Comic passages in OotP (was:Theoretical boundaries / Dursleys' abuse)

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 120588


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:

Siriusly Snapey Susan:
> I'm also a bit worried about Gred & Forge's absence from Hogwarts 
in 
> HBP.  Unless we get glimpses of them at work in their joke shop, 
> where's the levity going to come from?

Geoff:
I think we will get more from Minerva McGonagall. She has a very dry, 
penetrating sense of humour.

Examples which quickly come to mind in OOTP as examples of sarcastic  
humour are when Umbridge visits her class and asks whether MM had 
received her note and the reply is '"Obviously I would have received 
it or I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom,"said 
Professor McGonagall, turning her back  firmly on Professor Umbridge. 
Many of the students exchanged looks of glee.'

(OOTP "The Hogwarts High Inquistor" p.286 UK edition).

Then in the same chapter, MM (in a cold fury according to canon) 
berates DU saying that the latter cannot gain an idea of MM's 
teaching methods if she comntinues to interrupt her. (ibid. pp.286-
287). 

And, of course, in the careers interview with Harry, there are 
the "cough drop" exchanges and her put down to Umbridge about Harry's 
marks from a competent DADA teacher. 

(OOTP "Careers Advice" pp.584-585 UK edition)

Although Minerva is annoyed in some of these instances, there is a 
very dry humour in her coments and I suspect that she is "playing to 
the gallery" knowing that students are overhearing the exchanges and 
that they will go the rounds in the Common Rooms and perhaps become 
the stuff of Hogwarts legend....