A/N: So, yeah, LittleHogwartsGirl caught all my Biblical allusions and she's probably not the only one. Subtlety is not my middle name. Also, not sure if fanfiction will allow me to use the word "Corona" so if you come across a sentence that doesn't make sense, it's because I used a specific brand-name and fanfiction doesn't wanna be sued.

And also, crap! I published the wrong Chapter on fanfiction. I'd written Edgecomb out of the story because I couldn't kill him and I didn't see how he'd otherwise survive. In this CORRECT version, Edgecomb is not in it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do however own some of the DVDs. They were a disappointment.

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The market place at Alexandria in Egypt was just as alive and profitable as it had always been. What the Arabs above did not know, however, was the wizarding market place below their feet. Under ground, deeper than the sewers, was a cavern of brightly lit twists and turns where Egyptian wizards were selling wares and wearing sales. Bill had come to love the market place, Basik Alley. Not only was there a very nice wand shop, where Bill had purchased his new wand (he'd sent his Ollivander wand back home), the Egyptian witches were much less conservative than witches in England. You were less likely to come across a witch wearing flowing robes than you were a witch wearing a dress that wouldn't look inappropriate on a belly-dancer. Bill smiled cockily each time he passed them in the market place, and they giggled at "that red-haired Englishman" as they purchased liberal amounts of magical make up and clothes.

Bill, however, was not searching the marketplace for a date. He had to work. He and the goblin had returned to Alexandria that morning and Bill was now making his way into the Egyptian branch of Gringotts.

All goblin greed was the same. As soon as Bill entered the building and strode to his superior's, Forguk's, desk, the goblin only asked, "Did you get it?"

"Oh, the trip was fine," said Bill, presenting the Diamond on the desk. "No trouble. Had a blast."

Forguk wasn't smiling. "I didn't ask about your trip."

"Aw, you didn't have to," said Bill, smiling. "Sure you act all apathetic, but I know you care."

The goblin still didn't smile. Instead, he examined the Diamond. "You're sure this is the Heart of the Nile?"

Bill said nothing, and took the stone, gave it a quick squeeze, then set it down and reclined in the chair, a Corona in his other hand.

Forguk sneered. "What's that?"

After taking a sip of the beer, Bill said, "Muggle drink. Illegal in the Arab world, so it's good we've got this stone really. Employee morale will shoot up like a snitch."

"I don't care for employee morale," said Forguk. "Goblins are only unhappy when the bank vaults are empty, which is never, and cursebreakers enjoy the job too much to be unhappy."

"You seem rather sure of yourself," said Bill, taking another swig of beer.

"Enough nonsense," said Forguk. "You have another assignment."

"Bring it on," said Bill, not at all bothered by the abrupt change of topic. He was used to it by now. Goblins. All work and no play.

"This is complicated," said Forguk. "With me." He stood and made his way past the other goblins working at desks and into a private room in the back. Bill followed, bringing his beer with him.

Once inside, Bill saw the room occupied by three other people; a man and two women. The man was pale, tall, wearing a long traveller's cloak, and had short cropped brown hair. He was older than Bill by several years. The most striking of the two women was wrapped in brightly turquoise robes, had her hair fashioned in a bizarre up hair do, and was wearing bizarrely shaped glasses. The last person there was the most intimidating of the three. Bill guessed he may have seen one or two women in the marketplace better looking than this girl, but it'd be a long shot. She was wearing a long, tight dress and her hair fell down behind her in dark waves. Although pretty, she had a no-nonsense look about her that Bill decided then and there to test.

"Each of these individuals," said Forguk, motioning at the three people, "will be accompanying you on this assignment."

That hit Bill hard. "Come again?"

"I think you heard me," said Forguk, sitting at a conference table. "All of them have a need to either follow this specific assignment or to investigate cursebreakers. You are the only cursebreaker currently employed in Egypt. The rest are away or off work. You're our only option."

"Forgy," said Bill, upset. "The most I've ever had accompany me is a goblin or perhaps two. Now all of a sudden, you're sending me treasure hunting with three other people?"

"Let them explain," said Forguk.

Breathing heavily, Bill turned first to the tall pale man, but the older witch in turquoise robes pushed forward first. "Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet. Perhaps you've heard of me."

"Can't say that I have," said Bill. "The Prophet's not published in Egypt. Ever written anything for Sand Wizard's Herald?"

Rita smiled, feigning sweetness. "No, of course I haven't, silly. You see, the Wizarding community is itching to know more about the going-ons of Gringott's most unrecognized employees."

"Why would the wizarding community care about cart repairmen?"

Rita laughed again. It didn't sound remotely sincere. "I'm talking about the cursebreakers. Such daring and wanderlust. I hope to write a very informative series on you and your coworkers."

"Sounds fun," said Bill, trying to convey the sarcasm to this idiot better than he could to the goblins.

Bill turned to the pale wizard who glanced quickly at the second witch to see if she would interrupt, but she didn't.

"Quirinus Quirrell," said the wizard, shaking Bill's hand. "You may remember me. I taught Muggle Studies at Hogwarts. I started your fifth year."

