Me and Harry walked the dark streets near Privet Drive. Harry was clearly still fuming, and all I could do was follow along until he led the pair of us onto Magnolia Crescent, a street several blocks down from Privet Drive.
I didn't speak, I didn't know what to say. Though I again understood Harry's anger, I didn't know what we planned to do now that we'd just up and left Privet Drive. Finally Harry sat down on a low curve and I did the same. And after several minutes Harry's anger began to fade, replaced by worry,
"What was I thinking." Harry said, his fists still trembling in panic.
"Harry calm down, panicking isn't going to do us." I told him, Harry shook his head.
"I just messed up so bad Sarah." He said. "I used magic, I broke the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry. I'm going to be expelled!"
There was a tense silence. I took in what Harry just said, and swallowed.
"You didn't mean to. Surely the Ministry will understand." I told him.
"We already have a record from Dobby last summer." Harry grit his teeth. "I, what if they arrest me? What if they banish me from the wizarding world? What if..."
"Harry." I interjected firmly. Placing my hands on his shaking shoulders. "Calm down."
Harry took a deep breath, though clearly he still wasn't much calmer.
"I could...if I'm already in trouble...I could enchant my chest and yours to make them feather light. Then we could fly to London under the cloak, to Gringotts. And I could drop you off at the Leaky cauldron then I'd get enough money to start my new life as a outcast..."
My eyes widened in shock...was he being serious? Surely he wasn't.
Harry suddenly stood, opened his trunk, and began to rummage through it.
"What are you looking for?" I asked still trying to process all Harry was saying.
"Like I said the invisibility cloak." Harry replied.
"Harry this is stupid, you're not going to live as a outcast. You didn't mean to inflate Aunt Marge." I told him.
Harry then stopped, for a moment I thought it was because I had talked some sense into him. But he didn't talk. He looked around the empty street, I did the same but didn't see anyone.
"What is it?" I asked nervously.
"I thought I heard...nothing." Harry replied, as he turned back to his trunk. But a second later he stopped and glanced behind us, his wand clinched tightly in his hand, as he looked between a small gap between a garage and fence.
I gasped. "What is that?" I asked in a nervous whisper.
"I...I don't know." Harry stuttered.
Quickly I reached in my trunk and pulled out my wand. I didn't cast a spell yet, for all we knew it could be a stray cat or someone's dog. Still, all it did was stand there looking at us, and we couldn't see exactly what it was.
"Lumos," Harry suddenly muttered. As we both squinted at whatever was there. Harry raised his wand and pointed it towards the gap.
I gasped, as we both saw a large outline with gleaming eyes looking directly at both of us.
"What in the..." I gasped. While Harry stepped backwards, before I could do anything he stumbled into his trunk and tripped, his wand flew out of his hand, and Harry tripped into the gutter.
Again before I could do anything there was a blinding light and deafening bang. Harry yelled, before he rolled out of the gutter and back onto the pavement. And not a moment later a pair of headlights and massive wheels were where Harry had been. Once I regained my senses I looked up and saw that the source of all this was a massive, purple, triple-decker bus, than had just appeared from thin air. In the dash in the windshield hung golden letters that spelled out The Knight Bus.
Harry looked as if he thought he was imagining things, and I was just plain confused. But before either of us could speak, what looked like a conductor in a similar purple outfit as the bus stepped out and began to speak.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I will be your conductor this eve —"
Stan then suddenly stopped, looked at me, and then down at Harry whom grabbed his wand and scrambled to his feet.
I then glanced at this Steve Shunpike, he wasn't that much older than me or Harry. Maybe eighteen or nineteen at most. And he had a bad case of acne, and large ears.
"What were you doin' down there?" Stan asked Harry, a slightly amused look on his face.
"Fell over," Harry replied, clearly flustered.
"Choo fall over for?" Stan snickered. Which only made Harry more annoyed.
"I didn't do it on purpose," Harry replied. He began to check himself over, and I noticed Harry's jeans near the knee had been torn, and the hand he'd braced himself was bleeding. Harry dusted himself off, then looked back to where whatever we'd seen had been, which was now lit up by the lights of the Knight Bus.
Nothing was there...
"Choo lookin' at?" Stan asked Harry.
