Filled with forty purple and gilt chairs, the Top Box houses the exclusive seating of the Minister for Magic and her invited guests, including raffle winners, a student essay contest winner, and esteemed foreign guests. With the best view in the stadium, those seated in the Top Box are sure to catch every exhilarating moment of this year's match!

OOC: Posting in this thread is by invitation only. Please do not post here unless you've been granted special permission.

Minister Taylor made her way up to the Top Box, the muscles in her legs warmed up a bit from climbing all those stairs. They may be the best seats in the house, but they require some work to reach them, don't they?

She turned around to view the pitch and smiled in amazement. It was one thing to see the design on paper, but to see it fully constructed was another experience altogether. It was positively breath-taking! She wished that she was sharing the experience with someone special, but was grateful that she was experiencing it at all. Who would have thought just a few years ago that she would ascend to the highest ranking position in Britain, just the same way she ascended the tall staircase for these stands?

Atop the pitch in the Top Box, Reagan felt like she was on top of the world.

Wearing her finest sapphire blue robes, Kaylee Whittaker, Australian Minister for Magic made her way into the top box. She immediately spotted the lovely Minister Taylor already seated and a broad smile broke across her face.

"Minister Taylor, how lovely it is to see you again." Kaylee extended her hand towards the other woman as she approached the chairs. Such a shame that she had never been able to entice the young woman to come and work for her but it looked as though she had made the right choice by staying.

Kaylee glanced out of the top box and nodded, "An excellent day for Quidditch, wouldn't you say?" she asked turning back to look at the Minister.

Reagan heard the footsteps coming up the stairs before she saw the source of the noise. She was pleased to see Minister Whittaker entering the Top Box. She stood from her seat to grasp the hand of the Australian Minister. "Welcome back to Britain, Minister Whittaker. It is so very lovely to see you, as well. And this time under much better circumstances than our last meeting."

At the mention of Quidditch, Reagan looked out to the pitch fleetingly before replying, "Couldn't have asked for a better day, in fact. Should be a great match. That team of yours looks phenomenal!"

"Ah yes, that was quite...dramatic." Kaylee remembered the incident well, it was a bit hard not to considering she had been in the room when the poor French Minister had been killed. "Had you been Minister back then, I am sure everything would have run a lot more smoothly."

Kaylee smiled even more broadly at Minister Tayor, "As does yours. It is going to be quite a match. I am very excited to be here, to watch it first hand."

It was rather nice to relax for once. But sooner or later there would be matters to be discussed and Kaylee was rather curious to find out what had happened to the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Of course one must wait for the right opportunity to bring it up.

Chris proceeded at the Top Box with a broad smile in his face. He looks great in his suit and he was quite happy that things were turning out well although the fiasco about muggles at the Apparition and Portkey Check-Ins weren't over yet but he was sure that the Magical Law Enforcement Department would fix it out soon. As he reached the Top Box. He'd seen Minister Taylor with the Australian Minister.

"Good day, Ministry Taylor and Ministry Whittaker. I am Christopher Greenleaf, Division Head of Magical Security. I will be here for some security reasons." Chris greeted them reverently. Tight security, That's all they need to provide for the event and it's a part of their job to take care of the VIP persons around so he would be with them so he could protect them from any harm.

Reagan smiled warmly. She had always been fond of Minister Whittaker and her kind words were much appreciated, "Well, thank you Minister Whittaker. That is very kind of you to say. At the very least, I'm here now and I expect this event will proceed in a much more organized fashion than the International Wizarding Conference, or the last Britain-hosted Quidditch World Cup for that matter."

On the topic of Quidditch, Reagan replied, "I'm rather proud of our team this year. A great group of players. Should be tough competition. It'll be nice to have a day of fun and relaxation, a break from all the more serious aspects of this job."

At that moment, Christopher from Security arrived and introduced himself. Reagan was, of course, aware of who he was, as she had to sign all promotions and his was rather recent. "Thank you, Mr. Greenleaf. Your protection is very much appreciated. And even though I sincerely doubt there will be any need for you to do anything more than watch the match with us, I am grateful for your efforts."

"Just this way, Alexander. We've got top box seats. I'd like for the four of us to get situated before the game gets underway," Bella Greingoth said, motioning for her family of four (counting herself) to follow suit. She was aware that Alexander and Anna were just behind her, but she never did hear whether or not Cale would be joining his wife or his uncle. Ben, she thought, planned to sit elsewhere. "Anna Bella, is Caleb accompanying you?"

Without waiting for a reply, Bella continued further up the stands, stopping when she got close to Reagan and a woman she recognized as the Australian Minister of Magic. Kaylee Whittaker, she recalled. "Good day, Minister Whittaker, Minister Taylor," she greeted, taking a nearby seat. Chad, she imagined, would be along soon. Once she was situated, Alexander and Anna took a seat, as well, and Bella gave them a look to remind them both that they were amongst Ministers of Magic.

Whew. That was quite the walk! Though, Chad was more than certain that climbing all the way to the top was way more than worth it as he heard Reagan's voice. Making it seem oh so casual, he strode right on over to a vacant seat beside her. "Hello, Madame Greingoth....et other Greingoths," he greeted, laughing a little.

