See prologue for disclaimer.
Chapter 1
London busses are famous the world over, well known for amongst other things being bright red in colour. For those who have never experienced travel on them, the transport service they provide to the British capital is invaluable. It doesn't matter what time you crawl out of a club or pub, there will be a bus at some point that you can catch which will get you home. It may not be by the quickest of routes, but it is relatively reliable - within reason.
Hermione Granger loved London busses. Her father had often taken her travelling through London on the top of one of their double-deckers. To her the Knight Bus was nowhere near as exhilarating as travelling on a normal muggle bus. Especially a London bus. That was one of the reasons she had routinely caught a muggle bus on her way into work at the Ministry. Conveniently for her there was a bus stop not far from the entry to the Ministry office where she worked.
Wiping her eyes Hermione set off for her bus. She could have apparated to the spot - but where was the fun in that? Hermione reasoned. She was, after all about to break one of the Ministry's most sacred rules, and consequently, the logical side of her argued that if she was going to break it - she may as well break it properly.
Hermione failed to notice that her logical side was not at its best after the day she had experienced.
Climbing aboard another bus that would take her to her destination Hermione chose to sit on the top floor - her usual choice on any bus if it was available. Although the stairs had always frightened her (Hermione's fear of heights was legendary) there was something about calmly sitting above all the people rushing around London that she loved, and right about now she needed all the comforting she could get.
She held tightly onto the necklace she had placed about her neck as she travelled; after her third year Hermione was well aware of all the dangers that the little device which dangled on the bottom of the chain could do. The fact that she had never taken it out of the box it was kept in until today was a testament to just how responsibly Hermione had looked after it.
The bus was almost at the destination and Hermione reached up and pressed the button to signal to the driver that she wished to alight. Getting up from her seat, Hermione carefully made her way to the top of the stairs. Gripping the stairwell banister securely she made her way down the stairs slowly.
Unfortunately for Hermione, this was her second mistake of the day. Unbeknownst to her a cyclist was determined to make it in front of the bus that Hermione was travelling in. The bus driver hit the breaks with a suddenness that surprised even him. The cyclist got passed the bus unscathed, the driver muttered numerous words under his breath and the passengers sighed as they shuffled back on their seats from which they had been most rudely jerked off.
Hermione Granger lost her grip on the banister, slipped, fell down the last few steps and landed on her time turner. Then she vanished from the stairwell.
The bus driver was not impressed when no passenger got off at the stop.
"Stupid kids." He muttered before driving off.
Yes – a time turner fic. Forgive me – I know ver cliché indeed! Heh – will be a break of a few days whilst my new dvds of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns arrive. Yes – I do love the transport in London – although I prefer the Tube to the bus! Your thoughts are most welcome.