"There was a big black thing," Harry replied nervously "Like a dog … but massive …"
"It seems to be gone now." I added, shaking my head. "Must have been a dog and it ran off when...you showed up." I told Stan.
Stand looked confused, looked at me, then Harry...and noticed the scar on Harry's forehead.
"Woss that on your 'ead?" Stan asked suddenly.
"Nothing," Harry replied, quickly, flattening the hair over his forehead.
And I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes...he truly thought the Ministry was still after him.
"Woss your name?" Stan asked Harry.
"Neville Longbottom," Harry replied...and I had to clinch my teeth...Really? He was going to lie about his name?
"And yours?" Stan asked me suddenly, and I noticed Harry giving me a look that said he wanted me to lie too.
I Inwardly groaned. "Padma Patil." I lied.
Stan nodded, then Harry continued...
"So — so this bus," Harry said quickly, clearly trying to not have Stan ask any more questions. "did you say it goes anywhere?"
"Yep," Stan replied proudly, "anywhere you like, long's it's on land. Can't do nuffink underwater. 'Ere," Stan then paused, looking at Harry with suspicion once more, "you did flag us down, dincha? Stuck out your wand 'and, dincha?"
"Yes," Harry replied quickly "Listen, how much would it be to get to London?"
"Eleven Sickles," Stan replies, "but for firteen you get 'ot chocolate, and for fifteen you get an 'ot water bottle an' a toofbrush in the color of your choice."
Me and Harry shared a quick look. Though he and me clearly weren't on the same page when it came to the Ministry hunting him down, we both knew that getting to London would be a good place to start. So we nodded, as Harry dug through his trunk, pulled out some Galleons and handed them to Stan.
Stan then helped Harry and I get our trunks and empty owl cages onto the steps of the Knight Bus.
We entered the Knight Bus and saw that there were no seats, instead around a half a dozen beds were positioned near the curtained windows, while the only source of light inside the bus were a serious of candles in brackets near each bed.
"Not now, thanks, I'm pickling some slugs" One of the only other passengers, a small wizard in the rear of the bed muttered, as he turned over in his sleep.
"You 'ave this one," Stan told Harry in a whisper, shoving his trunk right under the bed right behind the driver. "And you here." Stan whispered to me, giving me the bed right next to Harry. Stan then motioned to the driver, whom was sitting behind the wheel. "This is our driver, Ernie Prang. This is Neville Longbottom, and she's Padma Patil, Ern."
Ernie Prang was a very old wizard, wearing a pair of thick glasses. He nodded to Harry whom flattened his hair nervously. While I gave him a small polite smile.
"Take 'er away, Ern," Stan said, as he sat down in a chair next to Ernie.
There was a loud banging sound, then suddenly I was thrown back onto the bed as the Knight Bus sped forward. As I sat back up I noticed that the same thing had happened to Harry. I sat up and saw the bus was moving at blazing speeds, so fast that we were already on another street. I also noticed that Stan was giving both me and Harry in amusement, clearly enjoying our reactions.
"This is where we was before you two flagged us down," Stan told us before turning to Ernie. "Where are we, Ern? Somewhere in Wales?"
"Ar," Ernie nodded in confirmation.
Both me and Harry looked out the windows of the Knight Bus in awe. It was amazingly fast, and we past by Muggle's and they seemed none the wiser.
"How come the Muggles don't hear the bus?" Harry asked Stan.
"Or see us?" I added.
"Them!" Stan replied with a disdainful frown. "Don' listen properly, do they? Don' look properly either. Never notice nuffink, they don'."
I looked back out the window. Clearly the bus had some sort of concealment charm so the Muggle's didn't notice it. Much like the Leaky Cauldron. Maybe the Notice Me Not charm?
Best go wake up Madam Marsh, Stan," Ern told Stan "We'll be in Abergavenny in a minute."
So Stan walked past Harry's bed, up a set of wooden stairs to one of the upper levels of the Knight Bus. For the next few moments both me and Harry watched in astonishment and alarm as Ernie continued to drive the Knight Bus. Ernie didn't seem to be the best driver, as he kept hitting the curve and barley missing lampposts, trash cans, and the like. Or more accurately these objects kept seeming to move out of the way as we passed, only to return to there regular spots after we had.
"Magic is truly amazing." I muttered to myself.
