McGonagall-ness (Re: Angry Harry in HBP?)

[madlysarcastic]

No: HPFGUIDX 119858


Alla wrote:

> We discussed Mcgonagall recently and yes, I think she should have 
> done MUCH more for Harry than telling him "to get a grip", BUT I do 
> think that she was acting in character.
> 
> 
> Have you EVER seen her acting nice and motherly to Harry during the 
> course of the series? She is fair, IMO but not kind.

Maddy writes:

Ah, but you're forgetting that she gave Harry his Nimbus 2000 in PS/SS
and let him on the Quidditch team in his first year. And I'd say
that's acting pretty kind. And yes, it probably was largely due to the
fact that Harry showed great ability as a Seeker and she wanted to see
Gryffindor win the Cup, but I think she wouldn't have done that for
just anyone.

No, I wouldn't ever describe McGonagall as "motherly", but that
doesn't detract from her ability to be nice and kind.

While she is very strict (yet, as you said, fair) I've found there are
quite a few small instances where McGonagall shows a small amount of
affection (whether it be a joke or advice) or gives a fleeting smile.
She's not the type of person to be overly affectionate, or have
favourite students, but I think she does have a tiny soft spot for
Harry. I think she shows affection in very small, infrequent doses,
but that doesn't mean it's not there.

As for the "getting a grip" part in OotP, I think that's partly due to
McGonagall's frustration with Umbrigde...she probably had to deal with
Umbridge's unpleasentness quite a bit and didn't want to have to worry
about Umbridge and Harry's interactions as well. I'd say she was a bit
fed up with all things Umbridge.

=)
Maddy