Chapter 8 Summary: The Quidditch World Cup

[Jen Piersol]

No: HPFGUIDX 428

At last, we've finally come to the quidditch action (unfortunately, 
the only quidditch action we're going to see in the whole book, which 
isn't known at this point).  We follow the Weasleys, Hermione, and 
Harry to the top of the stadium and the best seats in the house - the 
top box.  Here we're introduced to a couple of new characters and 
spells, beginning with a new house-elf named Winky, who though afraid 
of heights, has been ordered by her master Mr. Crouch to save him a 
seat.  We also learn from Winky that Dobby, though doing well in
body, has pretty much lost his mind, for "freedom has gone to Dobby's 
head, sir", and he wants wages, of all things.  Horrors!  Shortly
afterward, the box begins to fill.  We see Cornelius Fudge again, 
accompanied by the Bulgarian Minister.  Ludo Bagman is also going to 
be joining the crowd in the top box.  And of course, the Malfoys join 
everyone - including the elusive Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy, who looks as 
though everything smells nasty to her.  Finally, it's time for the 
festivities to begin, and Ludo Bagman points his wand to his throat, 
mutters "sonorus", and his voice is magically amplified over the
crowd to begin the play-by-play.

First, we have a showing of the team mascots.  The Bulgarians have 
brought Veela, "women"-like creatures who inspire the desire in the 
men of the crowd (well, the boys at least) to do death-defying feats 
in order to impress them.  When they've finished, we're left with Ron 
sitting down, tearing his Irish souvenirs (sp?) to bits, his father 
trying to warn him that he'll want them later.  Next, the Irish 
mascots come zooming over the stands showering the fans with gold.  
Leprachauns!  After a nice display, they settle down on the Irish
side of the stadium, and we're introduced to the team players, 
including the famous Bulgarian seeker Viktor Krum.

Over the next few (many?) pages, we're treated to spectacular 
quidditch moves, special effects from the omnioculars (nose-picking 
again and again and again, slow-motion gone wrong, etc), and rude 
gestures from the opposing teams' mascots.  From the beginning, 
Ireland is clearly the powerhouse (except for perhaps the seeker, who 
is clearly damaged physically, if not also mentally, by the end of
the game).  Finally, in a desperation move to save some semblance of 
his pride, Krum captures the snitch, even though Bulgaria is down by 
160 points and it's not going to win them the game - thus securing 
Fred and George a nice payoff for their risky wager in the last 
chapter.  Mr. Crouch, it is noticed, has never shown up to take his 
saved seat.

The participants are then paraded through the top box (we learn now 
that the Bulgarian Minister *is* able to speak English after all - to 
the chagrin of Fudge, who's been making an ass of himself all day 
trying to mime words to him), and when the action is all over, we 
follow the Weasleys, Hermione and Harry back to their tents, where at 
least one of them will go to sleep with visions of being the next 
quidditch world cup champion dancing in his head.  End of chapter.

Now, there are some specific topics I hope we can go over - for 
example:

What do you think of Fudge's relationship with the Malfoys?  He's 
really buddy-buddy with them in this chapter, making sure to mention 
their most recent contribution (to the same hospital where Neville's 
parents reside - though we don't know that until near the end of the 
book).

Do you think the omnioculars will be useful later on in the series as 
the sneakoscope has?

For fun: what would *you* do with a pair of omnioculars? :)

Discuss!