Arc I: part II
In the days that followed his meeting with Ryan, Sirius found himself growing increasingly fond of the man and his fascinating life story. At just 20 years old, Ryan had volunteered for the U.S. Army and participated in the Normandy landings during World War II. He had then traveled extensively throughout the United States, working in various jobs before returning to the army to serve in Korea, and ultimately ending up in Vietnam.
Despite the horrors he had experienced during the war, Ryan eventually settled in Europe, where he met and married the love of his life, Elise. After tragedy struck, however, Ryan had chosen to live a solitary life, spending his days painting and making furniture to sell in the nearby village.
For Sirius, who was hiding from the law and living in constant fear of being discovered, Ryan's remote and secluded lifestyle was ideal. He spent his days barefoot on the beach, swimming in the sea, and listening to Ryan's stories while he played his guitar. Although Sirius longed to tell Ryan about the magical world of Hogwarts, he contented himself with sharing stories of his adventures with James and Remus and his regrets about his strained relationship with his family.
As the days passed, Sirius and Ryan grew closer, with Sirius even venturing out to sea with Ryan to try his hand at fishing. Although he knew his time in Ryan's idyllic home was only temporary, Sirius cherished every moment he spent there. Eventually, he even felt brave enough to venture into the nearby village.
On a Tuesday morning, he woke up early and went downstairs to join Ryan for breakfast. Ryan greeted him with wide eyes before bursting into laughter. The day before, Sirius had been worried about being recognized, even though he strongly doubted that English wizards frequented the little muggle village. So, he had attempted to cut his hair very short but had obviously failed miserably. He rolled his eyes, sat down at the table, and poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Good morning, Ryan. Did you sleep well?" Sirius asked, ignoring the old man who had choked on his toast.
"Very well, thank you!" he answered with a big smile.
"So, what's the plan for today?"
"First of all, we shave your head...I'm joking!" Ryan said, noticing Sirius's grim expression and the knife he was using to butter his toast. "OK, more seriously, first things first, we have to deliver a bedside table to a client. Then we'll go to the convenience store. Since you arrived, we're almost always out of beer, and I wouldn't wait around too long on this matter, as the alcohol shelves in this region don't stay very well-stocked... er... supplied. And lastly, we'll go to the church to deliver a painting."
"First of all, blaming me for the beer shortage is unfair; I remind you that two days ago, I found you passed out on the floor at 10 pm and had to carry you to your bed. You weigh around 1000 pounds, and you threw up on me..." Sirius said.
"You'd rather talk about four days ago when you downed our last supplies and started barking like a dog, telling me to call you Padfoot from now on," Ryan replied.
"Er... right... Let's forget about that," Sirius said.
"Deal. I'm going to load my pickup; meet me outside when you're done. I've left some clean clothes for you in the bathroom," Ryan said.
"Are you sure you don't want me to help you?" Sirius asked, his mouth full.
"Don't worry, save your strength. In any case, it's you and your delicate little arms that will unload it when we get there," Ryan said, smirking as he left the kitchen.
"My arms are just fine!" Sirius shouted after him. "I'll show you... just wait..."
Sirius didn't waste any time in joining Ryan outside. The sound of the engine roaring to life filled the air as Ryan had already loaded his pickup and was waiting impatiently. When he saw Sirius step out of the house, he honked the horn and tapped his watch with his finger, urging him to hurry up. Sirius hurriedly settled into the passenger seat, and the smell of the new leather upholstery wafted around him. As soon as he got in, Ryan revved the engine, and the car jolted forward, making Sirius's stomach drop. He watched with curious eyes as Ryan deftly navigated the car out of the driveway.
Sirius had always been fascinated by Muggle inventions, and as they drove along the winding coastal road, he marveled at the shades of blue and green of the sea that stretched out before them. The salty ocean air filled his nostrils, and he breathed deeply, taking in the refreshing scent. Ryan explained the different parts of the car to him, and Sirius listened with rapt attention, the sound of Ryan's voice mingling with the roar of the engine.
As they drove, Ryan expertly maneuvered through the signs and traffic lights, and Sirius watched in awe as the colors of the traffic signals changed from red to green. He couldn't help but be impressed by the intelligence with which Muggles organized their daily life, using logic to overcome the need to use magic.
After a while, they turned onto a narrow country road and drove through fields of tall green grass that swayed gently in the breeze, Eventually, they arrived at a quaint medieval village, and Sirius felt as though he had stepped back in time. The colorful buildings were made of stone, and the streets were lined with quaint shops and cafés. Ryan expertly navigated the narrow streets, and Sirius watched the colorful buildings pass by, the sound of the car's engine reverberating through the cobblestone streets.
