Ch. 2 - What will Hogwarts be like?

The Burrow was always a hub of activity, with the Weasley siblings racing in and out of the house, their laughter and shouts filling the air. Among them was Ronnie, the youngest of the Weasley clan and the only girl in a sea of brothers. But anyone who thought being the only girl made her delicate or ladylike was in for a surprise.

Ronnie had always been an adorable little girl with bright red hair that her mother, Molly, loved to tie up in ribbons and bows. But as she grew older, the ribbons and bows were slowly replaced by more practical attire—often hand-me-downs from her older brothers. She preferred Bill's old shirts and Percy's outgrown sweaters, the hems of which still brushed her knees when she first wore them. They were comfortable and allowed her to move freely, something that pretty dresses and dainty shoes never did.

Molly, however, was less than thrilled about her daughter's tomboyish tendencies. She often tried to coax Ronnie into wearing the few dresses she kept in her wardrobe, hoping to see her only daughter embrace her femininity. But more often than not, Ronnie would emerge from her room in Bill's old jeans and Charlie's worn-out sneakers, her fiery hair tied back in a loose ponytail, free from any of the ribbons Molly had so carefully chosen.

One evening, as the family gathered in the living room after dinner, Molly brought out a soft yellow dress she had been saving for Ronnie. "Ronnie, dear, why don't you try this on? It's such a lovely color and would look beautiful on you."

Ronnie glanced at the dress and then at her brothers, who were lounging around in their usual mismatched clothes. She felt a twinge of discomfort at the thought of putting on something so... delicate. "Mum, it's nice, but I'm fine in what I'm wearing," she said, tugging at the hem of Bill's old jumper that hung over her slim frame.

Molly sighed, a mix of disappointment and understanding in her eyes. "I just thought you might like to wear something different occasionally. You're a beautiful young lady, Ronnie. It wouldn't hurt to show it off a bit."

Ronnie's face flushed at the mention of the word "beautiful." She had never considered herself as such. With her tall, lean frame, small chest, big hands and feet, and a face full of freckles, she felt more like one of the boys than the pretty girls she saw in town. "I'm just not really into dresses, Mum," she replied quietly, her voice laced with the insecurity she tried so hard to hide.

Bill, noticing his sister's discomfort, spoke up. "Mum, Ronnie looks great just the way she is. She's got her style, and it suits her."

Charlie, always one to defend his sister, chimed in as well. "Besides, she's the best flyer out of all of us. Those fancy dresses would slow her down."

Fred and George, whispering conspiratorially, grinned at each other before Fred added, "Yeah, and who needs dresses when you can pull off a perfect Weasley jump like Ronnie?"

Ronnie couldn't help but smile at her brothers' words. They always knew how to make her feel better, even when she was doubting herself. She was different, yes, but she was still part of this chaotic, loving family, and that was what mattered most.

Molly looked at her children, her heart swelling with love and pride. She still wished Ronnie would embrace her femininity more, but she also knew that her daughter was strong and unique, just like the rest of her boys. "Alright, alright," Molly said, waving her hands in surrender. "But if you ever want to wear something nice, Ronnie, you know where to find me."

Ronnie nodded, grateful for her mother's understanding. "Thanks, Mum. I'll keep that in mind."

As the years passed, Ronnie's tomboyish style became even more ingrained. She is now eleven and grew tall for a girl her age, though still shorter than her brothers, and her preference for masculine clothing never wavered. She felt more at ease in Charlie's old Quidditch robes and Fred and George's oversized jumpers than she ever did in the rare dresses her mother would occasionally bring out. Her long limbs, small chest, and freckled complexion were a constant reminder that she didn't fit the mold of traditional beauty, but with her brother's support, she learned to accept herself for who she was.

Even though she was self-conscious about her height and features, Ronnie found solace in the fact that she could keep up with her brothers in almost everything they did. Whether it was playing Quidditch in the fields behind The Burrow, wrestling with Fred and George, or helping her father tinker with Muggle contraptions in the shed, Ronnie was always in the thick of things, never once feeling like she was missing out because she wasn't like the other girls.

And though Molly still harbored dreams of seeing her daughter in a beautiful dress, she knew that Ronnie was carving out her path, just like every other Weasley child before her. It wasn't the path Molly had envisioned, but it was Ronnie's, and that was enough.

One day, as the family sat around the table for dinner, Molly looked at her daughter, now a young girl about to start her Hogwarts journey, with the same bright blue eyes she had as a toddler. "You know, Ronnie, you may not see it, but you are beautiful. Inside and out."

