--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It…" description: "\"“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were —” Ron stammered. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78c/j-k-rowling-86_harry_potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was_25248.jpg" --- # Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor… ![“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were —” Ron stammered. “We were going to — to go and see —” “Hermione,” said Harry. Ron and Professor McGonagall both looked at him. “We haven’t seen her for ages…” quote by J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78c/j-k-rowling-86_harry_potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was_25248.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78c/j-k-rowling-86_harry_potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was_25248.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78c/j-k-rowling-86_harry_potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was_25248.jpg) > ““Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were —” Ron stammered. “We were going to — to go and see —” “Hermione,” said Harry. Ron and Professor McGonagall both looked at him. “We haven’t seen her for ages, Professor,” Harry went on hurriedly, treading on Ron’s foot, “and we thought we’d sneak into the hospital wing, you know, and tell her the Mandrakes are nearly ready and, er, not to worry —” Professor McGonagall was still staring at him, and for a moment, Harry thought she was going to explode, but when she spoke, it was in a strangely croaky voice. “Of course,” she said, and Harry, amazed, saw a tear glistening in her beady eye. “Of course, I realize this has all been hardest on the friends of those who have been … I quite understand. Yes, Potter, of course you may visit Miss Granger. I will inform Professor Binns where you’ve gone. Tell Madam Pomfrey I have given my permission.” Harry and Ron walked away, hardly daring to believe that they’d avoided detention. As they turned the corner, they distinctly heard Professor McGonagall blow her nose. “That,” said Ron fervently, “was the best story you’ve ever come up with.”” [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. Harry and Ron attempt to bend rules to see Hermione, but a stern teacher shows empathy, granting permission while maintaining authority. **In simple terms:** Authority tempered by compassion. Key Takeaway Rules can be flexed with sincere intent. Themes friendship authority empathy rule‑bending school life loyalty Mood hopeful tense reassuring Type dialogue narrative When to use this quote - students seeking a friend - requesting permission - navigating school rules - showing empathy - avoiding detention Key Concepts school hierarchy student‑teacher dynamics risk taking Practical Applications - granting conditional access - modeling compassionate authority Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to bend rules for a friend? - How does empathy change power dynamics? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Professor mcgonagall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professor-mcgonagall/) [Thin line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thin-line/) ## Related quotes > [“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. 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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/) > [“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/) > [“You're scary when you're in a good mood, you know that ?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/you-re-scary-when-you-re-in-a-good-mood-you-know-that/) [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 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/) > [“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/) > [“But I really am Ravenclaw, you know, not Slytherin. I don't want to rule the universe. 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"Small?" said Hermione. "Small?" "Hermione, I couldn't leave him," said Hagrid, tears now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-were-bullyin-him-hermione-cause-he-s-so-small-said-hagrid-small/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 1,108 Harry quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were —” Ron stammered. “We were going to — to go and see —” “Hermione,” said Harry. Ron and Professor McGonagall both looked at him. “We haven’t seen her for ages, Professor,” Harry went on hurriedly, treading on Ron’s foot, “and we thought we’d sneak into the hospital wing, you know, and tell her the Mandrakes are nearly ready and, er, not to worry —” Professor McGonagall was still staring at him, and for a moment, Harry thought she was going to explode, but when she spoke, it was in a strangely croaky voice. “Of course,” she said, and Harry, amazed, saw a tear glistening in her beady eye. “Of course, I realize this has all been hardest on the friends of those who have been … I quite understand. Yes, Potter, of course you may visit Miss Granger. I will inform Professor Binns where you’ve gone. Tell Madam Pomfrey I have given my permission.” Harry and Ron walked away, hardly daring to believe that they’d avoided detention. 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