Hei I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to update, I just came back on another short holiday. I hope this chapter lives up to expectation after the long wait. I haven't written it as long as I normal do, but I knew if I wrote the next bit it would be far too long. Hopefully it won't take me as long to update next time. For every 55 people who read this story I only get 5 reviews, please please please review I would love to know what u think. I will reply to all of you. I would also like to thank every single person how have reviewed it really does make my day, u mean so much to me. Anyway enough blab from me please enjoy.
Chapter 16
Everything at the Potter's house was going extremely well. Harry couldn't quite believe that his two best friends had managed to put the past behind them and were back together. Harry was now after all the past years used to not mentioning Hermione in front of Ron and visa versa, was finding it very strange that he now was aloud.
Since Hermione need protection and Ron was likely to Harry had nominated himself to do 24 hour protection, meaning he didn't have to go on the field trip and could work from home.
On Tonk's orders no mention of Krum was aloud to be leaked to the press, Tonks believed that if the public knew they would try to protect him, or make excuses which he might try to use to prevent him going to Azkaban. Tonk's also believed that if nothing was mentioned Krum would think Hermione hadn't mention anything so he was still safe.
Since the day when Ron and Hermione had seen Krum, plenty more attacks had happened in Wales, something Ron knew would happen, this was all in aid of searching for Hermione. The ministries were now searching for ways for Krum to be caught, and making sure we would turn up to the event. Plenty of plans had been drawn up a few even had Hermione as bait, but they were still trying to find something a bit more reliable and safer than using this method.
It had now been two weeks since Ron and Hermione had been isolated to the potter's house, Hermione found this very frustrating she was used to doing whatever she wanted when she wanted. As much as she loved spending time with Ron she needed something to do. Hermione spoke to Ginny about this but neither of them could come up with a solution. Hermione now spend the part of the day when she wasn't with Ron reading Books Ginny had brought back from the library.
Ron remained secretive about his letter writing to Rachel, he still didn't think the time was right to tell Hermione he knew, not while Krum was causing a treat to her life. Rachel had written nearly everyday to Ron, these letters had become a support line for Rachel; each letter would talk about her day and certain essays that were causing her problems. Ron would laugh over some of the letters; Rachel was so much like him and Hermione. Rachel seemed to be very talented but almost unaware of it so she would worry herself, over the tiniest things; this was the Ron side of things. Ron wrote back to every letter, sometimes slipping in a little bit of money, but today was going to be different, he wasn't going to tell Rachel he was her father, but he was going to enclose a photo of himself, to see if she gathered what it meant.
Dear Rachel,
Thank you for your last letter, I'm sure that your transfiguration essay will be prefect; you are a very bright young witch. It took me quite a while to master the subject myself but your mother grasped it almost right away no surprise there, you mother always did better than Me Harry at school. In this letter I have enclosed two old photos, of myself Harry, Harry's wife Ginny which is also my sister, and Lily's mum and your mum. The photo of us wearing our Hogwarts uniform was taken in our final year apart from Ginny she was the year below. I'm afraid it's a little scuffed on the edges but it was taken many years ago. The other photo was just before Harry's and Ginny's wedding this photo was taken by a photographer who gave me the original copy; I thought that you would like to see a bit of your mum's past. I have to say we all look a little different now considering these photos are around 12 years old.
It's not long until Easter now I expect you're looking forward to seeing your mum. I must go now but please don't mention that I have sent these photo's Hermione still doesn't know we write to each other.
Take care Ron. X
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Rachel was up and already in the great hall, these days she loved going down to breakfast on time mainly due to the fact she was receiving post most days, which she loved. Rachel loved the fact that she had someone she could speak to outside of school apart from her mother. Rachel could have spoken to her grandparents but they did seem to mutter on about boring things like the dentist news which didn't interest her in the slightest.
Rachel waited quietly next to Lily awaiting the post while eating freshly made bagels with maple syrup. Right on the time the owl flew in dropping there post to the candidates. Rachel lifted her hand slightly as an owl came bellowing towards her.
As expected her letter arrived, Rachel quickly tore the parchment open seeing the photo's fall out. Rachel decided to read the letter first. Rachel was indeed glad of the encouragement he had given towards her essay but she was quite shocked to see the photos. Rachel couldn't quite understand why he had sent them, even though she was trying to look more into it there must be a message or a certain meaning for these photo's it wasn't as though she asked for the photos of them all. Rachel was very much like Hermione in this way, she thought there had to be a meaning behind everything in the world.
