17 best Minerva McGonagall moments from the Harry Potter series

Professor Minerva McGonagall is one of the most crucial characters in the Harry Potter series. She is a strong wizard who is also kind and has had an immense impact on Harry’s life since he was an infant. Throughout the movie series, whenever she appears on the screen, she leaves a lasting impact; however, in this list, we are going to talk about the 17 best Minerva McGonagall moments from the Harry Potter series.

1) Transfiguringfrom a cat

In the movie Sorcerer’s Stone, when Harry and Ron arrive late for Professor McGonagall’s class and find that the professor is not there, they are relieved. However, Professor McGonagall transfigures back to her human form from the cat sitting on the table right then. It was one of the first few instances of magic shown in the movie and had a lasting impact on the viewers.

2) Dancing with Ron

When Professor McGonagall wanted to teach the Hogwarts students to do ballroom dancing and asked Ron to be her partner to showcase the steps, it was one of the most hilarious and memorable moments. As she guided Ron, who got more and more awkward while dancing with her, it was a delight to watch.

3) Putting Umbridge in her place

We see Dolores Umbridge become more and more hostile with time in Order Of The Phoenix when she is appointed as a professor at Hogwarts. However, Minerva McGonagall never backs down in front of her. McGonaggal’s strength, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty towards Hogwarts can be seen during these moments.

4) Using the spell to animate statues

One of the best moments of Professor McGonagall is when she uses the spell “Piertotum Locomotor” to animate the statues within Hogwarts castle to protect Hogwarts during the battle. The scene is powerful, and when she admits how she has always wanted to use that spell, it is a memorable moment.

5) Buying Harry a broom

In the first movie, when Harry is chosen to become a seeker for the Quidditch team, Professor McGonagall buys Harry a present, which is the latest model of broom, the Nimbus 2000. Though McGonagall appeared strict and stern, her gesture towards Harry showed her true kindness and caring nature.

6) Her concern for leaving Harry with the Dursleys

We see Professor McGonaggal’s caring nature when she shows her concern when Dumbledore decides to leave Harry with the Durseleys. She knew about the Durseleys’ nature and was worried about the wellbeing of Harry. Though she respects Dumbledore she does not back down from voicing her disagreement on his decision.

7) Confronting with the trio in Half-Blood Prince

When McGonagall confronts Harry, Ron, and Hermione after Katie suffers from the curse in front of them, she asks them about whenever something happened, the three of them were always present, which, although showing her concern towards them, was a comedic moment as well. She recognized that they were always somehow disproportionately involved in the most dangerous moments.

8) McGonagall recognizes Harry’s flying skills

McGonaggal’s sharp eye for talent and her willingness to act on it could be seen when she saw Harry’s skilled flying while he tried to save Longbottom. She saw that Harry had inherited his father’s natural talent for flying. This was a pivotal moment in the movie as well as Harry’s life, who found a sense of belonging and purpose at Hogwarts.

9) Being protective of Professor Trelawney

When Dolores Umbridge removed Professor Trelawney from her post and told her to leave Hogwarts’ premises, Professor McGonagall tried to protect and console her as much as she could. She stood up for her and pointed out Umbridge’s cruelty and unjustified removal of Professor Trelawney, which highlighted her strong moral compass.

10) Taking control during the battle of Hogwarts

When the Battle of Hogwarts started, Professor McGonagall took control of the situation and told Neville and Seamus to use their strengths to blow things up and fight against Voldemort’s army. Her pointing out Seamus’s proclivity towards pyrotechnics is a memorable moment providing a bit of levity during such a dire moment.

11) Protecting Harry from Snape

Professor McGonagall protects Harry from Snape after understanding the situation. She shoots off a rapid succession of spells towards Snape, which eventually makes him flee from the place. Professor McGonagall’s determination to protect her students from any kind of harm could be seen in this scene.

12) Defending Harry during the Triwizard tournament

In the movie Goblet of Fire, after an unfortunate turn of events when Harry’s name comes up for the competition of the Triwizard Tournament, Professor McGonagall defends Harry. She voices her concern when Dumbledore tells her that he has to take part in the competition, as she knows Harry is too young for such a dangerous tournament.

13) Her vocabulary

Professor McGonagall always has a way with words, and it can be seen throughout the movies. She uses alliteration, which enhances whatever she says and makes it have a lasting impact on the viewers. For instance, her saying babbling bumbling band of baboons, or pointing out Seamus’ particular proclivity for pyrotechnics.

14) The Yule ball tradition of dancing

Professor McGonagall has a technique of always having comedic timing when she wants to with subtlety. For instance, when she reminded Harry about the tradition of the Yule Ball, where the champions have to take part in the first dance. However, when Harry points out that she did not tell him anything about it, she quickly tells him that now he knows.

15) When she awards points where it is due

When Harry and Ron fight the troll to save Hermione and manage to put the troll to sleep, Professor McGonagall awards each of them five points for their bravery, but also, as she points out, their sheer dumb luck. Though she is strict and enforces the rules, she is also fair and recognizes when students deserve praise.

16) Catching Harry in between classes

When Harry is caught between classes in the movie Half-Blood Prince by Professor McGonagall, the scene becomes one of her best moments as she shows concern about Harry’s future along with being stern. She asks questions about Harry and is invested in his life, showing her innate care towards him.

17) Telling Mr. Filch to lead the Slytherin house members to the dungeons

When Professor McGonagall orders Mr. Filch to lead the Slytherin House members to the dungeon after one of them tells them to catch Harry and offer him to Voldemort is one of her memorable moments in the movie. Though the reason behind the actions could be to eliminate threats, it could also be to protect the Slytherin students from the Battle of Hogwarts, as most of their parents were Death Eaters.