Nice insight from POV of Professor McGonagall

Professor McGonagall is my favorite Hogwarts teacher.  I love her no-nonsense approach to life, students and teaching.  I think she's a very fair teacher who treats all her students with respect, even the ones, like Draco, who need a firmer hand.  In return, her students show her the respect she shows them because they know what to expect if they do not complete assignments or do what she asks.

Thank you for reviewing.

 I also liked seeing Draco caught and given detention which doesn't happen enough in cannon. 

This story was easy to write since I used to teach elementary school.  On that note, certain students just know how to push a teacher's buttons just enough to provoke him/her and I drew on my experiences in dealing with such students to elaborate on how Minerva reacts to Draco.  I agree...Draco needs to go to detention!  Thanks for reviewing.

A.

 

It's a bit different seeing a fic where the actual plot is only a secondary devise, but I think that works fairly well here. You've given us a nice glimpse of McGonagall's personality, and perhaps more importantly, a neat look at the day-to-day workings at Hogwarts. I like how you keep the story at a periodic, scholastic pacing by revisiting the hourglass and how you bring across the rivalries among the students and the faculty with a somewhat, but not entirely neutral perspective.

And that you do it while knocking Draco down a step or two is all the better. ...
-KC

I used to be an elementary school teacher doing prep classes for the other classroom teachers at my school.  Since I drew on this experience while writing the story, I naturally remembered how many times a day I would pass the school flag pole and glance up at the flag.  So, due to the fact that Professor McGonagall is free to walk about the school, it just seemed natural that she would keep a hourly accounting of how many gems were in each hourglass.

Also, it is my opinion that if Draco Malfoy could get out from under his father's thumb for a while, maybe his attitude would change.  (I'm quite interested in what JKR does with him in Book 6.  A change may not occur until the final book, but one can never tell.)  There are enough adults at Hogwarts who would be willing to mentor him...if he was willing to take the initiative.  I can always have hope that he will.  Then, again, maybe his upbringing is too ingrained and he will end up being his own destruction.

I appreciate you taking the time to review my story.

To me it's fun to write about the minor character adults who are so essential to Harry and company's education.  The teachers are really at the heart of the school and their attitudes and prejudices set the tone of Hogwarts' atmosphere: just refer to the changes Professor Umbridge wrought in Book Five.  Suddenly, the school goes from being a place Harry thinks of as home to somewhere just above the Dursley's. 

I've had several suggestions as to sequels or parts in a story cycle having to do with the teachers and I may just take up my readers' challenges and write some stories about a day in some of their lives.

Again, thank you for your review.

I'm glad you think so.  It was a complete surprise and I'm honored to to have been chosen.  I'm glad you liked the story.  

             Arnel

I'm going to take your suggestion to heart.  It's fun to write the teachers and expands my appreciation of what they do for Hogwarts.  As for house loyalty, JKR gives us lots of clues as to just how loyal to their own houses McGonagall and Snape are...especially when McGonagall wants to keep the House Cup in OotP!

Thanks for reviewing.

wow, this is very interesting. I like Minerva's portrayal. She seems neutral, but JKR gave hints and clues that she likes when her house wins and you've done it just right.

i think this is a very good piece of writing because it reflects a character we don't know that much about and even if people can form her character their own way, your way was brilliant! I'm not sure if I understand everything I'm blabbing about here, but I like it. Honestly...

As a loyal Gryffindor-type myself, I probably would do exactly what Professor McGonagall does every time she passes through the entrance hall: glance up at the hourglasses.  She strives herself for excellence and definitely expects that from her students and that's what I love about her.

Thanks for the review!

Very interesting story!  I had never thought looking at the hourglasses like that.  I think doing it from Minerva's eyes is a wonderful way to see them.

Susan

I was reading a story one afternoon her on Phoenix Song and the author (I don't remember who now) mentioned the hourglasses.  That started me thinking and before I knew it, that little plot bunny had me by the ear and was pulling me toward the computer!

I'm glad you thought my story was interesting.

Oh, this was nice.  It'd be interesting to see what McGonagall's thoughts are during the Fred/George swamp/broomstick incident!  (hint hint, wink wink!)

I like it. Almost a 'view behind the scenes' at how the school operates. I'm guessing that Um****h would let Malfoy (Grr!) off him detention and Snape would give him hell for getting caught.

Have you any more along these lines? And I agree, Aggie is awesome.