$2
Summer flew by in the blink of an eye, and she only grew more nervous with each passing hour. In vain he questioned, searched and received no answer to the question of why she should be re-educated. She didn't know what she had done wrong over the years, especially since her parents almost didn't even pay attention to her. Many times it is as if its existence has been forgotten. She spent the last night at home sleepless and, with a soft sigh, walked back from the window to the bed.
A knock was heard, but the girl did not have the strength now for her dearest house elf, so she did not answer, but to her surprise, it was not Leemey who opened the door.
"I know you're not asleep," Lucius opened into the room, "don't even try to pretend.″
"I don't," the girl muttered.
″Are you okay?″ the older child came into the room, even though no one would let him.
″You've been ignoring me for months and seriously this is your very first question″
″No. I'm just not sure what I can say. You know very well that family comes first and I have to do everything I can to keep our reputation up.″
Long minutes of silence settled around them, finally it was the girl who broke the silence.
"I'm afraid of Durmstrang. Why can't I go to Hogwarts like you do? And the others.″
″I don't know.″
"Don't lie!"
Lucius sighed tiredly before answering.
"Father does everything for good reason. Your performance in Durmstrang will show whether you are worthy of the Malfoy name. He sends you there to make you stronger.″
″For what?″
″Roxanne...″
"For what, Lucius?"
″You openly reject family traditions and″
″Because they don't make any sense! Because″
″And you don't let the other one finish the sentence. Roxanne, this is the behavior you have to undress there. You have to prove it before father decides to deny you. You need to show that you are worthy of your name.″
″But″
"No but, Roxanne!" the blonde boy gently took his sister's fragile hand in his palm ″do it for me. Don't let our father be right. Family comes first, and I'm your family, right?″
"Yes..." she looked resignedly into her brother's eyes, "family comes first. I'm not going to let you down, Lucius. I promise" she pulled her hand away from the boy.
Lucius acknowledged the girl's statement with a satisfied smile, then got up from the girl's bed and headed for her own bedroom. However, he turned back in the doorway for the last time.
"Do you remember what I told you when I first went to school?"
The girl looked at her brother puzzled, but finally nodded.
″You can still write me a letter at any time if you feel you need to. You can always count on me.″
Roxanne didn't know how much she could believe her brother, but still, warmth filled her chest as she snuggled into bed and fell asleep much less worried. She didn't understand why, but in her dream, a snow-white wolf appeared who was leading her down an unknown path, however, by the time it was morning, she had completely forgotten about it all, believing the only thing that concerned her was how unprepared she was to travel to Russia for her studies.
"Dear Lucius!
What's Hogwarts like? Are there fewer of you that way to pass the O.W.L. exams? Do you remember how scared I was to come here to Durmstrang? I seem to have been unnecessarily worried. We have few classes that surprise me, but I'm not complaining, however, the boys still go to classes in the afternoon. There are really very few girls here, so I fit in between them more easily than in class. There are two girls who are also freshmen now, one of them is called Jenny, we became friends. Don't you think it's weird that we can attend half as many classes as boys?
I miss you brother,
Roxy.
Oct. 25, 1970. "
"Dear Lucius!
Did you receive my previous letters? I'm not asking because of being left unanswered, I'm just interested. I don't know for sure, but I didn't get any letter from father about whether or not I could go home for the Christmas holidays. Do you know anything about that?
What about there in Scotland? Is it snowing yet? Here we have been constantly under snow since almost October. The school building is quite cold. And its surroundings are so desolate that it's sometimes scary. I broke my hand on Halloween, you know, what I got because the third-grade boys sent us harms for fun, it still hurts. Although at least the plaster was taken off as soon as Madam Dearmo, the nurse, returned from her leave.
If we didn't meet at home, Merry Christmas brother!
I love you
Roxy
Dec. 17, 1970. "
"Dear Lucius!
I know it's already slowly spring, but Happy New Year! Don't worry about me, I'm fine. I spent Christmas with Jenny's. Jenny has two sisters, Rose and Amelia. They also go to Durmstrang. Have you been home since then? How is Mother? Is father satisfied with me so far?
