AN: Thanks to Sebastian of the Sea for the favorite and for registering your opinion. I may have come off has stereotypical last chapter, but that was a joke, and I'm American girl myself so I thought it'd be funny. Anyway, hope you enjoy this.
Wanna Be Friends?
Three Years Later
"Liza?" Roxanne Weasley asked, her brown eyes piercing her friend. Liza had (finally)grown out of her awkward stage and was now turning into a very pretty teenager. Her brown hair was now longer lank, but had a radiating beauty. Her long limbs filled out and she looked willowly and graceful. She had many admiing boys after her now. The thought made Roxanne smile. It drove Lorcan crazy. He and Liza were dating, but boys continued to flirt with her., even ask her out. She would politely decline of course, though Roxanne felt that showing some abrasiveness might encourage them to leave her alone. Liza would always roll her eyes when Roxanne would say this.
"Yes, Roxie?" Liza was poring over her Potions essay(Roxie had long finished hers) and looked up reluctantly at her friend.
"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to visit my house during the summer. You could even come to the Burrow with me. My family would love you. Especially Grandma Molly." Roxie said. She felt a smile surface on her face. Her Grandma Molly was a wonderful woman. Kind, motherly, and compassionate to anyone, she never failed to make one feel surrounded by love.
"Really? That would be awfully nice. You could come to mine too. I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind. Why aren't you working on your Ancient Runes essay? Did you really finish that quickly? You really should pace yousrelf. If you go on like this, you might mess up, and you'll have only yourself to blame." Liza pointed a stern note taking over her voice. Roxie rolled her eyes.
"I worked on all my homework with Lysander all last week. I didn't get any sleep that week. I was just freeing up my time for Quidditch practice, plus I really wanted some time tp practice my magic." Roxie answered. To passerby it would sound like Roxie wanted help with her spells. This was true in a manner of speaking. Really Roxie wanted to practice wandless magic. She'd been working on the theory for the better part of two years. She had worked on the theory with her Aunt Hermione and Aunt Audrey. They both decided that they would give her credit, however, Roxie didn't agree with them. They helped her make the theory, therefore they should get credit, too. Roxie was getting better, though it wasn't anywhere near the power of wand magic. In fact, it was about a tenth of the power. Roxie sighed deeply. She wanted to use wandless magic. The idea intrigued her, and it held appeal that wasn't there with wands. Though Roxie loved her wand, she couldn't help but wonder about wandless magic. Children that were eight, who had no wands were capable of powerful magic without training, or wands. Admittedly, they were having emotional unbalances, but there was potential power behind those actions. Roxie wondered what was the exact ratio of wand magic versus wandless magic, when Lysander and Lorcan entered the library. Lorcan walked to Liza gave her a kiss on the cheek, and sat down next to her. Lysander sat next to Roxie after giving her a friendly smile. Roxie grinned back and pulled out a sugar quill, offering Lysader one of her extras.
"You know, all that's sugar is gonna make you fat, right?" Lorcan said, giving Roxie an exaspperated look. Roxie just chuckled.
"People can't stay thin and athletic forever, you know. Besides, I do jog around the Quidditch pitch. I win all the time, when I go against, your fat arse." Roxie retorted, smirking. Lorcan scoffed, though his cheeks were pink.
"Oh please. It was like two times." Lorcan replied. Roxie rolled her eyes, and turned to Lysander, leaning on his shoulder.
"You won't make fun of my sugar quill stash, will you? I know that you've got some sense." Roxie winked nudging Lysander's shoulder. He nudged back, and Roxie felt his sinewy muscles. After third year everyone everyone was getting more attractive and somewhat vulgar. Roxie encountered people like that all the time. After she left the library was a good example. Walking out with the twins, and Liza, greeting other friends on their way to their common room, she heard a voice calling out.
