Chapter 8 the Weasley's
21st July 1993, the Burrow
Ginny was looking out of her window. It was night, but again she had a nightmare. This time Harry came but Fawkes couldn't save him and the last words he said were this is all your fault you stupid annoying little girl, Tom was right. When she thought back at it she started crying again. She cried every night after she came back from Hogwarts. Tom was gone but her memories were still there.
In the master bedroom, both Mr. and Mrs. Weasley heard her crying, but they were at a loss. In the first weeks, they tried to cheer her up, but nothing helped. She asked Ron when he came back if Harry was mad at her. He said he didn't know. That was enough to make her cry and run upstairs.
She asked her two days after that incident to her mother if Harry would forgive her and her mother said of course. Ginny didn't believe her. She asked after a few minutes if those who were petrified will blame her. Mrs. Weasley couldn't answer that but also said of course not, it wasn't your fault.
The Weasley's in the burrow will leave the 22nd with a portkey at 6 am. They will arrive less than 5 minutes later in Cairo, Egypt around 8 am local time. Bill the eldest should wait for them there. The Weasley's were happy they could leave their home. Normally they should go to the ministry of magic and go through the Department of Magical Transportation. Mr. Weasley owned a few favours and used one. The favour was to leave and arrive right outside of the Burrow. Bill had that right as Gringotts employ to let portkey arrive and leave in Gringotts.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were happy that they could see their eldest again. They hoped that seeing Bill will help Ginny. Bill babysat Ginny years ago and Ginny was always happy when Bill babysat her. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hoped that being away for a month will help Ginny get the guilt go or at least could place the guilt she feels. That is what hurt Ginny the second most, the guilt. What hurt Ginny the most was getting Harry hurt and almost dying saving her, but also the victims that got petrified.
22nd July 1993, the Burrow
Ginny was again awake. She heard her door open and her mother saw that Ginny was awake. Mrs. Weasley asked if Ginny was okay.
"Yes mum, I am okay" Ginny replied, but she could she cried not that long ago.
Mrs. Weasley asked, "okay Ginny do get your suitcase ready we leave in less than two hours."
"Yes mum, my suitcase is already downstairs with all the other suitcases."
Mrs. Weasley gave a small smile and closed the door again. She went downstairs where Mr. Weasley sat. Mr. Weasley had woken up all the boys but they were still in their own room. Mr. Weasley look up and asked, "is Ginny okay?"
"I don't know Arthur. She said she was okay but I could see her eyes and it looked like she cried not long ago. I don't know what to do anymore."
"Molly I know I am at a loss too, but there are two things we could do. Before I tell you we first need to see if the vacation helps if it doesn't help we will discuss what we should do. One thing is certain she will go back to Hogwarts even if it is to face her fears.
An hour and a half later everybody but Ron was downstairs eating. They had 25 minutes before the portkey will activate. Mrs. Weasley walked up and found a sleeping Ron. She screamed at him literally out of his bed. Finally, 7 minutes before the portkey will activate Ron got downstairs. He managed to get one plate with food in him before he was dragged away by Mrs. Weasley to make sure he made it to the portkey.
A few minutes later they landed in a room where there were two people and one goblin. The goblin asked "the Weasley's?"
Mr. Weasley said "yes?"
"Great, you need to return her on 23rd August at 7:30 pm."
The goblin left the room and Mr. Weasley turned to the two people and smiled. Mrs. Weasley screamed, "William I am so happy to see you."
She looked at the other man with confusion. The man turned around and Mrs. Weasley screamed again "Charlie is that really you? Why didn't you let us know you would join us here?"
Mrs. Weasley walked to her two oldest sons and gave them both a bone-crushing hug. Ginny gave both her oldest brother a little hug. Mr. Weasley saw this and decided to tell Bill and Charlie what happened last year. If he didn't they could become angry and also make sure they didn't upset her.
