Returning to the tent, Friedm ate something and quickly fell asleep in his room, whilst Lys and Noah confirmed once more in the sitting room the advertisement she'd launch during tomorrow's opening ceremony.
After Noah offered several suggestions, the advertisement's visuals indeed highlighted the key points far more effectively.
Lys packed tomorrow's materials into her shoulder bag.
As she packed, she recalled that rubber chicken wand and couldn't resist experimenting with it herself.
Not until the faintest hint of dawn crept outside did she regretfully put away her work.
She prepared breakfast and brought the excited Friedm, Noah, and the quiet Lulu to the premium seats Bagman had indicated.
Then Lys dashed to join the group of wizards preparing to launch advertisements, awaiting her twenty seconds of pure gold.
The surrounding wizards worked in teams, collaborating to cast their sound and light magic. Only Lys stood alone in a corner, yawning.
Someone even mistook Lys for Ministry staff and approached her about the advertisement sequence.
Only when Lys spotted the timekeeper pointing directly at her did she hastily raise her wand in preparation.
The first ten seconds flew by.
Several nearby wizards glanced at Lys, astounded by her abundant magical power and—
"Have you got another advertising slot?!"
Not until the second ten seconds elapsed did Lys hurry back to her position at the stands' apex. She offered a brief greeting whilst passing Lucius's section.
But within her sight line, a pair of twins captured her attention.
Similar. Too bloody similar.
They resembled the first complete corpses Lys had ever witnessed—the Prewett brothers.
Lys unconsciously stared again, until a bushy-haired girl beside her leaned out to peer around Lys's obstruction. Only then did Lys resume her journey to her seat.
Lys distributed telescopes and snacks to all three, including Lulu, then closed her eyes, hoping for a moment's rest.
But the stadium's thunderous roar made even a second's peace impossible.
She had no choice but to open her eyes and watch the entire crowd scream frantically over leprechauns and Veela.
Watch them roar with excitement over a ball's possession.
Only when the two Seekers locked onto each other—and Lynch was slammed firmly to the ground by his opponent's feint—did Lys show any reaction.
She remembered that manoeuvre. "Friedm, what's that move called?"
"Lys! Lys! That's the Wronski Feint! Its primary purpose is..."
Lys stopped listening. Perhaps it was the past two months' relentless work, or last night's lost sleep.
The haze made Lys recall the day she'd killed Fenrir Greyback—when that already-dead Potter had used the identical move to dodge the Dark Lord's Avada Kedavra.
"It's a good move." She blinked her dry eyes and sighed.
"Exactly! Lys, but look—look at Beater Connolly! His striking's absolutely crisp!"
Lys observed the pitch ahead and shook her head. She'd spotted that golden little bean twice already.
Those two scheming Seekers—one dazed, one bleeding—simply couldn't end this bloody match quickly enough.
She felt Friedm was so excited he might leap from the stands and shout.
Lys rubbed her temples, mustered her energy, and watched briefly more. The pitch was so chaotic even the referee couldn't perform his duties properly. Lys was genuinely exhausted.
She dutifully applauded when Friedm cheered, supportively asked "What happened?" when Noah gasped, and cooperatively exclaimed "Blimey!" when Lulu clenched her fists.
Lys's excellent performance sustained every moment, keeping the other three's emotions soaring throughout.
Soon enough, everyone in the stadium rose. Lys stood too, clapping along.
Though she hadn't listened to Bagman's commentary, she was simply relieved she could finally return to the tent and sleep.
But it wasn't finished. After dazzling golden light flashed from the nearby box, following the awards ceremony and victory lap, everyone finally began departing whilst discussing this dramatic conclusion, still hungry for more.
To avoid the crowds, Lys kept Friedm and the others waiting until most people had dispersed before leaving the stands.
Departing, Lys glanced toward where Lucius's group had sat. She sensed a malevolent gaze.
But only a house-elf remained there—enormous brown eyes and a massive round nose.
Given house-elves' various peculiar quirks, Lys merely looked twice more before departing.
The human tide outside the campground meant that however desperately Lys wanted to return and sleep, she couldn't manage it. Those Irish were behaving like absolute lunatics.
Lys gripped Noah tightly, watching Lulu drag Friedm as they were squeezed from her sight. She exhaled and used magical force to shove away a reeking drunk beside her. Half a minute later, Lulu finally pulled Friedm back to Lys's side.
Friedm actually rather enjoyed this atmosphere, as did Noah—provided these people didn't touch him, he was quite content.
But Lys's occasional glimpses of exhaustion reminded both gentlemen that she'd been frantically busy these past days, barely sleeping due to advertising arrangements.
When Lys finally collapsed in her room, she was still instructing Lulu that if they ventured out, they must wear the alchemical protective gear she'd prepared, and remember to keep Noah and Friedm close—never let go.
However, Lys didn't actually sleep long. Initially it was merely Irish celebration sounds and the leprechauns' shrill laughter, but then things went decidedly wrong.
Lys's half-conscious state wasn't pleasant. She seemed to hear screaming and chaotic footsteps. Suddenly rolling over and sitting up, she opened her bloodshot eyes just as Lulu burst through the door with Friedm behind her.
"Miss Rahm—"
"Something's happening outside, Lys."
Lys shook her head, rather regretting last night's late experimentation with that chicken wand. Everything in her skull was throbbing painfully.
Seizing her wand and scooping up Gabeng, Lys stepped outside the tent for a glance, swept her gaze across the sky, then quickly ducked back inside.
Her face was ashen. Noah and Friedm hadn't seen Lys like this in ages. Even Lulu grew nervous.
Lulu and Noah both drew their wands, Friedm following suit.
Lys exhaled sharply. "Bloody useless British Ministry. Forget the tent." Lys rapidly cast powerful tracking charms on all three people and Gabeng.
"Stay close to me—especially Dad."
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