Author's Note:
Hey everyone! 👋
Thank you so much for participating in the poll! I really appreciate all your feedback. After carefully considering the results, I'm excited to announce that I'll be following Option 2, where I'll be posting two shorter chapters (around 750-1000 words) every 12 hours from now on. 📚
I'm confident this will help bring more regular updates to you, and I hope it makes it easier to stay engaged with the story. Of course, the quality will always be my priority, so rest assured that these shorter chapters will still be just as enjoyable as ever! 😊
Thanks again for your support, and let's dive into the next part of the story! ❤️
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By the end of May, the shooting had wrapped up, a surprising speed compared to his previous life. Thanks to Thane and Amelia's well-prepared rehearsals and Chris Columbus's willingness to listen to their guidance, the production moved along swiftly. Chris, still a relatively new director, appreciated the duo's input, which allowed for a faster and smoother process.
Chris promised that the movie would be ready for release by Christmas. James, who had been hands-on with the project, decided to use his own distribution channels for the North American release. However, for international distribution, he knew he would need to work with one of the big six studios, a step that would be postponed until the movie's success in North America.
Thane didn't waste any time after the shooting ended. He had already mastered the piano, guitar, drums, and flute, and was now working on improving his dance skills. His drive and commitment to learning had already made him a musical prodigy, and he wasn't about to stop there.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Thane dedicated himself to mastering Occlumency. He practiced daily, receiving guidance from Bree, who provided the most efficient and structured method of learning. While Amelia had a natural proficiency with Occlumency shields, there had never been a solid framework for teaching it within the magical world. Bree's lessons allowed Thane to strengthen his shields, and he was determined to help Amelia with it once he reached a proficient level himself.
With his focus split between his musical and magical growth, Thane was making rapid progress in every area.
While the movie was in post-production, Thane focused on expanding his creative horizons. Although Fleur occasionally sent him letters, Thane chose to keep his interactions with the magical world minimal, not wanting to become overly involved before it was necessary. His attention was more on personal growth and honing his skills outside of the wizarding realm.
With Amelia busy with her acting career, Thane took the opportunity to learn songwriting and book writing from Bree, who had become an invaluable mentor. Thane's days were often spent between learning advanced study materials and working on his own projects. Despite spending most of his time with Amelia and James due to legal constraints, he found balance by pursuing his writing and developing his creativity.
In just a short time, Thane had already written a complete script, two songs for Amelia, two of his own, and was working on adaptations of Life of Pi, Twilight, and Game of Thrones. It seemed impossible for anyone else to manage so many creative projects at once, but for Thane, it all felt natural. His mind seemed to absorb knowledge effortlessly, and his talent for writing flourished rapidly. He wasn't just learning; he was perfecting his craft, driven by the desire to establish himself publicly. He knew that in the future, if he ever needed to leverage his fame, he would be well-prepared.
Superman's powers and stamina allowed Thane to work at a pace few could match, giving him the ability to work relentlessly without burning out. As he worked, he also made time to sunbathe, enjoying the physical and mental benefits that came from absorbing the sun's energy. The feeling of growing stronger and smarter at the same time was intoxicating—especially for someone who had been below average in so many things in his past life. With each day, Thane knew he was becoming more than just a child prodigy; he was becoming a force to be reckoned with.
By early October, post-production had wrapped up, and Home Alone was ready for its internal screening.
"Thane, are you ready?" Amelia asked with a warm smile.
"I am. I have confidence in my work, Mom. The movie is definitely going to be a great one," Thane replied, his voice full of assurance.
"Let's go. We don't want to make them wait too long," Amelia said as they stepped out of the car and made their way inside the studio.
As they walked through the studio hallways, Thane and Amelia exchanged familiar greetings with employees they passed. Soon, they arrived at the screening room, where James and several other crew members and company executives were already present.
The screening room was cozy yet professional. Rows of plush chairs faced a large screen, and a mix of cast, crew, and a few studio executives filled the seats, all buzzing with excitement for the first internal screening of Home Alone. Thane took his seat beside his mother, Amelia, who had played a key role as both co-writer and co-star. Near the screen stood Chris Columbus, the director, addressing the group, while James, a heavyweight in the industry and the owner of the studio, sat front and center with the studio executives.
The atmosphere was electric, and the anticipation in the room was palpable.
"Alright, everyone, thank you for being here! This is a big moment—our first look at what we've created together. I hope you're as excited as I am. And Thane…" Chris Columbus gestured toward him with a grin. "You're the youngest co-writer and actor here, so no falling asleep, okay?"
"Not a chance, Mr. Columbus. I've been waiting for this all week!" Thane replied, sitting up straighter in his seat.
"Remember, no nitpicking every little detail out loud. Just enjoy it," Amelia leaned over and whispered to him.
"I'll try, but if something's off, someone's gotta say it," Thane smirked playfully.
The lights dimmed, and the projector whirred to life. The room fell silent as the opening credits rolled, accompanied by John Williams' iconic score. Thane leaned forward, his face bathed in the glow of the screen, as the first scenes unfolded, showing Kevin being left behind and reveling in his newfound freedom.
"That line delivery! I knew it would be funny, but it's even better with the music!" Thane whispered to Amelia, unable to contain his excitement.
"Shh, just watch," Amelia responded, gesturing with a quick motion of her hand without taking her eyes off the screen.
As the movie progressed, laughter filled the room, especially during Kevin's clever traps and the burglars' slapstick misfortunes. Thane grinned, watching the reactions from the crew and cast.
"You were right when you told me people would love this scene," Chris said, glancing back at Thane during a particularly funny moment.
When the reunion scene played, showing Kevin and Kate embracing by the Christmas tree, Amelia subtly dabbed at her eyes. Thane, noticing, nudged her gently.
"Mom, are you crying at your own acting?" he whispered teasingly.
"Maybe I am. It's a good scene, alright?" Amelia laughed, brushing away the tears.
The film ended with the final heartwarming moments, and the screen faded to black.