Nostalgia Trip\\OPEN

[MICHAEL ALLEN TUCKER]

"Baburin has spotted the snitch, and so has Tucker! It's going to be a night to remember folks....wait a minute, both seekers have stopped. And oh me oh my! That bludger zoomed right past Williams and straight into Vasnetsov! And play is suspended until he recovers.....stay tuned as the WWN reports live from the 2010 Quidditch World Cup!"


Stepping into Quality Quidditch Supplies he'd hear a familiar game playing on the radio. And the memories came back flooding, some folks stopped to take a look at him as Michael appeared to close his eyes and remember as he felt the memories returning to him. Nikita Vasnetsov seemed to be down for what seemed like hours and doing the unthinkable between the two teams, who had been rivals since the Cold War, and jumped off his broom onto the ground to check on the man. Opening his eyes he'd hear the radio cut back from commercial and immediately start back up. Signing an autograph for a kid who approached him.

"Welcome back Ladies and Gentlemen to the 2010 Quidditch World Cup final match between the United States of America, and the Russian Federation. Filling you in on what's happened during the break, the unthinkable between these two teams, who had been rivals since the days of the Soviet Union. Michael Tucker, the Captain of the United States, has hopped off his broom and is assisting medical teams with Vasnetsov.....and he's back up, play is resuming!"


It was all too clear for him, once Nikita was back on his broom the match went back to the aggression that made the game memorable, and it seemed like both teams were playing as if it were the Cold War all over again. Finally jumping out of his trance, Michael began to look around the shop. Taking a break from his usual job hunt.

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There was nothing more freeing than flying. Katalina could make the exception for running but that was physical work. She couldn't wait for the new season of quidditch to start at school. That was becoming one of the only reasons she still attended Hogwarts. Everything in her studies, she already knew, and the people there weren't exactly going to help further her goals. Maybe it was so hard to find people she actually liked because of the huge age gap. Not that anyone but her really knew about that though. Not that it mattered.

Kat brought herself back to reality by looking at the sign for quality quidditch supplies. This was why she came to Diagonal Alley that afternoon. The season was coming up, and as seeker, she needed to be prepared. Her Firebolt was still in pristine condition, she just needed new accessories. She thought about maybe some new uv resistant goggles, gloves, and anything else she could really get to better protect her from the onslaught of the sun. The blond felt it was generally harder to catch a snitch when her skin stung for half the match.

She walked in the door, and saw that there was a little group of kids gathered into a huddled mass. Must be looking at a new tail model. her emerald eyes scanned the shelves looking for the gloves that would work for her. One of the kids bumped into her, and normally it wouldn't do much, but she hadn't been paying attention. His force knocked her backwards a little, and she hit something hard. "Ow.". She grabbed her shoulder, and rubbed it. Then she turned around to see what had jabbed her. It was a guy. A cute guy. "Oh. Sorry bout that." she flashed him a charming smile with her apology.

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[MICHAEL ALLEN TUCKER]

Soon after that one child more soon followed and began asking him questions about Quidditch, eventually overwhelming the former celebrity to the point where he was cornered. "Okay, okay! One at a time!" Michael laughed as he felt his elbow bump into someone and he turned around. Seeing her smile and apology, he'd smile and shake his head "Nah you're fine!" Michael said as he looked around and eventually heard the announcer go nuts from a broadcast that was 14 years old.

"Williams passes the Quaffle to Ramirez, Ramirez passes to Erickson....who DODGES A BLUDGER THROWS THE QUAFFLE PAST THE RUSSIAN KEEPER AND SCORES FOR THE UNITED STATES! The current score is 60-40 United States.....and it looks like Tucker has once again spotted the snitch, yes....he's got it tracked and now he's following! Baburin is close behind! Ladies and Gentlemen both Seekers have been adamant with each other as if at wand point! This is a game to remember!"

Michael smiled as he heard the announcer and looked to the beautiful woman once again, giving her a soft smile as he offered his hand "Michael Tucker" he said, not bothering to announce that he had played for the United States, he didn't want to look like an egotist. "I guess you're an avid Quidditch fan?" he laughed jokingly, of course she was, or she wouldn't be here.

This girl was indeed interesting, it was time to see what she'd reply with....

[Deleted]

He smiled back at her, and she just straightened the leather jacket that was around her. He seemed to be listening quite intently to the old quidditch game that was playing in the background. After the announcer shouted that the USA won whatever quidditch match it was, he put out his hand and introduced himself. “Hello Michael Tucker. I'm Katalina. Katalina de la Vega.” She noticed the children in the back of the shop staring at him. Then she heard them, across the shop, and over the other loud noises, about how lucky they thought she was for talking to Michael Tucker, the quidditch player. That's when the pieces clicked together in her head.

