The year that Albus was away, was indeed empty for Roxanne.
The young witch missed her friend dearly and she would often re-read his letters that he would send as occasionally as he could.
For Christmas, he never managed to come and while she was saddened by it; she understood his reasons why.
Albus father and his justice crime had been known already by both students and teachers at Hogwarts. This made the kids either unfriendly with him or fake, all because his father killed muggle kids and broke the law.
The only person that didn't turn away from him, was Elphias Doge; a Gryffindor student just like him. He was a first year that had gotten Dragon Pox the summer before.
While he was no longer contagious, the sickness had left marks on his skin and even changed the hue ever so faintly. While temporary the after-effects, made all the other students avoid him.
All but Albus, who shared his mother's kindness and befriended the outcast boy. It was because of him, that he did not return to Godric's Hollow for Christmas. The poor boy was forced to stay at Hogwarts and the ever-so-kind Albus had chosen to stay with him; not wishing to leave him alone.
Yet, the bright Dumbledore did return for summer; taking by surprise his one true friend.
It was early summer and the spring rains had long passed them. With the bright sun shining above Godric's Hollow, Roxanne was making her way towards the Dumbledore house.
She had just received her letter, the same day as her birthday and she could not wait to share the news with Aberforth and Arianna.
In the year that Albus was away, Roxanne made it her mission to help the two siblings. Slowly, Arianna was coming more and more often out of her room and Roxanne even managed to make her crack a smile with her slightly better transformation skills.
The young witch had made sure to bring endless books for her 7-year-old friend and even read them to her through a closed door when the kid was not feeling like going out.
Aberforth, while thankful that Arianna had a friend and someone else to help her; wasn't always as welcomed with Roxanne's constant presence.
Being the little antisocial that he was, he often frowned when he saw her visit and didn't talk much to her. Yet, he did smile ever so faintly when he would see his sister smile because of her and even laugh on very rare occasions.
His sour mood never stopped Roxanne from visiting, often bringing baked goods for Kendra and her kids. On one of those days, she carried a basket of fresh pastries that she had gotten from the bakery.
Along with them, she had picked up some beautiful early summer flowers to give to Arianna, remembering they were one of her favourites.
She stopped in front of the closed cottage door and knocked a few times with her little fist. She held the basket in one hand and she hummed ever so faintly, clearly in a good mood.
Her hair had remained black but the tips did obtain bright pink tips from time to time, whenever she got too happy about something.
Finally, the door opened but instead of the sweet Kendra or the grumpy Aberforth; someone else opened the door this time.
"Hey Roxie," the person said, being the only one to ever use that Nickname.
"Albus!" She called out his name, dropping the basket and quickly enveloping him in a tight hug, her arms around his neck. "You are back! Why didn't you write to me that you were coming?!" She asked, not letting him go and her voice little louder than needed.
Albus chuckled, holding her body carefully so neither of them would fall by the surprise hug. Truth be told, he had missed the sweet and bright metamorphmagus that he had grown up with.
"I returned last night. Thought I would surprise you by coming to find you, but I guess you beat me to it"
She chuckled and slowly let him go, a radiant smile on her face and her hair was now a bright pink. "You have to tell me everything about Hogwarts. Oh! Before I forget" she said and quickly searched the pocket of her dress before pulling out a letter. "I am joining you this year"
Roxanne was super excited to finally attend Hogwarts, something that she had only ever dreamt of since she was a mere kid. Her mother was a student there, a very smart and witty Ravenclaw.
Her father, on the other hand, had attended the American magical school known as Ilvermory where he was sorted as Pakwadgie; a house favouring healers.
Now, it was her turn to live the student life and become a better witch herself. She had spent months trying to perfect her transformation skills or at least get them under control; in order not to embarrass herself.
She would miss her father and Arianna was not the happiest to see her go, but Roxanne did promise to write to her a lot and tell her of all her adventures when she would visit for Christmas and of course, Summer.
Needless to say, her first day at Hogwarts did leave her with unforgettable memories. One of them would be her emotions getting the best of her when she was called for the Sorting Ceremony.
She was so nervous about which house she would be chosen for, that her hair had turned a sickening green before changing to a neon blue; her stomach feeling quite uneasy at that moment.
When the house announced her to Hufflepuff, she was so shocked she almost forgot that she had to get off the stool. A part of her was happy to belong to a house and one that had a good name from the witches and wizards having been part of it.
However, she could not help and felt disappointed that she was not put into Gryffindor. She would like to be with Albus but she refused to let the different houses stop her from being with her best friend.
Of course, Albus was more than happy to have her around; another true friend to hang with. Their classes might be different but they always met during their break periods and after lesson hours
She was introduced to Elphias Doge and even he could not help but smile once he glimpsed at her radiant smile and bright attitude. Of course, it did feel weird that the first thing she told him when they were introduced was:
"The Dragon Pox kid!"
