Thankfully the canopy and curtains surrounding Missy's bed kept the early dawn sun from waking her, but the curtains drew themselves open once the sun had fully risen. She woke slowly, gradually taking in her surroundings and reminding herself of yesterday's event that led her to this situation. She sat up in bed with a smile, anxious to start her first day as a Hogwarts student, even if she wasn't studying in the normal manner.
After her shower, Missy dressed in the provided uniforms in her closet, though it hurt to do so. She had always expressed herself through her clothes, but she had to settle for rolling the skirt a little shorter and leaving the black tie loose around her neck for a little individuality. She decided to do ringlets in her hair for her first day, and having found a magical product called Hephaestus Hornsby's Spray-In Curls in a Can, the look was a breeze. Missy put shimmering silver and grey on her eyelids and used a colourless gloss on her lips, finishing the look with a touch of blush and a swipe of mascara. Having pronounced herself fit for company, she threw a black robe on and headed down for breakfast.
The Great Hall was relatively empty when she arrived, apparently the school schedule was already beginning to wear on the students and they were sleeping through breakfast for those extra 20 minutes of rest. Her mother was sitting at the staff table, and beckoned her over, inviting her to sit in the headmaster's chair since there weren't many people around. Conveniently, her first class of the day was transfiguration with her mother, so they walked to her empty classroom once they had finished both their meals and a nice long chat over two extra cups of tea.
"Now, normally, I would start you with beginners lessons, but I think it is important that you learn and become comfortable with your transformation first," McGonagall explained, having shifted from "mother mode" into her more usual professor's demeanour. Missy was delighted she said this, as she had been hoping to try out her cat form as soon as possible. "The only way I can really explain the feeling of the transformation is that it feels like you're jumping feet first into the form, as the cat form starts at your feet and works its way up your body. The first few times, you might actually try jumping, just a little, to get the feel of it," Professor McGonagall explained.
"So I just…jump, and I turn into a cat?" Missy asked, unconvinced.
Her mother shook her head. "Well, no. You have to concentrate on the cat, on what it feels like in cat form. That's why it is so difficult to do the first few times; you are not familiar with the feel of the animal. All I can tell you is that a cat sees everything from its level, and from its own size. That means everything seems bigger, and you feel much shorter. And everything is in black and white, of course," she added. She tapped her fingers on the table in front of her, trying to think of more tips for her daughter. "The feeling of claws is like…like having extra long sharp fingernails, they click on everything. Your nose becomes extra sensitive, and you will be overwhelmed at first by all the smells. I can't really think of much more to tell you, you'll have to experience it for yourself before you truly know what I'm talking about."
Missy drew a deep breath, and closed her eyes, concentrating on everything her mother had told her about cat form. She tensed up her muscles, hopped forward a little, opened her eyes…and saw nothing different. She sighed in disappointment. Her mother chuckled. "Well, no one gets in on the first try, dear. And most animagi are much older than you are before they can even attempt the spell, so don't be too hard on yourself. We'll just try again," McGonagall comforted.
They spent the rest of the period trying to get Missy into the mind of a cat. By the end of the day she had managed to transform her bottom half, but had panicked half way through and pulled out.
"My dear daughter, you're much further along than we could have ever hoped for!" her mother told her. "I'm sure with a little practice it will come easily, but don't practice on your own. Only try this under my supervision until you get it right, in case something goes wrong and you need help." Kissing Missy on the forehead lightly, she waved a goodbye as Missy walked away to her next class.
Missy only had two other classes that day, her first Charms lesson and a very interesting hour of drinking tea and trying to see shapes in a foggy glass ball with Professor Trelawney. She stopped by the History of Magic classroom to pick up a reading list just before the fifth year Hufflepuff/Gryffindor class got underway. She waved to Hermione and Ron as they entered, and bounced over to talk with them before class started.
"Hey there, how's your first day going?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"It's going okay. I haven't really started the Transfiguration material, because my Mom wanted me to get another skill down first, but that will take a while. I managed to get a feather to blow up in Professor Flitwick's face, but he said it had happened before, which was a relief. And Professor Trelawney is…" she trailed off, trying to find an appropriate term.
"A loon?" came a suggestion from behind her. Missy whipped around to see Harry standing behind her with a wide grin.
"I was going to say unique, but loony pretty much sums her up," Missy confirmed with a laugh.
"When's your first class with Snape?" Ron asked.
"Well, he won't give me any time during regular class hours, so I'll have to go visiting the dungeons two evenings a week after supper. But that doesn't start until next week, since he wanted some time to 'prepare'," she replied.
"Missy, how did you get your hair to do that?" Hermione asked quietly when the boys walked a short distance away to some empty chairs. "I try to get my hair to behave into nice curls like that, but it's obstinate," she complained, gesturing to the poof on her head.
"Oh, I have this great Spray In stuff…Actually, what are you doing this evening?" Missy asked suddenly.
"I was planning on studying for O.W.L.s…." Hermione trailed off when Missy began shaking her head.
"Not anymore. O.W.L.s aren't for months, and plus, you've got to be nice to the new girl right? Help her have fun here at school?" Missy teased.
"Well…I suppose I could take one night off from studying. What is it you've got in mind?" Hermione asked, curious.
"You'll see. It has something to do with the amazing bathroom and even more amazing closet I have. And it might have something to do with a certain red haired gentleman who needs a wakeup call about a certain pretty best friend of his…" Missy joked.
"Missy!" Hermione gasped, but her blush gave her away.
"Oh, come on! You know it'll be fun, and if someone starts to see you in a different light, so be it. Plus, I must tell you about what happened last night after supper," Missy replied.
"Ooh, what happened? With the professors, you mean?" Hermione asked.
"Nope, a certain prefect stopped by my room after that meeting and it was quite interesting," Missy said with a false coyness.
Both girls giggled, causing Ron and Harry to glance back at them. "What're you two planning?" Harry asked. "Good things are never in store when girls start giggling."
"Oh, just girl stuff," Hermione waved them off. "Class is starting, better head out," she told Missy when Professor Binns floated through the front of the room and began talking without any preamble.
"Okay, see you after supper," Missy whispered as she snuck out the door.