A Shaft of Sunlight

Khalil's eyes travelled over the page slowly taking in every letter and word. Consternation was clearly wrought on the young innocent's countenance. Khalil shook his head ruefully as he got to the last sentence in the chapter. Out of the corner of his eye, Albus had been watching the young boy's progress all the while he had been reading. He had lent the boy The Tales of the Arabian Nights yesterday. Khalil was halfway through it already.

"Why are you shaking your head?" Albus said. He was reviewing his response to Armando's letter before meeting Minerva as agreed.

"Aladdin. He was forgetful and foolish. and he treated the genie shamefully."

"Indeed?"

"He forgot about that magician who pretended to be his uncle. Look how his poor mother suffered so." Khalil pointed at himself. "If I had been left to die in a cave and survived, I would not forget the slight."

"There are times that revenge is not always a good thing."

"So one is supposed to forgive such an act? Be FRIENDS !?" The young boy stared at the older man in astonishment. "That is not right."

Albus chuckled softly. "And the genie in the lamp, what of him?"

"I would have made it my friend not my slave. Aladdin was very lucky that the genie did not bring the palace down to ruin at the end."

"Would you have freed the genie?"

"Yes but only if it would promise to never harm me or my family and that it would continue granting my wishes."

"You cannot have your cake and eat it as well and neither could Aladdin."

"What cake? I remember no cake in the story. I know I did NOT skip any pages." Khalil began to rifle through the pages intently. Albus began to chortle out loud and could not stop himself.

"It's an expression, Khalil." Minerva stood just inside the tent smiling broadly at them. "It means that one cannot always wish to have events happen to their advantage or comfort. Sometimes a sacrifice must be made or a task completed with no thought of reward."

"Then why would one do the task if there is no hope of some payment?"

"Everyone has different reasons perhaps for the sheer satisfaction of a task completed and done well."

"Satisfaction does not fill your belly with food or your pockets with anything useful." Khalil replied. "My great, great grandfather had a saying 'Only consider a deal if the benefits are within reach.' "

"Your grandfather was very wise." Minerva replied. "I came by to see if you were ready to see the new site. We have not yet discovered the actual tomb entrance but there are many things that an extra pair of hands can help with."

"Certainly, Minerva. Let me just finish this letter to Armando." Albus studied the headmaster's letter and then reread his own response. "He is quite anxious to have you at Hogwarts. I'm sure that I will be chided for my delay and lack of progress."

She smiled shyly. "Tell him from me that ... that I'm keeping an open mind."

Albus could not respond in words but his crooked grin made his thoughts plain. Minerva and Albus regarded each other silently.

Minerva cleared her throat. "Khalil, can you get us some juice to take with us?"

"Yes, Miss Minerva, apricot juice and water. I'll meet you just outside the camp." Khalil placed a bookmark in the book, shut it and placed it gently back inside Albus' trunk. He left the tent at a quick walk.

Minerva watched until Khalil was some distance away before she moved further into the tent. One step. Two steps. Albus held out his hand to her palm up. She slipped her hand into his. He brought her hand to his lips and rubbed it against his cheek.

"I meant what I said, Albus." Minerva began. "This ... all of this ... you ... confuses me. The only thing I'm sure of is that this feels right. It shouldn't but it does. And ... and I am tempted beyond reason."

"I am afraid you have the opposite effect on me, my dear. I feel as if I've walked into a shaft of blessed sunlight after a lifetime wandering amongst the mists. My vision is clear and my path true."

Minerva stroked his chin. "What does the light feel like? Is it warm and soothing or bright and rousing?"

Albus stood up. He let go of her hand and let his fingers slowly trail up her arm coming to rest on the back of her neck. "Let me show you."

