Chapter Five
Arthur handed our tickets to the witch at the entrance to the stadium and she directed us to the stairs leading to the Top Box. We climbed flight after flight of stairs as we went all of the way to the top.
“So you want to magically learn an extra language, I take it?” I asked Hermione as we walked up the stairs.
“Oh, yes. I think all four of us should. Maybe different languages though depending on how difficult it is,” Hermione said.
“We could draw up a list of languages. Maybe all of us could do Spanish and French, since those are the second and third most common languages, and then divide and conquer from there. I’m interested in Latin and Greek, someone should learn German, Mandarin, Arabic, maybe Dutch? We should look up what the official languages of each country are and we can see what the boys would be interested in learning,” I said.
“I know a handful of words in French and would definitely be interested in learning the entire language. As for the other languages, we should probably get more information and draw up an entire list before we start deciding,” Hermione said as we finally entered the Top Box.
It was a very luxurious box with curtains and velvet chairs in two long rows overlooking the field.
“Blimey, this is wicked!” Ron said.
“Hey Zo, come over here and tell Winky that Dobby is a free elf,” Harry said, gesturing to where he was talking to a small female house elf.
“Yep. Dobby is free. He has a fair contract, wages, clothes, the opportunity to unionize if he wants and the ability to leave at any time,” I confirmed.
We took our seats and glanced at the programs.
“What do you think the team mascots are going to be?” Hermione asked.
“Veela for the Bulgarians and leprechauns for the Irish,” I replied.
“Magic future powers are cheating,” Hermione accused playfully.
The Veela were admittedly stunningly beautiful, however I had no desire to jump off a balcony to gain their attention. Hermione and I had to hold back the boys while Ginny took great delight in spraying water into her brothers and Harry’s faces. Percy, Charlie and Bill managed to avoid being enchanted by the Veela. Percy explained that while Vella intentionally enchanting people was illegal, the Veela’s natural state did tend to lightly bewitch teenage boys in the height of hormones.
The leprechauns were very amusing and we enjoyed scooping up the gold that they showered everywhere.
The game began as the balls were released. Ginny, Harry, Ron, Fred and George eagerly watched the players flying through the air. Hermione and I, who were less sports inclined discussed some of the moves that the players were doing and the idea of forming a group of fighters who specialized in aerial combat on broomsticks for the war.
The Wronski Feint that Krum pulled was certainly successful if highly dangerous. Hermione commented that Harry would probably try doing something like that in his next Quidditch game.
After the Irish wracked up enough goals to negate the points gained by the Snitch, Krum caught the Snitch therefore ending the game with the Bulgarians as the losers. Fred and George went ballistic, elated at winning their bet with Bagman.
“Ah, yes, how much do I owe you again?” Bagman asked.
“You gave us ten to one odds-“
“-and we bet 50 galleons so you-“
“-owe us 500 galleons. Plus Dad-“
“-and Zo each bet a galleon on-“
“-Ireland with one to one odds, so-“
“-that’s a galleon for each of them.”
“Yes, yes,” Bagman began counting out coins and handing them to the twins.
“These are fake gold,” I said, grabbing a galleon and glancing at it.
“Ah, are they?” Bagman asked awkwardly, eyes wide in panic.
“No worries. I’m sure it was an honest mistake, what with the leprechauns throwing fake gold everywhere. Just give my friends and I our money with real galleons. And of course, if I hear that you gave anybody else fake gold then I will be reporting you to you the DMLE,” I said with a smile.
“Yes, yes, of course. I picked up some fake coins as souvenirs. Must have gotten them mixed up. Here you are. Have a good evening!” Bagman handed me a galleon and the twins a small bag before practically running away.
“I think he-”
“-shit his pants.”
“He’s in deep debt due to his gambling and is trying to fix it with more gambling,” I said, tucking the galleon into a pocket.
The two teams came up to the Top Box to shake hands with the important Ministry officials and accept the Cup.
“You still have your wand?” I asked Harry as the two Ministers discussed something or another.
“Yes, it’s in my holster,” Harry said, rolling his eyes.
“Just checking.”
The celebratory party was in full swing as we headed back to the tent. Charlie split off from us, saying he was going to meet up with some of his friends and would be back by sunrise. Arthur produced several butter beers for us to enjoy as the boys insisted on going over the quidditch game play by play.
When Arthur suggested turning in for the night, I proclaimed that I had had a vision of danger after the Quidditch game the following night and that we shouldn’t fall asleep. It was clear that Arthur, Bill and Percy didn’t believe me but were willing to humor my worries and stay up for a couple of extra hours. Everyone else immediately sat up straighter and made sure their wands were easily accessible.