CHAPTER 19
DAPHNE
"Miss, the port key for Sicily, Italy would be hard to arrange at such short notice," a distressed Magical Transportation clerk, at the Heliopolis Foreign Affairs Office told Padma a third time much to Daphne's growing irritation and anger.
"Pad, you have tried the polite approach, let me handle this my way now." Daphne told Padma who quickly sidestepped to make way for Daphne, "Look, Mr Khan, I am not in the mood to argue over a silly port key all day, so just tell me who I need to talk to get this done fast." Daphne demanded the clerk while giving him an icy glare.
"Ma'am as I told Ms Patil before, to arrange the port key for Italy, it takes at least two weeks of processing and a direct port key to the property of an Italian Residence needs written permission from the property owner, so my hands are tied in this."
"Yes I have heard the miserable textbook explanation, twice before, so let me put it this way, I need to talk to your supervisor or else I Floo Call the Cairo Gringott's office and tell them that the Chief Curse Breaker of their main London Branch is being harassed over a port key." At hearing Daphne's official work title, the clerk immediately left to find his supervisor.
"Daph, I think you were a little harsh on the poor guy." Padma said softly, to which Daphne replied, "Pads, these toe rags don't work without proper threats and bribes, so I am not feeling guilty about anything.
Soon Khan returned with an old man who was wearing dark black robes and thick glasses. He sat at Khan's seat and said, "Madame Greengrass, I apologize for the inconvenience caused by my colleague, I am David Grey, I am the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation, so please tell me how we can be of service to you today"
Daphne was impressed by false pleasantry dripping from Grey's mouth; even Padma had her eyebrows raised in shock, so Daphne answered, "Mr Grey, I will get straight to the point, I need a port key to the Zabini Estate located on the outskirts of Syracuse, which you very well know is on the island of Sicily in Italy. I am not in a rush and will like to leave Heliopolis only after the travel restrictions are lifted in three days".
Grey, gave Daphne a smile which did not quite reach his eyes, then after a second he spoke while rubbing his chin, "Madame, we can arrange the Port key" "But Sir!" "Quite Raheem, as I was saying the Port key would be ready for you but you would, of course, have to pay the extra service charges along with the immediate processing fees, on top of the normal port key issue charges."
Daphne knew how to read between the lines, now she just needed to make sure that old goat would not rob her blind in broad daylight. "Of course, no issues, now can you please tell me how many galleons I need to shell out so that I can bid you both a good day," Daphne said with a bright smile on her face.
"Madame 55 Galleons is the port key charge, after adding the additional charges; it would be 120 galleons in total." Grey said with a smug smirk on his face, 'What a fool' Daphne thought before she heard Padma whisper in her ear, "Daph, this highway robbery, I know you need to meet Zabini but to bribe these cheap arses is horrible."
"Pads, don't worry." Daphne whispered back, before looking Grey straight in the eye, "Oh! This is so cheap, Merlin I was expecting the charges to be no less than 150 galleons, Fine Mr Grey you have a deal 50 galleons in advance, the rest after I have the port key in my hands with the landing permit. I would also throw in extra 20 galleons if I have it by Sunday evening after the Ceremony of the Sun, and another additional five galleons if you set it to leave immediately after the ceremony as the restrictions end then I believe"
Daphne said those words with such a surprised face, that all the other three occupants had their jaw dropped, 'I should have become an actress' Daphne thought proudly, when she heard Grey's shocked response, "Consider it done Madame Greengrass, You will have the port key by Sunday Evening, Raheem this takes top priority." Grey ordered Khan before shaking hands with Daphne's and exiting the room.
"I still can't believe those two were fooled so easily," Padma said as she and Daphne made their way inside Curse Breaker Quarters.
"Please Pad, the old man was a greedy underpaid civil servant; the chauvinistic pig thought he could swindle a young naïve woman, and that is exactly what I gave him by my response. When I have the Port key in my hands with the documents, I am going to leave immediately with Potter and Weasel and that to without paying a single Knut more. After all, those two idiots did not even sign a contract with me"
Daphne was still basking in her achievement when they reached her room where Potter and Weasel were cooped up since she left for getting the port key "Daph, I will see you and the others at dinner, I have some work I need to take care of right now."
