A/N:
Hey,
Just wanted to say, thanks to owlchick721 for following & special thanks to Professor McGonagal (as always) and Casper for the reviews,
This Chap's for you guys x
I hope you guys like this, I'll try to start updating sooner :D
- But guess what? Reviews= Happiness= More writing= Faster updates ;)
Anywayyy, Enjoy!
Love Cookie x
Chapter 5 – Five
When Roxanne was woken by the shuffling of papers and stools, she was surprised that she'd been able to sleep for the whole lesson. Concluding Mortimer just hadn't noticed her, she smiled at her luck and packed her things away, leaving the class for McGonagall's office.
Feeling quite stupid, Roxanne muttered the name of the muggle sweet to the stone statue of a Phoenix. Roxanne had been told that it used to be a Griffin, but was destroyed in the Battle Of Hogwarts, and replaced by Dumbledore's favourite animal and patronus as a tribute to him. The Phoenix seemed to wink at Roxanne before rotating so that the staircase took her upwards. Not sure whether or not to knock Roxanne hesitated outside the heavy oak door, but heard her name being called from within the Office.
"Come in, Roxanne. Take a seat" McGonagall called, gesturing to the group of chairs on the other side of her desk.
Roxanne entered and took a seat as she had been told. Looking around her at the multitude of animals the Office contained. Of course, pride of place was the phoenix, Sherbet Lemon, who had hatched from an egg found by her Uncle Harry on near the tomb of Dumbledore after the battle. Apparently, Fawkes had burned one last time on his master's tomb, willing himself to leave a single egg rather than be reborn from his ashes.
"You're the first to arrive Roxanne. I will tell you why you're here when the others come in. Though, I think you may already have an idea about why you're here. Apparently Professor Slughorn has a hard time keeping things to himself." Minerva shook her head smiling at Roxanne and continued to write.
Minerva McGonagall had had a soft spot for the Golden Trio, and now by extension, all those related to them. She had grown to love the Weasley-Potter Clan despite all the trouble they caused. Fred and James Weasley, the most troublesome of them all held a special place in her heart, both those boys were so much like their namesakes that she often couldn't help but smile at their antics. Of course when punishing them, she wouldn't show this, but Minerva knew that they knew she loved them and whenever they would be sent to her Office, they would smile and bring her a single flower from the grounds somewhere. How could she dislike such sweet boys? Even if they were cheeky little sods. Roxanne Weasley was probably one of Minerva's favourites too. She, along with Lucy and Hugo Weasley was probably the most hard working of them all.
However, Minerva wasn't particularly fond of the entire clan, she hated the attitude that Rose had come to have and the attitude that she could imagine Lily Potter learning. Rose Weasley was bright, there was no other possibility with the daughter of Hermione Granger, but her parentage had given Rose a sense of superiority and complacency. And although, she never got into serious trouble; Rose Weasley's attitude annoyed Minerva to no end. She was selfish and if Minerva was honest, a bit of a brat. Lily looked up to Rose and without Roxanne's influence around her as much, Minerva could see Lily becoming a carbon copy of Rose, stuck up, annoying and bitchy.
Though this saddened Minerva, she was happy that Roxanne was a Ravenclaw, further away from the influence of her family, Minerva saw that Roxanne could be successful and would make a name for herself without them.
~
Once all nine students were gathered in her Office, Minerva began to speak.
"Now, some of you may or may not have an idea of why you are here. Don't worry; you are not in any trouble. However, if you have any questions, which I am sure you will, please refrain from interrupting me and be patient." She saw some of the fourth years visibly relax. Smiling inwardly, Minerva continued.
"You are here, because you are the brightest in your year group. You have been chosen by your Professors to take your OWLs a year early. You will not take OWLs in all of your subjects, but for those of you here, you will take at least one subject prematurely. Now, this is nothing to be worried about. If you are here, it is because you have been chosen to do this. Your teachers believe you to be capable of this so you must trust in their judgement and in your own ability. Your timetables will change accordingly and you will no longer continue with the fourth year curriculum in the subjects you are to take early. You will be placed in fifth year OWL classes and you will work as they work. Effectively, for the subjects you are to take, you will become fifth years. I know this means more work on each of you and it may lead to stress but I have reviewed each of your grades personally and think this is nothing beyond you. You are the first year to have an opportunity like this, so you should be grateful. Now, any questions?" and with a moment's pause, seven out of nine hands shot up.
