Chapter twenty-five: During the movie premiere.

As the lights went down and the movie began Snape took a deep breath. The last thing he had ever wanted was to see himself up there on the screen. He turned around in his seat surveying the packed room. There were the cast and their friends, the invited guests, the competition winners and the press, and all were staring at the screen mesmerized as Snape came onto the screen in the opening scene. Snape sighed and turned back to the screen and watched too.

As a young William he was hurrying along the dark night street, glancing around furtively, clearly worried about something. He reached the gate of a house and hurried in, knocking three times on the door. It was opened by an old woman who looked relieved to see him. "Is it true?" William asked by way of greeting.

"Come in- we're all in the living room by the fire." The woman answered instead of replying to his question. William walked into the house, shrugging off his robes. In the sitting room one woman was seated, two men were standing.

William met all their eyes as he repeated his question "Is it true?"

The oldest of the men spoke. "It's true William- it's over. You're safe."

William almost seemed to collapse with relief. "I must go and see Wendy. She doesn't know of any of this, but at least now I know we can be married without me being in fear of my life from Lord Voldemist."

The next scene is in daylight. "William?" Someone calls from down the street and William turns and sees a young woman running down the street towards him, her face alight with happiness. "William, I'm so glad you came. I thought perhaps you wouldn't."

"I gave you my word as a wizard I'd be here Wendy. I always keep my promises." Wendy now reaches William and she throws herself into his arms, and he clasps her tightly smiling at her. They are obviously in love.

"I was so scared my parents would work out where I was going and try to stop me."

"I've told you Wendy, never be scared with me around. I'll protect you." William tells her firmly.

Wendy smiles and leans her head on his shoulder briefly. "I know that, but who is going to protect you? When Father finds out we're eloping he is going to try and curse you."

William smirks slightly. "I wasn't the dueling champion of Loverts for nothing. Let him try!"

"Do you think we're doing the right thing? I know there are a lot of other wizards in England and nobody really knows what they are…..but what if we get discovered?"

William smiles. "We won't be. Trust me Wendy, everything is going to be just fine."

The camera slowly pulls back from the street until it's in the sky and the street is a blur below, and then the words "WILLIAM THE WIZARD" appear on the screen.

The crowd in the theatre broke into applause and Snape sighed and sank further into his chair. This could be a long night, he thought with a sigh. Beside him Sandra muttered "Catchy beginning, darkness appears defeated, love appears to have won…."

As the movie went on Snape began to wish he was anywhere but there, watching anyone but himself on the screen. Although he did concede that Adam knew what he was talking about when he said he looked like a real wizard. Compared to everyone else in the movie Snape was the only one who he thought looked like a wizard. On the screen Emma as Wendy was confiding in her best friend- a non-wizard who knew nothing of the wizarding world- that something was bothering William.

Wendy was looking worried, and she took a small sip of her coffee. "What if he's seeing someone else?" She asked her friend.

Her friend smiled slightly. "You're kidding aren't you Wendy? I've never seen someone as devoted to their wife and kid as William is to you and little Winston.."

"Still- I know there is something going on and he won't confide in me." Wendy said, frowning.

"Well look- if you're really worried do what I did when I thought Rick was cheating on me- follow him."

A big smile came over Wendy's face. "That's a thought. It might be the only way to put my mind at risk but- oh!"

"What?"

"He's going out tonight and I've got that meeting."

"Well let me follow him then. I'll find out what's going on."

"Would you do that for me? Really Rachel would you?"

"Of course, what are friends for?"

Snape wished he had some popcorn- that would at least make the whole thing go a bit faster. Sandra, however, was staring at the screen rapt, and every now and then she turned to smile at him, or brush her arm against his. With relief Snape realised the final showdown was about to occur- he'd be out of there soon.

"Little William- I've waited a long time for this day." Lord Voldemist said, a strange look on his face.

"I'm not so little anymore." William said fingering his wand.

"No," Lord Voldemist agreed. "I've seen your pretty wife and your son- a cute kid."

William didn't respond, and Lord Voldemist grinned evilly. "In fact, I think after I've killed you I might make her my own wife."

"She'd never be with someone like you." William snarled. "She likes normal people."

"Normal people?" Lord Voldemist snorted. "We're hardly normal William and you know it. Actually I've been thinking- you're a good wizard William. A very good one, perhaps one too good to kill. Join me William and we can rule the world."

A funny look came over William's face.

"SEVERUS! SEVERUS! I LOVE YOU SEVERUS!" Someone up the back of the theatre was screaming, and like Snape, everyone turned in their seats to see where the noise was coming from. A woman was climbing down the stairs from the press section of the theatre and to the shock of the room she was completely and utterly naked. There were shocked whispers.

"Who the hell is that?" Sandra whispered to Snape.

"I don't know." Snape replied, his face pale- this freaky muggle wasn't actually going to get near him was she? Where were the security when you needed them?

"SEVERUS!" The woman yelled. "MAKE LOVE TO ME RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW, IN FRONT OF EVERYONE."

