Charing Cross Road https://s26.postimg.cc/44ptbelah/cha...oad-banner.jpg Generally bustling with activity, this street in central London is relatively close to Tottenham Court Road. It isn't uncommon for wizardkind to venture onto this street to gain access to Diagon Alley by means of the Leaky Cauldron, which has been sandwiched and magically hidden between an old bookstore and a record shop. Should you choose to go about getting to Diagon Alley the "old fashioned" way (meaning you decide to not make use of Apparition or Floo Powder), Charing Cross Road is your gateway to a little piece of the wizarding world. |
For anyone! November. That meant that soon enough, Ronan would be entering Auror training. He was actually looking forward to it, the wait itching at his nerves. Seriously, they shouldn't have to wait clear until December just because that's when the Ministry decides to close. Anyway, this evening, he was choosing to enjoy the other delights that Charing Cross Road had to offer. You know, the ones that weren't the Leaky Cauldron or the Hippodrome Casino. There was, of course, nothing about him that would indicate that he was a wizard, unless you knew him. If not, though, he was just any other muggle on the street. Spotting a music shop that looked interesting, he started that way, keyword being started. Because as he turned, he accidentally bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry! You okay?" |
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Fortunately, years of quidditch and athletic training kept the brunette well grounded even as was bumped into and although startled, she instinctively made a small shocked noise of anything with a small comment, because she was in the zone, "Ī nda yo" unaware that it was not English she spoke. Or who the person even really was, because she was rather distracted. Oops? ooc: Ī nda yo = 'it's okay' in Japanese |
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”Hi, Skylar. Life outside Hogwarts seems to be treating you well,” he commented, smiling. He was tempted to ask if she had heard from anyone inside the school since Headmistress Hawthorne had been unceremoniously fired, but decided to keep conversation light for now. |
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It was the greeting though where Skylar woke from her Japanese reverie and she shook her head slightly. "Oh, hi, Ronan. Sorry. I uh... guess so..." She held up the book for him to see the title (Kanji for Beginners). "Or completely foolish to think I can learn enough to attend University in Tokyo in the Spring." She shook her head. Maybe she should have just went with Madrid. At least Madrid used the same alphabet. But there was that part of her that needed to be separate from everything she'd ever known.... She didn't know why. "How are you? No University for you?" |
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"I'm doing good actually. Started uni here in London back in September and now I'm just waiting for Ministry applications to open so I can join the Auror training program." Was it crazy to do both at the same time? Possibly. Was that going to stop him? Nope. |
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"Japan is beautiful. And I needed to get away ... something new... new people ... new culture..." Did that make sense, maybe? "I applied. I got accepted." So there was that. She wouldn't mention the fact that she got rejected from over half the programs she applied to. And that while theoretically Italy or Madrid would have made more sense in terms of linguistics, she'd chosen the one with the biggest challenge. "Interesting. I'm actually planning to do Auror training as well.... On top of the cursebreaking track." Cursebreaking was something she'd considered first, but there was something appealing about the chase with regards to being an auror. It was something she'd realized on the Dufftown trip with Jace, actually. And perhaps she was crazy for wanting to do both tracks but she had the passion and ambition to do both. "What are you studying at university?" Also how did he, Ronan Carter get accepted to London whereas she, an OUTSTANDING student, not. Not that she regretted being rejected after what happened with her ex she was kind of glad to not be going to the same school as him. It was just principle of the matter. |
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"I guess it is." Honestly, all he'd ever seen of Japan was what was shown on TV and in books. And he could certainly understand the need to get away from it all. It was the same reason he'd spent two weeks of the summer in South Korea and the rest hanging around the muggle parts of London. Oh, she was doing Auror training too? "Well, you could do that here...." He didn't really know what made him say it, but it was true. "A curse-breaking Auror. You'd be sort of like Indiana Jones," he teased with a smile. Now that would be something to see. "I'm studying Magical Law." It was something that he'd heard would be useful in the Auror track. And if he planned on following in his mum's footsteps one day and become head of a department of his own, which, no offense mum, but no thanks. Also, was there some shock to Skylar's tone? A lesser man would be offended. Thankfully, Ronan knew he belonged in uni and had the grades and accolades to back it up. Not to mention, he'd graduated still being the only one in their year to successfully cast a corporeal patronus. Or having actually physically saved someone's life. |
