Chapter 3 The Knight Bus

stimulate was s foreveral streets amodal value before he collapsed onto a low w to each one in Magnolia Crescent, panting from the effort of force his organic structure. He sat instead still, anger still surging through and through him, listening to the frantic thumping of his heart. provided afterward ten legal proceeding alone in the dark street, a new emotion all overtook him panic. Whichever way he shadeed at it, he had never been in a worsened fix. He was stranded, quite alone, in the dark Muggle world, with absolutely promptlyhere to go. And the shoot of it was, he had effective done serious magic, which meant that he was approximately positive(predicate)ly expelled from Hogwarts. He had tough the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry so mediocrely, he was surprised Ministry of Magic re bewilderatives werent swooping beat on him where he sat. aro economic consumption shivered and looked up and down Magnolia Crescent.What, was divergence to go by t o him? Would he be ar last come discover of the closeted, or would he simply be stunned integrityed from the conjurering world? He image of Ron and Hermione, and his heart sank even lower. chivvy was sure that, criminal or non, Ron and Hermione would requirement to help him flat, however they were both abroad, and with Hedwig gone, he had no means of contacting them.He didnt rent any(prenominal) Muggle capital, either. There was a particular illusionist sumptuous in the money bag at the bottom of his trunk, merely the repose of the fortune his p atomic number 18nts had odd him was stored in a vault at Gringotts Wizarding depose in London. Hed never be able to drag his trunk solely the way to London. UnlessHe looked down at his scepter, which he was still clutching in his feed. If he was already expelled (his heart was. now thumping painfully quick), a bit more magic couldnt hurt. He had the invisibleness Cloak tree he had inherited from his father what if he be hexed the trunk to make it plumage-light, laced it to his broomstick, covered himself in the fit emerge, and flew to London? Then he could get the rest of his money erupt of his vault andbegin his life as an outcast. It was a horrible prospect, but he couldnt sit on this wall forever, or hed find himself trying to explain to Muggle pol ice-skating rink why he was out in the dead of night with a trunk full of patch books and a broomstick. enkindle undefended his trunk again and pushed the contents aside, face for the Invisibility Cloak but before he had anchor it, he straightened up fulminantly, looking around him once more.A funny quiver on the cover charge of his neck had made elicit feel he was being watched, but the street appeargond to be deserted, and no lights shone from any of the monstrous square houses.He bent over his trunk again, but almost immediately stood up once more, his overhaul clenched on his wand. He had sensed rather than heard it someone or some change stateg was standing in the determine gap between the garage and the fence behind him. harass squinted at the black alleyway. If nonwithstanding it would move, past hed know whether it was only when a stray cat or something else.Lumos, set upon 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 consequence two all of a sudden sparkled the garage room access gleamed, and between them Harry apothegm, quite distinctly, the hulking outline of something truly big, with wide, gleaming eyes.Harry stepped tushward. 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, rough, in the gutter.There was a deafening BANG, and Harry threw up his hands to shield his eyes against a sudden blinding lightWith a yell, he furled back onto the sidewalk, just in time. A second later, a gigantic pair of wheels and headlig hts screeched to a freeze exactly where Harry had just been lying. They belonged, as Harry saw when he raised his head, to a triple-decker, violently purple bus, which had appeared out of thin air. Gold lettering over the windshield spelled The gymnastic horse Bus.For a break sullen second, Harry wondered if he had been knocked silly by his fall. Then a firearmaging director in a purple uniform leapt out of the bus and began to intercommunicate loudly to the night.Welcome to the horse Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can make you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I bequeath 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 cardinal at most, with large , protruding ears and quite a few pimples.What were you doin down in that respect? utter Stan, dropping his professional manner.Fell over, utter 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 thrown out to break his fall was bleeding. He suddenly remembered why he had fallen over and turned around readily to stare at the alleyway between the garage and fence. The Knight Buss headlamps were fill up it with light, and it was empty.Choo lookin at? express Stan.There was a big black thing, tell Harry, pointing uncertainly into the gap. Like a dogbut massiveHe looked around at Stan, whose mouth was slightly open. With a aspect of unease, Harry saw Stans eyes move to the scar on Harrys forehead.Woss that on your ead? utter 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 e asy for them.Woss your name? Stan persisted.Neville Longbottom, said Harry, manifestation the first name that came into his head. So so this bus, he went on quickly, hoping to trouble Stan, did you theorize it goes anywhere?Yep, said Stan proudly, anywhere you like, long its on land. Cant 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? 11 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 cage balance on top, up the move of the bus.There were no seats instead, fractional a dozen brass bedsteads stood beside the curtained windows. Candles were burning in brackets beside each bed, illuminating t he 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 arm go in front of the steering wheel. This is our driver, grey sea eagleie Prang. This is Neville Longbottom, erne. ernie Prang, an elderly wizard wearing away in truth thick glasses, nodded to Harry, who nervously flattened his bangs again and sat down on his bed.Take er away, Ern, said Stan, sitting down in the armchair adjacent to Ernies.There was another tremendous BANG, and the near 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 tout ensemble different street. Stan was watching Harrys stupefied face with great enjoyment.This is where we was before you flagged us do wn, 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 determine nuffink, they don.Best go wake up brothel keeper 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 progressively nervous. Ernie didnt seem to ingest 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, existed 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 in that respect 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 off the ceiling to date.Stan had unfurled a copy of the Daily Prophet and was now training 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 news showStanley turned to the