When they finally arrived at the stone house, Ryan parked the car in front of the door, and the sound of the engine faded away. Sirius stepped out of the car, taking in the sweet smell of freshly baked bread that wafted out of the house. A young woman with brown hair tied up in a bun and dressed in a maid's uniform greeted them with a smile. Sirius's eyes met hers, and he couldn't help but feel a flush spread across his cheeks. He followed Ryan towards the door, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the narrow alley.
The young woman greeted them with a warm smile, "Good morning, Miss Julie. How are you doing today?"
"Good, thanks," she replied, turning her attention to Evan who was standing behind Ryan. "And who is this gentleman with you?" she inquired, causing Evan to blush.
Ryan chuckled and put his hand on Evan's shoulder. "This is my nephew, Evan. He flew across the ocean to visit for a few days and despite the jetlag, insisted on joining me this morning after I mentioned meeting a charming lady like you."
Sirius, who had been standing silently next to Ryan, took a step forward and greeted Julie with a warm smile, "I am delighted to meet you, Miss Julie. Ryan speaks highly of you, and I can see why."
Julie shook Sirius's hand and smiled, feeling comfortable around him. "It's nice to meet you too, Sirius. Ryan has been keeping me updated about his family, it seems," she chuckled, glancing at Ryan, who looked a bit embarrassed.
Sirius joined in the conversation, "Uncle Ryan has always been forgetful, but he never forgets to mention how amazing you are, Julie."
Julie blushed and laughed, "Well, he is a charmer, that one," she said.
Ryan interrupted the conversation and suggested, "Alright, I'm not going to third wheel this. Evan, why don't you take down the order from the truck and show Julie how strong you are?". The group laughed as Evan blushed but complied with Ryan's request.
Sirius and Ryan trailed behind Julie as she led them through a matte fence and into a garden designed with architectural inspiration from religious places. The garden was a rectangular space divided into small separate plots with a striking geometric design. The space was both modest and charming, creating an aesthetic that caught the eye. As they strolled through the garden, they came across a transition from the utility side to an artistic side characterized by flowerbeds in different patterns, perfectly bounded by trimmed light green bushes. The gravel path they walked on led to stairs, which gradually brought them to a large door.
While Julie and Ryan chatted happily in French, Sirius focused on the garden around him, feeling flattered by Julie's furtive glances. Although they had just met, he found himself attracted to her, and he suspected that she felt the same way. At the end of their walk, they arrived at the entrance of a 16th-century stone mansion with a tiled roof, flanked by a stair tower, large windows, and a pavilion with broad openings.
Julie invited them inside, and they followed her to an elegantly furnished hall, where a chandelier hung from the ceiling, and a large-scale fresco expanded on the entire surface. The fresco depicted cherubim and angels flying in a blue sky while others lay on clouds. The floor was a succession of black and white tiles, and stairs with golden railings led to the upper floor. Sirius growled quietly, noticing that the place reminded him of the Malfoy's manor, which he found unsettling.
After Julie gestured for them to wait, she ascended the stairs, Sirius' eyes following her. A few moments later, she returned with a man in tow, piquing Sirius' interest. The man was the master of the manor, with milk-white skin, a clean-shaven face, and a tall, slim figure. His bowl-cut hairstyle, reminiscent of the ghost of Hufflepuff, added a touch of eccentricity to his otherwise sophisticated appearance in his dark blue, tailor-made suit and brown moccasins. Extending his hand to Ryan, he received a respectful bow from the American Muggle, much to Sirius' amusement. Suppressing a laugh at the unexpected display of reverence, Sirius shook the man's hand as he turned to him with a wide smile.
"Hello! You must be Evan, the famous person Julie told me about. I'm Gilbert, Duke of Poitou. Welcome to Normandy!"
"Thank you, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you," replied Sirius, smiling. "My uncle speaks highly of you," added Evan.
The Duke smiled and placed his left hand on Ryan's shoulder. "Your uncle is too kind. He honors me with his friendship. However, forgive my manners. Would you gentlemen care to join me for lunch?"
Ryan politely declined, explaining they had other deliveries and were not dressed appropriately for a lunch invitation.
"I understand," said the Duke. "But please allow me to extend an invitation to dinner on Saturday. We are celebrating Mr. Martin's retirement, and it would be an honor to have you both as my guests. Ryan, it would be a pleasure to have a conversation with you that isn't business-related. Evan, it would be a pleasure to get to know you better before you leave."
"We would be honored to join you, Your Grace. Thank you for the invitation," replied Ryan.
"Excellent! I look forward to seeing you both on Saturday," said the Duke, smiling.
