Chapter 3 The Knight Bus

chevy was s of all timeal streets away before he collapsed onto a base groin in Magnolia Crescent, panting from the effort of dragging his t rangek. He sat quite still, anger still surging through him, bewargoning to the frantic banging of his heart.But after ten minutes alone in the dark street, a new emotion all overtook him panic. Whichever way he looked at it, he had neer been in a worse fix. He was stranded, quite alone, in the dark Muggle world, with absolutely directlyhere to go. And the worst of it was, he had just done serious magic, which meant that he was almost certainly expelled from Hogwarts. He had broken the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry so badly, he was surprised Ministry of Magic representatives werent swooping land on him where he sat. get at shivered and looked up and down Magnolia Crescent.What, was going to happen to him? Would he be arrested, or would he simply be come to the forelawed from the superstaring world? He position of Ro n and Hermione, and his heart sank even lower. kindle was sure that, criminal or not, Ron and Hermione would want to help him now, notwithstanding they were both abroad, and with Hedwig gone, he had no means of contacting them.He didnt select any Muggle money, either. at that place was a little charming flamboyant in the money bag at the bottom of his trunk, alone the rest of the fortune his parents had leave him was stored in a vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank in London. Hed never be adequate to drag his trunk all the way to London. UnlessHe looked down at his truncheon, which he was still clutching in his hand. If he was al use upy expelled (his heart was. now thumping painfully fast), a bit more magic couldnt hurt. He had the Invisibility Cloak he had inherited from his father what if he bewitched the trunk to make it feather-light, tied it to his broomstick, covered himself in the cloak, and flew to London? Then he could get the rest of his money away of his vault a ndbegin his life as an come forthcast. It was a horrible prospect, but he couldnt sit on this wall forever, or hed find himself trying to explain to Muggle police why he was out in the dead of night with a trunk full of speckle books and a broomstick.Harry opened his trunk again and pushed the contents aside, looking for the Invisibility Cloak but before he had found it, he straightened up suddenly, looking around him erstwhile more.A funny prickling on the back of his neck had made Harry feel he was being watched, but the street appeared to be deserted, and no lights shone from any of the large square ho maps.He bent over his trunk again, but almost immediately stood up once more, his hand clenched on his wand. He had sensed rather than heard it several(prenominal)one or something was standing in the narrow gap between the service department and the fence behind him. Harry squinted at the black back street. If only it would move, then hed know whether it was just a stray cat or something else.Lumos, Harry muttered, and a light appeared at the end of his wand, almost dazzling him. He held it high over his head, and the pebble-dashed walls of number two suddenly sparkled the garage entry gleamed, and between them Harry saw, quite distinctly, the hulking outline of something in truth big, with wide, gleaming eyes.Harry stepped backward. His legs hit his trunk and he tripped. His wand flew out of his hand as he flung out an arm to break his fall, and he landed, hard, in the gutter.There was a deafening BANG, and Harry threw up his hands to shield his eyes against a sudden blatant lightWith a yell, he rolled back onto the pavement, just in time. A second later, a gigantic pair of wheels and headlights screeched to a halt but where Harry had just been lying. They belonged, as Harry saw when he raised his head, to a triple-decker, violently purple passenger car, which had appeared out of thin air. Gold lettering over the windshield spelled The gymnastic horse Bus.For a split second, Harry wondered if he had been knocked silly by his fall. Then a conductor in a purple analogous leapt out of the bus and began to speak loudly to the night.Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I will be your conductor this eveThe conductor stopped abruptly. He had just caught sight of Harry, who was still sitting on the ground. Harry snatched up his wand again and scrambled to his feet. Close up, he saw that Stan Shunpike was only a few years older than he was, eighteen or nineteen at most, with large, protruding ears and quite a few pimples.What were you doin down in that respect? hypothesise Stan, dropping his professional manner.Fell over, express Harry.Choo fall over for? sniggered Stan.I didnt do it on purpose, verbalise Harry, annoyed. One of the knees in his jeans was torn, and the hand he had propel out to break his fall was bleeding. He suddenly remembered why he had fallen over and turned around quickly to stare at the alleyway between the garage and fence. The Knight Buss headlamps were flooding it with light, and it was empty.Choo lookin at? state Stan.There was a big black thing, utter Harry, pointing uncertainly into the gap. Like a suction stopbut massiveHe looked around at Stan, whose mouth was slightly open. With a feeling of unease, Harry saw Stans eyes move to the scar on Harrys forehead.Woss that on your ead? express Stan abruptly.Nothing, said Harry quickly, flattening his hair over his scar. If the Ministry of Magic was looking for him, he didnt want to make it too easy for them.Woss your name? Stan persisted.Neville Longbottom, said Harry, saying the first name that came into his head. So so this bus, he went on quickly, hoping to distract Stan, did you say it goes anywhere?Yep, said Stan proudly, anywhere you like, long its on land. C ant do nuffink underwater.Ere, he said, looking suspicious again, you did flag us down, dincha? Stuck out your wand and, dincha?Yes, said Harry quickly. Listen, how much would it be to get to London?Eleven Sickles, said Stan, but for firteen you get ot chocolate, and for fifteen you get an ot-water bottle an a toofbrush in the color of your choice.Harry rummaged once more in his trunk, extracted his money bag, and shoved some gold into Stans hand. He and Stan then lifted his trunk, with Hedwigs coop balanced on top, up the steps of the bus.There were no seats instead, half a dozen impertinence bedsteads stood beside the curtained windows. Candles were burning in brackets beside each bed, illuminating the wood-paneled walls. A tiny wizard in a nightcap at the rear of the bus muttered, Not now, thanks, Im pickling some slugs and rolled over in his sleep.You ave this one, Stan whispered, shoving Harrys trunk under the bed right behind the driver, who was sitting in an armchair in fro nt of the steering wheel. This is our driver, gray sea eagleie Prang. This is Neville Longbottom, Ern.Ernie Prang, an elderly wizard wearing very thick glasses, nodded to Harry, who nervously shape his bangs again and sat down on his bed.Take er away, Ern, said Stan, sitting down in the armchair next to Ernies.There was another tremendous BANG, and the next moment Harry found himself flat on his bed, thrown backward by the speed of the Knight Bus. Pulling himself up, Harry stared out of the dark window and saw that they were now bowling along a alone different street. Stan was watching Harrys stunned human slip with great enjoyment.This is where we was before you flagged us down, he said. Where are we, Ern? Somewhere in Wales?Ar, said Ernie.How come the Muggles dont hear the bus? said Harry.Them said Stan contemptuously. Don listen properly, do they? Don look properly either. Never notice nuffink, they don.Best go wake up Madam Marsh, Stan, said Ern. Well be in Abergavenny in a minute.Stan passed Harrys bed and disappeared up a narrow wooden staircase. Harry was still looking out of the window, feeling increasingly nervous. Ernie didnt seem to have mastered the use of a steering wheel. The Knight Bus kept mounting the pavement, but it didnt hit anything lines of lampposts, mailboxes, and trash cans jumped out of its way as it approached and back into position once it had passed.Stan came back downstairs, followed by a faintly green witch wrapped in a traveling cloak.Ere you go, Madam Marsh, said Stan happily as Ern stamped on the brake and the beds slid a foot or so toward the front of the bus. Madam Marsh clamped a handkerchief to her mouth and tottered down the steps. Stan threw her bag out after her and rammed the doors shut there was another loud BANG, and they were thundering down a narrow country lane, trees leaping out of the way.Harry wouldnt have been able to sleep even if he had been traveling on a bus that didnt keep banging loudly and jumping a hundred miles at a time. His stomach churned as he fell back to wondering what was going to happen to him, and whether the Dursleys had managed to get Aunt Marge glum the ceiling yet.Stan had unfurled a replicate of the Daily Prophet and was now reading with his tongue between his teeth. A large photograph of a sunken-faced man with long, matted hair blinked slowly at Harry from the front page. He looked strangely familiar.That man Harry said, forgetting his troubles for a moment. He was on the Muggle newsStanley turned to the front page and chuckled.Sirius swart, he said, nodding. line of products e was on the Muggle news, Neville. Where you been?He gave a superior sort of chuckle at the blank look on Harrys face, removed the front page, and handed it to Harry.You oughta read the papers more, Neville.Harry held the paper up to the candlelight and readBLACK STILL AT LARGE Sirius