» A Nighttime Stroll

[Garrick Braddock]

Hogsmeade…what a rotten place to be put on probation. His superiors didn’t want to him messing up anymore in London while he was off duty. If he did something while he was off, the Prophet could still say the Ministry got him to do it. It was easier just to put him somewhere where the Prophet would be less likely to report on him. Sure, he got his housing paid for as well as meals, but the village was dead. No risk of getting mugged every step you took, or fights breaking out…it was too quiet. He didn’t want to stir something up, not really because he was supposed to be on ‘good behavior’ but because he wanted to get out of this backwater village.

He pulled out his pipe and lit it as he walked down the street. He had just been in the Hog’s Head pub for several hours. Someone tried to start a fight with him, but he knocked him out in one shot. The drunks in London were a lot tougher. He hadn’t even broken a sweat…the drunk probably had broken a bone or two on the fall with how weak he was. Garrick shook his head. It was going to be a long suspension.

He looked up. Even though he was usually a hard man, when he looked on the stars he just stared for a moment, stopping in the middle of the walkway. It was night, so there was no one walking at that hour beyond him and a few others. He just stared up for a bit. He couldn’t help but think that the stars were something that night. He knew that you could see the stars of London, but it really wasn’t the same. They were almost brighter or clearer in the village. He took his pipe out of his mouth and took a swig of the drink he had with him. The fiery liquid made it down his throat, but he didn’t seem to notice too much.

Garrick kept walking down the street. A pack of children came his way. As the brushed by him, one seemed to search for a money bag on him. His hand lashed out and grabbed the kid’s hand. The kid screamed and the other kids ran away, leaving their compatriot. Garrick picked the child up and held him at eye level, blowing smoke in his face. “Looks like tonight isn’t your night kid.” The kid didn’t seem that scared and kicked him in the stomach. Garrick tightened his abdominals before the kid hit him, he barely felt it. The kid looked surprised and a little scared.

“You know kid…I’ve killed men for less than that kick. And you try pick pocketing someone who is a little more drunk, and a little less friendly…” he could barely keep a straight face saying that “…than I and he could take a knife, like this one…” He said taking the blade he carried with him out of his sheath “and do some awful things to a child. Some people just aren’t as ‘forgiving’ as me. So…if you want to keep yourself out of harm’s way, you’ll start respecting hard-earned cash of strangers…” he moved the knife closer, but not enough to even be considered threatening the kid more than he had before. “Do you understand the lesson I’ve taught yah tonight?”[b]

If the kid wasn’t scared before, he was now. He nodded fast and hard. Garrick put him down and patted him on his head. [b]“You go find yourself a job. Stop pickpocketing, or I may need to have another chat with you…” He wasn’t usually nice to pickpockets, unless they were children. He knew what that kid was doing…he had done it himself after all. He didn’t want him going through what he went through though. If that kid could start his life better, maybe he would be happier than Garrick was when he was younger.

Garrick’s usual frown cracked into a smile as the kid ran down the street, barely able to keep up with himself. Garrick turned and continued on his way. He blew smoke rings as he walked. He didn’t know how long this walk was going to be…it was a boring night…

[Siresca McKnight]

Siresca glared behind her. She was really sick at being followed. Why must her mother be so over protective anyway? She knew she was supposed to be chaperoned at every turn but it was getting a little irritating. Her mother felt she needed to get married, have kids, and being a nice mother to her grandchildren. Yeah...lovely. NOT. She rolled her eyes at the thought. Her mother expected her to want the same things most young ladies want. When Siresca really wasn't sure what she wanted out of her life to begin with. She nibbled on the corner of her lips as she wondered exactly what to do. She wanted to speak with her mother about having people following her but until she was married she really didn't have a choice. It was what society demanded of her. Was it bad that she really wanted to escape the madness and tell people to just shove it? It wasn't exactly lady like thoughts going through her head.

