Chapter 3
Hermione woke up rested and ready for a shower. But, that was not meant to be. The gremlins were wreaking havoc in her mind… Hermione had to deal with the dusty mess outside her comfy tent, and what would be the point of showering if she was going to be a sweaty mess again immediately afterwards. Hermione scarfed down yet another granola bar from the depths of her purse and got down to work. Scourgefying floors and repairing broken cement. Hermione was going to need to do some serious work here. As soon as the place was at the very least clean, Hermione set to work expanding it sufficiently to meet her primary needs. She needed a second floor. Hermione was grateful that she read a great many books on a great many topics. This project would be tedious and incredibly difficult otherwise. Heavens knew that she would NEVER be able to have a Muggle in here when she was finished. They were going to have a heart attack.
Hermione needed supplies. She could grab one of each thing she needed. Then multiply them, maybe expand and enlarge them if needed. With the space expanded and clean Hermione began making her list for the necessary supplies and decided that NOW she could get ready to be seen by the Muggle public. Hermione stared at the new scar that had formed on her chest. It overlapped with the purple scar that she had received in the Ministry all those years ago. Her body was a mess. It was no wonder that Moody was a misshapen disaster after so many years. Being an Auror and actively getting into magical trouble, it was impossible to hide. This was depressing.
Hermione shook herself out of those thoughts with a jerk of her head and immediately jumped into the shower. It was beautiful. Warm. Rejuvenating. Hermione dressed in her now standard clothing and headed out into the dodgy alley. Hermione’s hooded and shadowy form blended in with the vagrants she could see in the alley. It was when she went out into the everyday markets of Cairo that she began to feel slightly out of place.
The sun was bright and the merchants' goods colorful. The smell of exotic spices filled the air deliciously. The majority of the crowd wore light colored clothing to offset the brilliance of the sun. If it weren’t for her cooling charm, she no doubt would have been sweating a storm. But being a witch, Hermione was perfectly comfortable in the brilliant heat. There was the occasional man or woman shrouded and covered similarly to Hermione in their traditional garb. There were so many items for sale, Hermione was completely overwhelmed and dazzled. Jewelry and painted pots. Antiques and artifacts (stolen or faked). Carpets and mats. And the food, Hermione never did get much of an opportunity to try foreign cuisine. Hogwarts was very static. Delicious, but static. Hermione stopped to purchase mouthwatering sweet bread and fruit. It was going to be absolutely delicious after her recent diet. Hermione walked around aimlessly. Observing and dedicating the prices and goods to memory. She would have to decide whether the wizarding goods were better priced than the Muggle ones. Hermione stopped when she saw a grandiose building suddenly in front of her: Cairo Museum. She felt her first rush of real excitement.
Hermione paid her fee at the door and meandered slowly through the exhibits. It was absolutely amazing. She hadn’t been to a museum in years. Not since a year or two before her parents’ memories were wiped. And when she saw a sign signaling a library, it was like a dream come true. Hermione frowned at hearing yelling that would have had Madam Pomfrey in an absolute conniption.
“You insulted our greatest patron!”
“I didn’t mean to honestly.”
“You called him a babbling baboon Miss Carnahan!” Hermione walked cautiously and quietly into the library to see a well groomed gentleman with a fez berating a younger woman conservatively dressed with her curly hair pulled into a bun.
“HE was going on and on about how disgusting the Egyptian rituals were and how all the grizzly mummies should be set on fire rather than put on display along with all that GOLD, and he was just…SO disrespectful! I mean, THIS is the man you want to fund the museum?! A man who would disrespect the bodies of the dead?”
“It doesn’t matter the morals of the money, so long as it does a good thing!”
“I disagree.”
“I don’t care WHAT you think. You’re the BOOKKEEPER. DON’T be here next time he comes in, OR ELSE!!” The man came storming by only to see Hermione standing calmly with her hands clasped in front. Dr. Bay didn’t know what came over him, but he felt a shiver of apprehension. The woman in front of him was…imposing. A threat. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Her clothes were unfeminine aside from an out of place pink, beaded bag slung across her body. The rest of her was all black and red. No makeup and just a simple braid. But her eyes were serious and intelligent… and spoke of knowledge. And, there was simply a feeling in the air around her. Dr. Bay ignored his fear and pulled himself up straighter.
“May I help you madame?” Dr. Bay said loftily.
“No thank you,” Hermione replied frostily in her perfect British accent. “I shall get help from the bookkeeper with morals. They tend to have better taste in literature and are FAR better company. Excuse me.” Hermione ignored the man’s affronted expression and waved the silence charm off her heels for an added effect. Evelyn looked in surprise as a woman in her late twenties firmly put the revered Doctor in his place. “Good afternoon!” Hermione smiled pleasantly. “I’m looking for some books that will help me to learn Arabic. Some books on Ancient Egyptian wouldn’t be remiss, either.”
