Arc I: part III
The Montmorency-Laval estate, dating back to the twelfth century, has been under the control of the Laval family for centuries. In the past, the region served as the regent of Normandy's Dukedom, which was a feudal duchy of the Kingdom of France. The Duchy existed from 911 to 1469, functioning initially as a mostly autonomous principality, and later as part of the royal domain after its conquest by the King of France in 1204. King Louis XI finally suppressed the Duchy in 1469. Normandy played a crucial role in the Hundred Years' War from 1337 to 1453, despite not being the conflict's origin. Normandy's wealth shared history with England, and proximity to the island contributed to its unique situation.
The war can be divided into two phases. In the first, the English frequently launched destructive incursions across the region. A powerful Norman lord, Charles the Bad, led a civil war, rallying to the English and pitting the people of Normandy against each other. In the second phase, the English occupied the region for over three decades, from 1417 to 1450. The Treaty of Troyes in 1420 declared the King of England the heir to France's kingdom, making Normandy a central element of English France. However, King Charles VII of France reconquered the province and forgave the Normans who had collaborated with the enemy, and Normandy finally regained peace. Nonetheless, the war left Normandy weakened and dependent.
Despite the various trials that have plagued the region, including Viking raids, epidemics, the French Revolution, and two World Wars, the Laval family and their name have survived to this day. The last surviving member of the family stood before a high window overlooking his estate, contemplating his family's history. Despite feeling that his ambitions had died out, he starts to believe that he may have misread the stories and ended up with the wrong conclusions. As his guests arrive, he smiles at his reflection and prepares to greet them. With the king's death and the vacant throne within reach, he contemplates whether it is time for him to take up the challenge.
Sirius was awed by the sheer number of guests invited to the dinner. He couldn't help but wonder if the Duke had extended invitations to the entire village population. As he strolled through the garden, surrounded by elegantly dressed men and women, he caught glimpses of their expressions, ranging from open-mouthed wonder to hushed whispers of amazement at the garden's beauty and its statues. Ryan, walking to his right, mirrored their expressions, although Sirius suspected it wasn't his first time there.
The group walked in silence, interrupted only by whispered conversations until they reached the main gate. A man led them, knocking on the gate to trigger a loud bell, alerting the host of their arrival. The door opened, and a smiling butler welcomed them inside. The guests timidly crossed the entrance hall, soon greeted by the Duke's booming voice. He stood atop the stairs, arms outstretched, a broad smile on his face as he welcomed them. Slowly making his way down the steps, the Duke addressed the crowd while servants weaved among them, offering the guests champagne flutes.
"My dear friends, I extend to you a warm welcome to the Montmorency-Laval estate. Tonight, we are gathered to commemorate two significant events. Firstly, we celebrate the retirement of the venerable Mr. Martin, whose invaluable contributions to our community deserve our utmost recognition. I request you all to join me in extending a warm welcome to our esteemed guest of honor. Secondly, we will delve deeper into the second matter during the course of our dinner.
As he descended to their level, the duke gestured with his left hand to beckon an elder gentleman who was leading the group, whom Sirius recognized. "May I propose a toast to Mr. Martin, in whose honor we raise our glasses today. Let us express our gratitude for his long and meritorious service and wish him a peaceful and fulfilling retirement that he truly deserves."
Sirius felt awkward amidst the people and smiled back, unable to understand their words. He even considered discreetly leaving but changed his mind when a beautiful woman caught his eye. She wore an emerald, green evening gown with a plunging neckline, and her hair was styled elegantly in a bun. Julie seemed to be the only one illuminated by the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, while the rest of the guests were in darkness. As she approached him, her hips swayed from side to side, and her hazel eyes locked onto his, making his heart race frantically. When she reached him, she took his arm and pressed her lips longingly onto his cheek, and Sirius could still feel the warmth from her kiss when Julie turned to greet Ryan.
"Although it is always a pleasure to see you, Ryan, I have beautified myself for another purpose," Julie remarked to Ryan, emphasizing her intention.
"You are always splendid, Mademoiselle Julie. Please, take him away from me. I have seen him enough for today," replied Ryan before patting Sirius on the shoulder and heading toward the Duke to greet him.
Julie gracefully led Sirius around the Hall, introducing him to the other guests while serving as his translator. Eventually, they paused beside a waiter who served them both drinks, and she did not seem to mind when Sirius stole a furtive glance at her cleavage.
"To be completely honest, I am quite perplexed," admitted Sirius.
"Are you?" Julie inquired as she took a sip of her drink.
"Typically, I am the one who initiates things," Sirius replied.
"Perhaps it is your first time encountering a woman instead of a girl," Julie remarked, moving closer to him, causing her breast to lightly brush against his arm. "Would you mind if we moved somewhere quieter?" she asked, discreetly gesturing to the rest of the guests.
Sirius observed that despite being engaged in conversations, the guests kept listening to them from time to time. Therefore, he agreed and followed Julie as she led him to a cozy living room adorned with wooden furniture, leather sofas, and a snooker table in the center of the room. They settled on the long sofa, and Julie sat next to him, close enough that her knee brushed against his leg, causing her dress to slide, revealing her bare leg. Julie placed her left hand on his knee.
"Do you think I'm a promiscuous woman, Evan?" Julie asked.
"No... Did I do something to make you feel that way?" Sirius inquired anxiously.
"You're adorable," Julie said, smiling while caressing his knee. "I apologize; that is not what I meant. Nonetheless, I wouldn't mind if you thought so!" she added.
"Really?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not at all. Being judged is not my biggest fear," Julie stated.
"So, what is it that you fear the most?" Sirius questioned.
"I am afraid of disregarding my heart and missing out on a lifetime opportunity. Closing the door to what could be the love story every girl dreams of," Julie confessed, never taking her eyes off of his.
"A love story," Sirius murmured, feeling a bit bashful.
"I don't want to scare you or come across as crazy, but ever since I saw you the other day, getting off Ryan's pickup truck, my heart has been racing," Julie said.
"Really?" Sirius said in amazement.
"Yes...I am not ashamed to admit the truth. I felt an uncontrollable desire to get closer to you, make you notice me, and want to speak with me. A desire that has been haunting me since that day, causing me to look forward to this evening more than the Duke himself. Enough to insist on personally overseeing all the preparations," Julie concluded.
Sirius remained silent for a prolonged moment, his gaze fixed on her exquisite countenance. Her cheekbones had turned a slight shade of red following her declaration, although she had claimed not to feel even the slightest bit of embarrassment. His own emotions and thoughts had also contributed to his silence, considering the past few days since they first met. The girl standing before him, confessing her feelings with such certainty and swiftness, had been occupying his mind.
In the recent days, Sirius had been dreaming of her, and every time Ryan mentioned her name in their conversations, his heart would warm up at the mere sound of it, even if it was accompanied by Ryan's mocking tone. He had been fortunate enough to escape from Azkaban, and he could have met a disastrous fate, such as drowning, broken bones from the rocks, or being captured or killed by the Aurors. Instead, he had landed on a warm sandy beach where Ryan had taken care of him, and that's where he met Julie. Maybe, as Ryan had suggested, it was fate that brought them together. It was his faith to leave his wizarding past behind and accept the love that this girl was more than willing to offer; he could love her back. Perhaps, just like James before him, he had found his soulmate. But what was the reason for his reluctance to confess his feelings to her? What was holding him back? Why were his lips sealed tighter than the high-security vaults of Gringotts?
"Please... Say something," Julie implored, her voice tinged with uncertainty, wondering if she had shared too much too soon.
"I... I feel the same way... From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew that life wouldn't be worth living without you by my side," Sirius finally spoke.
Another moment of silence followed, during which Julie's eyes widened, and she slowly ran her hand through his hair, gently playing with it.
"Do... Do you really mean it? Are you not trying to manipulate me into doing something I might regret?" Julie inquired, so close to him that their foreheads touched.
"No... I could never hurt you... I love you," Sirius declared.
"In that case, if you mean it... Kiss me," Julie whispered before pressing her lips to his.
Sirius reopened his eyes but failed to grasp his surroundings. struggled to focus his bleary vision, disoriented by the change in his surroundings. The weak lights moving around him gradually resolved into a dungeon, large and foreboding. The walls were made of rough-hewn stone, and rusted metal chains hung from the ceiling like spider webs.
As he looked around, he saw that the cozy living room and its luxurious furnishings were nowhere to be seen. A feeling of dread settled over him, and he wondered if he had somehow been transported back to Azkaban.
Suddenly, a piercing noise shattered the silence, causing Sirius to startle in alarm. He turned his head, searching for the source of the sound, and his eyes widened in horror.
All along the walls of the dungeon, naked men, women, and children hung upside down from iron chains. Their skin was slick with sweat and blood, and their bodies writhed and twisted in agony. Some of them had been beaten and bruised, while others had cuts and welts from
the chains that held them captive. Their desperate cries for help echoed off the stone walls, but there was no one there to answer them.
The air was thick with the pungent smell of iron and death, and the flickering torches on the walls cast sinister shadows across the room. In the center of the space, a large cauldron dominated the area. It was conspicuous, gleaming silver in the dim light. At first, Sirius thought he saw a lifeless horse inside the cauldron, its tongue hanging from its mouth. However, upon closer inspection, he discerned a horn on the creature's head, revealing it to be a unicorn that had been slaughtered. Its blood was being collected by the cauldron, which was located above the reception's guest of honor, Mr. Martin, if Sirius remembered correctly.
The poor old man levitated upside down above the cauldron, his intestines slashed and his lifeless eyes staring up at the ceiling. His blood was cascading down the unicorn's corpse and into the cauldron, mixing with the animal's own life force in a grotesque display. Six hooded figures were kneeling around the cauldron with their arms raised in adoration, their voices blending together in a chilling chant. The language they spoke was unfamiliar to Sirius, but he recognized some Latin words interspersed throughout their incantations.
The fire blazing beneath the cauldron cast an eerie glow on the faces of the hooded figures, making them appear almost otherworldly. Sirius felt a chill run down his spine as he watched them, transfixed. Suddenly, he was momentarily blinded by a burst of light that emanated from the cauldron. Blinking rapidly to clear his vision, he turned his head to locate the source of the reflection and saw Ryan.
The old man was unrecognizable, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of blood and fury. He held a sharp butcher knife that was generously coated with blood, its edge glinting dangerously in the flickering light. Sirius's eyes widened in horror as he watched Ryan seize a screaming woman and drag her towards an altar near the cauldron. The woman's cries echoed throughout the chamber, filling it with a sense of impending doom.
With a swift and practiced motion, Ryan pinned the woman's head against the stone and unhesitatingly slit her throat. The sound of tearing flesh and gurgling blood filled the air, causing Sirius to gag. The woman convulsed for a prolonged moment, her body wracked with spasms as the life drained out of her. She emitted a dismal sound before she stopped moving permanently. Ryan then drew his wand and levitated the woman's corpse to place it next to Mr. Martin, where it lay in a gruesome tableau of death.
The other prisoners watched in horror as Ryan moved towards them, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. They knew what fate awaited them, and yet they were powerless to stop it. Fear and despair coursed through Sirius's veins as he realized that he might never escape this nightmare alive.
While Ryan was busy trying to grab another man, Sirius's gaze moved to another place in the room. On the far opposite side, a platform had been built, on which a throne was installed. The Duke sat upon it, his regal figure towering over the assembled crowd. A golden goblet decorated with precious gemstones rested in his hand, and he sipped leisurely from it as he watched the executions unfold before his eyes.
Julie, the stunning woman with long, flowing hair and seductive curves, sat on the Duke's lap. Her lips were busy kissing his neck, and the Duke casually patted her ass with one hand while he held the goblet in the other. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of death and carnage that was unfolding before him.
Sirius felt a sense of revulsion as he watched the Duke and Julie, their actions seeming to mock the suffering of the prisoners. His eyes met the Duke's, and he saw a cold, calculating glint in the nobleman's gaze. The Duke's lips twisted into a cruel smile as he noticed Sirius's attention, and he leaned towards Julie to whisper something in her ear.
Julie turned her head to look at Sirius, her own smile just as cold and calculating as the Duke's. She was beautiful, but there was something chilling in her demeanor, a sense of malevolence that seemed to radiate from her every pore. Sirius felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized that she was just as much a part of this twisted world as the Duke himself.
For a moment, the three of them remained locked in this strange tableau, each one sizing up the other. Then, Ryan's gruff voice shattered the silence, as he dragged another prisoner towards the altar.
"Welcome back, Lord Black! It's good to see you among us again," the Duke greeted Sirius with a smile. "Don't worry, you haven't missed anything. We just started a few moments ago."
As Julie approached the Duke to ask for Sirius, he was interrupted by Sirius' outburst. "What the hell is this madness?" he shouted, looking around in confusion.
The Duke and Julie exchanged a glance before the Duke responded, "No need to get angry, my friend. This is merely a welcome party for you, as you are now a member of our select circle or family, should I say?"
"A welcome party? Family?" Sirius exclaimed, his eyes fixed on Ryan, who had just killed another man.
"I had just kindly asked you not to shoot. But if shooting is what you prefer, let me give you a good reason to do so," the Duke said calmly, pointing his wand at Sirius before being interrupted by Julie.
"Please, Master, don't. He'll be useless after," Julie pleaded, placing her hand on the Duke's crotch and rubbing it slowly.
The Duke nodded, biting his lip. Then he turned to Sirius and explained, "The family I was referring to are those who understand where the true power of magic resides. Those who do not bother with boundaries set by the weak-minded and cowardly hide behind their fear of exposing their mediocrity."
Sirius listened to the Duke's words, repeating them to himself in his mind before shouting again, "IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL TRUE MAGIC? IS THIS THE WORD OF A BRILLIANT MIND TO YOU? THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN THE WORK OF A PERVERT, THE LOWEST SCUM."
The Duke frowned at his words, then shrugged and continued, "The work of a pervert? I must admit, Lord Black, even in my 577 years, my ears have never been subjected to such hypocrisy. After all, haven't you witnessed Lord Voldemort perform similar ceremonies? How do you imagine he managed to create..."
"577 years? What are you talking about?" Sirius interrupted, confused.
The Duke smiled and tapped his forehead as if suddenly enlightened, before answering, "Ah, of course! Where is my mind? My name is Gilles de Rais, Baron of Retz, Lord of Machecoul, Bénate, Bouin, Pornic, Princé, Vue, Tiffauges, and Igrandes, Knight, and Lord of Brittany, Anjou, Poitou, Maine, Augoumois, and Grand Marshal of France."
Sirius stared at him, deep in thought, trying to process the information. Gilles de Rais was infamously known as the wizard who, centuries ago, during the Hundred Years' War, had unleashed an unprecedented evil upon France in his quest to obtain the Philosopher's Stone. The most reliable sources, whether Wizard or Muggle, estimate that about six hundred children were raped and killed during black masses and other dark rituals he organized under his castle, taking advantage of the famine and illness spread by the war. Some even suggest that he did it himself. For years, he reigned as a tyrant until Nicolas Flamel and Alberta Toothill, the best duelist at the time, joined forces to face him and end his tyranny. He was later publicly executed and burned alive, a fact confirmed by Nicolas Flamel himself.
"Nice try," Sirius said, smirking. "Gilles de Rais died centuries ago. Not even all the blood of a unicorn would be enough to keep a man alive for so long. So, I suggest you cut the bullshit. Who are you?"
"I'm starting to wonder how much I may have overrated you," the Duke said. "How can a man so close to Lord Voldemort be so ignorant about magic and the secrets of immortality?"
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I have never been a Death Eater," Sirius spat the last words, clenching his teeth before turning his attention to Ryan, who had just been punched by a woman who somehow managed to release herself from his grip and rushed towards the stairs that led upstairs.
"Ryan! Stop it! Whatever he told you, whatever he promised, it's all lies! This kind of scum doesn't give, they only take, and you don't want what he has to give anyway!"
Ryan turned to him, his face twisted in rage, and barked at him to shut up before pointing his wand at the woman who had reached the stairs and bringing her back to his feet. He grabbed her neck and began punching her in the mouth until she died, the same way he had killed his previous victims. He dropped her corpse on the floor, soaked in blood, and spoke to Sirius.
"Sirius!" Ryan called him by his name for the first time. "You haven't seen what I've seen! The wonders the Master is capable of have no limits. You're the one who should listen to reason! This man can bring your friends back from the dead! You have everything to gain and nothing to lose if only you would open your heart!"
"Ryan, I wish it were that easy, but life is not that simple," Sirius said. But he felt his head being forced back to face the Duke.
"I believe we were in the middle of a more important conversation," the Duke said.
Sirius was bound to the chair, defenseless without his wand. As Ryan methodically killed the other prisoners with a blade instead of using the killing curse, Sirius felt utterly helpless. He knew Ryan was beyond reason, and any attempt to reason with him was futile. However, Sirius realized he had to try to survive this nightmare.
He reluctantly agreed to the Duke's demand to discuss his plans, hoping to uncover more information that could aid his escape. If he could manipulate the Duke into releasing him, he could retrieve a wand and send a message to the French Ministry, even if it meant risking his own capture or death. At least he wouldn't die as a mere spectator to the slaughter.
Sirius locked eyes with the Duke, expecting his arrogance to eventually reveal crucial information. He was determined to do everything in his power to end this horror, even if it meant sacrificing himself.
Sirius asked, "I'm curious. If you are who you claim to be, how did you survive?" The Duke smiled and began speaking again, "I'm glad you finally started to ask the right questions! I would be more than happy to enlighten you about it... After all, I am asking so much from you, it would only be fair if I gave you some reasonable reasons to accept my offer! And on the same occasion, a sample of the greatness of my powers!"
"You see, history books are not completely wrong, only I diverge on the meaning they give to 'death'! So, to make sense, the first question we must answer is: what is death?" The Duke said.
"What do you mean? In a philosophical way?" Sirius asked.
"Yes and no..." The Duke said. "If death means the destruction of an individual's body, then I agree, I would have died on October 26th, 1440, as witnessed. However, if by dying we mean the moment one's soul leaves the body for the other world or the afterlife, then my friend, I never died." The Duke added, smiling.
"I might be still knocked out, but I don't follow you...How could a soul stay in a body that has been destroyed?" Sirius asked, this time forgetting about his plan but asking out of sincere curiosity.
"Quite the opposite, my friend, you follow way better than most to whom I have told this story. And you certainly would understand even more after I tell you the entire story. You see, I was born in the late year 1405 at the castle Champtoc-sur-Loire, in a noble family blessed by magic. As early as I was still a baby sleeping in my cradle, I showed signs of magic and was, therefore, left to be raised by my grandfather, who was himself a mighty wizard, quite known for his unorthodox practices. Later on, I was received at Beauxbatons, where I continued my education and met with Nicola Flamel, the headmaster at the time, whom I am sure you know all about."
"Anyway, our relationship wasn't the best and went irremediably worse when, after ending my time at school, I decided, against his order, not to turn a blind eye to the pain my country was subjected to by the barbarian invasion. In other words, your people...I joined my countrymen and met the one who was going to change my life forever." The Duke said, taking a pause, deep in his thoughts.
"Who did you meet?" Sirius asked.
"While in Chinon, reunited with the legitimate king, I first met Jeanne...I was the first to accept her, and since I was always at her side, even when she launched offensives considered by all as vain and lost in advance. Her words could inspire courage in my heart and our men's hearts, and for years we stood united. I slew all the British wizards who dared step foot on our land and with her way to swing her sword and her diplomatic talent, we always ended up victorious...Until a day came when I was on duty far from her, and our own people sold her out to the Brits...I remember begging the king on my knees to rescue her, to pay the ransom whatever the price could be...Only he just waived dismissively a hand, and I was thrown from the castle by the same wizards I had groomed! A few weeks later, I received the news of her death. Burned alive!... That day, I killed everyone stupid enough or unlucky enough to be at my reach." The Duke said in anger.
"Then... I was suddenly struck by an excruciating pain, an unbearable illness... It felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest, and I watched helplessly as my magic drained from me. In that moment, I saw it, Lord Black... I saw my own soul... With all the strength I had left, I directed it towards my ring and sealed it inside, a piece of my very being. And then, I passed out." The duke spoke, taking a sip from his goblet.
"You already know what happened next... I attempted to create the Philosopher's Stone until I was eventually executed. However, my descendants continued to wear my ring for generations, unknowingly carrying a piece of my soul within them. I possessed the most gifted among them, waiting patiently for the right time to return. Finally, a few months ago, when I learned of Lord Voldemort's downfall, I knew that my time had come. I took complete possession of my descendant, suppressing his own entity, and was reborn like a phoenix. Family is a great gift, wouldn't you agree?" The duke smiled.
"Why did you wait for Voldemort's downfall when you could have returned earlier?" Sirius asked.
"I am ashamed to admit it, but there were more dangerous wizards around at the time, such as Gellert Grindelwald, Albus Dumbledore, and Cygnus Black. But now that Dumbledore is older and weaker, the way is clear," the duke explained, winking at Sirius.
"What do you plan to do now?" Sirius asked.
"Now that I understood the secret to create the Philosopher's Stone, and I am back in a strong and healthy body, nothing can stop me from reclaiming the French throne and ruling over both wizards and Muggles and more," the duke replied, before being interrupted by Sirius's laughter.
"I am afraid you have been trapped in that ring for too long... Nobody would follow you... People would fight to defend their freedom! You are nothing more than a coward, a sore loser who lacks the courage to die!" Sirius retorted.
"SILENCE!" The duke shouted. "You should listen to the rest of the story before speaking so confidently... You have a role to play in my plan."
"What role?" Sirius asked.
"You are merely an instrument of fate, Lord Black. The same fate that brought you to me... Do you know the true meaning behind your family's words, 'Toujours pure'? In your veins, flows the potential for Metamorphmagus, Legilimens, and Parselmouths. If I use you as a host for my soul, I could obtain a power that even they would have to kneel before." The duke revealed.
"You're insane... You did all of this because of some old wives' tales?! There has never been..." Sirius began but was interrupted.
"Ryan, I think the Dementor has finally arrived. Go fetch him. As for you, Julie, enjoy your plaything before we move on to the next stage," the duke said, kissing Julie before she got up from his lap and smiled at Sirius.
She approached Sirius, looking him straight in the eye. Despite all the times they had been near each other before, he felt no attraction to her at that moment. Then, a realization hit him: he had never once reached for a beer despite all the times Ryan had offered him one. In fact, he had never even enjoyed beer. He had slowly been dosed with a light love potion to make him more obedient and easier to lure into this trap. Did he even randomly land on that beach?
Julie arrived in front of him and rested a hand on his head. He tried to move, but the ropes tying him to the chair only grew tighter with every attempt. She then forced a fake smile before leaning in and forcing him into a deep kiss. Her tongue twisted inside his mouth before she bit his cheek and knelt between his legs, unzipping his jeans while locking eyes with him.
Sirius struggled to close his legs and push her away, feeling a wave of shame wash over him as she grasped his hardened member. He shut his eyes tightly, his face contorting in concentration as he attempted to harness his magic to resist her advances. But his efforts were in vain, and he let out a low growl as she took him into her mouth. Despite his pleading, she continued to suck him, her hand forcefully jerking him up and down.
She carried on, hurting him, ignoring him twisting in his chair until she stopped and stood up, looking down sternly at him. He let her gown fall, revealing her naked body before straddling him and licked his lips, forcing him to kiss and bit his ear when he refused to meet her lips. Her mouth twisted into a mean smile before she slid his shaft inside of her, and started moving slowly her lips, mocking him. "Didn't you say you love me? Was it a lie?"
Despite Sirius's attempts to push her away, she persisted, biting his neck, shoulder and quickening her pace, forcing him deep inside her, causing him to grunt and ultimately ejaculate. Only after, she agreed to slow down her hips and release him. As she stood up, she kissed his forehead before turning away to put her dress back on and Sirius couldn't bring himself to look anywhere other than down at his knees.
Julie walked over to the Duke and sat on his lap, smiling at Sirius. Shortly after, Ryan returned with a dementor. As soon as the dementor entered the room, it rushed to the nearest prisoner, sucked out their soul, and began to move towards another. However, the Duke ordered it to stay still and wait near the cauldron beside Ryan.
The Duke finally left his throne and stepped down from the platform to approach the cauldron. He examined it before nodding. "You may be wondering why there is a dementor present," the Duke asked Sirius. "I suppose you broke him, Julie," he added as Sirius didn't answer or raise his head.
"Not sorry!" Julie giggled.
"Well, I'll tell you anyway. Tonight's ritual is meant to transfer my soul from my descendant's body to yours. But before I can do that, I need to remove your soul from your body without damaging it. And, unfortunately, only a dementor can do that. So, farewell, I guess," the Duke said. "Ryan, bring him here."
"Yes, master," Ryan said and walked over to Sirius.
Sirius heard Ryan approach him. Perhaps the presence of the dementor between them had affected the magic the Duke was using to restrain him because he felt his bonds weakening.
The dementor. Sirius suddenly recalled his long confinement and the moments it became unbearable. Unbearable like now…He heard Ryan move around him…Something brushed his arm, and he suddenly recovered his lucidity.
Padfoot caught Ryan off guard, pouncing on him and clamping his jaw around Ryan's throat without hesitation. As Ryan collapsed to the ground, he desperately attempted to stem the flow of blood pouring from his wound. Sirius reverted to his human form and deftly retrieved Ryan's wand from the ground before rolling aside to evade a spell hurled by the duke.
Sirius took aim at the cauldron, where both the duke and the dementors were gathered, and shouted, "Bombarda Maxima!" The resulting explosion sent the dementors hurtling in his direction, but Sirius was prepared. He had already conjured his Patronus, which charged at the dementor and chased it away from the dungeon.
Sirius summoned a shield around him to protect himself from the curses hurled by the duke amidst the dense smoke generated by his explosion. He watched as the figure of the duke emerged from the cloud, while Julie's long brown hair swayed as she hurried barefoot towards the stairs that led to the exit of the dungeons.
Instead of attacking, the Duke appeared to be waiting for Sirius to engage. As Sirius glanced over to the muggles still imprisoned and crying out for help, the Duke grew impatient and forced a duel by slashing his wand through the air, breaking through Sirius's shield. In response, Sirius aimed his wand at the Duke and sent his Patronus towards him, which multiplied with each of the Duke's spells that hit it. This kept the Duke occupied while Sirius freed the muggles from their chains and softened their landings. He then shouted to them, "Go! I'll hold him back. Run!"
Sirius watched as his silver dogs vanished, and the Duke cursed loudly as he saw the muggles desperately fleeing in a hasty attempt to reach the stairs. He aimed his wand at them, but his spell hit the stone wall that Sirius had conjured to cover their escape. Swiftly, Sirius apparated between the Duke and the group, ready to face his opponent.
The two wizards engaged in a fierce duel, their spells colliding in a blaze of light, until the last of the prisoners had crossed the threshold of the dungeon gates. A victorious smirk spread across Sirius's face as he emerged from the battle unscathed.
"I suppose the master plan has come to an end...with all the soul-switching and claims to the throne of France," Sirius stated with a smirk.
"Merely postponed, my dear friend...As long as I have your support, everything is proceeding according to plan...Finding Muggles, unicorns, and dementors is easy enough, but locating a pureblood Black male is a far more challenging task," the duke replied calmly.
"The recent surge in magical activity has likely caught the attention of the French Ministry, not to mention the escaped Muggle...It's only a matter of time before this hideout is swarmed by the Aurors. But until then, I'll keep you down here with me!" Sirius declared, firing a stunning spell. "STUPEFY!"
The duke swiftly deflected Sirius' spell and launched a counterattack with equal force, narrowly missing his target. The two combatants engaged in a fierce magical duel, each trying to gain the upper hand. Despite his opponent's obvious intent to harm him, Sirius couldn't help but notice the duke's reluctance to deliver a fatal blow.
Determined to capitalize on this weakness, Sirius doubled down on his efforts and refused to retreat. However, as the minutes dragged on, his exhaustion became more and more apparent. His legs ached with every movement, and he found himself relying more heavily on protective shields to fend off the duke's relentless barrage of spells.
