Egypt was hot and dusty and absolutely brilliant!

Percy had thought that no other place would be able to compare to Geneva, and while Geneva was definitely a new favorite place, he could tell why Bill loved where he currently worked. Cairo was like Geneva, but at the crossroads between North Africa and the Middle East.

When he had first arrived in Cairo, Bill and Charlie had met him. It was then that he realized that Bill had fudged the dates that he had sent Percy, on purpose, which allowed the three oldest Weasley brothers two whole days on their own. Percy felt a little rebellious, the three of them completely unsupervised in a foreign country. It had also been nice that Bill and Charlie wanted to spend time with him. Every Weasley sibling, barring Ron and Ginny who were almost Irish twins at fourteen months apart, were two years apart; except Percy and Charlie who were four years apart. It was like everyone had their own partner in crime – except Percy.

Bill was able to get Charlie and Percy permission to come with him into the back of the Egyptian museum where many of the items that he had cleansed were being restored to be placed out in the wizarding area of the museum. Bill told them there would be plenty of time with the rest of their family to explore the museum, but that he wanted to be able to show someone all the things he had helped uncover and cleanse. Percy learned that the line between Muggle and Wizarding artifacts from ancient Egypt were a bit blurred and that much of Bill's job was getting to artifacts first before Muggles got their hands on it. If it wasn't cursed, the wixen generally left it alone for the Muggles, if it was cursed, they removed it so that it would not curse the Muggles. Apparently, though, the Muggles studying the tombs and such recognized, on occasion, when things were missing. Bill said there were a lot of conspiracy theories in the Muggle world about "missing" items from graves that were generally attributed to grave robbers.

His brothers had also been quite interested in his internship at ICW. They had a lot of questions about some of the things he had heard and seen, especially when it came to things that were common in Britain, and nowhere else. Like the werewolf issue.

"Romanian packs run in the dragon reserve on full moons," Charlie told them. "It's large enough even with dragons roaming and hunting about that the werewolves have enough space to safely spend the moonrise."

They were also very interested and impressed that Percy had met and impressed their grandparents. They had decided to wait until the whole family was gathered to open the gifts their grandmother had sent with Percy.

The rest of the Weasley family arrived at the international portkey station in Cairo with their usual boisterous selves, only drowned out by the equally boisterous greetings of Egyptian families. Ginny launched herself into Charlie's arms and their burly brother swung her around, almost taking Ron out as he beelined for Bill.

"I see you survived Geneva," Arthur said, embracing Percy.

"ICW must've been so exciting," Fred mocked.

"It was, actually," Percy retorted. "I learned a lot of things, especially how wizarding societies around the world work."

"Sounds exciting," George replied with a roll of his eyes. Bill slapped both of them across their heads in greeting as he made his way past to embrace their mum.

"Oh, Bill, you're too skinny!" Molly cried, "and your hair. What is this?" she motioned to Bill's earing from which dangled a small sphinx claw. Bill had found it at a bazaar.

"It's an earring, Mum," Bill answered, "surely you know what those are?" He winked at his siblings as he ushered them out of the international portkey area towards domestic points. "I managed to get us a domestic portkey to where we're staying."

"Where are we staying?" Arthur asked. "You've been quite tight-lipped about it."

"I thought we were going to stay with you," Ginny complained.

"I'll be close by," Bill answered, "I'm allowed a few overnight visitors, but not a mob. You'll be in Giza, the site is very nice and there'll be other wixen families around for you to meet and hang out with when you're not out and exploring."

The portkey dropped them off at a tent resort. The tents made two lines and the pyramids could be seen from the tent's doorway. There was a lodge for breakfast, though one could order breakfast be brought to the tent and set up outside the front door, there was a pool, and a game room for younger kids.

A welcoming platter of local foods had been set out in the tent for them when they arrived. Ron and the twins immediately began trying a little bit of everything.

As the youngsters settled in or went to explore the resort, Percy sat with Bill, Charlie, and their parents to go over their itinerary. They would be in Egypt for most of July, so there was no need to hurry through things. There would definitely be some places that might need to be visited twice, such as the Egyptian Museum and a few of the tomb complexes that were open to tours.

"I think that's done for now," Arthur finally said, stretching. He poured himself a glass of the cold drink karkadeh. Molly sniffed at the iced tea and poured herself a cup of hot tea. "Percy, tell us about Geneva."

