Parseltongue
Chapter 4 of 20
Celestial MelodyLeanne remembers something terrifying about Riana...
ReviewedParseltongue
Leanne stood stock-still, her surprise at finding Riana in the kitchen evident on her piquant face. Riana was looking slightly fearful as she gulped down water in long, drawn out, thirst-quenching draughts. But—and this emotion passed unnoticed by Riana as she was absorbed in reflection of the despicable deed she had just performed—there was also a tiny glimmer of fear mirrored in Leanne’s own blue eyes as she faced her daughter; the only daughter she would ever have. The daughter she had known for eleven years …
Well, she reminded herself, almost eleven years.
Every day, Leanne was pained as she observed Riana growing away from her, away from John, away from her sweet disposition … away from it all as she grew up.
It was hard, she decided mentally as she gazed at her child silhouetted in the ghostly moonlight, insanely and madly difficult, really, having a child that really wasn’t your own. A child whose past was a mystery.
*
Exactly eleven years ago in 2006 Leanne Carrington and her husband John had left Britain to minister in China. They had been trying to have a baby before they left, but with no luck. Leanne was heartbroken and John thought that a journey away from London would do them both a great deal of good. How right he was!
Upon arrival in Hong Kong, John and Leanne had begun their ministry by visiting orphanages. They both adored little children and, due to the fact that Leanne was unable to conceive, decided to assuage their pain by spreading God’s word to the children. It was at “The Innocent Children Orphanage” that Leanne first set midnight-blue eyes on Riana. The precious girl was only an infant then; a sweet, cherubic angel tagged 'Miriam' with slanting grayish-blue eyes and a head-full of downy raven hair. Leanne fell in love with 'Miriam' the moment she saw her laying in her little crib in the cheerful orphanage nursery decorated by a cartoon jungle-animal motif.
It wasn’t too long after that fateful day that John and Leanne were packing their trunks and moving back to Britain with their new baby safely tucked in Leanne’s arms. The nine years afterward were an absolute joy for Leanne, and she knew that John felt the same way. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until Riana had started school that she’d become a less than an exemplary child.
Of course, Leanne knew that she was biased in regard to Riana … but she really did believe that Riana was perfect, until … that one day last year. That one extraordinary and memorable day.
*
It was in March … that time of year when everything is green and new and lovely. It was three days before Riana’s tenth birthday, which they celebrated on March 21, not knowing the true date of Riana’s birth. Leanne had taken Riana out shopping, and they had stopped in front of a lovely boutique with colorful print sun dresses and lovely pixie shoes. Leanne loved all manner of clothing articles fluffy and cute … She exclaimed in ecstasy as she looked in the glistening glass window of “Madame Isabelle’s Clothing for the Well-Dressed Young Lady.”
“Darling, let’s go in. We’ll get you a beautiful new dress for your birthday and shoes to match! How does that sound, precious?” Leanne turned to gaze with shining eyes on her daughter, but had found Riana looking less than enthusiastic. In fact, she looked downright miserable. She was gazing off into the distance with a frown on her beautiful, pointed little face. Leanne furrowed her own brow and leaned forward, placing both of her slender white hands on Riana’s shoulders.
“Baby … what is it? What do you see? Don’t you want to go in to the shop? Or would you rather Mummy take you home? If you’re tired, that’s fine … We can come back another day.” Leanne hastened to reassure her child, determined that nothing would ruin their special day together.
Shaking her head, Riana had looked back up at her mother, but the gaze that she directed at Leanne was unlike anything that Leanne had ever seen in those eyes, and she knew those eyes very, very well. The expression in Riana’s slanted grey eyes was one of smoldering fury and more than a little bewilderment. Leanne was taken aback and impulsively dropped her hands from her daughter’s shoulders, gasping and backing away from those horrifying, glittery, cold eyes.
