Rubeus Hagrid is undoubtedly one of the best characters known to fiction. He is a lovable half-giant with a good heart and a humble personality. He also is a good friend, especially to Harry Potter.
But sometimes, that’s not always the case! times he wasn’t.
Bad: He Sometimes Left Harry In Sticky Situations
Sometimes Harry got himself into sticky situations (RE: the restricted section in the library, for starters), but sometimes Hagrid led him there. He was the one that told Harry and Ron to “follow the spiders” that led them to a giant hungry Aragog (more on that later).
He was also the one that forced Harry to ride Buckbeak, the Hippogriff, when he was a teacher. As well-intentioned as Hagrid is, they all led Harry to unconventional situations.
Good: He Was Harry’s First Friend
Harry never really had a friend, not before Hagrid. Hagrid was the first person outside the Dursleys to give him a chance. He showed Harry the way of wizardry, of his new life.
He even bought all his first-year supplies, including his beloved Hedwig! Besides Ron and Hermione, Hagrid was his first lifelong friend.
Bad: He Never Told Harry About His Past With Tom Riddle
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a dark secret was revealed about Hagrid and why he never finished school at Hogwarts.
The revelation of his past with Tom Riddle left Harry shaken, but Hagrid never told Harry about it. This lack of communication left Harry to think Hagrid was the culprit. Not only that, but Hagrid could’ve told Harry that Tom Riddle was Voldemort - an important detail Harry deserved to know.
Good: He Took Harry In Like He Was His Own
Some may think Dumbledore is the father figure in Harry’s life, but what if it’s actually Hagrid? He’s been there since the beginning and is always there to emotionally Harry in all of his adventures, good and bad.
There’s one point where Dumbledore even ignored Harry for a whole school year, but Hagrid didn’t. This alone is another great reason why Hagrid is a good friend and an important figure in Harry’s life.
Bad: Aragog
Everyone already knows that Harry was put into sticky situations by Hagrid, but the worst one of all was Aragog. All these years, Hagrid willingly let Aragog stay on Hogwarts grounds, growing into an enormous spider with a relentless appetite.
This kind of creature almost harmed Harry and Ron when they went to visit Aragog, per Hagrid’s advice. And it was Ron’s father’s magical car that saved them from Aragog’s lair. Out of all the magical animals and creatures to love, maybe a spider shouldn’t have been one of them.
Good: He Always Fought For Harry
No matter where, who, or when, Hagrid was always there to defend Harry. Hagrid has been by Harry’s side countless times - from protecting him from Voldemort the night his parents died to bringing him to Hogwarts to fighting alongside him at the Battle of Hogwarts.
A true friend is always there when they’re needed most and Hagrid is no exception to this.
Bad: Grawp
No one can forget Grawp, Hagrid’s younger, bigger brother. So when Hagrid tasked Harry, Ron, and Hermione to look after his 60-foot giant brother, it may have been more than they could handle.
Grawp was essentially an enormous toddler - not even the trio could get a hold of him. Not to mention Grawp woman-handled Hermione! It’s nice of Hagrid to trust the three to take care of his brother, but maybe he could have left Grawp with someone more equipped to take care of a giant.
Good: He Gave Sound Advice When Harry Needed It Most
Throughout Harry’s time at Hogwarts, he’s had countless mentors giving him advice. Some of the best advice he’s ever gotten, besides Dumbledore, is from Hagrid.
He gave advice to Hermione on ignoring Draco’s mudblood comments, he unintentionally gave the trio advice on how to sneak past Fluffy, and he gave Harry these unforgettable words: “You’re a wizard, Harry.”
Bad: He Never Showed Harry Platform 9 ¾
It’s true - Hagrid never actually showed Harry Platform 9 ¾. He showed him everything else: Diagon Alley, the wizarding world, the knowledge of muggles.
By the time he was going to show Harry the train station to Hogwarts, he had a prior engagement. While not telling him led to Harry meeting Ron, it wouldn't have hurt to stay a couple of minutes longer to show him one of the craziest ways to get to a train station.
Good: He Never Judged Harry
One of the best reasons Hagrid is a good friend to Harry is that he never judged Harry for where he came from or who he is. He never shamed Harry for his past or belittled him for his lack of magic knowledge.
Even when Harry spoke parseltongue or became more in tune with Voldemort, Hagrid was always there to see the best in Harry. When all was lost, Hagrid was there.
