Here's a bit of a treat. A second posting in one day. Just because. Enjoy. The next chapter is the one a lot of you are waiting for.
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Chapter 10 – Opportunities
The first couple days of the new week moved slowly for Sirius. He spent Monday morning painting in the garden but then grew bored. Setting aside the canvas he was working on of a fully detailed bouquet of flowers, Sirius decided to change the scenery. Gathering up his easel and supplies, he made his way to Diagon Alley. He found a quiet corner across from Gringotts and setup his easel. The alley was bustling and Sirius decided to focus on a detail of the shops, before adding people after. The new environment was much more invigorating and several hours passed quickly. A number of people stopped to watch Sirius paint and then moved on. As the afternoon waned, Sirius pulled out his potions and began to mix them with the paints. Then he began to sketch in several shoppers. As he finished, he pulled out his wand and activated the latent properties of his potions. The painting came to life. The bright colored shops seemed more vibrant, but the most eye catching portion of the painting were the shoppers who now flowed in and out of the painting as they moved through their errands. Several owls also flew by. Sirius looked at the painting and thought it was one of his better ones. As he prepared to pack up, a tall, gray-haired wizard stepped over and stood by him, looking at the painting. The man didn't move on as most observers did and Sirius looked at him.
"Can I help you sir?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes, hello my good man! I do say, you have quite the skill. Oh, but I have not properly introduced myself. Nathaniel Grandy, proprietor of fine arts and antiques."
Sirius took the man's offered hand and smiled at him.
"Good to meet you Mr. Grandy. I'm Sirius Black, painter."
This was the first time Sirius had introduced himself as a painter and he surprised himself with how easily he confessed it. Mr. Grandy took a moment to collect himself before replying.
"Sirius Black? Really? Now I know why you looked familiar. I read about you in the Prophet. Had no idea you were a painter. I quite like this piece. Do you have others completed?"
"A few Mr. Grandy. It's a skill I've only recently taken up again."
"Well, would you be interested in putting them up for sale? My shop is just a half a block over. I would take the paintings on the standard commission of 20%. Paid out when each painting sells. I will have to see each and ensure they fit the style of my shop, but if this one is any indication, I don't think that will be an issue."
Sirius stood in shock. Someone was interested in his paintings? He'd never thought about selling them. Of course, he hadn't planned on what he was going to do with them. Mr. Grandy stood waiting and staring at him. Sirius finally collected himself and responded.
"Sorry for the delay Mr. Grandy. I'm just in a bit of shock. I'd never thought of selling my work, but if you like it, I'd be willing to try. I can show you my other canvases tomorrow."
"Excellent! Shall we say around ten then?"
Sirius agreed and wished Mr. Grandy a good afternoon before packing up his supplies and returning to Grimmauld. The next day he gathered eight complete canvases and made his way back to Diagon Alley. He followed Mr. Grandy's instructions and located the shop just off a small side street. Grandy's Fine Antiques and Furnishings was an impressive shop with an eclectic mix of merchandise. Sirius pondered the window display for a moment before entering the shop. A young sales wizard was waiting on a customer, but upon checking with Sirius, he paused and called Mr. Grandy out of the back.
"Ah, Mr. Black! Quite punctual I see. Excellent. Now, let's go in the back and see what you've brought."
Sirius followed Mr. Grandy into the back of the store, which was almost as fascinating as the front. The space was a full workshop with several refurbishing projects underway. In one corner was a nice size office dominated by a French style mahogany desk. Mr. Grandy cleared the desk and Sirius laid out the paintings he had brought. Mr. Grandy stepped back and appraised each one.
"Hmm yes, a nice selection Mr. Black. I see you work primarily in watercolors, but it seems you've also brought some acrylics."
"Yes Mr. Grandy. I've recently started to experiment with acrylics for some more modern works. I like the combination better. For my landscapes and street scenes I still prefer watercolors."
"Well, they are all quite well done. I have to say, for what I am looking for here in the shop, I like the softer colors and lines. I don't think the acrylics will work, but I'd like to put the other six on commission. Will that be suitable?"
Sirius couldn't help being a bit disappointed, but figured that he was still doing well to have six paintings on commission.
"Yes Mr. Grandy, that will be fine. Standard 20% commission. No additional fees? Any restrictions for non-sales?"
"No Mr. Black, just the standard 20%. I try to keep my business simple. I was thinking of listing the smaller paintings at 125 galleons and the larger paintings at 190. Does that sound fair?"
Sirius mentally calculated. That would mean his take after commission would be 100-150 galleons. He was a bit shocked that Mr. Grandy expected them to fetch that much, but readily agreed. With that set, Mr. Grandy produced his standard contract for Sirius to review. Sirius read through the contract and it seemed fairly standard. He didn't have any reference, but nothing seemed particularly out of place. He listed the six paintings and then signed the contract. Mr. Grandy shook his hand and then offered for Sirius to stay while the paintings were hung. Sirius stayed for another forty minutes while five of the paintings were hung in settings around the shop. While he looked around, Sirius saw other paintings that were listed for even more than his and wondered if there actually was a possibility that his would sell for the asking price. Mr. Grandy didn't have quite the spot for the last painting, but assured Sirius that one would be found. With everything set, Sirius exited the shop carrying his acrylic paintings.