"Ministers," he then greeted with his usual excitement, moving in to steal the empty seat beside Reagan.

Reagan smiled as she watched the Greingoth troop climb the stairs and enter the Top Box. She was truly glad that she had offered each department head 4 Top Box seats. Sure, it made things a little more crowded than previous Ministers may have liked, but she enjoyed being surrounded by people, especially these people. "Welcome aboard, Ms. Greingoth, family Greingoth."

She introduced Bella and the Australian Minister, "Minister Whittaker, I'd like for you to meet Senior Undersecretary Bella Greingoth. She's just taken on my former role and doing a wonderful job, if I do say so."

As she was introducing Bella, Reagan spotted Chad entering the Top Box and she involuntarily grinned larger than she already was. As he took the seat next to her, Reagan turned her attention to him and whispered quietly, "I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it. Sorry about leaving you behind with Minister Road. She's a feisty one, huh?" Reagan winked before turning back to Minister Whittaker for more introductions, "Minister Whittaker, I'd like for you to meet Mr. Chad Stryker, Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures." And so much more than that, Reagan thought but didn't dare say out loud.

Chad chuckled and shrugged, leaning in to whisper back. "Feisty is an understatement. But, your department head from international co-operation saved me part way through. She said that there was a ghost over by the VIP portal...only there was not any," he frowned, clearly still not understanding that the ghost thing had been a ploy.

"Pleased to meet you, Minister Whittaker," he then smiled, raising his voice and sitting forward a little so that he could reach a hand out for her to shake.

A. Lot. Of. Stairs. With a large purse slung over her shoulder, large enough to hide the fact that it was mostly full of things for Skye. An extra blanket for being up so high, and other necessities. When she finally reached the top box she breathed a sigh of relief. Before she entered the space where she could hear people talking, she made sure the blanket was wrapped around her baby so that the height would not make him cold.

As she entered the top box she noticed a handful of people there that she knew already. There were a couple that she did not know, but one that looked so much like Bella that she was sure this was the famous Anna. Chad and Reagan were also here, she felt a little bad about lying to Chad earlier, but he did not seem to pick up on the part that it was not actually the truth. Hopefully he didn't take the fact that there was no ghost to hard. The other person here she didn't recognize she was guessing was the Australian Minister.

"Hello Minister Taylor, thank you for inviting me to the top box," she said. She shifted Skye slightly so that his head was resting on her shoulder. He was lucky he could sleep so much, Lili had barely slept since he was born, she was going to sleep a lot after the QWC was over. "Hi Chad, Bella and you must be Anna?" she said, half in greeting and the other half a question.

Rex entered the Top Box as if he owned it and sat down next to Reagan. "Teams are ready, the officiating crew is in position, and the trophy is gleaming. The question is this - are you ready to step onto center stage before the Wizarding World and begin the festivities?" he asked the Minister and secretly hoped that his little brother was capable of not making HIM look like an idiot in the eyes of the world. If he did, then well poor little Max was going to have his flying and officiating credentials yanked. Then he'd be forced to vanish from the Quidditch world forever.

And that little thought brought a sly smile to Rex's lips.

Brian just reached the top box after crossing so many rows of stairs with his pregnant wife Becca, the department Head of Mysteries. Smiling at her warmly, he chose a comfortable seat for her first. The corner one was the best. "Relax, breathe deeply and slowly, love" he said to her and leading to the seat near by Lili as his arm around her waist.

Seeing Minister Reagan was sitting there with foreign ministers, Brian smiled, "Hello, Minister Taylor, I hope you're happy and satisfied with all the arrangements" he said politely and giving others a nice smile before giving his attention back to Becca. He had to go back and help his people in and out of the stadium once Becca was settled.

Reagan greeted Lili, Brian and Rex as they each entered the Top Box. Reagan perked up upon hearing the update that everything was ready to begin. All she needed to do was officially start the match? Excellent! "I was born ready for this," Reagan confirmed cheerily. "I'll look for your cue from the pitch?"

"Ah, Max is being a good boy tonight. See? He just raised his broom," Rex commented and sat back in his seat.

Looking at him as he spoke, she nodded and then followed his lead towards Lili. Sitting next to her, Becca let out a breath of relief and smiled "It should be easier going down those stairs than It was coming up them." she smiled, letting Brian know she was okay "Remember, stay safe. I don't want to have to come looking for you," she looked up into his ocean blue eyes concernedly and then leant back in the chair. She still looked over tired, but she really didn't care at the moment. You've got my heart with you, look after it." she squeezed his hand gently and then looked over at Lili and baby Skye with a fond smile. Not saying anything to Lili yet, Becca looked back at Brian.

Minister Taylor recognized her cue from Quidditch Official Vindictus and stood up, moving to the railing at the front of the Top Box. She pointed her wand at her throat, and said "Sonorus!" to increase the volume of her voice so that she could be heard by every person in the stadium (and probably half the people still in the campgrounds too!)

