After Dumbledore’s death and Voldemort’s defeat, millions of Harry Potter fans wondered: who took over as the headmaster of Hogwarts? Severus Snape couldn’t have remained in the position, and the school needed a reliable leader. The Board of Governors quickly made a decision, choosing someone who had protected students for years and remained loyal to the school.
As J.K. Rowling later confirmed, it was Minerva McGonagall who became the new headmistress. At Harry Potter’s request, she placed Snape’s portrait in the headmaster’s office, immortalizing his memory. McGonagall not only restored the school after the battle but also introduced important changes, including appointing Neville Longbottom as the Herbology professor. He became one of the symbols of Hogwarts’ new era.
However, by 2017, when Harry’s children enrolled at Hogwarts, McGonagall decided to retire. She was tired but left behind a strong foundation, proving that being the true headmaster of Hogwarts is not just a position — it’s a calling.
