Thank you all for your reviews! I appreciate them :)
Chapter 14
"I'd like everyone to welcome the newest member of the Order. Iris Navarro." Dumbledore introduced at the beginning of the meeting.
Iris blushed as everyone stared at her before refocusing their attentions on Dumbledore. She felt even more out of place since Severus was sitting up at the front of the room, along Remus and Analise, leaving her completely alone.
"Now for the minutes of our previous meeting." He continued.
Iris listened in fascination at everything that happened in the last meeting and felt a thrill of anticipation shoot through her stomach. When that was concluded Albus opened the floor for new business.
"Iris?" Dumbledore questioned softly.
"Yes?" She asked.
"How is the progress coming on our Deflector Potion?"
She averted her eyes and shifted uncomfortably. The truth was she and Severus hadn't even started on it yet. They would start but kept getting distracted with each other. She felt a stab of guilt for neglecting her job duties.
"It's slow going but good, I think. It's going to be tricky but I think Professor Snape and I are up for the challenge." She lied as she felt Severus' eyes boring into her.
"Excellent to hear!" Mr. Shacklebolt said excitedly.
Iris felt another stab of guilt and vowed that tomorrow they were going to get started on it. She was right when she said it was going to be tricky. Who knew how long it could take. The more she thought about it she didn't know if she'd been unconsciously putting it off due to her stipulation on their agreement. About their relationship being over when the potion was complete. She had no idea where they stood in that respect.
She forced herself out of that unpleasant thought and listened to Dumbledore asked if there are any new advancements. She watched in surprise as Severus stood up at this question.
"Yes Professor?" Dumbledore asked.
"Sir, I have received two visits from Lucius Malfoy." Severus admitted.
"Oh? And what did he want?"
"I have some unnerving news sir. The Dementors of Azkaban have defected to Voldemort's side. Prisoners will be escaping a couple at a time to return to the Dark Lord's aide. In a week and a half, I believe." Snape continued.
The room gasped and burst into a frenzy of talk and activity.
"Quiet down! Please!" Dumbledore said over the roar. "Thank you Severus." He continued after it settled back down. "That does put a different perspective on things. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this situation?"
The room became dead silent as everyone tried not to make eye contact.
"Yes, well....perhaps we need some time to think it over. Come to the next meeting with ideas. Dismissed." Dumbledore said.
Iris stood and was bombarded by members coming up to her and congratulating her and thanking her, making her feel even more guilty for slacking. She shook them off as politely as she could and made a dash for the door without even saying anything to Severus. She could feel his confused gaze following her across the room.
She was angry at herself for letting her lose sight of her goals, sense of self and duties just for the sake of a man.
That will all change starting tomorrow, she vowed.
When Iris rang Severus' bell the next morning she braced herself for a tongue lashing. The door swung open and she was surprised to find a smiling Severus on the other side. He tugged her inside and up the stairs without a word until they got to the lab.
"Good morning, Iris." He said as he drug her to him for a sloppy kiss. "I missed you last night. It wasn't the same without you here. What happened?"
"Are you ok?" She asked with concern as she pried herself away and watched him sway unsteadily. She had never seen him behave this way before.
"Sound as a pound love." He slurred.
"Are you drunk?" She asked with exasperation.
"Of course not!" He said indignantly. Then sputtered loudly with laughter.
"Severus pull yourself together. We've got to get started on that potion today." She admonished.
He walked toward her again and lifted a hand to fidget with the button at her throat. She'd opted for an outfit today that covered as much skin as possible. Her blouse buttoned all the way up to her neck and was long sleeved she wore it with a black skirt and had pulled her long hair into a bun. She'd told herself she looked professional but that crumbled at Severus' next words.
"You look like a librarian." He told her.
She rolled her eyes and pulled away as she batted at his hands.
"Are you sure you're ok?" She asked again.
"Peachy keen jelly bean." He almost giggled.
"You are so drunk!" She said.
"Yep. After you ditched me last night I had nothing to do. So...." He admitted as he swung his arm flamboyantly, breaking a beaker of potion in the process.
"This is ridiculous. I can't work like this. I won't work like this. I'm going to the Ministry to do this alone." She said and Disapparated in a huff.
Severus stood there in a blind stupor after she'd left. He'd felt inexplicably hurt last night when she'd ran out without a word. So he'd went to have a drink to soothe his ego. But one drink had turned to more than he could count quicker than he expected and he'd lost track of time.
Even in his current lush state he realized he'd just made a huge tactical error and cursed his stupidity.