Chapter 3

Harry whipped over the dragon on his broomstick as the crowd cheered him on. With the golden egg under his arm he made a dive to sweep over the ebullient fans. He soaked up the praise with a smug grin like any Slytherin and soon made a flourish as he came down. The egg caught the sun and glittered brightly as he lifted it up high. The dragon was safely immured behind a barrier spell that wouldn't let if lift off or move in Harry direction.

Oddly Professor Moody had given him the spell. At first Harry had put him off as being a strict non-rule breaker since he was one of his parent's friends but he had even given Harry extra help when he hadn't asked it. Harry being the Slytherin that he was took all the free help he could get. He specifically thought that the spell could be useful later on if he needed it in a duel or something. He cracked up just thinking about Malfoy trying in vain to lift the barrier. Once he was done flaunting his victory he stepped up into the champion's box where the others stood staring at him incredulously. His Hogwarts rival hadn't gone yet so he watched as he also called forth his broom but had no help of additional spells.

Once the task was over, Harry was declared the overall winner having won so easily. He shrugged off the glares of the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors as he walked back into the castle. He also soaked up the reverent cheers of the Slytherins. As he walked back to the Slytherin Common Room he got many congratulations and insults, most consisting of accusations that he had cheated. Stoically he never replied in anger as he strode to the Common Room.

The common room he entered was a stark contrast to the dungeon hallways he had had to walk through to get there. It was warmed generously by the stone fireplace on one wall. It held several couches, armchairs, and tables. He found Jessica waiting for him in one of the more comfortable chairs. She jumped up and gripped him in a vice-like grip.

"I was so worried you would end up killed by that dragon!!! I can't believe you chose to compete!!!" She said once she untangled herself form his chest. Harry brushed it off with a nonchalant shrug.

"It was easy once I had that spell to disable the dragon. I'm surprised they didn't accuse me of cheating all those stinking gryffindorks and their honor they wouldn't last a second in Slytherin. I suppose that's why they are in Gryffindor." Harry said mockingly rubbing his chin in contemplation. Jessica cracked up in laughter.

"You could make a good Ravenclaw with that look." She said between chuckles. Then once Harry put all his stuff away in his dorm they started to head towards the Great Hall to eat dinner. They met Blaise in the lobby before the hall. He gave Harry a joyful congratulation. Harry took it in stride never showing too much thanks for congratulations due of a champion.

He strode into the Great Hall amid many cheers and fanfare. He mockingly bowed before he sat down at the Slytherin table. Soon his plate and mouth were full of food. Even though he didn't show it the task had been exhausting psychologically and physically. He put up a proud face to the crowd but it really wasn't easy to contend with the every day twists and turns of the Slytherin House. Sometimes he wondered if it would have been easier if he had been a Gryffindor like his parents. He wouldn't have to deal with internal politics or putting up a facade to the general public.

Once dinner was over and Harry was headed up to his dorm the questioning began. "So, how did you do it?" Malfoy asked seconds after Harry walked into the room. The other boys yelled the same question. Malfoy stared at him with a smug grin on his face. "Well?"

"Well, I can't reveal all my sources, but once I found out the task had to do with dragons I was able to find a suitable defensive spell. Wait, how do I know one of you isn't going to go to Dumbledork with this if I tell you the rest?" Harry asked as he looked around at the five faces surrounding him.

"Harry, we would never tell a fellow Slytherin's secret, right guys?" All of the boys nodded an affirmative. "So go on with your tale."

"Well, to tell you the truth Professor Moody helped me with the spell. I don't really know why, but he did." Harry said with a shrug.

"Well, don't you think you should be a little suspicious of a school official helping you cheat? He could have an ulterior motive." Malfoy offered as they all settled in to their beds. Harry turned it over in his head and did find it kind of odd. He decided to find a way to test the theory tomorrow.

"No, I never thought he might have an ulterior motive. I'll have to find out." Harry turned off the lamp beside his bed and went to sleep.