Maggie Smith movie quotes

View Quote If there's one thing I don't look for in a maid, it's discretion. Except with my own secrets, of course.

View Quote Lady Trentham: Tell me, what happened to William's little maid? I never saw her again after that dinner.
Mary Maceachran: Elsie?
Lady Trentham: Hmm.
Mary Maceachran: She's gone.
Lady Trentham: Aw, it's a pity, really. I thought it was a good idea to have someone in the house who is actually sorry he's dead.

View Quote Lady Trentham: He's still got that vile little dog, I see.
Lady Sylvia McCordle: Yes, the ones we hate last forever.

View Quote The Yule Ball has been a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament since its inception. On Christmas Eve night, we and our guests gather in the Great Hall for well-mannered frivolity. As representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward. And I mean this literally, because the Yule Ball is, first and foremost… a dance.

View Quote The house of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the Wizarding World for nearly ten centuries, and I will not have you, in the course of a single evening, besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons.

View Quote Professor McGonagall: [About the Yule Ball] Inside every girl, a secret swan slumbers, longing to burst forth and take flight.
Ron Weasley: [To Seamus] Something's about to burst out of Eloise Midgen, but I don't think it's a swan.

View Quote [about Deloris] That is not a person you can hide, that is a conspicuous person designed to stick out.

View Quote From what I hear, your singing career is almost non-existent and your married lover wants you dead. If you're fooling anybody, it is only yourself. God has brought you here - take the hint.

View Quote [in a casino, to a group of nuns all dressed in full habit] Brace yourself, sisters. Spread out and look for Mary Clarence. Try to blend in.

View Quote [After using the spell Piertotum Locomotor to bring the statues to life and fight; excited] I've always wanted to use that spell!

View Quote [to the statues] Hogwarts is threatened! Man the boundaries, protect us! Do your duty to our school!

View Quote Filius Flitwick: You do realize, of course, we can't keep out You-Know-Who indefinitely.
Minerva McGonagall: That doesn't mean we can't delay him. And his name is Voldemort, Filius, you might as well use it; he's going to try to kill you '’either way.

View Quote I never argue. I explain.

View Quote Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

View Quote I'm glad I'm a revelation and not a disappointment.

View Quote Go with God, Crispy.

View Quote God help us.

View Quote Mother Superior: You are the perfect example of a how a sow's ear can be turned into a silk purse.
Sister Mary Clarence: Hmm. Well, I probably wouldn't put it quite like that.

View Quote McGonagall: Yes, Miss Granger?
Hermione: Professor, I was wondering if you'd tell us about the Chamber of Secrets.
McGonagall: [seeing everyone's faces] Very well. Well, you all knew, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago, by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Now three of the founders co-existed quite harmoniously. One did not.
Ron: [sarcastic] Three guesses who.
McGonagall: Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families – in other words, "pure-bloods". Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school. Now according to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. Though shortly before departing, he sealed it... until that time when his own true heir returned to the school. The heir alone would be able to open the chamber, and unleash... the horror within, and by so doing, purge the school of all those who, in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic.
Hermione: Muggle-borns.
McGonagall: [nods] Well, naturally the school has been searched many times. No such chamber has been found.
Hermione: Professor, what exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?
McGonagall: Well the Chamber is said to be home to something that only the Heir of Slytherin can control. it is said to be the home... of a monster.
[Hermione stares in shock, and Ron turns to Malfoy, who smirks]

View Quote [Gryffindor common room: The Gryffindor students are talking with each other when McGonagall walks in holding a scroll]
McGonagall: Could I have your attention, please? Because of recent events, these new rules will be put into effect immediately. [Reads the scroll] "All students will return to their house common rooms by 6:00 every evening. All students will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No exceptions." I should tell you this. Unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught... it is likely the school will be closed. [walks out]
Harry: [to Ron] We've got to talk to Hagrid, Ron. I can't believe it's him. But if he did set the monster loose last time, he'll know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets. And that's a start.
Ron: But you heard McGonagall. We're not allowed to leave the tower except for class.
Harry: I think it's time to get my dad's old cloak out again.

View Quote [McGonagall, Snape and the other faculty find another message that has been written on the wall in blood]
McGonagall: As you can see, the Heir of Slytherin has left another message. Our worst fear has been realized. A student has been taken by the monster into the chamber itself! The students must be sent home. I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts.
Lockhart: [entering] So sorry. Dozed off. What have I missed?
Snape: A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Your moment has come at last.
Lockhart: My moment?
Snape: Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?
[Lockhart doesn't answer]
McGonagall: That's settled. We'll leave you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are legend.
Lockhart: Very well. I'll just be in my office getting... getting ready.
Pomfrey: Who is it that the monster's taken, Minerva?
McGonagall: Ginny Weasley.
[Harry and Ron are shocked and read the other message written in blood on the wall]
Ron: [reading] "Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever". [despaired] Ginny...

View Quote McGonagall: [to Harry, Ron, and Hermione] Why is it, whenever something happens, it is always you three?
Ron: Believe me, Professor, I’ve been asking myself the same question for six years.

