A/N:

Okay so thanks again to the two new reviews you left.

Thanks to the guest, who left quite a long one, you weren't overly critical and i get everything you said, i agree too. it's my first fic and I'm just trying to get started here, not really sure where it's all going yet. So sorry if it's a little choppy for a while. I'm sure it'll improve when i get more used to it. well, I hope it does. But yeah, thanks for the review, i appreciate it.

I noticed a little mistake in chapter 1 where i said Roxanne couldn't tell the twins apart, that was before i decided they'd be so close, so if anyone noticed that, don't worry it will be corrected.

So, this is Chapter three. i think I've been updating pretty quickly at the moment but I'd had a lot written out. I have one last exam and should get back to revision for that so you probably won't see any more chapters after this for quite a while, till the end of the month at least.

Hope you guys like it, criticisms and reviews welcome. Just don't be Slytherin about it. :P

(Poor Joke, I know)

So... Enjoy!

Chapter 3 – The morning after the night before

Roxanne was confused. Confusion wasn't a feeling she was used to, nor one she enjoyed. What had confused Roxanne on that particular morning was the strange noise coming from her alarm. Reaching out to the right, she slammed her palm towards her bedside table, hitting, nothing. Just the table.

What the? Roxanne thought groggily.

She sat up and felt the haze of confusion lift as she remembered where she was, turning off Lorcan's alarm, Roxanne giggled at the sight of the two sleeping boys. Roxanne couldn't believe that the alarm hadn't woken them. Taking advantage of their rare silence and stillness, Roxanne studied the faces of two of the boys she had become very close to over the past four years.

Lorcan was usually pale but his creamy skin now held a hint of bronze, his eyes were hidden behind long blonde lashes but Roxanne knew their golden green colour as well as she knew her own hazel irises. His blonde hair fell in semi- loose curls across his face and now reached the base of his neck. He had a quite a strong jaw but it didn't look out of place on his tall and muscular body.
She thought of Lysander who, outwardly indistinguishable, had a different way of carrying himself. Roxanne couldn't verbalise exactly how she, unlike so many others knew the difference between the twins, she just felt it. Her gaze drifted to the second sleeping form. Like Lorcan, his face held a slight tan. Quidditch she thought, they were probably playing it over the summer. Smiling she looked at Scorpius' hair which fell across his forehead, his usual style of 'calculated mess' as he called it, looking less 'calculated' and more 'mess'. When Roxanne had first met Scorpius he had been a blonde, more of a honey blonde than white blonde, but a blonde nonetheless. In Roxanne's third year, and Scorpius' fifth, she'd been playing truth or dare with the boys and Olivia by the lake one Saturday. Scorpius had just dared Olivia to jump into the lake and as her friend sat by her shivering, Roxanne decided revenge was in order, on Olivia's behalf of course. She had dared him to dye his hair brown to match her own and to her shock, he had. And since then, Scorpius had sported a chocolate brown hue that over the summer had become a medium brown, in Roxanne's opinion, suiting him even better.

Deciding she should leave before she felt too creepy, Roxanne left Lorcan's room softly clicking the door shut behind her.

Roxanne had snuck back in, showered, dressed, unpacked and was ready for the day. Almost. Her hair had become more and more of a problem for Roxanne, being mixed race her hair was a mixture of her mum's thick afro and father's dead straight hair. The result being a softer, finer version of her mum's afro, that when wet formed beautiful ringlets but when dry became frizzy and just down right annoying. She had grown it down her back and it now reached her waist in unruly curls and would knot if she left it out. Deciding she couldn't be bothered to try to use a beauty spell as they never went as well or lasted as long when she did them, Roxanne semi- tamed her hair into a loose bun atop her head. Glancing at the clock, Roxanne grabbed her book and decided to read in the common room until Olivia woke.

"Boo!"

