Your life had been difficult, and that would be putting it lightly.

Sure, it had its benefits. Being born with pureblood status, born to a prestigious family renowned within the Wizarding World. You had money. You had recognition. But internally, behind closed doors, your life had been an uphill battle from the day you were born.

You were the third child of your parents, the first two so weak they didn’t survive a year between them. The first’s lungs collapsed, the second’s heart failed. Thankfully, you were lucky enough to only have faint tremors in your hands. But your mother croaked when you came out and your father all but gave up hope that you’d even survive your infancy.

That’s where Alabaster came in.

This snake, a large white constrictor snake with emerald eyes, was a longtime companion on your father’s. So, after realising that you’d inherited your father’s gift for Parseltongue, he spoke to him in quiet hissing whispers one night by the hearth while you played at his feet. About an idea, a possibility.

Your father barged into your room the next morning, dictating that Alabaster would accompany you from that day on. All day, every day, from the minute you woke to the minute you fell asleep. He hoped that having a pair of trustworthy eyes on you at all times might improve your chances.

And they did. Exponentially.

By the time you’d started at Hogwarts, you were older, stronger, and Parseltongue was like a second language to you. Alabaster went with you everywhere, curled around your shoulders like a living scarf, hissing into your ear as he had done with your father - and thankfully he’d made special arrangements for the serpent to accompany you at Hogwarts.

You’d just taken a seat inside one of the carriages inside the Hogwarts Express, one of your family’s servants helping with your luggage before departing. That’s when Alabaster lifted his head, his voice a low hissing purr in your ear as his coils shifted around your shoulders.

“Nervousss… little one? Being away from your father must feel… ssstrange…”