The Confrontation

Sirius would never forget the moment Remus Lupin charged into his living room at Grimmauld Place. He should have been asleep but with Sofia away, Sirius could not help but worry.

"Sirius!" Remus shouted, appearing in the doorway of the living room, doubling over to regain his breath as if he had just run a marathon. "Sirius, I'm so sorry" Remus stood up straight and looked to Sirius. Sirius, confused, also stood from his armchair.

"Sorry? Remus...what are you sorry for?" Sirius questioned, panic rising in his voice.

"It's Sofia...she's...she's" Remus struggled to find the words.

"No" Sirius shook his head and started to pace the room. "No! She is not dead. NO! She can't" Sirius shouted, tears instantly falling. "WHERE IS SHE?!" Sirius bellowed at Remus, his sadness changing to anger.

"St Mungos, she was taken to St Mungos" Remus answered. Sirius quickly left the living room and headed for the front door. "No Sirius! Wait please" Remus ran after him, grabbing his arm and stopped Sirius in his tracks. "The Ministry are all over the hospital, they will catch you"

"I DON'T CARE!" Sirius shouted, pulling his arm from Remus' grip. "I have to see her" Sirius was about to open the door when a pop and rush of blue light stopped him. Turning around, he and Remus gazed at the blue ball of light swirling in front of them in the hallway.

"She is alive, she is alive and fighting. The Ministry are here. Come to the shadows and you can see her" The mystical voice spoke from the light and with another pop it was gone.

"Daniel" Sirius whispered and looked at Remus. "Daniel, Sofia's brother, he works at St Mungos as a healer" Sirius chirped. Sofia was alive. She was going to be okay.

"Come to the shadows. What does that mean?" Remus questioned thinking of the cryptic clue.

"He means the back alley behind the hospital" Sirius clarified.

"Are you really going to go, are you sure you want to take the risk?" Remus asked Sirius, concerned for his friend.

"Remus, I am not going to let the woman I love fight for her life on her own. I don't care what the Ministry to do me, but I will fight to the death so I can see her" Sirius, very sternly stated. And without another word, Sirius stepped out of the front door and apparated to St Mungos.

Reappearing in a quiet dark alleyway, Sirius slowly approached the exit, the street was quiet but Sirius looked at the tall old building in front of him.

"Psst!" A hushed voice called. Sirius looked away from the high windows to a man stood by the corner of the building, waving Sirius over to him. Looking up and down the street, Sirius ran across to the man.

"Daniel" Sirius greeted him, shaking his hand.

"Sirius inside, quickly" Daniel ushered Sirius through a doorway. Entering the building, walking beside the man, it had been 15 years since Sirius last saw Daniel. He had barely aged. Even at 42 years old the man still had his shirt thick dirty blonde hair, his bright green eyes still holding that mischievous sparkle and his ever present cheeky grin. Although no longer that muscular young man, Daniel still held broad shoulders and his boyish good looks.

"How did you know where I was?" Sirius asked in a whisper, Daniel leading Sirius through dark empty corridors. Daniel on high alert, constantly looking around him.

"Sofia, she told me everything some months ago. I was shocked. But I had to believe her, no matter how crazy it seemed" Daniel said quietly. Suddenly putting a hand out to stop Sirius. Looking around a corner. A Ministry guard was hovering, but after a moment he walked away and the route was clear. "It took some convincing, but she is my sister and I trust her word.

"Is she okay?" Sirius finally asked and Daniel looked to him, hesitating to answer.

"Alive" Daniel whispered.

"Alive. You keep saying that but you aren't telling me what happened, what is wrong with her?" Sirius said, voice rising.

"Sirius please" Daniel pleaded. "I don't know what happened. I only know she was in serious trouble. I was not sure if I could save her. But I was not about to let my sister die. I have done all I can, I just hope you can help now" Daniel said as he came to a halt outside a door.

"Has she woken up?" Sirius asked, heart quickening, suddenly feeling nervous as he looked to the large wooden door.

"Not yet" Daniel replied and let Sirius enter first.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius slowly pushed open the door. In front of him he saw a frail Sofia, unconscious, a bandage wrapped around her chest. Her skin covered in cuts and bruises. Seeing a deep cut on her eyebrow.

"Oh Sofe" Sirius whispered and slowly he moved closer. Reaching out to touch her arm but he hesitated. Almost afraid to touch her in case he hurt her further. "Sofe, I'm here, I'm here" Sirius whispered, leaning down and pressed his lips to her forehead.

12 Hours Later

Sirius sat back in an armchair, half asleep as he stayed beside Sofia's bed. Since he had arrived, Sirius had not left Sofia's side. She had not woken yet but Sirius would stay until she did.

"Please sir she needs her rest" Daniel's voice called from the corridor outside Sofia's room. The voice jolting Sirius awake and he stared at the door.

"I must speak with her at once Mr McGregor, Kingsley Shacklebolt was gone before I arrived and could question. Now I must know what happened." Cornelius Fudge spoke as he pushed open the door.

"She had not yet regained consciousness" Daniel said, trying to stop Fudge from going inside, not wanting him to find Sirius. Fudge however, ignoring him walked straight inside..

"Then you wake her up" Fudge stated as he walked straight to Sofia's bed. Daniel hesitated, seeing only Sofia in the room. Sirius was gone. "Well" Fudge spoke again, bringing Daniel's focus back. Moving to Sofia's bedside he picked up a potion bottle. Pulling out the stopper he took a deep breath. He didn't want to cause more pain to his sister. Leaning over Sofia, Daniel poured a few drops into her mouth before placing the bottle back onto the table.

Daniel and Fudge staring at Sofia. It took a few minutes but Sofia's eyes started to flicker. Her fingers twitching.