Padma said in a hurry before she walked away leaving Daphne alone at the door. 'Pad wants to avoid further project talk; surely I would if I could' Daphne thought as she entered the room to find both of them enjoying a cup of evening tea and biscuits.
"So did Mrs Potter and Mrs Weasley manage to get some work done or are they still busy having their little tea party." "Shut it, Greeny, did you manage to get the port key?"
"Yes Weasel, the port key has been arranged, I need you both packed immediately to leave after the Ceremony so keep your trunks shrunk in your pockets at that time."
"Why are you suggesting we rush out?" Harry asked to which Daphne replied, "Let's just say the port key was arranged through Slytherin methods." Daphne noticed Harry had a frown on his face while Ron was giving her a grin and said, "Greeny, you are a very efficient blond viper" "Thanks Weasel I will take that as a compliment."
"Don't encourage her Ron, anyway Daphne we came up with a plausible blood source for the hybrid blood on the box, and it is not good," Harry said before motioning her to take a seat and pulling out a parchment.
' This is going to be a long night and very tiring three days' Daphne thought as she heard Ron and Harry's recent findings.
" We are finally going to see the world-famous ritual of the sun performed at dusk" Ron blabbed excitedly to the other two, Daphne thought he resembled a five-year-old who was high on candy.
"Yes Weasel we know, so for the hundredth time shut up, Pad please snog him again that renders Weasel speechless for at least an hour," Daphne asked Padma who had accompanied the three of them to the Temple of Amun where the ritual was done at the end of every Phoenix festival. The Festival always started at The Temple of Ra and Atum-Re the old gods of the Sun and ended at the Temple of Amun the new god of the sun.
"Greengrass stop embarrassing them in public and enjoy the ceremony, also do you see the department official with the port key anywhere as the ceremony is about to start?" Harry asked Daphne, she answered only after spotting Khan in the crowd, and he was holding an envelope and a wooden baton.
"Yes I see the buffoon, you two need to be ready, say your goodbyes to Padma now." Daphne hugged Padma as she said this to Harry.
She noticed Harry and Padma exchanging Floo addresses while Ron and Pad shared their last goodbye snog. Ron said, "Pads, you need to visit more often, I can't wait to show you the new things I have learnt in Celtic Runes" "Sure Ron, You very well know I hate Celtic but for you, I might even give it a try only if you learn more Egyptian and Sanskrit in return."
'I am stuck with dorks' Daphne thought as she and the rest witnessed one of the greatest modern-day ritual being performed live before them.
The Head Temple and Shrine Priests of all the gods were now gathered around a large bonfire set up on the roof of the Temple of Amun, the setting sun clearly visible above the temple as even in an Underground City with the help of magic you could see what was happening above.
Ron was right in Daphne's opinion, this is was a once in a lifetime opportunity after all, as after the stunt she was about to pull with the Heliopolis transportation department, who knows if she could visit the sacred city of the sun again.
Daphne now saw each priest go forward and announce loudly the offering which they were going to present, God Atum-Re was always first and the Greek and Roman gods last.
"To the Creator God, the Great Sun of the Old Kingdom, Lord Atum-Re the Patron of Heliopolis, we offer the scales of the Egyptian Naga willingly shed, May you continue to strengthen the magic of the holy city of the sun."
The fire turned dark green as the scales, to Daphne's delight, then another priest stepped forward dressed in white and gold robes with hints of blue just like the rest.
"To the Lord Ra, The King of Egyptian Pantheon, may your Eternal Fire brighten the city for the next seven years, we offer the feathers of the oldest Bennu who resides in your courtyard, willingly shed, May you grant the magic of Heliopolis longevity."
As soon as the feathers were thrown in the dark green fire, it turned a shade of Gold and Daphne heard Ron gasp, "This is bloody amazing, look the Eternal Fires of Ra also turned Gold." It was true as the Eternal Fire of Ra in the middle of Heliopolis was now also a dazzling gold. Soon the next priest stepped forward.
