Fun and Games

Chapter One: A Friend in the Industry

The sun shone brightly, reflecting strangely from the building. To a normal person it was nothing more than an aggressively massive skyscraper, dominating the skyscape of the moderately sized city. If one were to ask one of the locals they would be sure to say, it was a typical example of those aggressive American companies. Just coming in and taking over the city. They would then hurry on to say, not that it was a bad thing, mind just something that happens. However, to those who were not quite normal, the building appeared to be quite different, for one thing it was much larger than it seemed and built to look something like a large enclosed stadium, except instead of a dome it is topped with an extraordinary set of offices. This is the home of Thunder & Lightning Enterprise, the proud distributers of high quality Quidditch supplies and racing brooms. This particular building was the home of their new research facility.

Oliver looked up in fascination, he along with the rest of his team, had been invited to come and beta test some of the new broomsticks and a few other pieces of Quidditch equipment. He’d been dreaming of a day like this ever since he was accepted onto the Puddlemere United team three years ago. The Thunder & Lightening company was looking for not only beta testers, but for a new poster team. Their previous poster team, the Kerry Kruisers, had been cursed with rather unfortunate results. The results of said curse, being that every time a member of the team came within a few feet of a broomstick he or she would be overcome by a sudden and overwhelming fear of heights. The curse was attributed to an opponent with inside contacts, as all Quidditch teams have special protections against such devious dealings, and was still under investigation. Unhappily for Thunder & Lightning Enterprises, the Kerry Kruisers would not be fit for competition for the next five years at least. The curse, whatever it was, turned out to be very complex and quite difficult to untangle. The team, loyal to its players, choose to go on sabbatical until the players were ready for competition once again. As unlucky as the situation was, it was the kind of break that teams like Puddlemere United were waiting for, and even if it was due to an unfortunate chain of events they were very grateful for the opportunity.

Oliver nervously walked through the revolving door into the immense building along with his teammates, their footsteps echoed off of the imposing marble walls, floors, and ceiling. There were fourteen of them in all, enough players to have one Reserve for every position. Also enough to have full scrimmages, a very important part of training in most captains’ opinions. They also had a few Reserve-Reserve players listed on the team roster who were not regulars on the team, but were on a list to call just in case of emergencies. These players practiced with the team only two or three days a week, instead of the six or seven of the regular players. The Reserve-Reserve players had opted not to accompany the team and reserve team on this particular outing, as they were not really needed.

The two teams walked across the spacious lobby to the front desk, where a young witch dressed in Muggle business clothes was busily typing away at some funny looking Muggle device in front of her. As they approached, she looked up first inquiringly, and then appraisingly at them. Oliver was suddenly very glad that he had taken those Muggle studies courses. Otherwise, he’d have been even more nervous than he already was in the unfamiliar surroundings.

"We’re here to test some of the new equipment," Liam Ò Dunnabhain, the team captain replied to the witch at the front desk’s inquiring look.

"Oh right, they told me you were coming. Please take a seat. I’ll let Ms. Walsh know that you’re here." She gestured to some large squashy armchairs and couches, which had conveniently appeared behind them. She then fiddled with another Muggle device, apparently letting someone know they had arrived, and were waiting.

The team settled themselves in the oversized furniture to wait, and hushed conversations soon started. Oliver sat on one of the overstuffed couches with Timothy Quinn, a fairly large middle-aged man and the Keeper for the team. With the two of them occupying the couch, there was only enough room for Kristin Berlo the petite Reserve Seeker. The three of them were shortly in deep discussion about the new tactics they had learned on the previous day, each of them trying to assuage their nerves. This was a big chance for the team, and none of them wanted to be the one to blow it. Liam had made it clear to the team the day before that he expected everyone to be on their best behavior and to give their best performance, he really wanted this sponsorship heaven help anyone who should decide to get in his way!

About five minutes later a young looking witch Apparated next to the front desk. She had golden brown hair pulled back into a loose bun and sea colored eyes, she was wearing more of the Muggle business wear and it suited her. (Pun not intended.) She looked somewhat anxiously in their direction and hurried over.

