The Servants of Egypt

Chapter Four

Jim Potter entered the Arabesque wearing a blazer over an open necked shirt. The restaurant was casual, but he liked to look good. Clark was waiting for him.

Croaker ordered moussaka, eggplant topped with be'chamel sauce. Jim shuddered. Eggplant wasn't his thing. Looking over the Egyptian-Middle Eastern menu he settled on Tournedos Arabesque, the restaurant's special North African beef fillet. He waited until they had received their orders to tell his uncle about Olivia Malfoy.

"The Malfoy girl was at the museum this afternoon after we got back from lunch today," Jim said casually. "I saw her in the room with the Ushabti."

"This is the truth?" Clark Croaker said, dropping his fork.

"I talked to her for awhile. She's definitely looking for her father. She told me he was the middleman for the smuggling ring. Whoever stole the statues gave them to Draco Malfoy, who Apparated out of the country with them. He alternated between Cairo and Luxor. He would turn them over to someone else, who took them to be animated."

"She told you all that? Why?" Croaker was suspicious.

"She wants her dad back, and she's willing to work with us to get him."

Croaker shook his head. "That could be very dangerous."

"We know," Jim answered, "so we've figured out a plan. We're going to just pretend I'm interested in her, and she's going to tell her family that she's using me to get around Egypt."

"Jim, that's the stupidest thing I ever heard. What Death Eater will believe that?"

"You haven't seen Olivia," Jim answered. "She's one of the most beautiful girls I've ever laid eyes on. Besides, Death Eaters can be absolute idiots when they think they've got the upper hand. Didn't Voldemort leave two witnesses behind when he tried to kidnap my mum and dad during the last war?"

"Yes, but you can't depend on any Death Eater to make a mistake like that again." Croaker hesitated. "Did she tell you anything else?"

Jim told Uncle Clark about the various museums that Olivia had told him had been broken into, and about the change in plans to concentrate on the statues to be had in Egypt.

"I didn't know about the statues that were stolen in Rome," Croaker admitted. "Did she mention a theft at the Louvre? I heard that they were hit, too."

"No. See how great this is? We'll get information from both sides. We just have to make sure each side thinks the other is being duped. She already sent her mother an owl telling her that I met her in the bazaar and that I fancied her."

"Oh, Jim, was that wise? What will your parents say?"

"I already told Mum I met Olivia. She was very calm and collected, but she told me to tell you to get in touch with her."

Clark Croaker grimaced. "I'll bet I get an earful. Good thing you talked to her and not your dad. Harry would have gone ballistic. A Malfoy daughter with his firstborn son!"

Jim paused, his fork halfway to his mouth. "Look, why should he blame this girl for what her father or grandfather did? From what she told me her grandfather was the main problem in that family. Her dad was brought up with a lot of stupid ideas, but her grandfather abused him and cheated on her grandmother. Draco seems to have been a victim, too. He had to leave his home, lost most of his money, and he spent years in exile, not doing anything illegal until recently. Can't you give Olivia a break? No matter what her dad is like, he's still her dad."

"I want to meet her. Then I'll have a better idea of what she's like. Do you know when you're going to see her again?"

"I'm going to hang out in the lobby of her hotel tomorrow morning, so we can accidentally run into each other."

"Well, let me know what happens," Croaker said firmly.

After dinner, Clark Croaker sent Harry and Luna an owl, telling them that he knew Jim had met Olivia Malfoy, and that he was keeping an eye on the situation. He explained about Draco Malfoy being missing in Egypt and his family's concern for him.

***

Their concern was merited. After Draco had woken up in the dark, his head aching, he had peered through the dark and found an oil lamp sitting in the sand beside him. He lit it, and found he was in was in a room about ten feet square. There were two doorways. One leading into a burial chamber which contained the sarcophagus of a woman, and three children. From the looks of them they were a girl and two boys. The other door led to an antechamber. He seemed to be in a storeroom that had been emptied recently of everything except the mummies that had been hidden there. The hole in the wall he had fallen through was high above his head. The common people of Thebes had been buried in catacombs cut into the side of the mountain. It had become a sort of maze, and occasionally one tomb had connected with another. The tomb he had seen the statues in had inadvertently connected with this sealed one, floor to ceiling.