Her bright emerald eyes glanced from the radio that was playing the end of the game, and back at him. She smirked wickedly, but playfully. “Oh. I take it you are that Michael Tucker then.” Kat remembered how she spent most of her afterlife in the States, and sort of listened to the games. However, she only really learned the teams, not so much the players. The vampire had other, more important things on her mind, and didn't have time to memorize and obsessively follow every single athlete. Not that she didn't totally appreciate what they had to do, or think they were any less hot.

Then Michael asked if she was an avid quidditch fan, and Kat giggled. “Ummm fan? I suppose. But I'm much more of a player than a watcher.” She winked at him, and turned to grab the gloves off the shelf. She was a pretty little thing, and that made a lot of people think she couldn't take care of herself. Those people would be very wrong. “What about you? Sitting sideline in you retirement?” Katalina smiled at him again, and her eyes smoldered wickedly.

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MICHAEL ALLEN TUCKER

[MICHAEL ALLEN TUCKER]

Nodding to Katalina as she mentioned that he was that Michael Tucker he smiled "Yes that was me, nothing too fancy" he said, trying to be humble. His eyes gazing to hers as he looked back at the kids who seemed to be in awe that they were looking at a celebrity. Michael just brushed it off and listened to the after the game interview.

"Fantastic performance by you and your team Captain Tucker, what are your thoughts about tonights game?"

"Well first of all, this is our second World Cup title in all and we played incredibly hard, our Chaser's were on the Quaffle almost the entire game, and they met the Russians with the same aggression that they were giving us. All in all, I'm very proud on how we all did, and I hope that the United States can do it again in 2014...I'll be watching"

"Strong words from a well known man in the American Wizarding Community, Michael Tucker ends his career after snatching the snitch and beats the Russians 210-60"

Michael looked to Katalina once more and just gave his best smile "So you play huh? I would love to get back on the field sometime....though I don't think I'd be good enough for the pro circuit anymore" he shook his head. There was a lot more talent from the new generation. And he wouldn't know if an old timer like him could keep up.

[Deleted]

He was being very coy about it. Kat got the feeling that he was trying to downplay the whole professional athlete thing. No matter how hot the guy was, she felt like if you were good at something, you didn't need to hide it. She smirked, leaned against the nearest stack of shelves, and crossed her arms in front of her chest. There was a playful glint in her eyes as she spoke. “Darling, you were the Captain of a Cup winning professional quidditch team. Not to mention the fact that you're insanely hot. Please, for my sake, don't try to downplay how truly awesome that is.” After all, if you got it, flaunt it. The blond truly hoped that he hadn't been doing that all his life. It was so... boring. “You're going to have to be a little more interesting than that gorgeous to keep my attention.” Her smirk turned into a smile.

When he looked at her again, it looked like he was giving her his photo op smile, and she couldn't stop herself from laughing a little at it. “Haha, yes,” she caughed, “Sorry, yes. I do play. Not professionally, of course, but I dabble.” When he said he didn't know if he could play with the rest of them, she took two steps back. Once she put some distance between the two, and then looked him up and down, twice. “I don't know. You look like you're still in pretty good shape. But I could be totally wrong, and I could snap you like a twig.” Actually, she really could, no matter how good of a shape he was in. That might hurt his ego a bit though. "Though, if you don't think you can hang with the new crowd, what are you doing in here? Living out your glory days?" She smiled at him again, never having gone back to where she was originally standing.

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MICHAEL ALLEN TUCKER

[MICHAEL ALLEN TUCKER]

Michael looked to her and he shrugged a bit "It is pretty awesome, but I really don't like rubbing it in another person's face" he said "When you have people who look up to you, you kinda have a little bit more responsibility, the last thing I want is to let one of my younger fans down" he nodded, he was definitely a Southern American in the way he had his outlook on life. But at the same time, he did have the side of him that he didn't let other people see "Of course, the trophy's are an amazing reminder of my accomplishments, I put a lot of hard work into that and it got me to where I was" he'd say intently. He meant the words he spoke. And when she said that she played he smiled a bit. His eyes lighting up, maybe he could teach her a few tricks.

"Would you like to get together sometime and maybe I can teach you a bit of what I know" he'd add "It'll be nice to carry on my legacy" he smiled as he looked to the Firebolt on the wall. The broom he used against Russia and immediately turned his head back to Katalina. Looking her over she looked young and full of youth, and when she flirted with him he smiled a bit. Then she asked him what he was doing out here.

"Well to be honest....I actually went to Hogwarts for school, played for Gryffindor" he smiled "I really like it here, a lot more lively than Salem" he'd add and watched the young woman as she leaned against the wall, just talking to him.

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The more he talked, the more she realized that he might actually just be humble. Katalina had to remember that being humble was actually a trait some people had. She smirked to herself before she remembered that being humble was definitely boring. She came to the decision that she was going to break him out of that. “Then just don't let your little fans see it.” Problem solved. And she giggled. “Ah yes. Trophies. Trophies, jerseys, old brooms, photographs of groupies. Must be nice.” Katalina had never done a hard days work in her life. She either lived with absolutely no money, or with all of her old family's money. In fact, her whole life was lived in extremes, but never in poverty or dirty. That's what got her to where she was.

