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 36: Consoling
Professor Cotten walked down the school corridors, following the Headmaster as silently as a ghost. Given that she was a banshee this wasn't too difficult for her. The Headmaster had just come in after surveying the Ministry's work at The Granger Residence and she had been called by Dumbledore to help Hermione. She was now cursing the girl for not covering her ears when she had begun to keen. As said, "When the banshee keens, men die!"
Hermione had been ushered into The Defense classroom where Dumbledore had decided to have this little chat. Harry, Ron, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape and Professor Brooks were there with her, keeping the mood light. Considering that, out of the small group, only McGonagall and Snape knew about The Granger's demise this wasn't a difficult task. Dumbledore moved into the room, his face sober and sad. When the group noticed him they all immediately went quiet.
"The resent werewolf attacks on wizarding kind has not gone unnoticed by any of us. These past few weeks we've been trying to come up with some reason as to why Voldemort would want to kill innocent pureblooded wizarding families. However, today, I have grave news. Ms. Granger, I was notified this morning that The Death Eaters were at your home last night. As you know it was a full moon. They used Professor Lupin to kill your family. I am truly sorry, Ms. Granger." Dumbledore finished as Hermione started to cry into Ron and Harry's shoulders. Professor McGonagall patted her on the back trying to sooth her. Snape looked as though he didn't really care. Professor Brooks, however, jumped up just as Dumbledore was about to leave the chaotic scene.
"IS THAT ALL?" He demanded angrily. All eyes were now fixed upon him. Snape and McGonagall were reaching into their robes for their wands hoping that Brooks would not try to kill Dumbledore.
"Yes, that is all." Dumbledore said calmly and quietly.
"SO, YOU GIVE THIS NEWS TO US AS THOUGH IT IS A DAMNED SPEECH AND THEN YOU JUST LEAVE?" Brooks yelled at Dumbledore.
"I am sorry Brian, but I really had no other option." Dumbledore said.
Brooks began to hiss venomously and everyone's eyes grew wide and fearful. Except for Harry who could understand Parseltounge and so could understand what Professor Brooks was saying.
"STUPIFY!" Snape shouted and Brian hit the floor with a dull thud. He turned to Dumbledore, "Now what do we do?"
"Professor Snape," Harry said quietly, "you didn't have to stun him. He was only foul mouthing Dumbledore, his ancestry, and all of his decedents after him. I would have been able to stun him effectively had he gone over to doing anything to try to hurt Professor Dumbledore."
Everyone just looked at Harry as though he'd grown another head, but made no comment about the incident.
Professor Cotten rubbed her temples, silently cursing all of the wizarding world, which Brian had brought her into. She looked at Hermione, who had tears in her eyes and sighed. This was never easy.
She sat down next to Hermione and everyone else left. Hermione cried into her hands, great wracking sobs that seemed to be tearing out the girl's very soul.
"Hermione?" Professor Cotten began, "Listen, I want you to talk to me. I want to know what you're thinking, so I can help you better. Everyone handles death differently, so I need to know how you're handling this."
Hermione choked down her tears and said as calmly as she could, "Badly. I feel as though I'm all torn up inside and that I'll never be happy again."
Jess nodded her head, "Yes, that is a natural reaction and it is perfectly alright to feel that way...I'd be worried if you weren't."
"I also want to save Professor Lupin all the more. Those bastards used him to kill my mom and dad, he doesn't deserve the guilt that this is going to inflected." Hermione said angrily.
"I agree." Jess said sternly, "Now, Hermione, I want you to go get some rest...it has been a very stressful day for you. I'll see to it that we do everything we can to get Remus back."
* * *
To All my readers who are writers as well: A challenge I give you! First, pick any character from the Harry Potter books, preferable characters would be any wizard or witch who has never lived in the muggle world (Example: Mr. Weasley or Snape). Second, this story is to occur during summer holiday after this story.. Third, This story is to occur in a muggle laundromat. You may make it humorous or dramatic, I don't care. Just tell me when it's written and I'll read it. The best one gets mentioned in my seventh year story. (I'd write it myself, honestly, but I haven't the time.)
To Englishgirl: Glad you liked it.
To ravenclaw-unisus: I know. I really had a hard time with that chapter. The other attacks were done on faceless individuals, except this one, but I wanted it to get closer to home for Harry and his friends. I wanted there to be a more pronounced reason to save Remus.
To wowsergirl: I'm in agreement. Poor Remus.
To Jade Kirk and Max LBC: Thanks!
To radarPLO: Thanks!
To carpathia: I try my best to update, but eh, what can you do? Anyway, I'm glad you liked it.