Re: significance in McGonagall’s years of service?

[mtwelovett]

No: HPFGUIDX 78725


> Melinda wrote:
>  
> >I think her presence at Hogwarts for 39 years is a clue that 
> >Dumbledore was no longer Transfiguration teacher in 1946 because he 
> >became headmaster - and there must be some importance to that.
> 

Margaret wrote:
> 
> Dumbledore can't have been headmaster since 1946, or Lupin's 
> statements in PoA don't make any sense.
> 
> "Before the Wolfsbane Potion was discovered, however, I became a full 
> fledged monster once a month.  It seemed impossible that I would be 
> able to come to Hogwarts.  Other parents weren't likely to want their 
> children exposed to me.
> 
> But the Dumbledore became headmaster, and he was sympathetic."
> (PoA pg 353 US hardcover)
> 
> This seems to indicate that Dumbledore became Headmaster just before 
> Lupin turned 11, which would mean he's only been Headmaster since the 
> late 60's- 1970 (going by the Lexicon's dates for MWPP school years).
> 
> 

Now Mtwelovett:

I think you may be on to something here. If the math, and assumptions
 are correct, and McGonagall was at Hogwarts with Tom Riddle that is
very interesting indeed. I had been wondering if we would see anyone
else from his time and I admit, I hadn't thought of her in that
capacity. I agree that I don't believe Dumbledore to have been
Headmaster since 1946, but those who pointed out that McGonagall was
likely taught transfiguration by Dumbledore bring up another very
interesting point. (what about Arthur and Molly? he was around in some
capacity when they were in school as well.) What I have found
significant about McGonagall's years of service at Hogwarts was that
it is possible, and likely that Dumbledore was not the one who
appointed her. Which may be what Umbridge was trying to discover
anyway (who was appointed by Dumbledore and who wasn't, but he has
"kept around") She definitely holds some information for us since she
knew James and Lily well from her reaction to their death in SS. Is
she a major link here? At least in terms of a timeline or information
provider? If she is determined to "coach" Harry on things he needs to
become an Auror, then we should be seeing a lot more of her in the
coming books. 

Mtwelovett