31st July 1980
The sky was pitch black with nary a star in sight. Amun squinted his eyes, trying desperately to make out a star in the vast expanse before him, as he did whenever assigned to night observatory duties. He was always optimistic, always hoping to be the person to bring news of the next Tianzi.
And, as always… he prepared to be disappointed when he started to make out the daybreak, creeping up on the edges of the horizon.
Turning with a sigh, he mentally cheered himself up with the thought of having some hot Miantang, a simple dish of soup noodles which was equally comforting and delicious in its simplicity. But first things first, he began to make his way down a floor to ring the bell that marked the traditional morning call to the brotherhood.
Then it happened. A flash so bright it was impossible to miss. Momentarily shocked into stupor, Amun admired the view as the flash subsided in intensity to reveal the streak left behind by the impressive-sized comet.
Coming to his senses, he quickly descended to a storey to where the giant bell hung as he grinned to himself. "Oh, the stories I could tell, of being the one to ring out the coming of the 888th Tianzi", he thought, as his body instinctually begin the arduous task of swinging the log thrice, marking the sighting of their leaders since time immemorial.
"James, do you get the sense that we are being watched?"
Frowning deeply at the thought of their privacy being intruded upon, James Potter immediately stood up from where he was playing with his son. He reached the spot where his wife was standing, and joined her in looking out of the window.
"What do you mean, Lilypad?"
Eyes considerably narrowed now, Lily Potter turned and glared at her husband. "Stop calling me that." She paused for some time before continuing, "I just get this sense that we are being observed…"
James pursed his lips, and as he was about to reply, a sharp knock on their front door was heard.