But then, Riana had smiled an odd, diminutive smirk and shook her head as if to clear the fog that had collected there in that minute’s abnormality. She stepped forward, held out her delicately boned hand and whispered:
“Nothing, Mummy, I’m absolutely perfect. Well, maybe a little tired. But if you don’t mind so much, do you think maybe we could just go home?” She then added, “But there is somewhere that I would like to go first. Will you take me, Mummy?”
A fresh and sincere desire radiated from Riana’s rapt gaze, and Leanne couldn’t say, “No,” so she let Riana take her by the hand and lead her away down the sidewalk.
*
Stopping in front of a small shop, Uncle Buck’s Tropical Animal Emporium, Leanne looked at her little daughter with questioning eyes. Riana simply smiled and led the way into the shop.
Inside, the atmosphere was dingy and there was a great deal of noise. Leanne shrank toward her daughter as a particularly scruffy parrot squawked in a brass cage that was in dire need of repair. There was no one behind the counter and, as far as Leanne could see, the entire shop was deserted and they were the only souls brave enough to venture into the depths of London’s dirtiest pet shop.
Riana walked on, some strange force compelling her, shoving her to the back of the shop where multitudes of dingy glass aquarium tanks were lined in rows. Leanne trailed behind and glanced at a smudged sign on the wall, which read, “Snakes,” in a very large and messy scrawl. Written in an equally loopy, crooked hand was a qualifier stating that the snakes were, “Of the Tropical and Remarkable Variety: Enter and Prepare to be Fascinated.” Leanne looked once more at Riana; why would her daughter want to come here? Riana normally didn’t even like animals; she certainly had never asked for a puppy or kitten on her birthday.
These were the thoughts traipsing through Leanne’s mind as Riana came to a stop in front of one of the glass aquariums. Then, to Leanne’s horror and utter revulsion, her precious baby, her nine-year-old Riana opened her thin aristocratic mouth and began hissing at the snakes. But that wasn’t the worst part, oh, no no no, not at all … not by far; the worst part was when the snakes started hissing back.
A jet-black serpent coiled its body up and slithered along the glass, its evil forked tongue flicking in and out as it stared unblinkingly at Riana. Leanne watched in bewilderment as another snake, this one bright green in color, slowly uncurled itself from a dirty, artificial branch, picked up its head and began hissing, too. Snakes in all of the cages followed suit, and a chorus of sibilant sounds filled the air. Jerking out of her paralysis, Leanne dashed forward with a terrified cry and grabbed Riana’s hand, pulling her away from the cages, away from the snakes, away from the terrible hissing.
Leanne dared not look back at Riana, who was putting up a strong fight, for she feared what she would see. The memory of those cold grey eyes was still fresh in her mind.
Only when the two reached the door, which in her frightened haste Leanne could not remember how to open properly, and burst out into the sunshine of one of London’s rare clear days, only then did Leanne dare look at Riana. Her daughter was perfectly calm. Her face was impassive; her mouth was drawn and severe, but her eyes … they held a sort of mockery, and Leanne understood then that her baby girl was gone forever.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Serpent in the Moonlight
33 Reviews | 7.45/10 Average
It was all incredibly well-written. So does Riana get help to deal with her anorexia? Did you adopt the plot in another more well-read FF because we readers here aren't doing your authoring justice in reviewing? I think it's just that the traffic isn't high, but it will come! Is the completed FF posted in another HP portal?
Love your pace. And the OCs. Too bad I wouldn't have come across this story if not for the random FF spinner.
I have been reading your story avidly since the beginning. Good work, though I wish the girl would eat!
Wow ... a much longer chapter! I have about thirty seconds to review, so I'll just say that that was great, and I can't wait till they get to Hogwarts. I'm glad Fabian will be looking out for her!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Oh, I know ... it was very long. I'm not too fond of it, actually, so I'm going to rewrite it and then resubmit it. I'm glad you enjoyed it though. Your reviews, as always, truly encourage me! :-)I, too, cannot WAIT until they get to Hogwarts ... it's been too long. :-PThanks again!~Julia~
Ooh ... what an unusual idea! I'm looking forward to finding out exactly what happened in that chapter. Does Leanne know that Riana is at the Leaky Cauldron now?I thoroughly enjoyed your writing in that chapter, particularly this : "Carefully ignoring the prone figure frozen on the bed, Riana’s evading gaze hurriedly glanced at the floor where the broken glass from the photograph mixed with the fibers of pink carpet, creating a sparkling mélange of color as it was touched by the pinpricks of moonlight from the room’s open windows."Really lovely. Well done! :)
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thanks for your complimentary review, :). I'm so pleased that you are still enjoying the story.
