It's raining! In case you haven't heard the part of Texas I live in has had like no rain all summer. Rain! =) This excites me greatly. Sorry I didn't update last week, but I started school on Monday. So meh =P Enjoy!

I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 38

Draco

It's official. Ginny Weasley is my favorite Weasley. Because of her Hermione has been in a great mood all week. She even stopped doing her homework last night for us to have a bit of fun. To thank her, I've decided to share Blaise's name for her. All in all, I was in a good mood mostly because of Hermione, but a good mood all the same. We even had half of classes off to go to Hogsmeade to get the rest of our supplies for the camping trip.

Of course one of the tasks would be to work together to get our things. I was not looking forward to this bonding session with Potter. That was all we had been told so far about the trip other than we were to meet in the Entrance Hall with our partners at seven the next morning. Honestly, I was pretty sure they were just going to drop us off somewhere and tell us we had to get back to the school in one piece. I wouldn't put it past them, especially the new teacher.

"I don't want to go," I whined as I helped Hermione into her coat. We were about to leave to meet everyone in the Entrance Hall.

"You'll survive, I promise. I'm the one who should be worrying, even though Parkinson and I have called a truce. You can always trust a Gryffindor to keep their word."

"Are you saying Slytherins aren't trustworthy?" I asked raising an eyebrow as I turned her to face me.

Hermione's cheeks reddened slightly, "I'm saying that said Slytherin would have to do something to earn my trust. And so far, Pug-faced Parkinson has done nothing of the sort."

I smirked, "Name calling now, are we?"

She grinned up at me, "Oh, please. It's not like she doesn't still call me a Mudblood behind my back. I've heard you and Blaise say similar things about her as well."

"True, but for us Pansy is a special case. Blaise and I have known her since we were in diapers, and have mixed feelings about her. She is a friend in a sense, but well, we didn't exactly choose to have that friendship." Hermione rolled her eyes as she tugged on my hand.

We entered the Entrance Hall along with a few other stragglers and began to search out our partners. I caught sight of Potter and Weasley near the front as Well as Pansy and Blaise who had just gotten there. Potter and Blaise nodded civilly to each other while Weasley glared at his partner. We joined them; standing by our respective partner as we waited for the doors to open so we could leave.

Finally the last seventh year student entered the hall and Professor McGonagall told us that we had to be back by seven. The doors opened and we began our trek to the village. "Where to first?" I asked Potter who had taken out his list as we entered Hogsmeade.

"Well, even though some of this isn't on the list I suggest we go ahead and get a few Muggle camping supplies. You never know what rules they'll have placed on us. We'll start over here." I shrugged my shoulders and followed the raven haired boy without argument. No need to get on his bad side when we would be living in the same small space for a few days every couple of weeks.

We entered a shop specifically catered to Muggle things. Why this would be in a Wizarding village I was sure I would never know, but we were able to get the things Potter suggested as well as a few things on the list.

Next we went to stock up on our potions ingredients, and after that to make sure we had enough winter clothes. We gathered what we needed in relative silence, speaking only when we felt the need to. I didn't complain. This was much easier than bickering the whole time like Weasley and Blaise seemed to be doing. I wasn't all too sure whether Blaise was enjoying working him up or not. It was hard to tell, but knowing him like I did, I wouldn't be too surprised to find he had been arguing on purpose.

"I just don't see why we have to have the red one when green is a much better color," Blaise said as he held up a blanket for their tent.

"Because green looks like puke, and red looks like roses," Weasley said holding up a red blanket.

"Or his hair," I snickered quietly. Potter heard my comment, but just shook his head. We had both thought it would be easier if we had nothing to do with our houses in the tent. I had to wonder why in the world he was being so civil towards me, but somehow I knew it was Hermione's work.

At that thought I glanced around the store and spotted her and Pansy near the sleeping bags. Hermione caught my eye and I winked. She blushed before returning her attention to my housemate.

All in all, it was a relatively uneventful trip… for Potter and I anyways; couldn't say the same for Weasley though.

The next morning we had to be at breakfast around five in the morning, and we were told we would be leaving at six. We were also told that we had to sit with our partners and as much as I loved Hermione, I wouldn't sit down at the Gryffindor table for anything.

"Come on Draco, it won't be that bad. I'll be there and so will Ginny." Hermione said as she tried to dispel the argument brewing between me and Potter.

I shook my head, "No, and nothing either of you say or do is going to change my mind." Hermione got a mischievous glint in her eye as she told Harry to go in and sit down. Apparently she and Pansy had discussed this while they were getting their supplies and had decided to switch off if this was to become a regular thing.

"Come with me," Hermione demanded pulling on my tie. I followed her willingly into an empty classroom. "Why won't you sit at the Gryffindor table?" She demanded standing less than a foot from me.

