Emma Watson at the New York premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Were you happy to be back on the Harry Potter film set for Half-Blood Prince?

I was quite keen to get back into the swing of it. Everyone was pleased to see me because it meant that things had really picked up.

How tough was it to start a romance with Ron, especially since he’s played by an old friend?

I don’t know that it’s tough. Rupert’s a really laidback guy but I’m really looking forward to it because I quite like the romantic comedy side of it. Rupert and I end up providing light relief, as the films get darker. It’s funny seeing Ron struggling in the romantic stakes. Hermione and Ron are so different yet they have this chemistry, so it’s interesting. It was awkward doing those love scenes; there’s no other way to put it, but it’s all part of the job.

How did it feel to win Best Actress at the ITV Movie Awards?

It was so lovely. I genuinely didn’t expect to win it. It wasn’t just about Order of the Phoenix. It was about all the films and I was delighted that the public had voted for that award. It’s one of my proudest moments.

Does working on a Potter film feel different now that all three of you have done other projects?

Yes, and it was really nice to be able to come back and talk to Dan and Rupert about the projects they had been working on; and how different it was to work on stage and TV. It’s given us all more confidence as actors because we were chosen so young for the Potter films. It was so important to me to do Ballet Shoes. I learnt so much from that.

Think back to that day in the Berkeley Hotel in London when you were all playing Monopoly before being introduced to the world’s press. Did you have any inkling of the huge change your life was about to take?

I think I was too young to realise that, though obviously I was terrified. I wasn’t thinking about J.K. Rowling writing seven books. I wasn’t doing the maths and I wasn’t thinking about the popularity of the series. Nobody had a clue that the film would become the most successful film franchise of all time.

So what have been the big ‘wow!’ moments over the years?

The first was when we were told we had got the parts and we stayed in a fancy hotel for the press conference. I remember sitting on a massive bed jumping around watching myself on the TV evening news. It was mad. We also did a premiere at the Radio City Music Hall in New York and I remember looking up at all the people and saying ‘wow!’.

What about the perks and getting stuff from the likes of Chanel?

It’s amazing getting sent their dresses because I’ve always loved their clothing. They are the best. If anyone was going to dress me for a premiere, it was going to be Chanel. I physically don’t have time to go out any buy clothes for events so they lend me clothes and it works really well. I also consider it a perk that I get to travel and get to work with the people I’ve worked with. What other job would have given me all these opportunities?

Do you keep a diary?

I do have early diaries filled with funny little things I said or thought. I also have memory boxes filled with things from the early films; bits of the chess set. I have funny bits and pieces they let us keep.

For an autobiography one day?

No, I couldn’t see myself doing that. It’s too strange and weird looking back on that little girl. I’m very self-critical so I find it hard to watch the early films again. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was a film I was proud of, but I had to watch it three or four times before I could calm myself down and stay focused on my performance.

Have you been banned from playing table tennis by the two guys because you’re too good?

Ha-ha-ha. I really hope they will let me play again because I really like it. I was quite a tomboy as a kid and played a lot of sport.

What’s in your dressing room here at the studio?

Rupert has darts, pool, table tennis and all these games consoles. Dan’s room is full of books and music. I was so bored one summer that I painted a big mural in my dressing room. Otherwise, it’s all very girlie with candles and soft furnishings.

What do/don’t you like about Emma as Hermione? Tell t2@abpmail.com