When the Veela finished dancing, the stadium filled with angry, disappointed shouts.
The wizards did not want the Veela to leave. The atmosphere in the top box was painfully awkward now, with the girls folding their arms and giving the red-faced boys sidelong looks.
Ron lowered his head and pinned the Irish team badge he had just torn off back into place. Harry pretended he had only wanted to stand by the railing for some fresh air.
Malfoy stared fixedly at the national flag in his hands, as though he had suddenly developed an intense interest in it.
The adults watched the young wizards with amused smiles, finding the whole thing thoroughly entertaining.
Slowly, inch by inch, the three boys edged back to their seats. Hermione clicked her tongue loudly.
Their faces grew even redder, yet their darting eyes still kept straying toward the Veela, who had already lined up.
Tsk!
"Thank you to the Bulgarian Team's mascots for that wonderful performance!
"And now-" Ludo Bagman's voice rang out like a great bell. "Raise your wands into the air... and welcome the mascots of the Irish National Quidditch Team!"
Immediately, with a whoosh, an enormous green-and-gold object flew into the stadium like a great comet.
It circled the stadium, then split into two smaller comets, each racing toward a set of goalposts.
An arched rainbow suddenly appeared across the entire stadium, connecting the two great glittering balls.
Cries of wonder erupted from the crowd, as though they were watching a fireworks display.
Then the rainbow faded. The glittering balls joined and merged into a gigantic, dazzling shamrock, which rose high into the air and began circling above the stands. Something came pattering down from it like golden raindrops-gold coins!
The huge gold coins showered down, gleaming brilliantly under the lights.