The tale of Nagini in the Harry Potter universe is far more intricate than one might initially assume. While in the original movies, she might be dismissed as the typical wicked serpent companion that’s seen in countless fantasy stories, her character holds a depth that goes beyond mere fangs and venom.
Nagini’s narrative unfolds across both the Harry Potter series and the new installments in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. This expansion brings new dimensions to one of the slipperiest adversaries in the wizarding world. Join us on a journey through the bustling circuses of Paris and the shadowy forests of Albania to uncover how Nagini truly came to stand by Voldemort’s side.
Nagini, in essence, is Voldemort’s trusted snake companion, who also serves as one of his Horcruxes. We first encounter her in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” where she accompanies the weakened Voldemort in the opening scene. From then on, she remains a constant presence, appearing alongside the Dark Lord whenever he convenes with his Death Eaters.
Throughout the series, Voldemort employs Nagini to carry out various attacks, including the assault on Arthur Weasley and the tragic demise of Severus Snape. He even allows her to consume many of his victims after their deaths, and he frequently employs the threat of feeding individuals to Nagini as a form of intimidation.
In the final chapters of the saga, we learn that Nagini is one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes, housing a fragment of his shattered soul. This deepens their connection, yet also leads to Nagini’s demise in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” But just when we thought we had unraveled all there was to know about Nagini, the Fantastic Beasts franchise introduces a significant revelation. In “The Crimes of Grindelwald,” we discover that Nagini was originally a human woman.
She is revealed to be a Maledictus—a victim of a blood curse destined to permanently transform her into a snake. This explains her transition from a circus performer in 1920s Paris to a murderous snake in 1990s Britain. It’s an incredible journey, one that intertwines with a sinister dark wizard.
The details of Nagini’s initial encounter with Voldemort remain a mystery, yet it’s plausible that their bond was forged during Voldemort’s time in Albania before his rebirth. This connection solidified when he turned her into a Horcrux by embedding a piece of his soul within her.
While there’s no official explanation for their first meeting, it’s likely that it occurred just prior to Nagini’s introduction in “Goblet of Fire,” where some of her venom is utilized in Voldemort’s resurrection. We know that Voldemort spent much of his time leading up to these events hiding in the Albanian forests. This is when he first encountered and possessed Professor Quirrell, and he returned there after Peter Pettigrew rejoined his cause.
Considering that this occurred nearly 50 years after the events of “Fantastic Beasts 2,” it suggests that Nagini had likely been trapped in her snake form for a considerable period. This must have been an isolating existence, making her encounter with someone who could communicate in Parseltongue a profoundly welcome connection.
As for why Nagini ultimately aligned herself with Voldemort, it’s probable that she was either possessed or befriended by him during his time in Albania. Their bond was cemented when he turned her into a Horcrux, and although being a Horcrux doesn’t guarantee a personal connection, it likely deepened their telepathic link, ensuring their inseparability.
In the Fantastic Beasts films, Nagini’s backstory takes a fascinating turn. She was originally born as a human but was afflicted by a curse, becoming a Maledictus. This curse condemned her to transform into a snake, knowing that eventually, this transformation would become permanent.
J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, revealed in 2018 that she had always envisioned this unique backstory for Nagini. While this may seem like typical storytelling revisionism, it’s worth noting that the title “Curse of Nagini” was patented as early as 2006, suggesting that this idea had been percolating for some time.
In “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” Nagini, portrayed in her human form by Korean actor Claudia Kim, is introduced as a circus performer in 1927 Paris. Here, we learn of her status as a Maledictus, a new and grim magical concept.
After enduring years of mistreatment from the circus impresario, Nagini manages to break free with the help of Credence Barebone, and a relationship between the two blossoms. However, their paths diverge when Credence succumbs to Grindelwald’s malevolent influence, leading Nagini to side with our heroes.
This marks the last we see of her in the franchise, as Claudia Kim and Nagini are absent from “The Secrets of Dumbledore.” The film was shot during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, and Kim gave birth to her first child in October 2020, making her unavailable for the third movie in the series. If she was ever part of the story—which we presume she would have been—her absence necessitated a reworking of the plot.
As of October 2023, Nagini’s story remains unresolved, with director David Yates confirming that the Fantastic Beasts franchise is currently on hold. However, we hold onto hope that the release of “Fantastic Beasts 4” will eventually unveil more details about Nagini’s origin.
J.K. Rowling has disclosed that Nagini drew inspiration from the Naga creatures in Indonesian mythology. These beings are depicted as half-human, half-serpent entities of the underworld, capable of assuming human form. In the specific Indonesian mythology cited by the author, Naga are portrayed as colossal magical serpents, sometimes adorned with crowns and wings.
This association with mythology provides a rich foundation for Nagini’s character, and if the Fantastic Beasts franchise chooses to explore this further, there are extravagant possibilities to consider.
In conclusion, Neville Longbottom played a pivotal role in Nagini’s demise. During the Battle of Hogwarts, he beheaded her using the Sword of Gryffindor, which was imbued with basilisk venom, enabling it to destroy the Horcrux within her. This act marked the end of Nagini as a Horcrux and ultimately contributed to Voldemort’s ultimate defeat.
For now, this encapsulates the extent of our knowledge about Nagini. However, with the potential return of the Fantastic Beasts series, we anticipate that more details about Nagini’s origin and journey will come to light.