Ch-231

PixelWarrior77: Holy fucking shit! Who knew Harry and Ginny would turn out to be so good on-screen? Honestly, I was pissed at JKR's decision to pair Harry with Ginny instead of Hermione, but the movie redeems it all. Troy and Imogen set the screen on fire.

SereneDreamer: I know, right? Troy and Imogen looked so cute together—I literally died a little when he left her behind in the post-credits scene. Reminded me of the end of [Spider-Man], when Peter left MJ. Btw, did anyone notice Ginny had more screen time than Hermione in [Half-Blood Prince]?

DarkMatter69: I didn't, but it makes sense. Ginny's the love interest of the protagonist. It'd be weird if Harry's best female friend got more screen time.

QuantumFox: Setting the romance aside, did anyone else cry when Dumbledore died? I sure did.

LunaBliss: I did too! Michael Gambon finally redeemed himself after the fiasco in [Goblet of Fire]. What a performance! I think Gambon, Rickman, and Troy should all get Oscars for this film.

PixelWarrior77: Ha! As if Troy's performance in [Half-Blood Prince] was better than [Order of the Phoenix]. If they didn't nominate him then, it doesn't make sense to nominate him now. Even Troy said his performance in [Order of the Phoenix] was his career best.

PatAttack: You're all forgetting one important part of the movie: the Pensieve memories. They added so much depth to Voldemort's character.

SereneDreamer: True. Those memories were the best part of the book, and the movie did them justice. Mark my words: Rian Johnson is going places. His storytelling is awesome.

FireStarter12: But undoubtedly, the best scene was the kiss in the rain. I personally think it topped the [Spider-Man] kiss. It should win Best Kiss for sure.

GlitchInTime: Did anyone see Troy and Imogen's interview with Conan? That episode was so good. I totally get why they have such good chemistry. Now I'm shipping them in real life too.

NovaKnight: I totally got a crush on Imogen after that. Troy is a lucky bastard. I hate him. (Not really, but you get the point.)

QuantumFox: Are we sure it wasn't just a marketing gimmick? Lots of celebs do that to promote their movies.

LunaBliss: It didn't seem like a gimmick. Even if it were, I'll close my eyes and believe with all my heart that it's real. I want it to be real. I wouldn't even mind if it resulted in them getting together in IRL as well.

(Break)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released to critical acclaim, much like its predecessors in the series. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film earned a 90% approval rating, with an average score of 7.9/10. The site's consensus read: "Dark, thrilling, romantic, and occasionally quite funny, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying." 

On Metacritic, it scored 80 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. It also continued the franchise's streak of audience approval, receiving an A+ grade from CinemaScore on its A+ to F scale.

The New York Post

"A triumph of storytelling and tone, Half-Blood Prince balances humor, heartbreak, and high-stakes magic in a way that few fantasy films ever do. The climactic death of a major character hit with the force of a Killing Curse—and the post-credit scene was absolutely devastating."

The Daily Mail

"From the rain-drenched kiss between Harry and Ginny to the haunting moment Harry whispers goodbye, this film delivers both romance and ruin with incredible finesse. A perfect adaptation that doesn't just entertain, it lingers."

Los Angeles TImes

"Snape's reveal as the Half-Blood Prince sent shivers down the spine. The tension of the tower scene, followed by the breathtaking magical duel and the Inferi attack in the cave, puts Half-Blood Prince at the peak of the series' emotional power."

Rolling Stones

"This isn't just a movie, it's a spell cast on the audience. The subtle humor, the growing sense of dread, and Harry's heartbreaking goodbye to Ginny elevate this entry to instant classic status. And let's not forget that absolutely scene-stealing moment when Harry attacks Ginny's assailant, it got a big cheer in our theater."

The Guardian

"Never has the series blended its core themes so effortlessly. Half-Blood Prince offers mystery, magic, and love, the power that the Dark Lord knows not. But it was all underscored by the haunting realization that innocence is over. The emotional weight lands, and lands hard."

Owing to the positive reviews and word of mouth, [Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince] was bound to do well.

The film opened in 4,126 theaters across North America amid massive fanfare and anticipation. While every Harry Potter installment had been a box office event, this one—powered by emotionally resonant storytelling, a deeper romantic arc, and a darker tone—had fans and critics alike raving before it even hit screens.

On its opening Wednesday, the film brought in a jaw-dropping $95.6 million, including a record-breaking $30.1 million from midnight previews. That momentum carried into the weekend, with $68.4 million on Friday, $61.2 million on Saturday, and $55.7 million on Sunday, bringing the five-day total to a staggering $280.9 million in North America alone. It easily became the highest-grossing domestic opening for the franchise at that point.

Even with the inevitable post-opening drop, the film continued to perform incredibly well. It brought in $72.3 million in its second week, $49.8 million in its third, and held strong throughout November. By the time its domestic run concluded, Half-Blood Prince had amassed a phenomenal $452.7 million in North America.

Internationally, the film shattered expectations. With its more emotionally charged story and powerful performances, especially the expanded Harry-Ginny dynamic and Dumbledore's death, it resonated strongly across all markets.