"Lookin' good Roxie! Swing those hips!" Roxie didn't even bother to see who was speaking. It didn't even matter, though she found herself blushing. Roxie knew that she'd become...desireable this year. Her hips had widened, and her thighs had muscle and she'd had more than a few people say that her entire bottom half was the sexiest in the school. She wasn't sure what to say to things like that. She also knew that her breats were also getting commented on. She frowned at that. Most were males, and they weren't exactly polite when giving her compliments. She was pretty in the face. She resembled her mother mostly, though she had a somewhat striking jaw, and a `Weasly nose' as her mother had affectionately called it. She rolled her eyes and ignored the comments. She noticed Lysander stiffen and could guess the reason why. He was personally offended when someone showed her anything less than perfect manners. She smiled a little, and patted his arm. He looked down at her(Was she really so short? She'd always been rather tall.)and gave her an appreciative smile. She nearly hugged him but stopped herself, because, she knew that she had more than friendly feelings for Lysander and she knew that it would be selfish to hug him knowing he didn't feel the same. Really all the things she did on reflex were inappropriate. Holding his hand, kissing his cheek, the hugs, and sitting on his lap, to name a few. But doing those were so natural to her that she hardly thought about it. She nearly sighed but was caught off guard by a taunting voice that had started to get annoying around second year. She rolled her eyes. It was Kylie. Roxie had no idea what this girl's problem was with her, but she mostly kept her cool. She'd had a few points taken away for language, though nothing serious.
"Weasley! I heard you want to be Captain next year. Do you really think you have what it takes? Please. I can fly circles around you."
"Yes, Kylie, I'm sure everyone believes that, the way you have no flying skills, and probably don't even know the proper way to hold a broom." Roxie commented, her voice calm despite her anger.
Kylie glared and her posture stiffened with hostility. "You think so Weasley? How about we put that theory to the test?" Kylie challenged. Roxie rolled her eyes.
"Kylie, if I wanted your opinion on how I fly, I would ask you. Not that I would. I've seen you fly. Besides, I have things to do." Roxie retorted. Her freinds were all stiff but they knew that Roxie could handle herself with Kylie. Speaking of such, said girl was flushing with anger and embarrasment.
"You think you're family's so amazing, Weasley! Whatever, I know that they were just there at the right time." Kylie retorted. Kylie was talking about the War, years before either of them had been born. She frowned. Was that why she hated her? Because of her family's role in the war? She knew that Kylie was a Smith, and knew that a Smith that attended school the same times as her dad, and that they didn't really get along with them. Did her dad hold a grudge as well? She shook her head. Had her parents told her to start a grudge if she were to meet a Weasley or something? She sighed again.
"Whatever, Smith, I don't have time for you." Roxie said and kept walking. She braced herself for an attck from behind, but none came. She collapsed on a couch next to Lysander and pulled out a muggle book. It was rather good, nevermind the fact that she'd had no idea what it was about in the beginning. It was getting rather good, when Liza shook her away from it.
"Are we gonna talk about Kylie being an arse, or not?" she smiled ruefully at the end.
"Nope." her answer was quick and to the point.
"Alright, then."
Lysander leaned down and whispered in her ear. She tried to ignore the chills and gooseflesh that erupted at his voice in her ear.
"Are you sure? You looked pretty upset back there." Roxie smiled. Trust Lysander to know when she was upset when she had her poker face on. She shook her head at his knowledge of her. He knew her so well that it scared her sometimes.
"I'm fine, Ly, really. But you know I'm getting so sick of her. If she says something else, I'll hex her flat arse off. Ugh, why are there so many annoying people, in every house? I mean, Kylie is the most annoying, selfish Hufflepuff I've ever met! Really, next time, she might get hurt. Someone needs to warn her." Roxie ranted her eyes wide with anger. Lysander sighed. He'd forgotten a cardinal rule when dealing with Roxie: Never let her rant. She just gets angry. Very angry, if her expression meant anything. People looked at her, and rolled their eyes; they had long since learned to ignore her, when she got like this. Lysander smiled. He knew it wasn't normal, but it made him laugh to see her so mad. She looked undeniably cute,(He'd never tell her this. She was a fantastic dueler.)and her animation no matter how abrasive was beautiful. Perhaps a Birgle Huff was interfering with his thoughts? He shook his head. No, that wasn't it. It was her. She was just that wonderful. He sighed. Falling in love with your best friend. This wasn't going to end well. He just hoped that he got some good time in before it fell to shit.
