Disclaimer: This story contains settings, situations, and characters created and owned by JK Rowling. Plot and everything else you don't recognize is inarguably mine. No money is being made, therefore no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: Okay, so I admit that the Portkey scene was lifted from The Goblet of Fire, because I couldn't describe it in my own words. Feel free to correct any spelling or grammatical errors!
Enchantments: Chapter Two
The fifth year students clustered in the Great Hall chattered excitedly among themselves. It was the day of the field trip, and in front of them, Professor Dumbledore had placed a box of seemingly useless junk, like old boots, trash can lids, and worn rubber tires.
"May I have your attention, please," requested the Headmaster. The chatter died down to a few occasional whispers. "You will be traveling by Portkeys. So as to maintain order, five students at a time will go in front and get a Portkey. Now, when you have reached your destination, stay put and wait for the rest of your classmates to arrive. Professor Binns and Professor McGonagall will be joining you shortly."
"Why'd McGonagall have to come along?" Ron demanded, looking slightly dismayed. "She'll never let us have any fun!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione waited as their classmates went to the front in groups of five, clutched things Muggles called litter, and disappeared. At last it was their turn, and they formed a circle around an empty drinks can, along with Seamus and Neville, touching it with their fingers.
"Have a good time," Dumbledore said cheerfully, then looked down at his watch. "Three… two… one…"
Hermione felt as though she had been jerked forward by a large hook. Her feet left the ground; she could feel Harry and Ron on either side of her, their shoulders banging into hers; she was vaguely aware of Neville--- or was it Seamus?--- screaming; they were all speeding forwards in a howl of wind and swirling color, their forefingers stuck to the drinks can, and then---
Her feet slammed into the ground, and she and her friends fell over, gasping.
"Blimey, I think I'm having a heart attack," said Seamus, clutching his chest.
Hermione disentangled herself from the boys and got to her feet. They had arrived at a desert, in front of a wooden gate that seemed even bigger than Hogwarts castle. Their classmates who had gotten there before them all looked eager, although very windswept.
"This is Egypt?" said Harry incredulously, gazing at the endless stretch of sand before him, then at the solitary wooden gate.
"Yes," a voice affirmed. "Just east of Cairo." The speaker was a tall, tanned man leaning against the gate, wearing white linen robes, with very straight, chin-length raven black hair. Hermione wondered why she hadn't noticed him at first. "Allow me to introduce myself," the man said, flashing the students a brilliant smile that was almost as dazzling as the white of his robes. "I am Cheops, your official tour guide for the duration of your stay. Now, is everyone here?"
Pansy Parkinson replied, "Everyone except for---"
"Argh, damn it, Crabbe!" yelled an angry voice.
Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle materialized, their used Portkey falling to the ground. Draco looked extremely pissed off as he ran a hand through his ruffled platinum blonde hair.
"Of all the bloody ways to travel…" he muttered, straightening his black robes.
Cheops smirked, then counted the number of students. "Right, that's everyone. Your professors will be joining us later, but Minerva said I should go ahead and take you lot to the Museum of Magical Artifacts."
Hermione tried not to smile. Cheops looked way too young to be on a first-name basis with McGonagall.
The Egyptian wizard turned to the gate, then stretched out his arms on both sides. "Septhys piaktu!" he intoned sharply. The students watched in awe as the huge wooden gate creaked open, revealing a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight, lined with shops, crowded with animals and people. It resembled Diagon Alley, only noisier and more exotic, and sprinkled with palm trees here and there. Everywhere you looked you could see camels and sand.
"Welcome," said Cheops, grinning at the students whose mouths had dropped open, "to the wizarding village of Shadrack."