Ник Сайнт: Purrfect Heat

She had Jarrett’s attention. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that the studio has no intention to make more Harry Potter movies, or Miss Rowling to write more books, so we decided to jump into the hole they created and make our own trilogy—or quadrilogy, pentalogy or whatever the market demands.”

Jarrett looked like a kid who’d been robbed of his lollipop. “So this isn’t a JK Rowling sanctioned installment?”

“Nope. Afraid not.”

“But how is that even possible?”

“One of the uncredited screenwriters on one of the original movies retained the rights to certain aspects of the storyline—probably a clerical error on the part of the studio, mind you—and decided to approach us with an offer to expand on it, and turn it into a new trilogy. There was some legal wrangling with Warner Brothers and the production company but we finally got the go-ahead from the judge to create a spinoff.”

“Rowling mustn’t be happy about this.”

“She’s sore as a gumboil, but at this point she can’t prevent us from proceeding. We brought in two screenwriters from the James Bond franchise, and we’re taking the Harry Potter universe in a completely different direction.”

“What direction?” Jarrett asked suspiciously.

“You’ll see. More fun. More action.”

He arched an eyebrow. “More explosions? More car chases?”

She smiled. “More of everything.” Jarrett winced visibly, but the producer pretended not to notice. “The story will be a retread of Casino Royale , which will give us the opportunity to put a new spin on the tired old Harry Potter concept. We will see a grittier Harry, tougher and more world-weary, while he battles both his own demons and those in the real world.” She gave Harry a wink. “Are you ready to see Harry emerge from the sea, naked torso and six-pack abs and all?”

“Um…”

“I know I am,” said Jarrett, suddenly showing a spark of interest.

“And Harry will have a new love interest, of course,” said Marsha. “More than one, in fact. And Harry will finally kiss Hermione, of course.”

“He will?” I asked, disappointed. I’d always been on Team Ron.

“You know what would be truly novel and refreshing?” Jarrett asked. “If Harry and Ron got it on. I mean, who wants to see another kissing scene with tired old Hermione?”

“Um, I would,” I said, holding up my hand. “I like Ron and Hermione.”

“Well, I’d like to see Harry and Ron explore their smoldering passion,” he said stubbornly.

“Harry and Ron don’t have any smoldering passion.”

“They do, too. They just don’t want to admit it. Classic.”

Marsha laughed. “Maybe we’ll keep that for a future movie.”

She led us to the next gigantic soundstage, this one where the Hogwarts Great Hall was constructed.

“Wow,” I said, properly impressed. It looked just like in the movies, with the long tables where the houses sat, and the dais for the professors.

“Pretty cool, huh?” Marsha said. “This has cost us a fortune to recreate. Too bad we’ll have to demolish it.”

“Demolish it?” Jarrett asked, aghast.

“Yeah, the bad guy—Frank Riddle—is going to take it out with a missile attack. It’s going to be the opening of our movie. Great, big set piece.”

“Missile? What about magic?” Jarrett asked.

“Nope. No magic in this movie. Rowling owns the right to the magic.”

“No magic?” asked Jarrett, his voice a squeak.

“That’s right. No magic. This will be a non-magic Harry Potter.”

Jarrett gave me a look of despair and I shook my head. A lot of people were going to be disappointed in the new and improved Potter.

The producer led us to the next soundstage, this one where the interior shots of Hogwarts would be taken. The common room. The hallways. The classrooms. Jarrett was perking up again. “Now this is more like it. So Harry is going back to Hogwarts?”

Marsha gave him a frown. “Harry and the others graduated, Jarrett. You as a superfan should know that. No, we’re just going to use these sets to show a new generation being trained as witches and wizards, only to gruesomely die in the attack on the castle.” She waved her hand like a wand. “All these sets will be turned to rubble. It’s going to be awesome. When Harry stands on the ruins, his robe billowing around his bare thighs, he swears a solemn oath to avenge the deaths of these young witches and wizards, and thus the battle begins. Pretty awesome, huh?”

“Very,” Jarrett said, eyes glittering. I wondered if he was thinking about Harry’s bare thighs or the disaster this movie would turn out to be.

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About Nic

Nic Saint is the pen name for writing couple Nick and Nicole Saint. They’ve penned 60+ novels in the romance, cat sleuth, middle grade, suspense, comedy and cozy mystery genres. Nicole has a background in accounting and Nick in political science and before being struck by the writing bug the Saints worked odd jobs around the world (including massage therapist in Mexico, gardener in Italy, restaurant manager in India, and Berlitz teacher in Belgium).

When they’re not writing they enjoy Christmas-themed Hallmark movies (whether it’s Christmas or not), all manner of pastry, comic books, a daily dose of yoga (to limber up those limbs), and spoiling their big red tomcat Tommy.

www.nicsaint.com

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First Shot

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Between a Ghost and a Spooky Place

Public Ghost Number One

Ghost Save the Queen

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A Tale of Two Harrys

Ghosts vs. Spies

The Ghost Who Came in from the Cold

Tate-à-Tate

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Witchy Hexations

Witchy Possessions

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Witchy Riches

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Two Scoops of Murder

Three Shots of Disaster

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Box Set 2 (Books 4-6)

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Copyright © 2017 by Nic Saint. All rights reserved.

Published by Puss in Print Publications.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Editor: Chereese Graves.