McGonagall is introduced at the beginning of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997) when she accompanies Albus Dumbledore as he delivers the infant Harry Potter to the Dursley residence. When Harry arrives at Hogwarts a decade later, he meets McGonagall, who is the Transfiguration professor and the head of Gryffindor House. After noticing Harry's broomstick flying skills, McGonagall introduces him to the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain Oliver Wood. Once Harry qualifies for the Quidditch team, McGonagall buys him a Nimbus 2000 broomstick.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998), McGonagall becomes acting headmistress after Dumbledore is suspended by the Ministry of Magic. When she discovers that Ginny Weasley has been taken into the Chamber of Secrets, she orders Professor Gilderoy Lockhart to rescue her. After Lockhart proves incompetent, Ginny is saved by Harry and Ron Weasley.
McGonagall joins the secret organisation Order of the Phoenix in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003). After the Ministry-appointed Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Dolores Umbridge refuses to teach students practical defensive magic, McGonagall supports Harry, Ron and Hermione as they form the self-defence group Dumbledore's Army. While attempting to protect Rubeus Hagrid from Umbridge, McGonagall is assaulted by Aurors and sent to St Mungo's Hospital. She eventually recovers and returns to Hogwarts before the end of the school year.
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005), McGonagall duels with the Death Eater Alecto Carrow during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower. McGonagall is appointed headmistress after Dumbledore's death, but is replaced by Snape when Voldemort takes control of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007). She continues to teach, and is present when Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts searching for Ravenclaw's diadem. Soon after, McGonagall banishes Snape from Hogwarts. She prepares the school's defences prior to Voldemort's assault, and helps evacuate the younger students to Hogsmeade. During the Battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall duels with Voldemort alongside Horace Slughorn and Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Film adaptations
McGonagall is portrayed by Maggie Smith in seven of the eight Harry Potter films (not appearing in Deathly Hallows — Part 1). Despite receiving praise from J. K. Rowling for her performance, Smith said that acting in the films was not fully satisfying.[2] However, she said she enjoyed being a part of the franchise because it allowed her to bond with her grandchildren.[3] Smith underwent intensive chemotherapy for breast cancer while filming Half-Blood Prince. The treatment left her feeling "horribly sick", but she eventually made a full recovery.[4]
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The 2016 stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is set nineteen years after Voldemort's death. In the play, McGonagall is the headmistress of Hogwarts.
Fantastic Beasts
McGonagall appears as a Hogwarts professor in the prequel films Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022). Several websites have pointed out that according to timeline details provided in Order of the Phoenix, McGonagall would not have been teaching at Hogwarts during the events of these films. Her inclusion in the series consequently upset some fans.[c] McGonagall is portrayed by Fiona Glascott in the films.[9]
Characterisation
McGonagall is a formidable lady who is skilled in many forms of magic, notably Transfiguration. She is able to perform certain spells without the use of a wand. She is a registered Animagus, which allows her to transform into a domestic cat at will. McGonagall is held in high regard by her peers and the students of Hogwarts. She is known for her sternness and dry sense of humour. Minerva McGonagall shares some traits with the Roman goddess Minerva (known as Athena in Greek mythology).[citation needed]
Reception
The entertainment website IGN wrote that McGonagall is usually "a strict disciplinarian" but can also be a "cool aunt" who occasionally allows mischief.[10]WatchMojo published a video which ranked McGonagall as the 9th best Harry Potter character, describing her as a powerful, austere and imposing witch with "a strict sense of responsibility" but who also "has a softer side".[11]
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