The three groups took their places under everyone's gaze, and the cheering reached its peak.
"All right, all right, quiet down, my dear fellow students!"
Fred shouted, enjoying the thrill of being the center of attention.
"The red carpet is behind us, and next comes the most exciting part-"
"-Get your wallets out!"
George followed with a roar, drawing a wave of good-natured laughter.
Behind them, a massive magical screen unfurled above the Great Hall.
Accompanied by a heavy metallic grinding like the opening of a Gringotts vault door, the three teams' "Champion Team Combined Points" raced like flowing water before finally settling.
Cedric Diggory's team: 4,350 points Fleur Delacour's team: 3,100 points Viktor Krum's team: 2,980 points
"Wow!" Genuine gasps of amazement erupted from the crowd.
"Cedric's points are miles ahead! Granger's Academic Assault Team is practically a perpetual-motion points machine!"
A Ravenclaw student spoke admiringly.
"Pheobe's impressive too. Her afternoon-tea diplomacy has been so successful, I heard even some Slytherins voted for her!"
"Krum's votes count triple! How is he still in last place?"
A Gryffindor murmured.
In the Slytherin stands, Malfoy's expression darkened briefly. He gave a soft snort, as though such a small gap was beneath notice.
"Right, now we've seen what everyone has in the bank!"
Fred rubbed his hands together, looking every inch the unscrupulous merchant preparing to fleece his customers.
"Next, my dear partner and I will introduce tonight's spending rules!"
George tapped the stage with his wand. Three tables covered in velvet slid into the center of the stage on their own, and all the spotlights swung onto them with a swish.
"Everyone, do you see these?"
George pointed at the tables and spoke in an exceedingly mysterious tone.
"Personally designed by our Commander-in-Chief, Professor Douglas Holmes, and packed with