Mr. Weasley talked with Percy, Fred, George, and Ron when Ginny wasn't around to make sure to not upset her. He talked to them when they came back from Hogwarts. Percy agreed but Mr. Weasley saw something he couldn't describe in Percy, but that didn't matter. Fred and George agreed directly because they loved their little sister even if they make a little fun of her. The twins also felt that they let their parents down, but most importantly they let Ginny down. The last son Ron told what happened and after getting a new wand before they left for Egypt he also promised to try and not upset her.
Bill told everyone they were going to stay in the Egyptian Leaky Cauldron. It was called the Howling Jackal. Bill knew the owner well and make sure the Weasley could stay there with a discount. Charlie stayed with Bill for 2 weeks before also getting a room in the Howling Jackal. The owner of the Howling Jackal was a half-blood wizard from England and was called Jack.
All the Weasley's flooed to the Howling Jackal and get to their room. They had three rooms. One room was Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley with a small side room for Ginny. The second was for the twins with a small side room. The last room was a little bit smaller and didn't have a side room. That room was for Percy and Ron until Charlie came, then Ron will go to the side room in the twins' room.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley decided that Bill and Charlie needed to know as soon as possible. They decided that Mrs. Weasley will take Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny to the souq. During that time Mr. Weasley talked with Bill and Charlie.
Charlie asked "dad why can't I go with the others? I want to look around."
"You have more than enough time later this month, how could you get a month off Charlie?" Arthur replied and asked.
"Well I am happy that I could get a month off normally I couldn't but we got a few extra dragon keepers that stay until 7th September. I need to be back, not later than the 27th of August" Charlie answered.
Bill decided to get back on topic. "Why did you want to talk to us dad?"
"Oh yes, I forgot that is why I wanted to talk to you. Do you remember what I wrote last time about Ginny?"
Bill said, "yes, you wrote that she doing okay and that she probably was busy because she sent fewer letters and they were becoming shorter."
Charlie agreed and continued "but you said that she probably had fun with friends. She already had one friend at Hogwarts at least before she left. What was her name ….L… oh yeah Luna Lovegood, right? You said that our letters also become less frequent and shorter over time."
Mr. Weasley sighed "Luna Lovegood isn't really her friend anymore Molly stopped letting her stay over of letting Ginny get over there after Mrs. Lovegood died. You were right Bill and you too Charlie but there was something wrong with her last few letters. Your mother didn't see it but I knew something was wrong but I didn't know what."
"Did something happen to Ginny?" Bill looked shocked.
"What happened to Ginny?" Charlie asked.
"Okay boys calm down. Yes, something happened but she is safe now, but you need to know and make sure you do not upset her."
"Dad what happened then you can tell Charlie and me."
"Yes, dad you can."
"Okay boys I will tell you but all your brothers and mother know already. There are two things don't talk to anyone about it including Ginny and don't say anything that makes her think back about it, that can upset her very much."
Bill looked impatient and Charlie curious. After a few minutes of silence, Bill asked: "tell us then dad we need to know."
"First let me ask this, do you know the legend of the chamber of secrets?"
Charlie started talking "the chamber of secrets is made by Salazar Slytherin but it was never found and many believe it was a legend. They say that Salazar Slytherin hides a monster in there and one day he or his heir will come back and rid the school of those he sees as unworthy. Most people think he means muggleborns. I don't think what has to do with Ginny? We are blood traitors but still purebloods."
Bill looked shocked and said, "you mean she was attacked?"
Charlie turns his head fast from Bill to his dad "no way were are purebloods! She was attacked was she?"
Mr. Weasley said "thank you, Charlie, what you said is correct. There is just one difference the chamber is very real."
Both Bill and Charlie looked shocked followed by their anger. Bill shouted to his dad "and you let us go there, all of us?!"
Mr. Weasley sighed "I didn't believe it was real until about 2 months ago."
Bill and Charlie didn't say anything hoping their dad continued. Mr. Weasley sighed again, it seems that they were waiting for the whole story. He decided to tell them everything.
