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Kara glanced down at her flip-phone where a text glared with the harsh blue light, “You still interested in foster care?”
Kara tilted her head and tapped in a response, “Yeah, why?”
“There's this kid from our neighborhood that needs a home. He's an orphan, his aunt and uncle have been neglecting him. Do you want to meet him?” The response was immediate. Clearly, Rose had the text prepared before sending it to her high school friend.
Kara wasted no time, “Just tell me when and where.”
☆☆☆
“Hi Kara! You're early!” Rose waved. She had long red hair left loose, sparkling greenish-blue eyes, and a blue dress. No one would have figured the two to be close friends, with Kara's short black hair and uniform-like clothes, but friends they were.
“Hi Rose! How's life going?” Kara returned the wave.
“Oh, the usual. This is Harry Potter.” Rose nudged a small boy out from behind her. He had black hair, large green eyes, and looked to be around five. The pallor of his skin was alarming. Kara's heart immediately melted for him.
Kara crouched down to his height, “Hey kid. I'm Kara. You might come live with me for a while if you like.” Harry watched her with wide eyes, taking in her toned physique and the scar over her left eye from a grenade.
He suddenly smiled and lifted his hair, “I've got one too!” A scar, shaped like a lightning bolt, stood out in sharp contrast with his pale skin.
“Looks like we're matching, buddy! So, do you have questions before you tour my apartment?” Kara smiled.
“Is your name really Kara Snake?” He tilted his head.
“Kara Snape. Do you like snakes?” Kara personally didn't mind snakes, but if Harry was scared of them, she would be sure to be sensitive.
“Tom is my best friend!” Harry threw his hands in the air.
“Who's Tom?” Kara smiled at him.
“Tom is a green snake that lives in the park. He's really nice, and he tells the best stories!” Harry frowned, “But he's scared of Dudley, and he left the park to find a new home.”
The kid had a great imagination, which probably helped him enormously in his former situation, “Well, I hope Tom found a good home. He probably wouldn't have gotten along with Spirit anyway.”
“Who's Spirit?” Harry tilted his head.
“My owl. I work at an aviary, and she has a hard time getting along with the other birds. One day, she might move to the aviary, but not for a while.” Kara's legs were starting to cramp up from crouching down for so long, and she stood, “So, do you want to drive with me or Rose?”
Harry glanced at the motorcycle Kara had driven, and his eyes lit up, “You please!”
Kara walked with him outside and pulled out her extra helmet, “Here you go.” It was definitely too big for him, but she didn't yet have a helmet his size and it was better than nothing.
“Thanks Miss Snape!” Harry grinned.
Kara laughed, “You don't have to call me Miss Snape. Just Kara is fine.”
“Can I go in the front?” Harry scanned the bike.
“Of course. Let me drive though, okay? You're a little young to drive.” Kara boosted him onto the front seat and swung on behind him.
“Let's go!” Harry cheered. Kara laughed and started the bike.
☆☆☆
Harry lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Kara was really nice the whole time, and she had let him eat as much as he wanted. She had given him his own room, switching her room to the office with the gun safe and Spirit. Now, he felt so comfortable and safe, he didn't want to go to sleep. A small part of him was afraid that it was all a dream. He had been poking his final bruises from the Dursleys for hours now, the pain reassuring him that he wasn't dreaming.
A cold presence approached his room, and memories, dark memories that haunted him. An involuntary scream filled his room as the presence entered from the windows. It had long, ragged, dark robes and long white fingers. Harry froze as it got closer to him, then darkness started truly attacking him. His vision started blacking out and he whimpered.
Kara dashed in, her hair a mess and her eyes widened, “What's wrong? Are you alright?” Harry was still frozen by the shadowy creature and only trembled. Kara's eyes narrowed and she whipped out a burningly bright flashlight, shining it all around the room, the creature shrieking when the light touched it. She pinned the creature with the light, and it retreated, holding its ghostly hands up as it fled through the windows.
Kara turned to him, “Oh dear, you're pale as a ghost. Let's get you some nice warm chocolate.” Kara gently scooped him up and carried him to the kitchen. Harry buried his face in Kara's neck, hoping he wouldn't get in trouble, but too desperate for the darkness to fade to wait for permission.
With one arm, Kara prepared two mugs of hot chocolate, the other securely around Harry. She brought the mugs to the couch one at a time and set them on the coffee table before sitting down with Harry nestled in her lap. She hummed softly for a moment and brushed his hair with her hand.
“Drink some of the chocolate. It'll help.” Kara passed Harry a mug and sipped her own. Harry drank his chocolate, enjoying the unfamiliar taste and the warmth.
He dared to ask a question, “What was that thing?”
Kara stiffened slightly, “What did it look like? I didn't get a good look, so leave nothing out please.”
