As a character-driven reader (and writer), I get very attached to fictional characters. Some of my favorite scenes to read involve my favorite characters having an epic moment. This could mean they put someone in their place, give a witty retort, or simply do something that makes me like them even more. The Harry Potter series is full of moments like these, and today, I’d like to share my favorite moments featuring one of the best professors at Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall.
1. “Have a biscuit, Potter.”
After Harry argues with Umbridge about Voldemort’s return, she gives him a note and sends him to speak with his head of house, Professor McGonagall. After she reads the note, McGonagall asks Harry if everything it says is true. When he admits that it is, she sits at her desk and says, “Have a biscuit, Potter.” Harry is stunned, but after asking for clarification, he does take a biscuit (which Americans would call a cookie).
As Harry eats the cookie, McGonagall advises Harry to be careful and control his temper around Umbridge. When Harry argues that he was only telling the truth, McGonagall becomes upset and tells him that isn’t the point. She then offers him another biscuit, which he at first tries to refuse, but ends up taking when she insists. She then briefly discusses Umbridge’s speech from the beginning of the term. I find the entire interaction priceless.
2. “I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking.”
When Umbridge comes to observe in Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall completely ignores her and begins teaching. When Umbridge “coughs” to get her attention, McGonagall ignores her the first time, then looks at her the second time. When Umbridge asks if McGonagall knew about her inspection, she replies that she obviously did because if she didn’t, she would have asked why Umbridge was in her classroom.
When Umbridge attempts to interrupt her again, Professor McGonagall says, “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.” At this, Umbridge looks as though she has been slapped and begins writing on her clipboard. I enjoyed seeing Umbridge put in her place as much as Harry did. It was very refreshing.
3. “So unless Miss Edgecombe is using a form of sign language as yet unknown to humans-“
After Harry is caught fleeing from a DA meeting, he is brought to Dumbledore’s office. While he is there, Umbridge attempts to question the girl who first reported the meetings to her. When Umbridge asks the girl, Marietta Edgecombe, if they have been having secret meetings, she shakes her head several times. Umbridge becomes more and more upset each time.
When Umbridge demands, “Why are you shaking your head, girl?“, Professor McGonogall replies, “Well, usually when a person shakes their head…they mean ‘no.’ So unless Miss Edgecombe is using a form of sign language as yet unknown to humans-” Umbridge cuts her off at that point by shaking Marietta very hard. I really enjoy McGonagall’s wit in that situation, even though it does little to affect the outcome of the scene.
4. “He has achieved high marks in all Defense Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher.”
In the latter part of Book 5, Harry goes to Professor McGonagall’s office for career advice. Umbridge invites herself to the meeting and attempts to say that Harry is not qualified to become an auror based on his grades in Defense Against the Dark Arts. After attempting to ignore and avoid Umbridge’s assertions, McGonagall finally turns and looks Umbridge (Harry’s current Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher) in the eye and tells her exactly how she feels. When I first read her words, I had to pause and just savor the moment.
5. “…just because she failed her Charms O.W.L., the subject is not necessarily worthless.”
In order to take N.E.W.T. level courses, Hogwarts students have to make certain scores on their O.W.L. exams. When Neville tries to take Transfiguration even though he didn’t get the required score, he tells Professor McGonagall that he signed up for the course because his grandmother wanted him to. In classic McGonagall fashion, the professor replies that Neville’s grandmother needs to be proud of her grandson and advises him to take Charms instead.
When Neville says that his grandmother considers that a “soft option,” McGonagall says that she will “drop Augusta a line reminding her that just because she failed her Charms O.W.L., the subject is not necessarily worthless.” She then smiles at at the look of “delighted incredulity” on Neville’s face and moves to talk to the next student. Honestly, how could anyone not like this character?
6. “You are not going to pass off your many ineptitudes on the students of Hogwarts. I shall not permit it.”
After Death Eaters take over Hogwarts in Book 7, Professor McGonagall stands up to Amycus Carrow, a Death Eater who is planning to use the students as scapegoats to avoid Voldemort’s wrath. When Amycus says, “Couple of kids more or less, what’s the difference?”, McGonagall replies, “Only the difference between truth and lies, courage and cowardice…a difference, in short, which you and your sister seem unable to appreciate. But let me make one thing very clear. You are not going to pass off your many ineptitudes on the students of Hogwarts. I shall not permit it.”
When Amycus attempts to intimidate her after that, McGonagall stands her ground and looks at him with disdain. After he spits in her face, however, Harry takes it upon himself to defend his teacher. I’ve always found it touching that Harry respected his professor enough to use the Cruciatus curse on Amycus in retaliation.
7. “Tell me, which of you will be dying this year?”
In Harry’s first Divination class, Professor Trelawney frightens everyone by predicting that Harry will die that year. When they go to Transfiguration after that, Professor McGonagall asks the class what is bothering them. When Hermione starts to explain that they have just come from Divination, McGonagall stops her and asks who will be dying this year.
When Harry admits that he will, Professor McGonagall assures him that Divination is a very indefinite branch of magic. She also tells him that Professor Trelawney has predicted a student’s death every year, and none of them has died yet. She then humorously informs him that she believes he’ll be just fine.
Do you have other moments that prove Minerva McGonagall is amazing? Let me know in the comments. Over the next few weeks, I will be listing more of my favorite characters’ epic moments. So if you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to see more like it.
