Merriam

**Merriam**, previously known by **Mrs. Flint**, is a character in the *Rigel Black Chronicles*. She is Marcus Flint's mother, who left her abusive relationship with his father to live in the Lower Alleys with Harry's help. She now works at Maywell Clinic.

## Profile

### Appearance

Merriam is an older woman. She doesn't look much like her son Marcus, though Harry noticed that when they both frowned to contemplate something, they bore a resemblance. As Merriam lived on her own, she took on a healthier shape and took care of herself.

When Harry first met her, she wore a grey shawl on her head, and her voice was "rusty with disuse". A few months later, Harry noticed her voice was still soft, but no longer disused or halting.

### Personality

When Harry first met Merriam, she hardly spoke; however, as time passed, she became more talkative, and proved to be a very kind woman who enjoyed her independence and living life.

### Skills

* Merriam likes to cook, and often cooks for the other women at Maywell Clinic.

## History

### Childhood

Merriam was from a good (most likely pureblood) family, but was born a Squib. Thus, she was unable to attend a school like Hogwarts. According to Pansy, her parents claimed to homeschool her to cover up for her lack of magic, but according to Harry, Merriam actually was homeschooled. It is possible she was homeschooled on some topics, just not magic.

### Adult life

Her parents betrothed her to Herbert Flint, with the Flints under the impression that she wasn't a Squib. However, once they were married, she could no longer keep up the act, and Herbert hated her ever since. She was most likely a housewitch during most of her life.

After the Flint family found out, Herbert was disgraced, and Mrs. Flint became a social pariah. Her status, and the true nature of the relationship between Marcus's parents, is likely an open secret among pureblood society.

Her relationship with Herbert Flint was clearly one of abuse, as the two were said to have marital difficulties that resulted in Lord Flint using magic on her. She was largely kept out of society, with Marcus describing her current living situation as being "locked away".

At some point, Merriam lost a son, possibly to the Fade (though this is not stated). She says that Marcus should have had a brother, before trailing off and sighing.

### 1993-1994 School Year

During winter break of this year, Marcus contacted Archie, asking him to get in contact with "Rigel" to call in their agreement. When Harry met up with Marcus, he explained that he needed to get his mother out of their family's house and away from Lord Flint. While his original plan was to hide her in the Muggle world, somewhere the Ministry would never look, Harry had the idea of moving her to her apartment in the Lower Alleys. She suggested this to Marcus, promising that nobody would find her there, and he agreed.

The next day, Marcus, Harry (as Rigel), and Mrs. Flint met up so that Harry could show them "Harry's apartment" at Dogwood Lane. After Marcus deemed it acceptable and they had purchased groceries for her, Harry promised to see about a spot working at Maywell Clinic for her. She changed from "Rigel" into "Harry", and went to explain the situation to Eleni Hurst. Though Mrs. Hurst wasn't at all fooled by Harry's lies about who Merriam really was, she recognized that she was in trouble, and agreed to let her work at the clinic.

Some time later, during the school year, Harry visited her for a week while she was brewing Modified Polyjuice Potion. This was the first time Merriam had met Harry and not Rigel. Merriam was surprised, but allowed Harry to stay there, saying "It's... your apartment," though Harry told her it was hers. She thanked Harry for finding employment for her, and mentioned getting along with the others at the clinic. Harry slept on the couch during that week, and the two of them got along well living together. Merriam even made her dinner, and there was an awkward moment where she walked in on Harry drawing runes on the floor.

### 1994-1995 School Year

Merriam continued to live in Harry's apartment, which Harry assumed was because Marcus was still looking for a stable position. Later that summer, Harry dropped in on her and found out that she was moving out. However, it was not because Marcus had found a place for them to live together; rather, Merriam now worked full-time in the clinic, and Mrs. Hurst had helped her find a town house. She enjoyed living in the alleys and having independence. Her decision was also influenced by wanting to keep her son safe from Lord Flint, as it was easier if they didn't live together.

Harry helped her move her belongings to the new home, along with the help of Adam Quincy, a man who delivered ingredients to Maywell and had offered the use of his cart, since her Floo was not yet connected. Merriam left the furniture to Harry, saying that she had been saving and was looking forward to getting some new things. She gave some baked goods to Quincy in thanks, and the two of them went out to lunch afterwards while Harry headed out.

## Relationships

### Marcus Flint

During her time living with Marcus's father, she did her best to cultivate a relationship with her son. Marcus would often get involved in their fights, though they apparently tried to prevent this from happening. During his last year, he was involved in another fight, and Lord Flint apparently injured Marcus, severely delaying his return to Hogwarts, and requiring him to be treated in the Hospital Wing when he returned.

It was clear that Marcus cared deeply for his mother. He used his favor with Rigel to help her secretly move out, and insisted that her new home be safe and not "a slum". By the end of his seventh year, he was motivated to do test-prep work so that he could test well and get a good-paying job to support her.

### Herbert Flint

Once Herbert discovered that Merriam could not do magic, their relationship became strained and toxic, and it is heavily implied he was abusive towards her using magic. After Merriam left Flint, he continued to claim she was simply "home sick" while at public events.

Months later, she accidentally begins to refer to him as her husband, but cuts herself off and calls him Marcus's father instead.

### Harry Potter

Though they did not see much of each other, Merriam and Harry got along amicably. For a week, they both co-habited the apartment while Harry brewed the Modified Polyjuice Potion. Merriam thanked Harry for getting her her job, having been told it was Harry that helped her from Mrs. Hurst.

### Adam Quincy

After moving into the Lower Alleys, Merriam and Quincy seemed to get to know each other, and Harry suspected that Quincy had a fondness for Merriam; however, she also noticed that Merriam was not yet ready for a relationship.

## Family Tree

*Note:* The following family tree may not display correctly on mobile devices.

## Etymology

* Merriam's name was chosen based on a cat she once had.

## Trivia

* Harry took on a tithe to the Court of the Rogue after realizing that Merriam was not paying one due to staying there in secret.
* Archie originally told Marcus Flint about his ambition to become a healer because of Mrs. Flint, who he believed had a chronic illness.

## Appearances

**Appearances**
 * The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 6 (*mentioned*)
* The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 10
* The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 11 (*mentioned*)
* The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 12
 * The Futile Facade: Chapter 1 (*mentioned*)
* The Futile Facade: Chapter 2 (*mentioned*)
* The Futile Facade: Chapter 3
* The Futile Facade: Chapter 4 (*mentioned*)
 * The Malignant Masquerade: Chapter 2

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Futile Facade: Chapter 13
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Futile Facade: Chapter 3
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 10
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 12
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 6
6. ↑ The Futile Facade: Chapter 1
7. ↑ The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 13
8. ↑ The Ambiguous Artifice: Chapter 11
9. ↑ The Futile Facade: Chapter 2
10. ↑ The Pureblood Pretense: Chapter 12