Arc III: Part X
June 9th of 1985; 10 am:
"STOP YELLING!" Sirius shouted inside the telephone booth.
"I'M NOT YELLING! YOU'RE YELLING! I'M JUST EXCITED!" Alexa shouted back at him from the other side of the line.
"All right… Let's calm down. Is it okay with you?" Sirius asked, lowering his voice and smiling at the two old women who passed near the booth, looking suspiciously at him. "Alexa, can you hear me?"
"Oh! Am I allowed to talk now?" Alexa asked.
"Alexa, please! Remus' portkey departs very soon, and he said you have something important to tell me," Sirius said.
"Me being grounded and not allowed near the phone is also important …So, apologies for yelling at me first before we could move on," Alexa said.
Sirius' hand crisped around the phone, and he bit his fist before sighing and saying calmly, "Alexa, I apologize for yelling at you."
"All right…I accept your apologies, even though I know you don't really mean it," Alexa said.
"Alexa…" Sirius warned her.
"Okay! Listen, I saw Harry!" Alexa said.
"What?! When?" Sirius asked.
"When I went to London for your trial and saved your ass…I ditched mom and the girls, took a bus to Little Whinging, then went to the address you told me. I found the number four, and Harry opened the door."
"Harry opened the door?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow. "He's going to be five in two months!"
"Well, he did! However, his uncle and Aunt quickly came looking. I told them we are friends and that you sent me." Alexa said.
"Then, what happened? What did they say?" Sirius asked.
"They froze and looked dumb…So, I explained I'm a witch, showed them my wand, and handed it to Harry," Alexa said, before taking a pause and breathing heavily before continuing, "I wish I hadn't done that…His aunt snatched Harry so fast, and they disappeared behind his uncle. The man was furious at me! He started yelling and even pushed me! I fell back and ran away, with him chasing me!"
"What?! Did he hurt you?" Sirius asked.
"No! That asshole is too fat to run…But it didn't go too far! An old woman appeared and kind of saved me," Alexa said.
"Who?" Sirius asked.
"Sirius! I'm not the town's fucking mayor! How would I know?" Alexa asked.
"How did she look like!? Did she say her name?" Sirius asked.
"No…Um, old, short, grey hair. An old lady! Oh, and she was followed by like five cats," Alexa said.
"Arabella…She was in the order. Dumbledore must have asked her to move near the Dursleys to look over Harry," Sirius said.
"Oh…The guy seemed embarrassed when he saw her and calmed down in a second, talking to her as if nothing had happened before going back inside. She walked me back to the bus station; then I went back to London…Did I put Harry in trouble?" Alexa said.
"No! He didn't do anything wrong…They just misunderstood you. Dumbledore must have explained later. Thank you, Alexa, and sorry for the trouble," Sirius said.
"Of course…" Alexa said.
"I guess your mother wasn't happy when you got back," Sirius said.
"She wasn't… That's why I'm grounded. Two months, entirely your fault!" Alexa said.
"I'm very sorry! I promise I'll make it up to you the next time we see each other. Tell me more about him! How does he look?" Sirius asked.
"He's a cute kid! Big green eyes, black hair…Although, he is a little bit too short and skinny for his age, to be honest. Oh! I saw his scar! It's not a legend; it's there!" Alexa said.
"All right! I have to go! Let's talk again soon! Until then, stay out of trouble!" Sirius said.
"WAIT!" Alexa shouted.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"Are you now going back to England soon or to your giiiiiirrrrlfrieeeend?" Alexa asked.
"Girlfriend first! Maybe I'll take her to Spain, a Greek island, for the summer or see some dragons!" Sirius said.
"WHAT?! You get to live 'la Vida local while I'm grounded because of you?" Alexa asked.
"Alexa, sweetie… I've never told you to go to little whinging, but only write him letters! I have to go now!" Sirius said.
"Fuck you!... And call soon!" Alexa said.
Sirius stepped out telephone booth and, a few seconds after, apparated in front of the Balasko's, where he saw Remus sitting alone on the stairs. Remus smiled and came to meet him before they sat on the short wall bordering the house.
