AN: I thought that I would try my hand at writing in this new year. I've had this idea rattling around in my head for years, and I've always wanted to see a wizarding world that reflected what I imagined in my head when I first read the books. These first chapters are meant to be mysterious and a little vague, but stick with me and all will be revealed by chapter 4. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

- AMC

P.s. J.K. owns HP. I do not.

August 30, 1982

Crouched high on a balcony in the middle of the Alley, he watched and waited. The specifications of his assignment were quite clear and concise. Find a family with two parents and at least one other child. He had seen many families that fit the description but none of them felt quite right.

His eyes darted from person to person, quickly assessing and constantly moving never settling on one person for more than a few seconds.

He took an uneasy look to his left when there was movement in the basket next to him.

Merlin, help me. He thought. I'm running out of time.

The search had lasted longer than he anticipated and it was beginning to wear on his nerves.

He continued his vigil with renewed earnest. He had to find what he was looking for, he didn't want to think about the consequences if he didn't.

It wasn't more than five minutes later that they came shuffling up the lane, piquing his interest. She had a babe on her hip, a young one's hand clutched in her fist and an older one trailing behind her.

He watched as they passed underneath him and continued up the lane before disappearing into the second-hand robe shop. Narrowed eyes assessed the doorway to the store for a few moments before continuing to survey the street. He would keep an eye on them. No more than twenty minutes later, the family was back, carefully navigating their down through the Alley. Blissfully unaware that they were being watched.

They stopped at Fortescue's ice cream parlor. Directly next to where the man was posted. He silently thanked his handy talent with a disillusionment charm, as the family came out of the shop. Ice creams in hand the family made their way towards the Leaky Cauldron and the man knew his time was of the essence. He quickly gathered up the basket and stood twisting on the spot, appearing an instant later in an alcove just outside of the Leaky. He glanced back towards the street and he could just barely see the family jostling through the crowd in his direction.

"Good. Need to get set up."

The man hefted the basket over his shoulder and made his way into the pub.

He silently waved his wand at the basket and it became lighter than a feather an instant later. For good measure, he also muttered a quiet 'Silencio' over the basket.

Sat near the fireplace the man pretended to read the paper as he listened to the family floo away from Diagon Alley. In a panic, because he didn't know where 'The Burrow' could possibly be, he sent a charm over his shoulder. Hitting the woman's foot as she stepped into the fireplace.

"Persona Vestigium" were the whispered words.

His wand began spinning in his open palm and a few seconds later the word Devon glowed from the tip of his wand. Devon he knew, he would track them from there.

Three days later a Bloodhound sat next to a basket, eyes trained on the house just over the field. He watched as the family took off from the house after shepherding their children into a car.

Yes. He mused. This family will do nicely.

The man waited until nightfall. He wanted the people to have as much incentive as possible to accept his...delivery. As soon as the lights were glowing from the house windows he made his move. Where a bloodhound sat a man now stood. Picking up the basket, he used the dark of the night to cover his tracks, not that he needed to worry. They called him the Shadow for a reason.

Placing the basket on the porch he removed the enchantments from it. Smiling slightly he walked away. When he reached the road he sent his Patronus into the house. Silently he watched the door open. After spending two weeks with the thing he was almost going to miss it. But no matter, he didn't get paid to form attachments to his assignments.

With the sound of new galleons in his pocket, the man turned and disapparated into the night.