Sirius still wasn't sure if the paintings would sell so he decided to not mention anything to Harry and Ginny. The following evening after dinner while he and Harry played wizard's chess, Harry brought up the subject instead.
"Sirius, I was on a detail earlier today in Mould-on-Wold and I saw something interesting. There's a new art gallery there. I saw one piece in the window that caught my eye. Of course, I wasn't able to really look, but it got me thinking. Have you thought about trying to sell your paintings? I've wanted to bring it up before, but I honestly wasn't sure how you'd react. Ginny's mentioned it also, but we're really trying to let you settle in."
"Actually Harry, I hadn't given it a lot of thought until a couple of days ago. I was approached by Nathaniel Grandy, proprietor of Grandy's Fine Antiques and Furnishings. He saw me painting in Diagon Alley and took a fancy to what I was working on. I took a few pieces over there yesterday and he's taken my watercolors on commission."
Ginny was across the room reading when she overheard Sirius. She dropped her book and shot up off the couch, crossing the room in a couple of strides.
"What? That's fantastic! When were you going to tell us?"
Sirius looked at Ginny and she looked miffed.
"Easy Ginny. I haven't sold anything yet. I was going to tell you when one of my pieces sold."
"Hmmphf, still. You could have told us. I really am thrilled for you."
Ginny returned to her book and Sirius tried to focus on the chess game. Looking up at Harry, Sirius leaned in to whisper to him.
"Harry, I adore Ginny, but sometimes she scares me. I hope you never upset her."
Harry chuckled. "Don't I know it. She had six brothers to practice on first. Anyway, I'm happy for you Sirius. You really could have told us, we're family, you don't have to keep secrets."
Sirius tried to refocus, but his thoughts kept drifting. 'Sure Harry, and what if I told you I was dating your best friend?' Sirius shook his head, certain that some secrets were best kept for the time being.
The following day was Thursday and Sirius still hadn't received an owl from Hermione. He wondered if she had perhaps reconsidered getting involved with him. Sirius couldn't blame her if she did, still he was feeling anxious and melancholy as he waited. He hadn't been as nervous over a woman since Marlene made him wait a week before she gave him an answer when he asked her to the Yule Ball during their fourth year. By the time he ate lunch, Sirius knew he needed to get out of the house and he decided to head back to Wheezes. He hadn't been by in a week, but George welcomed him happily and Sirius spent several hours keeping his mind and hands busy. When he returned to Grimmauld in the evening, there was still no owl and his mood was definitely sour. Harry could tell something had upset his godfather, but decided to leave him be when Sirius disappeared to the library after dinner and didn't reappear until bedtime.
Sirius slept fitfully and would have remained in bed late if a persistent owl hadn't been tapping on his window. Half asleep, Sirius didn't give any conscious thought to the owl's arrival as he opened the window and untied the parchment the owl had brought. Sitting down on his bed, Sirius opened the parchment and was immediately awake. The note was from Hermione and read: Sirius, my apologies on the delay. This week has been insane at the office, but I have some good news. I'll probably be here until at least six. I was wondering if you would mind a quiet, home cooked meal at my flat around seven? The owl I sent will wait for your reply. I look forward to seeing you -H. The bottom of the note included Hermione's address and directions for Muggle travel, including Tube stop. Sirius quickly found a piece of parchment and penned a brief reply accepting her invitation. He tied it to the owl and sent him on his way. With that done, Sirius made his way to the shower, feeling decidedly better than he had the day before.
Sirius spent most the day painting until around six when he went to his room to clean up and dress for the evening. Opting for casual, he pulled on a pair of tight jeans and simple blue button down. Throwing his leather jacket over it, Sirius grabbed Hermione's marigold painting and headed downstairs to say goodbye to Ginny. Harry wasn't home yet and Ginny was busy feeding James. She waved to Sirius without questioning him as he stepped out the door. Since Sirius had never been to Hermione's flat, he decided it was safest to not apparate the first time. That left him with only Muggle travel. Walking to the Tube station, Sirius made one brief stop to pick up a bottle of wine. He then very carefully navigated the muggle machine for purchasing his ticket before finding the train he needed. The ride was longer than the one he and Hermione had taken a week earlier and Sirius let his mind drift. What would Lily have thought to see him traveling casually among muggles? Being muggle born, Lily had been the Marauders' tutor when it came to anything muggle. On more than one occasion she had kept them from completely making a bollocks of themselves among muggles. Sirius thought she'd be quite proud to see him now.
After a twenty minute ride, the train reached the stop that Hermione had indicated in her note. Sirius disembarked and followed the signs to the street level. Hermione's building was a couple blocks further on. Shortly before seven, Sirius arrived and made his way to the second floor. Finding number 212, Sirius knocked and waited a minute before Hermione opened the door. She was dressed in jeans and a simple blouse in a light floral print. She'd let her hair down and it swept around her in a delightful cloud of curls. Her face lit up when she saw Sirius and she took his empty hand, welcoming him into her flat.