At eleven o'clock sharp.
Douglas began by saying a few brief words. Flashbulbs kept going off throughout, but the reporters were not busily scribbling notes.
That was because, right at the start, Douglas had Slane tell the reporters that copies of his speech would be distributed for their reference at the end.
At half past eleven, with his fans growing impatient, Douglas finally finished speaking.
Among the crowd, a Hogwarts student whispered to someone beside them:
"Dad, I told you that when Professor Holmes said he would say a few brief words, they definitely wouldn't be brief."
It was time for questions from the press.
The initial questions were fairly normal, for example:
Reporter: "Under what circumstances did you write God of Cooking Magic?"
Douglas: "As everyone knows, I'm a Hufflepuff..."
Reporter: "How did you come up with so many ideas?"
Douglas: "For that, I have to thank the Hogwarts Library for its help..."
Reporter: "How did you come up with so many ideas?"
Douglas: "For that, I have to thank the Hogwarts Library for its help..."
Reporter: "Did you choose to take a position at Hogwarts because you had run out of inspiration? I remember you went a long time without releasing an update before that."
Douglas: "Good question. In fact, I think traveling in reality is more interesting than adventuring in stories..."
Reporter: "Professor Holmes, I'm Grizel Hots, an advice columnist for the Daily Prophet. I'm responsible for the relationship column.
"I'm more curious about your romantic experiences. After all, your stories feature all sorts of romances too..."
Douglas: "Ms. Hots, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm afraid I may disappoint you. I haven't had any romantic experiences, but that doesn't stop me from observing other people's relationships..."
Throughout this, Douglas had been keeping an eye