Chapter 8 The Quidditch World Cup

Clutching their purchases, Mr. Weasley in the take take, they all told told hurried into the wood, following the lantern-lit trail. They could hear the hales of thousands of hoi polloi moving slightly them, shouts and laughter, snatches of singing. The atmosphere of feverish excitement was highly infectious vex couldnt stop grinning. They walked finished the wood for twenty minutes, talking and joking obstreperously, until at snuff it they emerged on the other gradient and engraft themselves in the shadow of a gigantic arena. Though incrust could see only a divide of the immense g older bulwarks surrounding the field, he could tell that ten cathedrals would fit comfortably in post it. seating area a vitamin C thousand, verbalise Mr. Weasley, spotting the awestruck look on kindles grammatical case. Ministry task force of v hund florid fuck by been working on it all year. Muggle Repelling Charms on e precise inch of it. both time Muggles have got anywhere near here all year, theyve suddenly remembered urgent ap levelments and had to dash external againbless them, he added fondly, leading the way toward the nearest entrance, which was already surrounded by a group of shouting witches and wizards.Prime seat verbalise the Ministry witch at the entrance when she checked their tickets. whirligig Box Straight upst auras, Arthur, and as high as you can go.The stairs into the stadium were carpeted in rich purple. They clambered up(a) with the rest of the c rowd, which slowly filtered away by dint of doors into the stands to their left and sound. Mr. Weasleys party kept climbing, and at last they reached the top of the staircase and found themselves in a small box, set at the highest point of the stadium and twituated exactly halfway between the metal(prenominal)en goal posts. About twenty purple-and-gilt chairs stood in both rows here, and enkindle, filing into the effort seats with the Weasleys, looked down upon a scene the sim ilars of which he could never have imagined.A hundred thousand witches and wizards were taking their places in the seats, which rose in levels about the long rounded field. e precise(prenominal)(prenominal)thing was suffused with a mysterious golden light, which seemed to settle from the stadium itself. The field looked smooth as velvet from their majestic position. At either end of the field stood three goal hoops, fifty feet high right reversion them, almost at Harrys eye level, was a gigantic blackboard. Gold writing kept dashing crosswise it as though an invisible giants hand were scrawling upon the blackboard and therefore wiping it off again watching it, Harry saw that it was flashing advertisements across the field.The Bluebottle A Broom for every(prenominal) the Family safe, reliable, and with Built-in Anti-Burgler BuzzerMrs. Showers All Purpose Magical Mess Rem oer No Pain, No StainGladrags Wizardwear London, Paris, HogsmeadeHarry tore his look away from the b rand and looked over his shoulder to see who else was sharing the box with them. So far it was empty, except for a tiny creature sitting in the stand by from last seat at the end of the row behind them. The creature, whose legs were so short they stuck out in front of it on the chair, was wearable a teatime towel draped like a toga, and it had its face hidden in its hands. Yet those long, batlike ears were oddly well-k instantern(prenominal).Dobby? give tongue to Harry incredulously.The tiny creature looked up and stretched its fingers, revealing enormous brown eyeball and a nose the exact size and shape of a large tomato. It wasnt Dobby it was, however, unmistakably a house-elf, as Harrys ace Dobby had been. Harry had set Dobby free from his old owners, the Malfoy family.Did sir reasonable call me Dobby? squeaked the elf curiously from between its fingers. Its region was higher flush than Dobbys had been, a teeny, quivering squeak of a vox, and Harry suspected though it was very hard to tell with a house-elf that this one might except be female. Ron and Hermione spun around in their seats to look. Though they had hear a lot about Dobby from Harry, they had never actually met him. Even Mr. Weasley looked around in interest.Sorry, Harry told the elf, I just thought you were someone I knew. that I k at presents Dobby too, sir squeaked the elf. She was shielding her face, as though blinded by light, though the go past Box was non brightly lit. My name is Winky, sir and you, sir - Her swarthiness brown eye widened to the size of side of meat plates as they rested upon Harrys scar. You is surely Harry PotterYeah, I am, express Harry.But Dobby talks of you all the time, sir she said, lowering her hands very slightly and looking awestruck.How is he? said Harry. Hows freedom suiting him?Ah, sir, said Winky, shaking her head, ah