"What's the matter?" Ron asked, causing Hermione to glance up.

"When did you come here?" She asked, having been too busy to notice them.

"You know, for being the most brilliant and all, you don't pay attention," Ron told her.

"Says the guy failing Divination because I am not there to do your homework for you. Now, don't," she looked threateningly at Ron. "Say it's boring and makes you sleepy. You can drop out of it, y'know," Hermione bit back.

"Hermione, didn't you drop out because it was boring?" Harry asked innocently.

"I left because it was utter rubbish," Hermione said, an annoyed look on her face.

"I'd drop it if I was allowed. No, Hermione, not the school. My parents!" Ron said gloomily. "You have to take at least nine subjects from Year 3. They were disappointed at the fact that I had just nine. Had Bill not reminded them that I help Harry save the world every year, they probably would have disowned me," Ron said.

Harry was sure that was an exaggeration but didn't say so. Having five older brothers, two of whom were prefects, quidditch captains and head boy (Percy didn't play Quidditch, but was head boy and, last year, perfect), and then two brothers who were good in studies even though they didn't seem to study was tough.

"Why did you ask—" Hermione began but broke off as the bell rang. They packed their bags and looked at their timetables. "Care of Magical Creatures. Come on,"

By the time lunch started, Harry was positively bored. Divination was boring, and Trawalney was still predicting his death. On top of that, his tea leaves always made the Grim, the Omen of Death's symbol. He tried exchanging with Ron- who had to be convinced by Hermione. Harry had gone as far as having tea and exchanging cups, but The Grim was still in his cup.

"Harry!" Ron was getting annoyed. "It doesn't matter who had the cup before. It changes according to the person holding it. And Trawalney doesn't change it because she is the Professor. Lie to her next time,"

"What if something is after Harry?" Hermione said fearfully.

"When is something not after him, Hermione?" Ron said with fake sweetness.

"Oh, shut up. Both of you!" Harry exclaimed when their fight rose. "Hermione, I thought you didn't believe in Divination. Ron, if something's after me- I'm safe in here. I know you aren't afraid, but you sound like Malfoy right now,"

"LIKE MALFOY! You mean, what? A pureblood who is used to the Wizarding World. Sorry for not fearing for your life, Harry— but from what I've seen and heard— you're going to— survive this year. I know you might not understand, but I know you're safe- and it has nothing to do with Hogwarts. People have died here before, and there are safer places," He snarled. "The world doesn't revolve around what you know," He disappeared.

Transfiguration was quiet without Ron. Hermione preferred to listen to the lecture. Professor McGonagall explained how to transfigure a rat into a tainted glass bowl. They took notes, and most of the process was the same, but the colouring bit was more challenging.

His potion turned out better, with' Hermione as his partner.

Pettigrew, their DADA professor, clearly realised there was an issue. He paired Hermione and Ron together- and later asked Ron to clear the classroom along with Harry while answering Hermone's questions about the essay.

Ron talked to them the following morning after Hermione convinced Harry to apologise, even though Harry didn't think he'd said something wrong. He had supposed that she was right and that Ron would take offence to being told 'he was acting like Malfoy', but at least she'd agree that he'd overreacted.

"You can ask Professor Pettigrew to sign you're permission slip," Ron told him on their way to the Potions classroom. They had tried to convince Molly Weasley, but she had refused because 'Harry isn't my ward!'

"Why would he agree? Would it be accepted? I mean," Hermione said in a hurry, not wanting another fight. "The Minister of Magic denied after his aunt and uncle refused. Maybe it wouldn't be allowed,"

"It will. Ginny has heard that Pettigrew knew Lupin,"

"Who?" Hermione said.

"Remus Lupin. The guy was a spy in the first Wizarding War," Ron explained. Harry lost some respect for the Professor. "Lupin's in Azkaban, Harry. Don't worry about him,"

"It's not him I'm worried about," Harry muttered.

"People knew Lupin, Harry," Ron said. "He was, um..., close to you're parents. When we'd visit Neville, his Grandma always talked about how shocking it had been. The Potters were always well known, and Nevilles' Granma's grandparents were close friends with your grandparents. Your Dad gave Lupin money during the war. Well, your Dad was a great person, Harry, but I think Lupin knew him a bit more— er— personally," Ron told Harry.