Soon enough Stan came back down, followed closely by a witch in a traveling cloak whom I could only assume was Madam Marsh.
" 'Ere you go, Madam Marsh," Stan said cheerfully to the women as Ernie stepped on the brakes and the Knight bus came to a screeching halt, all the busses slamming forward. Madam Marsh walked out of the Knight Bus, Stan through her bag after her, and then the doors shut, and we were off again with another massive BANG. Now down a narrow street as trees and the like seemed to leap out of the path of the Knight Bus.
As we sped down the different streets, I for one couldn't understand how anyone could sleep on this thing. I glanced at Harry and noticed him with a nervous look. He was probably still worried about what would happen once our ride on the Knight Bus ended.
And I couldn't help but wonder the same thing.
I glanced back at Stan, whom by now had taken out a copy of the Daily Prophet. Curiously I glanced at it, and was shocked to see the same escaped convict that was on the Muggle news the other night at the Dursley's.
"That man!" Harry exclaimed suddenly, having saw the same thing as me. "He was on the Muggle news!"
Stan looked up, giving Harry a amused look as he flipped the page.
"Sirius Black," Stan replied nodding. " 'Course 'e was on the Muggle news, Neville, where you been?"
Stan noticed the blank look on Harry's face, and the confused look on mine, and he chuckled as if we were silly children. He removed the front page and handed it to Harry.
"You oughta read the papers more, Neville. You too Padma." Stan said as I got up and walked over to Harry's bed, getting behind him. Harry held the paper up to the candle, then both of us started to read.
BLACK STILL AT LARGE
Sirius Black, possibly the most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding capture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today.
"We are doing all we can to recapture Black," said the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, this morning, "and we beg the magical community to remain calm."
Fudge has been criticized by some members of the International Federation of Warlocks for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis.
"Well, really, I had to, don't you know," said an irritable Fudge. "Black is mad. He's a danger to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Minister's assurance that he will not breathe a word of Black's true identity to anyone. And let's face it — who'd believe him if he did?"
While Muggles have been told that Black is carrying a gun (a kind of metal wand that Muggles use to kill each other), the magical community lives in fear of a massacre like that of twelve years ago, when Black murdered thirteen people with a single curse.
Both me and Harry looked at the picture of Sirius Black. His skin was a deathly white, his cheeks sunk in, and a mad gleam in his eyes.
"Scary-lookin' fing, inee?" Stan, whom had been watching us as we watched.
"Very." I admitted. Rubbing the back of my neck. If this Black was out there...was he trying to reunite with Quirrell and Voldemort right now? I couldn't help but shiver at the thought.
"He murdered thirteen people?" Harry asked in shock as he handed the paper back to Stan "with one curse?"
"Yep," Stan replied before turning to Ernie , "in front of witnesses an' all. Broad daylight. Big trouble it caused, dinnit, Ern?"
"Ar," Ernie replied in a dark tone.
Stan swiveled his chair back to face us, looking intently at me and Harry.
"Black woz a big supporter of You-Know-'Oo," Stan explained.
"What, Voldemort?" Harry asked quickly.
I bit my bottom lip, while the color quickly drained from Stan's face, and Ernie accidently jerked the wheelchair so hard that a farm had to move magically out of the way to avoid being hit by the Knight Bus.
"You outta your tree?" Stan yelped. " 'Choo say 'is name for?"
"Sorry," Harry said quickly, realizing his mistake. "Sorry, I — I forgot —"
"Forgot!" Stan said, taking deep breaths and speaking softly for a moment to collect himself. "Blimey, my 'eart's goin' that fast …"
"Sorry." I said. "He's a Muggleborn and sometimes...forgets you're not supposed to say You-Know-Who's name." I added.
Stan took another deep breath and nodded, while I gave Harry a quick look that said to be more careful. Harry nodded then turned back to Stan.
"So — so Black was a supporter of You-Know-Who?" Harry asked again in a apologetic tone.
"Yeah," Stan replied, still rubbing his chest in a effort to calm his racing heart. "Yeah, that's right. Very close to You-Know-'Oo, they say. Anyway, when little 'Arry Potter got the better of You-Know-'Oo —"
I noticed Harry nervously flatten his bangs again to try and hide his scar.
