On Paper:
A guided tour of London with the most famous wizard of our generation. A boy who has fought with danger and thwarted temptation of the dark arts since birth…
…but maybe a night in the shrieking shack with moaning myrtle could finally sway him…
In Reality:
I received a phone call from my sister, explaining she had just seen Harry Potter at Piccadilly Circus.
I requested she get his number… or die.
“Debbie I can’t just go up to him and ask for his number!!?”
“Why not?!”
“It’s so embarrassing!!”
“ANDREA – If you don’t do this you’re dead to me.”
She sent across his details:
“That was awful. Here’s his email.”
“Good work.”
I wrote a carefully crafted email attempting some wizard humour:
Dear Harry Potter,
Unfortunately the owl is currently on Spring break so had to resort to electronic mailing…
I would absolutely love the opportunity to take you out on a fun filled date around London.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Dangerous Debbie.
P.s. Rumour has it Ginny’s been hoeing in the room of requirement again.
I waited on my housemates bed, eyes glued to my inbox.
The seconds… minutes… hours… YEARS–
“Oh Debbie stop yelling, it’s been half an hour”
“LAURA, IT’S BEEN 45 MINUTES – WHAT IF HE NEVER REPLIES?!”
Then he replied…
“Dangerous Debbie,
I’d love to! How does tomorrow sound? We could meet at Platform 9 3/4, I’ll be coming back from the castle.”
“Sounds good…”
The following day I was too busy telling my entire phone book about my date to realise…
“Fuck!! Mum, I’ve got to go it’s already 11.”
“I don’t understand how you have a date with a fictional wiz-”
“HE’S REAL!!!”
“Stop shouting young lady! God know’s what the office thinks right now. Just call me tomorrow.”
“K.”
I arrived half an hour late.
Bollocks.
I frantically looked around but couldn’t see him anywhere.
The one day you had to be on time you fucking idiot
Then in the corner of my eye I saw him, sipping on some butter beer with a swish of his cloak and light bouncing off his round spectacles …
“HARRY?!!”
…Was how I imagined meeting my childhood hero, unfortunately the completely bizarre situation actually led to stunned silence.
“Debbie are you ok?”
“…Can I take a photo?”
“Go for it”
He finished off his drink and we made our way back to Platform 9 3/4. I was slowly coming out my shell; we chatted about his trip to the castle and chocolate frogs.
Then he brought her up, I felt my body stiffen – I knew he had never mastered occlumency and the ability to read my dark thoughts, so popped on a convincing grin and said:
It was time to do the unforgivable.
Get that Gingerbread tart out the picture…
FOR GOOD.
We jumped on the tube (he never had the best luck with broomsticks).
Some struggled to hide their envy of my date more than others.
And made our way down a small passage which resembled Nocturn Alley (Charring Cross underground station) whilst the death eaters showed their distaste (homeless men yelled: “OI HARRY… tell Hermione she can whomp my willow”) and we reached our second location:
I panicked and took the store assistant to one side:
“I need something that looks impressive”
“Well we’ve got these things – you can pretend to swallow-”
“Swallowing will not be a problem”
I took my magic and practised a little in the corner. It was perfect, the art of swallowing with the aid of some red light.
Bet Ginny never does tricks reminiscent of the red light district in Amsterdam.
“Harry look over here!”
“Well done Debs, that’s actually quite impressive for a beginner!”
“Beginner” Alright, calm down – Mr …
We left the shop and were meant to go the iconic Millennium bridge, now restored since the Dementor attack. Unfortunately the weather began to draw in and dark clouds filled the sky…
“Harry do something!!”
Then the hail stones came, followed by snow, tornado winds and the largest rainfall since records began, and we realised…
We sought refuge in Weasleys Wizard Wheezes (Hamley’s – in hindsight, not the best to take the most famous boy wizard of all time).
I became a little agitated.
“WHY DOES NO ONE WANT MY PHOTO!?”
So decided to take him away from his fan.
We headed outside once the rain had cleared and he received a phone call, whilst I began to plan my next move: head to the Leaky Cauldron and ply him with love potion. (Beer, vodka and a pint of wine.)
“Debs that was my agent on the phone… what are you doing this evening?”
“J K?!!! Tell her I’m available for the next stage production!”
“Debs, I’m not actually Harry Potter. My names Luke I’m a professional lookalike-”
“YOU’RE JUST LIKE ALL THE REST OF THEM!!!”
“Look, I’m featuring in a Channel 4 series called “Lookalikeys”. Do you want to come to the preview this evening? It’s meant to be just cast but my agent – also an ex lookalikey, said you can come too.”
“Who did he used to look like?”
“David Beckham”
“Ok I’ll come.”
Cost:
Priceless.
Dangerous Rating:
Didn’t get the boy who lived – but almost got the man who botoxed.
I have to say I’ve never laughed so hard in all my life! One of the most entertaining things I’ve EVER read! Maybe I should google who I might be a lookalike for and see if I can blab a date!!