Snape crossed his arms on his chest and locked eyes with the
young woman.  "Horcruxes are soul fragments, hidden inside
object or living beings. They are what keeps the Dark Lord
alive. No matter what happens, so long as they remain unharmed,
he cannot be destroyed. This is why Dumbledore prepared for his
inevitable return all those years."  "So the Potters died for
nothing," Hermione muttered.  "They saved their son, which was
their main objective," Snape said with some bitterness.  "And
you said that living beings can be Horcruxes? Are you thinking
about anything in particular?"  "Merely a hunch... but I always
thought there was something off about Nagini. Even considering
that Voldemort speaks Parseltongue, that snake shouldn't behave
the way she does. There is something... off about her. Something
dark," Snape murmured pensively.  "Are you sure? Is there a way
to find out?" the witch asked eagerly.  "Probably not without
killing it. Which wouldn't be a great loss in any case."  "I
suppose so," Hermione si