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 24: Unused Classrooms are Dangerous


Halloween dawned dreadfully cold and drizzly wet. The students were inside either in classes or in their common rooms huddled as close as possible to the fireplaces. The Halloween Feast was to be followed by singing sensation Celestine Warbeck and The Weird Sisters and a dance. Every student in the place had been buzzing about preparing for the first ever Halloween Ball. Ron had asked Hermione almost immediately, but at the time Harry had no one to go with. Luckily, this was not like the Yule Ball back in fourth year and Harry was not required to dance, so he decided to go stag.

All of the female population at Hogwarts was busily getting there dresses, make-up and hair ready. Hermione, Ginny and Luna had all gone down to Hogsmead one Saturday and spent the entire day in the robe shop trying on dresses.

The teachers were all preparing as well, they would need to chaperone the event. Dumbledore had even called Professor Moody and Professor Lupin back to Hogwarts for the reason that some of the teachers might like to dance.

Ron and Harry had seen both and waved vigorously in their direction. They had a nice chat before they went to their class. As they were walking to Charms they heard Snape's low, menacing voice.

"You shouldn't tell him just yet. It could jeopardize the entire mission and the Dark Lord would not be very pleased..." Some giggling girls decided to pass by at this time and neither Harry or Ron could catch all of what Snape said.

"Come off it, Snape. What harm could it do? It isn't as though Voldemort can know what's going on up here at the school...unless you tell him." This voice was light and casual and also very familiar to both Ron and Harry. It was Professor Brooks' voice.

"The Dark Lord has ways of knowing everything that goes on everywhere in the world. We do not want to put your mission in any more danger than it already is. It will upset him."

A loud sigh. "I know you're right, but it's so frustrating not to just do it now and get it over with. Dumbledore...well, you know Dumbledore. He's becoming suspicious."

"True. We will discuss this later. I believe we both have classes to teach."

Harry and Ron walked quickly down the hall in the direction of the Charms classroom just as Snape swept from the unused classroom followed almost reluctantly by Professor Brooks. This had confirmed, in both Harry's and Ron's minds, that Brian was working for Voldemort. They waited until both Snape and Brooks were gone and then quickly ran to the Charms classroom. They were a bit late and both Professor Flitwick and Hermione looked at them reproachfully.

Ron and Harry both looked at Professor Flitwick apologetically and sat down next to Hermione.

"Where have you been? You're five minutes late." She whispered urgently.

"Tell you later." Harry mumbled as they began taking notes on a charm called Ekspoz, which, if done properly, would allow a wizard to see how many bodies a Soul Shifter had possessed. Ekspoz would show in reverse order, much like Prior Incantum, each body the Soul Shifter had possessed by turning the Soul Shifter into that person, or persons, for at least five minutes or up to twelve hours.

The class was let out twelve minutes early and Harry and Ron shuffled Hermione off to an empty classroom in the third corridor. Ron and Harry made sure that no one was about by looking around and by checking The Marauders Map, once that was done they told Hermione everything they'd heard earlier.

Hermione looked at them a bit skeptically, "You mean Snape and Brooks are working for Voldemort?"

"Yeah, Hermione, I mean...obviously we knew something was doggy about Brooks. Ginny said it "he acts just like Tom Riddle". You know, I'll bet You-Know-Who probably wanted another spy here at Hogwarts and in The Order." Ron said musingly.

Hermione looked at Ron a bit reproachfully. "But, Ron...Dumbledore trusts Snape. I don't think Snape would do anything to jeopardize that. Besides, Brooks just doesn't seem the type. He kind of reminds me of Sirius...you know rather fatherly towards Harry." Hermione said thoughtfully.

Harry looked at Hermione as though she'd slapped him.

"I don't know Hermione. He acts like Bagman if you ask me." Ron said, "Like he wants something."

Harry looked from Ron to Hermione and then sighed. "Come on. Let's go. We've still got Transfiguration before they let us off to get ready for The Halloween Ball."

"You found anybody yet, mate?" Ron asked hopefully, looking at Harry conspiratorially.

"No, but I heard Ginny's going with Colin." Harry said noticing the look in Ron's eyes.

Ron turned beet red and raged all the way up to Transfiguration.

* * *

To dreamer43: Hey, no problem. I don't mind. I'm glad you're still enjoying it.