Author's Note: Again guys so sorry in the delay on updating this. I'm getting back into it and hope to finish it this time! I've got all the other chapters planned out and will crack on with it for you! Please let me know what you think!
Hermione was stunned by the sheer amount of kids here. There were kids all over the Great Hall, just milling about waiting for the meeting to start. She remembered someone mentioning that camp was only mandatory for the first years, but it appeared as though plenty from the following years had come back. She'd been following Draco until her attention was pulled away by the sight of the masses and she'd stopped keeping pace in order to look at all the students. She nearly slapped him when she suddenly felt a tug on her wrist, he was lucky she hadn't. He should know better than to grab an old war veteran.
Ignoring his lapse in judgement she let him lead her into the circle that had started to form. Hermione didn't think she was expected to learn all these names by the end of the month, there was simply too many, so she didn't pay too much attention during role call. They'd do it again in individual year groups anyway. Morning meeting just seemed like an excuse to make sure they weren't missing anyone from overnight and to try and wake the kids up. Hermione did like the part when they explained each year would be making up a magical emblem to project for all future meetings, that seemed like fun. Hermione even found herself thinking how this might have been an incredibly fun opportunity for her had it been an option during her Hogwarts days. She could see what Minerva was trying to get at with splitting it by year groups instead of houses, there didn't seem to be any animosity between classmates.
After going around and doing introductions again and explaining the way camp would run Luna lead everyone in a 'Sunrise Salutation'. A bit of yoga to warm up the body and keep krashers away she'd said, as if it was obvious and clear to everyone. Hermione had gotten used to Luna's ways back at Hogwarts and actually did a bit of yoga on the weekends occasionally so she kept up marginally well. Though she did squirm a little when she felt eyes resting on her back. Turning to her right she saw Draco watching her with a smirk on his face, a hint of laughter almost present. She was about to yell at him for leering and also not participating when he cut her off with a head tilt towards the rest of the circle. Hermione looked up and saw none of the other counsellor were participating, but rather watching the children to make sure they did it and weren't slacking off. She straightened herself slowly and tried to remain dignified, though she truly just wanted to hit Draco for not telling her. Now she'd hauled off an embarrassed herself yet again. Sending him a sideways glare had to do for now, though he got the message loud and clear.
Following the large circle everyone broke up, with counsellors headed straight to their stations and students slowly gathering their things. Hermione was following Draco outside when she remembered what he'd said today's activity was. "We're headed towards that damn quidditch pitch aren't we?", she asked fully knowing the answer was yes.
"Well we aren't going to be able to fly around in the greenhouse are we Hermione? And here I thought you were the smartest witch of our age." Draco kept on towards the field and pretended not to notice the way Hermione started to drag her feet. "We have a few minutes before the 7th years show up for our first meeting, so if you hurry we can go over todays plans." He knew the idea of planning out the day, detail by detail, would calm her down at least a little.
"Well alright then, let's get a move on!" It was the first time he'd seen her take the lead while being here, but he had a nagging feeling it certainly wouldn't be the last.
"Alright, so we have our meeting with the 7th years, than class with the 1st years, 2nd years, and 3rd years, then lunch, 4th through until 7th years, and then the final meeting and dinner. After that we have time to plan until 11pm patrols to make sure everyone's down for the night. And we do this everyday? Except not quidditch most days." She said the last part happily and with hope. Even if Hermione felt more calm she still wasn't a fan of todays lesson plan, though they wouldn't technically be playing quidditch today. Thankfully Draco was not only taking the lead, but he'd made sure today would be all talking. Either explanations for younger years or field techniques and broom care for the more experienced.
"Everyday except Saturdays. Gets a bit old but these kids will keep you on your toes." Draco could see the 7th years approaching from the castle and knew they had to wrap it up. "Any questions?" He saw her start to open her mouth to let what he was sure was no less than five questions form so he cut her off. "No? That's good, because the kids are here." He nodded towards the castle.
Hermione was shocked to see such excited looking students but on second thought it was summer and the weather was exceptionally nice for once. Hermione assumed the remodel included a few temperature charms as well considering there was no way she'd normally be able to wear a tank top and shorts out at this time of year. She wasn't complaining though. It was the one highlight, literally, to her life right now. Though Hermione wasn't sure how much more shock she could take and it looked like today might be starting off with a bang. The 7th years were sprinting out towards the pitch, straight at Hermione and Draco for that matter. "I didn't know kids got that excited about even the idea of quidditch. I mean I know it's a big deal for some people but I never got the appeal." Hermione would have continued to rant on but she heard a low rumble coming from the direction of the stampeding 7th years. It sounded like they were all shouting somethingā¦.but that made no senseā¦.and yet it did. Of course he would be the most popular counsellor.