Harry bit his lip, “It had ragged black robes and pale hands. I couldn't see the face.”
Kara's arm around him tightened, “I need to send a letter. Set the chocolate down for a second.” Harry immediately obeyed, worried. Kara penned a short note, then folded the paper and passed it to Spirit. Harry wondered what she was trying to do. Owls didn't send letters. To his surprise, Spirit immediately accepted the note and flapped off.
“Am I in trouble?” Harry whispered.
“No, no, you're not in trouble. Let's go finish the chocolate and talk, okay?” Kara gently returned to stroking Harry's hair. She carried him to the couch and sat with him again, waiting for him to start drinking the chocolate.
She took her own sip then set down her mug with a sigh, “What you saw is called a dementor. Only people who have a special gift can see them. My brother has the gift, but I don't, so I asked him to come over.”
“It doesn't seem like a good gift.” Harry frowned.
“It's not just seeing dementors. You can do magic. You're a wizard, Harry.” Kara explained. Harry doubtfully tilted his head. Was Kara crazy, like his aunt and uncle said about people who believed in magic? She had seemed perfectly sane during the day, and the dementor had been real.
Kara sipped her chocolate, “My brother probably won't be here for a while, he's quite far away. His name is Severus Snape. He's normally solitary, so if he seems a little awkward, that's why. Nothing against you personally. He's in mourning for a woman he loved very much who died, so he wears all black. Do you have any other questions?” Harry shook his head. He would wait and reserve decisions until Severus Snape came.
☆☆☆
Harry was dozing when Kara flinched, “Sev!”
“Kara, what's wrong?” An urgent male voice responded, though with a drawl.
“A dementor went after Harry, and he could see it. He needs to learn magic.” Kara's weary voice explained.
“Harry?” Severus questioned.
“Harry Potter, I've just started the paperwork to adopt him.” Kara offered.
“What?” Harry felt a hand brush the hair over his scar, “It can't be!”
“What is it Sev?” Kara's exhaustion was immediately replaced with concern.
“That boy is Harry Potter!” Severus exclaimed.
“Yes, I'm aware of his name.” Kara snapped.
“He can't be here!” Severus argued.
Kara's grip tightened, “Why not?”
“He was left with his aunt and uncle for a reason!” Severus shouted.
“He's not going back there. I'm raising him.” Kara firmly replied.
Severus started pacing, “The complex magical shields-”
“Sev, remember who you're talking to. I won't let him be raised in an abusive home…not like we were. I'll compensate for the lack of shields. You can teach him wizardry.” Kara quietly whispered.
Severus's voice dropped, “Kara?”
“You've never been good at picking up social clues Sev. There's a reason I'm currently fostering him.” Kara sighed.
Severus sat heavily, “Kara, this is more dangerous than you know. This involves the reason I kept your existence a secret from the wizarding world.”
“The reason other than I'm non-magical?” Kara softly, almost bitterly, spoke.
“You know I don't see you that way.” Severus's scowl was audible.
“I can handle magical attacks. Remember I'm a veteran too.” Kara started to fold her arms, but with Harry in them, she couldn't.
Severus sighed, “You're not going to give him up?”
“No.” Kara's firmness was reassuring, “Will you help with magic tutoring?”
Severus paused for a moment, “I need to speak with him first.”
Kara gently tickled Harry's neck, “Harry?” Harry blinked fully awake.
Kara smiled at him, “Severus is here.” Harry sat up and glanced around. There was a man on the couch, with dark robes and greasy, chin length, black hair. He had an angular face like Kara, but his nose was more beak-like. He scanned Harry intently, stopping at his eyes.
“You have Lily's eyes.” Severus flinched.
“Who's Lily?” Harry tilted his head.
Severus's eyes grew sad, “The most beautiful and kind woman I knew…and your mother.”
“Are you…my dad?” Harry had been told his parents had died in a car crash, but maybe it had been another lie.
“No. Your father was James Potter.” Severus's voice turned bitter.
“Are…they both really gone? Am I…really alone?” Harry hadn't dared ask his aunt and uncle, but Severus had known his parents. He would know.
Severus nodded slowly, “I'm sorry Harry.”
Kara hugged him, “You're not alone. You have me.” Harry didn't cry. He knew his parents were gone, and he wasn't yet sure of Kara.
“Mr. Snape, are you going to teach me magic?” Harry tilted his head.
Severus's mouth twitched into a smile, “I usually go by Professor Snape, but Mr. Snape is acceptable.”
“Sorry sir.” Harry waited for the punishment to be declared.
“It’s too late to start a lesson today. How about you teach wizarding on weekends and through the summer, and I'll take charge of his Muggle education?” Kara brushed a stray hair out of Harry's face. She was so gentle, so unlike his Aunt Petunia.
“Harry, what do you think of that?” Severus asked.
