Why I Love Minerva McGonagall

Why I Love Minerva McGonagall

by Christina from Reading Extensively

When we get our first glimpse of Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, she appears as an unusual cat sitting primly outside Number 4 Privet Drive. Within a few paragraphs she shows that she is a "no nonsense" sort of person, a talented witch, and she has a compassionate heart. At Hogwarts, the Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration professor is known for being strict but fair. She does have a dry sense of humor although it isn't always apparent and she is very loyal to Dumbledore and her Gryffindor students. I love the moment when she is trying to give Harry some guidance about his future career and she vows to do everything in her power to see Harry become an auror after the vile Umbridge declares that it would be impossible. She also takes up for Professor Trelawney when Umbridge fires the Divination teacher even though McGonagall does not approve of the subject. It is clear that she loves the school and cares about her students. She is devoted to protecting them. I love how in Deathly Hallows she doesn't question Harry about Dumbledore's orders. Instead she does whatever she can to help him on his quest. After Remus Lupin, McGonagall is my favorite Hogwarts professor. She might not let students get away with anything but she is an excellent teacher. She is also the kind of person you'd want to have on your side in a fight. She truly seems to embody the qualities of Gryffindor House.