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 again to those who have read my story and reviewed it, especially xikum, TommieBoy182, Lee Lee Potter, Maximum Poofy-Queen of AU, Arwen Rayne, Corgi1, DxInsider, The Goddess Artemis and so many more.

There will be some more action to come in a later chapter, so I ask that you be patient.

Anything between two *, indicates a thought.
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A Camping We Will Go

Chapter 9 - Conversations

By the time Harry, Ron and the professor reached camp, Ron had flushed the toxin from his system and was no longer suffering from the temporary paralysis.

Ron and Harry moved off to speak with Hermione while Snape went into his tent and took out some bags for cataloguing and storing the new ingredients. Snape went around to each student that had collected a sample, by the time Snape had retrieved each ingredients, all of the houses were up by about 4 points each. Today, so far, had certainly been the most unusual in the 7 years the students had been at Hogwarts, not only had Snape awarded points to houses other Slytherin, but he had personally awarded points to Harry Potter, what was the wizarding world coming to. Some of the students, mostly the Ravenclaws (who think way too much at times), thought it was an evil plot by some of the Dark Lord's minions to brain wash them.

Afterwards the students got to work preparing for lunch, each student taking on the same task as yesterday. Harry, this time without Hermione's encouragement, approached his professor to ask him if he'd like to join Harry on another walk to gather seasonings for lunch.

Snape nodded his head and they took the trail leading back to their portkey origin.

While Harry and Snape were away from the camp, Ron approached Hermione. Hermione saw Ron's perplexed expression, had in fact noticed it as soon as he had walked back into camp with Harry and Professor Snape by his sides.

"'Mione, what's going on with Snape? I mean, has he been poisoned or something, like by Dumbledore to make him agreeable? I mean, he even gave points to Harry, and called him a 'smart boy'. I'm just so confused. You have to help me make sense of it all. Please!" Ron pleaded with Hermione.

Hermione knew that Ron did not like confusing situations. Ron for all his loveableness, could be rather simple at times when it came to others. He was brilliant with strategy, but hopelessly slow on the uptake with understanding people that were not his family.

"Ron, I think perhaps you should sit down for what I'm about to tell you. I'm not 100 percent sure myself of the situation, but I can accurately guess as to what's happened." Hermione lead Ron away from the center of camp to the edge of it and sat him down underneath a tree.

"Okay, Ron, you have to promise me to keep an open mind about everything. Please don't yell out in disgust or call attention to the information, more like speculations really, that I'm about to share. Can you do that for me, Ron?" Hermione held her breath and waited patiently for Ron to think through what Hermione was trying to imply, that there would be things Ron would just not like to hear.

Ron nodded and waited silently for Hermione to continue. *If she wants me to hold my tongue, I guess I can, if it really is important and potentially disturbing information. But honestly, what can be more disturbing than a civil Snape?* [A/N: Thanks to Lee Lee for this peace of alliteration.]

"I'll try to keep the explanations as short as possible. I don't think you've noticed, but lately both Harry and Professor Snape have been a little withdrawn, especially since the war. I think they both feel directionless now, they've each had a common goal of defeating Voldemort for so long, and now that goal has been completed. Both of them must be thinking, 'What now?'" Hermione paused to gather her thoughts and looked at Ron to make sure he was following along. He seemed to grasp everything she said so far, because he nodded in acceptance.

"To be honest, I think they both could use the help of the other to find their new direction, and I've been trying to push them both in that direction, not that it required much mind you." Ron opened his mouth to question Hermione's sanity at doing such a thing, but Hermione gave him a sharp gaze, which reminded him he was to keep his counsel for the time being. He closed his mouth and remained silent.

She continued, "Harry has been fairly upset that Professor Snape has been treating him like he was still a spoilt, attention seeking brat, when we both know that it's apparently obvious that Harry's not. Even just yesterday before we left, Harry was upset with the professor for his caustic words towards him." Ron nodded again at the truth of what Hermione was saying. "Can't you see? Harry just wants to have Professor Snape's respect, maybe even his friendship. You're probably asking yourself, 'Why would Harry want that greasy git's respect? That man hasn't given Harry the time of day or the benefit of the doubt.'" Ron nodded again. *'Mione knows me so well.*

"Well, that's just it in a nut shell really, because Professor Snape hasn't given Harry the time of day, the benefit of the doubt, the acknowledgement that Harry isn't his father or that he is no longer the same boy that took reckless risks years ago. Plus, Harry stopped hating Professor Snape just before the war, because Harry realized just what a steadfast and loyal man our Professor really is. You can't refute that the Professor was pivotal to the downfall of Voldemort with the information he gathered and provided for the Order." Hermione paused once more to re-gather her thoughts before continuing.

"But to get back to answering your original question, why is Professor Snape being agreeable. To answer that, one would ultimately have to ask the Professor that, however I will just have to speculate as to the reason. I think Harry and the Professor had a talk last night. I think Harry finally admitted to wanting Professor Snape's respect. Harry probably even thanked the Professor for all he'd done in protecting Harry and for helping with the war. Other than that, I'm not sure what else they may have discussed." Hermione looked at Ron closely. Ron had been fairly silent through all this, and she just wanted to make sure he'd not gone into shock. Ron blinked a few times and attempted once more to say something. When he opened his mouth and Hermione didn't glare at him, he spook, "So, because Snape is being cordial to Harry, he's also extended that same civility to us, since we're his best friends?"

