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{{Individual infobox
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{{Hogwarts_staff_individual_infobox
  
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|theme = hogwarts-staff
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|image=[[File:Mcgonagall.png|250px]]
  
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|image = ProfessorMcGonagall-HBP.jpg<!--- Please do not change this profile image without formally discussing it first on this article's talk page.--->
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|name=Minerva McGonagall
  
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|name = Minerva McGonagall
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|hideb=
  
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|born = [[4 October]]<!--Please do not put '1935'. Her birth year has been rendered uncertain by her appearance in a scene set in the 1910s in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.--><ref name="pottermorebio">{{WW|professor-mcgonagall}}</ref><br />[[Caithness]], [[Scotland]], [[Great Britain]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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|born=[[4 October]],<ref name="pottermorestats">[[Pottermore]] profile of Minerva McGonagall (screenshot available [http://lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/9098805880/minerva-mcgonagalls-information here])</ref> [[1930s|1935]]<ref name="birthyear">McGonagall's year of birth can be calculated as 1935 from her Pottermore biography, which reveals she took a Ministry job immediately after graduation and worked there for two years before returning to teach at Hogwarts, combined with her statement in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', Chapter 15, that she began teaching at Hogwarts in December 1956.</ref><br />[[Caithness]], [[Scotland]]
  
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|died=
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|died =
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|blood=[[Half-blood]]<ref name="pottermorebio">[[Pottermore]] biography of Minerva McGonagall (transcription available [http://lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/8982122526/minerva-mcgonagall-long-post-read-more-for-it-all here])</ref>
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|blood = [[Half-blood]]<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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|marital=Widowed
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|marital = Widowed (as of [[1985]])<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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|nationality = [[Scotland|Scottish]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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|alias=
  
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|alias =
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|title=*[[Madam]]<ref>[http://www.hplex.info/about/sources/jkr.com/jkr-com-trans-ps-draft2.html HP lexicon transcript of JKR's notes.]</ref>
  
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*[[Prefect]]
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|title = *[[Prefect]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Head Boy|Head Girl]]
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*[[Head Boy or Girl|Head Girl]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Madam]]<ref>[http://www.hplex.info/about/sources/jkr.com/jkr-com-trans-ps-draft2.html HP lexicon transcript of JKR's notes.]</ref>
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*[[Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]]<ref name="PS"/> (formerly)
  
 
*[[Professor]]<ref name="PS"/>
  
*[[Professor]]<ref name="PS"/>
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*Head of Department<ref name="pottermorebio"/> (formerly)
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*[[Head of Transfiguration]]<ref name="PS"/> {{c|formerly}}
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*[[Head of Gryffindor House]]<ref name="PS"/> (formerly)
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*[[Head of Gryffindor House|Head of Gryffindor]]<ref name="PS"/> {{c|formerly}}
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*[[Headmaster|Headmistress]]<ref name="Future"/> (formerly as of 2017)
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*[[Deputy Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]]<ref name="PS"/> {{c|formerly}}
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*[[Hogwarts Headmaster|Headmistress]]<ref name="Future">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959323/ MSNBC Interview with J.K. Rowling]</ref>
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|signature=[[File:Minerva McGonagall sig.png|150px]]
  
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|signature = [[File:Minerva McGonagall sig.png|150px]][[File:Minerva McGonagall sig.jpeg|150px]]
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|hidep=
  
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|species=[[Human]]
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|species = [[Human]]<ref name="PS"/>
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|gender=Female<ref name="PS"/>
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|gender = Female<ref name="PS"/>
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|height=5"9
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|height =
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|weight =
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|hair=Black
  
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|hair = Black<ref name="Hair">{{PS|B|7}}</ref>
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|eyes=Green
  
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|eyes = <!--- Please provide an actual reference which canonically proves Minerva's eye colour; otherwise, please leave this field blank, as her eye colour is unknown, thanks.-->
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|skin=White
  
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|skin =
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|family=*[[Minerva]] (maternal great-grandmother)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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|family = *[[Robert McGonagall Senior|Robert McGonagall Snr]] (father)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Isobel Ross|Isobel McGonagall]] (née [[Ross family|Ross]]) (mother)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[William McGonagall]] (possible ancestor)
  
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*[[Robert McGonagall Sr.]] (father)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Malcolm McGonagall]] (younger brother)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Isobel McGonagall]] (''née'' Ross) (mother)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Robert McGonagall Junior|Robert McGonagall Jnr]] (younger brother) †<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
 
*[[Elphinstone Urquart]] (husband) †<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
  
*[[Elphinstone Urquart]] (husband) †<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Malcolm McGonagall]] (brother)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Minerva McGonagall's nieces and nephews|Nieces and nephews]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Robert McGonagall Jr.]] (brother)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[William McGonagall]] (possible paternal ancestor)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*Nieces and nephews<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[M. G. McGonagall]] (possible paternal relative)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Minerva]] (maternal great-grandmother)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[M. G. McGonagall]] (possibly)
  
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*[[Isobel Ross's father|Mr Ross]] (maternal grandfather)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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|hidem=
  
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*[[Isobel Ross's mother|Mrs Ross]] (maternal grandmother)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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|animagus=[[Cat]]<ref name="PS"/> (registered<ref name="POA"/>)
  
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*[[McGonagall family]]
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|boggart=[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]<ref>''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''</ref>
  
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*[[Ross family]]
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|wand=[[Minerva McGonagall's wand|Fir and dragon heartstring, nine and a half inches, stiff]]<ref name="pottermorestats"/>
  
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|patronus=[[Cat]]<ref name="DH"/>
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|romances = *[[Dougal McGregor]] (ex-fiancé) †<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Elphinstone Urquart]] (husband) †<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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|hidea=
  
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|animagus = [[Tabby cat]]<ref name="PS1">{{PS|B|1}}</ref> (registered)<ref name="POA6">{{POA|B|6}}</ref>
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|job=*[[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] employee ([[1950s|1954]] - [[1950s|1956]])<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
  
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|boggart = [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]<ref name="LEGOY1">{{LEGO|Y1}}</ref>
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*Head of [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] [[Transfiguration department (academic department)|department]]<ref name="PS"/> ([[1950s|1956]] - before [[2017]])
  
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|wand = [[Minerva McGonagall's wand|9½", Fir, dragon heartstring]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Headmaster|Headmistress]] of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts School]]<ref name="Future"/> ([[1998]] - after [[2008]] but before [[2017]])
  
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*[[Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]]<ref name="PS"/> (? - [[1998]])
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|patronus = [[Cat]]<ref name="DH30">{{DH|B|30}}</ref>
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*[[Head of Gryffindor House]]<ref name="PS"/> (before [[1991]] - [[1998]])
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|job = *[[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] employee<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Professor]] of [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]<ref name="PS"/>
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|house=[[Gryffindor]]
  
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*Head of the [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] [[Transfiguration department (academic department)|department]]<ref name="PS"/> at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] (?–[[1998]])
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|loyalty=*[[Gryffindor Quidditch team]]
  
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*[[Order of the Phoenix]]<ref name="OOTP"/>
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*[[Head of Gryffindor House]]<ref name="PS"/> (pre [[1975]]–[[1998]])
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*[[Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]] of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]<ref name="PS"/> (?–[[1998]])
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*[[Headmaster|Headmistress]] of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] ([[1998]]–at least [[2020]])<ref name=CC41>{{CC|B|4|1}}</ref>
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|house = [[Gryffindor]]<ref name="PS"/>
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|loyalty = *[[McGonagall family]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*[[Ross family]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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*Urquart family<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
 
*[[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]<ref name="PS"/>
  
*[[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]<ref name="PS"/>
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**[[Gryffindor]]<ref name="PS"/>
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**[[Transfiguration department (academic department)|Transfiguration department]]
  
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***[[Gryffindor Quidditch team]]<ref name="PS"/>
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*[[Albus Dumbledore]]
  
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*[[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] (formerly)<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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**[[Transfiguration department (academic department)|Transfiguration department]]<ref name="PS"/>
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**[[Hogwarts Trivia#Former student team|Former student team]]<ref name="HTSQ">{{HM|3|HOGWARTS TRIVIA}}</ref>
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*[[Dumbledore's Army]] (during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]])<ref name="DH"/>
  
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*[[British Ministry of Magic]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/> {{c|formerly}}
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*[[McGonagall family]]}}
  
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**[[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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{{Quote|[[Transfiguration]] is some of the most complex and dangerous [[magic]] you will learn at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned.|McGonagall's warning at the beginning of [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ron Weasley]]'s first Transfiguration class.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
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*[[Albus Dumbledore]]<ref name="PS"/>
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*[[Order of the Phoenix]]<ref name="OOTP"/>
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*[[Dumbledore's Army]]<ref name="DH"/>
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}}{{Quote|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}}
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'''Professor Minerva McGonagall''', {{OM|First}},<ref name="shortstories">{{PP|H}}, Chapter 1 (''Minerva McGonagall'')</ref> (b. [[4 October]]) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[half-blood]] [[Wizardkind|witch]], the only daughter of [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] [[Robert McGonagall Senior|Robert McGonagall]] and witch [[Isobel Ross]]. She also was the older sister of [[Malcolm McGonagall|Malcolm]] and [[Robert McGonagall Junior|Robert Jnr]]. Minerva attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] and was [[Sorting Ceremony|Sorted]] into [[Gryffindor|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 Boy or Girl|Head Girl]].
   
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After her education, Minerva worked for two years at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] and later returned to Hogwarts, where she became [[Head of Gryffindor House]] and the [[Transfiguration (class)|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.
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'''Madam Professor Minerva McGonagall''' (b. [[4 October]],<ref name="pottermorestats" /> [[1930s|1935]]<ref name="birthyear" />) was a [[wizards|witch]] and [[Animagus]] who attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] from [[1940s|1947]] to [[1950s|1954]] and was sorted into [[Gryffindor|Gryffindor House]]. After her education, she worked for two years at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] and later returned to Hogwarts, where she became [[Head of Gryffindor House]], [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] [[professor]] and concurrently, at differing times, Deputy Headmistress and Headmistress of Hogwarts.
  
   
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McGonagall was also a member of the First and Second [[Order of the Phoenix]]. In [[1995]], she opposed [[Dolores Umbridge]], the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts. She also protected the students from [[Alecto Carrow|Alecto]] and [[Amycus Carrow]] from [[1997]] until [[1998]], and as part of this resistance movement, 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]]).
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Eventually, Minerva became concurrently, at differing times, [[Deputy Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]] and [[Hogwarts Headmaster|Headmistress of Hogwarts]]. In [[1995]], she opposed [[Dolores Umbridge]], the [[Hogwarts High Inquisitor|High Inquisitor of Hogwarts]]. She also protected the students from [[Alecto Carrow|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 [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]].
   
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She survived the [[Second Wizarding War]] and continued her job as Headmistress for at least ten years, and retired sometime in the [[2000s]] or [[Between 2010 and 2017|2010s]].
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Minerva survived the [[Second Wizarding War]] and became Headmistress full time, a title she still held into the early [[2020s]].<ref name="CC41" />
   
 
==Biography==
  
==Biography==
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===Early life===
  
===Early life===
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Minerva McGonagall was born on the outskirts of [[Caithness]] in the [[Scotland|Scottish Highlands]], on [[4 October]],<ref name="pottermorestats" /> [[1930s|1935]]<ref name="birthyear" /> to [[Robert McGonagall Sr.|Robert McGonagall]], a Muggle Presbyterian minister, and his wife, [[Isobel McGonagall|Isobel Ross]], a witch. She was the couple's first child, and was named after [[Minerva|her mother's grandmother]], an immensely talented witch.<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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Minerva McGonagall was born on [[4 October]] of an unknown year to [[Robert McGonagall Senior|Robert McGonagall]], a [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] minister, and his wife [[Isobel Ross]], a [[Wizardkind|witch]]. She was the couple's first child and was named after [[Minerva|her mother's grandmother]], a very powerful witch. By then, her parents lived on the outskirts of [[Caithness]] in the [[Scotland|Scottish Highlands]], in a village where mostly Muggles lived.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
   
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Her birth proved both a joy and a crisis: Isobel had given up the use of her magic for her love of Robert, and never told him about her magical abilities as she was afraid to mar the bliss of their wedding. Minerva, however, displayed small but noticeable signs of magic from her earliest hours. As an infant, Minerva had [[Underage magic|no control of her magic]], and thus she inadvertently [[Summoning Charm|Summoned]] toys that had been left on upper shelves to her cot, made the [[McGonagalls' cat|family cat]] do her bidding, and made [[Robert McGonagall Sr.'s bagpipes|her father's bagpipes]] play themselves which would cause baby Minerva to chuckle happily. Isobel knew she must confess her and their daughter's [[wizardkind|wizarding abilities]] and so she did, explaining everything to Robert and telling him that they were bound by the [[International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy|International Statute of Secrecy]], and that they must conceal the truth about their magical abilities.
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Her birth proved both a joy and a crisis: Isobel had given up the use of her [[magic]] for her love of Robert and never told him about her [[Wizardkind|nature]] as she was afraid to mar the bliss of their wedding. However, the infant Minerva displayed small but noticeable signs of magic from her earliest hours. She had [[Underage magic|no control of her magic]] and thus inadvertently [[Summoning Charm|summoned]] toys that had been left on upper shelves to her cot, made the [[McGonagall family cat|family cat]] do her bidding, and her[[Robert McGonagall Snr's bagpipes| father's bagpipes]] play themselves which would cause her to chuckle happily. Thus, Isobel often secluded herself with Minerva for days at a time. She knew she must confess to her husband about their daughter's [[wizardkind|wizarding abilities]] and so she finally did, explaining everything to Robert and telling him that they were bound by the [[International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy|International Statute of Secrecy]] and that they must conceal the truth about their magical abilities for their safety.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
   
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The two parents remained together despite the shocking revelation, and had two other sons, [[Malcolm McGonagall|Malcolm]] and [[Robert McGonagall Jr.|Robert Jr.]]. Both revealed magical ability in due course. Minerva then, as a child, helped her mother conceal from her father the accidents and embarrassments the young wizards' magic sometimes caused.
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The two parents remained together despite the shocking revelation, but their trust never was the same, much to the sadness of their perceptive daughter. She later had two brothers, [[Malcolm McGonagall|Malcolm]] and [[Robert McGonagall Junior|Robert Jnr]], who revealed magical ability in due course. As a child, Minerva helped her mother conceal from her father the accidents and embarrassments the young witch's magic sometimes caused. She was very close to her Muggle father, whom in temperament she resembled more than her mother.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
   
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On Minerva's eleventh birthday on [[4 October]], [[1940s|1946]], she received her [[Hogwarts acceptance letter|admittance letter]] from [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], at the time [[Headmaster|Headed]] by [[Professor]] [[Armando Dippet]]. Now free to be with her kind, and to exercise her considerable talents, Minerva saw how her mother sobbed that day; not only out of pride, but also out of envy.<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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On Minerva's eleventh birthday, Minerva received her [[Hogwarts acceptance letter|admittance letter]] from [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], at the time [[Headmaster|headed]] by [[Professor]] [[Armando Dippet]]. Before coming to the school, she visited [[Diagon Alley]] and purchased her wand from [[Ollivanders|Ollivander's]] Wand Shop. The [[Minerva McGonagall's wand|wand]] she selected was an unusual specimen, 9 and a half inches, [[fir]] and [[dragon heartstring]]. Now free to be with her kind and to exercise her talents, Minerva saw how her mother sobbed that day, not only out of pride, but also out of envy.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
   
 
===Hogwarts years===
  
===Hogwarts years===
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At the age of eleven, Minerva attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. During her [[Sorting ceremony|Sorting]], she proved to be a [[hatstall]]: the [[Sorting Hat]] spent five and a half minutes wavering between [[Gryffindor]] and [[Ravenclaw]] before deciding to place her in the former. Minerva's school career overlapped by two years with that of [[Pomona Sprout]], and the two students enjoyed an excellent relationship, both then and in later years.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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[[File:Hogwarts-PS.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A [[first year]]'s view of [[Hogwarts Castle]].]]
  
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Minerva attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] as a pupil from [[1940s|1947]] to [[1950s|1954]]. During her [[Sorting ceremony|Sorting]], she proved to be a [[hatstall]]: the [[Sorting Hat]] spent five-and-a-half minutes wavering between [[Gryffindor]] and [[Ravenclaw]] before deciding to place her in the former.
  
   
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Minerva was quickly recognised as the most outstanding student of her year with a particular talent for [[Transfiguration]]. By the end of her education at Hogwarts, she had achieved an impressive record: top grades in [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.L.s]] and [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.s]], [[Prefect]], [[Head Boy or Girl|Head Girl]], and winner of the ''[[Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer award]]''. Under the guidance of her inspirational Transfiguration teacher, [[Albus Dumbledore]], Minerva had managed to become an [[Animagus]]; her animal form, with its distinctive markings (tabby cat, square spectacles markings around eyes) were duly logged in the Ministry of Magic's [[Animagus Registry]].<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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Minerva was quickly recognized as the most outstanding student of her year with a particular talent for [[Transfiguration]]. Minerva's school career overlapped by two years with that of [[Pomona Sprout]], and the two students enjoyed an excellent relationship both then, and in later years.
  
   
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By the end of the [[1950s|1953]]-[[1950s|1954]] school year, her seventh and last year at the school, Minerva had achieved an impressive record: she achieved top grades in her [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.L.]] and [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.]] examinations, she had been both a [[Prefect]] and a [[Head Boy|Head Girl]], and won the [[Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer award|''Transfiguration Today'' Most Promising Newcomer award]]. She, like Dumbledore, received "Outstanding" in all her O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's. Having learned Transfiguration from [[Albus Dumbledore|Professor Albus Dumbledore]], Minerva became, under his guidance, an [[Animagus]], an ability that was duly recorded in the [[Animagus Registry]] at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]. Minerva also played for [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] in her student years; a nasty fall in her final year (a foul during the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team|Gryffindor]] versus [[Slytherin Quidditch team|Slytherin]] match which would decide the [[Quidditch Cup]] winner) left her with a concussion, several broken ribs and a lifelong desire to see Slytherin crushed on the Quidditch pitch.<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
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Minerva played for [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] in her student years, in which she proved to be gifted. However, she suffered a nasty fall in her final year: a foul during the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team|Gryffindor]] versus [[Slytherin Quidditch team|Slytherin]] [[Minerva McGonagall's last Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match|match]] which would decide the [[Inter-House Quidditch Cup|Quidditch Cup]] winner. This event left her with a concussion, several broken ribs, and a lifelong desire to see Slytherin crushed on the Quidditch pitch.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
   
 
===Early heartbreak===
  
===Early heartbreak===
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[[File:YoungMcGonagall.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A younger Minerva McGonagall.]]
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[[File:YoungMcGonagall.jpg|304x304px|thumb|left|[[A Young Professor McGonagall|A younger Minerva McGonagall]]]]
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After graduating from Hogwarts, Minerva was offered a position at the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] of the British [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]. She returned to her [[McGonagall manse|family's manse]] to spend one last summer with her family before moving to [[London]].
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After graduating from Hogwarts, Minerva was offered a position at the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] of the British [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]. She returned to her [[McGonagall manse|family's manse]] to spend one last summer with her family before moving to [[London]]. During these months an eighteen-years old Minerva met [[Dougal McGregor]]. McGregor was a local [[Non-magic people|Muggle]], who was the handsome, clever, and funny son of a [[Dougal McGregor's father|local farmer]].
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The two shared a sense of humour, argued fiercely, and suspected mysterious depths in each other. Minerva fell head-over-heels in [[love]] with McGregor, being the first and only time in her life that she might have been said to lose her head. Eventually, McGregor proposed to Minerva on a ploughed field and she accepted his offer.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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That night, however, Minerva was unable to tell her parents of her engagement. Thinking about her future, she realised that wedding a [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] who didn't know that she was a witch would mean Minerva would follow her mother's footsteps and live unhappily with her wand locked away, shredding all of her ambitions. Early next morning, Minerva went to tell McGregor she had changed her mind and could not [[Marriage|marry]] him, aware that if she broke the International Statute of Secrecy and told him why, she would lose the job at the Ministry for which she was giving him up. She could give him no good reason for her change of heart, leaving McGregor devastated and left for [[London]] three days later. These months were to prove some of the most difficult of Minerva's life.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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===Early career at Hogwarts {{C|1910s–1945}}===
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Though her feelings for the [[Ministry of Magic]] were affected by the fact that she had recently suffered an emotional crisis, Minerva didn't much enjoy her home in London and workplace, where some of her co-workers had an ingrained anti-Muggle bias. Given her adoration of her Muggle father and continuing love for Dougal, she deplored these ideas. Despite this, Minerva was among the most efficient, gifted employees in the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] and became fond of her much older boss, [[Elphinstone Urquart]]. After two years at the Ministry, she was offered a prestigious promotion, yet found herself turning it down as she missed her home in [[Scotland]].<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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[[File:YoungMinerva.png|250px|thumb|Minerva in her earlier years as a [[Professor]]]]
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Instead, Minerva sent an owl to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], asking whether she might be considered for a teaching post. The owl returned within hours, offering her a job in the Transfiguration department, under Head of Department, Albus Dumbledore. Through her efforts and work, Minerva proved to be a strict yet inspirational teacher, maintaining control of her students with a stern hand that made her someone not to be crossed.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
  +
  +
By this time, Minerva was shocked to learn from her oblivious mother (in the middle of a chatty letter of local news) that Dougal had married the daughter of another farmer. Albus discovered his former student and colleague in tears in her classroom late that evening, and she confessed the whole story to him. He offered both comfort and told Minerva some of his own family history, previously unknown to her. The confidences exchanged that night between were to form the basis of a lasting friendship.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
   
  +
Sometime in the [[1910s]], among her first students were [[Newton Scamander|Newt Scamander]] and [[Leta Lestrange]], the latter of whom was frequently in trouble with Minerva for magically retaliating against vicious gossip about her [[Corvus Lestrange (V)|half-brother]]'s death by hexing her peers. A notable example of this is when Leta [[Oscausi|sealed shut the mouth]] of a fellow student during her third year after the other girl had been speaking ill of her behind her back. Minerva was called upon to fix the situation, but Leta ran from her and Minerva was forced to chase her around the school, all the while docking points (Minerva ended up docking a total of 200 points). When she couldn't find her, Minerva removed the spell from the girl but promptly restored it with an irritated "Whisht!" when the girl continued to badmouth Leta.<ref name="COGS" />
−
During these months Minerva, aged eighteen, met [[Dougal McGregor]], a local [[Muggle]], who was the handsome, clever and funny son of a [[Dougal McGregor's father|local farmer]]. Minerva fell head-over-heels in love with McGregor. The two got to know each other, and eventually McGregor proposed to Minerva on a ploughed field and she accepted his offer. That night, she was unable to tell her parents of her engagement. Thinking about her future, Minerva realised that wedding a [[Muggle]] who was oblivious to the fact that she was a witch would mean she would follow her mother's footsteps and live unhappily with her wand locked away, shredding all of her ambitions. Early next morning, Minerva went to tell McGregor she had changed her mind, and could not [[Marriage|marry]] him. Aware that if she broke the International Statute of Secrecy she would lose the job at the Ministry for which she was giving him up, she could give him no good reason for her change of heart. She left McGregor devastated and left for [[London]] three days later.<ref name="pottermorebio"/>
  
   
  +
====Global wizarding war {{C|1927–1945}}====
−
===Employment===
  
  +
[[File:The Secrets of Dumbledore - Heroes.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|Minerva behind Newt's army in the Great Hall|alt=]]
−
{{Quote|[[Transfiguration (class)|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.|Minerva McGonagall lectures her first-year students.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
  +
During [[Gellert Grindelwald]]'s rise to power, in [[1927]], Minerva stayed a close confidant to Dumbledore. She was quite critical of the [[Ministry of Magic]]'s involvement at Hogwarts and was furious when [[Torquil Travers]] and a team of [[Auror]]s interrupted Dumbledore's [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] lesson, protesting that this was "a school". However, her protests fell on deaf ears and she was forced to escort the students from the [[Classroom 3C|classroom]].<ref name="COGS" />
   
  +
In [[1932]], Minerva went to the [[Hog's Head Inn]] and alerted Albus to [[Anton Vogel]]'s decision to absolve Grindelwald's crimes. After [[Dumbledore's first army]] returned to Hogwarts from their first missions, Minerva watched them in the [[Great Hall]] while Albus showed the rest a sculpture of the [[Eyrie]] where they were heading.<ref name="SODS">{{SOD|S}}</ref>
−
Minerva worked in the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] for two years after graduation.
  
   
  +
===Proposal & Head of Transfiguration {{c|1950s–1970}}===
−
[[File:Screen_shot_2011-11-09_at_9.12.31_PM.png|thumb|left|300px|McGonagall with [[Lily Evans]] during the latter's [[Sorting ceremony]], in [[1971]].]]
  
  +
Minerva remained close friends with her former boss in the Ministry, Elphinstone. During one visit sometime in between [[1956]] and the [[1980s]] he proposed marriage to Minerva at [[Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop]]. Surprised, embarrassed, and still in love with Dougal, she declined. However, the two still remained in contact for years.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
−
Dissatisfied with her job at the Ministry, in December [[1950s|1956]], Minerva returned to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] this time not to learn but to teach [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]], under the head of department, [[Albus Dumbledore]]. She later replaced Dumbledore as Head of Department after he ascended to the position of [[Headmaster]] of the school. As a teacher, Minerva was a strict disciplinarian, maintaining control of her students with a stern hand that made her someone not to be crossed. Later on in her career, Minerva would also be appointed the position of [[Head of Gryffindor House]], the house in which she used to reside whilst studying at Hogwarts. [[Albus Dumbledore]] would later on in his career also trust her enough to allow her to become Deputy Headmistress of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|the school]] and fill in for him on the occasions of his absence. Her lessons consisted of but were not limited to [[match to needle]], [[Vera Verto|animal to water goblet]], [[Beetle Buttons|Beetle to button]], and [[Mice to Snuffboxes|mouse-to-snuffbox]] transformations, as well as [[Vanishing Spell|Vanishing]], [[Conjuration|Conjuring]] and [[Switching Spell]]s.
  
   
  +
Later on in her career, Minerva rose to the position of [[Head of Transfiguration|Head]] of the [[Transfiguration department]]. Her lessons consisted of but were not limited to [[Match to needle spell|match to needle]], [[Vera Verto|animal to water goblet]], [[Beetle into Button|beetle to button]], and [[Mice to Snuffboxes|mouse to snuffbox]] transformations, as well as [[Switching Spell]]s, [[Vanishing Spell|Vanishing]], and [[Conjuration|Conjuring]]. Furthermore, Minerva was appointed the position of [[Head of Gryffindor House]], the house in which she used to reside whilst studying at Hogwarts. After he became Headmaster, Dumbledore would later on in his career also trust her enough to allow her to become [[Deputy Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]] of the school and fill in for him on the occasions of his absence.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
−
Through her early years at Hogwarts, Minerva remained close friends with her former boss, [[Elphinstone Urquart]]. During one visit, he proposed [[marriage]] to Minerva at [[Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop]]. Surprised and embarrassed, and still in love with Dougal, she declined. Elphinstone, however, had never ceased to love her, nor to propose every now and then, even though she continued to refuse him.
  
   
−
===First Wizarding War===
 +
===First Wizarding War {{c|1970–1981}}===
  +
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Minerva McGonagall|Oh yes, everyone's celebrating, all right. You'd think they'd be a bit more careful, but no – even the Muggles have noticed something's going on. It was on their news. I heard it. Flocks of [[owl]]s ... shooting stars ... Well, they're not completely stupid. They were bound to notice something. Shooting stars down in [[Kent]] – I'll bet that was [[Dedalus Diggle]]. He never had much sense.|Albus Dumbledore|You can't blame them, We've had precious little to celebrate for eleven years.|I know that, but that's no reason to lose our heads. People are being downright careless, out on the streets in broad daylight, not even dressed in Muggle clothes, swapping rumours.|McGonagall's reaction to the wizarding world's celebration of Voldemort's downfall|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
−
{{Dialogue a-b|Minerva McGonagall|Are the rumours true, Albus?|Albus Dumbledore| I'm afraid so, Professor. The good and the bad.|Minerva McGonagall to Albus Dumbledore in [[1981]]|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)}}
  
  +
After the first rise of [[Dark wizard]] [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]], Minerva took part in fighting back against Lord [[Tom Riddle|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.<ref name="shortstories" />
−
[[File:Trioyoungooott.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Minerva in the first Order of the Phoenix.]]
  
   
  +
[[File:Lily_Sorted.png|250px|thumb|Minerva placing the [[Sorting Hat]] on Lily Evans]]
−
After the first rise of dark wizard [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]], Minerva took part in fighting back against the Dark Wizard and his followers. This rise of the Dark Lord is known as the [[First Wizarding War]]. McGonagall still taught at Hogwarts during the first war.
  
  +
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 McGonagall Junior|Robert]]; of two of her favourite students, [[Lily J. Potter|Lily Evans]] and [[James Potter I|James Potter]]; and of [[Dougal McGregor]], who was murdered in a random anti-Muggle attack by the Death Eaters, along with [[Dougal McGregor's wife|his wife]] and [[Dougal McGregor's children|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.<ref name="shortstories" />
   
  +
Concurrently, as the war raged outside the castle walls, the school was plagued by a series of [[curse]]s inadvertently unleashed by one of the students, [[Jacob (Hogwarts student)|Jacob]], who began to meddle with the five fabled [[Cursed Vaults]]. Like the rest of the faculty, Professor McGonagall did everything she could to protect the students, although they were ultimately unable to prevent the injury of several students and the death of a [[Slytherin]] student named [[Duncan Ashe]]; this all led to Jacob's [[Discipline at Hogwarts#Expulsion|expulsion]].
−
====Order of the Phoenix====
  
−
In the early days of the First Wizarding War, McGonagall joined the movement against Voldemort, the [[Order of the Phoenix]], led by Albus Dumbledore. Minerva played a vital role in the resistance against Voldemort and his army of followers ([[Death Eaters]]) and throughout the war McGonagall stayed loyal to the Order despite the rise in murders of members. McGonagall got through the war unscathed where others suffered loss of limb or other injuries.
  
   
 
====Protection of Harry Potter====
  
====Protection of Harry Potter====
−
{{Quote|They're the worst kind of Muggles, oh really Albus, must we?|McGonagall discussing Harry's relatives|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)}}
 +
{{Quote|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:BumbleboreMcGeegeeHARRY.PNG|thumb|left|250px|Minerva and Dumbledore delivering Harry to the [[Dursley family|Dursleys]]' home.]]
 +
[[File:BumbleboreMcGeegeeHARRY.PNG|250px|thumb|left|Minerva and Dumbledore delivering Harry to the [[Dursley family|Dursleys]]' home]]
  +
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.
   
−
In [[1981]], baby [[Harry Potter]] defeated Lord Voldemort in his family home at [[Godric's Hollow]], his parents [[James Potter I|James Potter]] and [[Lily Evans]] (both members of the Order of the Phoenix) were killed whilst protecting their son from harm. The defeat of Voldemort ultimately ended the war and his followers were arrested and those that escaped went into hiding. Minerva travelled to [[Surrey]] and there 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. She was thus present, along with [[Rubeus Hagrid]], when [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]] placed Harry on the Dursleys' doorstep, despite her objections to leaving him with these [[Muggle]]s, 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 other members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]].<ref name="PS">{{PS}}</ref>
 +
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 [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]] placed Harry on the Dursleys' doorstep, despite her objections to leaving him with these [[Non-magic people|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]].<ref name="PS">{{PS}}</ref>
   
−
===Between Wars===
 +
===Between the wars {{c|1981–1995}}===
−
[[File:McGonagall1981.png|thumb|right|235px|Minerva McGonagall in the [[1980s]], around the time of her marriage.]]
 +
[[File:Transfiguration class1.gif|250px|thumb|McGonagall teaching a second-year Transfiguration class]]
−
After the [[First Wizarding War]] had ended Minerva continued on with her career at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] carrying on teaching the art of Transfiguration. She remained loyal to the [[Order of the Phoenix]] and kept watch over [[Harry Potter]] as he grew up to keep him from harm.
 +
After the [[First Wizarding War]] had ended, Minerva continued on with her career at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], carrying on teaching the art of Transfiguration. Elphinstone, who had never ceased to love her, proposed every now and then until she finally accepted after Dougal's death. Their engagement happened during a summertime stroll around the lake in the Hogwarts grounds. The retired Elphinstone bought a small [[Elphinstone Urquart and Minerva McGonagall's Hogsmeade cottage|cottage]] for the two of them in Hogsmeade, whence Minerva could travel easily to work every day. Although the couple had no children, her nieces and nephews visited often. This was a period of great fulfilment for Minerva.
   
  +
In 1985, three years into their marriage, Elphinstone died from a [[Venomous Tentacula]] bite.<ref name="pottermorebio" /> Minerva, who couldn't bear to remain alone in their cottage, packed her things after her husband's funeral and returned to her first-floor study in Hogwarts Castle. It is unknown whether she still owns the cottage. Always a brave and private person, Minerva poured all her energies into her work and few people – excepting perhaps Albus – ever realised how much she suffered.
−
In the summer of [[1980s|1982]], [[Elphinstone Urquart|Elphinstone]] proposed to Minerva again during a stroll around the [[Black Lake]]. Minerva, who had felt freed by the earlier death of Dougal McGregor, finally accepted. Always something of a feminist, she kept her maiden name upon their [[marriage]], to the dismay of [[Pure-blood supremacy|pure-blood supremacists]] who disapproved of her keeping her Muggle father's name. Together they lived a small cottage in [[Hogsmeade]], where Minerva traveled easily to work every day and often hosted her nieces and nephews for visits.
  
  +
[[File:Icy corridor.png|left|thumb|249x249px|McGonagall sees the cursed ice in the corridor ]]
  +
During the second year of [[Jacob's sibling]], when [[Ben Copper]] when missing, they asked Minerva about it as she was the [[Head of House|Head of the Gryffindor House]]. She first asked if Jacob's sibling had seen him in the Hogwarts Express and if he had been acting strange and after learning that they didn't but [[Penny Haywood]] did and Ben seemed fine even though he was always a bit odd. She mentioned that the [[Cursed ice]] may have changed Ben and slightly chastised Jacob's sibling for their attempt to enter the [[Cursed Vaults|Cursed Vault]], asking them if they had learnt anything that said of a threat beyond the door and appealed to them that this involved all of Hogwarts, not just Jacob.
   
  +
Learning that they had found and read a message about an [[Ice Knight]] and [[Vanished Stairs]], Minerva said she will discuss this with Dumbledore and accidentally revealed that she and the other teachers had once dealt with the Cursed Ice, which she quickly covered by telling Jacob's sibling that he is free to help in the search of Ben and ask for him to tell her personally should he succeed, promising to reward him.<ref name="HM21">{{HM|2|1}}</ref>
−
In [[1980s|1985]], three years into their marriage, Elphinstone died from a [[Venomous Tentacula]] bite. Minerva, who could not bear to remain alone in their cottage, packed her things after her husband's funeral and returned to her first-floor study in Hogwarts Castle.
  
  +
[[File:McGonagall trying to save Ben from the cursed ice.png|thumb|250x250px|McGonagall saving Ben Cooper from the cured ice]]
  +
McGonagall and Snape eventually found the missing Ben Copper encased in Cursed ice and Jacob's Sibling and Rowan realised she knew more about the Cursed Ice than she revealed. Minerva was perplexed that the [[Knockback Jinx]] had no effect on the ice, noting on how they once could use it to shatter the ice, and even more so when Snape callously suggested they use [[Fire-Making Spell|Incendio]] to melt the ice while also burning him to death, as she realised from how the Cursed Ice had began to expand throughout the school that someone had been tampering with the Vaults. Ignoring Snape's frustrated questioning of Dumbledore's whereabouts, Minerva and Snape used the [[Fire-Making Spell]] to successfully free Ben from the Cursed Ice, taking care to target as further as possible from his body.<ref name="HM23">{{HM|2|3}}</ref>
  +
  +
Knowing Minerva was the only one left in the school with Dumbledore gone that could possibly teach them the [[Revelio Charm]], Jacob's sibling turned to her to learn the spell. At first Minerva was baffled due to how advanced the charm was but ultimately agreed to teach them if they proved themselves sufficiently adept, impressed by their desire to help Hogwarts and study Transfiguration. Finding their abilities to have reached the level required in the class, Minerva called them to have their private lesson and after Jacob's sibling successfully learned Revelio, Minerva congratulated them and noted the usefulness of the spell.<ref name="HM24pt" />
  +
  +
After learning that [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]] had taught Jacob's sibling the Fire-Making Spell, Minerva was furious and scolded him heavily.<ref name="HM210">{{HM|2|10}}</ref>
   
 
====Protecting the Philosopher's Stone====
  
====Protecting the Philosopher's Stone====
  +
{{Quote|Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be Sorted into your houses.|Minerva McGonagall introducing the first-year students of [[1991]] to Hogwarts|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  +
[[File:McGonagall students.jpg|250px|thumb|left|McGonagall welcoming first-year students to Hogwarts]]
  +
In 1991 friend of [[Albus Dumbledore]], [[Nicolas Flamel]], had the [[Philosopher's Stone]] that was keeping him alive moved from his safe in [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank|Gringotts]] to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] for safe keeping. Minerva contributed to the defences set up around the magical artefact by transfiguring an enormous [[Chessboard Chamber|chess set]] and [[Piertotum Locomotor|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.<ref name="PS" />
   
  +
[[File:Harry-potter1-minerva_sorting.jpg|250px|thumb|Minerva directing students during the [[Sorting Ceremony]]]]
−
{{Quote|Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors, and join your classmates.|Minerva McGonagall to the first-year students of [[1991]].|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
  +
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.<ref name="PS" />
−
[[File:MCgeegeeHP1.PNG|thumb|left|250px|Minerva placing the [[Sorting Hat]] on [[Harry Potter]]'s head.]]
  
   
  +
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.<ref name="PS" />
−
In [[1991]] friend of [[Albus Dumbledore]], [[Nicolas Flamel]], had the [[Philosopher's Stone]] that was keeping him alive moved from his safe in [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank|Gringotts]] to [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] for safe keeping. Minerva contributed to the defences set up around the magical artefact by transfiguring an enormous [[Human Chess Game|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. Wizarding chess is known to be brutally violent and sacrificial for wizards to have to take part in themselves.<ref name="PS" />
  
   
  +
[[File:Harry-potter1-mcgonagall classroom.jpg|250px|thumb|left|McGonagall chastising Harry and Ron for being late to class]]
−
Also in this year, [[Harry Potter]], who Minerva had been watching over for many years would start his [[First year]] of education at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], unknowingly to him as he was unaware of the fact 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.
 
  +
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.
−
[[File:Transfiguration_homework.jpg|thumb|right|250px|McGonagall being informed of the trio's suspicions someone was going to steal the stone.]]
  
   
  +
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.<ref name="PS" />
−
Though Minerva often maintained her strict persona in regards to the boy, she was not 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.
  
   
  +
[[File:Transfiguration homework.jpg|250px|thumb|McGonagall being informed of the trio's suspicions someone was going to steal the Stone]]
−
Harry made the team, remarkable for a [[First year]], and became the youngest [[Seeker]] in a century. McGonagall made arrangements for Harry to have a [[Nimbus 2000]], the fastest broomstick of the time, for use during games and practices. 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 [[Quirinus Quirrell|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 come 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. McGonagall's house the current house cup champions.<ref name="PS" />
  
  +
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. Harshly 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.<ref name="PS" />
  +
  +
Towards the end of the year, McGonagall and the other teachers' protective enchantments down in the [[Underground Chambers|Philosopher's Stone chambers]] would come to test when [[Quirinus Quirrell|Quirrell]] attempted to steal the Philosopher's Stone. Also testing and facing the enchantments were [[Harry Potter]], [[Hermione Granger]], and [[Ronald Weasley|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.<ref name="PS" />
   
 
====The second opening of the Chamber of Secrets====
  
====The second opening of the Chamber of Secrets====
  +
{{Dialogue a-b|McGonagall|What does this ''mean'', Albus?|Albus Dumbledore|It means that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again.|The opening of the Chamber is confirmed after finding Colin Creevey petrified|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}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.<ref name="COS" />
−
{{Dialogue a-b|McGonagall|What does it mean Albus?|Dumbledore|It means that the Chamber of Secrets has indeed been opened again.|After finding Colin Creevey petrified.|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
  
−
[[File:Dumbledore15.jpg|thumb|left|250px|McGonagall and other members of staff discover the declaration.]]
  
   
  +
[[File:Harry-potter2-professors.jpg|250px|thumb|left|McGonagall and other members of staff discover the declaration]]
−
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 of the [[King's Cross Station]] that was sealed by [[Dobby]] so the two couldn't board the train. This nearly exposed the wizarding world to Muggles, but Minerva was more fair than Snape, the one who brought the matter up in the first place. Minerva ultimately let them off with a mere detention and a letter to their parents and guardians; she did not take any house points as Harry pointed out that term had not started yet when they took the car, and she 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.<ref name="COS" />
   
  +
In the final weeks of that school year, Minerva served as temporary [[Headmaster|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 [[Petrification|petrified]] Hermione, though she normally would punish them with detention.<ref name="COS">{{COS}}</ref>
−
[[File:200px-Minerva cs.jpg|thumb|right|180px|McGonagall informs students the school may close.]]
  
−
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. 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 who utterly despised him.<ref name="COS">{{COS}}</ref>
  
   
−
{{Quote|Unless the culprit is caught...it is likely the school will be closed.|McGonagall on the severity of the [[Chamber of Secrets]] openings|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)}}
 +
{{Quote|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}}
  +
[[File:Hogwarts staff COSF.jpg|250px|thumb|The professors moments after Ginny Weasley was kidnapped by the monster]]
  +
When [[Ginevra Weasley|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.<ref name="COS" />
   
  +
[[File:Harry-potter2-minera_leaving_feast.jpg|250px|thumb|left|McGonagall at the End-of-Term Feast celebrating the end of the [[Chamber of Secrets]]]]
−
In the final weeks of that school year, Minerva served as temporary [[Headmaster|Headmistress]] of Hogwarts after the Board of Governors, under Lucius Malfoy's influence, suspended Dumbledore for failing to stop the attacks against students. She was also quite shaken and softened up, as when Harry and Ron tried to sneak off to investigate on the matters but was caught by Professor McGonagall, she let them off under the belief that they were trying to visit a [[Petrification|petrified]] Hermione; normally, she would punish them with detention. When [[Ginevra Weasley|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. However, once the [[Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk|monster]] of the Chamber had been dealt with, [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]] returned to the school and Minerva returned to her normal duties.<ref name="COS" />
  
  +
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 [[Serpent of Slytherin|monster]] within. [[Albus Dumbledore|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.<ref name="COS" />
−
[[File:McGonoR.PNG|thumb|left|250px|Minerva reassures Gryffindors of their safety at Hogwarts from [[Sirius Black]].]]
  
   
 
====Escape of Sirius Black====
  
====Escape of Sirius Black====
  +
{{Dialogue a-b-a-b-a|Minerva McGonagall|Sir Cadogan, did you just let a man enter Gryffindor Tower?|Sir Cadogan| Certainly, good lady!|You — you did? But — but the password!|He had 'em! Had the whole week's, my lady! Read 'em off a little piece of paper!|Which person, which abysmally foolish person wrote down this week's passwords and left them lying around?|Minerva's shock at Sirius Black entering the castle|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
−
{{Quote|Well, Sirius Black is gone tonight, but I think you can all safely assume he will attempt to return at some time.|McGonagall to her students|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)}}
  
  +
The summer of 1993 also saw the [[Azkaban escapes|escape]] of [[Sirius Black]] from [[Azkaban]]. When the school year began in September, Minerva had to deal with the effects that the Dementors had on her students, such as Harry Potter. She also authorised [[Hermione Granger]] to use a [[Time-Turner]] in order to take extra classes, a decision that would prove more useful in future events that year. This year at Hogwarts would prove to be another difficult year with Dementors guarding the castle, though they were forbidden from entering the grounds properly by Dumbledore. Minerva heartily approved of this, as she despised the foul creatures.<ref name="POA" />
  +
  +
At the start of the year, when McGonagall demonstrated her [[Animagus]] form to her first class, she notes how quiet they were, as every class she demonstrated it to prior clapped. When Hermione explained about their first [[Divination]], McGonagall understood and asked her class which of them would be dying this year. Harry Potter raised his hand. McGonagall assured him that [[Sybill Trelawney]]'s predictions were a way of greeting her class and that no deaths of any students have occurred yet. To further put him at ease, she demonstrated one of her rare glimmerings of humour by stating that she still expected him to do his homework, but if he did die then she would excuse his not handing it in.<ref name="POA" />
   
  +
[[File:Gryffindor common room 1993.jpg|250px|thumb|Professor McGonagall and the residents of Gryffindor Tower in the common room after Sirius Black's break-in]]
−
The summer of 1993 also saw the [[Azkaban escapes|escape]] of [[Sirius Black]] from [[Azkaban]]. When the school year began in September, Minerva had to deal with the effects that the [[Dementor]]s had on her students, such as Harry Potter. She also authorised [[Hermione Granger]] to use a [[Time-Turner]] in order to take extra classes, a wise decision on her part that would prove more useful in future events that year. This year at Hogwarts would prove to be another difficult year with Dementors guarding the castle.
  