She needed to escape. She continued her walk, slowly, like nothing was going on in her head, all the while looking for a place to dart off to. Her eyes darted off to the side, she glanced into the buildings then down some of the alley ways. She could bolt into one of the buildings but her maid could follow her and what if there wasn't a back exit? She could just get herself stuck and the woman behind her would know to follow her closer. She didn't exactly want the woman to stand directly behind her. Plus if she managed to pull off this little stunt then there was no way in hell she was going to follow so far behind her next time. If she really wanted to get away from this woman tonight, she was only going to get one chance, and she needed to do it right. The red head resisted the urge to run her hands through her hair. She was a bit nervous and unsure how to go about the whole thing.

Annoyed at herself, Siresca did the one thing she really knew how to do. She ran. She set off in a dead sprint, her long slim legs carrying her much faster then the older, heaver set woman behind her. She could hear her shouts behind her. Never in her life had she felt so alive. Her heart was racing in her chest. She could scarcely breathe, but the pure adrenaline was keeping her going. She knew the woman behind her would have a hard time keeping up with her. But she knew she was also stubborn and determined to keep up with her. Siresca weaved through streets, walkways, and multiple buildings. She felt the first wave of panic hit her. She wasn't sure where she could lose the woman. It was then that she spotted a tall...and rather strikingly attractive younger man just outside of an alleyway. She bit down on her lower lip, she was just barely out of her chaperon's sights, she needed to act fast.

Siresca set off in a dead run toward the mystery man. She bolted straight for him, she rather awkwardly hit his chest as she attempted to drag him into the alley with her. He was taller then her, and very...very...hard. The guy had muscles. She swallowed. It was too late to back down now. ”Sir please...please.” Her eyes searched his face. ”Force me against the wall.....kiss me. Please I beg of you.” She groaned, trying to sound desperate. Worry laced the last few words, she knew it was only a matter of time before the woman found her. She needed to be hidden in his arms...masked as a common street wench. She tugged at the folds of his jacket urging him toward her. ”Please.” She begged again, searching his eyes for an response. ”Kiss me damn-it! Oh yes, she certianly was not going to pass as a true lady any time soon.

[Garrick Braddock]

Garrick had been just wandering down the street. He took his pipe out of his mouth and knocked the contents out, as it had gone out. He was about to try and refill it, when he was hit by something he didn’t quite see at first. He was a little shaken and immediately went on the defensive. The force of the person hitting him had brought him into the dark ally. His fist was already clentched, ready to punch whoever hit him. He was on suspension, but he wasn’t going let himself get attacked by a punk or vampire.

He then heard his assaulter speak. He stopped his attack and listened to her. She wanted him to force her against her against the wall and…kiss her? He looked her up and down, she had long legs (from what he could tell from under her dress) and her torso wasn’t so bad, although a little skinny. Her face was pretty as well, but it seemed to be twisted in worry. He wasn’t really one to not kiss a woman on request (although it was usually him trying to get them to kiss him...which would usually work). She also looked like she was in trouble. He smiled a bit and thought Well…I don’t want to be rude.

He moved close to her and moved her slightly roughly against the wall of the ally. He brought his mouth close to hers. His frame covered up most of her from view of the outside, although to be honest, that wasn’t what he was looking for exactly. He didn’t know that she was hiding from someone so he just wanted to kiss her. His lips touched hers and he started out slow, though he got pretty aggressive with his kissing.

He also was making sure this woman wasn’t a vampire. He had had a close call in a situation where he was kissing a woman and she tried to bite his tongue and suck his blood from there. He made sure to keep his tongue from the mouths of the women he kissed. He was in no kind of mood to be a vampire.

His arms wrapped around her, moving across her smooth green dress. He held the kiss, not really thinking that the danger that she was running from had passed or not, he was more or less just looking for something to cure the boredom of his night. He would probably stop if she didn’t want to continue, but he was bored and this was the first exciting thing to happen to him tonight.

[Siresca McKnight]

For the first time in her life Siresca actually felt scared out of her mind. If her chaperon found her she was going to be in for a world full of hurt as soon as her mother got a hold of her. And now she was standing in a dark alley with a man she didn't know. She didn't know if he was a killer, a pickpocket...perhaps even some kind of thug. She simply threw herself at him like some common whore hoping he would hide her from the woman chasing after her. She never ceased to amaze herself at the situations she got herself caught in. What made her think this guy would kiss her anyway? He didn't know her. For all she knew he could like men...why did that thought slightly bum her? She didn't even know the guy. She bit down on her bottom lip, wondering if he would listen to her. She wanted to pull him against her and kiss him herself, but that would be very bad on her end. Not to mention he may not take very well to a woman being so...forward. Granted Siresca had her moments but she didn't consider herself a common tramp either.

