Chapter Text
Bella was waiting for her Mama to get back from doing a heritage test, so she was stuck sitting in the Infirmary, on a bed, with both Luna and Fleur sitting next to her. Gabby was writing a letter to her grandma, who didn't have access to a communication mirror.
"Well, it seems Luna was right. This is a part of your Heritage." Poppy said, having arrived just a second ago. "You, apparently, are a Kitsune, little one. Which means we have some research to do on how to ensure you grow to be a healthy adult of your species."
Oh, Bella was so excited!
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Bella spent a few days with Luna and whichever of her mums were available at the time researching about the Kitsune and the things she'd be able to do. She was explicitly forbidden from trying to do any Racial Spells until she'd both gotten used to her new form and she had a trusted adult around.
It took a week for Bella to confidently say she'd gotten used to her new body, but it wasn't without bumps along the way.
The first and most obvious thing was the way her legs were changed. She'd gone from a plantigrade (human) leg to a digitigrade (fox) leg. The first thing she'd noticed as part of the difference was that her balance was different. Not necessarily worse, just something she was unused to. The next thing she noticed was the energy it took to stay standing, which is to say it took more energy. Not a concerning amount, but it's still noticeable.
The next obvious change was the way her hands paws changed. It changed the way she had to grip things, and after a few tests trying to grab things, she'd realized she'd have to be conscientious about her claws, else they shred whatever she tries to hold. It took a few days, but the group found that Bella could partially retract her claws, both to keep them sharp and also so she has a little bit more room for error. They also found out that she couldn't lift as heavy of things as she used to be able to, though they weren't sure if that was from her arms changing or her legs.
Next, they figured out that her appetite didn't change all that much, sans the occasional strange craving for rabbit and squirrel. All in all, not too strange of changes, though changes none-the-less.
Her classmates had mixed reactions. Some found it cool, like Seamus, some found it intellectually challenging, like Su Li, and others...well, others didn't like it at all.
"Looky here, just another wild animal the school dragged in," A blonde-haired bully said. A dark haired girl next to him, practically hanging off of him, giggled fakely.
"Are you really surprised, Draco, of course Dumbledore's ilk would treat Beasts like they're not beneath us, he's just trying to win votes from softminded sycophants."
Bella may not have understood every word this mean girl said, but she knew a bully when she saw one. One of the boys next to the blonde one, burly and angry-looking, scoffed.
"Malfoy, why bother with her, she looks just as stupid as the animal she is." Whilst his words were hurtful, and made her angry, something clicked in her head.
"Your last name is Malfoy?" Bella asked in disbelief.
"What's it to you, beast?"
"Your name!" Bella finally burst into laughter, "Means 'Bad Faith', and you're a bully? How stereotypical can you get?!" Man, this made this whole confrontation worth it. Suddenly, she found herself staring down the wand of the boy in front of her. Her body reacted before her mind did, darting forward and slashing at the threat, severing the wand and causing an explosion from the weapon's destruction, sending everyone flying in different directions.
The last thought that passes through her head before she falls unconscious is "Ow."