"Oh no." Snape whispered, wishing the floor would open and swallow him up. Up on the screen William and Lord Voldemist were involved in a battle to the death, but nobody was watching it anymore. They were all watching the drama in the theatre instead.

The woman was almost there. "At least she's got a good body," Adam muttered from behind, and Sandra shot him a dirty look. "Tasteless as usual." She muttered.

"I WANT YOU TO DO ME NOW SEVERUS. DO ME NOW." The woman screamed as she arrived at where Snape was sitting. She tried to sit on his lap, but horrified Snape pushed her off.

"Come on baby….you don't want to miss this believe me." The woman assured Snape.

"I can assure you that I do." Snape replied coldly. "Now kindly leave me alone and put some clothes on." To his relief he saw security rushing down towards them.

"I might get a cold is that your concern? Can't you keep me warm Sevvie?" She purred, trying once more to sit on his lap, but now the security reached them, and they were grabbing her. She was pulled from the theatre screaming "I KNOW YOU WANT ME SEVERUS. I KNOW YOU DO." The theatre was full of shocked comments, and then someone called out "The movie's finishing."

Snape turned to see that the closing credits were rolling down the screen and he sighed with relief. "We can get out of here now." He told Sandra.

Adam leant over. "Not exactly." He said. "You're probably going to be stopped by a lot of the celebrities here on your way out, so you're probably better off going into the other room and getting something to drink or eat. They'll be there too, but at least you can make a proper exit from there."

"Good Merlin." Snape muttered, but nobody heard him. They were all standing up and as the cast and crew stood, the guests all clapped.

Beside him Emma asked, "How can you not love this Severus? The crowd love us- we're famous."

"I just can." Snape muttered.

As Snape and company left the theatre everyone continued to cheer and clap. Adam was looking as pleased as punch, and Mr. Hamilton joined them a few moments later.

"I should thank you all for your efforts on this movie- without you it wouldn't have gone down half as well as it did. And Adam can you be in my office on Monday to discuss giving you a more prominent role? Without your organisational skills- well we would have been up the creek without a paddle." And he hurried off.

Sandra squealed and threw her arms around Adam. "Good stuff. I'm so proud of you." She said.

The other woman, the one who was accompanying Adam, rolled her eyes. "It is great news darling." She added.

Snape was watching this scene thoughtfully. They were walking into another room where a few guests were already drinking and eating, and behind them surged the crowds from the theatre. In his mind it looked as though Sandra knew Adam, and now he tapped her on the arm so she turned around.

"Do you know him?" Snape asked.

"Um…." Sandra muttered, and she looked over at Adam.

"Yes she knows him." The woman with Adam said. "She should know him- she's his sister."

"His sister?" Snape managed in shock. No wonder Sandra had sounded like Adam earlier that night.

"When Adam was worried you wouldn't be able to find a date for the premiere he convinced Sandra to write to you about your ad so hopefully you would have a date for the night. Plus Sandra wanted to come and meet some famous people." The woman continued.

"For god's sake Anika." Adam said. "Not now."

"Sorry sweetie," Anika said smoothly. "But you know how I feel about it all- about her."

"If you're insinuating-" Sandra began, but Adam interrupted.

"Not now hmm?" He asked. "There are people waiting for us to go in- so lets go in?"

Snape was still in shock, but through his shock he was aware of one thing: Adam had tricked him. Luckily Sandra had begun to get on his nerves so he knew he wouldn't see her again, but that didn't matter, that was beside the point. All that mattered was that Adam had tricked him. They walked into the room, and a few of them took drinks from the waiter or something to eat. Snape glanced around the room briefly- people were chatting and laughing and looking as though they were having a great time, although for the life of him Snape couldn't work out why.

"Mr. Snape?" Someone asked, and Snape turned around, still partly in a daze.

"I just wanted to tell you I thought your portrayal of a wizard was brilliant. I've always wanted to be a wizard you know, even to play one on the screen. After all how many times can you say "The names Bond. James Bond" without getting sick of it?" The man laughed.

Sandra was staring at him dumbstruck. Even Emma seemed a little frazzled.

"Well maybe we'll have a part for you in the sequel Mr. Brosnan." Adam said with a smile.

"You never know do you?" Mr. Brosnan replied with another grin. "Excuse me will you but I'm thirsty."

After he left Emma spoke. "Wow. He's even cuter in person than on the screen." She said.

"Who is he?" Snape asked, still feeling like he was in the middle of a dream or something.

"Pierce Brosnan…you can't not know him." Emma said surprised. "Unless you've been locked in a cupboard or something your whole life."

"Or a closet?" Suggested Mathew with a laugh.

Snape felt his face redden. He might not be a stupid muggle but he knew what the muggle was suggesting: that he was gay. Emma must have told him her theory.

"I need a drink I think." Adam muttered.

"Wait a second." Snape said, stopping him. "I can't understand why you would trick me with your sister."

"Oh that still?" Adam shook his head. "Snape don't worry about it. I just didn't want you to come alone."

