Disclaimer – Not mine, wish it were, but… never gonna happen…

Summary – Harry goes on a ten year sabbatical after the defeat of Voldemort, it seems a certain Potions Professor had the same idea…

a/n – Firstly – WOW! I can't believe the response I received on the first part of this fic. I'm absolutely overwhelmed! And well, as you can see, you convinced me to continue this. However I do believe this is where I truly want to stop it, as any more will only detract from the first part. For all those who gave me truly invaluable help in your reviews, THANK YOU so much, I changed the few things that were possible to be changed, the rest I ask you to please grant me some creative license in the things I write. I try my best to research what I write about, but some stuff will be overlooked. Oh, and I'm glad nobody commented on spelling or grammar, I forgot to add the previous time that English is my Second Language, so I'm always a bit worried about it. Please let me know of obvious mistakes…

a/n 2 – I know some people may probably have a problem with this chapter. Why? Because I make both Severus and Harry act like adults, not two kids squabbling over a toy. They are going to have a conversation that will not only consist of barbs and insults, I do believe with a war fought together, side by side working towards the defeat of Voldemort, they will have learned more about each other and won't only see a childhood enemy and snarky bastard (respectively).

a/n 3 - Two specific things mentioned in the reviews, (Peter and Mental Illness in Psych 102 and not 101) will be addressed in this update. Thanks for those who commented on this, for the Peter part, it truly slipped my mind - I hope I do give good enough reason for his use of the name in this update (as I had to think of something that'd make enough sense, I really totally forgot about that rat), and I did not know that Mental Illnesses aren't covered in Psych 101, I hope the way I explain it in here is satisfactory. Now if you've actually read all this, wow, thanks, and let's hope the rest won't disappoint. – I'm not completely satisfied with this conversation – so any suggestions/comments will be appreciated.

Psychology 101 – Explanations and Conversations

"Potter, stay behind."

Oh, well, time to face the fire…

Harry went to retrieve his bag and belongings as the rest of the class left and returned just in time to hear the other man's softly spoken comment.

"It seems I just can't get away from you."

If it weren't for the smirk on the older man's face, Harry might have been worried about the rest of the conversation, but as it were he decided to give as good as he received.

"Professor, seeing as I've been here three years and you've just arrived, I believe it's you who must have been tracking me down." Harry was certain had the man tea near his mouth the both of them would have been sprayed by that choke.

"Yes, well, you know how I'm just DYING to be in your presence." Sarcasm seemingly dripped from the sentence but again Harry got the distinct impression that his Professor was enjoying himself as much as he was.

"So Potter, what are you doing here?" It was said in a light tone, but Harry could detect genuine curiosity from the man.

"Studying, sir." Harry couldn't help it; the man had always had a way of bringing out the cheeky little boy in him.

"I know that, brat! Now if I may enquire, exactly what is that you are studying, seeing as you are apparently a third year, I'm guessing this course is just to fill in some extra credits?"

Harry was surprised that the man had picked up on his comment about being there for three years, and that he was interested enough to enquire things that in the greater scope of things seemed quite frivolous.

Harry quickly got past the surprise and answered the man's question.

"Well sir, I'm studying Pediatric Oncology and yes, this is my third year. For extra credits I had to decide between Psych and Home Ec. I think you can understand my decision. Of course, after your opening sentence in class today I was seriously considering running to Home Economics at full speed." Harry and Severus shared a short laugh, although it could probably better be described as a crossing between a snort and laugh, before the older man continued.

"Well we can't have the Great Harry Potter slaving away in front of a stove now can we?" The Professor must have seen the younger man flinch as he quickly changed the subject.

Although Harry had never shared in detail what had happened to him in his younger years; Severus had seen enough of the younger man's memories to know he had had a hard life growing up with his relatives. One memory of a young Harry, he couldn't have been older than five, standing on a step stool in front of the stove, meticulously frying beef and making stew for his oversized family flashed through the man's mind and he couldn't believe how insensitive he had been.

"So I was impressed by your knowledge of the subject today. You're not repeating it, are you?" Severus could see the younger man visibly relax at the change of subject and again silently berated his insensitivity.

