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

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 119877


SSSusan:
> The best example I could think of offhand, though, is in GoF.  
Before 
> Harry is about to embark upon the first TWT task, MM goes to great 
> pains to make sure Harry knows it's okay if he doesn't do well.  I 
> don't think this was Gryffindor HoH talking to a Gryff student; I 
> think it was actual concern for his safety & his feelings.  A 
> professor who didn't care about the student would likely have said 
> nothing.  Also, as soon as the task was over, MM rushed to him to 
> congratulate him.  She was beaming, if I recall.  I think she's 
proud 
> of him, but I think she's also very happy that he came through 
alive 
> & well.
> 
> She's *never* going to be a Molly, but I think we get glimpses of 
> her caring for Harry.

Jen: And we actually have a quote when she speaks 'kindly' to Harry:

"There's nothing wrong with it!" said Harry, his voice shaking 
slightly. "Honestly, Professor--"

"You can't know that, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, quite 
kindly, "not until you've flown it, at any rate, and I'm afraid 
that's out of the question until we are certain that it has not been 
tampered with. I shall keep you informed." (POA, US, chap. 11, p. 
232)

Then there's the scene in POA where Harry asks McGonagall to sign 
his permission slip for Hogsmeade:

"But I didn't say so," said Professor McGonagall, standing up and 
piling her papers neatly into a drawer. "The form clearly states 
that the parent or guardian must give permission." She turned to 
look at him, with an odd expression on her face. Was it pity? "I'm 
sorry Potter, but that's my final word. You had better hurry or 
you'll be late for your next lesson." (chap. 8, p. 150)

*********
Like Maddie said, I believe McGonagall has a soft spot for Harry. 
But, like Lupin, she keeps her interactions with him 'professional' 
and doesn't promise him things she can't deliver. 

As much as I like the Sirius character, he was guilty of promising 
Harry many things he couldn't make good on, and in the end it hurt 
Harry deeply. McGonagall and Lupin are undemonstrative and may don't 
make attempts to be physically afectionate toward Harry, but they 
are steady, predictable and have Harry's best interest at heart. He 
doesn't have many adults in his life who don't *want* somthing from 
him, but these two try their best to support Harry and not put the 
burden of their own agendas on his life. 

Jen