The Curse of a Breaker

…

"Before you go Bill…"

Bill had already taken a few steps when Samah spoke up. He turned so fast his ponytail swung round and caught his cheek.

"Yes Sam."

The man didn't look at Bill though. He was looking a little over Bill's right shoulder. Ever so slowly the elder wizard lifted his finger and pointed. Slowly the oldest Weasley turned ready to deal with whatever the problem was. He was surprised though by what he saw. A middle aged man in a pair of faded jeans and a plain white T-shit stood there with a cigarette in his mouth smiling.

"Ah Mr Weasley. Samah has told me good things about you. If you would care to join me for a drink. There's a small matter I wish to discuss with you…"

Bill shot him a look for a moment. He had never seen this man before. He gave Samah a look and the man nodded at him. So with his suspicions aroused Bill followed the man. He moved to a corner of the pub and sat down on a comfy chair. Bill sat opposite watching as he blew out a puff of smoke.

"Who are you?"

Bill had said it before he could stop himself. The man just smiled and put his cigarette into the ashtray putting the tip out. He waved his hand into the air and moments later Samah had placed two drinks in front of them. All the while his eyes had been studying Bill but he hadn't answered the question.

"Mr Weasley how many jobs have you done?"

"I'm not answering your questions until you answer mine."

The man's moustache twitched slightly. It looked to Bill like he wasn't use to being spoken to in this manner. There was something about him that spoke of wealth and power. He gave off an air of importance. But Bill had met men like him and he knew how to handle them now.

"My name is Ramah and that is all you need to know. Now answer my question."

"I've done enough jobs to know what I'm doing."

The man surveyed him. It wasn't a nice feeling. His dark eyes were so unlike Samah's. There was a warmth to Samah's with this man it felt like Snape was looking over him. In fact this man reminded Bill a lot of his old potion master. It seemed that Ramah was the Egyptian Snape, evil and to some scary.

It looked like he was about to speak up again but then he picked up a packet of cigarettes. He lit one and began to inhale the stick. A few moments passed before he replied.

"You have a manner about yourself. I like it."

"You said that you have a matter to discuss."

"Ahh straight to work I like that. Very well then. There is an object that belonged to my family for a very long time. However ten years ago it was stolen. I have spent all this time tracking it and finally I have found where it is being kept."

"And you need me to get it for you."

"I have tried myself. However I have never been known for my strength in charms. I cannot get through the protections that have been set up against it. I have heard that you are the best there is in curse breaking."

"You heard right."

"Will you help me?"

"Is it going to be worth my time?"

Ramah let out a long breath and Bill coughed through the smoke. The Egyptian leaned forward pulling an envelope from his pocket and laid it on the table. Bill picked it up and looked at the figure written on it. He nodded approvingly.

"What am I looking for?"

"I believe the first question is where are you going to be looking?"

"No, that's the second question."

Ramah narrowed his eyes a second and then nodded at Bill.

"It is the udjat."

"Never heard of it. What does it look like?"

"It is made of glass. Very fragile. It is shaped like a human eye however it has the markings of a falcon's cheek."

"Where will I find it?"

"It's in the temples of Aten."

"I've heard of them. They're close to the wizarding town El-Amarna aren't they?"

"Yes. It is the Ancient city of Akhetaten."

"Why have I heard of him?"

"He was the heretic king. Closed all the temples and made the people worship the Aten … the sun."

Bill just nodded. He'd never really been into the rulers of Egypt. But he had heard of that king. It was the father of Tutankhamen. Everybody had heard of him in the wizarding world.

"Okay so I can get in there easily enough. But I want to know what is protecting it."

"The muggles call it the curse of Tutankhamen. I am sure you as a curse breaker will know what that is."

"Of course. That poor muggle. What was his name again?"

Ramah smiled gently.

"Lord Carnarvon. Yes it was unfortunate that Howard Carter thought he knew better. He was a good curse breaker himself but to let a muggle enter before him, I don't know what he was thinking."

Bill nodded.

"Carter was warned. Mari Corelli told him that something bad would happen. I mean okay yes she liked to write novels for muggles but she was a very clever witch. Morrison, the wizard that trained me, knew her. He told us that she had told Carter there would be dire consequences but he thought he knew better."

"Yes. But you will not take a risk like that will you?"

"Of course not. I mean if I saw an inscription across the entrance that said 'They who enter this sacred tomb shall swift be visited by wings of death' I would take heed and know that it was cursed."

"Good man."

Bill finished the drink that had long ago been placed in front of him.

"When will you need the udjat by?"

"I shall give you a week."

"What if I get it sooner?"

"I shall be here every evening until the deadline."

Bill nodded and left the pub. His mind was now on the next job. Yes a week would be more than enough time. He would have to go to work tomorrow but he had a few days off after that. He would do the task then.

Bill entered his flat and dropped his key onto the table. He moved over to the stove and put a Sheppard's pie in it, he was starving. Then he sat down to write to Charlie. There was a lot he had to tell him…