As evening descended, the Quidditch stadium buzzed with chaotic energy. Spectators clad in team colors formed a vibrant tapestry, punctuated by swathes of black robes. From their elevated box, the crowd seemed a study in contrasts – half shadow, half light.
Fudge, after subtly offering his unwavering support to Tom Riddle, departed to orchestrate the opening ceremony, leaving Tom Riddle, Cassandra, and the others in peace. The electrifying atmosphere of the pitch infected even Harry Potter and his friends, heightening their anticipation. Even Tom Riddle, initially indifferent, felt a flicker of something akin to excitement.
Meanwhile, Cassandra seemed more engrossed in conversation with the Delacour sisters than the impending match, likely due to their shared Veela heritage. Nagini, nestled beside Tom Riddle, silently enjoyed his company and the spectacle unfolding below.
"Hey, do you know the origins of Quidditch?" Gabrielle piped up, interrupting Fleur's explanation.
Tom Riddle, whose knowledge of the sport was limited to the basic rules, curtly replied, "I do not. Ask Harry."
To Tom Riddle's mild surprise, Fleur took it upon herself to enlighten Gabrielle, seizing the chance to converse with Tom Riddle and satisfy her own curiosity. Tom Riddle willingly indulged her, answering some questions while skillfully evading others with a polite smile.
Fleur, encouraged by Tom Riddle's unexpected gentleness, began to relax. But before she could delve deeper, Cassandra, her gaze hardening, firmly steered her away.
...
Shortly after Fudge's grand announcement, the team mascots took center stage. The Bulgarian team presented the Veela, their captivating dances and enchanting songs immediately enthralling a significant portion of the male audience. Harry Potter and his friends, however, remained unimpressed, their tastes leaning towards something more impactful. Spending time in Cassandra's company had diminished their susceptibility to the Veela allure, much like their initial encounter with the Delacour sisters.
Fleur Delacour was perplexed. She understood Tom Riddle's immunity – she couldn't imagine the Dark Lord being swayed by such simple charms. But how could these young boys remain unaffected? Could it be… impotence? Or perhaps… She glanced at Malfoy, who had his arm casually draped around Harry Potter's shoulder, and her expression turned troubled.
Cassandra, upon the Veela's entrance, discreetly checked Tom Riddle's reaction. Reassured by his continued disinterest, she breathed a sigh of relief. She'd considered learning the dances herself, had he shown even a flicker of interest. While she was familiar with aristocratic dances, she had never witnessed such unrestrained passion.
Suddenly, a fresh wave of cheers erupted from the crowd! The Motora Macaw team's mascot had arrived: a phoenix named Spark.
With a piercing cry that resonated through the stadium, the fiery phoenix soared into the sky, snapping the captivated men back to reality.
In the "Dark Lord's Private Suite," Cassandra noticed Tom Riddle's eyes light up at the phoenix's appearance. Even with his impressive collection of magical creatures – land, sea, and air – his fascination remained undimmed. A pet for the sea, one for swimming, one to travel a thousand miles a day, and one to soar through the skies like a Norwegian Ridgeback…
Fortunately, Tom Riddle already possessed a "sky pet," mitigating any immediate urge to acquire the phoenix. However, the idea of "finding a wild phoenix to raise" did pique his interest.
…
Meanwhile, across the stands:
"Fawkes, old boy, your companion's plumage seems a bit more vibrant than yours…" Albus Dumbledore, watching the mascot display with Fawkes, found himself pecked on the head for his innocent observation.
…
With the mascot performance concluded, the teams finally took the field, and the Quidditch match officially commenced. For Tom Riddle, this marked the true end of his entertainment. He found the spectacle of the large red bird far more appealing than the game itself. Though they had not yet found a bird they desired and could keep, it remained a welcome sight.
Harry Potter and his friends, however, remained enthusiastic. Even Fleur Delacour and Cassandra displayed genuine interest. Fleur Delacour was naturally drawn to Quidditch, while Cassandra, due to her shared Veela blood, found Fleur Delacour's explanations particularly insightful.
The first half of the game was nearly a foregone conclusion. The Bulgarian team, clearly superior, held a significant lead over the Motora Macaws. However, the game hung in the balance, as neither Seeker had yet caught the Golden Snitch. Still, the crowd considered it inevitable: Viktor Krum, renowned as the "world's best Seeker," was a far superior flyer. It was only a matter of time.
But just as he was about to seize the Golden Snitch…
Bong!!
A colossal green skull exploded in the sky, encircled by a venomous serpent!
"…"
Silence descended upon the arena, silencing even the two teams in mid-play.
Fudge, sensing a disruption, cautiously approached. He looked upward and exclaimed, "Oh, our own people… wait! That's the previous version!"
Not only Voldemort, but many Death Eaters and other spectators recognized the symbol as the old Dark Mark. Considering the previously leaked "Dark Lord version: I killed myself," could it be that the Dark Lord "not only cut himself in two," but that other Dark Lords existed?
That's right, in most people's view, the reason there was a Dark Lord, or potentially two, was simply because he used dark magic to split himself apart.
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I know I've used the "busy" excuse a lot lately and honestly, I don't have anything else to tell you because it's the truth.
I hope you guys can understand where I'm coming from and stick with me.
Feel free to criticize the translationin the comments and let me know how the quality is looking to you!