All the 7th years rushed Draco, most hugging him, all saying they missed him and wished he'd just come to teach them already. Hermione had moved past the point of shock and was simply stood watching the scene unfold in front of her. She couldn't cope with anything more than just accepting the situation. Because someone actually trying to tell her that Draco Malfoy was not only good with children but in fact great with them and they practically worshipped him would surely send her into a catatonic state of disbelief.
Draco was smirking at her through the teens, "Alright guys come on. We've got another summer to start and you've gotta give Hermione the run down. I can't be expected to teach her everything." He backed away and let the kids turn their attention to Hermione. She had collected herself just enough to close her mouth, but the teens still saw a very confused woman.
"Well", a blonde who looked about eighteen stepped forward, "we normally win anyway, but throughout camp each year gets points that go towards winning camp. Like the house cup, but the quidditch game is the biggest event so we have to win that."
"We also have specific dress up days and we get extra points if you and Draco dress up too!", this came from excited looking boy with brown hair.
Hermione raised her brows and looked towards Draco at the mention of costumes. She'd say she hardly believed he'd dress up for anything but everything had proved her wrong so far. "Alright, well I'll try my hardest and we'll just have to make sure you guys win, now won't we?" The teens rallied and everyone excitedly chattered about how they were going to crush it and there was no way they'd lose with Draco and Hermione as their counsellors. They spent the first meeting going over everyone's names and creating an emblem to project at the end of the day meeting. They'd gone with VII in an array of blue, red, green, and yellow to signify each house which Hermione had been very proud of. Draco's encouragements lay more with the fireworks proclaiming them 'Winners' that went off behind the roman numerals. But with that task done they sent the 7th years on their way, though Hermione had to admit they did seem like a great group of kids. They were all very mature so there was less arguing for their attention and things that she was sure the 1st years struggled with. Speaking of 1st years it appeared to her that she wouldn't be getting a break as there was a stampede of them headed straight for her.
After introducing herself Hermione hung back and watched Draco throughout the day. She was majorly impressed by his work with the kids and he somehow kept them listening to his every word. She'd never really noticed how charismatic he was before, though in his defence that charm was never exactly targeted at her. Hermione did admit briefly that she wouldn't mind being the target of such charms now, but mentally berated herself quickly as she had only just ended things with Ron plus there was no hope being even slightly interested in a man that would clearly never like her that way. He probably had models writing to him and ex lovers begging for him back if his reputation was at all true.
Before Hermione knew it time had flown by and it was lunch. The 3rd years were just wrapping up and heading towards the castle. Draco came and stood expectantly in front of Hermione, offering his hand to help her up. She hesitantly took it, half expecting it to be a prank though New Draco didn't seem the type, and hauled herself up to standing. "You're actually not half bad with those kids."
"Well don't sound too shocked, I wouldn't want you thinking I'm nice or anything like that." Draco teased easily as they started towards the castle themselves.
"Don't worry I don't. I'm sure you can't wait to out your current evil scheme or plot on me. Maybe you've already rigged the flat with traps."
"No," He gave her a knowing smirk, "if I wanted to trap you I'd set something up in the library."
The innuendo was clear in his tone and she couldn't help the blush that went up her neck and face as she started on a little faster towards the school. "Please Draco we're 26, I think I do a little bit more with my time than just read." She was trying to defend herself but in reality Hermione could only think of a few more things she did as hobbies, which included knitting and drawing, neither an argument to her grown social life. "Oh that's right!" She burst out making Draco jump. She'd completely forgotten that Ginny was here as well in the commotion of the morning. Hermione was looking forward to a chat with the girl for all of five seconds before she remembered what Ginny wanted to talk about.
"Yes, Granger, we know you're always right. What about this time?" Draco said in a very patient voice that only irritated Hermione.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. And I've just remembered that Ginny is here as well, so if you don't mind taking lunch alone I may try to catch up with her." She should probably tell Ginny what had happened with Ron as well.
"Yeah that's fine, just meet me at the pitch when you're done. Don't worry about hurrying back, you're not much use today." Draco said as he went his own way into the Great Hall. Hermione then sent her patronus off with a quick message for Ginny to meet her in her room. Even if she wasn't looking forward to the conversation she was excited to talk to her friend. And maybe even get some gossip about what was going on between her and Blaise Zabini.
