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Chapter - 236
🕑 Added 2025-09-27 16:47:18 +0000 UTC[Title : Chamber Of Secrets Wrap (1)]
….
UK. London.
It was the final day of filming for [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets], and Regal flew to the UK.
Fortunately, he had just arrived on set as the last shot was being captured under the direction of Chris Columbus.
He paused at the edge of the soundstage, quietly observing the carefully orchestrated scene unfolding before him.
Neither Columbus nor the cast had noticed Regal's arrival, which was exactly how he preferred it.
A couple of assistant directors stationed near the monitors spotted him instantly, their eyes widening.
One of them started to straighten, mouth opening to announce his presence, but Regal lifted a single finger to his lips–
“Shhh.”
The AD froze, nodded quickly, and sank back into their seat.
Regal gave a small wave of his hand–
“Continue your work.” He mouthed.
A boom operator who had also noticed him gave a faint smile, then turned back to his headphones.
The set settled again, the only sounds the rustle of cables, the click of the camera, and Chris Columbus’s steady voice guiding the young actors through their scene.
He had made it clear from the beginning of this production that this was not his domain - Chris Columbus was the captain of this ship, and Regal had no intention of disrupting that established hierarchy.
Setting these boundaries had been crucial, and he had ensured that the transition of directorial responsibilities was handled with the utmost care.
Children, after all, were creatures of habit.
They clung to what was familiar.
Even if a new presence on set was objectively better, more skilled, or more exciting, the instinctive response was resistance.
It was like swapping a teacher halfway through the school term - no matter how brilliant the newcomer, the students would sulk, complain, compare, and cling to the one they already knew.
Comeback, today’s filming is held in The Great Hall set - long tables pushed back to the walls, fake candles floating gently overhead.
For weeks the space had been alive with chaos - feasts, battles, trick shots of fireworks - but today it was empty, stripped down to silence.
This was the final scene, the final take of the film which wasn’t anything grand.
Just a hug.
Hermione was supposed to embrace both Harry and Ron before they parted ways, the quiet sort of ending that left the audience with warmth.
Simple.
Or at least, it was supposed to be.
Alas, Chris Columbus hadn’t expected trouble.
Not from Daniel, of all people.
The boy had been the most practical, the one who always took direction like a small professional.
If anyone was going to falter at an on-camera hug, Chris would have put money on Lily.
She was fiery, bright, and often a bit rowdy... but underneath that she is actually a shy girl, so he assumed she would be a bit embarrassed. But here she was, calm as a stone, ready for the take at any moment.
Daniel, on the other hand, had suddenly transformed into an awkward eleven-year-old boy in front of everyone.
His ears went pink at the mention of hugging Lily, his posture stiffening every time Chris called “action.”
….
It all started a few retakes before.
Chris Columbus sat near the monitor, headset dangling around his neck, script in hand.
“All right, let’s go again.” Chris said gently, his tone more like a teacher than a director. “Hermione, you walk over, hug Ron, then Harry. Nice and easy, we are just saying goodbye.”
Lily, in her Hogwarts robes, gave a crisp nod.
“Got it.” She was steady, not a flicker of hesitation in her voice.
Daniel, however, shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the sleeve of his jumper.
He muttered. “Yeah… easy.”
But his ears were red and his jaw tight.
Rupert leaned toward him with a grin. “What’s wrong with you? It’s just Lily.”
“That’s the problem.” Daniel hissed back, embarrassed.
Chris clapped once, gently pulling their focus. “Ready? Cameras rolling. And - action.”
What should have been natural affection between friends looked instead like a pair of strangers frozen at a train station.
His eyes darted, his face pink, and the magic drained out of the shot.
At first Chris let it run, hoping Daniel would shake the nerves.
But take after take, the stiffness only deepened.
It was the sixth attempt, and it was the same result.
Lily crossed the space with soft steps, her face glowing with Hermione’s warmth. She wrapped her arms around Rupert. He grinned, returning it, his expression the perfect mix of bashful and touched.
Then she turned toward Daniel, where he stood like a statue, waiting stiffly.
When Lily leaned in, his arms jerked up too late, his shoulders locked.
The embrace looked forced, his expression strained.
“Cut.” Chris said softly, he didn’t scold, but his sigh carried.
Daniel’s cheeks burned as he blurted. “I am sorry, I just… it feels weird doing it with everyone staring!”
A chuckle rippled across the crew, not mocking, just amused.
Lily folded her arms. “Oh, so hugging me is some sort of nightmare?”
