ODE TO THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS
To,
Rubeus Hagrid,
I have been in the dilemma that a fictional character from my favorite childhood movie could give me the pleasure of seeing my resentment draw its ribs against the simplicity of a hero who taught me nothing short of a lesson for a lifetime.
I have scribbled my early 10s caricaturing letters to a place which exists in all its glory, regardless of what the world believes in, to a man who exists in all of his candor against the darkness.
They say, “It’s all in the fictional air”; well, I breathe the fiction which brought you to me. You, breaking the door amidst a Goliath storm to rescue a young boy; instead of unfolding his history — his dead parents as it was etched in Potters’ destiny, you unveiled him to his parent’s legacy as his precious treasure with a birthday cake — it will remain the most healing chapter of a girl’s much-sought epitaph if she could tell her heartbroken self this story all over again.
I was a Hermione Granger of my school years and my grandfather was my Hagrid.
The ill-fitting personality of my introverted self always felt perfectly at home with him. Reading literature together and finding hidden interpretations to entertain our existence was the main service of evening tea. I only understood the sense of vulnerability and empathy while I would await his hands to receive mine and tell him all about the day.
But, this metaphor can only find its place here because once a half-giant who scared the wrecking hell out of me became my imaginary guardian angel. And, I am justified to put this word out to the universe -
Hagrid, the world has always been my Diagon Alley and I have wished for someone to come and tell me that I didn’t belong here.
But more than this, I have wished for someone to walk with me through this Diagon Alley. And, now while I am reminiscent of walking myself back home after a long day, I would wear you often, lift my spirits and tread as a solo traveler.
For the story comes full circle in Hogwarts, your golden heart will be endured forever.
You’d stay here till the end of time.
I’ll see you around, Robbie.
Yours,
Potterhead.
To the character who shall live forever, to the man who will be remembered.