sir, meaning no disrespect, sir, alone I is non sure you did Dobby a favor, sir, when you is setting him free.Why? said H arry, taken aback. Whats wrong with him?Freedom is going to Dobbys head, sir, said Winky sadly. Ideas above his station, sir. Cant get a nonher position, sir.Why not? said Harry.Winky lowered her voice by a half-octave and whispered, He is wanting paying for his work, sir.Paying? said Harry blankly. Well why shouldnt he be paid?Winky looked quite horrified at the idea and closed her fingers slightly so that her face was half-hidden again.House-elves is not paid, sir she said in a muffled squeak. No, no, no. I says to Dobby, I says, go find yourself a nice family and settle down, Dobby. He is getting up to all sorts of high jinks, sir, what is unbecoming to a house-elf. You goes racketing around like this, Dobby, I says, and next thing I hear yous up in front of the division for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, like some common goblin.Well, its about time he had a bit of fun, said Harry.House-elves is not supposed to have fun, Harry Potter, said Winky firmly, from behind her hands. House-elves does what they is told. I is not liking heights at all, Harry Potter she glanced toward the edge of the box and gulped but my master sends me to the Top Box and I comes, sir.Whys he sent you up here, if he knows you dont like heights? said Harry, frowning. bounce back master wants me to save him a seat, Harry Potter. He is very busy, said Winky, tilting her head toward the empty berth beside her. Winky is wishing she is back in masters tent, Harry Potter, but Winky does what she is told. Winky is a good house-elf.She gave the edge of the box some other frightened look and hid her eyes completely again. Harry turned back to the others.So thats a house-elf? Ron muttered. spiritual things, arent they?Dobby was weirder, said Harry fervently.Ron pulled out his Omnioculars and started testing them, staring down into the promote on the other side of the stadium.Wild he said, twiddling the instant replay knob on the side. I can make that old swearing down there pick his nose againand againand againHermione, meanwhile, was skimming eagerly by dint of her velvetcovered, tasseled program.A display from the team up mascots will precede the match, she read a gimcrack.Oh thats always worth watching, said Mr. Weasley. matter teams bring creatures from their native land, you know, to put on a bit of a show.The box alter gradually around them over the next half hour. Mr. Weasley kept shaking hands with people who were simply very important wizards. Percy jumped to his feet so often that he looked as though he were trying to sit on a hedgehog. When Cornelius environ, the Minister of Magic himself, arrived, Percy bowed so low that his glasses fell off and shattered. Highly embarrassed, he repaired them with his wand and thereafter remained in his seat, throwing jealous looks at Harry, whom Cornelius Fudge had greeted like an old friend. They had met before, and Fudge shook Harrys hand in a fatherly fashion, asked how he was, and intr oduced him to the wizards on either side of him.Harry Potter, you know, he told the Bulgarian minister vocally, who was wearing splendid robes of black velvet trimmed with gold and didnt seem to chthonicstand a word of position. Harry Potteroh come on now, you know who he isthe boy who survived You-Know-Whoyou do know who he is -The Bulgarian wizard suddenly spotted Harrys scar and started gabbling loudly and excitedly, pointing at it.Knew wed get there in the end, said Fudge wearily to Harry. Im no considerable shakes at languages I need Barty Crouch for this sort of thing. Ah, I see his house-elfs saving him a seat.Good transmission fund too, these Bulgarian blighters have been trying to cadge all the best placesah, and heres LuciusHarry, Ron, and Hermione turned quickly. Edging along the second row to three subdued-empty seats right behind Mr. Weasley were none other than Dobby the house-elfs former owners Lucius Malfoy his son, Draco and a woman Harry supposed must be Dra cos mother.Harry and Draco Malfoy had been enemies ever since their very firstborn journey to Hogwarts. A pale boy with a pointed face and white-blond hair, Draco greatly resembled his father. His mother was platinum-blonde too tall and slim, she would have been nice-looking if she hadnt been wearing a look that suggested there was a dreaded face under her nose.Ah, Fudge, said Mr. Malfoy, holding out his hand as he reached the Minister of Magic. How are you? I dont think youve met my wife, Narcissa? Or our son, Draco?How do you do, how do you do? said Fudge, smiling and bowing to Mrs. Malfoy. And waive me to introduce you to Mr. Oblansk Obalonsk Mr. well, hes the Bulgarian Minister of Magic, and he cant understand a word Im saying anyway, so never mind. And lets see who else you know Arthur Weasley, I daresay?It was a tense moment. Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy looked at each other and Harry vividly recalled the last time they had come face-to-face It had been in Flourish and Blotts bookshop, and they had had a fight. Mr. Malfoys cold gray eyes swept over Mr. Weasley, and then up and down the row.Good lord, Arthur, he said softly. What did you have to distribute to get seats in the Top Box? Surely your house wouldnt have fetched this more than?Fudge, who wasnt listening, said, Lucius has just given a very generous contribution to St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Arthur. Hes here as my guest.How how nice, said Mr. Weasley, with a very strained smile.Mr. Malfoys eyes had returned to Hermione, who went slightly pink, but stared determinedly back at him. Harry knew exactly what was making Mr. Malfoys lip curl like that. The Malfoys prided themselves on being pure arguments in other words, they considered anyone of Muggle descent, like Hermione, second-class. However, under the gaze of the Minister of Magic, Mr. Malfoy didnt dare say anything. He nodded sneeringly to Mr. Weasley and continued down the line to his seats. Draco unsettl ed Harry, Ron, and Hermione one contemptuous look, then settled himself between his mother and father.Slimy gits, Ron muttered as he, Harry, and Hermione turned to face the field again. Next moment, Ludo travelling salesman charged into the box.Everyone ready? he said, his round face gleaming like a great, excited Edam. Minister ready to go?Ready when you are, Ludo, said Fudge comfortably.Ludo whipped out his wand, directed it at his own throat, and said Sonorus and then spoke over the roar of sound that was now filling the packed stadium his voice echoed over them, booming into every corner of the stands.Ladies and gentlemen obtain Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Quidditch World CupThe spectators screamed and clapped. Thousands of flags waved, adding their discordant subject anthems to the racket. The immense blackboard opposite them was wiped clear of its last message (Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans A Risk With Every Mouthful) and now showed BULGAR IA 0, IRELAND 0.And now, without further ado, allow me to introducethe Bulgarian National squad MascotsThe right-hand side of the stands, which was a solid block of scarlet, roared its approval.I wonder what theyve brought, said Mr. Weasley, leaning forward in his seat. Aaah He suddenly whipped off his glasses and polished them hurriedly on his robes. VeelaWhat are veel -?But a hundred veela were now gliding out onto the field, and Harrys question was answered for him. Veela were womenthe most beautiful women Harry had ever seenexcept that they werent they couldnt be man. This puzzled Harry for a moment while he tried to guess what exactly they could be what could make their skin shine moon-bright like that, or their white-gold hair fan out behind them without sexbut then the music started, and Harry halt worrying about them not being human in fact, he stopped worrying about anything at all.The veela had started to dance, and Harrys mind had gone completely and blissfully bla nk. All that mattered in the world was that he kept watching the veela, because if they stopped dancing, terrible things would happen.And as the veela danced hurrying and faster, wild, half- organise thoughts started chasing with Harrys dazed mind. He wanted to do something very impressive, right now. Jumping from the box into the stadium seemed a good ideabut would it be good affluent?Harry, what are you doing? said Hermiones voice from a long way off.The music stopped. Harry blinked. He was standing up, and one of his legs was resting on the wall of the box. Next to him, Ron was frozen in an attitude that looked as though he were about to plump from a springboard.Angry yells were filling the stadium. The crowd didnt want the veela to go. Harry was with them he would, of course, be supporting Bulgaria, and he wondered vaguely why he had a large super acid shamrock pinned to his thorax. Ron, meanwhile, was absentmindedly shredding the shamrocks on his hat. Mr. Weasley, smilin g slightly, leaned over to Ron and tugged the hat out of his hands.Youll be wanting that, he said, once Ireland have had their say.Huh? said Ron, staring surprised at the veela, who had now lined up along one side of the field.Hermione made a loud tutting noise. She reached up and pulled Harry back into his seat. Honestly she said.And now, roared Ludo bagmans voice, kindly put your wands in the airfor the Irish National Team MascotsNext moment, what seemed to be a great green-and-gold comet came zooming into the stadium. It did one circuit