Something in his body language seemed to change. Did she just see a flare in his eyes. Oh...my... Her heart began to race as adrenaline spiked through her again. She felt herself going up against the wall. It felt cold against the back of her dress, yet it seemed welcoming. She didn't take her eyes off his. She was ready to react if his body language started to change. But the more she looked into his eyes the more she realized he seemed more...intrigued then anything else. Almost as if she was curing some kind of case of boredom he may have been suffering from. Glad I can oblige. She thought bitterly. Why did she want to stare into his eyes so much. Normally she would find herself looking away, perhaps even blushing, but his eyes seemed to captivate her. Something about this man screamed danger yet she really did not want to listen.

It was then that his mouth was on hers. His kiss was slow, almost...tender. She felt a ache low in her belly. Why did she suddenly want this so much? Her heart beat was accelerating, and she suddenly felt as if she were on fire. Perhaps it was because this was no where near like the lady like behavior her mother expected from her. It was thrilling....a walk on the dangerous side of life. Never in her life has she felt so alive...yet terrified at the same time. She was pretty much entrusting this man with not only her life...but her virtue. She could be compromised against that very wall, yet regardless of the warning bells going off in her head, all she could think about was how delicious his kiss was.

As his arms came around her, she heard a low noise escape her lips. A noise she hadn't been aware she was capable of. That sound came from her? As his arms came around her, she allowed herself to forget the danger she was in. She forgot about what she was running from, who she was. All that mattered was this man, and his kiss. Siresca allowed herself to sink into his kiss. She let her hands rise up to his hair, running her hands through the silken strands. He certainly wasn't a lower class man of the streets. He smelled heavenly, and his hair felt like silk...she loved it. His kiss was intoxicating. Who was this mystery man?

Stop kissing him! Her rational mind screamed. Siresca finally pulled back from his lips, her eyes searching his before slowly pushing on him. ”I think the danger has passed now.” She whispers, her voice slightly uneven. How could she not sound breathless? She didn't even want to pull away from the man. She liked being in his arms...they seemed so strong, and steady. She shook her head, trying to get herself together. ”Thank you...I didn't know how else to escape.... He probably thought some murderer was chasing her down. Not some chaperon. How was she to even explain that to him. Would he laugh at her? Why should she care. She didn't even know the guy. Yet why did the thought slightly sting?

[Garrick Braddock]

Garrick was deep in kissing the woman, when she suddenly pushed away from him. He looked confused at first, but then she spoke as if she had been running from something. He sighed. She had been in trouble and used him to hide herself. He shook his head to himself, though she being as close to him would be able to see it. And here I thought my night was going to be enjoyable he thought to himself.

He started to look at her face a moment. She had beautiful green eyes, though at the moment, he was very disappointed with how things turned out to really care. Though, he had to admit that it wasn't necessarily her eyes that got him to stare into her face a moment. He thought he recognized her. He could've swore he had seen her somewhere. He didn't recognize her voice, as she had spoken quickly and low, so he didn't have much more to draw on.

He was still not able to move on from the missed...evening. So he moved away from her in the ally. He examined her once more, looking at what he seemed to be being taunted with by some higher force and was half thinking of leaving. He didn't really have much invested in this woman. He didn't think she actually wanted to be around a dangerous guy like him, so his mind told him to leave and just let things be.

He turned and was about to disappear down the street, when a thought came into his head. He had the strangest suspicion that this woman was someone he knew. He couldn't shake it and it would bother him all night. At the same time, he knew that the Ministry was upset with him for his...harsh actions in the field. He needed to earn extra graces with them. Perhaps if he were to help this woman out, he would at least be able to get a better chance at being back in London before long.

He turned back to the woman and looked at her. "So...what were you running from?" he asked her calmly. He would prefer to know what he was up against before he agreed to help the woman.