"Sofe?" Daniel said quietly, inhaling deeply when Sofia opened her eyes.

"Miss McGregor?" Fudge asked, in not quite as soft a tone.

"Sirius" Sofia in a whisper spoke, mouth dry. Dazed and confused, everything was blurry around her.

"What did she say?!" Fudge frowned at Daniel.

"Nothing Minister, she is confused" Daniel said quickly and leaned closer to Sofia. "Sofe, you are in St Mungos, you had an accident, it's me, Daniel." Daniel explained slowly to her.

"Daniel" Sofia whispered, her mind unclogging. "Kingsley, is he okay?" She asked in turn now.

"Mr Shacklebolt is no longer in St Mungos, when I do see him I shall be having words with the man." Fudge stated in annoyance. "Now Miss McGregor I must know why you where in Shrewsbury, you do not work for the Ministry, you have no reason to be with Mr Shacklebolt."

"What myself and Kingsley Shacklebolt do in out own time is of no concern with you Minister" Sofia interrupted, annoyed with the Minister.

"It does when a building explodes in the middle of the night. Now you need to tell me what happened" Fudge said, becoming irate.

"Or what Minister, you have lost control of Azkaban and your Deatheaters. What can you possibly threaten me with Minister" Sofia stared deep into Fudge, leaning forwards ignoring the pain as she looked into Fudge's eyes. "I dare you Minister, do your worst" Sofia finished and Fudge scowled, huffing and he turned on the spot. Leaving the room he slammed the door behind him.

Sofia let out a sigh, leaning back in the bed.

"Are you sure you should have riled the Minister up like that" Daniel said concerned.

"I'm not afraid of him, that man is a feeble inadequate excuse for a man, let alone Minister of Magic" Sofia spat.

"Ouch, it's true but harsh words there" Sirius' voice came as he walked to the bed, Daniel jumping.

"Where were you hiding?" Daniel asked as Sirius moved to Sofia and kissed her forehead gently.

"Oh I'm not giving away my secrets" Sirius smiled looking to Daniel.

"You were behind the door weren't you" Sofia said, eyebrow raised. Sirius looking to her, mouth opening and closing before he just grinned.

"Oh master of disguise you are" Daniel said, not quite so impressed now as he was earlier.

"You're making me look bad" Sirius smirked looking to Sofia.

"Trust me Sirius, you don't need my help for that" Sofia said as she sat up in the bed and Sirius scowled playfully.

"Anyway, how are you feeling?" Daniel asked and he checked Sofia's wounds.

"Like I have been hit by an Hungarian Horntail." Sofia said quietly as she closed her eyes for a moment. She was in a lot of pain and very tired.

"Let me sort the pain out" Daniel said and he waved his wand over the wound in her chest. Feeling a warmth come over her body. Sirius watching, holding her hand tightly.

"What happened to Kingsley?" Sofia asked again.

"He's fine, bit banged up but he is back home." Daniel answered. "he explained what he knew that had happened. You went looking for that werewolf, Fenrir Greyback?" Daniel looked at Sirius for confirmation and Sirius nodded to him. "But you were ambushed, you and Kingsley duelled them all but the last thing he remembered was duelling with Rodolphus Lestrange." Daniel said as he stood up straight, covering Sofia again with the bed sheet.

"Yes, he was battling Lestrange while I was with Greyback and another, I think it was Macnair. I rid of Macnair but as Greyback was running at me, Lestrange sent a curse towards me, I returned it and the two spells hit each other. That caused the explosion. I don't remember any more after that" Sofia explained slowly. Sirius sitting by her side, only listening.

"They didn't find any Deatheater's there, they must have escaped before the Order arrived." Daniel said and Sofia sighed.

"How did they know we would be there, clearly there are more in the Ministry working for Voldemort" Sofia said, thinking aloud.

"I think it would be best to speak to Mr Moody about that subject. But for now you need to rest" Daniel insisted. "Do you want anything to help you sleep?"

"No I will be fine" Sofia smiled to her brother.

"Alright, just promise me you will rest" Daniel said and Sofia chuckled.

"You have my word. I will behave" Sofia said.

"mmm" Daniel raised an eyebrow and walked to the door. "It's not you I am concerned about" Sirius looked to Daniel.

"Me! I'm always a good boy" Sirius said with a cheeky grin. Sofia just laughing as Daniel walked out the room. "Mr Moody" Sirius repeated and Sofia scoffed, both laughing and giggling. Sofia holding her chest but she smiled happily.

"I'm glad you're okay, I was scared I had lost you" Sirius whispered and Sofia looked to him.

"You won't get rid of me that easily" Sofia said and she kissed Sirius softly. "We have a lot more ahead yet" She added as she stroked his cheek. Sirius smiled warmly to her.

"You get some rest, I will be here, I'm not leaving your side for a second." Sirius said stroking her hair, looking briefly to the cut on her eyebrow.

"Just don't get caught by the Ministry or anyone else okay, I don't want to be waking up to find out you have been tossed into Azkaban" Sofia said with concern in her voice.

"I promise Sofe, I'm not going anywhere" Sirius told her and out of his pocket he took out the bracelet Sofia had given to Tonks "I think you need this back." Sirius said, wiping the dried blood onto his shirt that layered the silver of the necklace.

"It certainly kept me alive, protected me" Sofia said as she leaned forwards, allowing Sirius to fasten the necklace around her neck.

"There, perfect" Sirius smiled coming away and smiling to her. "Beautiful"

Sofia laughed "So you like me all battered and bruised."

"Course not, but you are still beautiful Sofia. No matter what, I will never stop loving you, you will never cease to amaze me, and I will never give up on you" Sirius said and Sofia smiled.

"Such a kiss ass Sirius Black" Sofia chuckled and kissed his lips.