Nagini, the devoted snake companion of Lord Voldemort, has long been a mysterious figure in the Harry Potter universe. How exactly did they come together?
Nagini, the formidable serpent by Voldemort’s side, holds a pivotal role in the Harry Potter saga. As Voldemort’s closest confidante, Nagini also serves as one of his Horcruxes, a vessel for a fragment of his soul. Yet, the question persists: How did the Dark Lord encounter this extraordinary creature and select her to become the most significant of his Horcruxes? Particularly intriguing is the choice to place a portion of his soul in another living being, a decision fraught with risk.I
When Voldemort made his full-fledged return in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” his ominous appearance, complete with a noseless, snake-like visage, hinted at a connection to serpents. The narrative had previously alluded to Voldemort’s affinity for snakes, with the symbol of Slytherin House, to which he belonged at Hogwarts, prominently featuring a serpent. Voldemort’s unique ability to communicate with snakes was highlighted, particularly when he controlled the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. Consequently, his arrival accompanied by a larger-than-life snake wasn’t entirely surprising. However, the question remains: How did Lord Voldemort come into contact with Nagini?
When Did Voldemort Encounter Nagini?
In the Harry Potter series, Nagini emerges as one of Voldemort’s most trusted allies, if not his closest one. He transforms her into a Horcrux, underscoring the depth of their connection and the immense trust he places in his serpentine companion. Dumbledore once described Voldemort as being as fond of Nagini “as he could be of anything.” Yet, the precise circumstances of their initial encounter remain shrouded in mystery.
Speculation suggests that Voldemort may have crossed paths with Nagini during his exile in Albania between 1981 and 1994. During this period, he assumed a spectral form and inhabited various creatures, with only snakes capable of hosting his essence. Notably, Voldemort’s transformation of Nagini into a Horcrux was linked to the murder of a witch named Bertha Jorkins, a fact confirmed by J.K. Rowling (via Wizarding World). Thus, it is plausible that Voldemort’s meeting with Nagini occurred during his Albanian sojourn. This association may also be related to Voldemort’s ability to speak Parseltongue, a trait explored in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and instrumental in his control of the Basilisk residing within Hogwarts.
However, the introduction of Nagini in “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” added complexity to the assumed Albanian connection. Set in 1927, the film revealed that Nagini was not a mere snake but a Maledictus—a human cursed to transform into a serpent. In The Crimes of Grindelwald, Nagini is portrayed as a young woman who befriends Credence Barebone at Circus Arcanus. Their shared tragic pasts forge a deep bond, and together they plan an escape. However, Credence becomes entangled with the dark wizard Grindelwald, unable to see his true nature as Nagini does.
How Nagini Ended Up With Lord Voldemort?
Nagini implores Credence to remain with her, but his identity as an Obscurial—a wizard suppressing a parasitic dark force due to abuse—is a formidable obstacle. Credence ultimately aligns himself with Grindelwald, while Nagini allies with Newt Scamander and Dumbledore in a global wizarding conflict, an event further explored in the subsequent installment, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.” The precise circumstances of Nagini’s transition from ally to Voldemort’s devoted follower are shrouded in mystery.
It is likely that Nagini spent a significant duration of time transformed into a snake without human contact, fostering a strong bond with Lord Voldemort, the only one who could comprehend her thoughts and communicate with her through Parseltongue. There is even speculation that their initial connection may have occurred when Voldemort was still Tom Riddle, although this seems improbable given the challenges Nagini faced in maintaining her human form during the “Fantastic Beasts” storyline. Nevertheless, the prospect of a profound bond or even romance between the young Tom Riddle and Nagini cannot be entirely dismissed.
Although Nagini did not make an appearance in Secrets of Dumbledore, her character offers ample room for exploration. Audiences may hope for further insights into her origin story, either through the Wizarding World website or potential future adaptations within the Harry Potter universe. At present, the origins of Voldemort and Nagini’s enigmatic and intricate relationship remain a captivating mystery, leaving fans to speculate about the dark and peculiar ties that bind them.