Hmm. How old is Hermione? Well, she's been out of school for a few years. I think you can make up your own mind as to her exact age. Many thanks for your reviews.

Please see prologue for the disclaimer.

Chapter 3.

"You are a witch!" Accused the dark haired man.

Hermione held her wand out like a weapon.

His lip curled. "Let it be known, Witch," He emphasised with a sneer. "That your magics will not work on a Medjai."

Hermione didn't move. I've stood down Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy. He doesn't scare me.

The man moved towards her and grabbed her arm. "Imhotep would not stoop to involve himself with someone such as you." He shoved her wand away from him and shook her arm making her drop her wand. Hermione yelped and pushed back, she stumbled as she lost her balance. He let her go, but watched her warily.

She got herself up and looked about for her wand. It had rolled away from her and was closer to the man than she would have liked.

"Perhaps I should break this," He said reaching down and picking up the wand, "as a lesson to you to not use that which you do not understand."

"No! Please!" The words were out before Hermione could recall them.

The man sneered and made a motion as though the wand would be snapped.

But Hermione snapped first.

She dived at the man, determined to get her wand. Kicking and shoving the two fell into an undignified heap in the aisle of the bus.

"Give…Me…Back… My… WAND!"

The man yowled. "You bit me!"

Hermione grabbed her wand and scooted across the floor away from the man who was now cushioning his hand. She blushed a little before regaining her self-composure. "You deserved it!" She stood up and held her wand out at the man, making sure that there was a safe distance between the two, before turning and making her way to the exit of the bus.

The man pulled his gun and aimed at her back. "You cannot leave."

She froze as she heard the weapon and turned slowly to face the man.

"What just happened? Ardeth? Who's that girl you're pointing the gun at?" A confused male voice spoke up from elsewhere in the bus.

Hermione sighed. Things were getting more complicated.

As the bus was driven back to wherever the passengers intended Hermione realised that the situation was worse than she had originally realised.

I can't tell them the truth, even if they do believe me, because if they find out, then I'll be in even more trouble than before. It's the whole 'grandfather' effect, or what ever they called it in school. She sighed. I knew I should have gone back into academia, this would never have happened! She sighed again, and if I had gone back to academia I wouldn't be wondering if it was the grandfather effect – I would know what the damn thing is called!

She glanced surreptiously around the bus hoping not to draw any more attention to herself than there already was. At least I still have my wand now. She smirked. I don't think that Ardeth will try and risk taking it again.

Ardeth scowled at her from across the aisle, his gun trained on her.

Hermione gazed up at the ceiling, then out of the windows, then at the floor. Anywhere other than his face. She could tell it was irritating him. When she knew he had glanced away she murmured a brief spell almost silently at the window she sat next to.

All I need is a distraction. She glanced towards the front of the bus and realised the lights ahead were about to change to red. I wonder if anyone has noticed that I've just changed this window to the emergency exit?

Jonathon braked in obedience with the lights, hoping that no one would notice how this bus was missing the top deck.

Ardeth, unused to travelling by bus, glanced away from his prisoner, wondering what the delay was.

Hermione grabbed the emergency exit handle and opened the door before anyone was the wiser. Jumping out and running away from the bus as fast as she could, she heard gunshots fired behind her and shouting coming from Ardeth.

"What a horrible man!" Hermione declared as she heard the bus drive off, hoping that it had taken Ardeth with it. "He fired at me! Tried to kill me!" She humphed and tried to smooth down her clothes as she debated her next move. As she took in her surroundings she realised just where she was.

"I'm not far from the Ministry! Oh than heavens for that!"

With that exclamation Hermione set off.

If only she had realised what was going to happen she would have stayed on the bus and taken her chances with Ardeth.

Please let me know what you think.