The year is 1842

When your parents died, you and Maria moved to live with your estranged uncle, Benjamin. He was your mothers sister and not that old either, only a mere 30. You were 19 and Maria was 13

Of course the place was strange. A grand estate but so quiet and over grown by nature. A strange dog, Wrolf, Benjamin’s large black Saint Bernard (who was really a black lion

People in the woods. A woman in the woods, Lovegood, the witch. And a murderous clan with a grudge against your uncle. Moving paintings. A strange chef. A huge library

You didn’t want to believe the place was magic. Not after losing your parents so recently. Maria believed of course. She was still naive enough too. But you couldn’t help but admit you felt the magic in the estate, in the woods, on the beach. And you definitely couldn’t help but admit you felt the eyes that watched you in the woods

But you wouldn’t say it out loud. Benjamin was already a short tempered man. You didn’t want him to believe you as crazy. Every now and then Maria would speak of Lovegood or a boy in the woods (Robin De Noir). But you didn’t want to believe her

Tonight at dinner you sat across from Maria silently eating. Benjamin sat at the head of the table and Miss. Helitrope was silently eating, slightly drunk

Benjamin suddenly looked up “We’re going to the De Noir’s castle tonight”

Maria looked up in slight shock but excitement. The De Noir’s were a clan of men and boys, mostly thieves. The clan leader, Couer De Noir held a grudge against Benjamin over a situation years ago that Benjamin never spoke of (Lovegood is Couer’s daughter and Benjamin was suppose to marry her but their was a falling out and she ran away). She was nervous but excited that maybe you’d finally believe her

He stands up “Once you three have finished dinner please go get ready. We leave before sun fall” He leaves the room

Why were you four about to walk into the lions den of the man who hated Benjamin most?