"— all You-Know-'Oo's supporters was tracked down, wasn't they, Ern? Most of 'em knew it was all over, wiv YouKnow-'Oo gone, and they came quiet. But not Sirius Black. I 'eard he thought 'e'd be second-in-command once YouKnow-'Oo 'ad taken over."
"Second in command." I swallowed nervously. "So he was pretty high up." I shuttered.
Stan nodded. "Yeah."
"He wanted to keep fighting." I mused.
Stan nodded once more.
"Anyway," Stan continued. "they cornered Black in the middle of a street full of Muggles an' Black took out 'is wand and 'e blasted 'alf the street apart, an' a wizard got it, an' so did a dozen Muggles what got in the way. 'Orrible, eh? An' you know what Black did then?" Stan asked both of us in a semi dramatic whisper.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure I even want to know." I commented nervously.
"Laughed," Stan replied. "Jus' stood there an' laughed. An' when reinforcements from the Ministry of Magic got there, 'e went wiv 'em quiet as anyfink, still laughing 'is 'ead off. 'Cos 'e's mad, inee, Ern? Inee mad?"
"If he weren't when he went to Azkaban, he will be now," Ernie replied slowly. "I'd blow meself up before I set foot in that place. Serves him right, mind you … after what he did. …"
"They 'ad a job coverin' it up, din' they, Ern?" asked Stan. " 'Ole street blown up an' all them Muggles dead. What was it they said 'ad 'appened, Ern?"
"Gas explosion," Ernie grunted.
"An' now 'e's out," Stan replied, looking over the picture of Black once again. "Never been a breakout from Azkaban before, 'as there, Ern? Beats me 'ow 'e did it. Frightenin', eh? Mind, I don't fancy 'is chances against them Azkaban guards, eh, Ern?"
Ernie then shivered, clearly not enjoying where this conversation was headed.
"Talk about summat else, Stan, there's a good lad. Them Azkaban guards give me the collywobbles." Ernie told Stan.
Stan put the paper away with a disappointed face, as Harry leaned against the window clearly in deep thought...clearly he still thought he was in trouble and I realized nothing I said was going to snap him out of his line of thought.
So, not knowing what else to do, I leaned against my own window and began to think myself. If this Sirius Black truly had been Voldemort's second in command, then surely he'd either try and find his master or...go after Harry.
I frowned and shook my head. Surely this Black wasn't that foolish right...unless the tales of him being insane are true. Still, thinking critically, if I was in his shoes wouldn't he try and seek out his master? Again I remembered he was supposedly insane so really there was no telling what he would be up to.
But...what about Quirrell and Voldemort themselves? Surely they could get ahold of the Prophet? Would they...try and seek out Black themselves? That made me shutter...and as I looked out the window I couldn't help but think how Quirrell was taking this news...
Meanwhile, far away in another part of Britain...
Quirinus Quirrell paced the ruined Gaunt Shack, a disregarded Daily Prophet thrown to the floor. He was angry.
Ever since he and his lord's failed attempt to use that fool Lockhart to get to the Potters had failed with the destruction of the Diary, and the freeing of Lockhart from the Imperius curse, he and the Dark Lord had been forced to lay low. These last several weeks they had once again tried to find a opportunity to strike at the Potters, to return his lord to power. Yet nothing had come until recently.
When Quirrell had seen the copy of the Daily Prophet that had announced Sirius Black's escape, he had been overjoyed and raced back to the shack. Seemingly excited another of his masters followers was now free!
But alas it was to good to be true.
"So what you're saying my lord." Quirrell swallowed, clearly frustrated. "This Sirius Black isn't a ally, but a enemy? He was never in your service."
"No." The Mist of Voldemort said. "Sirius Black is not the traitor the wizarding world thinks he is. As I just said, Peter Pettigrew was my true servant. Alas Wormtail is either dead or in hiding like so many of my servants."
Quirrell fists tightened in rage. "I thought we'd had another ally." He admitted.
"Well we don't." Voldemort said bluntly. "Still, Black's escape and the fact that most, even Dumbledore, assumes he is my servant does give us a reprieve for the time being. The dementors and Ministry will surely be looking for him more than you."
Quirrell nods. "I know. But what can I do my lord? We have no idea the Defense Professor this year, and I think we both know they will test for the Imperius this year."