"Lysander Xenophilius Scamander! Are you listening to a word I've been saying? Good Godric, you just blank out all the time! Whatever, I'm going to the kitchen. I'm hungry." she pouted standing up. Then Lysander was hit with a problem, or rather it fell on him. Roxie, in her haste to stand, hit a leg of the table and promptly fell backward. In an attempt to gain her balance, she'd twisted, causing her to fall on his lap. With her straddling him, and her breasts pressed to his chest, Lysander was faced with a predicament. A very distracting predicament. He prayed to Merlin she wouldn't notice.
"Oh, I'm sorry Lysander. Here I am, Quidditch player, can't even stand up without falling. Here, you don't need to help. I've got it." She said lifting herself up. Lysander realized that his hands had risen to either side of her, and that he was now grasping her hips. He felt liquid heat surge through his veins, and he pulled in a sharp whistle. His heart pounded, and he stared at her. She paused for a moment as if considering him. Her brown eyes bounced back betwween his blue orbs, and she grinned, shyly.
"Er, it's okay, just, uh, you know," Lysander felt heat rush to his face, as his inarticulate words left his mouth.
"Right." She stood up, and stood there awkwardly. She looked as if she wanted to speak, but words seemed to fail her. It was a first for everyone. It took a moment, for the both of them to realize that the common room was now staring at them both with intrigued, and mischevious eyes. Roxie, looked embarrased, and her dark skin took on a hue of dark plum, though her ears and neck were red. Nervous giggles ran out and a couple of lewd comments ensued, though they were hushed quickly.
"Um. Yeah." Lysander was still at a loss for words. Roxie, no matter how embarrassed she was soon became abrasive, and barked out at everyone.
"Hey, this isn't a show, dammit. Go, write an essay or something." she said. She sat next to Lysander, and pulled out a sugar quill biting it in half, instead of sucking on it like usual. She failed to notice Lysander shifting uncomfortably, fidgeting nonstop. The room glanced at each other, and smiled. Lorcan chuckled lowly at his brother's misfortune and kissed Liza's cheek. Liza gave Roxie and apologetic smile. Roxie finished off her quill, and moved to another one. Her anger was subsiding, and she was now thinking about what had occured. She felt that for the longest time Lysander had a crush on her. However, if she were to ask him, and he rejected her, it would be heartbreaking. Then agin, he could accept, but then what if they broke up? That could mess up the friendship they had. But just now, she wondered. Perhaps she had overestimated Lysander's feelings for her. Maybe she was only appealing to him, based on her looks. She frowned at that. Was Lysander really so shallow? No. She didn't believe that. Lysander was an honest virtuous person, and often showed compassion to everyone, and everything. But hen, perhaps that moment had been uncomfortable for him. She understood that. He was a growing boy, naturally, he had needs. She blushed at this thought, and hoped that no one(especially Lysander) would see. She couldn't blame Lysander for the way he reacted. She'd felt the same way. He was very handsome, and he was growing muscle gradually. She had to admit he was a very handsome boy. He'd had his own female callers, of course. She frowned at this thought. Those girls hardly ever talked to him, yet they felt that they could ask him out, with a shred of dignity? She shook her head. They were shallow girls. So what had occured earlier was just lust, then? Her mind disagreed with itself. No, not just lust. It just involved lust. So what was everything else? Love? Roxie cringed a little bit at these thoughts. How could she fall in love with someone when she was but fourteen? It made no sense. True, she and Lysander knew each other well. More than well, they could have imitated each other perfectly, with no problem. She knew his favorite color was stormy gray, because it showed the emotions of the human heart; unsure and beautiful. He loved potatoes most, because they gave protein, yet they were vegetables. His favorite animal was a panther. The sleek fur, the grace and power in those felines. He like Muggle music best of all, because it varied all the time. With wizard music, he'd say it was all the same beats, just sped up or slowed down. She knew all of this because of the years they'd spent learning about each other.
