Minerva M McGonagall

> Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned.
>
> McGonagall's sternness and belief in her field, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

**Professor Minerva McGonagall**, Template:OM, (b. ***4 October***) was a ***Scottish*** ***half-blood*** witch, the only daughter of ***Muggle*** ***Robert McGonagall*** and witch ***Isobel Ross***. She also was the older sister of ***Malcolm*** and ***Robert Jnr***. Minerva attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was Sorted into Gryffindor House, but it took the Sorting Hat five and a half minutes to decide if she was Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, which made her a Hatstall. During her seventh year, she was appointed Head Girl.

## Biographical information

### Place of birth

Somewhere
Caithness, Scotland, Great Britain

## Appearances

### Portrayed by

Maggie Smith

After her education, Minerva worked for two years at the ***Ministry of Magic*** and later returned to Hogwarts, where she became Head of Gryffindor House and the ***Transfiguration*** professor. Though she wasn't a member of the Order of the Phoenix during the First Wizarding War, Minerva greatly helped the Ministry of Magic's resistance through spying on ***Death Eaters*** and bringing the ***Auror***s crucial information on their activities.

Eventually, Minerva became concurrently, at differing times, ***Deputy Headmistress*** and Headmistress of Hogwarts. In ***1995***, she opposed ***Dolores Umbridge***, the ***High Inquisitor of Hogwarts***. She also protected the students from ***Alecto*** and ***Amycus Carrow*** from ***1997*** until ***1998***. As part of the Order of Phoenix's new resistance movement, Minerva fought in several battles of both wars, including the ***Battle of the Astronomy Tower*** and the ***Battle of Hogwarts***, where she led the resistance against Lord Voldemort.
Minerva survived the Second Wizarding War and became Headmistress full time, a title she still held into the early ***2020s***.

## Biography

### First Wizarding War Template:C

Template:Dialogue a-b-a

After the first rise of Dark wizard Lord Voldemort, Minerva took part in fighting back against Lord Voldemort and his ***Death Eaters***, though she still taught at Hogwarts during the First Wizarding War. Previously, she was suspicious of Riddle in spite of the fact that she wasn't his teacher and thus shared her fears with Dumbledore in private. Even so, McGonagall chose to not join the Order of the Phoenix, which was seen as a renegade outfit by the Ministry at the time. Instead, unbeknownst to her students, she spent many nights spying for them in the guise of a tabby cat, bringing the ***Auror***s crucial information on the activities of Voldemort's followers.

 File:Lily Sorted.png  Despite her involvement in the Ministry's efforts to contain the threat of the Dark Lord's rise to power, Minerva got through the war unscathed. However, she suffered personal bereavements: the loss of her brother ***Robert Jun***; of two of her favourite students, Lily Evans and James Potter; and of ***Dougal McGregor***, who was murdered in a random anti-Muggle attack by the Death Eaters, along with ***his wife*** and ***children***. This last news was a terrible blow to Minerva, who wondered if she would have been able to save him if she had married him.

#### Protection of Harry Potter

> These people will never understand him! He'll be famous -- a legend -- I wouldn't be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter day in the future -- there will be books written about Harry -- every child in our world will know his name!
>
> Minerva discussing Harry Potter's future with his Muggle relatives, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 File:DumbledoreMcGonagllHARRY.PNG  In 1981, baby Harry Potter *"defeated"* Lord Voldemort in his family home at Godric's Hollow after his parents James and Lily Potter (both members of the Order of the Phoenix) were murdered whilst protecting their son from harm. The fall of Voldemort ultimately ended the war and his followers were arrested and those that escaped went into hiding.
Minerva travelled to ***Surrey*** and spent an entire day observing the ***Dursley family*** seeing whether or not they met the standards of looking after Harry as they were his only living relatives with his parents now dead. What she saw horrified her; the Dursleys couldn't have been any less like Lily and James if they had tried. She was thus present, along with Rubeus Hagrid, when Dumbledore placed Harry on the Dursleys' doorstep, despite her objections to leaving him with these ***Muggles***, whom she considered to be the "worst kind" of them. She kept a close eye on Harry from time to time during his early childhood, as did the members of the Order of the Phoenix.

### Between the wars Template:C

#### Protecting the Philosopher's Stone

> Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you’re here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup.
>
> Minerva McGonagall introducing the first-year students of 1991 to Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 File:McGonagall students.jpg
In 1991 friend of Albus Dumbledore, ***Nicolas Flamel***, had the Philosopher's Stone that was keeping him alive moved from his safe in Gringotts to Hogwarts for safe keeping. Minerva contributed to the defences set up around the magical artefact by transfiguring an enormous chess set and animating it to behave as a normal Wizard's chess set would. As part of its protection duty, it required that the person or persons seeking to get past would have to take the place of a piece on the board and play an actual game of wizard's chess, at great physical risk to themselves. This larger than life version of Wizard's Chess was known to be brutally violent and sacrificial for wizards to have to take part in themselves.

 File:Harry-potter1-minerva sorting.jpg  Also in this year, Harry Potter, whom Minerva had been watching over for many years, would start his first year of education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, not knowing this, as he did not know that he was a wizard. Once Harry eventually arrived at Hogwarts, after the delivery of many acceptance letters, Harry was sorted into the house of Gryffindor which Minerva was head of. Harry was therefore again placed under the watchful eye and care of McGonagall.
Though Minerva often maintained her strict persona in regards to the boy, she wasn't above bending the rules for him on occasion, such as when she caught him flying on a broomstick without proper supervision. Instead of expelling him, which was Madam Hooch's stated punishment for anyone caught doing so, Minerva instead took him to see ***Oliver Wood***, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, to comment on his prodigious skill with the broom. Harry made the team, remarkable for a first year, and became the youngest ***Seeker*** in a century. She made arrangements for Harry to have a Nimbus 2000, the fastest broomstick of the time, for use during games and practices. However, several incidents marred the year.

 File:Harry-potter1-mcgonagall classroom.jpg  At Hallowe'en, the festive feast was interrupted by the arrival of Professor Quirrell, who came charging in screaming about a troll loose in the dungeons before fainting dead away. After restoring calm, Dumbledore ordered all students to return to their dormitories while he and the teachers made their way to the dungeons. The troll was not there upon their entry, but a terrible racket from an upper floor provided a clue. Upon reaching the site, Minerva was shocked to discover a wrecked bathroom, an unconscious troll and three bedraggled first years, one of whom was her best student Hermione Granger.
To her further shock, Hermione claimed that she had gone looking for the troll thinking she could handle it but would most assuredly have been killed had Harry and Ron not found her. Torn between anger and pride, Minerva took five points from Hermione but awarded five each to Harry and Ron for, as she put it, "sheer dumb luck." Over the Christmas period, she attended the Christmas feast and received a kiss on the cheek from a very drunk Hagrid; rather than admonish him, she instead giggled while blushing red in the face.

   However, her serious side appeared one night when she caught Draco Malfoy roaming the school at night. Dragging him by the ear, she sentenced him to detention and deducted twenty points from Slytherin when he claimed that Harry was also out of bed with an illegal baby dragon. Though the dragon in question was successfully released, Harry, Hermione and Neville were all caught and brought before McGonagall by Filch. Mad and disappointed with them, she told them all off before punishing them severely; a loss of fifty points each, 150 in total, and detention with Malfoy. This caused Gryffindor to drop to last in the House Cup.
Towards the end of the year, McGonagall and the other teachers' protective enchantments down in the Philosopher's Stone chambers would come to test when Quirrell attempted to steal the Philosopher's Stone. Also testing and facing the enchantments were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The trio was successful in stopping the stone being stolen and at the end of the school year, Gryffindor had won the house cup after receiving the most house points that year after getting bonus points for the trio's and ***Neville Longbottom***'s bravery. Thus, for the first time in years, McGonagall's house was the current house cup champions. Her reaction wasn't documented, but it's assumed that she was pleased with their efforts as Professor Snape shook her hand with a very forced look of congratulations.