"Thanks Stace, you’re a lifesaver!" she whispered appreciatively as she passed the front desk.

"No prob Lili, anytime," the young witch at the front desk smiled as Lili rushed to where the team was sitting, her eyes never leaving the team, Liam in particular.

"You must be Puddlemere United," Lili smiled, exposing not only white even teeth, but the fact that she was not English, Scottish, Welsh, or even Irish. She sounded like an American. She walked up to Liam, who was sitting comfortably in one of the armchairs, "and that would make you Liam, I’ve heard so much about you." She held her hand out to him, and he quickly got up, towering over her, to take her hand in his.

"Enchanté . . . Of course we’re delighted to be here, Mrs. Walsh. And we’re looking forward to working with you and your company." He brought her hand up to his lips to give it a soft kiss in greeting, and smiled charmingly.

Oliver briefly wondered why Liam was laying the charm on so thickly, but dismissed it to Liam’s devotion to getting the contract.

"It’s Miss. Walsh, Lillian but please call me Lili, everyone does." Lili flushed slightly and reclaimed her hand. She then smiled and gestured for the team to follow her, "if you could just come with me please," she turned and walked past the front desk talking all the while. "We’re very excited to have you and your team onboard with this project. We’ve been researching a new type of spell to make the handling of this new series of brooms much smoother. We’re also researching ways to customize brooms to better suit each position. For instance the keeper needs a broom that will be extremely fast for short distances with great maneuverability in small quarters and can turn on a dime, er . . . rather a ten-p," she smiled again, "I’ve only been here four months, but I’m already convinced that I’ll always be an American . . . er, anyway Chasers need brooms that will be faster for longer distances, and beaters will need to have heavier brooms to give them better leverage when hitting the Bludger, and so on and so forth. In addition to the new brooms, we’re also looking into the safety equipment, making it more durable, lighter, and perhaps more suited to each position as well." As she was talking, she led the team to an elevator.

Upon closer inspection the elevator was made entirely of glass, and easily fit all fifteen people. There was a collective gasp of surprise as the elevator cleared the first three floors. As the building suggested there was, starting on the fourth floor an entire regulation sized Quidditch pitch. The elevator kept climbing higher and higher until it had almost reached the top of the pitch, offices had started up again on one side while the pitch remained in sight on the other. It finally stopped at the top floor where Lili’s office was located. They stepped out into the hallway and were led down to the end where she led them into a large cushy office.

"We just need to fill out some paper work before you guys can try out the new brooms, and test some of the other new equipment."

The office she had led them into was large and airy with a desk and several more of those large squashy couches and a few armchairs. The view was incredible. Not only could you see the city outside, but you could also see the Quidditch pitch, currently there were several wizards removing a tarp from the well-manicured grass. She went to the desk and picked out a large stack of files. "Sometimes it can be very difficult to get my work done here!" She gestured to the pitch, and smiled, as she answered the unasked questions of several of the players.

Oliver could easily see how distracting it could be, it was all to easy to imagine people out on the pitch testing brooms or just having a good time.

"When I call your name please let me know who you are so I can give you the correct paperwork to fill out, then we can get to the fun part! Berlo, Kristin, Reserve Seeker? Here you go. Campbell, Meridith, Chaser? Downing, Matthew Reserve Beater? Griffith, Luke, Reserve Chaser? Lloyd, Kevin Beater? Lyons, Christopher, Seeker? McDonald, Chad, Chaser? McGrail, Hilarie, Reserve Chaser? Murphy, Kathleen, Reserve Chaser? I know you Liam, you’re a Beater, here you are. Lets see here, Quinn, Timothy, Keeper? Riley, Sean, Reserve Beater? Tripodi, Alicia, Chaser? And, last but not least, you must be Oliver Wood, Reserve Keeper." She said smiling as she handed him the file of papers. Oliver’s heart skipped a beat with her smile directed at him in such close quarters.

