Rubeus Hagrid: A Father to All
Happy Father’s Day! To celebrate this dad day, I’m looking at Rubeus Hagrid, one of the best father figures in the Harry Potter series.
Hagrid is a half-human, half-giant. When he was just three years old, his mother left to rejoin her giant colony, making Hagrid’s father a single parent. Despite Hagrid’s size and parentage, father and son loved each other immensely. Unfortunately, Hagrid’s father died shortly after Hagrid left for Hogwarts, making him an orphan.
In spite of Hagrid’s troubled childhood, he has a huge heart and is extremely caring. His love for creatures shines through, and he often cares for animals he shouldn’t, starting with Norbert.
‘I’ve decided to call him Norbert,’ said Hagrid, looking at the dragon with misty eyes. ‘He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where’s Mummy?'” (SS 236)
Although Norbert was one of the first of Hagrid’s creatures we were introduced to, Aragog actually predated both Norbert and Fluffy. Hagrid raised Aragog from an egg when he was just a student at Hogwarts. Hagrid protected him even at the cost of his own career as a wizard. After Aragog moved to the Forbidden Forest, the two of them had a great relationship. Hagrid even found Aragog a mate. As a result, Aragog’s death was an incredibly hard thing for Hagrid to process.
‘Are we going to bury him here, Hagrid, in your garden?’
‘Jus’ beyond the pumpkin patch, I thought,’ said Hagrid in a choked voice. ‘I’ve already dug the – yeh know – grave. Jus’ thought we’d say a few nice things over him – happy memories, yeh know.'” (HBP 483)
Besides being a father to magical creatures, Hagrid was also a father figure to his half brother, Grawp.
[Grawp] was bein’ kicked around by all o’ them [other giants] – I jus’ couldn’ leave him.” (OotP 692)
Although their relationship did not have the easiest start, they grew to care about and respect each other.
Hagrid met and protected Harry just after James and Lily were murdered. After a decade-long separation, Hagrid remained in Harry’s corner as he defended him against the Dursleys, took him to get his school supplies, and got him his first pet. Throughout Harry’s Hogwarts years, Hagrid was always there for him when he needed him and told him off when he deserved it.
‘I’m not blamin’ yeh!’ said Hagrid, waving Harry’s apology aside. ‘Gawd knows yeh’ve had enough ter be gettin’ on with. I’ve seen yeh practicin’ Quidditch ev’ry hour o’ the day an’ night – but I gotta tell yeh, I thought you two’d value yer friend more’n broomsticks or rats. Tha’s all.’” (PoA 274)
Like he was for Harry, Hagrid was there for Hermione when she needed him. He comforted her after Draco called her a Mudblood.
‘An’ they haven’t invented a spell our Hermione can’ do,’ said Hagrid proudly, making Hermione go a brilliant shade of magenta.” (CoS 116)
Rubeus Hagrid loves and cares for many characters and creatures, making him a fantastic father figure. What do you think of him? Let us know in the comments!