"Yes Mr Wyatt?"
"Professor, how do we catch up on the work we would've been doing this year?" there was some mumbled agreement and two hands were lowered.
"You will be given a list of the fourth year curriculum for your subjects, your Professors have chosen you because they believe you will know most of it, however if there is something you are unfamiliar with then you may ask them. Also, I have agreed with some sixth year students from each house that can act as your tutors. The tutors may not necessarily be from your own house but they have been chosen for their subject specialities. You may approach them and they will be happy to arrange tutoring times with you as you need. I am aware some of you had already been asked to teach basic skills to other students, in your year or above. This will be revoked as you now have your own OWLs to concentrate on. You are no longer tutors and will not have to help any other students with their work this year." Only one hand remained aloft.
"Yes, Miss Stewart?"
"If we do our OWLs this year, what will we do in those subjects next year?"
"Ah, excellent question. However I cannot give you a definite answer, you may simply have more free lessons, or you may begin NEWT level study. This of course, will depend on your results. Now, if you should have any more questions, feel free to ask your Professors. Or even myself if you must. Now if you come to the desk when I call you, I will give you your new timetables; the name of the tutor or tutors available to help you in your OWL subject or subjects; as well as the new textbooks you will require for OWL study. Once you have received this, you may leave"
"Alice Longbottom" Alice got up and walked to the desk, taking the textbooks and papers held out to her she uttered a thank you and left the office as instructed.
"Erin Neville" The Slytherin seeker copied Alice's movements, with an added air of arrogance in her movemnts, adding a glare in Roxanne's direction as she left.
"Jasper Byrne"
"Hugo Weasley"
"Lucy Weasley"
"Chase Evers"
"Amelia Stewart"
"Oliver Wyatt"
McGonagall had called the names in their house groups so that she could keep Roxanne until last. She had called the only Hufflepuff, Alice, first, then the two Slytherins followed by the two Gryffindors. She had wanted to keep Roxanne until last because she would be taking her OWLs in five subjects that year and Minerva felt this warranted extra time and attention.
"Roxanne" Minerva didn't bother with formalities now that the office was once again empty. Roxanne stood and walked over to the desk, expecting a couple textbooks and a few bits of paper. She didn't however receive the books in the same way as the others. Instead Professor McGonagall pulled out her wand and levitated a pile of about eight or nine textbooks onto the desk. For good measure, Minerva broke the spell early, allowing the books to drop with a heavy thud onto the desk.
Roxanne's jaw had gone slack and she stood momentarily with her mouth wide open. Regaining her composure quickly she waited for McGonagall to explain. Obviously, she wanted Roxanne to take some books to another Ravenclaw on her way. They couldn't possibly all be for her. Could they? Roxanne thought.
"Roxanne, you have by far the best grades in your year. You are one of the top students in the school even. Clearly, your professors have noticed this as; five of them recommended you to me for an OWL in their subject. This year you will take OWLs in Potions; Charms; Defence against the Dark Arts; Care of Magical creatures and Transfiguration. Now I cannot speak for the other subjects but Professor Vaira has shown me your work in Transfiguration and I would have recommended you for the OWL myself had you been under my instruction. Now, I know this will be hard for you. There is no doubt about that but I believe, as do your professors, that you can manage it."
The books once again levitated, this time toward Roxanne. Feeling slightly overwhelmed she took the books thanked the headmistress and left the office.
As Roxanne turned the corner towards the common room. She heard two familiar voices call to her.
"Hey Rox!" they said in unison. Roxanne turned around to meet the freckled faces of Hugo and Lucy Weasley.
"Hey, what you doing here?" Roxanne smiled back at her cousins. It shocked her how little she knew them. They were family yes, and would often spend time together in the holidays, but Roxanne felt almost estranged from the people in front of her. Since her sorting, Roxanne had drifted from her family. Not intentionally, but the Gryffindor Weasleys tended to look out for their own and were often so busy fighting each other's battles that they forgot their Ravenclaw cousin existed. Aside from Lily, Freddie and by extension, James, Roxanne felt her family truly had forgotten about her.
"Waiting for you of course." Hugo replied with a smile, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Luce got DADA and Ancient Runes, I got Arithmancy and Charms. What'd you get? Luce reckons you got about three. How many was it?" Hugo asked her.
