Another Break

The group of readers got up after reading about how it was really Pettigrew who betrayed the Potters and from the looks of the book, all was well. But, Charlie had recalled Murphy's Law of how anything that can go wrong, will. The fact that Dumbledore had called a break before things started to take a turn for the worse only added to the evidence.

"Okay Bill." Arthur said when he pulled his eldest to the side. Bill had been deep in thought after the last chapter and the look on his face was unnerving the father. "What's the matter? Is this about Scabbers being the reason Harry is without his parents?"

"In a way" Bill said with a sigh. "I didn't want to bring it up in front of Mum. I'm not too thrilled bringing it up with you, but…I just found it odd"

"Found what odd?" Arthur asked

"Ron didn't have Scabbers forever" Bill pointed out hoping he didn't have to voice his concern.

Arthur instantly realized what his eldest was on about.

"Do you think that maybe Pettigrew might have something to do with Percy's behavior as of late?"

"A part of me would like to think so." Bill said. "Then Percy's behavior wouldn't be his fault and forgiveness can come easier. But…It's been five years since Percy's been without Scabbers…or Pettigrew. It just strikes me that the traitor of the family had kept the traitor of the Order for seven years"

Arthur placed a hand on Bill's shoulder.

"I don't believe that it had anything to do with Percy's behavior." Arthur assured his son. "Percy's always been ambitious. It isn't well publicized, but we Weasleys ARE related to the Blacks. Distant, but the blood ties, as much as we and them hate it, it's there."

Bill started to open his mouth to point out that Percy had been sorted into Gryffindor, but his brain caught up to it.

Harry had almost been sorted into Slytherin. And chances were that Peter Pettigrew had been in Gryffindor during his school days and look at where he ended up.

"Ambition is not just a Slytherin trait." Arthur said. "Everyone has it. How it's handled determines if one belongs in Slytherin"

"So, if Percy hadn't had any forewarning, he might have been sorted into the Slytherin house?"

"It's possible. Doesn't mean your mother and I would love him less than we do. In fact, the mere fact that he was a Gryffindor tells me that one day he will return" Arthur said "When that day is…hopefully these books will tell us."

0000

Meanwhile,

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Perhaps because of the entire reason why Pettigrew isn't in custody" Hermione argued.

"What does him getting away have to do with why you want me to sit with my mother for the rest of the book?" Ron questioned.

"Ron." Harry said as Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "How did Pettigrew get away?"

"He transformed" Ron answered.

"and why did nobody stun him?"

"Because we were too preoccupied with the fact it was the full moon and Professor Lupin was changing."

"And who was chained to Lupin and Pettigrew?" Harry hinted.

"Oh." Ron realized.

"Yeah. Oh." Hermione said.

"Hey. With any luck, that part can get your Mum to like Sirius better." Harry pointed out. "After all, he did distract Lupin from you."

"Hey. Do you three mind?"

The trio turned to the corner where the twins and Ginny had out a pair of extendable ears.

"Yeah." George added. "We're trying to eavesdrop?"

"Who's in there?" Ron asked as Hermione sent the other three a glare.

"The professors, Mum, Moody, Sirius, and Tonks" Ginny explained. "They're yelling at Snape for his behavior. Something about the twins being more mature."

"That's a scary thought" Harry and Ron chorused.

"Oi!" the twins chorused.

The door suddenly opened to reveal Sirius.

"Eavesdropping?" he questioned.

"Who? Us?" Ginny asked innocently as the twins hid the ears.

"Don't look at us. We've been back here talking about the upcoming chapter." Harry said.

"Well, it's about time to start reading again." Sirius said.

"I'm looking forward to the fifth book" Fred said.

"I'm not." Ron said. "It's bad enough I have to live with one, but I don't want to read more about a moody Harry."

"Oi!" Harry exclaimed. "At least you'll be forewarned of my 'moody' days."

"You mean the days you'll scream 'constant vigilance' at the top of your lungs?" Ginny teased.

Everyone groaned.

"That's it." Hermione said. "you have been spending WAY too much time with the twins."