[Siresca McKnight]

When Siresca stood there staring at the man before her, she felt breathless. It was strange that one person could affect her so much. Especially someone she didn't know. Though his face was vaguely familiar to her. It was almost as if he went to one of her parents parties. Though...with eyes like that how could she possibly forget a man like him? They were so, piercing. It was almost as if they pierced her soul. She felt like she could get lost in those eyes. She knew so little about him, but she couldn't help but wonder if those eyes held his emotions. Did he wear his heart in his eyes? Her mother told her everything she was feeling could be read in her green eyes. But was this man the same? As she looked him over, something told her he was a master at hiding his emotions. He seemed so stern...so...in control of himself. Which was one of the things that made her feel slightly safe in his presence. She knew he was capable of hurting her, what man wasn't, yet...she felt safe. When he looked away from her, she felt bare. What was it about his eyes? Why did they compel her so much?

The man pulled away from her and she suddenly felt cold and alone. Siresca didn't let men near here in her life. Sure she teased and taunted on the dance floor, the looks her mother gave her were always classic, but that was usually as far as she let it go. She knew her mother likely believed she was a ruined woman, but it was hardly the case. Her fiance had been the only man to kiss her, and his kisses were nothing like what she just experienced. She rather enjoyed being pressed against the building. You are over thinking it. Just pull away from the guy. You needed to get away from that horrid woman and you did. Event over. Why did she always seem to have a conscious when she really didn't want one?

Siresca watched the man head for the alley way. Leaving already. She stared down at the ground. So now she was out of company of her chaperon, and she could do whatever she wanted...but now she had no idea what in the hell she wanted to do. When she looked back up, the man was turning back to her. Those striking eyes landing back on her, warming her instantly. Siresca felt her cheeks turning red. I don't know if you would even understand.” She said after a moment. She felt like he would laugh at her. He wasn't the one being followed around constantly. If she told him he would likely walk away....laughing. She glanced back at her feet, trying to find the correct words. ”It's my chaperon.” She said after a moment, finally finding her voice. ”The woman is dreadful. I needed to escape her. I can't ever breathe with her around. I'm sick of being followed around as if I'm a child. They think that just because I'm unmarried I need a bloody guardian. It's irritating. I took off running from her, and the bloody woman began to chase me. So I ran....until I found you. I saw my escape...so I took it.” Her eyes had lifted sometime in the middle of her confession to find his. ”Please try not to laugh...I just needed to get away.”

[Garrick Braddock]

Garrick was not laughing. His face kept it's serious expression. He was not happy about this. He had just helped someone into trouble...and if someone told anyone in the Ministry about it and his name would be mentioned, he would get into trouble. He could be stuck in this boring village longer...if not he could be fired. He was in hot water and keeping his nose clean was the top priority on his list.

He straightened his coat and sighed. He didn't want to have to deal with this tonight. His hands went into his pocket. "Don't worry...I'm not laughing" He said calmly in his soft-yet stern voice. He started out of the ally and turned down the road.

His mind kept moving fast. What a waste of time. He could have been at a bar or hired a whore or something else more productive that night. Here he was helping out a child with parental issues...although she was quite attractive. He couldn't deny the things he wanted to do with her...but she was using him, a mistake others had made and it had cost them more than him just walking away.

He stopped in his steps and took out a pipe. He leaned against the side of the building and lit the pipe. He was once more out of things to do tonight...although in his mind the bar didn't sound like too bad of a place to be right then. Maybe if he drank enough he wouldn't remember much of this.

[Siresca McKnight]

Siresca felt like someone just slapped her in the face. The way he looked at her was some what menacing. As if she was a petty pathetic child. She wanted to look away from those eyes. Those eyes were so dark, and he looked very irritated with her. Yet she felt compelled to them. Why did she have to like this man? His looks appealed to her, which was rare for her. Most men were boorish. They may be appealing in appearance but their personality tended to bore her to tears. This man, he seemed to spark something within her. He appeared sexy, dangerous, and so out of her league, yet she wanted very much to run her hand through his hair, and the other over his chest. Siresca wasn't used to being affected by men. This was an entire new experience for her and it intrigued her. Too bad he wasn't going to look at her like he was earlier again. He now seemed disgusted with her, and she felt ashamed of herself for using him the way she had. But how else was she to escape that horrid woman? She hadn't been sure what else to do, and it had been completely spur of the moment. Couldn't he see that? She wanted to growl at him.

