Eagle Mountain

Prologue

The day dawned clear and bright sunlight cascaded over the tops of the snow-covered mountains making them sparkle like diamonds. Hermione Granger however was not very happy. For the week of Christmas brake her parents had dragged her along on a ski trip to Eagle Mountain, Colorado. As they rounded the corner in the road Hermione could see the Eagle Mountain Lodge an old log hotel that was nestled into the side of the mountain. It was a nice place but still Hermione wished that she could be with her friends. Harry had disappeared to some secret vacation spot and Ron was probably at the burrow stuffing his face with his mothers delicious cooking.

Hermione sighed as she climbed out of the car and stepped into the snow she was wearing a Lavender purple ski outfit that was very becoming. She hoisted her skis to her shoulder and walked up to the rack on the front porch of the lodge where she deposited them. Then wiping her feet off she went inside. The lady that owned and operated the lodge was a spry sixty year-old lady named Margaret Wilson and she was the type person that you couldn't help but take a liking to.

“Welcome, Welcome to Eagle Mountain Lodge she said as she shook each one of their hands.”

“Thank you Mrs. Wilson,” said Hermione.

“Young Lady,” she said, “Mrs. Wilson was my mother, you can call me Aunt Maggie Just like everybody else does.” After being invited to make themselves at home Hermione's parents went to their room to rest from their long trip and Hermione sat cuddled up in a big armchair near the fireplace with her favorite muggle book. After reading for a while she stopped, leaned back and closed her eyes. She was almost asleep when a man who was looking out the window suddenly shouted.

“Look, skiing down the mountain, it's that good for nothing skunk Dan Jannigan!”

“The poacher that the whole park service has been after?” asked another man excitedly.

“Yeah,” said the first man, “ Him and those two no account side-kicks, Sikes and Mole, and they're running for all they're worth!”

“And no wonder either, Zeke” said the second man pointing out the window and up the slope, “Look who they've got breathing down their necks it's captain Nate Williams and the Lieutenant.” Hermione who had walked over to window to see what all the excitement was about looked out Just in time to see two men in green skiing outfits overtake and tackle three men with rifles strapped on their backs. Two men jumped up and charged one of the green suited men. The man turned slightly and stepped on the curled up end of one of the skis that was lying there it popped up into his hand and he swung it knocking both of them out. Then he walked over to them and handcuffed them just as the other green suited man finished cuffing the one he had caught.

“Woo-hoo,” said Zeke, “those two should have known better than to charge the Lieutenant.” The two men jerked their prisoners to their feet and turned them over to the transport that pulled up right about then. Then the taller one clapped the other one on the back and they turned and started up the stairs to the front door. The door opened and they stepped inside shaking the snow off of themselves.

“Well, Nathan,” said Maggie with a chuckle as she came in from the kitchen, “where have you been it's been two weeks since you've hauled that sorry hide of yours through my door.”

The taller one took of his helmet

“Well, Maggie,” he said with a laugh, “ a guy's got to do his paper work sometime.” Nathan William was a handsome young man of a bout 25 years he had brown hair and eyes and stood about 6'2”

“You and the Lieutenant go change and wash up dinner will be ready in a minute.” Said Maggie. Nathan and the Lieutenant walked past Hermione toward the massive wooden staircase that wound its way behind the front desk and up to the second floor. Hermione saw the Lieutenant take off his helmet as he walked up the stairs. The Lieutenant's hair was raven black.

TBC

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Chapter 1

The first evening

Hermione paced the floor in her room, shaking her head every once in a while like she was trying to clear it.

“I must have Harry on the brain,” she said, “I didn't see that lieutenant's face and just because he has unruly black hair doesn't mean that it's Harry!” just then her thoughts were interrupted by a tremendous crash from the lobby. Hermione raced to the top of the stairs and saw a familiar clan of redheads one of them with a pair of skis over his shoulder. When he turned his entire family had to duck to avoid getting clobbered in the head. Hermione looked on the floor and saw that the source of the crash was vase that had been knocked of the table and smashed presumably by Ron's skis.

“Ron,” said Hermione from the top of the stair, “put those skis down before you take somebody's head off.”

