Archie scratched Aluko's feathered head as he glanced out the window onto the lanterned street of Hogsmeade. His brow pinched in worry. He turned away from the window, gave Aluko a snack before dropping down in a chair, copies of both the Quibbler and Daily Prophet lay on the table next to it. It wasn't unusual for the papers to disagree on current news but the return of you-know-who was a bloody big deal. Archie had met Harry Potter and his friends and he didn't believe that the boy would lie about something like this.
Dora hadn't been back here in years, but this was different. She didn't just believe in the stories about the return of He Who Shall Not Be Named, she'd written them. And soon she was going to risk everything to look for real proof.
But for now, she chose to experience this bloody place, maybe for the last time with her own face, hair flamboyantly blue
Archie blinked tiredly, trying not to fall asleep where he sat. The pub had been busy despite everything but the gossip had been ripe. Rosmerta had practically shoved him out the door at some point that evening and he had wandered home, trying not to overthink and worry.
Dora raised her hand and rapped nervously on his door, following Rosemerta's directions when she'd discovered Archie not at work.
Archie started and unconsciously reached for his wand. Aluko clacked her beak and gave him a disgruntled look but didn't appear too fazed so he at least lowered his wand as he moved to the door. The owl was usually a good judge but he spoke before opening it.
"Who is it?"
"It's Dora," she paused "Ollivander." She qualified in case he'd forgotten her.
Archie felt his shoulders sag in relief and he tucked his wand back in his pocket and opened the door. "I'm not sure I know another Dora," he said, smiling at her before drawing her into a hug. "When did you get in?"
Dora was initially surprised by the hug before she relaxed into him and returned it. "This morning, work sent me."
"Come in." Archie moved aside to let her in. "Tell me about it, do you want a drink?"
"I always want a drink, part of my charm, and can't say much...just well I didn't want...I dunno what I didn't want."
Archie closed the door behind her and moved to get them drinks. "What do you mean?"
"It's not a Quibbler thing," Dora replied. "And I'll be out of contact."
Archie frowned. "Not a Quibbler thing?"
"A something else that most other people can't do thing"
Archie continued to frown even as he handed her her drink, turning her words over in his mind. "And you'll be out of contact? Should I be worried?"
"Why would you be Arch?" Dora reached out to touch the wrinkle in his forehead
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Because...I get that we're friends, but we've barely seen each other," Dora replied
Archie blinked at her. "Is that all we are, friends?"
"What else do you want Arch?" Dora asked
"The same thing I said three years ago to that question," Archie replied before he sighed ran a hand down his face. "What work, Dors?"
"I'm infiltrating the Death Eaters, they catch me I die," Dora shrugged.
"Bloody hell, Dora. That's... I..." Archie almost dropped his drink at her words, staring at her. "You can't be serious. They'll kill you."
"I know, but if I don't help, they'll kill everyone," Dora said softly. "Half bloods and muggles first, my love. You know that."
"I know. I know more than anyone, that's why you can't, Dora."
"Then who, someone with family and loved ones to risk?"
"You-Know-Who is back, Dora. Death eaters and their families have been lurking in the background since last time, but now he's back... Why does it have to be you? At least tell me you have backup?"
"Because I need to, because I want to, because I can, and of course I have back up," she gave him a wobbly smile. "I shouldn't have come, I'm sorry."
"No, no, of course you should have. I'm glad you did. I've missed you," Archie said, reaching out to brush a lock of hair from her face. "I'm sorry, I just... You know how I feel about Death Eaters. I don't want you to get hurt. Or worse."
"If it happens, it does," Dora leaned into his touch