Disclaimer: All characters, places, and events are property of J.K. Rowling. This is uniform for all the chapters that may follow in this story.

Introduction: Hello I'm here for the pure enjoyment of pleasuring my imagination. So I'm just hoping everyone who reads my story will enjoy it And so here is my story…

Thoughts are in Italics

No, This Is Not A Test

Chapter 1: Brand New Shoes

Ronald Weasley lay back upon his four-poster bed, in his shared room, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Feeling the strain of the day ebb away, as his body rested on the soft Gryffindor red and gold sheets, Ron reminisced about his day…

He woke up late as usual, with a slightly queer feeling, after constant prodding by his best friend Harry Potter; Getting out of bed Ron went through his standard shower, which lasted a decent 20 minutes, before any action was taken to force him out and to the Great Hall. Dressing himself in his second hand and worn out robes, Ron took no notice of the faded colour or minor tears or rips that decorated the outfit. Such things were common in his attire, that to make any notice of them would simply depress him and that was something Ron didn't intend to have happen.

Marching his way down the steps from the 5th year's room, Ron noticed that Harry and Hermione Granger, Ron's female 2nd best friend, hadn't decided to wait for him to come down. It slightly bothered him; however he figured that since he actually did take a slightly longer time than usual at preparing himself, the desire for breakfast became too great for the two.

Making his way to the Great Hall, Ron felt that same feeling tickle the corner of his mind and Ron for some reason couldn't quite place what the feeling was. Pushing the feeling away, Ron entered the Hall and noticed two things. First, Draco Malfoy, a generation who were widely known to be enemies of Weasleys, was walking past him with the usual sneering expression that was just too much of a routine to bring about a reaction. And two, people were crowded next to Harry for some reason that was also too much of a routine, and because of the previous year's developments, this was compounded upon.

Ron took his seat as close to Harry as he could and just began to eat his late breakfast, not really paying much attention to the attention his best friend attracted. He was again, too used to such conditions and just figured that Harry would get to him when he got to him, whenever that would happen.

After breakfast Ron and Harry had made their way to their first class, Potions. This class being both their least favourite, they tried to stick together as much as they could during the time to help salve the pain of being within the presence of their prejudiced professor, Professor Snape. It seemed that all attention was again mainly directed to Harry. Snape gave the laziest attempt at a discreet glare, towards Harry and him however it seemed that that glare was focused more so on Harry as opposed to him. Then, seeing as how Gryffindors and Slytherins had to share the same class, Draco Malfoy was also shooting death glares at the two from his seat, and yet again it mainly seemed directed to Harry.

The odd feeling that was present in Ron when he woke up, swelled inside of him, seemingly wanting to be noticed.

And so the day went about in that same fashion, Harry getting most attention, while Ron followed behind as nothing more than a shadow. And once the day was done, all Ron could bear to do was fall onto his bed and just contemplate what his life had become.

Ron lay there…just thinking. He always seemed to be the sidekick in Harry's "adventures" (if you would call them that); someone always forgotten. Then Harry's rivalry with Malfoy seemed even more adamant than the life-long blood feud of the Weasleys and Malfoys. Then Snape's greater abhorrence towards Harry than him, the attention Harry received, pushing Ron to the sidelines, the newsletters stating how Ron was "an admirer of the early Hero", and so on and so on seemed to further mark Ron as Harry's sidekick or shadow. The newsletter even got Hermione's name in the paper as she was apparently, "Harry Potter's Youthful Romance", making it seem like there was only a duo and not the Trio that actually was.

Ron knew that Harry unintentionally attracted such attention. After nearly killing the Dark Lord and sending him into hiding, one was ensured celebrity attention. But such attention can chip and chip away at ones patience, like that of water against the side of a rock on the periphery of the ocean. And such a loss in patience can commonly result and fierce and powerful responses. And it was that very loss of patience that caused the anger and frustration in Ron to foam and bubble over.

Ron's eyes widened a fraction at his revelation. He was angry, he was frustrated, and even more so he was determined. He could feel how his now identified frustration was flooding through his nerves making him tense. Ron felt that at this point he was the camel, and his non-existent social status was the feather that broke his back; and once the camel had had enough he decided to make his own imprint into the sand. No longer would he be subjected to others and allow himself to be cast aside like last week's paper.

Lost in his own thoughts Ron didn't notice how Harry was walking towards his bed.

"Hey Ron, are you busy right now?" asked Harry. Ron could hear the humour in his voice. How 'apparently' clear it was that Ron wasn't doing anything besides lying on his bed staring towards the ceiling.

"Well I'm just here resting a bit and thinking," Ron replied with a slightly tired tone.

"Thinking about what?" Harry asked. Ron couldn't tell if Harry was actually concerned or actually just thought it was interesting that the hot tempered male could just lay back and contemplate important life details.

"Nothing much I suppose," Ron tried to make this an end to the conversation with a dead-end response, but Harry had a point to his questions.

"Oh, so would you mind coming with me to the Owlry? I heard Cho was going to be there at this time and I just wanted it to seem like accident that we bumped into each other and it would look more convincing if you happened to be with me. You're free to leave once she and I start talking." At this point Harry began bouncing his weight from foot to foot, obviously ready to leave as he expected a yes from Ron.