#### The second opening of the Chamber of Secrets

Template:Dialogue a-b

 File:Harry-potter2-professors.jpg  In the beginning of the 1992 school term, Minerva had to deal with Harry and Ron, who crashed Mr Weasley's Flying Ford Anglia into the Whomping Willow, due to the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters being sealed by Dobby so the two couldn't board the train. This nearly exposed the wizarding world to Muggles, but Minerva was fairer than Snape, the one who brought the matter up in the first place. Minerva ultimately let them off with a mere detention and letters to their families. Also she didn't take any house points as Harry pointed out that term had not started yet when they took the car, which she confirmed and almost smiled at this remark.
Later, Minerva was present for the re-opening of the Chamber of Secrets. She, along with the rest of the teaching staff, scoured the castle for the Chamber, but to no avail. Minerva was worried over the messages left on the walls and was at a loss about what should be done. She also had to deal with the less than helpful Gilderoy Lockhart, who had been hired for the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. McGonagall had little liking or use for the man and by the end of the year was only one of the many staff members who utterly despised him. For example when he decorated the Great Hall in nauseatingly lurid pink hearts for Valentine's Day, she was observed to have a muscle twitching noticeably in her face. Throughout the year, two of Minerva's students, Hermione Granger and Colin Creevey were Petrified along with the House ghost Nearly Headless Nick.
In the final weeks of that school year, Minerva served as temporary Headmistress of Hogwarts after the Board of Governors, under Lucius Malfoy's influence, suspended Dumbledore for failing to stop the attacks against the students. She was also quite shaken and softened up, as when Harry and Ron tried to sneak off to investigate the matter but were caught by herself. She let them off under the belief that they were trying to visit a petrified Hermione, though she normally would punish them with detention.

> All students to return to their House dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please.
>
> Minerva's emergency announcement, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

    When Ginny Weasley was later taken into the Chamber of Secrets, where "*her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever*", Minerva despairingly believed that they were facing the end of Hogwarts. Her temperament was not improved by the arrival of the hated Gilderoy Lockhart, who was completely oblivious to the worry of his fellow staff members, and immediately joined Professors Snape, Flitwick and Sprout in forcing him into a corner by recalling all of his boasts that he could deal with the monster easily. With him dealt with, as they couldn't care less if he succeeded or failed, the staff turned their attention to the thing they never thought would happen; the permanent closure of Hogwarts.

 File:Harry-potter2-minera leaving feast.jpg  Thankfully, this terrible reality never came to pass. While McGonagall received Ginny's distraught parents in her office, along with a returned Albus Dumbledore, she was astonished to see Ginny herself walk in, accompanied by a slime-covered Harry, Ron and Lockhart, the ragged old Sorting Hat, Dumbledore's pet phoenix and the silver Sword of Godric Gryffindor. Harry then explained that he and Ron had gone into the Chamber to find Ginny, having realised the mystery, and had slain the monster within. Dumbledore then declared the crisis over and sent Minerva down to the kitchens to organise a celebratory feast, which she subsequently attended with great joy as the monster was dead and Lockhart banished.

## Physical description

> The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Harry's first thought was that she was not someone to cross.
>
> Harry Potter's first impression of McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 File:PromoHP1 Minerva McGonagall 2.jpg
Minerva McGonagall was said to be a tall, rather severe-looking, and "sprightly" seventy-year-old woman. She had black hair which was rarely let down, and the majority of the time was combed back into a tight bun. In her youth, Minerva was described to not be as beautiful as her ***mother***, but she was still rather pretty according to her picture in that age.

Minerva always had a very prim expression. She also was known for her mouth to become very thin whenever she was angry. Harry Potter made analogies to McGonagall looking like she was going to explode, breathe fire and shoot sparks from her nose based on how transparent her anger could appear. When Minerva was happy or relaxed, she seemed like a different person entirely. She was capable of blending into ***Muggle*** crowds though Harry noted that the appearance didn't suit her.

Minerva often wore emerald green robes or her favourite tartan pattern. She wore square spectacles that matched the markings around the eyes of her Animagus and Patronus: a silver tabby cat. She also wore a pointed hat cocked to one side. As Minerva was a fan of tartan print and would often wear it to Quidditch games along with a woolly hat covering her ears.File:ProfessorMcGonagall-HBP.jpg

## Personality and traits

> Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment! Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?
>
> Minerva's strict but fair attitude as an educator, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

 File:McGeee.PNG
Minerva almost constantly exuded magnanimity and sternness, being held in great respect (and some fear) by nearly all students and staff. Used to having her way, she tolerated neither audacity nor silliness from her pupils and was known to turn cold towards people who said or did things in front of her that were stupid, or if she thought they were trying to be funny. She was a woman who rarely smiled or gave compliments freely. Despite her stern demeanour, Minerva did exhibit a dry sense of humour which usually came out when times were tough. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind and showed quite a sharp tongue, especially during arguments.

> We teachers are rather good at magic, you know. I am sure we will be able to hold him off for a while if we all put our best efforts into it. Of course, something will have to be done about Professor Snape —
>
> Minerva's fierce dedication to protecting Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

True to Gryffindor, Minerva valued bravery and courage highly, believing cowardice be a heavy flaw. She fought the Death Eaters and protected her students, proving her bravery. Despite her loyalty to her house, Minerva was a fair-minded person who was known for docking points from students in her own House when she saw it must be done. Although she permitted of-age students to choose whether they wanted to stay or evacuate for the ***Battle of Hogwarts*** as a respect for their valour and rights, she gave the strict orders for anyone underage to evacuate, prioritising their safety over their courage and refusing to let under-qualified children risk dying in battle despite their desires.

For the most part, though, Minerva usually maintained great emotional composure, without being indifferent. Although she wasn't always particularly personable, she could be very warm and supportive during times of trouble or loss and cared a great deal about her students, both personally and academically. She was known to be extremely caring in times of tragedy, being known for her kindness in her own reserved manner. Though it rarely happened, Minerva showed a temper that could reveal itself on occasions when she was angry or flustered. Apparently, she shared this temper with her father. Upon seeing Harry's alleged death, Minerva screamed in such despair that Harry never heard before.

> Professor McGonagall, who could spot trouble quicker than any teacher in the school, was there in a flash.
>
> Minerva's keen perceptiveness as a Hogwarts teacher, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

As the devoted instructor of ***Transfiguration classes***, Minerva highly respected this specific branch of magic, which she considered be among the most difficult and sophisticated magic that Hogwarts students learn. She become an Animagus — a complicated, long process- to further her study in this subject and enjoyed correcting articles in ***Transfiguration Today***. On the other hand, Minerva had very little patience for the field of ***Divination***, due to its impreciseness and rarity of true Seers.

Though she gave up Quidditch on leaving Hogwarts, the innately competitive Minerva later took a keen interest in the fortunes of her house team and retained a keen eye for Quidditch talent. She enjoyed watching Quidditch, and supported the ***Montrose Magpies***.

Minerva inherited her cast-iron moral sense from her father. As a law-abiding citizen, she respected the particular law that all Animagi of Britain must register, insisting that ***Talbott Winger*** do so despite understanding his reason of secrecy. She wasn't inducted into the Order of the Phoenix during Voldemort's first climb to power because the Order was held as a renegade outfit by the Ministry, who feared Dumbledore's charisma and magical talent and were inclined to harbour fears that he wished to succeed them. Instead, she became their informant and bravely spied on Voldemort's followers in the guise of a cat.

