Ron Weasley: Resurgence of the Redhead

The journey begins

The next morning dawned beautifully, casting a warm, golden light into Ron's room. He had overslept a bit, waking up at 7 am, which was later than his usual time. The Hogwarts Express was scheduled to depart at 11, and they needed to be at the station around 10:30. Ron savored a scrumptious breakfast before heading upstairs to double-check if he had packed everything.

The Weasley household, as always, was a scene of bustling chaos. "Mom, have you seen my charms book?" Percy shouted from one corner. "I can't find my socks!" Fred exclaimed in a state of panic. Molly was seemingly in five places at once, trying to get everything in order. She admonished them exasperatedly, "I told you to pack your bags by yesterday!"

With the Weasley household in a frenzy, Ron gallantly stepped forward to take the initiative and make his own lunch, to reduce the pressure on his mother, Molly. "Allow me, Mum," he offered with a warm smile. Molly, bustling about, paused for a moment, her eyes filled with appreciation. ""You're so sweet, Ron. Thank you so much, dearie. You go ahead and make your own lunch; I'll manage the rest," she replied gratefully. Ron was delighted; he had successfully dodged the prospect of another lackluster corned beef sandwich for his midday meal.

Eager and determined, Ron embarked on the task of crafting his most favorite salad. He was planning to share with Harry on the train. Ron hoped Harry would like it too. In a bowl, he artfully combined balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, a sprinkle of salt, and a dash of pepper. With finesse, he poured olive oil into the mix, whisking it until the concoction achieved a velvety, harmonious texture. He then combined an array of ingredients for the body of the salad: mixed greens, plump and ripe tomatoes, dried apricots, crimson cranberries, succulent raisins, and a generous portion of chopped walnuts. These elements swirled together in a vivid tapestry of colors and flavors as he expertly tossed them with the vinaigrette, all crowned by the delicate addition of soft goat cheese. Ron carefully nestled this culinary masterpiece into a lunchbox, casting a wandless preserving charm to ensure the salad remained crisp and inviting.

Now, Ron turned his culinary attention to the sandwichs. He toasted slices of bread to a golden perfection before generously spreading a thin layer of butter on both sides. Precision was key as he adorned one slice with a silky swath of mayonnaise. Layer upon layer, he assembled his creation: fresh, crisp lettuce leaves, succulent tomato slices, a pinch of salt and pepper to elevate the flavors, followed by the crispy allure of bacon strips. The pièce de résistance included layers of cheddar cheese, tender turkey, and flavorful ham. Ron took another slice of bread, adorned it with mayo, and then crowned his towering masterpiece, completing the sandwich.

But Ron wasn't done yet. He repeated this sandwich-making artistry three more times, ensuring that there will be sufficient food between the two of them. With the long train ride ahead, Ron was determined to not let his friend go hungry.

For dessert, Ron scooped our a generous portion of leftover treacle tart from yesterdays dinner, Harry's absolute favorite. It was carefully placed alongside the meticulously crafted sandwiches. Ron took extra care to pack the extra utensils and dishware securely in his trunk.

By the time everyone rushed out the door, it was already 10:20, making them quite late. Ron couldn't help but feel that this hectic morning was a scene straight out of his past experiences.

As they finally reached the station, Molly checked if everyone had their trunks and owls. Trying to cheer up Ginny, who was feeling left out, she asked, "Now, what's the platform number?"

Ginny eagerly piped up, "Nine and three-quarters!"

As the Weasley family made their way towards the barrier, Ron's curious gaze swept through the bustling crowd. Amidst the commotion of the busy train station, his heart somersaulted when he spotted a figure that stood out—a small, scrawny figure who seemed oddly out of place.