Professor McGonagall stands firm as the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. A resolute and stern woman who nonetheless places her value in forthrightness and propriety. Very befitting of her role as Head of Gryffindor House. Played in the films with tremendous faith to the books by Dame Maggie Smith, she is instantly relatable. We’ve all at some point had that teacher who was tough to the point of getting into arguments, but ultimately fair.

Few characters at Hogwarts can ruin someone else in so few words and with such dry wit. She can also rage out when called for. We’re using both the Harry Potter movies and books to get the best of the best from Gryffindor’s Head of House.

Giving The Dope Some Rope

In The Chamber Of Secrets, Gilderoy Lockhart’s frequent boasts and inflated sense of grandeur finally get their comeuppance from the biting tongue of McGonagall. As the ‘Monster Of Slytherin’ problem reaches its zenith, McGonagall calls Lockhart’s constant bluffs in front of everyone.

Minerva is not one to suffer fools, and here she deftly removes one so the real problem can be attended to.

Tardy Potter

McGonagall runs a tight ship and expects her students to arrive on-time for her Transfiguration lessons. When Harry and Ron are unable to match her punctuality expectations, they’re greeted with this succinct assessment.

Without going overboard she instills into the boys their expected duty. It’s one of McGonagall’s great and indelible attributes that she maintains fairness even when remonstrating.

Prideful Pussycat

As one of only 7 ‘recorded’ Animagi during the 20th Century, McGonagall holds rare distinction. With that, it’s fun to see her show a moment of pride in her skills for once.

The class is too preoccupied with the Chamber Of Secrets to give her the adulation she feels is due. It’s a rare glimpse beyond the veil of her teaching that humanizes her. But not the last…

The Divination Divide

McGonagall has a healthy skepticism with fortune-telling and predicting the future. That comes out in her frequent bone-dry comments towards Hogwarts Professor of Divination, Sybill Trelawney.

After Trelawney ‘predicts’ Harry’s imminent death by Grim.

At Christmas Lunch,

Quidditch Commentator Qualms

One of the few places where McGonagall’s lack of judgment results in constant hilarity at her expense.

Teaching Through Terseness

McGonagall has virtually no leeway when it comes to excuses. In her class, you’re either acceptable or being cleverly reminded via chiding that you need to pick your wand-game up.

Dame Of The Dance

One of the scenes that both leaped off the page and filled theaters with laughter was McGonagall insisting upon the traditions of the Yule Ball during the Triwizard Tournament. Dame Maggie Smith took that liberal chance to have us in stitches.

She doesn’t show it, but you get the distinct impression she’s thoroughly enjoying toying with the boys’ reluctance to dance.

Mischief Managed

After 5 books knowing McGonagall’s aversion to rule-breaking, it is doubly funny when she employs tactics she’d usually be against. Especially when involving the perpetual pest, Peeves.

The Headmistress Of Hogwarts

When everything comes to a head in the seventh book (and 8th film) McGonagall steps to the fore. Assuming her rightful place as Headmistress and dishing out these pearls of wisdom.

An Old Softie

Toughness tempered with fairness and a soft spot for good deeds and those who strive for them. That is another McGonagall trait that makes her invaluable to the faculty and students of Hogwarts, and there are multiple times in the book and film where we get to see this softer side shine through.

For Lupin and Tonks potential relationship:

For Hagrid’s input, once she found herself in charge at Hogwarts:

When Neville’s Gran is pressing him

and lastly, when she finally gets to use that spell.

…It’s much more impressive in the film.