  +
Throughout the year, Minerva assisted in guarding the school, yet nonetheless Black was able to infiltrate the castle. After Black had attacked the [[Fat Lady]], McGonagall tried to tell Harry that Black was after him, but was cut off by Harry, who told her that Mr Weasley had told him, before she could explain. Later in the year, Minerva was summoned to [[Gryffindor Tower]] when Ron Weasley claimed to have been attacked by Black. She initially dismissed him as Black could not have possibly got in without the password (unaware that Hermione's cat, [[Crookshanks]], befriended by Sirius and gave him a discarded list of passwords).
   
  +
McGonagall was rendered speechless when the new guardian, Sir [[Cadogan]], confirmed that he had indeed let him in because he had the passwords written down. When [[Neville Longbottom]] admitted to having written the passwords down, McGonagall banned him from future Hogsmeade visits for the rest of the year, gave him a detention, forbade anyone to give him the password into Gryffindor Tower and wrote to his grandmother. As a result, Neville received a [[Howler]] from her during breakfast.<ref name="POA" />
−
At the start of the year, when McGonagall demonstrated her [[Animagus]] form to her first class, she notes how quiet they were. When Hermione explained about their first [[Divination]], McGonagall understood and asked her class which of them would be dying this year. Harry Potter raised his hand. McGonagall assured him that [[Sybill Trelawney]]'s predictions were a way of greeting her class and that no deaths of any students has occured yet.
  
   
  +
[[File:Christmas Firebolt minerva.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Harry receives a [[Firebolt]] for Christmas that is soon confiscated by McGonagall]]
−
{{Quote|The fact still remains, that Sirius Black was and is to this day... Harry Potter's Godfather!|McGonagall discussing Black.|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)}}
  
  +
When Harry received a [[Harry Potter's Firebolt|Firebolt]] following the destruction of his Nimbus 2000, McGonagall had it confiscated to be "examined" because she believed it to have been sent by Black (and correctly so), and therefore lethally cursed (which was incorrect). This incident caused Harry and Hermione to have a row, because Hermione had alerted Minerva about the Firebolt. It was returned to him later after having been declared safe. During the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw, Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, and Marcus Flint posed as [[Dementor]]s to sabotage Harry's performance, only to get struck down when Harry reflexively cast a Patronus Charm at them. Utterly furious at this downright trickery, she deducted fifty points from Slytherin and put the quartet in detention.<ref name="POA" />
−
[[File:004HPA_Julie_Christie_001.jpg|thumb|right|250px|McGonagall at Hogsmeade with Fudge and Rosmerta.]]
  
   
  +
[[File:Harry Potter Pottermore Harry Holding Quidditch Cup In A Crowd Moment.jpg|250px|thumb|Gryffindor wins the [[Inter-House Quidditch Cup|Quidditch Cup]] in 1994]]
−
Throughout the year, Minerva assisted in guarding the school, yet nonetheless Black was able to infiltrate the castle. After Black had attacked the [[Fat Lady]], McGonagall tried to tell Harry that Black was after him, but was cut off by Harry, who told her that Mr. Weasley had told him, before she could explain, Later in the year Black managed to enter [[Gryffindor Tower]] when Hermione's cat [[Crookshanks]], befriended by Sirius, gave him a discarded list of passwords. When [[Neville Longbottom]] admitted to having written the passwords down, McGonagall gave him a detention and wrote to his grandmother. In result, Neville received a [[Howler]]. When Harry received a [[Harry Potter's Firebolt broomstick|Firebolt]] following the destruction of his Nimbus 2000, McGonagall had it confiscated to be "examined" because she believed it to have been sent by Black (and correctly so), and therefore lethally cursed (which was incorrect). This incident caused Harry and Hermione to have a row, because Hermione had alerted Minerva about the Firebolt. It was returned to him later. During the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw, McGonagall caught Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe and Marcus Flint attempting to pose as Dementors to catch Harry off guard. She deducted fifty points from Slytherin and put the quartet in detention. In the spring of [[1994]], though disgusted by the Slytherin Quidditch team's dirty tactics during the final Quidditch match, she also witnessed the Gryffindor Quidditch team win the [[Quidditch Cup]] for the first time since [[Charles Weasley|Charlie Weasley]] had played for the team during his Hogwarts education. McGonagall was delighted by Gryffindor's victory, but upset to see its captain [[Oliver Wood]] leaving. Later on in the year, three students from her house &mdash; [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] &mdash; would run into trouble when [[Sirius Black]] returned to Hogwarts.<ref name="POA">{{POA}}</ref>
  
  +
In the spring of 1994, though disgusted by the Slytherin Quidditch team's dirty tactics during the final Quidditch match after witnessing [[Draco Malfoy]] grab onto the end of Harry's Firebolt to stop him from catching the [[Golden Snitch]] (which infuriated her to the point where she stopped telling Lee Jordan off and actually joined him in firing furious comments at Malfoy), she witnessed the Gryffindor Quidditch team win the Quidditch Cup for the first time since [[Charles Weasley|Charlie Weasley]] had played for the team during his Hogwarts education. McGonagall was delighted by Gryffindor's victory, openly sobbing &mdash; even louder than the already sobbing Oliver Wood — into a Gryffindor Flag, but was upset to see [[Oliver Wood]] leaving. Later on in the year, three students from her house &mdash; [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] &mdash; would run into trouble when [[Sirius Black]] returned to Hogwarts.<ref name="POA">{{POA}}</ref>
   
 
====Triwizard Tournament====
  
====Triwizard Tournament====
  +
{{Quote|The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to — er — let our hair down. But that does NOT mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way.|McGonagall introducing the Yule Ball|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
−
[[File:YuleBallDance.jpg|thumb|left|250px|McGonagall and Dumbledore dancing at the ball.]]
  
  +
In the autumn of 1994, Hogwarts hosted the magical schools, the [[Beauxbatons Academy of Magic]] and the [[Durmstrang Institute]] for the [[Triwizard Tournament]]. [[Harry Potter]] was selected as a Triwizard Champion, despite being under age and McGonagall worried for his safety after having looked after him for so many years. Minerva pleaded with Dumbledore and Crouch to withdraw Harry from the tournament, as the tournament was highly dangerous. But withdrawing would go against the rules of the tournament and Potter had to continue on, as there was a [[binding magical contract]] in place.<ref name="GOF" />
−
{{Quote|The Yule Ball after all is first and foremost, a dance.|McGonagall to her students.|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)}}
  
   
  +
[[File:Harry-potter4 minerva yule ball.jpg|250px|thumb|left|McGonagall attending the Yule Ball and dancing with Dumbledore]]
−
In the autumn of 1994, Hogwarts hosted the magical schools, the [[Beauxbatons Academy of Magic]] and the [[Durmstrang Institute]] for the [[Triwizard Tournament]]. [[Harry Potter]] was selected as a Triwizard Champion despite being under age and McGonagall worried for his safety after having looked after him for so many years.mMinerva protested with Dumbledore and Crouch to withdraw Harry Potter from the tournament but it was against rules of the tournament and Potter had to continue on, despite it being very dangerous for him to do so.
  
  +
During the year Minerva more than once exhorted her students to provide a good appearance to their guests at the castle. She attended the [[Yule Ball]] with Albus Dumbledore and notably wore her hair down for the first time since Harry started his education at Hogwarts. While at the Ball, Minerva danced with both [[Ludovic Bagman]] and Dumbledore, among others. In the case of the former, Harry Potter noticed Bagman kiss Minerva's hand once they had finished dancing.<ref name="GOF" />
   
  +
Minerva loaned [[Classroom 1B|her classroom]] to Harry, Ron and Hermione so they could practise spells for Harry's preparation for the Third Task. She did this after having walked in on them practising so many times around the school. At the end of the Tournament, Minerva accompanied Dumbledore and [[Severus Snape]] in the rescue of Harry Potter from the [[Bartemius Crouch Junior|Death Eater]] that had spent the entire school year impersonating the [[Auror]] [[Alastor Moody]], that year's [[Defence Against the Dark Arts|DADA]] professor.<ref name="GOF" />
−
[[File:Severus_spell.JPG|thumb|250px|McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore moments before finding out that Mad-Eye wasn't the real Mad-Eye.]]
  
−
During the year Minerva more than once exhorted her students to provide a good appearance to their guests at the castle. She attended the [[Yule Ball]] with Albus Dumbledore and notably wore her hair down for the first time since Harry started his education at Hogwarts. At the end of the Tournament, however, Minerva accompanied Dumbledore and [[Severus Snape]] in the rescue of Harry Potter from the [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Death Eater]] that had spent the entire school year impersonating the [[Auror]] [[Alastor Moody]], that year's [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] professor.
  
   
  +
[[File:B4C36M1 Snape Dark Mark reveal.png|250px|thumb|right|McGonagall was present while Snape presented his newly activated Dark Mark]]
−
{{Dialogue a-b|Dumbledore|Minerva, could I ask you to stand guard here while I take Harry upstairs?|McGonagall|Of course|Dumbledore instructs Minerva to stand guard.|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
  
  +
She was instructed to guard Crouch Jnr after he revealed his part in the rebirth of Voldemort but was unable to prevent the Dementor brought by [[Minister for Magic|Minister]] [[Cornelius Fudge]] from giving the Death Eater the [[Dementor's Kiss]]. She was intensely furious at Fudge for this blunder, and severely shaken from having witnessed the unspeakably horrible act, screaming more than Harry had ever seen before. Thus, when the Minister refused to believe Dumbledore and Harry Potter about the return of Voldemort, Minerva nonetheless stood in support of her superior and her student. In the return of the Dark Lord, [[Hufflepuff]] student [[Cedric Diggory]] was carelessly murdered and a [[Memorial feast to Cedric Diggory|memorial feast]] was held at the end of the school year. The Second Wizarding War had now begun, despite the Ministry trying to hush up any claims of this.<ref name="GOF">{{GOF}}</ref>
−
[[File:Bartycrouchjr2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The guarding of imposter [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr.]] following [[Cedric Diggory]]'s death.]]
  
   
  +
===Second Wizarding War {{c|1995–1998}}===
−
She was instructed to guard Crouch Jr. after he revealed his part in the rebirth of Voldemort, but was unable to prevent the Dementor brought by [[Minister for Magic|Minister]] [[Cornelius Fudge]] from giving the Death Eater the [[Dementor's Kiss]]. She was intensely furious at Fudge for this blunder, and screamed more than Harry had ever seen before. Thus, when the Minister refused to believe Dumbledore and Harry Potter about the return of Voldemort, Minerva nonetheless stood in support of her superior and her student.<ref name="GOF">{{GOF}}</ref> In the return of the Dark Lord, [[Hufflepuff]] student [[Cedric Diggory]] was carelessly murdered and a [[Memorial Feast to Cedric Diggory|memorial feast]] was held at the end of the school year. The [[Second Wizarding War]] had now begun, despite the Ministry trying to hush up any claims of this.
  
  +
{{Quote|Well, I think Potter and his friends ought to have fifty points apiece for alerting the world to the return of You-Know-Who! What say you, [[Severus Snape|Professor Snape]]?|McGongall openly addressing Voldemort's return to power|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
  +
[[File:Order of the Pheonix.png|250px|thumb|left|Minerva joining the [[Order of the Phoenix]]]]
  +
Once the [[Second Wizarding War]] had begun, Minerva joined the Order of the Phoenix and spent much of the summer of 1995 doing work for the Order. She would come and go from [[12 Grimmauld Place]] wearing a [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] dress rather than her robes, which Harry thought made her look odd. Though these duties took up much of her time, Minerva would face even greater challenges at Hogwarts.
   
  +
Because Dumbledore was unable to find a new professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts, the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] appointed [[Dolores Umbridge]], a senior Ministry official and stout supporter of Fudge, to the Hogwarts staff. Minerva saw this appointment as an affront to the school itself and did little to hide her disgust.<ref name="OOTP">{{OOTP}}</ref>
−
===Second Wizarding War===
  
−
[[File:Order_of_the_Pheonix.jpg|thumb|218px|Minerva rejoins the [[Order of the Phoenix]].]]
  
−
Once the Second Wizarding War had begun, Minerva rejoined the Order of the Phoenix and spent much of the summer of [[1995]] doing work for the Order. She would come and go from [[12 Grimmauld Place]] wearing a Muggle dress rather than her robes, which Harry thought made her look odd. Though these duties took up much of her time, Minerva would face even greater challenges at Hogwarts. Because Dumbledore was unable to find a new professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts, the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] appointed [[Dolores Umbridge]], a senior Ministry official and stout supporter of Fudge, to the Hogwarts staff. Minerva saw this appointment as an affront to the school itself and did little to hide her disgust.
  
   
 
====High Inquisitor at Hogwarts====
  
====High Inquisitor at Hogwarts====
  +
{{Quote|I wonder how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking.|Professor McGonagall to [[Dolores Umbridge]] during her inspection|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
−
[[File:Disloyalty Minerva Dolores.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Minerva argues with [[Dolores Umbridge]].]]
  
  +
[[File:Disloyalty Minerva Dolores.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Minerva arguing with [[Dolores Umbridge]] over Umbridge's methods of punishment]]
  +
When Harry Potter crossed Umbridge, earning a detention in his first class with her, Minerva was sympathetic but warned him that Umbridge was not to be trifled with and that he should keep his head down. McGonagall did all she could to circumvent Umbridge's authority without risking her own security as Deputy Headmistress. Indeed, she treated Umbridge with as little credence and respect as possible while Hogwarts was under investigation by the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] and even gave [[Peeves]] tips on how to unscrew a chandelier when he was trying to cause havoc for Umbridge. McGonagall also managed to put aside her dislike of [[Sybill Trelawney|Professor Trelawney]] for a time in the face of Umbridge's persecution of Hogwarts' inhabitants. It is shown she brings Trelawney back to Hogwarts after Umbridge dismissed her.<ref name="OOTP" />
   
  +
After Umbridge's appointment as [[Hogwarts High Inquisitor|High Inquisitor]], Minerva was forced to endure the other woman's presence during her evaluation of Minerva's teaching. Minerva kept her temper under control, maintaining an icy exterior and yet still unleashed a dry and pointed wit on Umbridge. The encounter did serve to cheer students like [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] who heartily disliked Umbridge; Ron even expressed delight at the prospect of seeing Minerva's classes inspected, remarking that "''Umbridge won't know what's hit her''". Still, darker times lay ahead.<ref name="OOTP" />
−
{{Dialogue a-b|Umbridge|Is there something you'd like to say, Minerva?|McGonagall|Oh, there are ''several'' things I would like to say, Dolores!|Minerva speaking to Umbridge as she comforts the newly sacked [[Sybill Trelawney]]|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)}}
  
   
  +
[[File:Order-of-the-phoenix-harry. minerva, ron.jpg|250px|thumb|left|An anxious Minerva brings Harry to Dumbledore's Office following his vision of [[Arthur Weasley]]'s attack]]
−
When Harry Potter crossed Umbridge, earning a detention in his first class with her, Minerva was sympathetic, but warned him that Umbridge was not to be trifled with and that he should keep his head down.<ref name="OOTP">{{OOTP}}</ref> McGonagall did all she could to circumvent Umbridge's authority without risking her own security as Deputy Headmistress. Indeed, she treated Umbridge with as little credence and respect as possible while Hogwarts was under investigation by the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]], and even gave [[Peeves]] tips on how to unscrew a chandelier when he was trying to cause havoc for Umbridge. McGonagall also managed to put aside her dislike of [[Professor Trelawney]] for a time in the face of Umbridge's persecution of Hogwarts' inhabitants. It is shown she brings Trelawney back to Hogwarts after Umbridge dismissed her.<ref name="OOTP" />
  
  +
Despite Minerva's best efforts to thwart the Ministry's influence at Hogwarts, things continued to grow worse. After Harry's resistance group was discovered by Umbridge, Minerva was present in Dumbledore's office when Harry was brought in. When Umbridge revealed that anti-Muggle prankster [[Willy Widdershins]] had provided her with testimony that Harry was forming this rebel group, Minerva loudly voiced that she had wondered why he had managed to avoid prosecution for all his regurgitating toilet charges, joined in her vocal outrage by the portrait of Headmaster [[Dexter Fortescue]].<ref name="OOTP" />
   
  +
Dumbledore managed to save Harry by taking credit for the student organisation, which led to Fudge announcing his intention to arrest him and actually attempted to have him taken by force, sneering at the idea of Dumbledore taking on him and the others single-handed. Minerva, loyal to her mentor and friend, loudly declared that he wouldn't be single-handed and actually made to draw her wand, fully prepared to duel the Minister for Magic himself. She only stood down on Dumbledore's direct orders, as Hogwarts would need her.<ref name="OOTP" />
−
[[File:McGeeePotter.PNG|thumb|right|250px|Minerva brings Harry to Dumbledore's office after he has a nightmare.]]
  
  +
[[File:Dolores Umbridge and Minerva McGonagall arguing OOTPF.jpg|250x250px|thumb|Umbridge is chosen as Headmistress over McGonagall]]
−
After Umbridge's appointment as [[Hogwarts High Inquisitor|High Inquisitor]], Minerva was forced to endure the other woman's presence during her evaluation of Minerva's teaching. Minerva kept her temper under control, maintaining an icy exterior and yet still unleashed a dry and pointed wit on Umbridge. The encounter did serve to cheer students like [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] who heartily disliked Umbridge.<ref name="OOTP" /> Still, darker times lay ahead.
  
  +
After Dumbledore escaped arrest, Umbridge was appointed Headmistress over Minerva, but had virtually no support. When Umbridge invaded the career advising of the 5th-year students, Minerva finally lost her temper. During Harry Potter's session, when Umbridge kept interrupting the conversation and declaring that Harry would never be an [[Auror]] at the Ministry, Minerva declared to Harry that she would help him in any way necessary to achieve his goal, even if it was the last thing she ever did. The atmosphere at Hogwarts continued to devolve under Umbridge's leadership.<ref name="OOTP" />
   
  +
====St Mungo's Hospital====
−
Despite Minerva's best efforts to thwart the Ministry's influence at Hogwarts, things continued to grow worse. After Dumbledore was ousted from the school, Umbridge was appointed Headmistress over Minerva. When Umbridge invaded the career advising of the 5th-year students, Minerva finally lost her temper. During Harry Potter's session, when Umbridge kept interrupting the conversation and declaring that Harry would never be an [[Auror]] at the Ministry, Minerva declared to Harry that she would help him in any way necessary to achieve his goal. The atmosphere at Hogwarts continued to devolve under Umbridge's leadership.<ref name="OOTP" />
  
  +
{{Dialogue a-b-a|McGonagall|How dare you! How ''dare'' you!|Hermione Granger |It's McGonagall!|Leave him alone! Alone, I say! On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such —|McGonagall defending Hagrid moments before she's attacked|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
  +
[[File:Minerva wheelchair.jpg|250px|thumb|left|A wheelchair bound McGonagall reading about the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]]]]
  +
During the [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.L.]] examinations, events came to a head. When [[Dolores Umbridge]] and several [[Auror]]s attempted to evict [[Rubeus Hagrid|Hagrid]] from the grounds of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], Minerva sought to intervene on behalf of her colleague. Charging out of the castle, she shouted at the Aurors to leave Hagrid alone. However, before she could even draw her wand, Minerva was promptly hit with four [[Stunning Spell]]s in the chest, which required that she be moved from [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] Hospital Wing to [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries|St Mungo's]] for treatment.<ref name="OOTP" />
   
  +
Hagrid was so enraged and disgusted by this attack that he attacked two of her attackers before fleeing, furiously denouncing them as cowards, while Madam Pomfrey said that it would be very difficult for Minerva to be hit in broad daylight. She would have resigned in protest because of this cowardly attack if the students' well-being was not placed as her priority. Many students were also outraged with this attack, to the point of ignoring their [[Astronomy]] exam and even the proctor [[Tofty|Professor Tofty]] expressed aloud his fury.<ref name="OOTP" />
−
====St. Mungo's Hospital====
  
−
{{Dialogue a-b-a|McGonagall|How dare you! How ''dare'' you!|Hermione|It's McGonagall!|Leave him alone! Alone, I say! On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such —|McGonagall moments before Umbridge orders her attack|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
  
   
  +
====Return to Hogwarts====
−
During the [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.L.]] examinations, events came to a head. When [[Dolores Umbridge]] and several [[Auror]]s attempted to evict [[Rubeus Hagrid|Hagrid]] from the grounds of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], Minerva sought to intervene on behalf of her colleague. However, before she could even draw her wand, Minerva was promptly hit with four [[Stunning Spell]]s in the chest, which required that she be moved from [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] to [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries|St Mungo's]] for treatment.<ref name="OOTP" /> Madam Pomfrey said that it would be very difficult for Minerva to be hit in broad daylight.
  
  +
{{Quote|Well, I think Potter and his friends ought to have fifty points apiece for alerting the world to the return of You-Know-Who — that's fifty each for Potter, the two Weasleys, Longbottom and Miss Granger. Oh — and fifty for Miss Lovegood, I suppose.|McGonagall rewards the participants of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
  +
[[File:Professor McGonagall HBPF.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Minerva going over schedules with the sixth years in 1996]]
  +
Minerva didn't return to Hogwarts until after the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]]. After being released from the hospital, she required the aid of a [[walking stick]] for several days. Upon her return to the school, she promptly gave the six students involved in the Battle at the Ministry 50 house points each for "alerting the world to the return of You-Know-Who", in response to Snape needling Harry about Gryffindor having 0 house points.<ref name="OOTP" /> She also watched with some happiness when Peeves chased [[Umbridge family|Umbridge]] from the school, commenting that she would've joined Peeves in chasing Dolores away in the school grounds, but [[Peeves]] had appropriated her walking stick.<ref name="OOTP" />
   
  +
====[[1996–1997 school year]]====
−
[[File:Maggie_newspaper.gif|300px|left|thumb|Minerva McGonagall, still in convalescence after her attack, reading about the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.]]
  
  +
Having resumed her duties within the Order of the Phoenix as well as her other responsibilities at school when the new year began after summer,<ref name="OOTP" /> rarly in the term, Minerva was responsible for the distribution of schedules among the the sixth year N.E.W.T. students.<ref name="HBP">{{HBP}}</ref>
   
  +
[[File:Silver and Opals.JPG|250px|thumb|left|Professors Snape and McGonagall examining a [[Opal Necklace|cursed necklace]]]]
−
====Return to Hogwarts====
  
  +
Minerva was present after [[Katie Bell]] was cursed by the Opal Necklace. After Harry ran off to find someone to aid Katie, he bumped into [[Rubeus Hagrid|Hagrid]] and led him back to the group. After learning the nature of the event Hagrid carried Katie to the castle, accompanied by Harry, [[Hermione Granger|Hermione]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]], and [[Leanne]]. While in the castle Minerva appeared and asked Harry what he was holding in his hand, it was the necklace wrapped in his scarf.
−
{{Quote|Well, I think Potter and his friends ought to have fifty points apiece for alerting the world to the return of You-Know-Who - that's fifty each for Potter, the two Weasleys, Longbottom and Miss Granger. Oh--and fifty for Miss Lovegood, I suppose.|Professor McGonagall rewards the participants of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries for confirming the return of Lord Voldemort.|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
−
Minerva did not return to Hogwarts until after the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]], when she promptly gave the six students involved in the Battle at the Ministry 50 House points each for "alerting the world to the return of You-Know-Who." when Snape was needling Harry about Gryffindor having 0 House points.<ref name="OOTP" /> She also watched with some happiness when [[Peeves]] chased Umbridge from the school, commenting that she would've joined Peeves in chasing Dolores away, but [[Peeves]] had appropriated her walking stick. After her recovery at St. Mungo's, Minerva resumed her duties within the Order of the Phoenix as well as her teaching duties when the school year would begin again after summer.<ref name="OOTP" />
  
   
  +
She then proceeded to hand over the necklace to [[Severus Snape|Professor Snape]], through the Caretaker [[Argus Filch]] and questioned the the trio and Leanne on what they witnessed. Harry told her his theory that it was Draco Malfoy that gave Katie the necklace, but she scorned the theory and dismissed them. Snape was able to stop the curse from spreading any further, but Katie was taken to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, where she spent much of that year recovering from the effects of the [[Opal Necklace|curse]].<ref name="HBP" />
−
[[File:Necklace.jpg|thumb|right|250px|McGonagall and Snape inspect the cursed necklace.]]
  
   
−
====Battle of the Astronomy Tower====
 +
=====[[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]]=====
  +
{{Quote|Professor McGonagall had risen to her feet, the mournful hum in the Great Hall died away at once.|McGonagall at Albus Dumbledore's funeral|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
−
Later in the school year, she participated in the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] in [[1997]] after [[Draco Malfoy]] sneaked Death Eaters into the school through the [[Room of Requirement]]. She was stuck on the level below Harry and Dumbledore and couldn't pass on the stairs to reach them, however Snape could and pushed past her.
  
  +
[[File:Dark Mark over Hogwarts 2.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The Dark Mark symbolising the invasion over the [[Astronomy Tower]]]]
  +
On [[30 June]], [[1997]], Minerva and the other teachers was informed by Professor Dumbledore that he would be leaving the school for a few hours, and instructed them to patrol the corridors as a safety precaution, and that they would be joined by [[Remus Lupin]], [[Nymphadora Tonks]] and [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]]. Mindful of the stringent security measures that had been put in place in light of the [[Return of Lord Voldemort]], it seemed impossible that any intruder could bypass the [[protective enchantment]]s surrounding the school, and indeed, even as she began with her sentry duty, nothing seemed amiss until the sudden arrival of [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]], [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny]] and [[Neville Longbottom|Neville]] near mindnight, who explained that they had just come from the [[seventh-floor corridor]], where a number of unknown individuals had just emerged from the [[Room of Requirement]], hidden under the cover of [[Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder]].<ref name="HBP" />
   
  +
Within minutes of this happening, Minerva, [[Filius Flitwick]], and the two trios of students and Order members discovered that group of no less than six [[Death Eaters]] heading in the direction of the [[Astronomy Tower]] and, having immediately chase and thereby forced them to scatter, they were all quickly engaged in a fierce skirmish to try and stop the trespassers: Although they were greater in numbers, the [[Death Eaters]] they fought were relentless, [[Curse-to-kill|cursed-to-kill]] and seemingly prepared to duel to the death, and before long they had gained the upper hand.
−
[[File:Minwad.jpg|thumb|left|McGonagall rids the grounds of the Dark Mark above the late Dumbledore's body.]]
  
−
After the battle, she was devastated to learn of Snape's murder of Dumbledore, the man whom she had known nearly her entire life as a teacher, mentor, and friend, and whose murderer she had let pass. After the murder was committed the [[Dark Mark]], which was already cast into the sky, shadowed over the school grounds, McGonagall led the respectful wand raising to rid the sky of the dark mark from the late Dumbledore's body. After the death of Dumbledore, McGonagall held the [[Funeral of Albus Dumbledore]] at Hogwarts and in the final days of the school year she took over Dumbledore's former position and became Headmistress of Hogwarts, though she was stripped of this position in favour of Snape once Voldemort took over. McGonagall tried to comfort Harry about the death of Dumbledore but her efforts fell short, as she herself was devastated at the death of her beloved teacher.<ref name="HBP">{{HBP}}</ref>
  
   
  +
Because of the relentlessness of the Death Eaters, Neville and Bill both had been brutally incapacitated in the struggle. Seeing the need for more wands on their side, Minerva sent Flitwick to get [[Severus Snape]] so he could help fend off the intruders, At the time of Dumbledore's murder, Minerva and the rest of the Hogwartsians was stuck on the level below them, having been prevented from passing on the stairs to reach them by a [[cursed barrier]] cast by the Death Eaters. When he arrived, Snape, by contrast, could (as he had the [[Dark Mark]]), and pushed past her.<ref name="HBP" />
−
====Voldemort's control of Hogwarts====
  
−
As the war continued, Minerva remained at Hogwarts, even when it was taken over by Voldemort, most likely to make sure as little harm came to students as she could act as an insider so that that the [[Order of the Phoenix]] was informed on what was going on at Hogwarts. Even when Severus Snape was appointed Headmaster and [[Alecto Carrow|Alecto]] and [[Amycus Carrow]] were given free rein in the school, Minerva did as much as she could to protect the students. The rebel alliance [[Dumbledore's Army]] founded by the students reformed and McGonagall helped to keep their meetings a secret.
  
   
  +
Having merely assumed that her colleague was simply in a hurry to pursue their adversaries, no one tried to stop him as he did so, and once when [[Thorfinn Rowle|one of them]] caused a section of the roof to collapse and took the barrier with him, Minerva and those who were still standing rushed forward to pursue them as well; only for the dust to clear and Snape to emerge with Draco Malfoy in tow, Assuming they were running from the Death Eaters, Minerva let them pass before reengaging the Death Eaters that came down after them, whereupon she duelled and personally chased off [[Alecto Carrow]], whom Minerva sent running for cover. Once the intruders escaped the scene of the crime, however, Minerva was devastated to find their esteemed headmaster, the man whom she had known nearly her entire life as a teacher, mentor and friend, lying dead outside on the lawn beneath the Astronomy Tower, and asked Hagrid to move the body.<ref name="HBP" />
−
====Battle of Hogwarts====
  
−
{{Quote|You're acting on ''Dumbledore's'' orders? ...We shall secure the school against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named while you search for this — this object.|Minerva McGonagall to Harry Potter after his return to Hogwarts.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  
−
[[File:Tumblr_lodyp45a2F1qd8c06o1_500.gif|frame|McGonagall duelling Severus]]
  
−
On [[2 May]], [[1998]], Minerva was present when Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley returned to Hogwarts in the middle of the night in search of [[Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem]], becoming aware they were there after Harry defended her honour by successfully performing the [[Cruciatus Curse]] on [[Amycus Carrow]].
  
   
  +
=====The death of Albus Dumbledore=====
−
With help from Harry and [[Luna Lovegood]], she incapacitated the Carrow siblings in the [[Ravenclaw Tower|Ravenclaw Common Room]]. Realising that a battle was upon them, Minerva gathered [[Filius Flitwick]] and [[Pomona Sprout]] and together the three Heads of House banished Severus from Hogwarts, Minerva even calling him a coward as he fled the school. Harry informed McGonagall of a quest that Dumbledore had left him, and she, in respect for Dumbledore's wishes, offered to hold Voldemort and his army back for whilst Harry fulfilled this quest. She then proceeded to [[Piertotum Locomotor|animate]] the castle's [[Suit of armour|suits of armour]] and statues to help her defend the school.<ref name="DH">{{DH}}</ref>
 
  +
[[File:B6C30M1 funeral of Albus Dumbledore.png|250px|thumb|left|Minerva attended the funeral of Albus Dumbledore]]
−
Shortly before the battle Minerva ordered Neville Longbottom to destroy the [[Covered Bridge]] so that the [[Snatchers]] could not sneak into the school.
  
  +
Having notified [[Arthur Weasley|Arthur]] and [[Molly Weasley]] about what had happened and that their oldest son had been gravely injured at the hands of [[Fenrir Greyback]], Minerva regrouped with the rest of the other combatants at the [[Hospital Wing]], where they discussed what had transpired and Harry Potter elaborated on the [[plot to assassinate Albus Dumbledore]]. Upon learning from Hagrid that [[Horace Slughorn]] had notified the Ministry of Magic, Minerva promptly and prudently assumed the role of acting Headmistress of Hogwarts by having the [[Head of House|Heads of Houses]] meet with her in what had now become her new office in the [[Headmaster's Tower|Headteacher's Tower]] to discuss the future of the school.
   
  +
Before they arrived, she also tried to tried to comfort Harry about the death of Dumbledore, as well as to persuade Harry to confide in her the truth about what he and the late headmaster [[Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter's Horcrux hunt|had been up to]] prior to their sudden departure from the school, only for Harry to refuse her, as Dumbledore had shared the [[Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore's private lessons|facts of the matter]] in the strictest confidence. Eventually joined by [[Pomona Sprout]], [[Filius Flitwick]] and [[Horace Slughorn]], the five individuals proceeded to talk about the possible [[Closure of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|closure of Hogwarts]] and the necessary arrangements for Dumbledore's [[Funeral of Albus Dumbledore|funeral]].
−
{{Dialogue a-b-a-b-a|Neville Longbottom|Let me get this straight, Professor, you're actually giving us permission to do this?|Minerva McGonagall|That is correct, Longbottom.|To blow it up? Boom?|BOOM!|Wicked!|Neville and Professor McGonagall discussing the destruction of the Covered Bridge.}}
  
   
  +
When Professor Slughorn announced the emminent arrival of a delegation from the Ministry of Magic, led by the [[Minister for Magic]] [[Rufus Scrimgeour]], she gave Harry leave to vacate the office so that she could prepare to receive the new arrivals and inform them about what had happened. During this exchange, Scrimgeour also agreed to let Minerva follow through with Dumbledore's previously stated wish of being put to rest at the school grounds.<ref name="HBP" />
−
After ordering the evacuation of younger students through the [[Hog's Head]], Minerva began to help fortify the castle against the coming attack, with the assistance of her fellow teachers, Order members, and even the older students who had stayed behind to fight. When [[Pansy Parkinson]] suggested they take the deal offered to them by Voldemort — that of their lives in exchange for Harry Potter — Minerva ordered the girl and all those not willing to fight to leave. <ref name="DH" />[[File:Minerva_and_Molly_Battle_og_Hogwart.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Minerva and Molly preparing for Battle.]]
  
−
Minerva fought skilfully in the first part of the battle, and stood defiant in the lull. She stood among many students in a crowd when Voldemort himself walked into the Hogwarts grounds. It was only when Minerva saw Harry Potter's body being carried by Rubeus Hagrid that she began to despair, letting out a scream terrible to anyone who heard it, equal to that of Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's together.
  
   
  +
====[[1997–1998 school year]]====
−
Nonetheless, Minerva continued to fight when the battle resumed after the attack by the [[Centaur]]s on Voldemort and the [[Death Eaters]]. In the final moments of the battle, she [[duel]]led with Voldemort alongside [[Horace Slughorn]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], though they were blasted aside by his fury when [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] was killed in a duel with [[Molly Weasley]].
  
  +
=====Voldemort's control of Hogwarts=====
  +
[[File:MInervablitherinidiot.png|250px|thumb|right|McGonagall during Snape's reign as Headmaster of Hogwarts]]
  +
As the war continued, Minerva remained at Hogwarts, even when it was taken over by Voldemort. This was most likely to try and make sure as little harm came to the students as possible, and because she could act as an insider so that the [[Order of the Phoenix]] was informed on what was going on at Hogwarts. Even when Severus was appointed Headmaster and Alecto and [[Amycus Carrow]] were given free rein in the school, Minerva did as much as she could to protect the students. The rebel alliance [[Dumbledore's Army]] founded by the students reformed and McGonagall helped to keep their meetings a secret.<ref name="DH" />
   
  +
====[[Battle of Hogwarts]]====
−
[[File:Combatent.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Minerva stands amongst the rubble that is left of her school.]] They might have resumed the duel but for the fact that Harry revealed himself, insisting that he himself must duel Voldemort one final time. After Voldemort was finally killed by Harry, she, along with everyone else, hugged Harry in an uncharacteristic display of great emotion.<ref name="DH" />
  
  +
{{Quote|You're acting on ''Dumbledore's'' orders? ...We shall secure the school against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named while you search for this — this object.|McGonagall to Harry Potter before the Battle of Hogwarts|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  +
On [[1 May]] 1998, Minerva was present when Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley returned to Hogwarts in the middle of the night in search of [[Ravenclaw's Diadem|Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem]]. That night, she found Amycus at the door to Ravenclaw Tower, furiously assaulting it and demanding to be let in. Dryly pointing out that perhaps his sister, whom Professor Flitwick had admitted earlier at their urgent request, could open the door and prevent him from waking half the castle. Minerva then intervened on his behalf after he told her that Alecto wasn't responding.<ref name="DH" />
   
  +
[[File:Harry-potter7-minerva 1998.jpg|250px|thumb|left|McGonagall protecting students during Snape's regime]]
−
===Later life===
  
  +
When the door opened, they found Alecto unconscious on the floor, which Minerva surmised as the work of a Stunning Spell. Amycus then revealed that they had been warned that Harry might try to get into Ravenclaw Tower, to which Minerva responded with confusion as Harry was in her house, speaking of this with pride in her voice, before scanning the room. Amycus then horrified her by stating his plan to push the blame for Alecto summoning Voldemort on the children in the dormitories, without remorse or concern that they would likely be killed or horribly tortured.
−
With the conclusion of the war, Minerva returned to the position of Headmistress of Hogwarts and remained there until at least [[2000s|2008]] as she gave permission for Dumbledore's notes on ''[[The Tales of Beedle the Bard]]'' to be published.<ref> ''[[The Tales of Beedle the Bard (real)|The Tales of Beedle the Bard]]'', page xi, xiv.</ref> It is possible she was responsible for the employment of former Gryffindor student [[Neville Longbottom]] as the new teacher for Herbology. Minerva had retired by [[2017]], when Harry's [[Albus Potter|second son]] began attending Hogwarts. <ref name="Future">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959323/ MSNBC Interview with J.K. Rowling]</ref>
  
   
  +
Minerva refused to allow Amycus to place blame on the children, prompting the Death Eater to spit in her face, only to be flung across the room with the [[Cruciatus Curse]] when Harry, who had witnessed the whole thing from under his Invisibility Cloak, revealed himself in sheer anger. With both Carrow siblings now incapacitated, Minerva used the [[Imperius Curse]] to gain their wands, before she [[Silver rope-conjuring spell|magically restrained]] and confined them to the [[Ravenclaw common room]].
−
==Physical appearance==
  
−
[[File:Sternfacemcg.PNG|thumb|left|200px|A Head-shot of Minerva McGonagall.]]
  
−
{{Quote|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}}
  
   
  +
=====Ousting of Severus Snape=====
−
Minerva McGonagall was first described as a tall, rather severe-looking woman, and later as a "sprightly" seventy year old. She often wore emerald green robes or her favourite tartan pattern. She also wore a pointed hat cocked to one side, and always had a very prim expression. She rarely let her black hair down and the majority of the time had it combed back into a tight bun. Minerva was a fan of tartan print and would often wear it to [[Quidditch]] games along with a woolly hat covering her ears. Minerva wore square spectacles that matched the markings around the eyes of her [[Animagus]] and [[Patronus Charm|Patronus]]: a silver tabby cat.
  
  +
Realising that a battle was upon them, Minerva engaged Severus Snape, the Headmaster at the time, in a fierce duel. Whilst Snape did put up a good defence, McGonagall gained the upper hand in the duel quickly, and when [[Filius Flitwick]], [[Horace Slughorn]] and [[Pomona Sprout]] arrived, Snape fled, now severely outnumbered. Minerva, believing his escape was motivated by fear, called him a coward as he fled the school.<ref name="DH" />
   
  +
Harry informed McGonagall of a quest that Dumbledore had left him. In respect for Dumbledore's wishes, she offered to hold Voldemort and his army back whilst Harry fulfilled this quest. She then proceeded to lead the defence of Hogwarts against the Death Eaters with [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], personally [[Piertotum Locomotor|animating]] virtually all of the castle's suits of armour and statues to help her defend the school.<ref name="DH" /> Shortly before the battle, Minerva ordered Neville Longbottom with the aid of [[Seamus Finnigan]] and other students to destroy the [[Wooden Bridge]] so that the [[Snatchers]] could not sneak into the school grounds.<ref name="DHF2" /> To ensure the advantage of chaos on their side, she also ordered Argus Filch to find Peeves and bring him to her, which he did in response to her agitation.<ref name="DH">{{DH}}</ref>
−
==Personality and traits==
  
−
[[File:McGeee.PNG|thumb|right|220px|Minerva McGonagall smiling at the Yule Ball.]]
  
−
Minerva almost constantly exuded magnanimity and sternness and was held in great respect (and some fear) by nearly all students and staff. She tolerated neither talking 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. <ref name="GOF" />She even docked points from students in her own House if they misbehaved.
  
   
  +
=====First stage of the battle=====
−
[[File:MInervablitherinidiot.png|thumb|left|222px|Minerva McGonagall as Hogwarts Headmistress]]
  
  +
{{Quote|Hogwarts is threatened! Man the boundaries, protect us, do your duty to our school!|McGonagall preparing for the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  +
[[File:Minerva and Molly Battle og Hogwart.jpg|250px|thumb|Minerva and Molly Weasley preparing for battle]]
  +
After ordering the evacuation of younger students through the [[Hog's Head Inn|Hog's Head]], Minerva began to help fortify the castle against the coming attack, with the assistance of her fellow teachers, Order members, and even the older students who had stayed behind to fight. When [[Pansy Parkinson]] suggested they take the deal offered to them by Voldemort — that of their lives in exchange for Harry Potter — Minerva ordered the cowardly girl and all those not willing to fight to leave.<ref name="DH" />
   
  +
Minerva fought skillfully in the first part of the battle, during which she could have sworn she saw one of the statues that usually flanks the school's [[Entrance Gates|Main Gates]] dive-bombing a cluster of [[Death Eaters]].<ref name="WUBE Back to Hogwarts">{{WU}} "Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts"</ref> She also led a herd of enchanted desks into the fray at one point, during which she yelled "''CHARGE!''".
−
Despite her strict demeanour, however, Minerva did have a fun side. She was an avid [[Quidditch]] fan, and loved cats. She also exhibited a dry sense of humour which usually came out when times were tough. True to a Gryffindor, Minerva valued bravery and loyalty highly and when she and Dolores Umbridge were in a fight, Umbridge claimed she had not been showing her loyalty to the Minister for Magic; this was a deep blow on Minerva. Minerva was not afraid to speak her mind and had quite a sharp tongue sometimes. For the most part, though, she usually maintained great emotional composure.However, Minerva McGonagall was not an unfeeling woman. Although she was not always particularly personable, she was a huge supporter of Harry and trusted the likes of Dumbledore, Sprout, Flitwick, Pomfrey and Hagrid. She could be very warm and supportive during times of trouble and cared a great deal about her students, both personally and academically.
  
   
  +
=====Second stage of the battle=====
−
==Magical abilities and skills==
  
  +
She stood defiant in the lull and among many students in a crowd when Voldemort himself walked into the Hogwarts grounds. It was only when she saw Harry Potter's body being carried by Hagrid that she began to despair, letting out a scream terrible to anyone who heard it, equal to that of Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's together. Nonetheless, Minerva continued to fight when the battle resumed after the attack by the [[Centaur]]s on Voldemort and the Death Eaters. In the final moments of the battle, she duelled Voldemort himself to a stalemate along with [[Horace Slughorn]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]]. They were blasted aside by his fury when [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] was killed in a duel with [[Molly Weasley]].<ref name="DH" />
−
{{Quote|As if one of them could have Stunned Minerva McGonagall face-on by daylight!|[[Poppy Pomfrey]] on Minerva's magical abilities.|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
  
   
  +
[[File:B7C36M2 Voldemort vanquished.png|250px|thumb|Minerva and other onlookers watching as Harry Potter defeated Voldemort for the final time|left]]
−
Minerva McGonagall was an extremely powerful and talented witch with a variety of magical abilities. Her abilities enabled her to fend off many dark wizards, as seen during the Battle of Hogwarts. Minerva could even hold off Voldemort for a while. Her physical durability should also be noted, as she took four stunning spells to the chest and managed a full recovery.
  
  +
McGonagall was also present when Harry and Voldemort duelled for the final time. She and many others witnessed Voldemort's [[Killing Curse]] connect with Harry's [[Disarming Charm]]. Voldemort's curse was rebounded, signalling his final defeat at Harry's hands. She, along with everyone else in the Great Hall, hugged Harry in an uncharacteristic display of great emotion, being one of the first to reach Harry after Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. This event signalled the end of the [[Second Wizarding War]].<ref name="DH" />
   
  +
In the aftermath of the battle, Professor McGonagall brought the winged bore statue's part in the battle to the attention of [[Filius Flitwick|Professor Flitwick]]. Flitwick thought it an unlikely story, as no one was known to have [[Piertotum Locomotor|enchanted]] them. This subsequently lead to a long-standing disagreement between the two, who could not agree as to whether or not the Winged Boar Statues had, in fact, participated in the Battle of Hogwarts.<ref name="WUBE Back to Hogwarts" />
−
*'''[[Underage magic]]''': as an infant, Minerva was able to manipulate the mind of her family cat, [[Summoning Charm|summon]] her baby toys to her cot, and make her father's bagpipes play on their own.[[File:Minervadrawingwand.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Minerva with her wand drawn.]]
  
