Vulpinae
by Mnemosyne
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: Yet another one of my tries at writing fanfiction. Remember that I'm an inexperienced author, so I hope you guys review and tell me what you think. I don't know if you guys will think I'll be going into too much detail, but just remember I'm setting up the atmosphere. Read and enjoy! ^_^
Chapter 1: Prologue~Molly Weasley~
A black wet nose nuzzled into the vixen's side blindly searching for milk. The vixen wearily stirred and readily accommodated the black tiny creature burrowing into her side in search for a nipple. It gave a faint cry before finding its target. The newly born pup's eyes were closed and its mother gazed lovingly at its huddled figure. It had been born just hours before and its baby soft fur was already drying to a promising color of dark chocolate. A sharp yip directed her attention to the other six occupants of the den. The older pups, all males, were playing amongst themselves. The vixen's gaze sharpened – as she suspected two large robust pups were pinning down a squirming smaller body (the obvious source of the previously heard yip).
She gave a scolding bark and immediately the two mischievous pups sprang to attention. Two chocolate gazes looked inquiringly at their mother. They were identical right down from their rust-colored fur to their stocky build. The only differences in their appearance were their ears – one with a full black ear on the right, the other on the left. With a triumphant yip, the smaller figure finally emerged from being pinned. It possessed a fiercely orange colored fur – unusual in the youngest male of a litter. An older brother possessing a buttery yellow tone watched the three youngests' antics and gave a diffident sniff. The remaining two oldest gave each other amused looks. Although both possessing a similar shade of red-orange, one had a defining mark on a black-furred clad leg – its black marks were shaped like a jagged lightning spear.
The female gave a contented sigh and prepared to rest her copper-colored head on her paws once more. As she drew in a breath, her drowsily closed eyes suddenly widened. Her hackles rose and she gave a warning huff to her pups. All was silent.
The vixen's muscles tightened with tension as she waited for the intruder she sensed to reveal itself. A familiar figure darkened the den's hole and all the pups started barking.
They launched themselves gleefully at their father. The vixen relaxed as she drew in her mate's scent. He had gone hunting and came home with the usual small rodents and one rabbit. The pups eagerly ate to their heart's content – they were old enough to feed themselves. With so many growing pups to provide for and the added growing danger of being discovered, food was scarce. However, they always managed to get by the skin of their teeth.
Her mate made it wearily to her side and licked her. He gave her an encouraging nudge sensing the sudden despair that had flooded her. She supposed she should feel grateful. Due to their ability to transform, they have fared better than others during the Dark Lord's rise to power. They have been in hiding for five difficult years. Her mate curled up beside her and her pups, their energy spent, gathered around their sire and dame. The newly born female gave a yawn and was asleep. Her mother looked at her with concern – they cannot stay in these forms any longer. Born in her vulpine form, the babe may not be able to transform back to her humanoid shape. The vixen closed her eyes and gave her worries a rest. The war will be over soon – there are whispers of the Dark Lord's loss of power and eminent destruction. The centaurs have prophesized and the wind brings the promise of better days to come.
To be continued…
So, what do you think? Should I continue? Does it prick your interest? Just one review will perk me up, so REVIEW! Please, pretty please REVIEW. I'm desperate! A new author likes to be encouraged. ^_^ If you're wondering when the romance action starts, don't worry it's coming – I'm just setting up the stage. And to those of you who don't get it yet, MOLLY WEASLEY IS THE VIXEN (female fox).