Well, what about ... Hagrid?

[fino]

I've always seen someone agreed with Dumbledore that "I would trust Hagrid with my life". What do you think of the half-giant?

I'm not a fan of him myself, but sometimes I think Hagrid can also be very wise such as the time he told Harry people can be blind when it comes to their pets ( which, exactly is how Hagrid is himself).

However, there're too many times Hagrid's pets/friends or Hagrid himself had got the trio into trouble that I simply can't stand more. And the way Hagrid respected Dumbledore and considered Slytherin doesn't help either.

What's your opinion?

[lucyolsen]

Many times the "trust him with my life" is followed by "but not my secrets."

[kumainpink]

I love Hagrid a lot! He's funny, has a big heart, and is a fiercely loving person. Not necessarily the brightest of people, but who cares? I really wouldn't trust him with my secrets, but I'd gladly trust my life to him!

...And I wouldn't trust his idea of a "pet" either. *sweatdrop*

[lrthunder]

Rule of thumb: trust any pets he gives a dangerous name.

If his pet has a cute and fluffy name, avoid it like the plague.

[melodypottersnape]

I love his character. I think it is stupid to have sent Hagrid to be Harry's guide. He should of had someone that explained the basics of there world, explained Hogwarts better, and gave harry advice. Also someone that would have told him what people expect of him. I'm not saying Harry should conform to their idea but to know what to expect.

Like if I was a muggle born and they sent Hagrid I wouldn't have gone cause he just wouldn't been able to explain the school like with quidditch. I mean if he gave such a prejudice explanation about houses than that alone would have turned me away cause I wouldn't want to be in a school that encourages us to be against eachother.

I mean my first questions would have been. what are the courses? How many schools are there? What are the differences in courses? What are the common rules? How does the point system work? What are the houses based on? Where is it? How do we get there? Is there an orientation for the school? What are the teachers like? What's a day like of a student? Will I be able to contact my parents frequently? "Sorry went in a rant" Burt I don't think Hagrid would have been prepared for that.

Though that sounds bashy I really love Hagrid even if he nearly killed the trio with the forest. I just think it was unproffesional of Dumbles to send Hagrid and rude of Hagrid to send Harry's acceptance letter without even getting Harry's opinion of everything.

[kumainpink]

Very well-thought out, Melody.

[dracosfairmaiden]

I agree too Melody. I think Harry should have had someone else as his guide to the wizarding world. Hagrid didn't do as good of a job as someone who wasn't expelled from Hogwarts.

That said, I love Hagrid. I wouldn't trust him with my secrets, but I would trust him with my life. I just think he gets carried away with his pets. But I do love how loyal he is to Harry.

[rikustark]

I love Hagrid. But I agree, Harry should of been introduced to the magical world/Hogwarts by someone like Dumbledore. Although, Hagrid did think that Harry already knew everything about Hogwarts, so is it safe to say that the teachers at Hogwarts thought that Harry knew everything he needed to know? I mean, his aunt and uncle were probably explained the basics about in the letter that Dumbledore gave them, plus Petunia knew some things about Hogwarts from her sister.(I do find it hard to believe though that Dumbledore didn't suspect that they wouldn't tell Harry anything) That's probably why Hagrid was sent, and considering the fact that he'd probably be the first to volunteer to go fetch him.

[readingwizard4]

Hagrid found Harry in a Hut on a rock on the sea. Surely Hagrid told McGonagall that? How can anyone claim that Harry was told anything if Harry was nowhere near Privet Drive. Unless Hagrid forgot to tell them. That's a big thing to forget though.

I like Hagrid a lot. I just wouldn't trust him with my secrets. I would be at his place a lot. I would probably help him with his animals even though logic says otherwise

[rikustark]

You'd think? Wasn't he sent because Harry wasn't receiving any of his letters? Surely McGonagall or Dumbledore would know about that, they probably sent Hagrid to see what's up.

[Animikokala]

I kinda see Hagrid as being like a loyal puppy: pretty clumsy, sometimes a little stupid, but still so lovable. I believe he has a very child-like (in its straightforwardness) mind. I don't know if he was ever capable of seeing a "gray area" in things.