“Hi Hermione,” said Ron Lowering his skis to the ground, “Fancy meeting you here.” Hermione immediately took Ron's skis and put them on the rack outside. Then coming back inside she joined Ron and the other guests as they gathered around the Huge oak table in the dining room that was layered with a hearty Stew, Made from scratch flour biscuits, there were also plates piled with steamed green beans, ears of corn, fried chicken, Cole slaw, skillets full of warm corn bread, slices of the reddest tomatoes that Hermione had ever seen. And for desert there almost as many choices from pumpkin pie to seven layer chocolate cake. They had just sat down to eat when suddenly Nathan appeared in the dining room doorway. He wearing a solid blue button- up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, blue jeans and snakeskin boots. He put one hand over his ear and began to speak like a radio announcer.

“Here he is ladies, the biggest Heartthrob on the mountain, Lieutenant Harry James Potter!” Harry came strutting in wearing a dark green button up shirt, also with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows blue jeans, and a matching pair of snake-skin boots.

Hermione gasped and Ron Hiccupped, what Harry wasn't wearing were his glasses and with out then he was even better looking than before.

“He's gone and gotten contacts,” thought Hermione as watched Harry hamming it up for the whole room. What really got Ron's attention was the shiny Park Ranger badge, which Harry was wearing on his belt. Hermione got up from the table and walked around to where Nathan and Harry were. As Harry finish spinning around again he came face to face with Hermione.

“Hermione!” he gasped. Hermione widened her eyes and put the back of her hand to her forehead.

“The great heartthrob knows my name,” she crooned going into a fake swoon, “ I feel faint.” The whole table erupted in laughter as Hermione swooned into Harry's arms.

“Hey,” whispered Harry, “who's the comedian around here anyway?”

“So this is the famous Hermione Granger,” said Nathan as Harry put Hermione on her feet again.

“How did you know my last name?” she blurted out

“Oh,” said Nathan, “Harry might have mentioned you once or twice-a minute.” Harry blushed and Hermione did too.

“And I certainly can't knock his taste in women,” Nathan continued, “you're even prettier than he said you were.” At this Harry turned even redder. Hermione was mentally jumping up and down.

“Harry thinks I'm pretty! Harry thinks I'm pretty!!” out loud she said,

“Thank you Mr. Williams.”

“Call me Nate, all my friends do.” He said. Before anyone could say anything else they heard the front door open and then the sound of two girl's voices in the lobby.

“ I can't wait to see darling Harry again,” said one of the girls excited. Hermione noticed that Harry looked as if he was about to turn green.

“Alright,” he said, “Who told the Carson twins that I was going to be here?!”

“ I squealed,” said Maggie suppressing a laugh.

“You just love to watch them torment me, don't you?” said Harry.

“What are their names?” asked Ron.

“Ditzy and Ditzier,” mutter Harry rolling his eyes.

“Hush,” scolded Maggie half-heartedly, “their names are Heather and Janet.” Just then the two girls appeared in the doorway. Both had light blonde hair and blue eyes and they were about 5'3” inches tall.

“Harry!” they said in unison. They ran over to Harry and each grabbed one of his arms.

“Come over here,” said Heather as they jerked him toward an empty chair Janet let go of Harry's arm and pulled back the chair.

“Sit here,” said Janet, “she shoved the chair into the back of Harry's knees and caused him to sit down hard.

Heather grabbed Harry's plate and began piling it with huge servings of everything on the table. Meanwhile, Janet, though she was supposed to be in the chair next to Harry, was practically in his lap.

“Harry you look very handsome tonight,” she said running her fingers through his hair. After a few more minutes Maggie got the twins settled down and acting as normal as could be expected for them. Hermione had taken it upon herself to protect Harry from the dingy duo and had moved between Harry and the twins.

It was at this point that she got to take a good look at the guests that were seated around the table. There were three Lawyers and there families, four Doctors, two old Mountain men and there was the Movie-star Camilla Faye an attractive somewhat slinky looking blonde.

“What were you and Harry doing on the mountain today, besides catching poachers?” Maggie asked Nathan part way through the meal jarring Hermione out of her thoughts.

“We were hunting avalanches,” Harry replied for Nate who had his mouth to full of chicken to answer, “Then we were lucky enough to spot Jannigan and company.”

“Hunting avalanches,” Said Hermione with a puzzled look on her face, “what does that mean.”

“Well,” said Nathan, “ I means that we cover the high mountain and ridge areas looking for potential avalanches and we set them off before they get set off accidentally and bury someone in a tomb of snow.”