She watched him smile, and his eyes light up when she said she played. Michael then offered to play with her sometime, maybe teach her a few things. This made her a little hesitant because she would have to be very careful. No super sunny day, watch her speed, watch her strength. Of course, she did it all for quidditch at the school so it's not like it was something she was opposed to, but with a one on one game, he would be able to catch the little things she slipped on. But to make sure that she didn't rise any suspicion, she made a small bow. “I would be honored to take your legacy.” She spoke with joking sarcasm to keep it moving.

So he went to Hogwarts too, when he was younger. And he was a Gryffindor no less. Could he be anymore “Mr. Perfect.” He was one of those guys. “Well, I want you to take into account that it's so great here because I'm here. I'm not in Salem, and therefore Salem has lost it's color.” Now, she wasn't completely sure if that was actually true, but she did know she brought the party with her wherever she was, and since she was here, it was here. “Do you see how easy it is to be full of myself. But I guess I get away with it mostly because I'm hot.” She smirked, and giggled lightly at her comment.

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[MICHAEL ALLEN TUCKER]

"Well in all honesty, I think I could teach you to fly backwards, and depending on your position teach you a few tricks here and there" he smiled "Although the Stars and Stripes was a hell of a lot of fun to do, though I feel it could give an unfair advantage in school play" smirking, he'd look down. Remembering he'd helped to create it as he thought about it more and more, he started to think that the girl was right. His life was pretty cool.

Then she started to get full of herself and he shook his head laughing a bit "You're pretty kiddo" he'd reply "Hot isn't exactly in my vocabulary....am I attractive? Yes. Have I had a good life so far? Absolutely! But I don't consider myself hot" he'd once again humble himself and then peered over to the children who were looking at a book, detailing the greatest moments in Quidditch. They continued to read and he raised an eyebrow before turning his attention back to the woman in front of him.

The young blonde haired woman standing in front of him definitely did have an ego. But he wouldn't let that get in the way of getting to know her, she did have a love for Quidditch and she looked to know the game pretty well. However, in all honesty, deep down he felt that no one played the game harder than he did. That was a given.

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He seemed to get more and more excited the more he talked about quidditch. Michael just went on and into some detail about the different tricks and moves he wanted to teach her. Then when he mentioned what position she played, she giggled. He was really going to get a kick out of this. “Well, I'm pretty flexible, but I mostly play seeker.” Seeker seemed to be the best position for a girl in her position. It was the most solitary position on a team, which meant that there were less inquisitive eyes on her. Plus, with her added vampire abilities, picking out the tiny, hard to catch snitch was a bit easier for her seeing as her eyes could essentially move as fast as the snitch.

Then he made a bit of a mistake. He called her kiddo. Not even a second after, she basically snorted. Katalina was easily three times his age. She was not a kid. “Pro tip, dear. Don't call me kiddo. Though, this time I will forget it because you called me pretty.” Then he went back into humble mode, and she just rolled her eyes. Life was too short for humble, well for everyone else it was too short. For her, it was more because her life was so long, she did it for entertainment. “Okay, fine. You won't call yourself hot, but we can both agree I am, even if you won't admit it. Therefore, it's in your vocabulary. But that's semantics.”

She turned away from him, her hair fanning out. Then she started to walk around the shop looking at the other items on the shelf. “So you told me why you're here in the UK, but what are you doing in the shop? Shouldn't you have unlimited access to this stuff with sponsors or something?” If he wasn't still playing then why did he need equipment, or was it just about getting a little more fan attention? If that was the case then he was a little more full of himself than he let on.

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[MICHAEL ALLEN TUCKER]

Michael looked to the woman when she asked him what he was doing in a shop like this, and in all honesty, she was right. He had unlimited access to the latest Quidditch supplies, even had replica uniforms with his number and everything with it. And everywhere he went, when someone liked Qudditch, they'd undoubtedly heard of the legendary American Captain Michael Tucker and how he completely transformed the team and the nation from being predominantly a Quodpot nation, to bringing them into the Quidditch World Cup as a force to be reckoned with. 

Some of the United States most aggressive tactics were researched and put into books, some were famously kept secret and onlookers would watch in awe as they saw it happening live. One famous move was the Stars and Stripes which he'd mention earlier, and he'd managed to keep it a secret to all but the United States up to this point. 

And for all he knew, he could keep it a secret a heck of a lot longer. And finally he thought of the answer for her question "Y'know, it's always good to go back and look at where you started, it gives kids like you see around here hope to rise to the top, which should be everyone's dream....I actually enjoy coming back, I made a lot of memories here" he replied, smiling tentatively.