Roxanne didn't even jump at the sound of Olivia's voice behind her or her hands on her shoulders. As a seeker, she had an incredible awareness of her surroundings, so always knew when Olivia would sneak up on her. That, and the fact that for someone so small, Olivia could make a lot of noise when she walked.

"Aww, Rox, can't you even pretend to jump? Just once? For me?" Olivia jumped on the sofa and lay across it, her head in Roxanne's lap, fluttering her eyelashes.

"When you surprise me, I'll jump" Roxanne promised, grinning down at her best friend.

Sighing knowing the likelihood of such an occurrence, Olivia sat up and faced Roxanne. Pulling out a purple leather bound book, she placed it in Roxy's lap.

"this, Roxanne is your new best friend. Well, second best friend 'cos you know. I'm irreplaceable."

Roxanne picked up the book, flipping it open, she read the neat elegant writing on the first page:

Roxy, this is for you.

I know how much your hair bothers you and I think, no I know, this'll help. Olive has one too now but yours has spells and potions I modified a little for you. Stuff like this has never been that effective for you but I'm hoping to change that. It's all from my salons and new range plus a few extras the public don't get. You get to brew your own! You're a genius so it shouldn't be a problem.

Seriously though Rox, no one but you and Olive have these recipes so please look after them. I'd be out of business if they got out.

Take care and enjoy,

Lots of Love,

Your (almost) big sister,

Mel xx

Roxanne jumped out of her seat, squealing with excitement. Olivia just sat with a huge grin knowing how much this would mean to her friend. She had meant to give it to her the night before but she'd fallen asleep early.

Roxanne continued to jump around stupidly in circles, not caring if anyone saw. She was so excited! She'd finally be able to control her hair!

Melanie Wood was 21 and upon leaving Hogwarts with amazing NEWTs across the board, she'd surprised everyone by opening her own salon and producing her own range of beauty spells and potions. In the past two years, Mel had become a success in both the Magical and Muggle world, expanding her chain, ' Mel's Miracles' wider and wider. Melanie had always been like an older sister to Roxy and her choices inspired Roxanne further as Melanie had made her success without the famous Wood name defining her.

Desperate to try out some spells or potions, Roxanne raced towards the statue, literally running into a familiar chest.

"Ow"

"Whoa there Rox, I know I'm the most beautiful human being you've ever laid eyes upon but don't worry there's plenty Scamander to go around." Lysander said with a wink.

Rolling her eyes, Roxanne told Lysander how sleazy he sounded and continued upstairs shouting to Olivia that she'd meet her at breakfast.

Roxanne had never felt so confident or beautiful. She looked back at her reflection and loved it. Roxanne had hazel eyes with hints of green and gold near her pupil and light brown tanned skin. She had a beauty spot half way up her right cheek, another on her left temple and now noticed the freckles beneath her eye that Lysander had counted. Her chocolate hair, once frizzy and uncontrollable now fell in shiny sleek curls a little past her waist. She'd also added slight highlights to her hair at Melanie's suggestion that really did bring out the colour of her eyes. Her skin, that had been relatively clear before now was blemish free and evenly toned. Without any makeup, for which Roxanne was incredibly grateful- she hated makeup mostly because of the girls who wore it but also because she couldn't be bothered to apply any. That morning, Roxanne felt like a new person and couldn't wait to try potions for different effects from her new second-best-friend, Mel's Miracle book.

Scorpius was gobsmacked. He was completely lost for words at the girl sat opposite him. Scorpius had always thought Roxanne to be beautiful but now… she was stunning. Absolutely stunning. He thought. Nudging Lorcan and Lysander on either side of him and gesturing to Roxanne, who now sat side on, engrossed in a conversation with Olivia.

Like Scorpius, the twins had stared open mouthed at the transformation of their best friend slash little sister figure and they too thought she looked stunning. And even older! The twins were shocked, yes, but decided that they would have all day to speak to Roxanne verses the short time they had for breakfast. They were once again engrossed by the plates of food in front of them.

