"This world shows no sympathy for the righteous who fail, Vid. If victory demands unscrupulous means, then be unscrupulous."
That's what Antoine said.
Vid managed to hold back from saying—
"Fifty years ago, Grindelwald chose to bear the infamy and still didn't win. If he had raised his moral bottom line a bit, maybe he wouldn't have ended up with the whole world against him?"
Some of the Witch Pure Party's thoughts are deeply ingrained, even for someone like Antoine in the "new generation," who might seem to be changing, their underlying logic is still the same as before.
Vid did not argue back, his thoughtful demeanor seemed to suggest he agreed with Antoine's words, making Antoine somewhat pleased as he then revealed the real reason for calling Vid over.
"Here is information on the other Magic Schools participating in the competition."
Antoine pulled out a thick stack of documents, tapped them, and said:
"Their magic specialties, notable students from the past two years, and work styles are all in here. You can take your time to look over them when you get back... Isn't there an old saying in China? Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never fail."
Vid's heart jumped slightly, and he asked, "Is there a Magic School from China participating this time?"
"No." Antoine said, "The Wizards over there are quite mysterious, they're mostly family-based legacies, and I've heard they have closer ties with the Muggle Government than we do."
Vid didn't ask further questions, putting away the documents and said, "I should be going, or Harry and the others might think I've been flushed away with the toilet."
"See you later." Antoine raised his voice behind him to remind, "Oh, and remember to keep my identity secret when you see me at Hogwarts!"
"Don't worry, I won't create trouble for myself." Vid waved and lifted the flap to walk out of the tent.
...
By evening, the air at the camp had become restless. As night fell completely, the sound of Apparition echoed in all directions.
Vid bought a panoramic telescope from a mobile vendor, and Harry enthusiastically explained how to use it: "You can replay scenes... switch to slow motion, even analyze the match, it's more professional than commentators on TV!"
After checking their tickets, they walked up the narrow stairs all the way to the top, entered the corridor into the box, only to see the scene on the other side.
It was a massive oval arena with tiered stands extending upward layer by layer, the bottom layer filled with densely packed seats, while the middle and upper layers had independent boxes.
Sirius's box had an excellent location, when the match started, the players practically flew past right in front of them, allowing them to see the ball being hit clearly with the naked eye.
This box had enough seats for twenty or more people; even after Vid and the others entered, it was only half-filled. Clearly, Sirius would rather keep them all empty than invite others to share.
"But if you have any friends you'd like to invite over, go ahead." Sirius stretched his legs on the seat, saying casually, "There's plenty of seats anyway."
Vid asked Harry, "Didn't you invite Ron and Hermione?"
Others from SSC—Michael, Neville, Theo—they all have ways to get tickets, even if the seats are slightly worse, there's no need to come borrow the Black Family's box.
Harry was leaning on the railing, looking up at the changing words on the billboard, and upon hearing Vid's question, he turned to say:
"Ron said his dad could get tickets, and Hermione has gone traveling with her parents out of town, she won't be back in the United Kingdom until tomorrow!"
Vid nodded, moving his gaze away, feeling a bit melancholic.
In the original story, these three were inseparable like conjoined twins, but now, with Sirius as Harry's godfather to rely on, after several years at school, the Savior's halo is still shining, yet the trio isn't as close-knit as in the plot.
Vid remembered, Mr. Weasley should only be able to get a few tickets to the finals, Ron probably wants to watch the match but out of a sense of pride or inferiority, he didn't accept Harry's invitation.
And Sirius didn't invite the Weasley Family either.
By the time he entered school, the Weasley couple had already graduated from Hogwarts; during the first Wizard War, the Weasleys didn't join the Order of Phoenix, neither classmates nor comrades-in-arms.
Though both are now in the Order of Phoenix reformed by Dumbledore, Sirius and Molly Weasley are related as distant cousins, but from Vid's observation, they can only be considered friendly but without any deep bonds of friendship.
Voldemort hasn't revived yet, and the Witch Pure Party's activities remain outside the United Kingdom, the Order of Phoenix naturally lacks a grave atmosphere of imminent danger, and the members have less of a life-and-death bond.
After several events last semester, now without a goal, this organization has once again gone dormant.
Vid's mind was comparing the differences between the storyline and the current situation, deep in thought when suddenly a thunderous voice rang out:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Welcome everyone to the 422nd Quidditch World Cup semi-final—Ireland vs. Peru!"
The grandstands erupted with deafening cheers, supporters of both teams vigorously waved flags, one side decorated like a grassy green, the other with red and white hues, making the stands look like undulating waves.
The commentary and hosting were handled by Ludo Bagman, who introduced the two teams and their mascots enthusiastically.
Ireland's Leprechauns flew around, forming neat formations, first turning into giant shamrocks, then morphing into Golden Snitches, trophies, harps, and other shapes.
Peru's team had a very impressive mascot, a beauty riding a massive Griffin flying across the field, followed by several Andean Condors, leaving trails of golden-red light in their wake.
Amid the screaming, players from both teams made their entrance. They flew so fast, they were hard to see clearly without the panoramic telescope to accurately capture their figures.
"I knew it."
Vid muttered silently to himself, watching the match for a while before turning the lens towards the boxes in the stands.
The Ministry of Magic had arranged top-level boxes for Magic Schools who traveled from afar to watch the match, Vid casually swept his view and spotted the students from Beauxbatons.
The silver-haired girl should be the Champion from the original story, Fleur Delacour, her beauty was truly striking.
Then Vid's gaze shifted to another box, where a majestic Cheetah was squatting, wearing glasses, and beside it, there was a mouse with a scarf, creating a very odd scene.
"Uagadou." Vid thought to himself.