From the Diaries of Minerva McGonagall, April 21, 1950

Dear Diary,

Today I turned into a cat.

It might be more accurate to say that I became a cat. There’s no other way to describe it. I had wondered if it would feel strange to inhabit an animal’s body, but the truth is that it felt so natural it took me a moment to realize it had even happened. Professor Dumbledore had to pick me up and carry me over to the mirror so I could see what I was.

“You’re a cat!” he said, which had always been a joke between us because he kept warning me that wizards couldn’t choose their animal forms, and I kept saying “I understand that, but I’ll still become a cat. You’ll see.”

I feel like I ought to write down what it felt like to be a cat, but the truth is that it didn’t feel any different from being me. I mean, it was different, but it didn’t feel different.

You know how, when something itches, you reach out your hand to scratch without having to think about it? Or when your hair falls into your eyes, you tuck it behind your ear? It was like that. My paws and nose already knew what to do. It was like I had lived in this cat body for my entire life. I started grooming my fur while Professor Dumbledore was talking but I didn’t feel embarrassed about it—no more than I would have been by wiping a smudge off my glasses.

Also! My glasses! My cat form has these markings around the eyes that are almost exactly like my glasses. Professor Dumbledore said afterwards that our animal forms often reflect the more unique aspects of our appearance. I asked him if my cat’s markings would change if I took off my glasses before becoming a cat, and he said they would not. For better or worse, my cat form is set; she will grow older, as I will, but she’ll always have square spectacle markings.

It makes me think they should warn wizards, before they become Animagi; maybe give them the chance to tidy up a bit or something. What if I had been in a hurry that morning, and skipped brushing my hair; would my cat have wild hair my entire life?

Now that I am an Animagus, Professor Dumbledore says I must register with the Ministry of Magic. He said that if I do not register, they could put me in Azkaban. It’s Friday now and we have to wait until Monday to do the registration. I know they won’t put me in Azkaban for being an unregistered Animagus for three days, but I still feel anxious. I had to promise Professor Dumbledore that I wouldn’t turn into a cat again until I was well and truly registered, and I already feel like I’m missing part of myself. Like she’s inside of me, where she’s always been, waiting for me to cast the spell that allows me to become her.

Yours faithfully,

Minerva

Previously in The Diaries of Minerva McGonagall

WELL PICK US UP AND CARRY US OVER TO THE MIRROR, MINERVA DID IT! Do you love this?