The Lost Prophecy | Year One

The House of Selwyn

The Selwyn Castle was located in the middle of the Scottish Highlands, away from the Muggle World. It was founded over a thousand years ago by Nicholas Talon Selwyn, a powerful wizard who was known for his Natural and Elemental Magical abilities. As time passed, the Castle grew from a mere Fortress to an enormous three-storied Castle, with several towers and buildings spanning across several acres, with a wide moat around it. Surrounding the Castle was a massive Lake towards its West and a Forest towards its East.

Nicholas Selwyn harboured Witches and Wizards of all kinds and ages who sought shelter from the persecutions. The Muggles were on violent and wild Witch-Hunts that worsened every day. Thus, forcing the Wizards to live in exile.

It was during these times, where Nicholas Selwyn expanded the Castle so that it could not only accommodate several people but also protect them from being tracked by the Muggles. Several Masking and Repelling Spells were placed over the Castle, concealing it and removing its location from plain sight or any map. Any Muggle who came near it would get lost in the forest and would find themselves walking in circles.

For several years, the residents of The Selwyn Castle lived in peace, unbothered by the Muggles, and offered shelter to anyone who needed it. They had built their cottages around the Castle along with an infirmary and a school. The young Witches and Wizards were taught by Nicholas Selwyn to control and enhance their magic and how to conceal it from the Muggle Community. In addition to the school, they had also started rearing cattle and planted several vegetables along with the fields. That enabled them to be self-sufficient and avoid frequent visits to the local Muggle Markets in search of food.

Nicholas Selwyn passed away at the age of six hundred and seventy-nine. His legacy continued through his sons and daughters who fought persistently for the Wizard kind and their rights to live in peace. In 1689, a law was laid down by the International Confederation of Wizards to safeguard the Wizarding community from the Muggles and to hide its presence from the world at large. As a result, the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was born and, it efficiently came into force in 1692.

Ever since, the Selwyn's continued to follow their ancestor's footsteps. Whoever needed help or shelter, was always welcomed at the Castle with open arms. For, even in the 19th Century, the House of Selwyn thrived under the leadership and guidance of Arthur Talon Selwyn. Who lived in the Castle along with his wife Cassiopeia Pandora Selwyn and their two children. Their eldest son William Talon Selwyn had just turned eight years old that month and, their younger daughter Scarlett Lyra Selwyn would turn six later that year.

As years passed, the stone Castle had undergone several changes throughout the years but mainly retained its form and structures. The Castle had five new towers built, one in either direction and one overlooking the Castle near the Lake. In addition to these, a Ballroom and a library were built towards the North-East and North-West wings of the Castle along with a Quidditch Pitch in the South.

Arthur Selwyn was currently at the Quidditch Pitch. It was still early in the morning, the sun had barely risen, and the air was very chilly. He mounted his newly polished Cleansweep Seven and kicked off from the ground. As he soared up, the wind rushed through his hair as he flew around the field. He loved coming out to the pitch. Every morning Arthur would wake up and take a quick stroll in the garden followed by a practice session either by himself or with his friends.

After several laps around the field, he landed on the field. He walked towards the shed which was located within the area. He was panting slightly and, his cheeks flushed. Maybe I need more practice; Arthur thought as he placed his Cleansweep on the table, next to his other Broomsticks. The new Cleansweep wasn't half as bad as he expected. It was better than the previous models but, he wondered if they could ever make a faster and better version of the brooms. After all, the quicker the broom, the higher were the chances of catching the snitch before the other player.