Chapter 19
Ardeth watched the red robed fanatics as they scurried around Hamunaptra. There were so many of them. They were like red locusts. Armed to teeth. The Medjai wasn’t guaranteed victory, and who would be around to fix the problem when the creature rose again? Ardeth knew that it was just a matter of time before they found what they were looking for. Ardeth needed to find the O’Connells. Ardeth left a scout behind as he rode back towards Cairo.
Every time Ardeth rode to Cairo, he would always ask himself the same painful question. Would he see her again? Ardeth had waited an entire week and a half for Hermione Evans to appear at the museum and the cafe. She never showed. Hermione was gone. Like a puff of smoke. Ardeth looked for her. Occasional his sentries in the city saw her, but Hermione was always gone before he could reach the latest sighting. Everything changed overnight. Hermione used to be their most valued training exercise, and over the years had turned into one of their legends. The Medjai told stories about her, and wondered if the formidable Miss Evans would ever come back. The newest recruits were excited if they sighted her, and were disappointed when Miss Evans merely disappeared rather than join in the playful game she used to enjoy. Ardeth felt that it had to be his fault.
Ardeth remembered the day at the wedding. Hermione had waved. He thought it was a temporary goodbye, and he hadn’t caught sight of her since. The O’Connells told him that she was okay. But, Ardeth wished he could catch sight of her. Catch her in his hands and steal her away before Hermione could escape. With the years, Ardeth matured. He felt the boy that he still had been drifting away. His father had told him he wasn’t ready to marry her when Ardeth had come home defeated. He had been angry…. but Ardeth understood now.
Hermione Evans was a force of nature, and Ardeth just wasn’t strong enough to stand with or against that force if needed. Ardeth had been besotted with her. Now… he was deeply in love with her. Ardeth hadn’t been her equal in age and understanding. He liked to think he was now. Ardeth was calmer. More steady. Hermione was right to walk away then. Now? Ardeth wanted to be the force of nature that she was incapable of withstanding… provided he could ever find her and keep her in one place long enough to achieve that goal. Hermione would have to wait though. London and the O’Connell’s awaited.
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Evelyn stroked Alex’s hair in the back of the car. She didn’t like nearly losing him. It had taken a lot of threatening and coaxing, but Alex had finally come clean about nearly dying at the hands of grave robbers. It left a pit of dread in Evelyn’s stomach. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something dreadful was about to happen, but Evelyn couldn’t see any reason to feel that way. It was probably just her recent slew of dreams affecting her when she was awake. Evelyn wished Hermione was here in times like these. Hermione had a way about telling what was a real concern and what wasn’t.
Alex’s godmother was still the most important friend in Evelyn’s life and wrote often. But, Hermione was hard to catch hold of these days. Mainly because Evelyn could never get her in one place for very long, but they did meet Greece at one point and Hermione stayed with them for two whole weeks. Alex had been ecstatic. Jonathon was a playmate, and Hermione was his partner in crime. The trouble that the three of them got into… Evelyn was almost afraid to leave them alone together. There had been one instance where Evelyn and Rick had gone on a date and had come back to the entire hotel staff in a rage at a disastrous trail of pranks on very esteemed patrons and no one to blame. But, Evelyn could see the devil may care smirk on Hermione’s and Alex’s faces and the look of guilt on Jonathon’s. Even though there was no existing evidence to prove that it was them who had slicked oil across the marble foyer… Evelyn and Rick knew without a doubt that it was them.
Alex toyed with the whirltop that he had received from his godmother. They had visited with her on their way back home and she had been alarmed to find out what had nearly happened to Alex. Aunt Hermione had slipped it to him when his parents were busy.
“If it ever starts to spin, get out. Get away from any new people that have entered the room. This is our secret. Okay, Alex?”
“How does it move?” Alex said curiously.
“Magic,” Aunt Hermione had said with a spark in her eyes and Alex had looked at her blandly.
“Get real Aunty.”
“Fine,” Hermione smiled secretively. “Don’t believe me. Just promise.”
“I promise,” Alex groaned.
“Don’t get that tone with me,” Hermione scoffed. “Or I’ll tell Rick it was YOUR fault he all of his white shirts were turned pink.”
“YOU’RE the one who gave me the dye pack to sneak into his laundry,” Alex whispered frustratedly.
“It’s not my fault you folded like a newspaper and were liable to the power of suggestion,” Hermione grinned evilly.
“Or I could tell on you both,” Both Alex and Hermione froze as Evy stood behind them.
“Since when have you learned the stealth of a panther?” Hermione said with no little amount of bewilderment. “I cannot even count the amount of times you have tripped the entirety of a year, let alone our acquaintance.”
