Disclaimer: I never owned Harry Potter. Because if I'll claim it again, JK will send me to Azkaban! I don't want there so… Harry Potter is not mine.
Author's Note: I'm so sorry if it took me a while to update the story. I think, I owe you, guys an explanation. My original plan was to update this last October. I thought I saved this chapter to my computer but it wasn't there so I have to look for the written draft of my story. It took me almost two months to find this and now, I'm updating it! Plus I watched GoF so I wasn't able to type it… I hope you all enjoy the movie.
Anyways, this is the 2nd to the last chapter… yes, it is. I'm not really fond of writing long stories because my readers will be the victims. I don't want you to be bored if I lacked of ideas or discontinue my story. Plus, some of the long stories are great at first but as the chapter number increases, the story is very far to the original concept it had. But I'm trying to write a good but long story. But I'm only on the 5th chapter.
Before I start, I would like to thank my precious critics for their reviews on the previous chapter: Search for Ron Weasley's Body.
o ginny-wannabee: updated, mate! And there's still a conversation at the bottom!
o 2InsanitiesIn1: Thank you so much!
o dancerrw: I hope you liked the twist.
o margo: thank you!
o hermionegarner: yeah! Finally! I also love Won-Won!
o glasstears: thank you very much for the great review!
o anne: sorry for the wrong grammars. As I've said, English is not my main language but I'm trying my best to improve.
o natalie: thank you! Sorry if the one you said didn't happen here but I'll keep that in mind.
o BallerinasROCK!: thanks!
o sammy: thanks and now, updated… don't worry…
o myfriendishyper: I really don't mind the caps lock, dear.
o Tears from blue eyes: Yes, he is alive! And I love this new pen name of yours. It's so romantic for me! ;-)
o soccerfreek324: very brilliant, indeed. HBP, I mean.
o violet snicker: thank you so much and of course, I will finish the story!
Better stop my mouth and start the story! Enjoy and please R&R! And the picture issue here, I just invented it but who knows? The Marauders are keeping one... hahaha...
Chapter Seven
Wormtail's Son
"You know what, Hermione?" asked Harry. The two of them went to Harry's office after the meeting with Tonks and Patrick.
"Know what?" replied Hermione as she arranged the papers that she and Harry used in their investigation about Ron's body.
"That Patrick really reminds me of Ron," answered Harry.
"Yes, Patrick reminds everyone of Ron, Harry."
"No, it's not that. Well, aside from those, from his voice, appearance and everything," said Harry calmly.
"Then what?" Hermione looked at Harry curiously then she saw him grinned.
"The way they look at you, Miss Hermione Jane Granger," said Harry, who was grinning harder.
"The way of what?" Hermione was surprised. Well, yeah, I did notice him looking at me but he's more looking at Harry. He is like, observing and studying him.
"The way Patrick looked at you a while ago. If Ginny's here, I bet she'll agree."
"I don't know what you're saying, Harry James Potter. Would you like to explain it to me?" asked Hermione keenly.
"Of course, my friend, I will. It's because you're so numb that's—"
"I'm what? Numb?" Hermione was talking over him.
"Yes, you heard me right. You're numb. You didn't notice the way Ron looked at you before. Now, try to observe Patrick. He's not looking at you, he stares at you." Then Harry laughed when he saw Hermione blushed.
"Well, tell me, my best friend how does Ron and Patrick stares at me?" said Hermione sarcastically.
Harry grinned.
"Ron used to stare at you dreamily and every time you're talking, he's staring at your lips and licks his own."
Hermione looked at Harry, eyes wide open. Harry laughed again. She was blushing harder and turned scarlet.
"How did you know that?"
"Ronald Bilius Weasley is my best friend. I understand him because when he confessed to me about how he felt for you, he also made me confessed of my feelings for my wife, Ginny. Actually, he also noticed that I'm looking the same way at his sister as he looked at you. We understand each other."
Hermione turned redder now.
"And again, the charisma of my friend has attacked another innocent heart, the heart of Patrick Pettigrew." Then Harry laughed hard making Hermione as red as a tomato. Harry smiled.
"After three years, this is my first time to see you blushed like that again. And you never did it after Ron's death," said Harry seriously. She looked at Harry and went serious too.
"I know Ron wouldn't mind if you'll pay Patrick an attention," he continued, still serious but smiling.
"Harry?"
"Don't repeat the history, Hermione. Grab what you have before it's too late. Lavender is obviously flirting with him."
Hermione opened her mouth but no words came out.
"I'll go ahead. I really miss my wife and my little Harvey."
Hermione left Harry's office before he Disapparate. In her office, she kept thinking of what Harry said.
"…Ron used to stare at you dreamily and every time you're talking, he's staring at your lips and licks his own..."
