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12 Facts About Minerva McGonagall

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Professor Minerva McGonagall is a beloved Hogwarts professor and a respected figure in the Harry Potter universe. Though she's somewhat mysterious, there's more to her than what's in the books and films. J.K. Rowling has shared additional information about Harry Potter characters, including McGonagall, on Pottermore (now Wizarding World). From her Scottish upbringing to her time as a Hogwarts student, and even her romantic life - which includes relationships not mentioned in the novels - these facts about Minerva McGonagall may surprise you.

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  • 1
    She Almost Wasn't In Gryffindor

    At age 11, Minerva McGonagall arrived at Hogwarts. The Sorting Hat sorted her, but she became a Hatstall.She was considered a Hatstall.This meant the Sorting Hat split its decision between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.

    After five minutes passed, the Hat placed her in Gryffindor.

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  • 2
    A Quidditch Injury Started Her Lifelong Grudge Against Slytherin

    Minerva McGonagall got her Quidditch talent and love from her mother, who captained the team at Hogwarts. In her final year, McGonagall did something.She suffered a huge injury during a match against Slytherin.A Quidditch Injury Started Her Lifelong Grudge Against Slytherin

    A foul took her out during the match deciding the House Cup winner. She ended up with a concussion and broken ribs.

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  • 3
    Her Story Is Actually Pretty Tragic

    Three years after Minerva McGonagall's husband, Elphinstone Urquart, died, she left their Hogsmeade cottage.She left their Hogsmeade cottage and moved into Hogwarts permanently.Minerva McGonagall was born to Isobel and Robert McGonagall, a witch and a Muggle.

    Minerva McGonagall's parents were Isobel and Robert McGonagall, a witch and a Muggle. Isobel and Robert, a reverend, fell in love, but Isobel never told Robert she was a witch. To avoid telling her parents about her relationship with a Muggle, Isobel eloped with Robert, surprising her parents.

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  • 4
    Her Parents Were Rebels

    Isobel and Robert, a reverend, fell in love. Isobel never told Robert she was a witch. To avoid telling her parents about her relationship with a Muggle, Isobel eloped with Robert, which upset her parents.

    When the couple had baby Minerva and she showed magic, Isobel told Robert the truth about herself and how she gave up her powers to marry him.She upheld the International Statute of Secrecy.He agreed to the Statute of Secrecy too.

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  • 5
    Professor Dumbledore Was Her Teacher

    At Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall excelled in classes. She mastered Transfiguration.Professor Albus Dumbledore taught Transfiguration.She won the Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer award.

    Minerva McGonagall’s student career at Hogwarts lasted two years.This time overlapped with Pomona Sprout, who later became the head of Hufflepuff House.The two followed the same path through school, becoming professors and later heads of their houses.

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  • 6
    She Went To School With Another Hogwarts Professor

    Minerva McGonagall's Hogwarts career included studying with Pomona Sprout, who later headed Hufflepuff House.While comforting her, Dumbledore shared family stories, and the two formed a bond.Minerva McGonagall was devastated when her former love married someone else. She cried at Hogwarts.

    Dougal McGregor, a Muggle son of a farmer, proposed to Minerva McGonagall shortly after she left Hogwarts. She said yes.

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  • 7
    She And Dumbledore Bonded Over Family Drama

    Albus Dumbledore consoled her. He shared his family stories, and they bonded.Dougal McGregor, the Muggle son of a farmer, proposed to Minerva McGonagall.She turned down most of his proposals because she still loved Dougal McGregor.

    He proposed shortly after she left Hogwarts, and she said yes.

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  • 8
    She Was Engaged To A Muggle

    She realized she could not marry him. She did not want to pull him into the magical world like her father did unhappily.Elphinstone Urquart, a former colleague at the Ministry of Magic, loved her. He proposed several times.She declined most of his proposals because she still loved Dougal McGregor.

    But she realized she couldn’t go through with the marriage because she didn’t want to rope him into the magical world the way her father had unhappily been.

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  • 9
    Her Love Life Got A Lot More Complicated

    One of Minerva McGonagall’s former colleagues at the Ministry of Magic, Elphinstone Urquart, was in love with her and proposed several times. She declined most of his proposals, however, because she was still in love with Dougal McGregor.

    She finally said yes. The two moved into a cottage in Hogsmeade. Elphinstone died just three years later.

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  • 10
    She Worked At The Ministry Of Magic

    Minerva McGonagall's first job after Hogwarts was at the Ministry of Magic. She worked in theMinerva McGonagall worked at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement..

    She stayed two years. Then, she asked Hogwarts for a teaching job.

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  • 11
    Thanks To 'The Crimes of Grindelwald,' Fans Aren't Sure How Old She Is

    Some fans calculate Minerva McGonagall's birth year.She was born in 1935.Math, based on two J.K. Rowling writings, suggests this date. One quote comes fromHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.:

    "How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" Professor Umbridge asked.
    "Thirty-nine years this December," Professor McGonagall said sharply, snapping her bag shut.

    Order of the Phoenix. starts in 1995.This means she started teaching in 1956.

    The second quote comes fromMcGonagall's biography.The Wizarding World website notes McGonagall's first job after Hogwarts was at the Ministry of Magic. Then this happened:

    After two years at the Ministry, a promotion offered McGonagall. She turned it down. She sent an owl to Hogwarts asking if she could be considered for a teaching post. The owl returned quickly, offering her a job in the Transfiguration department, under Head of Department Albus Dumbledore.

    If her first two years out of school were at the Ministry, McGonagall graduated from Hogwarts in 1954. She would have enrolled in 1947 (students attend for seven years). McGonagall was born in 1935 because her birth date is October 4, according toJ.K. Rowling's original website., and students start at Hogwarts at age 11. She would have been 11 years and 11 months when she started.

    That timeline gets tricky. She is a professor inFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. - and thatthe story takes place in 1927..

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  • 12
    She Was An Excellent Student

    Minerva McGonagall was an overachiever as a student.She was an overachiever as a student..

    She earned top grades in O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. She was named both Prefect and Head Girl.

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  • 13
    Need More Harry Potter In Your Life?

    LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall 75954 Building Kit.

    Ravenclaw Team Seeker Hogwarts Quidditch Pullover Hoodie.

    Harry Potter Hogwarts Alumni Juniors Knapsack.

    UNO Harry Potter.

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    🔥 67 up · 114 down

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