Chapter 817 - 818

In Hogwarts, Hermione probably spent more time reading than Evan. She had gone through almost every book available in the library and even ordered numerous magical books. Evan remembered when he and Hermione first met; their initial conversations revolved around exchanging book lists.

After that, they never bought redundant books again. Hermione believed in making the most of their limited resources and exchanging knowledge efficiently, even using Hermione's textbooks for school. This wasn't solely because Hermione was his girlfriend; it was because Hermione had carefully marked those textbooks with key information and classroom notes.

What was particularly noteworthy was that Hermione's approach to reading differed from Evan's. She didn't have Evan's single-minded focus on acquiring magical books that could enhance his abilities. She delved into various subjects, including the history of magic and specialized topics. In this regard, Evan couldn't help but admire Hermione. Apart from him, no one else could probably achieve such breadth in their studies.

Whenever they discussed the Ravenclaw, Titans, or time magic, Hermione would mention the names of many books. She swiftly pored over these thick volumes, even though some primarily contained legendary tales with limited substantial content. However, they proved invaluable for gaining a deeper understanding of related subjects. Hermione planned to take these books to Egypt and read them during their journey. Her suitcase burst at the seams, so Evan had to contribute his bag to help carry the extra books.

As Evan saw Hermione squeezing her clothes and undergarments into his bag, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. It seemed that Hermione was relying on him to carry all her belongings. He imagined scenarios where Hermione would need to retrieve her underwear from his bag after showering and replacing her clothes.

No matter how one looked at it, Evan was increasingly looking forward to this trip. Whether in alchemy or in his relationship with Hermione, he felt that there was an opportunity to take things to the next level.

After a somewhat tense lunch, Evan and Hermione were dropped off at the airport to begin their journey to Egypt.

Egypt's capital, Cairo, stood on the banks of the radiant Nile River, one of the world's oldest cities. When people thought of Egypt, they often conjured images of pyramids, camels, golden sands, gods, and mysterious magic. They also imagined ancient ruins and relics. However, Evan's first impression upon disembarking from the plane was the intense heat.

Cairo was located in the southern part of the Nile River Delta and had a typical subtropical desert climate. In the summer, temperatures could soar up to 40 degrees Celsius. Evan had to use a spell to maintain the temperature of his body surface as sweat trickled down his cheeks.

Hermione, on the other hand, was brimming with curiosity. Although they hadn't left the airport yet, she couldn't help but look around and share interesting facts about Egypt, Cairo's landmarks, and local customs with Evan. They had seen the Pyramid complex from the airplane, and it was truly a marvel.

Surrounded by the expanse of golden sands, the grand mausoleums built by the ancient kings of Egypt were a testament to their past glory and majesty. Even now, Evan could sense the powerful magical aura that lingered around them. He had read in magical books that, starting from the first dynasty of Egypt, almost all the pharaohs were powerful ancient wizards possessing incredible powers. It was a common practice in ancient Egypt for royalty to unite political power, religion, and magical circles.

Among the many pyramids they had seen, the most famous were the three Pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo in Giza. Built by three pharaohs from the fourth dynasty, they were known as the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, with a history spanning over 4,000 years.

This era marked the beginning of a prosperous age for ancient Egypt and its magical masters, an age of unparalleled divine strength. Evan and Hermione had heard from Ron about the interior of the Pyramids. Apart from the publicly accessible burial chambers and passages, secret rooms were yet to be explained. These rooms were laden with curses beyond imagination. Progress was slow for the Curse-Breakers, and Gringotts had discovered a room in Khufu's Pyramid containing strange skeletons that had entered forcibly, likely by Muggles. This room was especially terrifying; several wizards who ventured inside were suddenly afflicted with extra heads.

To ensure safety, Mrs. Weasley had forbidden Bill from entering that Pyramid. Not far from the Pyramids, the Sphinx stood, a monument as famous as the Pyramids themselves. The Sphinx was a magical creature that existed in reality, a unique product of Egypt and the ancient Greek region. It could speak human languages and often posed riddles to passersby, devouring those who answered incorrectly.

Many archaeologists and magical historians believed that the Sphinx was based on the image of the creature Fink. Its face bore the likeness of a pharaoh, a symbol of authority. It wore the "Nemes" imperial crown, and the coiled snake relief carved into it represented the "Cobra" Saint. This was a long-lost legendary magical artifact, but unfortunately, after the nose had been damaged, the statue had lost all its magic, and modern wizards couldn't determine its precise purpose.

Apart from the Pyramids and the Sphinx, Egypt was particularly known for Pharaoh Ramesses II, often regarded as the most powerful pharaoh in history. He ruled during the 19th dynasty of Egypt and was known for his incredible strength, often considered divine.

Ramesses II left behind numerous relics and magical legacies that continue to influence the magical and Muggle worlds today.

