Hello again! This chapter is a little more upbeat than the others. It took an unexpected direction, but I like it. I seem to have broken the girl-boy-girl pattern...but with more boys than girls, this was inevitable, I guess. I didn't mean to, I just write what comes to me. Incidentally, if you know of any more Next Gen kids, let me know. I know the Weasleym, Potter, Malfoy and Luna's kids, but that seems to be it. I know some people have their own headcanons about other characters, though.
Enjoy!
Roxanne Weasley has never had a problem with telling people what she thinks.
Her parents have lectured her repeatedly about politeness and about sometimes what you say can hurt people's feelings. About how not everything needs to be said.
Roxanne fiercely promises herself that no matter how old she gets, she will never let anybody push her around, grind her down until her will and spirit are dust. If only she could implant some of this attitude into Fred. Fred, her shy, sweet twin who is different to her as night is to day. She wants to protect her brother, but often she isn't even sure what of. There are days when she feels like the world is just too loud for somebody like her twin.
Amongst her many cousins, Roxie always seems to be getting herself into scrapes and tangles, whether or not it's enthusiastic games of Quidditch with James, Dominique (she isn't particularly competitive, but she absolutely loves the sensation of flying.) She bickers with them too, especially Rose and often finds herself falling into the company of boys more often than not, just as wild and unrefined as they are. At school, she obsesses over the forbidden; The forest, Hogsmeade, the Whomping Willow. She doesn't always go sneaking out to these places; Roxie may be impulsive, but she's not a total fool. She's prone to excessive daydreams that have teachers demanding for her to pay attention, Miss Weasley, please!
Her Dad just finds this amusing, her mother tells her off, but Roxie can see the fight not to smile playing out on her face. Fred just gives her one of his signature little grins and goes back to his books or his pet turtle. Sometimes, Roxie wonders if parents and random flights of fantasy are all they have in common, but she laughs and hugs her brother anyway.
Truthfully, though, Roxanne just wants to do her own thing. Growing up with a fraternal twin, a family so large it's actually famous for it and being constantly surrounded by strong personalities makes her want to strike out alone. Like a balloon adrift, Roxie wants to explore what lies beyond.
Walking into the library, Roxie is contemplating another attempt to breach the Restricted Section when she catches sight of something that makes her breath catch.
An easy smile crosses an angular face, angelic blonde hair belying the playful blue-green of his eyes.
"If it isn't foxy Roxie," Lysander Scamander says, her name tripping easily off his tongue.
It's hard to tell if he's being sarcastic or not- he knows she hates that nickname, which first spawned from derision and is now a more sincere one, although either way it still feels degrading. She does consider him a friend, though, so it could simply be playful taunting.
Roxie pauses. She and Lysander share something in common- both of them are the polar opposite of their twin. While Roxie and Fred only bear some resemblance, Lorcan and Lysander are often tricky to distinguish individually by looks. But while Lorcan is something of an intellectual and a show-off, Lysander is a notorious lothario, as well as mischievous. Both the Potter children, Rose and Hugo have known the Scamander twins since birth, Roxie's interactions with Lysander have been limited mostly to school term. Each time they do meet, she always walks away feeling flustered and confused and she isn't sure why.
"Shut up, Lysander."
Lysander laughs, a musical noise to her ears, and Roxie has to fight not to grin too much at him. It might encourage him to think she thinks he's funny or something.
As she vanishes behind rows upon rows of books, Roxie reflects that while she has always been a free spirit at heart, Lysander is somehow light years ahead of her.
Roxie grins.
It looks like she's found a new partner in crime.