Why didn't I notice it before? Am I that numb?
"…Again, the charisma of my friend has attacked another innocent heart, the heart of Patrick Pettigrew… Ron wouldn't mind if you'll pay Patrick an attention…"
Does Patrick feel something for me?
"…Don't repeat the history, Hermione. Grab what you have before it's too late…"
Don't repeat what happened to you and Ron. Don't let it happen again.
Then the door opened. It was Patrick.
"Hi, Hermione. I just want to give you this." Patrick handed Hermione a folder and he smiled at her, not knowing that it made her blushed then he left.
Hermione put her hands on her chest, on her heart.
Ron, please help me move on. Help me to find the man who will continue your love for me. Is it Patrick that you wanted for me?
Another week had passed but their investigation about Ron had no progress. Hermione couldn't concentrate on what she was reading. She was studying the notes and other things related to her job from the folder that Patrick Pettigrew had given her a week ago.
I should have study this earlier.
She closed the folder and opened the drawer where Ron's letter was kept. She took the letter.
I'm sorry. I owe you my life, Ron but what I'm doing are those things that could disappoint you. No progress in finding your body and I think, I'm already falling for Patrick. Oh, Ron, I still love you and I miss you so much. I miss arguing with you and those things we're doing… those breaking the rules of Hogwarts, everything. Please help us, Ron, help me. Hermione thought as she read the letter.
Then she heard a knock from her door. She folded the letter, placed it to the envelope and inserted it to the folder she was reading a while ago.
"Come in."
Ginny entered her office.
"Hello, Hermione! Nice to see you!" Ginny greeted as she kissed Hermione's cheeks.
"I'm also glad to see you. Where's Harvey?" asked Hermione when she noticed that Ginny wasn't carrying Harvey Paul Weasley Potter, hers and Harry's baby.
"Fred and George volunteered to be his babysitters this day. He's with his uncles at the joke shop. Actually, I don't want to but they insisted. You know, I don't want my child to be so naughty for his age. Bloody hell, he's only two months old! And you know what they told me? They said Harvey should be aware of the business world, that they can see potentials from him. Those stupid brothers of mine! Why don't they just find the girls that could bear their own child?"
Hermione laughed. Then they heard another knock from the door. This time, it was Patrick.
"Good morning Hermione," he greeted then he saw Ginny. Patrick smiled at her nervously. "Good morning, Mrs. Potter." Ginny smiled back.
"I would appreciate if you'll call me Ginny. It's too formal if you'll call me that." Patrick nodded.
"Well, Hermione, are you finished with the files that I handed you last week?" asked Patrick. Ginny looked at him then to Hermione.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I almost forgot to return it to you. Here, you can have it." Then she gave the folder to him.
"Okay. Thanks. See you later. Goodbye, Ginny."
"Bye," said Ginny simply but brightly.
When Patrick left, Hermione noticed an odd grin from Ginny.
"And what is that grin is for, Mrs. Ginevra Molly Weasley- Potter?"
Ginny smirked harder.
"Is that a punishment if I grinned? For you to tell my full name?" said Ginny.
"I know something is running there in your mind, Ginny."
"Harry's right. Boys who are in love stare differently at the girls but I know someone who stares like that."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" Ginny laughed.
"The brightest girl at Hogwarts can't understand what I'm saying? Well, Harry told me that Patrick Pettigrew stares at you in a very Ron- nic way and my husband is right."
"And your point?"
"Ron and the Weasley family wouldn't mind if you'll pay him attention, Hermione. We want to see you happy."
"Cut it off, Ginny. I know what you're saying."
"Then what do you think?" asked Ginny.
Hermione didn't say anything for a moment. Ginny was obviously waiting for her to answer.
"I think…"
"You think?"
"I think you and Harry should shut up."
"Oh! That's great, Hermione!" said Ginny sarcastically as she clapped her hands. "Oh c'mon, girl, there's no great deal if you'll…" Ginny didn't finish the sentence intentionally.
"If I what?"
"If you'll fall in love with Patrick," said Ginny quickly.
Hermione blushed. Ginny continued, "You better seize him before Lavender grabs Patrick. Harry told me that she was flirting with him."
Ginny continued teasing Hermione when someone knocked.
"That one is lifesaver," said Hermione. "They save my life from you!"
"Oh, do you think you're the one who's being saved? Just look what you've done to me!" said Ginny and both of them laughed.
"Come in." Hermione shouted as fixed herself. Ginny also fixed herself. Again, it was Patrick. Ginny smiled maliciously to Hermione and Hermione gave her a don't-smile-like-that look.
"Sorry to disturb you but the Minister asked me to call the both of you and you have to go to his office. Ginny, Mr. Potter is already there."
