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 33: Planning A Rescue


Pettigrew entered The Hogs Head at exactly the time when business picked up. Aberforth walked up to him, knowing exactly what to look for in Pettigrew's appearance and mannerisms. After all, Pettigrew had been here before, a long time ago with some of his closest and dearest friends, all of whom he had betrayed and murdered...except for Lupin and Fletcher.

"Over there, rat." Aberforth snarled softly to Pettigrew throwing his head towards the two cloaked figures in the dimmest corner of the bar. Pettigrew nodded and walked hauntingly towards the table.

Harry saw him first and pointed him out quietly to Brooks. Brooks got a peculiar look on his face as though he wanted to grab Pettigrew by the collar and take him outside to talk. Pettigrew finally made it up to their table his watery eyes taking in the scene before him.

"So, Harry," Pettigrew said quietly, "how is everything?"

"Cut the small talk, Pettigrew," Harry snapped out at him, "where is Voldemort," Pettigrew flinched, but it was ignored, "keeping Lupin?"

Pettigrew swallowed loudly.

Brooks spoke up. "Sit down!" He ordered him. Pettigrew did as he was told and fidgeted with the hem of his cloak sleeve.

"Now," Brooks said quietly, "why are you here?"

"I have information concerning the where about's of a friend of Harry's. I want to help Harry in retrieving him, but I will not speak to you...er..."

"Brooks."

"Brooks, then, I only wish to speak to Harry." Pettigrew sneered at Brooks.

Harry looked to Brooks, but the mantle of his cloak kept his face mostly covered. Only his chin and lips could be seen. He grinned sadistically at Pettigrew who drew back from the unveiled threat that was conveyed in that grin.

"My dear man," Brooks said cooly, "I think you forget your place. Now, since you say that you have information in which to give us I think you'd better start before my Bourbon becomes warm. So, far...you have wasted our time."

The meeting went off with out a hitch after that. Pettigrew had told them exactly where Lupin could be found and what the Death Eaters were using him for and what Voldemort's master plan for Lupin was. When they had left, it was in a grave silence. Harry had tears choking his throat at the thought of that poor family, whoever they were, being torn to shreds by an uncontrolled werewolf and for Lupin, now living in misery because he was now a murderer. Harry looked up at Brooks who was looking out ahead, but not really seeing where he was headed. Harry led them back to Hogwarts to fulfill the next part of their plan.


RIP! SLASH! TEAR! BLOOD! WARM! OOZING! DELIGHTFUL! KILL!

Remus awoke again and went to throw up. This time had been worse than the first. The family had been prominent members of wizarding society. They would have been able to defend themselves except Lucius had put the Imperious Curse on them. It was now well into January and the thin blankets were doing nothing to keep Remus' sweating body warm. He shook with the cold that seeped into his very bones. Someone shuffled outside and came with a large pile of blankets. The Dementors opened the door of Remus' cell and the person shuffled in. Peter put down the pile of blankets on top of Remus' cot. He did not look at Remus, but began to change the blankets and put heavier and warmer blankets upon the mattress. He did not speak, even to jeer, to Remus. He left just as quickly as he arrived and let Remus do with the cot what he pleased. Remus sniffed at the bedding, noting that none of it was filched from the homes he'd destroyed he lay under the warmed blankets and fell into an uneasy sleep once again.


Brooks, Cotten, Snape, McGonagall, Aberforth, Dumbledore, Harry, Ron and Hermione all sat around a large table contemplating a map of Azkaban. Brooks had made it to be just like The Marauders' Map and they could see Pettigrew just outside the little cell block that had Lupin's dot inside of it.

"Annoying little rat!" Aberforth snarled pitilessly talking about Pettigrew. Brooks sighed as Aberforth went back to his tirade of Pettigrew's list of faults. Snape looked sourly over at Aberforth and then whispered something to Brooks. Brooks muttered something and McGonagall grinned triumphantly as Snape passed her a few galleons. Apparently, the two were making a bet as to how many times they'd hear Aberforth berate Pettigrew and Snape had lost.

"God!" Brooks sighed loudly, cutting off Aberforth somewhere in the part about how useless Pettigrew was that he didn't even make a decent doorstop speech. The whole of the meeting looked up at him. "They've got that cage so well guarded it'll take a miracle and a half just to pull off a rescue!" He sighed loudly in defeat. Harry jumped up, clearly ready to pounce on Brooks and give some long winded speech about not giving up hope. However, Snape beat him there.

"Who are you to dictate whether or not this man lives or dies, hmm? Get back in there and figure out how to rescue him before he kills himself." Snape said, truly the most encouraging words he could come up with.

Brooks was lying with his forehead pressed on the table, he rolled his head so that he could look at Snape. "Thank you, Severus, for those words of encouragement and hope." He said sarcastically.

Snape looked smugly back at his fellow professor and said with a smirk, "Don't mention it."

"I won't." Brooks curt reply sliced through the air.

"That's enough, you two." McGonagall said tartly.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Ah...I believe that you could use some sleep, Brooks. We've been at this for nearly five hours. We all have things we need to do this fine Saturday, besides Remus' rescue. Aberforth and I can handle this. No..."

