The sunlight was starting to rise on the clear morning in the late winter. There were remnants of snow still on the ground, and in the small town the snow had melted under the foot traffic and had caused muddy roads. The town was a ghost town at the moment, the streets were empty and the wood and straw houses appeared to have nary an occupant. They were small homes and set close together. Straw was places around the bottoms of the houses to help seal in warmth for the winter. Barns behind the houses kept the few farm animals that the peasants owned. By all accounts it was a very normal town, named Bramburg, located in Northumbria.
The whole of the town was to be found in the church. It was the feast of Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity, and the town was solemnly celebrating the martyrdom of the poor young mothers. At the front of the church, in the most prestigious pew, sat the nobleman and his family, stoically listening to the priest give his sermon in Latin. The Earl, his wife, and his eldest son, were piously intent on the homily. The same could not be said for the duke's two youngest daughters. In between moments of attention, the two young women would try to hush their much youngest sibling, a brother of no more than three.
As the Eucharist was being giving, the Earl and his family approached and kneeled. Then something out of the ordinary occurred that made a traveler from afar take notice. The rest of the town approached, by rank, to the altar for communion as well. Something of this was completely unheard throughout the realm. The reason for this change is custom was soon revealed to all who sat in the church. Just before the procession out of the church, the priest levitated two large candles by raising his hands ever so slightly. They fell into place, floating as if held by ghosts, at the front of the procession, and lead the way down the aisle.
The crowd followed, lead by the Earl who nodded to the priest as he past. His family followed him to the carriage that was waiting for them. They boarded their horseless carriage and headed off to Bramburg castle. The mysterious traveler waited for his carriage to arrive and followed the Earl's carriage to the castle. He had a meeting with the Earl to discuss business. As he made his way through the town, he saw more evidence of an advanced magical society. While herbs hung upside down from eves, there were greenhouses by the town's apothecary. There were sheep in the fields, wool being an important crop for trade, and there were stables filled with magical creatures. As the people unlocked their doors using wands, their families turned to see the carriages that passed. They paid more attention to the second carriage, some with knowing looks, and other with looks of curiosity. Some had wary looks, and some smiled and waved at the man. In return the man smiled a charming smile and waved back.
In the meantime, the first carriage arrived at the castle. The Earl and his family disembarked, and made their way across the court to the castle. It was an old building, have been created in a time when Northumbria was its own kingdom. It had survived attacks from the Vikings. It was close to Hadrian's Wall, built in the Roman times. It truly was an ancient place, a place where an old magical land had combined and survived with a new, Norman, feudal world. There was a heavy stone fortification surrounding the castle, but the castle itself was cold and drafty. Inside, there were large tapestries depicting ancient histories, both muggle and magical, draped against the wall. They served a dual purpose; keep some warmth in the castle, as well show the deep and magical history of the family that lived there. The Percys were a deeply noble and loyal family. Devout to both their kingdom and their family, they showed that a magical family can respect confinements that most would assume would be only muggle concerns.
The Earl, named Edwin, was a solemn man. He was tall with blue eyes, a fair complexion and jet black hair. Today being a feast day, he wore his navy wool robe. A heavy chain over his shoulders denoted his status as a leader. His wife, Aefere, had a slender gown on; it was pale blue with a sleeveless navy over coat. Her chestnut hair was up, as was expected for a married woman, in two buns. White gossamer was under her chin, and was pinned up on both sides of her head, tucking into the dainty gold tiara on her head. Their son, Raedwald, dressed in navy like his parents, appeared to be a clone of his father, right down to the cleft in his chin. His sisters, Rowena and Odelia, wore dresses similar to their mother, only in maroon and green, respectively. Both girls had black hair, and deep brown eyes. Their little brother, Leofric, had a long, maroon, gown on, which was the custom for small children.
The family dispersed upon entry, the men to the hall to await the visitor, the women up to the Countess' chambers, and the little one off to the nursemaid. In the Countess' sunny room the daughters would sit and chat with their mother while they embroidered a wedding cloth for Rowena, who was to be married at the end of the summer to a member of Ravenclaw dukedom. They sat close, taking care not to make an error in the fine silk. Silk was a rare fabric; even kings owned very few silk pieces. Pausing for a moment, Afere looked at her oldest daughter, and asked her to bring her youngest child up to the room to sit with his mother. Rowena nodded, rose gracefully, and departed down the stairs.
As she approached the nursemaid she said, "My mother would like to see Leo."
"Of course, m'lady," complied the nursemaid, and she began to bring the young boy towards the stairs; Rowena followed close behind.
At this moment, the mysterious traveler had arrived in the hall. After a brief introduction, the Earl said, "Come Sir Gryffindor, we have many matters to discuss."
Sir Godric Gryffindor nodded his acquiescence and made his way to follow the Earl and his son out of the room.
At the mention of his name however, young Rowena Percy spun around to lay eyes on the traveler, and set into motion a history that would affect the wizarding world for years to come.