Ron sat in their Charms lesson not really paying attention. He was too busy
thinking about life before Hogwarts. He remembered everything about how
excited he'd been.
Flashback The warm endless calm of sleep was broken by shouts from downstairs. The boy brushed his flaming red hair out of his eyes. He found himself, like always, waking up in the bright sunlight that reflected off his bright orange walls. "Wha?" he groaned as he pulled his orange sheets off him and swung his legs out of bed, his maroon pyjamas finishing and inch above his ankles. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and stared around his room. Posters adorned his small rooms' walls with faces that continually smiled and waved at him. His bed sheets like the walls were a bright citrus orange with "Chudley Canons" written across them. He blinked trying to get used to the brightness of the room. Sun streamed in through a small window on one of his walls. "RON! Didn't you hear me! Get up breakfast is ready!" a Voice called again from downstairs "OK mum!" He called back, as he stood up and rummaged around to find some clothes. "And you've had an owl!" His mothers' voice called up again. "An owl?" Ron said to himself "Who could be sending me post?" then it struck him. He dashed around finding a T-shirt to wear and ran down the many flights of steps that the tall house contained. As he raced the bottom of the steps he could hear his mothers voice in the kitchen. "Fred. George. how many times do I have to tell you!" His mothers' voice came. As he walked quickly into the kitchen he saw his two older brothers, both of them twins, sniggering as their mother dashed round the kitchen preparing food. His mother was a plump woman with like himself fiery red hair. "Morning!" Ron said in a still sleepy voice "Morning Ronnie-kins" The twins said in unison, Mischievous smiles on their faces "Good morning dear" his mother said "your breakfast is on the table I left yo0ur owl in the front room." "Thanks mum" Ron said and wandered away from his breakfast to the front room. "Now you two." his mothers stern voice came, no doubt she was lecturing them yet again about their antics and school his mother had received, since they started school, maybe four to five owls a term about the mischief the twins had got into. As Ron walked into the front room he noticed that sitting in a chair at the far side of the room was his older brother, Percy, who was reading a book with a thick cover. Percy, like all the Weasleys' had flaming red hair. When he stood up he was tall and lank, unlike the twins who were quite short and slightly plumper than Percy and Ron. But it was the item on the coffee table that interested Ron. The envelope was thick and heavy and made of yellowish parchment, the address was written on in emerald green-ink, and no stamp.
Mr R. Weasley
The Smallest bedroom The Burrow Ottery St. Catchpole.
Ron felt his heart jump in his chest as he read the address, he had been waiting for this day for some time now, the day he would be invited to attend the best school in the whole world, just as Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins had before him. He picked the envelope up and tore it open. He pulled out a letter and read it, lavishing every word:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Weasley, We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minevera McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Ron Beamed. He had never felt better. "Hogwarts" he said "finally" he smiled down at the letter reading it again and again and again. "You got your letter then?" Percy asked looking up and lowering his book revealing a shiny badge with the letter 'P' on it. "That's good. I told you it would come eventually, and you never know, if your good you may end up being a prefect like me," he added with an air of importance. Ron rolled his eyes ever since Percy had received his owl informing him he was a prefect he had talked about it non-stop. "He's not going on about being a prefect Again is he?" asked one of the twins as they walked into the room "Oh Brilliant" said the other sarcastically as he followed the first into the room "Come on Percy tell us again that you're a perfect its 10 o'clock and you haven't told us a thousand times yet" he added "Boys! That's not nice." their mothers voice came "I think its wonderful you're a prefect darling" she added to Percy, in a tone of voice softer than it had been, then wandered over to the coffee table and picked up some dirty cups. "Mum I got my letter from Hogwarts!" Ron said excitedly, waving the letter in front of him. "That's nice dear don't forget to de-gnome the garden, it is your turn." She replied and wandered back into the kitchen with the handful of dirty cups. Rons' mood seamed to wither quicker than a flower that had been deprived of water. Its not that his mother didn't care he thought as he wondered out into the garden, but he'd always had so many siblings that it seemed he had to compete for even the tiniest bit of attention. Grabbing a gnome by its short legs he swung it around his head. I don't suppose mum should be too thrilled though, he thought, I mean there's seven of us and five have already gone to or are going to Hogwarts, why should me going be any more special? Letting go of the gnome and throwing it in a spite of anger, Ron surveyed the garden of their tall house. His brothers didn't understand him and he wouldn't talk to Ginny, the youngest of the Weasley children, because, well she wouldn't understand either. He finished de-gnoming the garden, throwing each gnome a little more violently than he usually would, and then wandered back up into his room sitting on his bed clutching the Hogwarts letter in his hands.
