8:00 PM
Outfit

Kia hated Knockturn Alley. Every step she took down it's dark and twisting street made her stomach clench and her heart race in terror. Thankfully she didn't normally grace the damp and dank cobblestones with her terrified footfalls, especially not at night. But she had run out of a cooling potion that she needed for the sick firecrab her father left her to care for that evening and no place was open this late except for Crinchleys.

"Thank you..." Kia muttered, trying to ignore the leering smile the vile clerk was giving her as she dropped a couple sickles on the table. It made her feel dirty and terrified, especially when it was tripled by the lascivious leers of some shady looking customers. Instinctively, Kia's hand pulled at the hem of her skirt. Why oh why did she have to wear a short skirt on the one evening she would be walking alone in Knockturn Alley? maybe, dare she admit it, her father was right and she should just not wear anything above her knee out in public. Or maybe she should just be smart enough to take River with her next time.

Clutching her potion supplies to her chest, Kia bowed her head and hurried out of the store, the bell jingling behind her. When it rang again seconds later, she felt her heart start hammering against her chest. Her footsteps quickened and she tried to dig in her purse for her wand. In her rush, with her bag of supplies making it hard to find her wand, Kia tripped on a broken cobblestone and fell to her knees. To her horror, not only did her much needed Sasquatch blood break and pour all over the dingy cobblestones, but her two persuers caught up with her. Towering over her, one kicked her purse (and her wand) a few feet away as the other leered down at her.

"Why Ello there Lass... A bit late for little girls to be out don'tcha think 'Enry..." he leered, his grubby and broken teeth glinting dimly in the light.

"Most indubitably my dear Jack... There be monsters lurking in the darkness... Tis best that we help the little lass home..." sneered the other, reaching for Kia's arm. She tried to crawl backwards in an attempt to escape, but paused when she realized that the action was giving them a nice view up her skirt. Flushing in horror, she cringed and waited for the inevitable attack.

Diagon alley was more suited for those who lacked a thick skin and darker intentions. However it's sister street, it's dark double, or evil twin; Knockturn alley was meant for those with a seedy reputation and dealings not meant for the view of sunlight. The activities that were being performed within the broken down flats and shops weren't exactly meant for outside witnesses.

Worse yet was when someone unfamiliar was feeling brave or better yet foolish enough to enter their alleyway. They had little hope of staying unscathed and unaltered. If they remained in one piece at all. People who have shaded intentions tended to stay together if there was one who wished you harm it was a good bet that a few others waited in the wings with similar tastes.

Simon, having lived in the alley for years now, however blended with the shadows fine. If you belong there it is known in how you walk. So when the young beauty with a skirt leaving little to the imagination cantered past earlier, Simon got up from where he was gambling and kept an eye on her. She was the curious sort, she didn't fit in one bit and if she did he would surely have known her.

When she slipped into the shop Simon leaned against the wall waiting for her to come back out. It was sad though when she did she had been obscured by two brutes who seemed to think physical force was going to be the way to night. Simon trailed behind watching as they practically corralled her into the wrong direction.

At a gallop he saw the one reach for her arm, his hand grabbed for his wand and there was a flash of red as he shot a spell with a yell of "Stupefy!" the first attacked flew away crumpling into an old crate in the side of the corridor they chased her down. Before the other attacker could be the wiser he shot a similar hex at the other man rendering him useless.

Simon then proceeded to run up to the girl, not sure why the hell he cared or why he saved her other than he couldn't let those two dolts do what they were intending. "Oi, Lass you okay?" Gathering up her purse he helped her up to her feet. Simon looked her over seeing no real damage. Perhaps his auror training was still in his blood. he shuddered to think that was a ministry instinct.

"Stupefy!"

A third voice entered the scene and Kia's eyes, previously screwed tightly shut, opened wide just in time to see the attacker on the right get flung into some nearby crates. Looking back, she was relieved to see the second one crumple in a likewise fashion. Squinting into the darkness, she tried to make out her savior, but the dim alley did little to show his features. As he helped her to her feet, she noted his muscular arms and younger voice. He must have been around her age or only a few years older.

"Oi, Lass you okay?"