However, by the time of the second wizarding war, Minerva was no longer prepared to act as a spy for a Ministry she believed had become corrupt and dangerous. She is known to have a very severe dislike and hatred of those who abused power, such as her making an enemy of ***Dolores Umbridge*** for the latter's bigoted and sadistic behaviour. This also displayed her own distaste for racial prejudice and sadism. Following the confrontation with the Death Eaters who had invaded Hogwarts at the time of Albus Dumbledore's death, Minerva became a fully fledged member of the Order of the Phoenix, which was now, more than ever, seen as an outlaw organisation. Similarly, she stood up to ***Amycus Carrow***, despite the Death Eater's higher authority at the time, refusing to let him blame the students for ***Alecto's*** blunder and looked down at him with pure disgust.

Template:Dialogue a-b

Albus Dumbledore believed that only a few people would have found out how funny and interesting she was,. She had loved to teach ballroom dance to her students and in her free-time, Minerva was known to enjoy needlework.

## Magical abilities and skills

 File:Patronus Cat2.jpg

> Minerva was a gifted Transfiguration student to say the least. But it's been most satisfying to see her grow into a master of magic as well.
>
> Albus Dumbledore on Minerva's outstanding magical power and knowledge

Minerva McGonagall was an incredibly powerful and talented witch, none should have ever underestimated. Her magical prowess allowed her to be the teacher of ***Transfiguration***, a remarkably complex field of magic which she proved to be an expert in. She was also highly capable in many areas of magic as well as Transfiguration. She survived both Wizarding Wars and a duel with Voldemort himself, as well as correctly brewing the extremely advanced Animagus potion at only seventeen years of age. She was also the only person ever seen to produce three Patronus charms at once, which she additionally did non-verbally. Many wizards and witches alike are unable to produce one Patronus whilst saying the incantation, so this is further evidence of Minerva's world class ability.

> Professor McGonagall is the most powerful witch I know.
>
> Jacob's sibling on Minerva's outstanding magical prowess, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery

* **Magical mastery**: Minerva was an exceptionally powerful and talented witch, having inherited such talent from her mother and great-grandmother. She achieved top grades in her ***O.W.Ls*** and ***N.E.W.Ts*** when she was at Hogwarts, being quickly recognised as the most outstanding student of her year, with a particular talent for Transfiguration. During her school years, she was the recipient of several awards such as the "*Transfiguration Today* Most Promising Newcomer Award". As an adult, Minerva displayed her tremendous skills and powers by successfully becoming the Head of Transfiguration, Deputy Headmistress, and Headmistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had extremely advanced magical knowledge, proving herself capable time and time again of mastering and performing highly advanced and difficult spells. Voldemort himself respected her ability, given that even when he controlled the school, and her unwavering loyalty to Dumbledore, she was kept on as Transfiguration professor. Her duelling skills were also exceptional, for she faced some of the greatest magical talent of the age and lived to tell the tale. When facing Snape in battle, one of the few wizards who could have rivalled McGonagall for magical skill, her magical assault was such he was forced onto the back foot almost immediately. Along with surviving both Wizarding Wars, she even went on to challenge Voldemort himself along with Horace Slughorn and Kingsley Shacklebolt at the very end of the second wizarding war, holding him at bay from harming the crowd that had gathered to watch. Though they were ultimately overpowered, neither side were able to hurt the other, further showing her extraordinary skill.
* **Wandless and nonverbal magic**: Minerva was shown to be extremely skilful at non-verbal magic for a wide variety of spells, especially transfiguration spells and charms which she could perform with just a wave of her wand. This is a testament to her formidable magical skills, as both these branches of magic were difficult to begin with not to mention to do them non verbally which required intense concentration and focus. She could even perform certain spells intentionally without her wand, such as the ***Avifors spell*** and often wandlessly conjured a textbook into her hands during Transfiguration class. She stalemated and gained the upper hand over Severus Snape in a fierce duel without uttering a single incantation which is further evidence of her extraordinary skills - lesser witches and wizards seemed to produce weaker magic when using non-verbal spells or under the influence of Silencing Charms, but she seemed unhindered. She was fully capable of disintegrating Snape's fiery serpent he sent at her with just a wave of her wand and instantly turning it into swarm of daggers without saying the incantation. They were so powerful even without the incantation that he was forced to hide behind a suit of armour. She nonverbally untransfigured Draco Malfoy when he was turned into a ferret by simply pointing her wand at him. When Neville Longbottom vanished one of the legs of his desk by accident during a lesson, she had it back very shortly after with just a wave of her wand. She also non-verbally ***conjured a length of shimmering silver rope*** to hang the Carrow siblings before the Battle of Hogwarts to incapacitate them. If her ability to conjure three consecutive Patronuses at once was not impressive enough, it should also be noted she did so non-verbally, which is an extraordinarily challenging feat, considering the difficulty of conjuring a single one with the incantation.

> As if one of them could have Stunned Minerva McGonagall face-on by daylight!
>
> Poppy Pomfrey on Minerva's exceptional duelling capabilities, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

 File:Fiery Offensive Spell.gif
* **Duelling**: Minerva was an immensely skilful duellist. She was described as moving "faster than Harry Potter would have believed", displaying an incredible amount of speed and precision with her spell work. Though she was hit by four stunning spells without warning by a group of ***Aurors***, ***Poppy Pomfrey*** furiously insisted that they wouldn't have stood a chance in an actual fight. During the ***Battle of the Astronomy Tower***, Minerva easily overpowered ***Death Eater*** ***Alecto Carrow*** even when she had aid from ***her brother***, sending them desperately escaping from her spells, and survived the battle unscathed. In 1998, shortly before the Battle of Hogwarts, she proved herself capable of not only matching Severus Snape in a fierce duel, quickly and easily countering all of his spells and responding with her own, but she also managed to begin to gain the upper hand sending daggers so powerful after him that he was forced to take refuge behind a shield of armour when he couldn't counter her spell. With aid from Pomona Sprout and Filius Flitwick, she swiftly forced Snape to flee from the school by jumping out of a classroom window and flying through the grounds. Even without them, her ability to make Snape unable to counter one of her spells showed Minerva alone could have probably eventually defeated Snape (although it must also be noted that Snape wasn't fighting to kill her). Minerva emerged as one of the survivors of the ***Battle of Hogwarts*** and most likely defeated many Death Eaters given her previous results in duels. Alongside ***Horace Slughorn*** and ***Kingsley Shacklebolt***, she even duelled Voldemort himself to a stalemate and they were only overpowered when Voldemort's rage of Bellatrix's death caused his magic to explode, although it must be noted that Voldemort was wielding the Elder Wand at the time without having achieved mastery over it and Harry's loving sacrifice was weakening the power of Voldemort's spells. It should also be noted, in her favour, that she, Horace and Kingsley had been fighting Death Eaters for hours before facing Voldemort, whereas Voldemort had only just entered battle. Her duelling knowledge remained even as she grew older, with her instructing members of the ***Statute of Secrecy Task Force*** how to improve their sight and teamwork. She was also incredibly skilled in manipulating and using her environment to her advantage in battle, which made her an extremely formidable opponent in duels. Her most impressive uses of this came in the duel with Snape, where she utilised the torches on the walls to make a fiery whirlwind, and at the beginning of the Battle of Hogwarts, when she ***brought the various desks and chairs to life***, leading them into battle against her Death Eater opponents.