"Five. Transfig, Potions, Charms, DADA and Care of Magical Creatures" Roxanne sighed slightly.
"Woah, Rox. They didn't put you in Ravenclaw for nothing did they?" Hugo smiled and stepped forward, giving Roxanne a one armed hug, Hugo waved to Lucy, promising to see her in the common room.
"Good Luck Rox, we'll have to get together sometime. We both have Charms." Smiling at his cousins, Hugo left them for the call of chess with his friends.
"Hey Luce." Roxanne began almost awkwardly, still feeling strange after Hugo's unexpected hug.
"Hey Rox, how you feeling? Must be a lot to take in. I thought getting two OWLs was bad" Lucy giggled and joined Roxanne on a nearby bench.
"I'm okay at the moment. Probably won't be at the end of the week though"
Lucy's soft laugh eased the awkwardness slightly but Roxanne was still unsure how to continue to converse with the cousin she no longer knew, so as a safe option, she smiled in return. Deciding to leave before she said something embarrassing like how much she missed hanging out with Lucy and her other Gryffindor cousins, she stood.
"I've got to get back, but I guess I'll see you around?" Roxanne hadn't meant her words to become a question but they had, and she sincerely hoped her cousin would actually want to spend more time with her. She felt herself relax slightly when Lucy smiled and agreed that she would in fact, see her around.
Roxanne was glad to see the three familiar faces in the common room, sitting on their usual sofa in their usual place. The fourth and fifth faces however, were much less welcome. Olivia turned at Roxanne's entrance ignoring her. When Roxanne made it over to the sofa, she abruptly stood, told the other four that she didn't feel like staying awake after all and stormed out of the room, yet again. The fifth face was unwelcome for an entirely different reason. The fifth face was tanned; heart shaped and had piercing blue eyes, a pointed nose and long dirty blond hair that was currently in a messy pony tail. The fifth face belonged to Florence Bridgewater. And she was sprawled out over the sofa, head in Scorpius' lap, staring up at him lazily stoking his cheek with her perfectly manicured nails.
Roxanne's face must have shown her distaste at her presence because Lorcan and Lysander snorted when Roxanne paused standing over her usual seat that now held the sickly thin ankles of Florence.
"Excuse m-" Roxanne began politely, not in the mood for another argument with the blonde.
"Oh hello Roxanne. Scorpie here was just telling us how young you are. Don't you think it's a little strange that you hang around with boys two years older than you? I mean sure, it must be exciting for you but, don't you think you're still a little…unmatured?" Florence smirked viciously at Roxanne clearly pleased with herself.
Roxanne, amused just chose to laugh.
"Actually, I was talking to the guys about her birthday Flo. She's one of the oldest in her year."
"Yeah well whatever, she's still two years below you all" Florence sat up crossing her arms, shifting to face Roxanne so that she leaned against Scorpius, back to shoulder, leaving her legs in Roxanne's spot.
"Don't worry Flo, Scorpie doesn't think I'm immature, that's the correct word by the way, immature. Not unmature. Do you, Scorpie?" Roxanne smirked at her friend's grimace at the name.
"No, Rox. You're very mature, when you want to be." He laughed adding, "Anyway Flo, Roxanne's practically a fifth year now, she'll be in your Potions class soon. She's taking an OWL early."
Slightly saddened that Roxanne wouldn't be able to see Florence's surprise when she turned up to her class tomorrow, Roxanne smiled and gave up her seat, opting to squeeze in next to Lorcan and Lysander across from the couple.
"Big deal, a smart Ravenclaw. You all must be so proud for your little friend" Florence commented with venom in her annoying voice.
"She's a year ahead, a bit more than just smart don't you think?" Lyansander countered, now becoming annoyed at his best friend's girlfriend, if you could call her that. Effectively shutting her up, he continued, "But we are proud of you Rox" turning to smile at her, he and his brother kissed her cheeks simultaneously. "Well done." they chuckled at Roxanne's expression.
"Ew, Scamander germs" Roxanne laughed, miming wiping each of her cheeks in turn.
"Hey! A LOT of girls would just die if they got a kiss from us at the same time." Lorcan protested.
"Yeah, from the Scamander germs" Roxanne retorted childishly.
