Bab 124: New Attacks
"You're a Parselmouth. Why didn't you tell us?" asked Ron directly as Harry looked at him.
"I'm a what?" said Harry.
"A Parselmouth. You have the magical ability to communicate with Snakes." Explained Matthew.
"I know," said Harry. "I mean, that's only the second time I've ever done it. I accidentally set a boa constrictor on my cousin Dudley at the zoo once — long story — but it was telling me it had never seen Brazil and I sort of set it free without meaning to that was before I knew I was a wizard —"
"A boa constrictor told you it had never seen Brazil?" Ron repeated faintly.
"Oh, I remember that. I was there, that's when we met for the first time. So you also talked to the Snake. I thought it was just accidental magic that made the Glass vanish." Remembered Matthew.
"Right that was back then! So?" said Harry. "I bet loads of people here can do it."
"Not exactly!" replied Matthew, "Remember when we talked about magical abilities a while ago? Like Luna has her magical sight. The ability to speak Parseltongue is also one. People who have that Ability are called Parselmouth and you seem to be one of them."
"And these gifts are not very common! Harry, this is bad!" injected Ron worried.
"What's bad?" said Harry, who began to look angry. "What's wrong with everyone? Listen, if I hadn't told that snake not to attack Justin —"
"Oh, that's what you said to it?"
"What d'you mean? You were there — you heard me —"
Matthew interrupted both of them before it got out of hand, "No we didn't understand you. All we heard was hissing, you spoke a completely different Language. Parseltongue the ancient tongue of Snakes."
"I spoke a different language? But — I didn't realize — how can I speak a language without knowing I can speak it?" asked Harry confused.
"That's why it is a magical ability. You can speak it naturally." Explained Matthew.
"Okay, I spoke another Language. And what is so bad about it? I just stopped a massive snake biting off Justin's head?" he said. "What does it matter how I did it as long as Justin doesn't have to join the Headless Hunt?"
Matthew began explaining before the other could explain it with their prejudiced view, "If we were in another country it wouldn't really matter. Having that ability by default isn't even anything bad. In India, you would actually have gained a higher Status. Since Parselmouth's are very respected there." He explained, "But unfortunately we are in Britain. The Ability has bad rumors around it here. Why do you think the Symbol of House Slytherin is a Snake? Because Salazar Slytherin was famous for being a Parselmouth, and his descendants inherited the Ability from him."
But I'm not," said Harry, with a panic he couldn't quite explain.
"You'll find that hard to prove," said Hermione. "He lived about a thousand years ago; for all we know, you could be."
"And did you already forget Harry? It's nothing bad to be related to Slytherin. Since for all, we know the Rumors around him are probably false." Added Matthew.
"You are right." Muttered Harry still looking worried.
"Don't worry Harry. We don't think differently of you. It's like Matthew said. Only in Britain are there bad rumors about being a Parselmouth." Added Cho.
"See. And at least we now know what kind of Monster is in the Chamber of Secrets." Added Matthew.
"What!?"
"How would you know that?" asked Hermione.
"Sigh… What are your heads for? Did you already forget the Voice only Harry heard on Halloween?"
"What Voice?" asked Cho.
"We were only the first ones where Mrs. Norris was petrified because Harry heard a voice that wanted to murder someone. We followed it and found Mrs. Norris." Explained Matthew, "Since only Harry was able to hear it, it must have been a Snake. A Thousand-year-old Snake."
"That makes sense. But what kind of Snake petrifies people?" asked Cho.
"Well, that's something you guys can find out. I am pretty sure Professor Dumbledore is already aware of the identity of Slytherins Monster. All facts considered it's pretty obvious. The more important questions are 'Where is the Chamber of Secrets?' and 'Who is the Heir of Slytherin?'" explained Matthew, "Harry you shouldn't worry too much. Rather keep calm and don't get into the trouble."
~ Scene Break ~
In the end, all explanations and logical arguments didn't pacify Harry's worries, that's probably why he didn't fit into Ravenclaw. Harry ended up in trouble the next day. Like in Canon he tried to find Justin and explain the truth to him. And well he did found him, petrified together with the ghost of nearly-headless Nick. Where he got caught by Peeves the Poltergeist who instantly began to alarm the whole Castle that no Living or Ghost was safe anymore. After all, Peeves loved Chaos.
In the end, Harry got dragged to the Headmaster's Office by Professor McGonagall. But Dumbledore knew after all who the heir of Slytherin truly was and didn't see any point in punishing Harry in any form, after all, he did nothing. The Headmaster was probably distracted by now, by the fact that Harry was a Parselmouth and began his first research into Horcruxes or other possible origins for Harry's ability.
Harry, on the other hand, gained also new insights from the Sorting Hat about himself and his potential in the Characteristics Slytherin stood for, and also he learned from Hagrid that his Roosters got killed which he would share with Ron, Matthew, and Hermione. On the other hand, the rumors about him being the Heir of Slytherin manifested amongst the Students. Very few Students believed these Rumors to be false even amongst the logical Ravenclaws. Pointing out things like Matthew and Hermione being Muggleborns and some of his closest friends didn't matter to the famous Hogwarts Rumor mill. Well, the only few ones who made a Joke of it were the Weasley Twins, who accompanied Harry and announced him as Heir of Slytherin everywhere. While the rest of the Weasley didn't find it amusing, especially Ginny.
Her condition became worse although she was able to hide it very well. Soon she would reach her breaking point and try to dispose of the Diary. But her condition was still reversible and would heal in a few months once the Horcrux was destroyed.
These Rumors and the real dangers in the Castle would empty it over the Winter Holidays. The only mentionable Students staying behind would be Harry, Hermione, the Weasleys, Draco and his two goonies, and Matthew himself. Mr. Mrs. Weasley decided to visit Bill in Egypt during the Holidays which made the other Weasleys stay in Hogwarts. His Parents decided to go skiing over the Holidays and he currently had no interest in Winter-sports. The free time he would have over the Winter Holidays would be the perfect opportunity to take a deeper look at the Time-turner to understand its workings. Time was a dangerous branch of Magic, not the Universe, to mess with, but there was no doubt it would be worth it.
Cho on the other hand left the Castle to spend time with her family. They had another enjoyable date in Hogsmeade together in December before the Holidays started, where they completed some of their Christmas shopping.
The Golden trio on the other hand was ready to act during the Christmas Holidays with their Polyjuice Potion plan. Hermione was impressed by Matthew's skill in the Art of Potions, she compared the Original Recipe and Matthew's modified one, and only admired his work. It made her even more determined to work harder, she didn't want to fall behind. This Competitiveness was a part of her Character and made Matthew worry whether his influence would make her work even harder next year than in the Original Timeline. He hoped his Christmas present would prevent that.
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