─── NARCISSA AND LUCIUS STILL FOUND THEIR HANDS TIED, as the time for the term to start for Hogwarts had practically arrived at their doorstep. If it was up to them, Saros would remain at the Malfoy Manor, however, it wasn't up to them, not completely. They were no longer in control as Saros' presence at the home had stirred up too much attention. He was, technically, of age and with his mind open to all aspects of learning, Lucius knew that the Dark Lord wanted to take Saros for his own. He could have the perfect little Death Eater to mould to his liking, without any independent thoughts or emotions getting in the way.

Yet, they were able to get away with sending Saros away to Hogwarts and to ensure the safety of their son, they had placed Draco in charge of making sure his older brother did not venture off towards the others that had encouraged his traitorous thoughts to begin with. It was a lot of responsibility to place on Draco, especially as he was preparing for his fifth year. Not only was he going to have to look after Saros, but he also had to focus on his classes for the upcoming O.W.L.s exams.

But he wouldn't be completely alone within his task, as he had recruited the help of his friends to help keep Saros in check. It meant the other pureblooded families that associated with them were in on it as well. Of course, Saros wasn't aware of anything that was taking place behind the closed doors of his home as he found himself in deep thought pertaining to the incident at Flourish and Blotts. He had yet to say anything about the young woman that had approached him, practically in tears, as she tried to convince him that she knew him.

However, he had no recollection of her, and his parents or brother had made no mention of knowing her either. He knew he was suffering from his memory loss but he trusted his family as they said they were doing everything to help him. They surrounded him with friends that had known him for years and wanted to help him. But they warned him that it was a very crucial and dangerous time in the wizarding world and they told Saros that there were people that were willing to hurt anyone and manipulate them.

And they had manipulated Harry Potter's story, painting him as a liar and to make matters worse for Harry, he had found himself further under fire with his most recent trial he faced for using magic outside of school. So far, Harry was not looking good in the public eye and it worked to the advantage of the Malfoys to keep their sons safe to the best of their abilities. But the moment was coming where they wouldn't be right there to interfere with anything, so they hoped that Draco would rise to the occasion.

But even when they believed everything was set, there always seemed to be something to pull the wrong from out under their feet or rather someone.

It seemed whoever A.S. was, was not the only person attempting to manipulate things in their favour when it came to Saros and his situation as a letter from Hogwarts arrived shortly before the boys were to leave for school.

Narcissa was quite confused when the letter arrived, knowing that she had already picked up the supplies that both boys needed. She wondered if it had to do with Saros and the fact that he was entering his final year with no recollection of the previous years. She had been worried about that as well, but Lucius reassured her from what they had been practising on their own, had proven that there was still something in the back of Saros' mind that allowed him to perform.

He was able to pick up quickly when it came to incantations and information, he had proven that time after time during little sessions between father and son. It was enough to reassure Narcissa, but was it enough to reassure the school? They didn't know that Saros was basically receiving tutoring within his home, they didn't know anything that was taking place since he had been home. And yet, it seemed Dumbledore knew enough that he knew exactly what he needed to do in order to ruffle some feathers.

Unfortunately, it was Saros that had been the one to collect his letter as it had been addressed to him. He had been sitting outside with Draco after playing a match of Quidditch against each other with just a quaffle when the school owl arrived. It dropped two envelopes off for the boys, leaving them confused.

He lifted the envelope in his hands and turned it over to see the official wax seal on the back. "Didn't we already receive our supplies lists?"

Draco nodded his head but he was holding his breath the entire time that Saros was ripping open his envelope rather than focusing on his own. He was wondering if it was the school telling them that Saros was not allowed to go. But why would they send the supplies list letter if that were the case? And why was he getting a letter too?

There was no denying that Lucius had been quite furious about the supplies list being sent in the beginning because it seemed quite insensitive. They made no announcement that they had plans for Saros to return but it seemed the school was taken it upon themselves to say that he was coming back.

If it were up to them, it wouldn't be the case, but Lucius and Narcissa found themselves completely stuck.

Leaning over, Draco watched as there wasn't only just a letter inside the envelope, but a badge fell out as well. Saros picked it up and looked it over as it gleamed in the sunlight of the setting sun.

"Head Boy," he read to himself before looking over at Draco with a grin, " that's a good thing, isn't it?"

Draco was left completely speechless as he just sat there wide-eyed. Saros had managed to make Head Boy; how was that even possible? No offence to his brother, but it wasn't like he had been a prefect prior years, nor had he been very involved with other students which were usually one of the standards. It wasn't until last year that most people got to know him and that was mainly due to the Tournament. But even so, Saros had been announced dead by the end of the term and into the summer, had they changed their minds once they had learned he was still alive?

When he didn't answer, he peered down at his own letter and ripped it open, only to find himself with a prefect badge.

Something was definitely up and it made Draco wonder; if Saros had made Head Boy, who had made Head Girl?

Despite not being all too familiar with the layout of Hogwarts besides word of mouth, Saros was quite proud of himself for making Head Boy. He had read the letter to him over several times before his parents took it away from him and he was quite impressed with himself as to why he was chosen. It stated that those chosen for the position were selected based off of their academic achievement, outstanding reputation as a student, and an honest, good, and hard-working personality.

Since he still didn't know much about himself, Saros was happy to hear that other people had thought so highly of him outside of his family. And his little brother had made prefect, which was another great accomplishment for the Malfoy family. He didn't understand why everyone else didn't seem as happy as he was.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked his mother, bringing Narcissa to look over at him as she re-entered the room. "Is it bad that I became Head Boy? I'm so confused."

