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, Ambrosia-Ku-Ran and so many more.

As a reminder this is a PRE story and is still rated PG-13. If you haven't noticed I have tried to give hints as to the direction of the relationship between Harry and Snape, I just didn't want to be to obvious. I will be continuing this story on into a sequel.

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

Chapter 12 - Not a Sore Loser

Severus watched over the students as they prepared for bed, then once more banked the fire.

Severus acknowledged to himself that he wasn't upset with Harry at winning, in fact he was proud that Harry had successfully out maneuvered him. No, he was upset with himself for being overly confident -- talk about a Gryffindorish trait. Severus shook his head in disgust.

*I have more than just that one trait in common with those Gryffindors, I just hate admitting it to myself. Albus tells me time and again the same thing, but I always glare at the old wizard and tell him he's missing a few marbles. As if I'd ever admit it out loud for anyone else to hear that I have something in common with a Gryffindor.* Severus snorted, then sighed.

*Now to go face a gloating Gryffindor, I just know he's going to rub this evening in my face. Oh, joy!*

Severus knelt down and entered the darkened tent. Harry turned towards the opening where Severus was kneeling and before Severus could lambaste him, Harry apologized, "I'm sorry, Severus."

Severus stopped and was struck speechless, "Harry, what are you sorry for?" Severus clearly had not expect this.

"For making you look bad in front of the other students. Though I'm not apologizing for winning."

"Harry, you did not make me look bad. I played a game I thought I would do well in, but I lost. I'm glad you don't feel bad for winning. Personally, I was expecting you to gloat and rub it in my face."

"And I was prepared for you wrath, I thought -- well, I shouldn't have, but I did -- that you would be a sore loser."

Severus sighed, "I'm not angry with you, you played to win, if you hadn't then I would have been angry. I'm more angry with myself for being over confident and smug." Severus realized they were still sitting in the dark and he had yet to prepare for bed. "Let me get ready for bed first before we continue this discussion." He reached for his wand and cast the light spell.

Both he and Harry blinked rapidly at having the light 'turned' on. Severus searched for his sleep wear and placed everything within easy reach then extinguished the light.

Harry heard Severus get undressed once again and he still found it disconcerting and intimate to hear the older man prepare for bed. Once Severus was comfortably situated, Harry turned onto his left side to face him.

"Severus, if you want, instead of your doing two chores for me and my doing eight for you, we could just let two of them cancel each other out and I do size?" asked Harry.

Severus turned to face Harry and shook his head, then realized that Harry couldn't see him, so he said instead, "No. I am obligated to do two chores for you. I'm definitely holding you to the eight. I'm sure I have enough cauldrons for you to clean or perhaps I'll get you to chop up these new ingredients I'm bringing back from the trip." What with the previously offered tutoring and help on the NEWTs for Harry and now the chores, he and Harry would have lots of time to further their relationship.

Severus smiled to himself at that thought. He found it was much easier to smile now, and it had only been a full day since he and Harry had initially talked of friendship. He was amazed at how liberating a smile was for the soul. He felt better than he had in ages, more relaxed. Something inside of him clicked into place at that moment. The doubts he'd had earlier by the spring were now gone. He no longer had misgivings about this friendship with Harry, because if this was how it felt to truly have a friend, one who was open and caring and who just made you smile, then this friendship was a wonderful thing.

"I have to let you know, that I had my doubts earlier about us and our forming a friendship."

"I know, I figured as much. Are your doubts gone now?" asked Harry.

"Yes. You make me smile, Harry. You make me laugh. You make me happy and it's those things that are setting my bitter soul free from the chains that have imprisoned it for so long." Severus reached out and found Harry's arm and gave it a light squeeze. "From watching you and your friends these last seven years, I know that even good friends have bad moments, and I'm sure our will as well. I think however, that we'll weather it just fine when a bad moment does happen to come along."

Harry didn't think his joy and admiration for Severus could grow any greater, but in that moment it did. Harry reached for Severus' hand and gave it a tight squeeze. Harry didn't let go and neither did Severus, each felt as if the other was a life line to happiness.

"So, Harry ... have you given any thought to the two chores you're going to make me do?"

"Well, nothing humiliating, if that's what you're worried about. I was thinking along the lines that you might help me research career opportunities."

"You don't have to sacrifice a chore for me to do that. I'd help you willingly. You could also help me with the same, since I'm considering finding an alternate job situation."

"No, really, that's okay. To be honest, I can't really think of a chore for you to do that wouldn't be menial, plus I've also got to come up with chores to assign the other three." Harry thought for a few minutes to find an alternate solution.

"Um, how about it not be a chore, so much as a favour?"

Severus frowned, favours were entirely different from chores, "Favour, what kind of favour?"

"Not only will you help me with my NEWTs, but Ron and Hermione as well?" Harry asked tentatively. "That's two chores, er, favours right there."

"Ah, well, I don't know. I could I guess, it wouldn't take any more effort to tutor three than one. You weren't implying separately, were you?"

"No, together. I know you don't think much of our potion skills, but Ron and I aren't all that bad, as long as there's no one else there to sabotage it for us." Harry, of course, was heavily implying that the Slytherin's caused major trouble for him.

Severus grunted and tried to withdraw his hand from Harry's, but Harry tightened his grip until Severus stopped pulling away.

