Chapter 77.1 The Game (Part 1)

The final match of the World Cup is to be played between Bulgaria and Ireland, as in the canon, and by the time the game starts I've already won enough to pay for my villa in St. Tropez twice, not counting the last match.

The goblin accepted the bets with the equanimity of a seasoned gambler, the faces of these creatures are quite unpleasant in themselves, so their facial expressions are peculiar. In short, my explanations, the details of the game, and its conclusion with each word, all aroused the satisfaction of the goblin, and at my last words he grinned openly, but the bet was accepted, and he even calculated the possible winnings.

I liked the announced amount, although to reach a serious level I had to use diamonds and a handful of not-insignificant blue sapphires already cut by me (my spirit in the pendant). Goblins love stones, so the wager was gladly accepted, though his face turned a bit sour when I demanded that the contract contain a separate clause stipulating the inviolability of the stones until I lost, as well as the impossibility of unilaterally replacing them with money. But all in all it had little effect on the goblin, and the little man was "as happy as a pig in shit".

By the way, I remembered that the red-haired twins made bets through a man. But my first question to Paul explained that the only reliable place to play for serious money is Gringotts, and you're guaranteed to get it. The rest of the Charades like to cheat customers and refuse to sign serious contracts, so they've got kids and idiots playing for them.

And one more thing. In the canon, the game was played on August 22, 1994. Here is the same year, but everything else does not match, from what with bets I was a little worry. July 14, 1994 is the date on the calendar today. And today will be the final battle of the two teams.

To be honest, Quidditch games did not really attract me, and when I read the rules, and it was not a complete summary, there was no desire to play this "Russian roulette". To me, the official games of professional teams are like rugby or survival races — a place where people roll dice with death for money, putting their lives and health on the line. A magic net over the field?

Don't laugh at my horseshoes! The energy consumption of such magic would be enormous, and it's badly to set up a simple net like a circus for magicians. Playing with an iron bouncing ball is too much for my nerves. In short, Quidditch is a game for those who have no prospects in a simple life, who are stupid but strong and tough, who will not get a normal job, and who have no brains... or connections... or connections.

Quidditch, on the other hand, allows you to become famous, find a good partner, and make serious money. I don't remember this question being addressed in the canon, but Pierre had enlightened me in the tent the first night that a player gets at least ten gold galleons for each game, and that's for a local team.

The higher the team rating, the higher the salaries, the top players of strong teams get at least four hundred gold per game, plus possible bonuses. Impressed? I am, and that's why the lame "this game is too traumatizing and inhumane" idea that had just started died immediately. It's a man's right to dispose of his life, if he wants to kill himself against the wall, that's his business.

The days before the final game passed quickly and happily. Fleur rarely managed to get out, but when she did, Gabby and I always put the brakes on our unforgiving girl and never let her sulk. I've noticed for a long time that the girl deliberately keeps away from people, tries to keep her distance, it seems to be the consequences of that incident.

 As the head knight, I decided to help her a little with this problem, this fear of being the cause of trouble, because then her family was also affected. It was amusing to see how the silver-haired girl tried to sulk on our walks, although her eyes lit up with interest and she shot them sideways just like that!