Hagrid, Dumbledore, & Second Chances (WAS Hagrid the Betrayer)

[cmf_usc]

No: HPFGUIDX 40159

Cindy wrote:
<<<But instead, I'm asked to accept Hagrid as an authority figure in 
Harry's life (one who breaks rules as a matter of convenience and 
one who routinely exercises the most consistently poor judgment of 
any adult character in the books), first as Dumbledore's 
representative and then as a full-fledged *teacher.* I'm asked to 
believe that Dumbledore thinks Hagrid's weaknesses are to be 
tolerated. I'm asked to believe the other teachers get on with 
Hagrid and consider him a legitimate colleague (I cannot *imagine* 
why Snape doesn't hound Hagrid the way Snape hounds Neville).>>>


Me:
Oh, yes!  Cindy, is there a club?  Are there rules and watercraft and 
slushy drinks?  Because I want to join.  

You summed up my problems with Hagrid in one wonderful sentence:

<< I'm asked to believe that Dumbledore thinks Hagrid's weaknesses 
are to be tolerated.>>


Yes.  You see, this actually sums up my problems with Dumbledore as 
well.  Second chances are all very good, imho, but when you give 
them, don't you expect some repentance in return?  Shouldn't
the 
forgiven one make a good faith effort to turn away from whatever he 
(and so far it's always a he in the Potterverse) did to screw
things 
up so royally in the first place?

Hagrid doesn't seem to have repented.  His fascination 
for "interestin' creatures" still causes danger for
students, just 
like it did, oh, 50 years ago.

And what does Dumbledore do about this?  Why, give him more 
responsibility.  Make him a *teacher*, for goodness' sakes, at
what 
Hermione tells us is the best school around.  Make him a protector of 
the extremely important Harry Potter.  

Cindy again:
<<< It's just a stretch. A poor fit between character and function. A 
wobbly idea from start to finish, IMHO.>>>>

That's what I worry about.  What is she *doing* with Hagrid? What 
message is JKR trying to send about second chances?  That they should 
be handed about like candy?  I hope not.  And I guess that's why
I'm 
sort of pulling for a Hagrid screw-up down the pipe.  

So far, Dumbledore's track record with the second chances just 
doesn't seem to be working out in the good guy's favor. 
There's 
Hagrid, of course.  Then we've got Lupin, in denial about his 
werewolfish-ness, causing danger to students as a teenager and as an 
adult.  

::Pats Lupin on head.  Yes, I still love you.  At least you had the 
sense to wake up and abdicate responsibility::

And, for all you GOLDSIEVE members out there, we've got Snape
(Great 
Overlord Lies Dormant.  Snape Is Evil.  Very Evil.) *g*

It remains to be seen what Sirius will make of his second chance.  
Will his animosity towards Snape cause major problems, just as it did 
in their youth?  (Not trying to instigate any Prank discussions here, 
I promise!)

Caroline, who worries about Dumbledore sometimes