Campgrounds

Tucked into the trees, not far from the Great Lake, was the Hogwarts campground. Here, the air was fresh with a woodsy aroma. This cozy clearing was composed of several sturdy structures. First was the workshop, a wide brick building separated into three class-sized rooms. This was where the bulk of the summer activities took place, from arts and crafts to extracurricular magical practices. Then was the wash house, a similar establishment split into threes. While the area lacked electricity, it still possessed plumbing, and every wash room came equipped with sinks, mirrors, showers, and toilet stalls. Come sundown, these were locked, but a trio of handy outhouses stood at the side of the building for any who desperately needed to break curfew.

Eight log cabins provided lodging for campers, each one with a beast-bearing flag for which they were named. Three were the Avian cabins: Augurey, Occamy, and Phoenix. Across from these were the three Equine cabins: Thestral, Kelpie, and Unicorn. At either end were two cabins intended for adults only: the Hippogriff and Dragon cabins. Those creatures occupying the enchanted flags mutely flexed in a constant show of "friendly" competition: beating wings, clacking beaks, stamping hooves, and soundlessly tossing their heads. Every structure appeared deceptively humble in size on the outside, while the interiors were enlarged by extension charms, making them wide beyond means and quite comfortable. These were fully furnished with curtained bunks, personal chests, dressers, wood burning stoves, and plush floor rugs. The layouts were strikingly similar to the dorm rooms back at the castle. Rather than having House themes however, they featured nuances of the beast on their flag.

The final building was easily overlooked, for it was nothing more than a supply shack. This contained mundane tools, the odd component for cooking or brewing potions, and a stand in the back for storing firewood. Beyond this, far enough away to not be a fire hazard, was a broad campfire. It was a pit surrounded by stones for holding in the flames, while many boulders or fallen logs served as seats for the campgoers. This spot saw many roasted marshmallows, heard countless scary stories, and from time to time boiled a camp cauldron. It was a wonderfully scenic area for forming everlasting bonds with one's peers. Or, as was more common in Hogwarts, undergoing some mad trauma. Who wouldn't want to stay for the summer?

Description credit goes to Pericles Dralt