Bill shook his head. "I took Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. Sorry."

Quirinus shrugged. "Well, I've taken this year off to do a bit of first hand studying. I'm starting here, then traveling throughout Africa, and after that, I tour Europe. Professor Dumbledore promised me the Defense Against the Dark Arts post if it was available next year."

Bill still didn't understand. "And you're coming with me on this assignment because...?"

"Just want to study a bit of Dark Magic," said Quirinus, "and I was told by the government here in Egypt that this would be a good place to start."

"Why?" asked Bill.

"That would be why I'm here," said the pretty witch, whom Bill had deliberately saved for last.

"You're not the only one after this artifact," said the woman. "A Dark Wizard is trying to gather support from all over Africa and he thinks the Lotus may help him."

It was then that Bill realized he didn't even know what he was after yet. Lotus? Wasn't that a type of flower? He would ask Forguk in a minute. First, he had to ask, "And you are?"

Clearly this was the wrong thing to say. The woman now looked outraged. "You mean you don't recognize me?"

"Uh, should I?"

The woman was fuming. "My name is Asima al'Misri."

"Doesn't ring a bell," Bill admitted, trying to sound sheepish.

"You met me in the marketplace once. We had dinner at your flat." Bill had a sudden feeling he knew what was coming next. "I stayed the night."

Everyone else in the room suddenly looked away. Forguk didn't care, Quirinius because it was awkward, and Skeeter because she was scribbling frantically on a notepad.

Bill tried to ignore the other three people in the room. Thinking fast, he took another sip of his beer. "Was it good for you?"

Asima smiled, feigning sweetness, but was not nearly as practiced at it as the reporter. "I fell asleep."

"Definitely don't remember," said Bill. "Or you're lying."

Asima ignored him. "I'm a Medjay, the Egyptian equivalent to your Aurors."

"Great," said Bill. "On this assignment, I've got an Auror, a reporter, and a teacher. I sure hope I'm not going after something important, because there's no way I'll be able to get it if I'm babysitting."

Forguk stood now, showing Bill a scroll. "You're going after Zazamankh's Golden Lotus." Bill took the scroll, and read over the Ancient Runes. The rest were quiet. Skeeter cleared her throat. "Mr. Weasley, perhaps if you read it aloud, we would all know the background."

Bill gave the woman a dirty look, then spoke, "Many years ago, there was a pharoah named Seneferu. He was a foolish and gullible man. One day, Seneferu was sailing down the Nile in his barge when a servant girl, whom Seneferu had affection for, dropped a golden lotus adorning her hair into the water. The servant girl was very upset, so Seneferu ordered his court magician, Zazamankh, to retrieve the golden lotus from the water. Zazamankh, who was skilled with the magical art, retrieved the golden lotus from the water. Before Zazamankh returned the lotus to the servant girl, he placed an enchantment on it. Zazamankh presented the golden lotus to Seneferu, who returned it to the girl. From that day onward, Zazamankh was Seneferu's most trusted advisor, and Seneferu valued Zazamankh's words more than anyone and the entire Lower Kingdom adored the wizard."

Bill stopped reading. Skeeter scowled. "Yes. And then?"

"That's it," said Bill.

Skeeter continued scowling. "I don't understand. What enchantment did the wizard place on the lotus?"

"It is said that the wizard placed an enchantment of faithfulness on the lotus," said Forguk. "After the wizard presented the enchanted lotus to the pharoah, the pharoah put his faith and trust in him, almost exclusively. If someone presents the lotus to anyone, they will earn that person's obedience."

"That's why we believe a Dark Wizard may also be after it," added Asima. "If a Dark Wizard retrieved it and presented it to the head of a government, like in the story, he would gain the entire population's support. Entire governments could fall."

"Sounds pretty bad," admitted Bill, taking a seat and downing the last of his Corona. He grimaced. "Got cold while I was reading." He shot another dirty look at Skeeter. "So, I'm going scavenger hunting for a Golden Lotus competing against a Dark Wizard, while I'm being tailed by three people who'll need looking after. Great."

He turned to Forguk. "I'll want an advance."

"It's already in your vault," said the goblin.

"You know me too well." Bill stood, chucking the beer bottle into a waste basket over his shoulder. He grabbed the scroll, tucked it into his pocket, and left.

Forguk looked expectantly at the other three people. They didn't move. "You're with him," he said.

Suddenly, there was a scrambling to get out the door. The three hurried across the marble entranceway, following Bill out the door.

"Okay," said Bill, calling over his shoulder. "I'm not gonna pretend that I like this arrangement or that I think it's a good idea. So when we're out there risking life and limb, you are to do everything I tell you to do, without question or hesitation. Is that understood?"

He ignored the chorus of "yes's" from behind him. "This is an exceedingly dangerous line of work, and there is no room for losers on this expedition and no tolerance for people who get in the way."

Now, they arrived outside Bill's flat. "I'm going to stay inside and study today," said Bill. The other three looked at him expectantly. "I'll figure out where I need to go first. I'm leaving here at six o'clock sharp tomorrow morning. If you are not here, you will be left behind." With that, he entered his house, and shut the door in their faces.