Keeper of the Keys

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 113229

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "hp_lexicon" <steve at h...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "littleleahstill" 
> <cmjohnstone at h...> wrote:
> 
> > I too am unable to think of any canon showing Hagrid locking up 
> > around the castle- I would tend to think of that as Filch's job,
> > and I think that we have seen the latter with keys.
> 

> Lexicon Steve:
> 
> The Hogwarts grounds are surrounded by a fence, according to the 
> sketch map drawn by Rowling which was displayed in the WB museum. 
> There are gates through which the road from the station travels, but 
> presumably there are gates in other places around the perimeter. It 
> is logical to assume that Hagrid's duties as groundskeeper include a 
> daily traverse of the perimeter fence, making sure that all gates 
> are secure. 
> 
> Steve
> The Lexicon

bboyminn:

I think Lexicon Steve is on the right track. Hagrid takes care of the
grounds and probably has, stashed somewhere, a master set of keys to
the castle. 

Over the summer holiday, it's likely that the castle is pretty much
abondon with the exception of Hagrid who must continue to maintain the
grounds and keep the castle secure. 

He does this much the way Frank Bryce kept the grounds and keys of the
old Riddle mansion. Hagrid, however, keeps the keys not to a grand
house, but to largest ancient structure ever built in Europe. A
structure which probably has many many keyed doors at the entrances,
in interior doors, and at the various gates in the perimeter wall. As
long as we are on the subject, we primarily see the main gate to the
castle ground, the one with the winged boars on high pillars, but the
phrasing used in the various books seems to imply that there are more
gated entrances to the grounds.

So, Hagrid keeps the master set of keys, and when the castle is truly
locked up, it is Hagrid who locks it up, but it is reasonable that
Filch also has a fairly large set of keys that he uses in the course
of his work. However, it's Hagrid who has the full Master set of keys.

Keeper of the Keys is a tremendous responsibility for Hagrid, and even
if Dumbledore gave the position to him as nothing more than a hollow
but ego boosting title, I'm sure Hagrid wears the title with pride and
take the responsibility seriously.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/the other Steve/bboyminn (was bboy_mn)