Begin At Zero (A Lynx Malfoy Sequel)

Before Zero

Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

When she first read the tragic play, that was the one line that stuck with her. She had plenty of names that followed her around no matter where she went. She was Lynx Weasley neé Malfoy's daughter. The daughter of the most successful Broadway performer of the century. She was George Weasley's daughter. The daughter of the owner and creator of the biggest business in magical jokes and pranks. She was Ember and Fred's little sister. The little sister of the two most popular kids in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. And it wasn't even just her family that was too much. It was the whole Malfoy and Weasley family.

During the two big wars, the Malfoy's and the Weasley's were enemies since the beginning and with her two parents, Lynx and George, married, it created a peace not just between the families but of wizards of all class and blood. When they look at her, they don't see what her talents might be or what she could achieve. They look at her and they feel like they already know what they needed to know. They don't give her a chance to speak for herself and make herself loud. At times, when she's eating dinner alone in the Great Hall, she wonders what if her last name was different? Would she have had friends? Would she have been as popular as her brother and sister? Would she not have to eat alone for the millionth time?

Roxanne Stephanie Weasley replies to Shakespeare saying, "A rose will smell bitter if it wasn't called a rose. Just like I would be more liked if my names were Malfoy or Weasley."

In Roxanne's first first year, she met whom she considers her best friend, Logan Thunder Abbate. Coincidently enough, the father of Logan was very close to her mother during the war and post-war. Lynx hasn't seen Stefan Abbate since they separated but the two didn't argue that their two kids were to be best of friends. During the Sorting Hat Ceremony, Roxanne was very nervous. Her mother told her that it wouldn't matter which house she went into and her father really pushed her and hoped she got into Gryffindor just like the rest of his family. Actually, most of Roxanne's cousins were spread throughout the four Houses so she was reassured that no matter where she went, at least she had some of her family there.

"Roxanne Weasley!" Professor McGonagall called.

Logan had already gone before her and was sorted into Ravenclaw House so Roxanne was hoping for Ravenclaw but doubted if she had the wits and smarts for that House. She took a deep breath before walking up to the chair and sat down. McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head and the Hat stayed silent for a long time. Even the professors looked confused because the Hat had never taken this long to make a decision.

"Oh, god, I don't even belong in Hogwarts," Roxanne mumbled to herself, tears forming in her eyes.

"WAIT!" The Hat suddenly shouted, making the whole Great Hall jump. "You are the most difficult student that I ever had to Sort, did you know that, Roxanne Weasley? Your siblings and your cousins were easy and they had a set mind of who they were. But you... You don't know who you are yet. Doubt clouds your mind. You're always set in the middle of things, never the beginning. You would do well in all Houses but will the House do well for you? You need a house that will let you begin at zero. I will place you in... HUFFLEPUFF!"

The badger mascot House yelled in joy and clapped as Roxanne Weasley sat in her chair with a bright smile on her face. Roxanne felt a huge wave of relief. At least I belong somewhere, the young Weasley thought. She jumped out of the chair and sat down with her new fellow Housemates. They welcomed her with kind smiles and enthusiastic high-fives and hugs.

"Welcome, Roxy!" She heard a familiar voice call. She looked and saw one of her best family friends, Lysander Longbottom.

"Lysander!" Roxanne exclaimed, giving him a big hug. "It's so good to see you."