The last week of summer had passed rather quickly in Harry's opinion. He had spent the week being paraded around Malfoy Manor with Draco, who was quickly becoming his favourite person. The only complaint that Harry could find was the gifts.

When the Malfoys had found out about missing Harry's most recent birthday, they had gone out of their way to make sure that he was showered in gifts. More clothes than one person could ever need, books that Harry hadn't even heard of. Even a few select pieces of jewelry had found their way into Harry's ever growing pile of possessions. He had grown rather fond of a particular leather cuff bracelet.

This particular morning, however, had begun with what Lucius promised was the final gift for this gift giving occasion.

"Draco will get one too, young lord. It is tradition for a wizard to receive the charm the morning that he first leaves to attend school," Lucius explained. "You are to wear it on a necklace until it is time to give it to your own son. I got it from your family's vault at Gringotts. The goblins were reluctant to let me get even just this one for you, though I will be back to get the rest to present to you when the time comes."

"Thank you, Lord Malfoy. It means a lot to me." Lucius smiled.

"None of that, now. You know Cissa hates it when you're so formal. In public, yes. Here, though, you ought to call me Uncle."

They had had this conversation repeatedly over the week, but Harry was still reluctant to be less than formal with such a powerful lord. If there was one thing his stay with the goblins had taught him, it was that formality was the best way to be polite. He still hadn't forgotten being steered away as one of his guards ripped the throat out of someone who was less than kind to him.

"Good morning, Harry," yawned a newly awoken Draco. Or, at least he tried to. It sounded more like "Goo mornig, 'Arry".

"Morning, Drake."

"Draco, please meet me in my study after you've eaten. I have something to give to you." It seemed that Draco already knew what Lucius was talking about, if the sudden recognition in his face was anything to go by. He nodded before moving to make himself a plate of food. Lucius swept from the room without much of his usual gusto.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, and Draco left in quite a hurry to meet his father. It was understandable, and it left Harry to talk to Narcissa.

"What is Hogwarts like?" Harry asked.

"Well, it's a castle full of moving stairways and secret passages that are only there some of the time." Narcissa smiled. "The ghosts enjoy a good conversation, as do the portraits. Watch out for Peeves, he's the poltergeist."

Harry nodded along good naturedly, just glad to be able to talk to his godmother. The two had grown quite close over the week, and Harry finally had someone he could consider family. He had even found out about a potential second person to be his family.

"You know Harry," Narcissa had started, "You have a godfather as well."

"Really?" Harry was thrilled. If Narcissa was anything to go off of, another godparent would be great. Even if he was as strict as his godmother, a godfather might just be what Harry was missing in his life.

"Really. His name is Sirius, he's a cousin of mine."

Now that she mentioned it, Harry could remember seeing that name on his list of relatives. The Gringotts sheet had then gone on to read "incarcerated", whatever that meant.

"Oh yeah! The goblins told me about him! He's in Azkaban, isn't he?"

Narcissa was stunned. She had brought it up so that her godson wouldn't be surprised when he found out, but she hadn't expected him to react this well to it. It was almost as though…

"You don't know what Azkaban is, do you?"

"Nope! Should I?" Narcissa sighed.

"Yes, dear. Azkaban is the wizard prison, where particularly difficult prisoners go."

Harry's face fell. There was another family member gone, before he had even been able to know him. Seeing this, Narcissa continued.

"I do believe that he had a partner, though. One who was rather close friends with your parents. I could contact him, if you wanted?"

Narcissa struggled to keep her balance as she was suddenly overtaken by a ball of Harry.

"Would you? Would you really?"

With that face, how could anyone say no? Narcissa would have to do some digging first, both to find out Sirius's full Azkaban sentence and to find his partner's current address. And that was how Remus Lupin found himself faced with a letter from the Malfoy family.

Remus avoided opening said letter, knowing how the Malfoys, particularly the Lord, felt about his kind. They were rather open about it, and there was no way that Remus was going to subject himself to ridicule. That said, it would be rude to not at least look at the letter before he burned it, and he knew that Lily and Lady Malfoy had been friendly in school. It would be an insult to her memory to let the letter go unopened.

To a Mr. Remus Lupin,

It has been quite some time since we have spoken. I believe it was at Lily and James' funeral, and even then there were but a few words spoken between us.

It would interest you to know that I have taken partial custody of Harry. He was removed from the care of his previous guardians and adopted into the home of the goblins of Gringotts. I am sure that you know that part, thanks to Ms. Skeeter and her fantastical writing. What you don't know, though I am sure that she had intended to tell you, is that Lily named me the godmother of her son.

He has been staying with my family at our home in Berkshire, and we have all grown to thoroughly enjoy his company, particularly my son. I saw fit to inform him of his godfather's existence early yesterday, so that he would not be spooked were he ever to come across the information on his own. In speaking of his existence, you were brought up. I felt it beneficial to him to know that I am not his only remaining family.

He asked that I write to you, to ask how you are, and to invite you to the manor for Yuletide. It took some time to find your address, but I managed. In doing so, however, I came across some rather disturbing information.

The Potters were part of a very long line of particularly paranoid Purebloods, and as such, had access to a Spell Bind Grimoire. In case you aren't aware, a Spell Bind Grimoire records every spell that affects the family as a whole. When searching for further information on both your location and Sirius' sentence, I went looking for this list.

