Chapter 2
A/N: Thank you to all my reviews. I really appreciate it. I decided to post the next chapter. I hope you all like it.
"I can't believe this! Who the hell does he think he is?" Sirius said angrily punching a pillow in the privacy of the Gryffindor common room.
"I have no bloody idea, how could have my parents agreed to this shit. Christmas, in the woods with Snivellus!" James yelled.
"I can't believe that you two dragged me into this." Remus muttered.
"Oh please, Remus, you are the least of the Headmaster's problems. He hardly said a word to you." James said in a huff.
"Shut up James, I am lucky that I am even here, and now after all the shit you two have pulled, I could be expelled!" Remus raised his voice.
"Like you ever tried to stop us once." Sirius said.
"Bugger off, I am going to bed, before either of you do something else to get us expelled." Remus said moodily.
James and Sirius watched Remus stalk off to bed.
"Must be that time of month." Sirius said under his breath.
"Oh shut it, Sirius, if you wouldn't have almost got Snivellus killed last year, we wouldn't be in this situation." James said lashing out.
"Sod off mate." Sirius said.
"Where are you going?" James asked as he watched Sirius get up off the couch and walk towards the portrait.
"Out." He replied shortly.
"Fine, be that way." James said, throwing a pillow at the portrait as it swung closed.
SSSSSS
On the other side of the castle, Severus Snape was sulking. He could not believe that he was being forced to spend his holiday with those spoiled, arrogant, self-righteous, Gryffindor brats!
"Hello Snape." A Slytherin girl said, as he walked into the common room.
"Bugger off." He said moodily.
"Fine, you greasy git." She muttered under her breath so he could not hear.
Severus walked to his rooms, and slammed the door. He shuffled around some items in his chest and got out his wand. He laid on his bed, soaking in his rage. He watched as four flies flew around his four-poster bed. One by one he shot them down dead, imagining each one of them his enemies. The first, James bloody Potter, the second, Sirius the prick Black, the third Remus Lupin, and lastly the fourth, Albus the almighty Headmaster Dumbledore. How he hated them all. They had no right to try to assume that he had problems, they were his problems. He wished that they would leave him alone.
Severus absentmindedly rubbed his forearm. It had been four months since he took the mark, but the Dark Lord had already acknowledged all of his accomplishments. Severus hoped soon that he would be asked to join the inner circle, and be privy to knowledge of the Dark Arts beyond his comprehension.
Severus knew that there was no other path for him to travel. He was destined to follow the Dark Arts. It called to him, like a well-crafted song. Severus was shaken from his reverie, when his roommate, Avery came bounding through the door.
"Oy, sorry Snape." Avery said.
"Whatever." Severus replied.
"Looks like you have been trampled by a Hippogriff.." He said throwing his books down on his bed.
"Yeah, you could say that." He hissed.
"So old Slughorn, gave us a three foot essay over the holiday, can you believe that? Then McGonagall gave us a practical homework assignment, somehow we have to turn a stone into a ring." He ranted, while Severus turned a deaf ear.
"Look, could you bugger off to the common room?" Severus practically yelled.
"Fine, but don't forget that 'extra' project we have to work on as well." Avery said as he grabbed his quill out of his bag.
"Look you have to deal with it until after the holiday, I am going away." Severus said.
"Going away? You never leave for the holiday." Avery said surprised.
"Yeah, well this year I have plans so take care of it!" Snape yelled.
"Yeah okay." Avery conceded.
SSS
Three days later, a reluctant James, Sirius, Severus, and Remus found themselves outside Hagrid's hut, equipped with backpacks and walking boots. The sun was barely peeking through the dark clouds that made the air chilly, when the boys saw the Headmaster approaching with two wizards, one a woman, and the other a man.
The woman, considerably shorter than the Headmaster, had a thin frame. She wore a ski cap with black and white stars, which raced around one another. The man, who was a good foot taller, was a bit stalker. He wore a bright red hiking coat with tiny racing brooms aligning the hood. All the boys felt that their smiles adorned on their face were misplaced, in this early morning chill.
"Good morning boys." The Headmaster greeted cheerfully. They boys did not respond, except from a meek 'good morning' from Remus.
"These are your guides and counselors during your time at camp. I will let them introduce themselves. From this time on, you will be under their care. I suggest you listen to them, as they are much more experienced than you. What you do with these four weeks, is entirely up to you. I only hope that you will learn and grow. Hate is a poison, that seeps through the veins, but kindness is an antidote to your pain. Good luck boys." With a curt nod, the Headmaster left the two counselors with the boys.
"Good morning, my name is Jenna McCallister, you will call me Jenna, and I will call you by your first name. Before we depart, we have several rules that you must adhere to during your time with us. If these rules are broken, you could face expulsion from this school, or perhaps if that is not a determinating factor for you, then you will face more time in camp." She said, nodding toward her partner.
"My name is Nolan Douglas, you will address me by Nolan. First rule, no magic! You will now be searched for wands, magical contraptions, etc." Nolan flicked his wand as a few magical candies, jinxes and magical games flew into his hand. Sirius opened his mouth in rebellion, but was quickly cut off.
"Second rule, no cursing. Every time you curse, you will be punished. Third rule, you will contribute. We will be camping for four weeks, this means you must help pitch tents, start fires, and clean up. If you do not do what we ask, you will be punished. Fourth rule, if you try to run, you will be punished." Nolan finished. Severus kicked the ground with his foot in defiance.
"Now that we have gone over the rules, we will be taking a portkey to our location. This will be your last magical experience for four weeks. Now, all take hold." Jenna said as she produced an old watch.
The boys reluctantly grabbed hold and felt a sudden jerk. As the boys stumbled onto the cold ground, they saw that they now sat in cold damp snow. Nothing could be seen on the horizon but trees and rocks covered by the snow.
Throwing his fists up in anger over this revelation, James cursed. Jenna took quick action and told him to go stand a few meters away on one foot one minute for each letter of the word. As the other boys watched as he stood poorly on one foot, they all thought the same thing; it was going to be a long month.