Hagrid leaning on the Trio

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 56499

Hey everyone -

A few people questioned what I meant when I said that I thought Hagrid 
leaned too much on the Trio, so I'll address that.

Sometimes it's hard to be objective when explaining why we do or do 
not like a character, and I have made it more than clear that Hagrid's 
character is one I do not like.  As a teacher, it drives me nuts 
seeing him do some of the things he does, as an adult whose job it is 
to work with kids.  I love that he has Harry and friends over for tea 
and that Hermione was able to go to Hagrid when she felt isolated in 
PoA.  Those are, IMO, really nice ways for an adult to have a 
relationship with kids.  My students approach me all the time - about 
relationship problems, family issues, help with job interviews, and so 
on.  I am happy to listen and to advise my students and I like that 
Hagrid can do that, too.  What I *don't* like, though, is when the 
roles of Hagrid and the Trio seem to be reversed.

It made me uncomfortable when Hagrid cried to Harry and co. about 
Buckbeak and that they were the ones who did all the research for 
Buckbeak's trial while Hagrid did nothing.  Or when Ron was the one 
who arranged for baby Norbert's safe escape, Hagrid was too wrapped up 
in not being able to keep Norbert to lend a hand in getting him to 
Ron's brother's friends.  These two examples show Hagrid's lack of 
development as an adult.  He is too ready to let kids no older than 14 
comfort him, offer him advice and risk getting in a good deal of 
trouble for him.  I just don't like it.

I just cannot see Hagrid and Harry as equals in their friendship.  I'm 
not saying they don't have one, because they do; Hagrid has been an 
excellent friend to Harry.  However, Harry is too young (not to 
mention too overburdened) to be the kind of friend to Hagrid that an 
adult could.  Hagrid takes students at Hogwarts into the Forbidden 
Forest for detention because he is seen as some sort of authority 
figure there.  When he turns around and uses class time to discuss 
personal issues (Buckbeak's trial), he's abusing his position.  He 
can't have it both ways.  I work with teachers who do things like that 
and I think it is incredibly unprofessional.

Whether Hagrid likes it or not, he is the adult, not Harry.  Harry 
should be able to lean on him without ever being burdened with 
Hagrid's problems as well.  Maybe when Harry graduates from Hogwarts 
they can have a more genuine friendship, but not now.

Or maybe I just can't be objective because I'm a teacher and can't 
imagine doing the things Hagrid does.

--jenny from ravenclaw **************