OotP Chapter 20 - Hagrid's Tale

[jenbeauty]

"With a great leap of his heart, Harry saw little golden squares of light ahead and smoke coiling up from Hagrid's chimney."

At long last Hagrid has returned to Hogwarts and our trio are anxious to meet with the Ground's Keeper to find out where he has been.  When Hagrid answers his door Hermione screamed alerting all present to Hagrid's exact

Comments

[house_elf_44]

Dumbledore gave Hagrid, and the trio, a lesson in how to beseech a leader. I can't see this being used on House Elves later, but maybe Goblins. And Hagrid gave the trio somewhat of a lesson in evasive answers.

Harry was so eager to see Hagrid. It wasn't what he expected, again, but it probably made him feel better to see that someone had it just as bad or worse than he did.

I know Harry wanted to get Hagrid's story before telling his, but it just hit me how calm and patient he was during the story. No sign that he's bursting to rant about how evil and wrong Umbridge and her Quidditch ban is. What made him let go of his anger? I don't think it was as much from beating the snot out of Draco (I love that term, cheering charm) but more likely from the exchange between McGonagall and Umbridge, and seeing the bigger picture.

I always point out when Ron and Hermione don't act like they fancy each other, so to be fair, I'll point out that Harry and Hermione are very close under that cloak. He had his hand on her mouth, and she breathed in his ear while grabbing his wrist, and no reaction. Yes, she's bundled up, but he just doesn't think of her that way.

I'm still wondering about Umbridge and Fudge's involvement with the Death Eaters. Umbridge knowing Hagrid went to see the giants still doesn't mean she's cooperating with Death Eaters. Dumbledore told Fudge to get the giants on their side, so Fudge just fears Dumbledore will do it.

I think Harry has rubbed off on Hermione. She genuinely doesn't want to see Hagrid go now, as opposed to Harry glaring at her previously for her not to say she'd prefer Grubbly-Plank.

[cadesama]

What made him let go of his anger? I don't think it was as much from beating the snot out of Draco (I love that term, cheering charm) but more likely from the exchange between McGonagall and Umbridge, and seeing the bigger picture.

I don't think he's let go of his anger a bit. And I don't think "big picture" arguments sway Harry in the least. Really, I think that's a character point we've seen since PS/SS, when he breaks the huge, unimaginable threat of Voldemort down into two simple things 1) Voldemort will destroy Hogwarts (his home) and 2) Voldemort will kill him. Harry's very good at reducing the epic into the personal, largely because the epic always is personal for him. However, as to why he can listen so calmly, I would say the DA has gone a long way toward stabilizing him. As well, Harry isn't one to whine or plead his case. While Hagrid is definitely less of a true authority to Harry than McGonagall or Dumbledore, I think he'd still be hesitant about breaking out with a rant.

She genuinely doesn't want to see Hagrid go now, as opposed to Harry glaring at her previously for her not to say she'd prefer Grubbly-Plank.

I don't really think that's a change of opinion. Harry, from what I could tell, just got her to hurry up and say she loved Hagrid, rather than qualifying the statement and deliberating. Plus, I think they can all sense that being sacked from teaching might well lead to Hagrid being kicked out of Hogwarts wholesale, and there's no way Hermione would condone that simply for a better teacher.