Rubeus Hagrid

Rubeus Hagrid is the half-giant groundskeeper of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Born to the human giantess Fridwulfa and the wizard Mr. Hagrid, he inherited unusual height and great physical strength, although his father was small enough to sit in his hand. Hagrid’s mother later abandoned the family, leaving him to raise himself and his younger half-brother, Grawp. Hagrid attended Hogwarts and was sorted into Gryffindor, but he was expelled during his third year in 1943. Tom Riddle, then a student, falsely blamed him for opening the Chamber of Secrets and releasing the basilisk that attacked students. Because Hagrid was believed to have kept a dangerous creature, his wand was broken. Albus Dumbledore nevertheless suspected the truth and helped Hagrid remain at Hogwarts as Keeper of Keys and Grounds. In 1991, Hagrid collected Harry Potter from the Dursleys and brought him to the wizarding world. He purchased Harry’s school supplies in Diagon Alley, explained that Lord Voldemort had killed Harry’s parents, and gave Harry a snowy owl named Hedwig. Hagrid also retrieved the Philosopher’s Stone from Gringotts for Hogwarts, unknowingly carrying out Dumbledore’s instructions. His love of animals repeatedly causes trouble. He secretly raises a dragon named Norbert, whose existence is discovered by Harry, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy. After Norbert is sent to Charlie Weasley in Romania, Hagrid keeps Aragog, an Acromantula, in the Forbidden Forest. Aragog’s descendants later attack Harry and Ron. Hagrid also defends Buckbeak, a hippogriff sentenced to execution after injuring Draco, and keeps Fang, a large but cowardly boarhound. Hagrid’s half-giant heritage becomes important when he searches for other giants and finds Grawp. He hides Grawp in the Forbidden Forest before introducing him to Hermione and Harry. During the Second Wizarding War, Hagrid transports Harry from Privet Drive on Sirius Black’s flying motorcycle, is captured by Death Eaters, and later escapes. He appears to die during the Battle of Hogwarts when Voldemort carries him, but survives. Hagrid then carries Harry’s apparently lifeless body into the castle, unaware that Harry has secretly survived. After Voldemort’s defeat, Hagrid continues living and working at Hogwarts, where he remains a loyal friend to Harry and a familiar presence for later generations of students.