"Or with a man." Mathew muttered.

Snape shot him a dark look. "You could have told me." He accused Adam angrily.

"And you would have blown up like you are now and said no way were you going." Adam said frowning. "Look Snape, I've had all I can take of you over the last few months. If I've ever met a more uncooperative, pain in the arse of a man, well I can't think who."

"I beg your pardon." Snape managed. He wasn't used to anyone insulting him, be it muggle or not. Students and staff at Hogwarts usually wouldn't dare to insult him knowing only too well his famous temper.

"You heard me. Your attitude on the set, off the set, at the GML taping, everywhere. I've had it Snape. HAD IT." Adam snapped.

"Well for your information I've had it to. Had it with this whole stupid business." Snape snapped back.

"Thank god for that, because if I had to work with you again I don't know what I'd do." Adam said, and he started to walk off. And then over his shoulder he called "And don't worry Snape- there's nothing wrong with being gay. I could tell by the way you looked at Emma during taping, and the freaky costume you wore. Only a fag would wear that kind of thing."

That was it. Snape didn't have his wand so he couldn't curse the fool, so he did the next best thing: he jumped on him. And the two of them grappled and fought on the floor like children. The room was silent for a moment, and then some of the photographers who were allowed in began to take photos of the fight. It was up to the security to stop it but before they could get to work someone came flying out of the crowd to jump in the fray.

"Get off him you bastard."

"Miss Minogue," One of the security guards who was the first on the scene tried to pull her off the top of Adam and Snape where she was trying to hit Adam with her fists. "Come now Miss. Minogue. You don't want to get involved in this."

"I bloody well do." She argued. "This man has been nothing but trouble for poor Mr. Snape. After the GML taping he practically abused him in the hallway. He is obviously just jealous because Mr. Snape is a star and all he is, is an assistant."

The other security guards were now pulling the two men apart, and the room was still staring in shock. Then they started whispering, wondering what was the problem between the two, and whether they'd ever work together again. For that matter, some asked, would this ruin Snape's reputation already, before it had barely even been gained?

"Are you all right Severus?" Kylie crooned.

"Yes, fine." Snape muttered grumpily, and then to the security guard "You can let go of me now- I won't do anything. I think it's time for me to leave now anyway."

Snape's arms were released and he massaged them from where they'd been grabbed by the security guard. Adam was also released, and he stalked across the room, followed by Anika. Snape saw Sandra was talking to another man, and he walked over to her.

"Severus- this is Hugh. Hugh Grant." She said.

"Hello mate." Hugh said. "Nice show you put on there."

Snape merely grunted.

"Oh look out, here comes Kylie and she looks determined." Hugh said with a laugh. "She and Liz had a falling out once you know."

"Liz?" Snape asked, confused.

"Liz Hurley- his ex." Sandra explained rolling her eyes.

"Liz and Gerri Haliwell had a fight one night too." Hugh added.

"Who?" Snape asked, beginning to get flustered. Clearly he was meant to know most of these people in the room- they were meant to be muggle celebrities- but he had no idea, and he didn't even care.

"Gerri- Ginger Spice? Defunct Spice Girls? She left the group?" Sandra asked.

Before Snape could reply Kylie arrived on the scene. "Did you say the Spice Girls?" She asked making a face.

"Yeah." Sandra said.

"Can't sing. I've heard some of their solo efforts, and it's shocking." Kylie commented.

"I know." Sandra agreed. "I think they suck….but I love you Miss Minogue. I'm even wearing your underwear tonight."

Kylie laughed, and Hugh commented that he wouldn't mind wearing her underwear either. Kylie heard the comment and smiled in his direction. "Now, now…" She said. "You wouldn't be like that would you?"

Hugh shrugged and then noticed someone across the room. "Oh- there's Sean- I wanted to speak to him about something." He walked off, and Sandra watched his retreating back sadly.

"Now that is a man." She said.

"I've heard rumors he's not much of a man." Kylie told her.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Wow….would never have guessed. I better go and speak to Adam. See you later Severus." And she walked off leaving Snape and Kylie alone.

"So, what now Severus?" Kylie asked, flirting outrageously.

"Now?" Snape repeated. "Now is time to get out of here."

Kylie's face lit up in a smile. "Perfect idea….let's blow this joint." She said.

Snape thought about telling her that she was taking it the wrong way, that he didn't want her to come with him, and then he wondered whether perhaps the fans would be more excited to see her than him if they walked out together, and he shrugged. Why not let her come out with him? He didn't bother to say goodbye to anyone- why would he since he didn't know or like anyone there? He and Kylie walked left.

[A/N. This chapter turned out a lot longer than I was planning….sorry about that. Isn't it a pity Snape's still got the American contractual obligations to go? Once there over he will never venture out in public again- or will he? I'm already debating a sequel to this story when it finishes. The fight between Adam was what I was referring to earlier when I said their relationship would deteriorate further, and I also mentioned about Sandra being someone other than who she pretended to be. I hope you enjoyed it regardless.]