Part of what made the half-giant so special was his unintentional heroism. Here are some of the ways Rubeus saved the day without even trying…

With good news

Hagrid was the one to deliver Harry to the Dursleys’ doorstep on Privet Drive. Years later, he thought he was simply following orders by wishing Harry a happy birthday and delivering his Hogwarts letter. But then he learned that the Dursleys had withheld everything about Harry’s life and family, and so came the words that would change things forever.

‘Harry – yer a wizard.’
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

With secrets

Hagrid opened up a door to adventure, by accident of course, when he revealed the secret to getting past Fluffy. This was a vital clue in spurring Harry, Ron and Hermione on to find the Philosopher’s Stone.

‘Well – yeah – how many three-headed dogs d’yeh meet, even around Hogwarts? So I told him, Fluffy’s a piece o’ cake if yeh know how to calm him down, jus’ play him a bit o’ music an’ he’ll go straight off ter sleep –’ Hagrid suddenly looked horrified. ‘I shouldn’ta told yeh that!’ he blurted out. ‘Forget I said it! Hey – where’re yeh goin’?’
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

With giants

Hagrid was worried about his half-brother being bullied by other giants, so brought him back to Hogwarts. He asked Harry, Ron and Hermione to look after the er, little one, while he was away.

Just as well too, because Grawp helped Harry and Hermione out of a spot of trouble with some centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. Grawp distracted the angry centaurs long enough for the youngsters to escape the forest and make their way to the showdown at the Department of Mysteries. Grawp also fought in and survived the Battle of Hogwarts.

With rebellion

Oh, good old Potterwatch: the secret radio show created by Lee Jordan that kept wizards updated on their friends’ whereabouts during the events of Deathly Hallows.

While many at Hogwarts were cowering under Snape as headmaster, Potterwatch said that Hagrid had held a ‘Support Harry Potter’ party in his house, narrowly escaping arrest. Of course, he was unaware that Harry would hear about the party himself, giving him the next best thing to a hug from his favourite gamekeeper.

With strength through the tears

Poor Hagrid. He thought that all hope was lost when Voldemort cast the Killing Curse at Harry for the second time.

It was Hagrid who carried Harry’s body from the Forest back to the castle in Deathly Hallows. His grief and anguished sob are a testament to just how much he cared for Harry, and got him back in time for the final battle.

Harry could feel Hagrid’s arms trembling with the force of his heaving sobs, great tears splashed down upon him as Hagrid cradled Harry in his arms, and Harry did not dare, by movement or word, to intimate to Hagrid that all was not, yet, lost.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows