The lanterns on the trail lit up suddenly, glowing reds and greens, leading straight for the stadium.
"Let's go!" Mr. Boyle said excitedly. Aly grinned as a throng of people began walking to the stadium together, smiling and laughing. Earlier, Aly and her friends decided to buy some souvenirs. Aly, Amanda and Damien were for Ireland. Char, Hayden and Kylie were for Bulgaria.
"I'm telling you, they're going to lose," Hayden sang as they walked.
"I bet you guys ten galleons that Bulgaria's going to win," Kylie smirked.
"You're on!" Aly said, shaking her hand.
"Fine. 10 galleons, don't even think about backing out." They smiled and continued walking. Aly looked at Char, who was looking at his mini-Krum bobble head. A slight breeze lifted the hair from his head and revealed the gash on his cheek from last year. Aly frowned. He looked at Aly.
"What's up?" he grinned. Aly looked at his face.
"Your scar," she replied. He frowned.
"Oh. That? It's nothing."
"Is too. I feel bad."
"Get over it," Char said rolling his eyes. "It doesn't mess up my charm, does it?"
"No, I guess not."
"Good." He grinned. "I still think Bulgaria's going to send the Irish back home, wailing for their mommies."
"And I think that Bulgaria needs to re-evaluate their strategy, because the Irish are ready to play." Char shook his head and waved at Seamus, who called to him. Aly stared at the giant stadium that was lit.
"It seats about a hundred thousand." Mr. Boyle chuckled. "It took 500 people to put a muggle repelling charm. Anytime a muggle comes over, they suddenly remember an appointment and leave." Hayden grinned. They approached a door where a man who standing, yelling at people. He noticed Mr. Boyle's party.
"Kevin! How've you been?" he said jovially.
"Good, thanks." Mr. Boyle showed him the tickets.
"Top box. Straight up."
Aly's calves burned with some much force that Amanda had to try and carry her. When they finally reached the top, Aly stopped and caught her breath.
"That-was-terrible," she wheezed. "Aren't-there-elevators?!"
"Come off it," Mr. Boyle shrugged. "It wasn't that bad."
Aly and Amanda glared at him and walked over to find their seats. The Top Box was pretty neat, with a great view, and people ready to serve them drinks and such.
"Surely your house wouldn't have fetched this much?" a voice said behind them. Aly whirled around and saw a tall man with long, pale blond hair. He was talking to Arthur Weasley, and his lip curled. Next to him were his son and wife. The son looked vaguely familiar. The boy smirked. Draco.
Mr. Malfoy smirked and strode off with his family in tow. Draco glared at Mr. Weasley's party and knocked into Aly as they passed by. Aly stuck out her leg and he tripped.
"Watch it, you pathetic little-"
"Do you really want to finish that sentence, Malfoy?" Ron's voice said behind them. Ron was glaring at Malfoy. They glared at each other.
"What's this, Draco?" Mr. Malfoy's voice said softly. He approached Aly and Amanda.
"Friends of yours?" he smirked.
"Not exactly," he sneered.
"Ah," Mr. Malfoy said softly, his eyes glinting. He stuck out his hand. "Lucius Malfoy, I'm sure you know?"
Amanda shook it hesitantly.
"Alyson Trevelyan," he smirked, looking her up and down. "You look...ah...just like your mother." His lip curled.
"Thanks, I've heard that before," she said, her eyes flashing to Draco. "People say I'm special."
"Of course you are," he sneered. "All mudbloods are special, I presume." He and Draco strode off, looking for their seats. Aly fumed and walked over to her friends.
"I don't believe that bastard!" Aly hissed.
"That was really rude. Why didn't you say anything?" Amanda whispered back as they sat on their respective sides.
"Welcome, welcome!" a booming voice said behind them. They turned around and saw Cornelius Fudge, the minister of magic, shake hands.
"That's why."
"Ah." Aly watched the scene below her. The field was a lovely green, and the referee was on his broom. Damien took something out of his pocket.
"What are those?"
"Omnioculars. 10 galleons."
Aly looked around. "Everyone has one! I didn't know they were selling those!"
"Really? I thought you knew," Amanda shrugged. Aly sighed angrily.
"You can have one, if you like," a voice said behind her. Aly turned around and Cedric Diggory was sitting, quiet.
"Hey, Cedric."
"I looked for you," he grinned. He reached into his pocket. "I bought one for my friend, but he took off and I have no idea where he is." He took out the Omnioculars. "You can have these."
Char and Damien glared openly at Cedric.
"Thanks," Aly smiled, taking them.
"Anytime." He grinned. "Who're you for?"
"Ireland," she said, pointing to the shamrock pinned on her chest. He sighed sympathetically.
"I thought you'd pick the winning team, Aly."
"Excuse me, Ireland is the winning team." He smirked.
He grinned. "Tell me why Ireland is the winning team."
"Sick," Hayden frowned. "He's playing with her like she's putty." Cedric and Aly were in a heated debate about who's a better team.
"What's wrong with that?" Amanda asked. "I think Cedric's pretty good-looking."
"Don't even talk to me."
"Oh, come on, don't get your knickers in a bunch."
The door to the Top Box was kicked open and a man with a boyish face and bright blue eyes strode in.
"Ready when you are, Minister," he said.
"Ready when you are, Ludo."
Ludo Bagman took out his wand and pointed it at his throat. "Sonorous!"
"Ladies and gentlemen...welcome! Welcome to the final of the four hundred and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup!"
