AN: Here's chapter 2! I hope you enjoy it! If you do, I would love for you to leave a review! They give me more reason to continue! :) Enjoy the chapter!

*I own nothing but the plot!*

Chapter 2

The grand opening day for Hermione's new bookstore, Black Cat Café & Bookstore, dawned bright and sunny, but cool enough that she was sure she'd be busy with people coming in for a coffee. The wonderful aroma spreading through the streets of Hogsmeade was enough to bring even the smallest lover of the drink in for one of their delicious smelling concoctions.

It had been a busy couple of weeks getting things organized at the shop, from setting up bookcases and filling them with books, to making sure the café section had the most comfortable of chairs and perfect tables, for both the coffee and book enthusiasts.

Hermione and Rose walked to the front of the store, stopped and looked down at each other, both with large smiles on their faces. Rose reached up, and flipped the sign from Closed to Open.

"Well it's official Rose." Hermione said to her daughter. "We're finally in business!" beaming at the little girl. "Oh look, I think we are going to have our first customers!" she exclaimed, noticing a couple people who were walking down the street, stop and take a look at the shop.

While her mother went to go behind the counter, Rose decided to go read for a while. She had already scouted out where her favorite spot in the store would be, and made sure that her mother put a big comfy chair there for her to sit in and read. She pulled a copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee off one of the shelves and continued on to her spot. Her new chair was a beautiful dark blue, which also happened to be her favorite color, with large plush arms and seat that practically entombed you in it. The chair was placed in the Classic Novel section, right next to a window close to the front of the shop, and situated so that she could look out, but no one could see her if they looked in. Rose settled into the chair and began reading.

Meanwhile, just a block or so down the street at a new apothecary aptly named Prince's Potions, Padma Patil was just finishing ringing up what she figured must already be her twentieth customer of the day. It seemed like everyone was coming down with a nasty cold and the Pepperup potions were flying off the shelves left, right and centre.

Padma looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was time for her break. On her way to work that morning she had noticed that today was the grand opening for the new bookshop and café, and she had been dying to go in and check it out! Closing up the cash, she went to the back of the store where her boss' office and brewing lab was, she figured she would see if he would like anything from the café.

Checking the office she saw that her boss was not in there, so she figured he must be in brewing. Opening the door to the lab she peaked in, and sure enough standing at one of the many brewing tables was her former professor.

"Severus, we're going to need some more Pepperup, there seems to be a cold going around." To this the silent man just nodded. "I'm taking my lunch break now, I thought I would check out that new bookstore and café down the street, did you want anything?" Padma asked.

"No thank you Padma. This potion needs my full attention for the next while. I will grab something later." Severus replied, giving a small dismissive wave in her general direction.

Padma nodded. "I'll be back soon then." She said, and turned to grab her purse and walk out of the shop. She made sure to put a sign in the shop window saying she would return in half an hour, because she knew Severus would not appreciate being interrupted by customers while brewing.

As Padma walked down the street she thought how a few years ago she never would have believed that she would be working for her former, surly potions professor, but here she was. It had been about two years ago when she was out shopping in Hogsmeade that she saw there was a new potion store opening up, and that they were looking for an assistant and someone to look after selling to the customers. Up until then she had been working at St. Mungo's brewing there potions, along with four others, but she was starting to feel a bit bored and not challenged enough. Brewing the same few potions continuously was bound to become boring to anyone.

Padma remembered how shocked she was when she found out that it was her former potion professor that owned the shop. Even more shocked when he actually accepted her application and then hired her. She had always admired Severus' skill with potions, and while she was among the many that hated the man after he killed Dumbledore and became Headmaster, Padma had slowly gotten to know Severus a bit more since working for him. Now she would consider him not just her former professor but a friend. She deeply respected all he had done for everyone during the war.

Opening the door to the bookstore and walking in the first person she noticed was someone she hadn't seen in years.

"Hermione?" Padma asked, walking up to the counter.

Hermione looked up from some chocolate croissants she was putting in the display case, and when she saw it was Padma came out from behind the counter to give her a hug.

"Oh Padma, it's so good to see you." Hermione said. "How have you been? It has been way to long!" She exclaimed, leading Padma over to a table and chairs as there were no customers waiting to be served at the counter at that moment.

Padma followed and sat down at the table with Hermione and began telling her what was new in her life. She told her about working at the Prince's Potions, just down the street, but she conveniently left out who the owner was. Severus didn't really want that spread around, even though Padma was sure Hermione would have no problem with it, and would probably be very happy for their former potions professor.

"What about you Hermione?" Padma asked. "Is this place yours?" gesturing to the store they were currently sitting in.

Hermione nodded "Yes, it sure is!" she replied. "Rose and I just moved back a few weeks ago. She wanted to be closer to Ron's family so I decided it was time to move back, and I always loved books, so I decided to open The Black Cat, it seemed like the perfect way to start over." Hermione gave Padma a small smile then lowered her head sadly.

Wanting to change the subject a bit Padma said, "Well I think it is perfect Hermione. Hogsmeade was in desperate need of a new bookstore, and the fact that you sell coffee makes it even more perfect. You can expect me in here daily." To this Hermione beamed. "But I should place my order so that I can get back to work. The boss won't be too happy if I am late getting back." She smiled as they both got up and walked over to the counter.

With a promise to get together and catch up some more, Padma left The Black Cat with a tray of coffee and a bag full of Hermione's delicious looking and smelling chocolate croissants. She was sure Severus would never turn down either, no matter how busy he was brewing potions.

Unlocking the door to the apothecary, Padma took down the "Be Back Soon" sign, and continued on back to the lab. Opening the door she could see that Severus had barely moved from the spot he was in when she left him. Sighing and shaking her head, she walked over to the table Severus was working on and placed a coffee and bag of croissants next to him.

"I brought you back a little something from the new place down the street. If the croissants and coffee are as good as they look and smell, you certainly won't regret taking a break to enjoy them." She encouraged. Her boss worked way too hard sometimes, barely taking a break most days, and she worried about him. "I'll be out front if you need anything Severus." She said, and started out of the lab.

As Padma reached the door she hear a soft "Thank you" from her boss, who didn't even turn around he was so engrossed in what he was brewing.

"You're quite welcome Severus." She replied, and continued out to the front of the store. She had a busy afternoon ahead of her.

AN: Next chapter you'll get some more Severus and Rose! Yay! :) P.S. Review please! :D