War. They called it 'The war to end all wars', now for the second time. It was ironic in a way to think of it as such considering what raged outside his window at this moment; a crack appearing on his window only to repair itself moments later as the Soviet and East German soldiers below advanced. Occasionally shooting at his countrymen as they fled further into the town. He turned away, a young man following behind him to where his wife lay, a healer with her as she held a small, bloody object wrapped in a white towel.

He spoke, his voice authoritative and definite "He shall be called Schultz. I recognise this child to be mine and of the noble Lehman lineage, hand him to me"

His wife obliged as she passed him the bundle, giving the small child a kiss on the forehead as he was passed to his father, the man gently taking him and bending down so that the boy in the room could see his new-born brother clearly "He is your Brother, as family we look after each other; through peace and war, through prosperity and stagnation you two will look after each other even once we are gone from this world. Take him"

The boy obliged, taking the bundle in his hands. Looking into the closed eyes and small head of his brother as his father continued "We are leaving soon Fredrich. The child had to born on German soil, now that that is done we are leaving. Leaving to England, at least until the Communists have fallen. I'm sorry that you have to leave your friends so soon but this is for the best"

"I understand father" replied the boy "I have seen what has happened to some of my classmates…"

"Unfortunately, this is why we need to go now. The NVA and Soviets have passed by us and we have barely five minutes before Aurors arrive. Matron!" He turned to the woman packing her things "thank you for your services, you should leave now before they arrive"

The woman nodded and left with a crack once she was out the door. The Father watched, his own suitcase by his side as his Wife and Child made their final checks too; their suitcases carrying all that their magical capacity could fit. He glanced at his watch, three minutes remained.

The group walked outside, him carrying two suitcases as Fredrich carried his and his wife carried the baby. "Hold on tight" he ordered as the boy was passed his suitcase. He drew his wand, making sure his family held him tight.

A crack was heard in the deserted streets of East Berlin as more came from afar, signifying a bloody end to the Uprising of 1953 in East Germany as another crack resounded somewhere over the hills and far away.

The early snow of 1958 his Snyde Manor as shockwaves rocked the building with spell after spell hit the walls, shattering glass and disturbing what animals were still around. The three remaining inhabitants were gathered in the basement as the little girl behind the two sobbed

"Hush, Merula. You need to stay strong" said her Father as he took her hand in his. I know this is hard but it's the only way, you need to stay quiet. They must not see you, understood?"

The young Merula Snyde nodded and tried to wipe away the tears only to be picked up by her father and put into a cupboard. He kissed her forehead and shut the doors, leaving the little girl in the wardrobe on her own as a crash sounded outside the thick wood and muffled spells filled the air.

Seconds later there were no more spells, there was only quiet besides the quiet sobbing of a brown-haired girl as her knees buckled and she crawled into a corner; disturbed moments later when the doors flew open and hands went in, dragging her out into the pale light of the full moon.