Sirius and Ryan bid their final farewell to the Duke and Julie before departing from the property. They left their car parked and decided to take a leisurely walk through the village to purchase some necessities from a local grocery store. However, as they strolled through the village, Sirius' sense of bliss quickly dissipated into a feeling of unease. He couldn't shake off the sensation that someone was keeping a watchful eye on him, perhaps even recognizing him.
The villagers' curious stares from their windows and the tables outside the bars only added to his paranoia. He wondered if there were any wizards living in the village who could potentially recognize him. In haste, he hurried towards the car, ignoring Ryan's pleas to slow down, and sought refuge inside. Ryan soon followed, took his place behind the wheel, and opened a can of beer before driving off.
Overall, despite the peaceful surroundings, Sirius couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched and pursued, leaving him on edge and anxious.
"Are you really going to drink that now?" Sirius asked.
"No worries! You'll never see the police anywhere around here, at this time of the day." Ryan replied, "All right. Just one more stop, and we will be back home, I'm already starving!"
Ryan proved he wasn't bluffing about his ability to drive blindfolded, insisting on demonstrating until Sirius intervened after a close call with another car. They parked near the village square, which featured a Gothic-style church with a rectangular plan and Latin cross. The square in front of the church formed a spacious esplanade, illuminated by scattered rays of sunshine despite the dark clouds overhead. The church's choir featured large buttresses with sculpted stone gargoyles, originally designed for decoration and rainwater run-off but now appeared to be watching over the village for potential danger, ready to take flight. Ryan nodded towards a painting at the back of the square.
"Bring it over there, find the priest, and hand it to him. We were supposed to arrive half an hour ago, so hurry up. He should be waiting for you," Ryan said, rushing him to get down from his pickup.
"Why don't you come with me?" asked Sirius.
Ryan pocketed his beer. "If I walk through that church gate, I might catch on fire," Ryan said.
Sirius chuckled before making his way to the back of the room to retrieve the painting. Carefully cradling it in his arms, he made his way toward the church, taking in the vast interior as he went. The gothic-style church was built on two levels and adorned with large stained-glass windows, creating a cold, yet awe-inspiring atmosphere. The nave was surrounded by a double ambulatory, which provided ample space for worshippers during services. The dimensions of the building were dictated by the ten bays, each corresponding to the space between the pillars. The first two bays supported the building up to the towers and also served as a transition after passing through the portal. The vertical pillars and arcades, along with the horizontal pilasters, created a sense of harmony that was pleasing to the eye.
Sirius walked slowly on the pavement, his footsteps echoing in the vast space. Although not a believer himself, he was in awe of the sacredness of the place and felt a great sense of respect. As he made his way between the wooden benches, the smell of aged wood had a soothing effect, and the flickering candle flames provided a gentle warmth. He couldn't help but marvel at the intricate architecture, which reminded him of the countless hours spent exploring every nook and cranny of Hogwarts.
Lost in his thoughts, Sirius was startled by a tiny, gentle voice. He looked down to find an elderly nun gazing up at him.
"Good morning...May I help you?" she asked gently.
"Good morning...I've come to deliver Ryan's painting," Sirius said, pointing to the painting he had left behind when he entered the church near the entrance.
"Oh, of course...You can leave it there. Thank you," she said. Then she took out some Muggle money from her pocket and handed the bills to him. "For Mr. Ryan. And this is your tip," she said, approaching him to slip another single bill into his pocket with a smile.
"No ma'am. I cannot accept..."
"Please do accept," she said before leaving.
Sirius watched her disappear behind a door a few seconds later, shrugged, then went back outside to join Ryan in the car. The drive home was quicker than expected; both men kept yawning during the entire ride back and only exchanged a few words. Once they arrived, they got busy in the kitchen, and after less than an hour, they sat down around the kitchen table to eat.
"So, Julie caught your eye, didn't she?" Ryan asked him. "You don't regret coming with me this morning."
"Let's say I'm looking forward to meeting her next Saturday," Sirius replied.
"Yes, of course, to get to know each other better. That's all. Talk about the weather, your hobbies, whether she likes dogs over cats, that sort of thing..." Ryan said.
"I don't think I'm up for more," said Sirius, reaching for some water.
"...then she'll ride you until you scream her name," Ryan added, ignoring Sirius' wince.
"I'm not going to reply to that," said Sirius as Ryan burst out laughing.
After finishing his meal, Sirius climbed to his room and discarded his jacket onto the bed. As he did so, a small piece of paper fell from his pocket and onto the carpet below. He recognized it as the tip the nun had given him earlier and picked it up before settling onto the bed to examine it more closely. To his surprise, it was a 50-franc banknote, with black ink inlayed on the back that read:
"Et s'est escrit que il ert ancore
que toz li reaumes de Logres,
qui jadis fu la terre as ogres,
ert destruite par cele lance."
