A/N: I do not own anything to do with the Harry Potter universe... J K
Rowling owns it all. I'm just having fun with her characters. This is the
sequel to my first story Sekhmet's Book. I am sorry to keep you all waiting
for an update this long- know that I will indeed finish the story though.
Please leave a review as my muse needs feeding before she gets up and
leaves.
Enjoy...
Chapter Eleven
Morning finally came and Severus awoke immediately as the first ray of sunlight streamed through the open window. Today was going to be busy but Severus had a plan. Basically, he and Harry would go with Michael to the palace in Heliopolis. Severus and Harry would both be disguised under the invisibility cloak and would be able to sneak off to find Hermione while Michael kept anyone who may be around busily distracted. Severus would find Hermione and apparate her back to the master's quarters in Memphis before they waited for Harry and Michael to arrive and then they would all apparate back to Ancient Hogwarts. When back in Scotland they would find a nice little corner to hide in while Hermione had the baby, live there for a few weeks before collecting the ingredients needed to destroy the book and drink the time travel potions, returning back home in one piece.
Simple.
Well, in theory anyway... even the best made plans went astray frequently and only time would tell... that proverbial cauldron that was thrown into the works, was always causing things to go wrong.
Severus lay on the sand covered floor postulating as the sunlight streamed into the room. The noise outside was steadily increasing as the city of Memphis began to awaken and head off to their daily duties.
"Breakfast?" Severus turned to see Michael standing over by the entranceway to the room.
"Yes," Severus said getting to his feet and brushing himself down.
"We all go to the main dining area usually but you and Harry are not expected, so I guess we should eat here." Michael had already been out that morning in search of food, he had managed to bring back some fruits and flat bread. "I've set some food out on the bench in here," Michael indicated the room he was standing in.
"Lead the way then," Severus said following Michael. Harry was already in the other room waiting for them so they all sat down and began to eat.
"So do you actually have a plan for today then?" Michael asked as he looked to both Severus and Harry expectantly. He was dubious that any idea they had would work but he was willing to listen.
"Severus is in charge," Harry said as he chewed some grapes and swallowed. Harry had already been warned and with Severus' volatile temper, he did not want to step on any toes.
"We shall apparate to the palace, Harry and I under the invisibility cloak. You shall distract anyone we encounter as we search for my wife. I shall apparate Hermione and I back to here once I've found her, and Harry shall find you; apparating back here once you have both met up. We shall then apparate back to Ancient Hogwarts, set up camp until the baby is born and Hermione is fit to time travel again." Severus grabbed a piece of bread and ripped it in half, chewing vigorously on a piece. A very autocratic approach, Severus was open for no discussion on the subject and that was the end of it.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Harry said, looking over to Michael and smiling at the look on his face.
"We can but try, I suppose," Michael agreed with a dubious look on his face and a shrug of his shoulders.
"Good. Eat quickly, we will leave soon," Severus told them in no uncertain terms, he had already waited around for far too long.
"Are you still tired, Talibah?" Hermione looked up at the servant who had spoken to her and nodded slightly. "Would you like to be bathed? Mistress Hathor has asked me to help you again this morning."
"No, thank you. I think I can manage myself today," Hermione smiled briefly and hoped that the servant would just leave her alone; she could really use a few more hours of sleep. Last night Hermione had been in bed before the sun had gone down, Hathor, as usual had said a prayer over her as she began to drift off into the land of slumber. She had never known such lethargy before in her life. When she had carried Callum she had been quite energetic throughout most of her pregnancy but this time she was hardly able to keep her eyes open.
Ah, Callum, how she missed her son. It had been so long to be away from her baby and when... if she ever saw him again he may well not even recognise her....his own mother. A few tears trickled down Hermione's cheeks as she thought about Callum, she sniffed and looked up to the servant again. "Please," Hermione asked forlornly. "Allow me to tend to myself this morning, I need to think."
"The mistress will not like me to leave you in such a state, Talibah," the servant tried to reason with Hermione anxiously.