“What's your status report on the Razor ridge area,” asked Maggie, “You know that that is the starting point for the mountains highest and fasted as well as most popular runs.

“There as still more zones for us to cover, Maggie,” Nathan replied, “but don't worry when it is safe to open them to the public you'll be the first to know,” their was a chorus of groans from the more avid skiers in the group.

“Oh Mister Williams,” said Camilla walked toward Nathan with a sway in her hips she perched her self on the edge of the table and began to play with Nathan's bangs, “are you sure that no exceptions can be made.” Nathan calmly caught her wrist.

“Miss Faye,” he replied, “until I say differently the Razor ridge area is off limits to everyone and that includes you.” Camilla jerked her wrist away and skulked back to her chair.

After dinner some people went out for night skiing, some to there rooms and some moved to sit in front of the fireplace in the lobby with after dinner coffee and cocoa.

“Harry, Nate,” said Maggie, “why don't you to play us a tune.” Nate walked over to a large cabinet reached inside and pulled out two guitars one a regular guitar and the other a Dobro (acoustic steel) guitar. Nate turned around and tossed the Dobro to Harry who caught it in his right hand while taking a sip of his coffee. Maggie cringed.

“Nate,” she said, “How many times do I have to tell you not to do that!” Nate just smiled.

“Don't worry Maggie,” he said, “Harry never misses.”

Then returned to his seat next to Harry and they began to play. And Hermione was astounded when Harry began to sing in a beautiful baritone

When you're weary, feeling small

When tears are in your eyes

I will dry them all

I'm one your side oh, when times get rough

And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled waters

I will lay me down.

Harry smiled at Hermione as he began to sing the next verse.

Sail on silver girl, sail on by

You time has come to shine

All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine oh if you need a friend

Look around I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled waters

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled waters

I will ease your mind

Everyone applauded as the song ended. Nathan stood up.

“I hate to cut the concert short,” he said, “but Harry and eye had better hit the sack we have a early day tomorrow.” Harry stood up.

“Good night all,” said Nathan as he and Harry disappeared up the stairs.

* * * * * *

The next morning found Harry and Nathan out on the Razor ridge area hunting avalanches again. Just as they came to the top of ridge they spotted some people in the area immediately below them.

“Who is that,” said Nathan, “don't tell me that Jannigan is out of jail already.” Harry pulled out his binoculars. And peered through them as Nathan did the same.

“That's Hermione, and Ginny Weasely!” said Harry, but I don't know who that other guy is.”

“ I do,” said Nate, “That's James Vandameer, he's a member of the richest family in the county, biggest bunch of snoots you ever met! He thinks he's a master skier and that he's god's gift to women!” as he watched he and the two girls turned and began to ski down a pass between to huge boulders.

“OH NO,” said Nate, “Look where he's taking them, you know what's at the end of the of the black diamond pass don't you?”

“Yeah,” said Harry, “Dead Man's Gorge!!”

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The Rescue and the Midnight visitor

Harry and Nathan launched themselves off the top of the ridge and skied and break neck speed into the black diamond pass. As the rounded a corner the spotted the three delinquent skiers up ahead.

“Harry,” Said Nathan as he when into a tuck, “you get the girls I'll get blunder boy.” with that lee lowered himself all the way into his tuck and pulled ahead of Harry. Harry went into his tuck and soon overtook Hermione and Ginny. Knowing that he couldn't just tackle them he turned and skidded his ski's sideways into the back of theirs as they moved from side to side. The impact caused their feet to go out from under them. They landed on their backs partially on top of Harry.

Hermione Jump up indignant,

“Harry James Potter,” she snapped, “What do you think your doing?!”

“Saving your fool neck!” snapped Nathan before Harry could answer. He came walking up pulling James by the arm.

“I'll have my lawyers on you,” he squawked as Nate drug him along,

“James,” snapped Nathan, “shut your mouth or I'm going to forget I'm a lawman and shut it for you!” then he turned to the girls.

“Come on,” he said, “All three of you.”

“Where are you taking us,” demanded Hermione as they began to walk on in the direction they had been skiing in.

“I just want you three to see where you would have gone if we hadn't dumped you.” Replied Nathan. They walked down the trail for about half of a mile. And came to the stop at the top of a Colossal Gorge. There were sheer stone- walls on either side going down more than a thousand feet to stone crags at the bottom.