Scorpius however, was unable to take his eyes off of her. He sat watching her laugh with Olivia and couldn't understand how one girl could attract his attention so much. Sure, other girls had attracted him but that was usually with their legs or other assets, never something as simple as their face or laugh. Pondering this, he returned to his food, only to be interrupted by an annoying squeal.

"Scorpiusssssss! Guess what today is?" Florence Bridgewater whispered in his ear. Scorpius assumed this was an attempt to be seductive yet found her interruption simply annoying at the most.

"Oh yeah, Happy Birthday babe" Scorpius turned and said to her. Kissing her on the cheek, he turned back to his breakfast and continued to eat. This however was obviously not what she had expected.

"Move" she spat at Lorcan who scooted over, ready to enjoy the show.

Florence sat next to Scorpius, and tapped him.

"Yes?" he raised an eyebrow at her and heard Lorcan wince. Obviously the wrong thing to say he thought.

"Scorpius, it's my birthday today." She spoke slowly with a surprising amount of venom in her voice. "Your girlfriend's birthday today and all I get is a kiss on the cheek!" Florence's voice had begun at a whisper but slowly started to draw the attention of the surrounding Ravenclaw's.

"Look, bab-"

"Don't babe me Scorpius Malfoy. I'm not happy with you right now, and it's going to take a lot to make it up to me. I expect to see you soon." And with that Florence stood, flicked her dirty blonde hair over her shoulder and sashayed out of the great hall.

Scorpius was left with the sniggers of all of those who watched and a look from Lorcan.

"Probably wasn't the best way to handle that mate." Lorcan added.

"I know" Scorpius admitted putting his head into his arms on the table. "Now I've got to 'make it up to her'" he air quoted with a hidden grimace.

"Scorp, you don't seem to like her, remind me again why you're dating her?" Lysander questioned.

Ugh Scorpius groaned both inwardly and outwardly. "I don't know how it first happened. She was at one of Mum's parties and I guess I was bored. But I've been trying to end it ever since. She just won't listen. I thought if I didn't get her anything she'd break up with me. But alas, not even that." Scorpius sighed and stood. "I'm going to find her, see if I can break it off"

"Good Luck mate" the twins said together with a laugh.

Roxanne walked down the stairs towards the dungeons and her first lesson- potions with Professor Slughorn- and felt more eyes watching her than usual.

She turned at the shout of her name, to see Lily, red hair bouncing as she ran towards her. Lily jumped into her arms squealing, "I love hair Rox! You look so HOT!"

Laughing, Roxy detatched herself from her cousin, "Thanks Lil, so you looking forward to potions?"

"With you? Of course." Lily linked arms with Roxy and steered her into the class, grabbing the desk at the back of the room, nearest the door.

Ravenclaw had Potions with the Gryffindors that morning. And the girls sat and watched as the rest of the class filed in. Professor Slughorn entered through the door, stopping at the girls' table.

"Ah Roxanne how pleasant to see you again. I expect you'll do brilliantly this year, as always. Though I'd like you to remain behind after class, I have something I would like to discuss with you."

"Yes sir" Roxanne smiled, continuing with setting up her cauldron.

"Oh hello there Lily, how are your parents? You look more and more like your name sake each day. Pass on my greetings to you parents will you?"

"Thank you sir, and I will" Lily replied, inwardly rolling her eyes at Slughorn's obsession with her family.

"Excellent" Slughorn smiled, gliding off towards the front of the class.

The potions class that morning had been just as boring as usual for Roxanne. The potion they had been asked to make was a sleeping draught and while the class struggled with the process and then eventually with staying awake, Roxanne had finished and cast a bubble head charm around herself as not to inhale the fumes.

Bottling her potion and vanishing the residue, Roxanne handed her potion into Slughorn.