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*'''[[Transfiguration]]''': Throughout her teaching career, Minerva taught [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]]. Even as a young witch, she showed a particular talent in the subject. She considered it to be amongst the most complex and dangerous magic taught at Hogwarts. During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] Minerva demonstrated her astonishing mastery of this branch of magic by Transfiguring dozens of desks and suits of armour to help defend the school from Lord Voldemort. She also put her skills with Transfiguration to use during her duel with Severus Snape, a notably powerful wizard. As stated below, Minerva became an Animagus in order to further her research on the different branches of Transfiguration. She was taught by Albus Dumbledore and took his position as Transfiguration Teacher.
  
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[[File:Deathlyhallowsduel.png|thumb|McGonagall during [[Battle of Hogwarts]]]]
  
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*'''[[Martial magic]]''': Minerva was an incredibly skilled duellist, capable of holding her own against much younger and more agile Death Eaters, [[Severus Snape]], and even [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] himself. During the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] she defeated [[Alecto Carrow]] and survived the battle unscathed. In 1998, during the Battle of Hogwarts she fiercely duelled Severus Snape and drove him out of the school, though it should be noted that Snape fled because of the arrival of [[Filius Flitwick]] and [[Pomona Sprout]]. Later in that same battle she duelled the Dark Lord himself to a stalemate alongside [[Horace Slughorn]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]].
  
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*'''[[Animagus]]''': Being an Animagus gave Minerva the ability to transform into the form of a tabby cat at will. She often used this ability when she did not wish to be recognised. An example of this usage was when she spied on the Dursley family before Albus Dumbledore brought Harry Potter to them. She also demonstrated her transformation to the students in their [[third year]], which usually got applause<ref name="POA"/>. When Hermione Granger searched for Animagus references in her third year, she saw that McGonagall was one of the few registered Animagi in the 20th century. On his notes regarding [[The Tales of Beedle the Bard]], [[Albus Dumbledore]] states that Minerva asked him to explain that, while Animagi are usually people who seek to avoid punishment when they have broken the law, she merely became one to further her research on all branches of [[Transfiguration]]. She learned to become an Animagus under Dumbledore's tutelage during her time as a student in Hogwarts.
  
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*'''[[Charms]]''': McGonagall seemed to be skilled at charms. In 1992 when Harry and Ron had to eat in Snape's office, she conjured a bewitched plate of sandwiches that would automatically refill itself (a charm which she - presumably - placed on the plate herself).
  
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[[File:Catpatro.jpg|thumb|Minerva McGonagall's Patronus, a cat]]
  
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*'''[[Patronus Charm]]''': She had also mastered the [[Patronus Charm]], being able to create a corporeal Patronus in the form of a cat - identical to her Animagus. In fact, she was the only person seen to cast three Patronuses at once (though admittedly not in the presence of a Dementor). Additionally, Minerva was able to use her Patronus as of means of communication, as taught to her by Albus Dumbledore.
  
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*'''[[Dark Arts]]''': Whilst Professor McGonagall did not practice the [[Dark Arts]] she has been known to effectively cast the [[Imperius Curse]] successfully on [[Amycus Carrow]], showing that Minerva has some knowledge in this field.
  
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*'''[[Defence Against the Dark Arts]]''': McGonagall was also proficient in Defence Against the Dark Arts, given that she fought in two wars and survived. During the Battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall fought against the Death Eaters who are known to use the Dark Arts. She also fought Voldemort himself, alongside Kingsley and Slughorn, who was the Master of the Dark Arts and survived.
  
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*'''[[Study of Ancient Runes]]''': Minerva was proficient with Ancient Runes and was capable of reading and understanding them.<ref>LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4</ref>
  
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*'''[[Non-verbal spell]]s''': Minerva has also been shown to be skilled at non-verbal magic. When [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr.]] (disguised as [[Alastor Moody]]) transfigured Draco Malfoy into a ferret, McGonagall transfigured him back without saying a word. In 1998 when she tied up the Carrows, she conjured a silver rope and a net from her wand and later produced three Patronuses, all wordlessly. She also demonstrated proficiency with non-verbal magic when Neville accidentally vanished one of the legs on his desk, and she conjured it back with just a wave of her wand.
  
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*'''Leadership skills: '''McGonagall was a very strong leader, being able to take charge in any situation within minutes. When Dumbledore was gone, she stepped in to fill his shoes. In the upstart of the Battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall ousted the current headmaster [[Severus Snape]] and took charge of the school, securing it against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. She led the defenders of Hogwarts during the battle, and in the end they came out victorious when Harry defeated Voldemort once and for all. After everything returned to normal, Minerva became the permanent Headmistress of Hogwarts.
  
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*'''Logical thinking and intelligence:''' McGonagall was a very wise and intelligent witch. Her intelligence is shown in many ways throughout the series. She has always shown the ability to make wise choices. In 1998, McGonagall solved a riddle without hesitation to allow Amycus Carrow into the [[Ravenclaw Tower]]. Her intelligence gave her the option to become a Ravenclaw. However, she chose to be a Gryffindor.
  
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*'''Quidditch: '''McGonagall played with quite some skill for the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] in her student days at Hogwarts. However, she suffered a number of serious injuries while playing, such as a concussion, that prevented her from continuing to do so. This is also the reason why she wants Gryffindor to win the Quidditch Cup very badly.
  
   
  +
===As Headmistress of Hogwarts {{c|1998–}}===
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==Hobbies==
  
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====Early career {{c|1998–2003}}====
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Minerva enjoys needlework, correcting articles in [[Transfiguration Today]], watching [[Quidditch]], and supporting the [[Montrose Magpies]].<ref name="pottermorestats" />
  
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[[File:Headmistress McGonagall MA.png|250px|thumb|Headmistress McGonagall in her office]]
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Having been duly awarded the [[Order of Merlin]], First Class, by [[Minister for Magic]] [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] for her unwavering allegiance to the [[Order of the Phoenix]] during the historic conflict, Minerva was eventually immortalised on a [[Chocolate Frog Card]] (an accolade she later admitted she had never imagined receiving),<ref name="shortstories" /> and four months later, by which time the damages done to the castle during the battle had been repaired and the [[protective enchantment]]s around the castle and grounds restored, she had been officially appointed to the position of [[Hogwarts Headmaster|Headmistress]] by the [[Hogwarts Board of Governors]].<ref name="MA">{{MA}}</ref>
   
  +
Upon assuming her new post full-time, she was advised not to confuse the Headmaster portraits for the actual people they depicted, as they were only paint and memory, and supposed to be nothing more than a support mechanism for the many difficult decisions that she would have to make while running the prestigious institution.<ref name="CC" />
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==Relationships==
  
   
  +
Ultimately, the faculty was ready to accept a new batch of [[First year|first-year]] students for the [[1998–1999 school year]] on [[1 September]]. During this term, the school also guided those who would have otherwise completed their studies had it not been for the [[Magic is Might]] Campaign of [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] and his followers, such as [[Muggle-born]]s like [[Hermione Granger]], in finishing their [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.s]].<ref>PotterCast 130</ref> Around this time, following a private conversation with Harry Potter, the new Headmistress, in view of the revelation of his true intentions and motives, made the somewhat controversial decision to add Professor Snape's portrait to the gallery in her office in commemoration of his true allegiance and the role he had played in the Second Wizarding War.<ref name="shortstories2">{{PP|E}} - ''[[Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies]]'', Chapter 1 (''Minerva McGonagall'')</ref>
   
  +
In the time that followed, Minerva oversaw a very trying time for the rest of the denizens of Hogwarts Castle, as the final battle had left marks both seen and unseen upon the school. The castle for instance, though rebuilt, still bore scars decades later,<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training]] - Calamity Essentials III: Price of Freedom)</ref> and for years after the the Dark Lord's last stand, nearly all of their students were able to see the [[Thestral]]s that pulled the [[Hogwarts carriages]], serving as a constant, painful reminder of the cost of said event.<ref name="WUBE Back to Hogwarts" /> On the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, Minerva would also host memorials at the school, at least one of which involved those in attendance being treated to several expert demonstrations of the [[Shield Charm]].<ref>{{WU}} (Professorial Appraisal: Confronting the Faceless)</ref>
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===Albus Dumbledore===
  
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[[File:Professors.jpg|thumb|left|212px|Minerva McGonagall and [[Albus Dumbledore]]]]
  
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{{Dialogue a-b|Minerva McGonagall|Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time —|Harry Potter|But this is important.|Minerva McGonagall and Harry Potter in [[1992]].|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
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Minerva knew [[Albus Dumbledore]] for the majority of her life. She attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] as a student during Dumbledore's time as [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] Professor and even replaced him when he took the position of Headmaster of the school. She served for many years as his Deputy Headmistress, standing in for him and even replacing him as Headmistress on several occasions.<ref name="COS" /><ref name="HBP" />
  
   
  +
Having also lost members of the staff during the battle,<ref name="DHF2">{{DH|F2}}</ref> she was also involved with the hiring of new members of the school faculty. In addition to find a suitable candidate to replace her as the school's Transfiguration teacher,<ref>{{WU}} Chapter 2: ''Minerva McGonagall: Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, '''formerly Professor of Transfiguration.''' An old friend and mentor to Harry Potter.''</ref> as well as a new, [[Brindlemore|permanent occupant]] for the post of [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] instructor. She was also behind the eventual employment of her former student [[Neville Longbottom]] to the [[Herbology department]], under [[Head of Herbology|head of department]] [[Pomona Sprout]],<ref>{{WU}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220105142909/https://wizardsunitehub.info/profession-skill/from-seed-to-tree/ see here])</ref><ref name="MA" /> whom she eventually appointed as her successor as the [[Head of Gryffindor House]].<ref name="MA October">{{MA}} - [[October]] [[2021]] special event (at the start of [https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV123411y7An this video], on the top right, Neville is described as "格兰芬多院长", which means Head of Gryffindor)</ref>
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Albus Dumbledore discovered Minerva in tears in her classroom late one evening, after she found out about the marriage of Dougal McGregor to another woman. She confessed the whole story to him, and Albus Dumbledore offered both comfort and wisdom; telling Minerva some of his own family history, previously unknown to her. The confidences exchanged that night between two intensely private and reserved characters were to form the basis of a lasting mutual esteem and friendship.
  
   
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[[File:Headmistress McGonagall in the Great Hall MA.png|250px|thumb|Headmistress McGonagall and her staff at the start of a new school year|left]]
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Minerva had great faith in Dumbledore, placing great stock in the differences between him and Voldemort.<ref name="PS" /> However, she did not hesitate to disagree with him when she felt the need to do so. She greatly opposed his decision to place Harry Potter with [[Petunia Dursley]] and her family, calling them the "worst sort of Muggles imaginable."<ref name="PSF">{{PSF}}</ref> She also served more than once to bring Dumbledore back on track when he became distracted from the matter currently at hand.<ref name="GOF" />
  
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Having evidently decided to be somewhat more directly involved with the student body than Professor Dumbledore had been in his day, rather than delegating the task to another staff member, Headmistress McGonagall was also known to have continued to personally attend to some of the duties she had carried out on Dumbledore's behalf throughout her time as [[Deputy Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]], including sending [[Hogwarts acceptance letter|letters of acceptance]] letter to children that had been selected by the [[Book of Admittance]] that were approaching their eleventh birthdays,<ref>{{MA}} (See [[Media:McGonagall in her office.png|this image]])</ref> collecting the new First Years, escorting them to the [[Great Hall]], and presiding over the [[Sorting Ceremony]].<ref name="MA" />
   
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Minerva ultimately earned recognition as a very successful and inspirational headmistress of the school, and when she took up permanent residence in Dumbledore's [[Headmaster's Tower|old quarters]], her new [[Headmaster's office|study]] became the home to among other things a self-playing harp whose tones could often heard around midday between classes.<ref name="WUBE Lost Love" /> She also became part of the long line of headmasters and headmistresses that made use of the [[Hogwarts Pensieve]], and who sought to contribute to the success of her eventual successors in office by adding to the invaluable library of reference at her disposal by leaving behind some of her own life experience in the form of [[Memory|memories]].<ref name="PM-pensieve">{{WW|pensieve}}</ref>
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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 [[Auror]]s 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.<ref name="OOTP" />
  
   
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=====[[2002]]–[[2003]] [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry#Typical school year|school year]]=====
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Minerva was devastated when Dumbledore was killed in [[1997]] during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, and attended his funeral.<ref name="HBP" /> A year later, when [[Harry Potter|Harry]] was on a mission given to him by Dumbledore, she did not question the decision of the late headmaster, but immediately sought to provide whatever assistance she could.<ref name="DH" />
  
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Five years after the final battle, Minerva also wrote a glowing letter of recommendation to the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]'s [[Ministry of Magic research wing|research wing]] regarding one of their graduating students: Having achieved no less than five '[[Outstanding]]s' and one '[[Exceeds Expectations]]' on his [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.s]], [[Grim Fawley]] had been one of the students that were bereft by the Dark Lord's second rise to power; having lost both of his parents to the [[Death Eaters]] during the conflict. Still and all, he had remained an outstanding student that embodied all of the qualities that marked a true [[Hufflepuff]], and given his perseverance and impressive record, Minerva was happy to help him land a job at the Ministry, where he was later taken on by the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] as a [[research assistant]] at the [[Auror Office]].<ref name="fawley">{{WU}} (Chapter 2: Grim Fawley - background - [https://wizardsunite.gamepress.gg/guide/mysteries-chapter-2-grim-fawley-background#transcript Grim's School Record])</ref>
   
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====The new generation {{c|2008–2015}}====
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===Harry Potter===
  
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[[File:McGonagall in her office.png|250px|thumb|Minerva corresponding through [[Owl Postal Service|owl post]]]]
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{{Quote|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?|Minerva McGonagall discussing Dumbledore's choice of the Dursley family as [[Harry Potter]]'s guardians.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
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At some point in [[2008]], ten years after the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] took place, Minerva gave [[Hermione Granger]], who had since joined the Ministry and risen to a high-placed office in the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]], permission for Dumbledore's old notes on {{TBB}} to be published as part of her new translation of the book.<ref name="TBB">{{TBB|R}}, page xi, xiv.</ref>
   
  +
Sometime before [[1 September]] that same year,{{MATimeRef}} Headmistress McGonagall charged [[Rubeus Hagrid]] with serving as a [[special messenger]] to the family of [[Unidentified Muggle-born Hogwarts student|a young Muggle-born]] that had been admitted to the school in order explain to the child's parents about the existence of magic, to deliver their [[Hogwarts acceptance letter|letter of acceptance]] and to take said student-to-be to [[Diagon Alley]] in [[London]] to purchase the [[Shopping List|necessary school supplies]].<ref name="MA" />
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[[File:BumbleboreMcGeegeeHARRY.PNG|thumb|left|240px|Albus and Minerva deliver baby [[Harry Potter]].]]
  
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Minerva showed her care for Harry ever since she, Dumbledore and Hagrid left him in the care of the [[Dursley family|Dursleys]], in part because she had been quite fond of Harry's late [[James and Lily Potter|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.<ref name="PS" /> 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.
  
   
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=====[[2008–2009 school year]]=====
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When Harry arrived at Hogwarts, Minerva was pleased that he was sorted into Gryffindor, her house. When she saw Harry on a broomstick and the natural flying abilities he displayed, rather than punishing or expelling him, she 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, McGonagall bought him a [[Nimbus 2000]] for his first Quidditch game.<ref name="PS" />
  
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======Start-of-Term======
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[[File:2008 Sorting Ceremony.png|250px|thumb|left|Headmistress McGonagall welcoming the new students]]
   
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In September [[2008]], Professor McGonagall carried out the [[Sorting Ceremony]] after collecting a new batch of [[First year|first-year]]s escorted by Professor Hagrid. In the [[Great Hall]] before the [[Start-of-Term Feast]], she addressed the students with a brief speech about the importance of unity in spite of their individual differences. She cited their victory at the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] as a prime example of what the castle's residents may accomplish when they work together and that they are capable of much more than they might have thought. She also put nervous students at ease by reminding them that even the famous [[Harry Potter]] had once stood where they did, having both started out as a student like themselves and looked just as nervous.<ref name="FD">{{MA|1|My First Days at Hogwarts}}</ref>
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[[File:Harry Potter HBPscreenshot 5-27-09.jpg|thumb|right|190px|Harry Potter in his last year at Hogwarts.]]
  
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However, Minerva's concern for Harry did not blind her to his on-campus misdemeanours. Though she often let Harry off on breaking school rules, she only did so only under life-threatening circumstances. Minerva went out of her way to treat all students justly, and took no issue with giving even those of her own house severe punishments if she thought they deserved it. When Harry and his friends were caught sneaking around the tower in the dead of night during their first year at Hogwarts, Minerva did not hesitate to take 150 points away from Gryffindor despite her House's first-place standing at the time, and additionally to sending him off to serve detention in the [[Forbidden Forest]]. It's possible she would have levied an ever harsher punishment had she caught them in the act of smuggling Norbert itself.
  
   
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The ceremony saw the sorting of a new [[Unidentified Muggle-born Hogwarts student|Muggle-born student]], [[Kevin Farrell]], [[Robyn Thistlethwaite]], [[Cassandra Vole]], [[Fischer Frey|Fischer]] and [[Colby Frey]], [[Daniel Page]] and [[Lottie Turner]] into their respective houses. However, the Headmistress was surprised to find that they were one student short when she called for [[Ivy Warrington]], who did not respond. She asked if anyone knew where she was but when nobody could tell her, she asked Hagrid to arrange a search party.<ref name="FD"/>
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Throughout Harry's studies at Hogwarts, Minerva kept a watchful eye on him and his friends, [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]], and intervened in their affairs whenever necessary to keep them safe. In Harry's fifth year, she also promised Harry that she would do whatever she possibly could to see that he achieved his dream of becoming an [[Auror]]. When Minerva later found out about the sort of [[Blood quill|punishment]] Harry and various other students had been receiving from [[Dolores Umbridge]], she openly expressed her disgust and disapproval, despite the power Umbridge wielded.<ref name="OOTP" />
  
   
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At some point after the Battle of Hogwarts, she created a [[Dance Club]]. She had enjoyed dancing her whole life, once telling the student that she was a "spritely lass" when she was younger and enjoyed waltzing as much as Transfiguration. She thought the Yule Ball had boosted morale at Hogwarts and wanted to give future students that same experience. She talked to the student when they arrived at the club for the first time, telling them not to be nervous and asking them about their prior experience. She then encouraged them to get their friends to participate too.<ref>{{MA|1|Socialise at Dance Club}}</ref>
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{{Quote|Why would Harry Potter try to get inside [[Ravenclaw Tower]]? Potter belongs in ''my'' House!|McGonagall confronts [[Amycus Carrow]] inside Ravelclaw Tower several hours before the Battle of Hogwarts|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  
   
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======The woes of the Warringtons======
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When Harry secretly infiltrated Hogwarts shortly prior to the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], Harry defended Minerva's honour against [[Alecto and Amycus Carrow|the Death Eaters]] who had been posted at the school by Voldemort. Amycus demanded to know where Harry was in the Tower and McGonagall asked why he would be there as he belonged in her house with clear pride in her voice. When Amycus Carrow spat at McGonagall, Harry was outraged to the point of attacking him with the [[Cruciatus Curse]], and agreeing with [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]'s assertion that one had to "really mean it" to perform it correctly. Although shocked by Harry's sudden appearance and his use of an [[Unforgivable Curse]], Minerva was clearly touched. Though Minerva tried to convince Harry to flee out of concern for his safety, Minerva immediately joined Harry in retaking the castle and preparing for battle when he informed her that he was acting on Dumbledore's orders. Nearing the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, Minerva's devastation was clearly equal to that of Ron and Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger, when she saw [[Rubeus Hagrid]] carrying Harry's seemingly dead body. She later duelled Voldemort head on in the final battle, to protect Harry and the other students. When the battle ended with Voldemort's death at Harry's hands, Minerva was among the first to embrace him.<ref name="DH" />
  
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[[File:McGonagall searching for Ivy MA.png|250px|thumb|Professor McGonagall looking for Ivy]]
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The following evening, Professor McGonagall learned that Ivy Warrington had wandered off once more and, what was more, this time been missing for a long enough time that there was actually cause for alarm. Having gone to have a look for her herself, the Headmistress eventually came across a small group of her classmates late in the evening in the [[Grand Staircase]], whom she questioned about their classmate's whereabouts. Upon realising that they did not know either, Minerva tasked Hagrid with organising a search party to find her and turned down her peer's offer to lend them a hand. While Ivy was noted to have yet to turn up the following day, the missing pupil was eventually found later that evening by her schoolmates, who had decided organising a search party of their own.<ref name="MA" />
   
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While the staff and students alike were happy to see her returned safe and sound, this was by no means the end of Ivy's aberrant conduct: Shortly afterwards, [[Neville Longbottom|Professor Longbottom]] had caught her duelling in the corridors with one of her classmates, [[Cassandra Vole]], on which occasion she had surprised everyone present by successfully casting a highly advanced [[Vanishing Spell]] and ended up [[Vanishment|dematerialising]] a [[suit of armour]] instead. Made more concerning than it was impressive by the fact that only a stroke of good fortune and a poor aim was to thank for Miss Vole's continued existence, however, while Ivy and her friends had been put in [[Discipline at Hogwarts#Detention|detention]] and told to think about the implications of using such a dangerous spell against a peer, when questioned about, Ivy had confessed to have no memory of how she learned it.<ref name="MA" />
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===Severus Snape===
  
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{{Quote|And Potter — do try and win, won't you? Or we'll be out of the running for the eighth year in a row, as Professor Snape was kind enough to remind me only last night...|Minerva McGonagall to Harry Potter in 1994|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
  
   
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Upon learning this, and presumably also about Ivy's rumoured involvement and guilt in the matter of the disappearance of [[Winifred Warrington|her twin sister]], which had both been [[The Quibbler|publicised]], gossiped about and become common knowledge outside of the school, the Headmistress contacted the Ministry of Magic to make some inquiries on the matter. Having been informed that while [[Winifred Warrington]] had indeed [[Vanishment|vanished]] shortly before Ivy arrived at the school, the incident had been ruled an accident, and that Ministry officials had even assisted the family in trying to get her back. With this in mind, and in view of Ivy's recent disappearance, Minerva still reached out to the Warringtons to keep Ivy's family informed about the situation, at which point she got in touch with Ivy's [[Warrington sisters' grandmother|grandmother]], whom the Headmistress eventually invited to the school in the hopes that she could help shred light on Ivy's erratic behaviour and apparent memory loss.<ref name="MA" />
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[[File:Mnsev.jpg|thumb|left|Minerva with Severus Snape.]]
  
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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. Like Snape, McGonagall was a strict disciplinarian, but appeared more fair to [[Harry Potter]], who was a member of her House. McGonagall and Snape were both demanding and effective teachers, both were unusually talented at magic, and both were 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 alliance.
  
   
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As it happened, Mrs Warrington's visit also coincided with yet another nightly wandering through the castle on the part of Ivy and her friends, and when the Caretaker came to drop off the students in question after he had found them exiting the very place the former had gone off to when she went missing, the Headmistress asked them to explain themselves. She then learned that Ivy's journey was one of self-discovery. It began when she and her friends had asked themselves how Ivy could have known about, let alone learned how to cast, a Vanishing Spell against Cassandra Vole without remembering how, why or when he even learned it, and ended with a frightening encounter with [[Boggart|her own worst fears]] in the [[Room of Requirement]]. This venture, which included [[Gossamer|new friends]], unlikely destinations like the [[Small Locked Tower|tower]] housing the ancient [[Book of Admittance]] and even an unschedueled visit to Minerva's own office in order to borrow the [[Hogwarts Pensieve|pensieve]] to review a [[memory]] found in Ivy's locket they had correctly deduced pertained to Winifred's disappearance, answered many important questions.<ref name="MA" />
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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, McGonagall 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; Professor Flitwick interrupted them 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. Only after it was too late did McGonagall learn that Snape had killed Dumbledore in a painful act of loyalty to the Headmaster's own orders, and that Dumbledore's trust in him derived from Severus's life-long love of [[Lily Evans]]. It is unknown how she reacted to these revelations, but if her reputation for fairness was valid, she probably regained her respect for him. There is no report that she objected to Snape's portrait being added to the collection in the headmaster's office by Harry Potter's arrangement.
  
   
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[[File:McGonagall Office MA.png|250px|thumb|left|Minerva, [[Warrington sisters' grandmother|Mrs Warrington]] and the students involved at McGonagall's office]]
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===Hermione Granger===
  
  +
After the students had given their side, however, Minerva pointed out that there were certain key points that appeared to be missing from their story, and announced the presence of Ivy's grandmother, whom she was confident would be able to fill in the rest of the gaps: When Mrs Warrington explained how Winifred, whose magic would sometimes manifest themselves in unpredictable, dangerous ways when her temper got the better of her, had been held back by their [[Warrington sisters' father|father]] for fear that she might hurt someone if she was allowed to attend the school before she learned how to properly control her magic, and accidentially made herself disappear in a failed attempt at vanishing Ivy's trunk so as to stop her from leaving for Hogwarts without her. Having found Ivy in a desperate state of panic and in more pain than she could bear to see her grandchild in, Mrs Warrington had tried to modify her memories of the event to make her forget what happened,<ref name="MA" />
−
{{Quote|Ah, of course. There is no need to tell me any more, Miss Granger. Which one of you will be dying this year?|McGonagall and Hermione talking about the latter's previous Divination lesson.|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
  
   
  +
The [[Memory Charm]], meanwhile, had been too strong, and inadvertently erased not only the accident, but all of Ivy's memories of her sister, all the while failing to erase her entirely; thus accounting for her tendency to wander off with a vague notion of being looking for something. Having recognised what a precarious situation Ivy had been in, as well as sympathetic to the difficult position their grandmother had been in, the Headmistress commended the old witch for her good intentions, and assured her that in spite of everything, Ivy had grown tremendous over the course of her first year, and voiced the belief that she and the friends she had made had a bright future ahead of them.<ref name="MA" />
−
[[File:HG1.jpg|thumb|right|190px|[[Hermione Granger]] the year before she drops out of Hogwarts.]]
  
−
Minerva took a shine to [[Hermione Granger]], a student in her house, right from her first Transfiguration lesson. During the lesson, Minerva gave Hermione one of her "rare smiles" when Hermione successfully Transfigured a match into a needle early on in the lesson and before any other students. Minerva was also disappointed in Hermione when she said she read about trolls and had gone looking for the [[Troll]] that invaded Hogwarts under the impression that she could stop it. The claim was not true, but Minerva was none the wiser.<ref name="PS" />
  
   
  +
=====[[2009–2010 school year]]=====
−
When Hermione was attacked by the [[Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk|Basilisk]] in 1992, Minerva was greatly moved and would often take time to visit the Petrified Hermione in the hospital wing.<ref name="COS" />
  
  +
======The [[Jakub Gorski|visiting professor]]======
  +
[[File:Professor Gorski teaching.png|250px|thumb|The visiting professor]]
  +
At some point before the new term, Headmistress McGonagall got in contact with a worldly traveller with a proclaimed interest in bygone times named [[Jakub Gorski]] and invited him to join the staff for the duration of the new term as a visiting professor of [[History of Magic]]. He was also known to have kept a [[lemur]] called [[Bly]], which acted as his assistant. As part of his curriculum, Professor Gorski had the students search for clues to magical secrets within Hogwarts Castle, an assignment Minerva would later discover had been more than it seemed; with his course aims and lesson plan having been a little more than [[Turner family brush|a means to an end]].<ref name="MA" />
   
  +
On [[1 September]], [[2009]], among the group of new students to arrive at the castle to start their magical education that term were [[Edward Lupin]], a young man who had, like Grim Fawley, lost his parents to the [[Death Eaters]]. The son of the fallen war heroes and one-time friends, allies and fellow members of Minerva's in the [[Order of the Phoenix]], [[Remus Lupin|Remus]] and [[Nymphadora Tonks|Nymphadora Lupin]], he was sorted into [[Hufflepuff]].<ref name="JKR-twitter-Hufflepuff">{{Tweet|jk_rowling|J. K. Rowling|638778021663666176|Have just heard that James S Potter has been Sorted (to nobody's surprise) into Gryffindor. Teddy Lupin (Head Boy, Hufflepuff) disappointed.}}</ref>
−
In Hermione's third year, Minerva also went to the effort to arrange for Hermione to be given permission to use a [[Time-Turner]] to take additional classes. Teachers did not often seek permission for a student to use one of the devices, but Minerva saw something special in Hermione and went out of her way to make sure she wasn't under-achieving.<ref name="POA" /> She further showed her high regard of Hermione by appointing her a Gryffindor [[prefect]] in her fifth year at Hogwarts.
  
   
  +
[[File:Headmistress McGonagall at the Hog's Head MA.png|250px|thumb|left|Minerva catching students out of bounds]]
−
During the [[Second Wizarding War]] when Minerva was attacked by several Ministry employees outside of Hagrid's Hut, Hermione showed deep emotion towards the event, like Minerva did a few years before when Hermione was attacked. Minerva was a role model for Hermione and both had much in common, such as both believing that [[Divination]] was a very "woolly" subject, and that Professor Trelawney was a fraud.<ref name="POA" /> Furthermore, both had a liking for cats and both were considered for Ravenclaw, but in the end were Sorted into Gryffindor house.
  
  +
Later that term, Minerva visited the [[Hog's Head Inn]] during a [[Hogsmeade weekend trips|Hogsmeade weekend trip]] and discovered that several [[Second year|second-year]] students, coincidentally the very same friend group she had summoned to her office near the end of the previous year, had snuck out of the school without permission and visited the village despite the fact that they were not old enough to partake in said trips.
   
  +
Having caught them red-handed, the Headmistress brought them all back up to the castle and asked them to explain themselves. Though their reason for being there was not one of ill intent, as they had been assigned some homework by Professor Gorski that required them to discover a secret at the school with historical significance, which in turn had led to their pursuit of a map that was believed to lead to a hidden treasure by following the leads given to them by various portraits,
−
[[File:Ron-and-his-owl.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]].]]
  
   
  +
Their most disconcerting revelation, however, was also the one that Professor McGonagall had the most difficulty believing. Apparently, their visiting professor appeared to be spying on them, and right before she had showed up at the inn where she had found them, they had seen him consorting with a cloaked wizard, to whom he seemingly had sold a Basilisk fang. As they had no evidence for this, however, and had knowingly broken school rules, she put them all in [[Discipline at Hogwarts|detention]].<ref name="MA" />
−
===Ron Weasley===
  
−
{{Dialogue a-b|Ron|That was bloody brilliant!|McGonagall|Well, thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley. Perhaps it would be more useful if I were to transfigure Mr. Potter or yourself into a pocket watch? That way, one of you might be on time.|Professor McGonagall to Ron in his first year.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)}}
  
   
  +
======The secret intruder======
−
[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] was a student at the time McGonagall was professor at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]. Ron 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 [[Harry Potter|Harry]] and he flew [[Arthur Weasley]]'s flying car to Hogwarts. However, she did not 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. Ron and McGonagall fought together during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] and the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], surviving the [[Second Wizarding War]].
  
  +
[[File:McGonagall confront Gorsk 1 MA.png|250px|thumb|The Headmistress confronting Gorski]]
  +
Shortly afterwards, however, the Headmistress received word from the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] that confirmed there actually was something to their accusations after all: Gorski, who had spent some time travelling the world hunting for treasure and riches before he was invited to teach at Hogwarts, had eventually partnered up with a dangerous [[Dark wizard]]. Having been on the case and monitored Jakub Gorski's movements closely for several months in order to ferret out the evil-doer, Minerva was informed that Ministry agents would arrive before long to secure the castle. When she realised that Gorski had endangered the school by smuggling a dangerous lawbreaker into the school, the Headmistress rushed to find him in order to apprehend and question him.<ref name="MA" />
   
  +
Already incapacitated and surrounded by the very students who had tried to warn her about him in the first place by the time she found him in his own classroom, Minerva was able to discern that Gorski, rather than the willing accomplice he was thought to have been, was instead being controlled by means of the [[Imperius Curse]]. When she learned from the students present that the wizard responsible was running lose somewhere on the premises, Minerva ordered the students back to their dormitories, and told them to leave the Dark wizard in question to the teachers and Ministry officials.<ref name="MA" />
−
===Neville Longbottom===
  
−
{{Quote|Which abysmal, foolish person wrote down the passwords and then proceeded to lose them? ... Is it always going to be you, Longbottom?|Minerva McGonagall when she asks who left the passwords lying around for Sirius Black to find.|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)}}
  
   
  +
Although Professor McGonagall would later discover that the students had disobeyed her, as the students had instead taken it upon themselves to find the artefact Bly had been searching for before he did, considering the violent confrontation that followed resulted in the capture of said intruder and no one was seriously harmed as a result, the Headmistress did not mete out any severe punishment for the transgression. After his capture, Professor Gorski was freed from Bly's control.<ref name="MA" />
−
[[File:400px-Nevootp.jpg|thumb|right|170px|Neville Longbottom in his fifth year.]]
  
−
Minerva had a long history with the [[Longbottom family]], having served in the Order of the Phoenix with Neville's parents (who 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.<ref name="PS" /> 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.<ref name="POA" />
  
   
  +
During the same school year, Hogwarts was represented in the eighty-seventh [[Wizarding Schools Potions Championship]].<ref name="BPdoxycide">{{WBP}}</ref>
−
Minerva couldn't help but feel pity for Neville after the loss of both his parents, whom she knew from the [[First Wizarding War]] and fought alongside earlier on in her career. She voiced pride in Neville's courage in participating in the fight with the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries. She also sought to encourage Neville to take [[Charms (class)|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. She told him, "''It's high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she's got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have: Particularly after what happened at the Ministry.''" She also advised Neville that his grandmother had failed to earn her Charms OWL.<ref name="HBP" />
  
   
  +
======Christmas at Hogwarts======
−
After the Second Wizarding War, Minerva may have been the one to employ Neville as the school's new [[Herbology]] professor.
  
  +
During [[Christmas]] later that term, Minerva was approached by [[Daniel Page]], who explained that Ivy, whose memories had since been mostly restored, was not feeling the holiday spirit, as she was missing her sister too much, and that he had come up with the idea that Ivy might feel more connected to Winifred if she had a present for her and [[Vanishing Spell|vanished]] it, hopefully to wherever Winifred was. The Headmistress, though aware that this was not how Vanishing Spells worked, could still appreciate it as a symbolic gesture and [[Memory extraction spell|retrieved]] one memory from each of Ivy's friends about when they first met Ivy, which was then gift-wrapped and handed to her so that it could be 'sent to Winifred'.<ref name="MA" />
   
  +
====Later career {{c|2015–2018}}====
−
===Draco Malfoy===
  
  +
=====2015–2016 school year=====
−
{{Quote|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}}
  
  +
Having appointed Teddy Lupin the new [[Head Boy or Girl|Head Boy]] over the [[summer holidays]] leading up to his seventh and last year at the school; Minerva greeted the students for the new term; which at [[End-of-Term Feast|its conclusion]] would see the [[Graduation ceremony|departure]] of said student, and at its [[Start-of-Term Feast|beginning]] saw the arrival of [[James Potter II|James Potter]], the oldest son of [[Harry Potter|Harry]] and [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginevra]]. During the [[Sorting Ceremony]], he was — to no one's surprise — [[Sorting ceremony|sorted]] into [[Gryffindor|Gryffindor House]].<ref name="JKR Twitter">[[J. K. Rowling's Twitter account]] (see [https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/638778021663666176?lang=en here])</ref> During the same school year, Hogwarts was once again represented in the [[Enchanted garden (Book of Potions)|enchanted garden]] at the eighty-eighth [[Wizarding Schools Potions Championship]].<ref name="BPdoxycide" />
   
  +
=====[[2017–2018 school year]]=====
−
[[File:-Draco Malfoy.jpg|thumb|left|180px|]]
  
  +
Ready to welcome a new batch of [[First year|first-year]] students on [[1 September]] [[2017]] for the new term; once the new students had been picked up at the [[Hogsmeade station]], [[Hogwarts boats|ferried]] across the [[Great Lake|Black Lake]] and escorted up to the castle, they were shown into the [[Great Hall]] to partake in the customary [[Sorting Ceremony]]; which was overseen by Minerva herself. Embarking on their magical educations that year was the sons of the alumni [[Harry Potter]] and [[Draco Malfoy]], [[Albus Potter|Albus]] and [[Scorpius Malfoy|Scorpius]]. During said event, the latter was — to no one's surprise — placed in [[Slytherin|Slytherin House]], as his [[Malfoy family|ancestors]] before him. But so was — to the shock of everyone in attendance — Albus.<ref name="CC" />
−
While [[Severus Snape|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 world|wizarding community]]. Despite her clear disapproval of Malfoy's pure-blood supremacist leanings, McGonagall sought to protect him as much as every other student, and was completely appalled when [[Alastor Moody]] ([[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr]] in disguise) transformed Malfoy 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, she would not accept Harry's accusations of Malfoy mailing a [[Opal necklace|cursed necklace]] without sufficient evidence, nor condone any attacks Harry made on Malfoy such as when the former used the [[Sectumsempra]] curse (not knowing exactly what it did) on Malfoy, in [[1997]].
  
   
  +
====Assisting the SOS Task Force {{c|2018–2021}}====
−
===Rubeus Hagrid===
  
  +
=====[[2018–2019 school year]]=====
−
{{Quote|I'm not saying his heart isn't in the right place, but you can't pretend he's not careless.|Professor McGonagall expresses her opinion of Hagrid in delicate situations.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
  +
======Assisting the SOS Task Force======
−
[[File:Rubeus_Hagrid_OOTP.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Rubeus Hagrid]].]]
  
  +
[[File:McGonagallWU.png|150px|thumb|left|Headmistress McGonagall]]
  +
By [[14 December]] [[2018]],<ref>While the out-of-control, riderless broomsticks captured by a [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] speed camera dated [[14 December]] [[2018]] is the earliest glimpse players of {{WU}} got of the Calamity, it is listed as the [https://www.harrypotterwizardsunite.ru/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1.jpg seventy-forth Trace] the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force|SOS Task Force]] encountered and, seen as how the game establishes that the Calamity began gradually and increased steadily to the point where they had regular [[Registry: Events|surges]].</ref> the world wizarding community had been dealt a devastating blow following the sudden outbreak of a chaotic piece of magic that caused numerous unpredictable traces of magical activity to suddenly appear all over the [[Non-magic world|Muggle world]], thus threatening with the potential exposure of the [[Wizarding world|magical world]]. During the Ministry's investigation into [[Foundables Spell|the cause]] of the [[Calamity]], whereupon generally agreed by his former co-workers that [[Grim Fawley]] had both the [[Registry: Mysteries#Chapter 1|means, motives]] and opportunity to bring about said catastrophe, Minerva provided the [[Calamity Management Team]] with a copy of Grim's school record and informed them about the tragic fate of his parents, as well as noting what an outstanding student he had been, and gave no indication that she believed in Grim's guilt.<ref>{{WU}} ([[Registry: Mysteries]])</ref>
   
  +
After the [[International Confederation of Wizards]] and the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in [[London]] partnered to create an [[International Task Force]] whose sole purpose would be to investigate and contain the situation, several former members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]], including [[Arthur Weasley]], [[Aberforth Dumbledore]], [[Hestia Jones]] and Minerva herself, got personally involved to help the [[Calamity Investigator|agents]] of the then recently founded [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force]] for the task at hand.<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training]])</ref>
−
[[Rubeus Hagrid]] respected McGonagall. Hagrid was the gamekeeper, and later [[Care of Magical Creatures]] professor of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]. McGonagall was one of the most serious professors at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|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]] in both wars, and they both admired Albus Dumbledore. Hagrid once kissed McGonagall on her cheek when he had drunk very much and she was noted giving a flushed giggle in the event's festivities. When Dolores Umbridge and several Aurors from the Ministry sought to sack and exile Hagrid from the school grounds by force, Minerva quickly flew to his aid, in turn taking four stunners simultaneously to the chest. Hagrid was furious when the Aurors stunned and injured her to the point that he attacked them. In [[1997]], after Albus Dumbledore's death, Minerva stated that she appreciated Hagrid's opinion very much, as did Dumbledore. McGonagall and Hagrid fought against [[Death Eaters]] during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] and the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. They were among the first ones to run to congratulate Harry after he defeated Voldemort. They both survived the war and still taught at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]].
  
   
  +
At one point, Minerva was called in as a guest lecturer to talk about the peculiarities of fighting Curiosities, during which aspiring [[Magizoologist]]s in attendance learned a lot and were able to use said knowledge to improve their defensive spellwork.<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training#Magizoological Appraisal|Magizoological Appraisal]] - Guest Lecturer)</ref> At a later date, she also invited a [[Calamity Investigator]] working for the task force to Hogwarts in order to show them the [[Architect of Hogwarts|original architect]]'s [[Blueprints of Hogwarts Castle|blueprints]] for the castle to help them better understand the transformative powers of magic.<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training#Calamity Essentials I|Calamity Essentials I]] - Founder's Foundation)</ref> Along with her former students [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ginevra Weasley]], Minerva later held a panel at the Ministry where the three spoke about having parts of their lives turned into [[Foundable]]s by the Calamity, with the emotional evening being attended by the same Calamity Investigator.<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training#Calamity Essentials I|Calamity Essentials I]] - On Being a Foundable)</ref>
−
===Sybill Trelawney===
  
−
{{Dialogue a-b|Sybill Trelawney|Certainly I knew, Minerva. But one does not parade the fact that one is All-Knowing. I frequently act as though I am not possessed of the Inner Eye, so as not to make others nervous.|Minerva McGonagall|That explains a great deal.|Professor McGonagall and [[Sybill Trelawney]].|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
  
   
  +
Before long, Minerva would also assume a part-time role in the [[Calamity Management Team]] herself, where she was put in charge of overseeing those of the [[Calamity Investigator]]s wishing to pursue a career as [[Professor]]s, whom she warned of the difficulties they would have to face along the way, as well as the fact that they might be called upon to do things they never thought possible. She invited at least one such person to join the teaching staff at Hogwarts in time for the new term in order to get some experience educating young witches and wizards, and to learn practical skills that would help them to better tackle the Calamity.<ref>{{WU}} (Professor McGonagall was the one to introduce members of the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force|SOS Task Force]] to their chosen career during the Calamity.)</ref>
−
[[File:Kinopoisk_ru-Harry-Potter-and-the-Order-of-the-Phoenix-568248.jpg|thumb|246px|Minerva McGonagall [[Sybill Trelawney]] calm after her dismissal in 1995.]]
  
−
Minerva and [[Sybill Trelawney]] were not the best of friends, and barely maintained civility between them. Minerva had no use for Sybill's subject, Divination, and she believed that Trelawney was a fraud. The only reason Minerva has never spoke ill of Sybill directly was due to her refusal to insult her colleagues.<ref name="POA" />
  
   
  +
======The [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force|visiting professor]]======
−
Despite her dislike for Trelawney and her teachings, however, Minerva and Sybill would grow to understand one another through their shared hatred of Dolores Umbridge during the woman's tenure as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. When Dolores used her powers to sack Sybill, Minerva was there as a literal shoulder for Sybill to cry on, and she spoke out against Dolores and told her what she thought after the events.<ref name="OOTP" /> In many ways, Minerva's relationship with Sybill was similar to Hermione Granger's relationship with Luna Lovegood.
  