"Hey, Lysander. Do you want to help me with my magic?" Roxanne asked, her words, and tone not betraying her thoughts.
"Sure, what do you need help with?" he asked.
"Roxanne shrugged and glanced at him. "Nothing special. Just some simple charms." she answered.
To passerby, or eavesdropper, it was a normal conversation, but to Roxie and Lysander, it was almost a secret language; she wanted help with her wandless magic.
"Okay." He responded, before following her out of the common room. They traveled to the Room of Requirement and just as they reached the stretch of wall, it transformed into a door. She stepped through, and Lysander followed. The room was larger than the common room, but the walls were the same shade of blue associated with Ravenclaw. There were a few bookshelves with, books, on wandless magic, and the power of magic and the channeling of it, just as she requested. There were cushions, and a table, with her notes spread out across the table.
Roxanne strode to the table, and dipped her quill in ink, and marked the date on the next sheet of parchment.
She put her wand behind her ear, and stood, with her feet shoulder-width apart, breathing deeply. She looked at Lysander, who stood across from her, waiting for instructions.
"Alright, I've progressed from luminating charms," she said, lighting up her hand, as if it were a fleshy wand. "Now I just need to work on levitating. The theory, should be the same with a wand." She spoke aloud, and waited for her automatic quill to write her notes.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" she said, thinking of her years of theory. She felt the magic within her, but could feel it building in her hands. She thought of a river, and felt tiny trickles of magic flow out from her. However, how much effort this was causing, no change happened to the books, as they were her target.
"Damn." She muttered, and wrote more notes. She underlined a few things, and wrote question marks, making sure that she knew to reference them later. Lysander watched her with a peculiar facial expression.
"What is it exactly that you're doing? I've watched you do this for weeks, but I'm not sure, I understand what it is, you're doing." He finally said, nearly startling Roxie.
"Well, this is my theory. Magic builds over time in a young witch or wizard sometimes as early as four, or as late as eight. I think that this magic will build until they're about eleven years old, where it starts to channel out gradually, whether or not they use it." Roxie started, beginning to pace.
"Why until, they're eleven?" Lysander asked his brows furrowed in concentration.
Roxie smiled slyly, and nodded at him. "Oh, come on Lysander. You're a smart boy, you can figure it out." She said. His blue eyes were still fraught with confusion, but they lit up with inspiration.
"That's when most witches or wizards get their wands!" he exclaimed. Roxie nodded.
"Exactly. Now, this theory is obviously open to exceptions, or anomalies as most are. Like Ariana Dumbledore. My Aunt Hermione, and Uncles Ron and Harry, told me what they knew about her. I even convinced Aberforth to tell me a little bit about how she reacted to her magic. It was hard though. Anyway, she had a case of too much magic. It made her mentally ill, I think having so much. I actually think magic will make anyone insane if they have too much. Look at Albus Dumbledore! He was full of magic, but he was somewhat mad, wasn't he? I even think Uncle Harry is kind of mad. Anyway, there are also cases, well one that I know of where there wasn't enough magic, though it emerged later on; Uncle Neville. He never showed any magic ability until he was eight, though later, it just came out and he blossomed so to speak. So, my theory is that when a witch or wizard gets a wand, that magic starts to level itself out, though, we'll always have natural reserves left," Roxie explained, her pacing more frequent. She put her finger to her lips, and thought silently for a moment. She went to her notes, and looked at a few of them, she crossed out some things, and then she wrote things in, and underlined something, with vigor. She stood there, and watched Lysander struggle with words. He'd been with her most of the time, when she was worki9ng this out, Most of the time, it was with the actual spell casting, but he'd seen her write the notes down. How could he have missed all of this? And how was she capable of it, with schoolwork, and Quidditch on top of everything else? He shook his head.
