From Jupiter's Head | Epithalamium #0.75 | Minerva McGonagall

Chapter Three

1 July 1937

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Armando Dippet, Headmaster

1 July 1937

Dear Miss McGonagall,

On behalf of the faculty and staff, I am pleased to offer you a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the class of 1944.

Term will begin on 1 September. Kindly send an owl stating your intention to attend no later than 31 July.

Enclosed, please find a list of all the supplies necessary for your first year.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hogwarts.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster

Castle Isleif
Caithness, Scotland

1 July 1937

Dear Deputy Headmaster Dumbledore,

I accept with pleasure your kind invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I look forward to the beginning of term and to meeting you and the other staff and faculty of the school.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

1 September 1937

Dear Da,

I was Sorted into Gryffindor. I hope you are not too disappointed. You never said so, but I know you hoped I might be in your old House. The Sorting Hat did consider Ravenclaw, and for a minute it seemed like that's where it would put me, but in the end, it was Gryffindor. I'm happy, and I hope you will be, too.

I've met some interesting people already. Professor Dumbledore, the Deputy Headmaster who sent my letter, is also the Head of Gryffindor House, and he seems very nice. Did you know that he discovered the 12 uses of dragon's blood? And invented the Disillusionment spell? I read about it in A History of Magic.

I thought he would be intimidating because of his important reputation, but he isn't. He smiles a lot and talks softly. When he came to speak to the first-years, he offered us all a sweetie, and it was amazing! He asked each of us what our favourite was, and he Transfigured each one right there from a tin of sherbet lemons (I think they were). I'll bet you can guess what I chose!

I can't wait until classes begin tomorrow. I hope I will make you proud of me.

I will write more later this week.

I miss you. Please give my love to Einar and Gran, and tell them I miss them, too.

All my love,

Minerva

Castle Isleif
Caithness, Scotland

2 September 1937

My dearest Minerva,

Congratulations on being Sorted into Gryffindor! I am not in the least disappointed; on the contrary, I am exceedingly happy for you. Gryffindor House has a long and distinguished history of producing fine scholars, including your mother and grandmother, and I have no doubt you will thrive there. You are my clever, brave girl, and (dare I say?) stubborn as a Hippogriff to boot. I think the Sorting Hat has made a fine choice, but remember that one's House does not define one. Only your actions can do that, and knowing you as I do, I have no worries on that score. I know you will do me proud.