Bill was bent over a very hard piece of translation. It was a piece in what looked like hieroglyphics, and a very early form at that. The goblins gave all of their curse breakers this piece in order to test their skills once they were deemed worthy enough.
No one had been able to crack it yet. It was well into the wee hours of the night, and he had thought that he was alone.

Kate never slept. And when she did, it was fitful. Dreams of Tartarus or previous wars took their toll. As always, the heroes or magicians, depending upon what you knew the Black heiress as, would win the day, but at a price. Their heroes of war took
home more than spoils. Their innocence and naivety had been crushed and battle-hardened warriors with hearts of gold had emerged.

So one could imagine her surprise when she found Bill in the kitchen, his total focus on the piece in front of him. "Mr. Weaseley?" She barely knew him, so Bill seemed too informal.

He paid her no heed and continued to work on the piece. Kate slowly walked over. Looking at the piece, she was surprised that it was an old Egyptian spell. "You are confusing those two symbols." His head of bright red hair whipped around to face her.

"Miss, Miss Black? Whatever do you mean?"

"The translation is quite good, you're just confusing these two symbols. They mean quite the different thing when arranged correctly."

Bill looked affronted. "Miss Black,"

"Kate please. Or Jen, if you wish. Either is welcome."

He didn't questionher name, which was a welcome sight to the once proud American turned English Lady. Instead, he asked, "Kate, no offense intended, but you're only a fifth year. You aren't advanced enough."

She threw her head back and laughed, a true laugh, one that she had not given since before she found out her heritage. "I'm fluent in several forms of Ancient Egyptian and all of their writing forms, even from before the days of Pharaoh Narmer."

His eyes went wide. "H-how? You're what, fifteen?"

"If I'm beinghonest, I don't really know."

"How can you not know how old you are?"

"I was adopted by American muggles. I believe that I was born on the twenty-fourth day of November, but I don't know what year. I've never asked Sirius."

He was shocked when she called her father by his first name. Maybe it was an American thing. "Still, you should ask."

"Hmm, maybe I should. But that's off topic. You need to switch those two symbols around. If you were to do this," Kate explained to him basic ante-Old Kingdom Egyptian principles. Bill watched with the curious excitement of one who loved learning.

The two carried on for hours, until the translation was near complete. By that time, the first rays of dawn were breaking through the clouds. An unlikely friendship had been born, created by teaching, hard work, and shared stories of times when the world
was a happier place.

Kate yawned. "I think it's best that we head off to bed. I can help you tomorrow if you wish."

Bill nodded. "I'd like that. Good night, Kate."

She smiled. "Good night Bill." Neither of them knew just how much this friendship would change their destinies and the destinies of those around them.

Well, it's been a long time, no? It's good to be back. Please read and review! I'm not totally certain just exactly how long this is going to be, I might just make it a bunch of connected one shots. It's up in the air right now. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you all! Please review!