"Yes... I'm fine..." She said in an unintentionally sharp tone. While she was grateful that he saved her, she was none to happy about having to be saved. What had happened back there? Why did she freeze like that? She was fairly certain that her mother would have been ashamed of her for not protecting herself like Celestine had always taught her to do. So what if you dropped your wand? You have fists... you have feet... Kick him where it hurts! Her mothers voice shouted at her angrily. She could have been killed if it wasn't for him. Realizing she might have insulted him with her sharp retort, Kia said softly in an embarrassed voice "I'm sorry... I... I am just a bit... shocked at the moment..."

She tried to take a step forward, so he could stop having to hold her up, when a sharp and intense pain shot up her leg. With a cry, she stumbled forward, surviving the face plant only because of his grip around her waist. Wincing against the throbbing in her right foot, Kia flushed with humiliated embarrassment. Merlin, not only did she have to be saved by someone else, but she had managed to get hurt anyways from tripping over her own two feet. How worthless was she? "I. I think I twisted my ankle" she said lamely, thankful that he couldn't see how red her cheeks were.

The two were knocked out laying limp on either sides of them. Simon chuckled internally over their obvious stupidity. To think they assumed it would be that easy. A girl, in the corridor. There was almost always someone around. Simon generally didn't care about most people, but when he saw that he actually felt something. Maybe it was because she was attractive.

No definitely because she was attractive. Bloody hell she was wearing a short skirt in Knockturn alley. His interest had already been peeked.

When she spat at him, Simon cocked a brow. Was she seriously just getting annoyed with him? He just saved her ruddy life and he was shocked to hear her tone. But when she excused herself he nodded. "I was going to say, it seemed a bit much since I was there to help... But I suppose if I had been in the situation myself..." which of course he wasn't and he never really had been.

There was a time where he had to fend for himself a little more but he had been in Knockturn for so long now it was all on instinct. He was more comfortable there than anywhere else. Hell he felt more comfortable sleeping in the hammock of his broken down flat with Kyrene snoozing on an old mattress near by then he ever felt growing up in that hell hole he was raised.

When she started to fall he wrapped her in his arm a little more. It gave him an even better excuse to hold her closer. She had a sweet scent which tickled his senses. It was a plus side to being a werewolf, his heightened sense of smell and she was in a good way. "Alright," He lifted her into his arms, "Where can I take you to get you wrapped up?" He sure as hell wasn't going to St. Mungos.

Kia let out a small yelp of surprise when the young man effortlessly scooped her into his arms, as though she were a fragile doll. She wanted to tell him to just put her down. She could hobble as long as he helped her, she didn't need to be carried like she was helpless. It was almost insulting of him to suggest otherwise. However, just as she was about to insist that he let her down that instant, a sharp bolt of pain throbbed from her ankle and she made up her mind that being carried was not all that bad.

"Alright, Where can I take you to get you wrapped up?"

"St. Mun.." She started to list off the hospital, but decided against it. The last thing she needed was people interrogating her about how she got wounded. There would be hitwizard reports, which would probably mean she would run into her ex Lance... A million possible scenarios played through her head and none of them sat well with her. No... this was a simple sprain. All it needed was a quick swelling reduction spell and a soothing salve... both of which she was fully capable of handling herself.

"No...Actually... My fathers clinic is just at the entrance to Diagon... If you could get me there... I can fix this up pretty well myself...." She said, a hint of pride in her voice.  It felt good to know she wasn't going to be completely worthless that night. "It's on the right side of the entrance... your left... next to the apothecary... I am  sure you might have heard of it. It's the Ferris Magizoology clinic.." She was talking a lot more then usual, but it felt good to get her mind off of the events of the evening and the throbbing pain in her ankle.

Why was it that women were always so bloody proud?  Was being hurt and limping better than having someone, who saved your life mind you, lift you up and bring you somewhere safe? Was pride really worth all that nonsense? Simon hardly felt that was the case and it took all his energy not to roll his eyes when she attempted to squirm. When she finally sat still he smirked, about bloody time.

"Ah, a clinic. Excellent choice," little paperwork and he wouldn't have to be questioned obnoxiously over his whereabouts at the clinic like he would at St. Mungo's. They still have him registered, so there was no getting out of that. However he has avoided it since he lost his job and had no intention of going for his 'check-ups'.

