Harry started them on a run, looping around three of the fields three times. Aaron was the only cadre member who didn't do all three loops, and even he did two. Marcus, Sirius and Tonks wished they had only done two. To their surprise when they got back to the campsite the teens still weren't done. The teens, including Aaron, went through a tai chi workout of roughly thirty forms. After requesting the adults cast some cushioning charms on the ground, they sparred in pairs for almost twenty minutes. Harry, who had been supervising the spar for the most part, smiled and said, "Good job, I can tell you haven't slacked off this summer."
Michael smiled back and said, "Knowing what we would be coming back to in September? None of us would dare. How far do you think we ran?"
"I estimate each loop at about 2k." Harry answered.
Hermione groaned, "It's a good thing my mum doesn't know that I can run that far or she'd be entering us in the New Year's Run. It's 10k. Six is more than enough."
Ernie, Susan, and Hannah all razzed her, "Just because you would rather sit and read…"
"Can we have breakfast now?" Neville half whined.
"Yes, Nev. We can have breakfast." Harry snickered.
As they entered the tent they were hit with the wonderful sight and smells of corned beef hash, eggs, grilled sausages, grilled tomatoes, english muffins, belgian waffles, bran muffins, strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, toast, coffee, tea, milk and juice. They dove into the food with gusto.
Michael groaned as he finished. "Harry, you may be a harsh taskmaster, but for a reward like this, I am not complaining."
Zinnia, who was in and starting to clear, blushed.
"Indeed compliments to the chef." Harry said.
"Hear, hear." was said by most everyone.
"So who's ready for Twister?" Harry asked, his eyes twinkling madly.
Hermione groaned. "Harry, I just ate."
"Just joking. I figure we kick back for an hour or so. That should give everyone a chance to clean up. Then Twister, I figured single elimination tournament style with the winner getting ten galleons to spend. This morning's workout changed the schedule slightly instead of a walkabout this morning we'll do a sightly early lunch then walkabout until three or four, followed by a rest. The rest of our guests are to arrive for tea at half seven, if that meets with everyone's approval."
"So, Harry, what exactly is Twister?" Aaron asked.
"I bet it's a muggle game." Adrian said.
"You would be correct, but it can be pretty funny and fun." Hermione said.
Later as Sirius, Remus and Tonks watched the teens and Cassandra playing the game, they talked softly .
"So, what's your impression, Padfoot?"
"These kids are easily more impressive than we were. James would be bursting his buttons."
"What makes you say that?"
"I thought I was pretty fit but I gotta tell you, Moony, that workout this morning showed me the difference between being fit and being an athlete. Those kids are athletes."
"No kidding. I'm glad my trainer at the auror corps and Amelia didn't see that or I would be in the doghouse with my fellow trainees."
"What makes you say that?"
"I was feeling like a wet noodle when we got back from that run but then those kids did the rest of that stuff. Amelia is always saying those of us in the corps have got to be fitter than any wizard or witch out there or how are we supposed to catch the bad ones. If those kids are half as smart as they are fit they'd be shoo-ins for the corps."
Remus smirked. "They are. They study together and all of the ones Harry's age are in the top quarter of their year. Harry and Neville even passed their government test the first time they took it."
"Cor, you're joshing me, right?"
"Nope. I got it out of Cassandra." Remus said.
"Dang, I took it like three times. I got 80, 87, and 92 respectively."
"James and Frank would definitely be proud." Sirius sighed as he sipped on the tea Zinnia brought him. "What blows me away, is the way Harry is such a leader. He is in front when he needs to be, but he always seems to know instinctively when he needs to be supporting from behind."
"No kidding, I never would have pegged Slytherins for being open to playing a muggle game, but look at them. They're having a blast, and they way they just accept the presence of Hermione Granger…" Tonks trailed off.
Remus smirked. "I was a bit curious about that myself so I asked Aaron about it this morning while you lot were doing the third lap. Apparently when Harry was a firstie he made his feelings about pureblood prejudice quite clear by taking on the most vocal and powerful proponents of it in the house and effectively gutting them, regardless of size or power. As result even the Slytherins who believe in it are extremely hesitant to mention it in Harry's hearing. The kids here are his friends or at least his teammates. They know how he feels about it and can see for themselves it's malarkey."
"I'm really glad he gave me another chance."
"Me too, Padfoot."