Chapter 250 Law Of Talion

The chairs on the Night Bus seemed typical of those one might casually find on various Muggle streets, with several wizards seated on them, murmuring and trying to find comfortable positions.

As the bus came to a sudden stop, someone's shopping bag slid along the bus; an unpleasant mixture of frog spawn, cockroaches, and English toffee biscuits spilled all over the floor.

"It seems we'll have to split up. Today is the first workday after the holidays. The bus is full of people," explained Sirius. "Harry, sit in the seat next to me, and the others behind me. Percy, you take charge."

"Don't worry, leave it to me," promised Percy with a proud look. He lifted his Prefect badge from his chest, and led by Evan, they made their way towards the back.

"I've always wanted to ride on this," said a joyous Ron, sitting behind Harry, eagerly looking around.

Evan and Hermione continued moving towards the back and found two empty seats at the end of the carriage.

Just as they sat down, the bus lurched back into motion, swaying ominously. It weaved around The Burrow, winding its way.

With another loud BANG, they were all thrown backward.

Ron's chair toppled over completely, and Pigwidgeon, who was on his lap, flew out of his cage and soared chirping wildly to the front of the bus, where he perched on Hermione's shoulder instead. As Hermione had fed him breadcrumbs the previous night, the owl particularly enjoyed her company.

Hermione's right hand clung to Evan, who held onto the chandelier beside him. Both managed to stay upright.

They peered out the window: they were now speeding along what seemed to be a motorway.

"We're out of Birmingham," the driver Stan Shunpike chimed in enthusiastically. "Hello, yesterday I went to the shop in Diagon Alley. I didn't buy a newspaper. It was so crowded. By the time it was my turn, the newspapers were sold out. But no worries, I already have Black's autograph."

Evan and Hermione handed Stan eleven sickles each, and he gave them their tickets.

On the Muggle streets, the Night Bus leaned dangerously against the interior of a small car, careening straight towards the surrounding kerb.

Hermione covered her eyes in fear, while Pigwidgeon happily continued to sway on her shoulder.

With a crash, the chairs slid back again as the Night Bus jumped from the Birmingham motorway onto a quiet, winding country road.

The hedges on both sides of the road parted as they mounted the verges. From there, they headed onto a main street in the midst of a bustling town, then to a viaduct surrounded by tall hills, onto a windy street between tall buildings, each time with a loud crash.

"Can't they slow down a bit?" Hermione shuddered.

"This bus only has one speed!" Evan held onto Hermione with one hand and the chandelier next to him with the other to prevent themselves from being thrown.

Compared to the Hogwarts Express, the Night Bus was very uncomfortable.

This was especially true when it was full of people, the atmosphere on the bus even worse than when Evan traveled to school in Mr. Weasley's car with Harry and Ron last year.

"Attention, our next stop is Hogwarts," Stan announced cheerfully, rocking towards them, unaffected at all.

Inside the carriage, people were vomiting, followed by a horrendous splattering sound.

Evan cracked open a small gap in the window, and with the cold fresh air, watched the Night Bus speeding through a shabby bar, maneuvering to avoid any collision.

It was the Hog's Head inn, and the sign of the severed boar's head creaked in the winter wind. Not far away, there was the snowy Hogsmeade, with no one in its streets.

Snowflakes tapped on the large window at the front of the bus. Finally, they stopped in front of the Hogwarts gates.

"Here we are, lads!" Sirius helped them off the bus with their luggage.

Immediately after, Ron bolted off the bus.

He looked quite awful; he had gotten up from the floor six times on the way. He muttered, "I never want to travel here again."

Evan also disembarked from the bus, and everyone greeted Stan.

The Knight Bus started up and vanished into the air.

The nine struggled to climb the slippery path to the castle, dragging their trunks. Despite the cold, they were all very excited and discussing topics of interest.

A few seconds later, the voices stopped abruptly.

In front of the school wall gate, Evan saw Snape in a black robe, a fake and cold smile on his face, and his black eyes narrowed. Sirius glared at him with hatred.

Evan had naively thought that Snape would improve his attitude after learning the truth about Lily's death and helping them catch Peter Pettigrew.

But he realized he was wrong, and Snape showed even more disdain than before.

"Welcome, welcome!" he said in a low, sarcastic tone.

"What are you doing here?" Sirius immediately said vigilantly, his hand instinctively on the wand at his waist.

"I'm here on Dumbledore's orders," Snape said with disgust, "It's a dreadful task to be ordered to meet the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

"And the other teachers?" inquired Harry, "Why didn't Hagrid come?"

"Obviously, besides myself, the rest of the staff is not willing to undertake this unpleasant task. They have strong opinions about a murderer becoming a teacher at the school," said Snape, his voice growing more sinister. "But it is not surprising. The headmaster has always had a penchant for hiring some odd characters..."

"Leave!" Sirius shouted, "I don't need your welcome. Get out of my sight before I can't resist hitting you."

"That's right, I didn't intend to waste too much time here," the cold smile on Snape's face became more pronounced, "I'm not like you, I don't have unlimited free time."

Snape turned around and was about to leave.

"Wait!" Sirius suddenly yelled. He frowned and said, "I've heard a lot lately about what you did to Harry at school during my absence. I must remind you that if you try to intimidate Harry, you'll have to answer to me."

"How touching, the caring godfather's concern for his godson!" Snape spat, "But surely you've noticed that Potter bears a striking resemblance to his father."

"Yes, I have," Sirius said proudly.

"Bueno, entonces sabrás que es tan arrogante que las críticas simplemente le resbalan", dijo Snape con astucia.

"¡Eh!" Sirius sacó su varita y avanzó hacia Snape.

Snape desenvainó la suya. Se enfrentaron, Sirius furioso, Snape evaluando a su oponente, sus ojos se desplazaban de la punta de la varita de Sirius a su semblante.

"¡Sirius!" exclamó Harry en voz alta, pero Sirius parecía no prestar atención.

"Te he advertido, sangre impura", afirmó Sirius, con su rostro a escasos centímetros del de Snape, "No me importa si Dumbledore cree que te has redimido, yo sé mejor..."

"Oh, ¿por qué no se lo dices directamente a él que tú lo crees?" susurró Snape. "¿O temes que un asesino no sea tomado en serio? Contratar a un puggle para enseñar en Hogwarts es lo más ridículo que he presenciado."