[HPforGrownups] Random Parseltongue questions

[Jennifer]

No: HPFGUIDX 24176

I never got the idea that parseltongues can *control* serpents.  I
always thought that it was just that they could communicate with
snakes...and as we all know, it's much easier to get people to do things
if we ask instead of staying silent and hoping they'll read minds. 
Maybe snakes are just pleasant sorts, if you ask them correctly.

Natalie wrote:
> 
> IIRC, Parseltongues can actually control serpents, right? So, if there was a
> snake animagus, could a Parseltongue make him do whatever he (the
> Parseltongue) wanted?
> 
> Also, (and hopefully this hasn't been discussed too much before)
> Parseltongue seems to work on dragons. During the first task, the Horntail's
> head is swaying "like a snake before it's charmer." "'Come on,' Harry
> hissed, swerving tantalizingly above her, 'come on, come and get me...up you
> get now...'" And then she rears. What with the snake imagery and the hissing
> (and obeying), it seems obvious to me that Harry was speaking Parseltongue.
> But I also think that JKR would have mentioned it in the book, especially
> since it was only obvious to me upon closer examination. Of course, it's
> possible that I'm just slow and it went without saying.
> 
> One last thing. Do you think there is such thing as a Parseltongue for an
> animal other than serpents? Obviously, it wouldn't be called
> Parseltongue....
> 
> Natalie
> natabat at crosswinds.net
> http://www.natabat.barrysworld.net


-- 
Jenny

"We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."