In one of her frequent readings of the Daily Prophet, Herminone just happens to mention an Octavius Pepper who, apparently, is missing - and also a 9 year old boy who tried to murder his grandparents.
Do you think these people will be significant?
Jo rarely makes irrelevent references - Mark Evans being an exception.
I think, perhaps, we might recognised the names of the grandparents (any ideas?) and Mr Pepper (Sgt?) will reappear at some point.

It might also be wise to keep any eye out for the Montgomery girls whose brother was killed by a vampire (likely to be F Greyback). Perhaps he could be the 'nine year old' above.
THIS PLOT IS THICKER THAN POLYJUICE POTION!!