> Professor McGonagall raised her wand again and pointed it at Snape's desk. A large plate of sandwiches, two silver goblets, and a jug of iced pumpkin juice appeared with a pop.
>
> Minerva making food and drink appear with transfiguration, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

File:COS Vera-Verto Demo.gif

* **Transfiguration**: Minerva was taught ***Transfiguration*** by Albus Dumbledore, showing an unusually high level of talent in the subject even at a young age. With guidance from her teacher Albus Dumbledore, she was skilled enough to achieve the Animagus transformation at the young age of seventeen, a highly advanced and challenging process that could be disastrous if gotten wrong. Her record was so impressive that upon finishing her seventh year, she was awarded the "Most Promising Newcomer Award" by ***Transfiguration Today***. Upon returning to Hogwarts to teach, she was offered a job as Professor of Transfiguration, under Head of Department, Albus Dumbledore. Her mastery, skill and power in this immensely difficult branch of magic meant she took over the job as Head of Transfiguration upon Dumbledore's promotion to Headmaster, a job title she retained until she herself became Headmaster in 1998. She would later regard it as “some of the most complex and dangerous” magic taught at Hogwarts. As an adult, her skills in Transfiguration were known to be exceptional, Voldemort himself respecting her skills given that she was kept on as Head of Transfiguration even when he controlled the school, despite her allegiance to Dumbledore making her a prime target. Minerva was therefore phenomenally accomplished in all branches of transfiguration, including Conjuration, Vanishment, Transformation and Untransfiguration. She could perform advanced transfiguration spells with just a quick flick of her wand, for example untransfiguring Draco Malfoy back into human form, which she did simply by pointing her wand at him. Like Dumbledore, she seemed especially proficient at conjuration. For example, she was effortlessly able to ***conjure three chairs*** at once non-verbally for herself, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley in ***Dumbledore's office***, with a simple wave of her wand; ***silver rope*** and ***silver nets*** as restraints for the ***Carrow siblings***; conjuring a ***large fan out of thin air*** to "waft" Nearly Headless Nick to the ***Hospital Wing***, conjure flames and also to effortlessly conjure a snake from the end of her wand. In 1992, when Harry and Ron had to eat in Snape's office, she transfigured a ***plate of sandwiches*** that would automatically refill itself. Like Dumbledore, she was highly skilled at using Transfiguration in battle, easily vanishing a massive black snake Professor Snape had sent at her in their ***brief duel***, disintegrating it almost immediately into smoke without saying a word. From this smoke, she quickly turned it into a ***swarm of pursuing daggers***, which she directed back at Snape, who was forced to hide behind a suit of armour to avoid it. At the start of the ***Battle of Hogwarts***, she brought the ***various tables and chairs to life*** to fight the ***Death Eaters***, in much the same way in which Dumbledore brought the ***statues*** to life in ***his duel with Voldemort***. She was also trusted by Dumbledore to contribute to the defences of the Philosopher's Stone, which she did magnificently by enlarging an entire Wizard's Chess set to giant size and bringing them to life. She was also highly skilled at teaching students Transfiguration, something she did for more than four decades. Her spells in class included transforming a desk into a pig and back, transforming animals into water goblets, ***changing the colour of eyebrows***, Switching Spells, conjuring snakes, ***conjuring birds*** and turning ***lovebirds into love notes*** for ***Valentine's Day***. ***Jacob's sibling*** remarked how easy he thought Professor McGonagall made it look, when the reality was very different, further demonstrating her talent.

> Really, what has got into you all today? Not that it matters, but that's the first time my transformation's not got applause from a class.
>
> Minerva to third year students in 1993, regarding her impressive abilities as an Animagus, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

* **Animagus**: Minerva learned how to become an Animagus under Dumbledore's tutelage during her time as a student at Hogwarts, transforming into a tabby cat at will. She often used this ability when she didn't wish to be recognised. An example of this usage was when she spied on the ***Dursley family*** before Dumbledore brought Harry to them. On his notes of TBB, Dumbledore stated that Minerva asked him to explain that she had never abused the ability for any surreptitious purposes, setting aside legitimate business for the Order of the Phoenix (and previously the **Ministry of Magic**) where secrecy and concealment were imperative to survive and get information from the enemy. Minerva demonstrated her transformation to the students in their ***third year***, which usually got applause. When Hermione Granger searched for Animagus references in her third year, she saw that her Professor was one of the few registered Animagi in the 20th century.

> She marched toward the door, and as she did so she raised her wand. From the tip burst three silver cats with spectacle markings around their eyes.
>
> Minerva non-verbally conjuring three consecutive Patronuses with her wand, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

 File:Piertotum Locomotor.gif
* **Charms**: Minerva was shown to be incredibly skilled in charm-work. She was effortlessly capable of performing many simple everyday charms non-verbally without fail, such as the Fire-Making Spell, Mending Charm, ***Wand-Lighting Charm***, Freezing Spell, Disarming Charm, Summoning Charm and Levitation Charm. She was also able to successfully teach her students various charms related to transfiguration such as the Colour Change Charm, Mending Charm, Hardening Charm, Softening Charm ***Bird-Conjuring Charm*** and Revelio Charm in her classes. Minerva had mastered the Patronus Charm, being able to create a powerful corporeal Patronus in the form of a cat — identical to her Animagus — , being the only person seen to cast three Patronuses at once. She also was able to use her Patronus as a means of communication, as taught to her by Dumbledore. Minerva was also proficient in the use of the *Piertotum Locomotor* charm, describing it as one of the spells she best excelled in and favoured, using it to such a great effect that with a single use, she animated virtually all of the thousands of desks and suits of armour in order to defend Hogwarts during the final battle with Voldemort. She was also able to perform a powerful ***Amplifying Charm***, which was capable of being heard across the castle, using it to summon the other Professors to the second-floor corridor when the Heir of Slytherin took a student into the Chamber of Secrets. Minerva was additionally proficient in Silencing Charms, using one to great effect to control the chaos in the corridor where Justin Finch-Flecthley had just been found petrified. She non-verbally silenced the corridor using her wand, setting off a "loud bang", restoring order to the corridor. She could also extract memories from herself and others.
* **Defence Against the Dark Arts**: Minerva was exceptionally experienced and accomplished in defensive magic as she fought in the two wizarding wars and survived, having defeated powerful dark wizards and witches in process and even surviving a duel with Voldemort himself. During her early years in teaching, Minerva effortlessly undid the effects of the dark charm *Oscausi* ***Leta Lestrange*** placed on a Gryffindor girl. While not as powerful as her predecessor, it was nevertheless the case that Minerva, upon being appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts by the Board of Governors, as all those that had held the post before her, was charged with handling the protective enchantments surrounding the school, which, considering her still considerable abilities, she likely still did so very well. She was able to teach how to greatly increase the strength of the Protection Charm of the ***Statute of Secrecy Task Force***.

> Before Harry or Luna could act, Professor McGonagall rose to her feet, pointed her wand at the groggy Death Eater, and said, “Imperio”. Amycus got up, walked over to his sister, picked up her wand, then shuffled obediently to Professor McGonagall and handed it over along with his own.
>
> A rare example of Minerva using an Unforgivable Curse, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

* **Dark Arts**: Whilst she did not practise the Dark Arts, Minerva was surprisingly capable in the field. She seemed to have no trouble performing standard dark charms, such as the spell *Oscausi* on the ***girl*** who had had it cast previously on her by Leta and the Knockback Jinx in a failed attempt to free ***Ben Copper*** from the ***cursed ice*** (openly noting she used it when it was previously unleashed upon the school successfully). She also successfully cast an effective Imperius Curse on ***Amycus Carrow***, a remarkable feat as the Unforgivable Curses required both heartfelt intent and power in order to be effectively cast, and was also able to discern that ***Jakub Gorski*** was bring controlled by the curse in a matter of seconds. She was particularly proficient in the use of ***Deterioration Hex***, enough so to teach them to the members of the ***Statute of Secrecy Task Force***.

