Disclaimers: See the first chapter.
Snippets From the Potterverse
Chapter 57 - Take The Long Way Home
Christmas holidays were upon Hogwarts at last. Early on the first morning of the holidays, most of the Hogwarts students were to be found on the Hogwarts Express, heading back to London.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny got off the train at King's Cross to find Sirius and Remus waiting for them, all smiles. There was a quick exchange of hugs and kisses, and then they emerged out into the Muggle world and headed for the parking lot.
Sirius had borrowed a car from the Muggles to transport everyone back to Grimmauld Place. He had set an Enlarging Spell on the boot, so all the trunks fitted comfortably inside. In no time, they were off.
Harry yawned. I'm hungry. All we had on the train were Pumpkin Pasties. How long until we get home and have some real food?Not long, Remus assured him.
Correction, Remmie. Sirius said glumly from behind the wheel. Take a look.
They were coming up on a traffic jam.
Remus shouted.
I can remedy this, Sirius said, putting on his blinker and taking a right. We'll take a shortcut.No, love! Your shortcuts never pan out! Remus protested.
We'll be fine, Sirius reassured him. Trust me.
But an hour later, it was obvious that trusting Sirius' knowledge of shortcuts was far from smart. The group had found themselves somewhere in Wales, after finally stopping at a petrol station to ask directions and gas up the car. They also took advantage of the bathrooms and the rack of doughnuts inside the station, Remus borrowing Sirius' wallet to pay for their breakfast.
Yer really los', mate, the owner of the station said, scratching his head after Sirius had finished asking for directions. Quite a'bit los'. How'd yer manage tha' one?Took a shortcut, Sirius muttered.
Well, I'll set yer straigh'. Easy, it is..... the man pulled a map out from under the counter and began to walk Sirius through it. Remus sighed and bought the children some bottles of milk.
Okay, then? the owner asked twenty minutes later. Easy enough, eh?Yeah. Now I see where I went wrong, Sirius said, looking relieved. He looked over his shoulder at the others. Ready to go?In a minute, Remus said. He and the children hurried off to visit the restrooms once more. When they returned, everyone piled into the car and off they went.
Sirius followed the owner's instructions perfectly, reading them off a piece of paper, until they came to a toll bridge. 1 POUND TO CROSS, a sign read.
Sirius dug out his wallet and opened it. He was down to a few pence, not nearly enough to pay the toll. Remmie! Where's all my money?I'm sorry, love, Remus said meekly. I spent it on breakfast. And the toilets cost 10p. to use each time! Sirius pulled out of the line and turned around. Well. Looks like we'll have to take another shortcut. everyone wailed.
We'll be fine, Sirius insisted.
And that was how, nearly three hours later, the group found themselves at a petrol station in a small village somewhere north of Hampshire.
With no money to buy lunch.
And no money to buy petrol, either.
D'oh.
