Formidable Liaisons

Chapter 11

Damn, Severus thought as he rushed over to where Iris lay. What the hell is she
doing here?

He lifted her easily into his arms and brought her into the house so he could lay
her on the sofa. He noticed blood dripping down her cheek from a cut along her
hairline and felt an unknown emotion wash over him.

“Ennervate.” Snape whispered softly and watched as Iris’ eyes open slowly.

Iris tried to focus on Severus’ face floating above her and wanted nothing more
than to start shouting at him, however she was blinded by the pain in her head and
a little afraid on where he stood.

Oh Merlin! What if he’s a Deatheater too, she thought frantically as her eyes
widened in fear. He’s going to kill me because I’ve seen too much.

Severus saw terror fill her gaze and suddenly realized how that must have looked
to her. Damn, he thought again.

“Iris, I’m not going to harm you. It’s not what it looked like.” He said quietly as he
watched her feel the cut on her head. It really is bleeding a lot, he thought.

“You stunned me.” She said simply as her eyes filled with tears.

He watched her blink the tears away and felt that unknown emotion again. If I
have the power to emotionally hurt her that means a rule has been broken. If it is
just physical, why should she care who I talk to? So really, she’s in violation of
rule one and this deal should be off, he thought forced indignance.

“I had to.” He said soothingly as he pressed a wet rag that he had conjured to her
head. “My Stunner was fifty times better than anything Malfoy would have done
to you. I saved you but I had to hurt you in the process. Here drink this. It will
help the pain in your head. I’m truly sorry”

Iris felt her anger melting away at his heartfelt apology but she still needed some
answers.

“Are you a Deatheater?” She asked boldly as she met his eyes in a silent challenge.

“No.” He said as he returned her gaze. She continued searching his eyes and
Severus knew she wanted more. Surprisingly he wanted to give it to her also.

“I used to be.” He elaborated to her.

“How did you get out? They kill everyone who wants to defect.” She asked
curiously.

“They don’t know I’ve defected.” Severus said. “I’m a double operative.”

“Who is your other group?” Iris questioned.

Severus sized her up before answering. She’s trustworthy, talented and doesn’t
gossip. Should I tell her?

“It’s called the Order of the Phoenix.” He answered.

“I’ve never heard of it.” She said.

“Iris is your head alright? You’re still bleeding quite profusely.” He asked with
concern.

“It will be fine. Now what is this organization?” She insisted.

“It’s a secret organization headed up by Albus Dumbledore.” He said.

“Wow. And it’s wizards against Voldemort.” She guessed astutely.

“Exactly.”

Iris let this information sink in until everything started clicking into place. A
Deflector Potion. The request coming from Dumbledore and Shacklebolt. And I’ve
always thought that Shacklebolt was up to something on the side.

“That’s what we’re working on the Deflector Potion for. Aren’t we?” She asked.

Once again he found himself sizing her up. He had promised Dumbledore not to
share this information until he was absolutely sure she could be trusted.

“Yes.” He answered gently as her intense blue eyes searched his. Now who’s the
one breaking the rules, he thought.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” She asked with an offended tone to her voice.

“They didn’t know if you would assist if they told you why.” He said but he knew at
once that wasn’t the right thing to say.

“Oh so now I’m vicious, am I? I don’t care about the advancement of wizard-kind?”
She argued.

“Of course not. Look at all the people you help with your potion contributions.
You’re one of the best people I know. Giving, smart, beautiful and sweet.” He
rambled then felt embarrassed as she stared at him with an odd look in her eyes.
“After you get past the rudeness and bitchiness.” He added on quickly.

Nice backhanded compliment, she thought with a smile.

“It’s just that some pure bloods are against the Order and for Deatheaters
instead. They didn’t know which side you would be on.” Severus continued.

“That’s true.” She said. “And just for the record, I’m anti-Deatheater.”

“Would you like to join us?” Severus asked a sudden whim.

“I’d like that.” She answered and flashed him a smile.

“Good. Now how about we get you cleaned up and go on that date?” He said.

“Oh yeah. I almost forgot.” She said sheepishly.

“I’m flattered.” He teased in a mock hurt tone.

“You know what I mean. It is quite a distraction when you’re boyfriend is talking to
an escapee from Azkaban.” She said, snapping her mouth shut the instant she
finished the sentence. Damn, I just said boyfriend. What the hell was I thinking?

Severus wanted to laugh at her uncomfortable state. He heard the word
boyfriend and it didn’t upset him like he thought it would. In fact he kind of liked
that she’d called him that. It’s not like you can just use the word sex partner, he
reasoned.

“I understand. It’s not everyday you send a Stunner at your girlfriend.” He
answered with a smile that spoke volumes.

Wow, this is getting deep, they both found themselves thinking.

“Ready?” She asked after she’d cleaned her face off.

“The question is, are you ready? For the time of your life that is.” He said in a
faux lighthearted tone, extremely aware that something had just shifted between
them and not sure if either was ready for it.