Illyria was wandering through Diagon Alley when she came upon the coffee shop.  She hadn't had a decent cappuccino in, what seemed like, forever so she opened the door and walked in.  Since she had never been here before, she nervously tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and walked closer to the counter.  Being a quiet person, she didn't speak up right away, instead chose to look at the list on the board that was on the wall. 

Briefly she wondered if she should get something besides a cappuccino, maybe a latte, but she mentally shook her head and stepped closer to the counter.  She stood there for a moment, fidgeting with her beaded bracelet before finally saying, "Um, hello." she stopped and waited for someone to look her way, her voice was a little quieter than usual today, only because she didn't recognize anyone yet, "May I get a cappuccino please?" she asked, her eyes now glancing around the place to find somewhere to sit, so she wasn't really paying attention to anyone who was behind the counter.  She just hoped she wasn't making a fool of herself.

Some days, James had a great summer flying around on his broom.  Otherdays, he had to do things he would rather not.  He was here to pick up some coffee beans in an attempt to make nutrient potions.  Why beans had more power than the actual drink itself James would never know, but he was not the intellectual type to begin with.  He just accepted it as one of the things that magic is capable of and left it at that. 

Apparently, they were short staffed because it seemed that a timid lass had decided to drop by for a drink.  James was already sitting by a table when the lass walked in.  He did not know her, nor did he know anything about her, but she was here and this errand seemed to be taking James far too long.  He decided to have some fun.  Though James could not tell her age by looking at her, but she appeared to be approximately his age, if maybe slightly older.  Regardless, James knew that she was by far the best looking witch here, so he applied his usual charm.

"You are waiting for a cappucino?  I'm waiting for some beans myself.  Why don't you sit down and join me," James offered.

Illyria looked towards the voice and smiled softly. "Are you sure?  I would not want  to intrude."  She thought for a moment and then walked over to to the table where the young man sat. He couldn't  be much younger than herself,  she thought to herself as she studied him. "I didn't  even know this place was here truthfully,  I just moved back after travelling." She looked around the room,  she was talking too much. Here was this handsome stranger and she was letting her mouth take over her brain. "I'm sorry. I talk too much when I am around people I don't know." A blush started to rise on her cheeks as she stood by the table and avoided looking at the handsome stranger.

James noticed that the girl was speaking quickly and had that innocent blush on her face.  Honestly, it was so pure, that James did not know if it was an act or not.  James thought girls like that only really existed in various theatre performances, though he assumed the characters had some basis in reality.  Even if it was an act, James was enough of a gentleman to go along with it.  Especially since she was looking at down, it gave James an excuse to look at her eyes and subtly check out her chest.   Making sure he was looking at her face before he replied, he responded to her string of queries with a small grin.

"Ah.  Well, that's no big deal.  It would be rude of me not to offer a lady a seat anyways, and there is not much to do besides talk anyways.  Ordinarily we could drink coffee or something while we are here, but I doubt I have enough time to order one and for them to make it before sundown.  If you are new in town, I could show you around later.  Anyways, if you just got back from traveling, what was the most interesting thing you saw?" James asked, trying to get the girl talk about herself.  He was also trying to arrange a time to meet her later as well, preferably away from this maddening crowd.  This was for a variety of reasons, though mainly because James actually had a schedule to keep.  It was a coincidence he was still here when she walked in, and he had no idea when his order would arrive.  James did not want to brush the girl off, but he certainly did not want to appear desperate either.  Still, James realized he was getting too far ahead of himself, especially with the customer service exhibited thus far.  He waited for the girl to reply.  He then realized he forgot something.

"My name is James by the way," he introduced himself, figuring he probably should have done that earlier.  'No cure for it' he thought.

Illyria looked at James and then replied softly, "My name is Illyria," and she took a seat at the table where he sat.  "I don't suppose I saw much of substance, I merely travelled around looking at old castles."  She fidgeted with her bracelet.  "I am new I suppose, I did go to Hogwarts, but immediately after graduating I went back home to Ireland and then started to travel from there.  There are some things that are here now that weren't here when I was still in school." 

She turned her head to look back at the counter to see if anyone was moving around there yet, but not seeing anyone she looked back to James.  "I could use someone to tell me what's changed since I've been gone I suppose." she finally decided to say.  She wasn't comfortable around the opposite sex, but she supposed that things could change, there might actually be some decent men in the world... maybe.

James noticed she was not as enthusiastic as he would like about that invitation, but at least she did not flat out refuse him.  James did find it odd that she did not really want to talk about her trip, but it was not like he was an auror with a suspect.  He was here to charm a witch, not get her to confess that she did it in the library with the candlestick.  He was here to try to get her to have fun.  James found it odd that it seemed like his first impression did not have as much positive effect as he would have liked.  Still, James thought he could probably have fun with this girl.

"I see.  So what made you decide to come back to England then?  Wait, is it the world famous weather?" James joked, knowing that London would be more infamous than famous for anything related to precipitation.

As James looked at the girls eyes, he was trying to read her body language, and see if he could not get her to open up a bit more to him.  "As far as what's new, there seems to have been a sudden outcropping of restaurants and clubs recently, both in London and Hogsmeade.  Still, you can find those anywhere.  I guess the better question is, what's your hobby?  It'd be pretty hard to show you something new and something you like if I do not know that," James asked.