Harry spent the next hour trying to make head or tail of that conversation. Professor Pettigrew knew my parents personally? Did he know Lupin? Lupin betrayed my Mum and Dad? Why did I not know this sooner? Was Pettigrew Professor hiding something?

"My family and your family have been friends, kind of. Your Dad and some other Potters', were there for Bill and Percy's births. Your Dad was also there for some of Percy's birthdays. Those that happened before 1980," Hermione met them in the Transfiguration classroom, and Ron mouthed 'later'.

"As I was saying. Our families knew each other. I don't know how we befriended each other, though. Bill says that your father's parents might have come with presents for him and Charlie for their birthdays. He remembers some dark-haired boy with glasses coming through the floo a few days after Fred and George were born. Charlie's told us that the boy shoved about a dozen gifts into their hands and disappeared. If you come over to mine for Christmas, maybe we'll find something," Harry wasn't sure if Ron was lying to convince him to come over or if he was telling the truth, but he agreed.

"If your parents are alright with it, can I come too? I want to know more. It's interesting," Hermione said. "But... What does this have to do with Pettigrew and Lupin?"

"Yeah!" Ron said brightly. "I'm sure they'd say yes,"

"But... What does this have to do with Pettigrew and Lupin?" Hermione was confused. Harry tried to link everything together but failed. What does Ron's family's connection have to do with anything? I mean my Dad, Black and Lupin. Does Professor Pettigrew know my Dad?

"Well... As I was saying, Harry's family and my family knew each other. Ginny told me the other day that Lupin knew Pettigrew, according to some Ravenclaw friend of hers,"

"I don't— how will this guarantee a formed sign? It's so.." Harry was quiet for a minute, trying to find out how to tell them what he thought.

Harry had potions next, and then DADA.

"You don't think he'll sign, do you? Or are you having trouble digesting what I told you?" Ron asked on Wednesday as they were leaving Professor Pettigrew's classroom.

"I..." Harry took a deep breath. "It is a bit confusing. I mean, it is. Pettigrew and Dad might be friends. Dad's helped Lupin financially. Pettigrew, well. Did you say he thought Lupin was innocent?" Harry asked.

"I didn't. But," Ron paused, thinking. "It could be possible. As I said, if you come to my house for Christmas. We have these huge dinners with some of the other purebloods,"

"Do you think they'd know?" Harry asked Ron.

"Yup!" Ron exclamied. "I mean, it seems impossible. To not know, I mean. With your family,"

"Are the Potters really that known?" Hermione asked. Ron nodded. "I've had plenty of mentions of Harry, not much about the rest of his families. How come?" Hermione asked.

"Well... for one, the Potters were... well," Ron said. "Again, you'll find more at Christmas. I mean, lots of people knew them. There was quite a bit of sadness, which meant it became a hush-hush topic. They do answer questions," Ron promised at their look.

"So we have to come up with a way for you to bring the subject forward," Ron said. He and Harry were concluding their Divination assignment while Hermione was doing her Potions assignment.

"We can't just ask him to sign the form. We have to establish a connection. With what? Not sure yet," Hermione said. The last bit seemed to surprise herself, too. She wasn't one to confess she didn't know something.

"Could we bring my Mum and Dad?" Harry asked. "I mean, what you've said doesn't construct enough of a connection between my Dad and Professor Pettigrew. They're grand points, don't get me wrong!" Harry said quickly. "It's just, well, we've had him here over a month now, suddenly asking him— and with the Hogsmeade weekend coming up— when we, I, ask him to sign the form— he'd understand. Maybe even be upset,"

"What if there is a book that mentions a possible connection?" Hermione clamoured with excitement. "Think about it! The knowledge Ron gets is from his home. Harry doesn't read. The Potter's death caused the family to become a hush-hush topic. It would be natural for us to not know about their friendship. And there's that factor that he can't overthink you not going to him immediately because he'd be keeping it from you,"

"Yeah! If Harry is enthusiastic enough, he'd dismiss any pain he'd feel for Harry's sake," Ron added. Harry didn't like that thought but didn't comment on it.

"I'll search for a book as soon as I finish my Potions assignment," Hermione told them.