School Camp – fire-and-ice89
Summary: No Hogwarts student has ever been on camp…until now. Hermione is struggling to co-operate with a certain person in her activity group, and Harry is despairing over a long-term crush. Tension is running high, but along the way, several events change everything.
A/N: Okay everyone, my first chapter of my first fic. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: Do I really have to put this in? We all know who owns Harry Potter and co, and it's not me.
Chapter One – A Shocking Announcement
Ron tapped his knuckles impatiently against the table.
"I wonder what this meeting is for?" he said, for what seemed like the hundredth time. Hermione slapped his hand away from the table.
"Ron, none of us will know until Dumbledore arrives," she said with exasperation.
She glanced around the room at all the seventh years. Some were looking impatient, like Ron, some merely curious, and some downright bored (mainly Malfoy and gang).
She couldn't believe it was seventh year already. Where had the time gone to? It seemed like only yesterday that she had been a nervous first year, stepping up to the stool to put the sorting hat on her head.
Now she sat in that same room, surrounded by those same people, yet everything was so different. Relationships had changed, people had grown older, smarter, wiser, more mature…
Hermione paused on that last thought, watching Malfoy trip Parvati as she passed the Slytherin table. Most people had grown more mature, she amended.
At that moment, the doors to the Great Hall opened, and Dumbledore entered. Hermione sat up straighter in her seat, trying to read the expression on his face. As usual, he was calm and unreadable.
He moved serenely to the front of the hall, and then turned to address the group of seventh years.
"You may all be wondering why you're here." He began, smiling down at the group. "Don't be apprehensive, I have no bad news to give you. Well, it shouldn't be bad news to most of you, anyway."
Soft murmurs broke out. Hermione frowned and made a face at Harry across the table, who looked equally bewildered. Dumbledore was being very cryptic.
Dumbledore waited patiently for the whispers to die down. When the room was silent again, he cleared his throat.
"As you know, Voldemort has attempted several attacks on both Hogwarts and on specific students in the past few years." During this sentence his eyes rested momentarily on Ron, Hermione and Harry. "I believe, as everyone here already knows, that at a time like this, school unity is very important. We must support each other, not bicker between ourselves."
Hermione heard Malfoy give a soft snicker. She turned around to glare at him. Dumbledore had told the students so many times to co-operate, but it was much easier said than done. How was she supposed to get along with Malfoy?
If Dumbledore heard Malfoy, which Hermione was sure he had, he gave no sign, and simply continued with his speech. It was almost although he had read her mind.
"Now, to many of you, I think I'm beginning to sound like a broken record," Dumbledore said. Several of the muggle born students laughed softly at his joke. Hermione laughed also, and reveled in the confusion on Malfoy's face.
"I realize how hard it is to put aside your differences. It's a lot to ask of you. After much thought, I have decided that perhaps it would be easier outside of a school situation."
He paused, letting the words sink in. Harry and Ron frowned, still not understanding what he was implying, but Hermione's eyes widened. She leaned over the table and hissed at Harry; "He's going to send us on – "
"Camp."
There was a stunned silence, then chaos ensued. Excited conversations erupted at every table. Hermione grinned with delight at Harry and Ron, then turned to laugh at the horror filled expression on Malfoy's face.
Eventually everyone calmed down, and turned to Dumbledore for more information. All across the room, hands were raised, and unspoken questions hung heavy in the air.
Dumbledore raised his hands. "Now, I'm sure you all have lots of questions, which I will happily answer in a moment. Just let me finish, and hopefully I'll answer some of your questions along the way.
"Now, this camp will take place in the second week of school. That's right", he said, over the murmurs, "next week. We have arranged a trip to Hogsmeade this weekend just for the seventh years, so you can buy anything extra you will need on camp. I'm sure that will give you sufficient time to pack.
"On Monday morning, everyone will gather in here with their luggage, and will be transported via portkey to the campsite. You will then gather in your camp groups for the first activity."
At his last words, many more hands were raised. Dumbledore sensed the question.
"I will be selecting your camp groups," he said, and groans echoed around the hall. "The whole purpose of this camp is unity, and interacting with different people, and that will not happen within your friendship groups."
