Mina was on her way to Dumbledore's office. She was feeling mixed emotions, nervousness being the dominating one. I wonder what house I will be placed in. While Mina was deep in thought, she didn't realize she had reached the dead end where Dumbledore's office awaited her arrival. Mina looked up to meet a stone gargoyle. Mina, although nervous, couldn't help but smile. The gargoyle, she thought, looked like it was standing guard of the office. However, she suddenly realized she didn't know what to do now that she had reached her destination. Mina stood their staring at the gargoyle. Perhaps there's a password or a lever that I am to pull. As soon as Mina stepped forward to examine the stone gargoyle, someone approached her, "Why aren't you at the Great Hall with the rest of the students," the man asked Mina.
Mina stood dumbfounded. She looked at the man and guessed he was a professor. He was wearing a long black, velvet cloak, had skin a little paler than Mina's, and hair and eyes as black as Mina's as well. For some reason, Mina felt an odd familiarity with this professor. She noticed he was getting impatient with her staring and had an odd look on his face as if he had seen a ghost (wait, he has seen ghosts).
"Er. I'm here to see the Headmaster. I was asked to come here before dinner," Mina replied nervously.
The Professor eyed Mina suspiciously for a moment. Then he turned to the stone gargoyle and simply said, "Lemon drop." Mina was in utter amazement when she saw the gargoyle come to life and jump out of the way to reveal a winding staircase. The professor, noting Mina's amazement rolled his eyes and flatly said, "Follow me."
Mina followed him up the staircase overwhelmed with both excitement and nervousness. The Professor came to a halt in front of an oak door and knocked. "Come in," was the gentle response that came from the other side of the door. The teacher and student both walked into the office and Mina's mouth dropped to her feet. The office was amazing. It was a circular room with tons of books and desk at the front with a red phoenix perched next to the desk. Mina was mostly amazed at all the gadgets and artifacts in the office. However, she did not get time to observe the office, for she was interrupted by the professor. "Headmaster, this girl claims she was to meet you before dinner?"
The white-bearded wizard gazed at Mina through his half moon spectacles. Mina met his eyes and smiled warmly at him. Dumbledore mirrored Mina's expression of kindness and asked, "I presume you are Ms. Mina?"
"Yes Professor. I was told in my Hogwarts letter to see you to be placed in a House," Mina replied.
Professor Snape was quite surprised and was curious as to why she had come here and not the Great Hall with the other first years.
"Very well then. Let us begin. Have a seat in that chair there," Dumbledore motioned Mina to a comfortable red seat.
Mina sat down and Dumbledore rose to his feet and went to a nearby bookshelf to remove a dusty, old, pointed hat. Dumbledore placed it on top of Mina's head and Mina jumped when it began to talk.
"Hmmm, I see. Where shall we place you? You are clever and smart and would thrive indeed in Ravenclaw. You are also kind and caring to be well suited for Hufflepuff. But Gryffindor seems to hold many brave adventures for you and---" The Sorting hat suddenly stopped and smiled. "However, your ancestors seem to have thrived in Slytherin. Indeed, I see. Your father and his ancestors were in Slytherin," Mina 's grip on the arms of her chair suddenly tightened, for this was new information for her. "However…" The Sorting Hat's voice trailed off for a moment, "I think I have decided well for you. GRYFFINDOR!"