The Mist of Voldemort is silent for a long moment before speaking. "For now, let Black distract them from us. Lay low, gather any information you can. We shall have the Potter's, it may just take time." Voldemort is forced to admit. "
Quirrell grits his teeth and bows. "As you wish my lord."
And for now, all Quirinus Quirrell and the shade of Lord Voldemort could do, was wait.
Meanwhile back on the Knight Bus...
A good hour or so had passed on the Knight Bus. In the time since me and Harry had boarded, the bus had made multiple stops. From Anglesey to Aberdeen and anywhere in between. Me and Harry had for the most part been silent. He clearly still worried the Ministry would come after him for blowing up Aunt Marge, while I was still consumed with thought's of this Sirius Black and what kind of chaos he could cause if he wasn't captured soon.
Stan had tried to serve both me and Harry the hot chocolate we'd ordered, and while he'd successfully poured me a cup, he'd accidently poured into onto Harry's pillow when the Knight Bus had turned sharply. I grimaced, Stan bit his bottom lip and shrugged like this happened all the time, and Harry simply shrugged and said he was fine and to forget about it.
Finally, after dropping off yet another tired and thankful to leave wizard, Stan had turned to me and Harry
"Right then, Neville," Stan asked Harry, clapping his hands, "whereabouts in London?"
"Diagon Alley," Harry replied.
Stan then turned to me. "And You Padma?"
"Same as him." I motioned to Harry.
"Righto," Stan replied. " 'Old tight, then …"
BANG!
Once again the Knight Buss was off. Once again speeding and turning and objects avoiding. We sped across Charing Cross Road, and I noticed that it was getting lighter outside. I glanced over to Harry who still seemed deep in thought, like he still thought he needed to be on the run, and I for one couldn't wait to be alone with him and talk some sense into him.
Finally the Knight Bus screeched to a halt in front of the Leaky Cauldron. Me and Harry shared a look as we both stood.
"Thanks," Harry told Ern.
"Thank you." I added. Ern nodded to us, as Stan helped both me and Harry unload our trunks and empty owl cages onto the curve and we got off the Knight Bus. When this was done Harry turned towards Stan.
"Well," Harry said. " 'Bye then!" Clearly he was in a hurry to get out of here.
"Thank you both again." I said, not nearly as quickly as Harry.
But Stan didn't even look at us, instead he was looking over us, at the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, goggling at someone.
"There you are, Harry, you too Sarah." A new voice suddenly said causing both me and jump, but before either of us could turn I felt someone place a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to see someone had done the same to Harry. And I looked up. my eyes widening at the site of the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
"Blimey! Ern, come 'ere! Come 'ere!" Stan said clearly excited as seeing the Minister.
"What didja call Neville and Padma, Minister?" Stan asked excitedly, leaping out onto the pavement.
For his part Fudge frowned, looking cold and exhausted, and like he'd been up all night.
"Neville and Padma?" Fudge replied confused and annoyed. "This is Harry and Sarah Potter."
"I knew it!" shouted Stan gleefully. "Ern! Ern! Guess 'oo Neville is, Ern! 'E's 'Arry Potter! I can see 'is scar! And Padma is 'Arry's twin sister Sarah!"
"Yes," Fudge replied in a clearly irritated tone "well, I'm very glad the Knight Bus picked Harry and Sarah up, but the pair and I need to step inside the Leaky Cauldron now …"
I noticed Fudge tighten his grip on my shoulder as he began to lead us inside the Leakey Cauldron, I noticed Harry looked absolutely terrified, while I myself was actually rather calm. Even if Harry was in trouble surely we could explain what had happened with Aunt Marge to the Minister. Surely Harry, being the Boy-Who-Lived would get a simple slap on the wrist if anything. Especially since Fudge supposedly listens to Dumbledore for advice, and from what I'd seen Dumbledore adored Harry.
As Fudge guided us towards the door to the Leaky Cauldron the Toothless, old landlord of the pub appeared in the doorway.
"You've got them, Minister!" Tom said. "Will you be wanting anything? Beer? Brandy?"
"Perhaps a pot of tea, "Fudge replied, keeping a tight grip on both me and Harry as he led us through the entry and into the Leaky Cauldron.
