Hagrid's Competence

[serenadust]

No: HPFGUIDX 33879

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "cindysphynx" <cindysphynx at h...> wrote:
> Jenny wrote:
>


> Hagrid leaked information to the trio about the Sorcerer's Stone.
> Hagrid blabbed the secret about how to subdue Fluffy.


 
I agree with the above two points with the caveat that it is clear 
from canon in PS/SS that Dumbledore fully intended for Harry to 
confront Voldemort and protect the stone.  Of course Hagrid was 
almost certainly not aware of this at the time, it seems that 
Dumbledore was counting on Hagrid to provide Harry with the 
information above, exactly as he did.



> Hagrid gave Dudley (an innocent child) a pig's tail because he was 
> angry at Vernon.

Dudley an innocent child?  He's a horrid, mean, bullying brat.  I 
completely reject the notion that because someone is a child, that 
means they are not responsible for their choices no matter how awful 
they are.  The pig's tail actually made me like Hagrid more <g>.


> Hagrid used magic to retrieve Harry when he was not permitted to do 
> so and asked Harry to keep it a secret.


I was under the impression that Hagrid was authorised to use magic to 
retrieve Harry and that it was only the above "pig's tail" incident 
that Harry was asked to keep secret.



> Hagrid endangered the trio and Malfoy by having them look for a 
> unicorn murderer in the forbidden forest.

Again, this was IMO authorised by Dumbledore.

> Hagrid endangered Ron and Harry by encouraging them to enter the 
> forest in CoS, which almost got them eaten by large spiders.

Well, if they hadn't gone into the forest, how would they have found 
out that Hagrid wasn't the one who opened the chamber?  They would 
have continued to believe Riddle's diary, and Ginny (and likely 
others) would have died.  Remember, Dumbledore is gone by now and is 
in no position to help.

> Really, what's not to like?  :-)

Hagrid certainly has his shortcomings, but they are IMO more than 
overcome by the good things he has brought to Harry's life.  He was, 
after all, his first real friend and is possibly the most loyal 
defender Harry has ever had.  That makes him ok, in my book.


Jo (who unfortunately agrees that poor Hagrid is a goner eventually)