"You're finally here, Ginny!" Hermione rose to her feet and waved to Ginny, who had arrived late.
They sat at the far end of the stands, where the view was best. It was a little distant, but with the binoculars Hagrid had kindly provided, they could still see the match clearly.
"You took forever, Ginny!" Ron grumbled unhappily. "Where have you been?"
"Looking for Ri-Malfoy," Ginny said as she sat down beside Hermione. "Sure enough, he forgot there was a Quidditch match today."
"I knew it. He doesn't look interested in Quidditch at all." Hermione looked unsurprised. "He's much more enthusiastic about studying. Even I can't understand the books he reads, especially the ones on alchemy and runes writing. You two should learn from him!"
That last remark was directed at Ron and Harry.
Harry smiled awkwardly, while Ron immediately changed the subject.
"Honestly, I never dreamed I'd cheer for Slytherin in my life! If someone had told me that last year, I'd have slapped some sense into them. But if Slytherin really wins, Harry, you'll have to face their Nimbus 2001s again."
He sounded worried, looking sorely tempted to start booing Slytherin on the spot.
"What are you talking about? Mr. Riddle is our friend!" Ginny blurted out angrily. Fortunately, there were nearly a thousand spectators, around eight hundred of whom were cheering for Ravenclaw. Their cheers rose in wave after wave, and no one heard what they were saying.
Harry wasn't worried at all. "Their chances of winning are slim. Quidditch isn't just about having good broomsticks. As far as I know, Ri-Malfoy hasn't attended a single practice, has he? I think he just wants to try playing Quidditch. After all-he finally has the chance. We should cheer him on."
After hearing that, Ginny and Hermione began to