When he was first asked about what it was that drew him to the role of that beloved redheaded protector of Gryffindor house, that was the answer young Ruaidhri Eoghan Sweyn gave. He replied with all the earnestness and enthusiasm that a sweet young Welshman like himself could ever muster. He was smiling wide and toothy and anxious, a bright flush of excitement overtaking his ruddy complexion and only serving to exacerbated the tangled mess of copper-hued hair that could put even Harry Potter's wildest bouts of bedhead to shame. In later years, that same excitable young boy would grow to be known by millions of fans worldwide as Rory Owens: the renowned actor who made the character of Ron Weasley his very own, over the span of eight films, in a beloved book-to-film series that took over a decade to portray and perfect.

While Rory has hardly any memories of substance regarding his biological father, a man who left the Sweyn family behind in the early years of his offspring's youth, the same can not be said for Catrin Browne (formerly Sweyn). Of the memories and fond stories he shares with his steadfast and strong-willed mother (and there are very many), almost all of them are set with a backdrop of burgeoning bookshelves and well-worn, well-loved literary classics. The absence of his father was not something that Rory ever felt too keenly, nor was it mourned for a prolonged period of time, seeing as his step-father Rhys became part of the equation with all the grace and natural inclination that a young boy could ever hope for out of a surrogate father figure. A professor of linguistics and a fellow self-proclaimed book-lover, Rhys and Catrin were wonderfully matched and the househould they created together was a happy one, full of children and literature and a love of knowledge, intelligent debate, and learning. Both of Rory's parents were scholars in every sense of the word, always placing an immense emphasis on education and higher learning in all regards, always hoping to foster a love of learning in all their children. To say that they were a family of bookworms would perhaps be a disservice due to the negative connotations, but they were deep thinkers and passionate educators without any shadow of a doubt. Catrin and Rhys were indeed the sort to enjoy quiet, peaceful interactions and intellectually stimulating debates and discussions, but their children especially were known to thrive in the midst of bustling, high-maintenance, high-pressure social situations.

…and yet, they couldn't help their feelings of concern and trepidation on the day Rory came bursting into the kitchen after a half-hearted day of school, announcing to the family and to the whole wide world that he was going to be Ronald Weasley. Needless to say, there was much confusion at first, followed by brief attempts at explaining to their son that Ron was a fictional character, but Rory countered with an excited explanation of his own. The books that his parents had to read to him before bed, they were going to be made into a series of films, and there wasn't a single solitary doubt in his mind that the role of Ron Weasley had been made specifically for him. His parents were at first hesitant at the idea of letting him go to the auditions, concerned that their enthusiastic young son didn't fully understand what sort of life he'd possibly be getting himself into and the crushing level of rejection and disappointment he was inevitably going to experience in the process. After all, what adolescent boy could truly understand the magnitude of such a choice? But Rory was determined to at least try, come hell or high water. He was going to be Ronald Weasley, just wait and see.

Of course, the intense casting process wasn't nearly as cooperative as Rory might have hoped for, as he found continually shouldered into reading for a variety of other characters - Harry, Neville, Malfoy, even Colin Creevey. He grew more and more distraught and discouraged as the sinking realisation gradually set roots in his mind: maybe his goal of playing one of Gryffindor's finest wasn't his destiny after all, not like he had believed it to be. But all it took was a seemingly innocuous phone call made one fateful afternoon to put every single one of his creeping, gnawing fears to rest. It was the one and only Ms. Rowling on the line, and she was telling little Rory that he had been handpicked to play the role of Ron Weasley.

There were no words to describe what Rory felt upon hearing those words, just as there were no words that could possibly prepare him for just how thoroughly this moment would impact and shape his entire life.

...in retrospect, knowing all he does now, Rory can't help but feel a little bit silly and a little bit embarrassed at just how relieved his younger self was upon hearing Jo's voice congratulating him on a job well done. At how utterly invincible he felt as she conveyed to him all the faith and conviction she had in his ability to bring one of her most beloved creations to life. He remembers a distinct, naive sense of accomplishment. He remembers fully, truly believing that the hardest part was finally over now. The audition process was done. He had won the part he was born to play. He remembers thinking that it would all be easier for him from this point forward.

Nowadays, Rory knows just naive and ill-informed he had been once that phone call had been made. But with all the challenges and thrills and lessons learned on the Potter set finally behind him, Rory cannot for a moment deny that he's now a stronger, smarter, better man than he ever could have been otherwise. Working on the Harry Potter films for as long as he had (he's one of only 14 cast members to appear in all 8 films) instilled within him a profound appreciation for teamwork, togetherness, and trust. And now with the true end of the Potter era behind him, Rory has been working diligently and passionately to prove his worth. More than ever before, he has been determined and dedicated to the task of showing just how much he has to offer, that his capabilities extend even further than what audiences were privy to with his performance in the magical film series. Much like Ron was always striving to be seen as more than just another Weasley, Rory continues to make significant progress towards being seen as more than just another child actor, as more than just another one of those kids from those Hogwarts movies. Earlier this year he took a dip into the world of R-rated humor with a small but memorable role in the frat boy vs. family man comedy Neighbors. And last but not least, it was recently confirmed that Rory will be returning to theaters - not a long, long time ago and not in a galaxy far, far away - with a key role in the upcoming reboot of the truly iconic Star Wars film franchise.

And while Rory Owens may have played an integral role in shaping the character of Ron Weasley, all those who truly know him know that the experiences and lessons learned while part of such a stunning, all-encompassing phenomena shaped him in more ways than he could ever really fathom. He regards each and every member of the Harry Potter cast and crew as an inextricable, invaluable member of his life. They're his family. Now and forever, to the very end.