Chapter 460: House Elves in the Top Box
Chapter 460: House Elves in the Top Box
Of course, Professor McGonagall and the others couldn't just take the students' items without compensation, even after Kyle and his friends repeatedly insisted it was fine.
Perhaps it was their way of showing support for their students, but in the end, the three professors each bought about twenty galleons' worth of goods, and would have bought more if they could carry it all. Their shopping spree seemed to be fueled by a desire to embrace the wild side.
Whether they needed the items or not, they bought them first and asked questions later.
After bidding farewell to the professors, the group continued on their way, passing by a tent with a garden and a turret, resembling a miniature palace.
"Wow, that's impressive..." Fred couldn't help but comment.
"I bet that's the biggest tent in the campsite."
However, this tent had no markings, and they couldn't identify who it belonged to.
As the afternoon wore on, a palpable buzz of excitement hung in the air like a tangible cloud, spreading throughout the campsite.
When dusk fell, more and more vendors appeared, using Disillusionment Charms to pop up where the crowds were thickest and peddling their wares.
Fortunately, by this time, Kyle and his companions had already packed up their little cart and were making their way towards the Weasley family's campsite.
They had sold almost everything, with only a few fireworks and flags left, which they decided to keep for themselves.
Weaving through the bustling crowd, they made their way back to their tent.
Mr. Weasley had already donned all the items he had purchased earlier, and he was holding a flag high. The others were also adorned with various items, making it clear at a glance which team they supported.
"Thank goodness, I was just about to come looking for you two." Mr. Weasley said to Fred and George, "The game is about to start, so no more running off."
As he spoke, a deep, resonant drumbeat sounded from somewhere in the distant woods.
Thousands upon thousands of red and green lanterns lit up the trees, illuminating the path to the stadium.
"It's time to head in." Mr. Weasley said excitedly, "Come on, let's go."
He led the way, and the group followed the lantern-lit path into the woods, surrounded by the sounds of thousands of people moving about, shouting, laughing, and singing... Everyone was brimming with enthusiasm.
After about twenty minutes, they left the woods and arrived at a massive stadium.
It was so enormous that Kyle could only see a portion of the majestic golden walls surrounding the playing field, and it seemed like it could easily accommodate ten Hogwarts castles.
"It can hold a hundred thousand spectators." Mr. Weasley said with a smile, leading them towards the nearest entrance, "Five hundred Ministry of Magic employees worked on it for a full year."
The entrance was surrounded by shouting witches and wizards, and it took them ten minutes to finally reach the front of the line.
"First-class tickets." said the Ministry of Magic witch at the entrance, glancing at their tickets, "Top box, keep going up, Arthur, all the way to the top."
"Thanks, Ovi."
Mr. Weasley said as he led everyone up the stairs, which were covered with purple-red carpets, "Stay close, don't fall behind, Bill, you're at the back."
"Okay, Dad." Bill replied.
They climbed higher and higher, as if ascending Whiteback Peak all over again, until they finally reached the very top.
There were three boxes at this level, and Mr. Weasley identified the middle one as theirs.
Inside were about twenty purple-gilded chairs, arranged in two rows, facing the golden goalposts.
They made their way to the front railing, from where they could overlook the entire stadium.
The most eye-catching feature was a huge signboard in the stands, flashing golden letters.
"Advertising here would cost thousands of galleons, at least," Kyle remarked. "Maybe even tens of thousands..."
"That much?" George exclaimed.
Mr. Weasley smiled. "Don't forget, this is the biggest event in the wizarding world. Nowhere else will you find so many witches and wizards gathered in one place."
George pursed his lips and whispered to Fred, "I think people are here to watch Quidditch, and they probably won't pay attention to the advertisements."
"You're right," Fred nodded seriously. "I think advertising in Hogsmeade is enough..."
Then, everyone turned their attention back to the view.
Fred noticed that Kyle wasn't looking outside but was staring at something else.
"What are you looking at?" Fred asked.
Following Kyle's gaze, Fred realized that in the second row from the back, there was a house-elf sitting in one of the seats.
Fred initially thought it was Dobby, who had appeared via apparition with Connor, but soon he realized that this house-elf was much older than Dobby.
"Dobby?" Harry also noticed the house-elf and called out subconsciously.
"Did sir just call me Dobby?" The house-elf looked up curiously, his voice shrill and slightly trembling, creating an earsplitting sound.
"Sorry," Harry realized his mistake. "I mistook you for a house-elf I used to know."
"But I know Dobby, sir," the house-elf squeaked.
At that moment, the door to the box opened again, and two Aurors walked in.
"Oh, Kingsley, Edgar..." Mr. Weasley walked over quickly. "Are you here to watch the game, too?"
"No, Arthur, we won't be able to watch the game," one of the Aurors shook his head. "We just came by to say hello. We're lucky to not be on duty and to get such great tickets."
"Thanks to Ludo," Mr. Weasley said with a smile.
Kyle looked at the two Aurors and thought for a moment. Then, he casually walked over to the house-elf.
The house-elf was still talking to Harry about Dobby, and by the time she noticed Kyle, he was already standing next to her, as if intending to sit in that seat.
"No, this seat is for Miss's master..."
Ignoring the shrill screams, Kyle sat down.
The piercing screams seemed to pierce their eardrums.
The commotion immediately drew everyone's attention.
Mr. Weasley turned around and said, "Kyle, you're in the wrong seat. Our seats are in the front row."
"Oh, sorry," Kyle stood up and walked past the house-elf, named Flash, quite naturally. However, due to the narrow aisle, he accidentally kicked the leg of the chair on the other side.
The chair was kicked far away and wobbled, almost tipping over.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to," Kyle said as he reached out to grab the chair, straighten it, and pat it gently.
Flash glared at him, her eyes wide as saucers filled with chili peppers.
However, apart from her, no one else seemed to pay attention to this little incident. The two Aurors exchanged a few more words with Mr. Weasley before leaving.
Connor asked if Kyle's foot was alright.
"I'm fine," Kyle shook his head.
He glanced at the house-elf, Flash, once more before returning to his seat in the front row.
...
(End of Chapter)
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