James ran through the cat door, and was surprised to see a smiling Meredith.
EARLIER THAT MORNING
Meredith saw another hole gnawed in the counter. The mice were getting worse, and the spells she had used had so far proven ineffective. The mice had absorbed enough magical energy to protect themselves. The next step was to get a cat, a magical shop cat. After a half an hour going through spell books, Meredith found one that would bring her a magical rodent-killer within the day. Before opening the shop, she performed the spell. It would require the sacrifice of one of her items, and she couldn't entirely know which one, but the mice were driving her crazy and she was willing to take the loss.
NOW
Jamie purred as Meredith scratched her behind her ears. "Yes" said the shop owner. "You were a very mediocre human, but you're going to be such a good kitty. Yes you are."
Jamie felt good, comfortable and at home. Then she heard a slight scratching sound coming from behind the counter. In a flash she had a struggling mouse in her jaws. She crushed its spinal column, then laid the dead mouse at her mistress's feet.
"Such a good kitty."