Rubeus Hagrid

Rubeus Hagrid is a fictional character from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series of books and movies.

Hagrid is portrayed by actor Robbie Coltrane in the film adaptations.

Half-giant and half-human, Rubeus Hagrid is the groundskeeper of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Care of Magical Creatures Professor and a close friend and ally to Harry Potter and his friends.

Hagrid first appears in the series on Harry's eleventh birthday when he rescues him from The Dursleys, informs him about his wizarding ancestry, and helps him make his way to Hogwarts.

Hagrid has a deep connection with the animal kingdom and often finds himself in possession of rare or magical creatures. It was his keeping of the dangerous acromantula Aragog that linked him with Moaning Myrtle's death and the original opening of the Chamber of Secrets in the 1940s. The accusation was false and, though Hagrid's wand was broken and he was forbidden from using magic, he kept the wand hidden inside an umbrella and continued to use it when necessary. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the truth about Tom Riddle's involvement results in the clearing of Hagrid's name.

Throughout the series, Hagrid is one of the few family-like connections Harry is able to establish in the wizarding world. Hagrid lays his life on the line to save Harry on numerous occasions.

• "Ah, go boil yer heads, both of yeh," said Hagrid. "Harry -- yer a wizard."

• "Me dad was broken-hearted when she wen'. Tiny little bloke, my dad was. By the time I was six I could lift him up an' put him on top o' the dresser if he annoyed me. Used ter make him laugh... Dad raised me ... but he died, o' course, jus' after I started school. Sorta had ter make me own way after that. Dumbledore was a real help, mind. Very kind ter me, he was ...."

• Harry Potter Lexicon: Hagrid Timeline

• 1928: Born to a giantess mother and human father

• 1932: Mother abandons him

• 1940: First year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

• 1941: Acquires Aragog the Acromantala's egg

• 1942: Father dies

• 1943: Tom Riddle frames him with Opening the Chamber of Secrets | Becomes Gamekeeper

• 1981: Rescues baby Harry Potter from the ruins of his parents' home

• 1991: Tells Harry he's a wizard

• 1992: Wins baby dragon egg | Tells Harry how to placate Fluffy, the three headed dog

• 1993: Sent to Azkaban | Clears name of Moaning Myrtle's Murder | Given Care of Magical Creatures Job

• 1994: Buckbeak the Hippogriff's trial | Buckbeak set free by Hermione Granger, Harry and Sirius Black

• 1995: Visits giants | Returns with Half-brother Grawp

• 1996: Umbridge fires him from teaching

• 1998: Driven into the mountains with Grawp | Battle of Hogwarts | Kills Walden Macnair