* * * * *
Ron had never been allowed to practice magic before this, that was why he was so thrilled that he could finally go to Hogwarts and learn. He'd been brought up around magic. His brothers Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins had all either been to Hogwarts or were presently attending it. His parents Molly and Arthur Weasley had also been to Hogwarts, and like his older brothers had been in Gryffindor, which had made him, think that this was where he would go. Not that he minded, Gryffindor was better than Slytherin, or so his brothers had told him. "Slytherins are a nasty lot Ron you don't want to go mixing with them" the Twins had told him "Ambition, that's what makes them so nasty, do anything to get their way. And when we say anything we mean anything". Lying on Rons' bed was a set of old dusty looking Robes for Hogwarts that had previously belonged to his oldest brother Bill. A wand lay by the side of the robes which Charlie, the second eldest brother, had pasted down to him. Bill was now working for Gringotts bank out in Egypt, and Charlie was studying 'Norwegian Ridgebacks' in Romania. Ron couldn't imagine what he might do when he left Hogwarts. Percy, the next oldest brother who was now a prefect, decided that he wanted to work for the Ministry of Magic, and kept telling Ron that he really should think about what he wanted to do after Hogwarts. "Its never to early to start to think about a future career" he told Ron several times a week. Ron looked out of the small window of his room. On the window ledge lay a rather fat, scrubby and worn out looking ball of fluff. This so-called ball of fluff was actually Scabbers, as Ron liked to call him, since it suited his current condition, was a rat that Percy had given him. Another pass down. Why do I get all the pass downs, thought Ron. Beyond the window was a cloudy sky but the washy sky was painted in waves of blues. Ron pulled on his top and brushed his flaming red hair out of his eyes. Today he was going to Diagon Alley to collect his schoolbooks. He looked again at the list to double check what he had and what he needed. The parchment read;
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform First-year students will require: Three sets of plain work robes (black) One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings) Please note that all pupils clothes should carry name tags.
Set Books All students should have a copy of each of the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsnius Jigger Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment 1 Wand 1 Caldron (pewter standard size 2) 1 set of glass or crystal phials 1 telescope 1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Ron stuffed the parchment in his trouser pocket and headed down the rickety stairs. Got robes, wand and pet, thought Ron, all passed down. His heart sank at the thought of the books he would acquire. His family wasn't very well off; having seven children to look after, even if the eldest two didn't live at home anymore that still left five children and the two parents. He could just imagine getting to Hogwarts now. All the other children would have neat, new uniforms while he, well he would have an old tatty passed down uniform. He sighed and stepped into the kitchen ready for an afternoon of torture and more misfortune, or at least boredom.
* * * * *
The Weasley family walked down Diagon alley, Ginny close to their mothers' side, Fred and George were whispering and snickering, Percy at the front with their father looking very pompous. Ron was walking just behind them gazing at everything in the shop windows. He couldn't remember coming down Diagon alley before and it looking so new. He supposed it was just because this time it would be his turn to get equipment for Hogwarts, even though they would be second hand. As they walked past Quality Quidditch Supplies Ron couldn't help but cast an extra long stare at the new broom in the window. 'Nimbus two thousand' the sign next to it read. The broom looked amazing and Rons spirits had just picked up when he realised he would never be able to afford one. "It's supposed to be their quickest model yet!" said a girl amongst the group of youngsters gathered around the shop window, so they could get a closer look. "And it's supposed to be lighter than other brooms isn't it? For better movement." The boy next to her asked. Ron smiled for a second. Maybe he wasn't the only one that would have to dream of having a broom like that. The Weasley family made their way past all the shops to a snowy-white building with burnished bronze doors. The building towered over the rest of the street. Gringotts. thought Ron. His older brother Bill worked for Gringotts out in Egypt but he couldn't really remember what he did. They walked through the first set of doors and came to a second pair with words engraved upon them:
Enter stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay dearly for their turn, So if you seek below our floors, A treasure that was never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware Of finding more than treasure there.
