Chapter 1 - Prologue

It was the dead of night as an old man slowly walked across the crumbling asphalt road of Nocturne Street. The man wore a long pointed hat, resembling something that, one would imagine, an old wizard would wear. He was dressed in a similar fashion, a long blue robe that went from neck to toe and a long white beard to compliment it. His eyes would occasionally let off a twinkle as he watched his surroundings.

Suddenly, a handsome young man stepped out of one of the houses and noticed the old man. The man immediately raised his hands and gave a greeting. The man was covered in sweat and shifting his eyes all over the place as if he was expecting to be attacked at any moment.

"Dumbledore! Oh how I am glad to see you!"

Dumbledore, the old man, raised an eyebrow. "You called me out here for a reason Maxwell, do tell me what it is so I am able to discern wether or not I may be of assistance."

Maxwell let out a sigh.

"My brother and his wife were killed, they got murdered by the death eaters within their own house."

Dumbledore went pale.

"That is dreadful news, I'm sorry to hear that. Is there any way I can lend some assistance?"

Maxwell started to tremble. "There- There is indeed a way you can help us. Garren, he sent me his last message with his Patronus before he died."

"What was it?"

Maxwell took a deep breath. "They are looking for Lily and James."

Dumbledore froze.

"What?"

"The Death Eaters are looking for the Potters. He didn't have enough time to explain why."

Dumbledore was silent for a moment before he speaking in a grave manner. "It seems I shall need to meet up with the Potters sometime tomorrow. But before I go, I must ask. What happened to their child?"

Maxwell hesitated causing Dumbledore to frown.

"We found him in a closet sleeping quietly. Marissa must've hidden him before. . . . What should I do Dumbledore? The boy doesn't have a family anymore, I can't just send him to an orphanage, he has my blood flowing through him!"

"Then keep him, keep him as your child. Raise him instead of your brother." Dumbledore patted Maxwell on the shoulder before disappearing. "Become his new family, your brother would want that as well."

Maxwell blankly stared at where Dumbledore had been only moments before before sighing. Once he held his head high, his face was filled with determination.

He made his way back into his house. In the living room was his wife, Aria, holding a sleeping infant in her arms. There were tears still lingering on her eyelashes as she stared at the little boy with a sad smile. When she saw Maxwell enter the room, she gently got up.

"What did he say Max? What did Dumbledore say?"

"He is off to warn the Potters. They will be safe by tomorrow."

"What about the baby? What did he say about poor Arthur?"

Maxwell hesitated before reaching out and taking the little child away from Aria's embrace. His eyes held pain and wrath but also warmth and love.

"We will raise him in my brother's stead."

Aria went quiet before nodding her head.

"We will raise him as his own, after all, we were already family before this right?"

"Indeed," answered Maxwell with a sad smile. "Welcome to the family, Arthur Kingscrown."