You never even said that Potions is such a super subject! The professor said I had the talent for it and allowed me to attend special classes on weekends. I help the two freshmen with this, in return they teach me defensive charms and simpler harms. Although we still have quite a few lessons, I'm beginning to doubt that this is normal. The influence of boys' school is still being felt, as we girls cannot play Quidditch and we only secretly fly on school brooms.
Love you,
Roxy
Feb. 26, 1971. "
"Dear Lucius!
I never thought I'd miss being home. I didn't think I'd ever want to go back to the room to ever ask for father to punish me instead. Forgive me for not writing before, I wasn't... at myself. One of the third-graders, his name is Karkaroff, as far as I know, he pushed me off the broom. At least that's what the others told me, because I don't remember anything. But don't worry, I'm fine now and I'm making up on my many backlogs.
A couple of weeks and summer break is here, see you soon.
Love you,
Roxy
02 May 1971. "
"Lucius!
I recently received a letter from father suggesting that I spend the summer at school here, as this is where it is possible. Do you know anything about this? Students disappear from the school, but no one misses them. There are whispers about some wizard inside the walls, but I've never heard of him. Several people want to join this wizard after they have finished their studies. What is it all about, Lucius? I'm starting to get scared and I'm not the only one. Is that how it should be? Please take me home!
Roxy
11 June 1971."
"Dear Lucius!
I know I didn't write it, I don't think you mind. I spent the summer, I guess, as you know, with Jenny. Her parents wouldn't let me stay here in the summer. Her sister Rose joined the followers of that wizard over the summer. Her sister is very scary and she doesn't lack evil. If I had to, I'd compare it to Bellatrix.
We already have more classes this year, but still much less than the boys. There were only two of us left in the grade, Leah was transferred to the Beauxbatons.
I'm having trouble with Transfiguration, but don't worry, I'll give it my all!
How is your final year at Hogwarts?
Miss you,
Roxy
19 Oct. 1971.
P.S. I didn't really want to write, but I thought you'd better know for sure that I'm fine. "
"Dear Lucius!
People are whispering all sorts of things about it. At Christmas, in principle, a Muggle-born wizard lost track of him along with his entire family. Owl post is also observed, which is why I couldn't write. The situation at school is a bit strange, as we have been able to join many classes, but most of the time we "duel" with the boys. However, with so many differences that girls are taught almost no self-defense or offensive spells. They say our place in the household. Hate it.
Watch out for You Know Who's men.
Roxy
04 Feb. 1972. "
"Dear Lucius!
It's been an interesting month for me. Do you remember when I told you that I could go to separate Potions classes? The last potion I was supposed to make was slightly spoiled. Oblivion I had to make a decoction, but I myself do not know how it turned out, but I accidentally mixed a little dried nettle into it. The professor says something else, but I don't remember it. In theory, I've been exhibiting pretty extreme behavior for weeks — Jenny attests — but my memories lack that too. Fortunately, no major trouble occurred. What I did or what I heard during this time was unfortunately also forgotten.
I know you don't have to, but good luck with the N.E.W.T.
Roxy
May 21, 1972 "
"Dear Lucius!
In the summer, Amelia disappeared, since then there is no trace of her. She hadn't started her final year. You didn't get my previous letter, they started randomly filtering out the post. Don't worry about me, nothing more serious Once the message written to you was selected. I didn't like what they read, but you don't have to worry, I'm fine now.
Jenny and I started researching the connection between the missing students, we don't want to believe that everyone disappeared by accident, just as we don't really resign ourselves to the fact that they could be dead. Understandably, she was even more distressed by what had happened. I want to help her and her family with everything I can.
Roxy
Nov. 06, 1972. "
"Lucius!
Please take me away from here. Jenny is lost and I’m scared! She said she found something she needed to show me, but she didn't show up at the agreed place. And no one had heard of her for two weeks now. And the old professors say that they do not remember a student with that name. How is this possible? A lot of new teachers have arrived, mostly those who say that not all people with magical powers are entitled to be a witch or a wizard! The teachers who helped us have been removed from here.
The policy was further tightened and... Please promise to help me get out of here! Cost anything! Let father deny me my rights. If I have to, I will voluntarily give up my name, just don't leave me here!