“I would love to help you,” Evelyn began apologetically. “But, the books here don’t tend to be educational so much as scholarly. I would recommend a tutor, and hopefully they would have the literature that you need to learn.”
“Hmmmm…” Hermione suddenly smiled brightly. “Do YOU know Arabic and Ancient Egyptian?”
“Of… of course. But, I’ve never taught before.”
“Oh posh,” Hermione waved off her concern. “There is always a day to start. Unless of course, you don’t want to; then of course I’ll look for someone else. And to be frank, I have already decided I like you. You remind me of a much younger version of one of my professors at my boarding school, and I would love to get to know you better.” Evelyn blushed prettily. She could admit, it was difficult living in Egypt. The only real connections she had were Jonathon and Dr. Bey. And, with Dr. Bey being so harsh and Jonathon running off every other month…it was getting to be quite lonely. The young woman in front of her was older and clearly didn’t follow any social standard she knew of. First, with mouthing off to Dr. Bey and second, with her fashion being quite forward. Evelyn could already admit that she quite liked her as well.
“Oh, well, alright. I’d love to teach you. I’m Evelyn Carnahan,” Evelyn held her hand out with a shy smile. Hermione smiled even bigger back.
“Hermione Evans. It is wonderful to meet you.”
“I’ll go grab us some books, and then we’ll pop off. The patron in question is dropping by later…as you know; I am not supposed to be here. Should we study at your lodgings?” Hermione hesitated.
“My lodgings are in a questionable part of town. Do you mind terribly if we study at your lodgings? I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” Evelyn nodded with concern.
“Alright.” Evelyn bustled about collecting the books and the materials they would need before putting on her sweater and pinning her hat to her hair. Hermione picked up half the books, and they set off into the desert heat. Dr. Bay watched the two of them leave with disbelief and irritation. There was something off about that woman.
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Evelyn was living in a decently posh part of Cairo. Her apartment was clearly a bit smaller than the ones adjacent, but she was clearly well off. There were smaller artifacts on display throughout the home. Hermione could clearly see the love of history and books clearly throughout the home. It really was her kind of home.
“Your home is lovely,” Hermione complimented. Evelyn smiled brightly.
“Thank you! It’s me and my brother’s, when he decides to be in town. Right now I believe he is on a dig, but… he also could just be at the local kasbah partying with the foreign legion.” Evevlyn suddenly blushed with embarrassment. She had gotten so excited that she had rushed and practically admitted her brother partied.
“You should have seen my housemates at boarding school,” Hermione smiled. “They would sneak alcohol in from the neighboring town and there wouldn’t be a sensible conversation to be had for at least a day or two while they nursed their hangovers.” Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief and gave Hermione a grateful smile. “Though, even when they were sober, it was not exactly like I was sharing a room with Al-... W-william Shakespeare.” Hermione almost had a mental sputter and said Albert Einstein, but she wasn’t entirely certain where Albert Einstein stood in the current academic world. Hermione vaguely recalled that he came to popularity around this time…but the Muggle world and its history really had been put on the backburner in recent years. She was going to have to comb through her books to make sure that she didn’t screw up royally.
“I struggled with my roommates too. They really had no appreciation for history and archeology,” Evevlyn stated sadly. “And, they were quite mean because of who my Mother was. It was no secret that she was an Egyptian, and there really was much to be desired as far as friendship went.”
“So…they were mean little shits?”
“Hermione?!” Evelyn was scandalized.
“Sorry,” Hermione grinned. “It’s been awhile since I cared to watch how I talked. I had a similar situation in school. I was one of the… scholarship students, and there were a lot of… higher status parents who didn’t like us being there. Made quite the stink about it. I got over caring for the opinions of others real quick.” The mood was dipping quickly. “So, Arabic or Egyptian first?” Evelyn was taken aback by the quick change of topic, but was happy for it nonetheless.
“Arabic!” Evelyn said cheerfully.
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“Absolutely incredible! You are learning so quickly!”
“I promise you I’m not. I’ve just studied a language that is a bit close in structure.” Namely, Hermione had studied ancient runes, but that was not exactly something she could really explain.
“Well,” Evelyn beamed. “I don’t think you will need that much help. Your pronunciation needs some work, and of course we will need to work on writing; but you are going to be the best first student I could ever have hoped for. We should start out by just talking in Arabic. You will become proficient in no time!”
“Thank you, Evelyn. So, should we go out for a meal? I’m starving, and I just got here. I have no idea where to go.”