Rachel and lily were having an average day at school going to there lesson's while trying to see if there was any meaning behind the photographs. Rachel knew she was meant to get something here but she still couldn't work out what.
Throughout the day Rachel had kept looking at the photos until she suddenly realized that her mum and Ron seemed very close, they were even holding hands. Rachel knew that many years ago they were boy friend and girl friend. Rachel wondered what this picture was about. Rachel knew the best person to speak to would be Hagrid he seemed to know plenty about Hermione.
At break time just after a rather unsuccessful potions lesson, Rachel with lily ran across to Hagrid's hut hoping that he would be there. Rachel knocked as loudly as she could in hope to get Hagrid to the door quicker if he was there. Hagrid lucky was in, he seemed a little alarmed that the girls were knocking so loud but was unsure to what they needed to see him about so urgently. Hagrid ushered the young witches inside and offered them some rocks cakes before gesturing for them to sit down. Within moments Rachel had explained that she had been writing in secrete to Ron, for months now and that today she had received an old photograph or her mum and friends. Rachel stopped talking for a moment to catch her breath. Rachel then went on to explain how she thought this photo was meant to mean anything. Rachel leant over the table and passed the photos to Hagrid. Hagrid smiled instantly he knew Ron must have figured something out or Hermione must have said something but this did seem a strange approach in tell there daughter that she was Ron's!
"It does mean something doesn't it, Hagrid you know please tell me!"
Rachel pleaded.
"I can't say just incase I'm not be rite. But I believe it is something you could work out"
Hagrid thought about slapping himself on the face now Rachel would know there was some meaning behind it.
"Hagrid now I know you know what it means please tell me"
Rachel was now a little pink in the face.
"I can't be saying this is to do with your mum and Rhum no really stop askin questions."
Hagrid took a deep breath knowing full well he almost told her.
"This photo, I will say was taken a few days before the wedding I member it like it was yesterday, lovely summers day early July if I member rite"
Rachel know something weird was going on she knew Hagrid was about to say a name, why wouldn't he just say.
Rachel and Lily left Hagrid's slightly deflated. Even Lily had figured out something was going on. This made the girls more determined to follow on with there search. Rachel needed answers the only way they could find out would be to talk to there parents without hinting too much.
Lily wrote hers first because she hadn't written in quite some time.
To mum and dad
School is still great, lesson can be hard sometimes I don't like divination much the teacher says I don't have the slight and that I've got the grim after me, which is a lot of rubbish if you ask me, she nut's. We were talking about anniversaries the other day and I got asked when your wedding anniversary is, only probably is I don't know when it is. Could you let me know professor Slughorn wasn't impressed I didn't know?
I'm looking forward to coming home at Easter it will be fun will Uncle Ron be around? Say hello from me I haven't spoken to him in a long time, well not since I saw him at Hogwarts. The witch who is staying with you Rachel's mum, did she used to be Uncle Ron girlfriend at school? There are a few pictures in the year book and there is a few of them holding hands?
Anyway I've got homework to do speak soon.
Lily.
Both girls read Lily's letter through just to make sure it didn't sound too weird for them to receive this. Finally they were satisfied with the result so sent it straight away, next it was Rachel's turn.
Hi Mum
I'm missing you and I'm looking forward to seeing you at Easter, I hope you're not going to break your promise that you're going to tell me all about my dad. I can't wait to find out. I was looking at your year book the unedited one and it had lots of photos of you with Lily's dad and she tells me it is her uncle. You look very young. I know you said that you were going to tell me about my dad when I see you but I just wanted to ask a question now and would like it if you answer it, did my dad stay around for long once you were pregnant with me, and do you think I look like him?
Sorry to ask but I would really like to know.
Love you love Rachel.
Rachel hoped her mother would answer her chosen her questions, she believed that she should get an answer. Rachel quickly sent the letter in hope it was early enough to receive a reply in the morning.
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The girl's letter did indeed arrive that evening, much to the surprised parents of the contents of the letters. Ginny kept hers safely away from Hermione knowing full well what her daughter and Rachel were up to. Ginny didn't seem to mind replying with the answers her daughter had asked for in emissive detail.
Hermione showed Ginny the letter she had received, this was how Ginny knew what the girls were up to, Ginny wasn't quite sure if there was an unedited year book considering she never found one, but otherwise how would they have found a picture of them all?
