Harry Potter and the Soul Shifter

By: Alex Lyons3


Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and everything in the wonderful world of Hogwarts. Disney owns Brooklyn, the gargoyle. I own Jessica "Jess" Cotten.


Author's Note: Originally, I started on a story about Harry's sixth year before J.K.R. released OotP. Sadly, when Sirius died, so to did my ability to write that fan fiction. So, I've salvaged some characters and added some cross over points and re did the whole thing. I really didn't expect Sirius to die. Truthfully, I should have. Just for the record, the time line is going to be a bit iffy since most people put it up as Sirius died in 1996. I'm going to say that Harry didn't even start Hogwarts until 1997, so Sirius didn't die until 2002. Did I lose anyone? *A few hands are raised* Okay! Simply, first book published in 1997. So, that's when Harry starts as far as I'm concerned. Harry's fifth year would be 2001-2002, so Sirius (at least in my mind) does not die until 2002. Okay? Anyway, on with the story.


Chapter 25: The Ball


The night of The Halloween feast was one to remember. The Great Hall was set up with two of the four tables along the walls. These two tables were covered in food and drink. The raised platform where the staff table usually sat was turned into a stage where at the moment the popular wizarding band The Weird Sisters were playing.

Ron, who was wearing his scarlet dress robes that Fred and George got him, took Hermione's hand tentatively. Hermione, who was dressed in a gorgeous gown of beige satin, smiled up at Ron and they both went to dance. Harry smiled faintly as he remembered the Yule Ball and how much trouble Ron had gotten himself into with Hermione because he asked her as a last resort when no one else would have him. Harry was wearing his green dress robes that Mrs. Weasley had bought him in his fourth year. He had grown, but not much over the summer so the robes still fit him well.

Lupin walked over to Harry carrying two glasses of pumpkin juice. Harry grinned at Lupin, even though Sirius was dead and both he and Lupin were still mourning it seemed to Harry that Lupin was getting back on his feet. He had written to Harry two days after school let out for the summer holidays telling Harry that Dumbledore had found Sirius' Will. Sirius had left everything to Harry, including Number Twelve and Kreacher. Kreacher, of course, had fainted and died when told this. No one, especially anyone really close to Sirius, really cared that the mite was gone. Since Harry now had a bit more money to spend he had seen to it that when Professor Dumbledore announced to the students that Professor Lupin would be returning for this party as a chaperone that Lupin had some decent robes. He had written Lupin that night and had asked for his measurements. It wasn't because he felt sorry for Lupin or would be embarrassed by his appearance if he were to come shabbily dressed, but because he felt that Lupin needed somebody to look after him. Especially since he was now completely silver haired. There wasn't a speck of brown left in it. Harry was glad that he had gone with the sky blue dress robes that matched his eyes instead of the more earth shades which would have gone with his complection and his, at the time, brown hair.

"Hello Harry." Lupin said cheerfully, "Want some pumpkin juice? I some times wonder about my sanity some times. I don't know why after all this time I still pick up a glass for Alastor." Lupin sighed in mock sadness.

Harry grinned and took the glass of pumpkin juice. "You're thoughtful and you're just doing what comes natural to thoughtful people."

Lupin grinned at Harry and nodded. He looked out at the dancing couples and spotted Ron and Hermione. "They make a cute couple don't they?" He said pointing to them.

Harry looked to where Lupin was pointing and grinned, "Yes, they do. It is about time they realized they liked each other too." Harry said happily. "They were beginning to get annoying. Always arguing and stuff like that."

Lupin chuckled and took a sip of pumpkin juice. "Well, they say sometimes that those that you hurt most are the ones you love the most. Kind of ridiculous, but true."

Harry nodded and his eyes fell on Professor Brooks and Professor Cotten dancing. Both were wearing deep red, almost the color of blood.

"Lupin?"

"Hmm."

How long have you known Professor Brooks or Professor Cotten?" Harry asked. He figured if anyone would know if Brooks was a Dark Wizard then it would either be Lupin or Moody.

"Quite a while actually. I'd__er__gone to America once when I was younger and we met. Why?" Lupin asked a bit uncertainly.

"Oh, just you know, curious. The only Professor that we haven't had turn Dark Wizard on us was you and I was wondering if..."

"If Professor Brooks was ever a Dark Wizard? I assure you Harry he'll never turn to Voldemort. He's got to much at stake right now to go wasting his life on a mad-man's dreams." Lupin told Harry with a slight grin, "Besides, he genuinely likes you, Ron and Hermione. I can't blame him. You're a rather entertaining lot."

Harry looked at Lupin with an unamused look on his face. Lupin grinned at him and then said, "Kidding. However, I know he finds you extremely intriguing. He's written me quite a bit since the year started. He told me that he asked you if you wanted to talk that he'd be happy to listen. Trust me Harry, if anyone has any idea what's going through that head of yours it's Brian. He's lost family and friends too."

"Why does he insist though?" Harry asked thinking that there might be another motive behind Brian wanting to talk to him all the time.

"Maybe it is because..." Lupin began, but was cut off by a loud resounding boom that shook the walls of The Great Hall.

The teachers all grabbed their wands waiting for another blast of magic, since magic would be the only thing that could shake the school almost off of its foundation.

* * *

To Joseph Fritz: Hey! I'm glad you are enjoying it. Yeah, I know, I really should check my work. Could be worse though. The chapters are short due to the fact that my brain can not figure out how to make them longer. This one isn't long, but it is detailed, unlike some of my other chapters. I hope you like it.


To RogueFanKC: LOL! Nice defense of Brooks. No. Umbridge will not be back. After what the teachers put her through, could you honestly see her returning of her own free will? As for Brooks, it won't be too long now. As I've said before the story just kind of rolls out of my head the way it is. Sometimes it'll take a turn that I didn't expect, like now.


To dreamer43: I glad you're still enjoying it.


To HP FanFic Luvr: Don't worry it is coming up. The real truth behind Brooks will soon be known! (MWAHAHAHAHAHA!) Um, sorry about that random bit of evilness.


To Little Ear Big Ear's sis: I know you haven't submitted a review, but is this cliffie enough for you or does it need to be more dramatic?