The very gifted and beloved Hollywood star Maggie Smith passed away on Friday. She breathed her last at the age of 89 and left behind memories, movies, and characters that will keep her alive in millions of hearts for eternity. Though the actress played a range of diverse roles in her career span, one of her iconic characters was Professor McGonagall in the beloved fantasy movie franchise – ‘Harry Potter.’
Thus, let’s have a look back at the top 5 Minerva McGonagall moments from ‘Harry Potter’ in memory of Late Maggie Smith.
When McGonagall gifts Harry – Nimbus 2000 – ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’
Professor McGonagall always masked her soft side with a savage and authoritative attitude. However, if you look closely enough, you will see she was one of the most sensitive, supportive teachers who always had a soft spot for her students. In the first part of the franchise – ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,’ she was the one who identified that Harry could become a ‘keeper’ for Gryffindor in Quidditch. She also ensures that her star player gets the best broom and thus, she anonymously sends the same to Harry. When Harry rips off the wrapping paper from the broom, Ron exclaims, “That’s not a Broomstick, its a Nimbus 2000.”
When McGonagall dances with Ron Weasley – ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’
In the fourth part – ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ it was unveiled that Professor McGonagall had a knack for creative arts as well. When it came to the ballroom dance, she was one of the most graceful performers and even a better teacher. Remember the scene where she asked Ron Weasley to be her dance partner while she taught the rest of the students how to conduct themselves gracefully? It was one of the movie’s light-hearted sweet and comedy moments that left everyone laughing.
McGonagall vs Umbridge – ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’
Umbridge was one of the cruelest characters to have appeared in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise. She was a nightmare as a teacher and no one dared to stand against her in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’; no one but Professor McGonagall. She was always very snarly and smart with words when confronting Umbridge. Besides the headmaster, only McGonagall stood against the evil Umbridge.
When McGonagall stands against Severus Snape – ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2’
McGonagall lived for Hogwarts, she was always ready to bleed for the school, and the students and fight off any evil. In ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2’ when Severus Snape attacked Harry, McGonagall took the fight to him. She kept using her wand and shooting one spell after another until Snape disappeared into the thin air.
When McGonagall brings warrior statues to life and says “I always wanted to use that spell” – ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2’
Even in the face of mortal danger, McGonagall never lost her calm. When Hogwarts was under attack, she brought the stone statues of the warriors to life. Though the scene was very intense to begin with, the actress changed the entire tone of it with just one dialogue – “I’ve always wanted to use that spell.”
RIP Maggie Smith! Legendary British Actor Passes Away At 89