Grawp - A functional Character?

I've read criticisms of JKR's character Grawp, that he was unnecessary, etc.

Actually, he wasn't all that unnecessary, in my opinion. He serves two functions:

1. He is familial support for Hagrid, which makes the readers happy for Hagrid. We want to see Hagrid have family and love when Dumbledore is gone, and when the "fearsome threesome" is gone from school. Of course there are others there that can provide family, but everyone needs blood kin, especially since Hagrid is so different.

2. He is a segue to getting rid of Umbridge. This is arguable, of course. There are other methods of getting rid of Umbridge, sure. Which ones allow us to see Hagrid share his big ole heart with someone else? Other methods for satisfying both things might actually open up more literary debts for JKR. I think her method was both gratifying and simple enough. We can imagine Hagrid dealing with Grawp, and I loved reading about the big lump. ^_^

So, of course I post and think of other reasons why Grawp fits. Not only do we get some sort of glimpse into the kind of child Hagrid was, we get to see him grow up, in taking care of someone new. With this information, the story is rounded out.