"I shall ensure you are not reprimanded in any way," Hermione said. The servant nodded and reluctantly left the room. Hermione sighed heavily and moved over to sit by the open window. A slight breeze was coming through the opening and was cooling to Hermione's burning and tear-stained face. She closed her eyes and took some deep and calming breaths. Usually when she began to think about Callum, thoughts of Severus were not far behind... and those thoughts were extremely painful.
They had been stuck in the past for almost eight months now and getting home was now next to nearly impossible. Hermione knew that the key ingredient to making the Tempus Fugit Aversus Potion had now expired and would not be available for around seven hundred years. As for finding a substitute- Hermione was beginning to seriously doubt her abilities these days- tiredness tended to win outright and her mind wandered frequently. She had Michael though, whenever she was permitted to see him anyway... it had seemed a long time since this had been the case as well.
"You will not accept help to bathe this morning, Talibah?" Hathor asked from the entranceway disturbing the solitude of the depressed witch. Hermione looked round and shook her head distractedly.
"I just wish to be left alone for a while, Hathor," Hermione mumbled more to her self.
"You need to bathe, this will help you relax, and the baby to turn," Hathor tried to reason.
"I shall do so later, I need some time alone," Hermione replied, quie exasperated at their pushy attitudes.
"The baby is not long in arriving now, Talibah..."
"Later, please," Hermione said, cutting her off immediately.
"Alright then, we shall return soon," Hathor said, leaving the room and Hermione by herself once again. Hermione turned back and looked out of the window again; she would fall asleep with the breeze and sunlight on her face.
"Severus!"
"What!"
"I really think you should slow down before you leave me behind... I'm finding it most difficult to keep up with you and therefore to keep covered by this cloak," Harry whispered furiously as he hurried along in Snape's wake. They had travelled down six winding corridors which were lit by torches. The sandstone walls were cool to the touch but the heat within the palace walls was stifling under the hot Egyptian sun. Hieroglyphics could be seen strewn across each wall portraying different scenes in history and the glorious path of the Sun-god Re who currently reigned over Ancient Egypt. On one wall a new story was under construct... looking more closely as they hurried by, Harry could see that it depicted what looked to be a massacre with a lioness being victorious at the centre. Severus stopped abruptly and Harry slammed into his back.
"Potter," Severus began in a most restrained manner as he clenched his fists and teeth together. "I have little time to spend in this god forsaken hole as it is. I want my wife and all of us out of here with great expedience."
"I know but..."
"Keep up then," Severus growled and strode off once again.
"We will be heard if not seen, Severus!" Harry said in a hushed but forceful voice.
"What do you take me for, Potter?" Severus slowed down but carried on walking, "I have already cast a silencing spell on our footsteps you imbecile." Harry sighed heavily.
"Michael took the last left hand turn and you never even noticed, Severus," Harry griped back.
"I noticed but Hermione is not down the last left hand turn," Severus told him matter-of-factly.
"And how on this Earth do you know that!" Harry asked, heatedly.
"Mr. Potter, I happen to be a Wizard. I am most capable of casting a simple location spell along with a silencing charm. How you ever managed to graduate from Hogwarts is a mystery to me." Severus growled, Potter was really beginning to annoy the life out of him.
"Sshh!"
"Wha-," Severus stopped talking as a shadow fell across the floor in front of him. From the side corridor Hathor came along with an enterage of servants who continued to cross in front of Harry and himself on their way towards an opening a bit further down the corridor. "Follow them," Severus whispered to Harry once they had passed.
They crept along the corridor and approached the opening. Hearing voices from inside the room Severus peeked around the corridor to see the servants surrounding something and Hathor speaking to whomever was in the centre of the circle. He couldn't make out what was being said but supposed it must have been alright as Hathor quickly left the room.
"I wonder what she said," Harry whispered beside Severus.
"Sshh," Severus hissed as he tried to make out who was in the centre of the circle of servants. All he could make out was that the servants were washing someone and clothes were being brought out and chanting was being heard. "I do not understand what they are chanting the translation spell is not working here."
"I can't hear them either... perhaps we should move closer?"
"Perhaps we should wait until the servants leave."
"You wish to see your wife?" Severus turned at the sound of a voice behind them.