The UK led the charge with an outstanding $98.2 million gross, followed closely by Japan at $97.6 million. Germany brought in $71.5 million, France $66.9 million, and Italy surprised with $43.3 million, far exceeding previous Potter entries there. Brazil ($35.2M), Mexico ($30.8M), and Australia ($38.7M) followed close behind, with equally strong performances in South Korea, Spain, and Russia—all of which crossed the $25 million mark.

By the end of its theatrical run, Half-Blood Prince had earned a record-shattering $881.4 million internationally, pushing its worldwide box office total to an astonishing $1.334 billion—making it the second highest-grossing film in the Harry Potter series after [Order of the Phoenix], and also one of the most commercially successful films of all time.

(Break)

"We have a pretty stacked guest list tonight. Please put your hands together for the stars of [Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]: Troy Armitage, Emma Watson, Jamie Bell, and Imogen Poots," Conan O'Brien announced to his audience.

I walked into the studio to much fanfare, waving at the crowd, who went crazy the moment my eyes landed on them. Imogen walked a little slower and more shyly beside me, matching my stride but not quite comfortable enough to greet the audience. Emma and Jamie followed very close behind us, waving at the crowd confidently.

Given that it was her first major talk show appearance, it made sense that Imogen would be a little hesitant. Usually, it's just Jamie, Emma, and me who are thrust into these scenarios. This time, though, the marketing strategy changed at the last moment, thanks to the initial fan reactions.

When we were shooting the film, a ton of other scenes were shot as well, but the final cut by Rian Johnson eliminated many of them, including a few with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Lavender Brown was only a minor character this time. The scene where Ron thinks he drank Felix Felicis before Quidditch was absent from the final cut, as was Slughorn's Christmas party. Remus and Tonks were also cut out from the movie, despite filming a few scenes. Overall, the unnecessary moments were deleted to focus on Harry and Ginny's relationship and Voldemort's past.

So obviously, when the film hit theaters, that's what the audiences loved, and they were very vocal about it.

The marketing team at Warner Bros immediately picked up on that and brought in Imogen to accompany Jamie, Emma, and me at some of the major press events to build hype around Harry and Ginny's relationship.

"So," Conan said after exchanging basic pleasantries, "I watched [Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince] this week, and I have to say, it was amazing." Then he looked between Imogen and me. "Especially you two. I couldn't take my eyes off you whenever you were together. How did you do that?"

I chuckled at his exaggerated question before looking over at Imogen, silently giving her the lead. I'd been here a gazillion times already; this was her first.

"Believe me, it was awkward as hell," she grinned at Conan, stealing glances at me. "I've known Troy since I was ten, and I had no idea when I was first cast that the story would go in this direction. And this was the first time I was doing any kind of romance on screen, so it was a little weird."

"If that kind of chemistry comes out of awkward and weird, I could only imagine the level of combustion if you two were comfortable," Conan joked.

"Was it awkward, though?" Jamie jumped in with a grin on his face. "I remember seeing these two together and thinking, 'Man, I need to work on my acting skills a lot to reach that level.'"

"I think it's because Troy is very experienced when it comes to romance," Emma chimed in, giving me a side glance.

"Of course," Conan agreed. "How could I forget, you two were together…" Emma's breath hitched at that mention. "...in [The Perks of Being a Wallflower], an amazing movie."

"Let me tell you one thing," I leaned forward. "Romantic scenes with Imogen were so much better than with Emma, no offence." I looked at my ex-girlfriend briefly. "During [The Perks of Being a Wallflower], it was my first time doing such a scene on camera, and it sure was awkward with everyone gawking at you. But now, I may as well kiss the entire cast and crew. It's just a job for me."

The audience laughed at my exaggerated delivery, but I wasn't exaggerating at all. Unlocking my past memories had done one thing for sure: it had broadened my view on romance and sex to a level I couldn't have even imagined before. Now I can easily be making out with someone, or may even do a sex scene, but it won't affect the way I think about them when the scene is over.

"I won't let you kiss me," Jamie rebutted immediately.

I gave him a once-over before saying, "Believe me, the feeling's mutual."

The audience laughed so I elaborated, "I mean, look at Imogen. Why in the world would anyone choose Jamie over her?"

Imogen visibly blushed at that remark.

Before I could mentally congratulate myself for that, I realized my mistake when my eyes met Emma's.

"And Emma," I quickly added. "Imogen and Emma."

"Too late, Troy," Emma shook her head unamusedly. "I would prefer Jamie to you." She clutched onto Jamie's arm, who was sitting beside her.

Jamie had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face that screamed, 'I won this round.' Which, to be fair, he had.

The audience burst into laughter at the unfolding chaos, and I could only cover my eyes in embarrassment.

"Don't worry, Troy," Imogen held on to my arm, mimicking Emma. "I'd pick you. Always."

I laughed openly as my eyes met Imogen's. She really was very beautiful. If she were anyone else, I would totally ask her out right now. Maybe even in front of the whole world. Unfortunately, she had the same problem as Emma Watson. Having known her since she was a kid would make it very awkward for me if things were to progress beyond a certain point.