Cool. Ron thought I wonder what guard Gringotts. They walked through these doors and came to a large marble hall full off- "Dad?" Ginny whispered just up in front "Are these all goblins?" "Yes they are." Their father replied. Ron gazed at the small little beings. if you could actually call them that. They had long fingers and feet but were short, coming up to about his shoulder, and wore Scarlet coats. After being served a goblin took them down to their vaults on a break-neck journey down narrow torch lit passages. When they arrived at the vault Rons' heart sank a little at the amount of money in it. His mother took it all out searching in every corner just to check she hadn't missed any. Then they were ushered back into the carts. Why does my family have to be so poor? Ron thought, and wondered how he might be able to help and be noticed by his own family.
End of Flashback
He hated being poor. He had always wanted the attention his brothers got. He felt so insignificant. Sometimes Harry made him feel this more so. But he and Harry were best friends even if they did argue.
Now days though he wanted the attention of a particular girl. He hated how he treated her sometimes. It was just so. well not how you'd treat someone you loved. She made him feel insignificant too. Why did everyone make him feel that way? He was cursed, but not in a boiled or warty way. Cursed to feel insignificant.
Ron scowled as the girl whos attention he craved managed to do the spell perfectly, like always. Made him sick, but somehow happy. How cheesy. Ron thought. As they got up to leave the Class, Ron joined harry and Hermione and hid his feeling like usual from them. And just hoped one day, the attention he craved would be given to him.
Flashback The warm endless calm of sleep was broken by shouts from downstairs. The boy brushed his flaming red hair out of his eyes. He found himself, like always, waking up in the bright sunlight that reflected off his bright orange walls. "Wha?" he groaned as he pulled his orange sheets off him and swung his legs out of bed, his maroon pyjamas finishing and inch above his ankles. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and stared around his room. Posters adorned his small rooms' walls with faces that continually smiled and waved at him. His bed sheets like the walls were a bright citrus orange with "Chudley Canons" written across them. He blinked trying to get used to the brightness of the room. Sun streamed in through a small window on one of his walls. "RON! Didn't you hear me! Get up breakfast is ready!" a Voice called again from downstairs "OK mum!" He called back, as he stood up and rummaged around to find some clothes. "And you've had an owl!" His mothers' voice called up again. "An owl?" Ron said to himself "Who could be sending me post?" then it struck him. He dashed around finding a T-shirt to wear and ran down the many flights of steps that the tall house contained. As he raced the bottom of the steps he could hear his mothers voice in the kitchen. "Fred. George. how many times do I have to tell you!" His mothers' voice came. As he walked quickly into the kitchen he saw his two older brothers, both of them twins, sniggering as their mother dashed round the kitchen preparing food. His mother was a plump woman with like himself fiery red hair. "Morning!" Ron said in a still sleepy voice "Morning Ronnie-kins" The twins said in unison, Mischievous smiles on their faces "Good morning dear" his mother said "your breakfast is on the table I left yo0ur owl in the front room." "Thanks mum" Ron said and wandered away from his breakfast to the front room. "Now you two." his mothers stern voice came, no doubt she was lecturing them yet again about their antics and school his mother had received, since they started school, maybe four to five owls a term about the mischief the twins had got into. As Ron walked into the front room he noticed that sitting in a chair at the far side of the room was his older brother, Percy, who was reading a book with a thick cover. Percy, like all the Weasleys' had flaming red hair. When he stood up he was tall and lank, unlike the twins who were quite short and slightly plumper than Percy and Ron. But it was the item on the coffee table that interested Ron. The envelope was thick and heavy and made of yellowish parchment, the address was written on in emerald green-ink, and no stamp.