"Like I said I didn't believe it but it does exist. She wasn't attacked by the monster, but she was possessed by a diary that she somehow acquired. We don't know how, but I think professor Dumbledore knows. He said he didn't know. She was possessed to open the chamber of secrets. She did that a couple of times but she was forced and in some kind of trance. She also left some messages about the chamber of secrets and the heir of Slytherin. I can say with absolute certainty that she is not the heiress of Slytherin."
"At the end of the year, there was one last message that the heir dragged someone to the chamber. The message was that her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever and her was Ginny. Professor McGonagall let us, your mother and I knew as soon as she could after that. What I tell you to know is what I heard from Ron and Harry. Lockhart said that he knew where the chamber was but Hermione a friend of Ron and Harry found out that the monster in the chamber was a basilisk. A basilisk is a giant snake that is possible to kill people with a look, but if you don't look directly in the eyes but like in a reflection or through a ghost you get petrified. That is what happened at Hogwarts from Halloween till your sister got saved.
Ron and Harry got to Lockhart because Hermione got petrified to tell him what they know. It seems that Lockhart is a fraud. When they went to Lockhart's chamber Lockhart was packing and planning to leave, to let your sister die. Ron and Harry took Lockhart at wand point to the entrance of the chamber of secrets that Harry found out and convinced Ron that the monster was indeed a basilisk. Harry was able to open the entrance because he is a parseltongue.
At wand point, they forced Lockhart to join them. Somehow Lockhart got Ron's wand and said that he didn't do anything he wrote and that he only was good at memory charms. He tried to erase your brother and Harry Potter's memory but because Ron's wand was broken and was only held together by spellotape the charm backfired and Lockhart lost his memory. Lockhart was blasted against the ceiling of the cave which caused a cave in. Ron ended on one side with Lockhart and Harry on the other side.
Harry was on the side they were heading and Ron tried making an opening so Harry and Ginny could return. I don't know what exactly happened in the chamber, Harry told me, your mother and Professor McGonagall. He probably told professor Dumbledore too. But Bill and Charlie you don't want to know the whole story.
Bill and Charlie didn't know what to say. They were at a loss.
What Mr. Weasley didn't know was that Harry didn't tell him everything about the chamber. What Harry didn't tell the Weasley's and professor McGonagall was that Tom was Voldemort.
What Harry also didn't tell the Weasley's, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore was that Hagrid was really innocent, but Harry suspected that Professor Dumbledore knew. He also failed to mention that the basilisk was alive only three people knew that including himself. Amelia, Susan knew and Dobby will know it when he was back at school.
Bill asked, "how was she possessed?"
Mr. Weasley dreaded this question. He always told all his children never to trust something if they can't see its brain. Finally, he answered "by a diary left by a Tom if I must believe Ginny's shouting, but when I asked Dumbledore he didn't tell me who he is or was, but I don't know if he knows. Dumbledore also didn't tell me how she got the diary if he knows."
"Bill and Charlie I told her the same thing I told you. Never trust something if you can't see its brain. I am afraid that she felt alone even from her own family and that makes her write and trust the diary. I don't know if she felt afraid or alone but Fred and George answered my question when I asked your brothers why. They said they were too busy with classes and their own friends the same goes for Percy and Ron."
"I am sorry to say boys but Ron probably hurt her the most. Every time she went to Ron he sent her away and called her annoying, childish and more. He hurt her because they were always close, but he said it in front of her childhood hero too."
Bill and Charlie were processing what they knew. Finally, Bill looked at Charlie and Charlie nodded.
Bill said, "Dad we want to know the whole story."
Mr. Weasley sighed "do both of you sure about that?"
Like twins would do they said in unison "YES."
Mr. Weasley told them the story (A/N chapter 2 until Harry leaves for Professor Dumbledore's office).
Just as Mr. Weasley ended the story Mrs. Weasley, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny entered the room. Bill and Charlie looked with concern at Ginny and with a bit of anger towards all their brothers. With a pointed look from their father, Bill and Charlie only had a concerned look left for Ginny and their anger disappeared.