"To Lord Amun, the New sun, the symbol of fertility and rebirth, we offer you the horns of the Golden Ram willingly shed which resides at your sanctuary in your patron city Thebes, May you grant immense fertility to the magical wards that surround Heliopolis.
The fires this time turned a shade of darker molten gold, which to Daphne looked even better than the last.
"To the Lord Helios, The Old Grecian God of the mighty sun, you honour Heliopolis by giving the sacred city your name, we offer the feathers of the white Pegasus of Greece, willingly shed, May your chariot always bring a new dawn for the magic of Heliopolis."
With that, now the fire turned a blinding white, the next priest quickly followed his predecessor and said,
"To the Lord Apollo, The Romans and the Greeks worship you as one, the Last Sun to touch the sands of the Heliopolis; we offer you the feathers and the Ashes of the Phoenix who last visited your holy pyre, may you grant a new rebirth to the magic of Heliopolis."
Those last words and offerings turned the fire to a dark red mixed with gold and firecrackers lighted the city a new with crowds cheering like no tomorrow. Daphne was also one of the people cheering but she stopped when she felt a tap on her shoulder, she looked behind to see Khan standing with the port key and envelope,
"Madame Greengrass the required Port key it will activate in the next two minutes," "Potter, Weasel we are leaving" She shouted at the other two and to her relief they were standing just next to her and were not carried away by the crowd. "Hear Potter hold the baton, I am taking the documents, It will Activate in exactly one minute and we will be through the wards without exiting the obelisk as the anti port key wards are down during the ceremony."
"Khan good work the port key I can sense it is not a fake, so here is your reward, enjoy" Daphne handed over the stone-filled galleon pouch to Khan before she, Harry and Ron were whisked away to Italy.
"Potter get off me, my lungs need air" Daphne cried as she pushed Harry away but still unable to get up. Port key travel was not easy when your companions were Potter and Weasley.
"This place looks very expensive," Ron said while admiring the huge white villa ad spacious gardens behind front Gates of the Zabini's Italian Estate.
"Hey, Greengrass need some help there?" Harry asked before he surprisingly acted gentlemanly and helped Daphne up from the ground. Daphne did not reject the offered help as they needed to show a united front in front of Blaise so why not start now.
"Thanks, Potter, Weasel the Gates will only open when Blaise commands the House Elf to open them," "Ok Greeny, do you know the Zabini House Elf's name"
"No, I am not like Potter who memorises all house Elf's name by heart", all three of them were about to get into another petty argument when the gates suddenly opened and at the other side was Ginny Weasley, she was wearing a white sundress with her lustrous red hair tied in a braid. Daphne was not looking forward to meeting her first, but luck was not on her side.
"Harry, Ron what brings you to Italy?" Ginny asked with an imperious tone while completely ignoring Daphne, which did not settle well with Daphne at all.
"Cut the bull shit Pureblood act Ginevra "call me Ginny" Weasley, Now where is Blaise," Daphne hissed at Ginny before Ron or Harry could answer Ginny's question.
"Daphne, I thought a Harpy was screeching before I opened the gates, apparently it was just you" Ginny gave a vapid response back to Daphne. By now both witches had their wands out, but before things could turn ugly, Harry intervened.
"Would you please let old grudges go, you both used to be good friends at Hogwarts as far as I remember." That was a very wrong thing to say as now both Daphne and Ginny glared at Harry instead of each other.
"Way to add fuel to the fire, good job Harry" Ron muttered, which was heard by all. Daphne thought Potter had no right bringing her and Ginny's past up like this, it was true both of them got along at Hogwarts but that all changed after her divorce with Charlie.
"Fine, you three can follow me, Blaise is waiting in his study."
"Oh! Merlin how the tables have turned the Ministry's strongest Auror turned Holy Head Harpy coach acting as a common Zabini House Elf" Daphne needled Ginny further but then she heard a pop, Blaise now had apparated to the gate.
"Daphie, keep your poisonous tongue in control, you three came unannounced, so don't expect a lavish welcome."
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by J.K Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.