Author's Note: Don't forget to vote, comment and leave a 5 star review to help the story grow and reach more people.
Read upto +30 Chapters worth of content ahead and receive extra updates daily by going to my Patreon and becoming a fellow Patreon.
Patreon: mrfanfiction140
Be sure to read my other Novels as well:
- Naruto: Multiverse Adventures
- Hunter x Hunter : The Alchemist.
----
The remaining empty gilded chairs were gradually filled over the next few minutes by arriving spectators.
Most of them were well-dressed, carrying the restrained, detached air typical of the wizarding world's elite. They nodded to one another in greeting and spoke in low voices about match predictions and investment opportunities.
"Please come in."
A voice that was trying its best to sound respectful came from the door.
Lynn thought it sounded familiar and turned to look back. Percy, with his meticulously groomed red hair, was pushing open the box door, making a formal "please" gesture toward the hallway.
"Percy?" Lynn called out in mild surprise.
Hearing his name, Percy turned sharply. His expression of shock was even more pronounced than Lynn's.
He clearly hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance here.
He tried to maintain a serious expression, but his surprise was still obvious.
"Weatherby," a stern voice came from outside, interrupting Percy's moment of embarrassment. "Who is calling you?"
With that, a man with an expression so rigid it seemed almost carved into place walked in.
"Mr. Crouch," Percy immediately straightened his back, his tone respectful. "It's… a classmate of mine from Hogwarts. I didn't expect him to be in this box as well."
He turned slightly and gestured toward Lynn.
Mr. Crouch's gaze followed the direction of Percy's hand.
"Oh. It's Mr. Lynn. A pleasure."
Lynn nodded back. "A pleasure, Mr. Crouch."
Out of curiosity, Lynn asked, "Why isn't Mr. Crouch in the Minister's box? I assumed you would be there."
The question was direct.
Crouch seemed to pause for a brief moment.
Behind him, Percy immediately sensed his superior's fleeting embarrassment and quickly stepped forward to answer on his behalf:
"Mr. Crouch is here for security reasons! He said the view here is broader and closer to the general spectator area. In case… in case any lawless elements attempt to disrupt the event, he can respond more quickly!"
Percy spoke with such conviction that he seemed to fully believe it himself.
Lynn nodded. "I see. Mr. Crouch is very dedicated."
Beside him, Edgar quietly nudged Lynn's thigh. He leaned in and whispered in a low voice only the two of them could hear:
"I remember Crouch used to be Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, in charge of trials and legislation. Now he's in International Magical Cooperation, right?
Even if he's handling security, that should be the Auror Office or Magical Accidents and Catastrophes… Why is he doing the Auror Office's job? And this 'broader view' excuse…"
Although Edgar was usually careless, his parents worked at the Ministry of Magic, so he had a basic understanding of its departments.
Lynn also lowered his voice. "Maybe he just likes this seat. Who knows? How can we little wizards guess what high officials are thinking?"
While the two of them were quietly discussing the senior Ministry official behind the chairs—
"Ahem!!!"
A magically amplified cough echoed through every corner of the stadium, instantly drowning out all other noise.
All the lights converged on a floating platform above the center of the pitch.
Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, stood there.
"Ladies! Gentlemen! Distinguished guests!"
"WAAAAAH——!!!"
A tidal wave of cheers, whistles, and stomping feet erupted instantly, making the entire stadium tremble.
Bagman basked in the applause for a few seconds before spreading his arms, signaling for quiet.
"Before the exciting match begins—allow me to proudly present the mascots of the Bulgarian National Team!"
As his voice fell, ethereal, exotic music began to play, as if drifting from a deep forest under moonlight.
William leaned forward over the railing, eyes wide as he stared toward the pitch entrance. "I wonder what their mascot will be… huh?!"
His words cut off abruptly, curiosity instantly replaced by a dazed expression.
Not only William, but Edgar and Ollie as well. In the box, almost every male spectator's expression shifted at once—except for Lynn and Barty Crouch.