“Maybe you simply have lost your touch, Hermione,” Evelyn said with a roll of her eyes.
“Blasphemy!” Alex laughed to himself. He liked Aunt Hermione. She was fun, but also as smart as mum. Alex liked to just sit and listen to the two of them talk. It was better than any cricket match he had ever watched. They fought and snarked and laughed. Aunt Hermione almost always won, which Alex found amazing. Thankfully, Mom hadn’t finked on them, and Hermione and him hadn’t had to defend themselves to Dad. Dad was still under the impression it was Uncle Jon. Alex sighed with relief as they pulled into their driveway.
“Home sweet home,” Rick said with relief.
“This chest weighs a god dang ton!” Alex said with a heave.
“Alex! Watch your language.”
“Weighty chest this,” Alex sighed. He wished Aunt Hermione was around more. She would have cursed up a storm just to prove that Alex’s language wasn’t a big deal. And Alex and Rick would be laughing the whole time. He didn’t understand why Aunt Hermione would NOT come to England. It didn’t matter how many times they asked, or how they asked; it was always a no. And, if they were in Cairo, Aunt Hermione would only stay for one day. Only one. Alex had asked mum about it once, and she had rolled her eyes with frustration.
“Your Aunt Hermione is as stubborn as a mule. That’s why.” Alex was left even more confused than before. Alex was immediately distracted by the subtle click of the chest. He put the spinning top on the table and curiously opened the box.
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Evelyn enjoyed kissing Rick just as much as the day they married each other. And she was about ready to show Rick exactly how much when she caught sight of the panty hose hanging from a bookshelf.
“Those knickers aren’t mine,” Evelyn said meaningfully.
“Jonathon,” Rick sighed. Rick wished that Jonathon would find his own life. He also wished that Hermione would just move in with them so that she could keep him in line. It was a pity that Hermione had too much sense to settle for Jonathon. Rick couldn’t think of anybody else who could handle his wayward brother-in-law quite so efficiently. “I’ll take care of Jonathon. You should go check on Alex.”
“Remember,” Evelyn grinned. “We don’t beat up family members.”
“But he deserves it,” Rick said with a playful whine before even patted him on
the back with one last kiss and headed down the stairs.
“Alex, year of the scorpion.” Evelyn handed him the book.
“Neat.”
“Thought you’d like that,” Evelyn frowned as she looked at the chest. “Alex…
where is the key to that?”
“How should I know?” Alex looked incredibly suspicious and Evelyn immediately narrowed her eyes at him and began rifling through his pockets.
“I mean it Alex! If you’ve lost that key you’re grounded.”
“It’s not lost. I just can’t find it.”
“Well you better start finding it.” Alex looked in bewilderment at the top that Aunt Hermione had given him. Just like she had said, it began to spin with wild colors. “Alex, what is that?” Before Alex could say anything they were interrupted.
“Good evening,” Evelyn immediately leapt in front of Alex to shield him as a giant and smirking man stood in their living room. The top continued to spin brighter and brighter as he drew near and Alex gulped as he remembered Aunty’s instructions. They needed to get out of here.
“Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” Alex’s heart beat out of control.
“I’ve come for the chest,” Alex snatched it off the table and backed away. “Give it to me now,” Laknah said menacingly.
“Get out of my house,” Evelyn grabbed a sword and Alex looked at her like she had lost her mind. Alex had seen Mum sparring with Dad… it usually resulted in Mum hurting herself. Hell… he’d seen Mum spar with Aunty Hermione and Mum always got creamed. In short, Mum was not the most coordinated and the thought of her wielding a sword while not effectively killing herself was laughable.
“Mom. That doesn’t seem like quite a good idea,” Alex’s eyes rounded as even more men branched out from him like tiny evil minions. “I think it’s time to call for Dad now.”
“Too bad. Now I’ll kill you and take it anyway,” Laknah said with murderous promise.
“I think not,” Ardeth walked out dramatically.
“Ardeth! What are you doing here?”
“Best leave the explanations for later,” Ardeth said as he pulled out his sword.
“Who is that?” Alex eyed the sword with admiration.
“The reason Aunty Hermione never stays in Cairo for longer than a day,” Evelyn couldn’t help herself from adding it. It was absolutely infuriating. She hadn’t caught onto the pattern at first, but it was impossible to ignore. Hermione would be in Cairo for one day, and would leave without warning. And then, within sometimes minutes, Ardeth would just… be there. To visit. But… he always looked disappointed. And eventually, he stopped coming. Evelyn had tried to get an explanation out of Hermione, but she was intent on being tight lipped. There was absolutely no chance that Evelyn was ever going to find out until Hermione was good and ready. Ardeth immediately brushed off the comment. Fight now, and worry about Hermione later.
