The Servants of Egypt

Chapter Seven

Once they were back in their room, Jim and Olivia undressed awkwardly, put on pajamas quickly, and thankfully fell asleep just as quickly. They both began to dream an odd dream...the same dream. It was a dream of ancient Egypt. They were walking into a palace made of white stone. Jim found himself wearing a white kilt, and a gold pectoral necklace decorated with stones in varying shades of blue and green. He looked at Olivia, and blushed. She was wearing an extremely sheer linen shift, and her hair was braided in many braids, decorated with turquoise beads, her eyes rimmed with kohl. Even in the strange costume, though, she looked unbelievably beautiful.

They were given headpieces at the door. They were cones made of perfumed wax that melted during the evening, leaving behind the scent of lilies and lotus. They sat side by side. Food was brought to them in great quantities: fruit, fish, game flavored with garlic, olives, fresh bread with honey, and sweets so rich that they made Jim's teeth hurt. A group of dark-haired women across the room watched them carefully as they ate. Each lady was wearing a head covering made of gold. One woman's headpiece was a great golden disk, and she had her eyes on them most often. Once when Jim caught her looking at him intently, she smiled. No one spoke to them. They were there, but were not really there. It was as if they were guests of the gods in a dream.

Serving girls came around with wine and barley beer, and musicians played songs that seemed somehow familiar, although Jim and Olivia were sure they had never heard them before. There were light songs that made the mood joyful, and silly songs that made everyone laugh. There were songs to the gods, and after each one, a god or goddess nodded, acknowledging the tributes. The musicians played pipes and drums, and shook sistrums, stick-like wooden instruments with frames and metal disks that jingled, making a sound like falling water. After one love song, everyone in the hall sighed with pleasure and clapped, and Jim took Olivia's hand and kissed it, making her smile.

The sistrum players began again, and dancing girls ran out onto the floor, whirling and jumping. Olivia laid her hand on Jim's arm, leaning against him as they followed the movement with their eyes. After the dancers finished, a harpist began to pick out a quiet air as the guests conversed.

Then suddenly the hall was emptying. Jim and Olivia found themselves outside, beside a pool of shining water. The dark-haired woman was waving goodbye to them, nodding and smiling. Olivia waved back, then turned to look at Jim, and he kissed her, long and lovingly, and she kissed him back, melting into his hands and mouth.

Both of them awoke with a start, breathing hard. She stared at him.

"The banquet," Olivia whispered. "I can still taste the melon."

"The dancers...did you see the one who could lean all the way back until her head touched the ground?" Jim asked.

"Yes, and I saw Isis looking at me."

Jim tentatively reached out and drew her close. "Your hair smells like lotus."

"Yours, too," Olivia whispered, and then they were kissing...really kissing. "I love you," she said in awe. "I really do love you."

There was no need at that moment for any more words. He drew the tips of his fingers through her hair, and she wrapped her arms around him. The eagle owl in the corner ruffled up his feathers in disgust and flew out through the balcony door, into the soft, silvery Egyptian night as they slowly began to make love.

***

Harry and Luna had checked into the Luxor Hilton and decided to wait until morning to see what the situation was with their eldest son. They had a lovely dinner, and took a walk, reliving many happy memories.

They got up bright and early the next morning to go to the Winter Palace to surprise Jim. Arriving there, Harry, who was in a bright mood, left Luna at the Le Jardin coffee shop and told her to order breakfast for the three of them.

"I'll get Jimmy and we'll be right down," Harry said, checking the room number. He headed into a corridor and found that it was deserted at that hour. Missing his favorite son very much and anxious to get started, he decided to take a chance and Apparated upstairs.

Olivia opened her eyes when a cracking sound awoke her. Yawning, she stretched and looked up, and found herself staring into a pair of furious green eyes that were familiar, yet strange at the same time. She saw the faint edge of a scar under the fringe of the stranger's hair, and realized at once who the intruder must be.

"Jim?" Pulling the sheet a little higher, she poked the young man sleeping next to her.

"What?" He mumbled, rolling over.

"You know that look you gave those two men at the ticket stand yesterday?"

"What about it?"

"I think I know where you got it from."

Jim opened his eyes to find his father standing at the foot of his bed, looking like he was about to have a stroke.

"Yeah, that's definitely who I learned it from," Jim said, sitting up sheepishly in the bed. "Dad, this is Olivia Malfoy. Olivia, meet the famous Harry Potter."

Harry, as embarrassed as his son, ignored Olivia entirely and focused on his oldest child. "I want you dressed and down in the coffee shop in ten minutes! Your mother and I need to talk to you!" Rolling his eyes, he vanished.

"Well," Olivia said, as Jim dragged himself out of bed with a groan, "this ought to be interesting."

"Very interesting, but I think you'd better let me go down first."

Olivia shrugged. "You won't get any argument from me there." She hesitated. "Do you think you'll still love me when we get back?"

He kissed her quickly. "I'll love you until I die, which I sincerely hope will not be any time soon, but I'm not making any more promises past that just yet."

