Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. I'll give them back to JK Rowling when I'm done.
A/N: Thanks to those who have reviewed my story so far. I wasn't sure whether to make this a serious action/adventure with potential Death Eater activity or a romantic/humorous tale of mishaps and mayhem. Personally, I'm leaning towards the romance (SLASH) and humor. Again, let me know what you think. Thanks.
Anything between two *, indicates a thought.
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A Camping We Will Go
Chapter 2 - Setting Up Camp
With a lurch everyone holding onto the flashlights appeared in a thick and lush forest on a hiking trail, peaks of tall mountains seen off at a distance. The air was cool and moist, the sun was just barely overhead and was casting rays of sunlight through the leaves. A few of the students appeared disoriented as they had never used a portkey before. After a few moments of checking to make sure all the students who were to be on the trip did in fact come along for the journey, Snape cleared his throat loudly. All the students turned towards the professor, waiting expectantly for further instructions and the maps that would help them locate where they were. Hermione mentioned to the other students in her group that based on the time of day, she thought that they were located somewhere in North America, as it appeared to be late morning instead of early evening.
"For those students that have this so-called GPS unit, please raise your hand so that I may present you with your map." Hermione and three other students slowly raised their hands. Snape handed a map to the other three and left the last for Hermione. "Ah, Miss Granger, I should have known." He handed her the map without preamble and spun away from her with haste and a sneer. Hermione huffed in annoyance, but decided to let the matter drop and dug out her GPS unit and consulted the coordinates it generated. "We appear to be located at W 115°30' by N 50°43'. Harry, what location is that on the map?" Harry unfolded the map, and proceeded to find the approximate location. "Um, looks like we're at Banff National Park, which is located in British Columbia and Alberta...ah...Canada." The others digest this piece of news and are fascinated with the prospect of being so far away from home, home of course being Hogwarts.
"So where exactly are we supposed to be heading?" asked Ron. Hermione and the rest once again looked to Professor Snape. The professor noticed that everyone now had some inkling of their current situation and once again spoke with authority. "We are to proceed on foot heading west along this trial until we reach a clearing, where we will set up camp. While you are here, please pay attention to the flora and fauna of your surroundings, just because this is a Muggle Studies excursion does not mean you should be slack on your other studies, such as Herbology. If you do come across a plant or growth and you do not recognize it, please ask questions, especially if you want to know what potential properties it may have in Potions."
"Oh, and Miss Granger, please try to limit your number of questions so that others may have a turn." With that, Snape turned and started walking west along the hiking trail at a remarkably fast rate. The other students, still a bit stunned and disoriented, realized they were being left behind and scrambled like mad to gather their belongings and rush after him.
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Half an hour and many questions later, the students and the professor came upon the clearing. The area appeared large enough to host several tents and an area for setting up a fire and sitting area.
Snape turned to the students, "Before you set up camp, I have decided to pair the students off myself." Groans were emitted from all the students. Ron turned to Harry, and lifted an eyebrow in question. Harry shrugged. *I know this isn't going to go my way. Snape, that greasy git, has it in for me. Probably pair me up with a Slytherin.* Harry shuddered at that thought. *The only worse thing that could happen is if Snape makes me bunk with him. Aughh!* Harry paled. Ron and Hermoine both saw this and looked at him questioningly. "I have this bad feeling that Snape is going to make me bunk with him," he whispers to them. Ron shuddered at this as well. "I hope not mate, otherwise this is going to be the worst weekend of your life." Hermione nodded in agreement.
Snape started calling out names, "Patil, Granger. Weasley, Thomas." And on down the list he went. As each pair of names was announced, Harry's stomach filled with more dread. Everyone started to pair up as their names were called. *Okay, maybe a Slytherin wouldn't be so bad compared to Snape.* "Zabini, Boot." Everyone was silent and everyone turned towards Harry, realizing that his was the only name not called.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Potter. Since I am well aware of your inability to follow rules, especially concerning curfew, you will be bunking with me, so that I can ensure that you do not take to any late night wandering."
Harry gulped and paled even further. "Yes, Professor."
Snape turned to the students, "Well, get to it! Set up these miserable excuses for lodging." Snape turned towards Harry. "Since I am just the chaperone, and you the student learning in Muggle ways, you will be the one to set up our tent while I watch over the others." Snape turned away from Harry and strode off. *Even without his robes, he appears to glide smoothly across the uneven terrain. And doesn't Snape look nice in Muggle clothing - instead of a snake waiting to bite, he looks almost human.* Harry wondered where those thoughts came from. He shook his head hoping to dislodge them. Harry looked around and realized the others were progressing fairly well in setting up their tents. He figured he had better get to work, otherwise he knew Snape would be commenting snidely on his lack of progress.
Half an hour later, Harry had finished setting up the tent and was unrolling his sleeping bag inside. Snape opened the tent flap and tossed in his stuff, almost hitting Harry in the process. "Hey, watch it!"
Snape smirked in response, "You should be careful where you sit Potter." Snape entered the tent and set up his gear. Each lost in their own thoughts.
*Why am I subjecting myself to Potter's presence. Nothing good will come of this.*
*Merlin, but I always thought Snape was a cold creature, not capable of producing any heat. Instead the man seems to radiate it.*
Harry turned and moved towards the entrance of the tent, at the same time Snape did as well and they collided. Having no where really for either of them to go in such a small confined area, they collapsed one upon the other, a tangle of arms and legs. Snape grunted as Harry landed on top of him. Harry froze in shock when he realized just how close he was to Snape. Harry jerked his eyes up and looked into Snape's face. Something flashed in Snape's eyes then was replaced by intense loathing. Harry couldn't place the first flash of emotion, and when he noticed the sneer Snape was displaying, Harry scrambled quickly and with some trouble away from Snape, while Snape shoved Harry away with as much force as possible.
"Honestly, Potter, one wonders how you manage to survive playing Quidditch, as you seem to have no grace and balance while on the ground." With smooth grace and fluidness, yet with a speed that would leave one blinking in astonishment, Snape left the tent.
Where Snape's hands had been on Harry's arms, Harry felt as if he had been burned, his skin tingled just so. *Perhaps Snape hexed me.*
tbc
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Thanks to LeeLeePotter for the hint on keeping the separate thoughts, separate.