“No! I didn’t mean it like that!” Daniel protested, waving his hands. “It’s just… it’s embarrassing.”
Rupert smirked. “He is hopeless. Proper hopeless.”
Chris rubbed the bridge of his nose, then crouched slightly so the kids were at eye level.
He didn't lose his cool. “Look, Danny. You don’t have to force it, let’s change it up. Hermione hugs Ron, and when she turns to you, you two get shy, pull back, and shake hands. That way it still feels sweet, but less pressure. Sounds good?”
Daniel exhaled in relief. “Yes. Thank you.”
Lily, however, raised a brow. “But in the book she hugs both, doesn’t she?”
Chris smiled. “True. But the film is about moments, not rules. Let’s try it this way first.”
Daniel’s shoulders dropped in relief.
Lily, though, tilted her head curiously…
But that’s when Chris looked at her and gave her a wink, which she returned back with a mischievous smile.
The next take rolled.
Lily hugged Rupert, soft and genuine, then turned to Daniel.
He extended his hand, nervous but in character.
“Well… goodbye, Hermione.” He said with that faint Harry stammer.
“Goodbye, Harry.” Lily echoed, reaching for his hand.
For a beat, it looked exactly like Chris had imagined.
Then she swatted his hand aside and lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
Daniel froze.
The shock was real, and then he awkwardly, instinctively patted her back like he had been blindsided by a Bludger.
Lily clung an extra second, then stepped back with the tiniest smirk.
Chris didn’t wait. “Cut! That was perfect Lily.”
Lily’s head whipped toward him. “Really?”
“Really.” He said, grinning.
She squealed in triumph, skipped over, and slapped his palm in a high-five.
Chris bent low to meet her hand, chuckling at her energy.
Meanwhile, Rupert sidled up to Daniel, nudging him. “You all right there, mate? Still breathing?”
Daniel groaned, face red. “She tricked me.”
“Looked great though.” Rupert teased. “Most natural thing you have ever done.”
Daniel glared halfheartedly at Lily, who only shrugged innocently, and tucked under her arm like nothing had happened.
From the back, Regal saw it all.
Though it was true that he only arrived during the last take he could guess what exactly happened.
Lily and Chris had orchestrated something cute and beautiful…
And that’s when he decided to let his voice break in.
“Not bad, not bad at all.”
All three kids spun around.
Regal had stepped into the light, watching them with that unreadable little smile.
“Regal!” Lily was the first to react, practically bouncing. “You saw it? Did you see? I tricked him, and it worked!” She pointed at Daniel with both hands like she had caught him in a prank.
Regal tone turned sly. “Danny, was that you messing up the hug because you were nervous? Or…” He let the pause hang, stepping into view with a grin. “Because you wanted to drag it out as long as possible?”
Daniel’s head snapped up, his whole face turning crimson.
“What?! No! I didn’t— that wasn’t—” He stammered so hard his words tripped over each other.
“Oi.” Rupert finally chimed in, his voice slow and absentminded.
“I reckon he just wanted to make sure the shot was perfect. Real professional, Dan. Take after me, yeah?” He gave a half-smile, clearly only half-invested in what was going on.
Daniel turned on him. “You weren’t even paying attention!”
Rupert shrugged. “I was, sort of. Enough to know you went bright red like a tomato. Hard to miss.”
Lily, practically glowing now, skipped a step closer to Regal. “See? Even Ron noticed. He never notices anything.”
Rupert blinked, confused.
“Oi, I notice stuff.” He paused, glanced around, then muttered. “Just not always when it’s happening.”
Lily, head tilted, grin mischievous. “So? Out of ten?”
Regal crouched just enough so his eyes were level with hers. “Out of ten? Eleven.”
Lily’s grin widened until she almost glowed.
“Knew it.” She spun on her heel and returned to her mark, basking in the approval.
Daniel shot her a look. “Don’t get cocky.”
“I am not cocky.” she said sweetly. “Just right.”
Regal laughed under his breath, then straightened.
He finally turned to Chris, who had been watching quietly, arms crossed, relief etched across his tired features.
“You handled it perfectly.” Regal said. “Better than I would have, kids need steady hands, not another storm coming in.”
Chris gave a half-smile. “They pulled it together in the end. That’s all that matters.”
.
….
[To be continued…]
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Comments
Anderson
Thanks for the chapter
Dênnis Ribeiro
You know a project to expand Regal network if he wants it, or establish his own circle, Ocean Eleven.
MARLENE ANGEL
THE ACTORS OF HARRY POTTER TURN AGAINST THE WOMAN THAT FEED THM