View Quote [Harry enters the Dumbledore's office alone and watches everything, McGonagall enters to tell Harry]
McGonagall: Potter... In light of what has happened. If you should have the need to talk to someone... You should know, Professor Dumbledore... You meant a great deal to him.
[Next scene, in the Astronomy Tower with Harry, Ron and Hermione]
Hermione: Do you think he would've done it? Draco.
Harry: No. No, he was lowering his wand. In the end, it was Snape. It was always Snape. I did nothing. [Harry gives the locket to Hermione] It's fake. Open it.
Hermione: [opens the locket and reads the message] "To the Dark Lord: I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B." R.A.B.?
Harry: Don't know. But whoever they are, they have the real Horcrux. It means it was all a waste. All of it.
Hermione: Ron's okay with it, you know. You and Ginny. If I were you when he's around, I'd keep snogging to a minimum.
Harry: I'm not coming back, Hermione. I've got to finish whatever Dumbledore started. And I don't know where that'll lead me, but I'll let you and Ron know where I am... when I can.
Hermione: I've always admired your courage, Harry. But sometimes, you can be really thick. You don't really think you're going to be able to find all those Horcruxes by yourself, do you? You need us, Harry.
Harry: Just do me a favor. When I’m around, keep the snogging to a minimum, please.
Hermione: [chuckles] Like that’s going to happen. Besides, he’s barking.
Harry: Funny, he says the same thing about you.
Hermione: Yes, but I’m exceptionally perceptive.
Harry: [chuckles] You’re brilliant. You’re both brilliant. I never realized how beautiful this place was.

View Quote [About the cursed necklace]
Harry: It was Malfoy.
McGonagall: That is a very serious accusation, Potter!
Snape: Indeed. Your evidence?
Harry: I just know.
Snape: You just know? [pause] Once again you astonish with your gifts Potter, gifts mere mortals can only dream of possessing. How grand it must be... to be the Chosen One.

View Quote Dumbledore: [to a cat] I should have known that you would be here.... Professor McGonagall.
[The cat turns into McGonagall.]
McGonagall: [tearfully] Good evening, Professor Dumbledore. Are the rumours true, Albus?
Dumbledore: I'm afraid so, Professor. The good and the bad.
McGonagall: And the boy?
Dumbledore: Hagrid is bringing him.
McGonagall: Do you think it wise to trust Hagrid with something as important as this?
Dumbledore: Ah, Professor. I would trust Hagrid with my life.
[Hagrid appears on a flying motorcycle]
Hagrid: Professor Dumbledore, sir. Professor McGonagall.
Dumbledore: No problems, I trust, Hagrid?
Hagrid: No, sir. Little tyke fell asleep just as we were flying over Bristol. [hands Dumbledore a bundle – Harry] Try not to wake him. There you go.
[Dumbledore takes Harry and heads for the Dursleys]
McGonagall: Albus, do you really think it's safe, leaving him with these people? I have watched them all day, they're the worst sort of... Muggles imaginable. They really are–
Dumbledore: The only family he has.
McGonagall: This boy will be famous! There won't be a child in our world that doesn't know his name!
Dumbledore: Exactly. He's far better off growing up away from all of that... until he is ready. [Dumbledore places Harry on the doorstep. Hagrid snivels.] There, there, Hagrid. It's not really goodbye, after all. [Hagrid nods. Dumbledore places a letter on Harry.] Good luck, Harry Potter.

View Quote [Harry and Ron run into McGonagall's classroom. She is in cat form sitting on her desk; Hermione shakes her head and rolls her eyes]
Ron: Whew! Made it! Can you imagine the look on old McGonagall's face if we were late?
[The cat leaps from the desk and turns into McGonagall, who goes over to Harry and Ron.]
Ron: That was bloody brilliant!
McGonagall: Oh, thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley. Perhaps it would be more useful if I were to transfigure Mr. Potter and yourself into a pocket watch? That way, one of you might be on time.
Harry: We got lost.
McGonagall: Then perhaps a map? I trust you don't need one to find your seats.
[As McGonagall goes over to her desk, Harry and Ron sit next to each other.]

View Quote McGonagall: [holding a list of names] When I call your name, you will come forth. I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head… [holds up the Sorting Hat] and you will be sorted into your houses. [looks over the list] Hermione Granger.
Hermione: [sighs; walks up, nervously] Oh, no. [calmly to herself] Okay, relax.
Ron: [to Harry] Mental, that one. I'm tellin' ya.
[Hermione sits on the stool and McGonagall places the Sorting Hat on her head as a face appears]
Sorting Hat: Ah, right, then. Hmm. Right. Okay… Gryffindor!
[The Gryffindor students clap and cheer and Hermione joyfully joins them at their table]
McGonagall: Draco Malfoy. [Draco comes up sits on the stool; places the hat on his head]
Sorting Hat: Slytherin!
[Draco gets up from the stool and is sorted into the Slytherin House table as the students cheer]
Ron: [whispering to Harry] There's not a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin.
McGonagall: Susan Bones.
[As Susan walks up to the Sorting Hat, Harry looks around and notices a pale man named, Severus Snape, giving him some sinister looks]
Ron: [as Harry puts his hand on his scar in pain; concerned] Harry, what is it?
Harry: Nothing. Nothing, I'm fine.
Sorting Hat: Let's see. I know… Hufflepuff!
McGonagall: [takes the hat off Susan's head as she's sorted into Hufflepuff House, then looks over the list] Ronald Weasley.
[Ron nervously walks up and sits down on the stool as the hat is placed on his head]
Sorting Hat: Ha! Another Weasley. I know just what to do with you. Gryffindor!
[Ron sighs in relief and joins the Gryffindor table as the students cheer]
McGonagall: Harry Potter. [Harry walks up and sits down on the stool; places the hat on his head]
Sorting Hat: Hmm, difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh, yes. And a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?
Harry: [whispering and begging] Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.
Sorting Hat: Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here, in your head. And Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness! There's no doubt about that. No?
Harry: [still whispering] Please, not Slytherin, anything but Slytherin.
Sorting Hat: Well, if you're sure. Better be… GRYFFINDOR!
[Harry smiles proudly and joins the Gryffindor table as Ron, Hermione, and the other students clap and cheer immensely]