"Oh no you don't!" Aberforth's voice jumped in. He walked back to the table. "You are going to get some rest also. No but's Albus. You worked yourself nearly to death once. I will not allow it again!"

Professor Dumbledore looked to the other professors, but it was plain that they were in agreement with Aberforth as were the children. The meeting ended with the parties agreeing that if they came up with anything they would instantly run straight back to the others and call another meeting. It was Saturday and most of the school was away at Hogsmeade. Ron had readily agreed to help the acquaintance of Harry's become professional Quidditch material, when he saw that it was Malfoy he was floored, but still agreed and still promised to say not one word about the private training sessions and they had agreed that some good natured hurling the quaffle about would do them all some good during the weekend and it wouldn't look suspicious since Snape had now ordered all three boys to get along and practice with each other since the Slytherin team was out with Dragon pox.

Harry was thinking on how to rescue Lupin when a thought occurred to him. Malfoy's father had been known to stop at Lupin's cell every so often. Maybe Malfoy could help. Harry was sure that Malfoy had been telling the truth when he had told Harry that he did not wish to work for Voldemort.

"Come on." Harry said to Ron and rushed out onto the grounds. Ron speeding after him. Malfoy was waiting patiently at the Quidditch pitch when he sighted the two friends running towards him. Harry came to a halt as did Ron who was huffing and puffing. Malfoy looked at both of them as though they were totally nuts.

"Do you know where your father is right now?" Harry asked Malfoy.

Malfoy looked at Harry skeptically, but nodded. "Yes, he's at Azkaban. Helping He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named keep the prisoners in line. Why? What's wrong, Potter?"

"Do you know that Voldemort is keeping Professor Lupin there?" Harry asked. Malfoy flinched at the name as though afraid that Harry would be struck by lightening or something equally as horrible, but nodded his head.

"Yeah, Potter, my father took me there after I received my mark and took me by his cell. He's still just as dignified as I remember and all the Death Eaters seem to fear him. Mind you, I'd fear him too, but he's really not that bad of a guy. What's wrong?"

"Did you get to look around much?" Harry asked, which Malfoy nodded, "Did you notice any doorways leading outside that weren't guarded?"

"Only in the kitchen. I suspect that's how your godfather got out. I didn't tell father about it. He'd already thoroughly pissed me off by then. Why, Potter, going to go save Professor Lupin now?"

Harry sighed, "Not without help. Not with out the teachers this time. I made the mistake once too often of not going for help and look what it cost me." Harry pulled himself together as Ron looked horrified at Harry and then angry at Malfoy for putting him in this state again.

Malfoy winced at that. "Hey, don't think for a second that you're alone in that category, Potter. I'll tell you one thing, I'm glad You-Know-Who never got a hold of that prophecy. He'll never know what was in there and it'll hang over his head until he's defeated. Still, I know it is hard to replace a parent. I've had no luck in trying to replace mine."

Ron coughed delicately. "Sorry to interrupt this tender moment, but are we going to play Quidditch or try to save Lupin or stand here twiddling our thumbs all day?"

"I say, we should try to save Lupin." Malfoy said seriously. "Any plans, Potter?"

"Not yet. We need Professor Brooks." Harry said and marched off towards the castle with Malfoy and Ron following closely behind.

* * *

To ravenclaw-unisus: I'm glad you like it. I'll try to keep up the excellent work that you so enjoy.


To Jade of Darkness: Thanks! Will do.


To hermionegreen: Yeah, Pettigrew's feeling a little guilty and he does want to help. I'm also hoping nothing bad happens to Harry and Brooks.


To wi11ow: Thanks!


To Eris: Ch.5: I'm glad you like Brian. He is an excellent character to write about. Ch.12: No, not really. He's like Lupin, either he's making very good guesses because he knows Harry better than he's letting on or he's mind reading because he's not 100% human. Who knows at this point! Ch.18: Actually, I don't think I'm the only one to bring Umbridge back, I do think I am the only one who has the teachers making fun of her constantly. Thanks for enjoying my fic.


To Butler: Yes, I agree looking for inspiration is a good thing, however, I can't remember who I got my inspiration from. Besides, it isn't as though I'm the only one who reads something and incorporates it into their own story. It has actually been a while since I last actually read some fan fiction. I will admit Harry did know of Aberforth, but he'd never been properly introduced. Chapter 32 was my, 'let's properly introduce Harry to Professor Dumbledore's weird brother chapter'.


To ravenclaw-unisus: Well, it kind of was mentioned briefly. In the fifth book, it mentions that The Hogs Head smelt like goats inside and that the wizard tending the bar looked very familiar to Harry. Which means he probably saw him before (in the picture Moody showed him) or someone who looks like him (Dumbledore).


To All My Reviewers: I will not be posting for two weeks due to the simple fact that I have tests to study for and this fan fic is taking up a considerable amount of time. Don't worry though, I do intend to be back at it in exactly two weeks! So, for now, I'll say bye and see ya'll in two weeks.