A large stone gargoyle awaits as you approach closer toward the entrance to the office of Headmistress Hawthorne. It, even though a mere statue, appears to be closely watching you with every step you take. Or maybe that is just your imagination. Nonetheless, as you examine the intricate etches on the gargoyle, it is clear that it will not be moving any time soon ... unless the password is on the tip of your tongue, of course. Once the password has been said, the gargoyle will leap aside to reveal a spiral stone staircase. Step onto the escalator-like staircase, and you will come face-to-face with a polished oak door adorned with a brass griffin knocker that may already be opened if your arrival is expected.

Should it happen to be that you are not one of the fortunate few who know the password, you have three options: decide to speak with the headmistress another time, try sweet-talking the gargoyle into letting you pass through (good luck with that), or patiently wait for the woman to make an appearance. On either side of the entrance are two cushioned chairs for you two sit in, accompanied with end tables that hold various books and magazines for you to flip through to pass the time, if you decide to wait. Maybe you'll get some brownie points if the headmistress catches you reading up on defensive magic, magical hieroglyphs and logograms, and/or famous historical landmarks.

OOC: If you wish to enter the office, please post here first and wait for the gargoyle to respond. Remember that only Hogwarts Staff will know the password to the office. Students should not be entering without being accompanied by Headmistress Hawthorne or a professor, unless he/she is lucky enough to have been given the password ahead of time.