It does, of course, but I meant in response to this,
I don't see how the Japanese means that.
I don't see what the problem is. The verb means 'to be accompanied by'. So,
ハグリッドがファングを(すぐ後ろに)従えた
As already noted, Hagrid is the subject, Fang is the object.
subject was accompanied by
object.
Hagrid was accompanied by Fang.
すぐ後ろに just says -where- Fang is physically. (behind, as opposed to beside or wherever.) 従える makes Fang the one 'accompanying' (putting Fang in a position like an attendant, assistant, or servant. Or, well, loyal pet, as the case actually is.)
Where one is physically doesn't have to do with who is accompanying. The assistant secretary to the Minister of Magic could be walking ahead of the Minister into a room, but the assistant secretary would still be the one 'accompanying' in most cases. Toritoribe's post above covers how to say it the other way and make the accompanying party the subject.