And into the forest I go, To lose my mind and find my soul.

BEGINNING 1877	Despite a complicated birth, Basel joins the Meighan household at 3 a.m. on December 14, 1877. He proves to be a rather fussy baby, prone to fits of crying and screaming.
ACCIDENTS & PARTINGS 1886	Basel's first display of Accidental magic occurred in 1886, at 8 years old, while helping his father deal with a Garden Gnome infestation. Reaching out to grab a Gnome, He is bitten. With a scream and a pop, Basel apparates to St.Mungos, where he has visited his mother many times. Confused and in pain, He stands in the middle of the waiting room with a Garden Gnome hanging off his hand, crying for his mother. He never truly lives down the story, nor does he ever quite get the hang of apparition. 3 months later, Collan departs for his first year at Hogwarts. Basel is distraught by the departure and the loss of his brother. It takes a week to calm him down, and he is only placated by the promise of letters and souvenirs.
SUM IT UP 1878-1889	Basel remains largely unaware of the many goings-on in the world and the seemingly inevitable hardships of a working-class family. The years are filled with the idleness of childhood, and he is kept as safe from such trials and tribulations as any child of his class could be. He spends his time reading, exploring, and, in the later years of childhood, playing Quidditch with the other children his age. He finds he has a particular knack for playing beater. Occasionally, Basel joins his father at the manor whose gardens he keeps and helps with the more mundane, magicless chores that need doing. The time passes without conversation, the only sound that of his father singing some song or another in his deep, accented voice. In the late evenings, when his mother returns home bedraggled and, more often than not, faintly smelling of smoke, he sits on the counter sipping tea while she tells stories of the day's various medical encounters. And while Basel might be considered a rather serious child, He could not be thought an unhappy one
YEAR 1 1889-1890	It is with both nerves and excitement alike that Basel attends his first year at Hogwarts. He is, to some disappointment, sorted into Ravenclaw. Basel had hoped to join his brother's house, Hufflepuff, so that he may spend more time with his brother. Any disappointment is, however, easily forgotten as the term starts and his schedule fills. Basel has never been a particularly social child, but this does not stop him from making friends with some of his peers. His free time is spent exploring Hogwarts and its grounds, goofing off with Conall, or playing recreational quidditch games with his yearmates. At the end of the year, Basel is awarded a Partial Academic Scholarship. he returns home with pride and excitement for the following year. Over the summer, however, things take a slight turn for the worse. Money grows tight, and Conall prepares for his final year at Hogwarts.
YEAR 2 1890-1891	2nd year, and Basel faces it as best he can. Conall returns as well, subdued with the knowledge of his impending departure from Hogwarts. Both brothers know how unlikely it had always been that either of them would even be able to complete their O.W.L.S. and the sacrifices their parents made to ensure it. Still, the departure looms over the two like a shadow. Basel especially finds himself distressed by the reminder of his own short stay at Hogwarts. The term starts quickly, with a flurry of activity and work. He spends most of his free time playing Quidditch and exploring the grounds, though he can't seem to find as many free hours as he could last year. As the year wraps up, he breathes a sigh of relief when his Partial Academic scholarship is left intact. The return home is a dour affair, and Basel pretends not to see the tear tracks on his brother's face. 2 months later, Conall finds a job transporting magical goods across continents via boat, and the brothers say their goodbyes once more.
YEAR 3 1891-1892	Basel returns to Hogwarts for his 3rd year, adding Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, and Ancient Runes to his class roster. Early in the year, he receives news that his father has been laid off and that Basel will likely not return for his 4th year. Sickened by the thought and desperate to ensure otherwise, Basel devotes himself to his school work in the hopes of earning a Full Academic scholarship. His free time is almost nonexistent, and he practically lives in the library. Only occasionally does he find the time to play a game of Quidditch and never more than a round or two. Many of his friendships, which had been tenuous at best, are abandoned. However, during Care of Magical Creatures, Basel discovers a fascination with insects. Occasionally, when a break is necessary, he finds solace in reading about the different varieties of insects. The topic is endlessly fascinating to him, and he is quite enthralled with both magical and nonmagical bugs. The year ends with news of his being awarded the Full Academic scholarship he worked so hard for. Though somewhat hesitant at first, his parents eventually agree to let him attend his fourth year. The summer is spent recovering as best he can, and he begins his own insect collection. He resumes playing Quidditch with the local kids his age, finding comfort in the activity after last year's lonely trials.
YEAR 4 1892-1893	Basel begins 4th year far too aware that he could only do so because of his scholarship. Collan's letters are far between, though the few that do arrive are lengthy and elaborate. His brother describes foreign shores and otherworldly ports. On occasion, Basel lets his mind drift and imagines he is experiencing them alongside his brother. The year passes similarly to the previous, and relationships are pushed to the side in favor of his studies. His insect collection grows; however, he hardly steps foot on the quidditch pitch-- favoring insect-hunting over quidditch playing. The term comes to an end, as they all do, and news of his scholarship's renewal brings with it relief. Basel returns home feeling lighter than he had all year and uses the summer to better prepare himself for his O.W.L.S. His father finds a job shortly after summer starts, and the Meighan household can finally relax.
YEAR 5 1893-1894	5th year arrives, and with it, O.W.L.S. Anxious and determined to do well, Basel is especially snappish and short with his peers. He is studying for his exams the moment he is settled in. His childhood nail-biting habit makes a recurrence, and his fingers/cuticles are often left bloody and scabbed from where they've been bitten to the quick. Collan, despite Basel's objection, sends 'fun money' every couple of months or so. Nothing extravagant or even beneficial, but Basel saves it. The money is spent only ever sparingly on study materials regardless of its initial purpose. Basel's Insect collection, packed and brought with despite better judgment, lays at the bottom of his trunks untouched. He hardly leaves the library and more often falls asleep in the library than he does in his own bed. It would not be too far an exaggeration to claim that Basel does not see the outside of Howarts' halls once this year. His work pays off, however, and Basel receives an O on all his O.W.L.S except for History of Magic, in which he obtains an E. Basel heads home for the summer, proud of his scores and nervous about conversing with his parents. Upon his arrival, he makes it known that he wishes to return and take his N.E.W.T.S. His father insists on finding a job or apprenticeship to begin making his own living-- to become a man. When Basel expresses that he wishes to make something better of himself, to seek out more than his station would allow, his father falls silent. Then, quietly, he tells Basel that he is a fool. The two scarcely talk for the rest of the summer, and Basel prepares for his return to Hogwarts. He does not play Quidditch or collect any bugs that summer.
YEAR 6 1894-1895	Determined to prove his father wrong, Basel returns to Hogwarts. Letters from his mother are few, and letters from his father are still fewer. Collan continues to send lengthy, meticulous letters along with the odd .03G or so. He insists their father will eventually get over whatever his issue is, but Basel remains unconvinced and shaken. He attempts to shove both his father's disapproval and his own festering doubt and guilt aside. While unsure of what he would like to pursue after Hogwarts, he is determined to at least take his N.E.W.T.S. Basel signs up for Potions, Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Arithmancy, and Care of Magical Creatures.