Mrs. Weasley noticed the look from her two eldest sons and look at her husband who only nodded his head and Mrs. Weasley sighed but understand. She already told Arthur that Bill and Charlie would want the whole story and she was right.
Mr. Weasley raised his voice and said "everybody who needs it lie down and sleep for a little bit before dinner, first thing tomorrow we visit the great pyramids of Giza. Mr. Weasley had a letter that on the 28th a photographer came by to take a photo to place in the daily prophet. He wants to get the photograph as soon as possible the photo will be placed in the daily prophet on July 30th. He decided that they would have a background with the great pyramids of Giza.
29th July 1993, the Howling Jackal, Egypt
Today Bill had left his family alone because the goblins had sent a message they found a pyramid but couldn't enter and they needed him to help. Bill didn't mind because he already let his family know this was a possibility.
The rest of the Weasley's would take a lazy day in magical Cairo. Everybody except Percy was looking for a present for Harry. Percy stayed in his room to study for his NEWT's already. Charlie didn't know Harry but heard during the trip already enough to give him a gift from him and Bill. Bill already let him know that he would pay half what he bought for Harry and another half for Ginny's present.
Charlie had already got a dragonhide glove and belt for Ginny but decided with Bill to give her also something else. They decided to give Harry a dragonhide jacket when Charlie returned to his job in Romania but wanted to give Harry also something extra.
Ron already found some candy that they don't have in England to give to Harry and Ginny. Ron decided that together with the twins gave Harry a sneakoscope and the twins also gave Ginny a sneakoscope. Both twins gave some candy and a few of their inventions.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had bought new clothes (new outfits) for Ginny she was becoming a young woman after all and would buy new robes when they returned after their vacation in England. They saw a hairpin in the form of a broomstick with a small ruby at the front of the broomstick and bought that for her. For Harry, they also bought some clothes that would fit him and were planning on giving him some home-cooked meals he always seemed to love.
Charlie loved the hairpin for Ginny and wanted to buy another one with a quaffle with a small diamond in the centre. It was expensive but it was for his baby sister and after the year she had she deserved it. He also got the drop in the price a bit certainly after mentioning Bill. There was one catch Bill needed to come with Charlie.
When Bill came home that night he was exhausted. It seemed that there was an ancient pyramid and they found a hidden room but there were many curses inside the room it took hours to disable the curses. The room was a huge find, but the hieroglyphs were very different, something that even the goblins have only seen once before and couldn't translate the first time. They still can't do it now.
30th July 1993, Bill's flat, Cairo, Egypt
The next day Charlie mentioned the hairpin and Bill decided to directly go to the seller. Bill greeted him nicely and after a little bit more than a minute they settled on the price. He dropped the price quite a bit thanks to Bill and his past favours towards the seller.
Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley had seen Bill and Charlie and followed them. Bill noticed his parents after buying the hairpin and greeted them. Charlie's attention was distracted by something behind his parents. He walked past his parents towards a shop that was all about Quidditch.
He saw some protection that was made for seekers. He didn't decide to buy some seeker gloves because every seeker liked different gloves, but Charlie wanted to buy some leg protection for Harry. It was light but still strong he didn't know what the material was, but decided to buy it. His parents told them what was Harry's size and together with Bill they bought one pair.
They all went to the Howling Jackal. Bill and Charlie greeted all their siblings and started breakfast. Ron wanted to send everything to Harry but Mrs. Weasley decided that they would give it to him when they see him.
Mr. Weasley noticed that Ginny was shaking a little bit. He walked toward Ginny and said "Ginny could you follow me?"
Ginny nodded and they went upstairs to their room. When they entered the room Ginny broke down. She started crying and Mr. Weasley directly put Ginny on his lap and hugged her. After about 15 minutes Ginny calmed down. Mr. Weasley decided to ask "what is the matter, Ginny?"
She sobbingly said "Harry…. Harry …..Harry w-w-w" and start crying again. Mr. Weasley didn't know what she thought. He knew that she was worried about Harry. When she started to calm down again, he needed to know.