Her voice echoed as she announced, "Ladies and gentlemen... welcome! Welcome to the final of the four hundred and forty-first Quidditch World Cup between Australia," she allowed time for their fans to applaud before finishing with a bit of added enthusiasm, "and England!" As she announced the teams, the huge blackboard opposite the Top Box discontinued its advertisements for the Leaky Cauldron and now read:

Quote:

Australia: 0
England: 0

"And now, without further ado, let me introduce to you all the Australian National Team Mascots!" Reagan gestured with her left arm to the left side of the stadium, where a large swarm of billywigs, spinning so quickly they wouldn't be visible had it not been for the large number of them gathering in a formation, formed the words, 'Go Australia! GO!'

"Well, look at that! Those billywigs are showing their support for the players. Isn't that lovely? And now," Minister Taylor's voice roared over the crowd, "let's hear it for the English National Team Mascots!"

Reagan's eyes turned to the right side of the stadium, where three dozen Aethonans galloped out to the field before taking flight. The winged horses zigzagged through the air, performing a well-choreographed and impressive number with lots of steep dives. Such beauty.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, put your wands in the air for the stars of today's match. First, let's hear it for the Australian National Team! And now, for the England National Team!" Reagan allowed the spectators to cheer before finishing up, "And our referee, a hometown Quidditch hero, Maximus Vindictus!" She gestured with her left hand back down to the pitch to redirect the attention of the crowd to Max.

"Very nice, Minister," Rex replied and his eyes were now on the game as the players zoomed into action.

Jake was SO glad he hadn't forgotten about staying in shape - otherwise he would have collapsed on those stairs. Seriously - having top box seats was GREAT but the climb was horrible. And plus, it looked like Rachel wouldn't joining him for this; she'd said that she would watch it with her friends on the lower levels and so he'd been alone.

EEEEEEEEEEK! Reagan Taylor's voice boomed out of the box he was just about to slide into and Jake jumped about a foot in the air as the sound he hadn't been expecting rattled his ears. Quickly, he entered the box and blinked at the oh-so-important people who were there. Swallowing and smiling at the people he DID know, Jake nodded towards everyone and took a seat relatively close to the cluster of people obviously belonging to Bella Greingoth.

And that was probably her daughter, Anna, the girl Rachel had admired so much a few years ago. Or was it last year? He was getting old... Shrugging, he looked towards the pitch as the match started and once again felt himself torn between the two teams. He was a true Englishman at heart, really, but he had grown attached to Australia over the years there...

He'd just cheer for everyone.

Rex didn't need Omnioculars to see what had just happened. Emma Greene, the English Seeker, had just pulled off the Wronski Feint and SHE CAUGHT IT.


"YES! WELL DONE, EMMA! THE CUP IS OURS!" Rex cheered loudly as he lept to his feet.

Wiping a bead of sweat from his eyes, Drake began the steep climb to the top box, his broom and beaters bat - which he would get gold-plated - in his hands. His robers had some dirt on them from landing but his eyes shone brightly as he grinned, winking at some of the ladies on his way up.

It was a climb though and he thought he should at least get back on his broom and fly up but decided against it. He justt wanted to see that trophy one more time, get some photos taken with everyone, then head off to eat eat and eat. Flying for hours without eating before hand was not a good thing. It wsa just lucky he hadn't been hit, unlie the last time when he played those students. Looking around the stadium he thought he saw a few of them and grinned, waving before climbing more.

Stopping at the top of the stairs he entered the top box, being respectful enough to put his bat away. Nodding to everyone he moved away from the door so his team could enter.

NO TIME FOR LOSERS! ‘CAUSE WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!

And champions of the world they were – well, Colin “Hot Scot” MacKenzie was a champion anyway. Sure everyone on his team had taken part during the match, but ultimately he had done all the work. He was the captain of the team after all. Letting out a sigh of relief, a huge smile appeared on Colin’s face. He was the champions, and the champions got a huge trophy to help them with the entire process of ‘rubbing it in’ to the losers. Oh, life was good.

Making his way up to the Top Box with his fellow teammates, Colin waved to his beloved fans as he inched his way closer and closer toward Minister Taylor. He then winked at the Australian Minister of Magic – someone who he thought was Australia’s Minister of Magic – and immediately acted as if he had done nothing wrong at all. If Cleaver had spotted him doing that, Colin probably wouldn’t be able to touch the trophy, unless he had to polish it for some sort of punishment.

Speaking of the trophy, where was that trophy of his theirs?

Kip led Emma up a seemingly endless flight of stairs to the Top Box. While they took their time getting there, he quietly entertained her with silly Quidditch jokes to make her laugh, mostly about the Australian team. They finally arrived at their destination, so Kip quickly knocked off the jokes and stood near Drake Warren. He released Emma's hand and shot a glance at the Australian Minister of Magic. Snicker, snicker. He crossed his arms in front of him to keep a serene composure and waited for the presenting of their trophy to begin.

They ruled the worrld. Literally as they were the champions. With a big grin on his face Rhys did not hop skip and jump all the way to the top box, but he indeed made his way up there, because him, and the team needed to collect their trophy, although he was pretty sure that Colin was going to have claimed it for his own.
Once he was in the top box he nodded at the people gathered there. What a moment. They were the champions, and that felt totally awesome.