Chapter 7

Murder Mountain

Harry was awaken to whispers in the hallway. It was past midnight and it sounded as Rachel was still at the house. She was delaying their plans to get to Murder Mountain. Harry listened carefully trying to catch a glimpse of their conversation, as they stood right outside his door.

"I don't know, Sirius." Rachel's voice was saying. It sounded as Sirius was trying to talk Rachel into something. "I normally don't sleep with my employees."

"It's not like its going to hurt anyone." said Sirius's voice. "It's just one night."

Rachel hesistated and then said, "Alright. But for one night and that's it."

Harry heard the sound of two people making their way to Sirius's room, and then a door close. Sirius had gone to bed and would be sleep within minutes.

"Hey, guys, are you awake?" he whispered.

Hermione opened her eyes and looked at Harry, who was lying besides her. "What was that all about?" she whispered.

"No idea." he answered, then turned to Ron, who was snoring loudly. "Ron, wake up. It's time."

"No, mum." he said sleepily. "Just five more minutes."

"Ron, it's me."

Ron woke with a start, then looked around at Harry. "What are you doing in my house, Harry?"

"This is my house, Ron." Harry reminded him. "We're on a playdate, 'member."

"Oh yeah."

"Anyway," he went on. "We better start packing."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione began to pack the things they would need for their adventure. A tent, a compass, a toy boat, food, flashlights, Harry's winter coat. Ron even tried to pack the kitchen sink, until Hermione pointed out that it would be too big to carry.

Harry placed the back pack on his back then returned to his room, where he found a childs play car, that he would drive around the house. It was big enough to fit four friends in, and was painted a light blue. Harry drove the car down to the living room then he and Ron carried it outside.

Harry placed the back pack in the back of the car and got into the drivers seat. Ron sat next to him, and Hermione got in the back seat with the bag. They all buckled their seat belts and set off in the cool night.

The only sense of direction they had was the giant size mountain sticking out in the middle of the city. It was know as the most dangerous mountain in the world.

When they reach the mountain, Harry parked the car and they all got out of the car. He placed the bag onto his back, then turned to address his two friends.

"Once we get to the top, we're going to need a flag to mark our terrirory."

"We can use a stick and a sock." said Hermione. "And the word's 'territory.'"

Harry led the way up the rocky mountain, where they stumbled on rock after rock after rock. As they climbed they met no monsters, ghost, dead bodies, nor any other type of creature. The mountain seem safe.

After climing for about a half hour, they were breathless and exhausted. Harry, however, didn't want to stop, even if the other two did.

"But we can't stop now." he said. "We're almost to the top."

The truth was that they were more likely to invent self changing diapers than reach the top of the mountain. They weren't even half way up the mountain, but Harry wasn't going to quit. They continued to walk for another ten minutes.

"Wait, Harry." said Ron. "I think we left someone behind."

Harry turned around. Both Ron and Hermione was there. And he was definetly there. What was Ron talking about?

"We're all here."

"Then who's that?" Ron asked, pointing into the shadows.

There were three pairs of glaring yellow eyes from the darkness, The shadows were growling and seemed angred by their presence. Harry grabbed his friends' arms as they all took a step back from the shadow.

"Don't make a sound." Hermione whispered, but to late. Ron had stepped on a twig and it made a loud snapping sound. "Don't move."

The yellow eyes begin to move closer towards them. They slowly began to leave the shadow, and Harry could see a huge animal with four paws, whiskers, and catlike ears. A mountain lion. Their teeth were bared, and they looked annoyed.

Hermione stared horror struck, and Ron was sputtering in fear. Harry did the only thing that made since to him and yelled "RUN!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione ran as fast as they could toward the top of the mountain. The lions tore after them. Harry knew that once they got to the top it was all a matter of time before they were eaten, but he wasn't going to turn around and make it any easier for the lions.

One of the lions made a great jumped and landed on the rock in front of them, and roared greatly. They skidded to a halt, with no where to go.

"It's over!" Ron moaned. "We're doomed. I love you mom, Fred, George. . ."

Ron continued to list family members, as Hermione muttered quick prayers. Harry looked around for something to defend himself with. He picked up a rock, and flung it as hard as he could, hitting the mountain lion in front of them in the head. The lion roared with pain, as the other two lions jumped on Harry and began eating him. Blood splashing everywhere. Ron and Hermione watched in horror, unable to move, as they friend was being torn to shreds.

"Run. . ." Harry whispered weakly.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other. Then Hermione said in a shaky voice. "We're not leaving you."

"Go. . .before. . .it's. . .too. . .late."

"No." she said as tears began to splash down her face. "You said we'll always be friends forever. You said it. We can't leave you."