“This is Dead Man's Gorge,” said Nate, “From where we're standing Clear to the bottom is a distance of 1500 feet, and those crags at the bottom are spires of solid granite.”

“And this place isn't called Dead Man's Gorge for no reason,” said Harry.

“That's right,” said Nathan, “at least four skiers that I know of two with in my own life time have been killed skiing off the top of this because they didn't know about it and didn't see it until it was to late. It's like I have told Mr. Vandameer's father time and again. Not knowing your way around up here is even more dangerous than not knowing how to ski.”

Hermione and Ginny's indignation had left them the minute they saw the gorge now they looked sheepish.

“We're sorry, Mister Williams,” said Ginny. Nathan's expression softened,

“I'm going to let you girls of with a warning THIS time, but if it happens again I won't go so easy on you, and I told you to call me Nate.”

“Thank you,” said Hermione as she and Ginny brightened up.

“You're welcome,” replied Nathan, “Harry I want you to escort the ladies back to the safe ski area whilst I have a word or two with young Mr. Vandameer.” As he said that he turned slightly and grabbed Vandameer by the scuff of the neck as he was trying to sneak away.

“Not so fast,” he said his expression becoming cross again, “this is the third time I've caught you bringing people in to an avalanche zone before the all clear is given, I am arresting you for reckless endangerment.” With that Nathan snapped the cuffs on Vandameer,

“And before you get to smug, Jimbo,” he said deliberately using the nickname that he knew Vandameer hated, “Remember you're the one that has to face Maggie after she finds out about all this and you know that she considers every boy or girl that comes here one of her kids, so if the judge doesn't rake you across the coals Maggie will!”

* * * * * * * * * * * “Harry,” said Hermione as the three of them were skiing down the mountain, “I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier.” Harry waved it off.

“Forget it,” he said with a smile, “I just glad you're okay,”

“How did you meet Nathan?” Hermione asked changing the subject.

“ I met him when I came to visit his father two years ago,” replied Harry his eyes twinkling like Dumbledore's, “You see Nathan is my cousin.”

“WHAT? HOW?” said Ginny and Hermione in unison.

“Well,” said Harry, “when I finally got up the nerve to go back to Grimmauld place I found some secret letters that my father had received from a man named Ian Williams. As it turned out Ian was an American half -brother that my father had, for his own safety, kept hidden from the entire Magical world. Only Sirius and my father and mother knew that Ian existed. Nathan is his son.”

“Harry,” said Hermione, “Why didn't Dumbledore send you to live with the Williams instead of the Dursleys?”

“Hermione,” said Harry, “as amazing as it sounds I don't even think that Dumbledore knew about Ian. And you know he wouldn't intrude on a person's thoughts.”

“Anyway,” continued Harry, to make a long story short, Nathan was already chief Ranger in this area even though he was only 23 at the time. He gave me ranger training and when I'm here I'm Lieutenant Harry Potter his second in command.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The whole room broke into applause as Harry and Nathan finished their song.

“That was great,” said Maggie taking a sip of her coffee, “give us another,” Harry and Nathan whispered together for a second or two before they decided on one and began to play. Nathan began to sing.

You, know a dream is like a river

Ever changing as it flows

And the dreamers just a vessel

That must follow where it goes__,”

Just then Harry who had glanced out the window that he was facing cut him off.

“Nathan,” he said, “Some one just passed out in the snow.” Harry and Nathan were on their feet in an instant leaving their guitars on the couch they raced outside tramping through the snow until they came to the side of a Raven- Hair girl who was laying in a faint on the edge of the forest. Harry picked the girl up and carried her inside as Nathan held the door open for him. Harry carried her into the living room and laid her on the Sofa. In the light one could see that she was a Native American girl, and a very pretty one at that.

“Why that's Kyla Whitecloud,” Exclaimed Maggie as she went to feel the girls forehead, “what would she doing so far from home at this hour-oh my word!”

“What is it, Maggie?” said Nathan.

“She's burning up with fever!!” replied Maggie. Just then Kyla roused a little she opened her eyes and saw Nathan and Harry leaning over her. Reaching up to lay a hand on Harry's chest she whispered weakly,

“Sickness on the Reservation!”

TBC Please Review

A.N: the song lyrics are from the song the River by Garth Brooks. Bridge over trouble water is a Simon and Garfunkle song.

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