"Heh… hehe…" the three of them let out foolish laughs, looking utterly captivated.
On the pitch, a group of creatures descended slowly into view.
Their skin shimmered with a pearly glow, long silver hair flowed as if moved by an unseen breeze, and their faces were so beautiful they seemed almost unreal. As they danced to the music, their movements were light and graceful.
Every turn and every glance seemed to carry an invisible enchantment that tugged at the spectators' attention—they were Veela.
Lynn raised an eyebrow, glanced at his three entranced friends, and calmly reached into his pocket.
He first took out three ordinary-looking glasses, then pulled out his Magic Phone.
Click.
He snapped a clear set of photos—perfect close-ups of Edgar, William, and Ollie's expressions.
Preserving memories.
After taking the photos, Lynn put the phone away. He lightly rubbed his thumb and index finger together, and a faint crackle of electricity sparked between them.
At just the right moment, he flicked the backs of Edgar, William, and Ollie's heads in quick succession—precise, controlled, and not overly forceful.
"OW!"
"Hiss—!"
"Who hit me?!"
All three snapped out of it at the same time, clutching their heads as their eyes regained clarity.
Then they immediately remembered their earlier behavior. When they saw the phone in Lynn's hand, their faces turned bright red in unison.
Especially Edgar, who looked like he wanted to dig a hole through the box floor straight back to Hogwarts.
"Put these on," Lynn said, handing them the three pairs of glasses. "They'll help you stay 'sober.'"
The three of them quickly put the glasses on. Their expressions eased slightly as they looked around again.
At least they weren't the only ones who had lost their composure.
Several other male guests in the box were still recovering from the effect, though to varying degrees.
Just then, the ethereal music came to an abrupt stop.
The Veela paused, bowed gracefully to the audience, and then faded away like mist.
The crowd snapped back to reality and erupted into applause.
"Now!" Bagman's voice rang out again. "Please raise your wands into the air and welcome—with thunderous applause—the mascots of the Irish National Team!"
Something like a blazing comet shot into the stadium, circling the pitch at high speed and trailing golden light behind it.
"What is that?!"
"Look! Gold coins are falling from the sky!"
Excited shouts erupted across the stands. Many spectators—especially children—reached up eagerly to catch the falling "coins."
Lynn looked up attentively.
The "comet" was actually composed of countless palm-sized Leprechauns wearing bright red vests and sporting curled mustaches.
Each one carried a gold or green lantern. Flying in tight formation, they created the dazzling illusion of a single glowing mass.
They were about the size of Cornish Pixies but far more organized and intelligent—magical creatures native to Ireland.
They circled the pitch, then suddenly surged upward, scattering into the sky and forming a giant shamrock pattern.
At the same time, more "gold coins" rained down, intensifying the cheers and scramble in the stands.
After a while, the coin rain stopped.
The Leprechauns laughed loudly in unison, then flew over the Bulgarian supporters' stands, taking up vantage points as if observing the match, occasionally mocking the crowd below.
"Now!" Bagman's voice rose to its peak. "Ladies and gentlemen! Please give your full attention and enthusiasm! Let us welcome—the brave players of Bulgaria and Ireland—onto the field!!"
BOOM——!!!
The stadium erupted into an overwhelming roar. It felt as if the entire structure itself were vibrating.
"Look! It's Krum! Viktor Krum!"
"And Dimitrov! Bulgaria's Seeker!"
Figures in deep red and bright green robes soared above the pitch on broomsticks, weaving through the air and waving to the crowd.
Every name Bagman announced triggered another wave of cheers from the corresponding sections.
Amid the continuing uproar, Cornelius Fudge stepped forward, replacing Ludo Bagman at the center platform. Clearly eager to insert himself into the moment, he raised his voice:
"As the British Minister for Magic, I am deeply honored to welcome you all here! Welcome to the 422nd Quidditch World Cup Final!"
"Now! I declare—the final begins!"