Fang

Biodata

Appearance

Fang is an enormous, muscular dog with dense, glossy black fur. His drooping eyelids, slightly bulging eyes, folded facial skin, and bared teeth give him a fiercer look than his behavior warrants 5.

• Nearly as big as a tiger, with paws described as larger than a human hand 5.
• Has large ears and a wagging tail that make his excitement easy to spot 47 258.

Personality

Fang is affectionate, playful, and strongly attached to Hagrid and Luo Bin. He eagerly seeks food and attention, but is timid when faced with danger 5 209 217 258.

He understands more than the students expect of a dog: he responds to Luo Bin’s requests, tries to lead people toward things he has found, and appears to want credit when his help goes unnoticed 154 257.

Abilities & Skills

Tracking and warning

• Detects a blood scent coming from Hagrid’s cabin and leads Hagrid and Luo Bin to a coop where more than ten chicks have been killed 153 154.
• Can recognize people by scent even when invisibility magic conceals them 206.

Finding treatments

• Appears to help deworm the sick rooster Little Red; white powder and green plant residue are found on Fang’s paws after the rooster improves 257.
• Leads Luo Bin and Hermione to Spider Incense and retrieves Purple Shadow Spirit Grass. The substances help explain Little Red’s recovery and become ingredients in a treatment Luo Bin prepares 258.

Limits

• Despite his size and fierce appearance, Fang is frightened by danger. Luo Bin and his friends leave him behind when they go looking for Aragog’s spiders, partly for Fang’s safety 212 217.
• He is found cowering after an intruder attacks Little Red at Hagrid’s hut 263.

Relationships

• Rubeus Hagrid — Fang’s master. Fang tries to hold onto Hagrid’s coat when the Ministry takes him away, then initially refuses to eat or sleep during his absence 209 225.
• Luo Bin — Friend and frequent companion in the Forbidden Forest. Fang joins his spell practice, and Luo Bin trusts his warnings and rewards his help with food 23 59 60 153 258.
• Hermione Granger — Pets and comforts Fang, embraces him after Little Red’s improvement, and helps investigate the treatment he found 217 257 258.
• Professor Sprout — Brings Fang cooked chicken or bones while Hagrid is away 217.
• Little Red — A sick rooster whose recovery Fang helps bring about 257 258.
• Mackled Malaclaw — Fang approaches the injured creature without fear and licks its head; later the two play and groom each other 256 332.

Story Role

• Luo Bin’s early days at Hogwarts: Fang meets Luo Bin at Hagrid’s hut and immediately takes an interest in his hamburgers. He later accompanies Luo Bin during practice in the Forbidden Forest 5 23.
• Spell practice: Fang is initially alarmed when Luo Bin makes his hand invisible, then joins in as Luo Bin practices making parts of Fang invisible. He also mistakes Luo Bin’s reflective Mirror Body Spell for another dog 59 60 153.
• Chamber of Secrets investigation: Fang’s warning leads Hagrid and Luo Bin to the slaughtered chicks. When Hagrid is taken away, Fang tries to stop him leaving and is cared for by the students and Professor Sprout 154 209 217.
• Little Red’s recovery: Fang finds the forest substances that help the rooster recover, prompting Luo Bin to prepare a longer course of treatment 257 258.