Chapter 2: On the Knight Bus
Once out of the house, Hagrid headed towards the shore, with Harry following him. By the shore, was the wooden boat which the Dursleys and Harry had used earlier on to reach this isolated place, situated in the middle of the sea.
'Let's use this…I flew here… but not supposed to use magic when I've got yeh' explained Hagrid, waving at the boat.
Harry realized that if they used the boat, the Dursleys would have a hard time going back. But how could they get to Diagon Alley then? Harry smiled. The solution was so obvious. The journey will be rough and jerky but it was the only solution he could come up with. He raised his right hand, his wand hand. As expected, a big, double-decked bus appeared out of no-where and came to a standstill in front of him and Hagrid. Hagrid was apparently stunned as he made no move to get on the bus.
'Harry…. How did ya know...' asked Hagrid.
'Oh…I just put out my right hand to stretch...' explained Harry, as a matter-of-factly, trying to appear surprised, while at the same time trying to hide a smile by closing his mouth tightly, 'What is this bus?'
'It's called Knight Bus. It drives us the magical folks around. I have forgotten…Come… let's take the bus…' replied Hagrid, gesturing at the bus, apparently not suspicious of Harry at all.
Hagrid went on up the bus, with Harry following close behind him. As he trudged up the steps of the bus, Harry could feel his fringe sticking to the side of his sweaty forehead. With his fringe out of the way, the lighting shaped scar could be seen, clear and vivid on his forehead. Harry realized that Stan's eyes were staring at his forehead. Stan was the guy who distributes the Knight's bus tickets.
'Mr Potter! Is that you?' Stan exclaimed.
I had forgotten about the scar! Harry realized, quickly sweeping his fringe back down to cover his lightning shaped scar, with a quick movement of his hand.
'No…I am…' Harry started to reply.
'Yea, Stan' replied Hagrid, smiling brightly at Stan. 'We're going Diagon Alley.... buying Hogwarts's stuffs.'
'Nice to meet you, Mr Potter!' exclaimed Stan, shaking Harry's hand furiously.
Harry gave Stan a tight smile. He looked around the bus. He was glad there were no other passengers. He should have reminded Hagrid to keep his identity a secret to avoid any public attention. Since young, Harry was not one who was comfortable being the centre of attention. Dudley made sure of that. Stan then directed Harry and Hagrid to seats near the back of the bus. The bus started moving as they headed towards their seats. Sitting down, Harry looked out of the bus window. The bus was now at the edge of the sea. To Harry's amazement, the moment the bus touches the sea water, the bottom of the bus changes to a hull of a boat. Harry could feel the bus or rather boat now floating on the sea. A loud surprised gasp escaped from Harry's lips before he could hold it back. Harry had actually never travelled on the sea via Knight Bus before although he had heard about it. Harry felt Hagrid eyes on him. Harry turned to face Hagrid.
'It's interesting how it turns in to a boat isn't it?' said Hagrid, smiling, 'Yeh' know, it can even fly in the sky.'
'I could have taken the knight bus to travel to France, the other time when I had been dispatched by the Ministry to check up information on some Death Eaters!', Harry thought, feeling indignant at Hagrid's words, 'I could have save money on the plane ticket! Nobody bothers to tell me!'
It was not that Harry was in financial difficulties or anything, but just as Ginny had emphasized over and over again to Harry, with three kids to raised, every Knuts counts. At the thought of Ginny and the kids, he realized that he would missed them dearly if he could not get back to his time. He had to get back somehow…
'But... This bus could only take yeh around England.' said Hagrid, after the slight pause.
Hah, I did not waste any unnecessary money after all! thought Harry.
'By the way, Harry, aren't ya surprise that Stan knows you?' questioned Hagrid suddenly, interrupting Harry's train of thoughts.
'Yes. Why does he know me?' Harry asked back, yet again putting on his most surprised look on his face.
'I am not sure I should be the one telling ya' said Hagrid uncertainly, his eyes wavering away from Harry's, probably debating whether he should tell Harry the whole story.
'Go on' urged Harry, putting an encouraging arm on Hagrid's elbow.
Hagrid nodded. Hagrid's story was just as Harry had long ago known since he was eleven. His parents had been killed by the killing curse, Avada Kedavra, by Lord Voldemort. Harry however, had survived the killing curse as a one year old, becoming the boy who lived. The curse was instead reflected back to Lord Voldemort, 'killing' Lord Voldemort. As such, Harry became popular in the magical world for being the only one to survive the killing curse, and causing the downfall of Lord Voldemort.
The story reminded him of the many other deaths at the great battle at Hogwarts. Fred, Lupin, Tonks had all died during the battle. And…Sirius had also died during the battle at the Ministry. The thought of Sirius filled his mind again with an empty, sad feeling he had felt when he realized that Sirius was dead. Harry's realized that his sadness must had been reflected on his face, for Hagrid was now trying to comfort him. He must have thought I was mourning for my parents. Little did he know that there will be many deaths later on, Harry thought. Harry suddenly sat up when he realized the meaning of 'later on'. He could do something about those deaths. He could manipulate the events. He could save Sirius, Lupin Fred and the others. Sirius…. he would be to be able to see Sirius again. He would not let anyone die, if he could help it. Not this time round. Ginny and the kids could wait. Harry started to formulate plans in his head to thwart the rise of Lord Voldemort, keeping quiet throughout the rest of the bus journey.
'Harry, we have reached' said Hagrid, after what seemed like hours to Harry, 'Let's go!'
*Please Review!Thanks!* =)
*Note: I know that Knight Bus as stated by Stan in the book says that knight bus only travels on land, but I changed it to make it more interesting! =)*