found ➸ h.p.

chapter three

Two weeks was all Roxanne needed to be sick of the Weasleys and everyone else that resided in the Black Manor. Not only were they always loud, they seemed to pretend like she was merely part of the wall she was standing in front of. She had grown used to the lack of attention by September first, and she couldn't help but to feel elated that she'd be around people who might actually talk to her.

She ate her meals alone and read any book she could find, including the textbooks she'd required for this year. Her Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook was what she was rather conflicted about; unsure as to whether or not they were supposed to have a textbook about how to hold a wand properly. She prayed dearly that it wasn't what it seemed.

Dumbledore had visited once and had not requested her presence at any point during his quick visit. She could tell he was unhappy with her just by the way he looked at her when he entered the Black Manor. Roxanne couldn't care less. If Harry wasn't going to put effort into knowing her, she wasn't going to either.

Mrs. Weasley took the liberty of going to Diagon Alley and getting her school stuff, dropping it on the side of her bed and leaving as quick as she had come in. Roxanne was confused as to why they were all so frightened of her, but it also gave her great joy to know that she was feared.

Hermione and Ginny had spoken to her once and decided not to after the cold glare they received from the hostile girl. Both were just as confused as the rest of the house. No one understood why Roxanne was acting the way she was, but they never once questioned it.

"It's a good book, isn't it?" Hermione asked Roxanne as they wheeled their trunks down the stairs. Roxanne turned and looked at her with a furrowed brow, curious as to why the girl sparked the courage to speak to her.

"It is. Never fails to amuse me," she answered, her blank face not faltering. She had kept her emotions on the down low for the past weeks, showing nothing but frustration to the girls.

"Ron and I are prefects this year, but maybe you could sit with Harry. We'll join you after we've done our duties," Hermione smiled.

"Lucky me," Roxanne mumbled, walking ahead of the girl with the bushy hair. Hermione frowned and joined Ginny, whispering about Roxanne with no shame. Roxanne, however, had ignored them and pushed to the head of the group, joining Moody as he tried to talk Sirius out of going.

In the end, Moody had lost and grumbled a few foul words under his breath. Roxanne rolled her eyes and watched as the man became a dog, flicking her eyes over to see Harry more than elated.

"Alright, gang. We'll go in groups so everyone's watched over carefully," he began, eyeing Roxanne as he spoke. "Roxanne will go with Remus and I..."

Roxanne had blocked out whatever he said next and focused her attention on Remus Lupin. He was a kind man, always keeping his patience when she proved to be more than stubborn. She almost felt bad for him when he realised he had to keep an eye on her instead of Harry.

The way his eyes would light up when Harry looked happy or laughed was something Roxanne had noticed over the past weeks. How he would almost break out in tales as Sirius had, but hold himself back when he realised that's not what he thought was best for Harry. She knew the look anywhere, being one of her mother's favourites.

"Let's go," Arthur Weasley called, beckoning the group out the door. Roxanne ended up being at the front with Moody and Remus, neither of them saying a word until they got to King's Cross.