"Another excellent potion here I see Roxanne, this is what I aimed to talk to you about. Seeing as the class are most drowsy I might as well speak to you now. I would like for you to join my fifth year class and take your potions OWL this year. I feel it would be better and perhaps more challenging for you. Of course it would require some changes to your timetable, but the fifth years have potions when you have your free lessons, while you would have to give those up you would have a free lesson during all your scheduled potion classes. Simple enough I'd imagine. So, what do you think Roxanne? It is of course your choice but I deem it would be greatly beneficial to you."

Roxanne thought for a few seconds and processed his words, she had read all the fifth year syllabus and it seemed much more exciting than the current syllabus she was on. Taking her OWL in fourth year too! Even Aunt Hermione hadn't done that, though granted she'd been busier with saving the world. Roxanne decided it would be much more interesting and would mean she would have one less OWL to take next year.

"Okay sir, I'll do it" she answered with a grin.

"Good, good, okay your timetable will change automatically, I look forward to seeing you in my OWL class tomorrow Miss Weasley. You may leave now"

Roxanne looked at the clock, she had another twenty minutes before Herbology and decided it was nice enough weather to take a walk outside. Leaving the building Roxanne walked around the lake towards her favourite spot by the water's edge, only to find it already occupied. She saw Scorpius leaning against the tree, eyes closed, seeming to be in deep thought. Deciding it would be rude to interrupt him, Roxanne turned to leave.

"I don't bite Rox" Scorpius said with a small smile, still unmoving, eyes closed.

"I thought you were busy, I know how hard it is for you to think" Roxanne teased to hide her surprise at how perceptive he was.

"Good one Rox, but probably better on a non- Ravenclaw"

"I'll admit, not my best. But even the hat makes mistakes" Roxanne laughed as she sat next to him.

Leaning against the tree Roxanne breathed in the clean air and felt utterly at peace, closing her eyes like Scorpius she sat with him in companionable silence.

"So what are you doing out of lessons? It's not like you to skip class" Scorpius began, opening his eyes taking the opportunity to study her face. He couldn't believe even she hadn't known she had freckles, he'd noticed them two years ago. Once again he was captivated by her, everything about her seemed to draw him in, he felt slightly strange never having felt like this before. Deciding it was because he knew her so well and had never had a close female friend that he wasn't dating, Scorpius shook his thoughts away.

"Slughorn let me go early. And guess what?!" Roxanne's eyes suddenly snapped open and she jumped forward towards Scorpius, accidently head butting him.

"Ow" she moaned, distracted, cradling her head. "You have a hard head"

"Yeah, well yours is harder" he retorted.

"That was weak Scor" she smiled. "Anyway, what I was going to say before I was rudely interrupted by your skull, was that I'm taking my potions owl this year!" Roxanne squealed, eyes shining at the prospect of learning and advancement. Though she sometimes tried to hide it, Scorpius and those who were closest to her knew that Roxanne loved learning. For her, learning was a privilege and she hated those who took it for granted, probably the reason she disliked Samantha so strongly.

"Wow, that's brilliant Rox" Scorpius shared in her infectious excitement, grabbing her and squeezing her to his chest, the momentum of the hug caused them to topple and Roxanne landed on her back with Scorpius' arms either side of her and his face merely centimetres from hers.

"I'm so proud of you Rox, well done" Roxanne smiled in return at Scorpius who seemed not to have noticed the position they were in.

"Thanks" Roxanne breathed, noticing her voice was a little different, blaming it on the fact that Scorpius had probably winded her. She did however notice her ears going red and the fact that her hands were still around Scorpius, resting on his lower back. A little over whelmed, Roxanne cleared her throat and began to sit.

Scorpius smirked noticing her ears redden and sat up bringing Roxanne with him. For some reason her didn't want to let her go, so leaning against the tree he sat with his arm over her shoulder, allowing her to use it as a pillow against the bark.

Roxanne felt herself compelled again to sink towards the warmth of his body, this time she could not blame it on tiredness. As a logical person, Roxanne hated feelings she couldn't explain so decided that Scorpius was simply such a good friend that she just felt completely comfortable with him, yes that was it.

