Chapter 3

Harry stood on the familiar old platform of nine and three-quarters, shivering against the harsh, cold wind and shaking his head in disbelief. He had always known this day would come,had even anticipated it with child like enthusiasm and yet, now with the day finaly upon him, he could not help but feel a touch of loss,not so much was it that he would miss them,but rather the 'idea' of them... the having 'family' to come home to, at the end of the day whether you always wanted to or not.

In reflection, the way Harry had found himself uncerimoniously thrown out on the street and kicked to the curb,sort of speak, it held a sort of an 'abonded puppy' feel to him.Harry had hardly been given enough time to pack his trunk,Hedwig, a few other items and the 'Eye of Ra' before he was shoved out the door. Harry recalled the smug look on each of the Dursley's faces as he collected his things about himslef,stepping out into the darkening street,where a light rain had started to sprinkle.

Harry began to smirk as he recalled the brief look on their faces as they recoiled in horror at the site of his raised wand,sparking light into the cool night air. They had run inside and slamed the door,he had only been trying to catch the Night Bus,to signal them to stop,but for what Harry could only presume to be 'Ministry reasons', the Night Bus never came! Harry then opted for taking the first train to show at the platform,knowing full well it was a bit too early to have one's hopes high for being able to catch the Hogwart's Express.

With the 'Eye of Ra' safely tucked under Harry's arm, Dumbledore was grumbling in disapproval at not having the book closed tight in such a way he was unable to speak freely. Harry had meant to re-open it first chance he got,but decided it would be best to just wait until he found a nice little hideaway in the magical world.

A black steam engine pulled up just then,great plumes of smoke billowing from its stack. Harry gathered his things together and boarded the train. His mind whirling with fear of the unknown adventure he was about to exlpore,consumed with thoughts of self doubt and fear,where could he go from hear. he could move into his deceased Godfather Sirius's house,his inheritence,but Harry could not stand the thought of living there,too many memories,both good and bad.

Harry half heartedly thought that maybe the Weasley family would welcome him into their home. Actualy,he knew they would without question,they had made him an honorary Weasley in their hearts,loved like another member of the family,something Harry would always treasure,it meant the world to him. But, the truth was he did not want to impose on them anymore then what he felt he already had, it was time for Harry to get his own place.

Glancing about at the other passangers, Harry saw a discarded newspaper,picked it up and began glancing through it. There was not much in the way of listings,there were no places to rent and only a handful of places to buy. One house in particular had caught Harry's attention, an abonded shack that was now up for tenders. Harry witdrew is wand and touched it to the ad," Markosiss illuminous!". An ugly red line encircled itself around the ad,highlighting it with a brilliant glow.

Station after Station passed by in a blur,Harry hardly acknowledged the stops until the train announcer's voice crackled over the intercom,"Next stop,Hastings". Harry checked on his belongings,he hoped the house on Cherry pit lane would hold some promise for being habitable,the ad did not mention how long the house had been abandoned for. Harry dreaded the thought of the thought of what kind of creatures had taken up residence in the house.

The train came to a halt and Harry grabbed his belongings and departed from the station,hailed a cab and took off. "Where to,Buddy?" The cabby called over his shoulder. I need to get to 'Alcove Realty'...".

"Ah, another one to see that old shack on Shady Hill,it used to be beautiful once,years ago".The cabbie wiped his runny nose against the back of his sleeve,"I pity that Realty,they'll never sell that house,on a permanent basis that is. It has been on the market for some time now,funny considering how much housing is in demand here,...but some people say it's haunted, say the walls bleed and other such nonesense. The house seems fine at first,people buy it because it's so cheap,but it's back on the market within days of its purchase,then the rumors start"

Harry was not easily dismayed,he had little choice in the matter,he needed some new place to call home. Quite frankily he was getting tired,it was late. Hedwig angrily hooted at him from her cage,she wanted out to go hunting. Harry could only hope he could still contact the Realty,since it was after hours,he hoped any phone call he placed to them would be re-routed to a represenative,wherever they might be at. Guaranteeing his purchase without even seeing the house and adding a bnus on top,he figured that would sweetin' the deal to any realtor,even if it meant waking them in the dead of night.