"Well, it was a long day and I kinda just wanna relax a little and just think" Ron replied with a sigh placed before to try and emphasize his lack of desire to move.

"Aww but Ron you can do that once you get back. Come on mate lets go." Harry stated, already making his way to the doorway.

"Ughh but Harry—"

"It won't take that long. You can come back to think soon. Just put your thoughts on pause or something."

"Harry, I—", Ron began, getting frustrated that Harry was berating him about leaving, just for his personal gain.

"What are you still doing in bed? Come on, let's go" Harry was being more and more oblivious.

"I don't—"

"Oh by the way your mom sent you a package while you were late for breakfast. Hermione shrunk it and gave it to me to give to you but I kinda forgot until just now. It's in your drawer. But nonetheless lets go, I don't know how long Cho will be there" harry began speaking faster and faster in his rush making it seem as if Ron was the slow and dopey camel who was always be pulled in some direction.

Ron was beginning to get that odd, now identified as frustration, feeling building up again in him again.

Taking a deep breath Ron tried not to act in stereotype to red-heads and began a slow, calm, and vague explanation to Harry, as to why he didn't want to leave. But before he actually got the chance to actually form a sentence he was once again interrupted by Harry.

"Ron, come on, Cho could be leaving anytime now", Harry was beginning to whine a bit.

"Harry please just—"

"What? Why aren't you moving? If we don't hurry—"

"NO! I'M NOT FUCKING GOING!"

Ron was now red in the face and looking as mad as he felt. How could Harry just expect him to go off and do such a thing? Accompany him to the Owlery, just so he could strike up a conversation with Cho and basically say, "Ok Ron I've used you for what I needed to, you can go now". And the constant pressure Harry put onto Ron was simply enough. It was apparent that Harry wasn't getting that Ron didn't want to go based on his lack of movement, and so he unfortunately needed a mad Ron to get this through his scarred head.

"But Ron…why are you mad? Are you ok?" Harry was clearly confused from Ron's reaction, not seeing the swirl of emotions inside Ron.

With each word accented with frustration Ron gave a simple reasoning.

"I'm tired from the day. I don't feel like going. You can find an excuse of your own as to why you're there. You don't need me. And now I just feel like being alone."

Still confused as to Ron's major reaction, Harry began walking towards Ron in an attempt to calm him down.

"Ron I'm sorry I thought—"

"No Harry you didn't think. And it's just better if you go. I want to be alone." Ron's voice now had an annoyed hint to it that Harry didn't miss.

Well…if that's what you want then I'll go. But when you calm down we're going to talk."

"Fine, whatever, hurry before Cho leaves." Ron said dismissively.

With a look back Harry left, leaving Ron alone to think about what just happened. He really didn't intend to make such an outburst. But for some reason Ron felt no guilt whatsoever about his reaction. In fact he believed Harry deserved it. Assuming Ron would say yes and then putting more pressure on him when he didn't move.

Sighing once again, this time in an attempt to calm himself down, Ron decided he needed a distraction. Remembering that Harry had said his mom had sent him a package, Ron opened his drawer and saw the nicely wrapped packet that was titled, "To Ron, Love Mom".

Placing the package onto his bed Ron began opening it, ripping the paper, wondering exactly what could it be that his mom had sent him since it wasn't any major holiday or his birthday.

Now revealing the item, Ron found that it was in fact a shoe box. And even more surprising were the brand new shoes that were neatly tucked into the box. Surprised at such a random gift, Ron picked up the letter that was also tucked beside the shoes, and read the neat scrawl of his mom:

Ron,

I know you must be wondering about this random gift I've sent you but it's just something I've been saving up for. I've decided long ago that for each one of you and you siblings I'll send a gift that's just another way of saying I love you and that I want you to be happy. So now was your turn and I do hope you enjoy these shoes. I know new clothing for you is hard to come by, but I just felt that these shoes should purely be yours. So now I must ask you to enjoy them in whatever way makes you happy…And Ron I want you to know that I think of you all individually. I hope you understand that you are Ron, and no one else defines you. With these shoes you can make your own mark. So I hope to see those shoes nicely worn when I see you this Christmas. Owl me if you need me.

Love, Mom

Picking up the shoes Ron saw how they were stylish, yet not overly so. Malfoy would surely get a thrill out of seeing Ron with flashy new shoes, and inevitably make up some cruel joke about how they had to sell half their house just to afford the shoes.

Remembering the words his mom had said Ron felt that she couldn't be more strangely on topic. Ron IS Ron, not a shadow, a sidekick, or someone to pass off as just, "that other guy".

Clenching the shoes and feeling that no-longer weird feeling inside him swirl around; Ron narrowed his eyes with new determination. This is where he makes his change. He will make his mark on this world and he will make his own decisions. If he see's something he wants, than Ron will take it. It may sound selfish, but everyone can be selfish about things. After living passively, it's time for a change.

Putting on his new shoes, Ron began his preparation for that evening's dinner. And this will be his first dinner, where he will act as the new and real Ron.

Walking from the room, down the common room, and out the portrait into the hall, Ron's robes no longer seemed old or handed down. They flapped and bellowed as if now full of life and Ron in his new persona was now confident about his near future. Oh yes. Things were changing.