***

Luna took one look at her husband's face as he came barreling into the coffee shop and half rose out of her chair. "Harry! What's wrong?"

He came up to the table sputtering with fury. "Damn it! Your son...that girl...I just...they have...she is...they were..."

Luna shook her head. "Harry, you're not making a bit of sense. Sit down, and just tell me what's going on!"

"They were in bed together!" Harry blurted.

"Oh, my," Luna said slowly. "I think we're going to need more coffee."

"Hang the coffee!" Harry shouted. "I can't believe he would do this! You deal with them when they come down! I'm going back to the hotel. Let me know when that idiot gets his head together!" He stormed off, and Luna sighed as she watched him go.

When Jim got there a few minutes later, she had composed herself. "Hello, darling. How are you enjoying your trip?"

"Very funny, Mum. Where's Dad?"

"He went back to our hotel. For the moment, you're my son, not his. He seems to think you've been a very naughty boy, which means I get to figure out what to do with you, as usual." She poured two cups of coffee, and taking a sip from one of them, offered him the other.

Jim accepted it but sighed. "Do you have to talk to me as if I'm two years old? I'm an adult now. That's the whole point. I'm really sorry, Mum. I didn't mean for things to turn out this way. I'm sorry Dad saw me with Olivia. I'd rather have kept what we have between us private, but I'm not ashamed of it. She's beautiful and smart and we enjoy being together. So we took it to another level."

"So I've heard," Luna said dryly.

"Oh, come on, Mum! It happens. Dad just doesn't understand. I know you two still love each other, but it's different when you're young. Physical relationships are not that unusual for people my age."

Luna almost choked on her coffee, and nearly spilled her cup.

"Excuse me? I'll have you know your father still wonders every month whether or not you have another sibling on the way! So, don't think he doesn't understand love. Admit it, though. You just met this girl. Are you sure you really love her? Because I would hate to see you regret what you've done. Your father is just worried about you. You're involved in something that could be very dangerous. Relationships can get complicated at times like this. Your dad and I definitely know what that's like."

When Jim didn't answer, Luna smiled ruefully. "I fell in love with a sixteen-year old boy who was the target of the most evil wizard in the world, remember?"

"Actually, I spent most of my time in History of Magic sleeping," Jim said with a grin.

"Well, you are your father's son," Luna answered, as a platter of food and Olivia Malfoy arrived. She hung back, uncertain, but Jim got up and brought her to the table.

"Olivia, come meet my mother."

Olivia looked at the slender blonde woman, and didn't see much of Jim in her, but felt something warm and secure in her easy, unabashed smile. "How do you do, Mrs. Potter? I'm pleased to meet you. Jim has told me so much about your family I feel as if I already know you."

"Hello, Olivia, dear" said Luna, patting the girl on the hand and looking into her gray eyes. "You're just as pretty as I heard you were. I expect you'll get tired of hearing this, but you remind me very much of your father. Would you care for some breakfast? We have plenty."

"Thank you. That's very kind of you, but where is Mr. Potter?"

"Harry's off agonizing," Luna said, buttering a piece of toast. "He's very good at it. He's had a lot of experience. Now, what have you found out about Draco's disappearance? Clark told us a bit about it, but I didn't know if you'd had any more news. "

"Nothing yet," Olivia replied. "I'm still waiting to hear from whoever summoned me here. I hope I get a message soon. Something has got to be done about those statues. My father was a fool to get involved with them, but Aunt Bella is very persuasive."

Luna nodded. "I have been communing with Astet about them. The gods are very angry. Believe me, you have great power on your side." She turned to Jim. "Do you still have the necklace I sent you? It was blessed by Isis herself, and will help to protect you. No dark magic in Egypt can harm you while you wear it."

"I never take it off," Jim assured her.

"I thought I saw her last night," Olivia said suddenly. "Isis, I mean. Jim and I had the same dream. We dreamed we were in a white palace in ancient Egypt. There was a banquet, and Isis was watching us. When we woke up, it was as if we were thinking the same thoughts. I've never felt so close to anyone, and then..."

Olivia looked at Jim, and blushed.

Luna smiled sympathetically. "Then all of this makes more sense. The Lady told me that she was going to allow you to see her, and that she would be judging you. Apparently she approves of this match, even if Harry is not so sure." She got up. "I should go to him. He's probably simmered down and is starting to feel guilty by now. I'll explain the whole thing to him somehow."

"Will Dad be all right?" Jim asked tentatively.

"Jimmy, dear, your father has spent his whole life carrying around emotional baggage, and this is just a bit more. He's always managed to survive before. I have no doubt he'll do so again. What are you going to do today?"

"Just see the sights, I guess. We went to the Luxor Temple yesterday," Jim said. "We have to wait until we hear something from the kidnappers before we can do anything about Mr. Malfoy. We have no idea when we'll be contacted or how they will do it."