"Better call him Harry," said Ginny then she looked at Hermione whose looking confused like her then the three of them went to Mr. Weasley's office.
------------------------
"Minister, they're here," said Patrick as they entered the room of the Minister of Magic. They saw Mr. Weasley, Harry and Remus Lupin.
"Hello, Ginny, Hermione," greeted Lupin.
"Hello, Professor," the girls greeted back.
"Professor Lupin, this is Patrick Pettigrew. Patrick, Professor Remus Lupin, the best Defense against Dark Arts teacher," said Harry. To Patrick surprise, Lupin didn't turn to white or what. He was just casual and offered his hand to him.
"Harry, I'm not a professor anymore. I just taught for one year. And it's nice meeting you, Patrick. They're right, you look just like Ron," said Lupin coolly.
Patrick looked at Lupin as he accepted his hand. He looks so familiar but where did I see him?
"I'll go ahead, Minister Weasley," said Patrick. Mr. Weasley thanked him then asked Lupin something.
Patrick was about to left when he heard Lupin mentioned, "Peter Pettigrew." He closed again the door and turned back to them.
Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Mr. Weasley and Lupin were surprised.
"Patrick?" said Hermione.
"Did you just say Peter Pettigrew?" asked Patrick, looking at Lupin.
"Yes, I said his name. Why? Any problem?" asked Lupin seriously.
"He's… he's my father."
All of them looked more surprised.
"Peter Pettigrew is your father?" asked Harry. Patrick nodded.
"I can't remember him having a child," said Lupin. "Maybe this will help you. Your father might be Peter Pettigrew but perhaps he's not what we're talking about." Then Lupin pulled something and gave Patrick a picture.
Patrick looked at it. Lupin moved beside him. Patrick knew that Lupin was the man between a handsome man and another man that looks like Harry. Beside that man was Peter Pettigrew. The four were smiling at him.
"That man beside my left is Sirius Black. At my right is Harry's father, James. Both are my best friends but they're already gone, bless them. And beside James is Peter. Is that your father?"
"Yes. He's my father and he also has this picture."
All of them exchanged looks.
"Harry, kindly Disapparate to the Burrows and fetch Molly."
Harry obeyed his father-in-law immediately.
"Dad, what can we do?" asked Ginny.
"Let's wait for your mother," replied Mr. Weasley.
Hermione was looking at Patrick, who was still staring at the picture. After few minutes, Harry came back with Mrs. Weasley.
"What's the problem here, dear?"
"Patrick is the son of Peter Pettigrew," said Mr. Weasley.
"Peter Pettigrew has a son?" asked Mrs. Weasley. Lupin nodded.
"Patrick, can you tell us where your father lives?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"Why bother my father?" Patrick asked in return.
"It's a part of our investigation about my son, Ron," responded Mr. Weasley.
"But my father has nothing to do with him! Are you still thinking that I'm Ron? He's already dead!" said Patrick impatiently.
"Yes, Peter or Wormtail has something to do with this," said Harry.
"Please, Patrick, just help us." It was Hermione. Patrick looked at her as she was also looking at him.
"Okay," he said. Patrick gave them their address. Lupin and Mrs. Weasley went ahead and used the Floo Powder.
"Can we come with you, Mr. Weasley?" asked Hermione.
"Just stay here," he said then left.
"Have you met my father?" asked Patrick after few minutes of silence.
"I actually haven't met Peter Pettigrew personally. Better ask Harry and Hermione," said Ginny. Patrick looked at the two, especially at Hermione.
"Hermione, Ron and I met him when we were in our third year," Harry began. "But if there's anyone who knows him, it's Ron."
Patrick raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because Peter Pettigrew can transform into a rat as his Animagus form. He was once Ron's pet, Scabbers," continued Hermione. She looked concernedly to Patrick.
Gryffinhauz88: I'm back. Wait a minute, where's the trio?
Albus Dumbledore: I believe that Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger are in detentions.
GH88: Well, there's no surprise Harry and Ron having detentions but Hermione? Why? What happened, Professor?
Dumbledore: After you received your howler, Severus caught them reading your fanfic during his class.
GH88: (thinking) I didn't realize that we're in their Potions class. Umm, Professor, how many chapters they haven't read?
Dumbledore: This chapter.
GH88: But I received the howler at chapter four and they were caught in chapter five. They should have missed chapters 5, 6 and 7.
Dumbledore: If you're determined, you can do anything. They made a spell so that they would be able to read your fanfic but they were caught again.
GH88: That's sad. Anyways, chapter 8 is the last chapter. I hope to see them. Please, Professor?
Dumbledore: Just review her story and reach 60- 80 reviews to make her feel better if ever the trio will not make it to the final chapter. Thank you very much.