Harry and Hermione's Unexpected Family Ties
**OO**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
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Chapter 11 Friend or Foe?
**OO**
Alexandria Magical Académie (AMA) 4:15 AM
It was early Sunday morning, and Hermione had been missing for ten hours. Harry was not happy.
The auror team was trying to track down her portkey, but it had been deactivated or under wards. They had not yet been able to pin down a location for it.
"If she had her portkey, she would have returned!" Harry stated firmly. "What about the book?"
Harry's magic was building. She was out there, somewhere. Alive and well, or so Daisy said.
"Mistress Hermione must be under wards." Wards that were messing with the family elves tracking her.
"She is a young girl from a wealthy family. The ransom demand is overdue." Opined the auror commander helping them.
The Mameluke Commander, Zahur was elsewhere, busy, and wasn't in on this conversation. Something that would come back to bite Harry later.
"Daisy? Can you please fetch my staff? And the racing carpet?"
Dan objected, "Harry, it's too fast, we need…"
Harry interrupted, "You can go or stay, but I am going. On carpet, broom or their version of the Knight Bus. I have to get her back! Now!"
While Daisy left, Sirius and Harry ran a quick errand. They had been brought here just after waking, barely taking time to don clothing.
Daisy popped back with both carpet and Harry's staff that had the head of a lion on top. The elf insisted on coming.
The racing carpet with its sticking charms was laid out. Water, in fact a full picnic basket popped into place. Harry returned from the loo with his goggles.
Sirius had done the same, and had his goggles in place. Dobby brought Dan's pair that had magical enhancements that would be useful for finding his daughter.
Harry made sure all of them were in place with sticking charms, and goggles.
"If you find Darius, bring him home for burial?" one of the guards asked.
"You really think he's dead?" Harry asked in a small voice.
"He'd better be, or he will be, unless he can swear he had nothing to do with this." The Mameluke stated.
The headmaster had called in everyone: their internal security, the aurors, and the Mamelukes; most everyone was doing something to help.
The Chief of Security was not yet there, but he had planned on being out of pocket this weekend. Something that made Dan in particular very suspicious!
Even their class Prefect Zahra Adel was doing her best to help.
This was so not Hogwarts!
"May I go too? I love racing, and will not hold you up." Zahra asked, donning her own goggles. She had Hermione's linked notebook, and was waiting for hopefully more information to help find her.
Harry didn't need that.
The headmaster told the Prefect a firm no. "It's too dangerous. Please stay. And Mr Black? I would beg you to stay as well, but you have your guardian with you, so I have no say over you."
"Sir? I appreciate that you are involved and trying to help, but this is Hermione. My magic can find her." Harry insisted.
Dobby was staying to see if he could track her down from here, but helped everyone get secure aboard the carpet. The Heir for the House of Black turned to his unusual focus.
Harry addressed his staff like a pet, "Leo, let's go find Hermione. Seek!"
And the carpet was gone in a flash. Dan was startled at the sudden speed, but Sirius whooped like he was on a world-class coaster from the summer.
Dobby popped up to the library, startling some of the aurors, but they were analyzing the tea used to subdue the witch.
Mistress Hermione just had to be okay, she just had to be!
**OO**
Unknown location, bedouin tent
Hermione woke again to gentle shaking by a young woman. The young witch started to clench her fist for a punch, but there were only women here, getting up for the day. Brushing hair, chatting. From their demeanor, they seemed to be casting curious glances towards the newcomer, but no one was trying to hurt her nor was anyone waving wands at her.
She was pointed outside to a separate area for the necessary, and allowed to change in physical privacy. The clothing she was given was used but clean that included a hair covering that she tried to twist around her hair like a turban. Her little rebellion against her circumstances. She exited and just tried to stay silent.
She really didn't want them to know she could understand them.
She was taken to an open tent that had a middle-aged man sat on a clever wooden chair that would fold for traveling. She'd seen that design sold in the marketplace.
There were several women standing around him. He bowed his head in respectful greeting to her, to her great surprise. She nodded back to be polite.
"Speak English? Water?" he asked in pidgin English.
"Yes please."
"No, no. You. Conjure. Water?"
Hermione tilted her head, "I know the aguamenti charm to create water. But my wand was taken." She spoke slowly. With her wand, she would have the power to escape, but to go where? They appeared to be in the middle of a desert.
"Yes! Yes! Aguamenti!" He repeated.
"Need. Wand." Hermione made a motion with her hand to emphasize her need.
He turned and barked orders to bring the girl her wand.
Hermione talked slowly to this man. He did not feel like a magical, and she wondered if this was how Malfoy Sr knew her parents were muggles.
There it was! Vinewood and dragon heartstring core. If she had her portkey, she could escape.
But with two defensive spells, and bombarda as her only offensive spell? Not counting a small sandstorm to distract? And go where? She was playing nice and cooperating.
A cup was brought, and the man started to hand it to her.
"Help us, we see you home. Try and curse us, and die. We no kill guard, but return him to his peoples. They reward us with water."
She then noticed a shroud-wrapped shape nearby. Oh, poor Darius. She had been too frightened to show she was awake to go to him. How kind of them to properly shroud him. Poor man.
Hermione nodded. "I promise. Water. Fresh. Clean."
Hermione knew there were several water spells, and the one she knew combined hydrogen and oxygen; the most common elements on earth, to make water.
If only they could figure out a way to disguise this as a well or something and help people.
She cast the spell, and more containers were brought. She was magically powerful, but she was getting tired, after being drugged, and having nothing to eat or drink.
"May I please have some?" The girl asked.
Water in a clean cup was thrust into her hand. The water she had just conjured.
She drank deeply. After a few minutes, when she didn't die, the others around her started drinking as well.
There were no signs of the goblin Hermione had seen the night before.
