As recounted by Basil in Session 11

Event:: Maj. Rudolph Augustus Featherstone DSO MC (Ret.) was born in South Africa to Muggle colonialists in the late 1800s

Event:: Maj. Rudolph Augustus Featherstone DSO MC (Ret.) learns his magic at Ouagadou School of Magic before his parents returned to the UK prior to the outbreak of the Great Muggle War. young Rudolph was drafted as a Lieutenant in his Majesty's army

Event:: During the course of the Great War, Maj. Rudolph Augustus Featherstone DSO MC (Ret.) used his magic knowingly in the presence of muggles. Always seeking to help the injured, he even developed a way to mask his use of the non-lethal Devicto spell by making it sound like a rifle crack

Event:: After the war, Maj. Rudolph Augustus Featherstone DSO MC (Ret.) sought to conceal his magic and live a 'normal' life. He married Annabelle, and had a child: Basil. Maj. Rudolph Augustus Featherstone DSO MC (Ret.) hoped that Basil would be spared magicality.

Event:: Basil's mother, Annabelle was a star and a socialite. Her life of partying meant that Basil was raised largely by his father, Rudolph and always without magic

Event:: Aged about 7-8 years, Basil first began to see spirits. It was during this time that he took Ruffles the Teddy as his companion and comforter. The spirits would often visit him at night, often causing Basil night terrors

Event:: One night, whilst half drunk, Annabelle Featherstone (dec.) sought to tuck Basil in - a fairly uncharacteristic act - Basil awoke from a night terror to see her looming over him. There was a flash of light and Annabelle lay dead. Ruffles the Teddy was badly singed on the bed beside Basil

Event:: After the unexpected incident that killed his mother, Basil's father - Rudolph - sought to teach Basil control of magic. Annabelle Featherstone (dec.) remains as a spirit haunting the grounds of Mallory Court

Event:: In part to avoid contact with the ghost of his mother, Basil then went away to boarding school for long stretches.