A Cadmean Victory by DarknessEnthroned

Chapter 14: Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine; everything is J K Rowling's.

Chapter 14!

That moment you've all been waiting for has finally arrived. I've tried to do something a little different from any other fic I've yet seen.

I will mention that, for now at least, I am sort of sticking to the canon timeline of major events like the tasks and leaving their basic schematics unchanged since it would have all been organised and in motion before my AU really gets going.

It's going to be a ripple effect from now onwards, though I will endeavour not to stretch things too far since I think things are nicer when they're recognisably comparable, but have a bit of a twist.

Additionally I have now rewritten all the chapters up to this point, nothing too serious, but a few little things that might make things clearer. Anyone who wants to do me a huge favour reread and review the changes will get a hypothetical cookie ;)

Chapter 14

'It's today?'

'Yes,' Harry replied, giving the portrait a flat look. He'd said that twice already.

'I told you to come see beforehand so I could teach you things,' Salazar exploded, in parseltongue.

'I did,' Harry responded. 'I'm right here.'

'I can't teach you right before the task begins. You'll need your strength for the competition and blood magic is demanding field. It's sacrifice based, after all.' The snake slithered around his ancestor's neck before coming to settle on the other shoulder.

'You can't even teach me about the theory?'

'There's not much point, is there?' the portrait groused. 'Magic is best learned practically and actively, not listening to painting.'

Harry shoved Secrets of the Darkest Arts to one side and sat on the edge of the desk. There was still an hour or so until the task started and nothing to do while the portrait decided not to teach him.

'What is the task?' Salazar asked, after a brief silence.

'I have no idea,' Harry shrugged. 'I think it's probably meant to be a surprise.'

'Where is your cunning?' Slytherin demanded. 'What kind of Heir of Slytherin are you? You should have gone and found out.'

'From where?' Harry asked incredulously. 'The big book of future tournament tasks?'

Salazar sniggered and pointed at the desk behind him.

Harry swivelled and inspected an oddly new looking piece of parchment. 'The big book of future tournament tasks,' he read, amused.

'You left that just before you arrived,' the portrait smiled, 'said I'd understand in about an hour.'

'I used the time-turner, didn't I.' Harry turned to look at the desk only to find the golden necklace gone. 'Where am I?'

'You said you were going to practice occlumency exercises,' Salazar replied. 'Read the rest aloud for me.'

'Dragons,' Harry continued, 'distractions work best. Don't ignore Katie.'

'Dragons,' the painting mused. 'Could be worse.'

'Dragons are pretty bad,' Harry responded.

'Could be another basilisk,' Salazar countered. 'A dragon normally attacks by breathing fire, which they can only do in one direction, and is fairly easy to see coming and dodge. The stare of the king of serpents is much more subtle, and deadly.'