Chapter 4
Every time that woman walked into the museum, it was like a shock to the good Doctor’s system. The hairs on his arm would stand up and it was like he could FEEL her presence. And there she was. Smiling with amusement… no…SMIRKING at him as if it was all a big joke with him being the butt of it. And Dr. Bay knew, he knew Hermione Evans was aware of exactly what she was doing. And frankly, he was right. Hermione took tremendous joy in tormenting him, not that it was all that difficult or that she really understood WHY her presence bothered the man so much. Dr. Bay just must have instinctively known that Hermione was a witch and was incapable of understanding exactly what about her was putting him on edge and it was undoubtedly driving him crazy. Or, he could just dislike her for no good reason. Professor Snape never liked her for no good reason. Dr. Bay cursed in Arabic as his hairs stood on edge yet again and THERE SHE WAS right at his elbow.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bay.” That was the other thing. She constantly insisted on calling him Mister.
“It is Doctor MISS Evans,” Dr. Bay insisted for what felt like the thousandth time.
“Those words I heard you say just now sounded SO charming, Doctor. What do they mean? I’m sure such a learned man such as yourself wouldn’t DARE curse and I’m curious as to their meaning.” Dr. Bay glared at her and rudely didn’t answer.
“Miss Carnahan is in the library,” he grunted and began to walk away.
“As charming as always, Mister Bay!” Hermione called after him. She laughed to herself as he again uttered several curses to Alla. Hermione made her way to the library. Now she saw the reason for all the time Ron and the twins had spent taunting Draco Malfoy. It was wonderful fun. When the person deserved it, of course. Hermione made it just in time to see Evelyn trip on her own skirt and faceplant on the ground amidst a shower of paperwork. Hermione rushed forward to make sure she was okay.
“Oh, Hermione. Hello.” Evelyn looked flustered and her forehead was a little red, but overall; alright.
“Evelyn, I’ve only ever met ONE other person as clumsy as you; and they had the assistance of several mean spirited students a majority of the time. I don’t know how you manage to get into so much trouble when you are all alone.”
“The answer is beyond us both, I assure you, Hermione.” Evelyn brushed off her skirt and sighed at the scattered paperwork. They both scrambled to collect the paperwork. “Dr. Bay is not going to be happy if he walks in on this,” Evy flustered as she hurried to tidy up.
“I’m sure you have a few moments to breathe,” Hermione reassured. “I ran into him on my way here and he always tries to avoid repeating that esteemed pleasure.”
“I don’t understand why you goad him. Dr. Bay would like you just fine if you didn’t tease him so much.” Hermione rolled her eyes.
“I doubt that greatly seeing as how I don’t like him either and that fact is out for all to see.” Evelyn began to sort the papers on a nearby desk.
“This will take forever,” Evelyn sighed.
“Let me help,” Hermione pressed. “It won’t take that long, and I can deliver them to the esteemed Dr. Terence Bay when we are finished so you can get to your other work. Do you have much left?”
“No, not much. Thank you. Even though I know you are only offering so that you can make Dr. Bay uncomfortable.”
“I can have two separate motivations at the same time, can’t I?” Hermione grinned.
__________________
“Terrence!”
“Adham! It is wonderful to see you! And this, this is my eldest nephew,” Dr. Bay looked at the still boyish form of his nephew Ardeth Bey. He was still awaiting the growth spurt that would transform him into a muscular man, but Terrence and Adham were certain it would come soon with him already being eighteen. “How is your training going?”
“It is going well, Uncle,” Ardeth said with a slight bow.
“He becomes more skilled every day,” Adham looked at his son with pride and Ardeth blushed at the positive attention. “Ardeth is accompanying me to learn all that he shall need to govern the tribe.”
“It is never too early,” Terrence solemnly agreed.
“What is it that you summoned me to discuss?” Adham had been concerned to say the least to receive Terrence’s letter. “It must be urgent if it could not wait until our regular family meal.”
“I’m not certain it is urgent, but there is a woman who has begun to be friendly with my bookkeeper; and I’m afraid she may be more than she appears.”
“A woman?” Adham returned skeptically.
“She… she feels… she carries an aura that is… like Hamunaptra.” Adham breathed in sharply at the connection that Terrence was making. “I can’t explain it any other way. I would just feel more comfortable having more information about her. I’ve attempted to gain some understanding from conversation with Evelyn Carnahan, but that has not been overly helpful.”
“Have you attempted to get to know her? Ask her some subtle questions?” Adham questioned. Terrence’s expression turned dark.
“Our first meeting was not a good one, and since then she has made it her personal mission to irritate me. The awful woman calls me ‘Mister Bay’ among other things,” Terrence said with great irritation.
“Maybe she forgets,” Adham attempted to reason.
“No,” Terrence returned vehemently. “She does not. You can see it in her eyes. She KNOWS. She is absolutely the most infuriating woman I have ever come across. And I work with Evelyn Carnahan who can’t walk across a flat surface without tripping or dropping or knocking something over. She is the most disrespectful little chit.” Adham couldn’t help chuckling with amusement. Ardeth watched and listened silently while his Uncle grew more and more heated. How bad could one woman be?
“Well, that isn’t terribly polite,” Terrence swore in shock and surprise as Hermione was suddenly at his elbow.
“Woman! HOW do you do that?” Adham had reached for the hilt of his sword in alarm at the sudden voice and was shocked to find none other than their topic of conversation. “Do you not know how to knock?!” Terrence continued with frustration.
“It is a trade secret and yes. In fact, I do know how to knock,” Hermione held up the papers. “And… how to deliver a stack of papers. If you were not too busy bemoaning what a ‘disrespectful little chit’ I was, you may have heard that knock.” Or not because Hermione never knocked and never intended too. “Mister Bay.” Hermione held out the papers meaningfully and Terrance snatched them with a glare. He waited for her to walk out. Hermione continued to stand there calmly staring at him with hands clasped primly in front of her. Adham knew what Terrence was talking about. Her presence was hair raising. Like lighting was about to strike. Ardeth was slack jawed. His Father hadn’t let go of his sword. Ardeth felt his heart beat faster as the tension was palpable. Should he prepare to draw his sword as well? Ardeth could see his Uncle’s nervousness and his Father’s tension, but the woman in question just continued to smile.
“Well?” Terrence questioned shrilly. “What are you waiting for? Leave!”
“You didn’t say…the magic words.” Hermione said serenely.
“What magic words?” Adham prepared for something to happen. Something awful. Terrence was right. There was something off about her.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you?” Terrence was absolutely flabbergasted.
“You're welcome!” Hermione said brightly. “Nice meeting you!” she said to the desert warriors and left without another word.
“Do you understand NOW, brother?” Terrence said with no little amount of disbelief.
“To say the least,” Adham replied as he let go of his sword.