I'm so glad, too, that you liked the idea for this chapter--it has been the one that most people have complaints against. Some feel it's too vague, others don't understand the point. However, rest assured that there is, indeed, significance in that blue book with the bronze writing. Hee!
I believe that the way in which I wrote it explains why most people find a hard time enjoying it, :-S. This chapter was very similar to my one-shot, "The Ultimate Trust" in that it was very image-oriented and had less of a storyline. Most people don't like that. But I'm thrilled that you tapped into that. Kudos to you for being observant! :P
And about Leanne, yes, she knows that Riana is alive, anyway. But she doesn't know--and I believe I can tell you this without ruining anything--that Riana is at the Leaky Cauldron. There are other things, though, that she does know...Hee! But I won't say what they are.
My utmost thanks, again, for your endlessly wonderful reviews. They truly encourage me. :)
~Julia~
how strange...very interesting...
more. :)
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thanks for R&R-ing. I hope you enjoyed it. :) More should be around soon... but no rushing, eh? We want the next chapter to be good, too. :P Hee!
~Julia~
Response from togspled (Reviewer)
i want to say rush, but i know you're right. take it slow. make it good. (as i know you will.)thank u!
Really nice chapter. I love the way Fabian is having a positive effect on her ... he's good for her.Your writing is getting more and more fluid ... keep it up!And ... can't wait to find out who her parents are! More ... and SOON!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you, as always, for your lovely comments. This was one of my more ... eloquent chapters, I suppose you could say, hee! Just kidding... but, really, I'm grateful to you for your kind words.
I, too, am glad that Riana now has Fabian. He's not perfect, but I love him to death. :)
And... I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit longer to truly know who Riana's parents are. *pulls face* There are aspects of her history that I wouldn't want an eleven-year-old to know. So, years must pass until she finds out the Truth. *giggles and points at the capital T*
Anyway, thanks so much for your comment and I'm going to go and read/review the newest chapter in "Where My Future Lies." :)
~Julia~
Response from little beloved (Reviewer)
*
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
swoons and faints*. YEARS??? We have to wait for YEARS until we find out the Truth (capital T!)???Cruel! Intriguing, though! :) Gosh ... and I thought I was cruel for stringing things along!Gotta go read your new chappie now!BTW: I was slightly incorrect about the inventor of the entrail-expelling curse. It was Urquhart Rackharrow, chapter 22 of OotP.
riana and fabian are so cute together! this mystery about her parents is fascinating. (and i can't wait to see what fabian thinks is 'real fun')
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you so much for your review. :) I'm so glad that you are enjoying Riana and Fabian's time together.
The mystery, yes... that will all be revealed in good time. I'm so glad you're intrigued; your enthusiasm truly encourages me.
Fabian... well, not this next chapter, but the one after that... that will show a bit of Fabian's definition of 'real' fun. :P Not all... but then, Riana's not a werecat either. Thus, she wouldn't be able to accompany him on his nighttime jaunts, more's the pity. :(
Thank you again, though, for your lovely review. I love getting them.
~Julia~
Wonderful! Well written, as always, and Padma Patil is a most welcome addition!There is only one thing I would like to point out, and it is not something you could be exptected to know if you haven't been to Britain. I live in Ireland, lived in England for two years, and make many trips to London/Scotland. Biscuits with gravy (especially the white kind) are an entirely American phenomenon, and would never be found in any pubs/restaurants/diners in Europe. They simply don't exist here. Gravy here is runny and brown, made from meat stock, and biscuits here are what you refer to as cookies.I went to the U.S for the first time in January, and came across 'biscuits with gravy' ... and was very puzzled indeed! There are so many differences between our cultures and U.K/U.S English ... it's quite mind-boggling!Okay ... rambling finished now! Anyway, as I said, I thoroughly enjoyed that chapter, and look forward to the next! Well done! :)
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you for your lovely comments and also for your con. crit. Those comments really help me, I wish I could get more of them, hee! But I will change it right away!
