21 Mothers Side of the Family (1/2)

After having finished cleaning the snake, Casimir laid on his bed, watching the, now, clean snake which was still wrapped around his hand. Casimir previously tried to get the snake off of his hand but, after succeeding briefly, it would just return to his hand and wrap around it again, refusing to leave.

Helpless, Casimir just gave up and let it stay there.

Now that the snake was much cleaner than it was before, Casimir realized that the snake wasn't actually grey and black. It was actually a light silver with ladder-like black patterns on its back.

”...After your eye heals...” Casimir spoke quietly, catching the attention of the snake. ”Do you want to be free again or do you want to continue staying with me?”

'Ssstay...' The snake replied almost instantly, making Casimir's eyes light up.

”Then you would need a name!” Casimir grinned in excitement. ”Let's go with Echelle, alright?”

The snake just nodded as it didn't really care much about names.

...

That night, while he was eating dinner with with his father, Mr. Proulx asked him. ”You found a new pet?”

”Not exactly, father.” Casimir answered with a laugh. ”I suddenly heard him talking in the garden and now, he doesn't seem to want to leave my hand anymore.”

All of a sudden, Mr. Proulx's face went pale. ”...Spoke to you?”

”Yes, father. I found out that I could speak to snakes today.” Casimir explained, then, noticed Mr. Proulx's odd expression. ”Is something the matter, father?”

”N-no...” Mr. Proulx smiled stiffly. ”It's good that you... inherited your mother's talent... Haha..ha.”

”My mother's talent? You mean this wasn't normal for wizards, father?” Casimir asked in surprise. Since Edgar wasn't so surprised when he saw him bring in the snake in the stable this morning, he had assumed that being able to talk with snakes was normal for wizards.

Mother? It's been three years and I haven't even caught a glimpse of her. How come she's mentioned now?

”It's called Parseltongue, son. The language of snakes.” Mr. Proulx was talking very quietly, as if he was afraid other people would hear them. ”It's an ability of the Gaunts... Your mother's side of the family.”

It actually turned out to be a hereditary ability!

”Oh! Cool! Does it mean I can talk to all kinds of snakes?” Casimir asked in excitement.

”Well, yes. I suppose so.” Mr. Proulx replied hesitantly.

I'm gonna have so much fun with this!

”Casimir!” Mr. Proulx suddenly called him as he was planning out how he would use his newfound ability, causing him to look at Mr. Proulx curiously. ”Yes, father?”

”... You mustn't let anyone know of this ability of yours... Especially the Malfoys.” Mr. Proulx said gravely. ”Never tell anyone.”

Although he did not know why his father was so adamant about it, he still agreed to his decision. ”Yes, father. I shall do so.”

”Good.” Mr. Proulx nodded, the paleness of his face lessening. ”This ability must be kept secret.”

At the corner of the room, Alphonse just stood still, staring at Casimir in horror.

Alas! The monster has begun to reveal its fangs!

...

A few months after that, it was already his birthday once again, his tenth birthday! But, this time, they weren't throwing a banquet.

Instead, Mr. Proulx had a small wooden crate delivered from Thailand to their manor, containing this year's gift for Casimir.