Minerva McGonagall--DD's Right-Hand Woman or Truly a Secondary Character?

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 115469


SSSusan:
> > These are aspects of Minerva McGonagall that we've gotten to 
> > see.  But who IS she, really?  What roles does she play?  Sure, 
> > she teaches Transfiguration, she's Head of Gryffindor House, and 
> > she's Deputy Headmistress, but how important is she to the Harry 
> > Potter story?  Was she in the Order the first time?  Does she do 
> > anything useful for the Order this time?  Is it only at Hogwarts 
> > that her rank & responsibility are high?  If so, why?  If not, 
> > why don't we hear about it?  Is she a powerful witch?  And what 
> > the hell is her  relationship to DD?

Kneasy: 
> Is she actually a member of the Order?
> I don't remember any canon that states unequivocally that she is; 
> might be wrong though.
<snip>
> Yes, she is seen in the vicinity of GH - in Muggle clothes.


SSSusan:
Not positive, but there is the moment when Harry is desperate to find 
her [with that "he had always expected Prof. McG to be there" 
remark], where he says this to Hermione:

'Hermione, it doesn't matter if he's done it to get me there or not - 
they've taken McGonagall to St Mungo's, there isn't anyone from the 
Order left at Hogwarts who we can tell, and if we don't go, Sirius is 
dead!'

You're right that this doesn't outright identify her as an Order 
member, but I took it as inclusive of her.  She also showed up *at* 
12 GP, so she's either officially in or trusted enough to be given 
the location.  Would DD give that info to anyone who's not in?  Can't 
be sure, but....


Kneasy:
> Yes, she is seen in the vicinity of GH - in Muggle clothes. Which 
> could (if one of my pet theories turns up trumps) mean that she's 
> Muggle born or half-blood. 

SSSusan:
Well, now, that's an interesting thought.  I hadn't ever considered 
this about her....  I thought she was wearing Muggle clothes because 
her Order assignment somehow required it.  But that's equally 
speculative.


Kneasy: 
> I seem to remember a reference to a Quidditch cup/prize/plaque (?
> Lexicon) with the name McGonagall on it; dated about 50 years ago 
> and the first initial wasn't M. A brother possibly? Or husband? 

SSSusan:
I have a vague recollection of this as well.  Was it in canon/at the 
Lexicon?  Or was it That Other Medium--that there was a glimpse of a 
plaque w/ McGonagall's name on it when Harry is looking at his 
father's name on another placque?  Can someone enlighten us on this??


Kneasy:
> Was she born McGonagall or did she acquire it? And what happened to 
> him anyway? Scope for lots of  speculation there.

SSSusan:
Ha ha--there's always that old Mrs. Tom Riddle theory. ;-) 

Hey--maybe she's married to an understanding Muggle, who kisses her 
goodbye for 10 months of the year.  That could explain the Muggle 
clothes at GP, since it was summer holiday!

Kneasy:
> One possibility to add - she's Hermione's role model. 
> This is Hermione in 50  years.

SSSusan:
Absolutely.  There are *many* references to Hermione's 
being "McGonagall-like" in the books.  They're two peas in a pod.

Siriusly Snapey Susan
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