There was a loud screeching sound and behind us appeared Ernie and Stan, both of them working to carry our empty owl cages and trunks. Both looked almost star struck and amused, most of there focus on Harry.
" 'Ow come you di'n't tell us 'oo you are, eh, Neville? You too Sarah?" Stan asked both of us in a excited tone, while Ernie peered at us over Stan's shoulder. Both of them clearly in awe.
"And a private parlor, please, Tom," Fudge added, giving a slightly annoyed glance at Stan and Ernie.
" 'Bye," Harry said in a clearly terrified tone to Stan and Ernie while Tom motioned for Fudge to follow him down passage away from the main pub.
"Thank you both again." I added, still nervous, but not nearly as much as Harry.
" 'Bye, Neville! Bye Padma!" Stan replied, still in awe and amused at the entire situation.
Fudge led the two of us down the narrow passage and out of site of Ernie and Stan, following Tom whom led Fudge, Harry, and myself into a small parlor. Tom snapped his finger and a grate in the room burst with flame, making it much lighter and warmer in the small space. Tom bowed then left the parlor, closing the door behind him. Leaving it just me, Harry, and the Minister.
"Sit down, Harry, you too, Sarah." Fudge said, motioning to a pair of chair's near the fire.
Me and Harry shared quick glances. I could tell Harry was still terrified, so I gently took his hand and guided him to one of the chairs, sitting him down, before sitting down myself. Giving Harry's hand a gentle comforting pat. Fudge meanwhile took off his pinstriped cloak, tossing it to the side. Pulled up his trousers, then sat down opposite of me and Harry.
"I am Cornelius Fudge, Harry. The Minister of Magic." Fudge told us.
Of course we both knew that, given how we'd seen him at Hagrid's last year from under our father invisibility cloak. But Fudge didn't and couldn't know of that...
"The pleasure is all ours sir." I spoke, seeing Harry clearly wasn't going to.
Fudge, despite his tired and worried appearance, seemed to like being treated with respect.
"Why thank you dear." Fudge said in a clearly satisfied tone. Then Tom again came into the room wearing a apron over nightshirt, and with a tray of crumpets and tea. He placed the tray on a table in the middle of the three of us, and then once again left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Well, Potter's ," Fudge said, pouring himself a cup of tea, "the two of you had us all in a right flap, I don't mind telling you. Running away from your aunt and uncle's house like that! I'd started to think … but you're both safe, and that's what matters."
Fudge buttered himself a crumpet, then pushed the plate of them towards us.
"Eat, both of you, you two look dead on your feet. Now then … You will both be pleased to hear that we have dealt with the unfortunate blowing-up of Miss Marjorie Dursley. Two members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad were dispatched to Privet Drive a few hours ago. Miss Dursley has been punctured and her memory has been modified. She has no recollection of the incident at all. So that's that, and no harm done."
Fudge smiled at us, as if we were his niece and nephew and not the Minister of Magic and we two runaways. Harry didn't look like he knew what to say, as he opened his mouth to speak, no words came out. So I did.
"That's...great news." I replied, still not feeling too bad about what had happened to that wrench.
"Indeed." Fudge nodded. "Though I see your brother is still clearly worried." Fudge gives Harry a understanding look.
"Ah, you're worrying about the reaction of your aunt and uncle?" Fudge asked Harry. "Well, I won't deny that they are extremely angry, Harry, and at you too Sarah, but they are prepared to take you back next summer as long as you stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays."
Finally Harry seemed to have found his voice.
"We always stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays," Harry explained. "and we don't ever want to go back to Privet Drive."
"Now, now, I'm sure you'll both feel differently once you've calmed down," Fudge said in a clearly worried tone. "They are your family, after all, and I'm sure you are fond of each other — er — very deep down."
I almost couldn't stop myself from bursting out into bitter laughter, but I held back. This was the Minister after all. Harry seemed to worried or tired to argue the point either.
"So all that remains," Fudge said, buttering himself up another crumpet , "is to decide where you're going to spend the last three weeks of your vacation. I have called upon someone from the Ministry to take you both in for —" Fudge explained. But before he could finish Harry interjected.
"Hang on," Harry interrupted. "What about my punishment?"
"Punishment?" Fudge blinked, totally confused.