Mr R. Weasley
The Smallest bedroom The Burrow Ottery St. Catchpole.
Ron felt his heart jump in his chest as he read the address, he had been waiting for this day for some time now, the day he would be invited to attend the best school in the whole world, just as Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins had before him. He picked the envelope up and tore it open. He pulled out a letter and read it, lavishing every word:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Weasley, We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minevera McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Ron Beamed. He had never felt better. "Hogwarts" he said "finally" he smiled down at the letter reading it again and again and again. "You got your letter then?" Percy asked looking up and lowering his book revealing a shiny badge with the letter 'P' on it. "That's good. I told you it would come eventually, and you never know, if your good you may end up being a prefect like me," he added with an air of importance. Ron rolled his eyes ever since Percy had received his owl informing him he was a prefect he had talked about it non-stop. "He's not going on about being a prefect Again is he?" asked one of the twins as they walked into the room "Oh Brilliant" said the other sarcastically as he followed the first into the room "Come on Percy tell us again that you're a perfect its 10 o'clock and you haven't told us a thousand times yet" he added "Boys! That's not nice." their mothers voice came "I think its wonderful you're a prefect darling" she added to Percy, in a tone of voice softer than it had been, then wandered over to the coffee table and picked up some dirty cups. "Mum I got my letter from Hogwarts!" Ron said excitedly, waving the letter in front of him. "That's nice dear don't forget to de-gnome the garden, it is your turn." She replied and wandered back into the kitchen with the handful of dirty cups. Rons' mood seamed to wither quicker than a flower that had been deprived of water. Its not that his mother didn't care he thought as he wondered out into the garden, but he'd always had so many siblings that it seemed he had to compete for even the tiniest bit of attention. Grabbing a gnome by its short legs he swung it around his head. I don't suppose mum should be too thrilled though, he thought, I mean there's seven of us and five have already gone to or are going to Hogwarts, why should me going be any more special? Letting go of the gnome and throwing it in a spite of anger, Ron surveyed the garden of their tall house. His brothers didn't understand him and he wouldn't talk to Ginny, the youngest of the Weasley children, because, well she wouldn't understand either. He finished de-gnoming the garden, throwing each gnome a little more violently than he usually would, and then wandered back up into his room sitting on his bed clutching the Hogwarts letter in his hands.
* * * * *
Ron had never been allowed to practice magic before this, that was why he was so thrilled that he could finally go to Hogwarts and learn. He'd been brought up around magic. His brothers Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins had all either been to Hogwarts or were presently attending it. His parents Molly and Arthur Weasley had also been to Hogwarts, and like his older brothers had been in Gryffindor, which had made him, think that this was where he would go. Not that he minded, Gryffindor was better than Slytherin, or so his brothers had told him. "Slytherins are a nasty lot Ron you don't want to go mixing with them" the Twins had told him "Ambition, that's what makes them so nasty, do anything to get their way. And when we say anything we mean anything". Lying on Rons' bed was a set of old dusty looking Robes for Hogwarts that had previously belonged to his oldest brother Bill. A wand lay by the side of the robes which Charlie, the second eldest brother, had pasted down to him. Bill was now working for Gringotts bank out in Egypt, and Charlie was studying 'Norwegian Ridgebacks' in Romania. Ron couldn't imagine what he might do when he left Hogwarts. Percy, the next oldest brother who was now a prefect, decided that he wanted to work for the Ministry of Magic, and kept telling Ron that he really should think about what he wanted to do after Hogwarts. "Its never to early to start to think about a future career" he told Ron several times a week. Ron looked out of the small window of his room. On the window ledge lay a rather fat, scrubby and worn out looking ball of fluff. This so-called ball of fluff was actually Scabbers, as Ron liked to call him, since it suited his current condition, was a rat that Percy had given him. Another pass down. Why do I get all the pass downs, thought Ron. Beyond the window was a cloudy sky but the washy sky was painted in waves of blues. Ron pulled on his top and brushed his flaming red hair out of his eyes. Today he was going to Diagon Alley to collect his schoolbooks. He looked again at the list to double check what he had and what he needed. The parchment read;
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform First-year students will require: Three sets of plain work robes (black) One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings) Please note that all pupils clothes should carry name tags.
