Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related material. All materials in this story are copyrighted by people that are a hell of a lot better off than I am.

Author's Note: First and foremost... dodges pitchforks, puppies, and spoons I'm so incredibly sorry that I took so long to update. I could make excuses, but how would that help? Reviewers reply, "It wouldn't." Exactly. So, I'm just going to beg for forgiveness and offer you guys a chapter with my love attached. Congrats to TheBrassPotato for getting the song right. It was Astronauts by Something Corporate. Cavanaugh Park was in there, too, but I don't think I mentioned something in the chapter. However, I will not be able to place what she requested into this chapter. I will try to have it in the next. Anyway, here's the next instalment of International Delight.

Edited: 07-02-07

International Delight
Chapter Ten: First Impressions

As I unpacked the flat later that evening, I pondered Alex's question. I really had no idea as to what had prompted him to ask such a question. My stomach had dropped, and my heart had thudded painfully.

I was saved from answering, however, by Oliver passing by us. "Mommy!" Alex had exclaimed while tugging at my hand.

"Yes, baby?"

"I've seen that man before."

"Which?" I asked while looking around. There were many men surrounding us.

He pointed his small hand. My head snapped up to be met by the sight of Oliver helping some old woman with her carry on baggage. My throat closed a little, and my breathing became haggard. I loved the boy, but he was going to kill me.

"Well," I coughed, "he used to be a famous quidditch player, love."

"No. . . Mommy, you have pictures of him. So do Angie, 'Licia, Fred and George."

I had sighed, "He's my old quidditch captain from school. His name is Oliver Wood."

Alex chewed on that information as we continued our exit from the airport. I sighed as I put the rest of my dishes away. I was actually amazed at how big the flats were. The one that Alex and I had was actually about twice the size of the cottage. The only downside to the flat was the fact that we shared a building with every other player and staff member of the American National Team. That translated to many run-in encounters with Oliver Wood, and I was not in the least bit excited about that.

The flats were, however, nice and secluded. They were tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. An all-wizarding town was a five minute walk away, the practice stadium was a five minute walk to the south, and to the west was a huge lake that I was informed had an impressive history. The whole area actually quite reminded me of being home in Scotland.

I was torn from my thoughts, however, by a sharp rapping at my door. I raced through the beige and cream coloured home to the oak front door. I took the time to straighten myself before opening it.

A man with dark hair and darker eyes stood before me. He cleared his throat, and, in a deep brassy voice, the black man said, "Excuse me, Miss Bell?"

"Please, call me Katie."

"Ah, sorry. Katie, I'm Adam King, one of the Chasers. Coach asked me to come get you. We're gonna have a meeting."

"Oh, all right. . . Hold on a moment, please." Adam nodded, and I turned back into the apartment. As I beckoned Alex from his new room, I wondered if I should put my scrubs on. They were the equivalent of muggle scrubs minus the nice fact that they were blood resistant. I chose to trade the scrubs for a smart pair of pin-striped slacks, a smart matching blazer, and a white silk blouse with a plunging neckline. A sassy pair of black three inch heels followed.

With an incline of my head to Mr. King, Alex and I rushed from the apartment. I was looking smart and sensible with a shiny briefcase in one hand and Alex was looking slightly baffled in his jeans, t-shirt, and trainers. He held a newly acquired Matchbox Car in his hand. The three of us must have looked like quite the comical trio.

Mr. King led us to a large conference room. Alex was ushered to a quiet corner with three other children, and I was placed three seats away from the head of the table. I opened the briefcase and pulled out a vast array of papers and a muggle pen as many men (and a few women) entered the room. Most threw curious glances at me as they sat around the table.

I straightened my hair nervously as the minutes ticked by slowly. After what seemed like eons, but was honestly only a few minutes, the three coaches entered the room. Each person at the table, including myself, stood as they walked my way. Many team members slapped them on the back as they passed, and each of the men responded with chuckles and smiles.

"Ah, you must be Miss Bell," said the tallest of the three men. He had a neat buzz cut, shining blue eyes, and a friendly air about him. "My name is Phillip Montgomery, and I am the coach of this team. On behalf of myself, my staff members, and the team, I welcome you to our family."

I smiled warmly and shook his hand. "Thank you, Mr. Montgomery."

He chuckled heartily and said, "Please, call me Phil."

I nodded, and he introduced the other coaches to me. "This is Ricky Hatfield," he said while pointing to a short portly man with watery blue eyes and a red snubby nose. I smiled warmly and the man inclined his head. "And this," he pointed to a tall young man next to him, "is Zachary Norton." Zachary Norton made my breath catch in my throat. He had a well defined face, gorgeous gray eyes, messy black hair, and a strong physique.

