Vulpinae
by Mnemosyne
A/N: We left off when Ginny acquired a new smell that caught everyone's attention.
Chapter 5: First Meeting~Ginny Weasley~
It was beyond embarrassment having to have Fred and George check her all over. Claiming the title of Prank Kings, they've thoughtfully decided to use their power for good instead of mischief.
"Do you think it could be - ?"
"No George, she doesn't have any of those…you know."
"What about that one…"
"We haven't even issued that out yet. Too dangerous."
"Hmm…I suppose so."
"Hmm…"
As the two examiners finished their assessment, Ginny was ready to burst. Thoughts raced through her head. Well? What was it? A horrible prank? A prank gone wrong?
After many whispers, Fred and George turned around to face her.
"We have made our verdict."
"Sorry Gin, it's not a horrible prank…"
"…or a prank gone wrong."
Even in her deepest despair, Ginny found time to wonder in the deep recesses of her mind whether or not the twins were psychic. She looked forlornly at all of them. Thankfully Colin and Neville had tactfully withdrawn and sought another compartment.
"So, it's me then."
Ginny was ready to wallow in the depths of despair. How could this happen? There was no precedent, no time for preparation for this calamity.
Percy's calm voice rang through. "Ginny, it may be one of those…those changes you're going through."
Ginny perked up. Of course! Dear dear Percy! She searched frantically through her bag until she found the right book. "Vulpes Vulpes," she whispered. The book opened to a new page. "What's wrong with me?" she mentally asked. The words swam in…
When female Vulpinae reach sexual maturity, they are more vulnerable. Searching for the proper mate becomes a high priority, as she will be open to discovery during her sexual awakening. After the initial signs of her maturity, the vixen's scent becomes magnified – so much so that even humans can smell it. This occurs purely for her protection. Mates are chosen according smell and the earlier she makes her choice, the safer she will be.
Although her smell may seem atrocious to some males (humans and male relatives), her smell will attract every virile male Vulpinae within the proper age range. Since prolonged exposure to the smell can harm human males, as well as endanger the vixen to detection, this state lasts for approximately 3-5 days. It has also been reported that male relatives are able to withstand the smell in case the vixen is in need of protection. An hour of exposure is enough for the males to get accustomed to the vixen's personal scent.
With every sentence, Ginny became paler and paler. She wordlessly handed the book to Ron.
"Bloody hell!" Ron muttered other expletives and looked up at Ginny in horror. "You're gonna have to get married!"
Fred and George both scowled and reflexively flexed their muscles. Even Percy frowned in disagreement. "You're too young to get married," he said disapprovingly.
By now, the book had been passed on to the twins.
Her lips white with strain, Ginny answered quietly, "It doesn't say I have to get married. I just have to find him."
George hesitantly said, "Listen Gin, forget about that for a while. Let's just concentrate on how to get you off the train."
***
~Draco Malfoy~
People who passed the Weasley twins instinctively wrinkled and covered their noses. Thankfully, Ginny was half-hidden behind her large burly brothers.
"Run along now! Nothing to see here!"
"A dungbomb experiment gone wrong!" This bit of melodrama was from Fred. Scraps of laughter exploded from the other students. "Only the Weasley twins," they sighed.
Draco stepped into the hallway to board off the train. Crabbe and Goyle flanked him. He wrinkled his nose in disgust when he saw that the Weasley twins were in front of him. Crabbe and Goyle also mirrored their master's expression for a completely different reason.
" 'E smells," grunted Crabbe. It figured that the Weasleys would make one of his cronies sick. Goyle was silent and endured what seemed to be the most horrible smell in the world. Draco sniffed the air and smelled nothing at all. He shrugged mentally. Maybe Crabbe and Goyle were…what was that word…oh yes…sensitive.
The Hogwarts Express drew to a halt with a lurch (compliments of this author, LOL) and Draco was thrown forward. He unconsciously clutched the tiny figure in front of him to regain his balance.
Once recovered, he tried to right himself and let go, but found himself unable to. He was frozen. That smell. Draco automatically inhaled. He felt the hair on his arms stand up with awareness and he felt the disturbing need to purr. It was a combination of cinnamon, flowers, perfume…it culminated everything pleasant in life. What is that smell? It intrigued him because it kept changing. It teased and caressed his senses. Draco almost felt giddy and drunk from smelling it. He involuntarily nuzzled the person's neck in search for hollows that housed more of that wonderful scent.
Dimly in the back of his mind, he felt the person he held struggle. Draco made an effort to release her (it was undoubtedly a she). She turned around and faced him and he felt like he was drowning. He was swimming in the deepest brown eyes he'd ever seen. No, they were not brown – they were more like chocolate. Draco held back a groan. Out of all things! Chocolate! His one addiction.
He saw the angel, no the goddess, open her rosebud mouth to speak. Draco waited in agony to hear her speak.
~Ginny Weasley~
Ginny was fuming. The idiot behind her seemed too scared from the train's unexpected stop to let go. She felt him inhale. Ginny panicked. Oh no! She almost forgot about her condition. This has to stop! She froze when she felt him (it was undoubtedly a guy) snuffling through her hair and nuzzling her neck. Yes, this definitely has to stop! Ginny struggled to get out of his grip. That accomplished, she whirled around to give the guy a piece of her mind.
She opened her mouth to hiss at him, but found herself unable to speak. He was looking at her as if mesmerized. Ginny suddenly felt worried. What if he got exposed too long to her scent? Smelling her like that probably put the poor boy in shock. She felt herself soften and she looked up into his eyes to say…
~Draco Malfoy~
"Are you okay?" Those dulcet tones came out of her lips. He dumbly nodded. While he was in a daze off in la-la land, Draco barely registered the large hand that shot out of the crowd. His angel was dragged off into the distance.
In his stupor, Draco hardly noticed that he was blocking the line of students exiting the train. Grumbles were heard behind him and Crabbe thoughtfully nudged him ahead before people started yelling and throwing things.
Draco absent-mindedly got off the train and chose a carriage with the handsomest steed. As he stared out the window, he had only one thought – he must find his angel. Who was she? All he remembered were small flashes of her face. Her lips were a lovely pink; her eyes were wide and heavily lashed with dark lashes that fanned across her cheek; her irises were colored an inviting chocolate brown. He vaguely remembered a small pert nose and he can only assume that on the whole, she was lovely put together. Surely Draco Malfoy would notice if she had any flaws. His brow furrowed in thought, he looked up at Crabbe and Goyle.
"By any chance, did any of you see who I fell on when the train stopped?"
"You was too large and tall to see the person properly."
"It stunk. I couldn't stand it."
Of course the stupid buffoons wouldn't make it easier for him. "If you want something done properly Draco, you must do it yourself or direct others to do it right." How ironic that at a time like this, he should hear his father's voice.
Malfoys were men of action and he knew what he had to do. When he got to Hogwarts he will begin to search her out. He inhaled and the scent rose up in his mind. He will find her, he must find her.
A/N: LOL Well? What do you think? Do you like the direction the story's going? Will Draco find her? What happens when he finds out she's a Weasley? Freaky stuff awaits you in the next chapter (at least I think the stuff may be freaky; but I don't know yet 'cause I obviously haven't written it). Oh, and one last thing, do you think that I laid the fluff on a bit too thick? I wanted to portray Draco as a love besotted fool. But for those of you who think that making him this lovey dovey is OOC, don't worry – it's the affect of the scent. You'll get the dark brooding Draco back. ^_^