"So, you're already leaving?" Sirius asked.
"Now that I made sure you were fine and well informed, it's time I head back to Scotland and report to Dumbledore. Are you sure you don't want to come back with me? I thought we could stop by your friend's house in Germany and visit that village in Normandy before we cross the sea," Remus said.
"I'd like that, Remus! But, unfortunately, there is plenty I need to do around here before heading back," Sirius said.
"What's keeping you here?" Remus asked, looking curiously at him.
"Don't bother…I just don't want to rush my comeback," Sirius said.
Remus nodded and said, "A lot happened to you since you escaped…I wish I could have helped you more. Sirius, I'm sorry I believed Peter…I feel like our friendship is broken."
Sirius sighed, "I distrusted you too, Remus…We failed each other, and if you forgive me, I do too. Nevertheless, I think we should close the marauders' map for good before our next Mischief splatters worst."
"I agree with you…So, Mischief managed?" Remus asked.
"Mischief managed," Sirius replied.
"So, what will you know?" Remus asked.
"You won't let it go, don't you?" Sirius said, chuckling, then said, "perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm starting to believe that I'm where I should be for the moment, and all that happened since my escape was meant to be," Sirius said.
"What do you mean?" Remus asked.
"I think I'm walking on a path where I'll learn a lot about myself and see the world differently. I want to keep walking until its end… So, England will wait," Sirius said.
"It's strange to see you so serious," Remus said.
"Even I couldn't keep away adulthood. Am I right?" Sirius said, smiling, jumping down from the short wall, and opening his arms wide.
"What now?" Remus asked, frowning.
"Come give me a hug," Sirius said.
"No," Remus said.
"Padfoot wants a hug!" Sirius said, walking towards him.
"I'll bite you; I swear!" Remus said, too late, as Sirius closed his arms around him and hugged him tightly.
Ludvik, Worple, Belby, Red, and Joan came out from the house and walled toward them, followed by Florin, wearing gloves and one of Red's hoodies, hiding his head from the sun, along with oversized sunglasses. Worple and Belby carried their suitcases to make the trip back to England with Remus and the portkey Dumbledore had provided to Remus.
"Sirius!" Belby said, taking off his hat and reaching out a hand to Sirius.
"It's Lord Black for you," Sirius said sharply before shaking his hand.
"I have been delighted to make your acquaintance! I hope you'll visit my laboratory as soon as you're back!" Belby said.
"To fund his research," Worple said, shaking Sirius' hand, receiving a glare from Belby. "Lord Black! I would be honored to receive you in my home! We could discuss the good old time and your achievements! Perhaps I could write your biography?"
"No," Sirius said sharply.
"Take your time!" Worple said.
"Sirius, thank you so much for your help! I don't know if I'll be able to return the favor someday," Florin said.
"I'll be satisfied if you take care of yourself, Florin. Did your face regain some colors?" Sirius said.
"Thanks to Denise's care and Damocles potions. I feel close to normal again, even though the sun burns me and I can jump as high as a building…By the way, it's not Florin anymore but Sanguini," Florin said.
"Why would you change your name?" Sirius asked.
"New life, new name to blend in the world I belong to now. We're going to make a last visit to Cluj to visit my family a last time before leaving for good Romania," Florin said.
"Florin…There isn't any new life to start. You're not dead! Time will pass, and you'll learn to accept yourself for who you are. Don't shut yourself from your family and friends!" Remus aid.
Florin smiled at them and nodded before saying, "Thanks to you both!"
"It's amazing how moving you can be, Remus! It's like if you know what you're talking about," Sirius said, resting his head on Remus's shoulder.
"Shut up! Go away!" Remus told him, before turning to Denise and Ludvik, "Denise, Ludvik, thank you for your hospitality. Is there any message you want me to deliver to Dumbledore?"
"Tell him he can go fuck himself," Ludvik said before Denise punched his stomach.
"We've been happy to have you here, Remus; take care of yourself and give our regards to professor Dumbledore," Denise said, and Remus bowed to her.
