I know it's been a bit of a wait but I've finally been able to write Chapter 26. It has a very interesting turnabout of events and the addition of two new characters to the story. They will both have key roles in the story from now on.

However, this chapter does not include Orion, or Draco, or Hermione etc. But it truly is interesting.

I promise to try my best to write Chapter 27 soon enough.

I hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 26

The sky was the color of blood as the last golden rays of the drowning sun struggled to escape the dark but blissful water of the sea. But in all the dark velvet colors that smeared the sky, silky threads of silver and platinum made themselves visible as they danced through the delicate wind between the bloodshot clouds. The gorgeous creature spread its majestic wings and flew effortlessly, its silver mane caressing the pale face of its rider. The Abraxan horse suddenly came to a halt and landed near the gates of the grand manor of Hampshire. Abraxas Malfoy was back in England.

"Your Grace, there's a man at the gates!" said Roxy the house-elf breathlessly as she ran towards Sirius Black, who was seated in his study, going over some manuscripts. He quickly stood up and marched towards the main entrance of the mansion, his robes bellowing his every step.

As the huge main double doors opened, he strolled towards the man, immediately recognizing his long platinum hair and his dignified posture.

"Lord Malfoy?! What on earth-" Sirius started but was silenced by the Malfoy Paterfamilias' raised hand.

"Before any questions are asked, I would rather not stand here for another moment, it might be summer, but the air is very chilling around this area." Sirius stood gob smacked as Lord Malfoy waited for him impatiently to invite him inside.

"Of course, I apologize, right this way Lord Malfoy." Sirius Black might have despised Lucius Malfoy immensely, but his father was a different case entirely. Besides, Sirius was brought up to respect his elders, especially when the person in front of him was his Godfather.

As they both entered the Manor, Sirius led the way up the grand staircase, and after a few moments, they reached the Duke's study.

"Please, have a seat." Sirius motioned for the big armchair in front of his desk.

"Thank you." Abraxas replied as he sat down and stared at the magnificent office. "Quite a study you've got here Sirius, quite a manor actually."

Sirius smirked and said "Well, Lord Malfoy, being a Duke certainly has its privileges. Would you care for a cup of tea?"

"Romania isn't as secluded as you might think, I've certainly heard of this turnabout of events. And yes, with two spoons of sugar." Abraxas replied casually, his hand stroking the rich velvet of the armchair he was currently seated on.

"Roxy!" the elf popped in and bowed at Sirius. "Bring us too teas please, with two spoons of sugar each."

"Yes Master!" The elf bowed again and disappeared, only to come back a minute later with two cups of rich tea.

"That's one interesting rug you have here, certainly Ottoman. Might I ask where you purchased it?" Abraxas drawled with a raised eyebrow.

"It was a gift from the Turkish president. I had business over there two years ago." Sirius replied, his curiosity finally betraying him "Might I ask, Lord Malfoy, but what brings you here after all this time?!"

Abraxas closed his eyes and sighed, he then looked into his godson's eyes and started "I heard of what Lucius had done, as well as the revival of the Dark Lord. I just couldn't stand aside anymore. You do remember why I left in the first place right?"

Sirius answered almost instantly "How could I forget, my grandmother Melania wouldn't shut up about it. You had this major dispute with Lucius and you decided to leave to your Romanian estate."

"That's only part of the story. Lucius wanted to take charge of the Malfoy business as well as getting his inheritance. I couldn't bear living with someone who wanted my untimely death for their own gain, but knew better than to disinherit my only heir, even though Narcissa was pregnant at the time. So I came to an agreement with my son to let him have Malfoy Manor, though unofficially yet, and to give him part of his inheritance before my death, only a quarter mind you. And then I decided to take my leave, though it pained me to leave my unborn grandson behind, but I just couldn't bear to fight with my son everyday anymore. I am not the young man I used to be. I wanted to spend the rest of my years in peace, especially after the death of Carina. But I just couldn't stay away after what I heard, even though the information of Lucius' betrayal to the family came far to me far too late, years late even. It is my fault really; I chose a very secluded area." Abraxas finally took a breath after his prolonged explanation to his godson.

Sirius sighed as he heard everything. "I understand Godfather. Though I agree that you shouldn't have left to Romania. You could've come to me, I am your godson after all."