“Oh,” Evelyn smiled bashfully. “I don’t know that many places, either. But, I’m sure we could find a decent meal at one of the hotels. Let me go get dressed.” Evelyn started for her room before abruptly stopping and turning back to Hermione with hesitation. “Except…” Hermione raised an eyebrow. If being Malfoy’s work partner had taught her one thing, it was the power of an elegantly raised eyebrow. “...I’m fairly certain they won’t allow you to wear trousers. Could I lend you a skirt?” Hermione couldn’t hold back her surprise… or the scrunch up nose that signified her distaste.
“Do I have to?”
“I’m afraid so.” Evelyn smiled apologetically.
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Evelyn was clearly miffed with Hermione’s solution. Hermione had stolen one of her red, split riding skirts and essentially just put it on over her pants and buttoned her black leather coat over it… She looked almost exactly the same as she had before. Evelyn raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
“Well, I’m wearing a skirt,” Hermione grinned mischievously and triumphantly.
“You enjoy finding ways around the rules, don’t you?” Evelyn said with amusement.
“...Only when the rules make absolutely no sense.”
“I see.” Hermione was in no hurry to go into EXACTLY how she found her ways around the rules in the past, not that she really could without being thrown in wizard prison. Hermione followed Evelyn closely out into the street. Evelyn didn’t go far, and Hermione did have to hand it to her; she was right about wearing the skirt. They entered the restaurant, and there wasn’t a single local; only a bunch of stuck up tourists wearing ridiculously long skirts (the women, of course). Hermione had to meaningfully take off her black coat when the host looked at her skeptically and he only looked mildly less scandalized to see the long red skirt over her black pants and boots. Hermione didn’t even think about how strange it would be when she tied the arms of her coat around her waist instead of handing it over to the coat room attendant. The upper class patrons looked at Hermione as if she was some sort of uncouth street urchin as they finally sat down. Thankfully, Evevlyn found it amusing more than anything else.
“I’ll have to introduce you to Jonathon when he is next in town. He will like you.” Hermione was careful to follow Evelyn’s lead. She put her napkin on her lap in the same manner as Evelyn. She made certain to allow Evelyn to order first and followed her lead. In short, Hermione’s manners were impeccable by example.
“The question is… will I like Jonothan?”
“He grows on you, but… at first he will make you crazy. Just keep an eye on your pocketbook,” Evelyn warned with a heavy sigh.
“Duly noted,” Hermione chuckled.
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Evelyn was relieved to have found a kindred soul in Hermione, and a steadfast friend. She came by the museum every single day. Her conversation was interesting, and aside from very cryptic answers about her life before Cairo and where exactly in Cairo she lived; Hermione was very forthcoming. Evelyn really liked her. Dr. Bay clearly did not.
“Oh. YOU again.” Hermione gave him a flourishing and clearly mocking bow.
“Oh, the ESTEEMED Dr. Bay! How kind of you to bestow your liege’s mighty aura on us common peasants! How EVER shall we return your wonderful favor to us?”
“Cheeky brat!” Dr. Bay growled before storming away to his office and closing the door behind him with a resounding slam.
“Oh, Hermione! Must you irritate him so?”
“Naema. Yajib ealay.” (Yes. I must.)
“Your pronunciation is improving!” Evelyn said with pride.
“I am happy to say it is. And as for Dr. Bay, I am sorry if my attitude affects you negatively. He rubs me the wrong way. Dr. Bay is exactly like an old professor of mine and it really makes me want to anger him in ways I didn’t have the courage to as a child.”
“Oh… don’t worry about that. It IS entertaining!” Evelyn whispered. “And continues to keep me entertained when he is yelling at me which frustrates him to no end.”
“Marvelous! Now, are you free?” Hermione said with a grin.
“Jonathon!” Evelyn grinned with excitement. “Jonathon is in town. Please come to dinner with us! I desperately want to introduce the two of you.” Hermione raised an eyebrow.
“He isn’t going to pick my pocket, is he?”
“Oh no, no….probably.”
“I heard that, Evelyn.”
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Jonathan had struck out… again. Rotten of that Carter fellow having all the luck. Sure, the curse was following them, but that was nothing in the face of all that GOLD. Well, at least he would see the old girl again… and just as important get a decent drink again. Evy had uncharacteristically asked him to come to one of the local cafes. It had excellent coffee, but Evy hardly got out enough to find that out. They almost always met in one of the stuffy hotels. The upside was they had excellent liquor… and the downside being less than excellent company. So… coffee. He would have to wait for the excellent liquor.
“Jonathon!” Even rushed forward to embrace Jonathon with even more exuberance than usual.
“Evy! How lovely to see you!”
“Oh, Jonathan! I have so much to TELL you!”
“Of course, of course; old girl. But first, could you take a look at this artifact? Maybe show it to that curator of yours? I promise, mint condition and absolutely spiffy!”
