1878: Alina is born the fifth child - and third daughter - of Thomas and Keeva MacRae. The last child to be born in Ireland, before the couple decide to try to make a better life for themselves in London. Alina has never known the particular details of why the decision was made, and has always been taught to stay out of her parents business. Ma finds work as a maid in the Binns household, while father goes off to work in a factory. Both parents tends to work in street peddling when they are able, and send the older children to do the same. Whatever each child earns, it is saved away for their education - when the family can afford it.

1879: Page is born, and thus begins the efforts from both MacRae parents to give each new child a 'proper English name'. Given that neither parent made it past the second year of schooling, this proves to be more difficult than expected.

1882: Breccan doesn't continue his Hogwarts for his fourth year, in favor of Treasa being able to attend (a post-September baby like Alina). Due to grades and lack of ambition, she doesn't make it past the first year scholarship. Both end up working part-time in the factory where their father is employed - when not out trying to street peddle and whatnot - by the time it is clear that they will not be continuing their education.

1883: Petra is born, given the name out of a book that Keeva heard the Binns's children's governess reading to said children. Sounded English enough. But Keeva is not the only one to overhear lessons being taught to the children. Alina is a stubborn child, one that is fiercely determined to do better than others in her family. Even at five years old, she begins taking an interest in peaking in on the studies of her mother's employer's children. Mrs. Binns finds her spirit charming, and subtly allows this. Alina herself grows rather fond of Emma Binns, and the two become friends.

1884: Reynold is born.

1885: Sorcha begins her education. Breccan finds a job as a shop employee, hoping to work his way up to making more for himself and his family.

1886: Esmeralda is born as the final child - thus far - of Thomas and Keeva MacRae. Flann begins his education, while Sorcha is dependent on a partial scholarship in order to convince her parents to keep her in school at all. Flann proves to not show the grades worth keeping him in school for a second year. He finds work as a chimney sweep, glad to not work in the factory.

1887: Upon hearing about a new school for domestic service training, Treasa convinces their parents to allow her to save enough money to pay for the tuition for the Introduction to Domestic Service course.

1888: Treasa marries, though this does not stop her from continuing her domestic service training. Her husband certainly isn't rich.

Flann outgrows his job as a chimney sweep, but is lucky enough to find an employer willing to hire him for domestic service, provided that he obtains education into the field. This leads him to go into the male equivalent of Treasa's current education, Introduction to Domestic Service.

August 9, 1889: Alina finds herself peddling in London in front of the right shop at the right time. Store owner Mars Asteroid decides to offer Alina a job at two galleons and a sickle weekly until Hogwarts and then during summers. The MacRae parents are both in utter shock, given such wages are close to what her father makes as an experienced employee in the factories. What is at first thought a scam, is later to be proven reality upon the couple meeting Mrs. Asteroid in her shop and discussing the matter. This could certainly help the family out quite a lot, and help pay towards Alina's and Sorcha's education.

1890: Sorcha completes her OWLs, a marvel among the MacRae siblings. Taking a job at the Ministry, she is decidedly the one who makes the most money in the household. Still, Alina craves for more ambitious dreams. NEWTs call to her. A full scholarship could certainly hold high hopes for her to stay past OWLs, but the question is, will cunning and ambition be enough? It certainly will be something to find out once she begins her studies.

Before leaving for Hogwarts, Alina begs her parents to allow her to try out for quidditch. There won't even be bludgers anymore! This fact, plus the unlikelihood that their little first year will ever make the team, convinces the MacRae parents into allowing her to try out.