Uncertainty
Minerva checked the small clock at the edge of her desk. The thin gold second hand ticked away and she tensed as she realised her first class was not for another half hour.
She'd not been able to face much at breakfast, nervously scraping butter and jam onto some dry and bland toast. Ever since she'd learned the Animagus transformation, she'd wanted to perform it for the class. Albus had, quite sensibly, suggested that she hold off until it was all registered.
Now, though, it was registered. The Ministry knew of her tabby form, and it was all legal. She'd had the certificate framed and sent a copy to her mother, who she knew missed using magic. Her mother had visited, and when she'd watched her only daughter shift from human to cat and back, dabbed at suspiciously-bright eyes.
Minerva smiled as she remembered the pride on her mother's face, mingled with slight awe – Isobel McGonagall had been better at Charms than Transfiguration.
Now though, she'd decided that being in cat form when the class arrived, then shifting to human would have the most impact. Remembering the look on her mother's face, she focused until she felt herself shrink to a much smaller size.
Cold now, she perched on the edge of the desk and waited, ears flicking back and forth.
Students began to appear, looking slightly gleeful as they realized there was no professor present. A couple of students eyed the tabby with curiosity, and she sincerely hoped none of them would try to pick her up.
None did, and the last student entered, closing the door behind him.
Right… can't stay a cat forever. What if it goes wrong though? What if I trip or end up partially clothed?
Oh Merlin… Maybe I should've waited until I'd had a bit more practise.
Tired of the internal monologue, which now seemed to be an argument in the making, she took a small leap of faith. Hopping off the desk, she felt her body lengthen and become human, willing herself to be clothed when done.
A moment later she stood in front of a class of awed students, all of whom were laughing and applauding. There was no malice in it, and relief swept through her.
She'd done it, properly.
Content, she called for order and began her lecture.