pre-1883: Zack's mother, herself a bit of an oddity, has a series of casual encounters with Madoc Yarwood, leading to the conception of Zackary. Nervous about her reputation, she married the somewhat famously socially-uncoordinated Peter Carter, who was at that point so grateful that anyone considered him marriage material that he didn't give it much of a second thought. The couple move to Bartonburg North, where Peter has friends. 1883: Zackary John Carter is born, "a few weeks early." Thankfully, he resembles his mother, and his grandparents even note that he might have his father's smile. He is a loud baby, 1885: Lukas is born, an actual heir to Peter Carter. As a toddler, Zackary doesn't much notice, except for being increasingly annoyed by the screaming when he wants attention from mother, father, or the nanny. 1888: Zack is known for having sweets accidentally appear near him, especially if they were meant for Lukas or another child. Although his parents are proud of his accidental magic appearing, they also find it a little bit trying. 1889: Lily is born, and this time Zack has enough awareness about what babies are to find her intensely boring and be annoyed by her crying. At least he is more able to escape the sound, as he can now wander the house a little more freely. 1892: Zack has his first experience with his mother's "oddities." While he is enjoying dinner with her, she suddenly goes off on a rather long tangent about broomstick quality, and then seems frustrated when he asks for a rather expensive new model that came out recently. 1893: Peter Carter is one of several casualties in the dragon incident. Zack's mother has discussions with people Zack hasn't met before or locks herself in her room, leaving Zack and his siblings in the care of their nanny. When they do see her she has a tendency to talk about unrelated things. Zack assumes this is a symptom of mourning. A visit with Peter's father reveals that Zack's family is now deeply in debt, although it was supposed to be hidden from Zack. 1894: Zack escapes full mourning and enters partial mourning. All of which is dreadfully dull to him. While he misses his father, he also misses being able to wear the clothes he likes. Now entering his first year at Hogwarts, he worries a lot about what becoming "a poor" would be like, and hopes that his mother is able to figure something out so they don't have to move or sell any of his things.