𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 ;𝐑.𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲

"Try not to kill us both."

The three linked arms and ran for it, managing to dodge a branch before another came between Harry and Hermione's arms, forcing them to let go. Hermione spotted another branch heading for them sideways and she yelled at Harry to duck as Rachelle pulled her down, flattening themselves against the ground. Harry, however, did not get the hint and was hit in the gut by the branch. "That's gotta hurt." Rachelle mumbled as Hermione stood, before she too was picked up by a branch and lifted into the air and promptly swung around.

Rachelle jumped over a branch that swung towards her legs in an attempt to make her fall. "Thank Merlin for my ridiculous reflexes." mumbled the girl.

At some point, Harry's glasses had fallen off his face and he was squinting at the tree while Hermione's shrill screams penetrated the air. Harry and Rachelle ducked as the branch with Hermione on it flew over their heads. "How the hell did we end up in this situation." Rachelle said, grabbing Harry's glasses off the ground and shoving them onto his face. "Thanks." he muttered.

"Harry! Rachelle!" Hermione shrieked, her hand outstretched.

Rachelle grabbed onto Harry's hand as she understood what her best friend was about to do. "Try not to kill us both."

Harry was yanked off the ground by his shirt that Hermione was clinging to, and Rachelle followed suit, hanging onto Harry's hand as the three were swung in circles.

Just as they got close to the hole that their ginger friend had disappeared into, Rachelle let go, falling into the hole and sliding down as Hermione let go of Harry's shirt, sending the black haired boy tumbling into the hole as well.

"Thanks for saving our asses, Mione." Rachelle said, dusting herself off as the brunette landed on top of Harry.

"Where do you suppose this goes?" Hermione asked as the two of them got to their feet. "I have a hunch." replied Harry. "I just hope I'm wrong."

Rachelle nodded. "So do I." she whispered.

With that, the trio walked through the tunnel, being careful to not make any noise.

"We're in the Shrieking Shack, aren't we?" Hermione asked in a hushed voice. Neither of her friends replied, but the silence answered her question.

"Come on."
They climbed the staircase upwards, constantly looking around to check that they were alone. "Ron." Rachelle breathed and instinctively headed towards him, her friends following suit. "You're okay." Hermione mentioned, relieved.

"The dog, where is it—" Ron said frantically.
"Ron—"
"Harry! It's a trap, he's the dog."
"What are you going on about?"
"He's an animagus—" Ron pointed to a space behind them and slowly Harry, Hermione and Rachelle turned around.

The paw prints on the ground had trailed to the other end of the room, before morphing into human ones.
Rachelle swore. "Holy shit."

Before them stood Sirius Black, his clothes torn and dirty, his breathing ragged and shallow. He advanced towards them, and Rachelle and Hermione instinctively stood in front of Harry, acting as a shield. "If you what to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too." Hermione declared, the tremor in her voice giving away her fear.

"No. Only one will die tonight." said Sirius Black in a hoarse voice.

Harry pushed both girls to the side. "Then it'll be you!" He shouted, lunging towards the man and promptly putting both hands on his throat. The short fight ended with Harry pointing his wand at Sirius' face with the other hand on his chest.

Sirius grinned, revealing teeth riddled with plague and cavities. "Are you going to kill me, Harry?"

Harry hesitated for a spilt second and suddenly the door burst open with a bang as it hit the wall. "Expelliarmus!" cried a familiar voice.