10 Quotes That Prove McGonagall Is The Best Wizard In The Harry Potter Movies

With her witty remarks and dignified persona, Minerva McGonagall is a fundamental character throughout the Harry Potter series. Played by the infamous Maggie Smith, Professor McGonagall exhibits the admirable Gryffindor traits of courage, loyalty, and boldness.

Her talent and expertise help her to rise above her Hogwarts colleagues and her spoken lines are equally as important as her chivalrous actions. However, out of them all, which ones have defined her character the most? While her quotes are all so iconic, some fans would agree that there are a few that stand out a lot more than most.

10 McGonagall Cultivates Harry’s Love For Quidditch

“Wood, I Have Found You A Seeker!”

Not only is McGonagall an excellent professor of academics, but she also has an eye for athletic talent. In this case, she sees Harry’s potential as Gryffindor’s new Seeker and helps him land a spot on the team as a first-year student.

She was strategically intentional as well, knowing that Harry might feel out of place at a school like Hogwarts (so getting him involved in team sports would help him gain a sense of belonging and purpose).

9 McGonagall Keeps Her Colleagues In Check

“Alaster, We Never Use Transfiguration As A Punishment. Surely, Dumbledore Told You That.”

McGonagall understands the importance of maintaining professionalism as a professor and never tolerates those who cross the line. When Barty Crouch Jr. (disguised as Professor Moody through Polyjuice Potion) changed Draco into a ferret, McGonagall stepped in and transformed Draco back into his human form.

As one of Hogwarts’ most respected professors, McGonagall’s stern tone and authoritative presence intimidated one of Voldemort’s most vile servants, proving that she is more than capable to oversee the care of both students and Hogwarts best professors.

8 McGonagall Always Looked Out For Harry’s Best Interest

“Albus, Do You Really Think It Safe, Leaving Him With These People? I’ve Watched Them All Day. They’re The Worst Sort Of Muggles Imaginable.”

Alongside Dumbledore and Hagrid, McGonagall was there the night they dropped off baby Harry at the Dursley house. She already knew how much Harry has suffered at such a young age and is concerned that his upbringing is going to be just as miserable.

McGonagall trusts Dumbledore’s decision to give Harry a normal life for the first 10 years of Harry’s life, but still feels a great deal of sympathy for Harry. Her genuine concern for Harry’s well-being reflects her nurturing heart.

7 McGonagall Greatly Values Hogwarts Traditions

“I Will Not Have You In The Course Of A Single Evening Besmirching That Name By Behaving Like a Babbling Bumbling Band of Baboons.”

In reference to the enchanting Yule Ball, McGonagall doesn’t take these centuries-old traditions lightly. She instructs that, as representatives of the Gryffindor House, that all students must be well-mannered.

Her responsibility to uphold these elegant practices shows that she values the importance of the school’s history as well as the moral benefits of bridging young witches and wizards from all different backgrounds together on a special night.

6 McGonagall Knows The Importance of Fair Discipline

“You See, Honorable As Your Intentions Were, You Too Were Out Of Bed After Hours. You, Will, Join Your Classmates In Detention.”

This line was directed to Draco Malfoy in The Sorcerer’s Stone when Harry, Ron, and Hermione were caught off the main premises of Hogwarts. As Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, McGonagall carries out her discipline practices, equally, towards each of her students.

Although Draco Malfoy’s probably thought this was one of his best decisions, it ended up backfiring as she punished him too. It just showed that McGonagall is not one to show any sort of favoritism and judges what is morally fair.

5 McGonagall Provides Logical Advice

“Put An End To It, Don’t Let Potter Compete.”

When Dumbledore asks Minerva to suggest a solution in The Goblet of Fire, she insistently declares that Harry should not be allowed to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. She had already seen the signs of the Dark Lord’s plan to return and tried to prevent more terrible things from happening.

Throughout the series, McGonagall is always present during Dumbledore’s consultations with the Hogwarts staff members who are closest to him. So, it’s no wonder that she is put as second in command of one of the greatest schools in the Wizarding World.

4 McGonagall Keeps Students On Track

As a meticulously involved professor, McGonagall suggests that Harry and Ron should fill his free period by joining Professor Slughorn’s Potions class. She’s aware that their dynamic friendship can lead them into mischief, so she redirects them their time to do something more productive.

What makes this statement so important is the fact that McGonagall can visualize Harry beyond just being “The Chosen One” and wants him to live his life in a well-respected career.

3 McGonagall Maintains Her Self-Control

“Oh, There Are Several Things I Would Like To Say!”

During The Order of The Phoenix, Dolores Umbridge dismissed Professor Trelawney and forces her to leave Hogwarts. However, McGonagall quickly steps in to comfort her fellow colleague.

Though McGonagall strongly disagrees with Umbridge’s disciplinary and teaching methods, she understands that her position is outranked by the Ministry of Magic. Still, fans were delighted to see that she refused to allow the staff of Hogwarts to be mistreated.

2 McGonagall Defends Harry From Snape and Slytherin House

“I Would Like You Please To Lead Ms. Parkinson And The Rest Of Slytherin House From The Hall…[To] The Dungeons.”

When Harry comes back to Hogwarts in The Deathly Hallows Part Two, McGonagall steps in and battles against Snape, making him flee from the grounds. As for the students of Slytherin, she sends them to the dungeons to prevent them from interfering with Harry’s mission.

Her courageous feat in going against Snape, the succeeding Headmaster, evidently entails that she withholds great power and moral responsibility (that could be even greater than some of the Harry Potter franchise’s most powerful wizards).

1 McGonagall Protects Hogwarts From Destruction

“Piertotum Locomotor. Hogwarts Is Threatened. Man The Boundaries, Protect Us, Do Your Duty To Our School!”

Arguably one of the most legendary scenes in the franchise, McGonagall is the only professor who knows the ultimate spell to protect the grounds and commands the school’s statues to transfigure into mighty warriors against Voldemort’s army.

McGonagall’s unwavering confidence and extraordinary magic merge to create the greatest form of defense in the Wizarding World’s darkest moment, constituting her as one of the greatest witches of all time.

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