Taking a deep breathe he looked her over again, "By the way my name is Simon if you are curious," he left out his last name for security reasons. You never knew who you might bump into in the Alley after dark.

Simon nodded and began to walk with little effort of holding the light young woman in his arms. "So, tell me... Other than having yourself saved by the likes of me is there anything I should know? Perhaps when I step out of the alley I might be stampeded by some tight t-shirt wearing muscle bound boyfriend?" His brows were quirked as he made the joke. All he wanted was to make the situation a little lighter.

All he had been up to was picking pockets and finding himself leads on the latest and greatest artifacts that were wanted on the market. Now he was shuffling a young woman to a clinic. This was not his typical behavior.

"Ah, a clinic. Excellent choice,"

Kia was once again glad for the darkness of the alley, for when he said this, she gave him a weird look. What did he mean by that? Sirens went off in her head as she pondered if he was a criminal of some sort. After all, he was in Knockturn Alley and he was on the scruffy side as far as she could tell. You were there too and you are not a criminal... and he saved you! He could have helped them, not stopped them... Stop thinking so badly of others... She told herself, despite knowing that she would never be able to change.

"By the way my name is Simon if you are curious,"

Kia was horrified that she had not even bothered to ask his name. How rude of her. Sure she wasn't one for small talk or letting out private information, but after saving her life, it was the very least she could do. "Uh... Kia... Kia Ferris..." She said shyly, instinctively reaching up to run a hand through her hair. Letting go of her grip on his neck was a bad idea, for she nearly fell out of his arms in the process. She managed catch herself before she caused them both to tumble. Simon, however, seemed unperturbed, as though carrying her was effortless on his part.

"So, tell me... Other than having yourself saved by the likes of me is there anything I should know? Perhaps when I step out of the alley I might be stampeded by some tight t-shirt wearing muscle bound boyfriend?"

Kia let out a snort mixed with a laugh, rolling her eyes "Oh please... If I had one of those, I would hope that he would be the one to save me..." She chuckled, situating herself in his arms and pulling herself a little closer as she renewed her grip around his shoulders. Realizing how close they were, she felt her cheeks burn, again, as she looked away "... Though I am kinda glad I don't..."

She fell into an embarrassed silence after saying this, surprised at her own nerve. Turning away from him, she watched as they made their way out of Knockturn and towards the entrance of Diagon. She spoke up once or twice to point him the right way, up the side stairs to the clinic entrance. Once inside, she pointed towards the back rooms "You can take me to one of the exam rooms... there are beds in there...."

Though he might not look like much, Simon was pretty strong. Spent a lot of time stretching and running. For both business and pleasure. When you run from the law, and from your past it seems you are always moving forward without really looking for a permanent residence or rest stop.

What he had now, in Knockturn Alley was as good as it would get he was sure. Without becoming to involved in a ring of some sort he was going to have to live off the meager pickings he gained out in London and wherever he planned to apparate.

With the help of Kyrene they lived well enough. They didn't have all the comforts of home, but they had a place to shower, sleep, and eat. If that didn't count for something he didn't know what did anymore. When he lived at his old home with the rest of the Reid clan, Simon had more in the ways of financial mean but he couldn't really consider it anything.

Looking at her again with his sly smile Simon snickered, "Well Kia it's a pleasure to meet you. I might very well shake your hand if I wasn't holding you up off the cobblestones." They rounded the corner and made their way up the safer alleyway. They probably could have apparated to the clinic but this was far more interesting for Simon. She was light, and her skin was soft, there really was no downside to this.

When she said she was kinda glad she didn't the smirk returned, "Oh really? So a pretty girl like you have no gentleman callers? Hmm I do think that should be remedied immediately, a travesty if I ever heard one." His cool blue eyes looked over her face and he tried to keep his thoughts veiled by an semi-innocent expression. Pretty girls should never be alone, not if he could have a go at them at any rate.

"Alright," he replied following her instructions. Laying her down on a examination bench he released her and stood up stretching his arms. "So, miss Kia did you want me to stick around or..." nodding towards the door, "Or a less interesting alternative."

"Oh really? So a pretty girl like you have no gentleman callers? Hmm I do think that should be remedied immediately, a travesty if I ever heard one."