She felt sudden sadness as the unnamed man walked away from her. His voice clearly showed his annoyance. She felt unsure what to do next. Should she follow him? She wasn't sure where to go or what to do now that she was away from her 'body guard' and it slightly scared her to be alone. Siresca bit down on her bottom lip, hoping like hell that her chaperone was no where near around. The man stopped to light something, probably a cigar. Uncaring just what he thought of her, she ran up to him. She forced herself to move to stand before him, forced herself to look up into those dazzling eyes. Her breath hitched for a moment. Damn him for affecting her so much. ”Listen, I get it you are pissed at me for having a stupid excuse to kiss you, for wasting your time...but I kind of would prefer not to be alone.” She looked at him. She wanted her freedom, just not to be...alone. Especially since it was dark. ”If I had asked you to kiss me without any kind of danger...simply just because, would you have? Her voice was slightly challenging. She knew she was playing with fire, but she was finding she seemed to enjoy being a pyro.

”Truth is...” She sighed and looked down, trying to find the right words. ”I'm locked inside my house all the time. It's irritating as hell. I rarely get out, and when I do I'm followed around like I'm an infant. I hate not being able to do what I want to do. I'd like someone to show me around this bloody town for a change, without pulling me away from every shop that seems interesting....” Her eyes slowly lifted to his. ”I'd like you to show me around this place. I hardly know you...but I feel comfortable being around you. And I know you likely know a lot more about this place then I do.” She really...really...enjoyed that kiss. And was finding it very difficult not to look back at those sinful lips that were pressed against hers not even five minutes ago. ”Please...” Her plea was very soft. She knew he was likely going to say no, and walk away. Why would he bother with someone like her anyway? She felt so vulnerable all of a sudden, yet again a new feeling. This time not something she enjoyed.

[Garrick Braddock]

Garrick blew a smoke ring as he lit his pipe. He coughed a little, but then he looked up and saw before him the girl who had kissed him. She looked like she wanted something. He didn't have to wait long. Soon she was talking so much that he couldn't stop her if he wanted to he thought. At least not if he didn't want to be rude. He listened. It wasn't even a half 'I don't care' listening. He was actually paying attention. She seemed hurt by him going away and he thought that at least he could hear her out a little. In his head he sighed and wondered why she kept coming back for him.

So she seemed to be a protected girl. Her parents must really wanted to keep her safe...of course that would've led her to either become extremely shy, or do what she had done with him and be a little stupid in situations involving strangers. He thought back to the kid he just stopped. She should be careful with the people who she did things like that with. If he had been a bad person, he could have easily raped her and not thought about it. He wasn't a good person, but he had a bit more...respect for others than that. He thought it immoral and just about the worst thing a person can do. He was especially harsh when killing rapists...

Finally she ended her talking. He remained silent for a few seconds. He blew a smoke ring up and thought things over. He could leave her there and that may teach her not to be so friendly to strangers. But at the same time, he couldn't leave a woman out in the cold night alone...especially one who asked him to escort her...He wasn't so much angry at her at what she had done. He guess he was just more annoyed with her having looked like she could've been wasting his time before. At this point though, he realized he had nothing better to do. Also, in the back of his mind, he thought that the woman was attractive...a little skinny, but he didn't mind. He half-hoped (although didn't expect) the night may end on a high note...

"Well..." he said in his gruff voice. "I suppose I could stick around a bit....although to be honest, you shouldn't trust someone just because of a feeling you get...you never know what sort of person you are talking to if they are a stranger..." His eyes flashed their strange greenish yellow. His mishap with becoming an (illegal) animagis left him with that and a bit sharper teeth, but he thought they made him more frightening. Something that in his profession helped. "...and also, I am kinda new here...donno how much help I'll be." His speech was short and direct, he wasn't one to say more than he needed to. This wasn't to be more frightening, he just didn't have a lot to say.