Taking courage, the witch begged softly, "Please, madams, sir? Might I have a small piece of bread or something? The last I ate was yesterday early afternoon, and I played a game and drank only water after. I could create more water for you with food."
The man nodded, and a woman motioned her to sit with the others. The woman served the man first, and a few other boys came to eat from the platter, but they were kind, and saved much of the food for the women and younger children.
When Hermione started to reach with her left hand, an older woman slapped it lightly away, and the witch blushed, and nodded. "Sorry."
She ate lightly, but it was enough to allow her to fill a few more jugs. But her adventure had left her feeling drained.
A woman came up and admired Hermione's necklace, but she did not try to steal it. Instead, she tried to offer to trade.
"My friend gave me this. Yours has gold coins and is far more valuable in terms of treasure. But this one means more to me because it is from my boyfriend."
The man then translated for her. "You married? Promised?"
Thinking that this might be a way out, Hermione nodded, "Promised. To Harry of House Black. They are very wealthy. Give you gold, wait, give you lots of water for helping me home."
The man's eyes sparked in interest. Yes.
"Water? How much?"
The man brought out three dozen empty clay jars. Huge ones that appeared to hold at least ten liters, but likely were enchanted to hold more.
"I promise to fill all of these with water. We might have to take them to England, but I swear, I would bring them back to you for helping me."
The man consulted with his wife. No, it appeared to be wives.
"Yes, and as much as your family can give us without hurting yours." The man agreed.
Hermione nodded.
**OO**
Harry showed up just then, death in his eyes, the sand spell started with his staff. His anger, like his magic, rolled off of him, and coming in, he was standing on the carpet.
Hermione stood in front of the sheik that did not kidnap her, but had apparently traded for her in the hopes of getting water. She cast a protective spell around them. The tornado of sand died quicker than it was started, seeing the spell hit her shield there.
Hermione! Hermione! No signs of trauma. She was not bruised, she was whole! She was alive!
She did not see, but the man looked shocked that a woman, well a girl would protect him, especially one in her circumstances. She had no reason to trust them yet.
Harry unconsciously released the charm was casting, and the sandstorm died instantly. He vaulted to Hermione.
Dan was struggling to get off the carpet until Sirius saw what was going on with the muggle behind him. He cast a quick Finite at the sticking charm, and Dan was springing to his daughter.
But Harry had practically teleported there first and she was hugging him. He was swinging her around and around, holding her tightly to himself as though he would never let her go.
"I was so worried. You're alive! Are you alright? You don't seem to be in chains. Please tell me you're alright?"
Hermione had been nodding. "It's complicated. Please don't hurt these people; they have kept me safe. Oh, Harry! I knew you would come. I knew it. I knew you would find me."
Harry kissed her soundly, but broke the embrace seeing others there concerned for her safety.
Dan wanted to hold his little girl and felt the Earth shift a bit just then. She didn't come running to 'Daddy, Daddy'. She was shouting "Harry, Harry!"
"Are you really alright?" Harry demanded, stroking her turbaned hair. Dan listened carefully.
"These people traded for me to be their water witch, but they don't keep slaves. I offered them water in order to see me safely home."
Harry hugged her again, and turned to Daisy. Dan hugged his daughter carefully before walking over to offer his hand to the Arab man standing there.
Sirius, waiting in the wings, finally got his hug. She looked fine, refreshed. This was clearly no Azkaban for her.
"I think that you could have talked your way home. These folks are too poor to not be on the up and up." Sirius stated.
"They traded a dozen sheep for me. Dad? Am I worth that much? Sheep are pretty important here."
Harry interrupted to whisper in her ear. "I will give them dozens back in return when we get you safely home. You are my witch, and worth far more than any number of sheep."
The Arab man clapped his hands, and fresh camels milk was brought for the adult visitors, and a platter of dates, figs, and other dried fruit. He motioned the men to come under the shelter. More of the intricate folding wooden chairs were brought, and Dan and Sirius were made welcome.
The sheik wasn't excluding Harry; he was just busy with other matters.
**OO**
Dobby was no longer at the school, but continuing the trace at the hospital where the port key from the infirmary should have arrived. Dobby already knew that she had never been there, but before he could backtrack, Harry called him.
When Dobby didn't arrive immediately, Harry got back on the carpet, and rose above the wards.
This clan may not be magical, but someone in their past had given them portable ward stones, enchanted water containers, and likely other magical items.
The action of rising above the wards worked to connect with his friend. Dobby popped in next to him, and immediately clamped on to Harry's arm. The little house-elf did not like heights, but Harry landed immediately to his great relief.
"Dobby? Is it too far to pop to the nearest farm to buy some sheep? If not, can you get one of these guys to tell you what they like? You'll need some local currency."
Harry pointed to a small chest next to the picnic basket. Sirius had brought money.
Dobby felt what Harry truly wanted, and snapped to do his master's bidding. Sirius had a chest with ten thousand galleons, and another hundred thousand in local pounds, which as far as Sirius could tell was fairly worthless but even three dozen sheep weren't worth that.
They needed to get those wards temporarily disabled if the elves were to move around here and reimburse these people.
**OO**
The leader had formally welcomed Dan and Sirius, and Harry joined their conversation.
Seeing what the leader wanted, Harry talked to Daisy about supplying these people water in the future. In the meantime, after Harry's request for help, Sirius found the portable ward stones and temporarily disabled the wards blocking portkey and elves. Good, now the elves could pop around.
﷼"I'll fill your jugs now, as much as I can, and we'll make sure that you get more. How did you know? How did you keep her safe?"﷼ Harry spoke the unfamiliar language slowly.
Both he and Hermione had taken the potion. For some reason, Arabic came to him more easily. Hermione thought it had something to do with him being a parseltongue as the runic symbols were very similar. Snakes had once been important to this region, even worn as adornments in their jewelry.
