Who sent Harry thousands of the same letters?

Question

In the first book/movie, when Harry wasn't allowed to read the letter from Hogwarts, there started a bombardment of thousands of the same letters.
Who was behind this? Was it ever mentioned in canon?

Himarm · Accepted Answer

Hagrid says

"I was allowed ter do a bit ter follow yeh an' get yer letters to yeh an' stuff -- one o' the reasons I was so keen ter take on the job --"

In chapter 4 of Sorcerer's Stone, Hagrid makes the claim that he himself was responsible for delivering and sending Harry's letters. As we know, Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts and not allowed to use magic, but jumped at this opportunity to send Harry his letters and use as much magic as he liked in the process.

Another quote showing Hagrid was on the job from the start:

"I never expected this," he said, in a low, worried voice. "I had no idea, when Dumbledore told me there might be trouble gettin' hold of yeh, how much yeh didn't know. Ah Harry, I don' know if I'm the right person to tell yeh -- but someone's gotta -- yeh can't go off ter Hogwarts not knowin'."

Slytherincess · Answer

That would be Hogwarts. The return address was on the back of the envelope, thus indicating who was sending the letters. Professor McGonagall, as Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, was in charge of the Hogwarts letters. And, yes, this is in the book. :)

Answered by Slytherincess on March 8, 2021

David Stratton · Answer

Why is it stupid?

This isn't canon, but knowing Dumbledore's sense of humor, he was probably behind it. He showed, in his visit with the Dursleys in Half-Blood Prince that he thought it amusing to do things to annoy them. (Bouncing cups off their heads because they're too stubborn to take them, for example)

Of course, it would have fallen to Professor McGonagall to send the owls, but I still think Dumbledore had a hand in it. I can easily picture him, with a twinkle in his eye telling Professor McGonagall to send them, and her, joyfully complying. (She had a sense of humor, too you know.)

Who sent Harry thousands of the same letters?

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