Nagini The Horcrux?
What is Nagini?
Six Thoughts on Nagini the Horcrux.
Type your cut contents here.
I've thought of a few arguments for the Pro & Con Nagini Horcrux argument. Because I'm not really convinced either way.
Train of thought Number 1: Voldemort had indeed intended to make six Horcruxes, but upon hearing the Prophecy decided not to bother. He went to Godric's Hollow to kill Harry, thus destroying the only person who could kill him. Once Harry is dead, there's no need for any more Horcruxes. Making that last Horcrux is a lot of flashy magic for no good reason. But, it didn't work out that way, and upon getting some sort of a body back Voldemort used the murder of Bertha Jorkins to make sure he had all the magical insurance he could muster. Thus, Nagini is the last Horcrux.
Train Number 2: But Bertha isn't a very important murder. In fact, she's basically a target of opportunity. And Voldie likes his Horcruxes to have meaning for him. In the long view of things Bertha just isn't that important. Nagini isn't a Horcrux.
Train Number 3: Do we really know which deaths go with which Horcrux? And how long between murder and Horcrux creation? Does the murder of Bertha have to be used for the Horcrux? He killed James and Lilly and never got anything out of that Horcruxwise. If time isn't a component for Horcrux creation, then he's got two very important murders just hanging around waiting for a vessel. Nagini is a Horcrux.
Train Number 4: However, Rowling likes her plot twists, and It's Not Nagini is a pretty likely one. Nagini isn't a Horcrux.
Train Number 5: Then again, Rowling knows that we would anticipate Not Nagini as a plot twist, so having Dumbledore be right about Nagini would be a huge surprise for many of us. Plus the workings of Not Nagini would be a bit tricky to pull off. (Harry's destroyed what he thinks are all the Horcruxes, he kills Voldie, and goes on his way thinking the job is done. Thirteen years later he's called out of retirement because the Dark Mark is once again seen in the night sky.) Nagini is a Horcrux.
Train Number 6: Rowling also likes her parallel construction. Nagini is the evil mirror of Fawkes. (And as my husband said, "What would Dumbledore be doing with a Horcrux?") Nagini isn't a Horcrux.
Ideas from the rest of you Pro or Con are welcome. I'd like to find something to help me get off the fence.