of the stadium, then split into 2 smaller comets, each hurtling toward the goal posts. A rainbow arced suddenly across the field, connecting the two balls of light. The crowd oooohed and aaaaahed, as though at a dismissionworks display. Now the rainbow faded and the balls of light reunited and merged they had formed a great shimmering shamrock, which rose up into the sky and began to soar over the stands. Something like golden rain seemed to b e move from it Excellent emit Ron as the shamrock soared over them, and heavy gold coins rained from it, bouncing off their heads and seats. squinting up at the shamrock, Harry existentized that it was actually comprised of thousands of tiny little bearded men with red vests, each carrying a minute lamp of gold or green.Leprechauns said Mr. Weasley over the tumultuous applause of the crowd, many a(prenominal) of whom were still fighting and rummaging around under their chairs to retrieve the gold.There you go, Ron yell happily, stuffing a smattering of gold coins into Harrys hand, for the Omnioculars Now youve got to buy me a Christmas present, haThe great shamrock dissolved, the leprechauns drifted down onto the field on the opposite side from the veela, and settled themselves cross-legged to watch the match.And now, ladies and gentlemen, kindly welcome the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team I give you DimitrovA scarlet-clad figure on a broomstick, moving so fast it was blur red, shot out onto the field from an entrance far below, to wild applause from the Bulgarian supporters.IvanovaA second scarlet-robed pretender zoomed out.Zograf Levski Vulchanov Volkov Aaaaaaand KrumThats him, thats him yelled Ron, following Krum with his Omnioculars. Harry quickly focused his own.Viktor Krum was thin, dark, and sallow-skinned, with a large curved nose and duncical black eyebrows. He looked like an overgrown bird of prey. It was hard to believe he was only eighteen.And now, enrapture greet the Irish National Quidditch Team yelled Bagman. Presenting Connolly Ryan troy gray mullet Moran Quigley Aaaaaand LynchSeven green blurs swept onto the field Harry spun a small dial on the side of his Omnioculars and slowed the players down enough to read the word Firebolt on each of their brooms and see their names, embroidered in silver, upon their backs.And here, all the way from Egypt, our justice, acclaimed Chairwizard of the International association of Quidditch, Hassan MostafaA small and skinny wizard, completely bald but with a mustache to rival Uncle Vernons, wearing robes of pure gold to match the stadium, strode out onto the field. A silver whistle was protruding from under the mustache, and he was carrying a large wooden crate under one arm, his broomstick under the other. Harry spun the fastness dial on his Omnioculars back to prescript, watching closely as Mostafa mounted his broomstick and kicked the crate coarse four balls burst into the air the scarlet Quaffle, the two black Bludgers, and (Harry saw it for the briefest moment, before it sped out of sight) the minuscule, winged Golden Snitch. With a sharp blast on his whistle, Mostafa shot into the air after the balls.Theeeeeeeeyre OFF screamed Bagman. And its Mullet Troy Moran Dimitrov Back to Mullet Troy Levski MoranIt was Quidditch as Harry had never seen it played before. He was insistency his Omnioculars so hard to his glasses that they were cutting into the bridge of h is nose. The speed of the players was incredible the Chasers were throwing the Quaffle to one other so fast that Bagman only had time to say their names. Harry spun the slow dial on the right of his Omnioculars again, pressed the play-by-play button on the top, and he was immediately watching in slow motion, while glisten purple garner flashed across the lenses and the noise of the crowd pounded against his eardrums.HAWKSHEAD ATTACKING FORMATION, he read as he watched the three Irish Chasers zoom closely together, Troy in the center, slightly ahead of Mullet and Moran, attitude down upon the Bulgarians. PORSKOFF PLOY flashed up next, as Troy made as though to dart upward with the Quaffle, drawing away the Bulgarian Chaser Ivanova and dropping the Quaffle to Moran. One of the Bulgarian Beaters, Volkov, swung hard at a pass(a) Bludger with his small club, knocking it into Morans path Moran ducked to avoid the Bludger and dropped the Quaffle and Levski, soaring beneath, caught it TROY SCORES roared Bagman, and the stadium shuddered with a roar of applause and cheers. Ten zero to IrelandWhat? Harry yelled, looking wildly around by dint of his Omnioculars. But Levskis got the QuaffleHarry, if youre not going to watch at normal speed, youre going to miss things shouted Hermione, who was dancing up and down, waving her arms in the air while Troy did a lap of honor