"I broke the law!" Harry replied. "The Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry!"
"Oh, my dear boy, we're not going to punish you for a little thing like that!" Fudge cried, waving around his crumpet and glancing towards the door impatiently as if he was waiting for someone. "It was an accident! We don't send people to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts!"
I couldn't help but shake my head in amusement. "See Harry."
Harry for his part, still couldn't seem to comprehend what he was hearing.
"Last year, we got an official warning just because a house elf smashed a pudding in my uncle's house!" Harry told Fudge with a frown. "The Ministry of Magic said we'd be expelled from Hogwarts if there was any more magic there!"
And suddenly Fudge was rubbing the back of his neck, looking very awkward.
"Circumstances change, Harry. … We have to take into account … in the present climate … Surely you don't want to be expelled?"
"Of course I don't," Harry replied.
"Well then, what's all the fuss about?" Fudge laughed as he stood. "Now, have a crumpet, both of you, while I go and see if whom I called upon is here."
So Fudge strode out of the room. I for one was wondering who Fudge had asked to take us in? Clearly someone that could be trusted but who? Seemingly the Ministry was worried about us for some reason? Was it Black? Quirrell? Something else? I didn't know.
"Why did Fudge, the Minister of Magic, get involved in a simple case of underage magic? And why was he waiting for us?" Harry asked suddenly.
I turned to him. "Well lets just think for a moment Harry. As much as you hate it, you're not a normal boy. You're the boy who lived. The Ministry knows this. And that Black fellow was supposedly a very high ranking member of You-Know-Who's army..."
"You think he's after me?" Harry asked in shock.
"Maybe, you did destroy his master. It would make sense why the Ministry would be so worried about us, about you." I said.
Harry took this in, and nodded. "I guess that makes sense."
But before Harry or I could say anymore Fudge strode back into the parlor, with him was Tom, and also a blonde haired, and lanky man in blue robes. And Instantly perked up.
"Mr. Goldstein!" I said relieved. It was Anthony's father.
"Hello Sarah. It's good to see you again." The man gave a gentle smile and then turned to Harry. "I'm Anthony's father." He explained to Harry. "I met your sister on the train platform for a moment at the end of your first years, and it's really amazing to finally meet you as well." Jacob extends his hand to Harry.
Harry for a moment was startled, then realizing it was just Anthony's father, seemed to relax and shook Mr. Goldstein's hand.
"It's good to meet you too sir." Harry said.
After the introduction Fudge spoke.
"Jacob here has agreed to take you both in for the rest of the summer. I know his boy is a classmate, a friend of yours, and Jacob here is a good man. He'll keep you safe and you can spend the rest of your summer with someone your age. " Fudge explained in a relieved tone. Patting Mr. Goldstein's shoulder.
"You two needn't worry Minister. My manor is warded and protected with the most powerful magics." Mr. Goldstein replied.
"I think you'll both be very comfortable. Just one thing, and I'm sure you'll understand … I don't want you two wondering off his property. Keep to the Goldstein's land, which I assure you is massive. And you're to be inside his manor before dark each night. Sure you'll understand. Jacob and his wife will be keeping an eye on you for me."
"Of course Minister." I replied.
"Okay," Harry replied slowly, "but why — ?"
"Don't want to lose you two again, do we?" Fudge replied with a laugh. "No, no … best we know where you two are. … I mean …"
Fudge picked up his cloak and cleared his throat.
"Well, I'll be off, plenty to do, you know. …" Fudge said
"Have you had any luck with Black yet?" Harry asked suddenly. And the Minister and Mr. Goldstein seemed to share a look as Fudge was slipping on silver fastening of said cloak.
"What's that? Oh, you've heard — well, no, not yet, but it's only a matter of time. The Azkaban guards have never yet failed … and they are angrier than I've ever seen them." Fudge said, shivering nervously
Clearly these Azkaban guards were not to be messed with.
"So, I'll say good-bye. I know Jacob here will keep you both safe." Fudge said holding out his hand.
I took it first. "Thank you sir. We're sorry for the trouble." I said.
Fudge simply nodded. "Accident's happen Miss Potter. What's important is you're both safe." Fudge then shook Harry's.
"Er — Minister? Can we ask you something?" Harry said, seemingly having a idea.