At times like this, it was important to remember where you came from. Getting away from Diagon Alley was key. Away from the people pointing and asking for photos and autographs. Back on the Muggle side, no one knew who he was. Sometimes Leontius needed that space to breath. His fame could be taken away from him, after all. One injury, one bad game, and it could all be gone. It was important for him to take space and remember who he was before Quidditch. It was all too easy to enjoy life above the clouds, and it was easy to feel invincible. That was certainly how he felt right then, elated after their recent matches. So he took a moment on Charing Cross Road. Down the street from the Leaky Cauldron. On the Muggle side of the world. |
Between games and training and more games and more training, Priya preferred to be on the Muggle side of the city more often than not. The chances of being chased by opponents' rabid fans are significantly lower. She did try to not run from Indian fans, since interactions with them did make her heart as full as it could get. The little girl who'd given her the good luck bracelet last weekend was still on her mind. Of course, the Muggle side's other, similar advantage was that she was far less likely to run into anyone familiar. Definitely ideal for a little breath of The Keeper was therefore unpleasantly surprised when, upon turning an alley, she spotted another Quidditch player just down the road. And not just any Quidditch player, but her direct opponent. She glanced up at the street sign and sighed. Charing Cross Road was where her living quarters were, at the really badly named Leaky Cauldron Inn. Hmm. Priya raised her hand and nodded, nonchalantly greeting. Courteous enough? |
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Although in his own bubble, Leon did notice one of the Indian players approaching. He wasn't surprised. He knew that they were lodging in the Leaky, and if he enjoyed the anonymity of Muggle London then it would be safe to assume his opponents did, too. As she wave, he raised his hand in greeting, too, and smiled wide. |
Hey look, an OPEN POST! :3 Diversity in London was great, and it has always amused one River Reed as he strolled down Charing Cross Road. Sure enough, the whole stretch of the street offered so many things that could interest even the most snobbish of people. It has been a long while since he took a walk all by himself and his dogs Roscoe and Bumi. He's been a busy bee ever since he got married to Cami, and one could say that it was rare for him nowadays to have some downtime all to himself. Today must be his lucky day as he took a double-take at one of the cafes lining up the street. It looked cosy inside, and the establishment allowed for pets to come in too. River didn't hesitate as he heeded both of his giant dogs and went inside the shop to take a good look around. Aside from it being a cafe, it too has a bookstore at the back, and the upper levels offered more seats and...was that a records section? This Healer approved of everything, and quickly lined up to get his drink and paid for it. He wondered if Hirsch knew this place? The coffee junkie would pretty much approve of it, given that it has that hipster vibe to it. He wouldn't be surprised if Hirsch ended up owning the place, to be honest. River found himself upstairs with a muggle medical journal in front of him sipping away his afternoon tea, while both of his Newfoundlands were on the floor spread out, obviously cooling themselves against the wooden floorboards. He paused for a moment when he came to a particular medical case that reminded him of his time in Hogwarts. That had him grinning as he remembered his students, especially those who had close encounters with death. River sighed as he picked his teacup again and looked outside the window, wondering how they are all doing. Natalia, Olivia, Carlton, Levi, Torrance, Skylar...heck even Lola Killick. And then there's Emmeline graduating, and Stasya as well. Come September, Jace will be off to his last year in university, and if his calculation was correct, his niece Willow will be starting as a first-year in Hogwarts! He was getting old, but not old enough to forget them. River's grin slowly faded as he watched the sky turn grey, and rain started to fall on the ground. "Typical of London," he thought as he placed his now empty teacup down and continued to read the latest medical journal. |
