Lucy gave him a soft smile and grabbed his meal from the window. "I hope you enjoy. Please let me know if you need anything else." She sat the plate down and poured another glass of butterbeer. "Take your time. I'm going to pop over to the main counter and check on things, but I'll be close by if you need anything."

She started to step away, then turned back. "I really enjoyed your visit today. Please come by again soon. And, I'll make sure I stop by your shop."

The bulk of the morning rush had ended and Lucy had just stepped back behind the counter when a young, rather handsome, young man approached. He reminded her just a bit of what her husband had looked like in his younger years and it put an extra touch of sweetness in her voice.

"Good morning to you, sir. You are in luck as I do have a few rooms still available. They have been filling up fast with the World Cup fans arriving." She turned and grabbed a guest room form from the stack. "I'll need you to fill one of these forms out, then I can get you set up for the duration of your visit." She placed the form on the counter and grabbed a writing utensil to hand to the man.

A soft bed and a good night's sleep. That's what she wanted more than anything at that very moment. All the excitement of the past several weeks and build up over the weeks to come was going to get the better of her if she didn't take a few moments to rest. Plus, a hot shower was calling her name.

With her bag slung across her back, she approached the older lady at the counter. "Hey there, I should have a room already reserved. Nila Deep. It might be under Anuja Chaudhary, our coach."

Was she perhaps carrying too much luggage? Maybe, but who knew how long they'd be in England? Also, she needed room for all of her Quidditch gear and souvenirs for her loved ones back home. So yes, the large trunk, duffel bag and overnight bag did have a purpose.

Moving her sunglasses up to sit on top of her head and entering the establishment, Aparna was pleasantly surprised. It seemed to be a rather nice place, completely belying the name. She had to wonder where the owner got that name, The Leaky Cauldron. It didn't really seem like a name one would give a restaurant/inn.

Speaking of inns, as she approached the counter she spotted her teammate Nila asking after a room. "Ditto for me!" she spoke up. "Also maybe under either Anuja Chaudhary or my own name, Aparna Singh." Turning to Nila, she asked "So, you excited?" Personally, she was. The World Cup was the culmination of everything she'd been working towards all her life. All the late practices, missed family dinners, everything.

Another guest! Lucy was beyond excited that the players were arriving. The first young lady looked like it had been a long day of travel and Lucy wanted to get her checked in and taken care of as soon as possible. "Welcome to the Leaky, Ms. Deep, I have you right here and ready to go. The first floor, except room 11, is reserved for all of the Quidditch World Cup players. I believe your captain has already gone up and should be able to point you to the room assigned by your coach."

Noticing another young lady approaching, heavy with luggage, Lucy paused to take her name. "Yes, Ms. Singh. Your room is ready as well. Will either of you care for some assistance with your bags?" As she spoke, Lucy grabbed the QWC Teams sign-in sheet and placed it on the counter. "If I could have both of you initial next to your name then you are welcome to head up to the first floor. And, ladies, please don't hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can get you. I'm happy to send out for any items you may need and our kitchen is fully stocked and ready."

"Looks like we have another team member arrival. Welcome, Ms. Malviya. Your room is ready and your Captain is already upstairs." It was hard for her to contain her joy over having so many rooms occupied. It was going to be sad to see them all go when the events were over.

"Please let me know if there is anything I can get for you. I can send out for almost any item you may need."

Meera wanted to jump and scream as she entered the famous Leaky Cauldron, but she kept a reserved manner as she took in all the details of this place. She subconsciously watched customers chattering away and playing the piano in the seating area for nearly a minute before beginning to examine the pictures on the walls. Suddenly realizing how long she had been in her phased out observant state, she started to the counter.

She was one of the youngest players recruited for either side, so Meera was a bit of outcast among them. Nevertheless, she joined the already congregated group in front of the bartender. "I'm also with them. Meera Jain."

While the young man filled out his form, Lucy grabbed the key to his room and made a few notes on her guest log. The first floor had been reserved for the quidditch teams, but the second floor was strictly for guests. She hoped the separation would keep the noise down for those not on the teams.

Once he was finished, Lucy gave the form a once over. "Splendid. Everything looks in order, Mr. Zaman. Our two-week rate is 160 galleons. Would you like to pay in full now, or half up front and the rest in seven days?" Normally she would collect the full payment up front, but she knew that a lot were traveling from far distances for the festivities and didn't want to deplete their funds all at once. "I'm going to put you in room 2-2. It's on the top floor and down the hall to the right." She placed the key on the counter. "Would you like some help with your bags?"



