Born to Rule: The Story of the Slytherin Princess (paused)

Chapter 43

"Just like the moon,
half of my heart
will always love
the darkness within."

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As the ministry official, Ludo Bagman, announced the start of the World Cup, a hush fell over the crowd. The silence was soon broken by the sound of hundreds of veelas gliding across the field. Their beauty was breathtaking, and most men were entranced by their otherworldly allure, even Draco, who couldn't take his eyes off them. Clarissa, on the other hand, scoffed at the notion that the veelas were anything more than an overhyped myth.

"Hey!" Clarissa shouted, trying to snap Draco out of his trance. "If I can't compliment the Hufflepuff, you can't look at those girls."

According to folklore, veelas were supposed to be one of the most fascinating and beautiful creatures. Their skin was as fair as moonlight, and their hair was a lustrous mix of white and gold strands that shimmered in the sunlight. As the veelas danced and twirled, their movements were so graceful that it seemed as if they were gliding on air.

All it took for Draco to break out of his trance, was for the ferret to bite his hand.

"That thing bit me," Draco snapped, glaring at the ferret.

Clarissa patted the ferret's head. "Well, it's because you were too busy ogling those veelas. If you paid more attention to me, this wouldn't have happened.

As the veelas danced, their movements were as graceful as swans on a tranquil lake. Once the music began to swell, the veelas started to dance faster and faster, their hair whipping around them like a flurry of snowflakes.

But as the dance came to a close and the veelas began to exit the stadium, Clarissa rolled her eyes at the men who were practically drooling over them. "Veelas are an overhyped myth anyway," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "What's so special about them, do they have any special qualities besides charming men?"

The crowd around them grumbled in frustration, clearly disappointed that the veelas were leaving so soon. But Clarissa remained unmoved, unimpressed by their beauty and charm.

The Irish National Team Mascots then arrived, adding to the excitement of the already electrified crowd. The mascots were dressed in green and gold outfits, representing the colors of the Irish flag. They were carrying banners with the team's logo and were cheering and dancing, pumping up the energy in the stadium.

As the Bulgarian team made their entrance onto the field, the crowd went wild with excitement. They were greeted with loud cheers and applause from both the Bulgarian and Irish supporters. Among the players were Dimitrov, Ivanora, Zograf, Levski, Vulchanov, Volkov, and the most famous of all, Victor Krum.

Draco's eyes widened in awe as he caught a glimpse of Krum. He was only 18 years old, yet he was already playing professional quidditch, which was a remarkable achievement. "Look!" Draco exclaimed, pointing at Krum. "That's Victor Krum! He's one of the best quidditch players out there."

Clarissa rolled her eyes and teased him, "Never thought I'd see the day that Draco Lucius Malfoy would actually compliment someone."

Draco scowled at her, but secretly he knew she was right. He had always been known for his arrogance and disdain towards anyone who he deemed unworthy of his attention. But something about Krum had impressed him, and he couldn't help but admire the young player's talent.

As the teams took their positions, the air was charged with excitement and tension. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, waiting for the game to begin. And as the referee blew the whistle, the match started with a fierce intensity.

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The World Cup had been a spectacle to behold, even for Clarissa who knew little of Quidditch. The players moved with such grace and ferocity, their movements precise and brutal. She watched with awe as they flew around the pitch, the sound of their broomsticks cutting through the air like a knife. The cheers of the crowd were deafening as the game reached its climax, the energy and excitement palpable.

As the match came to a close, the spectators began to disperse, making their way back to their respective tents. However, their joyous mood was cut short when the sound of screams and the sight of flames caught their attention. Panic quickly spread as people tried to escape the chaos.

"Clarissa!" Draco yelled as he ran towards her, his face etched with worry.

"What's happening?" Clarissa asked, her heart racing with fear.

It was then that they saw Lucius and Narcissa, who quickly apparated them back to Malfoy Manor for safety. The journey was swift, and they arrived at the manor in no time. Clarissa couldn't shake the feeling that her parents were behind the attack, despite the lack of concrete evidence.  The fact that Draco's father, a loyal servant of the dark lord, didn't seem to know about it only added to her confusion and suspicion.

Clarissa spent a few days at the Malfoy Manor, accompanied by her beloved ferret. Despite her worries about causing any trouble with the Malfoys, Clarissa found comfort in their warm hospitality. Lucius and Narcissa treated her like their own daughter, and she appreciated their kindness towards her. However, Clarissa's peace was soon interrupted by the arrival of her parents.

As soon as they arrived, Narcissa whisked Draco and Clarissa away to Draco's room, leaving Clarissa with a growing sense of unease. She could hear the muffled sound of angry whispers between the two noble houses, and she couldn't help but fear the worst. The tension in the air was palpable, and Clarissa knew that her time at Hogwarts would be more dangerous then ever.

As Clarissa sat in the dimly lit room, she couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that hung in the air like a thick fog. The sound of her own breaths echoed in her ears, and she was acutely aware of the way her heart pounded in her chest. She glanced over at Draco, whose face was etched with worry and frustration. She couldn't blame him for his unease; he, too, could sense that something was amiss.

As the night wore on, the whispers grew louder and more heated. Clarissa couldn't make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable. It was the sound of two powerful families clashing, their egos and ambitions colliding like the tectonic plates beneath the earth's surface. It was a dangerous game of chess, with each move calculated and precise.

Despite the danger, Clarissa found herself drawn to the darkness like a moth to a flame. There was a seductive power within it, an alluring pull that she couldn't resist. She knew that it was wrong, but she couldn't help herself. There was a thrill in the uncertainty, a rush in the unknown.

As the first rays of sunlight began to creep through the window, the whispers finally died down. Clarissa and Draco were left in silence, their thoughts swirling around them like a tempest. Clarissa knew that she had to be careful, that the game had just begun and this was only the beginning.

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