Their lips met of their own accord while their eyes closed. There was no awkwardness, no ungracious fumbling. Neither made any move to enfold the other in a deeper embrace. This kiss was not a melding of passions but it was no less intense had it been one. Their kiss evoked more of the delightful sensations of new discovery and exquisite joy. After a few moments they ended the kiss. Minerva laid her head against his chest. There were no words exchanged. No words were needed. At their sides, their hands met and entwined with each other.

For a time they stood just as they were. Then they left the tent to find Khalil and start out for site four. Albus' letter to Armando lay forgotten on the desk.

The Institute of Egyptology in downtown Cairo was renowned worldwide not only for its extensive and impressive museum collection but also for the gallery of experts it employed on staff. One could hardly find more knowledgeable Egyptologists. One such scholar ambled up the marble stairway and into his private office on the fourth floor. Professor Aneel Hammadi was the distinguished artifacts expert of the time period covering the reigns of Amenhotep, Nefertiti and the boy king Tutankamun.

He opened a locked armoire retrieving from within several rolled papyri. He lay them on his desk with gentleness and respect. He sat back in his chair and stretched his arms out. He studied his hands intently for a time. Potions and its ilk had little effect now. No matter how sharp the mind it must bow to the weakness and decay of flesh. He clenched and unclenched his hands feeling the stiffness caused by advanced arthritis. Age spots dotted not only his hands but most of his forearms. The face he saw in the mirror every morning grew more and more lined. He was rescued from further rumination by the entrance of his assistant - Eoan Griffith.

"You should have stayed home." Griffith was a tall thin Welshman who always had a ready smile no matter the circumstance. He had been the professor's assistant for only two years but the experience so far had been all good.

Hammadi snorted. "And do what? Putter about in the garden?"

Griffith handed several document folders to the older man. Hammadi lost his second wife six months ago and he had never been the same since. To his eyes, the professor looked as if he was aging faster than ever. "You're not the gardening sort. Have you thought of reducing your hours at least?"

"I have thought of something better." Hammadi leaned back in his chair. He looked at the young man directly with cool calculation simmering in his dark eyes. "We are taking a short trip."

"You just got out of your sick bed last week and -"

"It was just a cold."

"You could easily fall ill again and with something worse than a cold."

"In the years you have known me, how often have I gotten sick?"

"I know of only the one time."

"Exactly. I am not as young as I was and became chilled but I'm fine now." Hammadi unrolled an aged papyrus.

"I can see that it is useless arguing with you. So, tell me where are we going?"

Hammadi took out a small magnifying glass from a desk drawer. "Abu Sindel."

"That far? It will take almost six days to reach it by jeep. Why on earth for?"

"Remember that small expedition to which I granted a concession to?"

"That Rampal fellow was most insistent. He did not like any of our rules either. And he's only sent in two reports. One page reports!"

"I feel that we need to inspect their progress." Hammadi peered at the papyrus through the magnifying glass. "For decades there have been rumors of an undiscovered tomb in the area. I would like to see how far along they are in finding it."

"A site inspection does not warrant your presence. Let me finish some things and I'll start on my there tomorrow morning."

"Will you believe that I have a selfish reason?"

Griffith's eyes widened at this admission.

"You see I ... I came from that area. As I grow older I find myself needing to visit the place again. Nadia and I had planned to go this year but she had that ... that car accident. So, will you accompany me?"

"There's a supply caravan coming through that area. I'll send word through the caravan to Rampal."

"No. An inspection by its very nature must be a surprise. I ask that you tell no one of our trip and destination."

Griffith was puzzled but trusted his mentor's decisions. "I'll start the arrangements. How soon will we be leaving?"

"Tomorrow." The professor rolled up the papyrus and reverently placed it next to the other scrolls on his desk. "I have already completed most of the arrangements. We will be flying to Aswan. We will go by car the rest of the way. I have hired two drivers who will take turns driving through the night. I expect to be in Abu Sindel in two days, three at the most."

"You HAVE been planning this."

"For a very, very long time." The professor sighed. "I can no longer wait. I must come home."