“In a moment, Jonathan,” Evy sighed with resignation. “First, I want you to meet someone!” Jonathan lost his breath as he imagined the worst. Please, heavens, let it not be a beau! He couldn’t handle his baby sister running off with some cad. Thankfully, the person he was met with was not a dashing and devonere devil; but a naturally beautiful, young woman. The black leather and skin tight pants were delightful. Her lively and curly hair framed a face devoid of rogue with shining mischievous light brown eyes.
“Well, thank heavens! I nearly had a heart attack thinking Evy would introduce me to her fiance. Instead, she introduced me to MY new fiance.” Hermione snorted with amusement and Evy smacked Jonathon playfully…but HARD. “Now, old girl, was that really necessary? I really AM relieved. Lovely to meet you. I’m Jonathon Carnahan.” Jonathan held his hand to the lovely angel of darkness, and she took his hand with a black leather gloved hand.
“Hermione Evans.”
“Charmed.”
“Likewise. So long as you don’t try to pick my pocket.”
“Evy!” Jonathan turned to Evy in mock offense. “What lies have you been spinning about me? I am the picture of decorum!”
“I told her the TRUTH Jonathon. You can hardly blame me. I am not losing my best friend to your nonsense.” Evelyn blushed bright red at the admission she had made. She glanced quickly in embarrassment to Hermione, but was immensely relieved to find her smiling brightly back at her.
“Don’t worry. It will take more than a thieving brother to chase me away.” Evelyn was ecstatic. It was an underestimated pleasure…having a real friend. She had never felt anything like it. Jonathan saw Evy’s shy happiness. It had been tough for the old girl. Living alone while he ran off leaving her to work in the museum with Dr. Bay and that stick he had shoved up his ass. Oh, sure. Jonathon took comfort in the fact that Bey would never dare to fire Evy due to their parent’s influence even in death, but the old coot did rag on the poor thing so. It most definitely didn’t help that he kept pawning off the pieces of junk he struggled to dig up to make a living on her to sell for him.
“So, Jonathan…” Evy began. “...what is the artifact you have found?” Jonathan had enough awareness to be embarrassed. His sister would see right through him… and even though he had just met her; he had a feeling Hermione would also know that he was full rubbish.
“Well… it may not be the best thing to find, but I hope it is at least enough for the curator to put in the museum.” Jonathan pulled out an Egyptian painting on papyrus. He knew it wasn’t truly worth anything. A pretty fake, or more palatable… creative rendition of a real artifact.
“Jonathon, you and I both know this isn’t a real artifact. You didn’t find any MEANINGFUL artifacts in all the time since I last saw you?” Jonathan had found many meaningful experiences with women with meaningful assets. Meaningful artifacts? Not so much. He had tried, but he got bored awfully quick. And, he felt justified when none of the other archeologists found anything of worth either after spending far more time wasting their own time. Hermione gently took the papyrus out of Evelyn’s hand. It was pretty. Colorful renditions of an Egyptian goddess. Clearly fake as Evelyn said, but pretty nonetheless.
Hermione had finally begun finishing the structure of her home. Built in bookshelves. A cat climbing structure that covered an entire wall. A spiraling staircase that led to even more bookshelves and a giant tasteful curtain that covered the entrance to her bedroom. She had a tiny kitchen area and a giant bathtub that was more of a pool. All that Hermione could possibly dream of in a house. But, Hermione HAD wanted to get some pictures for the walls and was missing furniture. And… It WAS quite a pleasing painting despite its lack of authenticity. Hermione exited her ruminating to realize that the siblings were mid argument.
“Jonathon! You can’t HONESTLY expect me to bring another obviously fake piece of junk to Dr. Bay? The last time I did that, I thought he was going to have my head!”
“Does it really hurt to try, old girl? I promise to make it up to you!”
“That’s what you said last time, Jonathan! And it only…”
“I’ll buy it.” The two of them turned to Hermione in disbelief before Hermione handed over a decent amount of money. “I’ve been looking for artwork to put on my walls… and honestly, I quite like it.”
“I say, that’s mighty good of you!” Jonathan exclaimed happily.
“Hermione! This is far too much!” Evelyn attempted to snatch some of the money to hand back to Hermione, but was clearly struggling to get it from Jonathon before he put it in his pocket. Hermione smiled big at the clear sibling wrestling match going on across from her.
“Don’t worry! I really have taken a liking to it. And, I promise not to buy EVERY piece of junk that Jonathon brings around. I’ll even give a scathing review next time, no matter what he brings before me.”
“Hermione!” Evelyn chastised. “That’s hardly the point.” Jonathan took advantage of Evy’s distraction and placed a firm kiss on her cheek before running off.
“Well, Evy, I have to be popping off! Lovely meeting you, Hermione!” He called out while briskly power walking down the street.
“Jonathon! Jonathan! Come back here right this instant!” Hermione laughed loudly while Evy attempted to apprehend the fleeing Jonathon. Hermione did like the cad.