Harry probably sees him more as a friend than a teacher or authority figure; otherwise, 3 eleven year olds would not have tried (or needed) to protect him from getting in trouble.

[Kitty279]

You hit the nail on the head in my eyes, Animikokala.

[kumainpink]

I'm not saying this to be mean, but what if Hagrid has slight mental retardation? He can be tough when he wants to be, but there are times when his childishness is rather...excessive. Either that, or maybe it's just how the giant in him works?

[Kitty279]

Yeah, he really is sometimes like a big child. Which makes him the more lovable in most cases.

Yes, that could have to do with it, giants aren't that intelligent. But it could be him being thrown out in his third year and given the job he still does, not giving him much reason to grow up. I know a person or two who are much older than I am and still seem childish and need to grow up a lot - which, at that age, isn't much realistic.

[kumainpink]

It's kind of sad. I wonder what Hagrid would have been like if he wouldn't have been expelled. Would he have matured, or remained the same lovable oaf?

[Kitty279]

Probably remained the same, and matured a tiny bit ... but somehow I can't imagine him being much different. It's not in his nature.

[rikustark]

I always considered Hagrid to be this big, lovable man-child.

[Kitty279]

With too big a love for dangerous pets

[kumainpink]

I love him because he's pretty innocent for an adult. There are times I just want to hug him...then I remember that he's half-giant and his hugs can crush people...

Am I the only one who thinks Myrtle and Hagrid might have been friends? I know cannon doesn't say anything about it, but they were both outcasts, so...

[rikustark]

@kitty Hahaha, too true.

They could have been friends..It'd be a cute idea at least. I will be interested to see if we learn anything new about Myrtle in Pottermore when CoS eventually comes out.

[fino]

I think I would trust Hagrid with my life, but not other people's lives.

[kumainpink]

aww

[Kitty279]

At least not if these lives included some secret! He's got a bit of a loose tongue, after all - even if he's not drunk.
Btw, what I miss in canon is if Hagrid, after his name was cleared, was allowed to get a new wand, and if the Ministry ever apologised for imprisoning him or paid him some compensation. Knowing Fudge, I doubt it, but still ... it would have been the right thing to do, though he'd have gone for what's easy.

[kumainpink]

Of course, he's Fudge! And that gives me an idea for one of my CRs! Thanks

[Kitty279]

You're welcome!

[Silvertongue]

I love Hagrid, but I have to say he has absolutely no common sense and no brain-to-mouth filter. As soon as he thinks something it's coming out of his mouth. So, yes, as people have said, trust him with your life but not your secrets.

I think he has far too big a heart for his own good sometimes and trusts a little too easily. I think naïve would be the best word to describe him. He never expects anyone to betray the light side. And he trusts his spiders not to eat his students/friends. A wee bit silly if you ask me.

I love him to bits though, even if I wished he would have noticed something about Harry's situation. But there's that naivety again.

[Kitty279]

You summed him up perfectly. For my taste, he adores Dumbledore a bit too much, but as the man gave him a job after he was expelled and gave him a chance to do something he loves, that is understandable. He's just a bit too naive ... but who can be really angry at him, even after the spider debacle? If that had been Snape ... ugh, I'd want to kill him. But Hagrid? He couldn't even conceive the idea his beloved Aragog would harm one of his friends.

[blackroses77]

Jun 16, 2012 1:20:08 GMT -5 kumainpink said:

I'm not saying this to be mean, but what if Hagrid has slight mental retardation? He can be tough when he wants to be, but there are times when his childishness is rather...excessive. Either that, or maybe it's just how the giant in him works?

I think it is just how the giant in him works. His thought process isn't like a normal adults. But that is what is so lovable about him. He's like an overgrown child with a heart of gold.

[kumainpink]

Yeah, that he is, Black. I adore him. I just always wondered if something wasn't quite right up in there.

[Silvertongue]

I agree on the giant mentality thing. They're not all that intelligent and I think we have to be thankful he has the brains he does really.