"Yes, I do," Severus heard Michael say to a rather tall and imposing figure who could only be the one and only Re.
"She is in there with the servants. You may see her for a short time only; Hathor informed me that your wife is not in good spirit today." Re intoned in a very deep and commanding voice.
"May I enquire as to what is wrong with her, my Lord?" Michael asked as he kept his eyes averted; looking Re in the eye was a sign of confrontation.
"She is tired. Hathor has been with her constantly, she is in good hands," Re replied. "I must leave you. I have a meeting with my council to oversee."
"Of course, my Lord, I am humbly in your debt for showing me the way to my wife, personally." Re nodded slightly before stepping in the opposite direction and striding along the corridor... a god not to be easily reckoned with if you knew what was good for you.
Severus and Harry stood silently for a moment, watching Michael as Re strode away. Michael looked back into the room and began pacing up and down as the servants finished what they were doing with Hermione.
"Hermione is in there," Severus whispered to Harry before attempting to withdraw the invisibility cloak.
"Severus..." Harry hissed as he grabbed his arm, "where are you going!"
"Unhand me, Potter." Severus warned in a dangerous voice. Harry's hand quickly left Severus' arm. "My wife is in there, where do you think I am going?"
"You can't go in there looking like that!" Severus stopped and thought, sighed and glanced around. A thought hit him and he began to remove the cloak again.
"Sev..."
"Silence," Severus commanded. "Michael," Severus whispered as he emerged into plain view. Michael stopped pacing and moved quickly over to where he now saw Severus standing.
"You made it then," Michael said.
"Indeed," Severus raised his eyebrow and folded his arms. "My wife is in that room and when the servants come out, I shall be going in."
"You can't be seen... there are guards all over this palace..." Michael began in protest.
"I shall not be seen as anything other than an image of you, Mr. Creevey. "Michael looked confused. "I shall transfigure my self with another glamour charm. I will appear to look as you do now."
"Ah, I see. Well, feel free..." Michael looked around as he heard movement within the room. "The servants appear to be packing up. I suggest you transfigure your self now, Severus."
Michael moved to where Harry's head had appeared floating in mid air and proceeded to be covered by the invisibility cloak as Harry draped it around the both of them. Severus moved his ring-wand over his features and muttered a few incantations. He immediately changed to look exactly as Michael had just appeared. Severus began to pace back and forth just as Michael had been doing and waited for Hermione to be left by her self before making a move.
It took longer than first thought before the servants left the room. Severus cleared his throat impatiently as the last of the servants nodded in passing before he moved and entered the room. Hermione was sitting with her back to him staring out of the open window. He moved silently towards her.
It had been so long since he had seen his wife. She didn't look like he remembered at all. She wore a glamour charm which made her appear to have long straight black hair, dark eye makeup and a very pale complexion. She wore standard Ancient Egyptian attire, which hung loosely over her rounded pregnant abdomen and had the outward postural appearance of a very tired and yet glowing mother-to-be.
Severus made a noise and gasped as Hermione suddenly turned to face him. The twinkle had gone from her eyes and she looked so tired and desolate.
"Hermione... I have missed you so much," Severus said as he quickly closed the gap and came around to kneel in front of her. He looked into her eyes and tried to see any resemblance to his wife in there. He saw Callum's eyes and that was enough for him. Severus took a shuddering breath before speaking. "I love you," Severus said as he pulled her face to his and kissed her lovingly and passionately.
After a few moments where they both sank into a rhythm and embraced one another tightly, Hermione pulled back slightly. What she said next broke Severus' heart in two.
"I love you too, Michael."
Severus stopped and looked utterly floored for a moment before he realised that he wore a glamour charm. Hermione had definitely said she loved Michael though... and technically she had kissed the image of Michael instead of her husband. Sudden anger washed over his entire being and he straightened up abruptly. Opening his mouth to vent, he was suddenly interrupted by a gasp from the entranceway.
"Talibah! You are not to engage in such activities. It is harmful to the baby. Mensah... you must leave immediately!" Hathor stood in the doorway and she did not look happy. Hermione nodded and turned her back on Severus/Michael, willing him to leave; Hathor was not pleasant when angry.
