The Daily Prophet interview with Erwin wasn't lengthy, but the response it ignited was extraordinary.
In an ordinary wizarding household, a father set down his newspaper and looked at his wife.
"My dear, I've made a decision."
The witch smiled, placing a finger gently on her husband's lips. "I understand. Go. The Cavendish family is different from those traditional pure-blood families. They truly care about us common wizards and can offer a stable future. If the wizarding world needs leadership, that leadership should be the Cavendish family." She paused, her eyes shining with conviction. "And you, my love—if you can help build the Cavendish vision, then go. I'll be waiting for you here."
The wizard's eyes reddened. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I will do my best. For you, for the wizarding world, for everything we believe in."
"I believe in you," she whispered. "Your future shouldn't be confined to these walls."
Similar scenes unfolded across the country. On that day, the ranks of the Cavendish family swelled significantly.
At the Burrow, the Weasleys sat around the dining table, newspapers spread out before them. Fred, George, Ginny, and Percy observed the interview with Erwin—or rather, the young man they used to know—while Molly read the text aloud.
When she finished, she set the paper down with a sigh. "That boy! He looks so exhausted! It breaks my heart. If his parents could see him..."
Arthur sighed. "I never imagined their son would become so influential. The Cavendish family is the undisputed leader of the wizarding world now. They must be proud."
Molly glared at him. "Arthur! Is that all you have to say? Look at the state he's in! He's endured so much, and you're praising the outcome without acknowledging the sacrifice? How can you face the man who saved your life and say that? Have you forgotten his kindness?"
Arthur flinched.
Molly pressed on, her voice trembling with emotion. "Even if you've forgotten his help with securing your position, look at Ron! If it weren't for Erwin's mercy, Ron would have been expelled—or worse! Erwin concealed the Chamber of Secrets incident! He saved Ron and Ginny from Azkaban!"
Arthur was speechless, shrinking under her words.
The twins exchanged amused glances, occasionally snickering. Percy stared at the paper with a mixture of longing and envy—he would have given anything for Erwin's standing. Ginny, meanwhile, was lost in thought, propping her head on her hand, her eyes fixed on Erwin's image in the paper. The young girl was clearly infatuated.
After reducing Arthur to silence, Molly scanned the table. "Where's Ron? Fred, George—have you seen him?"
"We're George and he's Fred," they said in unison.
Molly rubbed her temples. "Fine. Did you see him?"
"I saw him leave this morning," George (or possibly Fred) offered. "But I've no idea where he went."
"Go find him," Molly commanded. "Lunch is almost ready."
"On it! Just remember, I really am George!" The twins grabbed their brooms and dashed out before Molly could correct them again.
She sighed, rubbing her forehead. It was always her responsibility to hold the family together. Arthur was uncomfortable with confrontation, Percy was dreaming of Ministry advancement, and Ginny was fixated on the newspaper. Molly sighed again. Someone had to maintain order.
Meanwhile, the twins didn't actually search for Ron.
"Why should we?" Fred asked, tossing his broom into the air. "He's not a child. We can take a quick flight and be back for lunch."
George laughed, mounting his own broom. "Brilliant! I knew you'd think exactly what I was thinking!"
With a whoop, they launched into the sky, leaving the Burrow behind.
A mile away, in a desolate valley, Ron sat on a jagged rock, his expression dark.
He felt like he'd lost everything. His family, his friends, even Harry—they all spoke of Erwin with reverence. At Hogwarts, he was invisible, ignored by everyone, even by his former best friend. He lashed the ground with a willow branch, his voice a low, venomous hiss.
"Damn Erwin Cavendish. Damn Harry Potter. Damn Hermione Granger. Damn Draco Malfoy. You all deserve to suffer. The whole lot of you." He spat into the dirt. "And Dumbledore... he knew I was telling the truth. Why didn't he help me? Why did my family believe them instead of me? Damn it all!"
His muttering grew more frantic. His eyes glazed over, his anger festering into something darker. He didn't notice the wisp of black smoke drifting down from the sky, drawn to his rage like a moth to a flame. It coiled around him for a moment before seeping into his skin.
Ron's pupils turned pitch black for a split second, then returned to normal. He didn't notice. He just kept striking the earth with his branch, venting his frustration.
Behind him, the shadows deepened. A pair of blood-red eyes glowed within the darkness, observing him with cold calculation.
Inside the Cavendish manor, Erwin sat by the fireplace, a book resting on his lap. He paused mid-page, his finger hovering over the text.
"Hmm?" A faint smirk touched his lips. "He actually manifested? Did the contingency I planted on Ron activate?"
He tapped the table twice. The door opened, and Old Tom entered silently.
"Master."
"Send word to the operatives near the Burrow," Erwin ordered, his voice calm. "Maintain close surveillance on Ron Weasley. I want to know if he exhibits any unusual behavior."
Old Tom hesitated, though only for a fraction of a second. He didn't understand why the Master was interested in such an unremarkable boy, but he knew better than to question orders. Curiosity was a luxury he couldn't afford.
"As you wish, Master," Tom replied, bowing before retreating from the room.
Erwin leaned back, his gaze shifting to the fire. The experiment was progressing faster than expected. Ron Weasley was about to become far more interesting than he had ever been.