As if his comment wasn't enough to turn her red, they walked under a streetlamp just as he said it and Kia got a chance to look at his face for the first time. The brilliant blue eyes boring into hers were hard to look away from, and for a moment she lost her train of thought in them. When she finally merged back with the track, she realized that it wasn't just his eyes that were alluring. The rest of him wasn't so bad either. In response to his playful smirk, she just blushed and stayed silent the rest of the way to the clinic.

"Alright, So, miss Kia did you want me to stick around or...Or a less interesting alternative."

"I... I uh..." Kia stuttered, unsure what to say to this. She wasn't very good at flirting, hell even carrying on a conversation for that matter, and he was most definitely flirting with her. While she didn't know what to say to him, she also found herself not wanting him to leave. It wasn't just that he was attractive, it was that when he put her down, she found herself really wishing he would pick her back up again. Something about being in his arms made her stomach do strange, but also pleasing, things.

Realizing that if she didn't say something he would leave, Kia blurted out "Please... don't leave.... I mean... I could use some towels and... er... hot water..." She ended weakly, unsure what else would get him to stay with her. At least, she didn't know anything that wasn't risque or whorish (you learned a lot in the Slytherin house).

The eye contact was established and locking eyes with her was not a chore by any stretch of the imagination. In fact if he wasn't careful he could fall right into her eyes with just a little encouragement. The blush was noticeable to his heightened senses, she didn't know about that, but he wouldn't mention that on a first meeting. There was no easy way of saying, 'Oh and for the record once a month I look like a fur rug under a bad hex wanna shag?' Not that just wouldn't do.

His lycan affliction was something he left to chance, or if he knew them well enough they would find out soon enough. Kyrene found out in a way he was stunned. She had actually been watching him in the alley and followed him during a full moon only to find herself eying a werewolf from a safe distance away. She had taken care of him that morning when he was too weak to drag himself back, Kyrene tended to him. It was an act of kindness that Simon never experienced with anyone else. She was truly his closest friend.

She wasn't sending him away. Good news. The sly smile played at the corners of his lips threatening to over take it entirely, "Well I suppose I can't leave you all by yourself. Allow me to gather those items for you," walking away from her for a bit he went wandering through the clinic to rustle up the items desire. Getting a pot of water and some rags he moved back to her room. Pulling out his wand he whispered a spell and the water heated up in the bowl. Putting the rags into the water he lifted her foot and wrapped a warm clothe around her ankle with care. "How does that feel?"

"Well I suppose I can't leave you all by yourself. Allow me to gather those items for you,"

"There should be some towels in the hall closet and a pot in the restroom..." She offered helpfully as he left the room. Once he was gone, she begin to make herself comfortable. Pulling out her wand, she managed to turn the exam table into a somewhat comfortable spot, resting her sore leg up on the pillow. Removing her shoes, she left them on the floor next to her and begin to look over her foot. It was just a sprain, as far as she could tell, and she knew that she didn't really need him there. But something about someone taking care of her for once made her smile. Laying back, she smiled shyly at him as he came back in with the water and towels.

"How does that feel?"

Kia sucked in her lips as his hands circled her ankle, not just because it was tender, but because the warmth of his touch caused a shiver to run down her spine. A flush colored her cheeks, rendering them the bright red that they had just recovered from moments earlier. Damn her habit of blushing easily! Tucking her hair behind her ear, Kia nodded and said softly "Yeah... It does..."

As he poked and prodded her ankle, Kia tried not to wince in pain. Though she hated small talk, she knew that it was the only thing that would keep them from falling into a horribly awkward silence. She could have asked him why he was in Knockturn or what he did for a living, but Kia found herself avoiding those questions. Sucking in her breath, Kia slowly said instead  "So uh...What do you do for... uh... fun?"

Simon was quick at finding things when he needed them. Aside from having to get better at it from necessity, he was just generally an observant fellow. It was one thing to help himself to supplies for caring for Kia, but he never knew when he might need things later on for Kyrene or himself.

