All's Well in Good Old, Muggle-Style Summer Camp.

Chapter 11

Harry packed up his trunk in the light of day-break. They'd be leaving to go back to Hogwarts tomorrow, no matter how much he hated to wrench himself from the ever-amusing camp. It was amazing, the difference it had made. Harry turned to look at Ron: the perfect example.

Ron was lying askew on his bed, drooling. He had refused to begin packing the night before, and some how, the thought depressed Harry.

"Psst! Harry!"

Harry turned to the door of the boy's cabin to see Hermione, still in her pajamas.

"Hermione? What are you doing out here? It's so early," Harry said, walking over to her.

"If it's so early, then why are you up?" she asked practically.

"Oh. Good point."

"I'm planning something for this afternoon," Hermione informed, looking at Harry, seemingly very pleased with herself.

"What?"

Hermione blushed, but kept a sly look on her face. "What if we had a going-away party? Everyone turned out to have a lot of fun here, and I just think it would...I dunno...make things happier. Everyone's so gloomy."

Harry paused a moment, considering the idea. Then he smiled. "Sure. How are we going to set up? What have you got in mind?"

"I've already set up a little...it's so funny! We can sing campfire songs! Maybe Terry can play his guitar. I dunno...we can just have fun before we leave."

Harry snorted with laughter. Ron enjoying camp was surprising enough, but a sudden image of the red-head wearing a cowboy hat, singing Kum Ba Ya around a campfire just went too far.

"Here," Hermione pulled herself together, and pulled Harry up with her. "Let's get to business." She brought him over to the well-known meadow, and showed him her accomplishments. She had set up a small circle of rocks, where they could later set a fire, and set up a wireless, which Harry got a feeling was secretly Lavender's smuggled one.

"I just need some help setting up these picnic tables," Hermione gestured to the tables, which were the same ones the group had eaten on while out camping. "We'll play music and just have fun."

The couple worked on setting things up for another hour, and then went back to their cabins, to not cause any suspicions of the surprise party.

* * * * * * *

* * * * * * * *

Harry and Hermione got to breakfast early for some last-minute conspiring.

"All we have to do is make sure no one goes near the meadow," Harry said wryly, gloomed by the impossible task.

"Well, that won't be too hard, but anyway, how are we going to get everyone to the meadow at 7 o'clock?" Hermione replied confidently.

"Uh...accidentally lead them to it?"

"No, that would never work. Just imagine Malfoy. He'd never follow."

Harry knew Hermione was right. How would they get everyone to the meadow at 7 o'clock? He racked his brain, but nothing came.

Just then, Ron interrupted the conversation. "Hey guys. You're up early." He didn't look very happy. "The smell of food woke me up." He looked away. "I really don't want to leave."

But anything he said after that, Harry didn't hear. Food! Maybe, just maybe... "It's funny," he said loudly, trying to pass a few subtle hints to Hermione. "How the smell of food can lead you somewhere."

"Yes, but what if you don't like the food? You'll go away!" Hermione replied testily.

Ron looked at them as if they were crazy. "Okay."

Being the last day, they did not have any classes, so Harry and Hermione knew it was going to be terrible trying to keep everyone away from the meadow.

"Er...hey Ron," Hermione thought quickly. "How about we have a last-day club-house meeting?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "It's not a club-house! It's a base! Though that would be fun, I suppose." He went off to tell everyone.

Harry leaned over to Hermione. "Good one, but how are we going to manage sneaking off to finish setting up? Won't it be uncanny if we're not at a base meeting set up by our best friend?"

"Yeah," Hermione furrowed her brows in thought. "But what if Luna was there?"

Harry snorted. "Really, Ron loves Luna and everything, but she's a Ravenclaw. Do you really think Mr. Extremist is going to let a Ravenclaw into a Gryffindor base?"

"He might...no. He will," Hermione decided. Harry knew her tone of voice meant determination. He wasn't sure if that consoled him or scared him.

When Ron came back, he looked immensely pleased with himself. "Everyone's game, except maybe the Slytherins, they ignored me."

"Ronald," Hermione began. She knew calling him that would give her more control: Mrs. Weasley and Ginny did it all the time. "Wouldn't it be great if Luna came to the last Gryffindor meeting? I mean, she's never seen our base, so now that summer camp is pretty much over, wouldn't it be nice to show her around?" She tried to sound as innocent as possible.

Ron looked as though he might consider it at first. But... "No." He said firmly. "She's a Ravenclaw. I love her, but really do I really look like I'm going to let a Ravenclaw in a Gryffindor base? I admit I'm pretty extreme."

Harry snorted. "Told you so," he said under his breath. Hermione elbowed him.

"But Ron! You've got to!" Hermione cried, losing her calm, unsuspicious tone.

"Why?"

"I don't know," Hermione looked away, at Ernie MacMillan eating a waffle.

"You two are weird today," Ron deemed. "I'm off to the hide-out." Ron walked away, and Hermione looked quite miserable, playing with her eggs.

"I don't know how we can pull this off," she said quietly.

"Luna's coming whether Ron likes it or not," Harry decided. "It's the only way he'll be distracted." He got up and went over to where Luna and Ginny were sitting. "Hello," he said. "You to know about Ron's hide-out plans, right?"

"Yes," Ginny answered.

"Well, he forgot to say it, but, Luna, he wants you to see the Gryffindor base."

"Really?" Luna beamed. "That would be wonderful!" Only Ginny looked slightly suspicious.

Harry walked back to Hermione.

"Harry!" she whispered hastily. "How could you lie like that?"

"It'll get her there, won't it?"

Hermione sighed. "Whatever. As long as everyone stays away from the meadow and conveniently shows up at 7 o'clock."

* * * * * * *

* * * * * * * *

Harry and Hermione made their way back to the meadow, which, luckily, was empty. They conjured up decorations and activities, and finally, after a long time, sat down to admire their work. It looked like a real party place, almost better than when Terry's band played.

"It looks magnificent, and better yet, no one's come to find us yet!" Hermione cried happily. Though I'm sure you know, that often at times, when one is to say things like that, it seems to hex the situation.

"Harry! Hermione!" a voice cried out in the distance.

"Oh, crap!" Harry said. The calling got closer.

"It's probably Ron," Hermione decided. "We'll need to go to him."

"But we're almost done! Hermione, it's almost 7. We could really pull this off."

"Not if the surprise is spoiled for him."

Harry knew she was right. "But you know we'll have to find someway to safely ditch him and come back here."

"Yeah I know," Hermione replied. So the duo went to the voice, which, as Hermione suspected, was Ron.

"Harry! Hermione! Where have you been?!" Ron cried, looking truly distressed. "I've been looking all over for you!"

"Ron, is there anything wrong? You look awful," demanded Hermione, concern crossing her face.

"It's the Slytherins--they attacked us! And uh...the base sort of caught fire..."

Harry and Hermione gaped. "What?!"

To be continued... for the last time...