"Look how he's polite…Take care of yourself, Remus. It was great to see you again," Sirius said.
"For me too, Sirius. How about you? Anything for Dumbledore?" Remus asked.
"Tell him to mail me my wand; I miss it," Sirius said.
"It must still be at Azkaban, or perhaps they sent it to your Vault. I'll look for it…Meanwhile, do what you have to and come back home. Perhaps by then, Dumbledore would have changed his mind about Harry," Remus said.
"No worries, only his happiness and safety matter. Sooner or later, he'll go to Hogwarts, and we will have all the time in the world to know each other," Sirius said.
"Thanks for not making it more difficult than it already is, Sirius. It's like if you've become a real adult," Remus said.
"Fuck you," Sirius said, smiling.
Belby offered Denise some rare seeds for her garden. Denise hugged Florin while Worple told a last joke to Ludvik, Red, and Joan before they touched the portkey and disappeared.
"I already miss them," Red said, sighing.
"We'll see them around some time," Joan said.
"When are you two leaving?" Sirius asked.
"Soon…As promised, Ludvik wrote to Gregorovitch, who agreed to take me as his apprentice. However, I'll have to wait until September to start," Red said.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"Until then, he'll be overworked to teach me anything…July and August are busy with Durmstrang and other eastern European students who come for school supplies and other orders. But he still sent me gold and a list of items he wants me to get for him, to keep me busy, I guess," Red said.
"It's his way to introduce you to his suppliers so that you could make your first steps in the field," Ludvik said, silently reading the list.
"Consider that your formation has already started," Denise said.
"Seriously?" Red asked them.
"Yes…Follow me inside; I must have an address book somewhere," Ludvik said before heading back to the house, tailed by Red and Denise.
Past midnight Sirius sighed on his back, looking at the ceiling. The heatwave made it impossible to sleep, but it wasn't the only thing keeping his eyes open. He spent his day trying vainly to shield his mind from Ludvik's intrusions, and the old man didn't go easy on him. So, he was glad when sunset came and left Bran for Graz to spend the night in his own bed, to repeat the same the following day.
He felt Emma breathe against his shoulder. Sirius turned his head to his left and found her curled up, looking wearily at him, her face sweaty. He turned to lie on his side and face her before passing his fingers through her blonde hair.
"Can't sleep?" Sirius asked.
Emma shook her head slowly. "How could I…The room is an oven."
"Me neither," Sirius said.
"What's on your mind? You barely talked during dinner and went straight to bed after," Emma said.
Sirius nodded, saying, "I was exhausted and had a headache."
Emma caressed his cheek and asked," Is it the mind magic training?"
"I didn't imagine it would be so tedious," Sirius replied.
"Why don't you stop? Is it indispensable?" Emma asked.
"Yes… Occlumency and legilimency are like a ladder to becoming a much higher-level wizard. It is a kind of magic that makes you optimize the use of magic, to accomplish a lot by using relatively little and be on the right track to perhaps not needing a wand anymore," Sirius said.
"I see…The other day when you explained to Walter how you became a dog, it sounded very complicated. You must be extraordinarily skilled and ingenious if you achieved it so young…So, what's blocking you?" Emma asked.
"My feelings! As hard as I try to control them, whether I'm happy or angry, Ludvik always uses them as a bridge…." Sirius said.
"Aren't your feeling that carried you so far?" Emma asked.
"True…But apparently, it cuts both ways! Ludvik is a friend, but an enemy could use them to intercept my thoughts and possess my mind. Therefore, I must tell you something, Emma," Sirius said.
"Tell me," Emma said.
"I must leave for some time. I love being here too much, but it's…Softening me," Sirius said.
Emma winced and closed her eyes, saying, "Ouch! This is the worst breakup line ever."
"I'm not breaking up with you! On the opposite!" Sirius said, pocking her shoulder.
Emma chuckled and asked, "So we could be together, you must be away?"
"Temporary…Since starting this training, I've been forced to peer inside myself, digging deeper each time until I discovered a conflict weakening my mind and magic. It grows and grows, and unless I take back the control, it will expand…Poisoning you," Sirius said.
