12 Of The Best Quotes From Professor McGonagall

Of the realistic and amazingly developed characters in Harry Potter, Professor McGonagall is by far one of my favorites. She's stern, loyal, encouraging, yet unwavering, and my only sadness is that I can't actually take a class from her. The woman who first appears as a cat sitting stiffly on a brick wall all day keeps getting more amazing as the HP series goes on — and, of course, she's portrayed in the movie by Maggie Smith, a stellar actress who definitely does the role justice.

Dumbledore gets a lot of love for his words of wisdom, and when celebrating the female characters of HP, I see plenty of Hermione Granger quotes (which of course makes me happy, as I adore her as well). And when you ask someone which character they relate to most in the series, you'll probably hear a lot about the main trio, or a member of Dumbledore's army, or one of the Weasley family.

But it's time to take a moment to appreciate one of Hogwarts' fiercest professors, the woman who was never afraid to stand up for what she believed in: Minerva McGonagall. Here are some of her best Professor McGonagall quotes to remind you exactly how amazing she really is, and how much you wish you could take her class (and have her as a mentor).

"We teachers are rather good at magic, you know.”

—Professor McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry witnessed Professor McGonagall walking right past Peeves who was determinedly loosening a crystal chandelier and could have sworn he heard her tell the poltergeist out of the corner of her mouth, "It unscrews the other way.”

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

"Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do, Potter."

—Professor McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"Now, the Vanishing Spell –""Hem, hem.""I wonder," said Professor McGonagall in cold fury, turning on Professor Umbridge, "how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

"Humph," snorted Professor McGonagall [to Neville]. "It’s high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she’s got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have."

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"Hogwarts is threatened!" shouted Professor McGonagall. "Man the boundaries, protect us, do your duty to our school!"

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

"Get back!" shouted Ron, and he, Harry and Hermione flattened themselves against a door as a herd of galloping desks thundered past, shepherded by a sprinting Professor McGonagall. She appeared not to notice them: her hair had come down and there was a gash on her cheek. As she turned the corner, they heard her scream: "CHARGE!"

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

"This boy has as much chance of becoming an Auror as Dumbledore has of ever returning to this school."

"A very good chance, then," said Professor McGonagall.

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

"I – I didn't think –""That," said Professor McGonagall, "is obvious."

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

"My grandmother thinks Charms is a soft option," mumbled Neville."Take Charms," said Professor McGonagall, "and I shall drop Augusta a line reminding her that just because she failed her Charms O.W.L., the subject is not necessarily worthless."

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

“So,” sneered Fudge, recovering himself, “you intend to take on Dawlish, Shacklebolt, Dolores, and myself single-handed, do you, Dumbledore?”“Merlin’s beard, no,” said Dumbledore, smiling. “Not unless you are foolish enough to force me to.”“He will not be single-handed!” said Professor McGonagall loudly, plunging her hand inside her robes.“Oh yes he will, Minerva!” said Dumbledore sharply. “Hogwarts needs you!”

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

"Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?""Yes," said Harry."You called her a liar?""Yes.""You told her He Who Must Not Be Named is back?""Yes."Professor McGonagall sat down behind her desk, frowning at Harry. Then she said, "Have a biscuit, Potter."

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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