The man in the alley was still swatting at the swarm of witchlights obscuring his vision when the white fox came bounding toward Felix. The wizard almost stepped back -- what was a fox doing in the middle of the city? -- before he realized that the voice was coming from the little animal.

Instantly, Felix's brows drew down and he frowned at the beast. : Just this once? : came very clearly, and very tartly, in Felix's voice. His frown did not flicker in order to speak.

Then, with a huff, Felix bent down and muttered, unnecessarily, "There you are," and picked the fox up with both hands around its middle.