> She brandished her wand at a touch on the wall and it flew out of its bracket. Harry, about to curse Snape, was forced to pull Luna out of the way of the descending flames, which became a ring of fire that filled the corridor and flew like a lasso at Snape.
>
> McGonagall non-verbally and easily filling the corridor with fire in her duel with Snape, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

* **Elemental magic aptitude**: Much like her mentor, Dumbledore, Minerva seemed to be exceptionally capable with manipulating fire. When freeing ***Ben Copper*** from the ***Cursed ice***, she along with Snape were able to free him with the Fire-Making Spell while avoiding burning his flesh. When duelling the extremely powerful Severus Snape, she easily manipulated the fire from the torches into a fiery whirlwind first and easily blasted to smoke the fiery serpent he transformed her attack into.
* **Flying**: During her school years at Hogwarts, Minerva was a skilful player of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. However, while playing, she suffered a number of serious injuries — such as a concussion and broken bones— that forced her to give up playing. It is highly possible that the Slytherin Quidditch team had cheated in the process.
* ***Potion*s**: Minerva had very advanced abilities in brewing potions, as she was capable of brewing the Animagus potion, which was known to be immensely difficult, complex and time-consuming with great consequences if brewed incorrectly, showing her superior talent in potion-making.
* ***Study of Ancient Runes***: Minerva was highly proficient and well versed in the study of Ancient Runes or Runology, being able to understand and translate complex ***runic*** scriptures, alphabets and symbols correctly, often using the help of a highly useful and practical ***Rune Dictionary***.
* **Control of underage magic**: As an infant, Minerva had early signs of magic. She inadvertently summoned toys that had been left on upper shelves to her cot, made the ***family cat*** do her bidding, and her ***father's bagpipes*** play themselves. Further evidence of her staggering magical ability was that the only other person known to be able to control animals as a child was none other than Voldemort himself.
* **Intellectual giftedness**: McGonagall was an incredibly wise, observant, and intelligent witch. She was once given the option to become a Ravenclaw by the Sorting Hat, though she turned it down in preference for Gryffindor, with her officially becoming a known Hatstall. In 1998, she effortlessly solved the riddle to allow ***Amycus Carrow*** into the Ravenclaw Tower. Minerva's strategical-sense and deduction skills, along with her cautious nature, were shown several times: She confiscated Harry's ***Firebolt*** to be "examined" because she correctly guessed it to have been sent by Sirius Black (though she did this because she incorrectly believed it was lethally cursed), did all she could to circumvent ***Dolores Umbridge'***s authority without risking her own security as Deputy Headmistress for certain time and gave ***Peeves*** tips when he was trying to cause havoc for Umbridge; and helped to keep the meetings of the reformed Dumbledore's Army a secret. Shortly before the final battle, Minerva ordered her students, with the aid of ***pyrotechnics***, to destroy the main access to Hogwarts so the ***Snatchers*** could not sneak into school grounds and ordered the caretaker to find Peeves to ensure the advantage of chaos on their side.

> Hogwarts needs you, Minerva!
>
> Albus Dumbledore trusting Minerva to run the school just before temporarily going on the run, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

* **Leadership skills**: Minerva was an exceptionally effective leader, being able to take charge in any situation within minutes. During the long absences of Dumbledore, she was the one to step in to fill his shoes. In the upstart of the Battle of Hogwarts, Minerva took charge of the school and secure it against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. She led the defenders of Hogwarts during the battle with great efficiency, persisting against the forces of darkness even at the face of so many casualties in the first round of battle before turning the tides with additional help and ultimately coming out victorious when Harry defeated Voldemort once and for all. After everything returned to normal, Minerva became the permanent Headmistress of Hogwarts. Her leadership skills would help her when she became the leader of the members of the newly created ***Statute of Secrecy Task Force*** who desired to become a Professor, being able to lead both those under her charge and her fellow instructors into fighting the ***Calamity*** while remaining hidden from ***Muggles***.
* **Physical aptitude**: It should be noted that Minerva was in excellent physical condition, despite her old age. She had great physical endurance as she notably fully recovered from four Stunning Spells aimed at her by ***Dolores Umbridge*** and some ***Aurors***. Although she was hospitalised due to the severity of her injuries, many noted that the four spells straight to the chest could have been fatal, another testament to her overall strength.
* **Teaching skills**: Being the Head of Transfiguration at Hogwarts, Minerva was an extremely skilled and efficient teacher during her time in this position and was one of the few professors at Hogwarts who could keep a class quiet with minimal effort as a result of her strict nature, making her one of the most respected teachers at Hogwarts. Her effective teaching methods were enough for her to pass ***Dolores Umbridge***'s inspection of her despite Umbridge's attempts to discredit many Hogwarts teachers along with making her the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and later the Headmistress after Voldemort's final defeat.
* **Wizard's Chess**: Minerva was a skilled player of Wizards' Chess, and enjoyed playing the game with others, along with giving tips.

## Possessions

 File:ProfMinervaMcGonagallwandNN8290.jpg
 File:Brilliant hornbill WU.png
 File:Brilliant Self Playing Harp.png
* **Wand**: Minerva's wand was 9½", ***fir***, and had a ***dragon heartstring*** ***core***. The wand was well suited to Transfiguration, proven by its owner, who was a teacher of the subject and an Animagus.
	+ ***Alecto Carrow's wand*** and ***Amycus Carrow's wand***: Minerva gained the wands of ***Alecto Carrow*** and ***Amycus Carrow*** after restraining and confining the latter to the Ravenclaw common room, using the Imperius Curse to obtain both his wand and his sister's on 1 May 1998.
* **Hornbill**: This male hornbill was owned by Professor McGonagall from 1992 or earlier. In that year, she used the bird to demonstrate the spell *Vera Verto*, in front of her second-years' class.
* **Office**: Minerva's office was a small study located off of the first-floor corridor, to the right of a staircase to the Serpentine Corridor. It had a large fire, windows overlooking the Training Grounds and the Quidditch pitch.
* **Cottage**: During their marriage in the 1980s, Minerva and ***Elphinstone Urquart*** lived in a small cottage, which the latter purchased after he proposed to her in the summer of 1982. The cottage was located in ***Hogsmeade***, from where Minerva could go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry every day to teach.
* **Dress robes**: Minerva wore a set of dress robes to the ***Yule Ball***, which was held on Christmas Day 1994, together with a hat on which she arranged a rather ugly wreath of thistles. The robes were made of a red tartan fabric.
* **Walking stick**: Minerva used this walking stick after leaving ***St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries***, after being hit with four ***Stunning Spells***. It was once borrowed, with her permission, by ***Peeves*** to chase and whack Dolores Umbridge with.
* **Headmaster's office**: Upon assuming the headship of Hogwarts following the legendary ***Battle of Hogwarts***, Professor McGonagall presided henceforth over the school from the office of her predecessors. It is unknown what, if any changes she did to the decor, or what the passwords were.
* **Self-playing harp**: Minerva owned an enchanted harp, that could play by itself.

## Relationships

### Albus Dumbledore

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 File:COS promo Minerva Albus.jpg
Minerva knew Albus Dumbledore for the majority of her life. She attended Hogwarts as a student during Dumbledore's time as ***Transfiguration*** Professor and even replaced him as Head of Transfiguration when he took the position of Headmaster of the school. Albus discovered Minerva in tears in her classroom late one evening after she found out about ***Dougal McGregor***'s marriage with another woman. She confessed the whole story to him, and he offered both comfort and wisdom; telling her some of his own family history, previously unknown to her.

The confidences exchanged between the two intensely private and reserved characters were to form the basis of a lasting mutual esteem and friendship. Despite this fact, she had never been fully in his or Dumbledore's confidence. Minerva was one of only a handful of people who knew how dreadful a moment it was for Dumbledore when he made the decision to confront and defeat the Dark wizard ***Gellert Grindelwald*** in ***1945***.