He wondered if the guards had found this one by accident, as they had poked around, and then moved the statues and other plunder to the upper level to make it easier to show and sell. He wondered why he was being held hostage like this. Perhaps they thought they could get a ransom for him. He considered trying to move the small coffins, to try and climb on them to get out, but decided it would never work. Even the smallest of them weighed a ton.

He found out soon enough what his captors wanted. The man who had led him into the tomb appeared in the opening high about his head, with two other men. After throwing down some bottled water, and a package of bread, and olives, which Draco gratefully picked up, they informed him that they wanted him to bring the Ushabti to life for them. They knew it was being done, and they wanted in on the operation. They had not believed him when he told them he could not do the complicated spell required. They had his wand. They knew he was a wizard, and they expected him to do it, or sit in the tomb until he rotted.

After they had gone away, he had sat down on the floor and tried to think. He occasionally heard footsteps above him, but when he called out, no one answered. He reasoned it must be a guard. Was there any way out, or any hope of someone finding him? Would a taxi driver think to tell anyone that he had dropped off an Englishman on the West Bank, who had never come back? Or was he in on the scheme as well? Could Bella perhaps trace him somehow? Could an owl find him? And what would happen to his wife and daughter if he died in this hole in the ground?

***

Draco was, however, still alive when Olivia got an owl from Pansy, telling her to be careful not to get too involved with Jim Potter. Using him for money and muscle was fine, but Pansy felt Potter men had an unexplained charm and didn't want her daughter falling prey to it. Olivia knew what she meant. Jim Potter seemed to be a totally honest, good-natured young man who loved his family, loved Egypt, and was genuinely concerned about people. That was appealing, after some of the sneaky, self-centered men she'd met at Durmstrang, and he was also good looking. First and foremost, though, was finding her father. She pushed the image of earnest green eyes and the strong arms that had wrapped around her so briefly, and crawled into bed, and fell into an exhausted sleep.

***

Luna was waiting for Harry when he arrived home.

"How was your day?" Harry asked, kissing her cheek.

"Very unusual," Luna replied grimly. "Your son is definitely acting like your son. He's been in Egypt a day and gotten himself involved in something complicated."

Harry flinched. "Is he all right? I knew we should not have sent him there alone!"

"He's fine. He just met someone in Egypt that I never expected him to meet. Did you know Draco Malfoy has a very pretty daughter Jimmy's age?"

"Malfoy? The Malfoys are in Egypt?" Harry was stunned.

"Apparently Draco was in Egypt. It seems Bellatrix is still alive. She's forced him into helping her with some smuggling deal, something to do with magical statues. Whatever it was, the deal went wrong, and Draco has disappeared. His daughter came looking for him, and Jimmy met her. He wants to help her."

"The hell you say! He's coming home tomorrow!"

"I don't know if that would be a good idea," Luna said slowly. "The word is already out that Jimmy has met her. He's already involved, and he won't want to come home. If you treat him like a wayward child, he'll resent it. Besides, Clark is trying to break up the black market for the statues. He thinks Jimmy and this girl can help him."

Harry shook his head. "Smuggling in the Middle East is a dangerous game. Clark may know how to play it, but Jimmy doesn't. Malfoy can rot for all I care."

"Harry!" Luna said sharply. "You haven't even thought about Malfoy in ages. He's done nothing even slightly suspicious until recently, and that situation has been monitored closely. Besides, whatever he's done, it's not his daughter's fault. She seems to be a nice girl who just wants her dad back. You should know better than to blame others for what their family was like. I thought you learned that from your godfather, long ago."

Harry paled. The memory of his godfather still haunted him. "Let's go to Egypt. Let's go see for ourselves what is going on."

Luna kissed him gently. "If we have to, we will, but let's wait a bit and get some more information."

She caressed his cheek, and left him fuming in the hall. He turned and went to his study to write Clark Croaker a five-page long letter demanding to know in detail what was going on.

