These letters were responses to Rita Skeeter's article "Dumbledore's Giant Mistake". Unlike Hermione Granger's hate mail however, which were more insulting and rude, due to the prejudices against giants, many of the letters expressed the desire that Hagrid should die. Hagrid was temporarily extremely affected by these letters, refusing to teach, until he was cheered up by a combination of Albus Dumbledore's, Harry's, Ron's and Hermione's efforts.