Thank You Minerva

Harry and Ron are sitting in the front row of transfiguration waiting for class to end as Professor McGonagall makes her closing statements. “Ladies and gentlemen make sure you are all well-prepared for your OWLs next week” McGonagall began. “They carry a bit more significance than Professor Snape would care to divulge as much as I, so keep your wands at the ready, class dismissed.”

As everyone headed out of McGonagall’s class Harry stopped in his tracks looking back At McGonagall as she put away her materials. “What are you doin?” Ron asked. “Go on back to the common room without me” Harry started. “I want to talk to McGonagall about something”. Okay, see ya” Ron replied.

As the class cleared out Harry slowly approached McGonagall from behind. “Potter!” McGonagall exclaimed as she turned around. “Is there something I can help you with?” Minerva asked. “As a matter of fact professor, there is” Harry replied. “Next year will be my final year at Hogwarts and I’ve thought a lot about my life after”. Minerva smiled with intrigue. “And where exactly would your interest be, Potter?”

“Well professor, I was thinking about a career as…an auror.” Harry said carefully. Minerva stared at Harry in silence with a slight smile. “What is it, professor?” Harry chuckled. “I can fondly remember your mother and father standing in that same spot, each telling me the same thing,” Minerva exclaimed softly. “Are you sure this is what you want, Harry?”

Harry chuckled with a growing a smile. “Care to share the joke, Potter?” Minerva asked curiously. “It’s nothing” Harry replied. “It’s just, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you call me by my first name, Professor” Harry responded. “Well don’t get any bright ideas about calling me by MY first name, boy” Minerva exclaimed sarcastically.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought and after everything that happened last year with Serius…I just believe this is what I am meant for, Professor” Harry said softly.

“Yet you seem unsure, what troubles you, boy?” Minerva asked curiously. “Well” Harry began. “I guess I’m kind of nervous, Professor.” “Nervous about what?” Minerva replied. “I’m nervous that I may not be good enough to be an auror. I have heavy footsteps to follow”.

“Potter, you are your parent’s child” McGonagall started enthusiastically. “Come, boy. Look upon this wall.” Harry looked at the wall above McGonagall’s desk and saw an ensemble of pictures that he had never before seen. He slowly examined the pictures with a clear idea of what he was looking at.

“The original Order of the Phoenix” Harry exclaimed. “Yes, Potter” McGonagall replied. “I was one of the founding members of the order under Dumbledore’s leadership. Your parents were some of my earliest pupils of the order. Your mother had her wits about her and your father was stern in his efforts.” Harry slowly smiled at McGonagall’s words while wandering the moving pictures. “Potter, you have fought a great many battles in your six years in this castle. I’ve the utmost faith that you would make a terrific auror, like your parents before you” McGonagall expressed fervently.

“I can’t help but believe that something is troubling you, professor” Harry started. “Potter, your parents laid down their lives so you could live. I know they wouldn’t want you to have to fight, but nevertheless they knew you would and I know you will continue because that is what’s in your heart. It is who you are and who you will always be, Harry Potter.”

“So, I have your approval?” Harry asked. “Potter, you not only have my approval, but I will be here to give you council as an auror whenever you need it” Minerva replied with a smile. “Thank you, Professor” Harry rebuttaled. McGonagall slowly started out of her classroom as Harry followed suit.

As they made it outside McGonagall glanced over at Harry with a smile and began walking in the opposite direction. Harry had a smile of appreciation on his face as he watched her depart. Minerva then transformed into a cat as she walked off into the sunset that shun down upon her.

~~Yesterday it was announced that Dame Maggie Smith who portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series passed away at the age of 89. As a Harry Potter fan and a Gryffindor, I wrote this story as a tribute to her legacy as the greatest Gryffindor of all time.

Rest In Heaven, Dame Maggie Smith.

Piertotem locomotor.