  +
Upon the arrival of a [[Calamity Investigator]] to [[Hogwarts Castle]] to take up a teaching position, Professor McGonagall welcomed the individual by giving them copies of the [[Letters between Albus Dumbledore and Adalbert Waffling|letters]] that were once exchanged between [[Albus Dumbledore]] and [[Adalbert Waffling]] to help improve their skills in addressing the [[Calamity]], specifically in fighting Impaired Foes.<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training|Professorial Appraisal]]: "Ideal Exchange")</ref> Along with teaching them the [[Deterioration Hex]] for the purpose of weakening their foes,<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training|Professorial Appraisal]]: "The Deterioration Hex")</ref> she also showed them how to draw on the strength of others when in combat,<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training|Professorial Appraisal]]: "Strength in Numbers"</ref> how to systematically work with academic research to improve their attention to detail,<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training|Professorial Appraisal]]: "Attention to Detail")</ref> and how to augment the effects of the exceptionally powerful [[Protection Charm]] they had previously been taught by [[Filius Flitwick]] by adjusting their stance.<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training|Professorial Appraisal:]] "Enhanced Protection Charm")</ref> During this time, she would also lecture them on how to better connect with their [[Calamity Investigator|teammates]], which helped them get better results with their [[Proficiency Charm]].<ref name="Proficiency Charm">{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training|Professorial Appraisal]]: "Advanced Proficiency Charm")</ref>
   
  +
Determined to run the school as normally as they possibly could under the circumstances, despite the rising tensions surrounding the Calamity, and even though Hogwarts was hit with a massive [[Pixie]] infestation and required all of the professors to spend time finding and removing nests of nettlesome Pixies from the premises,<ref>{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training#Professorial Appraisal|Professorial Appraisal]] - Pesky Pixies)</ref> the [[Inter-House Quidditch Cup]] was held as planned, and at some point after the [[Quidditch tryouts|tryouts]] of the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]], Professor McGonagall announced to an gathering of students in the [[Great Hall]] that [[Rose Granger-Weasley]] had made the it as their new [[Chaser]].<ref name="Proficiency Charm2">{{WU}} ([[SOS Task Force Training|Professorial Appraisal]]: "Advanced Proficiency Charm")</ref>
−
It is unknown whether Minerva kept Sybill as Divination Professor after the war and during Minerva's time as Headmistress of Hogwarts, but, seeing as Minerva always valued Dumbledore's views of kindness, [[Firenze]] and Trelawney most likely continued to co-teach Divination.
  
   
  +
Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, however, it eventually became glaringly obvious that the security measures that had been put in place to ensure the safety of the school's residents were wholly insufficient to stop the Calamity from claiming victims from within the castle itself. At some point, students from all the four houses was snatched and dislocated in the [[Non-magic world|Muggle world]], a number of items and special artefacts from Hogwarts such as [[portrait]]s became Foundables as well, along with several staff members, including Minerva herself.<ref name="Foundables2">{{WU}} (See [https://web.archive.org/web/20220118163413/https://wizardsunitehub.info/foundables// here])</ref>
−
===Hogwarts staff===
  
−
[[File:Ppomfrey.jpg|thumb|left|[[Poppy Pomfrey]].]]
  
−
[[File:Slughorn_HBP_UK_promo.jpg|thumb|156px|Professor Horace Slughorn]][[File:FilchDH.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Argus Filch]]
  
−
{{Dialogue a-b-c|Filius Flitwick|I suppose you are aware that nothing we do can indefinitely prevent [[Tom Riddle|You-Know-Who]] to enter the school, right? —|Pomona Sprout|But we can delay it. —|Minerva McGonagall|Thank you, [[Pomona Sprout|Pomona]].|Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout and Minerva McGonagall in [[1998]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  
   
  +
======[[Summer holidays]]======
−
McGonagall seemed to have a good relationship with the most of her co-workers at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]. Among them were [[Pomona Sprout]] and [[Filius Flitwick]]. Minerva and Professor Sprout had a longtime friendship, starting from their student years at Hogwarts, which overlapped by 2 years. In the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998, Pomona supported the decision to protect the castle, to Minerva's gratitude. Sprout and Flitwick fought alongside McGonagall in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] and survived the [[Second Wizarding War]].
  
  +
In the summer leading up to the new school year, the Ministry of Magic hosted a panel of luminaries that had all had pieces of their lives turned into [[Foundable]]s by the Calamity to share their experiences. Minerva, having accepted the invitation to partake as a panel speaker, joined [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]] in talking open and honestly about what they had gone through, which resulted in an enlightening and emotional evening from which the agents of the SOS Task Force was later known to have benefited greatly from.<ref>{{WU}} - (Calamity Essentials I: "On Being a Foundable") </ref>
   
  +
=====[[2019–2020 school year]]=====
−
Minerva was on amicable terms with [[Horace Slughorn]], her former Potions professor; both of them having battled against Voldemort alongside Kingsley Shacklebolt in the Battle of Hogwarts. Prior to this, Minerva commented on his seemingly cowardly behaviour when he realized the castle was under attack. She noted that if he wished to leave, he should take his students and do so and if he attempted to hinder their efforts against Voldemort from inside the castle, they would duel to kill. She stated that it was time for Slytherin to finally choose their alliances. He was taken aback at this and he fled, but later returned with reinforcements of students' parents and residents of Hogsmeade to help with the battle efforts.
  
  +
======[[Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts|Back to Hogwarts]]======
  +
[[File:Minerva McGonagall WU.png|217x217px|thumb|Minerva during the Calamity]]
  +
[[13 August|Shortly before]] the beginning of the [[2019–2020 school year]], Minerva was informed that a highly talented student in [[Slytherin|Slytherin House]] had decided to transfer to [[Beauxbatons Academy of Magic]] to distance herself from the surges of chaotic magical activity that was running rampant in Britain, as she felt the Calamity had singled out her House. Minerva tried to convince her to stay, was ultimately unsuccessful.<ref name="WUBE Back to Hogwarts22">{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts]])</ref>
   
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The Headmistress took no small amount of pride in the fact that more than seventy-four percent of the volunteers that had taken time off their busy schedules to assist the Ministry — by quill and parchment — with the job of tracking, sorting, cataloguing, collating, and [[Returned Foundable Manifest|archiving]] returned [[Foundable]]s for the Ministry were current and former members of [[Hufflepuff|Hufflepuff House]].<ref name="WUBE Back to Hogwarts22" />
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McGonagall was also friendly with [[Poppy Pomfrey]], the nurse. Pomfrey seemed to admire McGonagall's magical abilities and strength, such as when McGonagall was hit by four Stunners on the chest. Mrs. Pomfrey said that it would have killed most witches her age.
  
   
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Around the same time, Minerva also received owls from no less than three students in [[Ravenclaw|Ravenclaw House]] asking if they could receive their lesson plans early as not to fall behind in their studies, an exchange she noted that it was not uncommon for her to have with students of that house at the beginning of each term.<ref name="WUBE Back to Hogwarts22" />
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[[File:Flitwickclasses.jpg|thumb|148px|The Charms Master, Filius Flitwick]]
  
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She was also friendly with [[Argus Filch]], the caretaker, although they argued many times. During the Battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall shouted at Filch, and called him an idiot. Then she ordered him to call [[Peeves]]. It is possible that, after the war, McGonagall and Filch were still co-workers.
  
   
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When the [[Hogwarts Express]] was whisked away by The Calamity just shortly prior to its scheduled departure on [[1 September]], however, she quickly solicited the assistance of a highly reputable member of the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force|SOS Task Force]] that [[Hermione Granger]] had recommended, hoping said individual could returned the train in time for the new school year. In the meantime, however, due to the ongoing surge, a number of [[Foundable]]s materialised on the school grounds, including [[Werewolf|werewolves]] and [[fire-breathing chicken]]s, expressing the concern that lest the Calamity was dealt with, she would have to spend the whole term keeping [[First year|first-year]] [[Gryffindor]]s — and — [[Rubeus Hagrid]] away from them.
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[[File:PSprout.png|thumb|left|148px|The Herbology Professor, Professor Pomona Sprout]]
  
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McGonagall seemed to have a quite close relationship with [[Remus Lupin]], the [[Defence Against the Dark Arts|D.A.D.A.]] professor in [[1993]]. She didn't care about the fact Remus was a werewolf, because Dumbledore trusted him, too, and respected his efficient teaching skills, as she referenced him during Harry's [[Careers Advice]]. During the [[Second Wizarding War]], they appear to be friendly; after Dumbledore's death, McGonagall, Lupin and several other individuals were devastated; they all discussed about the way Snape killed Dumbledore.
  
   
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The [[Calamity Investigator]] was eventually successful in returning the Hogwarts Express in time for the start of the term, much to the relief of Minerva; who pointed out that the time-honoured tradition of riding the train to school was as much part of the "Hogwarts experience" as the [[Sorting Ceremony]]. She was also relieved to hear of the safe return of the [[trolley witch]], who had been turned into a [[Foundable]] and at some point afterwards retrieved by the aforementioned Task Force member, saying that the [[Hogwarts Express]] would not be the same without her and her sweets, noting that she could remember her working at the train even back when Minerva herself was a student, during which she was "partial" to her [[Pumpkin Pasty|Pumpkin Pasties]].<ref name="WUBE Back to Hogwarts2">{{WU}} "[[Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts]]"</ref>
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On the other hand, Minerva had no liking for [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] whatsoever, the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor before Lupin. This was due to Lockhart being obnoxious, incompetent and insensitive, annoying Minerva with nonsensical advices while being ignorant and unhelpful around the second opening of the Chamber of Secrets. She was positively hateful towards Lockhart when he walked in late and oblivious when everyone else was greatly saddened at [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley's]] impending doom, and 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.
  
   
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That was not to say that her troubles was over, however, as the Calamity hit the school itself next, spiriting off with the [[Sorting Hat]], a [[Thestral]]s from Hogwart's [[Hogwarts Thestral herd|herd]], one of their [[Hogwarts carriages|carriages]], a [[Hogwarts boats|boat]], a Winged Boar Statue and even the sign directing people between [[Hogwarts Castle]] and [[Hogsmeade|Hogsmeade Village]]; all of which the same diligent individual was able to retrieve and return to their allotted places, much to the delight of the denizens of Hogwarts Castle. In the aftermath of the incident, the Headmistress noted that in light of the fact that the school had suffered no lasting damage from this latest surge, (not counting the students' new favourite excuse for not finishing their schoolwork in time; 'the Calamity stole my homework!'), and that she would be writing to [[Senior Minister|Minister]] [[Hermione Granger|Granger]] and inform her about the admirable service that the [[Calamity Investigator]]s involved in putting down the new outbreak had done to the old school.<ref name="WUBE Back to Hogwarts23">{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts]])</ref>
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After Voldemort infiltrated Hogwarts, two new professors took the post of [[Muggle Studies]] and [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]]: [[Alecto and Amycus Carrow]] respectively. They were loyal Death Eaters, and befitting their status, they taught Dark Arts rather than Defence Against the Dark Arts, devoted [[Muggle Studies]] to explaining how Muggles were filthy animals, and often took delight in punishing students with the [[Cruciatus Curse]]. When Amycus spat on McGonagall's face, Harry Potter got very angry and hit him with the Cruciatus Curse. After the war, McGonagall sent the Carrows to [[Azkaban]].
  
   
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======[[Brilliant Event: Lost Love|The Lost Love]]======
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After the war, most professors and other staff returned to their posts.
  
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On [[13 February]] [[2020]], the Hogwarts Headmistress was dismayed to learn that not only had the seemingly quasi-sentient predicament that was wreaking havoc on magical communities everywhere hit her school once more, but that this time, it gave the impression of having taken a particular interest in her personally; as it had snatched away several items of a significantly more private sort than the ones that had been claimed by the Calamity so far. Mindful of the exemplary job that the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force]] had done in ensuring that the new term could begin as planned as six months earlier, however, Minerva had to qualms about reaching out to them again. Along on this endeavour was also former student and then Head of the task force, [[Constance Pickering]], whose comments and constant questions about the various objects that they retrieved Minerva would eventually find to be irkesome in the long run.<ref name="WUBE Lost Love22">{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: Lost Love]])</ref>
   
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The first possession to be returned to her self-playing harp, at which point Minerva showed signs of mild exasperation when she had to explain to Miss Pickering that the self-playing instrument had, as the name suggests, been bewitched to play itself. The next items on the list was the [[memory]] of a [[Minerva McGonagall's hornbill|hornbill]] that she once owned, which she had used as a teaching aid during her career as a [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] professor, and remembered it fondly as "a good bird", although she had not viewed it as a pet, as she was more partial to cats.<ref name="WUBE Lost Love22" />
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===Lord Voldemort===
  
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[[File:Voldemortreborn.jpg|thumb|274px|Lord Voldemort, the most powerful Dark Wizard of all time]]
  
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During the[[ First Wizarding War]] Minerva joined the [[Order of the Phoenix]] to fight against [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] and his [[Death Eaters]], she participated in many battles against him and survived the war, although many of her friends were killed. During [[Second Wizarding War|his second rise to power]], Minerva rejoined the new Order and stayed in Hogwarts during the tenure of [[Severus Snape]] as [[Headmaster]] and the Carrows to protect her students. She is one of the few people that isn't afraid of standing against the Carrows, as she did defy them many times during the 1997-1998 school year. She was one of the leaders of the Resistance against Voldemort.
  
   
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Other items on the list included a school crest, her [[Order of Merlin|Order of Merlin, First Class]], which she had framed and kept in her office, and an old photo of [[Dougal McGregor]], about whom she refused to comment when Pickering asked about the man's identity, saying only that he was "''a man [she] once knew''" and that that was all she was prepared to say on the matter.<ref name="WUBE Lost Love22" /> By [[3 March]], all of the items had been successfully retrieved, and though grateful for their help, Minerva still lightly admonished Miss Pickering for prying into her personal life, reminding her that she did not have the right to the answer of every inquiry she could think of just because she asked.<ref name="WUBE Lost Love22" />
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Like most in the Wizarding world, Minerva was originally afraid to speak Voldemort's name. Noticeably, however, Minerva McGonagall became unafraid of saying Voldemort's name sometime during the second wizarding war, as she told [[Filius Flitwick]] before the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] to not to be afraid of it because Voldemort would try to kill him anyway (though in the book she still referred to him as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named). Minerva, along with [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] and [[Horace Slughorn]], bravely dueled Voldemort himself during the second part of the Battle, then she watched as Voldemort is defeated by [[Harry Potter]] [[Duel in the Great Hall|once and for all]] finally ending the War.
  
   
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======[[Brilliant Event: The Quidditch Cup|Inter-House Cup]]======
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===Dolores Umbridge===
  
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In spite of the fact that the security of the castle had been breached more than once as a result of the [[Calamity]], and, having taken into account the prevailing theory that if enough people focused on something, it could affect how said phenomenon behaved, the decision to permit the annual and always much anticipated [[Inter-House Quidditch Cup|Inter-House Quidditch League]] to go on as planned was not one Minerva made lightly. Having concluded, however, that the collective disappointment at its cancellation would be more likely to trigger a new surge with Hogwarts at the heart of it than to allow the student body their yearly competition, the new season was held as normal.
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[[File:Dolores_Umbridge.PNG|thumb|Dolores Umbridge.]]
  
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{{Dialogue a-b-a|McGonagall|He has achieved high marks in all of his Defence Against the Dark Arts tests —|Umbridge|I'm terribly sorry to have to contradict you, Minerva, but as you will see from my note, Harry has been achieving very poor results in his classes with me —|I should have made my meaning plainer ... He has achieved high marks in all Defence Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher.|McGonagall discussing Harry Potter with Dolores Umbridge|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
  
   
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It was later noted that the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] had, despite some injuries on the part of the players, a fine showing that season, as had the [[Slytherin Quidditch team|Slytherin team]], which the Headmistress herself judged to have been deserving recognition for their successes. Having proceeded without incidents for most of its duration, it was only as the final matches of the contest that the Calamity was drawn back to the [[Highlands|Scottish Highlands]] and whisked away with among other things the [[Inter-House Quidditch Cup|Hogwarts Quidditch Cup]].
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Minerva disliked [[Dolores Umbridge]] right from the beginning when the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher began to invade Hogwarts with her [[Hogwarts High Inquisitor]] position and did everything she could in her power to circumvent Umbridge's authority without risking the loss of her job. During Umbridge's inspections of McGonagall's class, Minerva tried for the most part to ignore Umbridge. This was difficult due to Umbrige's constant interruptions by means Umbridge's soft, girlish cough of "''Hem hem''". When forced to acknowledge Umbridge's presence, McGonagall treated her with a cold and harsh demeanor.
  
   
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Upon learning this, Professor McGonagall alerted the Ministry of Magic, which sent an agent from the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force]] to recover the all. One of the [[Foundable]]s in question was an old [[Nimbus 2000]], prompting a [[Chaser]] on the [[Gryffindor Quidditch team]] to grow concerned that her broom, which of the same model, might vanish and be weakened if the same happened to hers, to which her headmistress assured her that the broom in question was almost certainly the echo of [[Harry Potter's Nimbus 2000|the one]] that once belonged to another, [[Harry Potter|famous student]] that played on their team years earlier.
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{{Dialogue a-b-a|Umbridge|It sounds as if you're questioning my authority in my own classroom, Minerva.|McGonagall|Not at all, ''Dolores''. Merely your medieval methods!|I am sorry, dear, but to question my practices is to question the Ministry, and by extension, [[Cornelius Fudge|the Minister himself]]! I am a tolerant woman, but the one thing I will not stand for is disloyalty!|McGonagall to Umbridge about her questionable teaching pratices.|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)}}Despite Umbridge having the power to put Minerva on probation or even sack her, Minerva was not afraid to show her disgust and hatred of Umbridge to the woman's face. Despite this, she understood that Umbridge had a lot of power and that she was reporting directly to [[Cornelius Fudge]], and so Minerva once warned [[Harry Potter]] to tread carefully around Umbridge.<ref name="OOTP" />
  
   
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When the [[Gryffindor]] house ghost, [[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington|Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington]], was spirited away by the Calamity along with the cup and turned him into a Foundable, Minerva was delighted to see his safe return, stating that she had meant to ask his opinion on the Calamity, seen as how he, being somewhat separated from his original self, just like the Foundables were, perhaps had some interesting insights into the Calamity they had not considered.<ref name="WUBE HQC2">{{WU}} "Brilliant Event: Hogwarts Quidditch Cup"</ref>
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[[File:Disloyalty_Minerva_Dolores.jpg|thumb|250px|Dolores Umbridge arguing with Minerva McGonagall.]]
  
   
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======First [[Grand Meeting Room|Extraordinary General Meeting]]======
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Even so, she vehemently vouched for Harry during their [[Career Advice]] session, claiming that she would coach him nightly if she had to in order to realize his dream of becoming an [[Auror]], after Umbridge's furious protests that Harry would never become one. After Umbridge fired [[Sybill Trelawney]] from her post as [[Divination]] teacher, Minerva even put aside her mild dislike of Sybill to focuse even more on her hatred of Umbridge.
  
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As though the [[Calamity]] was not bad enough; conceding with the ongoing catastrophe was also the discovery that various dark and dangerous magical creatures that had once allied themselves with the Dark Lord had began to behave rather conspicuously. As a staple in the magical community, Minerva was present at the Extraordinary General Meeting called at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] by [[Minister for Magic|Minister]] [[Hermione Granger]] in the afternoon<ref>This meetings took place after Harry and Ginny dropped off their children at King's Cross, but before the Start-of-Term Feast where Minerva could see the students arrive and notice that Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy failed to appear to school.</ref> of [[1 September]] [[2020]], where [[Harry Potter]], now the [[Head of Department|Head]] of the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]], talked about the movements and increased activity of Voldemort's former allies and cautioned vigilance regarding [[Dark Arts|Dark Magic]]. Minerva also reported that when the staff returned to the school from the summer holidays, they had discovered that someone had taken [[Boomslang skin]] and [[Lacewing fly|lacewing flies]] from the Potions stores during the summer break, the ingredients for [[Polyjuice Potion]].<ref name="CC">{{CC}}</ref>
   
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During the meeting, it was also revealed that Harry had began to experience [[Vision|nightmares]] and pains in his [[Harry Potter's scars#Lightning-bolt scar|scar]]; something that he had not experienced since his final defeat of Voldemort, which the former [[Dumbledore's Army]] members was concerned might meant that some remnant of the Dark Lord might linger in some way. The meeting, however, ultimately descend into chaos and name-calling when [[Draco Malfoy]] accused them of having invented the pain in Harry's scar as an attention-seeking publicity stunt, and stormed out in a huff on account of the Ministry's previous failure to issue a statement that denied the vicious rumours circulating about his family, which prompted people to leave without taking Harry sufficiently seriously either, and no strategy was agreed on to tackle said possible threat.<ref name="CC" />
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Even when Dolores took over Hogwarts, replacing [[Albus Dumbledore]] as Head of the school, Minerva continued to help undermine Umbridge's reign, preferring to watch her struggle with the chaos that was being caused by the students and [[Peeves]] (and sometimes even helping with it). When Minerva was attacked and sent to [[St. Mungo's]], Dolores was pleased that she at last had complete control of Hogwarts. After Minerva's return to Hogwarts, Minerva did nothing to curb the students' enthusiasm when Peeves chased Dolores from Hogwarts, only lamenting that she could not watch with them because the poltergeist had taken her walking stick to hit Dolores with as he followed her from the school.<ref name="OOTP" />
  
   
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=====[[2020–2021 school year]]=====
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Umbridge returned at the Ministry in a high-ranking position and interrogated Muggle-borns, capturing them and imprisoning them to [[Azkaban]]. After the Second Wizarding War, Umbridge was captured by Aurors and sent to [[Azkaban]] herself, for the rest of her life.
  
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======Helping Albus Potter======
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[[File:Harryandminerva.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|Minerva and [[Harry Potter|Harry]] arguing over [[Albus Potter|Albus]] and [[Scorpius Malfoy|Scorpius]]'s friendship]]
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When [[Albus Potter]] and [[Scorpius Malfoy]] did not arrive at Hogwarts with the [[Hogwarts Express]] on [[1 September]] [[2020]], Minerva sent owls to their parents and later met with [[Harry Potter]], [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Potter]] and [[Draco Malfoy]], along with [[Minister for Magic]] [[Hermione Granger]] and her husband [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], to find them.
   
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When she learned that Harry had felt pains in his scar and a dream of seeing Albus in the [[Forbidden Forest]], Minerva, who was aware of the reability of Harry's [[vision]]s from [[Attack on Arthur Weasley|personal experience]], suggested that they take [[Neville Longbottom|Professor Longbottom]] with them to look for the two boys, as his expertise in [[Herbology]] could prove useful in the forest.<ref name="CC" /> Unbeknownst to the other involved parties, however, by the time the missing students was finally been found, they had [[Time-turner|meddled]] in [[time]] and made it so Ron and Hermione never married, Albus was [[Sorting Ceremony|sorted]] into [[Gryffindor]], and Ron married [[Padma Patil]], and [[Rose Granger-Weasley]] had become [[un-born]].
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Despite hating her they share the same [[Patronus Charm|patronus]]: a cat, although Minerva's resembled her Animagus form.
  
   
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Minerva, however, was still Headmistress of Hogwarts in spite of their interference, and tried to advise Harry on interfering in Albus and Scorpius's friendship, but he insisted on keeping them separated and even went so far as to threaten to come down on the school with the full force of the Ministry unless she complied, and insisted that the Headmistress used the [[Marauder's Map]] to track their movements to keeping them apart, and Minerva reluctantly agreed.<ref name="CC" />
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[[File:The_Weasley_Family_at_Egypt.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[Weasley family]].]]
  
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[[File:Mcgonagall marauders map.jpg|250px|thumb|Minerva examining the [[Marauder's Map]] with [[Draco Malfoy]], [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]]]]
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Having half-heartedly carried out Harry's instruction and used the map a few times, and once purposefully ignored the two because they were under the invisibility cloak and she felt justified in pretending she could not truly know they were together lest she saw them.
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Shortly after, she received another visit from Harry, Ginny and Draco. Upon seeing them, Minerva turned to Harry and informed him that come what may, she wanted no further part in ruining friendships, to which he apologised for the way he had spoken to her, and asked that she used the map to find Albus and Scorpius so that he can apologise to him too; having finally realised that he had been dangerously isolating his son by refusing to let him be with the only friend he had.
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Inclined to grant his request, Minerva used the map to discover that they were in the [[Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom|girls' bathroom on the first floor]]. Minerva and the parents tried to find them, but [[Myrtle Warren|Moaning Myrtle]] revealed that they had gone beyond their reach by using a [[Time-Turner]] to go back in time in order to save [[Cedric Diggory]] from death at the hands of [[Peter Pettigrew]], much to Minerva's shock.<ref name="CC" />
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======The Time-Turner======
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{{Dialogue a-b-a|Minerva McGonagall|So to be clear — you illegally jumped off the Hogwarts Express, you invaded and stole from the Ministry of Magic, you took it upon yourself to change time, whereupon you disappeared two people —|Albus Potter|I agree it doesn't sound good.|And your response to disappearing Hugo and Rose Granger-Weasley was to go back in time again — and this time, instead of losing two people you lost a huge number of people and killed your father — and in doing so you resurrected the worst wizard the world has ever known and heralded in a new age of [[Dark Arts|Dark Magic]]. You're correct, Mr Potter, it doesn't sound good, does it? Are you aware how stupid you've been?|[[Hogwarts Headmaster|Headmistress]] McGonagall getting a confession out of [[Albus Potter]] and [[Scorpius Malfoy]]|Harry Potter and the Cursed Child}}
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Having been rather under the impression that every Time-Turner in the Ministry's possession had been destroyed during the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] twenty-five years earlier, Minerva was less than impressed to learn that when the Ministry had confiscated an unregistered prototype for a new Time-Turner during a raid on the home of [[Theodore Nott]], Harry and Hermione had, rather than destroyed it immediately, decided that it was a good idea to hold onto it, dangerous as it was. Seen as how the device that had been found to have been missing from [[Hermione Granger]]'s [[Minister for Magic's office|office]] could only take the boys through the temporal dimension while leaving the spatial one the same, however, the search for the two boys on the Hogwarts grounds continued in the present, as once they finally returned to their own time, they would do so in the same geographical area as a matter of course. Having eventually found them on the edge of the [[Great Lake]], the Headmistress brought parents and children alike to her office.<ref name="CC" />
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After two young Slytherins confessed what they had done, Minerva admonished not only the two young students for their serious lack of judgement, but their parents as well; reminding them that as noble as they had been in wanting to help [[Amos Diggory]] prevent the loss of his son, their meddling had returned them to the darkest times of the wizarding war, and to never forget that the current, peaceful world they lived in had been created in part exactly because of the sacrifices made by those that had laid down their lives to fight for it. As punishment for their recklessness, she put them both in [[Discipline at Hogwarts#Detention|detention]] for the reminder of the year, placed on them both a blanket ban on all future [[Hogsmeade weekend trips|Hogsmeade trips]] and cancelled [[Christmas]] before telling them to find the Time-Turner that Scorpius had found to be missing upon emerging from the lake when they had returned in the original timeline.<ref name="CC" />
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Having commenced their own search as well, the following day, Professor McGonagall was said to have been involved in negotiations with the local [[Great Lake Selkie colony|merpeople colony]] regarding the possibility of dredging the Great Lake in order to find the missing Time-Turner. Not too long after these events transpired, however, Minerva received another urgent message from Harry Potter late one evening: Having had a [[Vision|dream]] about a visit to his parents' [[James and Lily Potter's grave|grave]] at [[St Jerome's graveyard]] in [[Godric's Hollow]] with his [[Petunia Dursley|Aunt Petunia]] that had never happened, and heard the Dark Lord's voice, as well as seen his son Albus trying desperately to warn him that Lord Voldemort is still active, he had interpreted it as meaning that they were all in grave danger, and informed her that they would arrive shortly to check on Albus. Joining them at the [[Slytherin common room]] and, when they found the two friends had left the [[Slytherin Boys' Dormitory|dormitory]] and missing once again, took with her fellow student [[Craig Bowker Junior]] to "''turn the school upside down''" to find them again.<ref name="CC" />
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======Second [[Grand Meeting Room|Extraordinary General Meeting]]======
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{{Dialogue a-b-a|Harry Potter|But there is one truth we can't escape: That somewhere in our past a witch is trying to rewrite everything we ever knew — and all we can do is wait — wait for the moment she either succeeds or fails.|Minerva McGonagall|And if she succeeds?|Then — just like that — most of the people in this room will be gone. We'll no longer exist and Voldemort will rule again.|Harry Potter noting the severity of the situation|Harry Potter and the Cursed Child}}
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[[File:Extraordinary General Meeting.png|250px|thumb|left|Draco, Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny in the [[Grand Meeting Room]]]]
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Having subsequently split up in order to cover more ground during the search for Albus and Scorpius, when Minerva learned that the [[Death|dead body]] of the aforementioned student had later been found on the [[Quidditch pitch]] and, what was more, bore unmistakeable traces of the [[Killing Curse]], Minerva took immediate affair and alerted the Ministry. Coincidentally, it turned out that Harry, Hermione, Draco and Ron, who had all gone to follow up on a lead regarding the kids' whereabout, already had a suspect. Having left for the Ministry when she learned that Hermione Granger would be holding a second Extraordinary General Meeting, the Headmistress was present when the she announced to the world not only Bowker's murder, but also about a recent search in [[Upper Flagley]] in [[Yorkshire]].<ref name="CC" />
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Having found a concealed room at [[St Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards]] whilst following up a lead on the whereabouts of their missing children, the speakers declared that their investigation had unearthed two facts that had hitherto been unknown to Ministry records: There existed a [[prophecy]] that foretold [[Rodolphus Lestrange's prophecy|the possible return]] of the Dark Lord, and the discovery that Lord Voldemort had turned out to have conceived [[Delphini|an heir]] that was connected to and possibly destined to fulfil it.
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When Headmistress McGonagall inquired as to why the girl had not been taken into custody, Hermione admitted that [[Delphini]], who had last been seen with the two missing boys near the [[Owlery]] by [[Neville Longbottom|Professor Longbottom]] and were the prime suspect in Craig Bowker's murder, had "hidden herself in time" through the use of the very time-turner that Scorpous Malfoy had sworn he had lost. While Minerva was if possibly even less impressed with their failure to destroy said object than before, the meeting ended with a personal victory for Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Draco when they all took the floor together and publicly united ranks in order to save their children.<ref name="CC" />
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======The arrest of Voldemort's daughter======
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Shortly after the said meeting, at which point the Headmistress returned to Hogwarts, it was discovered that Albus and Scorpius had cleverly devised a way to send a message to their parents in the present by leaving an inscription on Harry's old baby blanket, which they had treated with a [[potion]] that would only become visible when it interacted with another potion Albus had spilled on the blanket shortly before this final trip back through time. Now aware of when and where their children were, Harry, [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny]], [[Draco Malfoy|Draco]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]], and [[Hermione Granger|Hermione]] had gone back in time themselves and converged at [[Godric's Hollow]] in order to retrieve them, and to hopefully stop Delphini and her plot to thwart her father's final defeat.
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Minerva, though not present for the death-defying [[Skirmish at St Jerome's Church|skirmish]] that took place at [[Skirmish at St Jerome's Church|St Jerome's Church]] in an [[alternate reality]] of [[31 October]] [[1981]], had previously declared her decision not to [[Discipline at Hogwarts#Expulsion|expel]] them for their misadventures through time, would have been relieved to have Albus and Scorpius returned to the school safe and sound following their return from the past, as well as pleased to hear that the one responsible for the murder of one of her students had been taken into custody and due to be locked up in [[Azkaban]] for her crimes.<ref name="CC" /> As it had been the case with [[Rowan Khanna]] and [[Cedric Diggory]], it can be assumed that memorial ceremony was subsequently held in memory of Craig Bowker in the Great Hall.
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======A calamitous warning======
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In late [[November]] the same year, the Ministry's internal [[Calamity Management Team]] discovered the existence of a secret society known as [[The Unforgivable]], as well as evidence that suggested that it had not only been manipulating the Calamity from the start. This was a feat that they had so far only thought that [[Grim Fawley]] (who caused it) and [[Harry Potter]] (who helped spearhead the efforts to contain and understand it) was capable of, but also believed to have been behind the disappearances of the [[London Five]].<ref>{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: Battle of the Department of Mysteries]])</ref>
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Headmistress McGonagall, along with the rest of the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force]], subsequently received a [[:File:A Memo from Constance WU.png|letter]] about this from [[Constance Pickering]], informing them about their suspicions about the cabal of said and instructed them all to report any anomalities they saw in the Calamity's behaviour.<ref name="WU" />
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======[[Brilliant Event: Hogwarts for the Holidays|Hogwarts for the Holidays]]======
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[[File:Holidays at Hogwarts.png|200px|thumb|The target of the surge]]
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Although the very start of the following school term began as uneventfully as one could hope under the circumstances, only [[1 December|three months passed]] before the school had to send word to [[Constance Pickering]] to inform her that a fifth surge had centred itself around Hogwarts. The surge, though its effects were notably less dire than they could, and indeed had been previously, nevertheless warranted remedying, as it had whisked away with a number of the [[Portrait|painted likeness]] and [[Ghost|departed souls]] of some of Hogwarts' finest; more specifically, the portraits of the four [[Hogwarts founders|Founders]] and the resident House ghosts.<ref name="WU-hogwarts-holidays">{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: Hogwarts for the Holidays]])</ref>
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After the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force]] successfully recovered that which had been lost to the first wave of the surge, the Headmistress came across the ghost of [[Hufflepuff|Hufflepuff House]], who explained how he had just conversed with [[Grim Fawley]], who had asked him to "mind the [[portrait]]s". Having scoured the castle without finding any signs of him in the castle, nor any other intruder for that matter, Minerva, upon seeing that the [[Fat Friar]] remained adamant that the exchange had indeed taken place, nevertheless decided to increase patrols around the castle before she went to the Ministry of Magic to notify the rest of the [[Calamity Management Team]].<ref name="WU-hogwarts-holidays" />
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Upon arriving at their [[British Ministry of Magic Headquarters|underground headquarters]] in [[London]], Minerva found the [[Minister for Magic]] in the middle of overseeing the efforts that went into stamping out the ongoing surge. [[Hermione Granger|Hermione]], who had [[Brilliant Event: First Year at Hogwarts|previously discovered]] that the he had found a way to influence the Calamity to the extent that he could actually modify its behaviour and guide the focus of the the surges,<ref>{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: First Year at Hogwarts]])</ref> theorised that Grim Fawley had created the surge and attached a [[False memory spell|false memory]] to the Fat Friar's Foundable as a way of trying to tell them something important, as he had communicated with them this way before. With this in mind, the Headmistress returned to Hogwarts, but not before assuring her that she would be telling [[Cadogan|Sir Cadogan]] and the other portraits around the school to keep an out for anything that was out the ordinary.<ref name="WU-hogwarts-holidays" />
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Although two weeks would pass before the second wave of the surge came to pass, Headmistress McGonagall was still obliged to pay another visit to the Ministry when, on [[22 December]], [[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington|the spectral knight]] of [[Gryffindor|Gryffindor House]] were found in the [[Grand Staircase]]. Having reportedly been instructed by Grim Fawley to stand guard "''until he's been found''", suggesting that Fawley were trying to tell them that someone was hidden either in or behind one of the portraits there. Hermione, who had never heard of such a thing happening before, questioned as to whether it was even possible for that to be the case, to which Minerva dryly remarked that if a lifetime of service to the ancient school had taught her anything at all, it was that [[Portrait curse|anything was possible]] at Hogwarts.<ref name="WU-hogwarts-holidays" />
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Sometime later, Headmistress McGonagall was made aware that her erstwhile student had reached out to one of school's resident ghosts once more when a curious student in [[Ravenclaw|Ravenclaw House]] had spotted [[Helena Ravenclaw|The Grey Lady]] canvassing the Grand Staircase and, when they asked what she had been up to, been told that she was "''helping Grim search''" before she left the area. Upon learning this, Minerva tried to track down to make some further inquiries, only to discover that she had apparently gone missing as well. Minerva would later visit the Ministry to inform her colleagues on the new development. Later, the Ministry discovered a cryptic note written in Grim's own handwriting, explaining that the person Grim wanted them find were "''waiting for them where the Prince of Enchanters was enthroned''".<ref name="WU-hogwarts-holidays" />
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By the time they had solved the riddle, however, Minerva had already sent an urgent owl to inform them all that Sir Nicholas had found two individuals trapped within the portrait of [[Merlin]]: The first was the Grey Lady, which explained her sudden disappearance. The second one, however, was incredibly enough none other than [[Kit Gerrard]], a former reporter for the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'' and one of the missing [[London Five]]. Following this, the Headmistress gave a number of [[Curse-Breaker]]s permission to enter school grounds, who were eventually able to free them both, the latter of which were transported the latter to [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]].<ref>{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: An Imperfect Love]])</ref>
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======[[The Unforgivable]]======
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In late [[March]] of [[2021]], Minerva was once again contacted by [[Harry Potter]]; this time for the purpose of asking the Headmistress for permission to station a party of [[Auror]]s at [[Hogwarts Castle]] for extra security. Having been locked in something of a cold war with The Unforgivable since they first learned of their activities and actively sought to wrestle away from them their control of The Calamity, the new [[Head of Department]] had successfully intercepted their incoming surge and redirected it towards his [[Harry Potter and Severus Snape's private lessons|secondhand memories]] of the[[Marauders]], the reprecussions of which had been what had appeared to be a veiled threat that the cabal planned to go after their children as means of coercing them into ceasing their efforts to twhart them.<ref name="WU-new-marauders">{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: The New Marauders]])</ref>
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Upon learning this, Minerva readily agreed to have the Dark wizard catchers help protect the school and put the staff on high alert. Each of [[Trio|their]] children was personally assigned an Auror to guard them, and Minerva would henceforth send report back to the Ministry on a regular basis to inform them on the situation. At one point, Minerva's owl had been delayed by bad weather. Afraid that this might mean that something was amiss, the Headmistress was startled when the recipient of her letters came bursting into her office, wand at the ready. Having assured him that everything had been quiet, thus allowing Harry to rest easy and return to the Ministry of Magic to continue his work with the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force]].<ref name="WU-new-marauders" />
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======[[Brilliant Event: A Weasley Predicament|A Weasley Predicament]]======
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On [[2 April]], however, the [[Calamity Management Team]] was horrified to learn that their threat of teaching Harry "''a lesson they don't cover at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]''" had been deliberately misleading; and that while the Ministry had been preoccupied securing the school, members of the cabal had gone to [[Diagon Alley]] and, with the help of [[Polyjuice Potion]] to assume the identiites of [[Barnabas Cuffe]] and [[Hermione Granger|Hermione]], tried to get the jump on [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] and [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny]] at work. And whilst the latter had been admitted to [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries|St Mungo's]] to recupurate from her injuries, she had noticed that something was off and successfully driven away her assailant, Ron, on the other hand, had been caught off guard and abducted.<ref name="WU-new-marauders" />
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Devestated to learn about their father's disappearance, [[Rose Granger-Weasley|Rose]] and [[Hugo Granger-Weasley|Hugo]] were both wracked with worry after they heard what had happened, and Minerva, in addition to having done what she could to help them through the trying time ahead of them, also organised another search of the castle's portraits in the unlikely event that Ron would turn up in one of them, to no avail.<ref name="WU-weasley">{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: A Weasley Predicament]])</ref>
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Much to the relief of everyone involved, however, he was finally returned to them after The Unforgivable proposed to give them Ron in exchange for the complete control of The Calamity, and even though the Ministry's effort to use the trade to infiltrate the organisation went awry, both the Ministry and denizens of Hogwarts alike was delighted to learn that he had been found, although Hugo and Rose was left having to cope with the fact that their own father had no recollection of who they were, having been completely [[Memory Charm|Obliviated]], and Minerva did her outmost to offer her support.<ref name="WU-weasley" />
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=====[[2021]]–[[2022]] [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry#Typical school year|school year]]=====
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Although Minerva played no significant part in the continued struggle against The Unforgivable by the [[Calamity Management Team]], the repercussions of this was still felt by its denizens by the fact of how some of the subsequent surges of the magical disturbance in question was carved from [[Harry Potter]] and [[Hermione Granger]]'s [[Memory|memories]] of their time as students, as they had found that the manner in which they directed it was crucial to restoring Ron's recollection.
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By [[31 December]] [[2021]], however, the cabal had been defeated, its infiltrators at the Ministry of Magic identified and apprehended, Ron's memory completely restored, and Grim Fawley had been found and reunited with his wife, and the Calamity was slowly fading away, allowing life at Hogwarts to finally return to normal.<ref>{{WU}} ([[Brilliant Event: Battle for Secrecy]])</ref>
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==Physical description==
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{{Quote|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}}
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[[File:PromoHP1 Minerva McGonagall 2.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Minerva McGonagall]]
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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.<ref name="Hair" /> In her youth, Minerva was described to not be as beautiful as her [[Isobel Ross|mother]], but she was still rather pretty according to her picture in that age.
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Minerva always had a very prim expression. She also was known for her mouth to become very thin whenever she was angry. [[Harry Potter|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 [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] crowds though Harry noted that the appearance didn't suit her.
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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 Charm|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.
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==Personality and traits==
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{{Quote|[[Bartemius Crouch Junior|Moody]], we never use [[Transfiguration]] as a [[Discipline at Hogwarts|punishment]]! Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?|Minerva's strict but fair attitude as an educator|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
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[[File:McGeee.PNG|150px|thumb|right|Minerva smiling at the [[Yule Ball]], a rare occurrence]]
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By her own words, she had her father's temperament and her mother's magical ability.<ref name="ASC"/> 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.<ref name="GOF" /> 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.<ref name="OOTP" />
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{{Quote|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}}
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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.<ref name="PS" /> 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.<ref name="DH" />
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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.<ref name="GOF" /> Apparently, she shared this temper with her father. Upon seeing Harry's alleged death, Minerva screamed in such despair that Harry never heard before.<ref name="DH" />
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{{Quote|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}}
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As the devoted instructor of [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration classes]], Minerva highly respected this [[Transfiguration|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.<ref name="POA" />
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[[File:OOTP HQ still sack attempt Umbridge Trelawney McGonagal Filch.jpg|250px|thumb|left|McGonagall comforting [[Sybill Trelawney|Trelawney]] after the latter was sacked]]
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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]].
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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.<ref name="OOTP" />
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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.<ref name="OOTP" /> 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 Carrow|Alecto's]] blunder and looked down at him with pure disgust.<ref name="DH" />
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{{Dialogue a-b|[[Jacob's sibling]]|I must've misheard you, I thought you said Professor McGonagall could teach the [[Mooncalf]] to dance.|[[Hagrid]]|She wanted teh teach ballroom dancing the students for years. Expect she's love to try|Hagrid advising Jacob's sibling to take their Mooncalf to Minerva in order to teach it how to dance|Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery}}
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[[Albus Dumbledore]] believed that only a few people would have found out how funny and interesting she was.<ref name="ASC">{{HM|2|A Special Celebration of Hogwarts Teachers|2}}</ref> She had loved to teach ballroom dance to her students<ref>{{HM|MG|Mooncalf}}</ref> and in her free-time, Minerva was known to enjoy needlework.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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==Magical abilities and skills==
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[[File:Patronus Cat2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Minerva McGonagall's Patronus, a cat]]
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{{Quote|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|Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery}}Minerva McGonagall was an incredibly powerful and talented [[Wizardkind|witch]] whom none should have ever underestimated. Her magical prowess allowed her to be the teacher of [[Transfiguration (class)|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.
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{{Quote|Professor McGonagall is the most powerful witch I know.|[[Jacob's sibling]] on Minerva's outstanding magical prowess|Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery}}
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*'''[[Magic]]al 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 [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.Ls]] and [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.Ts]] when she was at [[Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry|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.
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*'''[[Wandless magic|Wandless]] and [[Nonverbal spell|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]]<ref name="COSG">{{COS|G}}</ref> 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.<ref name="DH30" /> She nonverbally untransfigured Draco Malfoy when he was turned into a ferret by simply pointing her wand at him.<ref name="GOF13">{{GOF|B|13}}</ref> 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 [[Silver rope-conjuring spell|conjured a length of shimmering silver rope]] to hang the Carrow siblings before the Battle of Hogwarts to incapacitate them.<ref name="DH30" /> 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.<ref name="DH30" />
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{{Quote|As if one of them could have Stunned Minerva McGonagall face-on by daylight!|[[Poppy Pomfrey]] regarding Minerva's martial abilities|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
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*'''[[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 Spell|stunning spells]] without warning by a group of [[Three Aurors who tried to arrest Rubeus Hagrid|Aurors]], [[Poppy Pomfrey]] furiously insisted that they wouldn't have stood a chance in an actual fight.<ref name="OOTP" /> During the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]], Minerva easily overpowered [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] [[Alecto Carrow]] even when she had aid from [[Amycus Carrow|her brother]], sending them desperately escaping from her spells, and survived the battle unscathed.<ref name="HBP" /> 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 [[Tom Riddle|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 [[Sacrificial protection|loving sacrifice]] was weakening the power of Voldemort's spells.<ref name="DH" /> 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.<ref name="WU" /> 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 [[Piertotum Locomotor|brought the various desks and chairs to life]], leading them into battle against her Death Eater opponents.<ref name="DH" />
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{{Quote|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}}
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[[File:COS Vera Verto demo.gif|250px|thumb|Minerva transforming a [[bird]] into a water goblet, using the spell ''[[Vera Verto]]'']]
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*'''[[Transfiguration]]''': Minerva was taught [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] by [[Albus Dumbledore]], showing an unusually high level of talent in the subject even at a young age. With Dumbledore's guidance, 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 "[[Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer award|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.<ref name="pottermorebio" /> 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.<ref name="PS" /> As an adult, her skills in Transfiguration were known to be exceptional, with even [[Tom Riddle|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.<ref name="GOF13" /> Like Dumbledore, she seemed especially proficient at conjuration. For example, she was effortlessly able to [[Chair-conjuring spell|conjure three chairs]] at once non-verbally for herself, [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ronald Weasley]] in [[Headmaster's office|Dumbledore's office]],<ref name="OOTP" /> with a simple wave of her wand; [[Silver rope-conjuring spell|silver rope]] and [[Silver net-conjuring spell|silver nets]] as restraints for the [[Alecto and Amycus Carrow|Carrow siblings]];<ref name="DH" /> conjuring a [[Fan-conjuring spell|large fan out of thin air]] to "waft" [[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington|Nearly Headless Nick]] to the [[Hospital Wing]],<ref name="COS" /> [[Fire-Making Spell|conjure flames]]<ref name="COS" /> and also to effortlessly [[Snake Summons Spell|conjure]] a [[snake]] from the end of her wand.<ref name="HM412t">{{HM|4|12|t}}</ref> In 1992, when Harry and Ron had to eat in Snape's office, she transfigured a [[Endless Sandwiches|plate of sandwiches]] that would automatically refill itself.<ref name="COS" /> Like Dumbledore, she was highly skilled at using Transfiguration in battle, [[Snake-Vanishing Spell|easily vanishing a massive black snake]] Professor Snape had sent at her in their [[Ousting of Severus Snape|brief duel]], disintegrating it almost immediately into smoke without saying a word.<ref name="DH" /> From this smoke, she quickly turned it into a [[Smoke to daggers spell|swarm of pursuing daggers]], which she directed back at Snape, who was forced to hide behind a [[suit of armour]] to avoid them.<ref name="DH" /> At the start of the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], she brought the [[Piertotum Locomotor|various tables and chairs to life]] to fight the [[Death Eaters]], in much the same way in which Dumbledore brought the [[Fountain of Magical Brethren|statues]] to life in [[Duel in the Ministry Atrium|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|Wizard's Chess set]] to [[Chessboard Chamber|giant size and bringing them to life]].<ref name="PS" /> She was also highly skilled at teaching students Transfiguration, something she did for more than four decades. Her spells in class included [[Desk Into Pig|transforming a desk into a pig]] and [[Pig into desk spell|back]],<ref name="PS" /> transforming [[Vera Verto|animals into water goblets]],<ref name="COSF14">{{COS|B|14}} - (''About the Chamber'')</ref> [[Crinus Muto|changing the colour of eyebrows]], [[Switching Spell]]s, [[Snake Summons Spell|conjuring snakes]],<ref name="HM412t" /> [[Bird-Conjuring Charm|conjuring birds]]<ref name="HM69t">{{HM|6|9|t}}</ref> and turning [[Lovebird to Love Note|lovebirds into love notes]] for [[Valentine's Day]].<ref name="HM5V">{{HM|5|Valentine's Day}}</ref> [[Jacob's sibling]] remarked how easy he thought Professor McGonagall made it look, when the reality was very different, further demonstrating her talent.
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{{Quote|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}}
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[[File:McGonagall Animagus.gif|250px|thumb|McGonagall Animagus transformation]]
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*'''[[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.<ref name="PS" /> 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.<ref name="POA" />
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{{Quote|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}}
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[[File:Piertotum Locomotor.gif|250px|thumb|McGonagall bringing the suits of armour to life]]
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*'''[[Charm]]s''': 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]],<ref name="COS" /> [[Wand-Lighting Charm]],<ref name="OOTPF">{{OOTP|F}}</ref> [[Freezing Spell]],<ref name="LEGOY1" /> [[Disarming Charm]],<ref name="OOTPG">{{OOTP|G}}</ref> [[Summoning Charm]]<ref name="GOF13" /> and [[Levitation Charm]].<ref name="DH" /> She was also able to successfully teach her students various charms related to transfiguration such as the [[Colour Change Charm]],<ref name="HM414t">{{HM|4|14|t}}</ref> [[Mending Charm]],<ref name="HM42t">{{HM|4|2|t}}</ref> [[Hardening Charm]],<ref name="HM35t">{{HM|3|5|t}}</ref> [[Softening Charm]]<ref name="HM26t">{{HM|2|6|t}}</ref> [[Bird-Conjuring Charm]]<ref name="HM69t" /> and [[Revelio Charm]]<ref name="HM24pt">{{HM|2|4|pt}}</ref> 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. Many wizards and witches alike are unable to produce one Patronus whilst saying the incantation, further evidence of Minerva's world class ability. 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.<ref name="DH" /> 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 [[Tom Riddle|Heir of Slytherin]] took a student into the [[Chamber of Secrets]].<ref name="COS16">{{COS|B|16}}</ref> Minerva was additionally proficient in [[Silencing Charm]]s, using one to great effect to control the chaos in the corridor where [[Justin Finch-Fletchley|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.<ref name"cos11"="">{{COS|B|11}}</ref> She could also [[Memory extraction spell|extract memories]] from herself<ref name="PM-pensieve"/> and others.<ref name="MA" />
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*'''[[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 wizard]]s and witches in process and even surviving a duel with Voldemort himself.<ref name="DH" /> During her early years in teaching, Minerva effortlessly [[Counter-curse|undid]] the effects of the [[dark charm]] ''[[Oscausi]]'' [[Leta Lestrange]] placed on a Gryffindor girl.<ref name="COGS">{{COG|S}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="WU">{{WU}}</ref>
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{{Quote|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}}
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*'''[[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 charm]]s, such as the spell ''[[Oscausi]]'' on the [[Unidentified Gryffindor girl 2 (1910's)|girl]] who had had it cast previously on her by Leta<ref name="COGS" /> 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).<ref name="HM23" /> She also successfully cast an effective [[Imperius Curse]] on [[Amycus Carrow]],<ref name="DH" /> a remarkable feat as the [[Unforgivable Curses]] required both heartfelt intent and power in order to be effectively cast,<ref name="GOF14">{{GOF|B|14}}</ref> and was also able to discern that [[Jakub Gorski]] was bring controlled by the curse in a matter of seconds.<ref name="MA" /> 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]].<ref name="WU" />
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{{Quote|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}}
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*'''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.<ref name="DH" />
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*'''[[Flight|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.<ref name="PS" />
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*'''[[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,<ref name="shortstories" /> showing her superior talent in potion-making.
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*'''[[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 [[Rune|runic]] scriptures, alphabets and symbols correctly, often using the help of a highly useful and practical [[Rune Dictionary]].<ref name="LEGOY1" /><ref name="LHP5-7">{{LEGO|Y2}}</ref>
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*'''Control of [[underage magic]]''': As an infant, Minerva had early signs of magic. She inadvertently [[Summoning Charm|summoned]] toys that had been left on upper shelves to her cot, made the [[McGonagall family cat|family cat]] do her bidding, and her [[Robert McGonagall Snr's bagpipes|father's bagpipes]] play themselves.<ref name="pottermorebio" /> 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.<ref name="HBP" />
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*'''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]].<ref name="pottermorebio" /> In 1998, she effortlessly solved the riddle to allow [[Amycus Carrow]] into the [[Ravenclaw Tower]].<ref name="DH" /> 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),<ref name="POA" /> 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;<ref name="OOTP" /> and helped to keep the meetings of the reformed Dumbledore's Army a secret.<ref name="DH" /> 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<ref name="DHF2" /> and ordered the [[Argus Filch|caretaker]] to find Peeves to ensure the advantage of chaos on their side.<ref name="DH" />
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{{Quote|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}}
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*'''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.<ref name="COS" /> 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.<ref name="DH" /> 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 [[Non-magic people|Muggles]].<ref name="WU" />
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*'''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 Spell]]s aimed at her by [[Dolores Umbridge]] and some [[Auror]]s. 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.<ref name="OOTP" /> She was also quite agile and displayed reflexes and speed rivalling the younger Severus Snape during their duel, which shocked Harry Potter who had never seen her move as fast as she did prior to that.<ref name="DH" />
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*'''Teaching skills''': Being the Head of [[Transfiguration]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|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 Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]] of Hogwarts and later the Headmistress after [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]]'s final defeat.
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*'''[[Wizard's Chess]]''': Minerva was a skilled player of Wizards' Chess, and enjoyed playing the game with others,<ref name="HM2Celebration">{{HM|2|A SPECIAL CELEBRATION OF HOGWARTS TEACHERS}}</ref> along with giving tips.<ref name="HM5CBG">{{HM|5|The Curse-Breaker's Gambit}}</ref>
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==Possessions==
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[[File:ProfMinervaMcGonagallwandNN8290.jpg|150px|thumb|Minerva's wand]]
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[[File:Brilliant hornbill WU.png|150px|thumb|McGonagall's pet hornbill]]
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[[File:Brilliant Self Playing Harp WU.png|150px|thumb|Minerva's self-playing harp]]
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*'''[[Minerva McGonagall's wand|Wand]]''': Minerva's [[wand]] was 9½", [[fir]], and had a [[dragon heartstring]] [[Wand core|core]]. The wand was well suited to [[Transfiguration]], proven by its owner, who was a teacher of the subject and an Animagus.
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**[[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]].<ref name="DH30" />
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*'''[[Minerva McGonagall's hornbill|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.<ref name="COSF">{{COS|F}} - Chapter 14 (''About the Chamber'')</ref>
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*'''[[Minerva McGonagall's office|Office]]''': Minerva's office was a small study located off of the first-floor corridor,<ref name="Corridor">{{POA|B|5}} - "Ron stared as Professor McGonagall ushered Harry and Hermione away from the chattering crowd; they accompanied her across the entrance hall, up the marble staircase, and along a corridor. Once they were in her office, a small room with a large, welcoming fire, Professor McGonagall motioned Harry and Hermione to sit down" </ref><ref name="Floor">{{PS|B|15}} - "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"</ref> to the right of a [[Staircase between the first-floor and Serpentine corridors|staircase]] to the Serpentine Corridor.<ref name="GF12">{{GOF|B|12}}</ref> It had a large fire,<ref name="Corridor" /> windows overlooking the Training Grounds<ref name="PSF">{{PS|F}}</ref> and the Quidditch pitch,<ref name="Pitch">{{POA|B|9}} - "Professor McGonagall stood up and stared out of the window at the Quidditch field, just visible through the rain"</ref> and a sparse stone-floored bedroom behind a concealed door.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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*'''[[Elphinstone Urquart and Minerva McGonagall's Hogsmeade cottage|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.<ref name="pottermorebio" />
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*'''[[Minerva McGonagall's dress robes|Dress robes]]''': Minerva wore a set of dress robes to the [[Yule Ball]], which was held on [[Christmas|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.<ref name="GF23">{{GOF|B|23}}</ref>
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*'''[[Minerva McGonagall's walking stick|Walking stick]]''': Minerva used this walking stick after leaving [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]], after being hit with four [[Stunning Spell]]s. It was once borrowed, with her permission, by [[Peeves]] to chase and whack Dolores Umbridge with.<ref name="OOTP" />
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*'''[[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.
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*'''[[Harp|Self-playing harp]]''': Minerva owned an [[Charm|enchanted]] harp, that could play by itself.<ref name="WUBE Lost Love">{{WU}} "Brilliant Event: Lost Love"</ref>
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==Relationships==
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===Albus Dumbledore===
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{{Dialogue a-b|McGonagall|Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time —|Harry Potter|But this is important.|Minerva McGonagall and Harry Potter in [[1992]]|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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[[File:COS promo Minerva Albus.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Minerva with Albus Dumbledore, her dear friend and colleague]]
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Minerva knew [[Albus Dumbledore]] for the majority of her life. She attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] as a student during Dumbledore's time as [[Transfiguration (class)|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.
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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]].<ref name="shortstories" />
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Minerva served for many years as his [[Headmaster|Deputy Headmistress]], standing in for him in dangerous situations and even replacing him as Headmistress on several occasions.<ref name="COS" /><ref name="HBP" /> She also served more than once to bring Dumbledore back on track when he became distracted from the matter currently at hand.<ref name="GOF" /> Minerva had great faith in Dumbledore, placing great stock in the differences between him and Voldemort.<ref name="PS" /> 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<ref name="PSF" /> and his policy of allowing Harry to run extreme risks.
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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.<ref name="OOTP" /> Minerva was devastated when Dumbledore was killed in [[1997]] during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and arranged his funeral.<ref name="HBP" /> 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.<ref name="DH" />
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===Harry Potter===
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{{Quote|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}}
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[[File:Harry Potter.jpg|200px|thumb|Harry Potter, student, protege, and ally]]
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Minerva showed her care for [[Harry Potter]] ever since she, Dumbledore and Hagrid left him in the care of the [[Dursley family|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,<ref name="PS" /> calling them "the worst sort of Muggles imaginable".<ref name="PSF" /> 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.
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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.<ref name="DH33">{{DH|B|33}}</ref> 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]].
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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.<ref name="PS" /> 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.
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[[File:McGonagallWithHandOnHarrysShoulder.png|250px|thumb|left|McGonagall comforting Harry after refusing to allow him to go to Hogsmeade]]
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This particularly strong concern for Harry, clearly above what Minerva felt for most other individual students, was later shown in his third year: She proved she cared far more for Harry than winning the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor, ensuring he was kept in maximum security and limiting his time to practise and even not hesitating to confiscate the [[Firebolt]] he was given to out of concern it was sent by [[Sirius Black]] and instantly lost her temper when [[Oliver Wood]] suggested Harry be allowed to fall off his broom as long as he caught the Snitch, intimidating Wood into submission. She also pitied him for being unable to go to [[Hogsmeade]] due to not having a signed note and appeared to indicate she would be willing to allow him to go had it not been for the danger of Sirius.
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{{Dialogue a-b|Minerva McGonagall|Now, don't panic, just keep a cool head.... We've got wizards standing by to control the situation if it gets out of hand.... The main thing is just to do your best, and nobody will think any the worse of you.... Are you all right?|Harry Potter|Yes. Yes, I'm fine.|McGonagall reassuring Harry before the first task of the Triwizard Tournament|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
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When Harry became the fourth Triwizard Champion, Minerva adamantly defended Harry from the accusation of [[Olympe Maxime]] that Harry had been willing to die for the gold rewarded and even went as far as to try to convince Albus into not letting Harry compete, being utterly mortified by the fact that Snape and Dumbledore were willing to use Harry as a bait and often showed herself to be more protective of Harry than the then Headmaster. She also wanted to keep Harry out of the explanation the imposter was about to give, believing Harry had had enough, but reluctantly conceded to Dumbledore's wish that Harry stay. However, she was quick to praise his performance and assure he was tended to in the First Task and helped him train for the Third Task by lending her room.
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In Harry's fifth year, Minerva promised Harry that she would do whatever she possibly could to see that he achieved his dream of becoming an [[Auror]]. She supported him unequivocally even though she had never been fully in his confidence. When she later found out about the sort of [[Black Quill|punishment]] Harry and various other students had been receiving from [[Dolores Umbridge]], Minerva expressed nothing but absolute disgust and disapproval, despite the power Umbridge wielded.<ref name="OOTP" /> In return, although Harry disliked her strictness regarding his opposition of Umbridge, he was still grateful for her care towards him and was utterly infuriated when McGonagall was attacked so severely by the Aurors sent to capture Hagrid she had to be sent to St Mungo to the point where he even believed Umbridge being murdered brutally (fed to a [[Blast-Ended Skrewt]]) was not a punishment good enough and immediately felt such anger that he coldly defied Umbridge when she gloated over McGonagall's current state despite being cornered.
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{{Quote|Why would Harry Potter try to get inside [[Ravenclaw Tower]]? Potter belongs in ''my'' House!|McGonagall's pride that Harry belongs in her house|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
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Shortly prior to the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], Amycus Carrow - who, along with his sister [[Alecto Carrow|Alecto]], had been posted at the school by Voldemort - demanded to know where Harry was in the Tower and McGonagall asked why he would be there as he belonged in her house, with clear pride in her voice. When Amycus spat at McGonagall, Harry was outraged to the point of attacking him with the [[Cruciatus Curse]], even agreeing with [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]'s assertion that one had to "really mean it" to perform the curse correctly. Although shocked by Harry's sudden appearance and his use of an [[Unforgivable Curses|Unforgivable Curse]], she was clearly touched by the gesture. Though Minerva initially tried to convince Harry to flee out of concern for his safety, she immediately joined Harry in retaking the castle and preparing for battle. She did this when he informed her that he was acting on Dumbledore's orders. Nearing the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, Minerva's devastation was great when she saw [[Rubeus Hagrid]] carrying Harry's seemingly dead body. This grief was enough to make her duel Voldemort head on in the final battle, alongside [[Horace Slughorn]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], in order to protect the rest of her students. When the battle ended with Voldemort's death at Harry's hands, she was among the first to embrace him.<ref name="DH" />
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The two continued to have a very positive relationship over the following years. Harry acted as a frequent guest lecturer on Defence Against The Dark Arts, under Minerva's jurisdiction. She would serve as Headmistress over Harry's three children, and in turn she learned to expect them to get into the same kinds of trouble as their father. This was to be expected, after having now taught and served over three generations of Potters. Minerva's relationship with Harry experienced a brief strain when he blackmailed her into using the Marauder's Map to ensure Albus and Scorpius remains apart, which she felt great discontent at doing, but it was reconciled when Harry apologised and she wasn't shown to hold any ill-will afterwards.
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===Hermione Granger===
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{{Quote|Ah, of course. There is no need to tell me any more, Miss Granger. Which one of you will be dying this year?|McGonagall discussing a previous Divination lesson|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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[[File:Hermione Granger 2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Hermione Granger, her student]]
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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 School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], under the impression that she could stop it. The claim wasn't true, but Minerva was none the wiser.<ref name="PS" /> When Hermione was attacked by the [[Serpent of Slytherin|Basilisk]] in 1992, Minerva was greatly moved and would often take time to visit her Petrified student in the hospital wing.<ref name="COS" />
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In Hermione's third year, Minerva went to the effort to arrange for Hermione to be given permission to use a [[Time-Turner]] to take additional classes. Teachers didn't often seek permission for a student to use one of the devices, but she saw something special in Hermione and went out of her way to make sure the younger witch wasn't under-achieving.<ref name="POA" /> Minerva further showed her high regard of Hermione, by appointing her a Gryffindor [[prefect]] in her fifth year at Hogwarts. When Minerva was attacked by several Ministry employees outside of Hagrid's Hut, Hermione showed deep emotion towards the event, like Minerva did a few years before. She and McGonagall were allies during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] and the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], surviving the [[Second Wizarding War]].
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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 [[Sybill Trelawney|Professor Trelawney]] was a fraud,<ref name="POA" /> Furthermore, both were considered for Ravenclaw, but in the end were both Sorted into Gryffindor House.
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===Ron Weasley===
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{{Dialogue a-b-a-b|Professor McGonagall|You'd better get along to the hospital wing, Weasley, you're bleeding.|Ron Weasley|Not much. Professor, I wanted to watch my sister being Sorted —|The Sorting Ceremony is over. Your sister is also in Gryffindor.|Oh, good.|Professor McGonagall to Ron Weasley at the beginning of the [[1992–1993 school year]]|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
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[[File:Ron Weasley.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Ron Weasley, her student]]
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[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] was a student at the time McGonagall was a professor at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|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 Potter|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.
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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]].
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===Neville Longbottom===
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{{Quote|It's high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she's got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have — particularly after [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries|what happened at the Ministry]].|McGonagall complimenting Neville for the first time|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
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[[File:Neville-longbottom.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Neville Longbottom, her student]]
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Minerva had a long history with the [[Longbottom family]], being allies with the Order of the Phoenix, in which [[Neville Longbottom|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.
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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.<ref name="PS" /> 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.<ref name="POA" /> She voiced pride in Neville's courage in participating in the fight with the Death Eaters in the [[Department of Mysteries]].
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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 (class)|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.<ref name="HBP" /> After the Second Wizarding War, Minerva may have been the one to employ Neville as the school's new [[Herbology]] professor.
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===Draco Malfoy===
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{{Quote|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}}
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[[File:Draco-Malfoy-promo-draco-and-slytherin-22383941-1920-2560.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Draco Malfoy, her student]]
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While [[Severus Snape|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 world|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.
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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]] ([[Bartemius Crouch Junior|Barty Crouch Jnr]] in disguise) [[Human to ferret spell|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 [[Opal Necklace|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.
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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 [[Scorpius Malfoy|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===
  
