It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 17

"And you went to university in America?" Ginny asked.

"Yes; Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island.  That's in the Northeast of the United States, what's called New England; where the settlers from England built all the first towns; Boston, Salem, Plymouth, back in the 1600's.  But I'm not going just now as I've had a couple of movies to do and, well, I'll get back to my studies when I can."  She shrugged.  "I've always known I wanted to be an actress and now, thanks to the Harry Potter movies, I've had ten years of training with some of the best actors, actresses and directors in the world.  I'm extremely lucky and grateful for the experience."

"Well, you got Hermione spot on, that's for sure," Ginny laughed.

Hermione didn't know whether to be upset or flattered as Emma grinned.

"I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't me," added Luna.  "It was amazing to watch all of those people being us and our friends, wasn't it?"

"Down right  . . . weird, come to that," Ginny agreed. 

Emma pulled on her sleep pants and sat on the edge of the bed.

"It's a bit strange talking to all of you and not calling you Bonnie, or Evanna,"  Emma shook her head.

"Sounds a bit confusing, popping back and forth between identities all the time," Ginny observed.

"Indeed it was," admitted Emma.  "The strangest part was between scenes, when we'd be talking and laughing with Voldemort . . .  Ralph or Bella . . . Helena, or watch Jason Isaac texting on his cell phone as he's standing in a crowd of Death Eaters . . . quite bizarre, actually.  People walking around with fake blood dripping down their clothes . . .  We'll have to show you those special extra bits they included with the movies so you all can see how truly complicated it is to do a  film.  It might look like it's just Dan and I talking, but there are at least twenty or more people standing there watching us do the scene . . . multiple times from different angles, too.  It takes months to film and more months to do the post production work."  Looking around Emma could see they weren't quite getting all of what she was saying.  "Never mind, I'll show it all to you after we get all of the plans laid out and finalized, I promise."

"Just one question," Luna said, pulling a B.U. t-shirt over her head.  "Were the Thestrals real, the ones  Harry and I, well Dan and Evanna, were watching in the film . . . they seemed very real."

"No, they were CGI, except for the life sized, animated models used for the shots at the carriages and for the flying shots; we had the bodies to sit on and the wings were CGI'd to appear to move.  Sorry."  Emma explained.

"Oh, that's alright, the ones at Hogwarts are real . . . it's too bad you can't come see them."

"Even if I could go to visit them, I couldn't see them as I've never seen anyone die, Luna,"  Emma informed her.

"Oh, that's too bad," sighed Luna, who began brushing her hair.  Ginny, Hermione and Emma exchanged startled looks and then started to giggle.

* * *

Tom had tossed Draco a spare pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt from his bag and turned to watch the Weasley twins in deep discussion at the other end of the room.

"What are you two planning, then?  I've learned the signs, you know."  Tom crossed his arms and waited for an answer.

"Defenses for the night . . ." replied George.

"We don't trust any of them," explained Fred.

"Harry and that lot," said George.

"OR the Marauders," finished Fred.