It is said that the power of love leaves "Not a scar, no visible sign… to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us protection forever." - Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (August 1881-June 30,1997)

Wednesday, June 6, 2001

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" There was a flash of blinding green light and a rushing sound, as though a vast, invisible something was soaring through the air… and into the body of Marcus Bank, who shielded his wife and infant son, despite being given the option to leave and let them die… this sacrifice gave both his wife, Amelia, and their son, Brian, the ultimate form of magical protection. "Hmph. He shouldn't have gotten in my way," said the masked wizard responsible for Marcus's death as they maliciously approached the two. "The Dark Lord will still rise again, and he will finish what he started. After all, ALL mudbloods deserve to be punished."

Suddenly, the door opened once more!

"Expelliarmus!" Another voice shouted! There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and the intruder's wand flew out of their hand! Just as they were about to grab their wand, the second voice shouted "Incarcerous!" and the masked intruder was bound by rope, giving the visitor enough time to arrest them. The visitor, a young man with black hair dressed in a black suit with a black tie, black sunglasses, and black robes, approached the intruder and noticed the slender, yet athletic body of Marcus. The visitor took their wand out and held it up to the intruder.

"By the authority given to me by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement of the Magical Congress of the United States of America, you are under arrest," he said to the masked intruder. "You have the right to remain silent and not say anything which might incriminate yourself. But be warned that any false or misleading answers may result in additional charges. Anything you willingly say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to a lawyer to accompany you during questioning and during trial. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you. If you believe yourself to be operating under a curse or otherwise engaging in your current activities under magical coercion, you may indicate as such at any time." He looked up to the two survivors. "Are you two alright?" He asked, calmly. Needless to say, Amelia was shaken up by the experience…

While equally black-robed aurors were reporting the incident, the one that saved Amelia and the infant boy talked to the woman and they agreed that he should be raised in a more… normal environment for their protection.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Amelia asked.

"We can't be sure of anything," he said to her, as he took off his glasses, revealing his blue eyes, "but we can hope. Do you have a place you can stay until we convict your attempted assassin."

"You don't think—"

"Your husband sacrificed himself to save you and your son… it's entirely plausible that he wasn't their intended target."

"Agent Drake," another auror interrupted, "sorry to interrupt, but we've uncovered the identity of the death eater."

"That's great!" Exclaimed Agent Drake. "Who are they?" The agent whispered into his colleague's ear… "I see… Let the department know immediately. Mrs. Bank and I are talking about her and her son going into witness protection until the boy's 11. By then, he'll be enrolled into Ilvermorny, where he'll be a lot safer… until then…" He placed his sunglasses back on, trying to hide his tears… "Rest in peace, Marcus… you have been, and always will be, my friend."

"You ok, Alastor?" A female auror asked her colleague.

"I-I'm fine," he replied as he and Amelia entered his car, a seemingly ordinary black sedan…well, save for the fact that it was a 1940 Packard 180 Club Sedan Model 1806 that looked brand new.

The car flew to a perfectly ordinary house on a perfectly ordinary cul-de-sac in a perfectly ordinary neighborhood: 1977 Nall Circle, River City. In this house was someone they knew could be trusted… who heard everything…

"Oh, my god…" he said, as he heard what happened. "Amy, I'm so sorry…" the man had tears in his eyes.

"I-it's not your fault, Michael!" She said to her brother. "W-we just… need a place to say until Brian's at least 11."

"You can stay as long as you'd like," Michael said, emphatic to his sister's pain.

"Hard to believe that you're gonna live with No-majes again, huh?" Said Alastor.

"Trust me Al, I've lived with Michael my entire life! I'd trust him with my life." The slender man, Michael, smiled at his sister's trust. Both of them entered the house. Michael had only one daughter, Alexandra, who was only one year younger than Brian was. For a certain family in the UK, having a wizard in the family would be a shameful secret… but not for Michael Smith. For him, it was definitely weird, but in a good way. And he wouldn't trade that for the world.

"Good luck, little Brian," Alastor murmured to Brian as he left…

As for Brian, he slept on, not knowing he was special, not knowing he or his mother were famous, nor of his heritage… He couldn't know that at this very moment, people meeting in secret all over North America were holding up their glasses and saying in hushed voices: "To Brian and Amelia Bank — the ultimate insult to Salazar Slytherin!"