Hermione was curled on the couch facing the fire when Callah flooed in.

"Expecting me then, Mya?  Thought if you willed it hard enough I'd pop out of the fire, or something?"

"Well you did."

"Fair enough.  Where's Sev?"

"I'm here," came the brooding voice from the shadows.

"Ah, I got the combined mental energies of BOTH of you!"

"Indeed.  We've called you here for a reason, Callah."

"Then get to it, Severus."  Her tone was teasing but her bearing was serious.

"We need an expert in Hieratic.  One who can keep their mouth shut.  Experts in Hieratic are rare in the wizarding world."  Hermione was forthright.

Callah pondered this for a moment.  "I suppose the best source would be Dr. Zienne.  She studied at Leiden University in the Netherlands and is an expert in Egyptian linguistics.  I can contact her immediately."

"Please do."  Hermione's voice was quiet.

"What have you discovered?"  Callah was concerned.

Hermione smiled wanly.  "Lucius Malfoy's resurrected himself and is trying to kill me."

"Oh.  Is that all?"  Callah grinned as she pulled out her cell phone.

"I'm sorry to have called you away from your work," Hermione apologized.  Callah smiled.

"Actually, I finished a day ago.  I was just…checking in at the Order's headquarters."

"She was snogging Remus Lupin," came Snape's low drawl, with a sharp edge of…bitterness?  Jealousy?  Ah-hah!   Snape still loves her.

"That is not true," Callah said sharply.  "Stop being such an ass, Severus." 

Hermione raised an eyebrow.  That answers the obvious next question: Is Callah still in love with him?  Most assuredly.  Damn good thing…if anyone's snogging Remus Lupin I'd like it to be me…gah!  Where did THAT come from!  You're over that, Mya, stop thinking foolish thoughts.  I'm losing it, dear Lord this madness has finally taken its toll.

"Why the feminine blush, Miss Granger?  Could it be there's something you'd like to share with the rest of us?"  Snape was too damned perceptive, in Hermione's opinion.

"Not at all, Professor…is there something YOU'D like to share?"  Hermione's tone made it clear that she knew exactly what he might be hiding.  Snape's glare was deadly.  He opened his mouth to respond, but Callah waved him silent.

"Allo.  Liesa, s'il vous plait."  She smiled slightly. "Oui, merci.  Liesa!  Comment ca va?  Pas mal…  I need a favor…oui...oui.  Non, nothing like that.  J'ai besoin d'un translation.  Oui...oui.  Yes, I can be there tomorrow.  Thank you, Liesa.  I owe you lunch.  Oui…merci!  Salut."  She ended the call.

"We're to be there tomorrow morning at 8am.  We'll apparate somewhere close.  Now, who's hungry for dinner?"

"I am," came the cold arrogant drawl.  Shivers shot down Hermione's spine and she turned to see Lucius Malfoy cast a spell that slammed into the shield Callah had instinctively created.  The shield absorbed the energy but threw Callah across the room and through one of the picture windows.  Hermione saw her head snap back and knew she'd been knocked out at the very least. 

"Crucio!"  Snape cast the Unforgivable quickly and desperately while Lucius was turning towards Hermione.   Malfoy seemed completely unaffected.  He simply ignored Snape as he walked towards Hermione.  Do something, do something!  No, no do something other than scream, moron! 

Hermione pulled out her wand and cast the first spell that came to mind.  "Tarantella!" You're a complete idiot, Hermione Granger.  Oddly, Malfoy seemed to have to struggle against the spell, but he overcame it and grabbed Hermione's outstretched casting hand. 

They disapparated even as Malfoy backhanded Snape, sending him into a wall.

Damn.