Hagrid in Knockturn Alley (was Re: Snape as Borgin)

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 113932

Janet wrote:
> Hagrid was in Knockturn Alley at the same time as the Malfoys; he 
encounters Harry there.  When asked, he gives a somewhat 
unsatisfactory excuse.  It's always been my theory that he was on 
some errand for Dumbledore -- Dumbledore has sent Hagrid on high-
profile missions before, such as bringing 
> Harry from Godric's Hollow or bringing the Sorcerer's Stone from 
Gringott's to Hogwarts.  Hagrid really does "hide in plain sight," 
because the worst of the Bad Guys, such as Voldemort, Malfoy, or 
Umbridge, don't take him seriously.  So if Borgin really were Snape, 
then Hagrid might have been there to give or receive a message to 
him to or from Dumbledore.  I don't think Hagrid would know that 
Snape and Borgin were the same person -- fond though I am of Hagrid, 
everyone knows he can't keep a secret very well.
> 
Hannah: I like the idea that Hagrid was in Knockturn Alley to do 
some kind of job for DD, that would explain his rather weak excuse.  
I find that more plausible than any kind of ESE!Hagrid explanation.
Reading this post got me thinking of another reason Hagrid could 
have been there (apologies to anyone who's already suggested this).

What if Hagrid is there to find Harry?  I mean, the 'Boy Who Lived' 
getting dumped in some unknown fireplace is probably a 'code red' 
situation for DD and co.  I'd imagine that the Weasleys would have 
contacted DD immediately.  I'm sure that he'd have instructed them 
on various measures to ensure Harry's safety while he stays with 
them, including contacting him at once in such a situation.

DD could probably have worked out where Harry was, or used some way 
of locating him in an emergency, and then dispatched Hagrid by 
portkey to find Harry and return him to the Weasleys in Diagon 
Alley.  I've always thought it was a bit convenient that Hagrid 
happened to be there at just the right time - perhaps it wasn't a 
lucky coincidence at all.  

Janet continued:
> By the way, after hearing the Malfoys' conversation, Harry knows 
that they have a secret chamber under their floor.  Did he pass this 
on to anyone?  If nothing else, a search of that place would 
probably reveal even more reasons to keep Lucius Malfoy in Azkaban 
for the rest of his life.

Hannah again: Harry and Ron hear this together from Draco while they 
are posing as Crabbe and Goyle.  Ron says that he will tell his 
Dad.  We never hear any more about it though.  Maybe he never tells 
Arthur, or maybe Arthur is never able to act on the information.
Hannah