Minerva McGonagall

Professor Minerva McGonagall was a half-blood witch, the head of Gryffindor House, Transfiguration professor, Deputy Headmistress, and later Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A staunch supporter of Albus Dumbledore, she was a key member of both the original and reconstituted Order of the Phoenix. McGonagall is characterized by her stern, no-nonsense demeanor, which conceals a deep sense of fairness and a fierce loyalty to her students and colleagues. As a formidable and highly respected magical practitioner, she played a crucial role in protecting Harry Potter and leading the defense of Hogwarts during the Second Wizarding War.

Minerva McGonagall was born in Scotland to a Muggle Presbyterian minister, Robert McGonagall, and a witch, Isobel Ross. Her mother's magical nature was kept secret for a time, causing tension in the family. Minerva was the eldest of three children, with two younger brothers, Malcolm and Robert Jr. (Pottermore). She began attending Hogwarts at the age of eleven and was sorted into Gryffindor after the Sorting Hat deliberated for over five minutes between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, making her a Hatstall. During her time as a student, she excelled academically, particularly in Transfiguration, and became both a Prefect and Head Girl (Pottermore). After graduating, McGonagall worked for two years at the Ministry of Magic in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She eventually declined a promotion and returned to Hogwarts to teach Transfiguration under then-Head of Department, Albus Dumbledore. During the First Wizarding War, she joined the Order of the Phoenix and worked as a spy for the Ministry, using her Animagus form to gather intelligence on the activities of Death Eaters. Professor McGonagall taught Harry Potter and his friends for their entire Hogwarts education. She was the one who delivered Harry to the Dursleys' doorstep and was a constant authority figure in his life. Though exceptionally strict, she often showed her support for Harry, such as bending school rules to make him the Gryffindor Seeker in his first year. She consistently opposed the dark arts and those who would harm the school, most notably clashing with Dolores Umbridge during her tenure as High Inquisitor. When Lord Voldemort returned to power, she rejoined the Order of the Phoenix. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall took command of the school's defense after Severus Snape fled. She animated the school's statues and suits of armour to fight the invading army and personally dueled Snape, driving him from the castle. Later, she fought Lord Voldemort directly alongside Kingsley Shacklebolt and Horace Slughorn. After the war, she was appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts on a permanent basis (J.K. Rowling interview).

Minerva McGonagall is described as a tall, severe-looking witch who often wears her black hair in a tight bun. She typically dresses in emerald-green robes and wears distinctive square-rimmed spectacles, which, in her Animagus form, appear as markings around her eyes. Her stern expression gives the immediate impression of someone “not to be trifled with”. Her personality is a mixture of strict discipline and profound fairness. As a teacher and Head of House, she demands respect and adherence to the rules, rarely showing overt emotion. However, beneath this formidable exterior lies a dry wit and a deep well of compassion. She is fiercely protective of her students and the integrity of Hogwarts. Her loyalty to Albus Dumbledore was absolute, and she demonstrated immense courage throughout both wizarding wars. Moments of great crisis, such as Dumbledore's death or her belief that Harry was dead, revealed her deep emotional capacity.

• Transfiguration: Professor McGonagall was an exceptionally powerful and talented witch, with her mastery of Transfiguration being her most notable skill. She was capable of performing highly complex transfigurations, both human and inanimate.
• Animagus: She was one of the few registered Animaguses of the twentieth century, able to transform at will into a silver tabby cat. This is an incredibly difficult and rare magical skill.
• Duelling: McGonagall was a highly skilled duellist, capable of holding her own against powerful dark wizards. She dueled Severus Snape to a standstill and was one of the three to simultaneously duel Lord Voldemort during the final battle.
• Patronus Charm: Her Patronus takes the form of a cat, identical to her Animagus form. She demonstrated great proficiency with the charm, capable of casting multiple Patronuses simultaneously to deliver messages, a sign of a very powerful wizard.
• Non-Verbal Magic: She was adept at casting spells non-verbally, as seen during her duel with Snape in the Great Hall.
• Wand: Her wand was made of fir with a dragon heartstring core, nine and a half inches long (Pottermore).

• Wand: A nine-and-a-half-inch fir and dragon heartstring wand.
• Spectacles: Her signature square-rimmed glasses.
• Tartan Snuffbox: She kept a snuffbox on her desk, which she once offered to Harry and Ron Weasley.
• Lace Handkerchief: She was seen using a lace handkerchief on several emotional occasions, such as when Harry was left with the Dursleys and after Dumbledore's death.

• Albus Dumbledore: McGonagall considered Dumbledore her mentor and most trusted friend. Their relationship was built on decades of mutual respect and absolute loyalty. She was one of the few people who could speak frankly with him, though she always deferred to his wisdom.
• Harry Potter: She served as a protective and guiding authority figure for Harry. While often a stern disciplinarian towards him, she consistently showed her underlying support, pride, and concern for his well-being.
• Severus Snape: Their relationship was professional but fraught with deep suspicion on her part. She distrusted him for his past as a Death Eater and held him in contempt after he killed Dumbledore, unaware of his true allegiance until the very end.
• Dolores Umbridge: McGonagall harbored a profound dislike for Umbridge, viewing her as a symbol of corrupt Ministry interference. She openly defied Umbridge's authority on numerous occasions, providing subtle and direct support to students who opposed her.

• Minerva: Named after the Roman goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, justice, and the arts. This name perfectly reflects Professor McGonagall's intelligence, her role as a leader in the Battle of Hogwarts, her strong moral compass, and her mastery of magic.
• McGonagall: A Scottish surname, reflecting the character's heritage. J.K. Rowling has stated that she named the character after William Topaz McGonagall, who is widely regarded as the worst poet in the history of the English language. Rowling enjoyed the humorous contrast between the poet's reputation and her character's formidable and brilliant nature (J.K. Rowling interview).

• J.K. Rowling has provided an extensive backstory for Minerva McGonagall on Pottermore, detailing her early life, her heartbreak over a lost Muggle love named Dougal McGregor, and her later, happy marriage to her former Ministry boss, Elphinstone Urquart, who died tragically from a Venomous Tentacula bite.
• In the film adaptations, Minerva McGonagall is portrayed by Dame Maggie Smith.
• The films occasionally give McGonagall lines or roles belonging to other characters in the books. For example, in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, it is McGonagall who explains the legend of the Chamber of Secrets to the students, a role filled by Professor Binns in the novel (film).