened.

  Billy paced his room, looking for his guitar. He had a ade acoustic guitar in mahogany—one of five specially crafted for him. Each guitar cost 10,000 to make, and he always carried a red one on his travels, his favorite with golden edges.

  -I think I’d be really happy if you and I did that together, - the girl whispered, imagining them as Hollywood’s power couple, her mind filled with thoughts and dreams.

  ...