MM2

## Summary

Hermione and her family come to visit Grimmauld Place, where her parents question Sirius about Archie and about the ruse. They raise the question of whether Harry could have simply taken Archie's place, but Sirius dismisses the idea that Harry would risk everything - family, friends, even her life - just to go to Hogwarts. Hermione reassures Archie that she just wants him to be himself, and Harry suggests that she talk to Lily about her research into the Fade.

Regulus Black continues to search for Rigel, viewing the recordings made by the Triwizard mirrors, and concludes that Rigel's duelling style was taught by Leo. He's unable to get a straight answer from Leo about who Rigel might have been, but does encounter Margo while searching, and recognises her as a natural weather mage, to his astonishment. He considers removing her from the Alleys, but she slips away.

Harry visits the Alleys, too, finding that the Strigoi Shrouds won their war and eliminated the Carpathian Crypts. Kasten also informs her that her potion was successful enough in healing Gavril that Irina, Gavril's mate, is likely to swear fealty to her. Leo lets her know that Regulus has been asking questions, and again reassures her that he himself isn't going to until she's ready.

Remus continues to accompany Harry to the Alleys, helping her to carry her potions. While delivering Skele-Gro to the Maywell clinic, they encounter Marcus Flint Jr, and learn that he has duelled his father and claimed the title of Lord Flint, which means more safety for his mother with the family resources no longer available to Flint Sr to look for her. Flint hints at his knowledge that Rigel wasn't Archie, needling Harry, but doesn't push further.

On the way home, Harry and Remus see an announcement from Riddle that the Triwizard crowning ceremony will go ahead, describing it as "still one task required of our champions". Recognising that he's trying to call on her Vow, and furious about the fact, she arranges to become Rigel again via temporary Modified Polyjuice, and meet with Dumbledore to plan strategies.

Dumbledore's initial assessment is that the Vow does not appear to be compelling her, but as a precaution, he brings her to meet with the Order of the Phoenix - including Sirius and her parents - to discuss options. Mrs Weasley is overwhelmed to see Rigel again, firmly hugging her and calming her fears that the Weasleys would be angry about being lied to, while Sirius thanks Rigel afterward for the fact that Archie was kept safe, and magically grants her the right to use the Black name as long as she needs it. She tells them about the exact wording of the Vows, and they make plans about what they can do to ensure security during the ceremony. However, they still have no idea that Rigel is Harry.

Archie uses metamorphism to conceal Harry's absence from the house when her parents return, and also takes an opportunity to confront James about his past treatment of Harry's love of Potions, kindly but firmly accusing him of having pushed her away. James is defensive, but does acknowledge that he needs to do better by her. Harry later fills Archie in on what happened, after using a reverse-engineered knock-off of Thief's Downfall to remove the Polyjuice. In the end, they can both only laugh at how complicated things have become.