The list is written in chronological order, from oldest to newest. At the very end of the list, there are three entries that caught my attention. The first is the most recent. It reads: "Blood Draw, 1982: Albus Dumbledore". Now, you know as well as I the severity of something like a Blood Draw. There is no reason that any child should be given one, given that it is a punishment that has been outlawed for centuries. It is probably the most concerning entry in recent history, but there are two more that I feel should be brought to your attention.

This, I feel, is the most relevant entry. It says: "Fidelius Charm, 1979: Albus Dumbledore, Peter Pettigrew". This contrasts with Dumbledore's statement at Sirius' conviction (for I also found that there was no trial), where he stated that he had not been present for the placing of the Fidelius, and furthermore did not trust Sirius, given his heritage. I believe that we should continue to look into Sirius' conviction, and likely wrongful imprisonment, and petition the Ministry for a trial.

Thirdly, and the least important for the time being, reads simply this: "White Sacrifice, 1981: Lily Potter". To my knowledge, the White Sacrifice has not been performed in almost four hundred years, and yet Lily managed not only to find it, but complete it. I suppose that we know how young Harry survived the infamous Killing Curse.

All three of these entries were of interest to me, and I know that you will enjoy researching them.

Harry is doing well, and is much healthier than when he first arrived. I do wish that you would return my letter, if only to make him happy. He and Draco will be leaving to Hogwarts tomorrow, and I plan to send both boys letters throughout the year.

Narcissa

Remus had questioned the truth of the letter. There was no way that Albus Dumbledore, the perfect picture of justice and patience, could possibly have done something so opposite from what he preached. But both curiosity and the hope of reconnecting with his cub got the better of him, and he found himself penning a response to the letter.

Narcissa,

Do you truly have custody of Harry? It's been so long since I was able to see him. I'm sure he's grown since then.

I would like to meet with you, please, to look over the Grimoire that you speak of. I'm sure that there is a reason for everything listed.

Please tell Harry that his Uncle Moony is still looking out for him and that his Uncle Padfoot still loves him. If your invitation is still open at Yule, I will gladly accept. Until then, I must ask that you continue to write me. It was a nightmare to fall out of touch with everyone.

Thank you for your kindness.

It was unsigned, but Narcissa knew who it was from. After all, who else could be called "Moony"? It was sure to be an interesting few months while Harry and Draco were at school.

Harry Potter wasn't always able to become invisible. It was a skill that he had to learn. Of course, he wasn't actually invisible, but blending into groups had become a speciality of his. The train ride had been uneventful, a few lost items here and there, and the boat ride to the castle had been kind of boring. Harry oooh'ed and aaah'ed along with the rest of his classmates when the castle rose over the horizon, but nothing else had happened. Now, though, all of the first year students were stood in front of what Harry assumed to be then entire school, waiting to be sorted.

Professor McGonnagall, who Harry had learned was the Transfiguration professor, Head of Gryffindor, and Deputy Head, brought out a small stool and placed a raggedy old hat atop it. This was confusing enough in and of itself, and then the hat began to sing.

Harry wasn't listening much to what the hat was saying, preferring to watch the crowd before him. Honestly, Harry didn't care which house he was sorted into, so long as he was with Draco. He supposed that meant he would be placed into Slytherin, but al the more power to him.

Soon enough, "Granger, Hermione" was being called and Harry forced himself to pay attention. The hat took quite some time deciding, before yelling rather forcefully "Slytherin!"

There was a smattering of applause, and the students went back to being sorted. Harry went back to people watching until Draco's name was called, listening only until the hat made its decision. Slytherin, predictably, not that Harry minded. If it made Draco happy, then it made Harry happy.

All too soon it was Harry's turn to go up to the tiny stool. The whispers and stares, he was expecting. The glare from a teacher, he was not.

"You are quite the difficult one, aren't you?" Harry jumped when the old hat began to speak to him.

"Umm, I'm sorry?"

"Oh, no need. I'll sort you all the same." The hat took a moment to deliberate. "Let's see, your family and friends all seem to think that you'll make a good Hufflepuff. I quite agree."
"No, please. Would you please put me with Draco?"

"That sounds a lot like Hufflepuff loyalty to me. But I'll humor you, if only you'll listen to me first." At Harry's slight nod, the hat continued. "There are dark times ahead of you, boy. Don't lose sight of what brings you joy."

"Yes, sir. I'll do my best."

"There are more of those Hufflepuff traits that I like to see. But you don't want to go there. Oh well, if you're sure. I might as well choose SLYTHERIN!"

This last was shouted for the whole of the hall to hear. The hall went so silent that one could hear the barest breath. Harry got off the stool shakily, and began to make his way to Draco. Slowly, almost as if emerging from a trance, the hall began to clap. Loudest were a pair of ginger twins from the Gryffindor table, who jumped up and began to dance around.

"We didn't get Potter! We didn't get Potter!" It was cacophonous. It took Professor McGonnagall a full two minutes to quiet everyone down enough to continue on with the sorting.

Eventually, the sorting concluded with "Weasely, Ronald" and "Zabini, Blaise", both Slytherins, and the feast began. It was loud, but not overwhelmingly so, and Harry could not remember a time that he had ever been happier. He could not say the same for two of the professors sitting at the Head Table.

Headmaster Dumbledore, who had only just introduced himself to the hall a moment prior, and Draco's godfather, Professor Snape, were glaring solidly at Harry. If looks could kill, Harry was sure that he would have been long dead by now, though he couldn't figure out why.

The feast concluded with a few start of term notices and rules, and the students were lead to their common rooms by the prefects. Harry was glad for the day to be over. It had been quite a busy day, and he was ready to fall into his bed and sleep for a long time.