"I told you before, and I'll repeat it. There is nothing you'll tell me that can scare me or change my mind about you," Emma said.
"You don't need to tell me! However, it's not about talking; I don't understand it, but facing it! It's a wall I have to break alone." Sirius said.
Emma nodded and said, "All right, Rambo…Do you at least know how much time you'll be away?"
"Maybe the entire summer," Sirius said.
"The entire summer?!" Emma asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Not necessarily! But it could take some time," Sirius said.
"But… Áurea's summer dresses!" Emma said, pocking his sides with her fingers, making him laugh.
"Hans! Leave that body!" Sirius said.
"Fuck you!" Emma said, wrapping her arms around his neck and telling him, "Do whatever you have to but come back Sirius, and please…Stay away from dark wizards, Darth Vader, vampires, and werewolves!"
"What if they come looking for me?" Sirius asked.
"Win," Emma said before kissing him. Then, she sighed and said, "I swear, This weather makes me miss winter…We stink and stick!"
"Give me a sec," Sirius said before grabbing Denise's wand from his bedside table and waving it above them. A white cloud appeared on the ceiling and slowly darkened, lowering the bedroom's temperature.
"I love you!" Emma said, smiling and snuggled under his arm, "And don't you dare leave before I wake up."
"I won't," Sirius said.
June 25th of, 1985:
Since Remus's departure, Sirius had stayed in Bran to focus on his Occlumency lessons with Ludvik. After an entire morning in the living room with the man, he finally took a break after Red asked Ludvik for help with one of his tasks. Sirius stretched and walked out of the house and made to leave for a walk in the nearby town until Joan grabbed his arm.
"Where do you go when you're not here?" Joan asked him.
"Not where you think," Sirius replied.
"Then, where?" Joan asked again.
"Mind your business, or I'll make you regret it," Sirius said sharply, pulling his arm from Joan's grip.
"All right…We haven't talked since that night under the castle," Joan said.
"When you went crazy and almost got us killed? It's better if we don't," Sirius said.
"I know…Sirius, forgive me, but I haven't been sincere with you," Joan said.
"I hate when a conversation starts whit that particular sentence…I fucking hate it," Sirius said, sighing.
"I understand but listen to what I have to say," Joan said.
"Alright, I'm listening," Sirius said.
"I knew beforehand that something important hid under the castle…Not a stupid treasure but something like what we found," Joan said.
"You knew about the tomb?" Sirius asked, frowning.
"No…I was as surprised as you! Listen…I overheard a conversation between my two grandfathers when I was a kid. Both were highly ranked in the Russian Ministry of magic…From what I understood, they'd spent years working on a project the Ministry suddenly shut down without any explanation before seizing all their work to be destroyed later. The following day, they confessed publicly to conspiring against the Ministry of magic and were placed under house arrest and forbidden to receive any visit," Joan said.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but isn't conspiration a crime punished by death?" Sirius asked.
"Yes…But, by keeping them alive, each time anyone gets too interested, they'll bring them out to tell loudly that it's all 'shameful fabricated lies. While killing them could insinuate that the authorities are hiding something," Joan said.
"What do you know about their research?" Sirius asked.
"I doubt you'd already forgotten about that Archway," Joan asked.
"How can I forget about it?" Sirius asked.
"Well, it's not a myth or just sketches in old books…Those Archways exist, and they can be found all around the world, and according to what I heard from my grandfather, they're always close to steel, written in a language no one can read. I was a curious kid, so I went to their office once everyone was asleep and borrowed these…." Joan said, handing Sirius a scroll and adding, "This is all that survived the Aurors raid a few hours later."
Sirius stared at the drawing of an Archway similar to the one he saw at Dracul's castle a year earlier in Germany. But, unfortunately, the text was unreadable, and he didn't recognize a single symbol; before his gaze followed landed on two underlined words, then followed a line traced to the page's margin, where some notes were handwritten in Russian.
"What does it say?" Sirius asked.
