Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. :(
Happy Camper
Chapter 3: Monday Part 2
Harry's POV
The bus hissed it's departure. Ron still wasn't talking to me. I think he's more embarrassed about the bag incident than angry. But since I have no one to talk to now, I resigned myself to staring out the window and taking in the Florida scenery. It looked like most places did, with it's oak trees and pine trees everywhere. But there were also palm trees everywhere and I found that fascinating. Palms trees were always a symbol of freedom to me. When you go on vacation, most of the time you go somewhere warm with palm trees. While you're on vacation, you're free from the burdens of your everyday life. So, it's a bit of a stretch, oh well. They're still pretty.
The hour and a half ride to Jasper seemed like it took five minutes and before I knew it we were pulling into Suwanee River State Park. It was unlike anything I've ever seen before. The river was wide with lots of green trees leaning over it. The banks of the river consisted of more rocks than sand, and there were colorful wildflowers littering the ground. The woods around it were almost as thick as the Forbidden Forest. Every once in a while we would pass a stretch of tents and picnic tables. There were random wooden footbridges and hiking trails. I also saw something that looked like a bright green field with trees that gave the illusion of falling onto it.
We passed more tents again and this time we actually saw people. There was a small group of guys and girls standing in a circle kicking around a little bag. I had no idea what they were doing. There were more teenagers sitting around a fire talking and laughing. I nudged Ron and he looked out the window. I could tell that he didn't want to smile but he was having a hard time hiding it. I took advantage of his good mood.
"Look Ron, I'm really sorry about earlier. It was an accident, you know. I wouldn't hit you on purpose."
"Yea, I know. It was so embarrassing though with everyone laughing at me. Sorry I was mad at you." Well that was only slightly awkward but we were back to normal again. Our bus slowed to a stop not far from the other campers.
"Grab your things and gather around me outside so we can get your tents set up!" Professor Dagan had to practically yell now as everyone was chattering excitedly.
Draco's POV
"Quiet down now please! The sooner we do this, the sooner you can explore!" Professor Dagan, my new worst enemy. Potter has nothing on this guy. I didn't see one building while we were pulling in. Not to mention the fact that we're in the middle of the woods, in a place I know nothing about. Potter could never be as awful as Dagan, who likes to torture me for days at a time.
"As you all know, you may choose one other person to share a tent with. You may not switch roommates, however, so choose wisely. As you can see," He pointed his stupid hand at the pile of tents on the ground. "Every two tents are a different color. Same colors must reside together. There will be two tents per campsite. Not including mine, which will be conveniently placed in the middle. After you have your partner and your tent, bring it to your campsite and set it up. Then I want you all to report to me once you've finished."
Perhaps being in the back of the bus was a bad decision. It led Blaise and me to be stuck at the back of the group so we had no choice but to pick the lone red tent on the dirty ground. I looked expectantly at my friend, who sighed and carried the tent to where the other red idiots were.
Oh, Bloody HELL. What have I done to deserve this? Okay don't answer that, but really? I'm stuck with them? Of course I'm speaking of Potter and Weasley. When am I not stuck with Potter? The teachers at Hogwarts really need some new entertainment. I'm convinced they only do this shit because they have nothing better to do.
Potter already had his tent half way set up when we arrived. Weasley went red in the face when he saw us, like usual. He must be part tomato or something. He looks like one more often than not. Potter just stared at me. It was actually kind of creepy. He finally looked away and mumbled something and the two of them continued like Blaise and I weren't there. Which was fine by me.
"I'll put the tent together if you read the instructions, Draco." Blaise, my best friend for a reason. If he were gay we would definitely be together. Unfortunately, he's one of those that it doesn't matter how much alcohol he's drank, he still wont do it.
I unzipped the bag and dumped the pieces of the tent on the ground. Picking up the directions I began to read them as Blaise followed them.
"Slide Pole A into Slot B." I was sitting on the picnic table in our campsite watching as Blaise built our temporary home. Potter and Weasley had stopped building theirs and were now laughing hysterically at something.
"Pole A!" Potter was clutching his sides, laughing so hard his face probably hurt. His face was gorgeous when he was smiling and laughing. And his laugh was deep and husky and it was doing things to me that I don't want to talk about right now.
"Slot B!" Weasley looked disgusting when he laughed and it sounded extremely annoying as well. I really wish he wasn't here. Or alive, that would be nice. A world without Weasley's. One can only hope...
Harry's POV
"Come on, Ron. Let's go see the professor." I was still laughing at Malfoy's comment. It was even funnier that he probably didn't even realize what he said. I'm just glad that he hadn't told Blaise to slide it hard or anything like that.
Ron and I chose a campsite furthest away from Professor Dagan and closest to the campers we saw from the bus earlier. That will make it much easier for sneaking out. We reached the Professor who was talking to Michael Corner about random useless things, I wasn't paying attention.
"Mister Potter, Mister Weasley, have you finished putting your tent up?" He saw us approaching and hastily said good bye to Michael.
"Yes Sir, what did you need to see us about now?" Hopefully he won't have another job for us.
"I wanted to give you this," He picked up a cooler from the ground and practically shoved it into Ron's arms. "It's full of food and things you will need to start a fire. We'll be doing all the cooking here in my fire so you don't have to worry about that. It is mainly just bottled water and snacks. The coolers have been magicked to refill themselves. Dinner tonight is at 5, at which time I will be teaching everyone how to start a fire the muggle way. So please be on time."
"Yes, Sir." Ron and I said in unison and made our way back to our campsite once again.
We dropped the cooler off on the picnic table, ignoring Malfoy's glares and sneers in our direction, and wandered around for a while. We were pretty tired from all the traveling so we didn't go far, but we did discover the bath house. Which was nice, seeing as how I hadn't had the opportunity to piss in about four hours.
It was also where we met Ian Hoffman. He was on a class trip as well with his Environmental Science class. They were doing experiments on the soil and things, trying to figure out how certain organisms respond in a changing environment. Something along those lines. All I could really concentrate on was his face and his chest. Which was bare and very nicely sculpted. He had just got out of the shower and all he was wearing was a towel around his waist. I'm sure I looked like an idiot. I was probably drooling and staring. I think Ron was a bit uncomfortable with the situation. He kept glancing at his watch and the second it reached 4:30 he yanked me outside. Not before Ian told me he'd find us tomorrow so we could hang out.
Draco's POV
It was 5 O'clock and we did as we were told and came to Professor Dagan's camp to eat dinner. Everyone else was there as well, including Potter, who looked a little too happy, while Weasley looked disturbed.
We probably should have eaten sooner, seeing as how we were still on UK time and it's 10 P.M to our bodies. Meaning, I'm bloody starving! The snacks Potter left with us earlier had done little to curb my appetite.
"Gather round! Please sit in a circle around me!" Why does he always have to yell? We can hear him just fine.
I was far too tired to pay attention to the man and decided that Potter would be lighting all the fires we had. Blaise and I sat in silence as we endured the lecture and demonstration. Then we had to wait for all the food to cook. Which took forever. People were talking and laughing and some had the audacity to sing. Ridiculous. How can they all be so bloody happy? This is not a fun time I'm having. I'm hungry, tired, hot, dirty, and I have to sleep on the fucking ground. Why is this fun? Why the hell would anyone want to do this for fun? I sighed angrily and put my head in my hands.
"Hang in there, Draco." He patted me on the back. If I was looking at him I would have seen the smile on his face but I didn't need to. I knew it was there. He was taking great joy in my pain.
The food was finally finished. Bland chicken and bland rice. Lovely. I ate as quickly as I could and headed to bed. There was no need to prolong this hellish day any longer.
Tell me what you think!
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