He almost called it off the moment he saw how scared his favorite little cousin was. But he knew Albus really needed this with how challenging his home life was being, and Ethan wanted to do his best to help. Of course, it was unfortunate that it came at the expense of other people, but whatever, he'd deal with it later .

He slithered closer to them at a surprising speed. It always felt odd to Ethan how quick he could slither into this form. How well he could hide, and how he could strike before a wizard could even so far as draw their wand, provided he got the drop on them. But that wasn't the point here.

As he saw Albus bravely throwing himself in front of a really scared Elsie, and him suddenly...hissing? Ethan let out a hiss of his own, but really it was him heckling the crap out of Albus for not even doing the proper research in mimicking Parseltongue, as well as a few colorful curse words Ethan was happy couldn't be heard in his serpentine form.

A brilliant idea entered his head. Instead of backing away... Ethan decided to start swaying his head, as if Albus was a magical snake charmer, before he feigned seizing up, like he got a cobra heart attack, and then dropped back down on the ground, his golden serpentine eyes closed....and he started flopping like a fish out of water, his forked tongue hanging at the side of his snout.

Alright, it was highly irregular for Ethan to partake in such childishness....

But who could resist, really?

He landed in the middle of the cornfield, near Albus Potter, and when the two of them decided that it would be hilarious to cause unnecessary chaos and panic, they both thought up of a brilliant idea. So brilliant that even Ethan had to relent and help out. 

And that's why instead of the tall and long haired Quidditch Captain and Dueling Club President, there was a twelve foot long, grown-man-arm thick and hooded king cobra, imperiously and majestically slithering across the path, the only similarity to Ethan being its pale white scales, and its golden eyes. 

Some may call it a bit distasteful considering Hogwarts's history with serpentine creatures, not to mention that he was going to chase a Potter.  But Ethan thought it was too ingenious not to help with.

As he slithered around the corner, he saw Albus bumping into Elspeth, and him telling her to watch out for a snake, which of course meant him. Finding it hilarious, Ethan reared its head up and let out a loud, loud hiss, his hood unfurling as he gazed down at the two by his full height. It was so going to be worth it despite Elspeth probably getting pissed at him.