Minerva served for many years as his Deputy Headmistress, standing in for him in dangerous situations and even replacing him as Headmistress on several occasions. She also served more than once to bring Dumbledore back on track when he became distracted from the matter currently at hand. Minerva had great faith in Dumbledore, placing great stock in the differences between him and Voldemort. However, she didn't hesitate to disagree with him when she felt the need to do so, greatly opposing his decision to place Harry Potter with ***Petunia Dursley***'s family and his policy of allowing Harry to run extreme risks.

Minerva never hesitated in displaying her loyalty to Dumbledore. When Cornelius Fudge brought Aurors to arrest Dumbledore in 1996, she boldly stepped forward and announced her intention to fight the Aurors on his behalf. She only stepped back at Dumbledore's insistence when he reminded her that Hogwarts and her students would need her in his absence. Minerva was devastated when Dumbledore was killed in ***1997*** during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and arranged his funeral. A year later, when Harry was on a mission given to him by Dumbledore, she didn't question the decision of the late headmaster, but immediately sought to provide whatever assistance she could.

### Harry Potter

> You couldn't find two people who are less like us. And they've got this son — I saw him kicking his mother all the way up the street, screaming for sweets. Harry Potter come and live here?
>
> McGonagall discussing the Dursley family as Harry's guardians, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 File:Harry Potter.jpg  Minerva showed her care for Harry Potter ever since she, Dumbledore and Hagrid left him in the care of the ***Dursleys***, in part because she had been quite fond of Harry's late parents. She was sort of a loving grandmother to him and expressed concern with both Dumbledore's choice trusting Hagrid to safely transport Harry to ***Little Whinging***, and of the choice of family with whom Harry would stay. She spent hours on end spying on the Dursleys to get an insight to what life for Harry growing up would be like, calling them "the worst sort of Muggles imaginable". It is unlikely, however, that she kept watch over Harry, as she would never go against Dumbledore's actions, no matter how much she disagreed with them.
When Harry arrived at Hogwarts, Minerva was naturally pleased that he was sorted into Gryffindor, her house and as he studied in Hogwarts. Although her relationship with him remained mostly normal, she kept a watchful eye on him and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger to ensure his safety. She also (along with the other professors) reported that he was likeable, humble and talented. Although she was fully willing to punish him for his misdeeds, Minerva would not hesitate to intervene in their affairs whenever necessary to keep them safe and ensured that Harry would not be punished too severely. This was shown when Harry and his friends were caught sneaking around the tower in the dead of night during their first year at Hogwarts and she sent him off to serve detention in the ***Forbidden Forest***.
However, rather than punishing or expelling him for having broken Madam Hooch's order that no student would ride on their broomsticks and the risk he took, Minerva brought him to see ***Oliver Wood***, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, announcing that she had found their new ***Seeker***. In her gratitude for Harry accepting the position, she bought him a Nimbus 2000 for his first Quidditch game. Her affection for him even allowed her to forgive him and Ron's use of the Weasleys's flying car to reach Hogwarts, which risked exposure of the wizarding world and broke several of the international laws, a far more serious deed than smuggling Norbert out of Hogwarts, without even taking House Points from Gryffindor and only punishing him and Ron by giving them both detention. She nearly smiled when Harry pointed out how she couldn't take House Points for Gryffindor as it was only the beginning of the year.

 File:McGonagallWithHandOnHarrysShoulder.png
### Hermione Granger

 File:Hermione Granger 2.jpg
Minerva took a shine to Hermione Granger since the younger witch successfully transfigured a match into a needle early on in her first Transfiguration lesson, before any other student. She gave Hermione one of her "rare smiles". Hence, Minerva was extremely shocked and disappointed in Hermione when she said she had gone looking for the ***Troll*** that invaded Hogwarts, under the impression that she could stop it. The claim wasn't true, but Minerva was none the wiser. When Hermione was attacked by the Basilisk in 1992, Minerva was greatly moved and would often take time to visit her Petrified student in the hospital wing.
Minerva was a role model for Hermione and both had much in common. They both believed that ***Divination*** was a very "woolly" subject and that ***Professor Trelawney*** was a fraud, Furthermore, both were considered for Ravenclaw, but in the end were both Sorted into Gryffindor House.

### Ron Weasley

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 File:Ron Weasley.jpg
Ron Weasley was a student at the time McGonagall was a professor at Hogwarts. He was sorted into Gryffindor, McGonagall's house. Ron thought she was very strict, however, he did see her good side on a number of occasions. The two clashed when he and Harry flew Arthur Weasley's flying car to Hogwarts. However, she didn't wish to see them expelled. During the ***Yule Ball***, Minerva showed the other students how to dance by dancing with Ron in front of the whole class, a move which prompted laughter from the class and Fred and George agreeing to always tease him about it.

Ron is appointed prefect by McGonagall in his fifth year after most likely being persuaded by Dumbledore, as he felt that Harry had enough responsibilities to deal with. He and McGonagall were allies during the ***Battle of the Astronomy Tower*** and the ***Battle of Hogwarts***, surviving the Second Wizarding War.

### Neville Longbottom

 File:Neville-longbottom.jpg  Minerva had a long history with the ***Longbottom family***, being allies with the Order of the Phoenix, in which ***Neville***'s parents were members. They were eventually tortured into insanity by ***Bellatrix Lestrange***. She also had a personal relationship with Neville's grandmother, who raised him.
McGonagall frequently seemed to expect more from Neville than he produced, starting with Neville's first day at Hogwarts when he ran out of a crowd after his toad. When Neville "lost" his scrap of parchment (which was actually stolen by ***Crookshanks***) with Gryffindor's passwords on them, allowing Sirius Black to enter the common room, Minerva was furious with him. She voiced pride in Neville's courage in participating in the fight with the Death Eaters in the ***Department of Mysteries***.
Minerva couldn't help but feel pity for Neville after the loss of both his parents, whom she knew and fought alongside earlier on in her career. She also sought to encourage Neville to take ***Charms***, in his sixth year, despite his grandmother's dismissal of the subject as "soft;" Minerva wanted to see Neville pursue his own talents rather than the skills his grandmother appeared to value. After the Second Wizarding War, Minerva may have been the one to employ Neville as the school's new ***Herbology*** professor.

### Draco Malfoy

> What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! Come on — I shall see Professor Snape about you, Malfoy!
>
> McGonagall after catching an 11-year-old Draco out of bed, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 File:Draco-Malfoy-promo-draco-and-slytherin-22383941-1920-2560.jpg
While Professor Snape favoured students of his own house and often overlooked any misbehaviour from students like Draco Malfoy, McGonagall had little tolerance for nonsense from any student, regardless of their house, and took no notice of the Malfoy family's status within the wizarding community. As she wasn't a Slytherin, Malfoy didn't respect her at all but was never foolish enough to make this clear in front of her.
Despite her clear disapproval of Malfoy's pure-blood supremacist leanings, McGonagall sought to protect him as much as every other student, being completely appalled when ***Alastor Moody*** (***Barty Crouch Jnr*** in disguise) ***transformed*** Draco into a ferret in 1994. She transformed Malfoy back into his human form and reminded Moody that they never use transfiguration as a punishment. In addition, Minerva wouldn't accept Harry's accusations of Malfoy mailing a ***cursed necklace*** without sufficient evidence, nor condone any attacks Harry made on Malfoy such as when the former beat up Malfoy in 1995 and later when he used the ***Sectumsempra*** curse (not knowing exactly what it did) on Malfoy, in 1997.
However, when Draco was proven to have led a group of Death Eaters into the castle, Minerva came to see him as much an enemy as any Death Eater, until after the war, where Draco was pardoned. At which point. Minerva and Draco established a cordial relationship, as she accepted Draco's ***son*** into Hogwarts and treated him just as she would every student despite whatever dark feelings she may had towards Draco for his misdeeds, being utterly appealed at Harry's request that she help Albus and Scorpius stay apart. Draco also trusted her into using the Marauder's Map to find his son and Albus and fully accepted whatever punishment would be given to Scorpius, acknowledging he believed her decision would be fair.

