Some people were responsible for transporting steel, some for building the spectator stands' framework, and others for installing the seats.
Below, they held their wands, like orchestra conductors controlling the whole situation.
The spectator stands had now reached a height of fifty levels and were still expanding rapidly upwards, encasing the entire Quidditch pitch in the middle, grand and magnificent in scale.
"Won't you be discovered by Muggles like this?" Howard asked. The scale of the spectator stands was so immense that he felt these steel structures could be seen from ten kilometers away.
"No, the Beauxbatons Principal has cast powerful shielding charms around the area; Muggles passing by will only perceive it as a pile of ruins."
"Besides, this place is vast and sparsely populated; Muggles usually don't come here," Apolline explained to them.
"I'll give you a tour of the grounds, and then everyone can rest," she said softly. "Tomorrow, everyone needs to set off early; we still have quite a few tasks to do."
The few people nodded in understanding. Apolline led them into the Quidditch grounds from the competition entrance. The grass here was lush and green.
"These grass patches were just planted this morning. Every square meter has a cushioning charm applied to it, to protect players who might accidentally fall."
"One hour before the match starts tomorrow night, it will be sealed off. No one will be able to enter or exit the grounds until the match ends," Apolline introduced. "We've used the most advanced anti-Apparition wards. Our time tomorrow will be very tight, so everyone must follow instructions, alright?"
"No problem," Howard readily agreed.
Kona glared at him discontentedly. Gary felt a chill in his heart just looking at her expression.
"I'll take everyone to the city center of Lyon first. You need to tell me your accommodation addresses, and I'll pick you up at 8 AM tomorrow morning." Apolline, with a graceful sway of her waist, walked between Howard and Kona.
"This is the address." Howard had already clutched the paper with the address in his palm and now handed it directly to Apolline.
Apolline's gentle, watery eyes scanned the address, then she smiled and returned the paper to Howard, reaching out to take his and Kona's hands.
Gary clearly saw the look of comfort on the fat man's face when Apolline's hand touched Howard's wrist.
With a pop, the three vanished from the spot, presumably having Apparated away.
"Vixen!" Alfrina grumbled discontentedly after Apolline left. "Just look at her outfit; she's clearly out to seduce people."
"I thought she was dressed quite normally; it's just that she's too charming," Gary recalled. Apolline was wearing an ordinary black uniform robe, but it still drew attention on her.
"Oh, please," Alfrina rolled her eyes. "I think she's a Veela. She doesn't look like a good person at all."
"Aren't all Veela silver-haired?" Lily interjected from the side.
"Oh, I just said that, but I don't think she's a good person anyway. Gary, you must stay away from her!" Alfrina looked at him nervously.
Gary, seeing Alfrina's expression, wisely chose to agree. "Of course, no problem. I'll listen to you."
"Hehe." Alfrina smiled contentedly. Just then, a crisp pop echoed in the air again, and Apolline reappeared.
After two more round trips, everyone finally left the Quidditch grounds on Fuveau Mountain.
Apolline Apparated them directly to the front door of Howard's house and then bid farewell. Before she left, Howard waved goodbye to her with reluctance.
The four discovered that Howard's house was actually a three-story villa with a garden. They now stood outside the garden fence, looking at the luxurious villa inside with envy.
This was a wealthy area of Lyon, with beautiful green surroundings. There were few people in the community, and this entire street was lined with detached villas.
Howard, with a simple smile, took out the necklace hanging around his neck.
The few of them had seen him wearing this necklace since they first met him. He wore it while eating, sleeping, and showering. Gary had initially guessed that the necklace held some valuable gem, but he never expected it to be a large bunch of keys.
"Aren't you bothered by the weight?" Kona took the key necklace from his hand and weighed it, finding it quite heavy.
"These are all the keys to my family's houses. My dad always says, if you wear this string of keys, you'll never be afraid of not finding a place to rest."
He began trying the keys on the villa doors one by one. Gary estimated there must have been dozens of keys on that necklace. He wondered if wearing something so heavy all the time would prevent him from growing taller.
"Finally found it." Howard wiped a bead of sweat, found the correct key, and opened the garden gate outside the villa.
He pushed open the gate, and the few of them walked through the garden to the front door of the house.
This time, Howard quickly found the front door key, right next to the garden gate key.
"Come in, come in! There are enough rooms here for the five of us. Go upstairs and pick whichever room you want," he said, waving his chubby hand, and the four excitedly entered the villa.
"It really is spacious… much better than my house…" Alfrina spread her arms and spun around twice in the living room. "Your house must be seven or eight hundred square meters, right?"
"About that, I'm not sure, but it's definitely big enough," Howard went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, only to find that the drinks and food inside had all expired.
"Who wants to come with me to the supermarket nearby to buy some food?" he shouted towards the living room.
"Let's all go!" Lily and Kona, who had run upstairs to choose rooms, ran back down.
The five walked three kilometers to the nearest supermarket, bought a large amount of vegetables, meat, and drinks, then found a random restaurant around the supermarket for lunch. After returning to the villa, they began preparing for a barbecue in the evening.
The garden outside the house hadn't been cleaned for a long time. Howard and Gary finally managed to clear some weeds, creating an open space for the barbecue grill.
Howard's family had this equipment. After they set up the grill, washed the food, lit the charcoal, and arranged the chairs, it was almost evening.
"Cheers to our success!" Lily raised her glass full of fruit juice. "We must continue to work hard and keep going!"
The five laughed and clinked glasses. Alfrina then stood up and gave a long summary, the gist of which was that they must make those who looked down on them see them in a new light. By the end, her voice choked up, and she buried her head in Gary's arms, crying.
Howard took the opportunity to smear a large amount of charcoal ash on Lily's and Kona's faces, infuriating the two girls, who chased him around the yard to hit him.
Gary, while comforting Alfrina, continued to grill food on the barbecue. The firelight illuminated Gary's face, making him feel especially warm.