﷼"We Bedouin are not evil. We do not keep slaves, but trade. We had gotten word of a young witch, taken from her people and asked to help. I do not know why the miscreants did not kill the young witch, but they were afraid of doing so. Blood magic is something I know little of. And truly, even if they weren't, they should have been afraid of you, magus of House Black."﷼ The sheik bowed more to the staff than the boy.
Harry shook his head. He started filling jars of water as Hermione, with Daisy's help, shared out the picnic the elves brought.
The clan members, especially the women, were amazed at the largesse being produced from the seemingly small picnic basket. It was enough to feed all there with leftovers to spare. With Sirius' approval, the thermos-like jar that held gallons of water was given to the sheik in friendship. Well, after everyone there had had some.
Hermione remembered suddenly, and sent a quick message to Prefect Adel via her journal. She just said that Harry had found her, and that she was safe. They would be returning soon. She also explained how she had been first rescued by a clan of Bedouins.
These people lived a simple life, and had known of magic, but their last water had passed away. No more magical children had been born. Likely for the same reason as the purebloods in England. Not that Hermione said anything.
The note back was simple and meaningful. 'Thank goodness!' She was asked to return to the school where the aurors and Headmaster were waiting.
Dobby popped back with a wide-eyed member of their clan. The man was carrying a full sheep, likely weighing close to a hundred pounds, but set her down gently before letting his clan know, in language too quick to follow, that a flock was bought and paid for, and his brother was there with the animals. Not far from here.
Camels and a few men were sent out to claim their bounty. The sheik was very happy with just the one. Wasn't he going to be surprised?
After a congenial meal, the elves went around fixing things while Sirius, Harry and Hermione conjured water until every empty cup, jar, jug, camel canteen and pitcher was full. Dan couldn't help but notice a young woman holding her mouth in pain, and helped diagnose her problem.
He would need his tools, but he had no problem flying back here to them. As far as he was concerned, these people had saved his little girl. He would do anything to help them. Dan would need the coordinates, and maybe the one of the elves to help navigate back, but this was his and Emma's mission now. Helping people like this.
Harry then bowed to their leader, their sheik.
﷼"Thank you for keeping my angel safe."﷼
The sheik spoke in halting English for all to understand, "You invite us to wedding. We bring sheeps eyes and good foods. You bring water."
Hermione looked nauseous for a moment. She knew that sheep eyes were a delicacy fed to the bride at these weddings. But she was distracted by a funeral procession that these desert men held for an honorable warrior.
Several somber men picked up Darius' body and started towards the carpet.
"If we could have saved Mameluke, we would have traded for him too. Stupid of goblins to kill him. Made enemies today for it. Of you, and his peoples."
They all shared bows, and the woman who woke Hermione pointed to her clothes and Hermione's robes she'd been captured in. The shepherdess clearly wanted to keep the newer clothes, and the witch agreed with a smile.
She quickly undid the hair wrap though. "I'll send you more when my parents come to look at your teeth. They are good dentists."
The sheik smiled a gap-toothed smile, ₰ "We look forward to your water, and your healing."₰
₰"That sounds perfect."₰ Harry said and stuck out his hand, ignoring Hermione's glare.
Dan suddenly stopped, as his little girl did. The group was heading back. Hermione looked at the carpet in fear.
"No snakes Hermione! I checked! I did!" Harry tried to assure her, but Sirius barked a laugh at her look of trepidation and quickly stifled it.
Hermione took a step onto the thing while the sheik's servants reverently carried the guard's shroud wrapped body and placed it at the rear of the carpet and Sirius cast the sticking charms.
In all the busy-ness, no one remembered to reset the ward stones - something Dobby would take advantage of after resting.
"Can someone please knock me out?" Hermione begged.
The men all laughed, but no one acted to do so and Hermione, Harry's arms wrapped around her, outwardly relaxed but inside her mind she screamed, screamed, screamed all the way home.
**OO**
Zahur, the Mameluke commander, put an honor guard on alert. They took the shroud-wrapped body away when the carpet had landed. They would investigate who killed Darius, but given that the crime scene had moved, finding the killer would be difficult.
Emma was weeping silent tears and holding her daughter close. "This school was supposed to be different. This school was supposed to be different. We bought a house, moved away from friends and family to keep you safe!"
The headmaster, who neither child had talked to in person before introduced himself, Headmaster Da'ud ibn Auda.
"Miss Granger. I am so sorry. The Luxor Spa has excellent mental health facilities. The school will pay for you to be treated of course. Your house-elf managed to track your movements from the library to the infirmary to the local hospital. The attack was well timed, and you were unconscious with no one in the infirmary. So your attacker was allowed to portkey you for treatment."
Dobby didn't interrupt, but waited for the man to finish, "Dobby thinks that wonky portkey was activated at infirmary sir, not hospital. Mistress never there, sir."
The headmaster blinked, and made a note. He would have that checked, but it did make sense. From sundown Saturday until Monday morning, most of the school was closed. A tradition held over from long ago. Going to the infirmary at that time? There would have been no one on duty.
"And that portkey was a fake, and didn't take Hermione to the hospital." Harry surmised.
"Correct. So while your elf was trying to triangulate her position, we were working on the other clues." Addressing Hermione, "I am more grateful than I can say that your family rescued you, and you kept calm in a trying circumstance." The man was clearly unhappy that one of his students could have been removed from the school.
This was the first successful kidnapping from this school since the early 1800's. And that one had inside help trying to remove a promised bride who was hiding from her father. The kidnappers got away clean that time as it was the family of the bridegroom she wanted to marry who had done the deed.
Apparently not a lot of work had been done to get her back, at least from the administration.
"Olex clearly wasn't a real student, as he couldn't have taken the oath: He didn't lose his magic in attacking me or anyone else." Hermione pointed out.