Joan put his finger on one and said, "This means 'princes of Wallachia' and the other 'Black clan'"
"Like me?" Sirius asked, frowning at him.
"I replied to Ludvik's call in the newspaper to justify my trip here and the Ministry bought it…Then you appeared from nowhere, the last living member of your family…I had no idea of Ludvik's plan before I arrived here! It couldn't be a coincidence! That's why I insisted on patrolling with you and keep an eye on you, convinced you were the one using Ludvik rather than the other way around. So, you must know something!" Joan said.
Sirius shook his head slowly no, and replied, "No…I didn't know anything about this"
"That's impossible! That wall answered to your blood. You may be wrong when you said that Dracul's wanted his treasure to be found by wizards. In the end, there was no treasure, and we didn't try with my blood! What would the chances be that it only reacts to yours?" Joan said.
"I had no idea it would work…I didn't even care about what rested below as long as it wasn't dangerous," Sirius said.
"Are you sure you've never seen anything like that text or Archway in your family house? Has your parents or relative have any history about Dracul, Vampires, or Ravenclaw?" Joan asked.
"I've never heard anything about it…My parents were pure-blood supremacists. That means they were disgusted by Vampires and everything that isn't pure-blooded…As to Ravenclaw, except me, I am sure everyone fell in Slytherin. However, it's not the first time I see an Archway like that," Sirius said.
"Where?" Joan asked.
"Last year in Germany. I think the gorgon I killed was protecting it…But, I must warn you never to get close to it! They have a bewitching power… They're dangerous," Sirius said.
"You…You saw a real one?!" Joan asked.
"I did and it attracted me to cross it… And I was close to before the gorgon attacked, and I had to run just after," Sirius said.
"I see…Was there any steel around?" Joan asked.
"I can't tell…Perhaps there was one, but I wasn't looking for it. The clearing was filled with the gorgon's victims transformed to stone. Anyways, I can take you there to see by yourself while I visit my friend," Sirius said.
"No, we can't…The German Ministry opened an office there to officially 'get closer to the magical community of that village'…Now, I know the real reason" Joan said.
"I'm sorry I can't help you more…However, I'll have to stop by my parents' house when I return to London. If my father knew anything, it should be in his office," Sirius said, handing him back the scroll.
"I'm disappointed…But thanks anyway," Joan said.
"So, are you planning to go back to Russia soon?" Sirius asked.
"I don't know…I miss my family and my country, but I must keep looking. And once back there, once single move would put me on the Ministry's radar…If I'm not already," Joan said.
"I see…Do you want to hear my opinion about all this?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah, Sure!" Joan said.
"You came here because the note said something about 'the princes of Wallachia' and my family. Then, once here, you also found me, and we found Ravenclaw's Tomb together. Right?" Sirius asked.
"That's correct," Joan said, nodding.
"Isn't there a moment when you consider looking closer at Hogwarts' history and its founders?" Sirius asked.
June 30th of, 1985:
"Close your mind, Sirius," Ludvik whispered to Sirius, sitting in front of him.
"My mind is closed," Sirius said, annoyed.
"You're thinking of a sheep riding a broom," Ludvik said.
"It's because of that stupid story Red told me at lunch. I can't get the picture out of my head!" Sirius complained, running his hand through his hair.
Ludvik sighed and leaned back in his armchair. "Sirius, I don't think you're aware of the importance of what we are trying to do. Denise and the other two have agreed to let us have the house for a few hours. Therefore, I suggest you take advantage of each second."
"I'm more than willing to, but you haven't given me many instructions except to close my mind!" Sirius said.
"I would have thought that with your family background, you would have picked up a few things," Ludvik said.
"Not at all," Sirius said.
"Very well... You should have started with that. Let's review the basics again, shall we? Could you tell me what your thoughts on legilimency and occlumency are?" Ludvik asked.
"One consists in reading people's minds, and the other of defending yourself against the first," Sirius said.
"That's more or less correct, but not exactly. Occlumency is the control of both your conscious and subconscious. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?" Ludvik asked.