Harry was surprised that his opinion was being asked, “Uh, that sounds good. Learning magic I mean.”
Severus smiled, “We'll get started in the morning.”
☆☆☆
Harry Snape's first year at Hogwart's was eventful. As the nephew of Professor Snape, whom he referred to as Uncle Sev, he was the obvious gem of Slytherin. Because of the tutoring, Harry was far ahead of his classmates and took advanced classes, but he had learned from Mum and Uncle Sev to be polite and kind. Some said that he would have made a better Hufflepuff. With the gift of a Nimbus broom, he made an excellent Seeker for the Slytherin team. When Professor Quirel tried to hex Harry, his Uncle Sev loudly and publicly stopped him, resulting in a substitute Defense against Dark Arts teacher since the old one was possessed by Voldemort. He spent the holidays with his mum and uncle, and received a pet snake, affectionately named Tom, for Christmas. For an owl, he borrowed Spirit and his uncle's owl, Lily.
His second year was marked by trouble. When the Chamber of Secrets was opened, all eyes turned to Harry Snape, the young, brilliant, Parseltongue. However, when he told his uncle about the voices he was hearing, Professor Snape quickly figured out that a basilisk was prowling Hogwart's. A professional was called in, and the basilisk was quickly dispatched. Professor Snape also recognized a small notebook that Harry's best friend, Ruby Phoenix, had taken to carrying around as seeped with dark magic and safely disposed of it.
Year three he stayed home for a good portion of the year, due to a killer being loose, and progressed significantly. After Sirius Black was captured, a thorough investigation with truth potions revealed that the true culprit was really Peter Pettigrew. Sirius Black was set free, but due to Kara's protective nature and his history with Professor Snape, visits had to be scheduled.
Year four Harry wasn't expecting his name to be drawn from the Goblet of Fire, but with his exceptional skill, he was an excellent champion. His unique specialty with potions made the challenges very possible, though Harry felt unusually worried when he found Ruby under the lake. He and Ruby had a wonderful time at the Yule Ball together though. Before the final challenge, his mum gave him a handgun, with a warning that things didn't seem quite right, but the gun was only for emergencies. Although the wizards that were waiting on the other side of the portal were ready for wands, the handgun with a few good shots gave Harry and Cedric time to get away, though not before some blood was spilled. They came back to a captured Defense against Dark Arts teacher, not by any normal staff, but Kara, who was forcing him to reverse the portal.
Year five didn't start strong, with uncertainty and fear marking the school. Kara permitted Harry to bring a handgun to school and Professor Snape helped him make several useful and deadly potions in between teaching him how to mentally shield his mind from Voldemort. When Professor Umbridge put Harry in detention for mentioning Voldemort's name as he answered one of her questions, he told his uncle, who strictly informed Umbridge that such punishments were not approved, nor was punishing students for answering questions. Though the year was fearful, very little actually happened.
Year six was when the real troubles started. Partway through the summer, Ruby's letters abruptly stopped. Kara left Harry and Professor Snape to search for Ruby, who she had a high opinion of. It took her a few weeks to find Ruby, held captive by Death Eater parents, and free her. Ruby had a Death Eater mark, but she had been very resistant to actually joining the Death Eaters. Once she was safely back at Kara's apartment, she told the group everything she knew. At this point, Kara reluctantly allowed Sirius to watch over Harry and Ruby while Severus started the arduous process of several potions. Kara herself spread the information she had gained throughout the wizarding world, including the precious information of the Horcruxes. Spreading the information, refusing to list the source, and being Harry's adoptive mother, made her an instant target for all Death Eaters, including Voldemort. Kara vanished into hiding, using every trick she learned from Severus to fight and avoid the Death Eaters. To her advantage though, it only took a half second for her to defeat a wizard by using a gun, and it took at least a second for a wizard to utter a spell, but having all learned from Voldemort, the wizards gave her much more time by monologing. Finally, Voldemort himself caught up to Kara. By the time he did however, all the Horcruxes but one had been destroyed by various wizards. Kara shot him point blank, and across the country, Harry collapsed over dinner. He wasn't the Master of Death, but with the invisibility cloak in his possession, he still had the choice to return to living. Voldemort and Harry woke at the same time, the connection now severed. Kara shot Voldemort again once he moved, and that was the end of the Dark Lord. It took the rest of the year to finish untangling the mess Voldemort left behind. Those who knew of the prophecy were highly confused, but Kara simply smiled when asked about it.
Year seven was a year of joy, celebration, and new beginnings. Harry and Ruby finally started dating. Kara relaxed a little. Professor Snape offered to train Harry to replace him as Potions Master, a position he gladly accepted. Ruby became an expert healer, and trained under Madame Pomfry, though she was never able to heal her and Harry's magical scars. Once again, all was well in the magical half of the world, this time due to Muggle intervention.