### Weasley family

 File:Weasley family.png
McGonagall and the Weasleys get along well, considering they were all in Gryffindor House and fellow members of the Order of the Phoenix. However, Minerva disapproved of ***Fred*** and ***George Weasley***'s behaviour at school, although she still seemed impressed by their magical skills.
Minerva was fond of all the Weasley children, including Ginny. She was glad that Ginny was sorted into Gryffindor, and, although Ginny thought McGonagall was a little strict, she believed that the Transfiguration professor was also fair. Both witches tried to oppose Umbridge (in 1995) and the Carrows (in 1998). Furthermore, Minerva had high regard and expectations of Percy Weasley, who was a Gryffindor prefect and Head Boy in his last year at Hogwarts.

### The Marauders and Lily J. Evans

> Is it true, Albus? Lily and James... are dead?
>
> McGonagall's devastation regarding the Potter's murders, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 File:The Marauders.png
McGonagall had long been the ***Transfiguration*** professor at Hogwarts by the time Lily Evans and the Marauders attended as students, all being sorted into the Gryffindor house. After they left Hogwarts, both McGonagall became allies with her former students, who became members of the first Order of the Phoenix.
The Marauders were four great friends: ***Remus Lupin***, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and James Potter. Despite their boisterous ways, at odds with Minerva's no-nonsense reputation, they seemed to have a good relationship with her. Coincidentally, both McGonagall and the Marauders had the accomplishment of becoming Animagi. This information most likely not privy to her.

 File:Lily Potter1.jpg
Minerva liked James Potter (an intelligent and talented wizard), despite the fact that he could sometimes be a bit of a bully and was not above bending the rules. McGonagall seems to have had a good relationship with his future wife, Lily Evans. The couple would later become Head Boy and Head Girl; neither appointment would have happened if their Head of House had not approved, which means she trusted them. McGonagall was devastated at the murder in 1981 of Lily and James, both of whom she considered her all-time favourites. She later became friendly with the Potters' son, Harry, who was also her student and a member of her House, though she did not show favouritism and was more than willing to take many points even from her own House for misbehaviour.

A little over a decade after he left Hogwarts, Remus Lupin (a former ***Prefect*** of her House) returned to the school in order to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, becoming Minerva's professional colleaguein 1993. She didn't care about the fact Remus was a werewolf, because Dumbledore trusted him, and respected his efficient teaching skills, as she referenced him during Harry's ***Careers Advice***. The two were members of the Order of the Phoenix in the Second Wizarding War. After Dumbledore's death, McGonagall, Lupin and several other individuals were devastated; they all discussed about the way Snape killed Dumbledore. Sadly, Lupin himself died in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Minerva had a good relationship with Sirius Black. But after James's death, she, the rest of the wizarding community, assumed it was Sirius who betrayed the Potters since he was expected to be their Secret-Keeper. Only in 1995 did she learn that the Secret-Keeper at the time of the Potters' deaths was actually Peter Pettigrew, who took the title after Sirius turned it down. Sirius was murdered by his own cousin ***Bellatrix Lestrange*** during the ***Battle of the Department of Mysteries*** in 1996. Minerva's reaction to Sirius's death is unreported.

Minerva had a pretty poor relationship with Peter Pettigrew, describing him as a "stupid" and "foolish" boy. She confessed that she was harsher than necessary with him during their time together as student and teacher, even when "hero-worshipped" James Potter and Sirius Black for the mischief. Peter faked his own death standing up to Sirius, who was a suspect in the Potters' betrayal, leading McGonagall to regret that she had been harsh towards him and to acknowledge him as a brave Gryffindor.

### Rubeus Hagrid

> I'm not saying his heart isn't in the right place, but you can't pretend he's not careless.
>
> McGonagall's opinion of Hagrid in delicate situations, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 File:Rubeus Hagrid.jpg  Rubeus Hagrid respected McGonagall. Hagrid was the gamekeeper, and later ***Care of Magical Creatures*** professor of Hogwarts. McGonagall was one of the most serious professors at Hogwarts, and sometimes disapproved of Hagrid's behaviour, especially during the Sorting ceremony. However, they were still close friends, were both members of the Order of the Phoenix, and admired Albus Dumbledore.

### Severus Snape

 File:Severus Snape Profile.jpg  Minerva McGonagall was Severus Snape's professor of Transfiguration during his time as a student at Hogwarts. After he had graduated and then returned as the ***Potions*** master, he and McGonagall became colleagues. As Head of Gryffindor House, McGonagall and Snape teased one another about House points and Quidditch standings, acting like friendly rivals to one another. Like Snape, McGonagall was a strict disciplinarian, but was fairer to Harry Potter, who was a member of her House.
Both were demanding and effective teachers, unusually talented at magic, and loyal to Albus Dumbledore, so over time, Minerva grew to respect Severus despite his dark past. McGonagall knew that Snape was a Death Eater in his youth, but she followed Albus Dumbledore in believing that he truly regretted his former allegiance. She did, however, admit to being suspicious of Snape's true allegiance though she trusted him simply because Albus did. Unusually for Snape, he was on first name terms with McGonagall, showing a certain level of personal friendship.

> Coward! COWARD!
>
> Minerva's fury towards Snape after duelling him, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

After Snape killed Dumbledore, McGonagall was shocked and perhaps personally hurt to find her formerly-respected colleague a murderer and apparent traitor. When Snape became Headmaster of Hogwarts, she opposed him and his supposed minions the Carrows, without knowing Snape was secretly helping her protect the students from his fellow ***Death Eaters***. At the onset of the Battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall and Snape duelled inconclusively; with ***Professor Flitwick***'s later help, and Snape fled the school rather than continue the fight. McGonagall, believing his retreat was motivated by fear, called out "Coward!", an insult he particularly detested. Snape was killed by Voldemort during the battle, but she learnt that Snape had killed Dumbledore in a painful act of loyalty to the Headmaster's own orders too late. Following a private conversation with Harry, Minerva later took the controversial decision to add a portrait of Severus Snape to the gallery of old headmasters and headmistresses in her tower office. There is no report that she objected this, which shows that she likely forgave him and came to admire his marvellous bravery.

### Pomona Sprout

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The relationship between Professor McGonagall and ***Professor Sprout*** dates back to when both attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The two students maintained an excellent relationship, which was kept well into their adulthood.

### Hogwarts staff

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 File:Harry Potter Movie Pictures-Professors.jpg
McGonagall seemed to have a good relationship with most of her co-workers at Hogwarts. Among them was ***Filius Flitwick***. Their fellow Hatstall status was a subject of gentle humour between them, with the two Heads of house being amused to think that they might, but for those crucial moments in their youths, have exchanged positions. Flitwick fought alongside McGonagall in the the upstart of the ***Battle of Hogwarts***.

 File:Flitwickmainimage.jpg  McGonagall was friendly with ***Poppy Pomfrey***, the nurse. Pomfrey seemed to admire McGonagall's magical abilities and strength. This was shown when McGonagall was hit by four Stunners on the chest, as Madam Pomfrey said that it would have killed most witches of her age.
McGonagall was friendly with Argus Filch, the caretaker, although they argued many times. During the Battle of Hogwarts, she shouted at Filch, and called him a blithering idiot. Then she sternly ordered him to call ***Peeves***. It is possible that, after the war, McGonagall and Filch were still co-workers.

