While Harry Potter is full of memorable characters, Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) is one of the best, and there are a lot of fascinating things to know about him, from his job to why he can't enter the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a period of time. In the film franchise, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) all love Hagrid as he's their wise mentor who cares deeply about them and wants the best for them and their peers.
The truth about why Hagrid is told not to enter Hogwarts for a while is an important part of his backstory and also of the entire Harry Potter franchise as it involves some other, evil characters. What happens to Hagrid in Harry Potter, a beloved and sweet character who is an integral part of the whole story? And what does he do at Hogwarts?
What Is Hagrid's Job At Hogwarts?
There are many secrets about Hagrid in Harry Potter, and he's one of the most popular characters for so many reasons, most notably that he's caring, kind, and loyal. Hagrid is a teacher at Hogwarts whose class is called Care of Magical Creatures. He becomes a professor in 1993 when Professor Silvanus Kettleburn retires.
The most memorable class that Hagrid teaches is his very first one. He wants to share all about hippogriffs, but this goes very wrong when Draco Malfoy is mean to Buckbeak, one of the hippogriffs. Hagrid is devastated about this as he knows that being compassionate toward animals is the only way to be. This is a total disaster when The Ministry of Magic hears about Buckbeat hurting Draco and wants Buckbeak dead.
While this storyline might be tough to watch, as it's frustrating to watch Hagrid get in trouble when he's done nothing wrong, it's important. The plotline demonstrates how mean Draco Malcoy, played by Tom Felton is, and what a big heart Hagrid has.
Hagrid's hut is part of Hogwart's Legacy, which is great considering what a significant setting it is. Hagrid means so much to Harry as the two meet when Harry is a young wizard who has just learned about his fate and his powers. When he begins attending Hogwarts, Harry sees Hagrid as a wise mentor who knows everything there is to know about magic.
Why Can't Hagrid Enter Hogwarts?
While Hagrid is a huge part of Harry Potter and of the main character's story, along with his magical journey, fans learn about Hagrid being expelled from Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, book number two in the series. When Hagrid was in his third year at Hogwarts, along with Tom Marvolo Riddle/Voldemort, Hagrid was found with Aragog. It turns out that Tom Riddle was behind the whole thing and wanted to get Hagrid in trouble. This is not only a significant part of Hagrid's backstory but also proof of how evil and dangerous Voldemort is.
The school thought that Hagrid had committed the crime of taking the acromantula from the Chamber of Secrets. This was seen as scary and dangerous since it could hurt the students. Hagrid spends time in the prison at Azkaban in this book as an adult, but he is released thanks to Harry, who battles the Chamber of Secrets's Basilisk.
It was heartbreaking when Robbie Coltrane died in 2022 as this actor's portrayal of the character is seen as perfect. In HBO's Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, Coltrane said, “The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children. You can be watching it in 50 years time, easy. “I’ll not be here, sadly. But Hagrid will. Yes.”
What Happens To Hagrid At The End Of The Story?
It would be devastating for Hagrid to die and it would also feel awful for him to leave Hogwarts, but thankfully, neither of those things happens. At the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, fans learn that, now that 19 years have passed after Harry beat Voldemort, Hagrid is teaching at Hogwarts.
In one of the sweetest moments from the whole franchise, Hagrid has tea with Albus Severus Potter, Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter's child, at his hut. This is an endearing and emotional scene that echoes Hagrid and Harry bonding over tea in the past.
The end of Hagrid's Harry Potter character arc is just as unforgettable as Ron and Hermoine ending up together and all of the kids being all grown up and starting their own families. It's nice to know that Hagrid's legacy lives on and that he continues to spread his knowledge and kindness at Hogwarts and help the next generation of wizards.