"Of course not! What do you take me for?"

Seeing no answer forthcoming, Harry decided to continue, albeit a bit more animatedly. After all he had decided to give as good as he got.

"If you must know, I had this snarky git of a Potions Professor. The man made the first years of my life at boarding school a living hell, all because I didn't read my texts before hand. Well I learned my lesson; I've never gone to a lesson unprepared after that man's first class." Harry could see a myriad of emotions flashing over the other man's face, before it finally settled back to his naturally masked look.

"Well I guess this man and I would get on splendidly. If the student doesn't do his part, there's no reason you should do yours. And I think I should thank him as well…" At Harry's blank look; the man continued exasperatedly.

"Had it not been for him, you would most certainly not have made such an impression on me today. You studied ahead, and I do believe you will pluck the rewards at the end of the year. If what you're saying of this, quote-unquote – 'snarky git' is true, he did you a favour in his treatment of you." Harry was surprised by what he saw in the man's face. Whilst his features were still completely neutral, his eyes seemed to scream for the younger man to acknowledge what he had said as truth.

"Well who'd have thought it? The man had a reason for being that way." Seeing a surprised look on the older man's face, as well as anticipation for him to continue, Harry decided not to disappoint.

"It was so there'd be somebody else to share your viewpoints sir." Score three to Harry! This he of course added softly to himself…

"Impertinent Brat."

"Ah, sir, you know you love me." Harry gave the older man his best puppy dog look, along with a truly face splitting grin.

"Gah, I merely tolerate your presence." Severus looked like he was struggling to keep from laughing at the ridiculous turn the conversation had taken, but finally schooled his impression.

"Wow, I believe that's the closest thing to a compliment you've ever given me sir. But in all seriousness, I really do appreciate your help in my younger years. I know I've never thanked you before, but the fact that you were always the same towards me, albeit snarky and generally horrid, that fact kept me sane at times. When everybody was yo-yoing around between hating me and loving me, both for my fame, you always remained the same. You also saved my life more times than I care to admit.

Then there's the fact that by reading ahead, and the work-ethic you installed in me, especially in the latter years, you've helped me to be in the Top 5 of my class. You've helped me realize that the pursuit of knowledge is the first step needed in pursuing your dreams." Harry could see surprise register on the other man's face. It seemed he was struggling to grasp everything Harry had said in that half a minute.

"Well, I guess it's my pleasure. Although, I'm not sure pleasure is the way I would describe how I had felt in your presence when you were younger. If you truly believe that I helped mold you into the man you are today, then I'm both thankful and… proud." This time it was Harry who was completely gob smacked at the confession.

"Proud sir?"

"Now don't be fishing Mr. Potter! But I guess I can admit that you've turned into a finer man than I'd have given you credit for, even five years ago, and if I helped in forming that man, then I'm proud of that help. Now of course if you tell anyone that I said that…" The threatening look would have worked a lot better, had the man not a smile almost as big as Harry's on his face.

"Believe me sir, I don't want to be committed at this young an age."

"Touché.

"Mr. Potter. I've been wondering at something since you gave yourself away, so ingeniously I might add, in class a while ago." Harry looked at the man expectantly. Wondering what could have the other man stumped.

"Why Peter?" Truly surprised by the question Harry could not at first decipher the meaning behind it.

"I'm sorry sir, but what do you mean?" Severus looked incredulously at the other.

"Your name, why'd you decide on Peter? I'd think it'd bring back many a bad memory." Finally realizing what the other man was speaking of, Harry quickly gave him the answer. The same answer he'd given Hermione and Remus when they had asked him.

"Peter was a rat sir. In every sense of the word. He was a slimy creature that didn't deserve my parents' affection and love. However I cannot just hate rats because he was one. Thus, I also cannot hate the name Peter, just because my parent's betrayer happened to be named it. It's like with Voldemort. Albus once told me that fear of the name only increases fear of the being. In this case contempt of the name only increase further contempt in me. I'm tired of all the hate."

