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Egypt - Cairo
Ministry of Magic - Minister's Office
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Inside the opulent, high-ceilinged office, the Egyptian Minister of Magic, Raghib El-Fayoum, leaned back in his intricately carved cedar chair and stared, unblinking, at his Vice Minister, trying to determine whether he had truly lost his mind. "Let me get this straight…" he said with a bone-dry voice. "You want me to convince Lord Grey, the same Lord Grey healing magical communities across the world and is currently healing our own people, to delve into one of the most cursed, forbidden tombs in Egypt's magical history?"
Across the desk, Vice Minister Akeem El-Nour gave him a tight nod, but his anticipation was easy to see. "Yes, Minister. That is the request."
Before Raghib could speak, Secretary of Finance Yasif Haddar leaned forward in his seat, showing a level of excitement that reminded Minister El-Fayoum of his son when a new toy is mentioned. "Think of the treasure, Minister!" Yasif's eyes gleamed. "The lost tomb of Apep-Ra! Ancient relics enchanted by high priests! Entire vaults of gold! Unimaginable magical artefacts buried under curses no modern wizard can crack! If anyone can—"
"Everyone we've sent has ended up dead," the Secretary of Archaeology, Dr. Layla Wahid, interrupted as professionally as she could without insulting the man in charge of her getting relevant funding. "Turned inside out. Charred to the bone, or just vanished entirely. That tomb isn't a vault, Yasif. It's a trap for the arrogant."
Raghib turned his eyes slowly to Layla, giving her an approving nod before levelling his gaze back on Yasif. "I'm inclined to agree."
But Yasif refused to be deterred. He waved dismissively at the concern, as if brushing aside dust from a tome. "That's why Lord Grey is perfect! Have you seen who travels with him? He's protected by a powerful duo hand-picked and endorsed by Dumbledore himself. Reports say they have already dealt with attacks against the boy while being significantly outnumbered." He leaned closer. "And if by some impossible chance something does go wrong… there's every chance he'd contact Dumbledore directly for support."
Minister Raghib pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned softly, leaning back in his chair. "This is madness…"
Yasif pressed on, undeterred. "And the goblins are charging four times what we could even dream of affording for an expedition, on to of being allowed to keep most of what they find. If we offer Lord Grey a smaller bounty, access to research materials, or a temporary artefact license instead of gold... we might even come out ahead."
Raghib let out a long sigh. "If, and that a big if, you can convince Lord Grey yourself to go into a tomb that's devoured half the curse-breakers in the past century, without angering him or demanding it like a service… then so be it." He held up a finger sharply before Yasif could cheer. "But if he declines, for any reason whatsoever, you will not press. He is in our country performing miracles for free. That, alone, has made our nation the envy of many in the ICW, having been visited before their own countries. I will not sour relations over your lust for filling coffers."
Yasif clutched his parchments excitedly and nodded. "Of course, Minister. You have my word."
"And if things don't go as well as I am hoping, you will only have yourself to blame," Raghib warned as an afterthought, insinuating that all the blame will be put on Yasif's feet, as it was his plan to begin with. Seeing the look of resolute greed on Yasif's features as he nodded told Raghib all he needed to know.
The man would do anything to get ahead. He would most likely just redirect the blame when it was placed on him, directing the attention at Dumbledore for not providing the boy with better protection. Possibly even mentioning that the boy and his guards could have always declined or asked Dumbledore himself for help, if he trusted the old man enough.
Layla gave Raghib a quiet, sceptical look, then rose and followed Yasif out, already muttering warnings about what curses were bound to a tomb designed to imprison self-proclaimed gods.
Left alone, Raghib muttered under his breath in Arabic. "Thoth help us… or help him if he actually agrees."
As much as he wanted to take the moral high ground, he himself sought the reputation that would be applied to his tenure as Minister of Magic.
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Cairo Central Magical Hospital
Jonathan Grey
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The wide marble steps of the hospital were bustling with chatter and cheer, with families embracing recovered loved ones, nurses milling around wheeling carts of supplies, and a few star-struck onlookers whispered excitedly as I stepped out into the sunlight, flanked on either side by a disguised Nicolas and Perenelle.
I couldn't help the tired but satisfied smile as I passed by the crowd, casually waving to a little boy who had just gotten his hearing back and saluting a healer who sent me a nod and appreciative smile. Before we could reach the bottom of the steps, a neatly robed man with a carefully trimmed beard and eager eyes stepped into our path, holding a rolled parchment at his side. One didn't need to be a genius to know he cared more about what I could do for him now rather than all the people I just healed.
"Lord Grey?" the man asked with a formal incline of the head. "My name is Yasif Haddar, Secretary of Finance in the Ministry of Magic of Egypt. Might I request a moment of your time?"
I gave the man a measured look. "Only a moment?" I said, allowing my lips to twitch with the faintest smirk. "Alright then, but you'll have to walk with us. Things to do and places to be and all that."
