Snape patiently listened as Henry, Harry, and Alice told his about their experiences with the infamous Ink Machine. "In my opinion, it sounds like a combination of ritual magic and soul magic. We can contact the Gringotts branch here in America if you want to hire a curse breaker to investigate the machine".
"That's fine," said Henry, shaking his head. "I don't want to put anyone in danger".
"Curse breakers are trained to handle dangerous situations like this," explained Snape. Henry, however, still decline the offer. Turning to look at Tom, Snape stated, "It's a good thing that you're in America".
"What do you mean?" asked a concerned Alice. She and Tom have been together for as long as she could remember. It was them vs the horrors of the studio.
"Unfortunately, the magical government over in Britain is a bit outdated among other things," said Snape. "If someone like Tom appeared, then the aurors, magical police force, would quickly capture him before erasing the memories of anyone that saw him. That would probably include you". Snape watched as the family process the words that they just heard.
"What do you mean when you say probably?" asked Linda. Henry was focusing on something else Snape said, but was also wondering about that word choice.
"You, your husband, and daughter would definitely be obliviated, or have your memory wiped, but I'm uncertain on whether they would capture Alice and Harry. While you look human, you are clearly not," Snape explained.
"So you're telling me that if they wanted to, you wizards could make me forget my whole life?" asked an upset Henry.
"Yes, we could," admitted Snape. "Unfortunately, the Ministry have yet to pass any law regarding reckless memory tampering".
"Then why should I allow my son to go to a school full of people that mess with his mind?" asked Henry as he glared at the greasy haired professor.
"Two reasons," said Snape, not reacting to the glare. "First, Harry's birth parents already signed up as soon as he was born".
"You knew my parents?" asked a curious Harry.
"Indeed," said Snape as he thought about Lily and James Potter. "Your father was a idiotic prankster and I was one of his favorite targets".
"I'm sorry," apologized Harry. "Do you know why?"
"I believe it was a combination of my house and my relationship to Lily, your mother," stated Snape.
"My mother?/your house?" asked Harry and Mary at the same time.
"Lily and I lived close to each other and were friends. Then one day, my emotions got the best of me and I said something I still regret to this day". Snape grew silent for a second before continuing. "Hogwarts is divided into four houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. I was in Slytherin and your parents were in Gryffindor. For as long as anyone can remember, those two houses have had an intense rivalry".
"You said two reasons," said Alice. "What is the other reason?"
"Harry is famous in Magical Britain," explained Snape. "Somehow, when you were only one, you managed to not only survive the killing curse, Avada Kedavra, but reflect it back at Lord Voldemort, a evil man that was terrorizing Britain at the time".
"Since he's famous, I'm guessing that everyone is expecting him to show up at Hogwarts," guessed Linda, seeing where Snape was going with this. At his nod, she continued, "And if he didn't show up, there would be a panic".
"Most likely," said Snape in agreement. "A majority of Britain Magicals aren't known for their common sense".
"Mr. Snape?" asked Mary. Getting his attention, she asked the question, "Could I go to Hogwarts with my brother?"
"We'll have to notify Ilvermorny, the magical school here in America, but if your parent agree, I don't see why you couldn't".
"I still don't feel comfortable with this, but if my children truly want to go, I will let them," Henry said as he rubbed his children's hair. "However, if anything happen to my children, I'll show you just how I survived the studio".
"Noted," said Snape, acknowledging the threat. "Now if you give me a second, I'll visit Ilvermorny to notify them". The family watch as Snape disappeared with a loud pop.
"Are you sure that you want to do this?" asked Alice. Both Harry and Mary nodded.
"I want to learn more about my birth parents," said Harry.
"And I want to learn magic alongside my brother" said Mary. Snape then returned with another loud pop.
"They were upset to lose a student, but agreed to your request," said Snape.
"Thank you, sir," said Mary with a smile.
"Don't you need to let Hogwarts know?" asked Henry.
"Ilvermorny will send an owl to let them know," said Snape before pulling out an old sock. "Now we need to visit Diagon Alley to buy the neccessary materials".
"And what do a sock have to do with it?" asked Harry.
"This is what is known as a portkey, a magical mean of transport," explained Snape. "It is currently the safest mean of magical travel for muggles, or people without magic."
"Okay, but how are we suppose to pay for it?" asked Linda.
"Don't worry, muggleborn students, like Mary, are given a school fund," explained Snape. "However, with Harry's inheritance, I doubt you'll need it".
"What do you mean?" asked Harry.
"I think that showing you would be easier," Snape said as he held out the sock. "Just hold on to this". Harry, Mary, Henry, and Linda all took a hold of the sock. Alice and Boris both decline due to their own reasons. Boris had to go back to work soon and Alice was feeling tired after babysitting both Harry and Mary. Seeing that the family had a hold of the sock, he gave one final warning, "Make you sure you hold on tight, do not let go no matter what. Choco-Loco".