Parked outside of the Alcove Realty, Harry paid the cab driver and took his baggage out. The place was visibly closed,but there was dwelling of sorts on the top floor of the building and there was still a light on in one of the rooms above. Harry thought he would chance his luck on someone,still being awake,even though it was after eleven, he grabbed a handful of pebbles and began tossing them randomly at the window.

A shadow moved upstairs and the window opened,"Hey,what's going on out here," a grumpy male voice bellowed.

If you please Sir,my name is Harry Potter and I want to buy the shack on Shady Hill,tonight," Harry's voice took on a slightly higher octave out of nervousness,"I didn't mean to disturb you,but...".

The stranger at the window,his face brightened ,visible even in the darkness. Not only had the promise of a sale wetted the Realtor's financial appetite,but the man wasn't totaly ignorant to the world,like everyone else in the wizarding world,he recognized the name,Harry Potter. "I'll be down in just a moment, just give me a chance to get dressed," the light was turned off before Harry could even reply. Within a short time, the realtor, who identified himself as Merlin Standport appreared before him and shook his hand. "A pleasure to meet you Mr. Potter,imagine the famous Mr.Potter coming to live in little old Hastings and on Shady Hill no less!"

"I am so sorry to have woken you Mr. Standport,..."

"No worries,it's a pleasure to be of service to such a renowned public figure. But if you don't mind me asking,why did you pick here to live and that house! I have many other houses,some even in a similar price range," Merlin looked inquisitively at Harry,searching for any hesitation in Harry's current bid to buy.

"No,I want that house,but with all do respect I wish to keep my motives to myself and I wish the buy to be anonymous,do you except Gringot's Hologram Chargecards?"

At first Merlin looked taken back by Harry's forwardness,then he beamed,"Of course my boy,of course. Not a problem, our clients business is highly valued and we do everything in our power to accommodate their needs." Merlin dangled the house keys before Harry,"Let's go see your house shall we...".

As it turned out, Shady Hill was only a few blocks away,so they walked there,his enchanted luggage hovering close behind. Fifteen minutes later,Harry found himself facing a dilapitated old shack,overgrown with vines,some of the windows appeared broken and the whole thing gave the appearance as though it were about to collapse at any second. Harry swallowed the lump rising in his throat,questioning his drive to have his own place.

Seeing the look on Harry's face,Merlin gave a sly smirk,"Don't be too quick to judge the old girl,"he remarked gesturing towards the house,"In this world,not everything is as it seems. This house is well suited to your needs I assure you".

Merlin unlocked the door and lead the way inside,turning on the light switch and closed the door behind them. Harry couldn't believe his eyes,on the outside the house had looked like a one floor shack,on the inside was a two storey mansion,in pristine condition! The place was beautiful,without hesitation,he immediately put the sale through his charge card,touching his wand to the card,it began to spin,"Thank you for your business,your account has been charged five thousand pieces of gold for one house in Hastings,have a nice day," the mechanical voice cracked through the air waves.

"Thankyou Mr.Potter,I am sure you will be very happy with the purchase of this house,its a good starter home with lots of character," Merlin handed the keys to Harry,tipped his hat to him and rather then walk home again,he simply magicked himself away. Too tired to care,Harry never bothered to ask about the house's history. Harry left his luggage in the enterance way,let Hedwig fly out for the night, then made his way into the large sitting room,he could not believe his good fortune! He wished Ron and Harmoine could see him now.

No sooner had Harry laid down on an over stuffed Lounge Chair then he fell into a deep,dreamless slumber. When midnight struck on the old Grandfather clock in the hall,Harry was suddenly awakend by the sudden drop in temperature,he could see his breath in front of his face. Spirit orbs and whispy spirits began to dart across the room. As he rubbed the sleep from his eyes,what little he had,icy fingers began to rake down his back,clawing at him. Lights bean to flicker. Then he heard the distant voices calling to him,faint whispers and crying and that is when it started,the walls appeared to be bleeding. The crimson dye never quite reaching the floor. The screaming that emitted from the very walls,was enough to drive anyone insane. Etching its way into the walls,scrawled in blood writing,"He who does reside,must abide,an oath in this abode,live and die by the old Blood Code!" The lights went out,then it was Harry's turn to scream.