I gestured casually for Yasif to fall in step with us. Together, we began strolling down the mosaic-tiled path that led toward the main shopping area. Nothing indicated he was trying to attack or even leading us to a trap, so allowing him the chance for a little chat seemed fine for now. I was not accustomed to private requests to heal secret family members after all.
As we walked, I continued accepting small thanks from patients and staff alike. A few even kissed the hem of my robe. One elderly witch handed me a woven talisman of protection, which I tucked into my coat pocket with a nod of thanks.
Clearing his throat, Yasif began, having observed in silence enough. "Our Ministry has long struggled with a particular ancient tomb. Extremely dangerous. We've sent numerous curse-breakers over the years, all well-equipped and well-trained. But they've either returned as mangled remains or never returned at all."
I gave the kleptomaniac with the government backing a sideways glance. "So you're asking me," my brow arched, "a teenager, to go poking around in your tomb of doom?"
The reference to Indiana Jones went over his head as he smiled thinly. "With all due respect, my Lord… we've read the reports of your magical skill. You're more than capable. In fact, I'm surprised you have yet to file for your masteries."
Ignoring his attempt at trying for info on my Mastery, I gave him a shrug, slipping my hands into my pockets. "I'll take a look." Yasif's face lit up with relief, ready to offer thanks, but my raised finger put a stop to that. "But, everything found inside, every relic, scroll, warded chest, and magical artefact, falls under my authority. The magical knowledge I retrieve is mine to study or distribute at my discretion."
I could get the knowledge myself using the [Resurrection Stone], but someone had to make sure they didn't do a Herpo and try wiping out all life on the planet.
Yasif blinked. "...Of course," he said slowly, trying not to grit his teeth as he forced the professional smile to remain on his face, "and the gold or jewels -?"
I narrowed my eyes. "All wealth recovered will go into disabling any cursed objects and funding magical education for children across your country, or the world. The choice is yours. Fund scholarships. Don't stuff your vaults or hand it to nobles and politicians for dumb reasons."
Yasif winced. "We usually offer the goblins a fifty percent share and spread the rest around different departments in the Ministry-"
"I am no goblin," I cut in bluntly. "I don't want a cut. That's why this should be better for your government, not worse. Unfortunately, unless there are people struggling for food or shelter, those terms are non-negotiable."
We reached the edge of the path, where the footfall picked up significantly, with several Witches and Wizards going in and out of several different stores and restaurants. Yasif, recovering from the abrupt terms, gave a slightly breathless laugh and bowed his head as we took a left toward the food area we saw on our way to the hospital. "You drive a hard bargain, Lord Grey… but I imagine you know exactly what you're doing."
"I do," I confirmed shamelessly without missing a beat. "Send me the details when you have them ready. I'll take a look before we get started. But you should know we will only be staying for an extra day or two at most, so I would try to get it done sooner rather than later."
"…Indeed," he muttered, giving me one last bow before taking his leave. "Allow me to get started then."
He didn't ask where we would be. But the presence of the 'well-hidden' Aurors following us around was enough to let us know how he would be able to find us later.
Nicolas and Perenelle caught up to my speed to stand in line with me, with Nicolas whispering with amusement, "Haggling is much easier when you know the person you are haggling with has no other choices."
Perenelle smirked. "I think the Secretary of Finance might need to get a potion for all that grinding of his teeth. His molars won't last long if he continues doing that, especially at his age."
Ignoring the apparent jab at someone else's old age when they were centuries younger than her, I merely shook my head ruefully at the man's misfortune as I appreciated the Egyptian version of Diagon Alley, Souq Al-Nujum, the Market of Stars. Sun-drenched courtyards, archways carved with faded hieroglyphs, and narrow passageways.
The market was covered by unlit floating lanterns enchanted to activate when the sun went down. The air carried the scent of exotic spices, fresh dessert, and incense. All around I could hear sounds of haggling, but I was more focused on the feeling of the warm sun on my skin and the food. The ridiculous amounts of rain we get in Britain would make anyone want some sun once in a while.
We eventually found our way under a shaded awning of a restaurant carrying the smell of spices and charcoal for a meal, next to which laughing children could be heard as the call of a magical falconer showed off his trained birds to a cheering crowd. It was actually pretty cool seeing them do trick in the air and through hoops like a dog show.
A waiter set down our last order, a steaming bowl of molokhia with chicken and rice. Nicolas, forcing himself to put down the tablet, clapped softly in appreciation of the aromas, while Perenelle didn't even bother looking up from hers as she had eaten enough. They were so focused on knowledge gathering, they never even asked me about my new wand, which goes to show just how locked in they were.
The looks we were getting when people saw the tablets were downright ravenous, but the rule of family magic seemed to save us from too many questions for the time being.
