Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters, nor the location their are camping in. I'll give them back to JK Rowling when I'm done. I'm making no money from this story.
A/N: I really want to say thank you to those who have read my story and reviewed it, including xikum, TommieBoy182, LeeLeePotter, Maximum Poofy-Queen of AU, Arwen Rayne, Corgi1, and so many more. You've been extremely helpful. For those of you who have suggested that Harry and Snape take to snuggling in the tent, I don't really want to rush this relationship, as I want it to progress as naturally as possible. There is still another day or so to go, so we'll see.
I'm not sure how many chapters I have left to write as I'm making up this story as I go. So if any of you have any particular scenes you would like to see played out, let me know, I'll keep your suggestions in mind when I write, of course keep in mind that I want this story to stay at a PG-13 rating. Again, let me know what you think. Thanks.
Anything between two *, indicates a thought.
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A Camping We Will Go
Chapter 7 - Good Morning, You Two
Severus slowly became aware of a solid warmth near his chest and across his side. He cracked open his eyes and noticed that sometime during the night, Potter had turned to face him in his sleep and slung an arm over him. His face was just inches away from Potter's. His breathing hitched briefly at this unexpected sight and then calmed when he realized the young man was still fast asleep.
Severus continued to look his fill of the young man across from him. *Potter looks so relaxed and at peace. Whatever it is he is dreaming of, it must be nice, as he has a small smile on his face. It makes me glad to see that he is no longer plagued with images of the Dark Lord and of the visions he gave Potter. I still find myself in a quandary as to why I suddenly care for this young man. We've been adversaries for so long, even if we were on the same side.
I seemed to have woken up from my self-imposed isolation and shaken the hatred that has chained my heart. I realize now that I fear to find myself alone and lonely in the coming years. I know Albus has been there for me and will continue to be as well, but Albus is old and won't be around forever. No matter how much I wish for him to be -- him and those blasted twinkling eyes, lemon drops, wonderful cups of tea and his never faltering trust.* Slowly something dawned to Severus.
*That manipulative, old coot! Now I know why he wanted me to go on this trip as a chaperone. I shouldn't put it past him to have engineered this entire situation, from the trip itself to the absence of Professor Smythe, their Muggle Studies teacher.* Severus quietly sighed, but quirked a tiny smile at the thought of the Headmaster. *Really, that old man is more Slytherin than I am.*
There was only one problem with trying to be friends with Potter and is that the rest of the Gryffindor trio would either: die of shock, be skeptical of his motives, or expect me to be friends with them as well. Severus shuddered. A Weasley brat and a know-it-all Granger as friends. Severus sighed again. *I guess they can't be all that bad. They have been loyal to Potter and they handled themselves well in the battle. If I can change my opinion concerning Potter, I can give the other two the benefit of the doubt as well. But one person at a time.*
However, Severus was faced with a difficult situation, what was he to do in the meantime about being this close to Potter and having Potter's arm around him. *Though it is nice, almost feels like a hug. No one has tried to hug me since I was a little boy.*
Severus enjoyed the closeness, but he certainly did not want to scare Potter off this soon. *The poor boy may die of shock or something when he realizes that he's been this close to me. Should I wait to see if he'll turn over, or feign sleep and pretend not to be aware of the situation?*
Before Snape could do anything, Harry's eyes opened and focused on the view in front of him -- Snape was looking back at him and he could see clearly into the other man's eyes. There was no animosity present, nor was their uncertainty. There was, Harry was happy to see, acceptance. *He's going to be my friend! He's actually going to try and build a friendship with me.* Harry gave Snape his most joyful grin and Snape's eyes widened at what was clearly a beautiful and heart-wrenching sight. Snape's lips curled up into a full-fledged happy smile in return.
*It feels weird to smile so openly. It's as if my face has to relearn such a basic human response. But this could definitely work out.* Severus' grin stayed. *I have a new friend. Oh Merlin, a FRIEND! Oh, do I even know what it means to be friends with someone. I've had companionship with people like Lucius Malfoy, but that relationship was about power and politics.* Severus' grin slipped briefly, then righted itself. *I'm sure I'll figure it out as time goes along, and if nothing else, I can always bug Albus, since he got me into this position.*
Then a second later, Harry came to realize just what position he and Snape were in. Harry blushed and withdrew his arm. "Sorry about that, sir."
"It is quite all right, Mr. Potter. A person does not have much control over their actions while they are asleep. By the way, good morning."
"Good morning, professor."
Severus shook his head at Potter, "I think if you and I are to go about forming a friendship, you should call me Severus."
"Only if you'll call me Harry."
"Fine...Harry it is then, but only when it is just the two of us. I am still your professor, and when we are in a professional setting, like a classroom, you should respect my position." Severus spoke sternly but with kindness.
Harry blinked and his lips quirked. "Yes, ssi...Severus." Severus smiled in response.
Severus continued on, "Harry, I'm not going to just change overnight, well not completely anyway. It seems I've already done some changing already."
"It will be a slow process. I will still be sarcastic, snarky and occasionally cruel. That's been a part of who I am for far too long. If we are to become good friends, you must be aware that I will not play favorites. If you mess up in my class, I will still give you detentions and deduct points."
