Chapter Two: The Knight Bus Rides Again

Harry walked a little bit farther till he came to a four way stop. He set his trunk against the curb and pulled out his wand. He looked around him once then held the wand in front of him in the road.

A few moments later a large bus swerved around a corner up ahead and stopped in font of him. It was a large, purple, triple-decker bus with gold letters spelling Knight Bus across the front.

Harry couldn't help but smile when a man came over to the doors. The smile faded when the man wasn't Stan Shunpike. This man had short dark hair and brown eyes. He was heavy built and looked a bit aggravated.

"My name is Brad Dungshun. I will be your conductor this evening." His voice was in a monotone that made Harry want to cover his ears.

He almost asked about Stan, then remembered about what had happened earlier that year. Harry smiled at the man and then started to pick up his trunk. The man stopped him.

"Let me get this. You, get in." He said to Harry in a strong voice. Harry nodded and got onto the bus as Brad got off.

The man picked up the trunk without any problem and lifted it onto the bus. He watched Harry, as he searched around and finally sat down in the back of the bus.

Brad tapped on the window and then a loud BANG erupted around them and they were off down the muggle filed roads.

"Where to?" Brad asked, standing over Harry. Harry looked up.

"The Burrow?" The man grunted and walked back to the front of the bus.

Harry laid back onto one of the many beds and closed his eyes. Just think, in a little while you'll be back with your friends and having fun.

"Excuse me boy?" A voice said next to Harry's head. Harry jerked up and opened his eyes. An elderly man was on the bed next to him.

"What's your name?" The man asked him quietly.

"Harry Potter." Harry answered slowly, waiting for the usual gasp or wide eyed look. But neither came.

The man smiled faintly and looked at the ground. He sighed then looked back up at Harry.

"I'm Larry Lordsgan. Pleasure to meet you." He held out his hand for Harry to shake.

Harry shook his hand and looked at him closely. Larry had thin, white hair and pale, blue eyes that seemed to capture the dim light around them.

"Sorry about what happened to Albus Dumbledore. I hear he was a friend of yours." He said calming.

Harry looked away for a moment. He hadn't gotten over that. Of course he hadn't though, it was only a few months ago that it happened. He looked back at Larry.

He nodded. "Yes, he was. Thank you sir." Harry tried to smile but it did not show.

The man squinted his eyes at Harry. "You know all about the prophecy now don't you?"

Harry looked at him in confusion. How did he know about that? "How...how do you know?" Harry asked slowly.

Larry sat up a bit then stretched his neck out. "I used to work for the Department of Secrets. I was one of the ones in charge of moving, checking, and categorizing prophecies."

Harry let his shoulders hang a little bit. "Do you know what it said?" Harry asked out of curiousity.

Larry shook his head. "I would have had to break it to find out now wouldn't I have?" He smiled.

Harry looked down at the sheets and blankets of the bed. The whole bus was rocking as they stopped and dropped off or picked up different passengers. Harry looked back at the man.

"I don't think I can fulfill it." Harry said nervously. Larry looked at him with caring.

"What is it you must do?" Larry asked in a low tone.

Harry hesitated. Did he dare tell him? "I…I have to kill Voldemort." He looked up into the eyes of Larry.

Larry sighed. "That is quite a job. But weren't you the one who stopped him last time?"

Harry nodded. "But that wasn't me. That was all my mom."

Larry nodded back. "Yes, but isn't there a bit of your mom in you?"

Harry laughed. "Yeah, my eyes." He stopped when Larry looked at him sternly.

"But what about her heart? Her heart to help others, keep them away from harm. To save them before yourself." Harry looked up. Only one other person had said that to him.

"How's that going to help me against the most evil wizard in the world?" Harry asked boldly.

Larry shook his head. "You have her gifts. Use those gifts against him. He doesn't know love, you do. That, if I might say, is an advantage."

Harry considered this for a moment. "But what if that's not enough?"

Larry frowned. "Ain't ya got friends? Friends should always back each other up, no matter what."

The bus stopped violently. Brad stood up in the front. "Diagon Alley!" He yelled through the bus.

Larry stood. "That's my stop." He started walking away but stopped and turned back to Harry.

"Good luck saving the world. I'll be rooting for you." He smiled and winked at Harry than turned and walked off the bus slowly.

Harry laid back down and closed his eyes, thinking about what the man had said. Maybe he could do it. Maybe he could win against Voldemort. Then a small bit of doubt came to mind. Could he really sacrifie his friends like that? And what if he was killed? Everyone in the world would be at danger even more.