School Camp – fire-and-ice89

A/N: Second chapter's up!

There's a few things I need to clarify: yes, this will turn out to be DMHG. I forgot to put that in the summary, but it's there now.

When I was writing this chapter it turned out much longer than I thought it would, so I decided to split it into two chapters instead. So, unfortunately, my teaser in the last chapter was wrong. They don't arrive at camp. So what's in this chapter then, you might ask? Read to find out!

Now, replies to reviews:

Kristina: I'm very sorry that you don't like the way I've portrayed Ron, but I'm afraid that's the way I see him. As you can maybe tell, Ron isn't one of my favorite characters. I think he's immature, and I really hope that he and Hermione don't get together, despite that fact I think it's inevitable, since JK Rowling has dropped several hints on her website and there's been numerous references to the pair in the books and movies. The beginning to this chapter was already written when I got your review, so Ron might not be to your liking yet, but I promise I am taking your advice, and I will try to develop his character later on. Just for you!

Kawaiitie: Please don't be jealous! Your writing is really good, as I've already told you.

dmhg:Thank you for adding me! I hope the 'shock' that Hermione gets doesn't disappoint you. If it does…never fear, there's plenty more shocks to be had in this story!

Last Time

"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."

Chapter Two – The Morning Before

Come Monday morning, the Great Hall was full of seventh years, duffel bags, and chatter.

Hermione dragged her bag through the doors, followed by Harry and Ron. The three of them pulled their bags over to a corner and sat down.

"So…tired." Ron moaned. He leaned back against his bag and closed his eyes.

"Honestly, Ron." Hermione said. "At camp you'll probably have to get up earlier than 6.30."

Ron was silent.

Harry smiled tiredly at Hermione. "I think he's gone back to sleep."

A small, snuffled snore came from Ron's direction, and Hermione giggled. "I think you're right."

"Attention, please!"

Professor McGonagall was entering through the double doors. Behind her was Professor Trelawney, Professor Dumbledore, and finally, Professor Snape.

Harry and Hermione stared with open mouths.

"Snape…" Hermione whispered incredulously. "Snape is coming on camp?"

Ron opened a reluctant eye. "You're kidding."

"Apparently not," Harry said, stunned.

The Professors walked to the front of the hall and took a seat. All students were eyeing them with interest. Professor McGonagall swept her eyes over the tired, bedraggled group, and smiled to herself.

"Professor Snape, Professor Trelawney, and myself will be accompanying you on camp," she announced to the surprised group.

"What about Professor Dumbledore?" One student called out, almost involuntarily. McGonagall looked to him sharply, but Dumbledore intervened.

"Unfortunately, I have urgent business to attend to here at Hogwarts, and will be unable to accompany you, much to my disappointment," Dumbledore said smoothly. "However, I will be very interested to hear your stories when you return."

For once, the students were silent. A sole hand was raised, somewhere near the middle of the room.

"Yes, Lavender?" Professor McGonagall asked, looking like she was bracing herself for a very stupid and Lavender-like question.

"Um…so, are you three, like, supervising our day groups?" Lavender asked. "And if you are, then who is supervising which one?"

Professor McGonagall looked mildly surprised at the authenticity of her question.

"Yes, we will each be supervising a group."

Hermione stiffened. "Please not Snape. Please not Snape." She muttered, almost to herself. Malfoy and Snape in a group would just be too much.

"I will supervise Group C. Professor Trelawney will supervise Group A, and Professor Snape will do Group B."

Hermione felt her stomach drop like lead. Suddenly, she was finding it hard to be positive about camp.

Beside her, Harry was trying not to celebrate. He'd managed to avoid both Trelawney and Snape. Much as he felt bad for Hermione, he couldn't help but feel anticipation for camp.

Ron had Trelawney, but he didn't particularly care either way. He lay back and closed his eyes again.

Hermione looked over at her two friends. Ron didn't see her painful glance, but Harry did. He reached over and squeezed Hermione's arm sympathetically.

"Only for the day, remember, Hermione." He whispered.

Hermione nodded and swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat. Stupid emotions, she thought to herself. Don't be a baby.

She realized with a start that she'd missed Professor McGonagall's final words, and everyone was starting to stand and pick up their baggage.

"What did she say?" She asked Harry.

"We have to get in our groups," Harry said, standing and pulling up his bag.

With dread, Hermione lifted her heavy bag and walked over to Group B. Malfoy was already standing there. When she arrived, he looked over in her direction and sneered.

"Hello, Granger," He said, smirking.

It had begun.

0000000000000000000000

The campsite was gorgeous. It was situated on the side of a lake, surrounded by a continuous forest of evergreen trees. Right by the lake were several rows of cabins, a sizeable mess hall, and a large cleared area which appeared to be a field.

Greg and Joyce were checking the cabins one last time to make sure they were ready for the group of students arriving that morning. The couple were previous Hogwarts students, who had eventually decided that the wizarding world was not for them. Instead, they started up a camp program designed for all students, magical or non-magical.

They called it Camp Kindle.

Camp Kindle had been running for several years. Greg and Joyce had catered for almost every type of student imaginable, but because they had an unlimited amount of tolerance and patience, they had always pulled through.

Little did they know, they had never held a camp like the one facing them now. If they did, perhaps they wouldn't have been beaming like they were as they waited for the students to arrive.

If they had known, they would have turned them away.

But they didn't know, they couldn't have known, and so they smiled as they waited obliviously for the end of everything they knew.

A/N: (mysterious music plays)

Bet you didn't see that coming, hey? Mwahahaha. I love cliffhangers! I'm very evil, I know.

Well, I always had more planned for this story than just an average romance plot line.

Tell me, do you think I should change the summary slightly? I hate doing summarys, because they're SO important. A good summary attracts lots of people but a bad summary can turn people right away, and writing one always stresses me out! Did you think it was okay?

If anyone is reading this story but not reviewing, then PLEASE DO! Reviews can be so helpful, even if they're not very long. It always inspires me to write more when I know that people are enjoying what I do, and any criticism can help me improve.

Next Chapter: Will be longer than this one. They actually DO arrive on camp, and Malfoy makes his first move (I'll let you interpret that how you will! lol.)

Bye for now!