Harry who had just taken a large bite of a lamb chop blushed at Cassandra's praise. He left to join his teammates in discussing tonight's match. Shortly after eight the guests that had just come for tea left after thanking their host. Tracey stayed since her seat at the upcoming match was with Harry's group.
"So did everyone eat enough?" Harry asked.
Sirius grinned. "I think you'll have to roll me to the match."
"Me, too." Came from most of Harry's teammates and the boys of the cadre.
"A lot of that food was strange, but it was really good, Harry." Hannah stated.
"Indeed unique." Amelia Bones stated.
Everyone returned to their rooms to change into more casual and warmer clothes before heading to the pitch. Since the students had to leave their weapons behind, the adults were glad that Amelia was with them and provided an extra wand.
Harry smiled as the announcer's voice echoed, "Ladies and Gentlemen… welcome! Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup!" He cheerfully joined in the noise the crowd was making. The Bulgarian team mascots had all the males in their group standing up at attention, that was, until Tonks fired off a series of sticking charms making sure they stayed in their seats.
The leprechauns put on a much more welcome display, at least until Marcus reminded them that leprechaun gold faded after a few hours.
Harry waited impatiently while the teams and officials were announced. Finally the moment he'd been waiting for came. Harry wanted to gage his abilities as a seeker as compared to international standard players, so he alternated between watching the seekers' antics and scanning for the snitch. He kept an ear on what was being announced in terms of game action. He couldn't help but wince the time Krum ploughed Lynch. But he also couldn't help but be aware of how the Irish team was dominating the pitch. He realized how foolish he and the other guys had been when the veela that were the Bulgarian team's mascots distracted the official. Inwardly he vowed never to be caught in their allure again. He winced in sympathy when Krum got hit in the face by a bludger fired by the Irish beater Quigley. Finally Harry and the Irish Seeker spotted the snitch. Krum couldn't have been more than a second behind. Harry honestly thought the Irish seeker would get the snitch, but apparently Krum wanted it that smidgeon more than the Irishman because a quarter-second later he had it. It was a surprise finish to the Quidditch World Cup. The Announcer's voice echoed "IRELAND WINS! KRUM GETS THE SNITCH- BUT IRELAND WINS- Good Lord, I don't think any of us were expecting that!"
"Why did he do that?" Susan asked. "Ireland was a hundred sixty points up."
Hermione answered her. "He knew they wouldn't catch up, that the Irish were too good. It was brave of him. He looks a terrible mess, doesn't he."
Most everyone agreed and gathered their belongings as the announcer said. "Let's have a really loud hand for the gallant losers-Bulgaria!" They looked towards the top box where the award ceremony was happening. Harry cheered loudly when they showed Krum, and again when the Irish National team raised the trophy.
THE END