Set Books All students should have a copy of each of the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsnius Jigger Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment 1 Wand 1 Caldron (pewter standard size 2) 1 set of glass or crystal phials 1 telescope 1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Ron stuffed the parchment in his trouser pocket and headed down the rickety stairs. Got robes, wand and pet, thought Ron, all passed down. His heart sank at the thought of the books he would acquire. His family wasn't very well off; having seven children to look after, even if the eldest two didn't live at home anymore that still left five children and the two parents. He could just imagine getting to Hogwarts now. All the other children would have neat, new uniforms while he, well he would have an old tatty passed down uniform. He sighed and stepped into the kitchen ready for an afternoon of torture and more misfortune, or at least boredom.
* * * * *
The Weasley family walked down Diagon alley, Ginny close to their mothers' side, Fred and George were whispering and snickering, Percy at the front with their father looking very pompous. Ron was walking just behind them gazing at everything in the shop windows. He couldn't remember coming down Diagon alley before and it looking so new. He supposed it was just because this time it would be his turn to get equipment for Hogwarts, even though they would be second hand. As they walked past Quality Quidditch Supplies Ron couldn't help but cast an extra long stare at the new broom in the window. 'Nimbus two thousand' the sign next to it read. The broom looked amazing and Rons spirits had just picked up when he realised he would never be able to afford one. "It's supposed to be their quickest model yet!" said a girl amongst the group of youngsters gathered around the shop window, so they could get a closer look. "And it's supposed to be lighter than other brooms isn't it? For better movement." The boy next to her asked. Ron smiled for a second. Maybe he wasn't the only one that would have to dream of having a broom like that. The Weasley family made their way past all the shops to a snowy-white building with burnished bronze doors. The building towered over the rest of the street. Gringotts. thought Ron. His older brother Bill worked for Gringotts out in Egypt but he couldn't really remember what he did. They walked through the first set of doors and came to a second pair with words engraved upon them:
Enter stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay dearly for their turn, So if you seek below our floors, A treasure that was never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware Of finding more than treasure there.
Cool. Ron thought I wonder what guard Gringotts. They walked through these doors and came to a large marble hall full off- "Dad?" Ginny whispered just up in front "Are these all goblins?" "Yes they are." Their father replied. Ron gazed at the small little beings. if you could actually call them that. They had long fingers and feet but were short, coming up to about his shoulder, and wore Scarlet coats. After being served a goblin took them down to their vaults on a break-neck journey down narrow torch lit passages. When they arrived at the vault Rons' heart sank a little at the amount of money in it. His mother took it all out searching in every corner just to check she hadn't missed any. Then they were ushered back into the carts. Why does my family have to be so poor? Ron thought, and wondered how he might be able to help and be noticed by his own family.
End of Flashback
He hated being poor. He had always wanted the attention his brothers got. He felt so insignificant. Sometimes Harry made him feel this more so. But he and Harry were best friends even if they did argue.
Now days though he wanted the attention of a particular girl. He hated how he treated her sometimes. It was just so. well not how you'd treat someone you loved. She made him feel insignificant too. Why did everyone make him feel that way? He was cursed, but not in a boiled or warty way. Cursed to feel insignificant.
Ron scowled as the girl whos attention he craved managed to do the spell perfectly, like always. Made him sick, but somehow happy. How cheesy. Ron thought. As they got up to leave the Class, Ron joined harry and Hermione and hid his feeling like usual from them. And just hoped one day, the attention he craved would be given to him.