Before she could finish checking in the first three ladies another, much younger, lady appeared at the counter. Lucy paused a moment, wondering if she was with the group, but they all appeared to be together. Once she said her name, it immediately rung a bell as being on her list. "Welcome, Ms. Jain. Please initial the check-in sheet and you are welcome to head on up to the first floor. A block of rooms has been reserved for your team."

"Yes, young man, first floor. I'm afraid the arrangements were made in advance and the rooms were all reserved for the first floor. Rooms 1-3 through 1-6 all have a nice view of the courtyard, but you will have to work that out with your Captian." She scanned her list for his name. "Ah, yes, Mr. Nagarkar. Your bags arrived earlier and are already upstairs. If you would please initial the check in then you are welcome to go on up."

my children
 

Coach Chaudhary coming through. Anuja love love loved all the alliterations.

Making her way through the small crowd of vacationers and diners, Anuja levitated her luggage across the room to join her team—her children. "Mujhe maaf kijiye! Excuse me," she said. They would have to move it if they didn’t want her luggage toppling all over them! It had been a long trip from India and Anuja wanted nothing but for all of her babies to get some rest.

Arjun received a poke on the ribs from her, however, for that comment. "Nonu, no complaining!" she said, putting her luggage down on the floor when she finally joined them. Anuja was sure as eggs is eggs that the view would still be pleasant. They came here not for the view but for the World Cup, no? "That would be me, Anuja Chaudhary," she smiled at the lady behind the desk. "And would you be a dear and have someone help me with my luggage as well? Thank you." Levitation was not a bother but with keeping her arm up all the way to the first floor? Muscle strain was a no no, and certainly not at this age.

Mujhe maaf kijiye: Excuse me
Nonu: nickname for one's son

oh yay Quidditch people
 

Thank Merlin, the coach had arrived. Not that Lucy was getting overly concerned to have the team there with only the Captain as supervision, but it made her feel far more relaxed having the lady in charge on site. "Welcome, Ms. Chaudhary. I think you will be pleased to find your block of rooms reserved and your team captain already upstairs." She waved James and Harold from the back to help with the bags. "The two young men will be more than happy to assist in carrying the luggage to your rooms." Lucy directed the two towards the team.

"It appears that your account has been settled and any meals you would like have been covered as well. I do hope you find your stay here at the Leaky to be a pleasant one and please don't hesitate to let me know if I can get anything for you or your team."

Once she finished up with the team, Lucy placed the paperwork to the side and smiled at her next customer as if she was the first of the day. "One firewhiskey, coming right up." She placed the galleon in the register and poured the lady her drink. "Are you excited about the World Cup? The teams are arriving and festivities will begin shortly." She placed the drink on the counter with a napkin. "If you haven't already done so, be sure to get your name in the raffle."

Lucy and the team
 

She'd barely gotten her name out when the rest of her team started to trickle in. "He's already up there? I guess I better get on up as well. Thank you." She initialed the sheet and stepped to the side for the rest of her teammates to finish the sign in process.

Nila grinned at Aparna, "Excited doesn't even begin to explain how I feel." Excited, yes, on the verge of running through the streets shouting with joy, yes. She was part of the most skilled team on the planet, what wasn't there to be excited about?

She laughed, "I"d say hungry for blood sounds about right." Priya had joined the pair and was shortly followed by Meera. "Welcome, Meera, nice of you to join us. Did you have any trouble finding the place?"

"Who has time to care what the view will be? We need to focus on winning, not the view." She shook her head at Arjun then had to do a quick sidestep to avoid being hit by the floating luggage. "Hey, Coach. Nice to see you. I think we are all getting checked in and ready to head up to the rooms."

The fact that Nyx Higgs even had a free moment to herself was shocking. Usually the seeker was busy practicing. Quidditch was her life - it always had been. She'd upped her training schedule as the games continued to get more and more intense, and she could practically taste the World Cup as they continued to move up in the ranks. Even hard core athletes know when they need a break, though. The woman had tweaked a muscle slightly in her wrist catching a snitch in practice today and had decided to cut it short. Having sustained a number of injuries throughout her career, she knew that it wasn't anything serious. If she kept pushing herself, it certainly would be.

She decided to stop by the Leaky for a quick drink. She deserved it, after all. She'd relax for a few moments, then head back to her flat and get a good night's sleep, ready to get back to training tomorrow, bright and early. As she entered the pub, her eyes immediately fell on a gaggle of Quidditch players at the bar. The Indian team, if she wasn't mistaken. She'd heard they would be lodging here.

Ordering a butterbeer, she walked over to a table near the corner and sat down, eyes scanning the Indian team as she sipped at her drink. Normally, their paths wouldn't be crossing, due to being in separate leagues. This was the World Cup, though - that made them competition. There was nothing Nyx loved more than studying the competition.

