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harry potter - How did Hagrid know about the Time-Turners?


In Half-Blood Prince, Hagrid is upset that the trio haven't been to see him and then says they could've used the Time-Turners:



“Ar, I always knew yeh’d find it hard ter squeeze me inter yeh timetables,” he said gruffly, pouring them more tea. “Even if yeh applied fer Time-Turners.”


— Chapter 11 (Hermione’s Helping Hand)



how did he know about them? Is their existence general knowledge to the public or did someone mention it at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban?




Answer



Two theories:




  1. I believe, although I can’t find a reference now, that Hermione’s teachers were told about her Time-Turner. We know that it was definitely for academic purposes:



    “It’s called a Time-Turner,” Hermione whispered, “and I got it from Professor McGonagall on our first day back. I’ve been using it all year to get to all my lessons. Professor McGonagall made me swear I wouldn’t tell anyone. She had to write all sorts of letters to the Ministry of Magic so I could have one. She had to tell them that I was a model student, and that I’d never, ever use it for anything except my studies…. I’ve been turning it back so I could do hours over again, that’s how I’ve been doing several lessons at once, see?”


    Prisoner of Azkaban, chapter 21 (Hermione’s Secret)



    As witnessed by Harry and Ron, it was not unusual for Hermione to appear spontaneously in the middle of the classroom. Her teachers would need to be told, so that they didn’t ask any awkward questions which blew her cover.



    Hagrid was her Care of Magical Creatures teacher, so he would have known about the Time-Turner through this arrangement.




  2. Although Hagrid doesn’t remember reading that the Time-Turners were destroyed, he may have learnt of or recalled knowledge about them from their mention in The Daily Prophet. A recent jogging of his memory like this might prompt his comment.




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