I raised an eyebrow at her, "I'll give you three reasons why," I smirked. Hermione raised an eyebrow of her own. "They. Hate. Me."

"I don't hate you, Ginny doesn't hate you, and Harry doesn't hate you." My other eyebrow went to join the first. "Please," she whispered stepping closer to me. I could feel the heat of her body through our robes. She tilted her head and slid her hands up my chest, winding them around my neck. I swallowed. She seriously tested my resolve.

"Nothing," my voice cracked. I cleared my throat and tried again, "Nothing you say or do will make me sit at that table."

"Nothing?" She asked smirking. I nodded, unable to speak. Grinning she stood on her toes and leaned forward.

Needless to say, I ended up sitting at the Gryffindor table. I mad sure she was sitting next to me though, and to pay her back I placed my right hand over her skirt, and on her thigh. She tried unsuccessfully to brush it off, but I kept replacing it and began to draw circles. I smirked at her slightly flushed face. If she wanted to play games, then I would be a formidable opponent.

"Fine," she hissed eventually, "Next time I'll let you and Harry duke it out, but don't come crying to me when you wind up with some sort of injury."

I smirked, "That's assuming I'll even get hurt. You underestimate my skills." I stopped drawing circles, but kept my hand where it was. She didn't seem to notice.

Breakfast was very short lived, and all the seventh years eventually filed out of the Great Hall and into the Entrance Hall where we would all be taking portkeys to our destination. I tried to leave Potter to join Hermione, Pansy, Blaise, and Ron at their portkey, but found that I couldn't get more than three feet away from Potter, and vise versa.

The other partners were just beginning to figure that out as well, but before we could get too upset the portkeys jerked us away. When we reached our destination we also found that we couldn't talk, at least for a moment anyways. Soon though, Professor Lovelace's voice was heard even if we couldn't see her. It seemed to be a recording.

"Hello Lovelies!" She trilled, "By now you must have discovered that you cannot move more than six feet away from your partner at all times. There is a charm that will disable this for five minutes so that you may bathe, change, and use the restroom in privacy, but can only be used once by each partner every four hours. You will also not be able to use magic this weekend," there was a visible murmur of disapproval, but it was quickly disrupted by others because there was more information to be had. "And today will be spent setting up your tent, figuring out where you are, and becoming even more acquainted with your partner. Each plot where the tents will be has your names on it, and in the very center of the camping site is a long table where you will take your meals. You are responsible for cooking your own meals though, and you will find a package with food for the weekend by your campsite. You are also required to sit around the campfire for at least an hour doing the instructed trust building games that will be explained later. Tomorrow morning at breakfast you will get more instructions. I'll see you on Monday!"

Lovelace's voice disappeared and the silencing charm was taken off of us. Instantly all the seventh years began talking at once. I was none to happy with the situation, but I decided to keep it cool, and play up my nonchalant façade. It was easier said than done though as Potter and I tried to move through the crowed to get to our campsite. I was pleasantly surprised to find it near Hermione's.

Potter and I spent the rest of the morning trying to put up our tent and squaring away our things. Turns out we were in the Forest of Dean. How Potter knew that was beyond me, but he said he recognized it somehow from the ice covered creek and surrounding trees. Hermione seemed to know it as well, for she had a sad far off look in her eyes.

Dragging Potter forward a few feet, I entered their campsite and wrapped her in a tight hug. She buried her head in my chest. Somehow I knew this place held a lot of memories for her, some happy, some sad.

Eventually though we both became cold and went into our respective tents. Potter seemed pensive as we both sat, or lay in my case, there quietly. Finally he broke the silence, "Do you love her?" I knew he was referring to Hermione.

Sitting up I looked him in the eye and said, "Yes."

Potter pressed his lips together as he studied me. "Ok," he said holding out his hand. I glanced at it then back up at him. I knew he was calling a truce for the sake of Hermione, and I also knew that we could never be friends, but we were could also no longer be enemies. Slowly I took Potter's hand and shook it firmly once. "You hurt her and I will kill you. You know that right?"

I smirked, "I know."

So, whadya think? Oh and go check out my poll! Apparently not to many of you love me cause only like two people looked it. Yes I'm that awesome. Just kidding haha. Oh! Speaking of school you'll like what I did with my schedual this year haha.

chem-potions
Bible- defense against the dark arts
english- transfiguration
spanish- ancient runes
math- arithmacy
elective-quidditch
studyhall- charms history- history of magic =)

Isn't it legit? I thought so too lol. Rain! =) I'm in a good mood haha. Next chapter will be more interesting. I promise. Now to go dance in the rain heehee

~chocoyum4~

Review Reply: summerlovin2011- Yay! =) I can't wait to get in! =) And I have no idea what you mean about reminding you what happened during the summer. I'm sorry haha. Thanks so much for your review!