Chapter 38
A/n: As always this is a purely fan based story, I am not JKR.
"Merlin Cissy, that stung!"
" You are lucky that is all your getting, I am so furious with you right now! You could have died!"
"I'm okay Narcissa, I'm here it's over," he said quietly. Before Narcissa could help herself she had thrown her arms around her cousin and started sobbing. Sirius looked helpless for a moment but then he raised his shaky arms and hugged her back.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Cissa," he choked. It took a few minutes but she finally let go.
He took a few shaky breaths managing to gather himself together.
" Can someone help me up?"
" Sirius, I don't recommend it. You have been subjected to the torture curse for hours. It is a miracle you're still breathing. Let me get a healer to check you over before we try to much," stated Lucius.
"He's right Sirius relax for a bit we will get you checked out in a bit or so," smiled Kathleen gently. Sirius looked like he might object for a moment then clearly thought better of it. He could still feel slight tremors of pain raking over his body and he had one killer headache.
Narcissa looked around the room trying to gather herself as she saw Remus Lupin trying to sneak out the back. She asked Sirius to excuse her then got up and followed the werewolf out.
"Now just where do you think you are going Lupin?"
"I just thought that I probably wasn't wanted so…"
"It doesn't matter what you thought! Everything has changed now, Dumbledore's played his hand and we have to play ours."
" But, Albus has stepped down. Seeing what he did to Sirius shocked some sense into him. He won't be a bother to you now."
" Never did like confrontation did you? Dumbledore may have waved the white flag but he still needs to be punished! Sirius is a wreck, he'll never be the same. Something has changed I don't know what yet, but I can see it in his eyes. They are different darker like a piece of him is missing."
" He doesn't want me here Narcissa!"
"No he probably doesn't, but he doesn't get a choice in the matter. You are staying, you are going to help us get him back on his feet and that is all there is to it," snapped Narcissa how her brave cousin had been drawn to such a coward she would never understand. But, that was besides the point she knew her cousin was in for an uphill battle and he needed strong allegiances. Lupin would have his uses, and his guilt over all of this would make him loyal.
" Now get back in that room and support your former friend of your own free will or I will drag you in there myself," Narcissa growled reminding Remus momentarily of Sirius. He merely nodded and turned to go back into the parlour. Narcissa let out a sigh of relief and followed him back inside.
She gazed around as everyone was discussing what the next steps were, Calist had taken her spot next to Sirius who had Harry playing quietly on his lap. Andromeda had taken over Remus' spot placing a hand over Sirius' tightly and protectively.
" So, all that's left is what to do about Dumbledore. He has conceded and will no longer be a bother, but we must weigh the pros and cons here. Do we let him get away with it and sufferer with his own guilt, but gain his influence over the masses in the process? Or do we punish him with the full force of the London Alliance sending a strong message to all those who may oppose us in the future?" asked Moody coming in and taking charge as usual. Lucius looked pretty put out about it, Narcissa had to stifle a chuckle.
" Why can't we do both? Either way we lose something in the process. We let him get away with it, it sends the message that we are weak making us vulnerable to an attack. We come down with full force we risk alienating those on the side of the light, and we give up all of Dumbledore's alliances," stated Avery.
"How do you propose we do that?"
"We publicly have Dumbledore declare his allegiance to the London Alliance and Lord Black. We have him withdraw himself from his seat on the Wizemgott and prop up a member of the London Alliance. We make a public mockery of him showing who is really in charge here," smiled Lucius.
"The question is who do we place in that seat? It can't be Sirius for obvious reasons, it will cause a public uproar," asked Andromeda.
" Arthur, it needs to be Arthur," coughed Sirius.
" Me!" spit out Arthur, Sirius nodded.
"No, no Sirius I really don't think I'm the right person for the job."
"You are the only person for the job, Augusta is not a people person and everyone else it far too associated with the Black Alliance. I have every bit of faith in your abilities Arthur, you are perfect for the job," stated Sirius quietly.
" Well, that settles that now we just wait for the healer," stated Moody.
"Thats the doorbell probably her now. Lucius if you could take the members of the Alliances into the kitchen while she checks over Sirius." Lucius nodded leading everyone out of the room. Narcissa nodded for Remus to follow them as well.
Narcissa brought the healer to the room. She was a chubby elderly witch who set straight to work.
"Someone really did a number on you Mr. Black, can you explain what happened so I know where to focus?"
"Prolonged exposure to the Cruciatus Curse," shivered Sirius.
" Can you give me an estimate for how long?"
" He didn't exactly keep me in a room with a clock, even if I could focus enough to be able to tell," snapped Sirius.
"Sirius!" chastised both Narcissa and Andromeda.
" It could have been anywhere from 4 to 6 hours Mrs.," replied Andromeda.
" I'm going to pre-warn you Mr. Black the odds of these scans coming out clear are not good. You are already extremely lucky you are in as good of shape as you are."
"I know, just get it over with," breathed Sirius. She waved her wand and Sirius felt the familiar rush of magic over his body.
" Do you want the good news first of the bad?" she asked abruptly.
"The bad,"
" There was some minor brain damage." Narcissa and Andromeda turned ghastly white.
" Define minor," choked Sirius.
"You have damaged the area of your brain in charge of mobility. As of right now you are paralyzed from the waist down. There is nothing we can do about it but wait and see if your brain is able to heal itself. On the positive side no other damage was done and your brain is showing signs of life in that area which may mean the cells were damaged not dead. You may regain the ability to walk, but nothing is certain."
Sirius tried to regain control of his breathing but it was coming increasingly hard. He may never walk again.
" We also should be aware that you may also be suffering for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I am suggesting a Physio-healer and a Mind healer visit you a couple days a week."
" Yes to the Physio-healer, but I am not seeing a Mind Healer I am fine."
" Sirius you just went through traumatic experience after traumatic experience, it would be good to see a Mind Healer. Add on top of this, that this isn't about your pride it is about Harry. Harry needs you in the best possible shape and a Mind Healer will make the transition easier. You need to do this for Harry, Sirius," insisted Narcissa.
" Fine!" snapped Sirius.