I really really like this one! I think my favorites are when you venture farther from cannon, and Lucius's motivations here-keep his son as safe as possible, especially with an insane radical on the loose-ring very very true to me. There's also nothing that suggests he can't confront Harry at a later date. Things might get sticky if she's uncovered before he can trade the life debt for silence, but he has enough inside sources at Hogwarts and the Ministry he can't be too worried about finding out too late.

I like how easily Lucius made the jump to Harry-she really was very like how he knows Rigel at the world cup-powerful, imprudent and very devoted to his son. He also got to see Lily with her magic unleashed and magical inheritance definitely seems to be a thing. In cannon I hope his blood (and likely sexism) prejudices blind him, but here it works very well.

Thanks so much for writing!

I wasn't really on board here (the wands, the parseltongue, it's come up before) until the last 3 paragraphs, but those definitely took me for a ride! The possible enticements coupled with a 'the time is past' mentality, then her family as possible pressure points, and the idea of manipulating this very powerful witch to act for their 'mutual' goals, were just the scheming Riddle I wanted!

This is my favorite of your set so far! I love the bit about the accents (especially since you take it beyond what Healer Hurst said in SS). It also feels like Remus-the concern about the personalities, his particular reliance on one of his werewolf senses, his cautious weighing of other factors which could have an impact.

I do think, however, even if Remus did decide not to tell Sirius, James, and Lily, that he would confront Harry and Archie to help them-check that their plans (which have only been vetted so far by two young teenagers) aren't missing critical pieces of information (e.g. the O.W.L.S have magically binding paper to ensure Rigel really is A. Rigel Black), or check that they do want to continue the ruse and aren't just in over their heads with no idea of how to end things. He might also want to make sure they know they have someone to turn to if things go pear shaped to try and keep them from making any desperate decisions.

Thanks for writing!

Was certain I followed this story, but I guess the good thing about not getting updates is I now have 5 whole chapters to read :)

Personally I see Snape as a scab picker-if something irritates his perception of the world (especially in a way that he knows it will be personally painful to investigate) I can't see him leaving it alone. On the other hand he also knows his investigations could harm Rigel and he may care for Rigel enough to turn a blind eye (though he does consider Rigel a child and as Rigel's head of house he likely feels a duty to investigate).

I really loved the characterization with the children and their petty secrets and the bit about making discrete inquiries about the legilimency! Was a bit surprised to not see a mention of the potions he replaced in Rigel's kit-there's the period related ones he likely saw and he could have added something to help (or trip up) the ruse as well.

Thanks for this great portrait of denial!

Ooh smart! I like how Lucius's first thought is to wrap up the life debt like, "Excellent, now I will not have to make any real actual sacrifice!" It's so transactional.

I've started to notice there are people in the world who are just like "the-rules-are-the-rules" but haven't actually formed their own moral framework. It just doesn't occur to them that they need to think about whatever authority they're following.

I imagine that having a life debt system could potentially backfire by making people think about abstract moral obligations in a very transactional way, rather than putting any real thought into what they really do owe, if there are situations in which they actually shouldn't pay their debt, and so on.

I wanna hear from Regulus.

PLEASE UPDATE! Love your book

I want to see a Lucius POV realization too! Please update and do Lucius! Please?

Please do Lucius' POV soon? Please? I'd love to see his "moment of realization" as well. Pretty please, with sugar and spice, with a banana split with double the cherries on top? PLEASE? Pretty please? I'd offer my soul, but unfortunately I've already sold that to Violet. Sorry. ️️️️️️️️

THANK YOU, SO, SO MUCH! Thank you for fulfilling my request. I hope you do Lucius Malfoy soon, or do him next, but I'm not gonna push it considering this masterpiece that you've given us. THANK YOU! I really enjoyed it, you did great! I hope you update soon, but no rush or pressure. Again, thank you. I loved it!

This made my day! :)

I like how Riddle mentally distances himself and belittles Harry by referring to her as 'the boy' or 'the girl' (and how he ends up tripping himself up in the process). It suggests to me that this is more of a hang up for him than the other characters.

I'm a little surprised that Riddle doesn't see this as an opportunity for some serious blackmail. Alternatively I could see him wanting to keep Harry a secret because if she's discovered it could end up being a PR disaster for his party - "super adorable competent half-blood arrested" is maybe not the headline he wants to see in the papers

This was great. I've been having a rough time but you brought joy back to me for the duration of your piece. Thank you

Please update!

To be honest, I always thought that Harry would tell Remus first, because he is the most unbiased, the most level headed. It makes sense that he'd wait for her to tell him, but figure it out in his own way. Until she comes to him, he can ensure that she can face whatever mess she's in.

ALSO FITTING! Leo, confronting her because he truly has nothing to lose, or at least he think he doesn't. He's not the type to wait, especially once he thinks he knows everything. The minute he knows that she's doing something dangerous, Leo wants in and will push to get it. How else can he keep her safe?
Thanks for your hard work!