Anyone who read Harry Potter knows that Rubeus Hagrid is a half-giant wizard whose magical abilities are oftentimes flawed, but his courageous spirit is always strong. One recent fan theory gaining traction on Reddit, however, purports that Hagrid is much more powerful than the series lets on.
The theory brings up some compelling points about Hagrid's resistance to magic, sheer strength, and telling relationship with Dumbledore. For example,
his ability to remain unfazed by Stunning Spells might point to him having the strength characteristic to full giants.
The theory also suggests that Hagrid could have a rare ability comparable to that of Tonks, who is able to effortlessly change her physical appearance as a metamorphmagus. Though Hagrid might not be aware of his own prowess, it's possible that Dumbledore is. This is evident in the very fact that Dumbledore trusts Hagrid with protecting Harry from the very beginning and possibly knows that his powers extend beyond his half-giant status.
Read ahead for a detailed breakdown of the theory that might leave you believing it to be true.
Hagrid's true power
I've read a few theories that harp on about Hagrid using nonverbal spells and wondering how he appeared on that little island to rescue Harry in book 1, but I've always put those concerns down to J.K. Rowling introducing us to magic in a fun and fantastical way (rather than some deeper mystery).
No, what I'm talking about is much more pervasive. If you re-read the series and really pay attention to the feats accomplished by Hagrid you must come away with the conclusion that Hagrid is really much more powerful than he realizes.
Stunners
Four or five stunners (Stupefy) is good enough to mollify a jetlagged mother dragon (creatures particularly well known for the natural resistance to magic). Against Hagrid, they don't appear to even slow him down.
When Umbridge means to send him away, the stunners are described as just bouncing off of Hagrid. It's explained away as Hagrid's half-giant blood at work.
During the battle of the astronomy tower, curses are simply bouncing off of Hagrid once again. A whole series of them.
The only giants we meet tend to have a healthy respect for magic (coveting Dumbledor's eternal flame) as well as an earnest apprehension of wands. They are beat back and on the verge of extinction because of the wizarding world.
It strikes me as unlikely that Hagrid inherited just some of a giant's natural immunity to magic. Any more immune and giants would be astonishingly more fierce than they already are.
Hagrid might be a half-giant but I think there's reasonable evidence to say that his stamina and magical resistance are on par with full-blown giants.
Battle Strength
Hagrid thinks Fluffy and Norbert are pets.
Hagrid battles a colony of centaur to save Firenze
Hagrid battles a clutter of acromantula to save Aragog's corpse for a proper burial.
Hagrid is genuinely fearless while in the forbidden forest. Given his accomplishments, that lack of fear doesn't seem foolhardy.
Hagrid managed to drag an unwilling Grawp halfway across the country. I get that Gawp is small for a giant but I doubt a full-grown giant could have managed it. If I had to drag somebody even half my weight across an entire country (at night) without harming them (While they were allowed to struggle or harm me all they wanted) - I doubt that I could do it. This feat alone may put Hagrid's applicable battle prowess above that of a Giant.
Hagrid treats a hippogryph the way a muggle might treat a terrier. Hippogryphs are proud, fairly dangerous, and must be treated with respect. Meer mortals must bow and earn the indulgence of a hippogryph. Not Hagrid, Hagrid just smacks 'em on the rear and tells 'em to fly - no worries.
He hosted a "support Harry Potter Party," then was caught by a bunch of death eaters and, while the official story says he narrowly escaped, I'm sure he shrugged off their curses like nothing again and ran for it without too much trouble.
During the battle of Hogwarts, Hagrid is pretty bad-ass (but not really more-so than any of the rest of the order.) Not until he's swept away under a giant pile of deadly acromantula and then appears later (magically restrained but suspiciously unscathed) captured by the death eaters.
Dumbledore
While Dumbledore is no doubt extremely powerful magically (seemingly bored and outright patronizing while dueling an enraged Voldemort), his greatness comes from his keen mind and abilities to feel magic around him.
We know there are wizards that are born with special innate abilities. Tonks, for example, is a metamorphmagus, which is extremely rare.
It strikes me as possible that while Hagrid himself is not aware of the full extent of his own ability, Dumbledore is.
Dumbledore trusts Hagrid with the defense of Harry. As a child, then again as an 11-year-old, but most importantly as an escort in Diagon Ally when Voldemort is at full strength again.
Dumbledore might know that when push comes to shove, a furious or determined Hagrid (even wandless) simply outclasses most wizard's ability to duel.
Maybe any half-giant would be as capable as Hagrid (certainly, Olympe Maxime is quite capable), but it's also possible that something special about Hagrid made him much stronger and much more magic resistant than any half-giant has the right to be.
If so, it wouldn't be surprising to learn that Dumbledore alone took note of this and even leaned on it from time to time.
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