The first task was only two days away. Harry thought that with using Moody's idea to summon his Firebolt he had a better than average chance at completing the task. He was currently in the third floor classroom he had taken over practicing his summoning when he heard a knock on the door.
'I remembered to cast that silencing charm, didn't I?' Harry wondered. Checking again, he found the charm in place. So whoever it is must have known he was in the room. And the only person that knew he came here was…
"Hello Greengrass." Harry said as he opened the door for her. She came in with an excited look on her face.
"I've got an idea, Potter. It is going to sound crazy, but I think it is worth a try."
"Ok, what is it?" he asked.
"Let me explain. The wizarding world has a lot of stories that parents tell their children in order to teach them some moral or idea. Some of the 'darker' families, including mine, tell a collection of stories starring Salazar Slytherin which are supposed to teach proper behavior for a Slytherin. I'm guessing that you, a Gryffindor raised by muggles, haven't heard of them?"
"No. They sound like fairy tales though, are you sure these stories aren't just made up?"
"I pretty certain that they were just made up, but every story has a little bit of truth to it. And the story I am thinking of is called 'Salazar and the Dragon'."
Harry laughed, "So let me guess, it's story time now right?"
"Exactly. Now I'm not sure exactly how it goes, so I am just going to give you the basic story. One day Salazar Slytherin was chasing an enemy through the forest and stumbled onto a dragon. The dragon was going to attack him, but Slytherin managed to convince it that he meant her no harm. He warned the dragon that there was another wizard in the forest that would hurt her and her children. The dragon, thankful for the warning, let Slytherin go. A few hours later Slytherin found his enemy and realized he was heading towards the dragon, so Slytherin made no attempt to capture the enemy and let him face the dragon. When the dragon saw the other wizard she immediately killed him and fed his remains to her young."
"Well that was a gruesome story, but what is the point?" Harry interrupted.
"Quiet, I'm not done. Anyway, Slytherin made his way back to the village and told his cousin about what had happened. The cousin was jealous, and desired to have his own dragon to command. So he went into the forest, found the dragon, and ordered her to do his bidding. The dragon was offended by this and killed him as well. So what do you think?"
"You guys are raised with stories like this? What was that even supposed to teach?"
"Slytherin was smart and let the dragon take care of his enemy for him. Also, the cousin was stupid and disrespected a potential ally."
"Ok, but people can't talk to dragons. I've read a bunch of books by dragon handlers and none of them could do it."
"But you're forgetting Salazar Slytherin was a parseltongue. And that ability is hereditary, meaning that his cousin could have been one as well and that is why he was able to talk to the dragon. Parseltongues are very rare, so it isn't surprising that none of the dragon handling books would mention it." Daphne stated proudly.
"So you want me to talk a dragon into giving me an egg from its nest?"
"It's not a real egg." She pointed out.
"And this entire idea is based on children's story." Harry said, still wondering what to do with the idea.
"Yes, but what could it hurt to try? You already have a back up plan."
"Fine, I'll try it. But if the dragon bites my head off while I am trying to strike up a conversation I am going to haunt you."
"And Nearly Headless Nick would be so jealous that you get to go on the Headless Hunt. Where is the downside, Potter?"
Harry and Daphne both started laughing, and for a while Harry's worries about the tournament lifted and his thoughts were focused on how much he enjoyed the company of his new friend.
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