"What is there with Harry, Ginny?"
"Daddy he will hate me. I am sure of it. He almost died because of me."
"Honey I am sure Harry doesn't hate you."
"Are you sure daddy? Have you talked to Harry?"
"No Ginny but I saw his look when we talked in Professor McGonagall's office, he never blamed you. Honestly, I think he blamed himself. Now, why don't you lie down?"
"But daddy I…" She saw her father look and knew he would not take no for an answer. "Okay, daddy." Ginny goes to the small side room and went to sleep.
Mr. Weasley went downstairs and talked to Molly about what happened upstairs. Molly agreed with the look that Harry had in Professor McGonagall's office when he talked about the chamber of secrets.
Later the same day Ginny woke up with her mother next to her. Ginny had a nightmare again. After Ginny got out of bed she said "mom I didn't have a present for Harry. Could we go to the souq to find something for Harry?"
"Sure Ginny, we will go on the 3rd of August we have some plans for the next few days."
"Okay mom, what are we doing the next couple of days?"
"We go to a few other places and towns to do some sightseeing."
3rd August 1993, the Howling Jackal.
Ginny was a little bit excited, the last few days were fun and today she will go to the souq with her mother to get Harry a gift. She went downstairs for breakfast and the whole family except Bill was there. Charlie said Bill again needed to work. He told them about the pyramid Bill worked on.
Ginny and her mother went to the souq while Mr. Weasley told Ron to work on his homework because he hasn't started yet. Percy would go back to studying. The twins, Charlie and Mr. Weasley decided to spend a day in muggle Cairo because they didn't spend it there yet.
Mrs. Weasley asked Ginny "do you have an idea for Harry's present?"
"Not really mom" Ginny sighed.
They entered a bookshop. Ginny saw nothing Harry would like and suddenly Ginny got an idea.
"Mum I got an idea, but I need your help."
"Sure honey. What is your idea?"
"I thought that maybe I could knit something for Harry. I thought of a scarf and a pair of warm mittens."
"Oh, Ginny I think Harry would love that. I got my knitting needles with me we only need some wool."
Ginny smiled brightly for the first time after the chamber and Mrs. Weasley noticed it. After searching for an hour they found wool in different colours. 15 minutes later they had the colours from Gryffindor to make the scarf and mittens and return back towards the Howling Jackal.
Meanwhile, before Mr. Weasley joined Charlie and the twins on a trip to muggle Cairo, he got a daily prophet from 2nd August. He paled and saw that last night (1st August) Sirius Black escaped Azkaban. Everybody knew what Sirius Black has done. He remembered Sirius Black when they worked together a few times before Sirius was training to become a hit-wizard. He still couldn't believe he betrayed Harry's parents. James and Sirius were brothers in everything but blood. Well, they shared a small bite of blood Arthur remembered James' mother was a Black.
Mr. Weasley decided to wait for Molly and tell her. He said to his sons that he needed to keep an eye on Ron which was a half-truth. Mr. Weasley was trying to keep an eye on Ron but his attention slipped many times.
After an hour of waiting, he saw his wife and daughter return. Mrs. Weasley told her what Ginny wanted to do and Mr. Weasley could honestly say that it was a good idea.
"Ginny why don't you go upstairs already."
"Okay, daddy."
"Molly there is a problem."
"What is the problem?"
"Sirius Black escaped Azkaban."
Molly dropped the teacup she had in her hand. She repaired it and sighed and said "well it isn't really a problem, but I get what you mean. He is probably after Harry, sweet, young Harry."
Arthur sighed and replied, "I need to send Harry a letter about this."
"No Arthur I don't think that would be necessary I am sure Dumbledore already told Harry if Harry needed to know. Don't forget Dumbledore said Harry needed to return home and that he would be safe there."
Arthur sighed and nodded "you are right Molly"
"Arthur I am going to help Ginny with the knitting of the scarf and warm mittens. See you at lunch".
6th August 1993, the Howling Jackal
Today was the day that Charlie would move to the Howling Jackal for the rest of the vacation. Ron was not happy he would move to the small side room in the twins' room.
Charlie arrived just before lunch with his luggage. He would again go with the twins and his father this time again go to muggle Cairo. The last time his father couldn't come something came up. Today his father will join and his father loved the muggle world.
Mrs. Weasley was doing most of the knitting with the help of Ginny. The plan was a scarf with Harry's initials and with lightning bolts decorating the scarf. She would take the Gryffindor badge from her ruined robes and sew it onto the scarf when she came home.
11th August 1993, the Howling Jackal
It is finally here her birthday. Ginny tried to be happy, but she wasn't anywhere near recovered from Tom. Hoping that no one blamed her, she knows the headmaster didn't but Harry was much more important than the headmaster. The victims were also important more important than the headmaster. The headmaster had allowed her to return for her second year she was happy about that even if she didn't show it.
This morning she got all her presents from her family but nothing else. After a very fulfilling breakfast, she was happy. She grabbed the clothes and was very happy and decided to directly put on the new summer outfit she got.
The family surprised her with a trip to the city of Alexandria where they visit the beach and enjoyed the warm weather. Everyone wanted to go to different places but Mrs. Weasley said "no today is Ginny's day she decided where we go. We could visit and explore another day.
Ginny was happy she decided what would happen today. She felt suddenly sad because she would decide, Tom took that from her. All the memories from last school year came back and Tom's voice called her names what she hated the most stupid, silly, little girl.
They had lunch in Alexandria and had dinner the Weasley's loved, it was an English dinner made the Egyptian way. When they came back to the Howling Jackal Ginny was crestfallen and that only worsened when she didn't see other presents. She hoped for a birthday present from Harry or Hermione. She didn't expect something from her fellow first... no... now second years.
Suddenly Luna appeared in her head. In her younger years, they were good friends, the best friends but then her mother forbids her to go over there or for Luna to get to the Burrow and the friendship ended. She liked Luna very much why didn't she try to be friends with her again? She didn't know she could before Tom controlled some of her actions. She started hating herself and again Tom's voice sounded letting her know that Ginny should hate herself.
Her mother advised her to go to bed early. When she was in her side room she cried again. Her mother heard her and quickly put her in her lap and try to calm her down. Ginny told some of her nightmares and what she felt when they came back. The nightmares made her mother know why Ginny felt like that.
Mrs. Weasley tried to calm her down and finally, she said something and hoped she was right "Ginny I am sure Harry and Hermione got you a present they didn't send it because they want to give it to you when they see you. I am sure that even a good owl like Hedwig would take a long time and had a chance she lost it. Harry and Hermione don't want to lose the important presents they have for you. Ginny calmed down and went to sleep.
Mrs. Weasley was happy that she calmed down. She looked at the time and saw that it was already 1 am. Mrs. Weasley was happy there was a smaller chance she had a nightmare now. Mr. Weasley was still up.
"Arthur I probably made a big mistake" and told Arthur anything that happened in Ginny's room.
"I hope that Harry and Hermione have a present otherwise we got a problem and Ginny will even be more depressed. You shouldn't have told her that. We don't know if they have."
Molly sighed and wanted to say something but Arthur continued "Don't forget poor, poor Harry doesn't go to Diagon Alley before we do so how could he have a present for her and Hermione doesn't know Ginny well enough to get something for her."
"I doubt that Harry gets the same support as Ginny has with us. Probably we aren't the best support but we are her family and love her. Harry's family doesn't really like Harry after I saw their reaction to Harry and with the story, Ron and the twins told me. I wanted to approach them but as soon as Harry reached them they started to leave."
Mr. Weasley ended by hoping that Harry and Hermione have a present even if it was small for his little girl. Mrs. Weasley was deep in thought and hoping that Harry and Hermione have a present for Ginny.
Ginny had a small nightmare, it helped to talk about the worst ones. The nightmare woke her around 07:50 am she was almost well-rested.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley talked between themselves. Mr. Weasley took the lead and said "Molly I know you and I both think highly of Harry, but I think he didn't get Ginny anything for her birthday it would be a wonder if he did and Hermione maybe she will try but I think that Hermione wouldn't do that. She was indirectly petrified by Ginny but I do not blame Ginny for that. I also do not blame Harry and Hermione if they don't have anything. Let's hope Ginny does the same."
Mrs. Weasley thought about everything he just said and sighed while nodding "let's hope you are right dear."
"Molly let's stop talking about that. Why don't we go downstairs to get breakfast and enjoy the vacation?" Mrs. Weasley nodded and smiled following Mr. Weasley downstairs and seeing the whole family enjoying breakfast. Only Ginny didn't have a smile on her face and she couldn't see Percy's face because he was buried in a book.
22nd August 1993, the Howling Jackal
The last few weeks had been exciting for all the Weasley's except Percy and Ginny. Percy sure was happy to have the whole family back by seeing his older brothers even if it was only for a few weeks but he was in his NEWT year and couldn't really enjoy it. Percy was happy he was made Head boy. Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley were very proud. The twins tried to look up Percy in a tomb twice, but the first time Mrs. Weasley stopped them and the second time they only said it to scare Percy.
Ginny was happy that all the knitting was done and she was happy with the scarf and mittens. The scarf only missed the Gryffindor badge but the mittens were done. She hoped Harry would like it.
22nd August 1993, the Phoenix pharaoh's tomb
Bill saved today's trip for the last day. The last pyramid they would visit was famous because there were some nasty curses. The curses were removed but it had made many casualties. Mrs. Weasley didn't want Ginny to enter, she was afraid the nightmare would be worse or more frequent. Ginny still had nightmares every night. Instead of multiple per night the first weeks, now she had one per night.
Mr. Weasley wasn't sure what to do. He asked Bill "Bill do you think it is too scary for Ginny?"
Bill thought it over for a minute "it is scary but I don't know if it is too scary" and whispered to his dad "after her school year."
Mr. Weasley understands Ginny was forced to grow up because of her experience with the diary. Mr. Weasley knew he had to make a call here. He knew Ginny didn't want to be treated differently than her brothers. He smiled remembering after being sad how mad she was when her brothers wouldn't let her play with them.
He wasn't sure but said, "Ginny you can go in with us but I want to know when you are scared and you hold my hand the whole time."
Mrs. Weasley responded, "Arthur you can't be serious."
Ginny looked happy at him and that made him happy. "Molly I am serious" and shot her a look.
Mrs. Weasley knew the look and knew that his decision was final, but also that he had some kind of plan.
Ginny was happy "yes daddy thank you" and hugged her father before grabbing his hand quickly following her oldest brother Bill.
Molly couldn't deny that Ginny was happy. She wondered what Arthur's plan was. The pyramid had made all the Weasley's shudder, some casualties barely looked human anymore and others had an unusual amount of limbs (arms, legs and sometimes hands and feet, fingers and toes) and even heads.
When they entered the next room it was almost unable to see in the casualties were human but there were far fewer casualties than in the room before. Arthur felt Ginny's hand, grip him hard and looked at her and said: "Ginny are you okay?"
Ginny looked up at her father and her hand let her grip go and said a little shaky "Yes daddy. It was a little unexpected and scary but I am fine."
Bill walked further into the pyramid and stopped for a room. He turned around and said "this is the last room and the tomb of a pharaoh from southern Egypt. He was the second of two pharaohs that had the infamous snake wizard as an advisor. We found the other pharaoh's tomb on the 29th of July of this year. That pharaoh was Pharaoh from all of Egypt."
They entered the room and Bill continued "we recently found the same weird hieroglyphs as these and pointed to the wall. We don't know what they mean and tried everything. What you probably also noticed is that the tomb is unusually very warm. This pharaoh was called the phoenix pharaoh because he won battles but got hurt and he always survived."
Bill waited a few seconds before continuing "the other tomb was also warm but not as warm as this one. We found both tombs but couldn't find the treasure room or open the sarcophagus. The infamous snake wizard's tomb if he had one isn't found yet. We suspect that the tombs are warmed by runes and some creatures protect the treasure. We found in a very cold tomb a Dementor protecting treasure a while ago and a Sphinx in another warmer tomb. We don't know how they survived but they did." All the Weasley's were hanging on Bill's every word except Ron. He thought we are here on vacation, not a history lesson.
Bill said that they can't touch anything to be safe. Bill just wanted to be sure. Everybody agreed even the twins. The tone in Bill's voice was with determination, and caution but also real fear.
After the tomb another attempt from the twins to scare Percy that worked, everyone went back to the Howling Jackal. They arrived just before dinner. They had dinner together and Bill said that he had to do some things at Gringotts branch in Cairo here in the morning and he would be free in the afternoon. He would be with his family the whole afternoon, dinner and after that let them back to the portkey to take them home. Charlie will go to Romania with another portkey which Bill had barely managed to also depart from Gringotts 15 minutes after his family minus Bill.
23rd August 1993, across Egypt
The Weasley's had a great afternoon starting with an Egyptian lunch and then going one last time through the souq, and had a long flight on a family flying carpet. That was very different from a broom. It was relaxing but all the children and Mr. Weasley preferred a broom and Mrs. Weasley preferred both her feet on the ground.
After the flying carpet, the whole family went to muggle Cairo before visiting the site from the other pharaoh. They spend the 15th (magical) and 16th (muggle) of August visiting and exploring Alexandria it was a big city after all and the 19th of August visiting and exploring Suez. On this day they went to Port Said which is much smaller than Alexandria and Suez and three hours was more than enough to explore Port Said.
They returned to the Howling Jackal at 5:45 PM and had a real Egyptian dinner. They liked the dinner but liked English more. The lunch was too close to call what they liked more.
23rd August 1993, Gringotts branch, Cairo
At 7:20 pm they entered the Gringotts branch in Cairo. Bill let them to a chamber where two portkeys were waiting. One portkey will leave at 7:30 pm for the Weasley's minus Charlie and Bill and will arrive at the Burrow. The other portkey was programmed to leave at 7:45 pm for Charlie back to the Gringotts branch in Bucharest. Charlie needed to walk out of Gringotts and could then apparate to the dragon reservation or use the floo in Gringotts.
All the Weasley's hugged each other even Ginny hugged her brother tightly. It seems that the vacation helped Ginny maybe not much but she was a bit more her old self than before the vacation. The Weasley's used the first portkey and Bill and Charlie stayed behind.
"Bill, do you think Ginny will be alright?"
"I hope so. I hope so Charlie."
"Mom and dad said that she looked better, not much, but still better."
"Yeah I heard the same, but I also heard that she still had at least one nightmare every night. The nightmares are very bad if I must believe mom. Ginny told some to mom and believe me they are bad."
"I know Bill, mom told me the same. I think Ginny needs to talk to Harry and maybe the victims from the basilisk."
After 5 minutes of no talking and just thinking about the last statement Bill suddenly perked up "Charlie quickly your portkey will leave soon. Don't forget to send Harry a dragonhide jacket and leg protectors. Ask him a favour to talk to Ginny. I would but with a new tomb found I will be very busy and may forget or sound like a demand, but I want to ask him and not demand from him."
"Bill I will do it. I will send a letter hoping he had a good birthday give him the presents from you and me and ask him for the favour of talking to Ginny. Now, brother, hug me before I leave."
Bill hugged him and a second after he let go of Charlie, Charlie smiled and portkeyed away.
This will almost certainly be my largest chapter. I hope you like this chapter. PM or review with your opinion, idea or pointers. I hope you all like how the story is going (how the story is evolving) let me know.
FYI the Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw is not 700 galleons but 1250 galleons.