Narcissa's heart had not stopped pounding since her sons had come inside with their letters and explained that they had been selected as prefect and Head Boy. Under normal circumstances, it would have been an absolute honour for her sons to hold such titles and she would have been open to brag it to the entire world. And while she wanted to be happy for them, she and Lucius had come to the same conclusion that Dumbledore was trying to get involved.

That was the last thing they wanted because there was one person that the Dark Lord hated more than Harry Potter and that was Albus Dumbledore.

She was fretting the idea of Dumbledore getting ahold of her sons and manipulating them to take both of them away. She either had the choice of pushing her sons towards Dumbledore or towards the Dark Lord and both of them were speaking high volumes of danger. Several nights in the row, Narcissa thought about packing all of her belongings and taking Saros and Draco somewhere far away to save them from becoming involved in the mess that was going to take place soon enough. 

She also thought about including Lucius in the plan as well, after all, after what the Dark Lord had put Lucius through in the graveyard, Narcissa knew he no longer wanted to be a Death Eater. It had been too much for Lucius, she had witnessed that for herself, she could hear it at night when he suffered terrible night terrors after the incident in the graveyard. He wanted out, but even he brought up a valid point that even if they were to run, they would never be able to settle in one place for too long.

The Dark Lord did not like traitors and he always made sure to hunt them down.

Reaching her hand out, Narcissa smoothed Saros' hair back like she used to do when his hair used to be quite messy as a boy. "No, Saros, you didn't do anything wrong, sweetheart. Your father and I are extremely proud of you. I'm sorry that we haven't been in much of celebratory mood, it has nothing to do with you or your brother's accomplishments. We just have a lot on our minds, and I'll admit, I'm worried about you returning to Hogwarts."

"I know you are," he said quietly, holding the Head Boy badge in his hands, " but I promise you that I'm going to try my hardest. I think I'll be able to do it and if it's too much, I can just come home right?"

All she wanted to do was tell him that it would be perfectly fine that he came home if he was uncomfortable, but that wasn't the case and she was so tired of lying to him. Noting his mother's silence, Saros reached out his hand and placed it over hers, offering a small smile.

"I think I'll be okay," Saros said in a louder, but reassuring tone, " I'll have Draco and all my friends. We were all talking about me trying out for the Slytherin Quidditch team, and Draco says I have a real shot at it. So I'll have that and I'll be working really hard on my academics so that I don't fall behind. I mean, this Head Boy thing is a good motivator, I have to set a good example for my peers but for my little brother too."

With those words left to linger in her mind as Saros left to his room, Narcissa found herself hating herself more than ever before. The way that Saros smiled was the complete opposite of what he had been before he had left the manor for school last year. He had looked absolutely furious but at the same time, it had been all of Saros. The Saros that sat next to her before seemed to superficial without him meaning to.

She missed his little smart remarks or the way he would roll his eyes at something. She missed the way that he would voice his dislike for something and just how sharp his tongue could be when he voiced something. Not that Narcissa didn't want her son to be happy, but it wasn't genuine happiness, he was missing so many pieces of himself.

The evening before Saros and Draco were to return to Hogwarts, Saros was settled in his bed after wishing goodnight to his family. He had packed his trunk, all ready for the morning, and he had been drifting in and out of sleep. It had been extremely awkward at the dinner table at the last meal that was prepared for the family before they were separated from each other. His mother could try and reassure him all she wanted that it had nothing to do with him, but Saros had a feeling it had everything to do with him.

It felt like he had only been asleep for a short time when he was startled awake by falling off his bed. He quickly sat up, only to see that the chair at his desk was pulled out, even though it hadn't been when he laid down earlier. Pushing himself up, Saros could see that his inkwell had been spilt all over the desk, leaving him to hurry over to clean it up. He grabbed his wand, racking his brain for the spell that his father had taught him for cleaning up. However, he was completely distracted as he spotted a note on the desk that hadn't been there before.

He leant over and picked it up to read.

You don't remember anything because they don't want you to remember. The longer you believe them, the more trouble you'll find yourself facing. Your family does not sleep under this roof with you currently, they are scattered, waiting for you to remember them. Don't let them down. Good luck with the start of the term, you're going to need it.

P.S. Find the silver hare, she'll help you.

A.S.

Unsure of what he had just read, Saros tore his gaze away from the note and looked around the room, curious as to where the note came from. There was no sign of anyone entering the room but with the use of magic, anything was possible as Saros was beginning to learn. Chills raced down his spine as he thought about what the note had said. He didn't remember anything because they didn't want him to remember? Were they referring to his family, he believed so since it said his family didn't sleep under the same roof as him currently.

But that didn't make sense, it said his family was scattered. Where were they and if he had more family, why didn't they come forward to see him? And the whole bit about the silver hare, he didn't understand that bit.

Until, something poked him at the back of his mind, bringing his gaze over in the direction of his trunk. Earlier when he had been packing his trunk, he had stumbled upon a bracelet that he didn't think belonged to him as it seemed more appropriate for a girl. And he distinctly remembered it, it was silver and it had a hare on it. But Saros didn't think the bracelet was going to help him, so maybe it was supposed to mean who the bracelet belonged to was meant to be his guide?

Feeling a sharp pain at the side of his head, Saros squeezed his eyes shut, all the while, asking himself the same question over and over.

Who was A.S. and what were their intentions with him? Did they really want to help him or was it something sinister?