He also wrote a long letter to Bill Weasley at his home in France, asking Bill to explain everything he knew about Ushabti. Bill was the only other Egyptian expert Harry knew, and he hoped he could shed some light on what was going on.

Luna went up the stairs, to a small altar she kept in her sitting room. On it, there was a piece of blue stone, an incense burner, candles, and a small, very old statue. She lit the candles and the incense, and the familiar, heavy scent comforted her. Sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the altar, she began to chant.

"Lovely lady, teach me of thee."

The awareness of her body faded away. She felt as if she were being held by soft, comforting darkness that made her worries seem very insignificant. She was traveling, with no idea of where she was going, but she knew wherever she went, it would be right. The movement stopped, and Luna felt the warmth of Egypt, and saw light. In her mind, she sat in a palace made of white stone that was also familiar. She felt a presence, and heard a woman's voice.

"So you seek me at last? Much has happened since we last spoke, but I have been with you. It is good that you have reached out to me. I have much to tell you now."

Luna smiled and answered. "Astet, Isis, loyal wife, gentle mother, worker of magic, creatrix and queen, I am here to learn."

"An evil one has once more tried to meddle with ancient power. A great wrong has been done. The gods are very angry. This must stop."

"You mean the theft of the statues?"

"The Shabti go where they go. I am not so concerned about where they rest. They rested in the ground for centuries and did no harm. Enchanted, though, and alive, they can do great harm. They are being used for a purpose not intended. They were not created to be slaves of the earth, but of the afterlife."

Luna blinked. "The statues are actually being brought to life? To be slaves?"

"Evil servants for the evil ones of your world, yes. It is a sacrilege most foul, and they will pay. They will go into darkness, and it will be terrible. The mentor who led you to me understands this, and in time, so will your son. So will the girl for which love is creeping into his heart."

"My Jimmy loves Olivia Malfoy?" Luna whispered.

"He was smitten at the sight of her. None could deny her beauty. Denying it would be like denying the warmth of the sun, and she finds him as beautiful as the sunset, but she fears first for her father, who has been drawn into the darkness, although his heart is not black, only troubled." Astet shrugged. "I do not know if she is meant for your son, but they must find out. They will help right this wrong, and in so doing they will find out the direction of their hearts. They will discover something you and your Beloved have longed for many years to know. Where is the necklace Harry bought you when your first felt my power? Where is the Ankh, the sign of life?"

"I still have it. Why?"

"Place it on my altar, and leave it through this night. I am going to place a blessing upon it. Send it to your son when the sun is high in the sky, and tell him to place it around his neck and never to remove it. It will give him protection when he meets the evil ones. The gods the evil ones defy will recognize your son when he wears it and the gods will stand beside him. The dark ones of your time think us weak, but our power has lasted longer than our temples. They will see."

Astet paused, and looked at Luna thoughtfully. "The ancient ones are to meet and discuss these recent events. There will be a banquet afterwards. I may let these young ones see me there. Then I will be able to see how they are together, and see how much they are drawn to my world. Farewell, daughter of my heart! We will meet again, soon."

Luna blinked, and found herself back in her sitting room. She rose to look for her Ankh necklace, which she kissed and placed on the altar as she had been directed.

She felt her husband's presence behind her before she felt his arms slide around her waist. She leaned back into the familiar warmth. His breath tickled her ear as he spoke, which still made her laugh, even after many years.

"I still think we should go to Egypt. Maybe we can help,"

Luna shook her head. "I can only tell you what I know. I have called on the ancients. Things are moving, and not yet in place. Astet has promised to bless my pendant. She told me to send it to Jimmy tomorrow. It will help protect him. We must trust her."

She turned in Harry's arms and caressed his cheek. "Besides, we have other children. What would we do with them?"

"Lily is old enough to be left in charge for a few days. Or we could send them to stay with Ginny and Neville," Harry said hopefully.

"I still think we need more information. Let's see what tomorrow brings. Today has already been too long. Let's go to bed."

Harry smiled, resting his cheek against his wife's hair. "It could go a little longer. You do have a way of dissolving my worries in your affections."