Ronnie paused, her fork halfway to her mouth, and smiled softly. "Thanks, Mum. I'm happy with who I am."

At that moment, Molly knew that her daughter was exactly where she needed to be—strong, confident, and loved, just as she was.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the grassy fields surrounding The Burrow. The Weasley family stood near the garden, a mix of emotions hanging in the air as they prepared to say goodbye to Bill and Charlie. Ronnie stood beside her parents, Percy, Fred, and George, her heart heavy as she watched her two oldest brothers ready their portkeys.

Bill, the eldest, had an easy smile, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. He was returning to Egypt, where his work as a Curse Breaker for Gringotts awaited him. Charlie, his red hair tied back in a messy ponytail, was about to embark on a new adventure as a Dragon Magizoologist in Romania. They stood tall and confident, but Ronnie knew they were just as reluctant to leave as she was to see them go.

Ronnie tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but it only seemed to grow. She had always looked up to Bill and Charlie, their presence in the house a constant source of comfort and protection. As they prepared to leave, she felt a pang of loneliness beginning to creep in.

Bill looked down at Ronnie's level, touching her shoulder gently. "Hey, don't look so sad, Ronniekins," he said softly, using the nickname that never failed to make her smile. "I'll be back before you know it. And I promise I'll write as often as I can."

Charlie stepped closer, his rugged, dragon-taming persona giving way to the big brother who had always looked out for her. "And I'll send you stories about all the dragons I meet. Maybe even a dragon scale or two if I can manage it."

Ronnie nodded, her eyes brimming with tears she didn't want to shed. "You both better keep those promises," she said, her voice shaky. "I'm going to miss you so much."

Bill hugged her tight, ruffling her hair the way he always did. "We'll miss you too, Ronnie. But you've got Percy, Fred, and George to look after you at Hogwarts. You'll be fine."

Charlie joined the hug, wrapping his arms around them both. "And don't forget, you're a Weasley. You're tough, just like the rest of us."

Percy, standing nearby with his usual composed demeanor, stepped forward. "We'll make sure she's all set for Hogwarts," he promised sternly. "She's going to do great."

Fred and George, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally chimed in. "Don't worry, Ron-Ron," Fred said with a wink. "We'll keep an eye on you."

"Yeah, and maybe we'll even show you a few secret passageways," George added with a mischievous grin. "You'll be the most well-connected first year at Hogwarts."

Ronnie managed a small smile. The thought of exploring Hogwarts with Fred and George eased some of her anxiety. She hugged Bill and Charlie one last time, clinging to them for a moment longer before finally letting go.

"Take care of yourselves," Arthur said, his voice filled with pride and a touch of sadness. "And don't forget to write. Your mother will be worrying otherwise."

Molly, tears in her eyes, pulled Bill and Charlie into a hug that only a mother could give. "You boys, be safe," she whispered. "Remember, no matter where you are, you'll always have a home here."

With final goodbyes said, Bill and Charlie each took hold of their portkeys—Bill's an old brass key, and Charlie's a dragon-shaped amulet. They gave one last wave before the portkeys activated, whisking them away in a blur of color and wind.

The Weasley family stood silently for a moment; the spot where Bill and Charlie had stood was now empty. The usual chaos of The Burrow seemed muted as if the house itself was mourning their departure. Ronnie felt the stillness settle around her, starkly contrasting to the lively noise that usually filled their home.

As they returned to The Burrow, Ronnie noticed how different everything felt. The house, which had always been bustling with noise and energy, now seemed quieter—almost too quiet. The laughter and chatter usually echoed through the walls were subdued, with only six people left.

That night, as Ronnie lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside her. Hogwarts was just around the corner, and soon, she would join her brothers at the school she had heard so much about. But the thought of Bill and Charlie being so far away made her chest ache with a loneliness she hadn't anticipated.

She turned onto her side, pulling the blanket up to her chin. In a few days, she would be heading to Diagon Alley with her parents and her remaining three older brothers to get her school supplies. The thought of picking out her wand, seeing the shops, and getting her own Hogwarts robes was thrilling but also daunting.

"What will Hogwarts be like?" she whispered, the question lingering in the room's stillness. Would she be sorted into Gryffindor like the rest of her family? Would she make friends? Would she live up to the Weasley name?

Ronnie closed her eyes, trying to push the doubts aside. Bill, Charlie Percy, Fred, and George all believed in her. After all, she was a Weasley, which meant she was ready for whatever Hogwarts had in store.

But as sleep finally began to take her, she couldn't shake the feeling that the house—her home—would never feel the same without Bill and Charlie filling it with their laughter and warmth.

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