After a quick discussion with Ginny, Hermione realized that there would be no harm in answering the questions her daughter wanted to know, after all Easter wasn't long away so she would know the truth very soon.
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Rachel couldn't sleep that night, which in a way was lucky that it was a weekend the following day so it didn't matter too much. Rachel was too confused to sleep; images were flying around inside her head to whom her dad could be and what was the meaning about concerning those photographs.
Rachel felt that she had only just fallen asleep when Lily was shaking her to wake up so they didn't miss the post. Lily was now getting just as anxious as Rachel to find out what these things meant. Rather sleepily Rachel rose from her bed and grabbed her clothes before she strolled down to the great hall. As it was a Saturday the great hall wasn't as busy as it was in the week. Rachel just hoped that after the awful night sleep she had just occurred, her mum and Lily's parents would indeed have received there letters and replied or were they going to be disappointed. Lily spotted her dad's owl arriving; Hedwig wasn't an average owl his beautiful white feathers made him easily recognizable.
Lily,
Thank you for your letter it has been quite a while since your last one.
I understand that you wanted me to answer some questions for you. Our wedding anniversary is on the 7th July so that means me and your dad have been married 13 years this year. In answer to your other question yes Ron and Hermione were boyfriend and girlfriend at school and for quite a while afterwards, they broke up a few days after me and you dad got married over a very silly misunderstanding! I know what these questions are in aid of, you father doesn't but don't get your self to involved Rachel will find the truth out soon only next week, so it would be better to stick to your studies at least for the next week.
Looking forward to seeing you next week
Love mum.
Lily let of a short stunned laugh after reading her letter, how could her mother know what they have been trying to figure out? One thing for sure Lily knew that she wasn't mentioning something, why did everyone have to hide something from them?
Lily was in the process of reading hers.
To Rachel.
I'm missing you to but we only have a week until we are going to be together. As I said when I last saw you I would tell you over Easter, all about your dad, but after thinking I can't see what harm it is in answering your questions it just means a little less to explain to you next week. Your father didn't know I was expecting you if he had he would have stayed around, but under the circumstances this wasn't possible. The two of us fell out many years ago and until now I didn't want to bring up the past, as I still find it slightly painful to speak about. I will also let you know I knew your dad was a wizard but I didn't bring you up as a witch because I wanted to protect us both, this has a lot to do with my line of work. You are a slight mix of the both of us, you have my messy hair and brains and ability of working things out, but I would say some of the time, you're much more like him in your personality and sometimes laziness. I expect you remember me saying that you ate like him to, I hope this habit of yours has change! I would say that you look's come from your father rather than myself.
I must admit I didn't realize there was an unedited year book, but I guess there were so many things to be put in that it wouldn't have all fitted. You are very correct I used to go out with Lily's uncle he was a very charming young man and a great companion of mine, before we broke up many years ago.
I hope this has answered the questions you wanted to know about but I shan't say any more until I see you.
Looking forward to Easter love you loads love mum. Xx xx x x
Both girls looked at each other, Rachel was really upset that her mother hadn't even told her dad she was going to be born, how could Ron help now if her dad's name had never been stated. The girls examined the letters though and through the letters both seem to state that Hermione had had arguments with a few men. Rachel didn't think her mother was a type of person to argue but this was many years ago.
The more the girls read these letters they couldn't seem to see the find the answers they wanted; they knew it was there because of the way Hagrid reacted to the photos.
All day there idea's came flying in each one getting further from the truth so they believed.
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Harry sat impatiently by his computer, waiting for the e mail which would, tell them the plan of action to capture Krum. As Harry had expected the news wasn't what he hoped for, the only way they had come up with and settled on was to use Hermione as bait. Harry now had the hard job of explaining the news, it was situations like this he wished he hadn't offered to protect her, only because then he wouldn't have to be the bearer of bad news.
Harry walked into the kitchen, knowing this would be were he would find Ron and most importantly Hermione. Hermione could tell from the look across his face that the news had arrived and that he wasn't impressed by the arrangements. Ron brought ever one a cup of tea before sitting down.
"I'm afraid we have the agreed on solution to the problem but I'm slightly worried about the damage it could cause to all of us and the public. They have arranged to use all three of us as the bait. We are to do an open talk for the ministry about becoming an Auror. The reason why is because we helped fight Voldemort, so we are the face of the campage. This will also enable may other Auror's to be there so it look like a job fair, so when they arrive we should have the advantage. The main problem about this is that it has to publicize so he finds out. Another problem is that this has to happen before next week, plenty of children are still at school so it would be the safest time to act. Plans have already started, so we can't even stop it if we wanted, I shall receive more news soon, and I'll say more when I know more"
The kitchen suddenly went slight; everybody knew this was going to happen it was the most obvious way to capture him. Ron walked around to the other side of the table to where Hermione was sitting he placed his arms around her from behind as he gently kissed her on the neck in a reassuring way.