I had no idea that "biscuits" weren't available with (American) gravy. *gasp* It seems to be a main staple on restaurant/cafe' menus here in America.
Again, thank you ever so much for R&R-ing as well as for the correction. :)
~Julia~
Response from little beloved (Reviewer)
You're very welcome! If I had to write a fic set in the U.S, I would be completely lost as regards many things, such as food.I see so many Americanisms creeping into HP fics. A very common one is 'pinkie' ... a word never used here. We simply call it a 'little finger'.Having said that, my beta (who is American) is forever finding Irishisms in my work. Even between England and Ireland there are so many differences in phrases and sayings.Can't what for chapter 12!
Response from little beloved (Reviewer)
Can't what for chapter 12!!!???Can't wait for chapter 12, obviously! ;)
i love your descriptions of the books! ~~Or so she thought…~~ that has me interested indeed...
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thanks very much,
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
! :) It really encourages me that you like the story and find it intriguing. I enjoyed writing the descriptions of the books very much.
And you shall see ... what "~~Or so she thought...~~" meant. Oh, yes ... you shall certainly see. :)
~Julia~
Well done, well written and you obviously have done your homework with all those books ... lots from Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them etc ... I'm looking forward to her meeting students and getting some dialogue going!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Why thank you, :). Yes, if there's one thing I can do ... it's my homework. *grimaces slightly* Although homework for HP is much better than homework for ... anything else. :)
There will be plenty of dialogue in the following chapters, however there is so much background to cover that the first chapters are rather limited in dialogue. Never fear! There are great things to come.
Thanks so much for R&R-ing.
~Julia~
great intro to diagon alley!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you very much. I love writing about Gringotts because it is such an amazing place! Me and my "dusty balustrades," *sigh*
Hee! Thanks again for R&R-ing.
~Julia~
Another good chapter :) Am getting imaptient for her to meet some witches/wizards now, though!Keep up the good work!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you for your review. I assume you've just started reading the story? :)
And there will soon be contact with witches and wizards, hee! :) Chapter after next, I believe...
Again, thanks so much for your review--it was very encouraging!
~Julia~
riana's anorexia seems to be getting worse, poor girl. it'll be interesting to see how that affects her at Hogwarts.
I never would have thought old Tom could make a smoothie! haha...
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Well, thank you, :). Personally, that wasn't my favorite chappie, however, I'm glad that you are still sensing Riana's conflict.
Tom is very talented, hee! The only problem is that he doesn't want anybody to see that, *shiftily looks left and right*
Thank you so much for R&Ring.
~Julia~
This is such an interesting story. I'm so glad to have discovered it! Looking forward to your next update!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you so much! :) I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the story. I didn't want it to be run-of-the-mill, which has caused a smidge of trouble when getting it validated on other sites! Hee! (Something about 'delicate issues...') :P
However, I'm very glad that you have found my story and the next chapter is in queue, so it should be up soon.
~Julia~
What a very different and interesting story! I'm so glad you reviewed mine, or I might not have discovered this!Well written and intriguing ... reading on now!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Oh, thank you so much! I'm so glad I reviewed yours, too, or I might not have ever found it! (That's slightly confusing, but you get the picture, hee!)
Thank you, again, for your kind comments.
~Julia~
Nice start, i like it, please continue soon!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you very much for your review! It encourages me ever so much that you like my story! :)
The next chapter is in queue, so it should be up soon.
