Italics are for parseltongue

Chapter 7

While Severus and Filius found it comforting that Harry had made friends, they weren't sure if the Weasleys were the best ones. They knew that the youngest male Weasley – Ronald was somewhat lazy and not too keen on his studies and thought that although Harry could pick his own friends perhaps Ron would not influence Harry in a positive way.

On the other hand Neville was excited for learning and was loyal although Severus commented that he was 'sure to be a Hufflepuff'.

Harry had only days until his departure for Hogwarts on the Hogwarts express. In the time since he had been to Diagon Alley he had contacted Neville and Ron via an owl, packed and most importantly got a pet. Harry had been to the pet shop in Diagon Alley but had decided against purchasing an owl because during school he would have no one to send letters to and out of school he would send letters to friends with the many owls that stayed at shell cottage.

Harry had also decided against getting a toad, cat or rat for one thing he wasn't particularly fond of cats or rats and he suspected that it wasn't 'cool' to have a toad.

Harry had come back to Shell Cottage and was walking across the beach with Filius and Severus when a voice barely louder than a whisper hissed at him "Do not sstep on me".

Harry looked down startled to see a snake with lime green markings slithering on the rocks, his guardians didn't seem to have heard the snake speak which he found odd.

"Ssorry" Harry replied.

Filius and Severus jerked their heads towards Harry.

"Harry, what did you just say?" Severus said in a deadly voice for he thought his old master was possessing Harry, Severus had frequently heard the Dark Lord cooing in parseltongue at his snake Nagini.

"I said sorry to the snake – I nearly stepped on her" Harry answered, bewildered at the anger in Severus' voice.

"You spoke another language Harry" Filius chipped in.

"Huh" Harry said.

"Parseltongue is the language that snakes use and it is a very rare ability for a wizard to be a Parselmouth (someone who can speak the parseltongue)" Severus explained.

"Well I s'pose that's a good thing that I can speak it?" Harry asked, sensing their unease.

"Being a Parselmouth is hereditary however no one in your family was one and the only way I can see that you are one is that Voldemort – who was a Parselmouth – may have passed some abilities to you when you reflected the killing curse" Filius said.

Filius then proceeded to tell Harry all the details of how Harry's parents had died while the snake watched Harry intently.

Harry felt better knowing that his parent hadn't been the drunken freaks that the Dursleys had described.

"Are you alright sspeaker" the snake asked Harry when it saw Harry blinking back tears.

"I will be okay thank you" Harry replied, smiling a little.

"My name is Sachi, I am a female emerald green boa constrictor" said Sachi

"My name is Harry Potter and the non – speakers are called Filius and Severus" Harry said, showing Sachi his guardians.

Harry and Sachi had become good friends and Sachi had become his familiar and would be going to Hogwarts with him. After Severus had got over Harry speaking Parseltongue he had become acquainted with Sachi and was pleased when she offered her help for any potions.