"Why don't you two finish your breakfast, then stop by the Hilton in about an hour. We can go to some of the museums together during the heat of the day. This will probably be the only day we'll be able to visit. No one will contact you if we're all trailing around together in a mob, but we should be able to have a little bit of time together. Whoever these people are, they probably don't even know you're in town yet. The Luxor Museum, I think, and of course, the Museum of Mummification. No one can think of Egypt without thinking of mummies. Then we can have something to eat and go see the Karnak Temple together tonight." Luna turned to Olivia. "The sound and light show they have is stunning although the commentary is a bit overly dramatic. I do so want to spend some time with you and get to know you better. I'm pretty sure they're doing it in English today, but I'll check and make sure."

"Are you sure your husband will want to see me again?" Olivia asked. "He gave me the impression this morning that he's already seen enough of me to last a lifetime."

"Leave him to me, my dears," Luna said, kissing Olivia on the cheek, and ruffling Jimmy's unruly hair. "An hour then! We're at the Luxor Hilton on New Karnak. The views are wonderful, if you can put up with the noise from the cruise liners. They moor right alongside and run their engines all night. Don't worry about the breakfast bill. I'll take care of it." Luna swept out of the room, blowing them another kiss and leaving Olivia looking after her in awe.

"Is she always that calm?"

"Pretty much. That's why she and my father get along so well. She kind of gives him a rock to lean on."

"You do look just like your dad. Do you ever get tired of hearing that?"

"Sometimes. Do you?" Jim asked, pouring another cup of coffee.

"When I was little, I did. Now not so much. I used to get more upset when people would whisper how much luckier it was that I looked like my dad and not my mum. She's really been a wonderful mother, and it hasn't always been easy. I guess my grandparents wanted her to ditch my dad when Lucius went to Azkaban, but she married him anyway. Do your brothers and sisters look like your father, too, or does anyone favor your mother?"

"We all have Dad's black hair, and my brothers and I have the green eyes, but my sisters have my mother's eyes. The girls are more light-skinned like my mother. I think when it comes to temper we're all a mix. Kiya is the youngest, and the most easy-going of us all. She's Mum all over again."

"I'd like to meet them sometime," Olivia said wistfully. "I think it must be fun to have a big family."

"Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't," Jim answered, finishing his coffee "but I'm sure you can meet them eventually." He looked at her empty plate. "All done?"

"Yes, I think so. We'd better get ready to go."

Jim kissed Olivia on the nose. "How about sharing a shower?"

She giggled. "Jim Potter! You're terrible!"

"Does that mean no?"

" Of course not. It's yes...as long as we're not interrupted again."

"I don't think you have to worry about that, not from my dad at any rate. He'll bloody well knock from now on, believe me!"

***

When Luna got back to the Hilton, she found Harry lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling with a mulish expression on his face. Kicking off her shoes, and climbing onto the bed beside him, she curled up at his side.

"How would you like to try having another baby?" Luna whispered in his ear.

Harry twisted around to look at her, totally stunned. "Are you out of your mind? I love the kids, but isn't five enough? What the hell brought that on?"

"Your son doesn't think you're capable of understanding the urge anymore. I thought another sibling might give him a new perspective."

"That little brat!" Harry said, but after a few moments thought, his expression cleared. "I wasn't very understanding, was I?"

"Not at all," Luna said serenely. "If you're gong to act this way with Jimmy, I can't wait to see what you do when the girls start having serious boyfriends."

"Darling, don't even go there! The first boy that touches one of my daughters gets a Bat Bogey Hex at the very least, although I'd also be willing to consider the idea of using a Severing charm on his...."

"Harry!"

"Oh, all right! I know the kids have to grow up sometime, but I just didn't think it would be this soon. I'm not ready for this. I'm sorry I overreacted with Jimmy, but it was a bit of a shock, you know. He's only eighteen, and she's a Malfoy, for Merlin's sake."

"You mean he's already eighteen," Luna replied. "Do you think Draco Malfoy ever figured out how to do a Bat Bogey Hex? He's probably going to handle this even worse than you are...if he's even still alive. Of course if he's not dead yet, the idea of Jimmy with Olivia will probably finish him off."

"For the first time in my life, I would agree with him. Put this day in your book of memories"

Luna laughed, then tried to steer the conversation back into serious waters. "Harry, they love each other. There's nothing you can do, because it's already done. Yes, she's a Malfoy, but she's herself, too, and she's really quite sweet. Bellatrix Lestrange is your godfather's cousin, and that never bothered you."

"It did a bit when I first found out, but you're right. After I got used to the idea, it didn't matter. A Malfoy is going to take an awful lot of getting used to, though. She's a good-looking girl, though. I'll give you that," Harry replied.

"I'm glad you think so, because you're going to be seeing a lot of her today. I told them to come over and we'd spend some time together."

"Oh, wonderful. Haven't I seen enough for one day?"

Luna looked up at him, suspicious. "She said the same thing. Exactly how much DID you see?"

Harry blushed. "Not THAT much."