===Weasley family===
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[[File:Weasley family.png|250px|thumb|right|The Weasley family]]
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McGonagall and the [[Weasley family|Weasleys]] get along well, considering they were all in [[Gryffindor]] House and fellow members of the Order of the Phoenix. However, she disapproved of [[Fred and George Weasley]]'s behaviour at school, although she still seemed impressed by their magical skills. When [[Dolores Umbridge]] was appointed as High Inquisitor for Hogwarts, Minerva allied with the twins and attempted to oppose Umbridge.
  
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McGonagall and the [[Weasley family|Weasleys]] get along well, considering they were all in [[Gryffindor|Gryffindor House]] and fellow members of the Order of the Phoenix. However, Minerva disapproved of [[Fred Weasley|Fred]] and [[George Weasley]]'s behaviour at school, although she still seemed impressed by their magical skills. When [[Dolores Umbridge]] was appointed as High Inquisitor for Hogwarts, she allied with the twins and attempted to oppose Umbridge.
   
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Minerva was fond of all the Weasley children, including [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny]] and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]]. 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. Furthermore, both Ginny and McGonagall tried to oppose Umbridge (in 1995) and the Carrows (in 1998). She also had high regard and expectations of [[Percy Weasley]], who was a Gryffindor prefect, as well as [[Head Boy]] in his last year at Hogwarts.
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Minerva was fond of all the Weasley children, including [[Ginevra Weasley|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 or Girl|Head Boy]] in his last year at Hogwarts.
   
 
===The Marauders and Lily Evans===
  
===The Marauders and Lily Evans===
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{{Quote|Is it true, Albus? Lily and James... are dead?|McGonagall's devastation regarding the Potter's murders|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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[[File:Lily_potter_deathly_hallows.jpg|thumb|400px|Lily speaking to her son Harry before his confrontation with Lord Voldemort]]
  
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[[File:The Marauders.png|250px|thumb|left|The Marauders, her former students]]
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McGonagall had long been the [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] professor at Hogwarts by the time [[Lily Evans]] and the [[Marauders]] attended as students. The Marauders were four great friends: [[James Potter I|James Potter]], [[Sirius Black]], [[Remus Lupin]] and [[Peter Pettigrew]]. They were all sorted into the [[Gryffindor]] house, and despite their boisterous ways, at odds with Minerva's no-nonsense reputation, they seemed to have a good relationship with her.
  
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McGonagall had long been the [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] professor at Hogwarts by the time [[Lily J. Potter|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.
   
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The Marauders were four great friends: [[Remus Lupin]], [[Peter Pettigrew]], [[Sirius Black]] and [[James Potter I|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.
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{{Quote|Is it true, Albus? Lily and James... are dead?|Minerva to [[Albus Dumbledore]]|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
   
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[[File:Lily Potter1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Lily Potter (née Evans), one of McGonagall's best students and an ally in the first Order of the Phoenix]]
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She 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. James became Minerva's fellow-member of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] after leaving Hogwarts. She later became friendly with James's 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.
 
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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 James's future wife, Lily Evans. The couple would later become [[Head Boy or Girl|Head Boy]] and [[Head Boy or Girl|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.
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[[File:Lupin-class.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Remus Lupin]].]]
  
   
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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 colleague in 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.
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Minerva had a good relationship with Sirius Black. After James' death, McGonagall believed it was Sirius who betrayed the Potters; only in [[1994]] did she learn the traitor was [[Peter Pettigrew]]. Sirius was killed by [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] during the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] in [[1996]]. Minerva's reaction to Sirius's death is unreported.
  
   
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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|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.
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A little over a decade after he left Hogwarts, Remus Lupin returned to the school in order to teach [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]], becoming Minerva's professional colleague for one year. He and McGonagall were members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] in both halves of the Wizarding Wars. Remus was eventually killed during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
  
   
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{{Quote|Hero-worshipped Black and Potter. Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him... Stupid boy... Foolish boy...|McGonagall about Peter Pettigrew.|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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{{Quote|Hero-worshipped Black and Potter. Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him... Stupid boy... Foolish boy...|McGonagall's low opinion of Peter Pettigrew|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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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.
   
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===Rubeus Hagrid===
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Peter Pettigrew was the fourth member of the Marauders, and seemed to serve primarily as audience, as comic relief, and as spy in his Animagus form as a rat. McGonagall said Pettigrew "hero-worshipped" [[James Potter I|James Potter]] and [[Sirius Black]]; she also called him a "stupid" and "foolish" boy, and confessed that she was harsher than necessary with him during their time together as student and teacher. After his graduation, Peter, like the other Marauders, was Minerva's comrade in the [[Order of the Phoenix]]. Peter faked his own death standing up to Sirius Black, supposed Death Eater and betrayer of the Potters, leading McGonagall to regret that she had been harsh towards him, and to acknowledge him as a brave Gryffindor. We are not told her exact reaction when she learned that Peter, who was thought to be a hero, had in fact joined the Order's enemies and betrayed Lily and James, but it was sure to have been worse than merely harsh.
  
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{{Quote|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}}
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[[File:Rubeus Hagrid.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Rubeus Hagrid, her friend and colleague]]
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[[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 School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|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.
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Hagrid once kissed McGonagall on her cheek when he had drunk very much and she was noted giving a flushed giggle in the event's festivities. When Dolores Umbridge and several [[Auror]]s from the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] sought to sack and exile Hagrid from the school grounds by force, Minerva quickly flew to his aid, in turn taking four stunners simultaneously to the chest. Hagrid was disgusted and enraged when the Aurors stunned and injured her to the point that he attacked two of her attackers before fleeing, furiously denouncing them as cowards.
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In 1997, after Albus Dumbledore's death, Minerva stated that she appreciated Hagrid's opinion very much, as did Dumbledore. McGonagall and Hagrid fought against [[Death Eaters]] during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] and the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. They were among the first ones to run to congratulate Harry after he defeated Voldemort. They both survived the war and still taught at Hogwarts.
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===Severus Snape===
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{{Quote|And Potter — do try and win, won't you? Or we'll be out of the running for the eighth year in a row, as Professor Snape was kind enough to remind me only last night...|McGonagall after enduring taunting from Snape|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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[[File:Severus Snape Profile.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Severus Snape, her colleague and former student]]
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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 [[Potion]]s master, he and McGonagall became colleagues. As Head of [[Gryffindor|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.
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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.
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{{Quote|Coward! COWARD!|Minerva's fury towards Snape after duelling him, and her last words towards him in life|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
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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 [[Filius Flitwick|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.
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===Pomona Sprout===
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{{Dialogue a-b-c|Flitwick|Nothing we do will be able to keep out You-Know-Who indefinitely.|Sprout|But we can hold him up.|McGonagall|Thank you Pomona|[[Filius Flitwick]], [[Pomona Sprout]], and Minerva just before the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
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[[File:Professor Sprout.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Pomona Sprout, her longtime friend and colleague]]
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The relationship between Professor McGonagall and [[Pomona Sprout|Professor Sprout]] dates back to when both attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].<ref name="shortstories" /> The two students maintained an excellent relationship, which was kept well into their adulthood.
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When [[Dolores Umbridge]] stood to speak during the [[1995]] [[Start-of-Term Feast]] after her introduction by [[Headmaster]] [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]], the two professors were both taken aback at this, and even exchange glances of disapproval.<ref name="OOTP" /> During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] on [[2 May]] [[1998]], Minerva and Pomona had the same views on protecting the Castle against [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s [[Death Eaters]].<ref name="DH30">{{DH|B|30}}</ref>
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===Sybill Trelawney===
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{{Dialogue a-b|Sybill Trelawney|Certainly I knew, Minerva. But one does not parade the fact that one is All-Knowing. I frequently act as though I am not possessed of the Inner Eye, so as not to make others nervous.|McGonagall|That explains a great deal.|Professor McGonagall's obvious disdain for Divination|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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[[File:Sybill Trelawney.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Sybill Trelawney, her colleague]]
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Minerva and [[Sybill Trelawney]] weren't the best of friends, barely maintaining civility between them. Minerva had no use for Sybill's subject, [[Divination]], believing that Trelawney was a fraud. The only reason Minerva has never spoken ill of Sybill directly was due to her refusal to insult her colleagues.<ref name="POA" />
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Despite her dislike for Trelawney and her teachings, Minerva was still disgusted when [[Dolores Umbridge|Umbridge]] unceremoniously and cruelly sacked Sybill. They would grow to understand one another through their shared hatred of Dolores Umbridge during the woman's tenure as [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] Professor. Minerva was there as a literal shoulder for Sybill to cry on, speaking out against Dolores and told her what she thought after the events.<ref name="OOTP" />
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===Hogwarts staff===
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{{Dialogue a-b-c|Filius Flitwick|I suppose you are aware that nothing we do can indefinitely prevent [[Tom Riddle|You-Know-Who]] to enter the school, right? —|Pomona Sprout|But we can delay it. —|McGonagall|Thank you, [[Pomona Sprout|Pomona]].|McGonagall's interaction with other members of staff|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
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[[File:Harry Potter Movie Pictures-Professors.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Minerva with some of her colleagues]]
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McGonagall seemed to have a good relationship with most of her co-workers at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|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 upstart of the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
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[[File:Flitwickmainimage.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Filius Flitwick, her friend and colleague]]
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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.
  +
  +
Minerva was on amicable terms with [[Horace Slughorn]], her former Potions professor. However, she commented on his seemingly cowardly behaviour when he realised the castle was under attack, noting he should take his students and do so if he wished to leave. She said that the two would duel to kill if he attempted to hinder their efforts against Voldemort from inside the castle, stating that it was time for Slytherin to finally choose their alliances. He was taken aback at this and he fled, but later returned with reinforcements of students' parents and residents of Hogsmeade to help with the battle efforts. Both Minerva and Horace battled together against Voldemort alongside Kingsley Shacklebolt in the Battle of Hogwarts.
  +
  +
[[File:Gilderoy Lockhart COS promo.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Gilderoy Lockhart]]
  +
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 [[Ginevra Weasley|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.
   
  +
After Voldemort infiltrated Hogwarts, two new professors took the post of [[Muggle Studies]] and [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]]: [[Alecto Carrow|Alecto]] and [[Amycus Carrow]] respectively. They were loyal Death Eaters, and befitting their status, they taught Dark Arts rather than Defence Against the Dark Arts, devoted [[Muggle Studies]] to explaining how Muggles were filthy animals, and often took delight in punishing students with the [[Cruciatus Curse]]. Minerva did the best she could to protect the students from the Carrows, and she did not condone Amycus's plan to blame the students for Alecto's mishap, all the while looking down at him with disgust and speaking to him coldly and fearlessly. When Amycus spat on McGonagall's face, Harry Potter got very angry and hit him with the Cruciatus Curse. After the war, McGonagall sent the Carrows to [[Azkaban]].
−
McGonagall also seems to have had a good relationship with [[Lily Evans]], who was a [[Gryffindor]] at the time McGonagall taught Transfiguration. Lily was made a [[Prefect]] and later [[Head Boy|Head Girl]]; neither appointment would have happened if Lily's Head of House had not approved. McGonagall was devastated at the murder in 1981 of Lily and her husband James, both former members of her House and thus under her special care.
 
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[[File:OotP.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The original [[Order of the Phoenix]].]]
  
   
 
===Order of the Phoenix members===
  
===Order of the Phoenix members===
  +
[[File:Order of the Phoenix.png|250px|thumb|right|The original Order of the Phoenix]]
−
McGonagall had a good relationship with the most members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]]. Some of them included [[Nymphadora Tonks]], [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] and [[Alastor Moody]]. McGonagall and Tonks, like most people, were both devastated after Dumbledore's death. Tonks fought in several battles for the Order, but was killed by [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
  
  +
McGonagall had a good relationship with most members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]]. Some of them included [[Nymphadora Tonks]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], whom she appeared to be friendly with Kingsley. They fought Voldemort, along with [[Horace Slughorn]], and all of them survived the war.
   
−
Moody was appointed as [[Defence Against the Dark Arts|D.A.D.A.]] professor in [[1994]]. However, he was captured by [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr.]] and [[Peter Pettigrew]]; Barty Crouch was disguised as Moody and became the professor, as he wanted to send [[Harry Potter]] to Voldemort. McGonagall was very angry by Crouch's teaching methods, and shouted at him. It is possible that she had the same opinion of the real Moody, but Moody might have been friendly with McGonagall afterwards. He was killed by Voldemort during the [[Battle of the Seven Potters]].
 +
Other fellow member was [[Alastor Moody]], who was appointed as [[Defence Against the Dark Arts|DADA]] professor in 1994. However, he was captured by [[Bartemius Crouch Junior|Barty Crouch Jnr]] and [[Peter Pettigrew]]; Barty Crouch was disguised as Moody and became the professor, as he wanted to send [[Harry Potter]] to Voldemort. McGonagall was very angry by Crouch's teaching methods and shouted at him. It is possible that she had the same opinion of the real Moody, but Moody might have been friendly with McGonagall afterwards. He was killed by Voldemort during the [[Battle of the Seven Potters]].
   
  +
===Lord Voldemort===
−
She appeared to be friendly with Kingsley; she and Kingsley fought Voldemort, along with [[Horace Slughorn]], and all of them survived the war.
  
  +
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Minerva McGonagall|As I say, even if You-Know-Who has gone —|Albus Dumbledore|My dear Professor, surely a sensible person like yourself can call him by his name? All this 'You-Know-Who' nonsense — for eleven years I have been trying to persuade people to call him by his proper name: Voldemort. It all gets so confusing if we keep saying 'You-Know-Who.' I have never seen any reason to be frightened of saying Voldemort's name.|I know you haven't. But you're different. Everyone knows you're the only one You-Know- oh, all right, Voldemort, was frightened of.|Minerva and Albus Dumbledore discussing Voldemort in 1991|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  +
[[File:Voldemort Headshot DHP1.png|200px|thumb|left|Lord Voldemort, a hated and feared enemy]]
  +
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.<ref name="shortstories" /> 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.<ref name="PS" />
  +
  +
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.<ref name="DH" />
  +
  +
===Dolores Umbridge===
  +
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Minerva McGonagall|He has achieved high marks in all his [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] tests —|Dolores Umbridge|I'm terribly sorry to have to contradict you, Minerva, but as you will see from my note, Harry has been achieving very poor results in his classes with me —|I should have made my meaning plainer, He has achieved high marks in all Defence Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher.|Minerva insulting Dolores Umbridge|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
  +
[[File:Dolores Umbridge Deathly Hallows promotional image.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Dolores Umbridge, her enemy and former colleague]]
  +
Minerva disliked [[Dolores Umbridge]] right from the beginning when the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher began to invade Hogwarts with her [[Hogwarts High Inquisitor]] position and did everything she could in her power to circumvent Umbridge's authority without risking the loss of her job. She was the colleague whom she had more violently clashed with than any other colleague in her long and varied career. During Umbridge's inspections of McGonagall's class, Minerva tried for the most part to ignore Umbridge. This was difficult due to Umbridge's constant interruptions by means Umbridge's soft, girlish cough of "''Hem hem''". When forced to acknowledge Umbridge's presence, McGonagall treated her with a cold and harsh demeanour.<ref name="OOTP" />
  +
  +
Despite Umbridge having the power to put Minerva on probation or even sack her, Minerva was not afraid to show her disgust and hatred of Umbridge to the woman's face. Despite this, she understood that Umbridge had a lot of power and that she was reporting directly to [[Cornelius Fudge]], and so Minerva once warned [[Harry Potter]] to tread carefully around Umbridge. Even so, Minerva vehemently vouched for Harry during their [[Careers Advice|Career Advice]] session, claiming that she would coach him nightly if she had to in order to realise his dream of becoming an [[Auror]], after Umbridge's furious protests that Harry would never become one. After Umbridge fired [[Sybill Trelawney]] from her post as [[Divination]] teacher, Minerva even put aside her mild dislike of Sybill to focus even more on her hatred of Umbridge, indirectly stating that the latter's evaluation is incompetent and will not be taken into consideration.<ref name="OOTP" />
  +
  +
[[File:Disloyalty Minerva Dolores.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Dolores Umbridge arguing with Minerva McGonagall]]
  +
Even when Dolores took over Hogwarts, replacing [[Albus Dumbledore]] as Head of the school, Minerva continued to help undermine Umbridge's reign, preferring to watch her struggle with the chaos that was being caused by the students and [[Peeves]] (and sometimes even helping with it). When Minerva was attacked and sent to [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries|St Mungo's]], Dolores was pleased that she at last had complete control of Hogwarts. After she returned to Hogwarts, Minerva did nothing to curb the students' enthusiasm when Peeves chased Dolores from Hogwarts, only lamenting that she could not watch with them because the poltergeist had taken her walking stick to hit Dolores with as he followed her from the school.<ref name="OOTP" /> Umbridge returned to the Ministry in a high-ranking position and interrogated Muggle-borns, capturing them and imprisoning them to [[Azkaban]]. However, after the Second Wizarding War, Umbridge was captured by Aurors and sent to Azkaban herself, for the rest of her life.
  +
  +
Despite their hatred for each other, both McGonagall and Umbridge share the same [[Patronus Charm|Patronus]]: a cat, although McGonagall's resembled her Animagus form.
  +
  +
==Media==
  +
<gallery width="200" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
  +
File:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 - McGonagall sends the Slytherin students away (HD)|McGonagall Sends the Slytherins Away
  +
File:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 - ''Boom'' and Piertotum Locomotor scene (HD)|Hogwarts is Threatened
  +
</gallery>
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==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 School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]].
−
[[File:McGonagall'sWand.jpg|thumb|right]]
  
  +
*''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".
−
*''Minerva'' is the Roman name of Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, a name suitable for Minerva's personality. The name Minerva also means "wise."
  
−
*''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."
  
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
  +
[[File:MinervaMcGonagall WB F1 MinervaMcGonagallRobeIllustration Illust 080615 Port.jpg|150px|thumb|McGonagall as she appears on {{PM}}]]
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[[File:MinervaMcGonagall2.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Professor McGonagall.]]
  
  +
[[File:Minerva McGonagall - PAS.png|150px|thumb|Minerva McGonagall as seen in {{PAS}}]]
−
*McGonagall is portrayed by [[Great Britain|British]] <ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001749/bio</ref> actress Dame [[Maggie Smith]] in the [[Harry Potter films|film adaptations]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Chamber of Secrets]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|Prisoner of Azkaban]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Goblet of Fire]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Order of the Phoenix]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Half-Blood Prince]]'' and in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2|Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]''. Her [[Tabby Cat|tabby cat]] [[Animagus]] appearance is portrayed in the first instalment by [[Mrs. P. Head]].
  
  +
[[File:Mcgonagall pop.jpg|150px|thumb|Minerva as a [[POP! Vinyl]]]]
−
*From 2009 onwards, Maggie Smith is the oldest cast member in the series. Maggie Smith is also a year older than Minerva McGonagall, being born in 1934 and Minerva McGonagall being born in 1935.
  
  +
[[File:McGonagall Yule Ball pop vinyl.jpg|150px|thumb|Minerva McGonagall (in her [[Yule Ball]] robes) as a [[POP! Vinyl]]]]
−
*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.
  
  +
[[File:McGonagallCatPOP.jpeg|150px|thumb|Minerva McGonagall (in her [[Animagus]] [[cat]] form) as a [[POP! Vinyl]]]][[File:McGonagall.gif|150px|thumb|Minerva as a LEGO minifigure (old edition)]]
−
*In an interview after the publication of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', [[J. K. Rowling]] said that Hogwarts had a different Head by the time Harry Potter's children arrived in 2017, saying that Minerva was "getting on a bit".<ref>[http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2007/0726-today-vieira1.html JK Rowling One-On-One: Part One. Today Show (NBC), 26 July 2007]</ref>
  
  +
[[File:LEGO minifigure of Minerva McGonagall.png|150px|thumb|Minerva as a LEGO minifigure (2010 edition)]]
  +
[[File:LEGOMcGonagall.jpg|150px|thumb|Minerva as a LEGO minifigure (2018 edition)]]
  +
[[File:Minerva McGonagall 2020 LEGO minifigure.jpeg|150px|thumb|Minerva as a LEGO minifigure (2020 edition)]]
  +
*Minerva McGonagall is portrayed by [[Great Britain|British]]<ref name="IMDb1">{{IMDb name|0001749|Maggie Smith}}</ref> actress Dame [[Maggie Smith]] in the [[Harry Potter (film series)|film adaptations]] ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Chamber of Secrets]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|Prisoner of Azkaban]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Goblet of Fire]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Order of the Phoenix]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Half-Blood Prince]]'' and ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2|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]].
  +
*A younger Minerva McGonagall is portrayed by [[Fiona Glascott]] in {{COG}} and {{SOD}}.
  +
**Previously, on [[Harry Potter Wiki]] and [[Harry Potter Lexicon]], McGonagall's year of birth was calculated to be 1935 from her {{PM}} biography and {{OOTP|B|15}}, which reveals she began Hogwarts in December 1956 after working for the Ministry for two years immediately after graduation. This places her graduation in 1954, her first year in 1947, and her birth in 1935 (because of her October birthday, she was almost 12 when starting at Hogwarts). Furthermore, her {{PM}} piece states that she was a student of Dumbledore when he taught Transfiguration ("under the guidance of her inspirational Transfiguration teacher, Albus Dumbledore"). It also states that Dumbledore employed her when he was still Head of the Transfiguration department and that she worked under him when he was Head of the department ("offering her a job in the Transfiguration department, under Head of Department, Albus Dumbledore").
  +
***However, in {{COG}}, Albus and Minerva were presented as basically being a contemporary and Dumbledore taught Defence Against the Dark Arts first, meaning he couldn't have taught her Transfiguration. Hence, McGonagall's appearance in {{COG}} greatly upset certain fans and generated debates on the matter, as it retconned her previously given birth date. In order to force this retcon to work, she (and Dumbledore) have to switch back and forth implausibly in too short of a timeframe in their career, and it extensively ages [[Pomona Sprout]] (who had two overlapping school years with McGonagall) too. [[J. K. Rowling]] nor anyone else in the franchise have explained the change of McGonagall's birth date. Theories have included:
  +
****McGonagall's comments to [[Dolores Umbridge]] in {{OOTP}}, where she says she had been working at the school for "thirty-nine years" never specified that she taught those thirty-nine years ''consecutively'', which was the assumption for the calculation to work. This could mean Minerva had been teaching as Head of the [[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] Department for 39 years and not Hogwarts in general. In this case, it only contradicts Minerva's second statement that she had started as transfiguration professor "after working for the Ministry for two years immediately after graduation."<ref name="OOTP" />
  +
*****It is also possible that she took a break in her career at some point in her life like [[Horace Slughorn]] or she was in fact outright lying to Dolores Umbridge about her real length of employment at Hogwarts.
  +
****There is also the possibility that there was another, older Scottish witch of the same name who also taught at Hogwarts before the birth of Minerva who appears in the Harry Potter books and films, although it would be unlikely that the two are related as the latter inherited her surname from her Muggle father.<ref name="shortstories" />
  +
****Another possible theory is the idea of [[Time-Turner|time travel]] as this concept has been explored in {{CC}}, where [[Albus Potter|Albus Severus Potter]] and [[Scorpius Malfoy]] get stranded in the [[1981]] timeline but were successfully able to summon their parents back from the [[2020|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 [[Global wizarding war|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 [[Harry Potter's blanket|similar manner]] like what was used by Albus Severus to summon [[Harry Potter|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.
  
*[[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 an early draft of the first book, she was called "Madam McGonagle".
  
  +
*In the film adaptations, there 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".
−
*McGonagall is a playable character in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)]]''.
  
  +
*In {{POA|FA}} 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 [[Cadogan|Sir Cadogan]].
−
*After [[Albus Dumbledore]] is promoted to [[Headmaster]], she takes his place as [[Transfiguration]] teacher. Interestingly, after Dumbledore's [[death]], she is promoted to Headmistress.
  
  +
*In {{HBP|FA}} 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|Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]'', after casting ''[[Piertotum Locomotor]]'', Minerva excitedly says to Molly Weasley, "''I've always wanted to use that spell!''"
  
  +
*In {{DH|F2}}, 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|Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]'', before the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], she tells [[Filius Flitwick]] not be afraid to say [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]]'s name, because he will try to kill him either way. Also before the Battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall duels Snape with what appears to be the [[Blasting Curse]], defeating Amycus and Alecto Carrow before Snape Disapparates.
  