Severus was surprised at the wisdom in the answer. He'd not have considered the other man that wise, or strong enough to handle such a serious reminder of what had befallen his parents. But then again, this same man had proven himself to be far stronger than what he was given credit for, time and time again. Severus almost didn't hear as Harry made a final comment on the subject.

"Of course, the fact that everybody thinks I'd never consider carrying the name of my parents' betrayer also help in my anonymity. If I should decide to re-enter the wizarding world under this alias, I'd be surprised if anybody will realize my true identity, at least for quite some time." Severus had to give it to him, when he made an argument, he made a good one!

"So, Professor, or wait, is it really Doctor now?" Harry finally remember the man's speech about his title, he felt slightly selfish for not enquiring as to what the other man had been doing before now.

"It's Doctor, but don't worry, with our history I can forgive the use of Professor, although if you try it in class…"

"Don't worry I wouldn't dream of it. Well I was going to ask, you do know that the material we covered today isn't covered until Psych 102, I'm just happy the textbook is the same for both modules. Else I would have been as silent as the rest of them were…"

The other man gave him a look that clearly asked, 'what do you take me for?', so he quickly continued.

"Why did you do it then? Ask those questions if you knew, few, if any would know the answers?" Snape looked at Harry contemplatively before finally answering the question. Of course, in Snape style, it was with another question.

"How many of those students do you think only took the course because they thought it would be easy credits?" At first Harry thought the man was being rhetoric, but seeing him waiting expectantly he decided to answer.

"I don't know, I guess anything between fifteen and thirty percent…"

"Now, how many of them would still think that after the lesson?" A look of comprehension dawned on Harry's face as he realized what the other man was saying.

"So you sifted the serious from the non-serious students in one lesson." At the sly smile Harry couldn't help but add.

"Man, you're as Slytherin as they come, aren't you?"

"What did you expect Mr. Potter? The hat had me placed quicker than Malfoy Jr." Severus had a faraway look on his face, and Harry guessed he was revisiting his Sorting.

"I actually had quite the argument with the hat." Severus looked quite startled at that revelation and quickly motioned for him to continue.

"It wanted me in Slytherin. I wanted anything but…" For the second time that day it seemed Harry Potter was able to render Severus Snape speechless.

"Bloody Hell! Can you imagine the outcry? Harry Potter, Boy Wonder, Gryffindor extraordinaire in Slytherin. What was that hat thinking?" Harry was surprised, he'd never heard a swear word from his professor before. But there were first times for everything.

Taking it as a rhetorical question Harry decided to rather not answer.

"Oh, sorry I haven't asked before sir, but exactly what's the Doctorate in. It's quite an honour to get a Doctorate's degree, especially when a wizard gets a muggle one, or so I've been told." Severus looked quite surprised at the change of topic, but answered him nonetheless.

"Actually I have two Doctorates." At the widening of Harry's eyes he explained further.

"I've got a magical Doctorate's degree for Potion Making, received it just after the end of the war. As for my muggle Doctorate's, it's in this exact subject. Psychology." Harry struggled to comprehend everything he'd heard. Here in front of him was a man barely forty, if that, and he held not one, but two Doctorate degrees.

"Wow sir, I'm impressed. Congratulations, I guess. Just, wow!" Severus was genuinely surprised at the fervency in the other man's voice.

"I did not have much with which to occupy my time, so I used it as wisely as I could. I'm sure anybody could have done the same, had they wanted to." Even as he was saying the words, Severus felt quite proud of himself, especially at the look of admiration in the other's eyes.

Deciding he'd been getting way to sentimental with the man, Harry decided to get back to his cheeky self.

"So sir, since you have two Doctorates, shouldn't we be calling you Doctors now?"

"Brat!" Even with the reply, Severus' face betrayed his amusement.

"This is going to be a long year, isn't it?" Harry tried his best at a forlorn look, of course he was failing miserably.

"You're not the one who's going to have to teach you, again."

"Yeah well, I'm going to have to take your lessons again, I think we're even."

As Harry moved to leave the classroom he turned around and caught the other man's eyes, before softly saying.

"It was good seeing you again sir."

As he turned and left the room he was certain he heard an even softer, 'you too Harry', but then again, it could have been his mind playing tricks on him.