Hermione smiled and said, "Exactly. I think whatever it was Harry said to him must have made an impression. To be fair though, I don't think the professor will ever change too much. He's worn his mask of contempt for too long, he probably won't ever drop it completely."

"Mask of contempt?" snorted Ron. "You know he doesn't like any of the students, he just hated Harry more and it showed."

Hermione smiled at Ron indulgently, "Ron, I just think the man hates his job, teaching us 'brats'. He also probably never got along with people in general even before he became a teacher. Makes one almost wonder if he had just as rough a childhood as Harry did. Then to have to go on pretending to be a loyal Death Eater, would probably make anyone's disposition sour, even yours if you were in that situation."

Ron sighed, he knew what Hermione said was right. He wouldn't wish being a Death Eater to that sick, psycho of a Dark Lord on anyone. "Thanks Hermione, so I guess this means, that if Snape can be somewhat nice to us, we owe him the same?"

Hermione smiled cheerfully, "Yes, Ron. We should try. I'm sure Professor Snape will still sneer and glare, but just try to remember, it's an act. In fact, keep it as a mantra. 'It's all an act, he deserves our respect.' Think you can remember that?" Ron nodded.

"Good, now let's get back to fixing lunch, I'm sure Harry and Professor Snape will be returning soon."

While Ron and Hermione had been having their conversion, Harry and Severus were also deep into one as well.

"Severus, I wanted to thank you earlier for, well, you know, actually approving of my actions with the snake." Harry grinned up at Severus.

Severus returned Harry's smile. "Well for once, you were actually thinking." Severus' smile turned to a smirk, his eyes sparkling with devilment.

Harry snorted at the slight jab to his intellect, but didn't retort. He knew it would said in fun.

"You're learning, Harry. Not everything I say has to mean exactly what's being said." Snape then did something totally unexpected, for both of them. Snape reached up and ruffled Harry's mop of untamable hair with affection. Harry gasped at the touch. Snape realized what he'd done just seconds after the feel of hair on his hands registered. Snape tensed up, dropped his hand quickly and turned away with obvious embarrassment. *What in the world just came over me? But isn't that what friends do, touch each other with casualness? I've noticed Ms. Granger hug and lean on Harry, and Mr. Weasley punches Harry on the arm every so often. Maybe different gestures are only acceptable depending on the gender of the friend.* Severus was stomped. Right now, he was wondering if trying to be friends wasn't just too much effort after all.

Harry of course was stunned by the openness that Severus just displayed. The fact that Severus was relaxed enough to be affectionate and touching was very much a step in the right direction, Harry felt. Harry knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Severus really had no notion how to proceed in a friendship. *Now how to go about letting Severus know that it was okay.*

Harry reached out to Severus and grasped his arm, he tugged at him to turn him around so he was once more facing Harry. "Severus?" Severus was looking everywhere but at Harry, he was actually glaring and sneering at the tree just above Harry's head. *He's retreating behind his mask, can't have that happening.*

"Severus look at me please." Harry reached out to Severus' face and touched his chin gently. Severus was startled by his touch. Severus' eyes snapped down to look into Harry's eyes.

"Good." Harry smiled gently at Severus. "I'm glad that you felt you could touch me. I was surprised at your touch, but it was a pleasant surprise, your ruffling my hair was nice. It shows that you are opening up to me and our friendship. Casual touches between friends are acceptable. It's how people let others know they care and are concerned. Friends hug, friends pat each other on the back, and friends ruffle hair. Not that I'll try to ruffle your hair, mind you. You'd probably hack my hand off and use it in a potion." Harry smirked at Severus.

Severus snorted, "You are correct, I would. Of course, my hair is always greasy, being a Potions Master entails certain sacrifices to appearance." Of course, since Severus hadn't been standing over a potion for two days, his hair didn't look all that bad.

Severus was not a vain man. He knew exactly what he looked like, and he accepted that he would never be handsome.*Now Harry, he's different. With his large, bright emerald eyes, open countenance even with his glasses, and spiky black hair, which, now that he recalled the sensations from his touch, was quite soft.* Severus blinked at that thought, not sure where it had come from. Severus frowned slightly, but decided he'd analyze his recent thought later, after Harry had gone to sleep.

Severus changed the topic and started discussing the vegetation and pointing out suggestions for ingredients that would help with lunch. Harry gathered all the necessary items, with some extra to help with dinner, so that they wouldn't have to make another trip out later on in the evening.

They relaxed even more with one another, until they returned back to the edge of camp. Harry strode away from Severus and handed over the ingredients to Hermione and went to sit next to Ron, who had been totally absorbed into watching Hermione cook. Ron started and turned to Harry. Ron flicked his gaze from Harry, to just over Harry's shoulder, where he noticed Snape was still standing. Snape continued to watch Harry intently, until he noticed Ron looking back at him. Snape shifted his gaze away swiftly.

Ron looked back at Harry, he wondered what was really going on with those two. Hermione's answers only helped settle things to a point. *Respect is one thing, but the look Snape was giving Harry, seems to indicate more. Is it friendship or what?* Ron shoved the thought away, when he smelled the food cooking. *Later, I'll think on it later. Right now, hungry, must have food.*

tbc