A/N: Re-uploaded for your enjoyment! Please review.
November began the Quidditch season, a wizarding sport I had no interest in besides the fact that my brother had been made Gryffindor seeker, despite first years not being allowed to have their own broomsticks – and therefore pretty much unable to play in the team. He, Hermione and Ron ventured out into the peace of the courtyard often despite the chill in the air to discuss the sport, and I remained inside, refusing to endure the cold. I could venture outside, I knew, but I'd had enough of the winters chill from several years living outdoors. Instead, when my Gryffindor friends ventured outdoors, I ventured to the library where Draco and I often did homework together. We shared enough classes that we could help each other at the same time as spending time together.
As well as that, Hermione, Ron and Harry wouldn't shut up about that three headed dog – Fluffy, they called it – and what Professor Snape was doing to get around it. I didn't like Professor Snape still, although he didn't treat me as bad as other Gryffindors, but I didn't believe he would be trying to break into something the school was securing. When the trio started going on about Nicholas Flamel, I gave up on trying to follow their adventures. Thankfully, spending the time in the holidays with Draco and his friend Blaise Zabini passed the time relatively quickly, as we explored the castle, finding several hidden passages and rooms. Once or twice I even ventured outside with them, albeit reluctantly, being pulled into Slytherin snow wars at Blaise's insistence.
After one such battle on Christmas Eve, Blaise, Draco and I stumbled into the Entrance Hall grinning and laughing as we stomped and shook the snow off out winter gear. This was noticeably harder for me, for I was wearing about three more layers than either of the boys, disliking the cold. Officially snow-free, we three headed into the Great Hall for dinner, which pretty much already contained the current population of the castle, most of the students and some teachers even visiting home for the holidays. Standing in the doorway I smiled reluctantly up and my two tall friends, before turning to head to the Gryffindor table on the right of the Hall.
"Hey Amy," Blaise called out before I'd taken three steps. I felt a hand grab my wrist and tug me back, unprepared I stumbled into his chest and he smirked down at me, winking before pulling me after him towards the Slytherin table. "Join Draco and me for dinner tonight, there's more people at our table." He paused looking pointedly at my brother and Ron who were watching the scene unfold. "More people who can interest you in their conversation, at least."
I pulled my hand out of his grasp, still feeling elated after the snow fight. "Alright, alright, Blaise! I can walk by myself." I shoved him playfully, before exaggeratingly rescuing him from falling over. "It seems you're the one who can't walk."
He laughed and pushed me back, into Draco.
"That's enough, children." Draco drawled amusedly, pulling me down onto the bench next to him. I suddenly felt very self-conscious, feeling the stares of many Gryffindors and Slytherins on me, and looked down at the golden plates before looking up again stubbornly. I glanced up at the head table to see Professor Dumbledore's eyes on me, and a small smile on his face. That was enough for me.
"Are you going to sit tonight, Blaise, or must we all starve to death waiting?" I bantered with my friends.
I awoke on Christmas morning, to the sound of Ron's raised voice.
"Harry! Amy! Get up!" He yelled from what must have been the common room. But it didn't sound like the common room, it sounded as if he was yelling in my ear. Yawning, I crawled out of bed and leaped to the floor. I trotted over the to the –
Wait, what?
I ran the rest of the distance to the mirror. Looking in it, I saw a red fox. Me. I was a red fox. I stared at my reflection in horror. Moving slightly, I caught sight of a ribbon and card tied onto my tail. However, being a fox, I couldn't read it.
"Come on, Amy!" Ron yelled again. "We're waiting for you!"
Wincing at his loud tone, but distraught at my dilemma, I left my dormitory and walked into the common room. Harry and Ron glanced at me, and looked back at my dormitory, then back at me, wondering what the hell was happening.
"Amy?" Ron called, sounding less sure. "You know there was a fox in your dorm?"
I yipped at him, reaching the bottom of the staircase. He looked at me again, whereas Harry hadn't stopped looking at me.
"Amy…" Ron began to shout again. I yipped louder, jumping up in front of him. Harry looked closer.
"Amy?" Harry asked. I nodded my head, with some difficulty, and then turning so they could read the card tied to my tail. How undignified.
"Amy Potter,
I apologize for the shock, but I believe this is a skill you must learn to use in your unusual situation.
Hope you enjoy your Christmas." Harry read, pulling the ribbon off. "No signature. Wonder who it's from?"
"Whoa…" Ron said, staring at me. "You got the ability to turn into a fox for Christmas? Wicked."
I twitched my nose at him, frustrated. I didn't think it was so great… not if I couldn't be human again.
'I would gladly give up my tail and fur for that.' I thought to myself.
"Uh, Ron, I don't think she knows how to turn back." Harry pointed out. I nodded again at my brother.
"Oh. Not so good then. Maybe we should take her to McGonagall?" Ron suggested. I walked over to the tree, and nosed the presents underneath it towards the boys. I didn't expect to get any presents, so I had no problems with being unable to open them in this state. However, getting my presents to Draco and Blaise might be difficult.
"You want us to open these first? You don't mind?" Harry clarified. I nodded again. That human action was beginning to hurt.
As they started, I trotted back up to my dorm, grabbing my presents to Draco and Blaise; glad I hadn't gotten them anything massive. I brought them down to the common room, and sat near them as I watched my friends open their gifts. There were knitted jumpers emblazoned with a 'R' and 'H' appropriately, from Ron's' mother, and Harry got a present similar to mine, a note left with it, with no signature apparent. It was an Invisibility Cloak, as Ron and Harry soon worked out.
After they finished opening their presents (finally), Harry picked me, and the presents I had with me, up and we left the common room to search out Professor McGonagall. About halfway along the corridor, I jumped out of Harrys' arms, and flicked him with my tail. I was perfectly capable of walking by myself, even better, possibly, for now I had four legs and a tail. I heard him and Ron laugh slightly at my continued independence, despite my predicament.
As we were walking along to Professor McGonagall's' office, Draco stepped out of a side corridor, looking us over, especially me, in obvious confusion.
"Potter. Weasley. Where's Amy?"
Ron clenched his teeth before answering. "Why is it any of your business where she is?"
In response, I growled at Ron slightly, and he glared at me, then the blonde Slytherin in front of us.
"Because I want to give her a Christmas present."
Harry stifled a laugh. "Yea, well she's a little, preoccupied, at the moment. When she's able, we'll send her to you." Grudgingly he held out the two presents in his arms. "It appears she got you and Zabini gifts though."
Draco swiftly took the parcels before stepping away from my brother again. "Just tell me where she is." He hissed.
Ron actually laughed at him, pointing at me. Draco followed his arm in confusion.
"What about the fox?" He asked. Harry started laughing to, and I growled at them both.
"We told you she's a little preoccupied at the moment." Harry told him. Draco stared at me.
"Amy?" He asked in confusion, bending down to my eye level. Wasn't that nice of him? I yipped slightly and licked his cheek playfully. He grinned slightly, an expression that shocked Harry and Ron into silence. He stroked my fur softly, eyeing up my form. If I'd still been in a human shape I imagine my brother would have decked him for that look.
"Brilliant. What did you do?" He was trying not to laugh. Gently, I bit his fingers.
"I think she woke up that way." Harry explained. "We were just taking her to McGonagall."
As he remembered Harry and Ron were there, the grin was wiped from his face.
"Come on, Amy." Ron said as they began to walk again. "Or we'll put a leash on you."
I growled at him, before rubbing affectionately against Draco before bounding down the corridor after them.