Emma sighed sadly, "The guard was killed, and he wouldn't have died if we hadn't asked him if the library was safe! He went there for my concern!"
"Killing him was a huge mistake. The Mamelukes were nearly wiped out in an attack in the early 1800's, I think. The ones left were all magical and went underground. They practiced. Became the elite. And came back stronger than before. Killing one makes enemies of them all." the headmaster shared.
"I wonder if Muealim Flitwick was part of it." Harry grumbled. "He hates Hermione, is always mean…"
Hermione put a hand on his arm to hush him.
"What is this?" Da'ud demanded.
Zahra stepped forward, "Sir" she bowed her head, "As per the school charter, I gave Taliba Granger a linked notebook to document interactions in the class. More than one female student has asked to transfer out. I knew the girl was brave and was trying not to be forced out. She's been documenting classes very professionally sir. I'm just glad that they didn't see that pocket. As they did remove her wand and holster." The Prefect shared.
Nodding to everything the Prefect said, Hermione added, "I was assigned to be study partners with this Olex. It will be interesting to see who shows up for school tomorrow."
The head of the school shook his head, "You are not going back to class! You are going to the clinic, and not coming back until they say you're alright."
The window next to Hermione blew out, and she reddened. "I recently spent weeks in the hospital wing, immobilized sir. I don't think…"
"No, you have to go. You will not be bound or petrified or anything. I do insist. For your safety. And ours. A genie will bring you the reading and assignments, and you'll be given time to make things up."
"We were helped by a Bedouin tribe, and I want to give them the water I promised. But I'm exhausted." Harry had tried to fix the window but couldn't.
A small blue genie showed up to do so at the push of a rune on the man's desk.
"Next year, you have the option of taking Engineering, and water is a part of that. I am proud that you would honor that agreement. I can arrange for help for you. Now, unless either of you students have questions, I need to speak to your parents."
Dan and Hermione shared a look, as did Sirius and Harry. The lad didn't like being treated like a child, but accepted the situation.
Harry and Hermione went for a stroll in the courtyard followed closely by Aufrer.
"Hermione? Are you really alright? They didn't hurt you?" Harry was worried about her.
"I'm physically fine. Will you come with me to this hospital? That's the place that Ginny was going."
Right. Several Weasleys had reported that Ginny was 'all better'. Well, even if she was, that didn't mean they wanted to move back.
This was a targeted attack, not something random like trolls. Wait. Muggleborn…maybe Hermione was targeted.
It seemed his stupid bad luck had followed them here, and Harry was not happy about it.
They thought they saw a goblin rushing towards the headmaster's office. Harry's eyes glowed.
**OO**
At a trading encampment a hundred miles south of Cairo, a goblin's dead body was found. It had a note pinned to his chest with a goblin dagger.
﷼'This goblin is un-clanned, and killed a Mameluke. We gift his body to you. All of his gold, paltry though it may be, will be deposited into your vault. There was no honor gained here. Please, do not blame an old and foolish goblin for his error. Let his son's death be enough.'﷼
And a few hundred galleons were deposited into Commander Zahur's account.
If Dobby had been allowed to continue his investigation, he would have found that this was where Hermione had been stuck onto a camel in the middle of the night, unconscious. Later, after a trip across the sands, to be traded for sheep to a people that were supposed to disappear with her, who had refused to follow that script.
**OO**
Headmaster Da'ud ibn Auda's office
"Mr and Mrs Granger, Mr Black, I mean, Lord Black."
"It's Sirius." The animagus held out his hand. "Thank you for all of your actions."
"They weren't very effective, I'm afraid. I've called in the Chief of Security to plug this little hole. He hasn't responded. Yet." The headmaster informed them, clearly on edge.
"Is he a…goblin?" Dan asked. "Hey, good and bad, just like witches and wizards and muggles. I just have a theory."
A goblin bustled in just then, "I'm sorry, headmaster. I was with family today, and didn't get your message until just now. What is the status, and how can I help."
"Did you kidnap my daughter or help those who did?" Dan demanded.
The goblin gulped. He'd never been so successfully threatened by an unarmed muggle before. "Oh dear me, no! Not Miss Granger! I am under oath to help protect all of the students. Please tell me; ransom demands? I am not that wealthy, but I can help…"
"Relax, Lex. She's fine. Well, not fine, but she's back. My cousin traded for her."
"Your cousin?" Sirius demanded.
"Cousin, it's a loose term in the desert. We are all family. I reached out to several known Bedouin clans and offered to make up for any losses should they be able to trade for her."
"So it was you who rescued her. Thank you, sir." Dan shook his hand. "My wife and I will still honor our agreement to go and fix teeth."
"It could have been a disaster. Fortunately, water witches are rare and valuable. There would have been another revolt if a goblin had killed a water witch, and your terrorists knew it." ibn Auda stated.
"Terrorists kidnapped her? For what?" Emma asked.
"That is a very good question. And I hope that you can help me with it, Lex." Da'ud asked.
"Of course, sir!" The goblin confirmed.
"I'd like to assign personal guards to Miss Granger," Da'ud requested. "Do we have the resources? I would like to ask the Commander to put a guard on her for the time being." the headmaster asked of the head of security. It was his budget that would be affected.
The man pulled out a book. "That would be so expensive. Let's see; what if we increased a guard presence in the library on Saturday if Miss Granger is going to be on campus, and add a couple to patrol in the eating areas and such for a time? That should just mean adjusting walks, and not actually adding much overall time."
Sirius was looking pensieve. "Our elves had trouble finding her, and she couldn't call the school genie from so far away. It's not a matter of cost to me. Losing Hermione would devastate us all, especially when Harry would blame himself."
"You are thinking ring genie? Someone she could carry? At least for a time?" The headmaster made notes.