 File:Gilderoy Lockhart COS promo.jpg
On the other hand, Minerva had no liking for Gilderoy Lockhart whatsoever, the D.A.D.A professor before Lupin. This was due to him being obnoxious, incompetent and insensitive, annoying her with nonsensical advices while being ignorant and unhelpful around the second opening of the Chamber of Secrets. Even as a student, Lockhart was already a vain, annoying attention-seeking troublemaker, to which she held in contempt. Minerva was positively hateful towards Lockhart when he walked in late and oblivious when everyone else was greatly saddened at Ginny Weasley's impending doom. She full-heartedly supported Snape sending Lockhart to deal with the monster within in the hopes of scaring her incompetent colleague away. When Lockhart resigned due to his self-induced amnesia, McGonagall was cheerful along with the rest of the staff and students at the news.

### Order of the Phoenix members

 File:Order of the Phoenix.png
McGonagall had a good relationship with most members of the Order of the Phoenix.

### Lord Voldemort

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 File:Voldemort Headshot DHP1.png  Minerva did not teach the young Tom Riddle during his time at Hogwarts, but she was privy to Dumbledore's fears and suspicions about him. During the First Wizarding War, Minerva joined the fight against Voldemort and his ***Death Eaters***, using her skill as an Animagi to spy on the Dark Lord's followers and report her findings to the ***Auror Office***. Like most in the Wizarding world, Minerva was very wary of speaking Voldemort's name.
During his second rise to power, Minerva joined the Order of the Phoenix and stayed in Hogwarts during the tenure of Severus Snape as Headmaster and the Carrows to protect her students. She was one of the few people that was not afraid of standing against the Carrows, as she did defy them many times during the 1997-1998 school year. In spite of her well-known loyalty to Professor Dumbledore, Voldemort and his followers believed that Minerva was both too gifted to lose, and too sensible not to join them fully once their victory was assured. However, she proved him wrong when she defended the school against his army and, along with ***Kingsley Shacklebolt*** and ***Horace Slughorn***, bravely duelled Voldemort himself during the second part of the ***Battle of Hogwarts***. She watched as Voldemort was defeated by Harry Potter once and for all, finally ending the War.

## Media

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 - McGonagall sends the Slytherin students away (HD)McGonagall Sends the Slytherins AwayHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 - ''Boom'' and Piertotum Locomotor scene (HD)Hogwarts is Threatened
## Etymology

* The name *Minerva* means "wise". Minerva is the Roman name of Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom, strategy, war, courage, and justice (among other things), which is a name suitable for Minerva's personality. Also, Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, schools, art and commerce, which could connect to her being one of the heads of Hogwarts.
* *McGonagall* comes from the Scotsman William Topaz McGonagall, who is considered to be one of the worst poets in the English language, although Rowling stated that this has nothing to do with Minerva, she only liked the surname. The Scottish name McGonagall (or McGonigle, McGonegal) is from the Celtic name Conegal, meaning "the bravest", plus Mc, or "son of".
* Template:An Order-Of-The Phoenix

## Behind the scenes

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* Minerva McGonagall is portrayed by ***British*** actress Dame ***Maggie Smith*** in the film adaptations *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, *Chamber of Secrets*, ***Prisoner of Azkaban***, ***Goblet of Fire***, ***Order of the Phoenix***, ***Half-Blood Prince*** and ***Deathly Hallows: Part 2***. Despite being from Essex, her late mother was from Glasgow, so Smith may had picked up that accent, but is less pronounced.
	+ In 2007, Dame Maggie Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer and struggled through the filming of Half Blood Prince (2008) while undergoing the chemo treatments. In 2009, during the filming of Deathly Hallows: Part 2 she developed shingles (a painful skin rash), but still continued the film despite the pain.
	+ From August 2017 onwards, Maggie Smith is the oldest cast member still living in the series, after the death of Robert Hardy (born 1925), who played Cornelius Fudge.
* McGonagall's Tabby Cat Animagus appearance is portrayed in the first instalment by ***Mrs. P. Head***.
	+ Another possible theory is the idea of time travel as this concept has been explored, where Albus Severus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy get stranded in the 1981 timeline but were successfully able to summon their parents back from the present to save them. Similarly, there is a possibility that McGonagall travelled back to the early 1910s to fill in Albus Dumbledore's previous (or intended) position in Transfiguration, so Dumbledore could instead teach Defence Against the Dark Arts thus better preparing his students for the war to come. If so, it is likely that Dumbledore was able to summon a professor back from the future (which happened to be McGonagall) to fill in the post by sending a out message to her future self in a similar manner like what was used by Albus Severus to summon Harry. Also, in *the Cursed Child*, she later expresses her disgust about time turners and their consequences towards Albus Severus and Scorpius due to their reckless use of one and towards Hermione Granger due to not destroying that. This may also be attributed to a bad experience she had back in those days when using it.
* J. K. Rowling stated that she always pictured Maggie Smith, who portrays her in the films, as Professor McGonagall.
* Professor McGonagall has the distinction of being the first magical character introduced in the series, when Vernon Dursley sees her reading a map in her Animagus form on the morning after the Potters' deaths. Only the three Dursleys are introduced before her. However in the films, McGonagall is the second magical character introduced as Albus Dumbledore appears before her. She is the second overall character introduced in the film series, as well as the first female character introduced.
* In the film adaptations, it seems to be a recurring gag to have Minerva delivering alliterative lines; for instance, in *Goblet of Fire*, she says "behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons", and in *Deathly Hallows: Part 2*, she says "particular proclivity for pyrotechnics".
* In *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film) there is a painting of a young Minerva McGonagall on the Gryffindor common room wall. The same painting, although in a different frame, can be seen hung at the Grand Staircase interacting with Sir Cadogan.
* In on *The Film Adaptation* of ''*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* (film) she led the respectful wand raising to rid the sky of the dark mark from the late Dumbledore's body.
* In *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2*, after casting ***Piertotum Locomotor***, Minerva excitedly says to Molly Weasley, "*I've always wanted to use that spell!*"
* In *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2*, before the ***Battle of Hogwarts***, she tells ***Filius Flitwick*** not be afraid to say Voldemort's name, because he will try to kill him either way. Also before the Battle of Hogwarts, she duels Snape with what appears to be the Blasting Curse, defeating Amycus and Alecto Carrow before Snape Disapparates.
* In an early draft of the first book, she was called "Madam McGonagle".Template:Fact
* Minerva was the first Animagus introduced in canon.
* She was the first female character confirmed to have kept her maiden surname when she married. Later, it was revealed that Hermione Granger also did.
* Minerva McGonagall and Dolores Umbridge share the same Patronus, a cat.

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## Appearances

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* Template:PS Template:1st
* Template:COS
* *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2*

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## Notes and references

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1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Pottermore Presents, Chapter 1 (*Minerva McGonagall*)
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 Template:WW
3. ↑ HP lexicon transcript of JKR's notes.
4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 Template:PS
5. ↑ MSNBC Interview with J.K. Rowling
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Template:PS
7. ↑ Template:PS
8. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (film)
9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `OOTP`
10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `DH`
11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `COS2`
12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 Template:COS
13. ↑ Template:COS
14. ↑ Template:COS - (*About the Chamber*)
15. ↑ Template:COS
16. ↑ Template:COS
17. ↑ Template:COS - Chapter 14 (*About the Chamber*)
18. ↑ Template:PS - "Filch took them down to Professor McGonagall's study on the first floor, where they sat and waited without saying a word to each other"
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Template:PS
20. ↑ Maggie Smith on IMBD

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