Cradling her foot in his hands Simon made sure where he was seated didn't affect her. Perhaps it was for fun, or just for a lark, but he was enjoying this short little normal interaction. He didn't get that much out in Knockturn alley filching things for profit. This was the closest thing to ordinary he had felt since before the attack. Softly in careful motions Simon massaged the flesh around her sore ankle making sure to watch her reactions for any wincing and carefully relieving pressure where he could.

Spare time, bloody hell what was he supposed to tell her? 'Suppose gambling, drinking, and thievery isn't what she wants to hear.' Simon thought for a moment before taking a deep breathe, "I suppose it just depends on what you consider spare time well spent. I enjoy the company of my friends and passersby. Depending on the day I like going out to the country for some alone time," how alone he figured she didn't really need to fret over. "Why, what does a lovely lass like you occupy yourself with?"

"I suppose it just depends on what you consider spare time well spent. I enjoy the company of my friends and passersby. Depending on the day I like going out to the country for some alone time,"

He was skirting the question and his answers were vague, but Kia couldn't fault him that, after all, what business was it of hers? This was why small talk never worked for her, since she didn't feel right invading other's privacy. Though, she was surprised to admit to herself, she kinda wanted to know. There was something about him, maybe the rough edged and almost wolfish quality of his gaze, but she found it inexplicably alluring.

"Why, what does a lovely lass like you occupy yourself with?"

Wincing slightly as he touched the most tender portion of her ankle, Kia chuckled weakly "I promise it isn't spraining my ankle while running away from creepy old guys in Knockturn Alley..." She sucked in her bottom lip and chewed on it slightly, trying to work up the courage for what she was about to say next. "... I love the country, especially during the fall... But then, I live on a ranch so I suppose I have to..."

She couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. Not only did she know that just because he saved her from some creeps didn't mean he was trustworthy, but she knew her father would never allow it. She would just have to wait for when he was out of town on one of his consulting trips. Tugging at her hair, she twirled it around her finger as she added so quietly it was almost inaudible "... It's a neat place... Maybe you could come see it on one of your... er... country excursions..."

Damn right he avoided the question. The woman before him, this young lady who he saved from a rough night she might not soon forget, looked to be in his opinion too well behaved to want the whole story. Besides, when you hardly know someone you don't reveal all your secrets. It's like a muggle magician, you know they are playing you but they never tell you how they do it or why. That was him, he was playing a shell game, pass past the questions fast enough and give her what she wants. This knight in black armor.

Simon, still rubbing her ankle looked back up at her. "A ranch you say? So very country hmm would have thought you might have roped those two in the alley quicker than I came to save you. But then again we might not have had such a fateful meeting if that was the case. " He joked slightly before dipping the clothe in the basin he brought with him again. Wrapping it around her ankle once more he smiled up at her.

A smirk rolled over his lips like waves on a shore. His hearing was heightened since the attack and much to the chagrin of the others he interacted with.  "Ah you want to bring me out to your home in the country. Excuse me Miss but are you asking me out?" His cool blue eyes probed hers as he waited for a response. Little did she know what he did on his monthly excursions. She wouldn't be finding out anytime soon either.

"A ranch you say? So very country hmm would have thought you might have roped those two in the alley quicker than I came to save you. But then again we might not have had such a fateful meeting if that was the case. "

His words, despite being said with a grin, made Kia frown slightly. She covered it up by wincing as though it were caused by his ministrations on her ankle instead of the implications of his words. She didn't want to admit it, but she was ashamed of her actions earlier. Her mother had been a hero Auror and her father wrangled dragons and hippogriffs for a living. Both taught her how to be strong and resilient, and more importantly, how to protect herself. But yet, when those two men bore down on her, she had frozen. It was shameful and even though she wouldn't have met Simon if she had fought them off, the one bright part of the whole evening, Kia couldn't help but regret her inability to protect herself. She hadn't even screamed.

"Ah you want to bring me out to your home in the country. Excuse me Miss but are you asking me out?"

Thankfully, Kia's shame was alleviated by this next comment as his brilliant blue eyes and playful smirk successfully distracted her. Her ears tinted pink and she smiled in embarrassment despite herself. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she licked her lips in silence for a moment before answering. " It depends.... Would you accept if I was?" Her pale bluegreen eyes flickered from where they  were trained on her ankle, back to his, where they paused as she waited with baited breath for him to refuse her.