You guys are consistently surprising me. The response to chapter 1 of this story was AMAZING! Thank you so much for following/favoriting/subscribing to this story. I worked really hard on it and I hope that is reflected in the story itself. So, my darling readers, here is chapter 2! Enjoy!

Two Years Earlier

Everyone always thinks the war ends with the final battle. Hell, Hermione certainly did. There was a part of her that knew that there would be more to come, even after Harry had done Voldemort in. She supposed, though she just didn't have any idea how much.

After the Battle at Hogwarts, everyone took a day to bury their dead and pay their respects. The Order of the Phoenix, at Harry's request, even buried all the Death Eaters and opposing forces.

After the ceremony, though, more strategizing began.

The Death Eaters had mostly fled to the mountains. The particularly crazed ones stayed in the immediate area to put up a fight. Within two months of the big battle, all the magical towns within 200 miles were free of the terrorists and they'd started planning attacks on the camps in the mountains. In 6 months, all the major camps were taken. The Order of the Phoenix had officially won the war.

Because of her brain and cleverness, Hermione often found herself in the war tent coming up with attack plans and routes through the mountains. And, to her chagrin, she often found herself alongside Severus. In the beginning, she'd put up a fuss to be taken away from Ron and Harry who were both still actively fighting in each little battle to "take down as many of those bloody wankers as possible." Hermione grimaced as she heard Ron's voice so clearly in her head saying those exact words.

Since Severus' attack from Nagini, he'd been taken off the front lines to heal and use his intel to give them a look into what the tentative power dynamic within the Death Eaters was now. Kingsley had informed him that he was more valuable at this point behind the lines than he would be in the field.

"Plus, don't forget Severus. You've been outed as a member to our side for months now. It would be suicide if you went back there now."

He was also assigned to develop more defensive and offensive spells and analyze any poisons they may come in contact with. And to his initial displeasure, he had gotten himself Hermione Granger as his laboratory assistant. It wasn't as though she was particularly irritating. Severus was a man of action. Admittedly covert and secretive action, but action nonetheless. Sitting back and doing nothing but develop spells and potions that would do nothing but become irrelevant by the end of the war was not, in his opinion, the best use of his time. The first time she came into the potions tent he told her, in no uncertain terms, that she wasn't needed and that she should go and braid her hair or whatever it was that silly little girls did.

"I know you're not pleased about this pairing, I'm not either. However we have our orders and there is no changing them so you might as well get used to having me around and putting me to use in a practical way. If you don't, I'll start organizing your personal chambers to pass the time." He gazed upon her, her chin jutting out with stubbornness and her arms crossed over her chest. He had spent 8 years watching her and in all those years her stubbornness never abated. If anything, it got stronger. Bloody Gryffindors.

"I should have suspected Kingsley would do something like this. Organize the potion supplies and if you would be ever so kind, straighten the notes on my desk." Hermione glanced at the papers strewn across the table-made-desk and sighed. It would take her the better part of the morning to file everything away. Luckily, Severus kept all the labels on all of his ingredients impeccably and would only take her an hour to organize and clean up.

"All the pages are dated and numbered. There's a cabinet over there that you can file them in." She looked at the large set of stacking drawers, relieved that he seemed to be somewhat prepared for organization. She sat down and pulled the first pile of papers toward her. Time to get to work. They silently worked in tandem that first day, hours rolling by as he scribbled more notes, added ingredients to the cauldron he had in front of him and Hermione exposed an inch of the desk at a time.

Straightening up and stretching her back, Hermione glanced at the wristwatch she'd taken to wearing. Surprised, she realized they'd both missed lunch. Right on cue Severus' stomach made grumbling noises. She glanced over at him with a smirk. For his part, he didn't even notice. Just kept thoughtfully scribbling, stirring and observing.

"Aren't you hungry?" she'd asked. He ignored her. She rolled her eyes and rose to get something to eat for herself. In the mess tent, she'd encountered Molly Weasley and asked for some food.

"Oh hello, Hermione dear! I was curious where you'd gotten off to."

"Kingsley has me helping Severus. I completely forgot to eat," Her mouth started watering as she watched Molly pile a slice of roast, a pile of mashed potatoes, green beans and corn as well as a biscuit, splashed with gravy.

"Are you taking a plate to Severus as well?" She was taken aback a bit, pausing as she took a bean off her plate.

"I didn't even think about it. He should be able to feed himself." Molly snorted.

"I hardly think so. He didn't get breakfast this morning. I don't think he's even noticed that almost the whole day has passed." Hermione nodded, humming thoughtfully with her fingers in her mouth.

"I might as well take him a plate too. I'm going back that way anyway." Loaded up and farewells spoken, Hermione made her way back to the potions tent.

"I brought you some food." He didn't even glance up. Frustrated, she put the plate down on top of the parchment he was writing so intently on. He glared up at her.

"I was working."

"That's nice. You need to eat." She placed his silverware beside the plate and went to sit down by his desk.

"Your timing is incredibly inconvenient." She looked over at him nonchalantly.

"You didn't eat breakfast, we both missed lunch and you need to eat if you're so hell-bent on working until you're dead. And," She fluttered her eyelashes and smiled at him annoyingly. "Since Kingsley made me your assistant, it is my duty to ensure that you remain healthy as well." She stuck her fork into her mouth and turned her attention back to her food.

He wouldn't admit to her that she was right. He hadn't noticed that he'd gone all day without eating. He woke up this morning and came straight to his little sanctuary, working on more projects and time sensitive potions. He wouldn't tell her that he was, indeed, starving and hadn't noticed it before food was placed before him. No, she didn't need the satisfaction of knowing that she was right yet again.

"Who cooked this?" he asked, picking up his fork and bringing a mouthful of steaming mashed potatoes to his mouth.

"Molly Weasley." He snorted as the potatoes passed his lips.

"Figures." Hermione glanced over at him, watching him eat with vigour. She stifled a giggle as she ate her own food in peace. Maybe, she thought to herself, this match wouldn't be so bad.