"Sirius, you know me well. I am a man of pride, which is why I chose to stay away from everyone's hair, we were in troubled times, I couldn't stand to be another burden on you Sirius." Abraxas answered solemnly.

"You are never a burden Godfather. Even though we weren't on such good terms back then, you knew that I would never consider you anything but my Godfather and my mentor. If it weren't for you and Uncle Alphard, I would've lost my mind. My mother was completely mental you know." Sirius smirked

Abraxas let out a hearty laugh and smiled at his only godson. "That is true, Walburga was a bit off her rocker back then, she nearly blasted you off the family tree." But then his face paled again and he spoke "But let us speak of more important matters now. I have come to reclaim Malfoy Manor and to make sure Lucius doesn't get his hands on the remainder of his inheritance. Merlin knows he would give it to his foul master." Lord Malfoy narrowed his eyes at the thought "Imagine, all my years' worth, spent on that power-hungry filthy half-blood!"

"Voldemort is a half-blood?!" Sirius exclaimed

"Oh yes my boy, I have recently found out that Lord Voldemort is none other than Tom Marvolo Riddle, an old schoolmate of mine. His father was a muggle and his mother a pureblooded witch. She was a Gaunt." Abraxas explained

"Wow, this is certainly a lot to take in." Sirius then remembered "You surely want to meet Draco now, he is nearly fifteen you know."

Abraxas' eyes lit up at the mention of his grandson's name. "I have missed fifteen years of my grandson's life. I do not intend on missing one more second. Of course I want to meet him."

The grand magical theater of Wizarding London was preparing for its latest Opera event and was auditioning for new comers. Naturally, the Duchess, Hestia Black, was asked to be one of the judges, because of her impressive musical background. She was after all, one of the best composers in Wizarding England and Europe. She was elegantly seated in the front panel, next to all the other judges, as she looked at the resume of the next act.

"State your name and age." A middle-aged woman, who was also a judge, asked.

The girl nervously replied "Daphne Greengrass ma'am. I am fifteen years old." And yes, she looked like a young woman in her prime, with gorgeous dark hair swept aside in long curls, beautiful skin and pearly whites, but the most entrancing were her eyes, a beautiful shade of sapphire. Hestia was reminded of herself as she stared at the gorgeous youth, and she wished for her voice and talent to match her beauty.

"Alright then, let us hear it."

Daphne seated herself at the piano stool and began to play. Hestia recognized the song immediately and waited impatiently for the lyrics to begin.

"D'accord, il existait
D'autres façons de se quitter
Quelques éclats de verre
Auraient peut-être pu nous aider
Dans ce silence amer
J'ai décidé de pardonner
Les erreurs qu'on peut faire
А trop s'aimer

D'accord la petite fille
En moi souvent te réclamait
Presque comme une mère
Tu me bordais, me protégeais
Je t'ai volé ce sang
Qu'on n'aurait pas dû partager
А bout de mots, de rêves
Je vais crier

Je t'aime, je t'aime
Comme un fou, comme un soldat
Comme une star de cinéma
Je t'aime, je t'aime
Comme un loup, comme un roi
Comme un homme que je ne suis pas
Tu vois, je t'aime comme ça. »

And Hestia relaxed, her voice and her playing were definitely a match for her beauty. Her performance was simply entrancing, divine brilliant, and the Duchess found herself smiling at the girl and saying : "That was beautiful."

That's it for this chapter! I really hope you liked it !

As for the song Daphne Greengrass sung, it's in French and it's the song "Je t'aime by Lara Fabian."

Here's its translation to english:

I admit (~okay), there existed
Other ways for us to leave each other
A few shards of glass
Might have helped us
In this bitter silence
I decided to forgive
The mistakes we can make
Loving too much

I admit often the little girl
In me requested you
Almost like a mother
You tucked me in, protected me
I stole from you this blood
That we never should have shared
Lost for words, for dreams
I will scream

I love you, I love you
Like a fool, like a soldier
Like a movie star
I love you, I love you
Like a wolf, like a king
Like a man that I am not
You see, I love you like that

Taken from -2#ixzz3FJJL6CJh

Again, I promise to write asap !

PLEASEEEE review and tell me what you think!

Awaiting your awesome reviews !

XOXO

Cleo26.