--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think so,' said Professor McGonagall…" description: "\"“I think so,' said Professor McGonagall dryly, 'we teachers are rather good at magic, you know.”\" — J.K. Rowling" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/j-k-rowling-86_harry-potter_i-think-so-said-professor-mcgonagall-dry_3008432.png" --- # I think so,' said Professor McGonagall dryly, 'we teachers… ![“I think so,' said Professor McGonagall dryly, 'we teachers are rather good at magic, you know.” quote by J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/j-k-rowling-86_harry-potter_i-think-so-said-professor-mcgonagall-dry_3008432.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/j-k-rowling-86_harry-potter_i-think-so-said-professor-mcgonagall-dry_3008432.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/j-k-rowling-86_harry-potter_i-think-so-said-professor-mcgonagall-dry_3008432.png) > ““I think so,' said Professor McGonagall dryly, 'we teachers are rather good at magic, you know.”” [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Teachers possess practical knowledge that can seem magical compared to theoretical learning. **In simple terms:** Teachers have practical magic. Key Takeaway Value teachers' hands‑on expertise. Themes education magic practical knowledge Mood playful thoughtful Type literary dialogue When to use this quote - classroom instruction - teacher training - student mentorship - curriculum design Key Concepts pedagogy experiential learning Questions to Reflect On - How does practical skill complement theory? - When is “magic” in teaching most effective? A Different Perspective May overlook formal academic rigor. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Harry potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harry-potter/) [Professor mcgonagall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professor-mcgonagall/) [Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers/) ## Related quotes > [“Hello, Professor McGonagall,” said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher. “What — what are you doing?” said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/hello-professor-mcgonagall-said-moody-calmly-bouncing-the-ferret/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well?” said Professor McGonagall, rounding on him. “Is this true?” “Is what true?” Harry asked, rather more aggressively than he had intended. “Professor?” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-said-professor-mcgonagall-rounding-on-him-is-this-true-is-what/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“How did you know it was me?” she asked. “My dear Professor, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.” “You’d be stiff if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/how-did-you-know-it-was-me-she-asked-my-dear-professor-i-ve-never/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“I know you haven’t,” said Professor McGonagall, sounding half exasperated, half admiring. “But you’re different. Everyone knows you’re the only one You-Know- oh, all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/i-know-you-haven-t-said-professor-mcgonagall-sounding-half/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“I dare say you'll find you can,' said Professor McGonagall through tightly gritted teeth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/i-dare-say-you-ll-find-you-can-said-professor-mcgonagall-through/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [We teachers are rather good at magic, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-teachers-are-rather-good-at-magic-you-know/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A letter?” repeated Professor McGonagall faintly, sitting back down on the wall. “Really Dumbledore, you think you can explain all this in a letter?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/a-letter-repeated-professor-mcgonagall-faintly-sitting-back-down-on/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [I—I didn't think—" "That," said Professor McGonagall, "is obvious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-i-didn-t-think-that-said-professor-mcgonagall-is-obvious/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Thank you so much, Professor!” said Professor Flitwick in his squeaky little voice. “I could have got rid of the sparklers myself, of course,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/thank-you-so-much-professor-said-professor-flitwick-in-his-squeaky/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [Hogwarts is threatened!” shouted Professor McGonagall. “Man the boundaries, protect us, do your duty to our school!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hogwarts-is-threatened-shouted-professor-mcgonagall-man-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?' 'Yes,' said Harry. 'You called her a liar?' 'Yes.' 'You told her He Who Must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jk-rowling/is-it-true-that-you-shouted-at-professor-umbridge-yes-said-harry-you/) [JK Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jk-rowling/) > [“Harry!” he panted, massaging his immense chest beneath his emerald-green silk pajamas. “My dear boy…what a surprise…Minerva, do please explain…Severus…what…?” “Our headmaster is taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/harry-he-panted-massaging-his-immense-chest-beneath-his-emerald-green/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Hmph,” snorted Professor McGonagall. “It’s high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she’s got, rather than the one she thinks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/hmph-snorted-professor-mcgonagall-it-s-high-time-your-grandmother/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Professor McGonagall had a way of making him feel he must have done something wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/professor-mcgonagall-had-a-way-of-making-him-feel-he-must-have-done/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was-professor-mcgonagall-and-her/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## More by J.K. Rowling > [“Our Chasers Aren’t Cheating! That was the stunned reaction of Quidditch fans across Britain last night when the so-called “Stooging Penalty” was announced by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/our-chasers-aren-t-cheating-that-was-the-stunned-reaction-of/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Snape pointed at the parchment, on which the words of Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were still shining.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/snape-pointed-at-the-parchment-on-which-the-words-of-messrs-moony/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [ “Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus \[ never tickle a sleeping dragon \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/draco-dormiens-nunquam-titillandus-never-tickle-a-sleeping-dragon/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“An intense cold swept over them all. Harry felt his own breath catch in his chest. The cold went deeper than his skin. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/an-intense-cold-swept-over-them-all-harry-felt-his-own-breath-catch/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“If you're not Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," said Ron, "but no pressure." "Ron!" Lily and Hugo laughed, but Albus and Rose looked solemn. "He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/if-you-re-not-gryffindor-we-ll-disinherit-you-said-ron-but-no/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“You want to give it a look, Xeno is printing all the stuff the Prophet’s ignoring, not a single mention of Crumple-Horned Snorkacks in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/you-want-to-give-it-a-look-xeno-is-printing-all-the-stuff-the-prophet/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Sellotape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/he-wore-round-glasses-held-together-with-a-lot-of-sellotape-because/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Sybill Trelawney, Divination teacher,’” Harry read. “How’re we supposed to get up there?” As though in answer to his question, the trapdoor suddenly opened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/sybill-trelawney-divination-teacher-harry-read-how-re-we-supposed-to/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Harry et Ron furent enchantés d’entendre Hagrid qualifier Rusard de « vieille ganache ».”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/harry-et-ron-furent-enchant-s-d-entendre-hagrid-qualifier-rusard-de/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,” said Malfoy sarcastically. “Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-trying-to-keep-them-alive-said/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“There was no waking from this nightmare, no comforting whisper in the dark that he was safe really, that it was all in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/there-was-no-waking-from-this-nightmare-no-comforting-whisper-in-the/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well, I reckon you should --" Ron began, but he was interrupted by the Fat Lady, who had been watching them sleepily and now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-reckon-you-should-ron-began-but-he-was-interrupted-by-the-fat/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“LOOK AT THIS SNAKE!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/look-at-this-snake/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was-professor-mcgonagall-and-her/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Psst!” said a voice, and he looked around to see a wispy little witch and the ferrety wizard from Magical Maintenance gesturing to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/psst-said-a-voice-and-he-looked-around-to-see-a-wispy-little-witch/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) [Explore all 1,347 J.K. Rowling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## More Harry potter quotes > [Hats off to starting a franchise younger than we all did in 'Twilight' and keeping your cool. The 'Harry Potter' men and women had,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellan-lutz/hats-off-to-starting-a-franchise-younger-than-we-all-did-in-twilight/) [Kellan Lutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellan-lutz/) > [... there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/there-are-far-far-worse-things-in-the-living-world-than-dying/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I have to go with what comes naturally to me. Fantasy isn't my thing. I did enjoy the Oz books when I was growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blume/i-have-to-go-with-what-comes-naturally-to-me-fantasy-isn-t-my-thing-i/) [Judy Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blume/) > [You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-also-find-that-help-will-always-be-given-at-hogwarts-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I like a quiet life, you know me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-like-a-quiet-life-you-know-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“No confíes en cosas que tengan la capacidad de pensar pero de las cuales no sepas dónde tienen el cerebro.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/no-conf-es-en-cosas-que-tengan-la-capacidad-de-pensar-pero-de-las/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Astoria always knew that she was not destined for old age. She wanted me to have somebody when she left, because...it is exceptionally lonely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/astoria-always-knew-that-she-was-not-destined-for-old-age-she-wanted/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [I think most people are fascinated by chess for that reason. It's just these mystical shapes. It's almost like Harry Potteresque, like wizard's chess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ashley/i-think-most-people-are-fascinated-by-chess-for-that-reason-it-s-just/) [Maurice Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ashley/) > [“A thousand years or more ago, When I was newly sewn, There lived four wizards of renown, Whose name are still well-known: Bold Gryffindor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jk-rowling/a-thousand-years-or-more-ago-when-i-was-newly-sewn-there-lived-four/) [JK Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jk-rowling/) > [I need Harry Potter like a grindylow needs water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-green/i-need-harry-potter-like-a-grindylow-needs-water/) [Hank Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-green/) > [The world may not be ready yet for the film equivalent of books on tape, but this peculiar phenomenon has arrived in the form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/the-world-may-not-be-ready-yet-for-the-film-equivalent-of-books-on/) [Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/) > [They say Harry Potter is magic but it is Sponge Bob who can light a fire under the sea!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-say-harry-potter-is-magic-but-it-is-sponge-bob-who-can-light-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Listen, Harr,y can I have a go on it? Can I?" "I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!" said Hermoine shrilly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/listen-harr-y-can-i-have-a-go-on-it-can-i-i-don-t-think-anyone-should/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [Hermione, will you please —” “Don’t you tell me what to do, Harry Potter!” she screeched. “Don’t you dare! Give it back now! And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hermione-will-you-please-don-t-you-tell-me-what-to-do-harry-potter/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm a big fan of the 'Harry Potter' movies and 'The Lord of the Rings' films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-reilly/i-m-a-big-fan-of-the-harry-potter-movies-and-the-lord-of-the-rings/) [John C. Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-reilly/) [Browse all 692 Harry potter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harry-potter/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I think so,' said Professor McGonagall dryly, 'we teachers are rather good at magic, you know.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.K. 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