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The girls were still having problems trying to understand these letters the only way they seemed to both agree on was to write another letter to Ron.
Dear Ron
Thanks for sending the photos. I didn't tell mum you sent them but she thinks I found some photo's in a year book. I and lily have written to both of our parents, trying to find out who is my dad. Lily's mum seems to know but won't say anything. I have even spoken to Hagrid he also knows something but won't tell me. One thing I noticed though was that my mum seemed to fall out with a lot of people. One of these people was you but nobody will tell me any names of any one else, do you know who else she fell out with? If you could reply quickly it would really help.
Thanks again love Rachel.
The girls sent there letter and hoped that Ron would enlighten them with any names of people she had fallen out with.
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Ron had now received his letter he was sure that the girls would have figured something out but it wasn't an easy clue in which he had given them. Ron quickly wrote another letter, but instead of sending it by owl he apparated to Hogwarts in hope no one would notice him missing.
Ron reached the large wooden gates before sending a patroness to Hagrid, Asking to meet him at the gates. Hagrid was quite shocked to be opening the gates to Ron; things were defiantly getting a little stranger than they normally did. Hagrid was going to find out what he wanted to know.
"Hello Hagrid, thank you for meeting me here, I can't stay I'm not meant to be here. Please can you give this to Rachel, she said she wanted a reply quickly"
Ron mentioned.
"Ron what is going on I think I know why you sent those photos but I'm unsure"
Hagrid asked.
"Me and Hermione as you know fell out many years ago, and now I know I am Rachel's dad but she still hasn't told me anything."
"I see"
Hagrid replied, whist giving him a grin stating the obvious that he already knew.
"I shall give this to Rachel, don't ya worry, we should go to Hogsmead soon catch up ya no"
Hagrid and Ron spoke very briefly for a few minutes before Ron apparated back to Harry's house. Hagrid walked steadily back up to the castle before walking up to the Gryffindor common room. Hagrid was led inside without even given a password, the fat lady chatted to him for a few brief seconds so she was sure it was him. Hagrid called out to Rachel who ran down the stairs in her p.j's.
"I received this letter on Ron he asked me to pass it to you; he said you wanted answers before the morning. Anyway best leave ya to go to sleep"
Hagrid quickly waved as he left the common room, leaving Rachel to go to bed.
Rachel ran back up to her room, ripping open the letter as she ran. Rachel quickly pulled lily in next to her to read the letter.
Dear Rachel I hope that this letter arrived quick enough for you.
In answer to your question, your mother never really fell out with anyone, just me to be honest. I will admit she wasn't fond of a few of the Slytherin's but she never argued with them. I and Hermione fell out many years ago as I have said before over a misunderstanding. Another boy at the time tried to kiss her and I acted stupid I thought she wanted him to kiss her, so that was the misunderstanding. I was very stupid and wouldn't let her explain I called her many horrible names because I was upset. We didn't speak again until nearly 8 months ago. I'm very ashamed of what I did all those years ago but that was the past. I hope you're not upset with me for calling you mother names, I still feel bad over it.
I hope this answers your question.
Love from Ron.
Rachel looked over to Lily it suddenly all made sense, the photo, letters, Ron sending money.
"He's my dad?"
Rachel couldn't believe it, it had to be true all the clues had been there all along, Hagrid's reaction, her mother lily's mother and Ron all spoke of Hermione having a misunderstanding with her father.
Rachel wasn't sure what to do, apart from seeing if she was right.
Ron Are you my dad? Rachel
Rachel didn't want to write anything else, she was so unsure of what had just happened. Rachel pulled out the photo from her pocket and began looking at Ron. How could she not of guessed they looked so much alike.
Rachel was unsure of the how to deal with the news. All Rachel had thought about over the last few months was finding her dad and now it looks as thought she has found him. Rachel and lily sat up talking to each other throughout the night, seeing if the came up with the conclusions.
Hei I hope you all enjoyed that please let me know what u think. As I said before for every 55 people who read I get only 1 review, please make this average better. Also before I go I just wanna say come on England we just about to kick of so I gotta go.