  +
*In {{DH|F2}}, before the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], she tells [[Filius Flitwick]] not be afraid to say [[Tom Riddle|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 the film adaptations, it seems to be a recurring gag to have Minerva McGonagall 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".
  
  +
*Minerva is partly inspired by [[J. K. Rowling]]'s inspirational English teacher Lucy Shepherd, who taught her what a good book looks like.
−
*Minerva McGonagall and [[Dolores Umbridge]] share the same [[Patronus]], a [[cat]].
  
  +
*In an early draft of the first book, she was called "Madam McGonagle".{{Fact}}
−
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'', Professor McGonagall can't enter the Gryffindor Common Room. Despite the fact she is the head of the house and she was in Gryffindor House while student at Hogwarts.
  
  +
*Minerva was the first Animagus introduced in canon.
−
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]'', McGonagall did not bring the [[Suit of armour|suits of armour]] to life to help in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
  
  +
*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.
−
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]'', before casting the protective enchantments around the castle, McGonagall asked Harry for flowers.
  
  +
*In an interview after the publication of {{DH}}, [[J. K. Rowling]] had stated that Hogwarts had [[Marazion|a different Head]] by the time Harry Potter's children arrived in 2017, saying that Minerva was "getting on a bit".<ref>[http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2007/0726-today-vieira1.html JK Rowling One-On-One: Part One. Today Show (NBC), 26 July 2007]</ref> Her stance was eventually changed, as with the release of {{CC}}, Minerva is shown to still be active as of [[Albus Potter]]'s time at Hogwarts.<ref name="CC41" />
  +
*Minerva McGonagall and [[Dolores Umbridge]] share the same [[Patronus Charm|Patronus]], a [[cat]].
  +
*McGonagall is a playable character in {{DH|GA2}}.
  +
*In {{LEGO|Y1}}, Professor McGonagall can't enter the Gryffindor common room despite the fact she is the head of the house and she was in Gryffindor House during her studency at Hogwarts.
  +
*In {{LEGO|Y2}}, she isn't shown [[Piertotum Locomotor|bringing]] the [[Suit of armour|suits of armour]] to life to help in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. Also in this game, before casting the protective enchantments around the castle before the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], she asks Harry for flowers.
  +
*Professor McGonagall appears as Headmistress in the video game {{MA}}, in which she is voiced by American actress [[Susanne Blakeslee]].<ref name="IMDb2">{{IMDb name|0086840|Susanne Blakeslee}}</ref>
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
−
[[File:Maggie_Smith_HP_interview_01.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Maggie Smith]] in a role Professor McGonagall in the film [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]].]]
  
 
{{Imagecat|Images of Minerva McGonagall}}
  
{{Imagecat|Images of Minerva McGonagall}}
  +
*{{PS}} {{1st}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
  
  +
*{{PS|F}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''
  
  +
*{{PS|G}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]''
  
  +
*{{COS}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''
  
  +
*{{COS|F}}
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''
  
  +
*{{COS|G}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)]]'' {{Comment|Appears on the collectible card}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]''
  
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*{{DH|G2}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)]]''
  
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*{{CC}}
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*''[[The Tales of Beedle the Bard]]'' {{Mention}}
  
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*{{CC|P}}
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World]]''
  
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*{{COG|S}}
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World]]''
  
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*{{COG}}
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*''[[Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup]]''
  
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*{{SOD}}
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
  
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*{{TBB|R}} {{Mention}}
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*''[[Pottermore]]''
  
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*{{TCG}}
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==Notes and references==
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{{Reflist}}
 
{{Start box}}
  
{{Start box}}
 
{{Succession box
  
{{Succession box
 
|predecessor=[[Albus Dumbledore]]
  
|predecessor=[[Albus Dumbledore]]
 
|position=[[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] Professor at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]
  
|position=[[Transfiguration (class)|Transfiguration]] Professor at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]
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|years=[[1950s|1956]]–[[1998]]
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|years=?–[[1998]]
 
|successor=Unknown
  
|successor=Unknown
 
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|predecessor=Unknown, eventually [[Godric Gryffindor]]
  
|predecessor=Unknown, eventually [[Godric Gryffindor]]
 
|position=[[Head of Gryffindor House]]
  
|position=[[Head of Gryffindor House]]
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|years=Before [[1971]]–[[1998]]
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|years=before [[1970]]<ref>She was head of Gryffindor House when Harry's parents were at Hogwarts and they started in 1970, so she must have become head of Gryffindor House sometime before that date.</ref> - [[1998]]
  
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|successor=Unknown
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|successor=Unknown, eventually [[Neville Longbottom]]
 
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|predecessor=[[Severus Snape]]
  
|predecessor=[[Severus Snape]]
 
|position=Headmistress of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]
  
|position=Headmistress of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]
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|years=[[1998]]– after 2008/before 2017
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|years=[[1998]]–at least [[2020]]
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|successor=Unknown
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}}
  
}}
 
{{Succession box
  
{{Succession box
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|predecessor=Unknown
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|predecessor=Unknown, eventually [[Matilda Weasley]]
 
|position=Deputy Headmistress of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]]
  
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{{Hogwarts}}
 
{{Staff}}
  
{{Staff}}
 
{{Transfiguration}}
  
{{Transfiguration}}
 
{{Order of the Phoenix}}
  
{{Order of the Phoenix}}
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{{Dumbledore's first army}}
 
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{{Head boys and prefects}}
 
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Latest revision as of 02:25, 10 April 2024

Hand pointing right transparent Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

GSnitch
Time turner

"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[src]

Professor Minerva McGonagall, O.M. (First Class),[14] (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.

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 Aurors 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.[10]

Quick Answers

What is subject does Professor McGonagall teach at Hogwarts? toggle section
Professor McGonagall teaches Transfiguration, a core subject and one of the most complex and dangerous types of magic taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It involves changing the form and appearance of an object or a person. Professor McGonagall believed Transfiguration to be more elegant and superior to other types of magic. In her class, students practiced actual transfigurations and sometimes, accidents resulted in partial transfigurations. She also taught the concept of a wizard using a combination of wandless and non-verbal magic to change themselves back into a human, adding another layer of complexity to the subject.
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What house was Professor McGonagall in during her time at Hogwarts? toggle section
Professor Minerva McGonagall was in Gryffindor house during her time at Hogwarts. Not only was she a member of Gryffindor, but she also served as the Head of Gryffindor House during Harry Potter's time at the school.
Provided by: Fandom
What is the role of Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series? toggle section
Professor Minerva McGonagall plays a pivotal role in the series. She is the first magical character introduced in the books, appearing in her Animagus form, and the second magical character introduced in the films following Albus Dumbledore. As a key figure at Hogwarts, she is often seen guiding and mentoring students, including Harry Potter himself. Her character is known for her stern yet caring nature, and her expertise in Transfiguration.
Provided by: Community
What does the title 'O.M. (First Class)' given to Professor McGonagall stand for? toggle section
The 'O.M. (First Class)' in Professor McGonagall's name stands for 'Order of Merlin, First Class'. This is an award bestowed upon wizards and witches who have achieved great things for the wizarding world. It's the wizarding world's equivalent to the Order of the British Empire, with three different award levels: First Class, Second Class, and Third Class. Professor McGonagall, being a prominent figure in the Harry Potter series, was awarded the First Class for her significant contributions.
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Biography

Early life

Minerva McGonagall was born on 4 October of an unknown year to Robert McGonagall, a Muggle Presbyterian minister, and his wife Isobel Ross, a witch. She was the couple's first child and was named after her mother's grandmother, a very powerful witch. By then, her parents lived on the outskirts of Caithness in the Scottish Highlands, in a village where mostly Muggles lived.[1]

Her birth proved both a joy and a crisis: Isobel had given up the use of her magic for her love of Robert and never told him about her nature as she was afraid to mar the bliss of their wedding. However, the infant Minerva displayed small but noticeable signs of magic from her earliest hours. She had no control of her magic and thus 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 which would cause her to chuckle happily. Thus, Isobel often secluded herself with Minerva for days at a time. She knew she must confess to her husband about their daughter's wizarding abilities and so she finally did, explaining everything to Robert and telling him that they were bound by the International Statute of Secrecy and that they must conceal the truth about their magical abilities for their safety.[1]

The two parents remained together despite the shocking revelation, but their trust never was the same, much to the sadness of their perceptive daughter. She later had two brothers, Malcolm and Robert Jnr, who revealed magical ability in due course. As a child, Minerva helped her mother conceal from her father the accidents and embarrassments the young witch's magic sometimes caused. She was very close to her Muggle father, whom in temperament she resembled more than her mother.[1]

On Minerva's eleventh birthday, Minerva received her admittance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, at the time headed by Professor Armando Dippet. Before coming to the school, she visited Diagon Alley and purchased her wand from Ollivander's Wand Shop. The wand she selected was an unusual specimen, 9 and a half inches, fir and dragon heartstring. Now free to be with her kind and to exercise her talents, Minerva saw how her mother sobbed that day, not only out of pride, but also out of envy.[1]

Hogwarts years

At the age of eleven, Minerva attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. During her Sorting, she proved to be a hatstall: the Sorting Hat spent five and a half minutes wavering between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw before deciding to place her in the former. Minerva's school career overlapped by two years with that of Pomona Sprout, and the two students enjoyed an excellent relationship, both then and in later years.[1]

Minerva was quickly recognised as the most outstanding student of her year with a particular talent for Transfiguration. By the end of her education at Hogwarts, she had achieved an impressive record: top grades in O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, Prefect, Head Girl, and winner of the Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer award. Under the guidance of her inspirational Transfiguration teacher, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva had managed to become an Animagus; her animal form, with its distinctive markings (tabby cat, square spectacles markings around eyes) were duly logged in the Ministry of Magic's Animagus Registry.[1]

Minerva played for Gryffindor Quidditch team in her student years, in which she proved to be gifted. However, she suffered a nasty fall in her final year: a foul during the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match which would decide the Quidditch Cup winner. This event left her with a concussion, several broken ribs, and a lifelong desire to see Slytherin crushed on the Quidditch pitch.[1]

Early heartbreak

YoungMcGonagall

A younger Minerva McGonagall

After graduating from Hogwarts, Minerva was offered a position at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement of the British Ministry of Magic. She returned to her family's manse to spend one last summer with her family before moving to London. During these months an eighteen-years old Minerva met Dougal McGregor. McGregor was a local Muggle, who was the handsome, clever, and funny son of a local farmer.

The two shared a sense of humour, argued fiercely, and suspected mysterious depths in each other. Minerva fell head-over-heels in love with McGregor, being the first and only time in her life that she might have been said to lose her head. Eventually, McGregor proposed to Minerva on a ploughed field and she accepted his offer.[1]

That night, however, Minerva was unable to tell her parents of her engagement. Thinking about her future, she realised that wedding a Muggle who didn't know that she was a witch would mean Minerva would follow her mother's footsteps and live unhappily with her wand locked away, shredding all of her ambitions. Early next morning, Minerva went to tell McGregor she had changed her mind and could not marry him, aware that if she broke the International Statute of Secrecy and told him why, she would lose the job at the Ministry for which she was giving him up. She could give him no good reason for her change of heart, leaving McGregor devastated and left for London three days later. These months were to prove some of the most difficult of Minerva's life.[1]

Early career at Hogwarts (1910s–1945)

Though her feelings for the Ministry of Magic were affected by the fact that she had recently suffered an emotional crisis, Minerva didn't much enjoy her home in London and workplace, where some of her co-workers had an ingrained anti-Muggle bias. Given her adoration of her Muggle father and continuing love for Dougal, she deplored these ideas. Despite this, Minerva was among the most efficient, gifted employees in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and became fond of her much older boss, Elphinstone Urquart. After two years at the Ministry, she was offered a prestigious promotion, yet found herself turning it down as she missed her home in Scotland.[1]

YoungMinerva

Minerva in her earlier years as a Professor

Instead, Minerva sent an owl to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, asking whether she might be considered for a teaching post. The owl returned within hours, offering her a job in the Transfiguration department, under Head of Department, Albus Dumbledore. Through her efforts and work, Minerva proved to be a strict yet inspirational teacher, maintaining control of her students with a stern hand that made her someone not to be crossed.[1]

By this time, Minerva was shocked to learn from her oblivious mother (in the middle of a chatty letter of local news) that Dougal had married the daughter of another farmer. Albus discovered his former student and colleague in tears in her classroom late that evening, and she confessed the whole story to him. He offered both comfort and told Minerva some of his own family history, previously unknown to her. The confidences exchanged that night between were to form the basis of a lasting friendship.[1]

Sometime in the 1910s, among her first students were Newt Scamander and Leta Lestrange, the latter of whom was frequently in trouble with Minerva for magically retaliating against vicious gossip about her half-brother's death by hexing her peers. A notable example of this is when Leta sealed shut the mouth of a fellow student during her third year after the other girl had been speaking ill of her behind her back. Minerva was called upon to fix the situation, but Leta ran from her and Minerva was forced to chase her around the school, all the while docking points (Minerva ended up docking a total of 200 points). When she couldn't find her, Minerva removed the spell from the girl but promptly restored it with an irritated "Whisht!" when the girl continued to badmouth Leta.[15]

Global wizarding war (1927–1945)

The Secrets of Dumbledore - Heroes

Minerva behind Newt's army in the Great Hall

During Gellert Grindelwald's rise to power, in 1927, Minerva stayed a close confidant to Dumbledore. She was quite critical of the Ministry of Magic's involvement at Hogwarts and was furious when Torquil Travers and a team of Aurors interrupted Dumbledore's Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson, protesting that this was "a school". However, her protests fell on deaf ears and she was forced to escort the students from the classroom.[15]

In 1932, Minerva went to the Hog's Head Inn and alerted Albus to Anton Vogel's decision to absolve Grindelwald's crimes. After Dumbledore's first army returned to Hogwarts from their first missions, Minerva watched them in the Great Hall while Albus showed the rest a sculpture of the Eyrie where they were heading.[16]

Proposal & Head of Transfiguration (1950s–1970)

Minerva remained close friends with her former boss in the Ministry, Elphinstone. During one visit sometime in between 1956 and the 1980s he proposed marriage to Minerva at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Surprised, embarrassed, and still in love with Dougal, she declined. However, the two still remained in contact for years.[1]

Later on in her career, Minerva rose to the position of Head of the Transfiguration department. Her lessons consisted of but were not limited to match to needle, animal to water goblet, beetle to button, and mouse to snuffbox transformations, as well as Switching Spells, Vanishing, and Conjuring. Furthermore, Minerva was appointed the position of Head of Gryffindor House, the house in which she used to reside whilst studying at Hogwarts. After he became Headmaster, Dumbledore would later on in his career also trust her enough to allow her to become Deputy Headmistress of the school and fill in for him on the occasions of his absence.[1]

First Wizarding War (1970–1981)

Minerva McGonagall: "Oh yes, everyone's celebrating, all right. You'd think they'd be a bit more careful, but no – even the Muggles have noticed something's going on. It was on their news. I heard it. Flocks of owls ... shooting stars ... Well, they're not completely stupid. They were bound to notice something. Shooting stars down in Kent – I'll bet that was Dedalus Diggle. He never had much sense."
Albus Dumbledore: "You can't blame them, We've had precious little to celebrate for eleven years."
Minerva McGonagall: "I know that, but that's no reason to lose our heads. People are being downright careless, out on the streets in broad daylight, not even dressed in Muggle clothes, swapping rumours."
— McGonagall's reaction to the wizarding world's celebration of Voldemort's downfall[src]

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 Aurors crucial information on the activities of Voldemort's followers.[14]

Lily Sorted

Minerva placing the Sorting Hat on Lily Evans

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; 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.[14]

Concurrently, as the war raged outside the castle walls, the school was plagued by a series of curses inadvertently unleashed by one of the students, Jacob, who began to meddle with the five fabled Cursed Vaults. Like the rest of the faculty, Professor McGonagall did everything she could to protect the students, although they were ultimately unable to prevent the injury of several students and the death of a Slytherin student named Duncan Ashe; this all led to Jacob's expulsion.

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[src]
BumbleboreMcGeegeeHARRY

Minerva and Dumbledore delivering Harry to the Dursleys' home

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.[3]

Between the wars (1981–1995)

Transfiguration class1

McGonagall teaching a second-year Transfiguration class

After the First Wizarding War had ended, Minerva continued on with her career at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, carrying on teaching the art of Transfiguration. Elphinstone, who had never ceased to love her, proposed every now and then until she finally accepted after Dougal's death. Their engagement happened during a summertime stroll around the lake in the Hogwarts grounds. The retired Elphinstone bought a small cottage for the two of them in Hogsmeade, whence Minerva could travel easily to work every day. Although the couple had no children, her nieces and nephews visited often. This was a period of great fulfilment for Minerva.

In 1985, three years into their marriage, Elphinstone died from a Venomous Tentacula bite.[1] Minerva, who couldn't bear to remain alone in their cottage, packed her things after her husband's funeral and returned to her first-floor study in Hogwarts Castle. It is unknown whether she still owns the cottage. Always a brave and private person, Minerva poured all her energies into her work and few people – excepting perhaps Albus – ever realised how much she suffered.

Icy corridor

McGonagall sees the cursed ice in the corridor

During the second year of Jacob's sibling, when Ben Copper when missing, they asked Minerva about it as she was the Head of the Gryffindor House. She first asked if Jacob's sibling had seen him in the Hogwarts Express and if he had been acting strange and after learning that they didn't but Penny Haywood did and Ben seemed fine even though he was always a bit odd. She mentioned that the Cursed ice may have changed Ben and slightly chastised Jacob's sibling for their attempt to enter the Cursed Vault, asking them if they had learnt anything that said of a threat beyond the door and appealed to them that this involved all of Hogwarts, not just Jacob.

Learning that they had found and read a message about an Ice Knight and Vanished Stairs, Minerva said she will discuss this with Dumbledore and accidentally revealed that she and the other teachers had once dealt with the Cursed Ice, which she quickly covered by telling Jacob's sibling that he is free to help in the search of Ben and ask for him to tell her personally should he succeed, promising to reward him.[17]

McGonagall trying to save Ben from the cursed ice

McGonagall saving Ben Cooper from the cured ice

McGonagall and Snape eventually found the missing Ben Copper encased in Cursed ice and Jacob's Sibling and Rowan realised she knew more about the Cursed Ice than she revealed. Minerva was perplexed that the Knockback Jinx had no effect on the ice, noting on how they once could use it to shatter the ice, and even more so when Snape callously suggested they use Incendio to melt the ice while also burning him to death, as she realised from how the Cursed Ice had began to expand throughout the school that someone had been tampering with the Vaults. Ignoring Snape's frustrated questioning of Dumbledore's whereabouts, Minerva and Snape used the Fire-Making Spell to successfully free Ben from the Cursed Ice, taking care to target as further as possible from his body.[18]

Knowing Minerva was the only one left in the school with Dumbledore gone that could possibly teach them the Revelio Charm, Jacob's sibling turned to her to learn the spell. At first Minerva was baffled due to how advanced the charm was but ultimately agreed to teach them if they proved themselves sufficiently adept, impressed by their desire to help Hogwarts and study Transfiguration. Finding their abilities to have reached the level required in the class, Minerva called them to have their private lesson and after Jacob's sibling successfully learned Revelio, Minerva congratulated them and noted the usefulness of the spell.[19]

After learning that Bill Weasley had taught Jacob's sibling the Fire-Making Spell, Minerva was furious and scolded him heavily.[20]

Protecting the Philosopher's Stone

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be Sorted into your houses."
— Minerva McGonagall introducing the first-year students of 1991 to Hogwarts[src]
McGonagall students

McGonagall welcoming first-year students to Hogwarts

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.[3]

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Minerva directing students during the Sorting Ceremony

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.[3]

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.[3]

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McGonagall chastising Harry and Ron for being late to class

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.[3]

Transfiguration homework

McGonagall being informed of the trio's suspicions someone was going to steal the Stone

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. Harshly 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.[3]

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.[3]

The second opening of the Chamber of Secrets

McGonagall: "What does this mean, Albus?"
Albus Dumbledore: "It means that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again."
— The opening of the Chamber is confirmed after finding Colin Creevey petrified[src]

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.[21]

Harry-potter2-professors

McGonagall and other members of staff discover the declaration

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.[21]

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.[21]

"All students to return to their House dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please."
— Minerva's emergency announcement[src]
Hogwarts staff COSF

The professors moments after Ginny Weasley was kidnapped by the monster

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.[21]

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McGonagall at the End-of-Term Feast celebrating the end of the Chamber of Secrets

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.[21]

Escape of Sirius Black

Minerva McGonagall: "Sir Cadogan, did you just let a man enter Gryffindor Tower?"
Sir Cadogan: " Certainly, good lady!"
Minerva McGonagall: "You — you did? But — but the password!"
Sir Cadogan: "He had 'em! Had the whole week's, my lady! Read 'em off a little piece of paper!"
Minerva McGonagall: "Which person, which abysmally foolish person wrote down this week's passwords and left them lying around?"
— Minerva's shock at Sirius Black entering the castle[src]

The summer of 1993 also saw the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban. When the school year began in September, Minerva had to deal with the effects that the Dementors had on her students, such as Harry Potter. She also authorised Hermione Granger to use a Time-Turner in order to take extra classes, a decision that would prove more useful in future events that year. This year at Hogwarts would prove to be another difficult year with Dementors guarding the castle, though they were forbidden from entering the grounds properly by Dumbledore. Minerva heartily approved of this, as she despised the foul creatures.[22]

At the start of the year, when McGonagall demonstrated her Animagus form to her first class, she notes how quiet they were, as every class she demonstrated it to prior clapped. When Hermione explained about their first Divination, McGonagall understood and asked her class which of them would be dying this year. Harry Potter raised his hand. McGonagall assured him that Sybill Trelawney's predictions were a way of greeting her class and that no deaths of any students have occurred yet. To further put him at ease, she demonstrated one of her rare glimmerings of humour by stating that she still expected him to do his homework, but if he did die then she would excuse his not handing it in.[22]

Gryffindor common room 1993

Professor McGonagall and the residents of Gryffindor Tower in the common room after Sirius Black's break-in

Throughout the year, Minerva assisted in guarding the school, yet nonetheless Black was able to infiltrate the castle. After Black had attacked the Fat Lady, McGonagall tried to tell Harry that Black was after him, but was cut off by Harry, who told her that Mr Weasley had told him, before she could explain. Later in the year, Minerva was summoned to Gryffindor Tower when Ron Weasley claimed to have been attacked by Black. She initially dismissed him as Black could not have possibly got in without the password (unaware that Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, befriended by Sirius and gave him a discarded list of passwords).

McGonagall was rendered speechless when the new guardian, Sir Cadogan, confirmed that he had indeed let him in because he had the passwords written down. When Neville Longbottom admitted to having written the passwords down, McGonagall banned him from future Hogsmeade visits for the rest of the year, gave him a detention, forbade anyone to give him the password into Gryffindor Tower and wrote to his grandmother. As a result, Neville received a Howler from her during breakfast.[22]

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Harry receives a Firebolt for Christmas that is soon confiscated by McGonagall

When Harry received a Firebolt following the destruction of his Nimbus 2000, McGonagall had it confiscated to be "examined" because she believed it to have been sent by Black (and correctly so), and therefore lethally cursed (which was incorrect). This incident caused Harry and Hermione to have a row, because Hermione had alerted Minerva about the Firebolt. It was returned to him later after having been declared safe. During the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw, Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, and Marcus Flint posed as Dementors to sabotage Harry's performance, only to get struck down when Harry reflexively cast a Patronus Charm at them. Utterly furious at this downright trickery, she deducted fifty points from Slytherin and put the quartet in detention.[22]

Harry Potter Pottermore Harry Holding Quidditch Cup In A Crowd Moment

Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup in 1994

In the spring of 1994, though disgusted by the Slytherin Quidditch team's dirty tactics during the final Quidditch match after witnessing Draco Malfoy grab onto the end of Harry's Firebolt to stop him from catching the Golden Snitch (which infuriated her to the point where she stopped telling Lee Jordan off and actually joined him in firing furious comments at Malfoy), she witnessed the Gryffindor Quidditch team win the Quidditch Cup for the first time since Charlie Weasley had played for the team during his Hogwarts education. McGonagall was delighted by Gryffindor's victory, openly sobbing — even louder than the already sobbing Oliver Wood — into a Gryffindor Flag, but was upset to see Oliver Wood leaving. Later on in the year, three students from her house — Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger — would run into trouble when Sirius Black returned to Hogwarts.[22]

Triwizard Tournament

"The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to — er — let our hair down. But that does NOT mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."
— McGonagall introducing the Yule Ball[src]

In the autumn of 1994, Hogwarts hosted the magical schools, the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and the Durmstrang Institute for the Triwizard Tournament. Harry Potter was selected as a Triwizard Champion, despite being under age and McGonagall worried for his safety after having looked after him for so many years. Minerva pleaded with Dumbledore and Crouch to withdraw Harry from the tournament, as the tournament was highly dangerous. But withdrawing would go against the rules of the tournament and Potter had to continue on, as there was a binding magical contract in place.[23]

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McGonagall attending the Yule Ball and dancing with Dumbledore

During the year Minerva more than once exhorted her students to provide a good appearance to their guests at the castle. She attended the Yule Ball with Albus Dumbledore and notably wore her hair down for the first time since Harry started his education at Hogwarts. While at the Ball, Minerva danced with both Ludovic Bagman and Dumbledore, among others. In the case of the former, Harry Potter noticed Bagman kiss Minerva's hand once they had finished dancing.[23]

Minerva loaned her classroom to Harry, Ron and Hermione so they could practise spells for Harry's preparation for the Third Task. She did this after having walked in on them practising so many times around the school. At the end of the Tournament, Minerva accompanied Dumbledore and Severus Snape in the rescue of Harry Potter from the Death Eater that had spent the entire school year impersonating the Auror Alastor Moody, that year's DADA professor.[23]

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McGonagall was present while Snape presented his newly activated Dark Mark

She was instructed to guard Crouch Jnr after he revealed his part in the rebirth of Voldemort but was unable to prevent the Dementor brought by Minister Cornelius Fudge from giving the Death Eater the Dementor's Kiss. She was intensely furious at Fudge for this blunder, and severely shaken from having witnessed the unspeakably horrible act, screaming more than Harry had ever seen before. Thus, when the Minister refused to believe Dumbledore and Harry Potter about the return of Voldemort, Minerva nonetheless stood in support of her superior and her student. In the return of the Dark Lord, Hufflepuff student Cedric Diggory was carelessly murdered and a memorial feast was held at the end of the school year. The Second Wizarding War had now begun, despite the Ministry trying to hush up any claims of this.[23]

Second Wizarding War (1995–1998)

"Well, I think Potter and his friends ought to have fifty points apiece for alerting the world to the return of You-Know-Who! What say you, Professor Snape?"
— McGongall openly addressing Voldemort's return to power[src]
Order of the Pheonix

Minerva joining the Order of the Phoenix

Once the Second Wizarding War had begun, Minerva joined the Order of the Phoenix and spent much of the summer of 1995 doing work for the Order. She would come and go from 12 Grimmauld Place wearing a Muggle dress rather than her robes, which Harry thought made her look odd. Though these duties took up much of her time, Minerva would face even greater challenges at Hogwarts.

Because Dumbledore was unable to find a new professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts, the Ministry of Magic appointed Dolores Umbridge, a senior Ministry official and stout supporter of Fudge, to the Hogwarts staff. Minerva saw this appointment as an affront to the school itself and did little to hide her disgust.[12]

High Inquisitor at Hogwarts

"I wonder how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."
— Professor McGonagall to Dolores Umbridge during her inspection[src]
Disloyalty Minerva Dolores

Minerva arguing with Dolores Umbridge over Umbridge's methods of punishment

When Harry Potter crossed Umbridge, earning a detention in his first class with her, Minerva was sympathetic but warned him that Umbridge was not to be trifled with and that he should keep his head down. McGonagall did all she could to circumvent Umbridge's authority without risking her own security as Deputy Headmistress. Indeed, she treated Umbridge with as little credence and respect as possible while Hogwarts was under investigation by the Ministry of Magic and even gave Peeves tips on how to unscrew a chandelier when he was trying to cause havoc for Umbridge. McGonagall also managed to put aside her dislike of Professor Trelawney for a time in the face of Umbridge's persecution of Hogwarts' inhabitants. It is shown she brings Trelawney back to Hogwarts after Umbridge dismissed her.[12]

After Umbridge's appointment as High Inquisitor, Minerva was forced to endure the other woman's presence during her evaluation of Minerva's teaching. Minerva kept her temper under control, maintaining an icy exterior and yet still unleashed a dry and pointed wit on Umbridge. The encounter did serve to cheer students like Ron Weasley who heartily disliked Umbridge; Ron even expressed delight at the prospect of seeing Minerva's classes inspected, remarking that "Umbridge won't know what's hit her". Still, darker times lay ahead.[12]

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An anxious Minerva brings Harry to Dumbledore's Office following his vision of Arthur Weasley's attack

Despite Minerva's best efforts to thwart the Ministry's influence at Hogwarts, things continued to grow worse. After Harry's resistance group was discovered by Umbridge, Minerva was present in Dumbledore's office when Harry was brought in. When Umbridge revealed that anti-Muggle prankster Willy Widdershins had provided her with testimony that Harry was forming this rebel group, Minerva loudly voiced that she had wondered why he had managed to avoid prosecution for all his regurgitating toilet charges, joined in her vocal outrage by the portrait of Headmaster Dexter Fortescue.[12]

Dumbledore managed to save Harry by taking credit for the student organisation, which led to Fudge announcing his intention to arrest him and actually attempted to have him taken by force, sneering at the idea of Dumbledore taking on him and the others single-handed. Minerva, loyal to her mentor and friend, loudly declared that he wouldn't be single-handed and actually made to draw her wand, fully prepared to duel the Minister for Magic himself. She only stood down on Dumbledore's direct orders, as Hogwarts would need her.[12]

Dolores Umbridge and Minerva McGonagall arguing OOTPF

Umbridge is chosen as Headmistress over McGonagall

After Dumbledore escaped arrest, Umbridge was appointed Headmistress over Minerva, but had virtually no support. When Umbridge invaded the career advising of the 5th-year students, Minerva finally lost her temper. During Harry Potter's session, when Umbridge kept interrupting the conversation and declaring that Harry would never be an Auror at the Ministry, Minerva declared to Harry that she would help him in any way necessary to achieve his goal, even if it was the last thing she ever did. The atmosphere at Hogwarts continued to devolve under Umbridge's leadership.[12]

St Mungo's Hospital

McGonagall: "How dare you! How dare you!"
Hermione Granger : "It's McGonagall!"
McGonagall: "Leave him alone! Alone, I say! On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such —"
— McGonagall defending Hagrid moments before she's attacked[src]
Minerva wheelchair

A wheelchair bound McGonagall reading about the Battle of the Department of Mysteries

During the O.W.L. examinations, events came to a head. When Dolores Umbridge and several Aurors attempted to evict Hagrid from the grounds of Hogwarts, Minerva sought to intervene on behalf of her colleague. Charging out of the castle, she shouted at the Aurors to leave Hagrid alone. However, before she could even draw her wand, Minerva was promptly hit with four Stunning Spells in the chest, which required that she be moved from Hogwarts Hospital Wing to St Mungo's for treatment.[12]

Hagrid was so enraged and disgusted by this attack that he attacked two of her attackers before fleeing, furiously denouncing them as cowards, while Madam Pomfrey said that it would be very difficult for Minerva to be hit in broad daylight. She would have resigned in protest because of this cowardly attack if the students' well-being was not placed as her priority. Many students were also outraged with this attack, to the point of ignoring their Astronomy exam and even the proctor Professor Tofty expressed aloud his fury.[12]

Return to Hogwarts

"Well, I think Potter and his friends ought to have fifty points apiece for alerting the world to the return of You-Know-Who — that's fifty each for Potter, the two Weasleys, Longbottom and Miss Granger. Oh — and fifty for Miss Lovegood, I suppose."
— McGonagall rewards the participants of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries[src]
Professor McGonagall HBPF

Minerva going over schedules with the sixth years in 1996

Minerva didn't return to Hogwarts until after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. After being released from the hospital, she required the aid of a walking stick for several days. Upon her return to the school, she promptly gave the six students involved in the Battle at the Ministry 50 house points each for "alerting the world to the return of You-Know-Who", in response to Snape needling Harry about Gryffindor having 0 house points.[12] She also watched with some happiness when Peeves chased Umbridge from the school, commenting that she would've joined Peeves in chasing Dolores away in the school grounds, but Peeves had appropriated her walking stick.[12]

1996–1997 school year

Having resumed her duties within the Order of the Phoenix as well as her other responsibilities at school when the new year began after summer,[12] rarly in the term, Minerva was responsible for the distribution of schedules among the the sixth year N.E.W.T. students.[24]

Silver and Opals

Professors Snape and McGonagall examining a cursed necklace

Minerva was present after Katie Bell was cursed by the Opal Necklace. After Harry ran off to find someone to aid Katie, he bumped into Hagrid and led him back to the group. After learning the nature of the event Hagrid carried Katie to the castle, accompanied by Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Leanne. While in the castle Minerva appeared and asked Harry what he was holding in his hand, it was the necklace wrapped in his scarf.

She then proceeded to hand over the necklace to Professor Snape, through the Caretaker Argus Filch and questioned the the trio and Leanne on what they witnessed. Harry told her his theory that it was Draco Malfoy that gave Katie the necklace, but she scorned the theory and dismissed them. Snape was able to stop the curse from spreading any further, but Katie was taken to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, where she spent much of that year recovering from the effects of the curse.[24]

Battle of the Astronomy Tower
"Professor McGonagall had risen to her feet, the mournful hum in the Great Hall died away at once."
— McGonagall at Albus Dumbledore's funeral[src]
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The Dark Mark symbolising the invasion over the Astronomy Tower

On 30 June, 1997, Minerva and the other teachers was informed by Professor Dumbledore that he would be leaving the school for a few hours, and instructed them to patrol the corridors as a safety precaution, and that they would be joined by Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks and Bill Weasley. Mindful of the stringent security measures that had been put in place in light of the Return of Lord Voldemort, it seemed impossible that any intruder could bypass the protective enchantments surrounding the school, and indeed, even as she began with her sentry duty, nothing seemed amiss until the sudden arrival of Ron, Ginny and Neville near mindnight, who explained that they had just come from the seventh-floor corridor, where a number of unknown individuals had just emerged from the Room of Requirement, hidden under the cover of Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder.[24]

Within minutes of this happening, Minerva, Filius Flitwick, and the two trios of students and Order members discovered that group of no less than six Death Eaters heading in the direction of the Astronomy Tower and, having immediately chase and thereby forced them to scatter, they were all quickly engaged in a fierce skirmish to try and stop the trespassers: Although they were greater in numbers, the Death Eaters they fought were relentless, cursed-to-kill and seemingly prepared to duel to the death, and before long they had gained the upper hand.

Because of the relentlessness of the Death Eaters, Neville and Bill both had been brutally incapacitated in the struggle. Seeing the need for more wands on their side, Minerva sent Flitwick to get Severus Snape so he could help fend off the intruders, At the time of Dumbledore's murder, Minerva and the rest of the Hogwartsians was stuck on the level below them, having been prevented from passing on the stairs to reach them by a cursed barrier cast by the Death Eaters. When he arrived, Snape, by contrast, could (as he had the Dark Mark), and pushed past her.[24]

Having merely assumed that her colleague was simply in a hurry to pursue their adversaries, no one tried to stop him as he did so, and once when one of them caused a section of the roof to collapse and took the barrier with him, Minerva and those who were still standing rushed forward to pursue them as well; only for the dust to clear and Snape to emerge with Draco Malfoy in tow, Assuming they were running from the Death Eaters, Minerva let them pass before reengaging the Death Eaters that came down after them, whereupon she duelled and personally chased off Alecto Carrow, whom Minerva sent running for cover. Once the intruders escaped the scene of the crime, however, Minerva was devastated to find their esteemed headmaster, the man whom she had known nearly her entire life as a teacher, mentor and friend, lying dead outside on the lawn beneath the Astronomy Tower, and asked Hagrid to move the body.[24]

The death of Albus Dumbledore
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Minerva attended the funeral of Albus Dumbledore

Having notified Arthur and Molly Weasley about what had happened and that their oldest son had been gravely injured at the hands of Fenrir Greyback, Minerva regrouped with the rest of the other combatants at the Hospital Wing, where they discussed what had transpired and Harry Potter elaborated on the plot to assassinate Albus Dumbledore. Upon learning from Hagrid that Horace Slughorn had notified the Ministry of Magic, Minerva promptly and prudently assumed the role of acting Headmistress of Hogwarts by having the Heads of Houses meet with her in what had now become her new office in the Headteacher's Tower to discuss the future of the school.

Before they arrived, she also tried to tried to comfort Harry about the death of Dumbledore, as well as to persuade Harry to confide in her the truth about what he and the late headmaster had been up to prior to their sudden departure from the school, only for Harry to refuse her, as Dumbledore had shared the facts of the matter in the strictest confidence. Eventually joined by Pomona Sprout, Filius Flitwick and Horace Slughorn, the five individuals proceeded to talk about the possible closure of Hogwarts and the necessary arrangements for Dumbledore's funeral.

When Professor Slughorn announced the emminent arrival of a delegation from the Ministry of Magic, led by the Minister for Magic Rufus Scrimgeour, she gave Harry leave to vacate the office so that she could prepare to receive the new arrivals and inform them about what had happened. During this exchange, Scrimgeour also agreed to let Minerva follow through with Dumbledore's previously stated wish of being put to rest at the school grounds.[24]

1997–1998 school year

Voldemort's control of Hogwarts
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McGonagall during Snape's reign as Headmaster of Hogwarts

As the war continued, Minerva remained at Hogwarts, even when it was taken over by Voldemort. This was most likely to try and make sure as little harm came to the students as possible, and because she could act as an insider so that the Order of the Phoenix was informed on what was going on at Hogwarts. Even when Severus was appointed Headmaster and Alecto and Amycus Carrow were given free rein in the school, Minerva did as much as she could to protect the students. The rebel alliance Dumbledore's Army founded by the students reformed and McGonagall helped to keep their meetings a secret.[13]

Battle of Hogwarts

"You're acting on Dumbledore's orders? ...We shall secure the school against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named while you search for this — this object."
— McGonagall to Harry Potter before the Battle of Hogwarts[src]

On 1 May 1998, Minerva was present when Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley returned to Hogwarts in the middle of the night in search of Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem. That night, she found Amycus at the door to Ravenclaw Tower, furiously assaulting it and demanding to be let in. Dryly pointing out that perhaps his sister, whom Professor Flitwick had admitted earlier at their urgent request, could open the door and prevent him from waking half the castle. Minerva then intervened on his behalf after he told her that Alecto wasn't responding.[13]

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McGonagall protecting students during Snape's regime

When the door opened, they found Alecto unconscious on the floor, which Minerva surmised as the work of a Stunning Spell. Amycus then revealed that they had been warned that Harry might try to get into Ravenclaw Tower, to which Minerva responded with confusion as Harry was in her house, speaking of this with pride in her voice, before scanning the room. Amycus then horrified her by stating his plan to push the blame for Alecto summoning Voldemort on the children in the dormitories, without remorse or concern that they would likely be killed or horribly tortured.

Minerva refused to allow Amycus to place blame on the children, prompting the Death Eater to spit in her face, only to be flung across the room with the Cruciatus Curse when Harry, who had witnessed the whole thing from under his Invisibility Cloak, revealed himself in sheer anger. With both Carrow siblings now incapacitated, Minerva used the Imperius Curse to gain their wands, before she magically restrained and confined them to the Ravenclaw common room.

Ousting of Severus Snape

Realising that a battle was upon them, Minerva engaged Severus Snape, the Headmaster at the time, in a fierce duel. Whilst Snape did put up a good defence, McGonagall gained the upper hand in the duel quickly, and when Filius Flitwick, Horace Slughorn and Pomona Sprout arrived, Snape fled, now severely outnumbered. Minerva, believing his escape was motivated by fear, called him a coward as he fled the school.[13]

Harry informed McGonagall of a quest that Dumbledore had left him. In respect for Dumbledore's wishes, she offered to hold Voldemort and his army back whilst Harry fulfilled this quest. She then proceeded to lead the defence of Hogwarts against the Death Eaters with Kingsley Shacklebolt, personally animating virtually all of the castle's suits of armour and statues to help her defend the school.[13] Shortly before the battle, Minerva ordered Neville Longbottom with the aid of Seamus Finnigan and other students to destroy the Wooden Bridge so that the Snatchers could not sneak into the school grounds.[25] To ensure the advantage of chaos on their side, she also ordered Argus Filch to find Peeves and bring him to her, which he did in response to her agitation.[13]

First stage of the battle
"Hogwarts is threatened! Man the boundaries, protect us, do your duty to our school!"
— McGonagall preparing for the Battle of Hogwarts[src]
Minerva and Molly Battle og Hogwart

Minerva and Molly Weasley preparing for battle

After ordering the evacuation of younger students through the Hog's Head, Minerva began to help fortify the castle against the coming attack, with the assistance of her fellow teachers, Order members, and even the older students who had stayed behind to fight. When Pansy Parkinson suggested they take the deal offered to them by Voldemort — that of their lives in exchange for Harry Potter — Minerva ordered the cowardly girl and all those not willing to fight to leave.[13]

Minerva fought skillfully in the first part of the battle, during which she could have sworn she saw one of the statues that usually flanks the school's Main Gates dive-bombing a cluster of Death Eaters.[26] She also led a herd of enchanted desks into the fray at one point, during which she yelled "CHARGE!".