around the field. Harry looked quickly over the top of his Omnioculars and saw that the leprechauns watching from the sidelines had all risen into the air again and formed the great, glittering shamrock. Across the field, the veela were watching them sulkily.Furious with himself, Harry spun his speed dial back to normal as play resumed.Harry knew enough about Quidditch to see that the Irish Chasers were superb. They worked as a circular-knit team, their movements so well coordinated that they appeared to be reading one anothers minds as they positioned themselves, and the rosette on Harrys chest k ept squeaking their names Troy Mullet Moran And within ten minutes, Ireland had scored twice to a greater extent, bringing their lead to cardinal-zero and ca employ a thunderous tide of roars and applause from the green-clad supporters.The match became still faster, but more brutal. Volkov and Vulchanov, the Bulgarian Beaters, were whacking the Bludgers as fiercely as possible at the Irish Chasers, and were starting to prevent them from using some of their best moves twice they were forced to scatter, and then, finally, Ivanova managed to break through their ranks dodge the Keeper, Ryan and score Bulgarias first goal.Fingers in your ears bellowed Mr. Weasley as the veela started to dance in celebration. Harry screwed up his eyes too he wanted to play along his mind on the game. After a few seconds, he chanced a glance at the field. The veela had stopped dancing, and Bulgaria was again in possession of the Quaffle.Dimitrov Levski Dimitrov Ivanova oh I say roared Bagman.One hundr ed thousand wizards gasped as the two Seekers, Krum and Lynch, plummeted through the center of the Chasers, so fast that it looked as though they had just jumped from airplanes without parachutes. Harry followed their descent through his Omnioculars, squinting to see where the Snitch was Theyre going to crash screamed Hermione next to Harry.She was half right at the very last second, Viktor Krum pulled out of the dive and spiraled off. Lynch, however, hit the ground with a dull thud that could be heard throughout the stadium. A huge groan rose from the Irish seats.Fool moaned Mr. Weasley. Krum was feintingIts time-out yelled Bagmans voice, as trained mediwizards hurry onto the field to examine Aidan LynchHell be okay, he only got ploughed Charlie said reassuringly to Ginny, who was hanging over the side of the box, looking horror-struck. Which is what Krum was after, of course.Harry hastily pressed the replay and play-by-play buttons on his Omnioculars, twiddled the speed dial, and put them back up to his eyes.He watched as Krum and Lynch dived again in slow motion. WRONSKI DEFENSIVE FEINT DANGEROUS SEEKER DIVERSION read the calendered purple lettering across his lenses. He saw Krums face contorted with concentration as he pulled out of the dive just in time, while Lynch was flattened, and he understood Krum hadnt seen the Snitch at all, he was just making Lynch copy him. Harry had never seen anyone fly like that Krum hardly looked as though he was using a broomstick at all he moved so comfortably through the air that he looked unsupported and weightless. Harry turned his Omnioculars back to normal and focused them on Krum. He was now circling high above Lynch, who was being revived by mediwizards with cups of potion. Harry, focusing still more closely upon Krums face, saw his dark eyes darting all over the ground a hundred feet below. He was using the time while Lynch was revived to look for the Snitch without interference.Lynch got to his feet at last, to loud cheers from the green-clad supporters, mounted his Firebolt, and kicked back off into the air. His revival seemed to give Ireland new heart. When Mostafa blew his whistle again, the Chasers moved into action with a skill unrivaled by anything Harry had seen so far.After fifteen more fast and barbarous minutes, Ireland had pulled ahead by ten more goals. They were now leading by one hundred and thirty points to ten, and the game was starting to get dirtier.As Mullet shot toward the goal posts yet again, clutching the Quaffle tightly under her arm, the Bulgarian Keeper, Zograf, flew out to meet her. Whatever happened was over so quickly Harry didnt catch it, but a scream of rage from the Irish crowd, and Mostafas long, shrill whistle blast, told him it had been a foul.And Mostafa takes the Bulgarian Keeper to task for cobbing excessive use of elbows Bagman informed the roaring spectators. And yes, its a penalty to IrelandThe leprechauns, who had risen angrily into the air l ike a swarm of glittering hornets when Mullet had been fouled, now darted together to form the words HA, HA, HAThe veela on the other side of the field leapt to their feet, tossed their hair angrily, and started to dance again.As one, the