Minerva McGonagall (b. October 4, 1925) is the Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She served as the Professor of Transfiguration from 1956 until 1998, and she was also the Head of Gryffindor House and the Deputy Headmistress of the school whilst it was held under Albus Dumbledore. Following the death of Dumbledore she was appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts, but was succeeded by Severus Snape after Lord Voldemort had taken over.