[HPforGrownups] McGonagall's abilities (was: Lupin and a Patronus)

[djtarb at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 30068

In a message dated Sun, 25 Nov 2001  7:22:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, Calypso8604 at aol.com writes:

> In a message dated 11/25/2001 4:34:12 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
> blpurdom at yahoo.com writes:
> 
> 
> > And yet, she may also be able to conjure a Patronus.  Just because 
> > McGonagall teaches Transfiguration does not mean she cannot cope 
> > with dark magic or Charms or Potions, etc.  
> 
> 
> Oh no, that's not what I meant to imply. ^_^ What I meant was that we know 
> McGonagall is a great witch but she may not necessarily know how to perform a 
> Patronus. She may have never taken the time to learn it or had the time.
> 
> 
> Hmm...Another thought about why McGonagall didn't stop the dementor on Barty 
> Crouch Jr.; She says that it "swooped down on him", implying that it happened 
> so quickly that she didn't have a chance to react before it was all over. I 
> did enjoy the tongue-lashing she gave Fudge though. He's one of the very few 
> characters that I actually *dislike*.
> 

In addition, Fudge is the Minister of Magic.  She could argue with him but there is no way she could stop him or countermand one of his orders.  She's blameless in this...and the degree of her distress over the actions of Fudge and his dementor friend is completely in keeping with her loyalty to Dumbledore and her commitment to fighting evil.

I don't think the McGonagall-as-evil-witch theory is going to fly here, but it's prompted some interesting discussion!

Diane in Philly