Disclaimer: JKR is everyone's favourite genius for making Harry Potter and everything to do with him, not me.


Chapter Three
The Knight Bus

Draco hurried onto the Knight Bus the next day. His father had threatened to curse him if he didn't get on it by a certain time. He sat down on a bed, huffing and puffing trying to catch his breath.

"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. We can take you wherever you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike and I will be your conductor this evening," said a guy with protruding ears and lots of pimples.

"I'm Draco Malfoy," started Draco.

"Welcome Mr. Malfoy, where would you like to go today?"

"Diagon Alley."

"That will be 11 sickles, unless you want a 'ot chocolate is 14 or a water-bottle an' a toofbrush is 15."

"Ill have a hot chocolate," said Draco, giving Stan 14 sickles. Stan gave him a hot chocolate and walked away. While taking small sips from the mug, Draco took out a piece of parchment ant a quill and wrote a letter to Dumbledore to let him know he was coming.

Dear Professor McGonagall,
I'm sorry for wasting your time but I had some family problems and I don't think I'll be able to stay at Diagon alley for the rest of the summer. Do you know where I could stay?
DracoLucius Malfoy

Then he took a long nap until they got there.

15 Minutes Later

"Are we there yet?" asked Draco in the middle of a yawn.

"Yes, we are," answered Stan. A second later the bus stopped. "Out you go." Draco stepped off the bus and went into the Leaky Cauldron, a restaurant/inn for wizards and the entrance to Diagon Alley, a street full of Wizard Shops.

"Mr. Malfoy, how may I help you today?" asked Tom, the owner of the place.

"I'd like a room to stay in for a while" he answered.

"How long do you wish to stay?"

Not at all, he thought, but not trying to be rude, he said "I'm not sure. Until I get all my things and whenProfessorMcGonagall sends me back my owl."

"Then you can pay me when you leave. Here's your key and you're room 112." Tom gave him his key and Draco went to his room.

15 Minutes Later

After Draco was dropped off at Diagon Alley, the Knight Bus went to the Weasleys house, where they were to pick up Hermione.

"'Ello 'Ermione," welcomed Stan, "Where do you need to go?"

"Diagon Alley," answered Hermione, whose face was very pale. She spent the day before crying because of the news about her parents. She cried herself to sleep last night and hardly slept a wink. Today, she was doing her best to stay calm because she was going out.

"Okay then. That will be 11 Sickles but for--" He didn't have time to finish as Hermione started talking.

"I'll have nothing except the ride," she interrupted. Then she got on the bus and sat on the same bed Draco did and with a huge bang the Knight bus started accelerating.

"I 'erd 'bout yer parents an' sister," said Stan, his voice full of sympathy.

"It's fine."

"Well wer jus' gonna stop an' get some more passengers on the way."

"That's fine." So the ride continued in silence for about five minutes and then they stopped to pick up an old wizard. He was a short guy with jet-black hair and inhis 90's. He was also oriental, which Hermione guessed Japan.

"'Ermione, this is Figor," introduced Stan.

"Hello," said Hermione politely.

"Beware," he murmured in a spiritual voice.

"What?" Hermione asked, wondering why he said that.

"Beware of Hogwarts!"

"What are you talking about?" questioned Hermione.

"Dangerous place, in summer months."

"Figor, your stops here," called Stan, interrupting the conversation. Figor got up and left without saying another word. Hermione sat in silence thinking about what the man said for the rest of the trip.

When they finally pulled up to the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione said goodbye to Stan and walked into the place.

"Oh, Miss Granger, what a pleasant surprise!" welcomed Tom, "Do you need anything?"

"I'd like a room, please." She said.

"Well the only one left is number 113. Here's your key," he handed her the key.

"Now how long are you staying?"

"Oh, just a few days," she said. She walked upstairs into her room. Just as she went in, Draco walked out of the next room, heading downstairs to get a drink.


A/N: Hope you liked it, next chapter will be longer. I promice! Please Review!