The crate continues to sound like snakes...until it doesn't. A large emerald tree boa poking out of the top of one of the boxes looks down on the wizards, flicks its tongue sagely, and asks in perfectly articulate (but West Virginian-accented) English, "Shouldn't you youngins be getting back to the party?"

The serpentine Merlin jerks his head up, uttering a small hiss and somehow managing to look offended. He can tell immediately that that isn't Parseltongue, so apparently it does matter that these are Pocket Snakes. He looks back at Armani, apparently expecting commiseration. Can he believe this guy??