Severus almost ran from the room, intent on getting some answers from Creevey by the most painful means at his disposal.
Enjoy...
Chapter Eleven
Morning finally came and Severus awoke immediately as the first ray of sunlight streamed through the open window. Today was going to be busy but Severus had a plan. Basically, he and Harry would go with Michael to the palace in Heliopolis. Severus and Harry would both be disguised under the invisibility cloak and would be able to sneak off to find Hermione while Michael kept anyone who may be around busily distracted. Severus would find Hermione and apparate her back to the master's quarters in Memphis before they waited for Harry and Michael to arrive and then they would all apparate back to Ancient Hogwarts. When back in Scotland they would find a nice little corner to hide in while Hermione had the baby, live there for a few weeks before collecting the ingredients needed to destroy the book and drink the time travel potions, returning back home in one piece.
Simple.
Well, in theory anyway... even the best made plans went astray frequently and only time would tell... that proverbial cauldron that was thrown into the works, was always causing things to go wrong.
Severus lay on the sand covered floor postulating as the sunlight streamed into the room. The noise outside was steadily increasing as the city of Memphis began to awaken and head off to their daily duties.
"Breakfast?" Severus turned to see Michael standing over by the entranceway to the room.
"Yes," Severus said getting to his feet and brushing himself down.
"We all go to the main dining area usually but you and Harry are not expected, so I guess we should eat here." Michael had already been out that morning in search of food, he had managed to bring back some fruits and flat bread. "I've set some food out on the bench in here," Michael indicated the room he was standing in.
"Lead the way then," Severus said following Michael. Harry was already in the other room waiting for them so they all sat down and began to eat.
"So do you actually have a plan for today then?" Michael asked as he looked to both Severus and Harry expectantly. He was dubious that any idea they had would work but he was willing to listen.
"Severus is in charge," Harry said as he chewed some grapes and swallowed. Harry had already been warned and with Severus' volatile temper, he did not want to step on any toes.
"We shall apparate to the palace, Harry and I under the invisibility cloak. You shall distract anyone we encounter as we search for my wife. I shall apparate Hermione and I back to here once I've found her, and Harry shall find you; apparating back here once you have both met up. We shall then apparate back to Ancient Hogwarts, set up camp until the baby is born and Hermione is fit to time travel again." Severus grabbed a piece of bread and ripped it in half, chewing vigorously on a piece. A very autocratic approach, Severus was open for no discussion on the subject and that was the end of it.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Harry said, looking over to Michael and smiling at the look on his face.
"We can but try, I suppose," Michael agreed with a dubious look on his face and a shrug of his shoulders.
"Good. Eat quickly, we will leave soon," Severus told them in no uncertain terms, he had already waited around for far too long.
"Are you still tired, Talibah?" Hermione looked up at the servant who had spoken to her and nodded slightly. "Would you like to be bathed? Mistress Hathor has asked me to help you again this morning."
"No, thank you. I think I can manage myself today," Hermione smiled briefly and hoped that the servant would just leave her alone; she could really use a few more hours of sleep. Last night Hermione had been in bed before the sun had gone down, Hathor, as usual had said a prayer over her as she began to drift off into the land of slumber. She had never known such lethargy before in her life. When she had carried Callum she had been quite energetic throughout most of her pregnancy but this time she was hardly able to keep her eyes open.
Ah, Callum, how she missed her son. It had been so long to be away from her baby and when... if she ever saw him again he may well not even recognise her....his own mother. A few tears trickled down Hermione's cheeks as she thought about Callum, she sniffed and looked up to the servant again. "Please," Hermione asked forlornly. "Allow me to tend to myself this morning, I need to think."
"The mistress will not like me to leave you in such a state, Talibah," the servant tried to reason with Hermione anxiously.
"I shall ensure you are not reprimanded in any way," Hermione said. The servant nodded and reluctantly left the room. Hermione sighed heavily and moved over to sit by the open window. A slight breeze was coming through the opening and was cooling to Hermione's burning and tear-stained face. She closed her eyes and took some deep and calming breaths. Usually when she began to think about Callum, thoughts of Severus were not far behind... and those thoughts were extremely painful.