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Evelyn cried silently the entire way back to Egypt. They took her son. And what was worse, Laknah (the psychopath that nearly crushed Hermione’s throat) was alone with her small boy. Evelyn turned the envelope Hermione had given her in her hands. She had never opened it. Hadn’t needed to. There was never this level of danger. Could Hermione really help? This was Imhotep. The undead monster come back to life. What could Hermione do? But… there was that nagging suspicion in her mind. Evelyn suspected that Hermione was more than she let on. But as one of the best people Evelyn knew, Evelyn knew that dwelling on it would only cause problems. There was really only one way to know if she was right. Rick watched as Evelyn cracked open the wax seal with a lion pressed into it.
“What is that, Evelyn?” Ardeth asked curiously.
“Hermione,” Evelyn wiped away her tears. “Hermione said to open the envelope if we were ever in real trouble, follow the directions, and she would come.” Ardeth straightened immediately. “I think now is the time.” Evelyn tipped out a gold coin and a slip of paper. Evelyn looked at it with a deep frown. “Bank of Gringotts. Galleon. I’ve never heard of a currency known as Galleon,” Evelyn shook it off and opened the envelope.” Her frown only increased.
“What does it say, Evelyn?” Evelyn was completely silent as she read and re-read the paper. Rick waited impatiently. “Evelyn!” Evy gave him a look, but read out loud anyways.
“‘When you need me, talk to the coin. Say my name and a short message. When the coin gets warm… read my response. I know it sounds ridiculous. Just do it.’ If this was anyone else…” Evelyn muttered in irritation before picking up the coin. “I’ll never know until I try. Hermione. Alex has been kidnapped.” They all waited with anticipation. Evelyn had almost given up, but then… “It’s warming up!” Ardeth unbuckled and stood to look over her shoulder while holding onto the shaking side to the cargo plane. “‘Where are you?’” Evelyn said with disbelief. “How is this working?!” Evelyn said with sudden excitement. “Have you ever seen anything like this, Ardeth?”
“No,” Ardeth said quietly. “I have never seen anything like this.”
“Hermione. I am on a plane to Cairo.” They all waited with anticipation. “‘which plane’?” Evelyn shrugged. “‘Hermione. Plane XXX to arrive at 8:00 in the morning.’” Rick saw the new message appear, but Evelyn seemed very confused all of a sudden and didn’t read it aloud.
“Evelyn… what does it say?”
“It says…” Evelyn looked at Rick in confusion. “It says ‘Hold on. I’ll be there in a minute’.”
“Are you sure it says ‘be there’?” Rick questioned skeptically.
“That is what it says!”
“Are you all sure this plane isn’t going to crash? It’s awfully unstable.” Every head whipped towards a disheveled Hermione. Ardeth breathed in and couldn’t breath out until his chest physically hurt. Hermione was different. Her hair was unimaginably long and wild. There were black sooty smudges all over her clothes and face. Clothes that looked to be inlaid with some sort of brown snake scale.
“Where the hell did you come from?” they all looked at the gruff man who was transporting them illegally with his cargo plane.
“I’ve been here the whole time,” Hermione said simply. The gentleman looked at her like she was crazy. “How else would I be here? Did you think that I just appeared out of thin air?” The gentlemen looked at her for a few minutes before shaking his head and settling back to sleep. Hermione waved her hand. “Muffliato.” The sounds from the plane immediately died away to nothing and Hermione was faced with four very confused people. Hermione sighed and sat down next to Jonathon. “Alright. Out with it. He can’t hear us anymore,” Hermione nodded towards the now asleep man. “And I know you’re just holding it all in at this point, Evelyn.”
“How…” Evelyn pointed at the coin. “You…” she pointed at Hermione and then gestured at the entire plane. “WHEN??!!!” Hermione raised her eyebrow in that infuriating manner of hers. “Don’t give me that?!” Evelyn was hysterical. “You just appeared! Out of nowhere! Have you been hiding in the cargo this whole time?”
“No,” Hermione snorted.
“Then, WHAT?” Evelyn burst out.
“Tell me what happened to Alex, first.” Evelyn looked about ready to murder Hermione.
“You appear mid flight, after I TALKED to a COIN, and you want to discuss something else?!”
“I want to discuss what you called me for,” Hermione said seriously. Evelyn breathed hard.
“Will you answer my questions after I tell you?” Evelyn said with frustration. Ardeth watched Hermione carefully without saying a single word. He wanted Evelyn to lead the discussion. Hermione hadn’t taken a single glance in his direction. Still avoiding him… even though he was right in front of her.
