Out to Play

[Ivy Sekmet]

Ivy stood there in the dark alley and shivered as she looked down at the male body lying there dead before her. She cleaned her knife off on her black tank top as she studied the man. He looked exactly like he was supposed to, dark brown hair and his eyes had been a bright blue color. He was shorter than her, even without the boots she was currently wearing. But at the same time he had been stronger than she had assumed. But throughout the whole fight her wand had remained sheathed. Ivy refused to use it against this muggle. Right now she was trying to lie low, no one knew what she truly was.

Ivy turned her back on the body momentarily to check her surroundings and make sure no one was approaching. All was clear so with a smile she picked up her black coat and put it on before approaching the body once more. There was a smile on the woman's face as she stepped forward and lightly kicked the man's leg with the toe of her boot. It had been awhile since her last kill so this one had put her in a good mood. Since she was in a muggle area Ivy bent down and removed the mans wallet and secured it in one of the coats inner pockets. Then looking at her hands in the dim light she cursed noticing the blood.

It was inevitable of course, her preferred method of killing was messy. But it was also up close and personal. And that is why the woman chose knives above everything else. With one last glance around to make sure she had left nothing behind Ivy stepped out of the alley hands tucked into her pockets. She started to walk down the street until she spotted the Shadow Lounge. Ivy had not realized she was that close to the place. With a smile she opened the door and made her way into the interior. It was fairly busy and with a quick glance around Ivy made her way straight to the restroom.

Though there were stalls, once she ascertained that the room was empty Ivy locked the door behind her. She removed her coat and looked in the mirror. There was blood on her neck and her arms, and then right above her left eyebrow was a dried streak. The dried blood on her shirt was barely noticeable, and a quick spell took care of it. Then she stepped up to the sink and ran the water before wetting a paper towel to clean herself off. Even though the woman looked a bit raggedy she also glowed slightly. Her eyes had a happy sheen to them and she smiled at her reflection.

The kill tonight had been exactly what she needed to break the monotony of her life at the school. After cleaning up Ivy ran a hand through her hair and made her way out of the restroom and to the bar. She took a seat and looked around to see if she recognized anyone near. But for the moment she was alone. The bartender took her order and the quickly brought her a bottle of beer. She raised the bottle to her lips and took a long gulp before returning to her people watching.

[Seth Kearney]

Elation. That was the only word in Seth's mind that could describe the feeling he felt when Sir Marsden recalled him from his posting at Hogwarts. Even though he had only been there for a short while, Seth had grown weary of the little brats and the forgotten fact that drama thrives in life at school. The Seven member believed that this was cause for celebration and after packing his things and giving the Head Master briefest of explanations and a most heart wrenching apology - for which Seth believed he deserved an award- he left the school, heading for London.

The former Charms professor smiled as he arrived in London. He preferred the busier city to the relatively quiet and dull life at Hogwarts. Quickly, Seth made his way to the apartment that had been procured for him by his Master and unpacked his belongings. The apartment was nothing extravagant but it fine enough for Seth. He had never been one to surround himself with expensive things. It had always seemed like a waste of time to him. After a quick shower, Seth threw on a black pair of jeans with a white button down shirt that he didn't bother to tuck in, and a black leather coat on over it. He stowed his wand in the inner pocket of the coat and after a brief look in the mirror, he was.

Seth only had one destination in mind when he left his new abode. The Shadow Lounge. It was near his residence and entertaining enough to keep occupied for the majority of the night. The club's selection of alcohol was impressive and was a major factor in his choice to return repeatedly. By the time Seth had arrived, the sun had completely set and the club was packed. The loud house music could be heard clearly outside as he approached. Seth gave teh bouncer a slight nod and made his way inside, leaving the rest of the people lined up outside.

Once inside, the Irishman made a bee-line for the bar. It was time to celebrate. He had finally been freed of his post at the school. The details of his new assignment were to arrive soon but Seth was certain that it would be a better one than being assigned to Hogwarts. As Seth approached the bar he noticed a familiar face and recognized her as Ivy Sekmet, Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts. It figures, he thought to himself as he settled himself next to her, leaning on the bar. I would run into someone from the school tonight, he thought as he flagged down the bartender. "Give me an Irish Car Bomb and then a Long Island," he said once he got the man's attention.

