Title: School Trip
Author: erinm_4600
Characters, Pairing: Harry, Hermione, Ron, McGonagall
Rating: G
Summary: Harry learns you can't always choose your travel companions.
Warning: post-GoF
Disclaimer: The original characters belongs to JK Rowling and their respective actors.
Originally posted: August 17, 2006
"No! I will not!" Harry shouted at his best friend, Hermione. She was standing just opposite him in the Gryffindor Common Room; their other best friend, Ron, sitting just next to the both them on the large red couch. Hermione huffed and started again,
"Harry, don't you remember what Dumbledore said during the Tri-Wizard Tournament? We need to concentrate on building our international relations. Now more than ever..." she trailed off, seeing Harry's expression change again. He still wasn't comfortable thinking about the tournament, or it's after-effects, but Harry was being ridiculous. "So we have to go with Malfoy. Big deal! You don't see him running around the Slytherin Common Room acting like a child." Harry glared at her and responded,
"Do you have any idea what it's going to be like? There will be nowhere to go; No way to get away from him. What happens when he starts in on Ron's family, or calling you names?"
"McGonagall will be there. He wouldn't dare say anything in front of her..." she trailed off, as Harry's sarcastic laughter put her off. She turned to Ron. "Will you please help me out here?" Ron leaned back, hands out in front of him.
"Keep me out of this. I'm not keen on the idea of going either." Hermione threw her hands up.
"You two are being childish! It's three students from each house, McGonagall and Snape. And, it's only twelve hours..."
"You planning on staying there?" Harry asked smartly. Hermione looked at him.
"It's twenty-four by my count." Hermione looked down at the floor, doing the math in her head.
"Twelve each way, Hermione," Ron added quietly. Hermione looked back up, and Harry could almost swear that she was even reconsidering going. She shook it off, however, as the portrait hole opened. All three turned to see McGonagall enter. As she came into the center of the room, the new headmaster started,
"I could hear you shouting all the way down the hall. Explain yourselves," She demanded, with a stern look on her face. Hermione opened her mouth to respond, then stopped; Ron simply looked at his lap; and Harry turned to her, his expression similar to that of someone who'd just lost their puppy.
"Professor," he said calmly, "Do I have to do this?" She placed a hand on his shoulder and let a sincere smile slip.
"The Headmaster was adamant that the three of you were to go, as he was about who will be attending from the other houses. Everything will be fine, Potter." She let go of him, then moved over to the notice board on the far wall to pull down the older postings. Harry sighed heavily and plopped down on the couch next to Ron.
"It's too far of a trip for Floo or Portkey," Hermione said softly, sitting down in the chair across from them. "This is the only way." Harry frowned, then said,
"Twenty-four hours. I'd rather spend a week with the Dursley's, than be stuck with those snakes... on a plane."