Hidden problems

When the Weasley family learned of Barnaby's offer to make Ron a proper and FREE wand, Arthur quickly used his extensive contacts over the years to obtain the wand's core for his son. Molly went out to the garden with a determined look while carrying a saw forty meters long in her hands, scaring the garden gnomes!

Did I say forty meters? I meant forty centimeters...

Three days later, Barnaby received the materials from Ron in a carefully wrapped package and began working on the wand during his free time while Sanshi watched the process with curiosity.

By the time he finished, he had a wand the same size as the previous one so Ron could quickly adapt to handling it. The wand was made of wood with a smoothly polished surface and clearly visible grain. Towards the tip, Barnaby decided to enhance it a bit more to make it a true Christmas surprise, adding a small elegant metal frame and finishing the tip with a bluish quartz crystal, giving it an elegant and powerful impression.

This wouldn't change the wand's performance or anything like that, but Ron's self-esteem would likely improve upon seeing the special effects, slightly boosting his much-needed confidence.

Once finished, Barnaby wrapped it in a gift box, wrote Ron Weasley's name on it, and placed it on the shelf where he usually prepared Christmas gifts throughout the year, ready to be sent when the time came.

While Barnaby was working on Ron's wand, Harry tried out for the Quidditch team this year and secured a spot as Seeker for the Gryffindor team. He was happy but also regretted not being able to feel this sensation of flying more often last year.

It was especially annoying when Malfoy got the same position on the Slytherin team, not by passing a tryout, but because of his father's generous donation in the form of Nimbus 2001 brooms for the entire team.

But things got out of hand when Malfoy was harshly criticized by Hermione, which enraged him, and he ended up calling her a "Mudblood" in front of many people.

Harry didn't know what it meant, but that didn't mean others didn't. Ron tried to curse Malfoy for that affront to his friend, but he ended up being a victim of his own curse, continuously vomiting slugs into a bucket.

"I told you not to use too much magic," Barnaby repeated for the fourth time while reassembling the broken wand as best he could, again.

"Blegh!" was Ron's only response.

"Better out than in," Hagrid patted Ron's back while he suffered the consequences of his actions.

"But why did Ron get so angry when Malfoy called Hermione that?" asked Harry, puzzled.

"It's because the term 'Mudblood' is a great insult, terribly derogatory and cynical towards Muggle-born wizards," Barnaby explained as he finished his work and stood up to approach Ron. "In fact, it's used for any human whose parents aren't both a 'pureblood' wizard and witch, meaning the majority of the current magical population in Britain and the world."

"No one who uses those words lightly is a good person, Harry," commented Hagrid as he took the slug-filled bucket away.

"Here, swallow this," Barnaby held Ron's jaw from below and uncorked a bottle with his thumb, forcing the carbonated potion down his throat and making Ron gulp it down.

After changing colors a few times, Ron stopped vomiting slugs with a loud burp that made the cabin shake.

"What kind of potion did you give him?" asked Harry.

"Apple cider vinegar, soda, Himalayan salt, and pickled cucumber juice," Barnaby said as he set the empty bottle aside. "It's not really a potion per se, but for curses like this, it usually eliminates most of them. If it doesn't work, you just have to wait for the effects to wear off."

"Thanks, the feeling of slugs in my throat is simply disgusting," said Ron, his voice a bit hoarse from the concoction.

"It's nothing," Barnaby waved his hand dismissively as he took a seat. "In fact, I wanted to talk to you."

"To me?" Ron pointed to himself with his finger. "Are you sure it's not Harry?"

"Does Harry have a little sister named Ginny?"

"What do you want with Ginny?" Ron suddenly became defensive, activating his big brother instincts.

"I understand she's friends with Luna Lovegood, correct?" Barnaby sought confirmation to avoid mistakes.

"Well, yes," admitted Ron as he relaxed, realizing his little sister didn't seem to be the target. "The Lovegoods are our neighbors, and Luna is the only girl her age she could spend time with, so they're quite good friends."

"What do you know about their parents?"

Ron was a bit puzzled by the question but explained Luna's father's profession, her mother's accident, and some of their strange customs.

"Barnaby, why do you want to know all that?" asked Harry.

Hagrid's son hesitated for a minute before explaining honestly.

"Luna has a serious problem that worsens over time, and I want to help her, but I don't know her, and if she finds out what I want to do, it'll only degrade her situation faster."

Even Ron realized what he wanted to do.

"You want me to talk to Ginny to help you with Luna?" Weasley asked, almost affirming the facts. "But even though she acts strangely, I don't remember her being sick."

Luna had come over to play with his sister many times, but she wasn't sickly.

"What kind of problem does she have?" asked Hagrid, puzzled.

This time Barnaby remained silent and didn't answer, making the cabin's air tense and heavy as the children realized it had to be something really serious.

"How can I help her?" Ron swallowed and asked nervously but determined to help his little sister's friend. "What do you need me to do?"

Barnaby sighed with relief upon hearing Ron.

"You just have to..."