The Harry Potter Re-read: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; Chapter 4: Introducing Rubeus Hagrid

Spoilers Ahead: Read with Caution

Greetings Browncoated Potterheads! It's a Shiny day! (I've been watching Firefly again)

Today we're reviewing Chapter 4, The Keeper of the Keys. I know it's only been a couple of days since my last review but the Chapters go by really fast. I may post the next one as well, Either it'll be up soon after this one is posted or it'll be up tomorrow (yes I update at very odd times, it's very rarely consistent). So, buckle your seat belts and grab your pink umbrellas!

Summary:

OK, when we left our intrepid boy hero and those atrocious muggles they were in the Hut on the rock and someone was knocking to come in from the storm but they're on a rock in the middle of nowhere. So, the booming knock sounds again and the door crashes inwards, enter Vernon Dursley with a rifle. Hagrid comes in and gives the Dursleys a dressing down they won't soon forget complete with a little piggy tail for Dudley. He also gives Harry his letter, the one he's been waiting for. The truth comes out, his parents never died in a car crash but were murdered by the dark Lord Voldemort and he's off to the finest school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the world. Of course the muggles weren't about to allow that but there's not really much they can do about it. We also find out that Hagrid baked Harry a birthday cake and they settle down for the night again with Hagrid on the couch to await morning.

Commentary:

OK, so, admittedly not much happens in this chapter, Hagrid arrives, gives Harry his birthday cake and letter, cooks sausages, gives Dudley a pigs tail, bends Vernon's rifle and they settle down for the night. I think one thing I was sad that they left out of the movies was Vernon running from the letters, I think it really showed just how far his character was willing to go to make sure Harry never got that letter (I'm sure you all remember what happened last chapter). However, the persistence of Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore won out. They found the Dursleys, Harry got a birthday cake and his Hogwarts letter out of the deal.

I really like Hagrid as a character, he's unfailingly loyal, to both Dumbledore and Harry and, even though he was expelled from Hogwarts in his third year (for something that wasn't his fault, may I add) he put the broken pieces of his wand in his pink umbrella and uses Magic, to a lesser degree, regardless. Just because the Dursleys insulted Harry's parents (and Dumbledore, and Harry, basically in just a few lines) he tried to turn Dudley into a pig. I mean, we all know how well a broken wand works at the best of times *cough Ron, 2nd year, cough* but it still made them rethink preventing Harry from going to Hogwarts, especially once they saw how far the wizards (and witches) were willing to go to get Harry there.

I think that's it for Chapter 4, the next chapter is Diagon Alley, that should be fun! See you next time!