VN: There aren't many Scottish actors on the big screen. Have you flown the flag for Scotland yet?

Katie Leung: No, I think it's great that I come from Scotland and there are so few stars from there but then I don't consider myself celebrity material. I think the fact that I came from Scotland helped me get the part as they were surrounded by girls who were from England, so my Scottish accent stood out.

VN: Were you still at school when you found out you got the part?

Katie Leung: Yes, it was really hard because I couldn't tell anybody that I got the part and it was so tempting. I told them that I was going to the auditions so my friends kept asking if I got the part. I just had to keep saying: "Oh I don't think I got it". After a while they stopped asking me and when I eventually told them they just kept screaming! They have been really supportive.

VN: What advice would you give to other young hopefuls wanting to act?

Katie Leung: I think you just have to be able to live two different lifestyles. On one hand you have to concentrate on your studies yet when you're acting you have to be a completely different person. You really have to focus. I think the most important thing is to not let it get to your head. And don't get easily influenced by anything.

VN: So if you've never acted, what made you go to the audition?

Katie Leung: It was all for a bit of fun, it was such a coincidence! My dad was watching telly and falling asleep when this advert came on advertising for oriental-looking girls to audition for the part. He sat up, called me downstairs and asked me: "do you want to be in the Harry Potter movie?" I thought he knew somebody so I was like, "yeah"! He then said, "well you have to go to the audition". I was reluctant at first as I have never acted and I didn't want to make a fool of myself. But we both wanted the opportunity to go to London, so it was purely for a bit of fun but through that, I discovered I could act!

VN: How does it feel to be Harry Potter's first kiss?

Katie Leung: It feels great! I feel even luckier and appreciative to have got this role because so many girls would do anything to be in my position. The scenes where he's gazing at me from afar were really fun to film because you had to give him this look and tease him. I had to do a lot of looking back to make him think he's got a chance when really he hasn't because I have a boyfriend.

VN: Who do you think your character Cho would choose out of Cedric and Harry?

Katie Leung: I think Cho would go with Cedric as she was really loyal in the book. Harry's really famous in Hogwarts and he plucked up the courage to ask her to the ball but she didn't want to be unfaithful so she turned him down in the end. I think she's a really nice person so Cedric would be her choice.

VN: How did you deal with the jealous rumours that were going around on the Internet? 

Katie Leung: I don't think it was jealously. Because the character is based a lot on image, there are so many Harry Potter fans in the world with so many different perceptions of Cho, I guess you can't satisfy everyone. I haven't seen any of that stuff so haven't experienced that negativity. It really hasn't affected me at all. If it was another girl, I would feel sorry for her but it's me and it hasn't affected me at all.

VN: Have you treated yourself with your wages yet?

Katie Leung: I don't need money right now, I'm just saving it for later for when I become more intelligent and experienced with the whole money issue. I'm keeping it safely... in a box!

VN: So if the movie offers came flooding in would you consider putting your uni dreams on hold?

Katie Leung: Well it depends on what kind of role I would be offered. I would have to think about it. Other roles may require more demanding things of me such as more publicity work. It really depends on what comes next. I haven't heard anything about being signed up to the other Harry films, but hopefully...