"If that's what it takes to occupy your mind, my love. If that's what it takes..."

She stopped talking as his mouth found hers.

***

Jim got up early and ordered breakfast sent to his room. As he devoured the eggs, bacon, and fresh Egyptian bread, he speculated on where Olivia would want to begin her search. He poured himself some coffee, and started in on the slices of papaya, which had arrived nestled in ice chips, bringing out their flavor. He packed a backpack after he had eaten, with bottled water, and a torch with extra batteries. It never paid to go anywhere in Egypt without a flashlight. He took all of the guidebooks he owned, and all of the money and traveler's checks he had. Pulling on a wide brimmed hat, to keep the sun off his head, he was in the lobby of the Nile Hilton fifteen minutes early.

He walked about, glancing back and forth as if he were looking for something, trying to attract attention. When Olivia appeared, again wearing drawstring cotton pants, a sun hat of her own, and a light colored, loose, long sleeved shirt, he smiled widely, and walked up to her.

Jim bowed. "Miss Malfoy."

"Mr. Potter. You are very persistent."

"I couldn't wait to see you again. Would you like to spend the day with me? I know a lot of wonderful things to do here, and not just Pharaonic Cairo. Have you seen Islamic Cairo yet? The Palace of Bishtak , or the Citadel, or the Sayyidna al-Husayn Mosque? It's one of the holiest sites in Egypt."

"And it does not allow tours," Olivia answered tartly.

"Tour groups, no, but there's more leeway for the individual, especially if one avoids prayer time." Jim grinned. "If you don't want to risk it, how about Coptic Cairo, then? We could go to the Coptic Museum, or to the Hanging Church. The marble pulpit is well worth a look."

"No, thank you, Mr. Potter. I plan on shopping today. I'm looking for antiques, but if you insist on following me, suit yourself."

After they had left the hotel, they spoke more normally.

"I have a list of shops that I've already visited," Olivia said. "I've been asking specifically for Ushabti, and asking the shopkeepers if they have seen my father."

They visited many shops that morning, and found no Ushabti for sale. Indeed, they found very few authentic antiques at all. Most of what they saw was obviously fake, and made specifically for the tourist trade. In each shop, Olivia left her name, and asked the owners to contact her at the Hilton if they found any interesting pieces, or remembered anything about a blonde Englishman that had come in over the last month or so. Jim simply hung around her, an easy task.

They went to Al-Tazaj for lunch. Jim admired the speedy service, but found the grilled chickens too small, and ordered a second one. Olivia contented herself with one, although she did request an extra container of the garlicky tahina dip. The corn on the cob was a bit soggy, but they were so hungry they didn't mind.

"Someone has to know something," Olivia said, for the tenth time after they had finished their meal.

"What do you want to do now?" Jim asked.

"I should go back to the hotel and see if I have any messages."

"Me, too. Can I take you out to dinner, though? I can get reservations at The Fish Market. You'll love it. It's a restaurant on a boat, with unbelievably fresh fish. You pick what you want, pay by weight, and they cook it right then."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "You just ate two chickens for lunch, and you're already planning your dinner?"

"Well, we wouldn't eat again until nine or ten. We could still take in the Coptic Museum this afternoon, if you want to. It's really worth a look."

"Oh, very well. I suppose we have to do something that looks more like a date. I've had you to heel enough for one day."

"Okay! Then let's pay for lunch, and we can both Apparate back to our hotels. We're lucky we ate early. The museum is only open until four. It's one now. I'll pick you up in an hour, and we can stay there until it closes."

As they left the restaurant, he held her elbow, and she eyed him mischievously. "Be careful. It's rare to see Egyptian men and women touch in public. If you want to feel at ease, we'd better keep the physical contact down to a minimum."

"I wasn't planning on groping you in the street!"

"I wasn't planning on groping you anywhere!"

"Never say never," Jim said with a wink, and checking around to make sure no one was watching, vanished.

Olivia smiled. She liked Jim Potter, but it was too much, too soon. She shook her head, and also vanished.