"Okay, that actually makes sense. But how can you be sure that the magic doesn't level out before we get wands. I mean, you have no way of testing that theory." He said, sitting on one of the cushions. Roxie nodded, as if anticipating his question. That's what I thought. I don't have way of proving it. But, I talked to my own relatives, and asked some people around school, and they said that they're magic felt very serene afterwards. More at peace. I'm not even sure if I questioned enough people, but my theory is still open to changes.. But, that's not even the end of it. I think that the first wandmakers knew that magic needed help to be controlled. However, they didn't know where to start. So, like all pioneers, they started with things they could pick up. You know that for a few centuries after wizards started to actively use magic, they used metal scepters? No wands, just long pieces of metal, with pretty jewels at the end. Of course this worked for them. They just wanted to channel the magic they weren't looking of the most sophisticated way of channeling it. So, eventually, they began thinking of other ways to channel it. Then, the first breakthrough came, when a wizard picked up a twig. From him, the invention of wands arrived. After many long trials, they used the most effective woods, and cores to make wands. But, like all common things, they may not work for everyone. Though, if they ever need it, they can customize they're wands. Anyway, I think that even though, people aren't aware, our bodies, naturally get rid of excess magic, ergo, accidental magic. A lot of times, though, people will either do a lot of weak accidental magic, or rare bursts of strong magic. So, the only thing I'm trying to do, is use wandless magic regularly without having a buildup of magic. I think if I do it enough, I'll produce more magic to perform, it wandlessly." She finished standing, somewhat awkwardly there.
"Roxie, why are you doing this? Aren't you happy with the magic you do? And why do you keep saying `produce magic' as if it were saliva in your mouth?" he asked.
"Well, I say it like that, because that's what I've observed with my own magic. I'll check with other people later. To answer your first question, I love the magic I produce with my wand, but I can't help but wonder if the magic would change if I do it wandlessly. Furthermore, I really want to push this boundary of science. If this is successful, I may even look into making different types of wands. Have you ever wondered what kind of magic you could get from a rowan tree, and say, sphinx hair? I have, but I'll think about that later. Right now, I want to do all I can here." She said, pulling out a sugar quill. She sucked thoughtfully at the end, her pupils slowly changing in size. She looked utterly raving mad, and Lysander was getting worried. If Roxie's theory was right, what if her forcing of magic was causing her `natural reserves' to overflow in an effort to compensate for her over usage of it? What if right now, she was currently going insane and his encouraging her only made it worse. The pessimistic thoughts gripped him, and he found it hard to shake them off. He glanced over at Roxie and saw that she now sitting in a chair that wasn't there a moment ago, and watched as she wrote in her page of notes. What she could possibly be writing, he had no idea as she had been explaining her theory to him, most of the time. He approached her, and saw that she was sketching pictures in the margins, along with little notes, explaining what her illustrations meant. She stopped for a long minute, before looking up and smiling at Lysander.
"Lysander. Thank you, for helping me with this. I mean, you could do something more fun. You could be reading those muggle books you like, or on a date with one of those girls who like you-" she was interrupted by Lysander giving her a radiant smile.
"Roxanne, why would I be with any of them, when I could be here with you?" He asked, his tone, while jovial, was honestly confused. Roxie stared for a moment, and then a slow smile spread across her face. She walked forward and held her hands out, a gesture for him to hug her. He pulled her close and gave her a hug chuckling.
"Why don't you finish up here, and let's go down to the lake?" he suggested, offering his arm to her. She linked her arm with his, and leaned against him, as they, like many times before, walked to the lake.