A/N: Yes I know I have a story in progress. Don't worry I will keep updating that one on Mondays for now these are just a series of one shots surrounding my favorite HP ships particularly Snamione and Wolfstar some no magic some with. Disclaimer: Not mine. Okay? Okay.
Justin Finch-Fletchey was once again late for a date that Hermione and he had planned a few weeks ago. Her boyfriend of three years had recently become a huge asshole. He never showed up for dates and often arrived at their home drunk and often missing a few more pounds than necessary. He had shaped up, or so she thought, after she threatened to leave him. Despite the happy beginnings, Hermione and Justin had met during their internships at Parliament, nothing could bring the relationship up from the dumps it had fallen into.
Hermione Granger had activated her A-Game for this night. She even used her connections in the government to secure a spot in one of the five star restaurants in downtown London. What a shithead!
She was wearing a sweetheart neckline red dress that stopped just above her mid thigh. She was severely pissed off at the fact she had been sitting alone at a table for over twenty minutes.
The other occupants of the room stared at the girl pityingly. The waiter had refilled her water glass 3 times, offering her a raised eyebrow each time. She met it with a shrug and sigh. It was times like these where she wished some form of magic existed in order to figure out where her daft soon to be ex-boyfriend was.
Across the restaurant, a slightly older man with hair as black as night and eyes to match watched the girl's internal struggle with pity. He had been that person before and it wasn't fun. Though he guessed he was at least 15 years older than her, he still thought he looked handsome enough to pull the stunt he was going to. He stood quickly regretting his decision immediately, but continuing his plan.
He crossed the room rapidly and stood a mere foot away from the girl's table.
Hermione looked up and saw the unconventionally handsome man clad in a navy shirt rolled to the elbows and fitted black pants. He spoke loud enough for the entire room to hear "Sorry I'm late, darling, the traffic coming out of the orphanage was godawful. I do hope you'll forgive me." In a quieter voice he added, "I'm Severus. Just go with it, yeah? Whoever had the balls to skip out on you is a real wanker and doesn't deserve you." He gave a seemingly unpracticed but gorgeous smile as the waiter returned and was finally able to take an order.
As the waiter left Hermione found her courage to speak, "Thank you for that. I'm Hermione Granger. My soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend stood me up for the umpteenth time has recently become a waste of time."
"It's my pleasure." He answered honestly. "It's better than purposely eating dinner by myself once again. I had forgotten what it's like to have company. This may seem a bit rude but how old are you? Why ever would you waste time on a man who would leave you alone at a restaurant like this when you seem like such a capable young woman."
"I just turned 23 last month. I have been questioning the worth of the relationship for quite some time. What about you? Why is such a hands- kind man like yourself eating all alone?" She kept eye contact whilst speaking with the man.
"I'm 42, a bit old for you probably, if age is a problem. I rarely find friends worth keeping. I often have a hard time sustaining intellectually stimulating conversations. I'm a chemist, you see. Science is a large part of my life." He grimaced at the facts he had admitted.
"Oh! So the structure analyses of biological macromolecules and using mass spectromic analysis to ascertain the use of structures and molecules would be of interest to you? And age is no problem for me." Her eyes gleamed with a bright intelligence he had never seen before. Her grin went from ear to ear. "Personally, I find it fascinating. What are your thoughts?"
"Well I'd have to think about it. What section of chemistry did you say you worked in?"
"I didn't. I'm not in the science field, as much as I'd like to be. I work in politics. I'm one of the Prime Minister's assistants." Her grin lessened.
"What?" He looked at her in disbelief. A bright young mind was being wasted away in the useless field of politics. "Your brain has much more value than politics, Hermione. If you ever change your mind, I could use an apprentice. Your intelligence would have a great impact on the field and we'd be glad to have you."
"Thank you, sir. I will definitely think on it. What part of chemistry is your main focus?" Her grin was back on her face due to the compliments from the handsome man.
"Just Severus, please. I research Physical and Organic Chemistry." With that, they dove into a long and stimulating conversation that held through dinner, going through a wide range of topics. It never bored either party and by the time Severus was paying the bill (he had insisted), the pair was reluctant to part.
They were leaving the restaurant as a man, very clearly drunk, stumbled into the pair. "Herrrrrmiione, I wab lookin for you. Who ib tat man?"
"This is Severus Snape. He took me to dinner tonight, when my ex-boyfriend didn't show. I'll have my things out of the apartment tonight." She tucked closer into the black-haired man's side and left a confused Justin in her wake. They walked down the alleyway, Severus' arm holding Hermione close. "I really enjoyed tonight, Severus. Thank you for being my knight in shining armor." Snape used his hand to cup her jaw and tilt it upwards.
"May I?" She nodded knowing full well what he planned to do. He leaned down, eyes half closed then whipping back open as their noses bumped together. A small giggle from Hermione elicited a big goofy grin from Severus. He turned his head to the side to allow more room for his rather large nose. He quickly closed the gap and when the softness of her lips reached his, a warmth spread through his body despite the chill of London October.
Hermione felt at home in the kiss, something she had never felt with Justin or any guy before him. The arms surrounding her and hands resting on her lower back had brought a security with it unknown to Hermione.
They broke apart slowly, each with a smile plastered on their face and brightness in their eyes. Severus spoke first, "How about we go and get your stuff and then we go on a real first date?"
"Let's make it our second. I happen to think our first was quite romantic. It'll be a great story for the kids." She groaned inwardly when she said that. He was going to run off now, she was sure of it.
Severus held her tighter and stood his ground. He leaned down so his mouth was next to her ear. "I can't wait."