Second stage of the battle

She stood defiant in the lull and among many students in a crowd when Voldemort himself walked into the Hogwarts grounds. It was only when she saw Harry Potter's body being carried by Hagrid that she began to despair, letting out a scream terrible to anyone who heard it, equal to that of Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's together. Nonetheless, Minerva continued to fight when the battle resumed after the attack by the Centaurs on Voldemort and the Death Eaters. In the final moments of the battle, she duelled Voldemort himself to a stalemate along with Horace Slughorn and Kingsley Shacklebolt. They were blasted aside by his fury when Bellatrix Lestrange was killed in a duel with Molly Weasley.[13]

B7C36M2 Voldemort vanquished

Minerva and other onlookers watching as Harry Potter defeated Voldemort for the final time

McGonagall was also present when Harry and Voldemort duelled for the final time. She and many others witnessed Voldemort's Killing Curse connect with Harry's Disarming Charm. Voldemort's curse was rebounded, signalling his final defeat at Harry's hands. She, along with everyone else in the Great Hall, hugged Harry in an uncharacteristic display of great emotion, being one of the first to reach Harry after Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. This event signalled the end of the Second Wizarding War.[13]

In the aftermath of the battle, Professor McGonagall brought the winged bore statue's part in the battle to the attention of Professor Flitwick. Flitwick thought it an unlikely story, as no one was known to have enchanted them. This subsequently lead to a long-standing disagreement between the two, who could not agree as to whether or not the Winged Boar Statues had, in fact, participated in the Battle of Hogwarts.[26]

As Headmistress of Hogwarts (1998–)

Early career (1998–2003)

Headmistress McGonagall MA

Headmistress McGonagall in her office

Having been duly awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, by Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt for her unwavering allegiance to the Order of the Phoenix during the historic conflict, Minerva was eventually immortalised on a Chocolate Frog Card (an accolade she later admitted she had never imagined receiving),[14] and four months later, by which time the damages done to the castle during the battle had been repaired and the protective enchantments around the castle and grounds restored, she had been officially appointed to the position of Headmistress by the Hogwarts Board of Governors.[27]

Upon assuming her new post full-time, she was advised not to confuse the Headmaster portraits for the actual people they depicted, as they were only paint and memory, and supposed to be nothing more than a support mechanism for the many difficult decisions that she would have to make while running the prestigious institution.[28]

Ultimately, the faculty was ready to accept a new batch of first-year students for the 1998–1999 school year on 1 September. During this term, the school also guided those who would have otherwise completed their studies had it not been for the Magic is Might Campaign of Lord Voldemort and his followers, such as Muggle-borns like Hermione Granger, in finishing their N.E.W.T.s.[29] Around this time, following a private conversation with Harry Potter, the new Headmistress, in view of the revelation of his true intentions and motives, made the somewhat controversial decision to add Professor Snape's portrait to the gallery in her office in commemoration of his true allegiance and the role he had played in the Second Wizarding War.[30]

In the time that followed, Minerva oversaw a very trying time for the rest of the denizens of Hogwarts Castle, as the final battle had left marks both seen and unseen upon the school. The castle for instance, though rebuilt, still bore scars decades later,[31] and for years after the the Dark Lord's last stand, nearly all of their students were able to see the Thestrals that pulled the Hogwarts carriages, serving as a constant, painful reminder of the cost of said event.[26] On the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, Minerva would also host memorials at the school, at least one of which involved those in attendance being treated to several expert demonstrations of the Shield Charm.[32]

Having also lost members of the staff during the battle,[25] she was also involved with the hiring of new members of the school faculty. In addition to find a suitable candidate to replace her as the school's Transfiguration teacher,[33] as well as a new, permanent occupant for the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor. She was also behind the eventual employment of her former student Neville Longbottom to the Herbology department, under head of department Pomona Sprout,[34][27] whom she eventually appointed as her successor as the Head of Gryffindor House.[35]

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Headmistress McGonagall and her staff at the start of a new school year

Having evidently decided to be somewhat more directly involved with the student body than Professor Dumbledore had been in his day, rather than delegating the task to another staff member, Headmistress McGonagall was also known to have continued to personally attend to some of the duties she had carried out on Dumbledore's behalf throughout her time as Deputy Headmistress, including sending letters of acceptance letter to children that had been selected by the Book of Admittance that were approaching their eleventh birthdays,[36] collecting the new First Years, escorting them to the Great Hall, and presiding over the Sorting Ceremony.[27]

Minerva ultimately earned recognition as a very successful and inspirational headmistress of the school, and when she took up permanent residence in Dumbledore's old quarters, her new study became the home to among other things a self-playing harp whose tones could often heard around midday between classes.[37] She also became part of the long line of headmasters and headmistresses that made use of the Hogwarts Pensieve, and who sought to contribute to the success of her eventual successors in office by adding to the invaluable library of reference at her disposal by leaving behind some of her own life experience in the form of memories.[38]

2002–2003 school year

Five years after the final battle, Minerva also wrote a glowing letter of recommendation to the Ministry of Magic's research wing regarding one of their graduating students: Having achieved no less than five 'Outstandings' and one 'Exceeds Expectations' on his N.E.W.T.s, Grim Fawley had been one of the students that were bereft by the Dark Lord's second rise to power; having lost both of his parents to the Death Eaters during the conflict. Still and all, he had remained an outstanding student that embodied all of the qualities that marked a true Hufflepuff, and given his perseverance and impressive record, Minerva was happy to help him land a job at the Ministry, where he was later taken on by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as a research assistant at the Auror Office.[39]

The new generation (2008–2015)

McGonagall in her office

Minerva corresponding through owl post

At some point in 2008, ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts took place, Minerva gave Hermione Granger, who had since joined the Ministry and risen to a high-placed office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, permission for Dumbledore's old notes on The Tales of Beedle the Bard to be published as part of her new translation of the book.[40]

Sometime before 1 September that same year,[41] Headmistress McGonagall charged Rubeus Hagrid with serving as a special messenger to the family of a young Muggle-born that had been admitted to the school in order explain to the child's parents about the existence of magic, to deliver their letter of acceptance and to take said student-to-be to Diagon Alley in London to purchase the necessary school supplies.[27]

2008–2009 school year
Start-of-Term
2008 Sorting Ceremony

Headmistress McGonagall welcoming the new students

In September 2008, Professor McGonagall carried out the Sorting Ceremony after collecting a new batch of first-years escorted by Professor Hagrid. In the Great Hall before the Start-of-Term Feast, she addressed the students with a brief speech about the importance of unity in spite of their individual differences. She cited their victory at the Battle of Hogwarts as a prime example of what the castle's residents may accomplish when they work together and that they are capable of much more than they might have thought. She also put nervous students at ease by reminding them that even the famous Harry Potter had once stood where they did, having both started out as a student like themselves and looked just as nervous.[42]

The ceremony saw the sorting of a new Muggle-born student, Kevin Farrell, Robyn Thistlethwaite, Cassandra Vole, Fischer and Colby Frey, Daniel Page and Lottie Turner into their respective houses. However, the Headmistress was surprised to find that they were one student short when she called for Ivy Warrington, who did not respond. She asked if anyone knew where she was but when nobody could tell her, she asked Hagrid to arrange a search party.[42]

At some point after the Battle of Hogwarts, she created a Dance Club. She had enjoyed dancing her whole life, once telling the student that she was a "spritely lass" when she was younger and enjoyed waltzing as much as Transfiguration. She thought the Yule Ball had boosted morale at Hogwarts and wanted to give future students that same experience. She talked to the student when they arrived at the club for the first time, telling them not to be nervous and asking them about their prior experience. She then encouraged them to get their friends to participate too.[43]

The woes of the Warringtons
McGonagall searching for Ivy MA

Professor McGonagall looking for Ivy

The following evening, Professor McGonagall learned that Ivy Warrington had wandered off once more and, what was more, this time been missing for a long enough time that there was actually cause for alarm. Having gone to have a look for her herself, the Headmistress eventually came across a small group of her classmates late in the evening in the Grand Staircase, whom she questioned about their classmate's whereabouts. Upon realising that they did not know either, Minerva tasked Hagrid with organising a search party to find her and turned down her peer's offer to lend them a hand. While Ivy was noted to have yet to turn up the following day, the missing pupil was eventually found later that evening by her schoolmates, who had decided organising a search party of their own.[27]

While the staff and students alike were happy to see her returned safe and sound, this was by no means the end of Ivy's aberrant conduct: Shortly afterwards, Professor Longbottom had caught her duelling in the corridors with one of her classmates, Cassandra Vole, on which occasion she had surprised everyone present by successfully casting a highly advanced Vanishing Spell and ended up dematerialising a suit of armour instead. Made more concerning than it was impressive by the fact that only a stroke of good fortune and a poor aim was to thank for Miss Vole's continued existence, however, while Ivy and her friends had been put in detention and told to think about the implications of using such a dangerous spell against a peer, when questioned about, Ivy had confessed to have no memory of how she learned it.[27]

Upon learning this, and presumably also about Ivy's rumoured involvement and guilt in the matter of the disappearance of her twin sister, which had both been publicised, gossiped about and become common knowledge outside of the school, the Headmistress contacted the Ministry of Magic to make some inquiries on the matter. Having been informed that while Winifred Warrington had indeed vanished shortly before Ivy arrived at the school, the incident had been ruled an accident, and that Ministry officials had even assisted the family in trying to get her back. With this in mind, and in view of Ivy's recent disappearance, Minerva still reached out to the Warringtons to keep Ivy's family informed about the situation, at which point she got in touch with Ivy's grandmother, whom the Headmistress eventually invited to the school in the hopes that she could help shred light on Ivy's erratic behaviour and apparent memory loss.[27]

As it happened, Mrs Warrington's visit also coincided with yet another nightly wandering through the castle on the part of Ivy and her friends, and when the Caretaker came to drop off the students in question after he had found them exiting the very place the former had gone off to when she went missing, the Headmistress asked them to explain themselves. She then learned that Ivy's journey was one of self-discovery. It began when she and her friends had asked themselves how Ivy could have known about, let alone learned how to cast, a Vanishing Spell against Cassandra Vole without remembering how, why or when he even learned it, and ended with a frightening encounter with her own worst fears in the Room of Requirement. This venture, which included new friends, unlikely destinations like the tower housing the ancient Book of Admittance and even an unschedueled visit to Minerva's own office in order to borrow the pensieve to review a memory found in Ivy's locket they had correctly deduced pertained to Winifred's disappearance, answered many important questions.[27]

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Minerva, Mrs Warrington and the students involved at McGonagall's office

After the students had given their side, however, Minerva pointed out that there were certain key points that appeared to be missing from their story, and announced the presence of Ivy's grandmother, whom she was confident would be able to fill in the rest of the gaps: When Mrs Warrington explained how Winifred, whose magic would sometimes manifest themselves in unpredictable, dangerous ways when her temper got the better of her, had been held back by their father for fear that she might hurt someone if she was allowed to attend the school before she learned how to properly control her magic, and accidentially made herself disappear in a failed attempt at vanishing Ivy's trunk so as to stop her from leaving for Hogwarts without her. Having found Ivy in a desperate state of panic and in more pain than she could bear to see her grandchild in, Mrs Warrington had tried to modify her memories of the event to make her forget what happened,[27]

The Memory Charm, meanwhile, had been too strong, and inadvertently erased not only the accident, but all of Ivy's memories of her sister, all the while failing to erase her entirely; thus accounting for her tendency to wander off with a vague notion of being looking for something. Having recognised what a precarious situation Ivy had been in, as well as sympathetic to the difficult position their grandmother had been in, the Headmistress commended the old witch for her good intentions, and assured her that in spite of everything, Ivy had grown tremendous over the course of her first year, and voiced the belief that she and the friends she had made had a bright future ahead of them.[27]

2009–2010 school year
The visiting professor
Professor Gorski teaching

The visiting professor

At some point before the new term, Headmistress McGonagall got in contact with a worldly traveller with a proclaimed interest in bygone times named Jakub Gorski and invited him to join the staff for the duration of the new term as a visiting professor of History of Magic. He was also known to have kept a lemur called Bly, which acted as his assistant. As part of his curriculum, Professor Gorski had the students search for clues to magical secrets within Hogwarts Castle, an assignment Minerva would later discover had been more than it seemed; with his course aims and lesson plan having been a little more than a means to an end.[27]

On 1 September, 2009, among the group of new students to arrive at the castle to start their magical education that term were Edward Lupin, a young man who had, like Grim Fawley, lost his parents to the Death Eaters. The son of the fallen war heroes and one-time friends, allies and fellow members of Minerva's in the Order of the Phoenix, Remus and Nymphadora Lupin, he was sorted into Hufflepuff.[44]

Headmistress McGonagall at the Hog's Head MA

Minerva catching students out of bounds

Later that term, Minerva visited the Hog's Head Inn during a Hogsmeade weekend trip and discovered that several second-year students, coincidentally the very same friend group she had summoned to her office near the end of the previous year, had snuck out of the school without permission and visited the village despite the fact that they were not old enough to partake in said trips.

Having caught them red-handed, the Headmistress brought them all back up to the castle and asked them to explain themselves. Though their reason for being there was not one of ill intent, as they had been assigned some homework by Professor Gorski that required them to discover a secret at the school with historical significance, which in turn had led to their pursuit of a map that was believed to lead to a hidden treasure by following the leads given to them by various portraits,

Their most disconcerting revelation, however, was also the one that Professor McGonagall had the most difficulty believing. Apparently, their visiting professor appeared to be spying on them, and right before she had showed up at the inn where she had found them, they had seen him consorting with a cloaked wizard, to whom he seemingly had sold a Basilisk fang. As they had no evidence for this, however, and had knowingly broken school rules, she put them all in detention.[27]

The secret intruder
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The Headmistress confronting Gorski

Shortly afterwards, however, the Headmistress received word from the Ministry of Magic that confirmed there actually was something to their accusations after all: Gorski, who had spent some time travelling the world hunting for treasure and riches before he was invited to teach at Hogwarts, had eventually partnered up with a dangerous Dark wizard. Having been on the case and monitored Jakub Gorski's movements closely for several months in order to ferret out the evil-doer, Minerva was informed that Ministry agents would arrive before long to secure the castle. When she realised that Gorski had endangered the school by smuggling a dangerous lawbreaker into the school, the Headmistress rushed to find him in order to apprehend and question him.[27]

Already incapacitated and surrounded by the very students who had tried to warn her about him in the first place by the time she found him in his own classroom, Minerva was able to discern that Gorski, rather than the willing accomplice he was thought to have been, was instead being controlled by means of the Imperius Curse. When she learned from the students present that the wizard responsible was running lose somewhere on the premises, Minerva ordered the students back to their dormitories, and told them to leave the Dark wizard in question to the teachers and Ministry officials.[27]

Although Professor McGonagall would later discover that the students had disobeyed her, as the students had instead taken it upon themselves to find the artefact Bly had been searching for before he did, considering the violent confrontation that followed resulted in the capture of said intruder and no one was seriously harmed as a result, the Headmistress did not mete out any severe punishment for the transgression. After his capture, Professor Gorski was freed from Bly's control.[27]

During the same school year, Hogwarts was represented in the eighty-seventh Wizarding Schools Potions Championship.[45]

Christmas at Hogwarts

During Christmas later that term, Minerva was approached by Daniel Page, who explained that Ivy, whose memories had since been mostly restored, was not feeling the holiday spirit, as she was missing her sister too much, and that he had come up with the idea that Ivy might feel more connected to Winifred if she had a present for her and vanished it, hopefully to wherever Winifred was. The Headmistress, though aware that this was not how Vanishing Spells worked, could still appreciate it as a symbolic gesture and retrieved one memory from each of Ivy's friends about when they first met Ivy, which was then gift-wrapped and handed to her so that it could be 'sent to Winifred'.[27]

Later career (2015–2018)

2015–2016 school year

Having appointed Teddy Lupin the new Head Boy over the summer holidays leading up to his seventh and last year at the school; Minerva greeted the students for the new term; which at its conclusion would see the departure of said student, and at its beginning saw the arrival of James Potter, the oldest son of Harry and Ginevra. During the Sorting Ceremony, he was — to no one's surprise — sorted into Gryffindor House.[46] During the same school year, Hogwarts was once again represented in the enchanted garden at the eighty-eighth Wizarding Schools Potions Championship.[45]

2017–2018 school year

Ready to welcome a new batch of first-year students on 1 September 2017 for the new term; once the new students had been picked up at the Hogsmeade station, ferried across the Black Lake and escorted up to the castle, they were shown into the Great Hall to partake in the customary Sorting Ceremony; which was overseen by Minerva herself. Embarking on their magical educations that year was the sons of the alumni Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, Albus and Scorpius. During said event, the latter was — to no one's surprise — placed in Slytherin House, as his ancestors before him. But so was — to the shock of everyone in attendance — Albus.[28]

Assisting the SOS Task Force (2018–2021)

2018–2019 school year
Assisting the SOS Task Force
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Headmistress McGonagall

By 14 December 2018,[47] the world wizarding community had been dealt a devastating blow following the sudden outbreak of a chaotic piece of magic that caused numerous unpredictable traces of magical activity to suddenly appear all over the Muggle world, thus threatening with the potential exposure of the magical world. During the Ministry's investigation into the cause of the Calamity, whereupon generally agreed by his former co-workers that Grim Fawley had both the means, motives and opportunity to bring about said catastrophe, Minerva provided the Calamity Management Team with a copy of Grim's school record and informed them about the tragic fate of his parents, as well as noting what an outstanding student he had been, and gave no indication that she believed in Grim's guilt.[48]

After the International Confederation of Wizards and the Ministry of Magic in London partnered to create an International Task Force whose sole purpose would be to investigate and contain the situation, several former members of the Order of the Phoenix, including Arthur Weasley, Aberforth Dumbledore, Hestia Jones and Minerva herself, got personally involved to help the agents of the then recently founded Statute of Secrecy Task Force for the task at hand.[49]

At one point, Minerva was called in as a guest lecturer to talk about the peculiarities of fighting Curiosities, during which aspiring Magizoologists in attendance learned a lot and were able to use said knowledge to improve their defensive spellwork.[50] At a later date, she also invited a Calamity Investigator working for the task force to Hogwarts in order to show them the original architect's blueprints for the castle to help them better understand the transformative powers of magic.[51] Along with her former students Harry Potter and Ginevra Weasley, Minerva later held a panel at the Ministry where the three spoke about having parts of their lives turned into Foundables by the Calamity, with the emotional evening being attended by the same Calamity Investigator.[52]

Before long, Minerva would also assume a part-time role in the Calamity Management Team herself, where she was put in charge of overseeing those of the Calamity Investigators wishing to pursue a career as Professors, whom she warned of the difficulties they would have to face along the way, as well as the fact that they might be called upon to do things they never thought possible. She invited at least one such person to join the teaching staff at Hogwarts in time for the new term in order to get some experience educating young witches and wizards, and to learn practical skills that would help them to better tackle the Calamity.[53]

The visiting professor

Upon the arrival of a Calamity Investigator to Hogwarts Castle to take up a teaching position, Professor McGonagall welcomed the individual by giving them copies of the letters that were once exchanged between Albus Dumbledore and Adalbert Waffling to help improve their skills in addressing the Calamity, specifically in fighting Impaired Foes.[54] Along with teaching them the Deterioration Hex for the purpose of weakening their foes,[55] she also showed them how to draw on the strength of others when in combat,[56] how to systematically work with academic research to improve their attention to detail,[57] and how to augment the effects of the exceptionally powerful Protection Charm they had previously been taught by Filius Flitwick by adjusting their stance.[58] During this time, she would also lecture them on how to better connect with their teammates, which helped them get better results with their Proficiency Charm.[59]

Determined to run the school as normally as they possibly could under the circumstances, despite the rising tensions surrounding the Calamity, and even though Hogwarts was hit with a massive Pixie infestation and required all of the professors to spend time finding and removing nests of nettlesome Pixies from the premises,[60] the Inter-House Quidditch Cup was held as planned, and at some point after the tryouts of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Professor McGonagall announced to an gathering of students in the Great Hall that Rose Granger-Weasley had made the it as their new Chaser.[61]

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, however, it eventually became glaringly obvious that the security measures that had been put in place to ensure the safety of the school's residents were wholly insufficient to stop the Calamity from claiming victims from within the castle itself. At some point, students from all the four houses was snatched and dislocated in the Muggle world, a number of items and special artefacts from Hogwarts such as portraits became Foundables as well, along with several staff members, including Minerva herself.[62]

Summer holidays

In the summer leading up to the new school year, the Ministry of Magic hosted a panel of luminaries that had all had pieces of their lives turned into Foundables by the Calamity to share their experiences. Minerva, having accepted the invitation to partake as a panel speaker, joined Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley in talking open and honestly about what they had gone through, which resulted in an enlightening and emotional evening from which the agents of the SOS Task Force was later known to have benefited greatly from.[63]

2019–2020 school year
Back to Hogwarts
Minerva McGonagall WU

Minerva during the Calamity

Shortly before the beginning of the 2019–2020 school year, Minerva was informed that a highly talented student in Slytherin House had decided to transfer to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic to distance herself from the surges of chaotic magical activity that was running rampant in Britain, as she felt the Calamity had singled out her House. Minerva tried to convince her to stay, was ultimately unsuccessful.[64]

The Headmistress took no small amount of pride in the fact that more than seventy-four percent of the volunteers that had taken time off their busy schedules to assist the Ministry — by quill and parchment — with the job of tracking, sorting, cataloguing, collating, and archiving returned Foundables for the Ministry were current and former members of Hufflepuff House.[64]

Around the same time, Minerva also received owls from no less than three students in Ravenclaw House asking if they could receive their lesson plans early as not to fall behind in their studies, an exchange she noted that it was not uncommon for her to have with students of that house at the beginning of each term.[64]

When the Hogwarts Express was whisked away by The Calamity just shortly prior to its scheduled departure on 1 September, however, she quickly solicited the assistance of a highly reputable member of the SOS Task Force that Hermione Granger had recommended, hoping said individual could returned the train in time for the new school year. In the meantime, however, due to the ongoing surge, a number of Foundables materialised on the school grounds, including werewolves and fire-breathing chickens, expressing the concern that lest the Calamity was dealt with, she would have to spend the whole term keeping first-year Gryffindors — and — Rubeus Hagrid away from them.

The Calamity Investigator was eventually successful in returning the Hogwarts Express in time for the start of the term, much to the relief of Minerva; who pointed out that the time-honoured tradition of riding the train to school was as much part of the "Hogwarts experience" as the Sorting Ceremony. She was also relieved to hear of the safe return of the trolley witch, who had been turned into a Foundable and at some point afterwards retrieved by the aforementioned Task Force member, saying that the Hogwarts Express would not be the same without her and her sweets, noting that she could remember her working at the train even back when Minerva herself was a student, during which she was "partial" to her Pumpkin Pasties.[65]

That was not to say that her troubles was over, however, as the Calamity hit the school itself next, spiriting off with the Sorting Hat, a Thestrals from Hogwart's herd, one of their carriages, a boat, a Winged Boar Statue and even the sign directing people between Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village; all of which the same diligent individual was able to retrieve and return to their allotted places, much to the delight of the denizens of Hogwarts Castle. In the aftermath of the incident, the Headmistress noted that in light of the fact that the school had suffered no lasting damage from this latest surge, (not counting the students' new favourite excuse for not finishing their schoolwork in time; 'the Calamity stole my homework!'), and that she would be writing to Minister Granger and inform her about the admirable service that the Calamity Investigators involved in putting down the new outbreak had done to the old school.[66]

The Lost Love

On 13 February 2020, the Hogwarts Headmistress was dismayed to learn that not only had the seemingly quasi-sentient predicament that was wreaking havoc on magical communities everywhere hit her school once more, but that this time, it gave the impression of having taken a particular interest in her personally; as it had snatched away several items of a significantly more private sort than the ones that had been claimed by the Calamity so far. Mindful of the exemplary job that the Statute of Secrecy Task Force had done in ensuring that the new term could begin as planned as six months earlier, however, Minerva had to qualms about reaching out to them again. Along on this endeavour was also former student and then Head of the task force, Constance Pickering, whose comments and constant questions about the various objects that they retrieved Minerva would eventually find to be irkesome in the long run.[67]

The first possession to be returned to her self-playing harp, at which point Minerva showed signs of mild exasperation when she had to explain to Miss Pickering that the self-playing instrument had, as the name suggests, been bewitched to play itself. The next items on the list was the memory of a hornbill that she once owned, which she had used as a teaching aid during her career as a Transfiguration professor, and remembered it fondly as "a good bird", although she had not viewed it as a pet, as she was more partial to cats.[67]

Other items on the list included a school crest, her Order of Merlin, First Class, which she had framed and kept in her office, and an old photo of Dougal McGregor, about whom she refused to comment when Pickering asked about the man's identity, saying only that he was "a man [she] once knew" and that that was all she was prepared to say on the matter.[67] By 3 March, all of the items had been successfully retrieved, and though grateful for their help, Minerva still lightly admonished Miss Pickering for prying into her personal life, reminding her that she did not have the right to the answer of every inquiry she could think of just because she asked.[67]

Inter-House Cup

In spite of the fact that the security of the castle had been breached more than once as a result of the Calamity, and, having taken into account the prevailing theory that if enough people focused on something, it could affect how said phenomenon behaved, the decision to permit the annual and always much anticipated Inter-House Quidditch League to go on as planned was not one Minerva made lightly. Having concluded, however, that the collective disappointment at its cancellation would be more likely to trigger a new surge with Hogwarts at the heart of it than to allow the student body their yearly competition, the new season was held as normal.

It was later noted that the Gryffindor Quidditch team had, despite some injuries on the part of the players, a fine showing that season, as had the Slytherin team, which the Headmistress herself judged to have been deserving recognition for their successes. Having proceeded without incidents for most of its duration, it was only as the final matches of the contest that the Calamity was drawn back to the Scottish Highlands and whisked away with among other things the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup.

Upon learning this, Professor McGonagall alerted the Ministry of Magic, which sent an agent from the Statute of Secrecy Task Force to recover the all. One of the Foundables in question was an old Nimbus 2000, prompting a Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team to grow concerned that her broom, which of the same model, might vanish and be weakened if the same happened to hers, to which her headmistress assured her that the broom in question was almost certainly the echo of the one that once belonged to another, famous student that played on their team years earlier.

When the Gryffindor house ghost, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, was spirited away by the Calamity along with the cup and turned him into a Foundable, Minerva was delighted to see his safe return, stating that she had meant to ask his opinion on the Calamity, seen as how he, being somewhat separated from his original self, just like the Foundables were, perhaps had some interesting insights into the Calamity they had not considered.[68]

First Extraordinary General Meeting

As though the Calamity was not bad enough; conceding with the ongoing catastrophe was also the discovery that various dark and dangerous magical creatures that had once allied themselves with the Dark Lord had began to behave rather conspicuously. As a staple in the magical community, Minerva was present at the Extraordinary General Meeting called at the Ministry of Magic by Minister Hermione Granger in the afternoon[69] of 1 September 2020, where Harry Potter, now the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, talked about the movements and increased activity of Voldemort's former allies and cautioned vigilance regarding Dark Magic. Minerva also reported that when the staff returned to the school from the summer holidays, they had discovered that someone had taken Boomslang skin and lacewing flies from the Potions stores during the summer break, the ingredients for Polyjuice Potion.[28]

During the meeting, it was also revealed that Harry had began to experience nightmares and pains in his scar; something that he had not experienced since his final defeat of Voldemort, which the former Dumbledore's Army members was concerned might meant that some remnant of the Dark Lord might linger in some way. The meeting, however, ultimately descend into chaos and name-calling when Draco Malfoy accused them of having invented the pain in Harry's scar as an attention-seeking publicity stunt, and stormed out in a huff on account of the Ministry's previous failure to issue a statement that denied the vicious rumours circulating about his family, which prompted people to leave without taking Harry sufficiently seriously either, and no strategy was agreed on to tackle said possible threat.[28]

2020–2021 school year
Helping Albus Potter
Harryandminerva

Minerva and Harry arguing over Albus and Scorpius's friendship

When Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy did not arrive at Hogwarts with the Hogwarts Express on 1 September 2020, Minerva sent owls to their parents and later met with Harry Potter, Ginny Potter and Draco Malfoy, along with Minister for Magic Hermione Granger and her husband Ron Weasley, to find them.

When she learned that Harry had felt pains in his scar and a dream of seeing Albus in the Forbidden Forest, Minerva, who was aware of the reability of Harry's visions from personal experience, suggested that they take Professor Longbottom with them to look for the two boys, as his expertise in Herbology could prove useful in the forest.[28] Unbeknownst to the other involved parties, however, by the time the missing students was finally been found, they had meddled in time and made it so Ron and Hermione never married, Albus was sorted into Gryffindor, and Ron married Padma Patil, and Rose Granger-Weasley had become un-born.

Minerva, however, was still Headmistress of Hogwarts in spite of their interference, and tried to advise Harry on interfering in Albus and Scorpius's friendship, but he insisted on keeping them separated and even went so far as to threaten to come down on the school with the full force of the Ministry unless she complied, and insisted that the Headmistress used the Marauder's Map to track their movements to keeping them apart, and Minerva reluctantly agreed.[28]

Mcgonagall marauders map

Minerva examining the Marauder's Map with Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley

Having half-heartedly carried out Harry's instruction and used the map a few times, and once purposefully ignored the two because they were under the invisibility cloak and she felt justified in pretending she could not truly know they were together lest she saw them.

Shortly after, she received another visit from Harry, Ginny and Draco. Upon seeing them, Minerva turned to Harry and informed him that come what may, she wanted no further part in ruining friendships, to which he apologised for the way he had spoken to her, and asked that she used the map to find Albus and Scorpius so that he can apologise to him too; having finally realised that he had been dangerously isolating his son by refusing to let him be with the only friend he had.

Inclined to grant his request, Minerva used the map to discover that they were in the girls' bathroom on the first floor. Minerva and the parents tried to find them, but Moaning Myrtle revealed that they had gone beyond their reach by using a Time-Turner to go back in time in order to save Cedric Diggory from death at the hands of Peter Pettigrew, much to Minerva's shock.[28]

The Time-Turner
Minerva McGonagall: "So to be clear — you illegally jumped off the Hogwarts Express, you invaded and stole from the Ministry of Magic, you took it upon yourself to change time, whereupon you disappeared two people —"
Albus Potter: "I agree it doesn't sound good."
Minerva McGonagall: "And your response to disappearing Hugo and Rose Granger-Weasley was to go back in time again — and this time, instead of losing two people you lost a huge number of people and killed your father — and in doing so you resurrected the worst wizard the world has ever known and heralded in a new age of Dark Magic. You're correct, Mr Potter, it doesn't sound good, does it? Are you aware how stupid you've been?"
— Headmistress McGonagall getting a confession out of Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy[src]

Having been rather under the impression that every Time-Turner in the Ministry's possession had been destroyed during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries twenty-five years earlier, Minerva was less than impressed to learn that when the Ministry had confiscated an unregistered prototype for a new Time-Turner during a raid on the home of Theodore Nott, Harry and Hermione had, rather than destroyed it immediately, decided that it was a good idea to hold onto it, dangerous as it was. Seen as how the device that had been found to have been missing from Hermione Granger's office could only take the boys through the temporal dimension while leaving the spatial one the same, however, the search for the two boys on the Hogwarts grounds continued in the present, as once they finally returned to their own time, they would do so in the same geographical area as a matter of course. Having eventually found them on the edge of the Great Lake, the Headmistress brought parents and children alike to her office.[28]

After two young Slytherins confessed what they had done, Minerva admonished not only the two young students for their serious lack of judgement, but their parents as well; reminding them that as noble as they had been in wanting to help Amos Diggory prevent the loss of his son, their meddling had returned them to the darkest times of the wizarding war, and to never forget that the current, peaceful world they lived in had been created in part exactly because of the sacrifices made by those that had laid down their lives to fight for it. As punishment for their recklessness, she put them both in detention for the reminder of the year, placed on them both a blanket ban on all future Hogsmeade trips and cancelled Christmas before telling them to find the Time-Turner that Scorpius had found to be missing upon emerging from the lake when they had returned in the original timeline.[28]

Having commenced their own search as well, the following day, Professor McGonagall was said to have been involved in negotiations with the local merpeople colony regarding the possibility of dredging the Great Lake in order to find the missing Time-Turner. Not too long after these events transpired, however, Minerva received another urgent message from Harry Potter late one evening: Having had a dream about a visit to his parents' grave at St Jerome's graveyard in Godric's Hollow with his Aunt Petunia that had never happened, and heard the Dark Lord's voice, as well as seen his son Albus trying desperately to warn him that Lord Voldemort is still active, he had interpreted it as meaning that they were all in grave danger, and informed her that they would arrive shortly to check on Albus. Joining them at the Slytherin common room and, when they found the two friends had left the dormitory and missing once again, took with her fellow student Craig Bowker Junior to "turn the school upside down" to find them again.[28]

Second Extraordinary General Meeting
Harry Potter: "But there is one truth we can't escape: That somewhere in our past a witch is trying to rewrite everything we ever knew — and all we can do is wait — wait for the moment she either succeeds or fails."
Minerva McGonagall: "And if she succeeds?"
Harry Potter: "Then — just like that — most of the people in this room will be gone. We'll no longer exist and Voldemort will rule again."
— Harry Potter noting the severity of the situation[src]
Extraordinary General Meeting

Draco, Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny in the Grand Meeting Room

Having subsequently split up in order to cover more ground during the search for Albus and Scorpius, when Minerva learned that the dead body of the aforementioned student had later been found on the Quidditch pitch and, what was more, bore unmistakeable traces of the Killing Curse, Minerva took immediate affair and alerted the Ministry. Coincidentally, it turned out that Harry, Hermione, Draco and Ron, who had all gone to follow up on a lead regarding the kids' whereabout, already had a suspect. Having left for the Ministry when she learned that Hermione Granger would be holding a second Extraordinary General Meeting, the Headmistress was present when the she announced to the world not only Bowker's murder, but also about a recent search in Upper Flagley in Yorkshire.[28]

Having found a concealed room at St Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards whilst following up a lead on the whereabouts of their missing children, the speakers declared that their investigation had unearthed two facts that had hitherto been unknown to Ministry records: There existed a prophecy that foretold the possible return of the Dark Lord, and the discovery that Lord Voldemort had turned out to have conceived an heir that was connected to and possibly destined to fulfil it.

When Headmistress McGonagall inquired as to why the girl had not been taken into custody, Hermione admitted that Delphini, who had last been seen with the two missing boys near the Owlery by Professor Longbottom and were the prime suspect in Craig Bowker's murder, had "hidden herself in time" through the use of the very time-turner that Scorpous Malfoy had sworn he had lost. While Minerva was if possibly even less impressed with their failure to destroy said object than before, the meeting ended with a personal victory for Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Draco when they all took the floor together and publicly united ranks in order to save their children.[28]

The arrest of Voldemort's daughter

Shortly after the said meeting, at which point the Headmistress returned to Hogwarts, it was discovered that Albus and Scorpius had cleverly devised a way to send a message to their parents in the present by leaving an inscription on Harry's old baby blanket, which they had treated with a potion that would only become visible when it interacted with another potion Albus had spilled on the blanket shortly before this final trip back through time. Now aware of when and where their children were, Harry, Ginny, Draco, Ron, and Hermione had gone back in time themselves and converged at Godric's Hollow in order to retrieve them, and to hopefully stop Delphini and her plot to thwart her father's final defeat.

Minerva, though not present for the death-defying skirmish that took place at St Jerome's Church in an alternate reality of 31 October 1981, had previously declared her decision not to expel them for their misadventures through time, would have been relieved to have Albus and Scorpius returned to the school safe and sound following their return from the past, as well as pleased to hear that the one responsible for the murder of one of her students had been taken into custody and due to be locked up in Azkaban for her crimes.[28] As it had been the case with Rowan Khanna and Cedric Diggory, it can be assumed that memorial ceremony was subsequently held in memory of Craig Bowker in the Great Hall.

A calamitous warning

In late November the same year, the Ministry's internal Calamity Management Team discovered the existence of a secret society known as The Unforgivable, as well as evidence that suggested that it had not only been manipulating the Calamity from the start. This was a feat that they had so far only thought that Grim Fawley (who caused it) and Harry Potter (who helped spearhead the efforts to contain and understand it) was capable of, but also believed to have been behind the disappearances of the London Five.[70]

Headmistress McGonagall, along with the rest of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, subsequently received a letter about this from Constance Pickering, informing them about their suspicions about the cabal of said and instructed them all to report any anomalities they saw in the Calamity's behaviour.[71]

Hogwarts for the Holidays
Holidays at Hogwarts

The target of the surge

Although the very start of the following school term began as uneventfully as one could hope under the circumstances, only three months passed before the school had to send word to Constance Pickering to inform her that a fifth surge had centred itself around Hogwarts. The surge, though its effects were notably less dire than they could, and indeed had been previously, nevertheless warranted remedying, as it had whisked away with a number of the painted likeness and departed souls of some of Hogwarts' finest; more specifically, the portraits of the four Founders and the resident House ghosts.[72]

After the Statute of Secrecy Task Force successfully recovered that which had been lost to the first wave of the surge, the Headmistress came across the ghost of Hufflepuff House, who explained how he had just conversed with Grim Fawley, who had asked him to "mind the portraits". Having scoured the castle without finding any signs of him in the castle, nor any other intruder for that matter, Minerva, upon seeing that the Fat Friar remained adamant that the exchange had indeed taken place, nevertheless decided to increase patrols around the castle before she went to the Ministry of Magic to notify the rest of the Calamity Management Team.[72]

Upon arriving at their underground headquarters in London, Minerva found the Minister for Magic in the middle of overseeing the efforts that went into stamping out the ongoing surge. Hermione, who had previously discovered that the he had found a way to influence the Calamity to the extent that he could actually modify its behaviour and guide the focus of the the surges,[73] theorised that Grim Fawley had created the surge and attached a false memory to the Fat Friar's Foundable as a way of trying to tell them something important, as he had communicated with them this way before. With this in mind, the Headmistress returned to Hogwarts, but not before assuring her that she would be telling Sir Cadogan and the other portraits around the school to keep an out for anything that was out the ordinary.[72]

Although two weeks would pass before the second wave of the surge came to pass, Headmistress McGonagall was still obliged to pay another visit to the Ministry when, on 22 December, the spectral knight of Gryffindor House were found in the Grand Staircase. Having reportedly been instructed by Grim Fawley to stand guard "until he's been found", suggesting that Fawley were trying to tell them that someone was hidden either in or behind one of the portraits there. Hermione, who had never heard of such a thing happening before, questioned as to whether it was even possible for that to be the case, to which Minerva dryly remarked that if a lifetime of service to the ancient school had taught her anything at all, it was that anything was possible at Hogwarts.[72]

Sometime later, Headmistress McGonagall was made aware that her erstwhile student had reached out to one of school's resident ghosts once more when a curious student in Ravenclaw House had spotted The Grey Lady canvassing the Grand Staircase and, when they asked what she had been up to, been told that she was "helping Grim search" before she left the area. Upon learning this, Minerva tried to track down to make some further inquiries, only to discover that she had apparently gone missing as well. Minerva would later visit the Ministry to inform her colleagues on the new development. Later, the Ministry discovered a cryptic note written in Grim's own handwriting, explaining that the person Grim wanted them find were "waiting for them where the Prince of Enchanters was enthroned".[72]

By the time they had solved the riddle, however, Minerva had already sent an urgent owl to inform them all that Sir Nicholas had found two individuals trapped within the portrait of Merlin: The first was the Grey Lady, which explained her sudden disappearance. The second one, however, was incredibly enough none other than Kit Gerrard, a former reporter for the Daily Prophet and one of the missing London Five. Following this, the Headmistress gave a number of Curse-Breakers permission to enter school grounds, who were eventually able to free them both, the latter of which were transported the latter to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.[74]

The Unforgivable

In late March of 2021, Minerva was once again contacted by Harry Potter; this time for the purpose of asking the Headmistress for permission to station a party of Aurors at Hogwarts Castle for extra security. Having been locked in something of a cold war with The Unforgivable since they first learned of their activities and actively sought to wrestle away from them their control of The Calamity, the new Head of Department had successfully intercepted their incoming surge and redirected it towards his secondhand memories of theMarauders, the reprecussions of which had been what had appeared to be a veiled threat that the cabal planned to go after their children as means of coercing them into ceasing their efforts to twhart them.[75]

Upon learning this, Minerva readily agreed to have the Dark wizard catchers help protect the school and put the staff on high alert. Each of their children was personally assigned an Auror to guard them, and Minerva would henceforth send report back to the Ministry on a regular basis to inform them on the situation. At one point, Minerva's owl had been delayed by bad weather. Afraid that this might mean that something was amiss, the Headmistress was startled when the recipient of her letters came bursting into her office, wand at the ready. Having assured him that everything had been quiet, thus allowing Harry to rest easy and return to the Ministry of Magic to continue his work with the Statute of Secrecy Task Force.[75]

A Weasley Predicament

On 2 April, however, the Calamity Management Team was horrified to learn that their threat of teaching Harry "a lesson they don't cover at Hogwarts" had been deliberately misleading; and that while the Ministry had been preoccupied securing the school, members of the cabal had gone to Diagon Alley and, with the help of Polyjuice Potion to assume the identiites of Barnabas Cuffe and Hermione, tried to get the jump on Ron and Ginny at work. And whilst the latter had been admitted to St Mungo's to recupurate from her injuries, she had noticed that something was off and successfully driven away her assailant, Ron, on the other hand, had been caught off guard and abducted.[75]

Devestated to learn about their father's disappearance, Rose and Hugo were both wracked with worry after they heard what had happened, and Minerva, in addition to having done what she could to help them through the trying time ahead of them, also organised another search of the castle's portraits in the unlikely event that Ron would turn up in one of them, to no avail.[76]

Much to the relief of everyone involved, however, he was finally returned to them after The Unforgivable proposed to give them Ron in exchange for the complete control of The Calamity, and even though the Ministry's effort to use the trade to infiltrate the organisation went awry, both the Ministry and denizens of Hogwarts alike was delighted to learn that he had been found, although Hugo and Rose was left having to cope with the fact that their own father had no recollection of who they were, having been completely Obliviated, and Minerva did her outmost to offer her support.[76]

2021–2022 school year

Although Minerva played no significant part in the continued struggle against The Unforgivable by the Calamity Management Team, the repercussions of this was still felt by its denizens by the fact of how some of the subsequent surges of the magical disturbance in question was carved from Harry Potter and Hermione Granger's memories of their time as students, as they had found that the manner in which they directed it was crucial to restoring Ron's recollection.

By 31 December 2021, however, the cabal had been defeated, its infiltrators at the Ministry of Magic identified and apprehended, Ron's memory completely restored, and Grim Fawley had been found and reunited with his wife, and the Calamity was slowly fading away, allowing life at Hogwarts to finally return to normal.[77]

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[src]
PromoHP1 Minerva McGonagall 2

Minerva McGonagall

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.[5] 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.

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[src]
McGeee

Minerva smiling at the Yule Ball, a rare occurrence

By her own words, she had her father's temperament and her mother's magical ability.[78] 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.[23] 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.[12]

"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[src]

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.[3] 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.[13]

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.[23] Apparently, she shared this temper with her father. Upon seeing Harry's alleged death, Minerva screamed in such despair that Harry never heard before.[13]

"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[src]

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.[22]

OOTP HQ still sack attempt Umbridge Trelawney McGonagal Filch

McGonagall comforting Trelawney after the latter was sacked

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.[12]

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.[12] 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.[13]

Jacob's sibling: "I must've misheard you, I thought you said Professor McGonagall could teach the Mooncalf to dance."
Hagrid: "She wanted teh teach ballroom dancing the students for years. Expect she's love to try"
— Hagrid advising Jacob's sibling to take their Mooncalf to Minerva in order to teach it how to dance[src]

Albus Dumbledore believed that only a few people would have found out how funny and interesting she was.[78] She had loved to teach ballroom dance to her students[79] and in her free-time, Minerva was known to enjoy needlework.[1]

Magical abilities and skills

Patronus Cat2

Minerva McGonagall's Patronus, a cat

"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[src]

Minerva McGonagall was an incredibly powerful and talented witch whom 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.

"Professor McGonagall is the most powerful witch I know."
— Jacob's sibling on Minerva's outstanding magical prowess[src]
  • 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[80] 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.[9] She nonverbally untransfigured Draco Malfoy when he was turned into a ferret by simply pointing her wand at him.[81] 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.[9] 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.[9]
"As if one of them could have Stunned Minerva McGonagall face-on by daylight!"
— Poppy Pomfrey regarding Minerva's martial abilities[src]
  • 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.[12] 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.[24] 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.[13] 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.[71] 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.[13]
"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[src]
COS Vera Verto demo

Minerva transforming a bird into a water goblet, using the spell Vera Verto

"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[src]
McGonagall Animagus

McGonagall Animagus transformation

  • 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.[3] On his notes of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, 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.[22]
"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[src]
Piertotum Locomotor

McGonagall bringing the suits of armour to life

  • 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,[21] Wand-Lighting Charm,[86] Freezing Spell,[8] Disarming Charm,[87] Summoning Charm[81] and Levitation Charm.[13] She was also able to successfully teach her students various charms related to transfiguration such as the Colour Change Charm,[88] Mending Charm,[89] Hardening Charm,[90] Softening Charm[91] Bird-Conjuring Charm[84] and Revelio Charm[19] 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. Many wizards and witches alike are unable to produce one Patronus whilst saying the incantation, further evidence of Minerva's world class ability. 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.[13] 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.[92] 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.[93] She could also extract memories from herself[38] and others.[27]
  • 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.[13] During her early years in teaching, Minerva effortlessly undid the effects of the dark charm Oscausi Leta Lestrange placed on a Gryffindor girl.[15] 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.[71]
"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[src]
"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[src]
  • 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.[13]
  • 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.[3]
  • Potions: 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,[14] 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.[8][95]
  • 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.[1] 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.[24]
  • 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.[1] In 1998, she effortlessly solved the riddle to allow Amycus Carrow into the Ravenclaw Tower.[13] 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),[22] 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;[12] and helped to keep the meetings of the reformed Dumbledore's Army a secret.[13] 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[25] and ordered the caretaker to find Peeves to ensure the advantage of chaos on their side.[13]
"Hogwarts needs you, Minerva!"
— Albus Dumbledore trusting Minerva to run the school just before temporarily going on the run[src]
  • 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.[21] 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.[13] 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.[71]
  • 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.[12] She was also quite agile and displayed reflexes and speed rivalling the younger Severus Snape during their duel, which shocked Harry Potter who had never seen her move as fast as she did prior to that.[13]
  • 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,[96] along with giving tips.[97]

Possessions

ProfMinervaMcGonagallwandNN8290

Minerva's wand

Brilliant hornbill WU

McGonagall's pet hornbill

Brilliant Self Playing Harp WU

Minerva's self-playing harp

Relationships

Albus Dumbledore

McGonagall: "Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time —"
Harry Potter: "But this is important."
— Minerva McGonagall and Harry Potter in 1992[src]
COS promo Minerva Albus

Minerva with Albus Dumbledore, her dear friend and colleague

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.[14]

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.[21][24] She also served more than once to bring Dumbledore back on track when he became distracted from the matter currently at hand.[23] Minerva had great faith in Dumbledore, placing great stock in the differences between him and Voldemort.[3] 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[102] 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.[12] Minerva was devastated when Dumbledore was killed in 1997 during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and arranged his funeral.[24] 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.[13]

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[src]
Harry Potter

Harry Potter, student, protege, and ally

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,[3] calling them "the worst sort of Muggles imaginable".[102] 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.[105] 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.[3] 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.

