Harry Potter and the Soul Shifter

By: Alex Lyons3


Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and everything in the wonderful world of Hogwarts. I own Jessica "Jess" Cotten and Brian Brooks.


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 4: Meeting in the Kitchen


Ron, of course, made it into the kitchen first. However, when Harry and Hermione showed up he was not eating. Instead he was staring at Professor Severus Snape, who looked like he was going to hex a certain annoying young American wizard, and said young American wizard who was at that moment holding Snape in a head lock trying to get him to sit down and eat with the rest of them.

"Oh come now, Severus, Molly and Jess have made enough. It isn't like we'll possibly eat it all. You could use some food. You're too thin. You need to eat." Brian said cheerfully as he dragged Severus back to the table for, God-Only-Knows-For-Sure, the hundredth time.

"Really, Brooks, I don't want to impose." Severus said in his silkiest and deadliest voice, obviously annoyed. Much to the amusement of "The Great Gryffindor Trio".

"You're not imposing, Severus. You're a member of the Order and so, as such, have the right to eat here as often as you like. A man with such an important position as you have needs to keep up his energy. You look like you haven't eaten in weeks." Brian said chiding Snape as he dragged Severus, who was making a very real effort of getting lose, to the table.

Bill, Charlie, the twins and Mr. Weasley were staring just as dumbfounded at the duo. Apparently, they thought, that anyone who wanted to spend time with Snape needed to be sent to St. Mungo's post-haste.

Lupin and Moody decided at that particular moment to make an appearance, which made Snape cringe.

"BROOKS! Let go! Now!" Snape snarled menacingly as he tried vainly to extract himself from Brian's grasp.

"Severus, I'll let go when you agree to sit down and enjoy a meal with us." Brian said cheerfully.

Harry caught Mrs. Weasley's eye over "The Battling Duo's" heads and silently pleaded with her to find a way to make Snape leave. She knew what Harry wanted, but shook her head and grinned. Harry got the hint. There were not many people in the world who could put Snape in a head lock and still, after this long, be alive.

"BROOKS! DAMN IT! LET GO! I HAVE BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO FOR THE ORDER!" Snape yelled sounding louder and scarier than the picture of Mrs. Black ever could.

"Fine!" Brian snapped saucily, "See if anyone cares next time that you're shriveling up into a worthless bag-of-bones,...Snivellus."

Everyone in the room stopped and watched Snape's face contort with rage. A few people coughed hoping to break the tense silence that had fallen. Ron and Hermione both looked shocked at the name that Brian had used for Snape. Harry, however, was wondering how he knew that calling him Snivellus would get a reaction out of him. Snape's mouth moved, yet nothing came out. Lupin coughed slightly, however, neither Snape nor Brian seemed to be paying attention.

"How–how dare you!" Snape finally managed to snarl out, "You insolent piece of–of scum! You will treat me with respect!"

"I think not Snivelly." Brian said coldly. "Good day to you. I believe you have "important" business to attend to. Don't you?"

Snape's lip curled and he stalked out, muttering to himself.

Brian let out a sigh and looked around.

"I try to be nice to him, but..." He began, but was soon drowned out by the young witch that was helping Mrs. Weasley with dinner.

"Excuse me! You were trying to be nice? When has nice ever been putting someone in a head lock? WHEN has nice ever been described as pestering someone until they wish to hex you? WHEN HAS NICE EVER BEEN IN YOUR VOCABULARY FOR SEVERUS ANYWAY?" She breathed deeply and began speaking very quietly to Brian, "You should have just asked him to dinner and when he said no let him go." She turned his back to him and stalked back over to the chopping board were the bread was being cut magically. Obviously this was her way of saying the matter was closed and there was no point in trying to reconcile the matter with her.

Brian looked at her and then went out the door that Snape had left through.

The young witch just shook her head as she placed the sliced bread on the table.

"Merlin, only knows why he wants to spend time with Severus. I know for a fact that he absolutely despises the man." She said in a quiet, casual tone.

"I must admit though, that was hilarious, Jess. Not many people could get away with putting Severus into a head lock and live to tell about it." Mrs. Weasley said seriously.

"True, but he needs to learn that the way to get people to do things for you or with you is to be polite. He hasn't learned that yet."

"Oh come now. He's polite to everyone, except Severus and you really can't blame him. The man acts as though he's got a wand stuck up his..." Bill said scathingly, but was cut off by Mrs. Weasley.

"BILL! I shall not hear such talk! Especially with your younger siblings in the room with you!" Mrs. Weasley was as Ginny came down the stairs after hearing all the yelling.

"What's going on?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Nothing Ginny. Harry, could you go and get Mr. Brooks? Tell him dinner's ready." Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully as she pointed to the door both Snape and Brian had gone through.

Harry nodded and went through the door. He found Brian sitting on the couch in the parlor. He had a copy of the Daily Prophet in his hands. He apparently was reading it, but he looked up when Harry entered the room.

"Hey, Harry. Dinner ready?" Brian asked.

"Yes sir." Harry said.

"Bah! Don't call me sir. You can call me Brian, alright?"

"Yes sir–er–Brian." Harry laughed a little, "Sorry about that."

Brian chuckled. "Well, I don't expect you to immediately start calling me by first name or start inviting me to your birthday party or whatever. However, I do hope that we can become better acquainted, Harry, Professor Dumbledore and Mr. Lupin told me about how you've been treated and about...the...ah...tragedy. They said it might be beneficial for you to have someone to talk to who had gone thru the almost same thing."

They stood outside the door. Harry gave him a withering glare. Just as Snape's had no effect, so to, did Harry's. Apparently, this man was not one to be "killed" with a look. Harry was kind of shocked as they went in thru the door