Ron didn't move, too busy staring at the strange red haired man. Clearly there was no short supply of the vibrant color here. So why were people so transfixed with his color?

"Hello?"

"Sorry," Ron said quickly, "He introduced himself on the train to me as Draco Malfoy. Blonde hair, pointy face, drawled voice, has the personality of a drama queen," he described, not wanting to think about that weasel faced boy.

"Lucius Malfoy's son?" Charlie asked Dumbledore, "I didn't realize he would be coming to Hogwarts this year. Pity. Fred and George are going to have a field day."

Ron furrowed his brows. The stalker twins knew this man? Then again, they seemed to know everyone pretty well sans the first years.

"Ah yes. Missers Weasley have already been active in their merriment. As for Mister Malfoy, he is in the same class as Mister Weasley here," Dumbledore stated redirecting the conversation to the youngest red haired male in the room. The scarred red head looked back at Ron. He gave a warm grin, extending his arm, he said, "Hello Ron, my name is Charlie Weasley."

"One, Professor Dumbledore, I am not a Weasley. I go by Whetley if any last name. Two, how did you know my name?" Ron questioned Charlie.

"Oh, Percy talked about you in his letter. That and I heard Professor Dumbledore call you that when you walked in," he stated offhandedly. Ron had a confused look on his face.

"Percy the Prefect? Why would he send you a letter?"

"He's one of my little brothers," Charlie explained.

"Wait! I get it now. You, and the three red heads in Gryffindor are all related. So because of my hair... You think I'm somehow related to all of you."

"That would be the case Ronald," Dumbledore interrupted. Ron furrowed his brows.

"Doubtful," was all he said. Charlie had a confused look on his face.

"Doubtful?"

"Yes. If a parent keeps four children and gets rid of one then the circumstance doesn't seem to match. Maybe if it was the first child and originally an accident then maybe, but hardly does the youngest end up left," he had heard enough to know, "And given this strange magical mumbo-jumbo I doubt that if I were born magical I would be in an orphanage if I had living relatives."

"...You sure the hat said Gryffindor?"

"Indeed Mister Weasley."

"He sounds like a Ravenclaw."

"And you sound bloody insane," Ron interjected, "Professor Dumbledore, could we please just get to my punishment so I can go?"

"In a moment. Would you care for a lemon drop?"

Ron's nose wrinkled in disgust at the muggle candy. He recalled a Halloween where he had eaten too many of the sour-sweet treats and had fallen ill by the next morning. Though, that could have been a reaction from one of the kids telling him there was a spider on one of them. He didn't know.

"No thanks. Not to be rude, but stranger danger and all that."

"Stranger danger?" Charlie questioned.

"Don't take candy from strangers? Constant vigilance?"

"Constant vigilance? You know Mad-eye?"

"Professor? May I have my punishment now?" he asked wanting to get away from the scarred Charlie Weasley.

"Very well. You shall serve detention with Professor McGonagall tonight at seven sharp."

"Thank you Professor," Ron said rushing out of the room. Charlie blinked in confusion. Wasn't he an odd one? Then again, it seemed as though he was raised by muggles. He pursed his lips together.

"Does Hagrid need any help this year?" he asked innocently. His eyes were ablaze with an ambition that would make a Slytherin proud. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled back.

"I am sure Hagrid would be thrilled to have your assistance this year Mister Weasley. As your brothers do not seem to wish to stay away from the Forbidden forest."

"Of course Professor."

"Albus. I am no longer your Professor Mister Weasley."

"Then you'll call me Charlie. Four student Weasleys are confusing enough."

"Very well Charlie. I shall inform the elves of your arrival and your much needed seat at the staff's table."

"I'm telling you Harry, something is off with this school."

"I think it has something to do with the third floor corridor," Harry stated. Ron furrowed his brow before remembering how much trouble they got in when they were lost and tried to get in.

"Well there is that."

"Don't even think about going there!" Hermione hissed at them,"You've already gotten into trouble by fighting and you'll lose all the points I've earned by knowing about switching spells."

Harry remained passive while Ron rolled his eyes. Hermione was a smart, if not bossy girl. Though she didn't seem to understand that a simple passing of message did not mean they were going to do something. It was simple acknowledgment. Though considering that they had lost points for attempting to get in there when they were lost would raise suspicion.

"We weren't mum," Ron replied. Hermione huffed in annoyance.

"Don't sass me like that. You reply to mother that way?" she questioned. Ron shrugged his shoulders.

"Never met her. Could have blown up in a car crash for all I know."

"Oh! I'm so sorry," she said softly. Ron shrugged his shoulders. Didn't matter a whole lot. He came to school to learn about any connections to family. But after hearing the preachiness of the importance of blood he doubted he came from a magical family. He didn't want to leave though. The food was too good to pass up.

And the classes weren't too bad either. He rather enjoyed potions. Once he got past the greasy dungeon bat. It reminded him of being a mad scientist. Lots of explosions and precise decisions. Like a violent game of chess... With guns instead of swords.

Speaking of which, "See you later. I have detention with Professor McGonagall tonight."

Ron left the common room and began his journey to the transfiguration room.

It didn't take all that long, and inside was a well known tabby.

"Evening Professor. Fancy a game of chess?"

So... Yeah. Um... Review?