He was faintly surprised that she seemed to be having such an odd effect on him. Witches weren’t really something very high on his priority list. He had plenty of time to think about them later, and at the moment he had more important things to think about, like Quidditch for example.

Lili continued. "Basically these are just asking for general information. The last page I’ll ask you to read carefully and then sign at the bottom. It’s just a waiver, standard company policy. It’s just so you can’t sue me for anything that might happen to you on our brooms." She grinned impishly at them, and the vaguest impression of a halo appeared above her head. "Not that anything will, but the head guys make me do this. Better safe than sorry is their policy!"

Oliver wondered why anyone would ever sue her, she was too cute and full of energy. Dreading the answer, he wondered why he just thought about that. Thinking about witches was the last thing he wanted to be doing, especially this one! She was definitely off limits, it was one thing to be thinking about witches in general, but quite another to be thinking about those in the same profession!

Once the paperwork had been completely finished and filed, Lili led the team back to the glass elevator and they went down to the fourth floor. The elevator opened to a hall with the entrances to the locker rooms, the pitch, and several doors that looked like they might lead to more offices.

"Guys go that way. You should see full sets of equipment labeled for each of you. Please find your own and get dressed. Once you’re finished come on out to meet us on the field." The girls followed Lili into the other locker room.

Lili smiled to herself as she watched the witches find their equipment and get dressed. She had to chuckle at the little cries of pleasure as the witches found and examined their new equipment. In addition to the new customized brooms, Thunder & Lighting Enterprises also had new protective gear that needed to be tested. The new gear was supposed to be more durable, better shock absorbing, and lighter than the older style of equipment. As Lili changed into appropriate robes, she was surprised to note that they seemed to get along with each other very well. Not only did they seem to get along, but they were really quite nice to her as well. It was a pleasant change. It wasn’t that she hadn’t liked the last team, they were just a little too cut throat competitive, both in the locker room and out.

Oliver followed Liam into the locker room. Everything was bright and shiny, there were nine sets of Quidditch robes and protective gear. Oliver quickly got into his gear, marveling at the fine quality. As soon as they were out of ear shot the guys began talking.

"Hey what’d you think about that Lili girl Luke? She’s just your type," Kevin snickered knowing how Luke would react.

"What? Her? She’s way too young, and an American," Luke huffed, "She’s more your type Chad."

"Nuh-uh, not me! I’ve got a girlfriend, thanks," replied Chad. "I’ve learned my lesson, one woman at a time for me!" he looked slyly at Liam, "what about you Liam? She could be your type."

"Maybe..." he grinned wolfishly, "you never know when a ‘friend’ in the industry would come in handy..." He let the sentence hanging suggestively. "I might just look into my options."

"You think she’s single, Liam?" asked Tim, more than surprised at Liam’s unexpected answer.

The rest of the team took this opportunity to stop what they were doing to look over to Liam, expecting some sort of a trick or joke. He was demonstrating very uncharacteristic behavior and the wizards figured he must be setting up some sort of joke or something.

Liam only grinned at the sudden attention. "If she isn’t she soon will be," he replied devilishly as he strapped on his new equipment.

Oliver was shocked to hear Liam talk like that, it was something that he had come to expect from the other guys, but Liam? Liam had always held himself aloof from the petty squabbling over girls. In fact he had never shown any interest in the opposite sex, Oliver had admired him for this. What had perhaps impressed Oliver the most was the fact that he definitely had more than ample opportunity to allow himself to be distracted by witches. Liam was definitely one of the most popular Quidditch players, doubly so amongst the ladies. He was everything Oliver aspired to be, a fantastic Quidditch player focused completely on his career, a complete professional, devilishly charming, and a superb tactician. As far as Oliver could see, Liam had kept his eyes on the prize, the world cup and would not let anything get in his way especially a girl. Oliver wondered briefly what it was that Liam was after, and why the sudden change in personality. It just didn’t seem like Liam to even think about going after a witch, especially one in the field. It didn’t occur to Oliver that there might be something else Liam was after, other than the witch.

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