Chapter 10

"Oh Merlin! You're going on a date with Severus Snape?" Analise squeaked at Iris. "Did you hear that Remus? Isn't that exciting?"

"Very." He agreed. "Though it's a bit strange I must admit."

"Why do you say that?" Iris asked curiously.

"Well, I've known him for years and I don't recall ever seeing him out with a woman. He was always too into his potions for the dating scene." Remus said.

"Oh." Was all Iris could respond with, feeling more nervous than before.

"When are you going?" Analise asked.

"Tomorrow night." Iris answered.

"I knew after I saw you guys kissing that he was going to ask you out! I still feel so bad for walking in on you two. It looked pretty intense. Maybe you can ogle his goodies some more during your date." Analise said with a wink.

"Ok, I can't listen to this girl talk anymore." Remus said as he feigned a sickened look. "I'll see you later love." He continued after he kissed Analise goodbye.

Iris waited for the annoyance to come but it didn't. She was actually finding it sweet. Just a few short days ago that would have made her uncomfortable but now she found herself comparing their kiss to Severus and hers. Uh oh, she thought as warning bells began going off.

She finally realized Analise had began to speak again and tried to shift her attention back to her rambling friend.

"...And oh Merlin, did you hear about the escapee from Azkaban yet?" Analise said.

"Your kidding! An escape from Azkaban. That hasn't happened since Sirius Black! Who was it Analise?" Iris asked in disbelief.

"Lucius Malfoy." Analise with a sense of foreboding.

"No! Damn Deatheaters. You don't think he'll come after you do you?" Iris asked, thinking back to Analise's stories of being held captive.

"I don't know." Analise said honestly. "But I've got Remus now. I trust him with my life, I'll be fine. Listen I've got to go to work. If I don't see you before your date, have fun! Stop by the Three Broomsticks if you guys want to." She said as she made her way to the front door where she turned around suddenly. "Try to get some sleep. You look like you haven't had any in days."

Iris gave an lascivious smile as she thought back to why she hadn't slept in days and tried to keep the flush from her cheeks.

"Going right now actually. Thanks." Iris said as she made her way upstairs and sank into bed. She couldn't help but notice how cold and empty the bed felt without Severus in it.

Iris scrambled around frantically the following evening as she got ready for her date. She'd couldn't remember ever being this anxious. She'd already changed outfits eleven times and redid her hair four times but nothing seemed to look right.

He was supposed to come pick her up at six but she had decided she was going to turn the tables on him and go to him instead. She forced herself to wear the last outfit she tried on, which happened to be a little black dress with spaghetti straps and a pair of black heels. She left promptly at five thirty and decided to walk so she could calm her nerves a bit with the fresh air.

I can't believe I'm going through with this. We have so much in common and he seems genuinely interested in what I have to say. Plus he's a straight-shooter, no beating around the bush with him. And he's honest. That's important. If I'm not careful I could lose my heart to him, she thought reluctantly as she strolled.

Iris came to his walk and took a deep calming breath as she zeroed in on his house. But her attention was distracted when she saw a head with shockingly blonde hair standing at the door talking to Severus in rapt conversation.

Who is that? I know that hair, she wondered for a moment until realization hit her. What in the bloody hell?

She watched Severus' eyes widen in shock at her presence and Lucius Malfoy turned abruptly to see why.

Iris turned around quickly and began to run back the way she came but in her heels it was difficult. She was so shocked at his unexpected betrayal she didn't even think about Apparating. Consorting with Deatheaters, escaped Deatheaters at that? Merlin, how could I have been so wrong about him? It's my own fault. Why should I even try to trust my judgement, she asked herself angrily, fighting tears and trying to ignore the pain tearing through her.

Snape watched Malfoy raise his wand but quickly beat him to it.

"Stupefy!" Severus cried and watched as Iris crumpled into a heap on the street.

"Nice one." Malfoy said.

"Thanks. Listen, you better go before the Ministry gets here, I'm sure one of the nosy ass neighbors will have called them on the ruckus. I'll deal with the girl." Snape said.

"True. I'll contact you later and in a safer place." Lucius said before he Disapparated, leaving Severus to deal with the situation.

Can you hear the suspenseful music playing??

Don't hate me. You know me and my cliffhangers.....