Fri, 27 Jul 2007 04:52:37 GMT

General

PB: Dame Maggie Smith
Name: Professor Minerva McGonagall
Age (as of August, 1998): 73
Birthday: 12 September 1925
Gender: Female
Wand: Hazel and dragon heartstring, 10', inflexible.
Bloodline: Pureblood
Boggart: Corpses of various Hogwarts students, similar to Mrs. Weasley's boggart.
Patronus: Tabby cat with markings resembling her glasses.
School (and years): Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, 1935-1942.
House (if Hogwarts): Gryffindor
Known Affiliations: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Order of the Phoenix.
Physical Health: McGonagall is an aging witch, but for the time beings she retains her dueler's reflexes.
Mental Health: As sharp as ever, thank you very much.
Shy or Outgoing? Although a naturally private person, years of shouldering authority at Hogwarts have transformed her into a formidable public presence.
Phobias: Chaos, ignorance, stupidity, harm to her students.

Appearance

Height: Average (5'5")
Weight: Spry (120 lbs.)
Hair: Black, kept in a tight bun.
Eyes: Black and small.
Body Type: Slight.
Defining Marks or Tattoos: In her animal form, a tabby cat, she has markings around her eyes reminiscent of the glasses she wears in human form.

Family

Parents: Joseph McGonagall and Mercuria Inglis, both deceased.
Siblings: Janus McGonagall, younger brother. Retired from the Ministry, lives in Godric's Hollow with his Muggle wife.
Extended Family: Distant and not-so-distant relations to many pureblooded families; Hestia Jones is a cousin.
Children: None
Brief Family Background: The McGonagalls are an old clan of Scottish wizards known for their stubborness and opposition to English rule throughout the 17th century and into the 18th. Of course they are now fully assimilated into Magical Britain and have been for about 200 years, but McGonagalls are typically proud of their heritage--Minerva wears her family's traditional tartan pattern in her night dress.

Personality

Likes: Rules, learning, felines, tradition, discipline, Quidditch, Transfiguration
Dislikes: Disorder, dressing sloppily, Dark magic, Divination, Dolores Umbridge, Horace Slughorn (though she never speaks ill of her colleagues...)
Good/Bad Habits: Professor McGonagall is Hogwarts's strictest teacher, which is the source of both her flaws and her virtues. She judges others on their merits, not their background, and favors particularly brilliant students. Nevertheless, in her zeal for order and achievement she holds people to unreasonable standards, especially students of her own house: Gryffindors should expect no favoritism from McGonagall, and in fact should make sure to behave themselves particularly well in her presence. Like Hermione Granger, McGonagall is logical and pragmatic, which makes her an excellent problem-solver but also leads to unpopular decisions: she considered closing Hogwarts after Dumbledore's death, despite her great love of teaching. She is an ascetic at heart and will frequently choose to pursue the rational or responsible course of action at the cost of personal loss--she has, for instance, chosen not to marry, which allows her to commit herself completely to the school but often leaves her lonely.

Attitude on Life: McGonagall puts her faith in rules and tradition and believes that a good life is something that must be earned, not something given. Order is her watchword, and she has little patience for those who shirk their responsibilities. Corruption in the Ministry infuriates her nearly as much as Death Eaters disgust her. Despite her sternness, McGonagall deeply cares for her students and respects her colleagues. Her devotion to Hogwarts is surpassed only by her late mentor, Albus Dumbledore.

Dreams for the future? Although nothing is certain in the wake of Voldemort's defeat, McGonagall expects the mantle of leadership at Hogwarts will fall to her. It is a duty she is well-prepared for. Rebuilding the school is her immediate priority and will no doubt consume her time nearly completely: not only is there phsyical rebuilding, but she must find suitable instructors to teach Transfiguration, Muggle Studies, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. McGonagall dreams of leaving a glorious legacy during her tenure as Headmistress, but in her heart she knows that this isn't likely: old age will likely force her retire in a short time, and history will ultimately judge her under Dumbledore's formidable shadow.

Background

Occupation: Transfigurations instructor, acting Headmistress
Financial Status: Recevies a modest stipend from Hogwarts; lives an austere life.
Residence: Hogwarts
Quidditch Fan? Fanatic.
Quidditch Team to Root For: Gryffindor, Pride of Portree

Personal

Relationship Status: Single
Sexual Preference: Heterosexual--possibly Asexual
Smokes? No.
Drinks? Only in socially appropriate settings. She feels she had rather too much to drink at the Yule Ball, although apparently she was a hit with Ludo Bagman.
Opinion of the Dark Arts: Low.
Where were they during the Battle of Hogwarts? Professor McGonagall led the teachers of Hogwarts to battle alongside the Order of the Phoenix. She dueled Severus Snape in the corridor outside the Ravenclaw common room, forcing him to abandon his post; she used a variety of spells to protect Hogwarts from the Death Eaters' initial assault; she animated the many statues and suits of armor to fight for the school; she almost certainly dueled many Death Eaters, but sustained only minor injuries; finally, during the last leg of the battle, she dueled Lord Voldemort himself alongside Kingsley Shacklebot and Horace Slughorn before the Dark Lord's final confrontation with Harry Potter.

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