The Vanishing Glass: In Depth
In the Vanishing Glass, there is no real introduction of any new characters. We do encounter Dudley’s best friend Piers Polkiss, but he never really becomes a major player in the series as a whole. There is, however, a portion of this chapter that becomes very important later on in the series. Let us look then, in depth, into Harry being a Parselmouth.
In this, the second chapter of the first book, we are introduced to a phenomenon that we are lead to believe is the same as any of the strange things that have happened to Harry. Just as his hair grows back overnight, and he lands on the roof of the school kitchens, we think that it’s just a fluke of his nature that he is able to speak to this snake. Come Chamber of Secrets we learn how big of a deal this really is. However it is not until Deathly Hallows that we find out why he is able to speak it. Harry has this ability due to the part of Voldemort’s soul that resides in him.
Jo took the term Parselmouth from “an old word for a person who has a problem with the mouth, like a hare lip” according to Wikipedia.
Strangely, Parselmouth is a language he never really learned, and uses without thinking. Without even knowing that he is doing it at all. In SS it seems as though he is merely speaking English, and it is the snake who is somehow able to understand him. In CoS, while in the middle of a duel, Harry blurts out in Parseltongue, and everyone is shocked. It turns out that it is very rare. Only Salazar Slytherin and his descendants and Voldemort himself are mentioned to have had this talent, and while I’m sure there are more, it is obvious that it is rare and commonly associated with Dark Magic. Dumbledore is able to understand it, although no mention is made of his speaking it.
It becomes a handy tool that Harry uses to get into the Chamber, and is mentioned in each of the books for one reason or another, but it is not until DH that we see something completely new. Ron, imitating what he sees Harry say to the Locket, is able to open the Chamber. As far as I know of, this is the first time a wizard that is not a born Parselmouth is able to speak Parseltongue. Good for you Ron!!!
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