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5 Badass Minerva McGonagall Moments Moviegoers Missed Out On

"Have a biscuit, Potter."

By S. FrazerPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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When it comes to the Harry Potter movies, fans of the bestselling books were given eight installations of wonderous magic and childhood nostalgia (plus some unnecessary spin-offs). These timeless films have left their mark on witches, wizards, Muggles, and Squibs around the world, bringing to life a story and universe that have captivated millions since 1997.

But, while I love these adaptations dearly, they are, unfortunately, woefully incomplete.

As any book reader will tell you, the HP film franchise is more of a broad interpretation of author J.K. Rowling’s extensive work than a strict adherence to the source material. Cramming 600-page books into two-hour movies is going to mean cuts, and many of the series' most iconic moments were ultimately left out. Several of these missing scenes featured Hogwarts professor Minerva McGonagall, flawlessly played by English actress Dame Maggie Smith.

Smith nailed the role, solidifying the stern Transfiguration professor as one of my all-time favorite fictional characters. But, to my immense disappointment, some of McGonagall’s best literary lines didn't make it to the big screen. So, in honor of Gryffindor House's most badass witch, here are five great scenes we didn’t get, five we did, and five non-canon additions that hit the mark.

1. “Have a biscuit, Potter.”

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter Twelve

Arguably one of the most iconic lines of the series, this interaction offered some comic relief to an otherwise tense situation. Order of the Phoenix saw McGonagall at her fiercest, as she dutifully defended Dumbledore, resisted the return of Voldemort, and put the much-despised Dolores Umbridge in her place.

Oh, and made sure that her students got a cookie every now and then.

2. Bringing down the chandelier

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter Thirty

This team-up between McGonagall and the castle nuisance is another classic OOTP moment. Every Hogwarts professor resisted Umbridge in his or her own way, but coming from the typically rule-enforcing Deputy Headmistress, this small act of defiance seemed even more meaningful.

3. McGonagall vs. Umbridge

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter Twenty-Nine

When Harry voiced his desire to become a Dark-wizard-catcher, Umbridge was quick to shut him down, leading to this savage clapback from the Head of Gryffindor House. The conversation devolved into a shouting match in which McGonagall vowed to fulfill Harry's career goals if it was the last thing she did, even if it meant coaching him nightly.

Get yourself a teacher like McGonagall.

4. Trelawney's *grim* prediction

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter Six

After Professor Trelawney saw the omen of death in Harry's tea leaves, he was, understandably, a bit rattled. As we know, the Divination professor's predictions weren’t all nonsense, with the Seer having delivered the prophecy that ultimately determined the tragic course of Harry’s life. But this one was a total crapshoot, one for which McGonagall had little patience. Apparently being warned of your impending doom isn't enough to get you out of Transfiguration homework.

5. "NO!"

Okay, I couldn't decide between these two, because they're both great.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter Thirty

When Harry and Luna broke into Ravenclaw Tower and Stunned Alecto Carrow, her brother Amycus wanted to throw Hogwarts students under the bus.

Minerva McGonagall wasn't having it.

Carrow spat in her face, and Harry went off. The rage he felt was enough to summon an Unforgivable Curse, which told book readers just how protective he had become of the professor who had herself defended him time and again.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter Thirty-Six

When Voldemort brought Harry's seemingly lifeless body to the front steps of Hogwarts several chapters later, Professor McGonagall was the first to voice her devastation. This was a simple line, but one that again conveyed the bond between Harry and his Head of House.

Unfortunately, they gave this one to Ginny in the movie, and it just didn't feel as impactful coming from Harry's girlfriend.

Great scenes that made the cut:

1. Dropping Harry off at the Dursleys'

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"I've watched them all day. They're the worst sort of Muggles imaginable!"

McGonagall was one of the first characters to appear in both the books and movies, and in both she was the first to throw shade in the Dursleys' direction. This scene beautifully kicked off the films as a wonderfully accurate adaptation of the series' very first chapter.

2. Making Harry a Seeker

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry had Professor McGonagall to thank for his Quidditch career, as she caught him committing an expulsion-worthy offense during his first flying class and... rewarded him with a position on the Gryffindor team?

3. That time Mad-Eye Moody/Barty Crouch Jr. turned Malfoy into a ferret

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Technically, it's a ferret.

4. "COWARD!"

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Now, I’ll admit that the execution of this scene was bothersome to me. In the books, Harry doesn’t dramatically confront Snape in front of the whole school or bring in the Order of the Phoenix to challenge him.

But the face-off between Snape and McGonagall does happen, and Snape ultimately flees out a window with McGonagall yelling "Coward!" after him. This duel, while not quite as exciting in the films, was still a great demonstration of both teachers' magical skill, and the added touch of McGonagall stepping in to protect Harry was yet another sweet example of their affection for one another.

5. "Students out of bed! Students in the corridor!"

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Believe it or not, this line is straight out of the books.

Filch just couldn't catch a break.

The movies gave us some non-canon gems, as well:

1. The Golden Problematic Trio

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I mean, she's not wrong.

2. Preserving the distinguished legacy of Gryffindor House

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Try saying that five times fast.

3. Cattitude

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

In the books, Professor McGonagall didn't show off her Animagus skills for her students until Prisoner of Azkaban (when they were all distracted by Professor Trelawney's ominous prediction of Harry's death).

In the movies, however, Harry and Ron showed up late to their first Transfiguration class and had no idea that the cat sitting on the teacher's desk was, in fact, their teacher. When she suddenly transformed before their eyes, Ron was impressed, resulting in this sassy exchange that led McGonagall to ask if the boys needed to be turned into watches or maps to make it to class on time.

4. A touching reunion

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

This one almost seemed like a substitute for the missing Carrow scene, as just a small, tender moment between a student and professor who had been through so much together. Harry never returned for his final year of school (too busy saving the wizarding world), and with no word of his whereabouts, McGonagall had to have been worried about him. After spending a whole movie away from Hogwarts, it was good to see her, too.

5. “Piertotum Locomotor!”

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Could she be any cuter??

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About the Creator

S. Frazer

She/her • 29 • Aspiring writer

Email: [email protected]

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