McGonagallWithHandOnHarrysShoulder

McGonagall comforting Harry after refusing to allow him to go to Hogsmeade

This particularly strong concern for Harry, clearly above what Minerva felt for most other individual students, was later shown in his third year: She proved she cared far more for Harry than winning the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor, ensuring he was kept in maximum security and limiting his time to practise and even not hesitating to confiscate the Firebolt he was given to out of concern it was sent by Sirius Black and instantly lost her temper when Oliver Wood suggested Harry be allowed to fall off his broom as long as he caught the Snitch, intimidating Wood into submission. She also pitied him for being unable to go to Hogsmeade due to not having a signed note and appeared to indicate she would be willing to allow him to go had it not been for the danger of Sirius.

Minerva McGonagall: "Now, don't panic, just keep a cool head.... We've got wizards standing by to control the situation if it gets out of hand.... The main thing is just to do your best, and nobody will think any the worse of you.... Are you all right?"
Harry Potter: "Yes. Yes, I'm fine."
— McGonagall reassuring Harry before the first task of the Triwizard Tournament[src]

When Harry became the fourth Triwizard Champion, Minerva adamantly defended Harry from the accusation of Olympe Maxime that Harry had been willing to die for the gold rewarded and even went as far as to try to convince Albus into not letting Harry compete, being utterly mortified by the fact that Snape and Dumbledore were willing to use Harry as a bait and often showed herself to be more protective of Harry than the then Headmaster. She also wanted to keep Harry out of the explanation the imposter was about to give, believing Harry had had enough, but reluctantly conceded to Dumbledore's wish that Harry stay. However, she was quick to praise his performance and assure he was tended to in the First Task and helped him train for the Third Task by lending her room.

In Harry's fifth year, Minerva promised Harry that she would do whatever she possibly could to see that he achieved his dream of becoming an Auror. She supported him unequivocally even though she had never been fully in his confidence. When she later found out about the sort of punishment Harry and various other students had been receiving from Dolores Umbridge, Minerva expressed nothing but absolute disgust and disapproval, despite the power Umbridge wielded.[12] In return, although Harry disliked her strictness regarding his opposition of Umbridge, he was still grateful for her care towards him and was utterly infuriated when McGonagall was attacked so severely by the Aurors sent to capture Hagrid she had to be sent to St Mungo to the point where he even believed Umbridge being murdered brutally (fed to a Blast-Ended Skrewt) was not a punishment good enough and immediately felt such anger that he coldly defied Umbridge when she gloated over McGonagall's current state despite being cornered.

"Why would Harry Potter try to get inside Ravenclaw Tower? Potter belongs in my House!"
— McGonagall's pride that Harry belongs in her house[src]

Shortly prior to the Battle of Hogwarts, Amycus Carrow - who, along with his sister Alecto, had been posted at the school by Voldemort - demanded to know where Harry was in the Tower and McGonagall asked why he would be there as he belonged in her house, with clear pride in her voice. When Amycus spat at McGonagall, Harry was outraged to the point of attacking him with the Cruciatus Curse, even agreeing with Bellatrix Lestrange's assertion that one had to "really mean it" to perform the curse correctly. Although shocked by Harry's sudden appearance and his use of an Unforgivable Curse, she was clearly touched by the gesture. Though Minerva initially tried to convince Harry to flee out of concern for his safety, she immediately joined Harry in retaking the castle and preparing for battle. She did this when he informed her that he was acting on Dumbledore's orders. Nearing the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, Minerva's devastation was great when she saw Rubeus Hagrid carrying Harry's seemingly dead body. This grief was enough to make her duel Voldemort head on in the final battle, alongside Horace Slughorn and Kingsley Shacklebolt, in order to protect the rest of her students. When the battle ended with Voldemort's death at Harry's hands, she was among the first to embrace him.[13]

The two continued to have a very positive relationship over the following years. Harry acted as a frequent guest lecturer on Defence Against The Dark Arts, under Minerva's jurisdiction. She would serve as Headmistress over Harry's three children, and in turn she learned to expect them to get into the same kinds of trouble as their father. This was to be expected, after having now taught and served over three generations of Potters. Minerva's relationship with Harry experienced a brief strain when he blackmailed her into using the Marauder's Map to ensure Albus and Scorpius remains apart, which she felt great discontent at doing, but it was reconciled when Harry apologised and she wasn't shown to hold any ill-will afterwards.

Hermione Granger

"Ah, of course. There is no need to tell me any more, Miss Granger. Which one of you will be dying this year?"
— McGonagall discussing a previous Divination lesson[src]
Hermione Granger 2

Hermione Granger, her student

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.[3] 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.[21]

In Hermione's third year, Minerva went to the effort to arrange for Hermione to be given permission to use a Time-Turner to take additional classes. Teachers didn't often seek permission for a student to use one of the devices, but she saw something special in Hermione and went out of her way to make sure the younger witch wasn't under-achieving.[22] Minerva further showed her high regard of Hermione, by appointing her a Gryffindor prefect in her fifth year at Hogwarts. When Minerva was attacked by several Ministry employees outside of Hagrid's Hut, Hermione showed deep emotion towards the event, like Minerva did a few years before. She and McGonagall were allies during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and the Battle of Hogwarts, surviving the Second Wizarding War.

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,[22] Furthermore, both were considered for Ravenclaw, but in the end were both Sorted into Gryffindor House.

Ron Weasley

Professor McGonagall: "You'd better get along to the hospital wing, Weasley, you're bleeding."
Ron Weasley: "Not much. Professor, I wanted to watch my sister being Sorted —"
Professor McGonagall: "The Sorting Ceremony is over. Your sister is also in Gryffindor."
Ron Weasley: "Oh, good."
— Professor McGonagall to Ron Weasley at the beginning of the 1992–1993 school year[src]
Ron Weasley

Ron Weasley, her student

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

"It's high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she's got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have — particularly after what happened at the Ministry."
— McGonagall complimenting Neville for the first time[src]
Neville-longbottom

Neville Longbottom, her student

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.[3] 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.[22] 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.[24] 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[src]
Draco-Malfoy-promo-draco-and-slytherin-22383941-1920-2560

Draco Malfoy, her student

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

Weasley family

The Weasley family

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. When Dolores Umbridge was appointed as High Inquisitor for Hogwarts, she allied with the twins and attempted to oppose Umbridge.

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 Evans

"Is it true, Albus? Lily and James... are dead?"
— McGonagall's devastation regarding the Potter's murders[src]
The Marauders

The Marauders, her former students

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.

Lily Potter1

Lily Potter (née Evans), one of McGonagall's best students and an ally in the first Order of the Phoenix

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 James's 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 colleague in 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.

"Hero-worshipped Black and Potter. Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him... Stupid boy... Foolish boy..."
— McGonagall's low opinion of Peter Pettigrew[src]

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[src]
Rubeus Hagrid

Rubeus Hagrid, her friend and colleague

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.

Hagrid once kissed McGonagall on her cheek when he had drunk very much and she was noted giving a flushed giggle in the event's festivities. When Dolores Umbridge and several Aurors from the Ministry sought to sack and exile Hagrid from the school grounds by force, Minerva quickly flew to his aid, in turn taking four stunners simultaneously to the chest. Hagrid was disgusted and enraged when the Aurors stunned and injured her to the point that he attacked two of her attackers before fleeing, furiously denouncing them as cowards.

In 1997, after Albus Dumbledore's death, Minerva stated that she appreciated Hagrid's opinion very much, as did Dumbledore. McGonagall and Hagrid fought against Death Eaters during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and the Battle of Hogwarts. They were among the first ones to run to congratulate Harry after he defeated Voldemort. They both survived the war and still taught at Hogwarts.

Severus Snape

"And Potter — do try and win, won't you? Or we'll be out of the running for the eighth year in a row, as Professor Snape was kind enough to remind me only last night..."
— McGonagall after enduring taunting from Snape[src]
Severus Snape Profile

Severus Snape, her colleague and former student

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, and her last words towards him in life[src]

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

Flitwick: "Nothing we do will be able to keep out You-Know-Who indefinitely."
Sprout: "But we can hold him up."
McGonagall: "Thank you Pomona"
— Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, and Minerva just before the Battle of Hogwarts.[src]
Professor Sprout

Pomona Sprout, her longtime friend and colleague

The relationship between Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout dates back to when both attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[14] The two students maintained an excellent relationship, which was kept well into their adulthood.

When Dolores Umbridge stood to speak during the 1995 Start-of-Term Feast after her introduction by Headmaster Dumbledore, the two professors were both taken aback at this, and even exchange glances of disapproval.[12] During the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998, Minerva and Pomona had the same views on protecting the Castle against Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters.[9]

Sybill Trelawney

Sybill Trelawney: "Certainly I knew, Minerva. But one does not parade the fact that one is All-Knowing. I frequently act as though I am not possessed of the Inner Eye, so as not to make others nervous."
McGonagall: "That explains a great deal."
— Professor McGonagall's obvious disdain for Divination[src]
Sybill Trelawney

Sybill Trelawney, her colleague

Minerva and Sybill Trelawney weren't the best of friends, barely maintaining civility between them. Minerva had no use for Sybill's subject, Divination, believing that Trelawney was a fraud. The only reason Minerva has never spoken ill of Sybill directly was due to her refusal to insult her colleagues.[22]

Despite her dislike for Trelawney and her teachings, Minerva was still disgusted when Umbridge unceremoniously and cruelly sacked Sybill. They would grow to understand one another through their shared hatred of Dolores Umbridge during the woman's tenure as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. Minerva was there as a literal shoulder for Sybill to cry on, speaking out against Dolores and told her what she thought after the events.[12]

Hogwarts staff

Filius Flitwick: "I suppose you are aware that nothing we do can indefinitely prevent You-Know-Who to enter the school, right? —"
Pomona Sprout: "But we can delay it. —"
McGonagall: "Thank you, Pomona."
— McGonagall's interaction with other members of staff[src]
Harry Potter Movie Pictures-Professors

Minerva with some of her colleagues

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 upstart of the Battle of Hogwarts.

Flitwickmainimage

Filius Flitwick, her friend and colleague

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.

Minerva was on amicable terms with Horace Slughorn, her former Potions professor. However, she commented on his seemingly cowardly behaviour when he realised the castle was under attack, noting he should take his students and do so if he wished to leave. She said that the two would duel to kill if he attempted to hinder their efforts against Voldemort from inside the castle, stating that it was time for Slytherin to finally choose their alliances. He was taken aback at this and he fled, but later returned with reinforcements of students' parents and residents of Hogsmeade to help with the battle efforts. Both Minerva and Horace battled together against Voldemort alongside Kingsley Shacklebolt in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Gilderoy Lockhart COS promo

Gilderoy Lockhart

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.

After Voldemort infiltrated Hogwarts, two new professors took the post of Muggle Studies and Defence Against the Dark Arts: Alecto and Amycus Carrow respectively. They were loyal Death Eaters, and befitting their status, they taught Dark Arts rather than Defence Against the Dark Arts, devoted Muggle Studies to explaining how Muggles were filthy animals, and often took delight in punishing students with the Cruciatus Curse. Minerva did the best she could to protect the students from the Carrows, and she did not condone Amycus's plan to blame the students for Alecto's mishap, all the while looking down at him with disgust and speaking to him coldly and fearlessly. When Amycus spat on McGonagall's face, Harry Potter got very angry and hit him with the Cruciatus Curse. After the war, McGonagall sent the Carrows to Azkaban.

Order of the Phoenix members

Order of the Phoenix

The original Order of the Phoenix

McGonagall had a good relationship with most members of the Order of the Phoenix. Some of them included Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt, whom she appeared to be friendly with Kingsley. They fought Voldemort, along with Horace Slughorn, and all of them survived the war.

Other fellow member was Alastor Moody, who was appointed as DADA professor in 1994. However, he was captured by Barty Crouch Jnr and Peter Pettigrew; Barty Crouch was disguised as Moody and became the professor, as he wanted to send Harry Potter to Voldemort. McGonagall was very angry by Crouch's teaching methods and shouted at him. It is possible that she had the same opinion of the real Moody, but Moody might have been friendly with McGonagall afterwards. He was killed by Voldemort during the Battle of the Seven Potters.

Lord Voldemort

Minerva McGonagall: "As I say, even if You-Know-Who has gone —"
Albus Dumbledore: "My dear Professor, surely a sensible person like yourself can call him by his name? All this 'You-Know-Who' nonsense — for eleven years I have been trying to persuade people to call him by his proper name: Voldemort. It all gets so confusing if we keep saying 'You-Know-Who.' I have never seen any reason to be frightened of saying Voldemort's name."
Minerva McGonagall: "I know you haven't. But you're different. Everyone knows you're the only one You-Know- oh, all right, Voldemort, was frightened of."
— Minerva and Albus Dumbledore discussing Voldemort in 1991[src]
Voldemort Headshot DHP1

Lord Voldemort, a hated and feared enemy

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.[14] 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.[3]

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.[13]

Dolores Umbridge

Minerva McGonagall: "He has achieved high marks in all his Defence Against the Dark Arts tests —"
Dolores Umbridge: "I'm terribly sorry to have to contradict you, Minerva, but as you will see from my note, Harry has been achieving very poor results in his classes with me —"
Minerva McGonagall: "I should have made my meaning plainer, He has achieved high marks in all Defence Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher."
— Minerva insulting Dolores Umbridge[src]
Dolores Umbridge Deathly Hallows promotional image

Dolores Umbridge, her enemy and former colleague

Minerva disliked Dolores Umbridge right from the beginning when the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher began to invade Hogwarts with her Hogwarts High Inquisitor position and did everything she could in her power to circumvent Umbridge's authority without risking the loss of her job. She was the colleague whom she had more violently clashed with than any other colleague in her long and varied career. During Umbridge's inspections of McGonagall's class, Minerva tried for the most part to ignore Umbridge. This was difficult due to Umbridge's constant interruptions by means Umbridge's soft, girlish cough of "Hem hem". When forced to acknowledge Umbridge's presence, McGonagall treated her with a cold and harsh demeanour.[12]

Despite Umbridge having the power to put Minerva on probation or even sack her, Minerva was not afraid to show her disgust and hatred of Umbridge to the woman's face. Despite this, she understood that Umbridge had a lot of power and that she was reporting directly to Cornelius Fudge, and so Minerva once warned Harry Potter to tread carefully around Umbridge. Even so, Minerva vehemently vouched for Harry during their Career Advice session, claiming that she would coach him nightly if she had to in order to realise his dream of becoming an Auror, after Umbridge's furious protests that Harry would never become one. After Umbridge fired Sybill Trelawney from her post as Divination teacher, Minerva even put aside her mild dislike of Sybill to focus even more on her hatred of Umbridge, indirectly stating that the latter's evaluation is incompetent and will not be taken into consideration.[12]

Disloyalty Minerva Dolores

Dolores Umbridge arguing with Minerva McGonagall

Even when Dolores took over Hogwarts, replacing Albus Dumbledore as Head of the school, Minerva continued to help undermine Umbridge's reign, preferring to watch her struggle with the chaos that was being caused by the students and Peeves (and sometimes even helping with it). When Minerva was attacked and sent to St Mungo's, Dolores was pleased that she at last had complete control of Hogwarts. After she returned to Hogwarts, Minerva did nothing to curb the students' enthusiasm when Peeves chased Dolores from Hogwarts, only lamenting that she could not watch with them because the poltergeist had taken her walking stick to hit Dolores with as he followed her from the school.[12] Umbridge returned to the Ministry in a high-ranking position and interrogated Muggle-borns, capturing them and imprisoning them to Azkaban. However, after the Second Wizarding War, Umbridge was captured by Aurors and sent to Azkaban herself, for the rest of her life.

Despite their hatred for each other, both McGonagall and Umbridge share the same Patronus: a cat, although McGonagall's resembled her Animagus form.

Media

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".

Behind the scenes

MinervaMcGonagall WB F1 MinervaMcGonagallRobeIllustration Illust 080615 Port

McGonagall as she appears on Pottermore

Minerva McGonagall - PAS

Minerva McGonagall as seen in Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells

Mcgonagall pop

Minerva as a POP! Vinyl

McGonagall Yule Ball pop vinyl

Minerva McGonagall (in her Yule Ball robes) as a POP! Vinyl

McGonagallCatPOP

Minerva McGonagall (in her Animagus cat form) as a POP! Vinyl

McGonagall

Minerva as a LEGO minifigure (old edition)

LEGO minifigure of Minerva McGonagall

Minerva as a LEGO minifigure (2010 edition)

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Minerva as a LEGO minifigure (2018 edition)

Minerva McGonagall 2020 LEGO minifigure

Minerva as a LEGO minifigure (2020 edition)

  • Minerva McGonagall is portrayed by British[106] 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.
  • A younger Minerva McGonagall is portrayed by Fiona Glascott in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
    • Previously, on Harry Potter Wiki and Harry Potter Lexicon, McGonagall's year of birth was calculated to be 1935 from her Pottermore biography and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 15 (The Hogwarts High Inquisitor), which reveals she began Hogwarts in December 1956 after working for the Ministry for two years immediately after graduation. This places her graduation in 1954, her first year in 1947, and her birth in 1935 (because of her October birthday, she was almost 12 when starting at Hogwarts). Furthermore, her Pottermore piece states that she was a student of Dumbledore when he taught Transfiguration ("under the guidance of her inspirational Transfiguration teacher, Albus Dumbledore"). It also states that Dumbledore employed her when he was still Head of the Transfiguration department and that she worked under him when he was Head of the department ("offering her a job in the Transfiguration department, under Head of Department, Albus Dumbledore").
      • However, in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Albus and Minerva were presented as basically being a contemporary and Dumbledore taught Defence Against the Dark Arts first, meaning he couldn't have taught her Transfiguration. Hence, McGonagall's appearance in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald greatly upset certain fans and generated debates on the matter, as it retconned her previously given birth date. In order to force this retcon to work, she (and Dumbledore) have to switch back and forth implausibly in too short of a timeframe in their career, and it extensively ages Pomona Sprout (who had two overlapping school years with McGonagall) too. J. K. Rowling nor anyone else in the franchise have explained the change of McGonagall's birth date. Theories have included:
        • McGonagall's comments to Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, where she says she had been working at the school for "thirty-nine years" never specified that she taught those thirty-nine years consecutively, which was the assumption for the calculation to work. This could mean Minerva had been teaching as Head of the Transfiguration Department for 39 years and not Hogwarts in general. In this case, it only contradicts Minerva's second statement that she had started as transfiguration professor "after working for the Ministry for two years immediately after graduation."[12]
          • It is also possible that she took a break in her career at some point in her life like Horace Slughorn or she was in fact outright lying to Dolores Umbridge about her real length of employment at Hogwarts.
        • There is also the possibility that there was another, older Scottish witch of the same name who also taught at Hogwarts before the birth of Minerva who appears in the Harry Potter books and films, although it would be unlikely that the two are related as the latter inherited her surname from her Muggle father.[14]
        • Another possible theory is the idea of time travel as this concept has been explored in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, 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, there 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 the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 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 the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 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.
  • Minerva is partly inspired by J. K. Rowling's inspirational English teacher Lucy Shepherd, who taught her what a good book looks like.
  • In an early draft of the first book, she was called "Madam McGonagle".[citation needed]
  • 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.
  • In an interview after the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J. K. Rowling had stated that Hogwarts had a different Head by the time Harry Potter's children arrived in 2017, saying that Minerva was "getting on a bit".[107] Her stance was eventually changed, as with the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Minerva is shown to still be active as of Albus Potter's time at Hogwarts.[10]
  • Minerva McGonagall and Dolores Umbridge share the same Patronus, a cat.
  • McGonagall is a playable character in the video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, Professor McGonagall can't enter the Gryffindor common room despite the fact she is the head of the house and she was in Gryffindor House during her studency at Hogwarts.
  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, she isn't shown bringing the suits of armour to life to help in the Battle of Hogwarts. Also in this game, before casting the protective enchantments around the castle before the Battle of Hogwarts, she asks Harry for flowers.
  • Professor McGonagall appears as Headmistress in the video game Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, in which she is voiced by American actress Susanne Blakeslee.[108]

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 641 images related to Minerva McGonagall.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39 1.40 1.41 1.42 1.43 1.44 1.45 1.46 1.47 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Professor McGonagall" at Wizarding World
  2. ↑ HP lexicon transcript of JKR's notes.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  4. ↑ MSNBC Interview with J.K. Rowling
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 7 (The Sorting Hat)
  6. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 1 (The Boy Who Lived)
  7. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 6 (Talons and Tea Leaves)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 30 (The Sacking of Severus Snape)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Act Four, Scene One
  11. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, "HOGWARTS TRIVIA" Achievement
  12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 12.18 12.19 12.20 12.21 12.22 12.23 12.24 12.25 12.26 12.27 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 13.15 13.16 13.17 13.18 13.19 13.20 13.21 13.22 13.23 13.24 13.25 13.26 13.27 13.28 13.29 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 Pottermore Presents: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, Chapter 1 (Minerva McGonagall)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay
  16. ↑ Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - The Complete Screenplay
  17. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 1 (Year Two Begins)
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 3 (The Black Quill)
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 4 (Revelio) - Private Transfiguration Lesson "Revelio"
  20. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 10 (The Vault of Ice)
  21. ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  22. ↑ 22.00 22.01 22.02 22.03 22.04 22.05 22.06 22.07 22.08 22.09 22.10 22.11 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  24. ↑ 24.00 24.01 24.02 24.03 24.04 24.05 24.06 24.07 24.08 24.09 24.10 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite "Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts"
  27. ↑ 27.00 27.01 27.02 27.03 27.04 27.05 27.06 27.07 27.08 27.09 27.10 27.11 27.12 27.13 27.14 27.15 27.16 27.17 Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
  28. ↑ 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
  29. ↑ PotterCast 130
  30. ↑ Pottermore Presents - Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, Chapter 1 (Minerva McGonagall)
  31. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (SOS Task Force Training - Calamity Essentials III: Price of Freedom)
  32. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal: Confronting the Faceless)
  33. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Chapter 2: Minerva McGonagall: Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, formerly Professor of Transfiguration. An old friend and mentor to Harry Potter.
  34. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (see here)
  35. ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened - October 2021 special event (at the start of this video, on the top right, Neville is described as "格兰芬多院长", which means Head of Gryffindor)
  36. ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (See this image)
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite "Brilliant Event: Lost Love"
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Pensieve" at Wizarding World
  39. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Chapter 2: Grim Fawley - background - Grim's School Record)
  40. ↑ The Tales of Beedle the Bard, page xi, xiv.
  41. ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened official website - Notable Alumni - "For fans of Harry Potter, there are many familiar faces from the series that appear in Harry Potter: Magic Awakened. Taking place ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts, many past alumni and professors have become valuable members of the school's faculty…"
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Year 1, My First Days at Hogwarts
  43. ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Year 1, Socialise at Dance Club
  44. ↑ Twitter favicon J. K. Rowling on Twitter: "Have just heard that James S Potter has been Sorted (to nobody's surprise) into Gryffindor. Teddy Lupin (Head Boy, Hufflepuff) disappointed."
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Wonderbook: Book of Potions
  46. ↑ J. K. Rowling's Twitter account (see here)
  47. ↑ While the out-of-control, riderless broomsticks captured by a Muggle speed camera dated 14 December 2018 is the earliest glimpse players of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite got of the Calamity, it is listed as the seventy-forth Trace the SOS Task Force encountered and, seen as how the game establishes that the Calamity began gradually and increased steadily to the point where they had regular surges.
  48. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Registry: Mysteries)
  49. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (SOS Task Force Training)
  50. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Magizoological Appraisal - Guest Lecturer)
  51. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Calamity Essentials I - Founder's Foundation)
  52. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Calamity Essentials I - On Being a Foundable)
  53. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professor McGonagall was the one to introduce members of the SOS Task Force to their chosen career during the Calamity.)
  54. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal: "Ideal Exchange")
  55. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal: "The Deterioration Hex")
  56. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal: "Strength in Numbers"
  57. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal: "Attention to Detail")
  58. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal: "Enhanced Protection Charm")
  59. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal: "Advanced Proficiency Charm")
  60. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal - Pesky Pixies)
  61. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Professorial Appraisal: "Advanced Proficiency Charm")
  62. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (See here)
  63. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite - (Calamity Essentials I: "On Being a Foundable")
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts)
  65. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite "Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts"
  66. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: Back to Hogwarts)
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 67.3 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: Lost Love)
  68. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite "Brilliant Event: Hogwarts Quidditch Cup"
  69. ↑ This meetings took place after Harry and Ginny dropped off their children at King's Cross, but before the Start-of-Term Feast where Minerva could see the students arrive and notice that Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy failed to appear to school.
  70. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: Battle of the Department of Mysteries)
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 71.2 71.3 71.4 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 72.3 72.4 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: Hogwarts for the Holidays)
  73. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: First Year at Hogwarts)
  74. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: An Imperfect Love)
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: The New Marauders)
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: A Weasley Predicament)
  77. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Brilliant Event: Battle for Secrecy)
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Side Quest "A Special Celebration of Hogwarts Teachers"
  79. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Side Quest "Over the Moon"
  80. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 81.2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 13 (Mad-Eye Moody)
  82. ↑ 82.0 82.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 4, Chapter 12 (Working with Snape) - Transfiguration Lesson "Serpensortia"
  83. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 14 (Cornelius Fudge) - (About the Chamber)
  84. ↑ 84.0 84.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 9 (Artefact Check) - Transfiguration Lesson "Avis"
  85. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Side Quest "Valentine's Day"
  86. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
  87. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
  88. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 4, Chapter 14 (The Spider's Lair) - Transfiguration Lesson "Colovaria"
  89. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 4, Chapter 2 (The Mysterious Madam Rakepick)
  90. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 5 (Tulip Karasu) - Transfiguration Lesson "Duro"
  91. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 6 (Bill Weasley) - Transfiguration Lesson "Spongify"
  92. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 16 (The Chamber of Secrets)
  93. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11 (The Duelling Club)
  94. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 14 (The Unforgivable Curses)
  95. ↑ LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
  96. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Side Quest "A SPECIAL CELEBRATION OF HOGWARTS TEACHERS"
  97. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Side Quest "The Curse-Breaker's Gambit"
  98. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) - Chapter 14 (About the Chamber)
  99. ↑ 99.0 99.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 5 (The Dementor) - "Ron stared as Professor McGonagall ushered Harry and Hermione away from the chattering crowd; they accompanied her across the entrance hall, up the marble staircase, and along a corridor. Once they were in her office, a small room with a large, welcoming fire, Professor McGonagall motioned Harry and Hermione to sit down"
  100. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 15 (The Forbidden Forest) - "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"
  101. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 12 (The Triwizard Tournament)
  102. ↑ 102.0 102.1 102.2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
  103. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 9 (Grim Defeat) - "Professor McGonagall stood up and stared out of the window at the Quidditch field, just visible through the rain"
  104. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 23 (The Yule Ball)
  105. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 33 (The Prince's Tale)
  106. ↑ IMDb favicon Maggie Smith at the Internet Movie Database
  107. ↑ JK Rowling One-On-One: Part One. Today Show (NBC), 26 July 2007
  108. ↑ IMDb favicon Susanne Blakeslee at the Internet Movie Database
Preceded by:
Albus Dumbledore 		Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts
?–1998 		Succeeded by:
Unknown
Preceded by:
Unknown, eventually Godric Gryffindor 		Head of Gryffindor House
Before 1971–1998 		Succeeded by:
Unknown, eventually Neville Longbottom
Preceded by:
Albus Dumbledore 		(Acting) Headmistress of Hogwarts
1993 		Succeeded by:
Albus Dumbledore
Preceded by:
Albus Dumbledore 		(Acting) Headmistress of Hogwarts
Late June 1997 		Succeeded by:
Severus Snape
Preceded by:
Severus Snape 		Headmistress of Hogwarts
1998–at least 2020 		Succeeded by:
Unknown
Preceded by:
Unknown, eventually Matilda Weasley 		Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts
1997 		Succeeded by:
Alecto Carrow
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hogwarts Houses
Gryffindor ClearBG
Hufflepuff ClearBG
RavenclawCrest
Slytherin ClearBG
Namesake Founders
Godric Gryffindor · Helga Hufflepuff · Rowena Ravenclaw · Salazar Slytherin
Heads of House
Minerva McGonagall · Pomona Sprout · Filius Flitwick · Horace Slughorn
House Ghosts
Nearly Headless Nick · Fat Friar · Grey Lady · Bloody Baron
Hogwarts faculty
Hogwartscrest
Founders Godric Gryffindor · Helga Hufflepuff · Rowena Ravenclaw · Salazar Slytherin
Headteachers Giffard Abbott · Walter Aragon · Phineas Nigellus Black · Elizabeth Burke · Antonia Creaseworthy · Dilys Derwent · Armando Dippet · Albus Dumbledore · Mordicus Egg · Everard · First Headmaster · Niamh Fitzgerald · Dexter Fortescue · Basil Fronsac · Brian Gagwilde · Limebert · Minerva McGonagall · Eupraxia Mole · Edessa Sakndenberg · Brutus Scrimgeour · Phyllida Spore · Severus Snape · Amrose Swott · Quentin Trimble · Dolores Umbridge · Fytherley Undercliffe · Vindictus Viridian · Vulpus · Heliotrope Wilkins · Gimlet-eyed Headmistress · Headmaster (1568) · Headteacher (1792) · Unidentified Headteachers
Deputy Heads Alecto Carrow · Amycus Carrow · Minerva McGonagall · Matilda Weasley
Heads of House Muldoon Cragg · Filius Flitwick · Godric Gryffindor · Gryffindor lady · Gryffindor man (II) · Gryffindor man (III) · Gryffindor man (IV) · Gryffindor Seeker · Helga Hufflepuff · Neville Longbottom · Minerva McGonagall · Valeria Myriadd · Uric Oapley · Podric Piles · Pink-faced Headmaster · Prendergast · Rowena Ravenclaw · Abraham Ronen · Horace Slughorn · Salazar Slytherin · Severus Snape · Pomona Sprout · Tobias Stump
Teaching staff Bartholomew · Bathsheda Babbling · San Bakar · Herbert Beery · Cuthbert Binns · Brindlemore · Charity Burbage · Herodiana Byrne · Camelia · Alecto Carrow · Amycus Carrow · Bartemius Crouch Junior (disguised as Alastor Moody) · Clodagh Dromgoole · Albus Dumbledore · Archibald Eagleton · Eleazar Fig · Firenze · Filius Flitwick · Fortinbras · Mirabel Garlick · Mirabel Garlick's predecessor · Jakub Gorski · Olivia Green · Rubeus Hagrid · Dinah Hecat · Rolanda Hooch · Bai Howin · Arsenius Jigger · Igor Karkaroff's Yule Ball partner · Silvanus Kettleburn · Chiyo Kogawa · Gilderoy Lockhart · Neville Longbottom · Remus Lupin · Elspeth MacGillony · Mazoni · Minerva McGonagall · Galatea Merrythought · Isidora Morganach · Mudiwa Onai · Prendergast · Quirinus Quirrell · Percival Rackham · Patricia Rakepick · Abraham Ronen · Charles Rookwood · Concordia Rowle · Luna Scamander · Satyavati Shah · Aesop Sharp · Arif Sikander · Aurora Sinistra · Horace Slughorn · Severus Snape · Pomona Sprout · Swoopstikes · Sybill Trelawney · Trocar · Dolores Umbridge · Septima Vector · Matilda Weasley · Matilda Weasley's predecessor · Unidentified professor · Charms professor (medieval) · Potions professor (16th century) · Holidaying professor (before 1890s) · DADA professor (1984–1985) · DADA professor (1985–1986) · DADA professor (1986–1987) · DADA professor (1987–1988) · DADA professor (1989–1990) · DADA professor (1990–1991) · Muggle Studies professor (1990s) · Music professor · DADA professor (1998–?) · Potions professor (21st century) · Charms professor (?th century)
Hogwarts house-elves Bilm · Boil-ridden house-elf · Cooky · Cosa · Deek · Dobby · Feenky · Filk · Gimkey ·Krafty · Kreacher · Nonsuch · Pitts · Retch · Ringkull · Rooky · Vekey · Wigby · Winky · Wooby · Unidentified house-elf (I) · Unidentified house-elf (II)
Support staff Phineas Nigellus Black's secretaries · Noreen Blainey · Rancorous Carpe · Argus Filch · Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank · Rubeus Hagrid · Rolanda Hooch · Hankerton Humble · Gladwin Moon · Ogg · Irma Pince · Poppy Pomfrey · Apollyon Pringle · Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus · Agnes Scribner · Wainscott · Carriage driver (1890s) · Gamekeeper (1890s) · Unidentified Healers · Librarian (?th century) · Librarian (21st century)
Transfiguration (class)
COS Vera Verto demo
Branches of Transfiguration Transformation · Vanishment · Conjuration · Untransfiguration
Notable practitioners Circe · Emeric Switch · Falco Aesalon · Mirabella Plunkett · Thaddeus Thurkell
Professors Albus Dumbledore · Minerva McGonagall · Charles Rookwood · Matilda Weasley
Textbooks A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration · Intermediate Transfiguration · A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration
Transfiguration spells taught at Hogwarts
Colour Change Charm (Colovaria) · Change of hair colour and style (Crinus Muto) · Hardening Charm (Duro) · Mending Charm (Reparo) · Partial Vanishment · Reparifarge · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Switching Spell · Vanishing Spell (Evanesco)
Conjuring Spells Bird-Conjuring Charm (Avis) · Inanimatus Conjurus Spell · Bouquet Spell (Orchideous) · Snake Summons Spell (Serpensortia)
Transforming Spells Animal to water goblet (Vera Verto) · Armadillo to Pillow · Bowling Ball to Balloon · Beetle into Button · Cauldron to badger · Cat to cauldron (Felifors) · Cauldron Cakes to Cabbages · Chair to cat · Cross-Species Switches · Desk Into Pig · Fairy Cakes to Fairies · Feather Duster to Ferret · Ferret to Feather Duster · Gobstone to butterfly · Goldfinch to Golden Snitch · Flobberworm to Fritter · Gnomes to Lawn Gnomes · Guinea fowl to guinea pig · Gobstone to Skunk · Hedgehog to pincushion · King to Rook · Lovebird to Love Note · Match to needle · Meddling Man to Monkey · Mice to Snuffboxes · Owl to Opera Glasses (Strigiforma) · Pawn to Queen · Porcupine to Pin Cushion (Hystrifors) · Puffskein to Paperweight · Rubbish to Raccoon Dog · Small Child to Rat · Small object to dragon (Draconifors) · Snail to Teapot · Target to bird (Avifors) · Target to matchbox (Flintifors) · Target to rabbit (Lapifors) · Teacup into Gerbil · Teacup to Rat · Teapot to Tortoise · Thimble to Thestral · Toad to Toadstool · Tortoise to Trumpet · White rabbits to slippers
Order of the Phoenix
Fawkes WB F2 FawkesIllustration V2 Illust
Founder:
Albus Dumbledore
Leaders:
Albus Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Kingsley Shacklebolt
Original Order of of the Phoenix:
Aberforth Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Alice Longbottom | Arabella Figg | Benjy Fenwick | Caradoc Dearborn | Dedalus Diggle | Dorcas Meadowes | Edgar Bones | Elphias Doge | Emmeline Vance | Fabian Prewett | Frank Longbottom | Gideon Prewett | James Potter | Lily Potter | Marlene McKinnon | Mundungus Fletcher | Peter Pettigrew (defected) | Remus Lupin | Rubeus Hagrid | Severus Snape | Sirius Black | Sturgis Podmore
Reconstituted Order of the Phoenix:
Aberforth Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Arabella Figg | Arthur Weasley | Bill Weasley | Charlie Weasley | Dedalus Diggle | Elphias Doge | Emmeline Vance | Fleur Delacour | Fred Weasley | George Weasley | Harry Potter | Hermione Granger | Hestia Jones | Kingsley Shacklebolt | Minerva McGonagall | Molly Weasley | Mundungus Fletcher | Nymphadora Tonks | Remus Lupin | Ron Weasley | Rubeus Hagrid | Severus Snape | Sirius Black | Sturgis Podmore
Order of the Phoenix allies:
Andromeda Tonks | Augusta Longbottom | Buckbeak | Dobby | Fawkes | Filius Flitwick | Firenze | Garrick Ollivander | Ginny Weasley | Grawp | Helena Ravenclaw | Horace Slughorn | Karkus | Karkus's wife | Kreacher | Lee Jordan | Luna Lovegood | McKinnon family | Mr Westenberg | Mrs Westenberg | Muriel | Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington | Neville Longbottom | Oliver Wood | Olympe Maxime | Rita Skeeter | Patrick Delaney-Podmore | Peeves | Percy Weasley | Pomona Sprout | Poppy Pomfrey | Sybill Trelawney | Ted Tonks | The Fallen Fifty | Westenberg family | Winky | Xenophilius Lovegood
Other affiliations:
Dumbledore's Army | Forbidden Forest Centaur colony | Headless Hunt | Hogwarts Hippogriff herd | Hogwarts house-elves | Hogwarts Ghosts | Hogwarts Staff |
Hogwarts students | Hogwarts Thestral herd | British Ministry of Magic | Giant colony (Karkus's control)
Dumbledore's first army
The Secrets of Dumbledore - Heroes
Leaders:
Newton Scamander (founder) | Albus Dumbledore (co-leader)
Members:
Bunty Broadacre | Eulalie Hicks | Jacob Kowalski | Pickett | Teddy | Theseus Scamander | Yusuf Kama
Allies:
Aberforth Dumbledore | Minerva McGonagall | Nicolas Flamel | Porpentina Goldstein | Queenie Goldstein
Headquarters:
Hog's Head Inn | Hogwarts Castle (briefly)
Animagi
GF 37
Before registration system
Falco Aesalon (Falcon) · Cliodna (Sea Bird) · Morgan le Fay (Bird) · Morrigan (Crow) · Unidentified Native American Animagus (Eagle)
Registered
Minerva McGonagall (Tabby cat) · Adrian Tutley (Gerbil) · Talbott Winger's mother (White Swan) · Unidentified witch (Black cat) · Five unidentified individuals (Unknown)
Unregistered
Patricia McManners (Calico cat) · Olivier Kikkert (Frog) · Sirius Black (Black dog) · Peter Pettigrew (Rat) · James Potter (Stag) · Rita Skeeter (Beetle) · Talbott Winger (Eagle)
Unknown registry status
Mudiwa Onai (African fish eagle) · Natsai Onai's father (Giraffe) · Natsai Onai (Gazelle) · Poacher Animagus (Wolf) · Jacob's sibling (Brown dog, Black and white cat or Eagle) · Bly (Lemur) · Ambrose Turner (Butterfly)
Fictional Animagi
Babbitty Rabbity (Rabbit)
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hogwartscrest
Head Boys and Girls
Dinah Hecat · Albus Dumbledore · Minerva McGonagall · Tom Riddle · Peregrine · James Potter · Lily Evans · Unidentified Head Boy · Unidentified Head Girl · William Weasley · Jacob's sibling · Corey Hayden · Percy Weasley · Edward Lupin
Prefects
Albus Dumbledore · Minerva McGonagall · Tom Riddle · Lucius Malfoy · Remus Lupin · Hannah Abbott · Penelope Clearwater · Angelica Cole · Chester Davies · Felix Rosier · Jane Court · William Weasley · Charles Weasley · Cedric Diggory · Gemma Farley · Jake Flinton · Anthony Goldstein · Hermione Granger · Nicolas Grimmett · Robert Hawking · Robert Hilliard · Ernie Macmillan · Draco Malfoy · Cyril Meakin · Eric Murley · Annalena Murk · Pansy Parkinson · Padma Patil · Damian Perriss · Edmund Spiers · Jonathan Spratt · Kevin Sterndale · Terry Strickland · Marcus Turner · Gabriel Truman · Percy Weasley · Ron Weasley · Ryan Westrup · Mervyn Wynch · Unidentified Gryffindor Prefect (I) · Unidentified Gryffindor Prefect (II) · Unidentified Ravenclaw Prefect (I) · Unidentified Ravenclaw Prefect (II) · Unidentified Slytherin Prefect (I) · Unidentified Slytherin Prefect (II) · Unidentified Slytherin Prefect (III)
Department of Magical Law Enforcement employees
Department of Magical Law Enforcement logo
Heads of Department
Justus Pilliwickle · Torquil Travers · Bartemius Crouch Senior · Amelia Bones · Pius Thicknesse · Corban Yaxley · Arthur Weasley · Harry Potter
Auror Office
Heads: Theseus Scamander · Rufus Scrimgeour · Gawain Robards · Harry Potter
Mordecai Berrycloth · John Dawlish · Penelope Fawley · Dorian Fungbury · Timothy Hale · Alice Longbottom · Frank Longbottom · Neville Longbottom · Patricia McManners · Alastor Moody · Alastor Moody's father · Riya Patel · Proudfoot · Savage · Kingsley Shacklebolt · Nymphadora Tonks · Ronald Weasley · Williamson · Unidentified Aurors · Helen Thistlewood · Solomon Sallow · Aesop Sharp · Aesop Sharp's partner · Unidentified male Auror at Hogwarts · Director of the Ministry Police No. 41041
Improper Use of Magic Office
Heads: Travers · Dolores Umbridge
Mafalda Hopkirk · Honoria's fiancé · Mafalda Hopkirk's Ministerial Superior · Rufus Fudge · Orabella Nuttley · Chester Davies · Linderina Crane
Other personnel
Council of Magical Law guards · Leta Lestrange · Minerva McGonagall · Elphinstone Urquart · Elton Elderberry · Alastor Gumboil · Arnold Peasegood · Arthur Weasley · Perkins · Bilius Finbok · Cerberus Langarm · Hermione Granger · Bob Ogden · Constance Pickering · Ruth Singer · Tulip Karasu's mother · Tulip Karasu's father · Dempster Wiggleswade · Amelia Bones's assistant · Arthur Weasley's ten subordinates · Unidentified Hit Wizard · Unidentified Wizengamot clerk
Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade WW logo
Scotland, Great Britain
Founder: Hengist of Woodcroft
Shops and other businesses
Baby Witch · Batworthy Junk · Bewildering Blooms · Bingle & Blatch · Brews and Stews Café · Brood and Peck · Ceridwen's Cauldrons · Dervish and Banges · Dogweed and Deathcap · Dominic Maestro's Music Shop · Fickle Fabrics · Flutes and Lutes · Gladrags Wizardwear · The Haunted Hogsmeade Shop · Hayden family shop · Hog's Head Inn · Hogsmeade Post Office · Honeydukes · J. Pippin's Potions · Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop · Madam Snelling's Tress Emporium · The Magic Neep · McBloom & McMuck · McHavelock's Wizarding Headgear · The Old Fool · Ollivanders · Pedrus Pridgeon · Pets & Familiars · Renka Rabblehauser's shop · Rosa Lee Teabag · Scribbulus Writing Implements · Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop · Spintwitches Sporting Needs · Steepley and Sons · Three Broomsticks Inn · Tomes and Scrolls · Vladimir Plot Plumbing Supplies · Wizarding hairdressing salon · Zonko's Joke Shop
Other locations
Cave near Hogsmeade · Elphinstone Urquart and Minerva McGonagall's Hogsmeade cottage · High Street · Hogsmeade Graveyard · Hogsmeade Station · Merge Publications · Office 323 · River by Hogsmeade · Rivers Edge · Road to Hogsmeade · Road to Hogwarts · Shrieking Shack · Silvanus Kettleburn's house · Spire Alley · Wizarding Wireless Network Headquarters
Known residents and shop employees
Alice · Garnuff · Gwendoline Babcocke · Gwendoline Babcocke's mother · Archibald Bennett · Bilton Bilmes · Thomas Brown · Otto Dibble · Aberforth Dumbledore · Andre Egwu · Employee of the Hogsmeade Post Office · Fastidio · Mopsy Fleabert · Ambrosius Flume · Mrs Flume · Greebly · Beatrice Green · Corey Hayden's parents · Augustus Hill · Hogsmeade street sweeper · Hogsmeade town crier · Horace · Hrithvi · Betty Huxley · Richard Jackdaw · Silvanus Kettleburn · Lucy Lanyon · Dominic Maestro · Soleil le Marveillus · Cassandra Mason · Cassandra Mason's tenants · Minerva McGonagall · McHavelock · Agnes Nutt · Penny (house-elf) · Agabus Philbert · Dulcibella Philbert · Gabbey · J. Pippin · Parry Pippin · Vladimir Plot · Puddifoot · Renka Rabblehauser · Olivia Redding · Patrick Redding · Rosmerta · Sirona Ryan · Scrivenshaft · Calliope Snelling · Perdita Strix · Timothy Teasdale · Yubert Thorne · Thaddeus Travers · Jasper Trout · Unidentified 19th-century Hogwarts student · Unidentified mallowsweet seller · Unidentified Ollivander's assistant · Unidentified shop assistant · Elphinstone Urquart · Waiter at the Three Broomsticks · Ethel Wigley · Albie Weekes · Wally Wimbles · Zonko · Zonko's shopkeeper
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