As we all know, there are three parselmouths in the Harry Potter series: Salazar Slytherin, Voldemort, and, of course, Harry. We believe, however, that there is at least one more; and we believe that person is Ginny Weasey. Although this might sound strange, hear us out--there is evidence to support this theory.

As Tom Riddle said in CoS, "Ginny Weasley opened the Chamber of Secrets" (p310, US Version). In order for Harry to open the chamber, he had to say "open" in parseltongue. When he said it in English it was completely ineffective. So how could Ginny have opened it without being able to at least say "open" in parsltongue? Later Riddle said, "She set the serpent of Slytherin on four mudbloods and the Squib's cat." So Ginny was able to command the basilisk, which could only understand parsltongue, with direct orders that it only attack muggle-borns and Filch's cat.

Riddle also stated, "I grew powerful, far more powerful than little Miss Weasley. Powerful enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets, to start pouring a little of my soul back into her..." We believe that some of these secrets include where the chamber is and how to open it. Having some of his soul may mean having some of his abilities, as well. Riddle gave Ginny his secrets and his soul expecting to get it all back, but Harry came in and ruined his plans again.

"Probably the only two parselmouths to come to Hogwarts since the great Slytherin himself" (Riddle, CoS p. 317). Notice that Riddle said "to come." If Ginny became a parselmouth while at Howarts, then she did not "come" as one. If she retained Riddle's abilities after her possession, as Harry retains some of Voldemort's abilities, she may play a far greater role in the series than we first expected.

7/28/04