Illyria was a little excited that someone had offered to show her around,  but she didn't show it.  She wasn't really good with all the social niceties that other people practiced.  Most of the time when she had been around kids her age when she was younger, she had her head in a book, or was completely ignored, so it spilled over into her adult life and she hadn't been able to shake it.  "I decided to come back to England because I would like to prove to my parents that I can take care of myself, and my brother is here."

She half-smiled at his joke about the weather. "I would of come for the weather, but it's about the same sometimes in Ireland, so there isn't anything to brag about." Illyria tried to joke back, she'd never been any good at randomly inserting jokes into conversation, so she hoped that she at least made some progress this time.

She listened to him explain what was new, clubs and such when she said, "I don't think I'd fit in the club scene, I'm too much of a wallflower to enjoy that."  Then he asked what her hobby was and for an instant, she felt a spark of fire in her mind, "My hobby, I love to come up with different ways to brew potions, like different ingredients, or different preperations.  Anything really, I just love to experiment with potions, but it's just something I do in my free time.  Right now, I'm looking for employment, so I don't have a lot of free time." [1]

1.	After I wrote this, I realized why James was in the coffee shop in the first place, but I forgot while I was writing this... something in common then.

A joke.  James smiled at his progress.  He also made note that she had a brother, but figured asking about details of her family could wait until later.  While he would like to know, he could wait until they had an undisclosed amount of time to talk. He listened to her, and had several ideas flood his brain. 

"If you like brewing potions, there are a number of apothecaries to visit.  I actually make a fair number of nutrient potions myself, which is why I am actually here.  It might also be worth talking to Elixa Mordent, whom I sometimes correspond with on the subject.  She works at St. Mungos.  Anyways, you have given me a few ideas as to what to show you.  Now that I think of it, Liadan also runs a farm.  She might be worth having a cup of tea with as well, if you can withstand her personality.  She is one of those weird people who does not like quidditch.  I am getting ahead of myself though - these people mean nothing to you yet " James thought aloud. 

"Anyways, if you have not yet been, stopping by Sellaphix apothecary might be worthwhile.  They also have a decent owl order catalog.  The Knockturn location makes it a bit rough, but if you go with me you should be fine.  How about we grab lunch and head to Sellaphix apothecary?  They opened in 2009, so I think it should be relatively new for you," James offered. 

"I would love to go visit anywhere that has to do with potions, and I am glad that I have someone to show me where they are," Illyria paused, "But are you sure that you can spare your time to do all this, I mean, are you sure you want to spend all this time with me."

Illyria had never been sure of herself, she tended to stay in the background until someone called her name.  She certainly never had any experience with flirting, or with boys in general.  The only boy she knew and trusted was her brother - and by extension her nephews, but that was family.  She was totally clueless to anything that wasn't a normal everyday conversation.

No, she didn't grow up in a sheltered life, but living on a farm run only by your parents, there wasn't much interaction with anyone until she went to Hogwarts, and even then, she spent most of her time either in the library or an empty classroom brewing potions.  "My parents own a farm, but it's just a regular working farm, is the woman's farm you mentioned like that?"

James smiled.  He did not know if this act was cute, or if he was trying to get him to admit that he had designs on her.  James thought it was obvious, but given how some of his one night stands, James had enough experience to know you could never tell with women.  Still, he answered her in a neutral tone.

"Ah, it is not a big deal.  Liadan runs a working farm that produces grade a potions ingriedients.  She is definitely a proper pureblood, and is usually involved in some society gig.  But yeah, personality.  I have not seen her in a while, which is kind of strange  cause I used to see her all the time.  As far as your time concerns, it is not like we are going to do this all in one day or at one time.  You are correct in stating that I do not have the time for that in one day.  But I can certainly spread it out over several weeks," James explained.  He then noticed that his order was finally ready.

"Appropriately enough, my order has finally arrived.  Before I grab it, where should I owl you?  We can work the details out that way," James stated. 

Illyria looked like she was still deciding what to do.  Something was different here than her usual conversations with guys.  Normally they would say things about the weather or quidditch, but this guy was offering to show her around to places that might pique her interest.  That was new.  She didn't know what to think, or how to react.  She sat up in the chair and cleared her throat, "I am temporarily living at Craven Street, Charing Cross, Embankment, St Jame`s Park[1]. The lease is almost up, but that is where I am for now."

She paused for a moment and then added, "But if I move before you contact me, how will I let you know where I am?" she asked shyly, looking down at the table and beginning to fidget with her bracelet again.

1.	Just an address I found on the internet, it's a 1 bedroom studio apartment that is for small time leases.

"Funny you should mention moving.  I am actually fed up with the place I moved into, but it was kind of short notice.  That's neither here nor there, and my lease does not expire for another few months yet.  Anyways, just owl me at 5 Castle Drive, Falmouth, England[1].  I apologize for my abrupt departure, but I have spent too long here and have other appointments to keep.  I shall see you around," James stated.

He really did not like being that abrupt, but he was not lying.  It had taken him way too long to achieve that task and now he had other places to go.  Still, he did not want to act like a complete prick.

"It was a pleasure meeting you," James said, and walked out the door. 

1.	This is a completely made up adress