The Virtues of Hagrid

[Annette]

No: HPFGUIDX 175058

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "prep0strus" <prep0strus at ...> 
wrote:
>
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Missy" <missygallant2000@>
> wrote:
> >
> > First of all, I need to say, that I love Hagrid.  I have from the 
> > moment he pulled up to the Dursley's on the motorcycle.  But I 
think 
> > a lot of people see him differently than I do.  In fact, from 
reading 
> > the posts, I know this is true.
> > 
> > Hagrid loves Harry deeply.  That much is shown by the gifts he 
buys 
> > and by the hurt he feels when Harry et al do not take his class.  
It 
> > is partially because he thought they loved the class, but I think 
> > also a little bit because he misses them.
> > 
> > Hagrid is alone in the world.  He mentions several times to Harry 
> > that they are the same, that they have no family.  But the one 
thing 
> > Hagrid never mentions is that aside from DD, until the trio came 
> > along, Hagrid didn't have much of anyone at all.  At the 
beginning of 
> > SS McGonagall questions DD's decision to let Hagrid bring the 
baby.  
> > Hagrid was kicked out of school, but DD knew he was alone and 
allowed 
> > him to stay.
> 
> Prep0strus:
> <big snippage>
> 
> Hagrid is, as Missy points out, a monster.  He is like Lupin.  (But,
> with his half-giant-ness, I imagine there comes a real hit to the 
IQ.)
>  I feel that if Hagrid and Lupin were ever evil, but became good, 
they
> would have many defenders, as Snape does.  But because they have
> chosen to live their lives for good, despite being societal 
outcasts,
> when they make mistakes, they are somehow more culpable in the eyes 
of
> many readers.  They don't get a chance at redemption because they
> haven't been truly dark, but they are too flawed to be admired, so
> they are dismissed.
> 
> Hagrid can be infuriating.  He does expose children to danger, and 
has
> a misplaced trust in 'evil' creatures that rivals the most foolish
> trust Harry assumed Dumbledore had in Snape.
> 
> But people called Hagrid a monster.  And he was one of the most
> kindhearted people in the world.  And so, it makes sense, that to 
him,
> that all of these other 'monsters' were only misunderstood, and if
> they were shown kindness and love that they would turn out to be 
just
> like him.
> 
 < snip again>
> 
> It's all well and good to feel for Snape, who had a hard life, made
> bad choices, and turned around.  But can we hear it for the monsters
> who chose from the beginning not to be monstrous?
> 
> ~Prep0strus (Adam)
>
************

I agree with you both that Hagrid has been much maligned in the 
Fandom.

I would like to think that although the young and dashing Sirius was 
named by James and Lily as godparent to little Harry, that Hagrid was 
really his Godfather in every sense.
>From cradling him in his arms flying from GH to the Dursleys and his 
distress at having to leave him there.
To charging down the door on the island and daring the Dursleys to 
question his motives,and giving Dudders his piggy tail.
Being there for Harry on the first day, so better to go to a strange 
place where there is someone who knows you, watching out for him all 
the while. Cheering him on in his Quidditch. In all ways being there 
for HARRY, and in extension Ron and Hermione.

Yep, before POA, Hagrid was Harry's Godfather; I think Harry should 
have appreciated him a bit more.

cariad.