1883	Lilibet Briar Meadows is born the first daughter and third child to Eric and Ramona Meadows, a middle class couple in Scarborough. The couple think it a fine name for a beautiful baby girl, and not at all indicative of being the source of trouble that would eventually cause their daughter grief. Her aunt, @"Dido Bloom" declares it quite "it was lovely to have another witch in the family". Eric and Ramona are decidedly bewildered at this declaration; it causes them to constantly hover over the small child, searching for any signs of magic. Lilibet learns early on to voice her displeasure at the constant presence.
1885	Eric Meadows, having grown up on a farm, delights in bringing his children to visit his childhood home just outside of Scarborough. It's here that Lilibet falls in love with animals and with trying to escape the clutches of her extended family (they're perfectly loving and wonderful people, Lilibet is just sick of people hovering).
1888	Thus, Lilibet's torture begins. A neighborhood child with a small crush on Lilibet brings her a bouquet of: lilies. Thus earning her the moniker amongst her peers, "Little Lily Meadows" (it doesn't help she's a good deal shorter than everyone else her age). And so at least once every week, she receives a lily from someone. She hates it. She asks them to stop. They: do not. And so she begs her parents to let her change her name. Naturally, the answer is 'no' and so Lilibet declares herself a new nickname of Rorie (derived, she cleverly thinks, from her middle name, 'Briar'. Because choosing the name 'Betsy' from the last part of her name is stupid because that's the name of the family dog. And plain old Briar is not interesting enough to the five year old.) So Rorie is now determined from here on out to let no one get away with calling her Lilibet or Lily or even Briar ever again (Dear Reader, this is extremely wishful thinking on her part).
1892	Rorie thus far, has not exhibited any signs of magic, much to her parents relief. She does, however, exhibit a constant desire to be with her grandparents on their farm; and due to the fact that they're located not far away, Rorie often 'runs away' to visit. On one such occasion, she's found in the stables with a newborn filly who she names Beauty. From then on, she takes care of the horse and is taught how to ride by her mother.
1894	Two days before her eleventh birthday, Rorie is riding Beauty with her mother on a trail they usually take. It goes smoothly until the end when a thunderstorm hits. When lightning strikes a nearby tree, Rorie and Beauty are directly in its fall-line. Right before Ramona's eyes, both horse and rider are hit by the tree; except instead of being crushed by the gigantic oak, it bounces right off of the both of them. Rorie and Beauty remain completely unharmed. And on the ride back, it's explained to Rorie what exactly has happened. Though she is not a stranger to magic, having known Auntie Dido, Rorie is still perplexed; so her aunt is called to explain what has happened and more importantly, what will happen.