[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire] had three high-profile premieres—one ea London, New York, and Tokyo. With the US, the UK, and Japan being the biggest markets of the franchise, it made sense from a business perspective to prioritize the film in these tries.

  As soon as the critics watched it, everyone agreed ohing unanimously—this was the best movie of the franchise so far, eveer than the critically accimed [Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]. The use of long takes, free camera movements, jaw-dropping CGI, and superb ag from the entire cast were some of the points critics took note of.

  “Childhood has finally ended for Harry Potter. The movie, with its fantastical elements ons, merpeople, sphinxes, aors, is quite a thrill ride that takes us into dark territory with screams and a final shudder in a graveyard crowded with tombstones and evil. Troy Armitage, as usual, stole the show with his impeccable talent. Jamie Bell and Emma Watson weren’t far behind this time, showing their rapidly growing ag prowess. The three young actors are maturing into powerhouse performers.

  Veteran actors like An Ri, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, and Timothy Spall were all amazing. Among the new cast members, Henry Cavill as Cedric Diggory is phenomenal. He infuses so much charm and likeability into the role that it makes the ending quite a tragie. Undoubtedly though, the best addition to the cast was Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort. He is not teically a new addition as Fiennes did a cameo in the first film (which goes on to show the long-term vision of the filmmakers all those years ago). Every moment that he is on s, you ’t help but pray for the safety of the good guys. He is quite remi of his ive role in Sdler’s List.

  Overall, this is the perfect tinuation of the series we could have gotten, walking the fine line of adapting a big book by eliminating a few less-important storylines perfectly.”

  Rating: 9/10 -Manoh Dargis, New York Times

  “For the first time, adults might actually enjoy a Harry Potter film as much as children.”

  -Victoria Segal, atesman

  “Eric Roth and Steve Kloves have streamlined J.K. Rowling's 700-plus-page opus into ematic fighting form. And the special effects, which threateo overwhelm the first two movies, are seamlessly ied.”

  -David Ansen, Newsweek

  “It's dht scary how good this movie is.”

  -Joe Menstern, Wall Street Journal

  “Wait a minute. Sequels aren't supposed to get better.”

  -Roger Moore, Tribune News Service

  “Though the special effects in this film are ofteaking, the real drama here is exactly where it should be: in a young man's frightened but resolute eyes.”

  -Moira Maald, Seattle Times

  On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, [Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire] opened with an amazing 97% positive rating and an average score of 8.7/10. Oacritic, it received a weighted average score of 86/100. Meanwhile, on emaScore, it became the fourth secutive film in the series to get an ‘A+’, tinuing to be the only film series in history with a straight ‘A+’ throughout.

  The critical accim and the rock-solid fanbase were smoothly verted into box offiumbers. The film was widely released on November 5, 2004. Walt Disney, which was set to release the Pixar film [The Incredibles] on the same date, postpo for two weeks to avoid petition, giving [Goblet of Fire] uricted access to the market.

  It had a massive opening weekend of 168 million in North Amerid 405 million worldwide, making it officially the biggest opening weekend ever, breaking the record previously held by [Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban].

  By the end of its run, it had collected 390 million in the Uates, 181 million in Japan, 83 million in the United Kingdom, and 459 million in the rest of the world, taking its total box office receipts to a bined 1.113 billion.

  (Break)

  November 2004, Kloves Residence, London

  Evaered their home after a hectic day at school. He was so looking forward to hitting the gym with Troy today. Finally, Troy was out of his self-imposed depression and had promised that he would begin w out with Evan again. Initially, Evan hated the very idea of exercise, but when he saw how all the girls at his school were paying more attention to him retly, he was more thahusiastic to work out and gain some mueeded muscle mass.

  BARK

  An over-excited husky ran circles around Evan. “Hey, boy!” He bent down and ruffled Loki’s grey fur affeately before pnting a kiss on his head. Loki might be Troy’s dog officially, but he spent equal time with both of them. And given how Troy was on aended world tour this st month, Evan had bee Loki’s favorite human.

  His thoughts were interrupted by a beautiful melody ing from the living room. Usually, Troy would practice his musi his dedicated musi, so it was a little strange for him to use the downstairs piano. His room had all sorts of state-of-the-art instruments and everonic sound devices that were beyond Evan’s grasp.

  To sate his curiosity, he followed the sound and came across a bizarre se. Troy ying the piano while Kathy was sitting on the nearby couch with her eyes closed. She seemed lost in the music, which was quite different from Troy’s usual songs.

