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 6: Prior Phobia


Life at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place had gotten more and more curious as the days went by. The book lists had come and Mrs. Weasley had taken off to Diagon Alley to fetch the children's school supplies for this year. Everyone needed new robes and everyone needed new books for their Defense Against the Dark Arts: Defense Strategies; 100 Ways to Jinx and Counterjinx; and Unforgivables and Curses that Should Be But Aren't.

Snape was back at the house, to the annoyance of Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. However, today would turn out to be an unexpected treat for the younger inhabitants of Number Twelve. Snape, Lupin, and Moody were going to be teaching some defense strategies to the four of them today.

"Now, in order to be able to face Voldemort..." Lupin said, but was cut off by Snape.

"Do not speak the Dark Lord's name, Lupin!" Snape said visibly flinching.

Lupin continued as though he had not heard Snape. "...you will have to learn some very important defense strategies. We'll teach you them while you're here. Now, Wands Out!"

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny brought their wands out, ready to learn anything that might be useful for the Defense Association.

"Okay, ready? Let's see you do this simple wrist movement, now." Lupin said to them. Each did it. "Now, repeat after me, Prior Phobia."

"Prior Phobia." They all said.

"Good, now. Can any of you tell me what this spell does?" Lupin asked mildly.

Hermione raised her hand, as was to be expected. Lupin nodded to her.

"Prior Phobia or The Fear Spell, as it is most commonly known, is suppose to let you and your opponent see what your opponent fears most. The Fear Spell is most effective when your opponent is exceptionally emotional, as in other emotions other than fear. Prior Phobia is a spell most wizards and witches learn in order to escape an opponent because the opponent will often be too busy fighting off their own worst fear than worrying about where there opponent is running off to."

"Very good Hermione." Lupin said brightly, "Yes, The Fear Spell is used as a defensive magic. We'll be learning defensive magics first and then, if we have time, we'll move on to offensive magics."

The four "students" nodded.

"Now, Professor Snape and I will give you a short demonstration." Lupin said.

The demonstration began. Lupin raised his wand and said, "Tarantallegra!"

Snape's feet began to dance wildly. Snape snarled, "Prior Phobia!"

A yellow light shot out of the end of Snape's wand and composed itself into a full moon. Lupin went after it with a quick bunch of charms, none seemed to do much though, while Snape shouted the "cure all" of the magical world.

"Finite Incantatem!" He said and his feet instantly stopped dancing. "The finer point on Prior Phobia is that it has no specific counter. It actually takes several different spells until the right counter spell is found. Usually, the opponent has to go through several before finding the right one. The wizard that is using Prior Phobia often thinks up a spell to use as the counter, any word will do. Lupin, try using your name."

Lupin looked at Snape a little shocked, but decided to try it. "Lupin."

Still, the full moon hung there. Lupin cocked his head and raised a brow.

"Your full name." Snape said silkily.

"Remus Julius Lupin!" Lupin said and the full moon disappeared. Lupin raised a brow, "You used my name? Why?"

Amazingly, it was not Snape who supplied the answer, but Harry.

"Isn't it obvious, sir? You were his opponent. If I were going to hit anyone with a spell, I'd pick something that they'd not think of, like their name as the counter." Harry said.

Snape and Lupin both blinked and turned to each other.

"Oh My God! Harry, you're turning into Lily!" Lupin said in mock aghast.

"Indeed. It does, actually, sound like something she'd have said." Snape said musingly.

"Pretty ingenious, I'd say." Moody snarled, "Young Potter here's got a fine head on his shoulders. Knows how his enemy thinks. Good kid!" Moody said praising Harry, "Keep one step a head of those Death Eaters and they'll be unable to out smart you!" Moody turned toward Snape, Snape's hand tightened on his wand. "Excellent job there, Severus! Couldn't have done better myself. Using your opponents own full name, pure genius. As for you Lupin! You need to remember that!" Moody walked out the door of the study, "Lunch's ready, by the way!"

Everyone looked stunned. Including Snape.

* * * * *

Well, you know the routine by now. Give reviews, I'll get another chapter up. Of course, I'm getting myself ready for college, so soon I won't be able to update as often as I'd like. I'm hoping to get this story out of the way before I start college again, because studying takes up most of my time, obviously.