Vulpinae

by Mnemosyne

A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! (cough – 2 people)  Yay!  Yay!

Chapter 2: Little Ginny

-- Couple of months after Prologue scene --

~Article from the Daily Prophet ~

The Dark Lord Defeated?  Are YOU Safe?

            Despite the unexpected end of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named by a diminutive bundle named Harry Potter, all wizards and witches should be on alert.  The Ministry of Magic has reported several Deatheaters like Sirius Black, still on the run.

            Trials await the remaining followers of the Dark Lord and as of now, only Lucius Malfoy has been cleared and released.  This author sends its sympathies to the illustrious Mr. Malfoy who has been suffering under the Imperius Curse during the Dark Lord's reign.  He has made a public statement of apology for all the "crimes and horrors" he has unknowingly committed.  To ease his conscience Mr. Malfoy personally told this reporter, "I will be donating a large sum to the Ministry to build orphanages and to help the wizarding world recover."  In addition, he has kindly offered his home and his guardianship to our own poor little orphan, Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived.         

In partnership with Mr. Malfoy, the Ministry intends to implement          their Recovery Strategy including a sound plan of action regarding the families who have gone into hiding.  They will attempt to find and salvage all who are left behind – as the readers know, the Dark Lord periodically sent his Hounds to scour the wizarding world for witches and wizards who have managed to escape from his grasp.   

- Tina Skeeter

***

-- 5 years later --

~Ron Weasley~

            Six-year-old Ronald Weasley was frantic!  "Ginny!  Ginny!" he called.  His face was scrunched up in concentration and red from exertion, he panted, then screamed her name again.  His voice eerily echoed throughout the woods and rebounded back in echo.  Where was she?  Mum would get awful mad if he didn't come home without her and it wasn't even his fault!  He knew he was supposed to take care of Ginny, but what she 'spect?  Everyone knew how sneaky Ginny was.

            There was no help for it.  Mum would scold him for what he intended to do, but this was an emergency.  Ron took a deep breath and all expression smoothed from his face. 

He began his transformation.  His snub little nose elongated into a pointier snout and his body slowly melted into his vulpin form.  Tiny black fox ears emerged from the top of his head and a fluffy tail whooshed behind him.  His back curved and four tiny legs with even tinier paws reached the ground with a soft thud.

Ron arched his back to stretch his muscles and gave himself a shake.  His triangular ears pricked up and his nose scented the air and the ground.  His tiny tongue lolled out and he gave a foxy grin as he picked up his sister's scent. 

~Ginny Weasley~

            A vivid splash of red scampered all over the forest floor.  Ginny Weasley was having the time of her life!  In the true spirit of puppyhood she was practicing her hunting skills in the form of play.  She had been distracted from the human game of hide-and-seek with Ron when she heard the tell-tale rustle of a rodent.  The game forgotten, Ginny wondered off to pinpoint the sound. 

            Her slitted eyes widened with delight and she licked her lips in anticipation as she watched her prey scurry about.  The tip of her tail twitched signaling her intention to pounce on the unsuspecting mouse.  Any minute now.  Her haunches tightened and she gave a huge leap. BANG!  THUD!

            Ginny found herself disoriented on the ground.  She got up and shook her head to clear it.  What happened?  She found her answer when she looked straight up into a pair of golden eyes.

~Ron Weasley~

            His head hung in defeat and his tail meekly tucked underneath his legs, Ron Weasley looked straight up into his mother's angry eyes.  He glumly changed back into a small grubby boy with dirty nails and feet. 

            "Ronald Weasley!  How many times have I told you not to transform unless it's an emergency!?"  Ron made a protesting motion but the forbidding finger held in front of him interrupted him.  "I don't want to hear about it Ron!"  Mrs. Weasley sniffed the air.  Her senses were not as keen in human form, but her face tightened in anger when she smelled where he had been.  "I told you not to go in the forest – not unless you had permission young man!  Something could have happened to you!"  She paused for breath and continued with a foreboding voice, "Did you know that there are muggles out there who actually KILL foxes for sport?  You could have been discovered – WE could have been discovered!  You know perfectly well you turn back when you get hurt!"  Mrs. Weasley paused in her tirade and wildly looked around.  "Where's GINNY!" she shrieked.  Ron gulped.  "I'm in for it," he thought. 

            "I'm here mum," the quiet voice cut through Mrs. Weasley's tirade. 

            "Ginny!  Where have you been?"  A sniff.  "Virginia Weasley, do not tell your dear old mum that you went to the old forest too!?"  Molly Weasley gave an exasperated huff and grabbed both her recalcitrant children by the ears.  "Now, I want you both to wash up.  NO QUIDITCH for you Ron and Ginny NO MORE TRIPS to Diagon Alley with Fred and George." 

            They were led back inside the Burrow – aptly named for a home filled to brims with Vulpinae. 

            "You said we weren't gonna get in trouble.  Where were you!?" hissed Ron as he dutifully washed his hands.  Ginny stopped washing her feet and looked up at her older brother.  Her tiny face broke out into a big happy smile.  "You know, you're the best brother in THE WHOLE WORLD!" she declared.  Ron eyed her and said, "You're not gonna tell me."  His sister only answered him with a big smacking kiss.