“I will answer your questions once we land in Egypt,” Hermione amended.
“Why can’t you tell me now?” Evelyn was incredibly angry. So fed up with all the secrecy.
“Because I would rather not end up in prison. If I tell you while we are technically in the air, we are still technically in England. If I tell you when we land, we are in Egypt.” Evelyn was rendered speechless by her response.
“Why… would you end up in prison? What could possibly be so heinous in England that is accepted in Egypt?”
“Well,” Hermione smiled tightly. “I suppose you are going to find out. We’ll go to my house, and I will tell you. You sort of have to see it to believe it.” Evelyn surged forward excitedly.
“You are taking us to your house?” Evelyn had gone through so many emotions at once she was feeling airsick, but the very implication that they were going to Hermione’s home; Evelyn was going to finally KNOW.
“YES…. Now,” Hermione turned cold and terrifying. “What. Happened. To. My. Godson?”
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Hermione had been in a dragon sanctuary in Romania when she had felt the heat emanating from the coin in her pocket. Her distraction had nearly cost her eyebrows as the baby dragon choked out a stream of fire right in her face. Hermione had taken the time while she wasn’t with Evelyn to spend more time in the magical world… time that she would have to cut off very soon due to the impending wars coming their way. Hermione had spent time doing many things that would have made Hagrid proud. Her work with dragons alone would have made him so excited. Hermione’s heart had plummeted into her stomach at the words etched into the coin.
“I need to go!” The wizard had just nodded and let Hermione be on her merry way. They were used to her coming and going. Hermione had zeroed in on Evelyn’s location with a necklace that she had gifted her after the entire Hamunaptra incident, and it had been jarring to land on a plane mid flight. She had almost thrown up. But, she made it; and Hermione had stopped short as she saw the unmistakable back of Ardeth Bay. Hermione had come to her own heartbreaking decisions while she was avoiding the Man in Black. Rather than drifting from her mind, Ardeth simply grew. Hermione hadn’t known how much until the incident with a couple of dementors. Hermione had reacted well enough when the dementors had come to call and they had fled when Hermione’s patronus soared at them, but Hermione nearly died from shock when she saw that her patronus was no longer an otter… it was a hawk. Hermione had been avoiding Ardeth for several years at the time of the incident and the knowledge had broken her heart in half. It was already too late. Hermione was in love with the man. There was no one else who could have possibly influenced the change and Hermione just couldn’t bring herself to chase after him. What right did she have? So, seeing Ardeth there, right in front of her; it took all of Hermione’s wavering strength to pretend like nothing had changed. He did not exist. Hermione could save Alex and disappear as if nothing had happened. Except, now Hermione was in the position to tell them everything… and after Evelyn had finished telling her story; Hermione was actually LEGALLY able to tell them everything.
“You… brought to life… a necromancer?” Hermione finally said with wonder.
“Yes?” Evelyn was confused by Hermione’s terminology, but Hermione didn’t wait for her to ask any questions.
“A cursed necromancer…. that brought back the plagues of Egypt and plans to bring back a cursed king and steal his army?”
“Yes.” Evelyn opened her mouth to ask her own questions but Hermione pushed on.
“And Alex has a cursed bracelet? Does he need to be alive for the bracelet to work?” Hermione was becoming more and more worried the more she found out.
“Yes,” Ardeth was finally given the pleasure of having Hermione look at him. Hermione’s heart spluttered and Ardeth saw for a moment the tumultuous emotions in her eyes before she turned back to Evelyn. The plane suddenly started to rock violently as they made their descent. Ardeth finally sat down on the other side of Hermione, and she was hit with a wave of sandalwood and spices. Hermione gripped the seat tightly. She was screwed if only the smell of the man was enough to test her resolve. Ardeth could see Hermione’s tension. For his part, Ardeth was struggling not to grab her and corner her until he got the answers he wanted. It was infuriating to have her right in front of him and yet again, duty took precedence over his own desires. But, this was going to be a long trip… Hermione wasn’t going to escape again. They landed and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.
“I always hated flying,” Hermione said as she stood up shakily. Ardeth steadied her and Hermione’s heart beat out of control. Ardeth’s breath ghosted over her neck and Hermione was grateful for Jonathon’s interruption.
“Well, at least you have never flown when this maniac was in charge,” Jonathon pointed his thumb at O’Connell. “He tied me to the bloody wing of the plane!”
“It was not that bad,” Ardeth chuckled from behind her.
“And you lived,” Rick said gruffly.