Harry nodded, he understood all that Severus was saying.
"However, in the interests of furthering our friendship, I am willing to help by tutoring you when we get back, in preparation for your N.E.W.Ts."
Harry's jaw dropped at this first step that Severus was making. "Yes, Severus. Thank you. That would be wonderful. Man, will Hermione ever be jealous." Severus smirked at that thought. Then cleared his throat.
"Ah yes, concerning Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley. Um..." Severus was not quite sure how to proceed. He honestly didn't want to offend Harry, but he needed to set some additional boundaries on their new relationship.
"Severus?" asked Harry uncertainly.
"Harry, I know you truly care for Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger and that they are your friends, and in all likelihood you share most everything with them."
"Yes, I don't keep secrets from my friends."
Severus sighed. *This is going to be more difficult than I imagined.*
"I need for you to keep our friendship a secret, Harry. At least for now." Harry opened his mouth to interrupt Severus. Severus held up a hand to hold Harry off, before he voiced his objections. "Harry, I will be civil to you and to them. I just want to take this one step at a time. Could you keep this a secret, for me, for us?"
"But why? Can you be more specific?"
Severus tried to think out his response carefully. "Harry, your friends view me as one of the school villains, alongside Mr. Malfoy. If we were to just suddenly appear chummy with one another, who knows what kind of reaction they may have, especially Mr. Weasley. I think his hatred of me eclipsed even your own at times. Ms. Granger, I believe, may be of a different mind-set. However, if you tell one, the other would feel hurt if they were not included. Is that not so?"
"Yes, Ron would be upset if I didn't tell him along with Hermione. I see your point." Harry thought for a moment more. "I will keep our secret, for now. Even though you won't change your public behavior towards me, that doesn't mean I can't. Perhaps if I start showing my respect for you, Ron will follow suit."
"Perhaps. It can't hurt to try."
Before Severus could say any more, Harry sat up suddenly and completely unzipped his sleeping bag. "Harry, what's the matter?"
Harry blushed, "Natural calls." Severus lips quirked.
Just before Harry could leave the tent, Severus grabbed a hold of Harry's arm to stop him. "It might be wise if you put on your glasses before you left. I would truly hate for you to get lost on your way to or from your commune with nature." Harry nodded and turned around and reached out for his glasses. Once he had them on, he went to leave the tent again.
"Oh, and Harry, nice pajamas. It's nice to see such loyalty to one's house." Severus smiled and chuckled. Harry ducked his head in a blush and left. Harry was gone for only a few minutes and returned with a relieved expression on his face. Severus chuckled again at such a sight.
Harry smiled in return. "You know something, you have a very nice laugh. You should do it more often."
"There hasn't been many things in my life to laugh about."
"Well, now that you are my friend, you can laugh at my antics in the classroom. That has to be worth a laugh or two, at least."
Severus nodded, "Indeed, Mr. Potter." Severus' eyes just sparkled with mirth. Harry thought he had never seen a more awe inspiring sight.
"It is still early Harry, why don't you try to fall back to sleep. I believe we still have a few hours left before the others stir."
"Okay." Harry yawned at the suggestion. Crawled back inside his sleeping bag, smiled once more at his new friend and fell into an easy sleep.
Once Severus was sure that Harry was asleep, he propped his head up on a bit with his arm for a pillow and continued to gaze in wonder at the young man, then also fell into a sound sleep.
Neither Harry nor Severus was aware of the others stirring some two hours later, Hermione being one of the first up and out of the tents. She went about her morning clean-up. She walked down to the hot spring before the others thought of it and took a quick dip to wash up. As she was done, others with the same idea followed.
When she got back to the site, she noticed that all the others were up, except Harry and Professor Snape. She pointed that fact out to Ron, who got an evil grin open his face.
Ron, walked over to their tent, and started shaking it, hard. "It's time to wake up. Up and at 'em. Rise and shine," Ron shouted at the tent.
His actions jolted Harry and Snape awake from their sound sleep, making them both unhappy campers. [A/N: I couldn't resist, sorry!]
"I'm going to kill Ron!" Harry groaned and fell back to the floor.
"Not if I don't get to him first." Snape ran a hand through his hair in disgust. "Well, I guess we do need to get up."
"I guess." Harry was not very enthusiastic about that idea. He had actually enjoyed the quiet moments he had been sharing with his professor. *No, my friend.* Harry grinned once more at the thought.
Harry waved an arm and the tent flap. "After you, Severus," Harry whispered quietly, so that the others outside the tent wouldn't hear.
Severus wasn't too keen on having the students see him in his pajamas, so he motioned for Harry to turn around for a second. Severus waved his wand and cast a cleaning charm, then he quickly changed from his night clothes to his, he grumbled, muggle clothing.
"Okay, I'm ready now." Harry turned back around and gave Severus a look of envy.
"I think I've gotten to used to modern conveniences and to being a wizard. I highly doubt I will ever go camping again."
Severus just snorted in agreement. Severus opened the tent flap and out he, then Harry came.
Hermione turned towards them and smiled. "Good morning, you two."
tbc