Note: Sorry, guys, this is not betaed because I have to run run run off to college. Not because I don't love my beta. *loves her beta*

Chapter Three: The Spirit of Things

           

            Draco sat on the edge of his bed, watching Potter unpack. It wasn't the first on his list of fun things to do, but it was certainly more interesting than studying for Potions. He kicked his left foot a little, brushing it against the carpet (which he felt was an improvement even if the rest of the room's décor was a great loss). Draco didn't like Christmas that much- it seemed to him to be a gaudy, useless time of the year which was only good for its plethora of gifts. And even that didn't cheer him up this year.

            This had to be what hell was like. Perky Peppy Potter and his own parents gone Sloording. It was so totally unfair. Draco fingered his wand. So unfair that perhaps he would try to alleviate the torture with a new hex he learned. Even though he was bound to get in trouble for it, he couldn't help but snigger to himself about how much fun it would be.

            "Malfoy?" Potter looked up from where he was bending over putting his things in order in the trunk.

            "What?" snapped Draco, ignoring the deliciously full curve of his enemy's rear.

            "Did you just say something?" Potter stood up, putting one hand to the small of his back and rubbing a little. He blinked a couple times owlishly.

            "No."

            "I thought I heard something…"

            Draco was amazed at how utterly inane his companion was. "Well, maybe it was me thinking how terrible it is to be stuck here with you for the holidays while my parents are Sloording in the Alps." His fingers slid up his wand, running over its tip almost obscenely. He sneered. "Sloording. And I'm here with you bloody stupid Gryffindork. You're smelling up my dorm."

            "What's Sloording?" Potter asked, completely ignoring the insults. He leaned against the post of his bed, round glasses glinting in the firelight. His face was open and frank- a fact which was a bit disconcerting to our favorite Slytherin.

            "You really are stupid, aren't you?" Draco snarled a little and then laughed in what he hoped was a sneering, nasty way. "Sloording is a wizard's pastime, similar to the Muggle" he made a face "sport of skiing. Only it's done on clouds with broomsticks." Potter looked idiotically confused, so Draco elaborated. "Instead of strapping boards to your feet and racing down the mountain, you have specially designed high-altitude broomsticks that you race down clouds with. They're a bit more sluggish than normal brooms, and rely on the condensed water in the cloud to skim on. Also, they have a bit higher seat and a different guidance system. That explain it enough for you?"

            "Oh," Potter said simply, and nodded.

            "Good, because I won't tell you again," Draco said unnecessarily.  

            Potter bent back over and continued to sort out the things in his trunk. He really did have a good looking rump if one thought about it for long enough. But then again, that probably came from playing Quidditch. And, as Draco had played Quidditch long before Potter mounted a broom, he had a nicer looking one. Or so he told himself, continuing to caress his wand.

            The hex he was planning was a funny one. And, fortunately, it was just so tweaked that the hexer had to be the one to administer the counterspell to the hexee. He narrowed his eyes, and, as soon as Potter's back was turned towards him, he whispered a few words, pointing his wand at the other boy's ass. It only took an instant for it to happen.

            Suddenly, like the lighting of a match, a tail sprung from Potter's very nice hindquarters. It was the same midnight black as his hair and was rather bushy. On a cat, it might have been considered cute. But on Potter? It was downright hilarious. Draco had to clap a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

            Potter turned around again, blinking. "Did you say something?" He looked a little disconcerted and swayed a bit.

            "No," Draco was smirking uncontrollably.

            "Is there something…" Potter turned around in a circle, looking behind himself, but not managing to see the tail. "Is there something on my butt?" he asked, craning his neck futilely.

            Draco sniffed imperiously, putting on his offended rich boy attitude. "I wouldn't know. I don't look in places like that." He made a face. "Especially on you."

            The dark haired Gryffindor wobbled again and his tail waved. "It feels like there's something…" He frowned in concentration. "It feels like there's something down there." He turned in a circle again and it was all Draco could do to keep from laughing. "Like there's a tail or something…"

            "Now why would there be a tail there?" Draco couldn't help grinning.

            Potter stopped turning and stared at his companion. "You didn't."

