This weeks #WCW goes out to one of my favorite fictional females ever... Professor Minerva McGonagall. Ya'll probably know how much I love her (I was her for Halloween this past year), but I'm going to keep telling you about it anyways. Because she's the original BOSS WITCH and altogether B.A. But first, a little background on our favorite Professor, and head of the Gryffindor House at Hogwarts. According to J.K. Rowling (via Pottermore), Minerva McGonagall was born to a witch mother and a muggle father, and struggled with her magical identity. When she arrived at Hogwarts, the sorting hat took 5 minutes to decided which house she belonged to, deciding between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, eventually settling on the former. "Minerva was quickly recognised as the most outstanding student of her year, with a particular talent for Transfiguration. As she progressed through the school, she demonstrated that she had inherited both her mother’s talents and her father’s cast-iron moral sense...By the end of her education at Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall had achieved an impressive record: top grades in O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, Prefect, Head Girl, and winner of the Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer award. Under the guidance of her inspirational Transfiguration teacher, Albus Dumbledore, she had managed to become an Animagus; her animal form, with its distinctive markings (tabby cat, square spectacles markings around eyes) were duly logged in the Ministry of Magic’s Animagus Registry." "Known to successive generations of students as ‘Professor McGonagall’, Minerva – always something of a feminist – announced that she would be keeping her own name upon marriage. Traditionalists sniffed – why was Minerva refusing to accept a pure-blood name, and keeping that of her Muggle father?" -J.K. Rowling Now, without further ado, the reasons why Minerva McGonagall is one of my favorite fictional females. #1) SHE'S A BAD A. BOSS WITCH. Seriously, nobody does it better. #2) She didn't take any crap from anyone. McGonagall is the first person to call you on your crap. Don't try it with her. Just don't. I very much appreciate this. #3) She is a loyal and trusted friend to Dumbledor until the very end. Minerva is moral, honest, and always fighting for the right, alongside Albus Dumbledor and even steps in as Headmaster when it's her time. She never pushes for the limelight or takes the power because of greediness, she does it because it's what's right. #4) Her one-liners are the BEST in the series. #5) No seriously. Her wit and humor are my most FAVORITE THINGS! She reminds me of my Grandma who was a retired elementary school teacher in the old days. #6) Despite her sarcasm and frankness, she LOVES her students. #7) When Hogwarts and all of the Wizarding World needed her, she stepped up. Minerva defends Hogwarts like the Bad A. Roman Goddess of Wisdom and Strategic Warfare that she was named after. In the final battle, there's no one I'd rather have by my side than her. #8) She is compassionate. While being known for her strict adherence to the rules, McGonagall is always compassionate and loyal. Though she seems (and is) undoubtedly fierce, she is also compassionate, which makes her a great leader. #9) May I offer you a cough drop, Dolores?!?! MAY I?!?! Seriously, put that B back her her place! No one does polite B- like she does. AND I LOVE IT. #10) Sometimes, doing the "right thing" means breaking the rules. McGonagall isn't afraid to bend the rules when she knows it's the right thing to do. She doesn't do it often, her strict moral compass is something that's she's known for, but when it has to be done, she does it. She helps her students any way she can. #11) She is a great fighter. #12) Seriously, her sarcasm makes my heart happy. #13) This look. The original RBF. My like is this look. #14) DID I STUTTER?! Queen. #15) She's got no time for your foolishness. #16) Have a biscuit, Potter. Perhaps my FAVORITE Potter/McGonagall moment ever!! She backs up her students when they're in the right against other figures in power (Umbridge) are wrong and using their position to manipulate and degrade morality. #17) She gets right down to business. #18) She is my hero for the amount of grief she gives the kids. #19) Mic Drop. #20) SAVAGE. #20) She is a super talented Animagus. Proving that those who CAN do teach also teach. #21) She knows how to command a room. #22) Crack that whip! #23) She knows the importance of sometimes turning a blind eye. #24) THAT APPROVING SMILE. Not freely given out like candy, Minerva approval has to be earned, but it's worth it. Ultimately, Professor McGonagall is the person I'd want most as a mentor. She is incredibly brilliant, courageous, moral, brave, relentless, tenacious, sarcastic, and unshakable. She is a phenomenal teacher and headmaster and one of my most FAVORITE fictional females. Keep slaying, Queen. You're the bossiest boss witch of all the boss witches.