"So, Scor, what are you doing out here?" She asked, filing the silence between them.

"Free lesson, and before you ask, yes I should be studying but as this is the first lesson of the year, I have yet to be given homework" He smiled.

Again Roxanne felt her ears redden, How does he know me so well? She wondered, now lost for words. He had known exactly what she was about to ask and she couldn't think of anything more to say so instead smiled, leaned into him and closed her eyes once more.

Sitting in Herbology with Alice Longbottom, Roxanne wasn't entirely focused. She couldn't help but think back to her meeting with Scorpius at the lake, since then she had had a cold feeling and wanted nothing more to return to the warmth of his arms. Shaking her head she pushed thoughts of him to the side and returned to work with Alice. They were the top two students in the class, Herbology being the only subject where Roxanne was bettered by someone else. But as it was Alice, she didn't feel resentful of the fact, simply pleased for the girl who was so kind and fair.

Alice was the only daughter of Neville Longbottom and Lowenna Taylor. For Alice, being at Hogwarts was a chance to become closer to her dad, whom she had only seen on weekends and Holidays before she came to the school. This was, Roxanne thought the reason she tried so hard in Herbology, to impress him.

Alice and Roxanne finished their work on the Bubotuber ahead of the class by a good few minutes, which they spent catching up and talking about their holidays. Alice had spent hers with her parents in Cornwall with her maternal grandparents, who mad in their old age, had somehow bought a dragon egg which hatched under Alice's bed one night. Of course Neville had handed the dragon over to the correct authorities, but it had still made for an interesting time.

By the end of the day Roxanne was exhausted. After Potions and Herbology, Roxanne had had Charms, Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures. After dinner, Roxanne would have Astronomy with the Slytherins and was not looking forward to it. The only saving factor was that she wouldn't have to walk far from the common room.

Sitting once again in her favourite seat Roxanne began on her Transfiguration essay, she knew it wasn't due till next week but wanted to get it out of the way, plus she actually enjoyed the transfiguration homework she was set, not that she would admit it.

Beginning the foot long essay on Cross-species Transfiguration, Roxanne was so engrossed in her work that for the first time in her life, Olivia was able to sneak up on her.

"Boo!" Olivia shouted into Roxy's ear. Roxanne jumped, her quill and ink falling to the floor.

Whipping out her wand, Roxanne vanished the mess and cleaned her essay of ink splotches. She turned to glare at Olivia but was met with an unwavering triumphant grin. Smiling at her friend's apparent happiness Roxanne rolled her eyes and continued her essay.

"Rox, I did it! I finally did it!" still grinning, Olivia flopped beside Roxanne and leaned her head on her shoulder, "I can't believe it- I finally scared the enigma that is Roxanne Weasley."

"Liv, did you have something to tell me?" Roxanne asked knowing her friend would be easily distracted by her achievement.

"Oh yeah, Ly said we have Quidditch after dinner" Olivia remembered.

"What? Liv, we have astronomy after dinner, and besides, he hasn't even held try outs."

"That's what I said, but he says there's only going to be one chaser opening this year so we might as well practice."

"Well we're going to have to tell him we can't - Astronomy tonight."

"C'mon Rox, you don't even like Astronomy and you're still top of the class, missing one lesson won't affect you. Just skip, Grayson won't care. You know it."

"Liv, it's the first day…" Roxanne hesitated.

"Exactly. C'mon she probably won't even notice we're not there" Olivia reasoned.

Despite her better judgement, Roxanne allowed herself to be persuaded, partly because she hated Astronomy, partly because she hated the Slytherins in her year, but mostly because she loved Quidditch and didn't want to miss a second of it.

"Fine" She answered as Olivia grinned happily.

A/N:

Thoughts?

C'mon guys, review, for me?

Pretty please?

Love Cookie xx