Chapter 26
Disclaimer: See all of the characters we all know and love (i.e Ron, Hermione, Remus, Tonks, Fred, George, Mr. Weasley, Harry, etc.)? Not mine. Nope, they belong to the talented and filthy rich JKR. I'm just a poor college student. I only own the character's offspring. And Ron…I wish. Oh well, I would like him as a Christmas present…JKR, will you give him to me?
A/N: Wow, I'm doing some quick writing. Boredom and exams being over will do that for you. My math exam was easy (thank God!). Music is Monday, and since I have an 100 in that class, I'm not really worried. Thanks to all my reviewers! I love you guys. Yes, Hermione does have one last project…
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Hermione Granger was never one to leave any stone unturned. No, if she was going back to England with all her friends and well, family, she would finish her job first. Even if she knew someone else could do it for her. The artifact she had collected in France had slipped to the back of her mind in light of the discovery of Fred and her reunion with Ron. Now, however, she had to finish this project before she could consciously go to England to an uncertain future with no job awaiting her.
Ron got upset when she had mentioned it. He had pointed out that after all she was the Hermione Granger. Everyone knew she was brilliant; people should be clamoring to hire her. Hermione shushed him when he spoke like that. Sure, she was smart, but she'd been hiding out in Egypt for years. Would people really remember her?
She shook her head and cleared her thoughts. She then began to study the intricate symbols, ancient runes. Suddenly a certain line caught her breath. It couldn't be…
But it was. She had to call in her superiors.
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Sadat was still arguing with her. "It can't be, Hermione. As much as I would love it to be a message from Bill, it's not. The artifact is too old."
Hermione shook her head. "The engraving is not worn in like all the others. It's too new."
Sadat sighed. "Hermione, Bill Weasley is dead. I know of your…um…connection with the Weasleys, but you have to be practical."
"I'm not saying he's alive. I'm saying he left us a message. He knew the Burrow was going to be attacked, and not just because Ron was helping Harry. They wanted something Bill was working on."
Sadat shook his head. "I never thought you were one for conspiracy theories, Hermione."
"The runes clearly read…"
"Hermione, I can read the runes. However, it's a ploy. Someone wants to hurt you."
She frowned. "I refuse to believe that. I have to tell Ron."
Sadat grabbed her arm as she turned to go. "You can't do that Hermione. I know some of what that boy has been through. Don't give him any false hope."
Hermione frowned. "Okay. Can I do some research into it first? Maybe some muggle dating tests?"
Sadat sighed. "Fine. Just don't be surprised if the results don't make you happy."
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Hermione took the artifact to the Cairo Museum underground wizard testing.
"Ah, what do you have?" the first wizard she approached asked. He had wiry black hair and dark tan skin. His dark eyes glimmered behind his golden square spectacles.
"An artifact from King Tut's tomb. It portrays the ancient Egyptians using wands to perform transfiguration spells."
"Ooh, very good. What exactly is this artifact?"
"One of Tut's crowns."
"What? I thought they were all accounted for."
"This one has only recently been restored enough for muggles to notice the magical undertones."
He took the package from her. "So you want to do carbon dating on it?"
"Yeah. And as many other tests as you can think of."
"Anything special you want me to look at?"
Hermione sighed. "Yes. There is an etching in ancient runes on the back. It seems recent. I'd like you to see just how recent it is."
"Really? What age do we think it is?"
"About three years."
"Okay. Muggle testing isn't quite that precise, but some of our 'tricks' are. I'll have it back to you by Monday."
Hermione was exasperated. "That's nearly a week away!"
"Well, honey, Christmas is coming up. We want to have time with our families."
Hermione sighed. "Well, so do I, but this is very important."
"Story of everyone's artifact, sugar. Sorry. There's nothing I can do."
"Yes there is. Stop calling me honey and sugar," Hermione huffed. "Good day."
And she turned on her heel and left.
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The next day, Hermione apparated to the Weasley flat. Ron was at work, just as she expected. Fred was still in St. Mungo's, and George was most likely with him or in the joke shop. Ginny, however, was just where Hermione knew she would be: at the kitchen table working on a crossword puzzle.
"Hermione! Ron's not here."
"I know. I came to see you."
Ginny smiled broadly. "Really? Have a seat. Do you want a cup of tea?"
"No. I wondered if you wanted to go shopping. Christmas is coming, so…"
"I'd love to! I hate living with all men. They all despise shopping unless brooms or sparkplugs are involved."
Hermione laughed. "I bet I can guess who falls under which category."
"Yeah."
The two women bundled up and exited the flat.
"How are we getting there?" Ginny asked. "Are you qualified for side-by-side?"
"No. I thought we'd take the Knight Bus. Of course, I want to go to Lupin's to pick up the girls first. I thought you'd enjoy having them around."
"Oh yes. I do miss the little dears at St. Mungo's. They always could brighten up my day."
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Molly and Jane were being spoiled rotten by an over-indulgent aunt and mother. They had tried every candy in Honeyduke's and come out of Zonko's with various products (what Fred and George didn't know wouldn't kill them). Of course, Hermione had a feeling she would be the one who would regret her purchases. The twins were already having way too much fun with their disappearing stuffed animals, beaning each other in the head with them when they thought their mother wasn't looking. As if. Having twins had taught Hermione to grow eyes in the back of her head.
Ginny and Hermione were sitting at a café drinking some good strong Earl Grey, watching the girls play with a large bouncy ball that changed colors when they bounced it (an early Christmas present from Ginny).
"They're precious," Ginny sighed. "It makes me want babies of my own."
Hermione smiled. "Ginny, you're only nineteen. You have plenty of time for babies."
"I know, but looking at them brings out my maternal urges. I want to have babies when I'm young enough to play with them."
"Play with them? You mean keep up with them."
Ginny laughed. "They are bundles of energy. So…you and Ron have been getting on quite well lately, haven't you?"
Hermione blushed.
Ginny chuckled. "I knew it. So, is the shagging better than you remembered?"
"Yeah," Hermione sighed. She looked Ginny square in the eyes. "I still love him."
"I know. You ought to tell him. I'm almost one hundred percent sure he feels the same way."
Hermione shrugged. "Well, we're getting there."
"I noticed. The girls are now officially listed as Weasleys."
Hermione started. "What?"
"Ron didn't tell you?"
"No. How?"
"He made the Ministry change it."
Hermione frowned. "He never even mentioned it. Wait—why didn't he ask me first. Wanker. Of course I want the girls to have his name, but he should have asked."
Ginny laughed. "It's Ron. Besides, he makes all the decisions now."
Hermione sighed. "Stubborn and proud like always. But he's mine."
"He always has been. So what're you going to get him for Christmas?"
Hermione grinned wickedly. "I really thought about just getting something for myself. Something that'd he enjoy too."
Ginny grinned back. "So we need to shop for lingerie?"
Hermione nodded. "In red, definitely. He likes my devil look."
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A/N: Wow. That chapter wouldn't end. Well, my outline is completely chunked out the window. The artifact is going to take up more chapters than I planned on. You'd better just hope for 40 chapters. However, I will have the Christmas chapter up before Christmas. After the 19th, I'm not sure if I'll be able to post. I'll update y'all on the status soon. Love to all my reviewers!
Oh, and special thanks to jwoods471 for not only being a great beta (along with JohnCardy87), but for coming up with what the artifact could actually be. I thought of a vase, but that was just too stupid and commonplace. Thanks, Jen!