"Evenin' miss," he said turning towards the woman next to him. There were worse fates he figured as he looked at her. She was very attractive. "Wasn't expectin' to be runnin' into anyone from the school tonight." Seth gave the woman a polite smile as the bartender returned with his drinks. Seth chugged the Irish Car Bomb in proper fashion and picked up his glass, taking a sip of the Long Island Iced Tea. "I don't think we were ever proper introduced," Seth began. "Seth Kearney, former Charms Professor as of today."

[Ivy Sekmet]

Ivy recognized one of the men as he made his way to the bar and sat down beside her. But she paid him no attention as she continued to nurse her beer. She wanted to enjoy her night of freedom before having to return to the school and deal with misbehaving students. But when the man spoke all intention of ignoring him was pushed aside. She took another gulp of her beer before turning slightly on her stool so she was facing him.

"I never expect to run into people from the school here. It doesn't seem like the type of place many professors would frequent." She said with a small smile and shrug of her shoulders. "That may be the reason I find myself drawn here." When he said his name Ivy recognized it, but was surprised to hear that he was no longer employed at Hogwarts. But she figured it wasn't the right environment for everyone. It certainly was a challenge for her to remain there.

"Ivy Sekmet, the current groundskeeper." She said while studying him. "May I ask why it is former professor instead of current? Or would that be rude of me?" Ivy really could care less whether she was being rude or not. But she figured it was best to be polite around the man she really did not know. Besides it was all part of her act. No reason to give anyone suspicions that she was anything but a sweet woman who chose a job that most women would avoid.

Ivy knew that a different position probably would have suited her cover better. But she needed something that afforded a little bit of privacy, and her little hut on the grounds offered just that. And she was able to sneak about easier without having to leave the castle itself in the middle of the night. It made the few nights like this a lot easier to get away with. She had been at the school for awhile now and still the Headmaster had no idea what she really liked to do in her spare time.

[Seth Kearney]

"I never expect to run into people from the school here. It doesn't seem like the type of place many professors would frequent." She said with a small smile and shrug of her shoulders. "That may be the reason I find myself drawn here." When he said his name Ivy recognized it, but was surprised to hear that he was no longer employed at Hogwarts. But she figured it wasn't the right environment for everyone. It certainly was a challenge for her to remain there.

Seth echoed the woman's shrug with one of his own. he supposed that many professors felt that they shouldn't be seen in a place like this. You could never be certain of when you might run into a former student or be seen in a compromising situation that might place your job in jeopardy. In that respect, he could understand why they wouldn't show up at the club very often. however, it had never been a concern that he shared with the other members of the staff. The Irishman had visited the Shadow Lounge many times while still working at the school. For him, it was one of the best ways to relax after a long day of deal with near insufferable brats.

"Ivy Sekmet, the current groundskeeper." She said while studying him. "May I ask why it is former professor instead of current? Or would that be rude of me?"


"Ah, the groundskeeper," Seth said after a moment of clarity. "I probably should have recognized you then," he said with a soft smile. On the inside however, Seth was kicking himself. he may have not been at the school for very long but he knew ever inch of the grounds and the school proper. He also thought he could tell you the name of every staff member on the school's payroll but it was becoming more apparent that he hadn't paid nearly close enough attention. Seth's only outward sign of frustration was slightly clinching his jaw before taking a long drink from his Guinness. You're slipping, Seth, he thought to himself. No wonder Sir Marsden pulled you from the school.


The woman's question dragged him from his introspective moment and Seth forced himself back into the moment. He gave the woman a polite smile and then sighed. "It's not rude of you at all. We we're colleagues, after all. Seth thought for a moment before continuing. Sort of," he added as an after thought with a soft chuckle. "Family emergency," he lied. "I had to resign my post so I could be closer to my father. He's been growing quite ill over the past few years and I fear he's not long for this world." Seth looked down at the bar, putting on a slightly pained face.

"Tonight is actually the first night I've been out since resigning," he said with his best remorseful chuckle. Seth had always been exceptionally gifted when it came to performing. Part of him had wanted to appear on the great stages of the world but life rarely leads you in the direction that you want to go.

