Snowflake Challenge 2018 -- Day 8

Day 8

In your own space, share a favorite piece of original canon (a TV episode, a song, a favorite interview, a book, a scene from a movie, etc) and explain why you love it so much.


When my thoughts turn to HP (as they do), I find myself remembering some of my favorite McGonagall canon moments. Just a few:

--CS: After Ginny is taken to the Chamber, the rest of the professors turn Lockhart's bragging back on him and remind him that he said he knew how to get in. McG says, "We'll leave it to you, then, Gilderoy. . .a free rein at last."

--PoA: McG expresses her annoyance at Trelawney's annual prediction of a student's death. About assigning homework to Harry: "I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in." And of course, there's the immortal "Tripe, Sybill?"

--OoP: So many fine moments. But I'm partial to "Have a biscuit, Potter" and to McG's comment to Umbridge when Umbridge says Harry has gotten poor grades on her DADA exams: "I should have made my meaning plainer. He has achieved high marks in all Defence Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher." And let's not forget "it unscrews the other way."

--HBP: "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."

--DH: "We teachers are rather good at magic."


As I read through these examples, I realize that they usually have some things in common, like dry wit and especially subversion, both direct and indirect. I think these traits are the essence of the appeal of these canon moments for me. McGonagall, described as "strict and clever," believes that rules are rules and should be observed. . .except when they shouldn't be. I love that she knows the difference.

Good at magic, indeed.