The number of ancient vestiges and the abundance of gods in Egypt were beyond imagination. Throughout the nation, the remnants of ancient masters' magic were scattered. Egypt was a cherished tourist attraction for Muggles, giving them a taste of the country's rich history and the passing of time. Simultaneously, wizards held a special fondness for Egypt.

In cooperation with Gringotts Goblins, Wizard organizations regularly unearthed valuable items, money, and magic lost to time. Many powerful wizards secretly came to Egypt for great power and hidden knowledge. Nicolas Flamel was perhaps the most successful example. Several centuries ago, he explored Egypt, encountered the enlightenment of the ancient Prophet Abraham in the desert, and finally acquired the "Book of Abraham." This book allowed him to master advanced alchemy, leading to his legendary six-hundred-year lifespan.

Evan's goals were not driven by greed for ancient treasures or wealth. This was a purely exploratory journey. He and Hermione had come to Egypt to experience the secrets of the Emerald Tablet, hoping not to encounter any fearful ancient gods or unknown monsters.

"I did some research before coming!" Hermione said, presenting a stack of very thick parchment. "I've compiled a list of all the worth-seeing places in Egypt, several hundred of them, and that's just a portion of Cairo."

"That sounds great!" Evan replied, scanning the dense records. Hermione had indeed put in a lot of effort.

"We definitely can't see them all, but some places are a must, such as the Pyramids, Egyptian Gringotts, the magical school at Karnak, the Nile River dam, the Egyptian Museum, the living and dead cities..."

Hermione suddenly put down the parchment and turned to Evan seriously. "Evan, Voldemort has returned, and everyone is preparing for the impending war. Is it really a good time for us to travel to Egypt?"

"There's nothing to worry about, Hermione. We're not just here for sightseeing. Alchemy can greatly help defeat ancient gods," Evan said, squeezing Hermione's hand and pulling her forward. "As I mentioned, this trip can help you learn Animagus transformation. You've met all the requirements, and we can start tonight."

As they made their way through customs, Evan and Hermione encountered a slight problem with an Egyptian official who intended to stop them. Evan managed to resolve the issue with a Confundus Charm, causing the official to let them pass in a daze. Once they exited, they found Bill Weasley waiting for them.

Bill appeared as he did before, with a cool demeanor, tall stature, long hair tied in a ponytail, and an earring dangling from his ear. He wore a sky-blue outfit that was not a wizard's robe but different from ordinary Muggle clothing. Even though the outfit would not be out of place at a rock and roll concert, the boots were made of dragon leather.

"How are you, Evan and Hermione?" Bill greeted them warmly, waving as he approached them. "How was the trip? Traveling by Muggle means is truly an unforgettable experience. What do they call those large broomsticks?"

"Hello, Bill," Hermione replied politely. "Those are not broomsticks, but airplanes. They use engines for propulsion, making them similar to cars. It's a scientific..."

"Science, it's truly mysterious. I've been studying these contraptions," Bill replied, gazing out the large airplane window. "I usually use the Floo Network to return to Britain, but I might try this mode of transportation next time."

It was clear that he had inherited some of Mr. Weasley's fascination with Muggle technology.

"We should probably leave this area," Evan suggested, noticing that many Muggles were curiously eyeing them.

"Come on, I'll help you experience Egypt," Bill said, leading Evan and Hermione outside. "I've arranged a place for you. You should know that in Egypt, wizards don't fly on broomsticks; we typically use flying carpets."

As they walked outside the airport, Bill also inquired about the current situation in Britain. He seemed to be planning to return to Britain to join the front lines in the battle against Voldemort.

When no one was around, he Apparated Evan and Hermione with a loud bang. Evan found himself in an inn blending ancient Egyptian and Arabic styles. It differed from the dark and dingy small pubs often seen in British or French magical circles. The inn was spacious and well-lit, exuding a unique foreign charm. The floor was made of pristine white marble, and a magnificent bronze front desk greeted them. Giant and plain stone carvings adorned the surroundings, while colorful curtains and tapestries hung on the walls. Expensive decorations were scattered throughout the space. In front of the inn, the Pyramids and Sphinx were visible in the distance.

"Is this the place?" Hermione asked, taking in the hall's grandeur, adorned with massive stone columns engraved with hieroglyphics.

"It's the Explorer Inn," Bill confirmed. "This used to be a palace during ancient times, belonging to a pharaoh from the 17th dynasty. Now, it's managed by Gringott Goblins and is quite popular. Wizards who visit Cairo often stay here. I've booked two rooms for you."

"We might need to book two more. We have friends coming—Fleur and Gabrielle from Beauxbatons," Evan explained.

Evan was pleased with the environment, which seemed to be managed more efficiently by Goblins compared to wizards.

"Sorry, Mr. Weasley, all the rooms are booked. The earliest available booking would be next month," the elderly Goblin said, wrinkling his nose. "Due to the recent discovery of new archaeological sites, many people have been coming..."