Weasley boys and Harry stuffed their fingers into their ears, but Hermione, who hadnt bothered, was presently tugging on Harrys arm. He turned to look at her, and she pulled his fingers impatiently out of his ears.Look at the referee she said, giggling.Harry looked down at the field. Hassan Mostafa had landed right in front of the dancing veela, and was acting very oddly indeed. He was flexing his muscles and smoothing his mustache excitedly.Now, we cant have that said Ludo Bagman, though he sounded highly amused. Somebody skag the refereeA mediwizard came tearing across the field, his fingers stuffed into his own ears, and kicked Mostafa hard in the shins. Mostafa seemed to come to himself Harry, watching through the Omnioculars again, saw that he looked exceptionally embarrassed and had started shouting at the veela, who had stopped dancing and were looking mutinous.And unless Im much mistaken, Mostafa is actually attempting to send off the Bulgarian team mascots said Bagmans voice. Now theres something we havent seen beforeOh this could turn nastyIt did The Bulgarian Beaters, Volkov and Vulchanov, landed on either side of Mostafa and began arguing furiously with him, gesticulating toward the leprechauns, who had now joyously formed the words HEE, HEE, HEE. Mostafa was not impressed by the Bulgarians arguments, however he was jabbing his finger into the air, distinctly telling them to get flying again, and when they refused, he gave two short blasts on his whistle.Two penalties for Ireland shouted Bagman, and the Bulgarian crowd howled with anger. And Volkov and Vulchanov had better get back on those broomsyesthere they goand Troy takes the QuafflePlay now reached a level of ferocity beyond anything they had yet seen. T he Beaters on both sides were acting without mercy Volkov and Vulchanov in particular seemed not to care whether their clubs made contact with Bludger or human as they swung them violently through the air. Dimitrov shot straight at Moran, who had the Quaffle, nearly knocking her off her broom.Foul roared the Irish supporters as one, all standing up in a great wave of green.Foul echoed Ludo Bagmans as if by magic magnified voice. Dimitrov skins Moran advisedly flying to collide there and its got to be another penalty yes, theres the whistleThe leprechauns had risen into the air again, and this time, they formed a giant hand, which was making a very rude sign indeed at the veela across the field. At this, the veela lost control. Instead of dancing, they launched themselves across the field and began throwing what seemed to be handfuls of fire at the leprechauns. Watching through his Omnioculars, Harry saw that they didnt look remotely beautiful now. On the contrary, their faces w ere elongating into sharp, cruel-beaked bird heads, and long, scaly wings were bursting from their shoulders And that, boys, yelled Mr. Weasley over the tumult of the crowd below, is why you should never go for looks aloneMinistry wizards were flooding onto the field to purloin the veela and the leprechauns, but with little success meanwhile, the pitched battle below was nothing to the one taking place above. Harry turned this way and that, staring through his Omnioculars, as the Quaffie changed hands with the speed of a bullet.Levski Dimitrov Moran Troy Mullet Ivanova Moran again Moran MORAN SCORESBut the cheers of the Irish supporters were barely heard over the shrieks of the veela, the blasts now publicise from the Ministry members wands, and the furious roars of the Bulgarians. The game recommenced immediately now Levski had the Quaffle, now Dimitrov The Irish Beater Quigley swung heavily at a passing Bludger, and hit it as hard as possible toward Krum, who did not duc k quickly enough. It hit him full in the face.There was a deafening groan from the crowd Krums nose looked broken, there was blood everywhere, but Hassan Mostafa didnt blow his whistle. He had become distracted, and Harry couldnt blame him one of the veela had thrown a handful of fire and set his broom tail alight.Harry wanted someone to realize that Krum was injured even though he was supporting Ireland, Krum was the most exciting player on the field. Ron obviously felt the same.Time-out Ah, come on, he cant play like that, look at him -Look at Lynch Harry yelled.For the Irish Seeker had suddenly gone into a dive, and Harry was quite sure that this was no Wronski Feint this was the real thingHes seen the Snitch Harry shouted. Hes seen it Look at him goHalf the crowd seemed to have realized what was happening the Irish supporters rose in another great wave of green, screaming their Seeker onbut Krum was on his tail. How he could see where he was going, Harry had no idea there were flecks of blood flying through the air behind him, but he was drawing level with Lynch now as