Ron slumped on the table and groaned aloud. "What's the bet he puts us with Malfoy?" Harry gave Hermione a despairing look. It was inevitable.
Dumbledore was still speaking. "These groups are only for during the day, while completing the activites. You will have plenty of time to socialize with your friends in the evenings."
"That's not too bad," whispered Hermione. "At least they're not separating us completely."
"During the day, in your groups," Dumbledore continued, "you will be participating in activities such as a mountain hike, river crossing, high ropes, solo campout and orienteering. Many of these activities will require group co-operation. I expect many new friendships formed upon your return."
Hermione had pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill and was busily taking notes. Harry rolled his eyes at Ron across the table.
Dumbledore seemed to have finished talking, and several impatient students started calling out their questions.
"What do we have to pack?"
"When will we find out our camp groups?"
"Where are we going?"
Dumbledore raised his wand, and with a snap, several sheets of paper appeared in front of every student.
"Among those, you will find an equipment list, an itinerary, and your camp groups. Hopefully that will answer most of your questions."
The last part of his sentence was lost among the desperate shuffling of papers, as everyone tried to find out their camp groups.
"I'm in group A," stated Ron, peering over Hermione's shoulder. "You're in group B. Harry, where did they put you?"
"Group C," Harry said glumly. "None of us are together."
Hermione scanned her eyes down her list, and suddenly her breath caught in her throat. Harry looked at her, concerned.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" He asked, but she shook her head and looked back up at Dumbledore.
"One last thing," Dumbledore said, looking stern. "The camp is strictly non magic. If anyone is found with a magical item on them, the item will be confiscated and they will be punished appropriately."
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"Harry!" Hermione called out, rushing towards him waving her list. "Where are you supposed to find hiking boots? I've looked all over Hogsmeade and they've all been taken!"
Harry and Ron jumped guiltily when they heard her voice, and hid their fizzing whizzbees and canary creams behind their backs.
"Er…" Harry stuttered, then had a brainwave. "Hermione, they said that we can't use magic on camp, but they didn't say anything about using magic before camp, did they?"
Hermione eyed him suspiciously. "What do you mean?"
"Well," he said, "do you have an old pair of runners?" Hermione nodded slowly, catching on.
"I can transfigure them!" She cried out triumphantly. "Harry, you're a genius." She threw her arms around him gratefully. Harry turned bright red, glaring at Ron who was laughing over Hermione's shoulder.
"Have you boys got everything, then?" Hermione asked, looking at her own list with its neat rows of ticks.
"Er, most of it. I think." Harry looked sideways at Ron. The two of them had spent the majority of their time in Honeydukes, stocking up on lollies. After all, it was camp.
"Oh, that's great. So have I. So, should we go back to Hogwarts and start packing?" Hermione was already beginning to head in the direction of the castle.
"Um, we might just stay around for a while longer, you know, just hang out here." Ron said quickly, and Harry nodded vehemently.
Hermione faced them with her hands on her hips. "You'd better be quick. You might run out of time to pack."
"Oh, no, we'll be fine." Harry said, and before Hermione could lecture them on organization, the two turned and walked away.
Hermione watched them go, shaking her head. "Those two," she muttered under her breath, but smiled anyway.
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The castle grounds were sunny and inviting. Rather than head straight up to her dorm and pack, Hermione decided to take a short stroll around the lake.
As she walked, she took out the sheets of paper Dumbledore had given them, and looked them over one last time.
Later on, when she had told Harry and Ron that Malfoy was in her camp group, they had urged her to try and change.
"He'll make the camp hell for you, Hermione", Ron had said. "He'd make it his goal."
"Why don't you go and talk to Dumbledore?" Harry had said. "I'm sure he'd understand.
But Hermione stubbornly stuck by her decision. "Dumbledore never does anything without a reason. I'll go on camp with Malfoy, and I'll enjoy myself. Besides, he's not the only one in my group."
She ran her eyes down the list once more. If it weren't for Malfoy, it would be a good group. There was Dean, Parvati, Justin, George, Fiona…
"Looking forward to camp, mudblood?"
Hermione almost jumped out of her skin. "Malfoy," she hissed. She had been so lost in her thoughts, she hadn't even noticed that he was following her.
"The one and only", he smirked, strolling past her to lean against a nearby tree. Hermione stood stock still, glaring at him.
"So," he continued, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I hear we're to be in the same group. Well, let me tell you this." He leaned forward and whispered, almost like he was telling her a secret.
"I don't associate with mudbloods. It's very unfortunate for you that Dumbledore came up with this fool plan. If I were you, I'd watch your back."
"You're all big words and empty threats, Malfoy," Hermione retaliated quietly, but her blood had run cold.
Satisfied that he had frightened her, Malfoy pushed past her and walked towards the castle.
"See you bright and early on Monday, mudblood," he called back over his shoulder, as casually as if he had been calling out a friendly goodbye.
Hermione remained by the lake until Harry and Ron returned from Hogsmeade.
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Harry and Ron walked through the gates of Hogwarts, still examining their goodies.
"Maybe camp won't be so bad," Ron said through a mouthful of chocolate frogs. "I mean, our groups are okay."
Harry thought about his group. There were some nice people in his group, just no close friends. But there was Allie.
He couldn't believe he'd never noticed Allie before last year. She was a Ravenclaw, and even though he'd never had many classes with her, he knew she was smart. She wasn't obsessive about her schoolwork like Hermione, though.
She was beautiful. The first time Harry noticed just how beautiful she was, it was a Monday morning of sixth year. He was sitting with Ron in Divination, when Allie walked into the room with Lavender. The light coming through the windows leapt across her smooth brown hair, and her brown eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief.
That day, Professor Trelawney predicted he would die a gory and painful death at the hands of a hippogriff, and for the first time, he didn't care. He was watching Allie's eyes sparkle with hidden mirth, and knew that she found Professor Trelawney as ridiculous as he did.
From then on, Harry had a crush on Allie Reed.
And now he was going to camp with her.
Hermione knew about Allie. She had suspected that Harry had a crush when he started acting strangely, and after watching him closely had discovered the source of his strange behavior. She had talked to Harry about it, and he had confessed everything.
Ron, of course, was oblivious to the whole thing.
"I suppose my group's pretty good, actually," he amended, swallowing his mouthful. "Neville's alright, and so is Seamus and Ben. Most of the activities sound alright. The solo campout sounds kind of scary, though."
Harry smiled weakly. "Makes me wish I'd never watched The Blair Witch Project."
Ron frowned, confused. "What?"
"Never mind." Harry said, then suddenly shaded his eyes against the sun. "Hey, isn't that Hermione down by the lake?"
"Hey, it is." Ron said, stuffing his lollies back in their bag. "Hermione!"
The two of them started heading down towards the lake, where she sat on the edge. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, and she was hunched over them.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry asked when they reached her. She looked up at them dazedly.
"Oh. I didn't realize how much time had passed. I guess I should really start packing now." She pulled herself off the ground and dusted off her jeans.
"Hermione, are you sure you're okay?" Harry asked again, worriedly.
"Yes, I'm fine, just a little tired." Hermione said, brushing away his concern. Harry frowned, but stayed silent. He thought there was something wrong, but Hermione obviously wasn't going to talk right now.
Ron rolled his eyes at Harry and shrugged his shoulders.
"Wanna a chocolate frog, 'Mione?" he asked, extending his bag of lollies towards her.
Hermione smiled indulgently but shook her head.
"We should all be eating healthily, guys." She said. "Who knows what kind of food we'll get on camp?"
Ron shrugged. "That's exactly why we plan to make the most of good, wholesome junk food before we leave."
"You've got the wrong attitude" her reply came floating back.
"What the hell's wrong with her today?" Ron asked Harry. "She must be PMSing or something."
"Remember, Ron, you're not the one with Malfoy in your group." Harry said gently. "Hermione's about to face a week of hell, and she knows it."
"Bloody hell." Ron said. "Everyone's making such a big deal over all this. It's only for a week. It's only camp."
"Yeah" Harry said softly, an image of Allie flashing across his mind. He had one week to prove himself to her. Only a week.
"Only camp."
A/N: So there it is. Please tell me what you think. This chapter was mainly for 'setting the scene'. I promise the rest of the story will be more exciting.
Next Chapter: They arrive at camp, and Hermione is in for a nasty shock.