"I would suggest that you ward your homes, but all go with Miss Granger to Luxor. Let the Mamelukes and the aurors do their jobs. You all heal, and study."
Dan wanted to object, but the wizard had informed them of the problem, talked to them like reasoning adults, and included them in the problem solving. He could not be more transparent without being a window.
"Well, for studying, we could all come and be with Hermione if she needs to use the library on a Saturday," Sirius offered. "I was an auror when I first left school. I will definitely be making sure to have meals and such with them both when we get back. And I do appreciate you taking this situation so seriously. I mean it."
And for once, he was not making a joke about his name.
**OO**
The adults left, sharing bows, and they talked before retrieving their teens. They found a nearby table, and Sirius put up a privacy charm.
Sirius was wistful, "I sure wish Moony needed a job right now. I just reconnected with an old school friend. I think that if we can get him to see clearly, he would be very loyal."
"Can't we hire one of these Mamelukes by ourselves?" Dan asked.
"You could. But their salaries are not inexpensive, but they are the best. That guard that died, I don't need to know the details, but he was asked to step aside, and he didn't. Wouldn't." Sirius stated.
"Couldn't," Emma opined.
"Right." Sirius agreed.
"We didn't tell the investigators what the goblins might have wanted yet. Not yet. Should we?" Emma asked.
With traitors at school, Sirius felt like it was the middle of the blood war again. How awful. They didn't know who they could trust.
"These Bedouins who need water? That we're going to help? Let's ask them." Dan suggested. He felt that these people were honest, and a lot smarter than most gave them credit for.
Dan and Emma had been treated like backwards children during their time in Britain, interacting with the magical world. Here, it seemed to be a bit better, but more muggles knew and accepted magic so casually.
And that clan that held Hermione had active ward stones. Someone magical had been helping them.
**OO**
Headmaster ibn Auda was not stupid. For a supposed student to kidnap another meant help from inside. Oh, he could see the strong young Darius carrying an unconscious witch to the infirmary if she had left her portkey at home. It was a Saturday, and she had been asked to stay unexpectedly by the person who kidnapped her. He could see the guard then being tricked into touching a fake portkey. The girl was 'overcome by the football match' or some such nonsense. That would not be that hard.
But upon arrival? The man had been stunned before having a goblin dagger taken to his throat. Why? Why kill him? Why kidnap the witch?
He wanted answers. He had no idea that deep in the bowels of Gringotts, earlier that morning, there had been a team of goblins swearing and angry, having been unable to open a vault door that belonged to none of them. Not directly.
The fake key was good enough to fool them, but had all of them very, very angry. Fatally so, for Olex, who despite his pleas of innocence, he was left where he started his trek across the sands. His throat slit.
A warning to all to not to betray Wrerx or the pureblood cause of the Gitsz clan.
**OO**
Dobby quickly recovered from all of the trips; he really was a powerful elf. While the family made plans to go to Luxor Spa, he was going to be headed back to the Bedouins who had helped his master's young lady.
He had a letter from Dan and Emma that had been written in Arabic by Prefect Adel for a small fee.
In it, they offered their dental services, but needed to know where they would be on the following Saturday. They also let the staff know at the clinic where they worked that they would be in and out again this week due to their daughter being in the hospital.
Dobby had recharged their ward stones a little before they put them back into place. It had been a busy day, and he was tired. He joined the family in Luxor with the coordinates of the place the desert people were heading to on the morrow, and staying for a time. At least this coming week should be a bit more relaxing.
The silver lining to Hermione's harrowing 'adventure', was finding a new group of people to help. Bedouins. Ones with warm hearts, warm homes, and a new culture to learn about.
**OO**
Dumbledore was throwing china cups and other breakables around when an elf popped in to try and clean up the mess.
He made the mistake of throwing the whole tray that had cloth napkins. Close enough to clothes for a determined elf eager to free themselves from this wizard of many faces. Most of them scary.
That poor being sought refuge with Narcissa of House Black.
She had received an anxious message early that morning saying her cousins had returned home and wouldn't be available for any errands today. They warned her to avoid Albus' temper, and had wisely taken herself to Malfoy Manor for that morning.
The little elf's first task was to take the oversized, still-sleeping portrait of Lucius Malfoy to his dowager house. And when Abraxas Malfoy's portrait began to complain about his missing son's painting, Narcissa banished him to the cabin as well. Lucius' mother wisely stayed quiet. This was her home and she wouldn't be banished to any small love-nest.
Narcissa would not yet set fire to it. She wanted to wait and let Draco decide whether or not to keep it or the arrogant ponce.
Who makes a larger than life portrait of themselves?!
She noted that Lucius was now just a little taller than Severus. Interesting that even here he competed and lost to the better man.
She didn't want to clean up from Albus' temper tantrum when he was done. Besides, there was just something decadent about waking up in her bed with her beloved beside her.
This had been a house of horrors to her, but the headmaster would never think of looking for them here, and she had hired a suitable House monitor as a surprise for Severus for when they were done taking care of the next horcrux.
With never getting started? That gave them all day.
**OO**
Later on, after a leisurely brunch, Severus walked around the manor.
"Darling, with your permission?" The potions master summoned bored house-elves, including a newcomer he didn't recognize. "I want Draco's room on the first floor made into a spectacular Master bedroom. Lucius' former domain is to become the house-elf sleeping quarters. Do what you will to the furniture, but burn any mattress or cushion that…person…touched."
**OO**
The Luxor Spa was a deceptive title in a way. This was not the place for women to go and relax and get a massage, but it was a nice name for people to go to mentally recover from trauma.
Harry never thought of himself as needing it, and had dodged going here before. Healer Brightblade was all for delaying a bit for reasons she wouldn't state aloud.
Now, Hermione needed help. She could have been killed, sold into slavery, or any number of things.