I'm starting to get scared,
Roxy
Jan. 28, 1973."
"Lucius!
I found out what Jenny had learned. I wish I hadn't. I wish I didn't...Can you get me away from he- I learned my lesson. I gave up everything. My only friend died. So did her sister. Many of my fellow students have disappeared and our teachers have let us down. Evil spreads like an epidemic. I'm tired Lucius. Father won. You were right, I am weak.
I signed up for summer school back in May, I'm staying here on this continent, so you don't have to hurt your head because of it.
Send me an owl just so I know it's all right.
Roxy
June 12, 1973."
″Lucius?″ she stopped at the entrance to the school. This year, she couldn't bear to have to see Jenny's parents again, since her friend and sister are dead, thanks to their eldest daughter, but the fact that her brother was waiting for her was a surprise. As much as she tried to smile at the sight of the blonde Malfoy, it didn't work out.
″Make an effort. They are waiting for us.″
″Who?″
″I said hurry, not to ask. Is that all your belongings?″
″Yes.″
The girl looked at her brother, whom she almost didn't even recognize, which was no wonder, since they hadn't met for nearly three years.
"You've become so different. Where do you work?″
″In the Ministry of Magic″
After a brief dialogue, they quietly sat side by side. Lucius sent his sister's belongings home, then took her hand and they chuckled. The girl's first apparition didn't favor her with too good experiences. She didn't even realize where they had arrived, as she hadn't experienced malaise in a long time. Even though she picked herself up as soon as she could, she was still nauseous for minutes. Young Malfoy led his sister to a battered-and-worn inn.
"Is that Professor Dumbledore there? It's not quite like the chocolate frog on cards," she remarked as she looked around curiously but slightly disgusted at a place called The Leaky Cauldron.
"You've got a good eye Roxanne, but if I remember correctly I told you to stay quiet.″
"Welcome, Ms. Malfoy!" the headmaster of Hogwarts offered a place to a student of the Durmstrang school ″forgive me for having to meet in a public place, but in some ways I dare to believe that it is safer for us because of the crowds and traffic.″
"Good afternoon Professor Dumbledore!" the white-haired girl took a tense seat ″sorry for the question, but may I ask what am I looking for here?″
″Well Roxanne, it's okay for me to call our prospective student that way, your request to transfer to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been reviewed by me and I hope I can announce with pleasure that it has been accepted.″
The girl looked at the famous wizard puzzled, she did not really manage to comprehend what she heard. Her dream of studying at Hogwarts finally seemed to come true, but it was too late. She didn't want to go there anymore, even though she didn't want to go to Durmstrang either, too many painful memories would have awaited her back.
″I don't really understand this...″
″Would it be a mistake? The teacher frowned.″
"No mistake...," the girl sighed to gain time for herself, "it's just too late."
"It's never too late Ms. Malfoy." He replied, "My condolences to your friend. She must have been an excellent witch apprentice.″
Roxanne froze for a moment, wondering if she had heard the old man's words correctly. She wanted to ask where he had heard of Jenny after all, but even though he opened her mouth, not a sound came out of her throat.
"Alright," she finally said, "I'd like to study at Hogwarts."
"I'm glad to hear Ms Malfoy. However, there is one little thing that we need to discuss. You should know that at Hogwarts... We teach the youngsters a little differently. Roxanne your knowledge of some subjects is remarkable, but unfortunately not enough to continue your studies with the fourth grade. Of course, you don't have to start everything from the basic, but we believe it would be easier to integrate and learn if you continued with the third-graders in September.″
"Okay," she repeated to herself. She got so much information all of a sudden that she didn't really process it ″thank you Professor Dumbledore.″
Roxanne stood up from the table where she hadn't sat for long anyway, but a few questions didn't let her rest.
"How do you know about what happened, Professor?"
The man looked into her eyes with a gentle smile, and spoke with unexpected warmth in his voice.
"Why, did something noteworthy happen, Ms Malfoy?"
″Uhm, no. Nothing special. Goodbye, Professor" she said strangely, looking at the elderly wizard, but she didn't have much time to think about it, as Lucius showed up at the agreed place to take his sister home for the summer break.