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Chapter 3

The weird sensation that was known as apparition stopped almost as suddenly as it had started. Severus who was used to the feeling of it felt fine, but he knew Harry wouldn't.

"Here drink this it will help" said Severus handing Harry a potion.

"Thanks replied Harry as he gratefully gulped it down.

Harry who was now feeling much better, took in where he was. It was a beach with a dull grey sky and blue waves gently licking the shore. "Hhow on earth did we get here?" Harry managed to stutter out, he was completely overwhelmed by the change of scene.

"Sit down, there's something I need to tell you" Severus said gesturing to some rocks. "Harry I know this must seem really strange for you, all of this happening. And I know that we left Privet Drive before I had a chance to explain anything to you." Severus said kindly.

Harry nodded bracing himself for bad news.

"Harry, there is no easy way to put this – you're a wizard!" Severus told Harry and then explained about Hogwarts, how Harry's parents had really died and that Harry was called 'The boy who lived' in the wizarding world.

Harry seemed to take this information better than Severus had anticipated as normally muggle-born or wizarding children who lived with muggles would have been shocked and perhaps upset. But then Severus reminded himself that Harry was not a normal wizard and may never live a normal wizard's life, for Harry Potter would have to kill or be killed.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked timidly, interrupting Severus' chain of thought.

Severus shook himself out of his dazed state. "I'm okay thank you"

Severus had then asked Harry whether he would like to see his new accommodating, receiving an enthusiastic 'Yes' in reply. They got up and Severus began walking across the sandy ground at a brisk pace with Harry valiantly attempting to keep up but lagging behind.

After walking for about 5 minutes they came close to a cottage that Harry had not noticed before because he had been facing the sea. It was a rickety looking house with two chimneys and eight windows shaped like arrow heads, the cottage had tiles and bricks that matched the colour of the sand surrounding it and a few wooden steps leading up to it.

After walking the steps up to the house Harry could see a sign on the door saying 'Shell Cottage'. So this is my new home he thought to himself with a mixture of apprehension and excitement.

They entered the house with Harry at Severus' heel. The house looked as it always had since Severus had started teaching at Hogwarts and had spent part of his summers hear with all the other teachers. It was painted in white neutral colours, which stopped teachers in different Hogwarts houses arguing, although they still did have house rivalry but at least not about the paint colours.

"Harry, this is where all the teachers from Hogwarts come during the summer holidays"

"Why don't they stay at school?" Harry asked curiously.

"There are new protection spells placed on the castle over the summer and the house elves thoroughly clean the castle so professors cannot stay during summer" Severus informed Harry.

"What's a house elf sir?"

"A house elf is an elf who is magically bound to his family and cooks and cleans for them"

Severus was interrupted in his explanation of house elves when a few of the other teachers came downstairs to the hall way where Severus and Harry were standing.

"Severus"

"Albus"

The two men greeted each other.

"Hello Harry" Albus Dumbledore said to Harry.

"I am the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" explained Albus seeing Harry's blank look.

"Oh er Good Morning Professor" Harry replied

Albus then made polite conversation with Harry and told Severus to go and get the rest of the professors because he needed to make an announcement.

Within 3 minutes Severus had returned with all the Hogwarts professors who were looking at Harry with interest.

The headmaster spoke "Hello to you all, I see you have not met our guest so let me introduce him" he motioned at Harry who was standing beside Severus and Professor Flitwick. "This is Harry Potter" Albus continued regardless of the oohs and aahs of several teachers. "Harry will be staying here until he starts at Hogwarts and needs a Guardian, I have decided the best person to choose would ideally be a teacher so they could support Harry at school. I have also decided that Harry should be able to choose out of whoever applies for the role, I think the best way for Harry to choose would be to get to know you all over the summer and choose at the end of it"