Hopefully out of sight, she continued to watch, eyes darting back and forth between each member. She paused every once in a while to look around at the rest of the pub crowd - just to seem less suspicious - as she continued her recon from the corner table.

Basically everyone
 

Meera had always felt a bit of a rift between her and her teammates, whether they felt it or not. Most of them were well-known quidditch players, and she was just Meera. She was a good seeker in all, but never really felt truly world cup worthy. It seemed to her that the innkeeper had thought she was a little young to be on this team. It was that facial expression, something about it.

"Thank you," she said as she initialed the sheet and gave way for Arjun. She carried her luggage behind her, not bothering to ask for help.



Meera noticed Anuja entering the room and quickly made her way over to her. She had both picked and put up with Meera, so she did not feel the same about her coach as she did with the rest of the team. "Hello Coach Chaudhary," she said gleefully.

Coach felt almost like a second mother to her, so much so that she wondered if the coach considered her to be like a child. She had certainly helped her get over her self doubt about the world cup.



As Meera was waiting for her turn to check in, she was addressed by Nila. Her teammates were still polite to her, even if they secretly resented having such a new player as their seeker, or so she thought. "Oh, nice to see you. I found it without too much issue. How are you doing?"

Everyone!
 

"That counts," Aparna replied to Pryia with a smile. Though, she personally would leave all of that to the beaters.

Would she like some help with her bags? "Yes, please!" Yeah, she could deal with them herself, but since she was offering.....

She couldn't help but chuckle at Arjun's comment about the cauldrons. It just went along with what she was thinking about the name maybe not being the best for an eating establishment.

"Hey, Coach!" It looked like the gang was all here then. Yay!

A black coffee and a bottle of water. That was what Leontius was carrying through the Leaky Cauldron as he searched for a place to sit. There was time to rest between practices, but there was not time to slack on his diet. Everything that entered his stomach went someway to improve his Quidditch performance.

Coffee gave him energy. It was simple logic that allowed him the little vice. Leon sipped the mug as he took pause to survey the surroundings, noting the players at the bar. The Indian National Team. Or so he thought. He also noticed the eyes watching them, mostly hidden, but easily recognisable. And so it was towards those eyes that he headed.

"Spying are we, Higgs?" Leontius took a seat on the same table as the Seeker as he spoke. Coffee and water were set down in front of him. Elbows, too - fingers laced, chin resting upon them. The bright blue eyes studying Nyx quickly flicked to the players at the bar.

"Yes, half now is fine." She said as she took the coins and placed them in the register, then marked his account as half paid. He seemed like such a nice young man and so polite. Lucy hoped he would like his room down the quiet end of the hall. It had a lovely view of the courtyard and the window opened nice and wide to let in the summer breeze.

His hesitation over the luggage went unnoticed. "As you wish. Please do be careful on the stairs and let me know if you would like supper brought up to you later on. The full menu is served to the guest rooms, although you are more than welcome to dine down here. The table by the fireplace is nice and cozy." It was one of her favorite places to sit. It had a great view of both the front and back doors as well as being able to see the very bottom of the guest room stairs. It allowed her to keep watch over the entire floor from one cozy spot.

She tapped his paperwork on the counter then placed it in the file. "You are all set. I do so hope you enjoy your stay, Mr. Zaman."

Nyx had seen Leontius coming from a mile away, and was not at all surprised when he sat down next to her. Predictable. If she didn't have to work with the man every day, she'd have sent him on his way and told him to find his own place to spy from. Or she'd just spill a drink on him to get him to go away. He was the exact opposite of the type of people she associated herself with - but too late now, he was already sitting here.

"I prefer to think of it as quiet observation," she told him, looking back at the Indian team before taking a sip of her drink. "Spying would imply that I am looking to gain information to use against them. I don't play like that. I plan to beat them by pure skill, should they make it to the finals against us," she explained to her teammate with a slight smirk.

Flipping the ends of her blue hair to the side, Euphy grinned at the shopkeeper then she reached for her firewhisky. As much as she wanted to keep the conversation going, she also couldn't wait to settle to the side and watch as the rest of the Indian National Team trickle in, so she kept her response short. "Yes, very excited." It was only freaking Quidditch, what she wakes up for to write about. As for the raffle, she only smiled at the woman behind the counter once more and nodded somewhat distractedly. She didn't need no raffle to be able to get a front row seat during the matches. She had a much better pass.

Moving away from the counter with firewhiskey in hand, Euphy situated herself in one corner and watched in silent amusement as two of England's brightest walked in and began to converse about the competition. Mhm.

This was starting to sound interesting.