Chapter Three- Instincts

Harry yawned and stretched as he woke up Wednesday morning. He opened his eyes and as he sat up, they fell on the blurry image of his tail. Last night's events came back to him and he pushed his curtains aside, grabbed his glasses, and looked into the mirror. He hair was actually bright white, had lengthened to his shoulders and the ends were leaning toward his left shoulder. He looked behind him to see his silver tail was bright white as well; both tail and hair looked more like a unicorn than before.

"Wow," Ron spoke up. "Harry, you're looking more like a unicorn now. I mean, white instead of silver."

"Thanks, Ron." Harry ran his hairbrush through it, noticing it was no longer untidy and sticking up. He changed his clothes, brushed his tail, gathered his bag, and left. He was aware of the started as he crossed the Common Room, but ignored it. He was going to get stares over the next several days as he completed his change and got used to his looks and instincts.

He attracted stares and whispers as he headed down to breakfast, but kind of liked the attention for it was for a good reason. He sat down at the table, noting that practically everyone was staring at him. He knew his hair was the reason and decided to not hide the tail, either; no more curling it around a leg. Instead, he let it hang beside his leg. When breakfast was over and Harry swung his leg over, his tail was visible for a few seconds before his robes hit it from view; only the Gryffindors and nearby Hufflepuffs saw it.

"Harry!" a voice called as he reached the Entrance Hall with Ron and Hermione. He turned to see Ernie from Hufflepuff approach. "Harry, was that a tail I saw earlier?"

"Yeah, it was." Harry pulled his robes to one side to give another look.

"It looks like a unicorn's."

"It is. I found out I'm half-unicorn."

"Half- unicorn?"

"Yeah. I've got the tail and the mane's getting started. "I'll have ears and a horn by Friday and that's it."

"That sound…cool, I guess."

"Thanks, Ernie."

Harry ended up repeating this conversation throughout the day and also noticed his hair getting longer as the day wore on. By the time he returned to the Common Room after dinner, his hair had reached his waist and it stopped there. The moment he entered the Common Room, he was surrounded by a group of girls. They were either giggling or sighing happily as they talked to him or ran their hands through his hair…or maybe it was mane now. At first, he was annoyed with their attentions, but then he came to enjoy it. Must be instinct, he thought. Dumbledore did say I would prefer a girl's touch, just like a unicorn.

"Noticed the girls wouldn't leave you alone," Ron grinned teasingly as they got ready for bed.

"I didn't mind. I liked their touch, just like a unicorn."

"Oh. That's one of those instincts, right? You said you'd get some."

"That's right."

"You were stared at a lot today."

"True and it'll keep happening as I change and as people get used to it, they'll stop staring."

Harry put his glasses on the table, knowing that soon he wouldn't need them. Maybe I'll wake up with unicorn ears, he thought as he fell asleep. Harry did indeed gain his ears the next morning when he opened his eyes to find perfect vision. His ears were elegant and as white as his tail and mane. They also twitched occasionally and turned in whatever direction he chose. He grinned at his reflection. His ears were so cool! He brushed his long bangs back so that they joined with the rest of his mane. His scar was now clearly visible, but it didn't concern him that it was noticeable.

A lot of things haven't been concerning me lately. A unicorn trait, maybe? Could be.

His newest addition attracted a lot of attention and compliments. Harry marveled at how well and clear he could hear now and looked forward to testing it further in his classes for today. He looked up at one point during breakfast to see Malfoy looking at him with a mixture of jealousy and envy. As he locked eyes with his rival, Harry felt his heart beat faster and a feeling of romantic interest rose within him. He lowered his gaze to his plate. My instincts of romantic interest just woke up and it's toward Malfoy! I don't know why I'm interested in him, but hopefully I'll end up learning why.

Draco Malfoy glared at Potter from across the room. The whole school knew Potter was half-unicorn and the evidence to this was undeniable. The only thing missing was the horn and according to what he heard, that could show up tomorrow. This is unbelievable, he thought savagely. As if Potter wasn't special enough with his scar. Now he's half magical creature, too. Why should he be the only one who's special? Then again, why should I care if he's half-unicorn? All this makes him is a freak. Everyone else may be impressed with him, but I'm not. Malfoy kept glancing at Harry though the rest of breakfast, feeling envious of Harry's looks. The white seemed to suit him more than the black, but the ears seemed ridiculous.

He saw Harry get up and he stood up too. He felt like taunting Harry and now was a perfect opportunity. He moved quickly to the doors and reached them a little ahead of Harry. He stood there and as Harry brushed past him, he hissed, "You're a freak, Potter and I for one am not impressed with you."

Harry didn't reply, merely smiled blandly at his rival as he passed. Malfoy's opinion did hurt, seeing as he had just developed feelings for the Slytherin. I'm interested in someone who will never be interested in me. Well, that's just great, he groused. I wish he was interested, though.