OoP: Defending Hagrid

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 68723

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Mark" <christianrooster at h...> 
wrote:
 
> Hagrid is a sign of friendship.  A different type of friend than the 
> others, but still a loyal friend.  Have  you never had a friend who 
> constantly gets into trouble, and you too?   Yes, he's a bit 
> irresponsible, but he has a big heart.>

Are you joking?  A friend who always gets in trouble and drags me into 
it?  That's no friend to me.  Hagrid would be a much *better* friend 
to his FIFTEEN year old buddies if he didn't ask them to watch a giant 
for him who has been dragged to Hogwarts unwillingly.  This is like 
saying it would be okay if I actually asked my students to come to my 
neighborhood to beat up someone who was bothering me (fun as that 
would be).  My students are very loyal to me, and I bet they'd do it, 
but they'd also get in a lot of trouble.  How selfish of me.  
 
> Were you in Hagrid's shoes and you had made this big mistake (and 
> you knew "they" were coming for you), what would you do?  Turn to 
> your friends and hope for the best.>

Of course I turn to my friends in times of stress, but I also heed 
their warnings.  Just this year, one of my colleagues who is also a 
friend warned me about another teacher who has a big fat mouth and is 
happy to disparage anyone to anyone else.  I listened with one eyebrow 
raised and watched my words around her after that.  Why couldn't 
Hagrid have done the same?  Not only did he not take the Trio's 
warning seriously, but he completely blew them off about Umbridge.  
That's not necessarily being a good friend either.    
 
> Something that Harry doesn't always do, come to think of it.>  

Well, them's fightin' words, Mark.  I can't ever criticize Harry.

I do know Hagrid is a good friend with a big heart.  He's not a mean 
guy.  He's just a moron and morons just can't help themselves.

--jenny from ravenclaw, who just loves to use the word 'moron' 
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