The two teams circled the spectator stands on their broomsticks before gathering in the center of the pitch.
Shawn and Cedric, the two captains, exchanged a friendly fist bump.
"Good luck!" they said together.
Then they parted and listened as Madam Hooch read out the rules.
"No... no..."
Up in the commentary box, Luna officially began her commentary too.
"The Slytherin Quidditch Team is led by Shawn Black, and its players include... who were they again?
I don't remember, but that doesn't matter. I think everyone's here to see Shawn, right?
His bat really is unusual. I quite agree with what the previous commentator said: that's not a bat, it's a spatula.
And Hufflepuff is led by Cedric. Their players include... well, I don't remember them either.
Luckily, Cedric is very handsome too. I've heard that all the young witches and wizards in Hufflepuff like spending time with him..."
Luna's offbeat commentary drew laughter from the crowd, though most people found it quite entertaining.
Professor McGonagall felt as though she might be finished before the match even started.
It was only because the elderly professor had never heard the term "heart attack" that she didn't keep fast-acting heart medication on hand.
Holding his flat bat, Shawn couldn't help smiling at the helpless expression on Cedric's face among the opposing team.
Cedric had only taken over as captain and Seeker this year, and he was under considerable pressure. The other six Hufflepuff players, however, gazed at their captain with complete confidence.
This year marked the beginning of Hufflepuff Quidditch's famous era of one ace carrying six deadweights.
The Hufflepuff players all rode Cleansweep broomsticks, except for Cedric, who had a Nimbus 1700.
Never mind that everyone on Shawn's team had a Nimbus-Draco was riding the Firebolt Shawn had lent him.
Shawn