(1) Harry Potter
Gotta vote Harry, but I do want to talk about McGonagall being awesome (because she is)
It's true we don't learn much about her character -- but that's not everything to a character. For the most part, we learn what Harry learns throughout the series. And he never really learns much about McGonagall. Though we've certainly learned more thanks to Pottermore. And I'd have to say if I was counting Pottermore into consideration, I might be voting McGonagall here.
Her rivalry with other teachers is one that is surprisingly good. First you have her rivalry with Snape -- where she lets Harry off as long as he practices Quidditch, because she can't handle losing to Severus again. In fact there are many times where she bends the rules in her favor. I absolutely love when Harry tells her that they shouldn't lose points because school hadn't started yet -- and she gives him an almost-smile. She takes winning very seriously (though unlike Snape she isn't unfair)
Then you have her rivalry with Trelawney. McGonagall doesn't believe in divination, and thinks Trelawney and old fraud. Which leads to hilarious scenes like "So which one of you are dying this year?" and "You'll forgive me Potter, if I don't excuse you from homework. If you are dead, then I won't expect you to turn it in." In fact you see many similarities with her and Hermione in this regard. Her trust in Dumbledore, and Hermione's trust in Harry.
Then you have -- Umbridge. The two are pretty much opposites. And when she basically tells Harry that she'll do everything in her power to see him become an auror -- that is a great moment. Out of all the teachers, she actually puts up the best fight against Dolores and her tyranny. And her inspection is top tier. You definitely see her put umbridge in her place. And then she gets 5 stunners to the chest taking up Hagrid.
I remember the argument "Dumbledore doesn't trust her." One thing I never really remembered -- and I'm not sure how I forgot -- was that, he DID trust her. He named her Deputy Headmistress, afterall. And Hogwarts was of great importance to Dumbledore.
She's also an Animagus. Amazing at Transfigurations. And has a lot of great lines. She also stands up to the Carrow's and -- she does it before she knows Harry is there. So she stands up to them knowing that if it comes to a fight, she might very well be alone, or damn well near it. She also goes against Snape.
I also really like her reaction to Snape's betrayal. And I think it's clear that she didn't trust Snape very much, and had very much let Dumbledore know it.
Another thing that I forgot -- was that Dumbledore had ASKED her to Patrol the halls the night he and Harry left.
Still, it's hard to vote against Harry. His "The Reason You Suck Speech" is probably one of the best parts of the whole series for me. And let's face it, his resume is very impressive despite his age. If I were to count Pottermore, I think Mcgongall might be a LOT closer for me. But I'm going mostly by the books.
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See You In Another Life, Brother.
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