I could practically feel my knees go weak when he took my hand and kissed. "Its a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bell."

I nodded and Coach Montgomery boomed, "Please, everyone, have a seat!" Each person sat as directed and Phil looked at us as a proud father would. "I am happy to say, that once again, our team is complete. Early this morning, I got the call that Ginny Weasley, Oliver Wood, and Katie Bell were on the airplane and headed towards our humble abode."

I shook my head to myself. There were nothing humble about the place. It was nothing short of breathtaking. I cleared the thoughts from my head as Phil continued, "Never in my long career of coaching have I ever been this happy with a staff and team. I know, in the deepest pits of my being, that we are going to have an awesome season. I don't care whether we win or lose because I know we will at least be happy, albeit, I'd really prefer to win."

There were a few chuckles from the team members. "Miss Weasley?" Phil asked.

"Yes, Mr. Montgomery?" She questioned from her seat next to Oliver, near the end of the table.

"How was the flight?"

"Wonderful, thank you."

"And for you, Mr. Wood?" He asked conversationally.

"Quite well, thanks."

He nodded and said, "I'm extremely happy to have both of you on my team, and I know that you will feel right at home here. Is there anything that either of you need? Please tell me, I'll be happy to accommodate you."

Both shook their heads, and Phil turned to me. "Anything for you, Miss Bell?"

With a small shrug, I said, "I'll need an appointment with each team member in order to conduct a full physical. I'll also need medical charts and detailed medical history."

He nodded, "Very well, Miss Bell. I expect each of you to make an appointment with Miss Bell before you leave this room, and no, Xander, you're not getting out of this."

I noticed a striking young man at the end of the table near Oliver and Ginny pale considerably. Poor fellow. I smiled up at Phil and said, "Thank you."

He shrugged. "Get a good night's rest. Practice starts at seven o' clock sharp, yes in the morning. Miss Bell, Zach here will be at your apartment at eight o' clock sharp tomorrow morning to show you to your office and exam room." I nodded in thanks, and Phil continued, "You are released, and do not forget to make an appointment with Miss Bell. You should have fourteen appointments made before you leave, Miss Bell."

I stood as he started to head towards the door. I thrust my hand out for him to shake and said, "Thank you again, Phil."

He shrugged it off and left the room. I pulled an appointment book towards me as team members started to approach. "Hi, I'm Madelyn O'Reilly. Could I get the first appointment?"

"Sure nine 'o clock tomorrow morning," I said as I wrote out the appointment slip and handed it to her.

She nodded in thanks as another woman walked up, "Hey, doc. I'm Cheryl O'Reilly."

"Nice to meet you, Cheryl. Is ten 'o clock okay?" She nodded and took the appointment slip as I handed it to her.

After a few minutes more of making appointments only Oliver, Ginny, and the man that Phil had called Xander remained. The young man approached me and nervously fiddled with his fingers. "Xander, right?"

He nodded and said, "Yeah, Xander Williams."

"I can get you at noon on Thursday."

"That's fine." He took the appointment slip and began to walk away. At the last moment, he turned around and asked, "What do you mean by full physical?"

"Well," I sighed, "I will be checking your cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems to make sure there are no problems with your body."

I noticed him shiver as he asked, "Genitourinary...?"

"Testicular exam."

He blushed and exclaimed, "Is that really required?!"

"At least I'm not doing a rectal exam."

"Oh jeez, this is going to be terrible," he exclaimed softly as he walked from the conference room.

I chuckled slightly and looked up to see Oliver standing above me with a smirk on his face. "Testicular?" He asked cheekily.

I shoved the appointment slip at him and said, "Yes. One-thirty on Thursday, Wood."

Oliver shook his head at me and left the room mumbling. Ginny sat across from me and said, "Must you really be so hateful towards Oliver?"

"Yes, it is a requirement. I quite remember highlighting it in my 'How Not to Treat Your Friends' book. It clearly stated 'If a friend randomly abandons you and leaves no trace of his existence for a little over four years, you should be hateful towards him. Especially if he is a cheeky bastard and goes by the name of Oliver Wood.' It was a question on an exam, I'm sure."

"Katie, you're hopeless," Ginny persisted.

"I may be hopeless," I interjected, "but at least I'm happy being so. Three on Thursday. Be there or be square."

Ginny shook her head and took the slip of paper from my hand. "You can only pretend to hate him for so long, Katie."

"Eternity wouldn't be long enough."