There were vampire clans that would have bought and kept her as a living blood donor for her powerful magical blood alone.
Dan and Emma took off work yet again. Emma didn't seem too concerned about it. They could always work more hours during the school year than the twenty hours each they were currently scheduled for.
Their investments were paying good dividends, and they were doing well.
Except for the non-stop dangers of living in the magical world!
The headmaster had been most apologetic, but honestly? There was a guard right there, and they killed him.
When terrorists wanted something, it was difficult to thwart.
The goal was to take a week off and be ready to head back by the weekend, even if they weren't completely healed. The headmaster just wanted to make sure that his students would be safe from Hermione's magic reacting to her trauma.
**OO**
The kidnapped girl was returned, and the only leads of who had done the crime were dead. Not that the head auror thought the Mameluke guard Darius was in any way involved in the plot. Their oaths would have prevented it.
It was the goblin he wanted to question, and there were few Seers who did that sort of necromantic work; it was dicey and expensive, and they didn't have the right questions to ask. Not yet.
Had the Mameluke been the target all along and Taliba Granger been in the wrong place?
No, this Olex, dead or alive, had to be traced and see just who was at risk.
**OO**
Normally, a full Grand Council was held once a year after the profits of the fiscal year were tallied, and celebrations were planned. However, from time to time, when requested by the bank's director, they could be called for a special session.
This was that time, and they assembled in the Great Hall at Cairo, Gringotts.
Rumors abound that Ragnok, Bank Director and the true goblin King was livid. A witch that he had put under his personal protection had been kidnapped from her school. By a goblin!
And Olex likely had help from others. Despite him being dead, Ragnok had to act.
Deputy Directors from the banks around the world were called and assembled. Centurions patrolled, and the High Auditors in their scary ceremonial suits stalked in to take their traditional seats.
But where was the king?
The doors burst open, and every goblin there jumped to their feet. The Bank Director stormed to the throne of the Assembly Hall, war crown on his brow, and glared at the Senior Director of the Bank here at Cairo. He growled at him before throwing his arms wide.
"The future of our Nation is in peril! Let us discuss important matters of Security, Profit, and Honor."
The king sat, but all innocent goblins there left the meeting with a few vital thoughts going through their minds. One, they were glad that they had done nothing to invite the king's ire. And two, they nearly felt pity for whichever cousin had gained their king's negative attention.
For the few secret members of Wrerx' clan there, they had been given a staunch warning. Not only to leave Miss Granger alone, but it was time to leave the pureblood prejudices in the past.
That was something they could never do. Would never do. And for certain members of that clan, gave them an idea.
Frex was a more reasonable replacement for Deputy than the current goblin. Perhaps it was time for change. A change of leadership locally first.
Wrerx was too smart to challenge Ragnok openly, but had just the right goblin in mind to be the next Director. And it wasn't any of the current one's spawn either!
**OO**
Headmaster Office, AMA
"When did Olex start in your class?" The auror demanded.
The headmaster was there, a black cloud in the background, but he too wanted to hear the answers to these questions.
Muealim Flitwick checked his notebook, "Thursday, September 23rd. Before you ask, he seemed to have an attitude towards witches in general, and humans. I hoped to improve it by assigning him to work with Taliba Granger."
"So, you didn't notice that he was too old for the class?" The auror asked more calmly.
"There are many adults restarting in new fields here. I didn't ask. I don't share my personal life with students, and don't ask about theirs."
"Even another goblin? Surely, you were curious."
The professor just glared and said nothing to that.
"In future, check with the administration when you have a sudden new student, and make any new ones repeat the Oath of Conduct. Might save a life, you never know." The auror advised.
"Are you blaming me for the guard's death?" Now it was the muealim seething.
"You are not as blameless as you would like us to think." The auror stated.
The headmaster joined the conversation, "Taliba Granger is removed from your class and care. Do not approach or talk to her again. Aren't you of the same clan as this Olex? Do you think that all humans are stupid? If I can prove you had anything to do with this, you will never teach again! Mind your steps, Filip!"
The head auror of Cairo was furious that they couldn't jail this being, but the evidence didn't support his active involvement.
"Good, I can't stand the uppity witch. Class will be much more pleasant without her." Muealim Flitwick spat, showing his true colors and feelings. For all witches, or just this one? It was impossible to tell.
He was not surprised when Harry of House Black was removed from the class role either. Flitwick had no idea that he was now being watched.
This wasn't Hogwarts. It wasn't a second chance he was being given, but enough rope.
**OO**
Luxor Spa
The Mameluke commander showed up on Wednesday of that week. He had been invited by Harry's healer.
Zahur did not like to be summoned like an errant child. He joined healer and student in a small conference room and immediately went on the offensive.
"Mushkila! You did not coordinate with me or my people and went haring off on your own. You could have gotten yourself killed by my troops when we did show up. Next time, leave the rescuing to the professionals. Or if you can't, because it involves your betrothed, then at least talk to me. Include me as I am in charge of our guards.
"And another thing. If Taliba Granger had still been held by the terrorists, what was protecting you and your family coming in on a carpet? They could easily have killed you all as you flew in."
Harry hung his head, realizing the man was right. Healer Heba learned something new when the boy didn't immediately try to deny being betrothed. She'd asked about the relationship, and the boy had turned into a human pretzel. Strong feelings in one so young. But this tirade was not why she wanted Zahur here.
The healer put her hands on her hips and dragged the commander into her private office, just off the meeting room by his sash, "Commander Zahur! I asked you to come to talk this out! Not bully the child or shout at him."
This was all said in a whisper, but the man nodded.
She continued in a calmer voice, "He's never had competent adults to go to for help. He has dealt with more 'emergency situations' in the last two years than you have faced in twenty. Now, I asked you here to talk about your role in the school, what was done after Miss Granger disappeared, and reassure the boy that he is not the one responsible in these sorts of situations."
It was now the commander's turn to hang his head. He nodded. "My apologies healer. Let us try again. We do need to address this issue logically."
Zahur walked out of the office that in his world was just a closet, and held out his large hand to Harry. The Mamelukes were all tall, approaching seven feet, and Harry took it and shook. He felt like a house-elf next to him.
"Healer Heba, I know his tone was harsh, but he is not wrong. I just never had anyone to turn to for help before." Harry then turned to the commander, "You weren't there, but I did talk to the headmaster before leaving. I explained why I was going. He tried to talk me into staying. But Hermione and I are connected. I knew I could find her, and I did."
They all took seats, and Healer Heba led the three in a discussion of the situation, and asked Harry to talk about some of the issues he had faced himself at Hogwarts.
Slowly at first, Harry talked about trolls and cerberus, dark lords and danger. Then more and more of his time at Hogwarts came tumbling out.
Zahur was nearly falling out of his chair. "A dragon! You saw a baby dragon hatched, and you were assigned detention? In a magical forest full of monsters? Without an adult who could do magic? Following an injured unicorn?! My apologies, I thought you were reckless."
The man did fall off his seat when the healer said, "Oh, we haven't gotten to the worst part of last year. Facing off again against a dark lord, and then the next year, killing a basilisk alone."
Zahur shook his head, and drank the offered calming draught. He had scoffed at the offer earlier.
**OO**
After much talking of dark situations, the healer got to the crux of the issues at Hogwarts, aside from the divination teacher being the best DADA instructor there.
"Harry, please tell Zahur why you didn't go to your school security team to get help."
Harry was surprised into a hearty laugh. Once he'd regained control he explained, "Security? School security team? I guess that would be Hagrid, the Keeper of the Keys. He lost his wand-privileges when he was expelled in 1943. He's the one that hatched the dragon. Oh, and borrowed Fluffy, the cerberus, to guard the stone. And took me for detention to the forest along with Hermione and Neville and a pillock.
"Poor Hagrid! Like my godfather, he was thrown in prison, without a trial mind you, for the basilisk, but that was actually Moldy's doing. Both times: Fifty years ago and last year. Say what you want against him, but that Dark Lord was brilliant at magic. Even Ollivander, the wandmaker, said so."
Harry's calling the dark lord even he'd heard of, here in Cairo, "Moldy", surprised a laugh out of the Commander. This young man had courage.
His reaction made Harry feel he could trust this man, despite landing on him, and their awkward beginning introduction.
"Your former headmaster is trying to kill you." Zahur concluded.
"I would hope not, but, yeah, probably. I have a final meeting with him that I have to go to. And this time, it really is 'for the Greater Good'. After that, well. I have plans to stay far away from any Britain where he breathes free air. Oops, that's the goblin way of saying it. I don't know how you folks would."
"I'd like to meet him and rip his lungs out." Zahur stated.
"Commander!" Heba objected.
"What? You can't breathe without them." Harry agreed. "So, are we okay now?"
Zahur had viewed the boy as a prankster before meeting him due to the dossier he'd been given. Then there was that unfortunate incident with the snake. And a few other incidents at school. The lad had earned his nickname .
"We are, Mushi. Now, will you take me on this mission with your old headmaster?"
"Really? I'm sure that Sirius would want to hire you. Wait, I said meeting not mission." Had he broken oaths? It didn't feel like it.
"I am Zahur, Mameluke. I will go to watch over you, and kill this man if he takes one step wrong."
Harry couldn't help it. He stood and came over, tugging the man to his feet, and wrapped his arms around his waist. He had learned hugs this summer, and didn't know he really shouldn't hug a Mameluke.
"Thank you. I just hope that you stay safe from my bad luck curse." Harry shared.
Zahur shook his head. In an instant, this young mage, strong, powerful, confident had reverted to a young child. A young child in need of reassurance that he was safe. His large hand patted his back in comfort.
No wonder Aufrer was constantly wandering by where this boy studied and ate and read. He had tried to tell him, all of them.
Harry of House Black was a Chosen One, and now Zahur knew he was right.
**OO**
The mind healer working with Hermione was absolutely mystified. The young woman appeared to be cooperating with her treatment, but other than being angry at herself for drinking drugged tea in the presence of an enemy, and being disappointed that she didn't know more defense, the girl was fine.
She had been kidnapped, and was not overly traumatized by the event!
The healer wondered if she had taken the wrong approach by asking what she might do differently.
This was normally when a victim would break down. Not this young witch. A wandmaker from the region was called in to make her, and the rest of the magic-wielders in the group new, specialized foci. Nothing more.
The healer went home that night to her family and hugged her Egyptian cat, and poured out her soul to the being. The cat blinked, and listened, and soaked up pets. But his attitude was clear. His mistress was the best, and the girl was just different.
That seemed to help.
**OO**
Harry not showing up, the day after taking out the snake in order to help with the ring made Bill very happy.
Dumbledore sighed, and pretended to go along with it. Rushing off like that. The boy likely still had a headache, and just wanted to go back to France. Maxime still hadn't confirmed anything, and he hadn't tested the French Aurors resolve in regards to his banishment. Luckily for him.
He had tried to get it reversed, but so far, no luck. And he'd be pressing his luck if he brought it to trial, as he could be put into gaol. He had confessed.
Why couldn't people just cooperate and do what they were supposed to do? Could he have dispelled the snake curses along the way? Of course! But he needed the boy here.
He wanted Harry here to help and bring his snake language skills to bear.
His goals for the future tended to bother Fawkes lately. But he had to protect Britain from the darkness inside of Harry Potter.
It was growing clearer that Sirius Black's influence on the boy was just as bad as he had foreseen. It was good they had been separated for as long as they had, and a crime that they were together now.
Well, that would not last past going after the ring, would it?
His smile, his true face, scared the replacement elf assigned to bring him tea, and the tea wound up flung on the man instead of delivered nicely. Fawkes squawked in anger as the beam of light nearly hit the being that had barely popped away in time.
**OO**
Released from the Luxor
Dan and Emma were making friends with each sore mouth fixed. That Harry and Hermione joined them on this weekend to conjure water for the desert dwellers had them making friends as well.
Using their enchanting book, they were trying to figure out a way of making an enchanted portable rune stone or something that worked like the spell that just needed to be recharged.
They didn't mind refilling jugs, and Hermione had gotten the hang of the expansion charm quickly. Very quickly. Woah.
Together, they would take regular washed jars, and after Hermione had expanded it, Daisy would clean it a final time, Harry would fill it with water, and Dobby would put it into stasis to keep it clean and cool and cold. It was a good thing that the elves were helping: Their magic could lift and move the "jars", once full, as no human possibly could! The weightlessness charm would dispel over time, and that was another aspect of the enchanting Harry wanted to solve.
They then set up a series of hoses or siphons that allowed the non-magical bedouins to direct the water to fill smaller containers or even irrigate areas if they wanted.
The sheik and other clan families declared them all "geniuses" and they were soon being treated as desert family.
Sirius was the one transfiguring empty glass bottles into water jars. He had no idea where she had gotten them, but Narcissa was doing a castle cleanup and offered him empty bottles for the water project.
The best part was, that to a non-magic knowing muggle? The label said Water in seventeen languages, none of which was English. Just to be funny.
**OO**
When Emma asked one of the Bedouin women whether or not they could trust Da'ud ibn Auda, she got an affirmative answer. Emma was so relieved that her language potion was at least partially working. The woman had gone on rhapsodically, and knew from hand gestures and facial expressions that this woman approved of the 'sweet boy'. Well, she was an older lady, but the dentist only truly understood words here and there during her speech.
What was clear was that the man had gotten any magical son or daughter of the desert into his school. Even if he had to pay for it himself. It mattered not.
**OO**
Headmaster's office, AMA
Taking a chance, Hermione met with Commander Zahur, Aufrer and the headmaster to tell them something important. Emma came with her.
"I know it was wrong to hide this, but I was scared, and wasn't sure who to trust…" Hermione held out the real key, and explained what was stolen.
"The key taken was a fake? Oh, my. Give me some time. I think I might be able to use this." Commander Zahur shared a look with Aufrer.
Good. This wasn't some random kidnapping, and they had planned on keeping the child far away but not killing her. But why? They killed Darius…Blood! They were trying to avoid a blood curse, he felt. The Black heir was powerful as was the Lord of that House.
There were clues here, but the solution to this riddle evaded them.
"Taliba Granger. I understand your hesitancy. And I have heard of some of your past adventures. You have not been here long, and have poor examples of responsibility when it comes to the adults around you. I do hope that you know now. You can come to us." ibn Auda intoned.
The headmaster himself was taking over her and Harry's charms lessons since the goblin instructor had been less than…charming…to them.
He was hiring a new assistant Charms Professor, but it was taking time to find a good one. And these two were more brilliant than either truly understood.
"Please wait to go to Gringotts before letting them know you still have this vault key. Keep it someplace outside the bank for your own safety. Let us see what happens. But also, wear your portkey at all times. Do you know what happened to the one issued at orientation? And did you order an extra wand?"
"I'm sorry, sir. I think Olex or his associates took my school portkey. And yes, Commander Zahur suggested I get an extra wand when I was at the Luxor hospital, but it is still being made. I love my vinewood wand, but I think it is going to be the spare, as the one being made is a perfect match for me."
The portkey taken by Olex could be traced when they weren't under wards or if they tried to use it to get into the school. Theoretically, it was keyed to Taliba Granger, but there were ways of adjusting them. No one would rely on enemies not figuring out a way to subvert it.
The headmaster was fingering a simple gold bangle. He set it down to give her the password. No need for him to go spinning in place.
"'Sanctuary' will bring you here, 'Safety' will take you to the Mamelukes' guard room.
"This is different from most student portkeys. This one is like your friend's. Wear it at all times like Talab Black does with his. If you are rendered unconscious, instead of taking you to the infirmary during school hours, it will bring you here. I have imps and genies monitoring my office." The headmaster handed the bracelet over.
The witch nodded, and put it on her wrist. It appeared as a bangle that disappeared from their view after a minute. A casual search of it would not reveal it.
"Your deliberate activation will likely land you on top of Commander Zahur. At least you are not as heavy as their field packs."
Zahur barked a laugh as Hermione blushed. Dobby telling Daisy the story, complete with conjured puppets, had all of the family rolling on the floor laughing.
"In all seriousness, it will bring you safely to the security office here, day or night. Again, a monitored space. Wear it at all times, please."
This would solve part of the problem she had faced in the desert. The second biggest problem had been the lack of her wand. But even with a hundred, she didn't have the spell knowledge to fight, evade, escape and survive the desert. She had acted as wisely as she could.
Zahur and Aufrer both bowed to the witch when parting.
She had not ever broken down. Her mother had, but not this young witch. In that moment, they realized that the Chosen One had been matched by this young woman.
Neither wizard was inclined to discount any witch, and thought, perhaps, they were in for interesting times.
**OO**
A/N: Story recommend: Your story recommendation here -
**OO**
A/N: Story recommendation: Don't Look Back in Anger by RobSt.
Can some angry words change everything?
Highly recommended by both of us.
**OO**
Alexandria Magical Académie (AMA)
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language
﷼Arabic language
Dhareef al-Siddique - O & D professor
Taliba female Student. Talab was the male form.
Mushkila, trouble