The Quidditch World Cup Stadium was alive with excitement. Even before entering the arena, the sounds of laughter, shouts, and intermittent singing filled the air, a testament to the event's significance in the wizarding world. I had purchased a pair of panoramic binoculars from a vendor, a device capable of replaying images, slowing motion, and detecting the tactical formations of the teams. John, holding a first-class ticket that placed him in the top box among Ministry of Magic officials and the affluent, examined the binoculars with curiosity.
The seats, adorned in purple and gilt, were slightly too small for Hagrid, who was brimming with excitement. John, noticing Hagrid's discomfort, magically enlarged his seat. Below, the crowd surged into the stadium like a colony of ants. Daphne Greengrass hurried over to sit beside John, her presence acknowledged by a glance from Mrs. Greengrass, while Mr. Greengrass showed a hint of displeasure.
Hagrid, suddenly nervous, nearly damaged the panoramic binoculars. Following his gaze, we saw Mrs. Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy, surrounded by her students in their distinctive blue silk uniforms. Among them were Fleur Delacour and her sister Gabrielle, their silver hair catching the light. Hagrid couldn't take his eyes off Madam Maxime, murmuring, "She's beautiful," which left John in disbelief, his reaction a mix of shock and amusement.
The arrival of the Malfoy family was marked by their distinctive appearance, Lucius and his son Draco looking remarkably alike. Narcissa Malfoy, Lucius's wife, was a vision of beauty. A house-elf, reminiscent of Dobby but distinguished by a tea towel wrapped around its body, caught John's attention. The elf seemed to be hiding something beneath an Invisibility Cloak, and when John's gaze lingered, the cloaked figure seemed to notice, prompting John to look away discreetly.
The top box also featured a large blackboard where advertisements magically appeared, promoting everything from broomsticks and stain removers to wizarding attire and various services offered by Silver Hand, John's business empire. Hagrid, having tried Silver Hand's wine, expressed his preference for it over beer, a sentiment that seemed to resonate with many.
Harry, noticing the house-elf, mistook her for Dobby, which led to an introduction to Winky. Winky, recognizing Harry by his scar, reacted with awe. The conversation soon turned to Dobby, with Hermione and Ron joining in. Winky explained that Dobby's insistence on being paid for his work made it difficult for him to find employment, a situation that was unusual for house-elves, who typically served without wage.
This chapter of the Quidditch World Cup not only showcased the excitement and grandeur of the event but also touched upon the complexities of the wizarding world's social structure, as seen through the eyes of its characters. The debate over house elf rights heated up in the stands, with Hermione expressing her outrage at the treatment of house elves like Dobby. She couldn't fathom how wizards could justify keeping them as slaves. This conversation was sparked by Shining's admission of her fear of heights, yet her obligation to secure a good viewing spot for her master. Hermione's education had instilled in her a belief in equality for all magical beings, making the concept of house elves without rights particularly abhorrent to her.
John observed the exchange with a detached interest, his attention elsewhere. Meanwhile, Percy was preoccupied with entertaining officials, his duties keeping him so busy he barely had time to breathe. Barty Crouch made an appearance, his gaze lingering on Winky, perhaps revealing more than he intended. His departure was followed by the arrival of Bulgarian wizards, their language a puzzle that only added to Percy's stress.
Ludo Bagman, the event's commentator, skillfully ignored the Weasley twins' accusations of deceit, focusing instead on his duties. With a magically amplified voice, he welcomed the crowd to the 422nd Quidditch World Cup, igniting excitement in the stands.
The mascots' performances were a spectacle in themselves. The Bulgarian team's Veela captivated many, including Ron, who was nearly bewitched enough to leap from the stands. The Irish team's leprechauns countered with a dazzling display, showering the stadium with gold coins that vanished after a few hours, a clever bit of transfiguration that caught John's eye.
As the teams were introduced, Bulgaria's star player, Viktor Krum, stood out as a formidable Seeker. The Irish team, known for its balanced strength and particularly skilled Chaser, promised a competitive match. John, equipped with panoramic binoculars, offered them to Daphne, noticing her struggle to see. His gesture, simple yet thoughtful, touched her deeply.
Refusing Hagrid's offer to borrow his binoculars, John relied on his unique ability to see clearly, his eyes adapting with vertical pupils. The match was a thrilling display of skill, with Krum's feints and the Irish team's relentless scoring captivating the audience.
Despite the Bulgarian team's efforts, Ireland's lead seemed insurmountable. The tension between the mascots mirrored the intensity on the field, nearly escalating into a brawl. Krum, recognizing the slim chance of victory, made a strategic decision to chase the Snitch, aiming to end the game on his terms. His pursuit was not just about the score but about honor for his team.
The final moments were a breathtaking chase, with Krum's skill outshining the Irish Seeker. Securing the Snitch, he ended the game with Bulgaria trailing closely behind Ireland. The final score, 170 to 160, reflected a game well played, with Krum's dignity intact despite the loss. The Irish team emerged victorious. Amidst the chase, Krum sustained an injury but adamantly refused medical attention, choosing instead to join his teammates in their moment of defeat. With the position of Minister of Magic still vacant, the task of presenting the awards fell to Barty Crouch. Seizing the opportunity to curry favor and possibly secure votes, Crouch endeavored to appear as congenial as possible.
John observed the Weasley twins fervently detaining Ludo Bagman, their insistence rooted in a successful wager that, had it been placed on Silver Hand, would have yielded a tenfold return. As the game concluded and the crowd began to disperse, John made his way out of the stadium. The roadside was abuzz with conversation, with the Weasley family engaging in particularly animated discussions, no doubt due to their strong affiliation with Gryffindor Quidditch.
John's tent was situated next to the Weasleys', and the cacophony from within persisted until the early hours. Inside his own tent, Hagrid, sprawled across several hard pillows, mumbled, "John, you're pushing yourself too hard." Yet sleep eluded John. He was preoccupied with tallying his earnings from the Quidditch World Cup, a sum that astonishingly exceeded six figures.
Heinrich, maintaining a deliberate distance from Kim, had grown weary of his antics. Kim, undeterred, flashed a disarming smile and cheerfully announced his intention to share the tent, much to Heinrich's chagrin.
As night deepened, John, on the brink of sleep, was startled by a disturbance. Stepping out of his tent to investigate, he was greeted by the sight of a fire illuminating the darkness. A wizard was seen fleeing towards the woods, closely pursued by a group of masked wizards. They moved in unison, their wands raised skyward.
John's expression hardened at the sight of a family suspended in mid-air, manipulated like marionettes. "Looking for trouble?" he murmured to himself. With a casual gesture, he donned a silver mask and, with a snap of his fingers, his attire transformed. His cloak took on an emerald hue, and his shoes sprouted wings, propelling him upwards like a rocket.
Ascending to a height of 100 feet, John drew his yew wand, aiming it at the disruptive wizards below.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge