Note: I do not own Harry Potter but do own my own characters...Enjoy...

Sirius and Harry were angry that her life rests in Severus Snape's hands. They each had their own bad experiences with the man and neither wanted her to owe him if she got better. The entire group waited patiently until the familiar black robes appeared with Dumbledore's sparking robes right next to them. Snape, Dumbledore, and Healer Smethwyk stood off to the side to discuss the options.

Another Healer joined the group and Pyx's family and friends watched as the head of greasy hair shook once. They talked for a bit more, Snape looking towards Sirius but only to shake his head again. Snape left while Dumbledore and Healer Smethwyk came over.

"There is an anomaly in Ms. Malfoy-Black's blood that keeps the potion from replicating. Professor Snape has seen this anomaly before but no variation on the potion will work. Only direct infusion of common blood will work."

"So take it from me," Sirius said, offering up his arm.

"The test to detect the anomaly is quite simple but may not be successful. Professor Snape has only seen one family with this anomaly before and it is the Malfoys. If you are not a match, then we must get one of them to give blood to Ms. Malfoy-Black or she will not make it," the Healer stated.

"So order Malfoy to give it to us. He's in Azkaban," Neville said.

"We can't do that. Even as a criminal, he has rights and he can refuse to help us."

"Offer to reduce his sentence if he gives her some blood," Harry suggested. "You know I don't want him out anytime soon but I don't want Pyx to die so it's a fair deal."

While Sirius was getting tested to see if he had the common anomaly, word was sent to the Aurors to see if they could work out a deal with Lucius. Sirius had his results within seconds and knew that his niece's life was now left in the hands of a madman.

Sirius and Neville were the only ones in Pyx's room. The others felt they deserved more time with her, in case something should happen. One sat on the bed next to her, holding her hand while the other paced the room.

"Why does trouble follow her around?" Neville asked.

"It's the Black in her. No doubt you've heard stories of the pranks I did with my friends while at Hogwarts. Did you hear about the time we charmed McGonagall's hat to roar whenever we scored during a Quidditch game? She was livid. James and I got detention for a week."

Sirius recalled more stories for Neville until Healer Smethwyk came in. They knew he wasn't bringing good news.

"Mr. Malfoy declined."

Sirius stormed out of the room and left the hospital. He did a quick calculation and apparated into the corridor of the Hogwarts Express. He started looking into the compartments for the trademark Malfoy hair. When he caught sight of it, he pulled his wand and stormed in. Before the 5th years could do anything, they were stunned and bound except for Draco.

"You and I are going to have a little chat before I take you somewhere."

"What about, blood traitor?" he sneered.

"I'm not some untrained student you can push around, Malfoy. I too spent my childhood learning the Dark Arts so remember that. I will be taking you to St. Mungo's where you will help Pyx."

"I would rather die than help her."

"It can be arranged but then who'll protect dear old Narcissa. Her husband in Azkaban and her only son dead. What should happen if someone broke into the Manor and attacked her?"

"No one knows where the Manor is."

"Don't forget that there's a house elf at Hogwarts that would do anything for Harry Potter. Even free, he can still bypass the wards around Malfoy Manor. One simple remark from Harry and your mother is good as gone."

"You wouldn't hurt her. She's part of your family," Draco tried.

"She's more Malfoy than Black nowadays. Besides if it means saving Pyx, family means squat. Your father killed her mother so it's only fitting. So do we have an agreement? You help Pyx and I'll make sure nothing happens to Narcissa."

Draco feebly nodded his head. Sirius grabbed the boy's shoulder and apparated out of the compartment, straight to the lobby of the hospital. Ignoring the looks and questions from his friends, Sirius pulled the blond into Pyx's room. Neville looked up and pulled his wand when he saw Draco.

"What is he doing here?"

"Helping. Get the Healer. I don't want to see her in that bed anymore.

Neville looked at his girlfriend once more and ran out of the room. Sirius pushed the Slytherin into the chair next to the bed.

"Look at her. She is your cousin and deserves your respect. When she found out your father had her mother, his own sister, murdered she still braced the Malfoy name. She never did anything out right to you, only in retaliation for what you did to her friends. Before she was taken, we talked. She asked about Narcissa and you. I told her what I knew, trying to forget all the hateful things that Harry told me. She said family comes before all else and if you needed help, she'd drop everything to be there. She said no one should be judged based on name alone. It's up to each person to live their life how they want and not because of what others expect of them."

Draco was confused. His cousin's a pureblood but didn't believe in their ideologies, so that meant she's a blood traitor. She's a Gryffindor so naturally he thought less of her. But he saw how she stood up to his father and fought through the Imperius curse at the duel. And how she hadn't been afraid to use an Unforgivable to save her life and the life of a loved one (even if it was Longbottom). And now he learned that she'd be there for him even if he didn't deserve it after all his father's put her through.

The Slytherin sat up straighter in the chair. Part of him felt proud to call her family while part of him still believed in what his father drilled into him since he was a young boy. He would do this for her and face the future later.