One common theme is her growth as a witch. Fanfictions often show how she hones her magical skills and becomes more confident in her abilities.
Another theme is wisdom. Since McGonagall is a very wise character, many fanfictions explore how she imparts her wisdom to others, especially Harry. They might have her giving advice on dealing with Voldemort or handling the pressures of being a young wizard in a dangerous time.
Age - gap relationships can be a theme in some of these fanfictions. Since McGonagall is an older character, sometimes the stories explore a relationship with a younger or older partner. Also, the theme of forbidden love often comes up. The wizarding world has its own rules and hierarchies, and a relationship might go against those. In addition, the exploration of her past and how it affects her present - day relationships is a frequent theme.
One common theme is mentorship. Minerva often acts as a mentor to Harry, guiding him through his studies and the challenges he faces at Hogwarts. For example, in many fanfictions, she helps him with advanced magic classes.
One common theme is her growth. Fanfictions often explore how she grew from a young witch to the powerful figure we know. For example, her development of Transfiguration skills.
One common theme is her role as a mentor. In many fanfics, she is guiding students through difficult situations, much like she does in the original books.
There are several common themes. Friendship is a major one as it forms the basis of their relationship in the original books. Fanfictions build on this, showing how their friendship could have a romantic undercurrent. Another theme is the power dynamics. Given Dumbledore's position as headmaster and McGonagall's as a respected teacher, how this affects their relationship, whether it creates barriers or opportunities for a closer connection, is often explored in these fanfictions.
One common plotline is McGonagall protecting Harry from the Ministry of Magic when they wrongly suspect him of something. For instance, if the Ministry believes Harry is using Dark Magic, McGonagall stands up for him, using her influence and knowledge of Harry's character to prove his innocence.
One great young Minerva McGonagall fanfiction is 'The Young Minerva's Adventure'. It explores her early years at Hogwarts as a student, her friendships, and how she discovers her own magical abilities in more detail. It has a really engaging plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
The theme of mentorship also runs strong. McGonagall has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and in these fanfictions, she imparts that to Harry. She might teach him about the history of Hogwarts, the secrets of the Gryffindor house, or how to master difficult spells. This mentorship helps Harry grow both magically and as a character, and often leads to him being better equipped to face the challenges in the wizarding world.
She becomes more nurturing. Usually, she's known for her strictness at Hogwarts, but when she adopts Harry, she softens up. For instance, she might show more patience when Harry makes mistakes in his magic studies.