Harry's girl happy to pursue acting career

SHE'S known to millions around the world as the quirky schoolgirl who befriended the boy-wizard Harry Potter.

But real-life student Evanna Lynch will be among thousands of Leaving Cert pupils nervously awaiting her results this morning.

The actress, who is best known for her role as Luna Lovegood in the 'Harry Potter' films, will be checking her results online or by telephone.

She won't be joining fellow pupils at Institute of Education on Dublin's Leeson Street to pick up her envelope in person, as she is currently out of the country. She is understood to be in London doing a drama course as she foregoes university to throw herself full-time into her acting career.

Evanna, who turned 20 yesterday, repeated her Leaving Cert at the Institute. She decided to return to the classroom due to the uncertain nature of acting.

"There's no reason to repeat the Leaving Cert really. I don't want to be a doctor. I just want it because I am going into acting, and in acting you never know when you're going to get another job," she said.

"At least if I have a Leaving Cert, I won't feel so bad about doing something so insecure."

- Breda Heffernan

Irish Independent