The Song Inside the Golden Egg

The group returned to the stands just as the judges were about to give their scores.

Everyone fell silent. Madame Maxime was first, and every eye turned to her.

She raised her wand, and a ribbon of golden light wove through the air, forming a huge "9."

The arena erupted. Even the Slytherins couldn't help cheering.

Harry had done an excellent job earlier, yet Madame Maxime had given him only an eight. And she was the headmistress of another school.

Karkaroff tugged at his collar, looking uncomfortable. He kept glancing at the other judges.

Barty Crouch was next. His magic formed a "10."

The cheers grew even louder.

"Mr. Crouch only gave Harry a nine!" Ron said excitedly, shaking Eli by the arm.

Eli wore a faint smile. Draco recognized it at once: the smile Eli wore when he was showing off.

"Relax, relax. Nothing special," Eli said, pretending not to care, though his heel was bouncing like mad.

"Professor Dumbledore's next. He might hold back a little to avoid looking biased," Ron reasoned.

Dumbledore's magic formed a huge "10." The arena nearly caught fire with excitement.

The cheers rang out so loudly that a flock of birds took flight in the distance. In its nest, a sleeping Acromantula woke up and cursed.

"He gave you a perfect ten too!"

Ludo Bagman was next, and Ron seemed certain what he would do.

"He's a nice guy. Really generous with his scores," Ron kept saying in Eli's ear.

Eli tilted his head as though listening closely, but his eyes kept drifting toward Hermione on his right. She looked delighted too.

He had been about to sit beside her, but Harry had plopped down and squeezed Hermione out of the spot. Eli had nearly glared a hole through him.

"Ten! Of course