They had been stuck in the past for almost eight months now and getting home was now next to nearly impossible. Hermione knew that the key ingredient to making the Tempus Fugit Aversus Potion had now expired and would not be available for around seven hundred years. As for finding a substitute- Hermione was beginning to seriously doubt her abilities these days- tiredness tended to win outright and her mind wandered frequently. She had Michael though, whenever she was permitted to see him anyway... it had seemed a long time since this had been the case as well.
"You will not accept help to bathe this morning, Talibah?" Hathor asked from the entranceway disturbing the solitude of the depressed witch. Hermione looked round and shook her head distractedly.
"I just wish to be left alone for a while, Hathor," Hermione mumbled more to her self.
"You need to bathe, this will help you relax, and the baby to turn," Hathor tried to reason.
"I shall do so later, I need some time alone," Hermione replied, quie exasperated at their pushy attitudes.
"The baby is not long in arriving now, Talibah..."
"Later, please," Hermione said, cutting her off immediately.
"Alright then, we shall return soon," Hathor said, leaving the room and Hermione by herself once again. Hermione turned back and looked out of the window again; she would fall asleep with the breeze and sunlight on her face.
"Severus!"
"What!"
"I really think you should slow down before you leave me behind... I'm finding it most difficult to keep up with you and therefore to keep covered by this cloak," Harry whispered furiously as he hurried along in Snape's wake. They had travelled down six winding corridors which were lit by torches. The sandstone walls were cool to the touch but the heat within the palace walls was stifling under the hot Egyptian sun. Hieroglyphics could be seen strewn across each wall portraying different scenes in history and the glorious path of the Sun-god Re who currently reigned over Ancient Egypt. On one wall a new story was under construct... looking more closely as they hurried by, Harry could see that it depicted what looked to be a massacre with a lioness being victorious at the centre. Severus stopped abruptly and Harry slammed into his back.
"Potter," Severus began in a most restrained manner as he clenched his fists and teeth together. "I have little time to spend in this god forsaken hole as it is. I want my wife and all of us out of here with great expedience."
"I know but..."
"Keep up then," Severus growled and strode off once again.
"We will be heard if not seen, Severus!" Harry said in a hushed but forceful voice.
"What do you take me for, Potter?" Severus slowed down but carried on walking, "I have already cast a silencing spell on our footsteps you imbecile." Harry sighed heavily.
"Michael took the last left hand turn and you never even noticed, Severus," Harry griped back.
"I noticed but Hermione is not down the last left hand turn," Severus told him matter-of-factly.
"And how on this Earth do you know that!" Harry asked, heatedly.
"Mr. Potter, I happen to be a Wizard. I am most capable of casting a simple location spell along with a silencing charm. How you ever managed to graduate from Hogwarts is a mystery to me." Severus growled, Potter was really beginning to annoy the life out of him.
"Sshh!"
"Wha-," Severus stopped talking as a shadow fell across the floor in front of him. From the side corridor Hathor came along with an enterage of servants who continued to cross in front of Harry and himself on their way towards an opening a bit further down the corridor. "Follow them," Severus whispered to Harry once they had passed.
They crept along the corridor and approached the opening. Hearing voices from inside the room Severus peeked around the corridor to see the servants surrounding something and Hathor speaking to whomever was in the centre of the circle. He couldn't make out what was being said but supposed it must have been alright as Hathor quickly left the room.
"I wonder what she said," Harry whispered beside Severus.
"Sshh," Severus hissed as he tried to make out who was in the centre of the circle of servants. All he could make out was that the servants were washing someone and clothes were being brought out and chanting was being heard. "I do not understand what they are chanting the translation spell is not working here."
"I can't hear them either... perhaps we should move closer?"
"Perhaps we should wait until the servants leave."
"You wish to see your wife?" Severus turned at the sound of a voice behind them.
"Yes, I do," Severus heard Michael say to a rather tall and imposing figure who could only be the one and only Re.