  (Lovely: Billie Eilish, Khalid)

  ~:Oh, I hope some day I'll make it out of here

  Even if it takes all night or a hundred years

  Need a pce to hide, but I 't find one near

  Wanna feel alive, outside I 't fight my fear

  Isn't it lovely? All alone

  Heart made of gss, my mind of stone

  Tear me to pieces, skin to bone

  Hello, wele home :~

  "Oh my God!" Evan excimed out loud when it became obvious that Troy had fihe song. "Every time I hear you sing, you just keep gettier aer."

  "Thanks, bro," Troy smiled befetting up from the piano and walking over to his mother.

  "Dad suggested I make a full music album for my songs, and now I’m just finalizing the tracks that will go into it. This one is definitely going in there."

  "It would be a travesty if this isn’t there," Evan said seriously.

  Kathy got up and hugged Troy. "Thank you for that song. Evan is correct. That was the most beautiful thing I’ve heard in a long time. Not just yours, it was the very best, like no other song ever was."

  Troy chuckled after separating from her. "Don’t go on quoting the Pokémon theme song to me."

  Evan ughed at the actal reference, but Kathy seemed oblivious to the joke, so he ged the topic. "It’s good I found you here, we o work out. You’ve been bailing on me long enough during your moping days."

  "My moping days?" Troy asked incredulously. "Not you too after dad!"

  "With the type of songs you’ve been writing the st few months, plus your isotionist behavior, you bme me?" Evan asked challengingly.

  "Ooh," Troy said dramatically. "Evan’s using some long words today. Has Nadia been teag you?"

  "At least I’m going out of the house for more than just work or study," Evan shot back. "You hermit."

  "You—" Troy began, likely with some insult ready, but he was stopped.

  "Boys," Kathy said sharply. "Cut it out."

  When Troy didn’t tiheir little spat, Evan didher.

  "Good," Kathy nodded. "Now, Troy, didn’t you say you had to ask Evan something important?"

  Troy’s eyes lit up, fetting their prior animosity. "Oh yes! I had this idea I wao run by you first. I don’t know if it’s any good or even feasible, but I really want to try it out."

  "And what is it?" Evan asked.

  "What if," Troy began slowly unraveling his idea, "when I release my album, I release all of the songs as sioo, with a full-length music video for each. And I was hoping you could direct a few of them for experience."

  Evan waited for a few moments, expeg Troy to say something like, "Gotcha!" But when he didn’t, Evan blurted the first thing that came to mind. "That’s a terrible idea."

  Troy didn’t get mad this time and asked calmly, "Why?"

  "Do I have to spell it out for you?" Evan groaned. "We don’t know if your songs will be as big a hit as you’re expeg. They’re really good, sure, but even top artists only release full videos and singles for selected songs—the best ones. If you release too many videos at once, you’ll be peting against yourself for a time slot on musid radio els."

  Troy pondered Evan’s words before nodding. "You’re n. So what do you suggest I do?"

  Evan smiled. He had an idea, but he’d o see the songs Troy had chosen for his debut. "Have you finalized the list of songs for your album?"

  "I have," Troy nodded. "I’ve even recorded a basic version of them ahem for chting."

  "Perfect," Evan nodded. "Give me all your recorded songs on a fsh drive, and I’ll e up with a good idea for your album."

  Troy squinted. "What’s your idea exactly?"

  "Give me the songs first, and then I’ll tell you in a day," Evan said firmly. There was no point in giving out a half-baked idea only to discard it ter.

  "Firoy relented.

  "Boys," Kathy said suddenly, reminding them that they were not alohere. "I have some work to do, so I’ll be in my study if you need anything."

  "Okay, Mum," Troy smiled before turning to Evan. "e on now. It’s time for our workout and sparring session."

  Evan stopped suddenly in his tracks. "Sparring?" he asked nervously. bat sessions with Troy were alainful.

  "Of course," Troy grinned ohey were alone. "I’m going to wipe the floor with you today and show you just how much of an isotionist I am."

  "Fuck!" Evan groaned. "Fine, I’ll do it, but only after some cardio alifting."

  "Agreed," Troy nodded, and together they walked to their home gym.

  After some light stretg, they got oreadmills, and Troy turned oV in front of them to aertai news el.

  "Why do you even watch this piece of shit?" Evan asked, irritated.

  Troy shrugged. "It’s kinda fun to see what the fuck they’re saying about other celebs. Sometimes even me. I sider it to be a edy show of sorts."

  Evan shook his head but didn’t say anything else. Suddenly, the news ged, and both boys stumbled on their respective treadmills after seeing what it was.

  "Emma Watson was retly seen showing some major PDA with a mysterious boy, who is said to be her real boyfriend. Earlier, when photos of her with Troy Armitage appeared, they had both rebuffed cims of a retionship as o photos. People were suspicious of the cim, but now it’s clear—Emma is dating someone else. We don’t know yet who this young man is, but we’ll find out soon enough."

