Queen Of Snakes

Chapter twenty one

~parseltongue snake speaker~
§parseltongue human speaker§
-thoughts-
/parseltongue writing/

Maeve made eye contact with Cedric from across the room, she nodded her head indicating for him to follow her. He sent her a discreet thumbs up and began directing the younger students out of the Great Hall. She motioned for her snakes to hurry along as she and her group walked behind at a more calm pace. Daphne stood on the other side of Neville who was in between the blonde and dark haired girl, he wrung his hands nervously as he tried to ignore the looks thrown his way by the other students. He only seemed to calm down when Maeve sent everyone a harsh glare that had them scampering away.

“Honestly, people have no manners. Just outright staring, acting so rudely.” She clicked her tongue and narrowed her eyes at the youngest Weasley boy who squeaked and ran to another redhead, that may have been another older brother. She remembered her twins telling her about the prefect who their mother practically favored. “Pay no attention, darling, they have no use to us.” Maeve gently gripped his arm and guided him away, alongside her snakes. “We’re heading to the Library.”

Draco pouted as he stared straight away, side-eyeing the dark haired beauty. “Why do we have to invite the Hufflepuff again?”

“Are you jealous, Draco?” Blaise teased with a small smirk, dark eyes glinting mischievously.

“Of course not,” The pale boy exclaimed, though his words meant nothing with the pout he had firmly placed on his face. “It’s just, wouldn’t it be too much trouble?”

Maeve smiled, reaching with her free hand to pat him on the shoulder. “More people equals more strength and power. Besides, I know Diggory would be a good match with all of us.” She looked at the boy next to her with a much softer look, not wanting to frighten him. “As will Neville, both are more than capable.”

Neville smiled nervously, eyes shifting so as to not make direct eye contact. “Th-thank you for be-believing in me.”

“Of course, darling, I know you’d flourish wonderfully under the tutelage of the Slytherins. You are mine and no one has any say over you anymore.” Yes, she was possessive of those she counted as hers, but it was only because she grew with only the true company of her sweet snake, Loki and now that she had more people in her circle she was going to fiercely protect them. Because they were hers and no one could ever say anything about that. The House of Potter and Peverell extended their care over them, family in all but blood. “You don’t mind, do you?”

The Gryffindor shook his head with a flushed neck and red at the tip of his ears. “No, I’m..I’m glad you fi-find me useful.”

“You’ll always be useful, nothing will change that.” She said firmly, green eyes glinting in a way that ensured all those who looked that her words were meant as a promise. “Never let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Loki peeked his head out as he hissed in agreement, Neville jumped startled at the appearance of the serpent. “Uh, you-you have a snake?”

~Boy appearsss at leassst a little competent at the moment.~

§Be nice, he’sss ssstill new.§

The shy boy gulped loudly as she spoke in parseltongue to her snake, maybe the rumors weren’t rumors after all. Maeve Potter could really speak the ancient and powerful tongue of snakes.

“This wouldn’t be a problem would it, Neville?” Sharp eyes locked onto his, boring deep in his soul and trapping him in a cold green swirl.

“No,” he said, because it was true. It wouldn’t bother him, why would it when she was going out of her way to help him? When she was one of the first to see something in him worthwhile, who didn’t think lowly of him. He didn’t think he’d ever have a problem with her, not when she accepted him as he was. “No problem at all.”