Movie

Seeing that the steam rising from Lockhart's head was about to outshine the blazing sun outside, Tver hurriedly cooled him down.

"This isn't your, Lockhart's, story. More precisely, it's a child's adventure pieced together and adapted from the stories you originally stole."

"What?" Lockhart's smile immediately froze. "Then doesn't that mean it has absolutely nothing to do with me?!"

"...You do have a rather clear understanding of yourself." Tver could not help commenting.

"The only thing you need to do—and the only thing you can do—is help the entire production crew make this film properly."

"Otherwise..."

Seeing the threat brimming in Tver's eyes, Lockhart seemed to have had a bucket of ice water dumped over him and instantly remembered his current predicament.

"I'm sorry. I spoke too loudly just now. I apologize to you," he hurriedly replied in a humble tone.

"However," he suddenly looked up, a trace of earnestness on his face, "I don't even know what the story will be adapted into, so perhaps..."

"No perhaps." Tver decisively crushed his last little scheme.

"If you don't want to stay in Azkaban until 2013, obediently follow the director's instructions and make this film well."

"If the final result of the film satisfies me..."

"Then I'll be free?!" Lockhart guessed excitedly.

"Wrong. But I'll consider reducing your sentence as appropriate—say, to 2010, or even earlier. That depends on your performance."

Tver patted Lockhart on the shoulder. Rather than continuing to threaten him, his tone became as gentle as that of a shop salesman.

As for Lockhart... he had no choice anymore!

Fortunately, although he was not particularly capable in any respect, Lockhart believed that when it came to reading the situation—no, adapting to circumstances—he was absolutely first-rate.

Otherwise, he would not have chosen to pass Karkaroff's matter on to Tver