It's better if I didn't pursue it.

"I think J.K. Rowling was on to something when she selected Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione as the final pairings," Conan said to move things along. "Let's talk about your movie, [Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]. It is amazing. I think it is the best one in the series so far."

"Thank you," I said sincerely. "I think it's all thanks to Rian Johnson, our director."

"Rian is so good with everything he does," Emma agreed. "He's one of my favorite directors to work with."

"We have been very lucky as far as directors are concerned," Jamie added. "We couldn't have had a better one than Chris to start the series, Alfonso to get into the more technical side of things, and Rian to bring an emotional touch to the story. I have learnt a lot about the process of filmmaking from those three. Their style is totally different, yet it is exactly what was needed for the movies at the time."

That was probably the best summary anyone could have given of the three directors we worked with. Chris made the environment on set so great that many times we didn't even feel like we were working. Everything was fun and games, which helped a lot given how most of my castmates were kids with no acting experience whatsoever. Alfonso's direction was very technical, and he was always in search of the best shot he could get. He would just pick up his camera and follow us around as we practiced the scenes. The two films he made were probably the most gorgeous-looking out of all six. Rian Johnson, on the other hand, focused a lot on the emotions of the characters. He would always ask me to think about what Harry would be thinking in that moment, and then we would go on to have long discussions about the same.

While I may have been tagged as an acting genius at a young age, I like to think that I have grown a lot as an actor just working with the three directors, just as Jamie pointed out.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Conan said finally to wrap things up, "please enjoy an exclusive clip from [Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince] during this break."

As soon as the clip started playing, I turned to Emma and said with complete seriousness, "I'm so sorry, Em, I didn't mean it. Just slip of a tongue."

"Forget it," she shook her head off. "I just thought you'd…" she didn't finish her sentence and it made sense why when she looked down at the mic attached to her dress.

I closed my eyes in irritation before nodding once. We would definitely talk about it later when the interview was over.

"Everything's okay?" Conan eyed me and Emma pointedly. When I nodded, he motioned towards the camera. "Shall we continue then?"

"Yes," Emma replied for me. Seeing all four of us nod, the director of the show gave us the go-ahead to continue.

"Welcome back," Conan announced. "We're here with the stars of [Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince], who had quite a memorable exchange just before the break." He turned to me and Imogen specifically. "I have to ask—there's a scene from the trailers that's going viral. It shows the two of you being... quite intimate. Can you tell us about that?"

He brought forth a placard which had a still of Harry and Ginny's first kiss in the rain, on the Quidditch pitch, in front of everyone.

I shook my head. "I think I speak for both of us: that was the single worst day on set. We were wet and cold, and there were far too many retakes involved."

"True," Imogen agreed. "By the end, I just wanted it to be over with. It didn't help that Troy told me I was an average kisser."

"Hey! I never said that!" I protested.

"Not exactly, but that's what you meant," she teased, flashing a grin. "Need me to remind you what you said?"

I definitely remembered that day, mainly because Rihanna had visited the set and done some... memorable things with me in my trailer. I didn't remember the exact words I'd said to Imogen, but I sure as hell didn't want the world hearing any version of it.

"I'd love to hear what he said," Conan said excitedly.

"Not telling you," I interrupted before Imogen could spill the beans.

"I didn't have a problem with Troy," Emma said to my surprise. "He was the first boy I ever kissed, on screen or in real life, and he made the whole thing so sweet."

"Of course he did," Imogen said meaningfully, making me want to groan.

Imogen knew all about Emma and me, just like most of the cast and the crew. This was getting quite into the dangerous territory. I looked over at Emma, and from the look on her face, she had realized her mistake as well. I had once jokingly asked her if she wanted to tell the world about our failed relationship, to which she had said a firm no.

"It is pointless to talk about it when it's over."

It had made sense, and seeing her face right now, I knew I had to nip this line of conversation in the bud.

"What is going on?" I interrupted in an exaggeratedly funny voice, making the audience laugh. "Why are you all discussing whom I've kissed? You're making me sound like a desperate person who just wants to kiss his co-stars."

That diffused all the tension as everyone laughed at my expense.

"[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince] is in the theaters now," Conan said as an end to the interview. "Grab your tickets before they are all sold out."

"Cut!" the director announced, and immediately things calmed down. That was probably one of my most chaotic interviews to date.

The four of us got up in unison as the sound team started removing mics from us. My gaze was locked on Emma the entire time.

Emma was the first one to be free of her mic and walk towards her changing room. As soon as I was free, I followed after her.

She seemed to be expecting me, and as soon as I closed the door behind me, she immediately said, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I assured her. "I'm not mad, just surprised. That was quite out of character for you. It felt for a minute like you wanted to tell everyone about us…" I lingered on, giving her the opportunity to talk about it.

"I…" she hesitated. "I broke up with Angus..."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," I said sympathetically.

Her next words were not something I was expecting at all from her.

"...Because of you."

________________________

AN: Visit my personal website to read ahead, or check out my second Hollywood story set in the 80s.

Link: www(dot)fablefic(dot)com