“We went through a bloody sand storm!” Jonathon said angrily.
“You still lived,” Hermione grinned. Hermione finally led the way through the streets of Cairo. Ardeth’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion as the part of the city they were traveling into became more and more run down and concerning.
“You were not lying when you said it was a bad part of town,” Evelyn said wonderingly. Hermione finally stopped in front of a stone wall and pulled a paper and pen out of her pocket to scribble something onto it. Hermione passed it to Ardeth first. “Read the address, memorize it, and pass it on,” Hermione instructed. Jonathon looked at her like she was crazy, but they all complied without question. “Now close yours, and think about the address,” Hermione said when they had finished. “BOTH eyes Jonathon.” Jonathon grumbled, but once they had all done it; they opened their eyes to see that the wall was no longer blank. Hermione didn’t wait for them to gape. She immediately stepped forward and pulled out her key. They all stepped in behind her.
“Bloody Hell!” Jonathon burst out when he saw the inside. It had clearly been a box apartment from the outside, but the inside was grander than any building in Cairo. Shining dark wood shone under candles hanging from nothing just below the ceiling.
“Oh, my!” Evelyn had never seen so many wonderful books in one place. Ardeth smiled slightly as he saw the blanket Al’umu had gifted Hermione sitting on a giant sofa.
“This place…. how did you do all this?” Jonathon said wonderingly before starting up the stairs.
“Don’t….!” Hermione was too late to stop Jonathon from sliding down the slide head first that where the stairs used to be. Jonathon rubbed his head in bewilderment.
“What just happened?!” Jonathon scrambled up. “That… that… that was stairs!” Jonathon continued slightly hysterically.
“Sorry. I tweaked everything more and more as the years went on. I get bored.” Hermione took her coat off to reveal a dark red turtleneck sweater. “Allow me to formally introduce myself. Hermione took a deep breath and faced them all. “My name is Hermione Granger. Witch, time-traveler, and war hero of the War of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hunter of dark wizards and Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic.” Rick’s mouth dropped open. Ardeth’s eyebrows went up. Evelyn was speechless. And Jonathon, he handled it with his usual suave and calm fashion.
“Is that all?!” Jonathon with hysterical sarcasm.
“Well,” Hermione seriously considered. “I was top in my class and I knit and tried to free house elves. Also helped to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort,” Hermione ended as an afterthought. Jonathon was close to hyperventilating. “In about… 60 years in the future… of course.”
“Of course,” Rick choked.
“Well,” Hermione turned significantly to a clock hanging on the wall. “I know that I have created enough questions to last an eternity so I will just give you a quick run down of the most important and we can be on our way to save Alex. Please sit,” Hermione waved to the giant couch. Ardeth chose to stand next to the couch while the rest of them collapsed into it gratefully.
“A witch?” Evelyn said with wonderment.
“Yes,” Hermione said as she sat in a colorful rocking chair. They heard a meow as Harry leapt onto her lap to purr happily. “Hello, handsome boy!”
“Hello, there kitty,” Jonathon attempted to reach out, but only narrowly missed having his hand swiped painfully as Harry hissed angrily. “Well, Papa still hates me,” Jonathon grumbled.
“I am not the only witch. There are laws in place,” Hermione began quickly before they could become sidetracked. “Those laws are shockingly relaxed in Egypt, but England… Us having this conversation is grounds for me being thrown in wizarding prison. The only exception is if I were married to a non magical or had non magical children or close family.” Hermione turned to Evelyn. “I wasn’t exaggerating when I said England is not safe for me. In addition to there being many people that I SHOULDN’T interact with because I know them in the future. Even though traveling back in time was an accident sanctioned by my work in the Department of Mysteries, I could never prove it. It is illegal and if anyone found out they would lock me up and throw away the key with no questions asked. The government of Magic is very corrupt at this time. We are in war. The first of three wars. I CAN’T go there… so please. Stop asking.” Hermione begged.
“You can’t…” Evelyn gulped. “...go back? I don’t want you to of course,” Evelyn tried to amend. “But… don’t you want to go back?” Hermione pet Harry.
“There is nothing for me there,” Hermione said quietly. Ardeth watched intently. This was so much information. So much made sense. The hiding. Running away from him. Why they could never follow Hermione to her home. It was all… a lot to take in. “We can’t sit here forever,” Hermione said firmly. “You can ask me as many questions as you want on the way. I promise to answer them all, but right now; Alex is more important.” They all nodded and immediately began heading out of the house again. Hermione grabbed her dragon hyde coat. She was going to need it. “Where to first?”
“The temple of Carnac,” Evelyn led the way as began to travel quickly to Alex.