LIFELINE | 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙮 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙮

▪︎ 42.

Eliza gasped.

"James!" She exclaimed, "Wha – you – ?"

James chuckled. "Don't worry, love, I'd be speechless if I saw me as well." He said.

"Oh, shut up." Claire said from behind.

"I guess she'll be even more surprised now." Another voice came.

Eliza's brows flew up as she heard Rehan's voice before he came into view.

She immediately wheeled back to Claire. "You planned this?" She asked.

Rehan scoffed. "Don't give her all the credit. We helped, too! By showing up!" He said sarcastically.

Claire shrugged, grinning. "Well, I thought it'd be nice because, you know, we four would've never been friends if it weren't for you."

"Plus, you're the youngest kid." James teased.

"Nah, James, you hold that title because your brain is the same age as a two-year old."

James rolled his eyes, and the three laughed. It was probably Eliza's best birthday ever.

All four of them went downstairs and enjoyed themselves. Claire's parents came down too, and so did Jacob. It was like a small party but Eliza enjoyed it so very much.

It became even more enjoyable when her parents came off early and joined the celebrations.

They all ate, and since everyone in the room was of age, they drank as well.

That day was truly the most entertaining one as she was surrounded by almost everyone she loved and cared about. It was by far the best celebration ever, and she felt like it was a gift itself.

The only thing missing was Percy and how much she wished that he was here, with her.

***

Egypt was simply amazing. For a change, instead of seeing the crooked rooms of the Burrow, Percy saw giant pyramids, temples, and museums. A look of boyish wonder fell over him whenever they looked up to see the tip of the pyramids, wondering how they built them. Magic, probably, because there was no way Muggles could've built all this manually in that Era. It was practically impossible.

They had to dress incognito because even though Egypt housed Wizards, the Muggle population was also large, and they didn't want to attract too much attention with cloaks in the hot sun.

"C'mon!" Bill said loudly to the rest of his family, "Next is the Pyramids of Giza. They're a sight to see, really."

"Are there mummies?" Ginny asked, fanning herself.

Fred snickered, "What are you talking about, Gin? Mum is right here." He said.

"Oh, ho-ho," Molly replied sternly. "I'll become a mummy if your grades don't start to pick up." She said, ruffling Fred's hair, affectionately.

"Yes," Percy said, "It's your O.W.L. year and my N.E.W.T. year. You both better not disturb me." He added, pointing at the twins who rolled their eyes.

All nine Weasleys gathered around a battered watering can, their portkey, to the city Giza to visit the two most popular attractions, the Pyramids and the Necropolis.

"There it is," Bill said as they arrived, making his father clap in excitement.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! And Muggles have no idea that this is all magic?" Arthur boomed.

Molly slapped his arm slightly, "Don't shout, Arthur! International code of secrecy!"

"Right – er – sorry, Molly," He said and turned again excitedly.

"Keep close, Ginny, I don't like the sound of you around dead skeletons." Molly said, holding her daughter's hand.

"But mum! I'm twelve years old!"

Meanwhile, Ron, during the entire trip, was getting more and more irritated with Percy. Owls came in regularly for him from Eliza, and Ron turned pink every time Percy asked why he cared.

"They're just annoying, alright?" Ron said, "Ouch, Scabbers! Are you alright?" He asked his rat, who squeaked as Molly and Ginny started discussing about Sirius Black, the escaped prisoner.

"Where's your badge, Perce?" George asked as he and Fred walked on either side of Percy.

Percy pushed up his glasses, his ears red from the heat. "Why do you want?" He asked, frowning.

"Oh, just asking. So that we can help you to keep it safe." Fred replied innocently.

"I don't have it. I gave it to Alexandera." Percy lied as they went in the pyramid, a coolness washing through.

"Your girlfriend? Why?" George asked.

"So that you both can't steal it. Now, go away." He said, examining the chambers inside. But the twins didn't. They kept teasing him all the time inside the pyramid, springing up the question of his badge so that he might slip up.

As they toured, Arthur, Molly, Ginny grouping, Bill, Charlie, and Ron, while the twins and Percy grouped, they couldn't deny that it was splendid.

Percy, who was trying to tune out Fred and George, bent down to shift a rock to the side to that visitors don't accidentally hit it and stub their toes. But, as he did so, his badge fell.

"What a liar you are, Perce." Fred said as he picked it up promptly, snickering, running away.

"Come back here, Fred!" Percy shouted scandalized.

Arthur gathered everyone around, "Let's go to the Necropolis, come on." He said as all of them walked towards the exit.

Fred and George juggled the Head Boy badge between them, sticking out their tongue, as they ushered behind, Percy running after them.

"Give it back! It's mine!" Percy fought as the twins kept pushing him inside, attempting to lock him in.

The twins laughed as they kept trying to lock him in.

"It's not funny! Stop it!" Percy said as he pushed them back, but it was two against one, a twin pushing him off and a twin near the door ready to shut the door.

"FRED! GEORGE!" Molly shouted, fuming as she looked back, and she saw them trying to shut Percy inside. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? NO SENSE AT ALL!"

The twins huffed and let Percy go. He glared at Fred and George, sticking his hand out for his badge. Reluctantly, George gave his badge back under his mother's stern gaze.

Percy who was very angry, marched behind his mother, pining his badge onto his shirt.

The twins jogged behind him, grinning.

"Go, away." Percy snapped. "You guys are not funny."

"Oh come on, Perce, you really didn't think we'd shut you in, did you?"

"I did."

"You're right. We would've."