Dean Thomas/ Hagrid's fate/Defense of Hagrid

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 40301

Gulpum writes:
  I realised that we don't know very much about Dean's background. It's 
  not until p187 of CoS that we get "Dean Thomas, who, like Harry, had 
  grown up with Muggles". Note the comparison. It's not "Muggle-born 
  like Hermione".

Could Dean possibly be an orphan of wizard/witch parents killed by Voldemort as well?  Hagrid states several "couple names" in Book one, not Thomas, but I'm sure Voldemort killed more than three wizard couples anyway.  Or if he was adopted by muggles his name may have changed anyway.

Mahoney writes:

>On the other hand, I think he might be developing into a role beyond
>the one he's played so far (friend of the kids, adult version of
>innocence), based on implications at the end of GoF.  GoF contained
> discussion about the need, in light of Voldemort's efforts to return
>to power, to develop or cut relations with non-human magical types.
>I.e., cut relations with the Dementors, because they're tailor-made
>Voldemort allies, and leaving them in control of Azkaban is not the
>best idea.  Mention was also made of courting the giants as allies of
>the good guys.  Giants are typically a violent people who don't care
>to mix with the outside world, but Dumbledore (er, I think it was;
>suddenly not sure) seemed to think that they would be on the fence -
>as likely to side with the good as with the bad guys; he tries to
>convince Fudge to send a delegation to open relations with them.

And I think this may be Hagrid's "last great mission."  Perhaps he will be
successful, then die as a hero somehow afterwards.  I expect he will play a
major role throughout book 5, in a greater, less bumbling capacity, but then
may die in the end.  I too will miss poor Hagrid if he does die.  Of course,
anyone who I continually catch myself calling "poor" will eventually die
anyway I'm sure.  That's usually how it works.  Which doesn't bode well for
"poor little" Neville as I keep calling him ever since it was revealed what
happened to his parents!

Caroline writes:

>Like Jenny, I have a problem with his behavior afterwards.  Hagrid
>completely scrapped his curriculum in favor of teaching
>flobberworms.  Which, apparently, don't require a whole lot of
>teaching.

<snipped comments>

>But I fault Dumbledore as well, for assigning someone who is not a
>fully trained wizard, much less trained as a teacher, to teach.

True, Hagrid is not a great teacher due to a lack of training as a teacher.
Which applies to a lot of college professors.  Just as Hagrid, they "know
their stuff," but don't have a clue how to teach it properly.  As for Hagrid
not being a fully trained wizard (which reminds me, wonder if Dumbledore
knows about that pink umberella?), the only reason I can come up with is
that the nature of the class doesn't rely on magic, but on ability to deal
with the creatures.

Richelle

------------------------------------
Richelle R. Votaw
1st grade
Kentwood Elementary
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