Chapter 17: Preparing for the Future

The days leading up to Hogwarts seemed to pass in a blur. While the rest of the Weasley family carried on with the usual excitement and preparations, Ron's thoughts were elsewhere. His new wand felt like a natural extension of himself now, the Enhanced Crafting ability making it far more responsive and powerful than any wand he could've bought from Ollivander.

But power alone wasn't enough.

Ron had made it clear to himself that he wasn't going to settle for being the "sidekick" or the quiet Weasley boy at Hogwarts. He had a plan now—one that went beyond just surviving his first year. He would excel, he would lead, and he would carve out a path that was entirely his own. But the challenge lay in balancing that ambition with keeping certain abilities hidden. Hogwarts was full of sharp-eyed professors and clever students, and any slip-up could expose his secrets before he was ready.

Sitting at his desk, Ron carefully opened the new book he'd purchased in Diagon Alley: Advanced Spellwork and Enchantments: A Comprehensive Guide to Unorthodox Magic. As he flipped through the pages, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was where he would gain an edge—learning spells and techniques that went beyond the first-year curriculum.

The first few chapters focused on basic principles of enchanting, covering concepts Ron was already familiar with thanks to his Crafting ability. But as he read on, the book delved deeper into more complex spells—silent casting, spell layering, and even ways to modify existing spells for more specialized uses.

Ron leaned forward, absorbing every detail. These weren't things they would teach at Hogwarts, at least not in the first year. But if he could master some of these concepts early, he'd be ahead of the game.

Later that day, as the Burrow bustled with last-minute preparations for the new school year, Ron found a quiet moment to slip outside. The sky was a clear blue, and the gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the trees surrounding the house. It was the perfect setting to try out some of the techniques he had just read about.

Standing in the clearing near the woods, Ron took out his wand and focused on one of the simpler spells from the book—silent casting. Most wizards, especially those just starting out, relied heavily on incantations to cast spells. But true mastery came when you could perform magic without uttering a word.

Ron's goal was simple: cast a basic Lumos without speaking the incantation.

He closed his eyes, letting his focus center on the wand and the magic flowing through him. He pictured the spell forming in his mind, imagining the soft light that would spring from the tip of his wand. But he kept his lips sealed, relying purely on intention and control.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, slowly, a faint glow began to form at the tip of the wand, flickering softly like a candle in the wind. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

Ron grinned. Silent casting was far more difficult than he had anticipated, but the fact that he had managed even a flicker on his first attempt was encouraging. He spent the next hour practicing, each time focusing on a different spell—Lumos, Wingardium Leviosa, and even the explosive Expulso he had used on the tree. The results varied, but with every attempt, Ron felt his control improving.

This was the kind of preparation that would set him apart at Hogwarts.

By the time he returned to the house, it was clear that his brothers were gearing up for the journey to King's Cross the next day. Fred and George were sitting at the kitchen table, sketching out what Ron could only assume was a new prank, while Percy, ever the serious one, was double-checking his prefect badge for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"Ready for your big day, Ronniekins?" Fred asked with a smirk as Ron entered the kitchen.

Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm ready."

George grinned, clearly impressed with Ron's new attitude. "That's the spirit. Don't worry, Hogwarts is great. You'll probably only get lost... twice."

Fred nodded seriously. "Maybe three times, if you're unlucky."

Despite himself, Ron smiled. The twins were relentless in their teasing, but he wasn't going to let it bother him. Not this time.

"What about you?" Percy asked, his voice slightly more measured. "Have you thought about what subjects you're going to focus on?"

Ron shrugged casually, though the truth was, he had thought about it—a lot. "I'll take everything seriously," he said, trying not to sound too specific. "But I'm interested in Defense Against the Dark Arts, for sure."

Fred snorted. "A future Auror in the making?"

Ron just smiled. He wasn't about to spill his entire plan to his brothers, not yet. They'd find out soon enough.

The next morning came quickly, and before Ron knew it, they were on their way to King's Cross Station. The familiar excitement of the Weasley family filled the air as they navigated the busy platform, but Ron's thoughts were firmly fixed on what awaited him at Hogwarts.

As they stood in front of the barrier to Platform 9 ¾, Molly turned to Ron, her expression softening. "Now, Ron, you've got everything, right? You'll write home, won't you?"

Ron nodded, feeling a mix of affection and impatience. "Yeah, Mum. I've got everything."

Molly smiled, though her eyes were filled with the familiar worry she had for all her children. "I'm proud of you," she said quietly.

Ron felt a twinge of guilt for how he'd handled things with her earlier, but he pushed it aside. This was his path now. "Thanks, Mum."

As they passed through the barrier, the familiar sight of the Hogwarts Express greeted them. The bright red train stood proudly on the tracks, steam billowing into the air as students bustled around, greeting old friends and finding their compartments.

For a moment, Ron felt a surge of nerves. This was it—the real start of his journey. But the nerves quickly faded, replaced by the calm confidence that had grown inside him over the past few weeks. He wasn't the same person he had been before. He was ready for whatever Hogwarts had to throw at him.

He boarded the train with his brothers, but once inside, he quickly made an excuse to find his own compartment. He needed time to think, to plan. The last thing he wanted was to sit with Fred, George, or Percy the entire ride. He needed space to himself.

Settling into an empty compartment, Ron stared out the window as the train began its journey north. He knew the year ahead would be filled with challenges—new classes, new people, and new opportunities. But unlike most of the other students, Ron had a secret weapon: the system, his Crafting ability, and now the knowledge he had gained from his new books.

He pulled the advanced spellwork book from his bag, flipping through the pages once more. Silent casting, spell modification, enchantments—there was so much to learn, but Ron had never felt more prepared. His future was his to shape, and he intended to make the most of it.

The sound of footsteps in the corridor interrupted his thoughts. A few moments later, the door to his compartment slid open, and a boy with messy black hair and round glasses stood in the doorway, looking slightly unsure of himself.

"Mind if I sit here?" the boy asked, glancing around at the empty compartment.

Ron smiled, nodding. "Sure, go ahead."

The boy sat down across from him, setting his trunk and a snowy owl's cage beside him. He looked around nervously before finally speaking.

"I'm Harry," he said, offering a small smile.

Ron's heart skipped a beat. Harry Potter. He had been so focused on his own plans that he had nearly forgotten the meta-knowledge that had come with his arrival in this world. This boy sitting across from him wasn't just anyone. He was the Boy Who Lived.

"I'm Ron," he replied, smiling back. "Ron Weasley."

And just like that, the next chapter of his life began.