front page and chuckled.Sirius desolate, he said, nodding. Course e was on the Muggle news, Neville. Where you been? He gave a superior sort of chuckle at the unobjectionable look on Harrys face, removed the front page, and handed it to Harry.You oughta read the text file more, Neville.Harry held the paper up to the candlelight and readBLACK thus far AT LARGE Sirius abusive, possibly the most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding capture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today. We are doing all we can to recapture vague, said the pastor of Magic, Cornelius surround, this morning, and we beg the supernatural community to remain calm. duck has been criticized by some members of the International confederacy of Warlocks for informing the Muggle prime of life Minister of the crisis. Well, really, I had to, dont you know, said an irritable hedge in. Black is mad. Hes a danger to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Ministers assurance that he exit not breathe a word of honor of Blacks true identity to anyone. And lets face it whod beli eve 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 lives in fear of a massacre like that of twelve years ago, when Black off long dozen people with a single blaspheme. Harry looked into the shadowed eyes of Sirius Black, the only part of the sunken face that seemed alive. Harry had never met a vampire, but he had seen pictures of them in his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, and Black, with his waxy tweed 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 e choing.Even Stans pimples went white Ern jerked the steering wheel so hard that a whole farmhouse 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 apologetically.Yeah, said Stan, still rubbing his chest. Yeah, thats right. Very close to You-Know-Oo, they sayanyway, when little Arry potter around 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 control 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 laugh 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 short-winded 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 realize is chances against them Azkaban guards, eh, Ern?Ernie suddenly shivered. Talk about summat else, Stan, theres a good lad. The m Azkaban guards dig me the collywobbles.Stan range 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 carnal knowledge his passengers in a few nights time.Ear about that Arry fiddle? Blew up is aunt We ad im ere on the Knight Bus, dint we, Ern? E was tryin to run for itHe, Harry, 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 resembling fearful tone. Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, had spent two months there only last year. Harry wouldnt soon 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, scattering bushes and wastebaskets, telephone booths and trees, and Harry send, restless and miserable, on his feather bed. After a dapple, 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 bright to go.Finally, Harry was the only passenger left.Right 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 riff 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 Leaky 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 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. in front Harry could turn, he felt a hand on his shoulder. At the same time, Stan shouted, Blimey Ern, come ere Come ereHarry looked up at the proprietor of the hand on his shoulder and felt a bucketful of ice cascade into his stomach he had walked right into Cornelius ready, the Minister of Magic himself.Stan leapt onto the pavement beside them.What didja call Neville, Minister? he said excitedly. bull, 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 Guess oo Neville is, Ern Es Arry Potter I can see is scarYes, said Fudge testily, well, Im ver y glad the Knight Bus picked Harry up, but he and I need to step at heart 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 gobbler, the wizened, toothless landlord.Youve got him, Minister said Tom. Will you be abstracted anything? Beer? Brandy?Perhaps 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 passage that led from the bar.Bye, Neville called Stan.Fudge marched Harry along the narrow passag e after Toms lantern, and then into a small parlor. Tom clicked his fingers, 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 trousers of his bottle-green suit and sat down pivotal 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 apron over his nightshirt and bearing a tray of tea and crumpets. He set(p) 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 come backbut 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. without delay thenYou will be pleased to hear that we have dealt with the disastrous blowing-up of Miss Marjorie Dursley. Two members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Department were dispatched to Privet suit a few hours ago. Miss Dursley has been punctured and her memory has been modified. She has no memorial 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 surveying 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 sorry 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 C hristmas and easterly holidays.Harry unstuck his throat.I always stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and easterly 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 finalize where youre going to spend the last two weeks of your vacation. I suggest you take a room here at the Leaky Cauldron and string up on, blurted Harry. What about my retaliatement?Fudge blinked. Punishment?I broke the law Harry said. The Decree for the Restriction of Underage WizardryOh, my dear boy, were not going to punish you for a little thing like that cried Fudge, wafture his crumpet impatiently. It was an accident We do nt send people to Azkaban just for blowing up their auntsBut this didnt match at all with Harrys past dealings with the Ministry of Magic.Last year, I got an positive 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 fuss 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, surely it wasnt usual for the Minister of Magic himself to get inv olved 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 for me.Okay, said Harry slowly, but why?Dont want to lose you again, do we? said Fudge with a hearty laugh. No, no surmount 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 Ha rry, shaking it, had a sudden idea.Er Minister? Can I ask you something?Certainly, said Fudge with a smile.Well, third 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, said 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 handsome 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 highl y polished oak furniture, a cheerfully crackling fire and, perched on top of the pressing Hedwig Harry gasped.The snowy owl clicked her beak and fluttered down onto Harrys arm.Very brisk 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 ever-changing rapidly from deep, velvety blue to cold, steely gray and then, slowly, to pink uncertain 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.