His ears strained for the sound of Aurors arriving to intervene, but all he heard was the sound of his own breathing and the cacophony of spells whizzing past his head. Finally, with no more room to retreat, Sirius found himself backed up against a wall, his wand trembling in his hand as he desperately tried to maintain his last line of defense.
The duke's spells hammered relentlessly against Sirius' weakened shield, cracking it bit by bit with each blow. Sweat poured down Sirius' face as he struggled to keep his composure and fend off the inevitable.
"My dear friend...As my host, you could have lived indefinitely, and witnessed wonders beyond imagination!" the duke exclaimed, still hurling spells at him. "I truly meant it when I promised to bring back your companions...And I will undoubtedly do so...I shall resurrect them, subject them to torture before your very eyes, slay them, and repeat the process until your soul departs from your body!" The duke advanced toward him as Sirius struggled to maintain his footing and grip on his wand. "Then I shall pay a visit to Harry Potter and investigate what within him defeated Lord Voldemort."
At that last remark, a flame ignited within Sirius, providing him with the strength for one final attempt. He shattered the duke's shield and bellowed, "AVADA KEDAVRA!" The duke leapt aside to evade Sirius's curse. Sirius shouted once more, "EXPELLIARMUS!" and disarmed the duke before uttering another spell that inflicted a deep gash on the duke's leg, forcing him to the ground, as Sirius aimed both wands at him.
"You almost killed me, Sirius...This time, for good," the duke said, his smile and confidence fading.
"I would rather burn this world before allowing anyone to harm a hair on Harry's head," Sirius retorted.
"Ah, yes, love! What would we not do for love...After all, my madness stemmed from love," the duke said. "Would you grant your defeated host one final inquiry before executing him?"
"Yes, I shall," Sirius replied.
"Why are you willing to kill to safeguard him if they perished because of your actions?" the duke inquired.
"I have already informed you that I have never been a Death Eater; I was framed. Peter was the secret keeper," Sirius spat.
"I fear you are centuries too young to comprehend the meaning of my question," the duke remarked as a blast resounded from the upper levels, signifying the arrival of the Aurors. "It must be the Aurors...Savages...Well, Sirius, my life is in your hands. You may kill me, stun me, or leave me to perish while battling them."
"I am not a cold-blooded murderer, nor shall I permit you to fight them...You would kill them all, and I refuse to stun you and deny them the pleasure of witnessing the expression on your face when they capture you," Sirius said as he heard the Aurors ransacking the upper floor.
"Sirius..." the duke said, pointing to a wall behind him, "Tap the fifth stone from the left at the bottom with your wand, and it shall reveal an exit for you...I merely request one thing in exchange."
"I decline," Sirius said. "I do not want to owe anything to a man like you."
"I do not blame you, for I would not either...However, please hear me out," the duke said.
"Speak," Sirius said.
"One day, you shall encounter him face to face, and bear in mind that it is not his fault. Do not hold him accountable for his own misery...For regardless of whether it was beyond your control or not, you played a role in it," the duke said.
"I shall never forgive Peter for what he did. NEVER!" Sirius exclaimed.
"There are only a few things we are capable of forgiving...But remember, some had no choice," the duke added, slowly, disregarding Sirius. "You must leave." The duke uttered this as the Aurors rushed down the stairs leading to the dungeon.
Sirius's gaze lingered on the gruesome sight of the unicorn's head, its once majestic horn now shattered and lifeless on the ground. With a heavy heart, he tore his attention away and made his way toward the passage that the duke had revealed. His steps were measured and resolute, his jaw set in determination as he transformed into Padfoot. Without a second thought, he plunged into the dark, cramped tunnel, his paws pounding against the stone floor as he raced deeper into the unknown.
Despite the muffled sounds of battle reverberating from the dungeon behind him, Sirius remained oblivious to the true nature of the horrors that awaited him that fateful night. He had no inkling that the events that would unfold would shake the very foundations of society, sending shockwaves through the world and forever altering the course of history. At that moment, all he knew was that he had to keep moving forward, no matter the cost.
End of Arc I