"Not really..." Sirius said.
"Maybe you would understand it better this way..." Ludvik said before his eyes met his, and Sirius felt a cold chill inside him. Suddenly, Sirius was no longer in the Balaskos' cozy living room but in a hospital room behind himself and James.
Lily lay on the bed, her face sweating and red, while a healer instructed her. "Keep pushing, Lily! I can feel the head!... At least, I hope it's the head; otherwise, this baby will have some big toes! Keep pushing! Breathe!" the healer yelled at her.
"JAAAAAMESSSS!" Lily screamed.
"NO! I'm healer Nevi, Remember? Nurse! I think we're losing her!" Healer Nevi said to the woman assisting him, cleaning Lily's forehead.
"I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU, YOU MORON! MY HUSBAND, JAMES!" Lily shouted.
"Don't stand there, idiot! Go hold her hand or do something!" Sirius said, pushing a pale-faced James towards Lily.
James rushed to stand next to Lily's bed, kissed his wife's forehead, took her hand in his, and started cheering her on with a shaky voice.
"I love you, Lily! You are strong! You are the best! Keep pushing!" James said, his voice barely audible over Lily's screams of pain.
"One more push!" Dr Nevi asked.
"It's almost over, my love! I love you so much! I'd do anything for you! You'll never do the dishes again! I'll take out the trash! I'll..." James said before groaning in pain as Lily bit his hand.
"SHUT UP!" Lily screamed.
"I got the head!" the doctor shouted.
"MERLIN! I JUST SAW LILY'S VAGINA, AND THERE'S A HEAD STICKING OUT OF IT! IT'S HORRIBLE!" Sirius screamed, his eyes widening.
"SOMEBODY TEAR HIS EYES OUT!" Lily screamed, crying.
"Where is Voldemort when we need him?" James said, scowling at his best friend.
"And it's over! "The doctor announced cheerfully, the hospital room suddenly plunging into silence, and Sirius would swear that only the newborn's cries could be heard in the world.
The nurse carefully wrapped the baby in a blanket before placing him in Lily's arms, who smiled broadly. The baby stopped crying as soon as it met its mother's skin, then James sat carefully on the bed's edge and passed his arm around Lily's shoulders, looking at her son, hypnotized.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Potter. I'll give you a moment of privacy." Healer Nevi said gently before leaving the room, followed by the nurse.
"I'll wait outside too. Congratulations! "Sirius said.
"Don't be ridiculous, Sirius. Meet your Godson! "Lily told him nicely.
He walked towards them, his feet shaking, but quickly landed back in the Balasko's living room in front of Ludvik, who smoked his cigarette, staring at him, amused.
"Beautiful Baby," Ludvik said to him.
"How did you... That's private!" Sirius said.
"Only if you can protect it. Sirius, what I just did is a display of an intermediary level of Legilimency. I managed to go deep into your mind and get a clear memory without you getting in my way. How do you think I could?" Ludvik asked.
"I don't know," Sirius said, shrugging.
"The target's emotions are the source of Legilimency powers. Your mind is unstable and unbalanced whenever you're happy or sad! Which creates breaches through which I can infiltrate your mind," Ludvik said.
"How do you do that exactly? How do you use emotion, in other words, a non-material element, to channel your magic? Especially considering that it is not yours," Sirius asked.
"Your emotions are perhaps yours, but I provoked them, which means I'm part of it. Let's say that…I parasitized your thoughts without you noticing! So, I use that tiny, silent part of my magic attached to you, then build a connection between me and your subconscious. However, in your case, it was quite easy for me," Ludvik said.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"I know you for some time now, manipulated you for weeks into thinking you were still wanted…I created an entire scenario that pushes you into reacting easily to my provocations because you want to. So, that allows me to structure my intrusions better," Ludvik said.
"The fact that I hate your guts makes me vulnerable?" Sirius asked.
"That's the idea…However, unless you're a born legilimens, most wizards need a wand, but some, with years of experience like me, eye contact is enough to build the connection." Ludvik said.
