Who or what is Nagini? (Was: Harry Horcrux redux)

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 155165

Leah:

> I dont' think we are meant to assume that Nagini has 
> human language.  In GOF, LV speaks to her in parseltongue.  
> In PS/SS Harry speaks with the apparently unmagical boa 
> constrictor in the same way.

houyhnhnm:

I meant "language" in the general sense of using sounds symbolically 
to represent meaning.  Nagini is apparently able to convey thoughts as 
complex as "there is an old Muggle standing right outside this room, 
listening to everything we say."  The Gaunts use Parseltongue to 
communicate among themselves.  So even though it sounds like hisses, 
it must be a real language.  Real snakes don't have much in the way of 
cerebral development.  They don't think.

The anthropomorphism in the HP books bugs me.  Like bat boogey hexes, 
Polyjuice Potion, and turning teapots into tortoises aren't just as 
silly.  I don't know why I feel that way.  It's irrational.