During Harry’s time at Hogwarts, he had many different professors. While some of the Harry Potter teachers were shockingly bad and even evil, there were a few that were great at their jobs.
While many professors such as Flitwick and McGonagall were good teachers who cared about Harry, there were two of Harry’s professors that had the biggest impact on him: Lupin and Hagrid. Both of these professors cared deeply about Harry’s well-being, and they both influenced him in different ways.
Hagrid: He was there for Harry from the beginning
While fans talk a lot about the different parental figures in Harry’s life, Hagrid often gets ignored. However, he was really the most consistent adult in Harry’s life. As soon as Harry learned about the wizarding world and went to Hogwarts, Hagrid was there for him. He was always around to talk to Harry and give Harry a safe place to relax and enjoy some tea.
Lupin: His skills as a teacher were better
While Hagrid has a great heart, on a strictly skill level, Lupin was definitely the better professor. He was clearly very good at Defense Against the Dark Arts, and this knowledge was important for Harry to know. Given the things that Harry had already had faced and would continue to face, being taught by a qualified Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was vital.
Hagrid: He cared a lot about the subject he taught
What Hagrid lacked in teaching qualifications, he made up for in ion for his subject. Hagrid really was very knowledgeable when it came to Care of Magical Creatures. While sometimes he wasn’t able to translate this knowledge into age-appropriate, safe lessons, he did know a lot, and he clearly cared. Seeing how ionate he was about his subject was refreshing.
Lupin: Because he helped Harry learn how to make a Patronus
Lupin was an instrumental teacher and mentor in Harry’s life because he was willing to help Harry learn the vital skills he needed. Lupin gave Harry private lessons to teach him how to do the Patronus Charm, and this ability would become essential to Harry’s safety in the future. Without Lupin’s help, Harry wouldn't have been able to protect himself from Dementors and save Sirius and Buckbeak.
Hagrid: He always believed in and ed Harry
While Harry had many other mentors that believed in him, none of them really had Harry’s back in the same way that Hagrid did.
Hagrid didn’t care much about Harry’s accomplishments but was more worried about Harry’s safety than many others. He was a constant, stable force in Harry’s life, and he was always there to encourage him and lend a listening ear.
Lupin: His ability to help Harry shine in Defense Against the Dark Arts
While Harry Was never bad at school and always had some strong skills in magic, it wasn’t until Lupin that he really learned just how powerful a wizard he could be. Harry was able to thrive under a competent professor and this allowed him to see that he was particularly skilled in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Lupin’s teaching was clearly a turning point for Harry’s self-confidence.
Hagrid: Because he often acted like a mentor and parent
The reason why both Lupin and Hagrid were so important to Harry is that they were more than just teachers. They both had deeper connections to Harry for different reasons. However, Hagrid went more out of his way and was consistently more like a parental figure than Lupin was. While Lupin cared about Harry, he wasn’t around that much to help him after he left his teaching post.
Lupin: He was very fair-minded and kind to his students
Another reason why Lupin was such an exemplary professor was that he was kind and helpful to more than just Harry. Lupin was actually caring and did his best to teach all of his students and give them opportunities to learn and grow.
This was refreshing for both fans and Harry to see given that so many other Hogwarts professors like to pick favorites or bully students.
Hagrid: Because he was always one of Harry’s biggest ers
At the end of the day, Hagrid had been there to help protect Harry from day one. He was the person who rescued Harry from the ruins of Godric’s Hollow, and he’d had a connection and love for Harry since that moment. He was also the one to carry Harry’s body out of the Forbidden Forest, and he loved Harry like someone would a family member.
Lupin: He looked out for Harry
While Hagrid might have been around more in Harry’s life, Lupin did have many moments of looking out for Harry. This was especially true while he was still teaching. He was always keeping an extra eye on Harry, and even got him out of trouble with Snape. Lupin also warned him against using the Marauder’s Map and was overall concerned for his safety.