"So, to master occlumency, I must control my emotions or conceal them," Sirius said.
"No, it's not enough. You must suppress them to get into an emotionless state," Ludvik said.
"That would be the same as asking me to stop breathing! Nobody can feel something, whether it's fear, joy, sadness, or rage! It's the basis of consciousness!" Sirius said.
"That's why so many wizards and witches waste years trying only to fail! If you want to be useful to your godson, then you have no choice than doing the impossible," Ludvik said.
"All right, all right…I still need some indication from to start, apart from 'close your mind Sirius'" Sirius said.
"That's why I'm here. Start with a deep introspection to find your real self. The one you cannot escape from and be alone whit him…So you'd know, each time I peered inside your mind. I met strong doubts and regrets blocking your magic, unlocking your full potential as both wizard and man, self-harming you," Ludvik said.
"I don't want to be alone with myself…I hate it! That's what was the roughest in Azkaban, not the dementors," Sirius said.
Ludvik shrugged and crushed his cigarette in the ashtray, then said, "Deal with it."
One week later:
From the top of a mountain overlooking the region's landscape, Sirius sat on the grass, eyes closed, relaxed. Cutting off contact with the outside world and immersing himself in his inner world, focusing his attention on a specific memory, studying it, learning from it, and then overcoming it, however painful it was.
An exercise that wavers far away from Sirius's explosive nature or his reluctance to fully his heart even to himself. However, he finally took the bull by the horns. He learned that every aspect of the task had a precise function and that nothing was left to luck.
Sitting in that uncomfortable and painful position for his knees slowly taught him to divert his attention from the pain to his mind. Thus, he established a hierarchy in his priorities, placing his mind at the top of the pyramid, and he could feel the progress he made in a week.
Nonetheless, despite his diligence and determination, an area remained within him, and he refused to venture into it. A door he once slammed behind him and was afraid to twist its knob today. What made terrified him so much? Wasn't that a choice he made out of conviction? Yet, he wasn't ready.
Sirius slowly opened his eyes to sit cross-legged on the grass in front of the beautiful landscape of the Carpathians. Opposite to when he arrived before dawn, the sun was now high in the sky, and he smiled, waving his hand to greet Ludvik, who apparated a little further, carrying a picnic basket under his arm.
"You've improved a lot, Sirius," Ludvik said.
"Unfortunately, not as much as I wished," Sirius said.
"Step by step, you will get there. I can feel your more appeased…My little Trojan horse in you has disappeared. Ludovik said.
"I know; I went for it first," Sirius replied, chuckling.
"So, now that you have acquired some of the basics, you can explore some 'emergency options,'" Ludvik said.
"Emergency options?" Sirius asked.
"Yes. You see, it will take time, years maybe, for you to completely suppress your emotions in any situation. So, you must have a backup plan if you need to protect your mind unexpectedly, such as in a duel". Ludvik.
"You have my full attention," Sirius said.
"You'll agree that using Occlumency and legilimency in a living room during a civilized conversation is different from using it in combat against a real enemy. Until now, you've worked following a structured protocol, but you'll adjust to the situation in moments of need. For example, you can frustrate your opponent by clouding your mind with many incoherent thoughts. Then, if you have some knowledge about him, make your mind a zone of torture to whoever tries to intrude, chasing him away and harming him in the act. A more advanced option, for when you'll have your skills polished, would be to lure the legilimens into your mind to trap him inside, reversing the connection himself would have built, and therefore, posses him or disable him," Ludvik said.
"The first one seems at my range," Sirius said, nodding.
"The two others would, too, with a lot of work. As for the mind arts, you'll understand that continuous effort is a ladder to bliss," Ludvik said melancholically, his gaze lost to the horizon.
End of Arc III
Here we are at last! It took its time, but I finally closed this arc and took feel that I also gained some experience with writing. I'm frustrated by my limited vocabulary and skills that keep me from describing the environments and situations as well as I'd like to, but I think that the result is decent.
I'll post two or three more in-between chapters, then take a break before the fourth arc. Until then, thank you for reading, and please review!