For that was how the 11-year-old had remembered him, his name had never settled into her mind.
Yet, he did not stay angry at her and he was glad to have another friend to be with.
And so, the years passed and things quickly changed for all of them.
Albus was a talented wizard, gaining the favour of all of his teachers that often praised him for his skills. He even earned the title Head Boy by his 5th year, something he took pride in. He was also quite Gifted with Quidditch, although he never truly thought of chasing it as a career.
Roxanne on the other hand, had gained mastery over her innate ability to shapeshift. She had managed to mimic perfectly all of her teachers, some other students and even some creatures. Her abilities had gained her popularity, as did her looks which only matured and attracted her.
Her skills lay in Potions and Herbology, managing to become a teacher favourite for those two subjects and take that title from her friend; Albus. Her unique insight even earned her extra credits and points for her house, something her housemates always were happy for.
And while as she grew and many tried to gain her attention; her amber eyes were always on one person and one person only.
It was his name that she shouted for and cheered during Quidditch games, even when that player was against her house. It was his company she would often seek and it was the same student she would help tutor in Potions when things looked tough.
No matter what, she would always have his back and he would have hers. Now whether what they had was mere friendship or something more; that remained to be seen.
Yer, not everything was gold and roses in their lives. For both had their challenges when they would return to their families each summer.
Roxanne's father had started to forget. At first, it was small things like dates or where he placed certain items; but slowly his memory worsened. Our young heroine even feared that one day he would stop remembering her and deeply, she dreaded for that day and prayed to never come.
Things were not easy for Albus either. His sister Arianna never got her Hogwarts letter even though Aberforth did. For the last two years, she had been alone with her mother since her older siblings were attending school.
Trouble started to exist when the oppressed magic ability of his sister started to take a form of its own. It was residing deep with her, occasionally coming out as outbursts of raw magic and power. Those outbursts did start small but slowly grew in intensity; not only endangering others but also scaring the young girl even more.
Despite their dark times, that summer fate would decide to throw a new player into the game. One, who would impact their lives and their futures in more ways than one and it all began; with the usual ramblings of Bathilda Bagshot.
The magical Historian had gone out for her daily walk but also to get more quills and ink. The bright middle-aged woman was writing a book about magic and its history hoping to publish it one day.
She was a teacher at one point in her life but had long retired from that job; deciding to focus on her book than on anything else.
She was a very social woman, an expert at mingling around muggles with no trouble and she possessed quite the knowledge; and the books that she had stacked into her library.
Of all the young kids, it was Roxanne that was most associated with her. The bright witch had often gone to her for books and the older woman enjoyed how good she was at listening to her stories and even gossip.
Her metamorphmagus ability was something rare and Bathilda was always happy to study it more and find more about it; having been studied so little.
It was on that usual day that Bathilda had spotted Roxanne coming out of the bakery. It had become a habit for the young witch to get warm pastries that she would leave at the Dumbledore-house; one of the few ways she could make Arianna feel better.
"Ah, Roxanne dear. How great is to see you back" the older witch said, quickly syncing in step with the teenager.
"Thank you, madame" Roxanne said, being a little taller than the adult by her side; a noticeable feature that arrived with her growth sprout less than a year ago.
"Are those pastries for the Dumbledores?" She asked, as always curious. The metamorphmagus replied with a few nods of her head. "Poor things. I haven't truly seen Kendra or her daughter out at all. And let me talk about her middle one. Oh, the flowing and scowling of that one" Bathilda shook her head. "Haven't seen a more broody teenager in my life. The only decent one is their elder; Albus. his paper on trans-species Transfiguration for the scholarly journal Transfiguration Today was simply outstanding! Such a brilliant mind and at such a young age..."
The older witch continued talking, having a habit of talking for long periods without truly stopping. Roxanne had learned how to listen to a few things and most of the time she spent it nodding with her head now and then.
Yet, that day something else did stand out in her usual long speech.
"...I honestly hope my nephew is the same, although I have been told quite a lot about him..."
Roxanne lifted an eyebrow and turned her head to look at her. "Forgive me for interrupting, but you said, nephew?"
"Oh, that's right dear. A distant nephew of mine will come and stay with me, after losing his parents as well. That poor thing" Bathilda explained. "You know, he is the same age as your I believe if not a year older. I know, why don't you show him around when he arrives next week?"
"Me?"
"But who else dearie? I would ask Albus as well but he has been quite busy with his family, has he not?" Roxanne did not say anything to that, not wishing to expose any private details. "Either way, he should be here by next week. I will let you know of his arrival"
Roxanne gave a smile at the older woman. "It will be my pleasure, Madame Bagshot. What is his name?"
"Gellert. Gellert Grindelwald"