Question #1

[kennyg1864]

No: HPFGUIDX 183341

Hello all,

Glad to discover this forum...after recently re-reading DH, I still
have a few questions I haven't seen answered elsewhere.  (my apologies
if they've been answered here previously!)

#1: How could Nagini (in Bathilda's body) say "Come" from the next room?

Either:
- Nagini was speaking Parseltongue, or
- he manipulated Bathilda's tongue and mouth to say it in English.

The second seems less likely, given the mechanics involved.  Still, he
was able to beckon her hand and nod her head, but those aren't nearly
as intricate.  AFAIK he didn't have magical abilities, at least not
telekinetic ones.

Not to mention that he may not have even known the English word "Come"
(and how to form it), but only the Parseltongue equivalent.

(side question:  Did Nagini understand English?  Did he actually
respond meaningfully to their questions?  IIRC he pointed to the pile
of rags when Harry asked where the sword was, although that could have
just been a distraction, irrespective of Harry's question)

So I conclude it was more likely he was speaking Parseltongue.
Especially since JKR has him/her say it from the next room.

*But* what is odd is Hermione's reaction, or lack thereof:

"Come!" called Bathilda from the next room.
Hermione jumped and clutched Harry's arm.
"It's okay," said Harry...

Why didn't Hermione recognize that it was Parseltongue? She's heard
Harry speak it on more than one occasion. Surely she would do more than
just jump, as smart as she is.  Something like "Harry, what's that
hissing sound?" :P

Obviously there's no way around it, since it would ruin the reveal.

However, JKR could have just left it out, and had them follow her
(since they wanted to talk to her anyway).

kennyg1864