Black, possibly the most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding c apture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today. We are doing all we can to recapture Black, said the Minister of Magic, Cornelius confuse, this morning, and we beg the magical association to remain calm. Fudge has been criticized by some members of the International Federation of Warlocks for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis. Well, really, I had to, dont you know, said an irritable Fudge. Black is mad. Hes a riskiness to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Ministers assurance that he will not breathe a word of Blacks true identity to anyone. And lets face it whod believe him if he did? While Muggles have been told that Black is carrying a gun (a kind of metal wand that Muggles use to kill each other), the magical community of interests lives in fear of a massacre like that of twelve years ago, when Black murdered thirteen people with a single chap. Harry looked into the faint eyes of Sirius Black, the only part of the sunken face that seem ed alive. Harry had never met a vampire, but he had seen run intos of them in his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, and Black, with his impressible white skin, looked just like one.Scary-lookin fing, inee? said Stan, who had been watching Harry read.He murdered thirteen people? said Harry, handing the page back to Stan, with one curse?Yep, said Stan, in front of witnesses an all. Broad daylight. Big trouble it caused, dinnit, Ern?Ar, said Ern darkly.Stan swiveled in his armchair, his hands on the back, the better to look at Harry.Black woz a big supporter of You-Know-Oo, he said.What, Voldemort? said Harry, without thinking.Even Stans pimples went white Ern jerked the steering wheel so hard that a full-page farm ingleside had to jump aside to avoid the bus.You outta your tree? yelped Stan. Choo say is name for?Sorry, said Harry hastily. Sorry, I I forgot Forgot said Stan weakly. Blimey, my earts goin that fastSo so Black was a supporter of You-Know-Who? Harry prompted apol ogetically.Yeah, said Stan, still rubbing his chest. Yeah, thats right. Very close to You-Know-Oo, they sayanyway, when little Arry Potter got the better of You-Know-Oo Harry nervously flattened his bangs down again all You-Know-Oos supporters was tracked down, wasnt they, Ern? Most of em knew it was all over, wiv You-Know-Oo gone, and they came quiet. But not Sirius Black. I eard he thought ed be second-in-command once You-Know-Oo ad taken over.Anyway, they cornered Black in the middle of a street full of Muggles an Black took out is wand and e blasted alf the street apart, an a wizard got it, an so did a dozen Muggles what got in the way. Orrible, eh? An you know what Black did then? Stan continued in a dramatic whisper.What? said Harry.Laughed, said Stan. Jus stood there an laughed. An when reinforcements from the Ministry of Magic got there, e went wiv em quiet as anyfink, still laughing is ead off. Cos es mad, inee, Ern? Inee mad?If he werent when he went to Azkaban, he will be now, said Ern in his slow voice. Id blow meself up before I set foot in that place. Serves him right, mind youafter what he didThey ad a job coverin it up, din they, Ern? Stan said. Ole street blown up an all them Muggles dead. What was it they said ad appened, Ern?Gas explosion, grunted Ernie.An now es out, said Stan, examining the newspaper picture of Blacks g auntie face again. Never been a breakout from Azkaban before, as there, Ern? Beats me ow e did it. Frightenin, eh? Mind, I dont fancy is chances against them Azkaban guards, eh, Ern?Ernie suddenly shivered. Talk some summat else, Stan, theres a good lad. Them Azkaban guards give me the collywobbles.Stan put the paper away reluctantly, and Harry leaned against the window of the Knight Bus, feeling worse than ever. He couldnt help imagining what Stan might be telling his passengers in a few nights time.Ear about that Arry Potter? Blew up is aunt We ad im ere on the Knight Bus, dint we, Ern? E was tryin to run for itHe, Har ry, had broken wizard law just like Sirius Black. Was inflating Aunt Marge bad enough to land him in Azkaban? Harry didnt know anything about the wizard prison, though everyone hed ever heard speak of it did so in the same fearful tone. Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, had spent two months there only last year. Harry wouldnt presently forget the look of terror on Hagrids face when he had been told where he was going, and Hagrid was one of the bravest people Harry knew.The Knight Bus rolled through the darkness, sprinkling bushes and wastebaskets, telephone booths and trees, and Harry impersonate, restless and miserable, on his feather bed. After a while, Stan remembered that Harry had paid for hot chocolate, but poured it all over Harrys pillow when the bus moved abruptly from Anglesea to Aberdeen. One by one, wizards and witches in dressing gowns and slippers descended from the upper floors to leave the bus. They all looked very rejoiced to go.Finally, Harry was the only passen ger odd. the right way then, Neville, said Stan, clapping his hands, whereabouts in London?Diagon Alley, said Harry.Righto, said Stan. Old tight, then.BANG.They were thundering along Charing Cross Road. Harry sat up and watched buildings and benches squeezing themselves out of the Knight Buss way. The sky was getting a little lighter. He would lie low for a couple of hours, go to Gringotts the moment it opened, then set off where, he didnt know.Ern slammed on the brakes and the Knight Bus skidded to a halt in front of a small and shabby-looking pub, the tattling(a) Cauldron, behind which lay the magical entrance to Diagon Alley.Thanks, Harry said to Ern.He jumped down the steps and helped Stan lower his trunk and Hedwigs cage onto the pavement.Well, said Harry. Bye thenBut Stan wasnt paying(a) attention. Still standing in the doorway to the bus) he was goggling at the shadowy entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.There you are, Harry, said a voice.Before Harry could turn, he felt a hand on his get up. At the same time, Stan shouted, Blimey Ern, come ere Come ereHarry looked up at the owner of the hand on his shoulder and felt a bucketful of ice cascade into his stomach he had walked right into Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic himself.Stan leapt onto the pavement beside them.What didja call Neville, Minister? he said excitedly.Fudge, a portly little man in a long, pinstriped cloak, looked cold and exhausted.Neville? he repeated, frowning. This is Harry Potter.I knew it Stan shouted gleefully. Ern Ern hypothesis oo Neville is, Ern Es Arry Potter I can see is scarYes, said Fudge testily, well, Im very glad the Knight Bus picked Harry up, but he and I need to step inside the Leaky Cauldron nowFudge increased the pressure on Harrys shoulder, and Harry found himself being steered inside the pub. A stooping figure bearing a lantern appeared through the door behind the bar. It was Tom, the wizened, toothless landlord.Youve got him, Minister said Tom. Will you be w anting anything? Beer? Brandy? maybe a pot of tea, said Fudge, who still hadnt let go of Harry.There was a loud scraping and puffing from behind them, and Stan and Ern appeared, carrying Harrys trunk and Hedwigs cage and looking around excitedly.Ow come you dint tell us oo you are, eh, Neville? said Stan, beaming at Harry, while Ernies owlish face peered interestedly over Stans shoulder.And a private parlor, please, Tom, said Fudge pointedly.Bye, Harry said miserably to Stan and Ern as Tom beckoned Fudge toward the career that led from the bar.Bye, Neville called Stan.Fudge marched Harry along the narrow passage after Toms lantern, and then into a small parlor. Tom clicked his hitchs, a fire burst into life in the grate, and he bowed himself out of the room.Sit down, Harry, said Fudge, indicating a chair by the fire.Harry sat down, feeling goose bumps rising up his arms despite the glow of the fire. Fudge took off his pinstriped cloak and tossed it aside, then hitched up the trous ers of his bottle-green suit and sat down opposite Harry.I am Cornelius Fudge, Harry. The Minister of Magic.Harry already knew this, of course he had seen Fudge once before, but as he had been wearing his fathers Invisibility Cloak at the time, Fudge wasnt to know that.Tom the innkeeper reappeared, wearing an proscenium wall over his nightshirt and bearing a tray of tea and crumpets. He placed the tray on a table between Fudge and Harry and left the parlor, closing the door behind him.Well, Harry, said Fudge, pouring out tea, youve had us all in a right flap, I dont mind telling you. Running away from your aunt and uncles house like that Id started to thinkbut youre safe, and thats what matters.Fudge buttered himself a crumpet and pushed the plate toward Harry.Eat, Harry, you look dead on your feet. Now thenYou will be pleased to hear that we have dealt with the unfortunate blowing-up of Miss Marjorie Dursley. Two members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Department were dispatched to Privet Drive a few hours ago. Miss Dursley has been punctured and her depot has been modified. She has no recollection of the incident at all. So thats that, and no harm done.Fudge smiled at Harry over the rim of his teacup, rather like an uncle appraise a favorite nephew. Harry, who couldnt believe his ears, opened his mouth to speak, couldnt think of anything to say, and closed it again.Ah, youre worrying about the reaction of your aunt and uncle? said Fudge. Well, I wont deny that they are extremely angry, Harry, but they are prepared to take you back next summer as long as you stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays.Harry unstuck his throat.I always stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays, he said, and I dont ever want to go back to Privet Drive.Now, now, Im sure youll feel differently once youve calmed down, said Fudge in a worried tone. They are your family, after all, and Im sure you are fond of each other er very deep down.It didnt occur to Harry to put Fudge right. He was still waiting to hear what was going to happen to him now.So all that remains, said Fudge, now buttering himself a second crumpet, is to decide where youre going to spend the last two weeks of your vacation. I suggest you take a room here at the Leaky Cauldron andHang on, blurted Harry. What about my punishment?Fudge blinked. Punishment?I broke the law Harry said. The Decree for the Restriction of Underage WizardryOh, my just boy, were not going to punish you for a little thing like that cried Fudge, waving his crumpet impatiently. It was an accident We dont send people to Azkaban just for blowing up their auntsBut this didnt rival at all with Harrys past dealings with the Ministry of Magic.Last year, I got an official warning just because a house-elf smashed a pudding in my uncles house he told Fudge, frowning. The Ministry of Magic said Id be expelled from Hogwarts if there was any more magic thereUnless Harrys eyes were deceiving him, Fudge was suddenly looking awkward.Circumstances change, HarryWe have to take into accountin the present climateSurely you dont want to be expelled?Of course I dont, said Harry.Well then, whats all the bunco about? laughed Fudge. Now, have a crumpet, Harry, while I go and see if Toms got a room for you.Fudge strode out of the parlor and Harry stared after him. There was something extremely odd going on. Why had Fudge been waiting for him at the Leaky Cauldron, if not to punish him for what hed done? And now Harry came to think of it, for sure it wasnt usual for the Minister of Magic himself to get involved in matters of underage magic?Fudge came back, accompanied by Tom the innkeeper.Room elevens free, Harry, said Fudge. I think youll be very comfortable. just one thing, and Im sure youll understandI dont want you wandering off into Muggle London, all right? Keep to Diagon Alley. And youre to be back here before dark each night. Sure youll understand. Tom will be keeping an eye on you f or me.Okay, said Harry slowly, but why?Dont want to lose you again, do we? said Fudge with a hearty laugh. No, nobest we know where you areI meanFudge cleared his throat loudly and picked up his pinstriped cloak.Well, Ill be off, plenty to do, you knowHave you had any luck with Black yet? Harry asked.Fudges finger slipped on the silver fastenings of his cloak.Whats that? Oh, youve heard well, no, not yet, but its only a matter of time. The Azkaban guards have never yet failedand they are angrier than Ive ever seen them.Fudge shuddered slightly.So, Ill say good-bye.He held out his hand and Harry, shaking it, had a sudden idea.Er Minister? Can I ask you something?Certainly, said Fudge with a smile.Well, terzetto years at Hogwarts are allowed to visit Hogsmeade, but my aunt and uncle didnt sign the permission form. Dyou think you could ?Fudge was looking uncomfortable.Ah, he said. No, no, Im very sorry, Harry, but as Im not your parent or guardian But youre the Minister of Magic, sa id Harry eagerly. If you gave me permissionNo, Im sorry, Harry, but rules are rules, said Fudge flatly.Perhaps youll be able to visit Hogsmeade next year. In fact, I think its best if you dontyeswell, Ill be off. Enjoy your stay, Harry.And with a last smile and shake of Harrys hand, Fudge left the room. Tom now moved forward, beaming at Harry.If youll follow me, Mr. Potter, he said, Ive already taken your things upHarry followed Tom up a bountiful wooden staircase to a door with a brass number eleven on it, which Tom unlocked and opened for him.Inside was a very comfortable-looking bed, some highly polished oak furniture, a cheerfully crackling fire and, perched on top of the wardrobe Hedwig Harry gasped.The snowy owl clicked her schnozzle and fluttered down onto Harrys arm.Very smart owl youve got there, chuckled Tom. Arrived about five minutes after you did. If theres anything you need, Mr. Potter, dont hesitate to ask.He gave another bow and left.Harry sat on his bed for a long time, absentmindedly stroking Hedwig. The sky outside the window was changing rapidly from deep, velvety blue to cold, steely gray and then, slowly, to exploit shot with gold. Harry could hardly believe that hed left Privet Drive only a few hours ago, that he wasnt expelled, and that he was now facing two completely Dursley-free weeks.Its been a very weird night, Hedwig, he yawned.And without even removing his glasses, he slumped back onto his pillows and fell asleep.