Wood had barely said a few words before the topic, like a runaway horse, plunged headlong back into the Quidditch fields amid Fred and George's enthusiastic agreement.
"Wasn't I talking to Wizet about Quidditch?" Wood said. "And then I absolutely have to mention that roller coaster... honestly, the seats on that roller coaster were terrible!"
George nodded repeatedly in agreement. "Yeah! I also think the seats on that roller coaster made no sense!"
Fred added, "They should take out the seats and replace them with a rope, so we can hang on to it. That's the only way to get a sense of danger!"
"Genius! An absolutely genius idea!" Wood slapped the table and nodded again and again. "Your idea is brilliant! It should be ropes!"
"Just think about it! Holding onto a rope to keep your balance, feeling the roller coaster's speed as you do! Hearing the gale howl past your ears! Merlin's bea—"
Rita Skeeter clenched her fists tightly, her nails nearly digging into her palms.
The muscles in her face twitched as she forcibly squeezed out a smile uglier than tears, desperately suppressing the urge to actually pull out her wand and give Wood a taste of the "special methods" she excelled at.
Wizet was sitting beside her with a smile on his face, so she still had that much sense. She had no doubt that any "special method" she used would never escape Wizet's notice.
Rita Skeeter struggled to calm herself, her voice seeming to squeeze out through clenched teeth. "Mr. Wood! Please skip the Quidditch topic! Just tell us what Wizet did!"
At Rita Skeeter's reminder, Wood's voice cut off abruptly, like a rooster with its throat pinched shut, unable to crow.
"Oh!" He blinked blankly, smacked his lips with a distinct lack of enthusiasm,