A/N: Thank you to all my lovely reviewers of course and a huge apology for the shocking length of time that has passed since I last updated. Now, before we get started just one or two points.

One: from the next chapter things are going to get a little stronger. Lucius may swear and there will be violence etc. If any of my readers feel my rating isn't high enough can they please tell me. I'm new to posting and I will be happy to accept advice. However, seeing as I have chapters of this story on at least three computers I really don't want to have to find it, put it in the right order and reload it. So just tell me. Don't get to delete my stuff.

Two: I'm not sure if the thing I say about wands and underage wizardry actually works. If you notice anything please let me know (I will try to rectify it-I like being technically accurate) but even if you think it's probably not right ignore it OK. It is important later in the story that Sirius can use a wand…but I'm giving the plot away (Yes Demona, there IS a plot despite popular belief).

Anyway, that's all. Thanks for your time.

Disclaimer: I own the red notebook where I write this fanfiction and little else. The pen I write this fic with was stolen from the Geography room in my school as a dare (not a very exciting dare!)

Chapter 11: Pushed Too Far

If Sirius had thought that he hated his family, the Malfoy's and slytherins in general before, the next week soon proved him wrong. Every evening he was required to participate in a round of muggle torture. Lucius soon worked out how to get around his, Snape's and Regulus's lack of wands. The Ministry kept tabs on underage wizardry not by knowing who was performing the spell, but by knowing which wand was casting it. As a result, using somebody else's wand, Sirius was often forced to curse Carina himself.

All the same, he knew that by being included he was better placed to protect her. Not that that made cursing an innocent girl any easier.

There was however, another reason that kept him from leaping straight to her defence, a reason that made him almost glad that he couldn't use the mirror often because James would have known in a heartbeat what that reason was.

Living with his family and being a Gryffindor had given Sirius a very healthy fear of the Cruciatus curse. And sometimes, when his fingers curled into fists at his side at Lucius's cruelty it wasn't the knowledge that here he could at least try to protect her that kept his mouth shut, it was the fear of the curse being turned on him.

But Sirius, as James, Remus and Peter could have said, never had been very good at keeping his mouth shut. And on Tuesday, as Lucius made as if to crucio her for the third time, his control broke.

"I'm bored," he drawled, hoping to divert the crisis without exposing himself.

"Would you care to do the honours?" Lucius offered Sirius his wand, "It might relieve the monotony."

"That curse is illegal," pointed out Sirius, his face and voice calm though his heart beat frantically.

"Right!" muttered Snape, "Because you care so very much about rules."

"I knew he couldn't do it! I knew he was too good, too pure, too Gryffindorly!" sneered Bellatrix.

Lucius raised his wand again, but he was no longer looking at Carina, at whom it was pointing, but kept his eyes fixed on Sirius, gauging a reaction.

At that moment the doors opened and Mr. Malfoy strode in, his eyes flickered over the scene briefly before her said, "I didn't know you were using this room." His voice was calm but his tone held a clear dismissal.

Narcissa stood on tiptoe to whisper something in Lucius's ear. He smiled at her, then turned back to his father and said, "Oh no, we're finished."

"I'll take this," Mr. Malfoy prodded Carina's prone form distastefully with a toe, "back to its cell for you. You'll be using-?"

"The small sitting room," finished Lucius and led the way, leaving Sirius with no choice but to follow.

As the door shut behind him, he was aware of the others positioning themselves between him and it. He turned slowly around. Lucius was still holding the wand but it was now aimed at him. His eyes flickered from it to the door. He could probably force his way past the girls but Sirius could never walk away from a fight.

"You've ruined our fun Black," said Lucius softly but the room was so still that his voice carried and the lack of echoes made Sirius feel that even they were waiting for his next line. Lucius raised the wand slightly, pointing it straight between Sirius's eyes, "and now, you'll pay."

A/N: Now not to be evil and all, but if you want to know what happens next I want another ten reviews (Not all from you Demona). So go on, push that little blue button 'cos I actually like the next chapter, even if the posting of it will result in my imminent death by stoning from all demonic Sirius fangirls.