Open! Getting to Diagon Alley would be easy, Eli was told. Leave it to him to prove his uncle wrong. The American transplant had been walking down the streets of London for what seemed like forever. All that he had to rely on was the bit of paper in his hand that had 's handwriting scrawled on it, barely legible. All the fifteen year old could make out was something about Charing Cross and a place that ended in r-o-n. It all honestly would have been less stressful if his uncle had taken the day off. His anxiety was already high enough. Nevertheless, did manage to get himself to Charing Cross Road. Not because he decoding his uncle's scribbles, but courtesy of the |
Eliora had been going to early morning yoga every Wednesday for the last ten years. Her boyfriend and children thought she was insane getting up at 4am once a week to go to a class with just three people in attendance, but she loved it. And some weeks, it was the only good thing she did. James had spent the night (like he often did), so she'd left him in bed with a quick kiss and headed out. Yoga had been the perfect beginning for today and like usual, Eliora was walking into work in her yoga outfit with her mat under her arm. She had a stash of work appropriate outfits in her office and would change into one as soon as she got there. And of course, she'd stash up on coffee too. BUT FOR NOW... she was walking with only one cup in her hand. |
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This was going to need to be timed perfectly and Simone couldn't be distracted. It was hard not to be though with the yoga outfit Eliora had on, but that was for another time to think about. For now she started to walk towards the woman. As she got closer Simone came to a stop in front of her and gave an apologetic smile, "Excuse me, but do you happen to know of a cafe that is open at the moment. I was traveling and got a bit lost. I could really use some coffee." |
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Eliora took a sip from her coffee as she too came to a stop to look at the woman in front of her. "Coffee? Oh, I got you!" Whilst she couldn't suggest the coffee machine in her office, she knew of the perfect early morning coffee joint. Perfect enough, anyway. Any coffee was good coffee. Just the best coffee belonged to her. "Straight down the end just before you get to Trafalgar Square. Orange umbrellas outside and a little dog statue by the door. I don't think they ever close. I bet a night shift in a coffee place is great. How many customers could you really have at 2am?" Just for assistance, Eliora turned slightly to point down the way she had came from. |
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2 a.m. and costumers did make Simone tilt her head a moment, but soon Eliora turned to point down to where the coffee shop was located and that gave Simone the moment she needed stepping a tad closer and pulling her wand just enough to do a nonverbal stunning spell she reached out to touch the back of the department head and hold her up right as she apparated them both away. |
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He did his best to follow to the boy's rambling answer, nodding here and there, but he wasn't the best listener himself. What Fletcher got out of that was that Kodee liked to skateboard, had a... er, a brother? Maybe? Who was married? Was his brother named after seaweed; had Fletcher heard that properly? And what was all this talk about babies? He let out a small sigh as they reached the street. Anyway, it seemed that one of Kodee's hobbies was talking... a lot. "I was just asking what you do outside of work. Uh, maybe you could work on giving a shorter answer next time?" He shot the boy a small grin before looking to cross the street. "What I got from that was that you like to skateboard and hang out with your girlfriend. And maybe your brother?" Was that right? Fletcher continued leading the way down the street. "One thing I like to do outside of work is play a game of chance from time to time," he continued, gesturing toward the casino they were heading towards. "They have an excellent lunch buffet here, also." Just, y'know, because Fletcher wasn't JUST wanting to spend his lunch break at the blackjack tables. He was hungry. |
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HE TOOK THEM TO A CASINO. Forget all the sulking he'd done the day before. Forget whatever trouble he'd gone and created after work. This was really happening. They were getting closer, it didn't look like a psych out. With a boss like this, there was probably a lot Kodee could get away with saying admitting--cautiously, as Al always preached. "You a high stakes or low stakes kinda guy?" He asked, still unable to believe where they were going for lunch but not protesting in the slightest. He'd made a few extra galleons just the night before. Wouldn't hurt to go a round or two. A casino. |
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