Gruffard – Sirius is going to find that out soon enough.

Lolerator – Sirius wouldn't, but someone else might...

ElizabethAnneSoph – Thanks! The Black sisters' reunion probably isn't going to be a cheerful one...

Thank you very much to geetac, allietheepic7, bubblecloudz, Shiary, Penny is wise and Reese Potter for also taking the time to review! Your comments are all greatly appreciated.

Warning: Mild swearing in this chapter.

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!

Chapter Nineteen: Confrontations

Sirius cursed the day he had discovered that curse as he ran blindly through Muggle Wiltshire, to which he had Apparated from London. Great. He could have killed himself trying to heal Draco. He had to start thinking things through; his actions could one day ruin Harry's life. Sirius didn't bother sending Narcissa a letter announcing his arrival. She'd see him soon enough, he figured.

There were two possible scenarios that could occur in Malfoy Manor. The first and more merciful one was that Lucius would be absent. The second – that Sirius would have to curse him or blackmail him into casting the spell on Draco. Sirius wasn't too fond of the latter. Nevertheless, he hesitantly banged the knocker on the handsome mansion, casting a fairly disgusted look toward the peacocks strutting around the garden. Typical Lucius, he thought.

Sirius waited impatiently for the doors to swing open. He suspected that House Elves had opened it. He stepped inside and adjusted his robes. And then Narcissa appeared. She hadn't changed much since they were children, realised Sirius. She still carried an air of dignified coolness and indifference. Her long, platinum blonde hair stopped at her lower back. Sirius could feel icy blue eyes surveying him.

"Narcissa," he greeted with cool courtesy. "I wish to speak to you about your son. May I enter?"

A look of shock overcame his cousin for a brief second, but she masked it immediately. "Sirius."

Her voice was icy, but somehow filled with loathing and well-concealed fury. Not waiting for her permission, Sirius stepped into the drawing room, crossing the marble hallway in a large stride.

"How dare you?" demanded Narcissa. "HOW DARE YOU STEP FOOT INSIDE MY HOME AFTER YOU ABANDONED THE FAMILY, SIRIUS? HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOUR FACE HERE AFTER YOU LEFT ME ALONE WITH BELLATRIX AND LUCIUS MALFOY, OF ALL PEOPLE?!"

Sirius stared at her in shock. "Do not blame me, Narcissa. You could have left if you wanted to. Andromeda and I offered you help more times than I can count, but did you accept?"

They stood in a tense silence for a couple of seconds until Sirius spoke again. "I'm not here to discuss our disownment and your forced marriage. I am here to talk about your son."

"Do not touch my son. Don't you even dare look at him," said Narcissa. "If you hurt him, Sirius Black, I will hunt you down and I will torture you until you're begging for death."

Sirius's temper flared. "I am here to help your bloody son, woman! He's a cripple because of your Merlin damned husband!"

Narcissa pursed her lips. "Pomfrey told me. I've contacted every Healer in St Mungo's, Sirius. I do not see what I can do about it. I'm still trying. I'm looking for curses and counter curses. I have no idea what caused it, but I will –," she stopped abruptly. "It was Lucius."

It wasn't a question. Sirius nodded slowly. He handed her the curse that Lucius had used on his son. Narcissa was about to cry, Sirius could see that much. He handed her the counter curse he had found next. She read it quickly, looking up at him with shock and disbelief.

"You wouldn't..."

Sirius clenched his jaw. "I found it with the help of Ted Tonks. Your sister's husband, if –,"

"I know who Edward Tonks is, Sirius."

She sighed and stared at him for a couple of moments. "Why would you do that?" she asked finally. "Why do you care so much about Draco?"

Sirius smiled faintly. "Harry has taken quite the liking to him. And besides, he's still my second cousin once removed. It'd be a shame not to help him."

And he's only a child, an innocent little boy, he added in his mind.

"So?" said Narcissa. "What do you suggest we do? We can't simply waltz up to Lucius and demand he perform the counter curse."

"No," agreed Sirius. "But what we can do is find someone else who would be willing to sacrifice himself for Draco. I'm sure you know someone."

Narcissa frowned. She had been married to one of the most merciless, dishonourable Death Eaters. Death and killing wasn't a strange concept for her. But what did Sirius mean? Whom did he have in mind?

Then she caught on. "Abraxas."

Abraxas Malfoy was old and slowly dying, but he had always loved Draco. His heir was Lucius, who had taken the title of Lord Malfoy after Abraxas had given it up when he couldn't attend his lord's duties due to chronic illness.

Sirius nodded. "It would be merciful to put him out of his misery, don't you think? And I don't think he would object."

"Draco wouldn't want to lose him."

"Draco wouldn't want to lose anyone, naturally. But he has to learn that sometimes sacrifices have to be made," said Sirius pacifyingly.

He paused for a moment. "What are you going to do?"

Narcissa sighed. "I'll have to leave Lucius," she said. "I... I would never leave Draco, but I fear Lucius would have more ways to hurt us if we were away from him."

"You do know all the family secrets," said Sirius.

Narcissa sighed again, more heavily and sadly this time. "I'll just have to figure something out," she said.

Sirius nodded and made to leave. "I suppose I will see you again sometime, Narcissa," he said. "Perhaps you will be ready then. Send me a letter and we'll arrange the next meeting."

Narcissa smiled forcedly. "Very well, Sirius," she said.

She showed him out of the luxurious manor house. Sirius Apparated back to 12 Grimmauld Place and sat down in the kitchen with a glass of firewhiskey. This was definitely going to be difficult.