AN: Hi, I understand you are patiently waiting for the other story but, I can't help it, this just popped into my brain and I truly enjoyed writing it. Have a read if you've got the time...I think it is rather delightful.

Thanks,

~Penny

This was the fifth date they'd been on since her friend Aurora had set her up with a British wizard who she worked with at Hogwarts. He was extremely sophisticated for a half blood.

Juniper Renoir was a polite and simple pure blood witch; she was a resident healer at the St. Mungo's hospital in France but had been recently transferred to the London head branch due to shortage of staff.

One night Aurora Sinistra, her friend from their time as students at Beauxbatons had demanded she accompany her for some dinner and drinks at a local joint in Central London. Juniper was well aware as to how persuasive her friend could get and therefore decided to abide by said request. Juniper's decision to do so felt rather inappropriate all of a sudden; seeing Aurora had not invited her for dinner and drinks alone but, to a staff party where she was allowed to bring a companion. Juniper remembered feeling so out of place when Aurora had introduced her to her colleagues. However charming, they were still strangers and Juniper was not extremely comfortable around strangers. Her mother always had a rather large problem with her asocial nature, but Juniper had learnt to live with it.

Juniper smiled as she returned back to the present. She noticed his gaze; his deep, dark eyes gazing at her carefully, penetrating her very soul. Juniper blushed deeply; he seemed to be a professional when it came to inciting that particular uncontrollable response from her face.

"Shall we get dessert?" she asked him once they were out of the restaurant as he nodded and they began to walk towards the patisserie near her building. Juniper was well aware that he did not enjoy sweet things; she had a particular liking to such indulgences. He seemed to not care enough to refuse her, so she delightfully pulled him there, just like the other two dates that they had been on.

Juniper walked with her hands holding her arms, she felt as if she would freeze right there, a rash decision on her part to act smart and believe the muggle weather forecasts. It was definitely below five degrees and here she was half frozen to death.

Her companion seemed to notice her disposition, but Severus was not sure as to whether he should part with his coat for a woman who was freezing to death and yet wanted to eat a berry sorbet with sponge cake. Her insistent rubbing of hands made him clench his teeth, if he was not chivalrous and courteous to a lady then was just an untamed animal like the rest of the male species.

After a short refusal to accept his gift, Juniper finally had her frame draped around his warm coat, she had a feeling it smelt just like him, not that she had any previous knowledge as to how he smelt, but she would most certain know now that, if nothing, he smelt like ground mint, with just a dash of freshly watered mud. He smelt of rain. He smelt perfect.

The coat rest around her body till they walked to her building where they stood and waited for the customary exchange of pleasantries, that meant casual banter and talks of here and there.

If Juniper had been in France, the third date would have been going second base in a drunken stupor. It was not that she was desperate to wrap her arms around any man she went out with a few times. It was just that there, it happened at an accelerated speed. However, this was nice as well, slow, calm, unpredictable, especially seeing that the man she was dating had not once tried to get close to her. Normally, men were handsy, acting funny, in the sense, to try and score some 'luck'. However, this chap was different, Juniper, knew and understood that. She seemed fine with it, she seemed to have thought it through, she seemed to think, that her time was at his disposal. Once they had slowed on the pleasantries, it seemed that there light conversation full of small talk had come to the awkward part of the night. Normally, their dates were extremely interesting, they were equally interested in the work the other did, equally funny and witty about certain things, they seemed to have several things in common. However, when it came to say goodnight at the end of the date, they both stood at an awkward pause. On the first date, he had actually just smiled and waved goodbye, on the second one an awkward handshake had ensured that their meeting was at an end.

Juniper seemed to have wanted him to make a move tonight, she thought he might even try something, but it was obvious he wasn't going to be breaking his stiff posture to touch her at all. Juniper smiled and turned around, she wasn't desperate or anything, but she just wanted to know that he liked her like she had begun to like him.

The sound of her name leaving his lips seemed to ignite something unknown within her as she turned around to see the reason for his call. He stood rooted in his spot and looked at her unblinkingly. She cocked her head slightly to the right waiting for him to respond. He took several quick successive strides to reach her in a matter of seconds. She had been right outside the lift doors before he had asked her to wait.

Juniper looked up at him; the distance between them had been the least than it ever had. Juniper wondered excitedly why that was, but he seemed to be answering her query without words. His hands where on her shoulders, his touch was gentle, extremely gentle; it felt as if he wasn't touching her at all. He seemed to lean closer to her, being a few inches taller than her he seemed to have to lean in closer and closer to do the deed. She couldn't help it she leaned in too, his hold on her was mesmerising.

Severus frowned, why was she leaning into him? All he wanted was his coat back. It was a fine suit and he did not wish to ruin the rare expensive piece of clothing he owned, neither did he wish for another person to ruin it for him.

She looked up at him, looking at his face for something, anything that would declare his intentions but, his face was devoid of expression. He however, did try to say something, something encouraging, an endearment perhaps but, it died on his lips as it faded into a sigh while he blinked back at her. He leaned in closer, hoping to have his coat back, but she completed the task for him. Except, it wasn't the task he had previously set out for it to be.

At first, he was surprised, the woman, was kissing him, on his lips, this in itself was a rather rare occurrence for him (which was odd for a twenty two year old man). Soon, he froze, her lips, her soft lips were on his, they tasted like berry sorbet and sponge cake, she smelt divine. He acted out of pure instinct, kicking his manners into a bin in his head. His hands that had rested on her shoulders seemed to fall to her waist in one smooth action. He took a step closer in order to not leave any space between them. All he wanted was to devour the soft mounds of flesh over her small mouth. She seemed to have allowed him accidental access in there, but she did not bother stopping him when he forced his tongue in once more. She moaned softly, he could not help but pull her closer to him, so close that their bodies were nothing but close. His nose seemed to be a liability, poking her cheek adamantly. He despised this part of his face, she however, seemed to be enjoying it thoroughly.

Severus did not want to seem to let go of this moment, but soon his adrenaline pulsed higher and his blood rushed towards his stomach, he broke the kiss because he could no longer hold his breath, neither did he wish to frighten her with the prospect of his...carnal excitement for her.

He looked at her once their breathing had returned to a settled state, he was worried that she might point out his inexperienced ways or probably jib about his inappropriate ways. Severus was however, put his misery to rest when he could see her blush and push a strand of her golden ringlets behind her ear, it however, did not stay, so he placed it for her. She smiled at him; he smiled right back at her. He had no idea; he was still capable of doing that. She finally spoke.

"You forgot your coat...maybe...you could come collect it this Thursday...at dinner in my flat, I am told that my cooking is...palatable?" she asked coyly joking.

"That would be most prudent," he replied looking straight into her eyes.

She kissed him gently on the lips and bide him goodnight another time that night. He only left after she disappeared behind the lift doors.

AN: If you liked this story please review and subscribe, because I might just post some more one shots about this pairing.