[Ivy Sekmet]

Ivy sat there drinking her beer as she silently observed the man. It was true that they never had met at the school. She was sure that she saw him once or twice, but she had never known what he did. That was slightly disarming for the woman who always paid attention to the details. She raised the beer again draining it before signaling the bartender for another. Then returned her attention to Seth with a smile.

"It's quite alright that you didn't. I tend to keep to myself, stay hidden." She said softly before glancing around. "It's easier to catch misbehaving students that way." Ivy said with a light laugh and a wink. It was also a lot easier to get away with keeping up with her practice in the forbidden forest. She sometimes wondered what people thought of the groundskeeper who rarely entered the school? After all she only did so when absolutely necessary.

The bartender slid another beer in front of her and she smiled up at him before taking a long sip. Ivy found herself relieved to have something to distract her for a moment when she listened to his reason for leaving the school. It was a somber occasion, which was quite the opposite of her escape.

"I'm sorry, that's a shame. I am still at my post because it's nearer to my father than I have been in quite some time." Ivy said with a genuine smile, her best memories were with the man who raised her. "I have spent much of my life traveling. Actually until I came here that is all I have done since graduating from Hogwarts." This was the first long period of time since then that she had spent near enough to see her father on a regular basis.

"Well tonight is the first night in quite some time that I have been out myself." Ivy said with a smile and a slightly dark look in her brown eyes. "So Seth I think we should celebrate." Since she indeed had something to celebrate tonight. She raised her drink and took a gulp before speaking again. "And to celebrate I think I should probably drink something stronger, what would you recommend?"

[Seth Kearney]

"I'm sorry, that's a shame. I am still at my post because it's nearer to my father than I have been in quite some time." Ivy said with a genuine smile, her best memories were with the man who raised her. "I have spent much of my life traveling. Actually until I came here that is all I have done since graduating from Hogwarts." This was the first long period of time since then that she had spent near enough to see her father on a regular basis.

"Well," Seth began with a sigh. "It would seem that we're both bound to our respective families. Aren't we such great children?" The sarcasm of Seth's last question was unintended but clearly evident when he spoke. He cast himself a reproachful look in the mirror behind the bar and took a long drink of his Guinness, finishing the beer completely. With a sigh, he set the glass down on the wooden counter a bit harder than he meant to. Seth clinched his jaw and rolled his eyes. Things were getting out of hand. Perhaps it was for the best if he just left.

It was times like this when Seth cursed the necessity of a double life. He couldn't even have a normal conversation with someone in a bar without wondering if they possessed a keen enough sense of perception to pick up on every little nuance of his speech. He sat there silently for a moment, hoping that his sarcasm would be overlooked and not questioned. Fortunately, he did not have to sit in silence for long.


"Well tonight is the first night in quite some time that I have been out myself." Ivy said with a smile and a slightly dark look in her brown eyes. "So Seth I think we should celebrate." Since she indeed had something to celebrate tonight. She raised her drink and took a gulp before speaking again. "And to celebrate I think I should probably drink something stronger, what would you recommend?"

Seth had to admit that the dark look in the woman's eyes was slightly disturbing. It was a small hint that she was no normal person. She had seen things. Horrible things more than likely. Knowing that it would be very rude of him to ask, he simply decided to overlook it for now. He nodded silently at her suggestion of a celebration. It was indeed a night to celebrate. He had finally been freed from the stone prison that was Hogwarts. He no longer had to sit and suffer through the rantings and ravings of megalomaniac adolescent wizards that possessed neither the thought or will to stop and assess their actions.

"Indeed," Seth said, sliding his glass towards the bartender. "Give us two Irish Car Bombs and then two Zombies," Seth said with a smile. "If we can still sit up straight after that, we'll talk about something else then." Seth gave the woman a mischievous look as he waited for the drinks to arrive. Once the bartender had returned with their beverages, Seth picked up his glass and toasted the woman. "To your health," he said, flashing the woman another smile before downing his Irish Car Bomb quickly and slamming the glass back down on the bar. After two car bombs and a long island, Seth's head was starting to swim. Maybe this outing was just what I needed, he thought to himself.