Flesh Eating Slugs

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 165704

bboyminn:

> I see this from a couple of perspectives. First, it IS
> entirely possible that it is the Repellant that is
> Flesh-Eating and not the slugs themselves. It depends
> on how you parse the phrase -

> Flesh-Eating Slug / Repellant

> Flesh-Eating / Slug Repellant

houyhnhnm:

There are such things as flesh-eating slugs according 
to Lupin (in the boggart lesson).  Maybe they are 
omnivorous.  Either way, I tend to agree with Carol.  
The line strikes me as an excuse rather than a reason.  
In fact, on the surface, it seems to be a typical 
example of Adult Hypocrisy:  Do as I say, not as I 
do.   Not that Hagrid shows any secret fascination 
with the dark arts.  On the other hand, he does have 
a fondness for interesting creatures.  It may be that 
Hagrid was doing something in Knockturn Alley of  
importance to the story and we will find out what it 
is, or maybe he just likes to sneak down there from 
time to time and indulge in a little window shopping for monsters.