"It was amazing, Dad, really," Percy cried. "I might see what positions are open for when I graduate Hogwarts."

"Oh, you can't go all the way to Geneva!" Molly cried. "It's bad enough Bill and Charlie have flown off to other countries."

"I learned so much about other wizarding societies," Percy continued. "I met some other interns from all around the world and even met a few of the dignitaries."

"Who did you meet?" Arthur asked. "I'm trying to remember who besides Albus is currently representing Britain."

Percy hesitated. A quick glance at Bill and Charlie had them shrugging. They did not know how their parents would react to the news that Percy had been hanging out with their grandparents.

"Well . . ." Percy started. "One of Britain's delegates is . . ." what was he supposed to call him? "Grandfather."

Arthur froze, his drink halfway to his mouth. Molly sputtered around a mouthful of tea.

"My father?" Arthur questioned. Percy nodded. "Was he one of the dignitaries you met?"

"Yes. In fact, . . . Grandmother insisted that he and she take me out on the town. Quite a few times actually." He summoned the bag of gifts that Cedrella had given him. "She sent presents for everyone." He laid out each box, wrapped in beautiful dark blue paper with twinkling stars. Name tags were written in her elegant scrawl. Arthur picked up the small box labeled 'Arthur', a confused look coming across his face. It was like he did not know what to do with it. Finally, though, he pulled the paper off and opened the velvet box, revealing a very handsome set of cufflinks.

"I take it that my mother had a lot to do with your . . . acquaintance," Arthur murmured.

"I think she did," Percy answered, "though I've got the feeling Grandfather . . . Lord Weasley . . . I'm not really sure what to call him, had been keeping an eye on me before they approached me. I'm not sure he was very impressed with me though."

Molly picked up her gift and found five large skeins of Mongolian Moonsheeps wool in a rich purple with silver mixed throughout. The Mongolian Moonsheep were known for producing wool that, no matter what color it was dyed, always had silver "moon beams" dotted throughout it so every item made from the wool shimmered like moonlight.

It was also very expensive as Mongolian Moonsheep were not domesticated.

"Well," Molly muttered, a little choked up, "this is quite unexpected."

Bill and Charlie eagerly grabbed their boxes. Bill found a set of dragonhide gloves specifically for cursebreakers, and Charlie was gifted a lovely pair of overalls made from occamy hide. He was impressed by it, saying that occamy had fire retardant abilities and that it would definitely be useful out on the dragon reserve.

Percy found himself the proud owner of a lovely journal that could magically be locked to keep others out. Using a prick of his blood to set the lock, it was now unable to be opened by anyone but himself – or anyone else he decided to key into the journal. This was perfect, and it would keep the twins out of his business.

When the twins, Ron, and Ginny returned from exploring the resort, they were given their presents. The twins earned another head slap from Bill after side comments about "how could Percy impress their illustrious and mysterious grandparents?" They were each given experiment journals, usually used by potioneers, but also useful for those who created spells and charms and wanted to keep detailed track of the process. Percy thought that might be too encouraging of the twins' mischievous ways. Ron was gifted a very beautiful travel chess set with the pieces made out of real ivory; and Ginny received a set of snake earrings that had Molly's face turning a little red. Ginny even received a note with her gift. Apparently, according to the note, the earrings had been Cedrella's, and had been a congratulatory gift for being sorted into Slytherin back when she was a little girl. The note congratulated Ginny on being in Slytherin.

"I expect you all to write thank you notes to your grandmother," Arthur told them, "when we get back to England. We can send them together when we get back."

There were loud rounds of agreement, and everyone went to put their gifts with their things. Percy planned to fill his journal using the Muggle fountain pen Oliver had gifted him for Valentine's Day. He could think of using nothing else to write with – it just felt right.

"Hey, Aria, wait up!"

Aria paused just outside the back door of the photo studio in Cokeworth where she had spent the afternoon modeling for Gloria Keetering. Mrs. Keetering had had them working on the Christmas catalog today, which Aria thought was funny since it was only just turned July, but apparently the fashion industry worked months in advance on things.

Robert, Samuel, and Tommy hurried up to her from where they had clearly been waiting at the corner of the building.

"What do you want?" Aria asked.

"Want to get something to eat?" Samuel asked after it was clear that Robert and Tommy were not going to say anything. Aria looked at her watch. It was only 3 o'clock, but she had not had that big of a lunch and she was feeling hungry. Dinner would not be until 6 . . .

"Sure," she said. Her friends seemed to relax with relief, and she walked with them towards a little place that had opened in the past spring. It was a shawarma shop run by this young couple originally from Iraq, and it was very popular, especially with the teen crowd.

Thankfully, even though it was summer, it was not yet very crowded so the four of them were able to order and find a small table to sit at while they waited for their food. It was mostly take-out, but there were four tables inside the shop for those that did not want to take the food to go.

"So . . . er . . . Melinda spoke to us," Robert said, tearing a napkin apart.

"More like scolded us," Tommy muttered.

"We're sorry if we've . . . made you feel abandoned," Samuel added. Aria crossed her arms, not looking at them. "We didn't mean to make you feel that way. It's just . . . we do have other friends."

"I know that!" Aria snapped. "I'm not dumb. The problem is I don't have any other friends. At least not here." She sighed. Arguing would get them nowhere.

"I just . . . it was a rough year," she told them. "There was a lot of bullying going around, the headmaster did nothing, and two sev—year thirteens—tried to physically attack me during one of my detentions—"

"What?"

That got their attention.

"Your dad said something about you getting attacked to our parents, but we just assumed there was another kidnapping attempt on one of your rich friends again," Robert said. "Not an attack on you!"

"Yeah, well, it was on me," Aria retorted. "Because I'm a . . . poor scholarship student from the wrong side of the river. Some people believe people like me don't belong there."

Their order was called, and Robert collected it. The four of them made their way out to the village green across the primary school. They settled at a picnic table in the shade of a tree. Aria picked up her lamb shawarma, deciding it was one of the best things she had ever eaten.

"The thing is," Robert finally said as they ate, "you're still our friend, Aria. You're always gonna be our friend. It's just . . . different now."

"I know," Aria muttered. "Melinda kinda explained it to me. You guys are older now and I'm still a kid." She narrowed her eyes at them. "Are you guys dating anyone?"

Tommy nearly choked on his shawarma.

"Are you old enough for us to talk to you 'bout that?" Samuel teased, slapping Tommy on the back several times. Aria punched his shoulder, earning a laugh.

"No," Samuel finally said. "We're not dating anyone. Though Robbie—"

"I swear to God, Samuel, if you call me that again—"

"—has his eye on Abbie Hanson."

"Ooo the foreman's daughter."

"Shut it! It's not gonna happen."

"Why not?"

"'cause why look at me when Luke Gibbs, super model extraordinaire, is around?" Robert complained.

"I think you're much better than Luke," Aria answered. "He can be a bit . . . much. At work he likes to think he knows everything."

"He kinda does," Tommy admitted. "He's one of the smartest at school. He'll probably get lots of scholarships to places."

"Tommy's just upset 'cause he's got the biggest crush on Luke, but he's not Luke's type," Samuel told Aria.

"Samuel!" Tommy hissed.

"She's fine, she's not gonna tell anyone. Right, Aria?"

"Tell anyone what?" She winked at Tommy who smiled at her before kicking Samuel hard under the table.

"Speaking of crush . . ." Robert warned, pointing his chin over Aria's head. She turned and saw Luke Gibbs, Abbie Hanson, and Sheila O'Reilly coming across the green.

"There you guys are!" Sheila cried, skipping the last few paces to them. "We were wondering." She pushed Robert and Tommy down the picnic table bench so that she could sit next to Robert, but straight across from Samuel. She immediately perched her chin on her hands and fluttered her long eyelashes at Samuel. Aria wondered how she could get her eyelashes to look that long.

She wondered if any of the girls would teach her how to do her makeup if she asked. What would her dad's reaction be to that? She knew he was not a fan of the make-up that she got put on for when she modeled, but she felt that had more to do with the amount and style than the make-up itself.

"What's up pipsqueak?" Abbie asked, poking Aria on her way to sit on Aria's other side.

"Not a pipsqueak."

"I saw Mrs. Jacobs bringing you a cake the other day. What was that about? I thought your birthday was later this month? The boys are already stressin' 'bout what to get you—"

"Yes, yes that's enough!" Tommy cried, throwing a chip at Abbie. Aria laughed, a warm fuzzy feeling bubbling in her belly. Even with all her complaining about the boys not hanging out with her like they used to, they were still thinking ahead to her birthday. It made her feel a little less forgotten.

"She made you a cake?" Robert cried. "She never makes me a cake."

"She makes you cake on your birthday," Tommy pointed out.

"But not randomly in the middle of the week!"

"I started my period," Aria blurted out. Abbie and Sheila burst out laughing at the look that came over all four faces of the boys. "Melinda found me crying in the middle of the Kirkby's shop."

"She told us she found you crying but not why," Samuel muttered.

"I think this is cause for further celebration," Sheila said, clapping her hands. "Are you interested in attending beauty school with me as your illustrious teacher?"

"Huh?"

"She means, now that you're a woman, if you'd be interested in learning to do your make-up?" Abbie asked. "It's kind a rite of passage in Sheila's family, every time a girl gets her first period, she gets to learn how to do her makeup."

"Yeah, except I'm the baby girl of the family," Sheila complained. "Let me teach you how to do your makeup, Aria, please?"

"I mean . . . if it means that much to you," Aria sighed, pretending to look put upon. Sheila squealed happily.

"But it can't be tonight," Luke caboshed the mood, "we've got that party tonight."

"You've got a party tonight," Robert pointed out, "some of us have work tomorrow."

"I had work today," Luke snapped.

"You stood around and looked pretty," Tommy answered, "while people took pictures. We've got to deal with people who are never happy with whatever food someone else is making for them."

As the boys argued about their jobs, Sheila and Abbie finalized them coming over in a few days in the afternoon after they themselves got off work. They would take Aria shopping for her own makeup and then she would make them dinner and they would teach her how to do makeup. They might even rent a movie.

It was with a happier heart that Aria waved good-bye to the boys and, hopefully, her two new girl friends, as they walked down Spinner's End towards their own homes. She entered her house, hearing her dad already puttering about in the kitchen. The TV was on with the local newscaster droning on about some bill in Parliament.

"Dad, I'm home!" Aria called, skipping into the kitchen, just in time to see her dad and Remi break apart. Their faces turned bright red as Kenneth turned back to whatever was on the stove and Remi hurried to make cups of tea.

"Sorry, did I interrupt something?" Aria asked, only a little cheekily. "Do I need to come back later?"

"No, it's fine," Kenneth answered, sounding a little strained. Aria rolled her eyes before meandering into the living room with a small smile. She noticed a game box on the coffee table and went to investigate. It was a brand new Ligretto set, the plastic packaging was not even off it yet. Kenneth had regaled Aria with how he had been teaching Remi to play the games they still had, as Remi seemed to lack basic knowledge of even the most popular board and card games. Aria could remember playing Ligretto when her mum was alive, but they had been missing many of the cards in all the color decks, so it made sense that her dad would finally splurge and get a new deck.

Hedwig hooted at her from her favorite living room perch, on top of the TV, before flying down to land on Aria's shoulder.

"I bet you're getting bored," Aria murmured, stroking Hedwig's feathers. "I'll send a letter soon, okay? It's just that everyone's on holiday and I don't want to send you all over the continent." Hedwig playfully nipped her fingers before settling on the Ligretto box as if it were an egg. Aria hoped her dad was able to move her later.

"Here you go," Remi murmured, coming in with two mugs of tea. He handed one to Aria. "Sorry about earlier. Got a little . . . carried away."

Aria tried not to laugh at the blush coming across the usually calm man's face. Remi was not unattractive, she thought, she could see why her dad would be attracted to him. He was polite, shy, and looking mysterious and dashing with the scar that ran over his face. She wondered what could have happened to Remi that would have produced such a scar. She could not imagine anything as dramatic as a gang fight, he just did not seem the type.

"Has your dad talked to you about us?" Remi asked.

"A little," Aria answered, "not a lot though. I guess if you guys keep getting more serious, he will. He's never . . . dated anyone. Not since Mum."

"Yes, he told me about her. Abigail seemed like a wonderful woman."

"She was the best!" Aria cried. "I think you'd have liked her too." Then she gave Remi her fiercest frown and pointed a finger at him. "But if you hurt my dad, I'll have to curse you."

"Aria!" Kenneth cried, poking his head in, looking a little horrified. "You can't . . . that's not allow—you can't threaten people!"

"Oh, don't worry, Ken," Remi answered with a laugh, turning up the volume on the news just a bit. "I've heard all about teenage girl occult phases from Mr. Hanson."

"Ugh, don't remind me!" Kenneth gave Aria a sharp look of warning before returning to the kitchen. Aria sipped at her tea. Abbie had gone through an occult phase? How convenient. They might have to get a few Muggle occult things to spread around the house just in case.

" . . . the authorities would like citizens to be on the alert for mass murderer and bomber, Sirius Black, who has escaped from Class A prison. Black was convicted of the All Saint's Day Bombing of 1981 in London . . ."

Smash!

Aria's head whipped away from the TV to Remi whose mug of tea now pooled at his feet, the tea soaking into his socks while the mug lay in pieces. She jumped to her feet seeing his rapidly paling face.

"Dad!" she shouted, grabbing Remi just in time as his knees buckled as she managed to shove him haphazardly onto the couch while Kenneth came rushing in.

"What's wrong?" he cried.

"I dunno! We were just listening to the news and the guy was talking about an escaped criminal and . . ." Aria waved at the spilled tea and broken mug. Kenneth tossed her the dish rag that had been over his shoulder, and she began cleaning up the tea.

"Remi," she heard her dad murmur. Remi's face had gone ashen, and he was shaking now. Kenneth tossed the afghan from the back of the couch around Remi.

"S-sorry," Remi stuttered, trying to take deep breaths. Aria hurried with the broken pieces of mug into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water. Perching on the coffee table she handed the glass to Kenneth who helped Remi drink. Color was starting to return to the man's cheeks, though he still trembled like he was cold.

The news had moved on to the weather. Aria turned and switched off the TV. Silence settled over the room. Kenneth was rubbing circles on Remi's back and Aria could see the man's eyes start to take on a vacant look as he stared past her.

"Remington," Kenneth said, voice taking on a little harder edge. Remi took in a shuttering breath, like he was suddenly aware of where he was again, peering around, pressing his fingers tightly around the glass of cold water.

"Sorry," Remi muttered again. "Sorry, I . . . I hadn't thought about Sirius in a long time."

"Sirius?" Kenneth questioned.

"That's the criminal the newscaster was talking about," Aria explained, "apparently, he set a bomb off back in the 80's? All Saint's Day Bomb or something—"

"I remember that," Kenneth said, "it was all over the news. Killed 12 people. Some sort of terrorist – the government was pretty hush-hush 'bout it."

"We were . . . Sirius and I . . ." Remi choked on his words, gulping at the water like it was his last drink on earth. "We were an item around that time."

"Am I gonna have men in black suits showing up?" Kenneth teased, trying to lighten the mood. Remi tried to chuckle.

"No," he answered, "I shouldn't think so. No one . . . no one really knew we were a thing. Didn't even . . . I didn't even get questioned last time so . . . I think you should be good."

"Why'd you think he escaped then?" Aria asked.

"Aria!" Kenneth snapped.

"What? I'm just curious."

"Not appropriate though. Go and check on the food please." Huffing, Aria tried not to stomp on her way to the kitchen. Her dad had, thankfully, turned off the stove before racing into the living room, so nothing was on fire or burnt. She scooped the stir fry onto plates and set them around the table. She grabbed two Strongbows from the fridge for Remi and her dad and a soda for herself. When that was done, she poked her head back into the living room. Remi was scrubbing at his eyes with a tissue while Kenneth was just leaning back from kissing his cheek.

"Food's ready," she called and ducked back into the kitchen. She was already seated when the two men appeared. Remi's eyes were tinged red. He ate only half his supper before excusing himself and taking his Strongbow down to his basement apartment.

"He going to be okay?" Aria asked.

"He will be," Kenneth answered. "These things . . . have a way of knocking the air out of you." He leaned back in his chair, sipping at his drink.

"Just keep an eye out when you leave the house," Kenneth finally said. "If . . . if this Sirius Black does come looking for his long-lost lover . . . you're going to need to be able to leave for the wizarding world. I'll chat with Severus. He hasn't been home this summer has he?"

"I haven't seen him," Aria answered. She wondered if Professor Snape was on vacation somewhere, but the idea of him lounging on a beach was too wild an idea to hold onto.

"Can we send a letter to him with Hedwig then?"

"What're going to say? Hey, my Muggle lover's old partner just escaped from jail, how can I make sure my kid's got an emergency exit if things go south?"

Kenneth tipped his Strongbow at her.

"That sounds like a good start," he said. Aria rolled her eyes. Why were parents such worry-warts?