~Julia~
And ... I'm so looking forward to her upcoming journey to Hogwarts!!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Oh, thank you very much! I'm sorry that it was such a short chapter, but I'm very glad that you enjoyed it! :)
~Julia~
Response from notsosaintly (Reviewer)
Short chapters are nice ... and sometimes they are essential. As in this case; it was a pivotal point. Now, I'm really looking forward to the next chapter!
omg...parseltongue. riana is a very complex character! (and definitely a true slytherin?) great job
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you very much! I'm so glad you find her interesting. The last thing in the world that I wanted to do was create a "Mary Sue." :) Considering, however, that she's her own person, that wasn't too difficult at all! Thanks for R & R - ing ... I really appreciate it!
~Julia~
Yes, Riana will definitely be sorted into Slytherin. You captured Leanne's feelings very well. Being a mom myself I could feel her desperation. You really have a way of capturing feelings in your writing. I am enjoying this story and looking forward to more!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Hehe, how'd you guess? I'm kidding... yes, I did want her to be in Slytherin. We always hear such bad things about the Slytherins and I wanted to look at the whole "magic" situation from a 'Snake's' position. :)
Thank you very much for your kind review!
~Julia~
Yes, I should be assigned detention with Professor Snape for not reviewing until now. You really have created suspense with this chapter. I loved the detail, her search for the key. It reminded me of similar personal pursuits. But the end, with her mom coming into the kitchen and her trying to look normal, like she wasn't up to anything... well, I could feel my heart thumping in my chest as if I were a teenager again and was definitely up to something. Well done!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Wow. What great praise! :) Thanks very much for your kindness. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. And it's fine that you haven't reviewed 'till now... you've read them, at least. :)
Again, thanks very, very much!
~Julia~
oh i just love it when u post another chapter!
the story is coming along so very nicely. keep it up!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thanks very much for R&R-ing. *smiles*
I'm so glad you like the story. :) Also, Riana will soon get to Hogwarts, just stick with her, please. The story is taking its own precious time, but I think it will turn out all right ... at least I hope so, hee! :)
~Julia~
Ooooh! Urquhart! Wasn't he that entrail-expelling curse chappie?And yay! His Mum's Irish. Gosh, it looks like this is going to be a seriously long story! Any idea how many chapters?Enjoying ... as always! 
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Hmm.. not sure about the "entrail-expelling" but he was the captain of Slytherin Quidditch team at one point. :)
I love Favel (plus her name is so fun!) She was a pleasure to write, even though she is a very minor character ... at this point. Hee!
About the length, hmm, well... I really don't know how long it's going to be. *laughs uneasily* I was going to try and make it 30 chapters, however, the length of some of the chapters is so short. I simply ended where I felt a cliffhanger would do well. They just happened. I'm sure you know what I mean. :)
Now, though, I'm thinking that I may do volumes of Riana's life. You know, Serpent in the Moonlight: Volume One. This one details her first year. Serpent in the Moonlight: Volume Two... and so on and so forth. A bit like the HP books, but not. There's just so much information about her that I want to share and she can't discover everything in her first year ... that much knowledge would kill her, poor thing. :( Honestly, I have some ghastly stuff planned for her in the future. I'm so mean. Hee! *snickers evilly*
Anyway, that was a really long post. *sigh* I should have just said "Thank You," except that I love getting your reviews and your feedback. Talking to much again... must go. Thanks so much!
~Julia~
so there's still pureblood-mania so long after the HP events? that's intriguing. i'm eager to learn the missing history there. fabian's character is getting more and more complex...
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Oh, as long as there are purebloods, there will be pureblood mania. :) I'm glad you are intrigued by Fabian's character ... the last thing in the world I wanted to do was make him "flat." *cough Ron & Hermione cough cough* Hee! Just kidding... only in canon, not in fanon. :D
I love getting your reviews! :) Thanks so very, very much.
~Julia~
great byplay between riana and fabian. he seems like he'll be good for her with his friendly nature and everything. if only he could convince her to eat a licorice wand...
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you so much for your lovely compliments. I do plan to continue Fabian as a foil to Riana ... if only he could get her to eat that Licorice Wand, hee! :)
~Julia~