Almost as if on cue, as I finished the last bite of a flaky meat pie, Yasif reappeared, now holding a leather-bound portfolio. "Apologies for disturbing your meal," he said smoothly with a smile gracing his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes, much like our first meeting. "I have made the relevant changes and was hoping to clarify one last point."
I dabbed at my mouth with a napkin before giving the man a neutral look. "Go on."
"The magical tomes and scrolls you may discover," Yasif said, setting the folder down on the table. "Surely, if only those are found, it would be unfair for Egypt to be left with nothing… considering their cultural and historical value."
He definitely spoke to people to ensure that if I did take them, I would be legally allowed to, but public opinion would make me the bad guy. But this was anticipated.
I leaned back in my chair as I steadily met his gaze, ignoring the other customers who seemed to recognise him and started whispering about our conversation. "If your Ministry is so concerned about fairness, then you'll be happy to hear I don't intend to hoard anything unnecessarily. My people will examine the texts first. If they're deemed safe, if they can be used for academic or practical use without risk, you'll have them."
I didn't bother with a ward to keep our conversation private, because he didn't either. So, if he wanted to play a game of public opinion, then so be it.
He took a seat in the available chair on our table, leaning forward slightly as I continued. "But if even one scroll threatens to cause temporal rifts, mind collapse, or seems destructive in any other manner, it stays with me. Some knowledge is dangerous, Yasif. You know that."
The Secretary of Finance held my gaze for a long moment, then gave a small, resigned nod as if the fact that he was here asking a literal teen didn't already indicate that he didn't have another choice.
"Of course. That is… reasonable. I'll include those terms in the revised contract."
Wait… what?
I watched in half confusion and half astonishment as the man got up, gave me a courteous bow, turned and disappeared the same way he arrived, briefcase in hand. He literally came back just to hash out what could have been hashed out over a short phone call… like an idiot. I mean, I get all it takes a quick [Apparition] to get from place to place, but that was just moronic. House elves were a thing after all.
I was starting to miss tech being in the hands of everyone walking around. The only drawback being that most will practically glue their eyes to their phones, not appreciating the fact that they have magic of all things.
I gave the man half an hour to return, ordering drinks to pass the time, and sure enough, he returned twenty minutes later. In his hand was the revised contract with a bold 'Tomb Raider' written on its front, its legitimacy magically marked with the golden seal of the Egyptian Ministry of Magic.
A part of me wondered if I had to look out for Lara Croft when I saw the title, but I shook the thought off as soon as it occurred, taking the document and flipping through it silently. My eyes moved quickly, scanning every clause, every provision, even as my magic checked for traps and curses. When he found nothing deceptive, nothing hidden in fine print, he summoned his wand and signed with a flick — glowing runes burning across the paper before fading into black ink.
"All settled." I handed it back with a nod, and the practised smile returned to his face as I retrieved a fountain pen from the [Hoard] and signed. "Now… where do we begin? Or rather, where did you have the others begin?"
Without missing a beat, Yasif practically yoinked the contract from my grasp and produced a thick file bound in protective enchantments. He placed it gently on the table and opened it, revealing detailed maps, ancient hieroglyphic transcriptions, moving photographs of excavation sites, and what appeared to be reports from the lost curse-breaker teams. The picture of the mangled mess that used to be Tomb Raiders, while unnecessary to most, was actually useful in identifying the types of causes that killed them, which was rather helpful for those who knew what to look for.
"This is everything we have. The tomb is believed to be beneath a long-buried section of an abandoned pyramid complex south of Saqqara. The last known coordinates are here." He tapped a point on the enchanted map. "Only one of the last five teams made it back, and he was incoherent. Kept repeating the phrase 'he never died… only slept' before succumbing to magical and mental trauma. He was actually one of the people you healed in the hospital, though he is still incoherent."
Yep, that sounded like we were dealing with a Horcrux. And much like Voldy, the pharaohs put protections in the form of curses in place as a safeguard.
Perenelle and Nicolas exchanged a glance.
"Well, this is going to be fun," Nicolas muttered with a raised brow, flagging a waiter to come over. "Do you by any chance have a bottle we can borrow?" He smiled at the inside joke while Perenelle and I just shook our heads good-naturedly. "I have a feeling we will be needing it soon."
I folded the file and placed it in the [Hoard] after memorising all I needed. "Then we'd better see if we can wake him up properly to have a chat." I made my way to my feet to address the finance bro, with the Flamels following suit, tablets and bottle in hand. "Let's go find your little tomb."
The sooner this was over with, the sooner I could get started on a real plan on how my dimension was going to look. It was one thing to improve [Essence of Home] when it was just a house, but an entire planet was a whole other beast.
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"I don't know, I'm making this up as I go."
— Indiana Jones.
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Hello There
I haven't seen the latest Indiana Jones movie yet, but I used to love the previous ones. You can't go wrong with Harrison Ford.
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