Emma Watson, the young actress who portrays clever and brilliant Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, celebrates her landmark 20th birthday today, April 15, 2010.

Emma was first cast as the cleverest witch of her age after casting scouts for the Harry Potter films went to her school in 2000, looking for young students to be cast in the films. After several auditions, she was told that she got the role of Hermione at the same time as her co-star and on-screen love interest, Rupert Grint.

Happy Birthday, Emma! :ballet: