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"This is amazing! I can't believe that we get to actually do this!" Harry commented as he joined up with Ron and Hermoine. "This will have to be the best summer vacation ever."
"Spending summer vacation out in the wilderness with your classmates is fun?" Ron questioned, obviously not thrilled about it at all. "I think Professor Dumbledore has finally lost it."
"Oh, grow up, Ron. This will be great. Think of all the things we will be learning! What were you planning on doing anyway?" Hermoine countered.
"Lounging about and possibly working with Fred and George at their joke shop," Ron replied longingly.
"Well, it beats staying with the Dursleys another summer," Harry stated. Finally, the three friends managed to find an empty cart. Each cart was crowed with excited students. Such a trip had never been planned before. "I am surprised that Professor Dumebledore would do something like this, especially with Voldermort coming to power."
"Knowing the professor there is probably a hidden meaning to this whole trip." Hermoine stated matter-of-factly as she spread out the pamphlet that everyone received about the trip.
The pamphlet discussed about the location, which was a beautiful forest that no muggle was aware of or was ever allowed to approach. Only wizards knew of its existence and they kept it safe from the muggle eye. The students had to board the Hogwarts Express to reach this hidden sanctuary.  It didn't take them all the way there, but it took them somewhere closeby, where they would have to hike a few miles once they left the train station. The journey itself would take a few days by train.
"Hermoine, have you ever been on a camping trip?" Ron questioned as he studied the pamphlet over her shoulder.
"No, but it sounds like a lot of fun and I can't wait to try out everything. I had always wanted to go camping."
"I went camping once.... and it wasn't fun," Ron muttered. "Everything was a disaster."
~
After a few days of being stuck in a train they finally pulled to a stop. Excitedly, everyone looked out the window, curious to see where they were.  In a few minutes, all them climbed out and stood in a big group as Professor Dumbeldore approached them.
"I suppose all of you are wondering why your summer vacation has been interrupted to spend time with your classmates.  Your professors and I have decided that it was time to spend some time in the wilderness and teach all of you how to survive. With Lord Voldermort on the loose we cannot take any risks.  These skills will become valuable, and He will not be able to harm you since all of you are here together, " Professor Dumbledore stated.
Harry noted that a handful of Slytheriens were snickering as they glanced at their professor wearing khaki pants and a Hawaiian shirt with a visor around his forehead and hiking boots.  The professors all wore similar outfits. It was very unusual seeing their professors not in their traditional black robes.  Ron's face was turning bright red as he struggled to not laugh out loud. Hermoine jabbed in him in the ribs to shut up.
Finally, after the long speech and list of rules, one of them being they were allowed to use magic, they were allowed to settle in. Their first task was to put up their tents. By nightfall, most of the students had their tents up. A handful of students were still struggling, one of them being Neville and his team.
The weeks began to go by pretty fast. Harry loved every moment. Hermoine seemed to be having a good time as well, though for once she didn't seem to be on the top of things as she normally was. She was often struggling herself. Ron on the other hand, was having a miserable time.
Then it became the last week, in which the final competition was held. Everyone had to pair up into teams for what was known as the ultimate scavenger hunt. They had three days in which they had to find and do everything on the list. The bad thing was they couldn't pick the teams.
Much to Harry's dismay, he got stuck with Draco Malfoy.  Ron was paired with Neville and Hermoine was paired with Cho Chang.
~
"I don't want to be doing this as much as you don't want to. I think this whole thing was a waste of time," Draco commented as he stared at the list they were given. "You do everything and I do the reading, that way we can get it over and done with."
Harry snorted. "I hate to break it to you, Malfoy, but a lot of the things inquire TEAM WORK. Did you think I would actually do everything for you?  We are going to have to do this together."
Draco kept silent, his mouth pulled into a tight line, which seemed to be his answer to everything from then on. Draco rarely made a comment back or an insult. Harry believed that was due to the fact his father was now in Azkaban. Malfoy no longer had any support.
Quietly the two roamed the forest picking up what was needed, neither of them daring to talking or caring. Harry thought it was better that way. Harry could tell that Draco had a lot on his mind, and for once it wasn't plotting ways to get even.
Night had fallen and the two made camp. "I've been thinking," Harry started after he made the fire. (Unfortunately, they were not allowed to use magic on such things like this.) "We got off on a bad start, think we could learn to be friends?  With Voldermort in power once more we can't afford to keep fighting like this. We need to work together."
Draco scoffed. "You and I friends? It was because of you that my father is now in Azkban! And the fact that we are loosing just about everything we own!"
"Did you forget the fact that your father was an active Death Eater?" Harry pointed out, growing angry and wondering if this was worth it. "Did you think you be like him as well and work for Voldermort? Have you noticed how much death and pain he brought to our people? And what else he could do? He doesn't care for your father or for his family. To him you are nothing but a pawn in his game! Where Professor Dumbledore at least cares for you as a person and wants to help you!"
"What about you, Potter? Have you ever thought of how you lucky you were? How you got everything in the palm of your hand? How everyone loves you? And will do anything for you? I never got any of that! I'm nothing in my father's eyes!" Draco spat out.
The comment, stunned Harry. He had never viewed his life as lucky, but more of misery and a lot of misfortune. He never thought that Malfoy would have been jealous of him. In fact, he was slightly jealous of Malfoy. "Look, I just want to be on equal terms, that's all. We may need each other someday. You probably know a lot of things that I haven't even thought of."
Harry held out his hand, in an attempt to close the deal. It was a long time before Draco shook it, his gaze matching Harry's green eyes.
Harry smiled and settled back to looking at the sky, trying to figure out how many constellations he could find. "Think Professor Dumbledore did this on purpose?"
"Probably..." Draco answered, stifling a yawn. "What's left on the list?"
"We have to race on the canoe and grab the flags at marker points, and also use the different spills we learned this summer."
~
"This is stupid," Draco muttered as he paddled the canoe as fast he could while Harry worked to grab the markers and produce the different spells. Harry saw that ahead of them were Hermoine and Cho Chang. Cho was paddling while Hermoine worked with the spells.  Mid way they switched.
Sweating, Harry struggled to push past Hermoine and he had barely passed her it was over when. Cheers let him know that he and Malfoy had won. He grinned. Draco wore a smug expression. They each won 100 points for their house.
~
As the sun rose the next morning they hiked their way back to the train station, where Hogwarts Express waited. They had a few more weeks left of summer to enjoy and everyone was looking forward to that, but at the same time a little sad to leave everyone once more.
Harry was happy, he had a feeling things would be a lot better once the school year started. He just hoped that Malfoy was true to his word.

1

Description
"This is amazing! I can't believe that we get to actually do this!" Harry commented as he joined up with Ron and Hermoine. "This will have to be the best summer vacation ever."
"Spending summer vacation out in the wilderness with your classmates is fun?" Ron questioned, obviously not thrilled about it at all. "I think Professor Dumbledore has finally lost it."
"Oh, grow up, Ron. This will be great. Think of all the things we will be learning! What were you planning on doing anyway?" Hermoine countered.
"Lounging about and possibly working with Fred and George at their joke shop," Ron replied longingly.
"Well, it beats staying with the Dursleys another summer," Harry stated. Finally, the three friends managed to find an empty cart. Each cart was crowed with excited students. Such a trip had never been planned before. "I am surprised that Professor Dumebledore would do something like this, especially with Voldermort coming to power."
"Knowing the professor there is probably a hidden meaning to this whole trip." Hermoine stated matter-of-factly as she spread out the pamphlet that everyone received about the trip.
The pamphlet discussed about the location, which was a beautiful forest that no muggle was aware of or was ever allowed to approach. Only wizards knew of its existence and they kept it safe from the muggle eye. The students had to board the Hogwarts Express to reach this hidden sanctuary.  It didn't take them all the way there, but it took them somewhere closeby, where they would have to hike a few miles once they left the train station. The journey itself would take a few days by train.
"Hermoine, have you ever been on a camping trip?" Ron questioned as he studied the pamphlet over her shoulder.
"No, but it sounds like a lot of fun and I can't wait to try out everything. I had always wanted to go camping."
"I went camping once.... and it wasn't fun," Ron muttered. "Everything was a disaster."
~
After a few days of being stuck in a train they finally pulled to a stop. Excitedly, everyone looked out the window, curious to see where they were.  In a few minutes, all them climbed out and stood in a big group as Professor Dumbeldore approached them.
"I suppose all of you are wondering why your summer vacation has been interrupted to spend time with your classmates.  Your professors and I have decided that it was time to spend some time in the wilderness and teach all of you how to survive. With Lord Voldermort on the loose we cannot take any risks.  These skills will become valuable, and He will not be able to harm you since all of you are here together, " Professor Dumbledore stated.
Harry noted that a handful of Slytheriens were snickering as they glanced at their professor wearing khaki pants and a Hawaiian shirt with a visor around his forehead and hiking boots.  The professors all wore similar outfits. It was very unusual seeing their professors not in their traditional black robes.  Ron's face was turning bright red as he struggled to not laugh out loud. Hermoine jabbed in him in the ribs to shut up.
Finally, after the long speech and list of rules, one of them being they were allowed to use magic, they were allowed to settle in. Their first task was to put up their tents. By nightfall, most of the students had their tents up. A handful of students were still struggling, one of them being Neville and his team.
The weeks began to go by pretty fast. Harry loved every moment. Hermoine seemed to be having a good time as well, though for once she didn't seem to be on the top of things as she normally was. She was often struggling herself. Ron on the other hand, was having a miserable time.
Then it became the last week, in which the final competition was held. Everyone had to pair up into teams for what was known as the ultimate scavenger hunt. They had three days in which they had to find and do everything on the list. The bad thing was they couldn't pick the teams.
Much to Harry's dismay, he got stuck with Draco Malfoy.  Ron was paired with Neville and Hermoine was paired with Cho Chang.
~
"I don't want to be doing this as much as you don't want to. I think this whole thing was a waste of time," Draco commented as he stared at the list they were given. "You do everything and I do the reading, that way we can get it over and done with."
Harry snorted. "I hate to break it to you, Malfoy, but a lot of the things inquire TEAM WORK. Did you think I would actually do everything for you?  We are going to have to do this together."
Draco kept silent, his mouth pulled into a tight line, which seemed to be his answer to everything from then on. Draco rarely made a comment back or an insult. Harry believed that was due to the fact his father was now in Azkaban. Malfoy no longer had any support.
Quietly the two roamed the forest picking up what was needed, neither of them daring to talking or caring. Harry thought it was better that way. Harry could tell that Draco had a lot on his mind, and for once it wasn't plotting ways to get even.
Night had fallen and the two made camp. "I've been thinking," Harry started after he made the fire. (Unfortunately, they were not allowed to use magic on such things like this.) "We got off on a bad start, think we could learn to be friends?  With Voldermort in power once more we can't afford to keep fighting like this. We need to work together."
Draco scoffed. "You and I friends? It was because of you that my father is now in Azkban! And the fact that we are loosing just about everything we own!"
"Did you forget the fact that your father was an active Death Eater?" Harry pointed out, growing angry and wondering if this was worth it. "Did you think you be like him as well and work for Voldermort? Have you noticed how much death and pain he brought to our people? And what else he could do? He doesn't care for your father or for his family. To him you are nothing but a pawn in his game! Where Professor Dumbledore at least cares for you as a person and wants to help you!"
"What about you, Potter? Have you ever thought of how you lucky you were? How you got everything in the palm of your hand? How everyone loves you? And will do anything for you? I never got any of that! I'm nothing in my father's eyes!" Draco spat out.
The comment, stunned Harry. He had never viewed his life as lucky, but more of misery and a lot of misfortune. He never thought that Malfoy would have been jealous of him. In fact, he was slightly jealous of Malfoy. "Look, I just want to be on equal terms, that's all. We may need each other someday. You probably know a lot of things that I haven't even thought of."
Harry held out his hand, in an attempt to close the deal. It was a long time before Draco shook it, his gaze matching Harry's green eyes.
Harry smiled and settled back to looking at the sky, trying to figure out how many constellations he could find. "Think Professor Dumbledore did this on purpose?"
"Probably..." Draco answered, stifling a yawn. "What's left on the list?"
"We have to race on the canoe and grab the flags at marker points, and also use the different spills we learned this summer."
~
"This is stupid," Draco muttered as he paddled the canoe as fast he could while Harry worked to grab the markers and produce the different spells. Harry saw that ahead of them were Hermoine and Cho Chang. Cho was paddling while Hermoine worked with the spells.  Mid way they switched.
Sweating, Harry struggled to push past Hermoine and he had barely passed her it was over when. Cheers let him know that he and Malfoy had won. He grinned. Draco wore a smug expression. They each won 100 points for their house.
~
As the sun rose the next morning they hiked their way back to the train station, where Hogwarts Express waited. They had a few more weeks left of summer to enjoy and everyone was looking forward to that, but at the same time a little sad to leave everyone once more.
Harry was happy, he had a feeling things would be a lot better once the school year started. He just hoped that Malfoy was true to his word.

1