"Certainly," Fudge replied with a smile.
"Well, third years at Hogwarts are allowed to visit Hogsmeade, but our aunt and uncle didn't sign our permission forms. D'you think you could — ?" Harry asked.
Fudge shifted uncomfortably.
"Ah," Fudge replied awkwardly. "No, no, I'm very sorry, Harry, but as I'm not your parent or guardian —"
I bit my bottom lip, clearly Harry's idea wasn't going to work. In fact it seemed like Fudge didn't want us in Hogsmeade if his body language was anything to go off of.
"But you're the Minister of Magic," Harry replied eagerly. "If you gave us permission —"
"No, I'm sorry, Harry, and you too Sarah, but rules are rules," Fudge replied flatly, leaving no further room for argument. "Perhaps the two of you will be able to visit Hogsmeade next year. In fact, I think it's best if you don't … yes … well, I'll be off. Have a good rest of you summer with the Goldstein's."
And with one last smile Fudge turned and left the room, leaving just me, Harry, and Mr. Goldstein...whom Harry turned too...
"Sorry Harry, I'm not signing it either." Mr. Goldstein said, and Harry deflated further. "In any case." He continued, a kind and understanding smile on his face. "Let's get going. You two need sleep."
So with that we follow Mr. Goldstein back down into main pub. All our things were in neat stacks as if ready for transport. Tom was standing there beaming at the three of us.
"I've already got everything of there's ready to go Jacob." Tom says to Mr. Goldstein.
"Thank you Tom." Mr. Goldstein said nodding, then looked to us. "You two know how to use the Floo?" He asked.
"We used it the the Weasley's last summer." Harry replied nodding.
"Good, I'll teleport your things to my manor. You two simply use the Floo, say Goldstein Manor." Mr. Goldstein motioned to the Fire place in the Leakey Cauldron.
As Mr. Goldstein got out his wand and started casting magic, somehow making our things pop as if being teleported, we stepped towards the Floo.
"You go first." I told him. I want to make sure you get through this time." I said giving him a subtle smirk.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, took off his glasses then entered the fire place, grabbed some Floo powder and Shouted "Goldstein Manor!"
And in a dash of flames he was gone. I repeated the process. Stepping into the fire place, grabbing some Floo powder from the small jug the Leaky Cauldron provided, then said. "Goldstein Manor." Myself.
And in a flash of green flame I was transported through the Floo Network. Until It stopped, and I dizzily stepped out. I saw Harry dusting himself off and putting back on his glasses. I dusted myself off, and behind us the roar of fire confirmed Mr. Goldstein had followed us through the Floo, that this was it.
"Follow me." He said in a soft voice.
We both nodded and followed him down a large corridor. There was a blue carpet with bronze trimming which reminded me of the Ravenclaw common room. Suit's of armor lined the large corridor and it seemed the little we could see, Goldstein Manor was massive.
"I'll have Anthony give you a tour in the morning." Mr. Goldstein said as he led us to pair of doors among dozens. "These are your bedrooms. All your things should be in there." Mr. Goldstein opened the doors and indeed inside were our Trunk's our empty Owl cages and..
"Uric." I said happily as I saw his familiar brown form, perched near the window.
"Hedwig!" Harry gasped happily, I glanced in his room to see Hedwig indeed was also there. Mr. Goldstein chuckled.
"Both your Owls' are very smart. When Fudge called on me to take you in earlier tonight, they arrived just as I was getting my boots on. Now both of you get some sleep. I'm sure Anthony will be excited to see you in the morning." Mr. Goldstein smiled, then walked back down the large corridor.
Me and Harry shared a look. "Well goodnight." I smiled.
"Yeah." He nodded, as we both entered our respective rooms.
As I entered I saw just how big these guest rooms were. Both kept with the Blue theme, with the beds having large blue comforters and bronze pillows, a desk, and plenty of room.
I gently pet Uric, and saw the room even had a Owl stand he perched himself on. I finally realized just how tired I really was. And decided to gawk at Goldstein Manor more tomorrow. I laid down on the large, and very comfy bed. I gave Uric a few more gentle pets then pulled the comforter over myself.
Drifting off, I couldn't wait to see what surprises Anthony's home had for me and Harry in the morning.