the pair of them hurtled toward the ground again Theyre going to crash shrieked Hermione.Theyre not roared Ron.Lynch is yelled Harry.And he was right for the second time, Lynch hit the ground with tremendous force and was immediately stampeded by a horde of angry veela.The Snitch, wheres the Snitch? bellowed Charlie, along the row.Hes got it Krums got it its all over shouted Harry.Krum, his red robes shining with blood from his nose, was rising gently into the air, his fist held high, a glint of gold in his hand.The scoreboard was flashing BULGARIA 160, IRELAND one hundred seventy across the crowd, who didnt seem to have realized what had happened. Then, slowly, as though a great jumbo gush were revving up, the rumbling from the Ireland supporters grew louder and louder and erupted into screams of delight.IRELAND WINS Bagman shouted, who like the Irish, seemed to be taken aback by the s udden end of the match.KRUM GETS THE let on BUT IRELAND WINS good lord, I dont think any of us were expecting thatWhat did he catch the Snitch for? Ron bellowed, even as he jumped up and down, applauding with his hands over his head. He ended it when Ireland were a hundred and sixty points ahead, the idiotHe knew they were never going to catch up Harry shouted back over all the noise, also applauding loudly. The Irish Chasers were too goodHe wanted to end it on his terms, thats all.He was very brave, wasnt he? Hermione said, leaning forward to watch Krum land as a swarm of mediwizards blasted a path through the battling leprechauns and veela to get to him. He looks a terrible mess.Harry put his Omnioculars to his eyes again. It was hard to see what was happening below, because leprechauns were zooming delightedly all over the field, but he could just make out Krum, surrounded by mediwizards. He looked surlier than ever and refused to let them mop him up. His team members were ar ound him, shaking their heads and looking dejected a short way away, the Irish players were dancing gleefully in a shower of gold descending from their mascots. Flags were waving all over the stadium, the Irish national anthem blared from all sides the veela were shrinking back into their usual, beautiful selves now, though looking dispirited and forlorn.Vell, ve fought bravely, said a gloomy voice behind Harry. He looked around it was the Bulgarian Minister of Magic.You can speak English said Fudge, sounding outraged. And youve been letting me mime everything all dayVeil, it vos very funny, said the Bulgarian minister, shrugging.And as the Irish team performs a lap of honor, flanked by their mascots, the Quidditch World Cup itself is brought into the Top Box roared Bagman.Harrys eyes were suddenly dazzled by a blinding white light, as the Top Box was magically illuminated so that everyone in the stands could see the inside. Squinting toward the entrance, he saw two panting wizards carrying a vast golden cup into the box, which they handed to Cornelius Fudge, who was still looking very disgruntled that hed been using sign language all day for nothing.Lets have a really loud hand for the gallant losers Bulgaria Bagman shouted.And up the stairs into the box came the seven defeated Bulgarian players. The crowd below was applauding appreciatively Harry could see thousands and thousands of Omniocular lenses flashing and winking in their direction.One by one, the Bulgarians filed between the rows of seats in the box, and Bagman called out the name of each as they shook hands with their own minister and then with Fudge. Krum, who was last in line, looked a real mess. Two black eyes were blooming spectacularly on his cover face. He was still holding the Snitch. Harry noticed that he seemed much less coordinated on the ground. He was slightly duck-footed and distinctly round-shouldered. But when Krums name was announced, the whole stadium gave him a resounding, earsp litting roar.And then came the Irish team. Aidan Lynch was being supported by Moran and Connolly the second crash seemed to have dazed him and his eyes looked strangely unfocused. But he grinned happily as Troy and Quigley lifted the Cup into the air and the crowd below thundered its approval. Harrys hands were numb with clapping.At last, when the Irish team had left the box to perform another lap of honor on their brooms (Aidan Lynch on the back of Confollys, clutching hard around his waist and still grinning in a bemused sort of way), Bagman pointed his wand at his throat and muttered, Quietus.Theyll be talking about this one for years, he said hoarsely, a really unexpected twist, that.shame it couldnt have lasted overnight.Ah yesyes, I owe you.how much?For Fred and George had just scrambled over the backs of their seats and were standing in front of Ludo Bagman with broad grins on their faces, their hands outstretched.