PS/SS protection was Character: Minerva McGonagall

[Nathan]

No: HPFGUIDX 6760


>Personality: Fair but firm. Refuses to favour Gryffindor above
>other houses.
>(see question 4) Occasionally shows emotion -- when Lily & James are
>murdered, for example (see PS/SS). One always knows where one stands with
>Minerva McGonagall. (see question 1)

CoS: She catches Harry and Ron sneaking off from HoM. Harry gives the excuse
that they're off to visit Hermione, she ends up with a shaky voice and sends
them off with her blessing, with a distinct sniffle heard when the duo's
around the corner.

Theory: She has a soft spot for Harry's personal crises... she also tried to
dissuade Dumbledore from leaving Harry with the Dursley's after she saw what
they were like eleven years ago.

>3) What is the significance of her "protection" method for the
>Philosopher's
>Stone (the giant chess-set)?

I was wondering about that. Couldn't a powerful witch/wizard undo the
transfiguration, leaving the chamber empty? Or is it that Voldemort was
terrible at chess?

On another note, the need to join the pieces has also been nagging.

>4) Continuing the theme from question 1, what are possible reasons for
>McGonagall not punishing Harry -- indeed, rewarding him -- for flying
>unsupervised in PS? Hermione even thinks that this is inconsistent with
>McGonagall in general. Again, does this have any greater
>significance than a
>Good Plot Device?

Or the depths of her secret Quidditch passion. I've known some quiet, somber
people who become utter screaming psychotics when their basketball or
football team is playing.

Nathan