            "Didn't what?" was the innocent reply.

            Potter ran his Seeker hands down the back of his pants and suddenly found the protrusion. Carefully, he lifted it with his fingers, his face registering utter shock. "A tail," he said softly, his green eyes wide. Draco fleetingly thought that the color was startlingly bright before bursting into loud, mocking laughter.

            "What do you think of your new appendage, Potter?" he teased. "It matches your moppish hair."

            Potter seemed to be thinking, and then suddenly his face brightened. "It does indeed! That's so neat, Draco! I always wanted a tail. Maybe now I can do gymnastics. Or maybe it can function as an extra hand!" He went pouncing across the room in a rather feline way that disturbed the magic out of Draco. "Thank you! Thank you!" he warbled and then darted out of the room.

            Draco stared after him for a minute before shouting, "Don't call me Draco!" angrily after the other boy.

            He had not intended this to happen. In fact, what he had hoped was that Potter would curse violently, hop around like a mad fish, and then demand to be returned to his normal state. And now with an obnoxiously cheerful Gryffindor attitude, he had actually run off with the tail, quite pleased with it.

            And he had called him Draco.

            The blond Slytherin was angry. He didn't like people he hated calling him by his first name. It was too invasive for his tastes. The only people he found he could tolerate using his first name were all in his year in Slytherin. Or his parents. Or his near relatives. Or Snape. Or- well, he didn't want Potter calling him Draco and that was for sure. Malfoy was good enough for the likes of him. Stupid tail loving Gryffindork freak.

            In retaliation to having his plan foiled, Draco moved over to the other boy's bed and began to short-sheet it. He had learned how from a rather insane uncle on his mother's side, and found it came in quite handy when carrying a grudge against one of his roommates.

            He was going to make Potter's winter holidays the worst he had ever had.

To be Continued…

Note: This won't be updated for up to a week because I'm heading off to college and I need some time to get settled. However, as soon as I can, I'll update. I love you all for your reviews!

Special Thanks to:

Luke- *is poked* I wanna play with Remus!!! *pout* RPG FUN!

Jaittsuko- yay! I'm glad you're liking this so far. I'm having so much fun writing it… muwa ha ha!

Moriavis- oooo! Glad you picked up on the Sneaky Snape thing…. ^_~ That will come into play later!

Oddball Slasher- Neither have I. This is fun! XD

Missy Wong- Muwa ha! Me, too. I try this tactic and it actually works sometimes.

Cindy- Thank you sooooooo much for your review!! Yeah! I was hoping to get people interested in the Snapestuff, too. I love that man. He's so funny!

Lunadeath- Ah! I feel so honored! XD I love your works, and I'm so glad that you like this story. Chee hee!

AshFarley- I'm so glad you like it! And yeah, I figured Draco wouldn't want Harry calling him by his first name. I certainly wouldn't want my school rival (not that I have one) calling me by a familiar name… hm… that makes me want a school rival now…

Venus Princess- Chiya! Yes! Mistletoe! How could I forget? *smacks self on head* I'll have to put that in fairly soon. Maybe on Christmas Eve? *grins and winks*

Crayon- YES I will finish this. ~.~ This one actually has a plot I like… for once. LOL! Thank you for putting me on your favorites!

Kyuuno the Wonder Inu- First of all, that's the cutest name ever! Secondly, why do you think they are alone? Muwa ha ha!

Aunt-rhiannon- I know! It's worked for me… and actually gained me some friends from people that I really didn't like. Lol…

Shinigami- XD Mount Vernon?! I didn't even know there was such a thing! That's so funny! That might be cute… I hadn't thought of a Snape/Ron pairing. I just might do it. Thanks for the idea! Snape isn't taking care of Ron at the moment… he just walked him to the dorms to make sure that he could fix everything that went wrong on the way. Filch is taking care of Ron at the moment. Poor guy…

EI- or is it El? I can't quite tell… my eyes are messed up. . anyway, thanks for your wonderful review! Yup, things are going to get rather spicy… *grins* Not too soon, though. I want to give our dear boys some quality time.

And thanks to all others that I didn't get to! I love you all, too!