"She is in there with the servants. You may see her for a short time only; Hathor informed me that your wife is not in good spirit today." Re intoned in a very deep and commanding voice.
"May I enquire as to what is wrong with her, my Lord?" Michael asked as he kept his eyes averted; looking Re in the eye was a sign of confrontation.
"She is tired. Hathor has been with her constantly, she is in good hands," Re replied. "I must leave you. I have a meeting with my council to oversee."
"Of course, my Lord, I am humbly in your debt for showing me the way to my wife, personally." Re nodded slightly before stepping in the opposite direction and striding along the corridor... a god not to be easily reckoned with if you knew what was good for you.
Severus and Harry stood silently for a moment, watching Michael as Re strode away. Michael looked back into the room and began pacing up and down as the servants finished what they were doing with Hermione.
"Hermione is in there," Severus whispered to Harry before attempting to withdraw the invisibility cloak.
"Severus..." Harry hissed as he grabbed his arm, "where are you going!"
"Unhand me, Potter." Severus warned in a dangerous voice. Harry's hand quickly left Severus' arm. "My wife is in there, where do you think I am going?"
"You can't go in there looking like that!" Severus stopped and thought, sighed and glanced around. A thought hit him and he began to remove the cloak again.
"Sev..."
"Silence," Severus commanded. "Michael," Severus whispered as he emerged into plain view. Michael stopped pacing and moved quickly over to where he now saw Severus standing.
"You made it then," Michael said.
"Indeed," Severus raised his eyebrow and folded his arms. "My wife is in that room and when the servants come out, I shall be going in."
"You can't be seen... there are guards all over this palace..." Michael began in protest.
"I shall not be seen as anything other than an image of you, Mr. Creevey. "Michael looked confused. "I shall transfigure my self with another glamour charm. I will appear to look as you do now."
"Ah, I see. Well, feel free..." Michael looked around as he heard movement within the room. "The servants appear to be packing up. I suggest you transfigure your self now, Severus."
Michael moved to where Harry's head had appeared floating in mid air and proceeded to be covered by the invisibility cloak as Harry draped it around the both of them. Severus moved his ring-wand over his features and muttered a few incantations. He immediately changed to look exactly as Michael had just appeared. Severus began to pace back and forth just as Michael had been doing and waited for Hermione to be left by her self before making a move.
It took longer than first thought before the servants left the room. Severus cleared his throat impatiently as the last of the servants nodded in passing before he moved and entered the room. Hermione was sitting with her back to him staring out of the open window. He moved silently towards her.
It had been so long since he had seen his wife. She didn't look like he remembered at all. She wore a glamour charm which made her appear to have long straight black hair, dark eye makeup and a very pale complexion. She wore standard Ancient Egyptian attire, which hung loosely over her rounded pregnant abdomen and had the outward postural appearance of a very tired and yet glowing mother-to-be.
Severus made a noise and gasped as Hermione suddenly turned to face him. The twinkle had gone from her eyes and she looked so tired and desolate.
"Hermione... I have missed you so much," Severus said as he quickly closed the gap and came around to kneel in front of her. He looked into her eyes and tried to see any resemblance to his wife in there. He saw Callum's eyes and that was enough for him. Severus took a shuddering breath before speaking. "I love you," Severus said as he pulled her face to his and kissed her lovingly and passionately.
After a few moments where they both sank into a rhythm and embraced one another tightly, Hermione pulled back slightly. What she said next broke Severus' heart in two.
"I love you too, Michael."
Severus stopped and looked utterly floored for a moment before he realised that he wore a glamour charm. Hermione had definitely said she loved Michael though... and technically she had kissed the image of Michael instead of her husband. Sudden anger washed over his entire being and he straightened up abruptly. Opening his mouth to vent, he was suddenly interrupted by a gasp from the entranceway.
"Talibah! You are not to engage in such activities. It is harmful to the baby. Mensah... you must leave immediately!" Hathor stood in the doorway and she did not look happy. Hermione nodded and turned her back on Severus/Michael, willing him to leave; Hathor was not pleasant when angry.
Severus almost ran from the room, intent on getting some answers from Creevey by the most painful means at his disposal.