  All the while, the footage showed Emma with her arm looped around another boy, kissing his cheek affeately. The boy’s cap was c his eyes, so his face wasn’t clear, but Evan knew for sure that it wasn’t Troy.

  He turo Troy, who looked murderous. "Are you okay, bro?"

  "Enough warm-up," Troy said angrily. "I o fight. Right now."

  (Break)

  Emma sighed i for the umpteenth time. She wasn’t having a great year. Somewhere deep down, she still regretted breaking up with Troy, but everyone in her life had told her staying with him was bad for her mental health. Even the rumors of her dating Troy had created a media frenzy. People online lost their minds, saying all kinds of hurtful things. In the end, breaking up had been the right decision for her, at least in the short term. Her only regret was how she treated Troy afterward.

  Her mother had bought her a new phone and made it clear she shouldn’t give the new o Troy, at least until they were ba set for the film. This would give them both time to get used to being apart. Emma thought her mum was being excessive, but given the older woman didn’t grow up with phones, it made sense she wouldn’t uand their importan a moderionship. Her old phone was still with her mother because sometimes she got work reted calls from people who didn't have her new number.

  And then the worst thing happened: her mother hired a PR team for her.

  "You need people to maintain your image, love," Jackie had said softly. "People are judging yht now. They don’t judge boys as harshly for their life decisions as they do girls. Troy has a very dedicated fanbase, many of whom will jump to hate on you if they find out you broke up with him. Didn’t you say Troy has a dedicated team?"

  "Yeah, but he’s… Troy."

  Jackie shook her head. "You’re han anyone. We need someoo paint you a better image, and Shauna is one of the best in London."

  After a lot of cajoling, Emma agreed to meet this Shauna woman. They didn’t give her the full history of her and Troy—just that they weren’t dating. Shauna’s solution was a unique one.

  "We need everyoet about that rumor," Shauna suggested fidently. "All you need is arm dy. A sexy boy ye, preferably an aspiring actor, who will take you out a few times—vely when paparazzi are around. He’ll get free fame, and he’ll sign an NDA, so he won’t spill the beans. You officially break up whenever you are in a real retionship."

  The pn looked solid on paper, but Emma didn’t want to gh with it without talking to Troy first. The problem was, he wasn’t ready to talk to her at all. She’d tried several times during their promotional tour, but he wouldn’t listen.

  Partly in exasperation, partly in anger, she’d said yes to Shauna’s pn. That’s how she met her fake boyfriend, Nichos Hoult, who’d been in a couple of films as well.

  (Break)

  Evan limped into Troy’s room. It was much better thaerday, but he was still a little sore.

  "Stop walking like that," Troy noted idly while lying on his bed. "Someone might think you've been up to something naughty with Nadia."

  "Sting her into every versation," Evan said hotly, taking a seat in the chair beside the bed. "We haven’t even kissed yet."

  Troy scoffed. "At the rate yoing, yrandchildren will lose their virginities before you do."

  "Says the dies' man," Evaed. "How many girls have you been with, huh?"

  "Not for ck of willingness on their end," Troy said smugly. "No joke—lots of girls begged me to take them on this promotional tour. It’s just… too soon after Emma."

  And there went the pyful mood.

  "Are you okay, Troy?" Evan asked again.

  "I’m not gonna break that easily," Troy shot back. "I’m over her. I don’t care who she spends her time with now."

  "My bruises say otherwise," Evan muttered. Troy heard it but didn’t pursue the versation.

  "So, you have an idea for my album?" Troy ged the topid sat up in his bed.

  "Yes," Evan nodded eagerly. "It’s a bit of a random idea, but it’s the only way you release music videos for all your songs in one go."

  Troy motioned for him to tinue.

  "What if we create a musical film that’s mostly your songs? Imagine all the tracks you’ve written being part of a movie tered around two characters. You’ll py the lead, obviously, and we’ll hire a good actress for the female role."

  Troy thought about it for a moment before saying, "We’d o write a script. Maybe Mum and Dad help us out? I’m not sayio this wild idea just like that."

  "It’s not that wild," Evan said, grinning. "I’ve been w on a script for the past year. I didn’t tell ahat’s why I asked for your songs, to see if they’d fit. Now I fidently say they do—with a few tweaks. You might have to write a couple of happy ohough. Most of your songs are a bit... mencholic. But even if you don’t, I’ll make it work."

  Troy looked genuinely surprised by Evan’s suggestion.

  “So what do you think of it?” Evan asked.

  “Tell me the story and then I’ll decide,” Troy said with finality, and Evan unched into the story.