The other DrC and I are listening to Jim Dale's excellent CD of the fifth Harry Potter novel: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It's probably the 6th or 7th time we've heard it. In particular, we were listening to the situation during their 5th year OWLs (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) exams, late in the year.
You will recollect that the three friends are taking their Astronomy practical exam late at night atop Hogwarts' tallest tower. At this point Headmistress Umbridge with several aurors leaves the castle and crosses the grounds to Hagrid's cabin. There is a fight and Umbridge's posse is defeated by Hagrid, although they stun his dog Fang. Hagrid runs off, with Fang over his shoulder. Professor McGonagall attempts to intervene and is hit by four simultaneous stunning spells, which puts her in St. Mungo's Hospital.
What confuses me is why all this happens. I understand Umbridge taking guards with her since Hagrid is huge, part-human and therefore to her, scary. Earlier in the same book Hagrid has told Harry and Hermione that he will probably be sacked. Since he is resigned to it happening, why did a fight break out? Presumably, if told he is fired he will shrug and start packing.
Was it somehow necessary to arrest Hagrid? The Ministry wants to take Dumbledore into custody, have they generalized the warrant to include Hagrid? If so, on what grounds and why doesn't it include McGonagall too? I don't believe the books ever explain why the Battle of Hagrid's Cabin happens. If you know differently, I'd appreciate you letting me know.