Ron looked at Hermione, then at Harry. Her words obviously had effect on him, because he rushed towards a lion and miraculously pushed it off of Harry. It fell off the side of the mountain and out of side. The lion that was attacking Harry, turned towards Ron, and with a great leap, knocked itself and Ron off the side of the mountain.

"RON!" Hermione and Harry bellowed.

Harry crawled over to Hermione, who stood over the edge of the mountain, crying. Tears filled Harry's eyes. "It's all my fault." he cried. "I killed him. . .I killed Ron. I'm a murrarer."

Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry and they sobbed over their missing friend.

"We. . .all. . .said. . .it. . ." Hermione said between sobs. ". . .We. . .all. . .said. . .we'll. . .be. . .friends. . .forever. . ."

The two three year olds cried, oblivious to the fact that the injured lion was coming near them. About to kill Hermione, and finish Harry off."

"Harry, move!" said a voice.

Harry and Hermione looked to see a shaken Sirius and Rachel a few feet from where they were. Harry and Hermione started towards them, but the lion grabbed Hermione by the leg.

"Harry!" she screamed.

Harry whirled around, and saw Hermione getting dragged across the ground. Her leg a bloody mess.

Not hesitating, Harry jumped on the lion's back. He pulled out several of the lion's fur, who let go of Hermione and started up the mountain. Harry still on it's back.

"Look after Hermione." Sirius said starting up the mountain. "Get her back to the motorcycle with Ron, and get them out of here."

"Be careful." Rachel called after him. She then picked up Hermione and went down the mountain.

The mountain lion reached a dimly lit cool cave. It shook Harry off of it's back then began to advance on Harry. Harry layed on the ground gasping for air. The mountain lion lunged at Harry, froze in mid air, and fell. Stunned.

Sirius stood in the doorway, holding a strange stick. Harry had seen a blast of red light issue from it. That light made the mountain lion fall to the ground.

"Is it. . .dead?" Harry asked.

"No." answered Sirius. "Just stunned."

Harry looked around the cave nervously. He knew that he was in trouble. He had left the house without permission, and gotten his friends into danger. Ron was dead because of him. Ron? He had to tell Sirius all the trouble he had caused.

". . .Siwius. . .I killed him."

Sirius walked over to Harry and kneeled beside him. He brought Harry into his arms, and hugged him closely. All that mattered to Sirius was Harry's safety. He had to get them off of the mountain, before the lion woke up.

"It's alright, Harry." he whispered. Then he kissed the top of the small boy's head. "Let's go home. We'll talk then."

Since Rachel took the motorcycle, Sirius had to walk home. Harry had fallen asleep in his arms on the way down the mountain. He had a long night, so Sirius moved as fast as he could, careful not to disturbed the boy.

Harry hadn't woken up until they were half way home. He looked up at Sirius with concerned sleepy eyes.

"Where's Ron and Hermione?" he muttered.

"There safe. And so are you."

When they reached home, Sirius saw two cars pulling out of park and driving down the street. He knew that those cars belong to Ron and Hermione's parents. Rachel was standing at the door, waiting on them.

"How's Harry?" she asked, when they reached her.

"He's okay. Nothin I can't fix."

"Siwius?"

"Yes?"

"Am I in twouble?"

". . . . .no. I'm just glad that you're all right."

Harry gave Sirius a big hug, that looked so adorable. Rachel smiled and said, "I should head home. It's late."

Sirius and Harry broke apart, said good night, and headed in the house, while Rachel got in her car and pulled off.

Sirius placed Harry in his bed, tucking him in for the remainder of the night. Sirius had found Harry. Harry had never mentioned to Sirius about leaving the house, yet, Sirius found him. Did one of his friends trick off, or was their conversation overheard?

"You're wondering how I found you tonight, aren't you?" said Sirius.

"Yeah." admitted Harry. "Did Hermione tell?"

"No. No one tricked."

"Then how-"

"I really don't know how. It's just that I had a funny feeling that you were in danger. While I was asleep I had this image of you being attacked by mountain lions. I felt you get bitten, and I woke up to go check on you. But you weren't there. I knew that you were on Murder Mountain, home of the mountain lions. I think deep down inside you wanted me to come save you. To come get you." Sirius paused for a minute, then whispered. "I love you, Harry. If anything happened to you I don't know what I'd do."

"I love you too, Siwius." Harry whispered back. Then he closed his eyes, and went to sleep.

That's so sweet. Sniff. Sniff. If I would had done what Harry did you would not be hearing from me today. Anyway, read and review. And passed the tissue. Hugs for all. Hug your loved ones close.