Fandom Discussion: Parselsmut, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme

[themostepotente]

Parselsmut -- sounds like it could be a spice, doesn't it?

What prompted this discussion was my finding hd_parseltongue, modded by cmere1. My only complaint with the community is that it's strictly Harry/Draco. I would have preferred a broader spectrum of characters, but it is a nice little foray into Parselsmut.

On to the discussion...

I've always found Harry's speaking Parseltongue interesting. It's an intriguing (though rare we are told) gift, and so far only Harry, Voldemort, and Salazar Slytherin have been named Parselmouths. That, I find disappointing. And unlike Animagus study, I gathered it was either something you were born with or weren't.

Now, I understand Rowling has wanted to illustrate its rarity. I can't see her giving this to just anyone. I mean I just can't see a Badger speaking Parseltongue, even though I keep hoping Hufflepuff will bore at least 'one' evil entity. *G* But Lucius and Severus? I could see either of them as being a Parselmouth and still keeping the gift a rare one.

Lucius is the epitome of a viper. Everything about this man screams ophidian, and okay my sick and perverted mind would love to see Harry and Lucius sparring in Parseltongue during the fuckage.

And c'mon, Severus is the fucking denmaster of Slytherin. If you looked up Slytherin in the dictionary, his picture would be there. It makes A LOT of sense for him to be a Parselmouth.

Couple other points. Wouldn't Parseltongue have been an effective method of communication between Voldemort and his Death Eaters? He could've sent a shitload of communiques, and hello, who the fuck would've translated them 'before' Harry Potter?

I'm also wondering if it's possible for Voldemort to transfer this power again, only this time willingly.

Any thoughts? Leave 'em here. Parselsmut recs? Likewise.

--P

Comments

[goldennotblonde.livejournal.com]

It's been a while since I read CoS, but the reaction Harry got when it came out that he was a parselmouth was not exactly friendly. In light of this view of parselmouths, I think that other people who have this gift would try to keep mum about it, especially a politician like Lucius. If people with it didn't tell, it could feasibly (and I'm probably really reaching here) be not so 'rare' as people think.

Animagi are supposed to be so rare, but there are only seven registered this century. We know of four unregistered in the last score of years or so, and these only those who Harry knows about.

Both abilities lose some of their tactical value if they are not kept secret, so I think the Wizarding perception their of rarity could be rather skewed.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

I think you may be on to something there. Werewolves certainly keep (or try to anyway) their lycanthropy a secret.