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How could Nagini seem to see Harry and Hermione through the invisibility cloak when they visited Godric's Hollow in Deathly Hallows?


In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Nagini seemed to be able to see Harry and Hermione though Harry's invisibility cloak while they were visiting Harry's old house in Godric's Hollow.



Harry had the strangest feeling that she knew that they were there, and also who they were. Just as he reached this uneasy conclusion, she raised a gloved hand and beckoned.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows



Could the snake actually see them, or was it all based off of the assumption that someone was in front of the Potter's house and that it could be Harry?



Answer




TL:DR - last line.


Adding on, I'd like to add this (under Behind the Scenes). It may be unreliable, but let me elaborate.


Many things could detect the Cloak, as we see in the series, such as the eye that Moody possesses, and the Marauder's Map. Now, the last bit sounds interesting.



It was also unable to hide Harry from creatures able to sense location by methods other than primarily sight, such as Dementors and Nagini.



Animals that use senses to roam could be able to see under the Cloak (possibly echo location, and snakes).


Dementors can as well, which may lead to snakes being able to.



"Dementors can’t see, you know. . . .” He swallowed. “They feel their way toward people by feeding off their emotions" - Sirius




Emotions such as fear can be sensed by Dementors - if you possess fear, they may be able to know where you are due to this, Cloak or not. As it only protects the user from some spells and sight, I'd assume the latter is correct.


Although different, Mrs. Norris, and Crookshanks may have sensed the presence of the Cloak as well.


As Dementors can sense Cloaks via a way of sensing fear, it reinforces the statement that snakes can sense the Cloak via smell, and possibly heat.


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