Keeping Snape in character is tougher than I thought. :)

Thanks for your reviews! I appreciate them. I was nervous about my Snape story. What sounds good to you, may not be good to others. So thanks again and keep them coming!

Chapter 3

Iris was awakened three days later by insistent knocking on the door. She grunted and pressed her pillow over her ears. Let Analise get it, she thought as she rolled over to go back to sleep.

Five minutes later the pounding was still going on. Analise must be at Remus' again. Damn. Oh well, let them keep knocking. Idiot obviously should realize no one's here, she thought as she reached for her wand to put a Silencing Charm around her room. The knocking stopped and Iris smiled triumphantly as she snuggled back under the covers to fall back asleep.

She didn't know how long she slept but the click of her bedroom door opening woke her. She gripped her wand tightly under the covers as her eyes darted to the door.

Iris didn't know whether to be relieved that it was Severus or pissed off that he just walked into her personal space.

"How the hell did you get in here?" She demanded as anger won out.

"I got the key from Analise." Severus answered smoothly.

"She just gave you the key? Why?" She persisted.

"I was concerned when you didn't answer the door." He said.

"Right. I'm sure. What do you really want?" She asked suspiciously.

"We need to get started on those potions." Severus said domineeringly.

"I'm not going to work with you." Iris stated stubbornly.

"When you promise Dumbledore assistance, you will assist." Snape ordered.

"Like hell." She argued.

"You gave your word." He said.

"I refuse to work with you." She insisted.

"Either you get out of that bed or I'll get you out." He threatened as his brown eyes flashed with anger.

"You wouldn't dare!" She retorted.

For a moment they stared each other down until Severus finally moved with lightening quick speed to the side of the bed and hoisted her out of it. He heard her scream in irritation but it only fueled his determination. She sure knew how to push his buttons.

He set her roughly down on her feet and drank in the sight of her. Her black night gown had spaghetti straps and both straps were slipping off her smooth shoulders. The only thing that was keeping the gown up were her full breasts and he felt his mouth go dry out of the sight of it. Her long black hair was utterly bed-headed and her blue eyes sparkled with rage. She looks sexy as hell, he thought as he felt his sex stir. He felt aggravation arise again, no matter how much she infuriated him, he couldn't seem to get his body to agree with his mind. He'd spent three days with her in his dreams.

Iris watched his eyes rake over her form and she felt extremely vulnerable. She reached for the comforter off the bed to cover herself.

"I can't believe you." She said indignantly.

"Get dressed and meet me downstairs. We've got a lot of work to do." He said brusquely and left the room.

Iris watched him completely dumbfounded until the door shut. She picked up a shoe off the floor and hurled it with all her might at the door. Bossy prick, she thought angrily as she sat down on the bed, deciding whether to do as he said or not.

An hour later Iris picked her way downstairs and found Severus sitting at the kitchen table with his arms crossed.

"About time." He said snidely.

"Well you know, after you destroyed all my beauty enhancement products I had to do everything the long way." She retorted.

Snape smiled in spite of the irritation. She is a worthy opponent for my wit, he reluctantly admitted to himself.

"What?" She asked suspiciously.

"Nothing. Let's go." He said as he stood and led the way to the door.

Iris followed him obediently but looked up in surprise as he locked the front door and reached for her hand.

"What are you doing?" She asked in panic.

"Apparating." He said patronizingly.

"Where are we going?" She inquired.

"My lab."

"Where's your lab?" She pestered.

"Please hold all questions until the end of the tour. Thank you. Drive through." He said as he grabbed her hand. In a burst of light they were gone.

As they stood in his potion chamber, Iris looked down at their clasped hands and had to shake off a shudder. His touch electrified her. How can someone I detest turn me on this much, she thought in exasperation. She quickly pulled her hand away and took a step back to distance herself from the onslaught of emotions.

Iris looked around the room and was almost jealous. He had an incredible supply cabinet and a huge space dedicated to potions.

"It's very clean and organized." She said in awe.

"And that surprises you?" Severus asked as he watched her eyes widen with child-like excitement.

"A little." She said honestly. "This is really a great space Mr. Snape."

"Thank you." He said, happy that they'd finally found some middle ground. "Call me Severus. If we're going to be working together we can't be that formal."

Iris stared for a moment before giving him a weak smile. "No. I suppose you're right."

She felt her stomach flop as he returned her smile, revealing surprisingly white even teeth. Damn he's hot, she thought suddenly. Stop it Iris, he is not.

"Where should we start?" He asked.

"Several of the Ministry's code seven's were in that box. I think we should start with them." She said feeling completely in her element now that she could distract herself.

"What is a code seven?" He asked curiously, finding he liked listening to her. He'd never met anyone else who was as in to potions as he was.

"They are Restorative potions." She explained. "Such as Swelling Solutions and Deflating Drafts and Burn Healing Pastes."

"Fascinating." He said, meaning it. "Who concocts these potions?"

"My team of developers. And me." She said. "I think it's best if we each take a couple of potions, that way we won't be in each others way." She continued as she handed him a list of potions and their ingredients. She tried not to notice when their hands brushed in the exchange.

"Good idea." He said, grateful she was giving him space.

"Let me know if you need anything." She said.

For the rest of the day each worked diligently on their potions. Looking up occasionally to see what the other was doing or ask a question. Iris hated to admit it but Snape's potion skills were quite impressive. Not that she'd tell him that of course.

Seven hours later when moonlight was pouring in the skylights Severus finally pulled her from her zone.

"Iris?" He quietly said as he stood next to her so he wouldn't interrupt her mixing.

"Hmm?" She asked distractedly.

"It's late. Why don't we start fresh tomorrow." He answered.

"We just started a couple of hours ago." She said as she finally looked at him.

"Try seven. You slept all day, remember?" He replied.

"Seven?" She asked disbelievingly. She looked up and saw darkness had taken over. "Wow. So it is. Sorry about that."

Severus felt an intense connection as he gazed at her and was hit with the sudden urge to kiss her. He pulled her to him suddenly and brought his lips to hers. Her mouth was open in surprise which gave him the opportunity to kiss her deeply. His tongue thrust into her mouth, seeking hers as he wound his fingers in her hair.

Iris stood stock still in shock at the sudden contact but quickly relaxed. She made a little cooing noise in her throat as she brought her own hands up to tangle her fingers in his hair. She kissed him back as the kiss went from hot to hotter and she tipped her head to the other side for better access.

She felt his hands move from her hair to her rib cage and reality finally hit her. What am I doing?

She tore herself away from his strong arms and gasped for breath.They both stood there staring at each other, stunned and confused at what had just happened.

"Iris, I..." Severus began.

"I have to go. Right now." She said as she Disapparated with a pop.