"Clever" they said sarcastically in unison, just as Roxanne poked her tongue out at them.
Roxanne was happy again, falling into routines with her friends and relaxing a little now that the blonde was quiet. She mulled over how to tell her friends she would do five OWLs without sounding arrogant infront of Florence, because in all honesty, she didn't want her to have an excuse to speak again, much less one that involved attacking her personality. Before she could decide, Oliver Wyatt came over to their group after entering the common room.
"Congrats Rox! Hugo told me you were doing five this year. I don't envy you but good luck! You'll be fine I'm sure" Oliver, a chubby, friendly boy who Roxanne had only spoken to during classes smiled before continuing to the dorm rooms.
Roxanne managed to reply a short 'thanks' before Lysander asked, "Five what, Rox?"
"Five OWLs. McGonagall just told us, there are nine fourth years doing them this year, but I'm doing the most I think. Five."
"Rox, that's amazing!" Scorpius stood so abruptly that Florence had fallen back, lost her balance and ended up on the floor besdie the sofa. He came over to join the twins in congratulating her, who had already pulled her up and were hugging her fiercely.
Roxanne laughed at her overly affectionate friends and sat back down, erupting in a fit of giggles as she noticed Florence trying to recover from her unexpected abandonment by Scorpius. Florence simply sat up glared at her, ignoring the snorts now coming from the twins too.
"Hey, Ly look she's already –"
"Fallen for him!" Lysander finshed with a hi-five to his brother and a new round of laughter.
"Well done mate. Quickest one yet." Lorcan mocked Scorpius, adding a wink to Florence, which she huffed at.
Aiming to recover and prove to her boyfriend's friends that she was the one he cared for, and not that Weasley tart, Florence straddled her boyfriend's lap and attacked him with her mouth. Kissing him forcefully, Scorpius responded but not with as much enthusiasm as she would have liked. Scorpius didn't take charge of the kiss as she wanted him to, he simply responded, almost automatically, leaving Florence feeling a little more than put out. She was used to getting any boy she wanted and having her way with them and she would be damned if she couldn't have Scorpius Malfoy! As he broke off the kiss, Florence disguised her annoyance, pretending she had just had the most mind blowing snog. She leaned her forehead against his and whispered to him softly, hoping the Weasley bitch would get the message. Scorpius Malfoy was hers.
She then stood patting down her skirt, blew a kiss to her boyfriend and sashayed off.
It took the three two whole seconds of strain and willpower to remain quiet, in which they honestly tried to hold it in. After that, they just left loose, collapsing in giggles and snorts at Scorpius' latest girlfriend. She was utterly ridiculous!
"Merlin, possessive much?" Lorcan managed through his laughter.
"Scorp, you really need to tell her that we're not dating anymore, I think she thinks I'm competition. You should stop being so unmature and tell her!" Lysander teased, recovering.
Scorpius glared at his friends but wasn't angry. To be honest, he found Florence just as annoying as they did. Which begged the question, why was he dating her? Scorpius had asked this of himself time and time again and he had yet to find a reasonable answer. It had just sort of happened. Then when he had realised his mistake, it was too late, and was only still dating her because he thought dumping a girl, on, just before or after her birthday was a little too heartless. He had kept the relationship going because, to be honest, she was nice to look at and not bad company when she didn't talk. That, and Scorpius was bored and tired. He was tired of waiting for a girl that just didn't exist. He wanted a long-term girlfriend but always ended up in short relationships because no girl he went out with seemed right for him. Florence was clearly not the one either. He'd just have to find a way to get her to dump him. Afterall, he hated having to break up with girls.
"Ha ha ha guys. You are hilarious. You really are" Scorpius said trying not to join them himself.
"Scorpie you really should lighten up" Roxanne added in her best imitation of Florence, her voice high and annoying.
"Please stop." Scorpius sighed with a slight laugh, closing his eyes and trying to think of a way to break it off, yet again.
Suddenly an idea came to him and he shot forward, leaning towards his friends, elbows on his knees.
A/N:
So, that sorts the letter...
But what about Olivia? I doubt you'll be able to guess at the moment, but if you have an idea, feel free to share, it'd be interesting to hear your guesses!
Hope you enjoyed it, next update should come sooner, hopefully within the next week or so, but remember, your reviews inspire me to write!
DFTR!
Love Cookie :)