Happy 87th Birthday, Hagrid!

Today marks the 87th birthday of Rubeus Hagrid – everybody’s favourite half-giant!

Hagrid has had an eventful past. He was expelled from Hogwarts in his third year for his suspected involvement in the opening of The Chamber of Secrets, but Dumbledore’s trust in him thankfully made up for this injustice, being allowed to presume as Gamekeeper. His time is Azkaban in 1993 as a result of the Chamber being opened once again was – thankfully – short-lived.

Hagrid is known also for his role (for a small time) as Professor of Care of Magical Creatures, as a result of his interest in all manner of magical beings (Buckbeak  the Hippogriff, Norbet(a) the Norwegian Ridgeback, Fluffy the three-headed dog and Aragog, the giant spider, to name a few of his friends), a Gryffindor and a member of the Order of the Phoenix.

Hagrid delivered Harry’s letter to Hogwarts (after a spot of trouble with the Dursleys), and has been a close friend of his ever since. Albus Dumbledore himself said he ‘would trust Hagrid with [his] life’.

We hope Hagrid is enjoying a glass of warm celebratory Butterbeer by the fire with his friends. Join us here at Leaky in wishing him a very happy 87th birthday!