"Severus, I know you favour your own students above others, and I know why you give them the benefit of the doubt and a major break. It's because no one else will. But honestly, I think it's time you gave me a break for once. Please?"

"Alright, I'll admit that I found pleasure in having my student's torment you where I couldn't and that I turned a blind eye to it. That's all I'll say on the subject."

"Fine, I'm just happy that you're admitting it and I won't bring it up ever again." Harry squeezed Severus' hand once more and Severus gently squeezed back, glad to have cleared the air on one more thing between then.

"I'm sure that you would have done well in Potions, otherwise." Severus conceded. Harry smiled to himself at Severus' attempt at complementing him.

"You're getting there, Severus. Before you know it, you'll be just like me, or maybe even the Headmaster; giving out lemon drops and having twinkling eyes and a satisfied smile all the time." Harry knew this would really get under Severus' skin and indeed, Harry felt Severus' shudder at the thought.

"You can be heartless and cruel, sometimes, Harry. Utterly vicious." Severus was silent for but a moment and then laughed and Harry followed. The laughs died slowly, but there was indeed an atmosphere of warmth among the silence that followed. I comfortable feeling settled between the two of them.

"Okay, Mr. Potter, I believe it's time for the two of us to sleep. We have a busy day a head of us, and we should both be well rested."

"Yes, Professor, sir," Harry said in a sing-song voice. Harry released his grip on Severus' hand and Severus' let go a second or two later.

"Sleep well, Harry," whispered Severus.

"You too, Severus. Sweet dreams." Harry turned over away from Severus and slowly drifted off to sleep, while listening to his new friend's even breathing. Severus followed not too far behind Harry into a peaceful, pleasant dream-filled sleep.

Harry dreamt that night of Ron, Hermione, Severus and himself enjoying a night out, with fine dining and easy conversation. Meanwhile, Severus dreamt of Harry and himself having deep, meaningful conversations over bubbling potions they both had helped invent.

Come morning, Harry had once more flung an arm over Severus and Severus was once again facing Harry. Both Harry and Severus woke up at the same time and both smiled at seeing each other, face to face.

"Good morning. We've got to quit meeting like this," spoke Harry.

"Indeed, this could become habit forming," Severus replied in his sleep-roughened voice.

"You know, I was just thinking ..." said Harry.

"That's quite a dangerous past-time." Severus quipped. Harry took the arm that was slung over Severus and brought it back just enough to give Severus a slight shove.

"Oh, you, honestly! Anyway, I was thinking, that once I've left school, I'll have to find someplace new to live. I'm definitely not going back to the Dursley's. I don't know if you have a place outside of Hogwarts or not, but I could always use a roommate." Harry offered to Severus. "I've gotten so used to sharing living space with other's, that I'm not sure I could stand living by myself. You on the other hand, probably like living down in the dungeon's away from people."

Severus nodded. "I do, but for one very good reason, no one else in their right mind would live there, and therefore would not disturb me. I do like things quiet, but that's because of the students. Students are loud and rambunctious. If I left Hogwarts, I wouldn't have to worry about the students anymore. And I don't have a place outside of Hogwarts. My parents did have a place, but it's long since fallen into ruin. I've not been back there in over 17 years."

"So, will you consider it then? Maybe we could rent out a nice large house, with several bedrooms, a large kitchen and dining area, a work area, a nice common room." Harry just got this glazed look in his eyes as he pictured this house. Severus smiled at the enthusiasm Harry had.

"I'll consider it. I'll give you my answer just before the Leaving Feast. I'm sure the Headmaster would allow you to stay a few extra days after school is over to get your affairs in order."

Harry grinned in delight at the prospect. "I should tell you now, I'll probably nag you about it and start searching for just the right place."

Severus chuckled and shook his head, "Just don't make me take points from you, if you start to get on my nerves."

"Will do. I think I'm going to wait until we get back to school before cleaning up. I could really go for a hot shower right about now. And a meal prepared by the house elves."

Severus grinned at the thought of those luxury items and silently agreed with Harry. This trip made him truly appreciate the amenities of Hogwarts. "You and me both."

Harry rummaged through his bag to find any clean item of clothing left to wear and came up a bit short. He turned to Severus with a sheepish grin. "Um, Severus, could I ask another favour?"

Severus looked at Harry with ambivalence, "What, now?"

"Well, I wouldn't feel right about using my magic still, as we've not left yet, but could you do a quick cleaning charm on some of my clothes?"

Severus rolled his eyes, "Very well. But that will mean you have to do nine chores, agreed?" Harry nodded.

Severus got out his wand and waved it at the clothes Harry held in front of him, "Abstergo." Harry smiled his thanks.

Both of them got dressed in silence and both gave the other some privacy. They went ahead and packed up their belongs in preparation for the return trip. Everyone else was already up and clearing up the campus site. The students had had their fill of roughing it like the muggles do and were ready to get back to school. Hermione waved to Harry from where she was helping Parvati take down their tent. She called out to them both, "Good morning. Sleep well?" Harry nodded to her and surprisingly, Severus nodded as well. Hermione grinned. Ron came from behind his tent that he'd shared with Dean and waved to Harry before turning back to finish packing their tent away.

This time around Severus decided to help Harry take the tent down before he went to supervise the rest of the students.

tbc