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 21: Tuesday Breakfast
It was Tuesday, September tenth, Umbridge had gotten out of the Infirmary only to be harassed by Peeves. By the time she had made it down the stairs and into the Great Hall for breakfast she looked as though she'd been through a war zone. He hair was even more disheveled than before and her face was covered in soot. It appeared that Peeves had found a forgotten box of Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-Bangs and had set them loose on the third floor. The professors all stifled their laughter and hid their grins behind their hands. Professor McGonagall looked absolutely smug.
Umbridge went to the staff table and sat next to Madame Pince. She filled her plate up with food and then the clucking of the tongues began. First, the Gryffindor side of the room began making noises like a horse trotting. Umbridge looked up, clearly, trying to find the source of the noise. The Gryffindors stopped immediately.
Umbridge stared around The Hall, shrugged, and went back to her potatoes. Then, the Ravenclaw table began. Umbridge once again looked up from her meal and whirled her head wildly about. She once again was unable to decide where the noise was coming from and once again shrugged it off. The Ravenclaws and Gryffindors giggled slightly while the staff looked highly amused.
The Hufflepuffs were next to start and by this time Umbridge was looking madly about for the source of her fright. The Hufflepuffs giggled and began again, this time with the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws joining in.
Umbridge looked wildly about and began speaking.
"D-did you hear that?" She stuttered.
"Hear what?" McGonagall asked, looking over at Umbridge curiously as though wondering if Umbridge were sane or not.
"Th-that noise!" Umbridge said shaking with fright.
A muffled sound of hooves came from the Entrance Hall and Firenze entered. Umbridge gave out a blood curdling scream and ran from the room as fast as her chubby, short, legs could carry her. The rest of the staff all looked at Firenze and then at the side door, which Umbridge had gone through.
Firenze looked deeply distressed, but McGonagall waved him up to the table and said in a very loud and carrying voice, "Perfect timing, Professor! Potatoes?"
* * *
To mpe: Maybe, but don't necessarily count on it. Umbridge will only be there for two weeks. Thank God! Besides, Dumbledore said that he couldn't necessarily keep the staff in line. That some didn't have the patients to deal with her a second time around. Obviously, that's very true.
To Little ear Big Ear's sis: *shrugs* That was one I didn't want to make a cliffy. I mean, leaving the grifflet would have been too much.
To dreamer43: Hey! It is okay, after all JKR has not brought them back. *shrugs* I just couldn't see the animosity between Snape and Brian without having there be a deep down reason. However, it appears they are being chordal. They're there for other reasons, but the main one is Voldemort. Who better than them to protect Harry right? They might be there for other more complex reasons, but I haven't thought that far so...