Hagrid’s Tale

The three friends immediately run down to see Hagrid, but Hagrid looks quite the worse for wear. Hagrid is bleeding and bruised. He refuses to tell Harry, Ron, and Hermione what happened.

Hagrid admits that he is doing Dumbledore’s work and promised to keep the entire mission a secret. But Hermione guesses what Hagrid has been up to anyway and mentions Hagrid possibly meeting with Giants. Hagrid is surprised and uses this moment to go ahead and tell Harry, Ron, and Hermione everything.

Dumbledore sent Hagrid and Madame Maxime (the headmistress from Beauxbatons) to recruit the Giants for Dumbledore so they would not be recruited by Voldemort. Pretending to go on vacation, Hagrid and Madame Maxime found one of the colonies of Giants in Europe and approached the head Giant, the “Gurg.”

Gifts were presented to the Gurg, Karkus, to placate him. Karkus received both an ever-burning fire and a large war helmet (both Dumblodore's ideas). Karkus was happy to accept these favors and it looked as though the Giants could be won.

Unfortunately, a new Gurg named Golgomath killed Karkus. Golgomath was not as open to siding with Dumbledore, even with the offer of dragon skin. In fact, Hagrid and Madame Maxime had to flee far enough away just to observe Golgomath. Unfortunately, Golgomath had already been wooed by Death Eaters, supporters of Voldemort.

Hagrid and Madame Maxime tried to get in league with some Giants who were beaten to a pulp by Golgomath, but even after taking care of those same Giants, Golgomath had the caves raided. The Giants who weren’t killed in the raid want nothing to do with Dumbledore.

Even after hearing all of Hagrid’s story, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are still confused as to why Hagrid is so beaten up. Before Hagrid can answer completely, Professor Umbridge shows up. The three cover themselves with Harry’s Invisibility Cloak and spy on Umbridge.

Professor Umbridge questions Hagrid incessantly after explaining her new position at Hogwarts as High Inquisitor. Harry thinks that Professor Umbridge knows that Hagrid is taking orders from Dumbledore and that Hagrid has been associating with Giants. Finally, Professor Umbridge tells Hagrid that he will be privy to one of her famous observations of his teaching quite soon.

Hermione is quite worried that Hagrid won’t pass under Professor Umbridge’s intense scrutiny. Unfortunately, Hagrid won’t reveal what he is planning for the next class. Hagrid doesn’t seem too worried, even after hearing that Professor Trelawney is on probation.