Key Takeaways
- Hagrid is banned from performing magic due to an incident at Hogwarts and has part of his wand in his umbrella.
- Dumbledore saves Hagrid and gives him a job at Hogwarts after he was framed for a tragedy involving Aragog.
- Despite his restriction from performing magic, Hagrid brings kindness and introduces magical creatures in the franchise.
Rubeus Hagrid is one of the few characters in the Harry Potter franchise from the wizarding world who cannot perform magic, which restricts him and what he can do. While he showcases a few glimpses of magic, it’s clear that he shouldn’t be doing it because he’s banned.
The rules of magic are taken seriously, and the Ministry of Magic cracks down on anyone who is deemed to be dangerous or not responsible enough to have a wand. Unfortunately for Hagrid, that ended up being something he was subjected to, as he was banned from performing magic due to a major incident at Hogwarts which impacted him throughout the Harry Potter movies.
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The Tale Of Aragog
Aragog is a giant spider who appears multiple times throughout the Harry Potter franchise, both alive and dead. However, it is a monstrous creature for which Hagrid has a soft spot. He secretly kept it as a pet while at Hogwarts, showcasing his love for these creatures, which has existed throughout his life. Unfortunately for him, at the same time, Tom Riddle (aka Lord Voldemort) opened up the Chamber of Secrets and petrified students around the school.
Riddle ends up killing Moaning Myrtle, who becomes another character that Harry Potter interacts with during his time at school. However, Riddle was cunning and clever, knowing he needed a distraction to ensure that he got away with his terrorizing behavior. Once he learned about Aragog, he had the perfect excuse. He managed to convince the headteacher that the spider was responsible for the devastation that was taking place, and Hagrid ended up being framed for the entire situation.
Aragog was powerful even then, therefore the idea that the spider could’ve caused such an impact was believable, and Hagrid was punished because of the situation, as there was already a prejudice against him due to his size. It led to his wand being snapped in half as he was banned from performing magic, effectively ending his chance to become a wizard despite being enrolled at Hogwarts.
How Did Hagrid Remain At Hogwarts?
Hagrid could have been punished further because he was considered partly responsible for the death of Myrtle. However, he was saved by a professor at the time, Albus Dumbledore. Long before he was the headteacher, Dumbledore was the Transfiguration professor, and he pleaded Hagrid’s case on his behalf. Considering Dumbledore’s intelligence, it was clear he knew something wasn’t right, and this was his best way of fixing it. Dumbledore secured him a position as the trainee groundskeeper, the role he’d eventually go onto for many years. Hagrid was able to continue working and living within Hogwarts, eventually becoming a professor himself, but it was all down to Dumbledore.
The two men have such a strong connection, with Dumbledore also believed to be the person who helped Hagrid keep some of his wand within his iconic pink umbrella. Both characters make it clear they trust each other with their lives throughout the franchise, and that’s something that dates back to this incident when Hagrid was seemingly at his lowest. Dumbledore proves continuously throughout the Harry Potter movies that he’s willing to see the good in people, and that starts before he gets the power of being a headteacher.
When Does He Perform Magic Within Harry Potter?
Hagrid might be banned from performing magic by the Ministry, but that doesn’t stop him from doing it. He carries around a pink umbrella that features part of his wand inside, which meant he could still perform some limited spells that he’d picked up from his years at Hogwarts. He was never a gifted wizard due to the fact he was taken out of school at a young age, but he does showcase a few tricks up his sleeve. One of those moments is part of an epic and memorable scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
He is sent to pick Harry up and make sure he attends Hogwarts, and that’s something that he makes happen. However, Hagrid doesn’t do things by halves, nor does he do it quietly. He displays some of his magic by giving Dudley Dursley a pig’s tail after he starts eating Harry’s cake, which is Hagrid’s way of punishing him. He can also be spotted using his umbrella to help set things up for the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour, which is another example of him bending the rules.
Hagrid is not able to perform much magic throughout the Harry Potter franchise, and that restricts what he can do in the movies. He’d likely have been a powerful wizard because of his size and power, but he makes up for not being able to perform magic by consistently bringing joy and kindness to other characters. It is also through Hagrid that many of the magical creatures are introduced into the Harry Potter movies, and that’s something he ended up being known for instead of his magical skills.
Harry Potter
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