CH 305

Chapter 305 “The Knight Bus”

Two days before the start of the Hogwarts semester. At five o’clock in the afternoon, in the streets of London, England.

A young man in a black suit, carrying a suitcase in one hand and holding a wand, stood by the roadside, seemingly waiting for something. Just like a firefly in the dark night, it is impossible to ignore him looking like this in the streets of London.

This person is Jerry, who returned from his trip to Greece and just returned to the London Ministry of Magic through a Portkey.

When he returned to the Ministry of Magic in London, he was able to directly pass the Ministry of Magic’s fireplace with Floo Powder and instantly went to the Leaky Cauldron. He could have left the Ministry of Magic to find an unoccupied place and use Apparition to go to Diagon Alley.

However, he did not choose the easy way. Instead, he chose to use a wizarding world transportation system, the Knight Bus, which is specially opened for every wizard and witch by using magic on the side of a road.

Because according to his previous knowledge when watching the movie, as well as some understanding during this time. The Knight Bus inside was given a lot of profound magic by wizards with alchemy and time magic, which made him interested in it in the first place.

That’s why he deliberately took a little time out to experience this magic bus. In the wizarding world, not everyone can use Apparitions. Only those who actually pass the Apparition exam are given the qualification of using it daily.

Otherwise, you will be like an unlicensed driver in the Muggle World. You will be arrested and fined by the Ministry of Magic as punishment. Therefore, for those who are old, sick, disabled, and unable to use Apparition, you have to rely on the Knight Bus if you want to get somewhere fast in the outside world.

As long as you extend your wand, emitting magic, then the Knight Bus will be able to sense it and get to you as fast as possible, taking you to any place you can reach on land. Though, the ride may not be as comfortable as you expected it to be.

According to the relevant information Jerry found, back in the year before the Knight Bus appeared. The Ministry of Magic wanted to find a public transport that could serve the elderly, sick, and disabled. At first, someone proposed using a taxi-style flying broom or a flying cart with Thestrals.

But in the end, they were all rejected by the Minister of Magic, Dugald McPhaill. In the end, McPhail himself got inspiration from the Muggle’s bus and then gathered all the masters of alchemy in the wizarding world.

By studying the Muggle buses, they finally made the current Knight Bus, officially established in 1865.

When the Knight Bus was introduced, it was boycotted by Pure-Blooded fanatics who considered it a “this Muggle-esque outrage” to wizards, and lots of articles were written in the Daily Prophet.

However, since the trial period was well received by most of the wizards in the wizarding world, it was eventually accepted by the general public.

Less than ten minutes after Jerry stood on the roadside, a bright purple three-story bus, which came speeding from a distance at a speed that was hard to see with the naked eye, stopped in front of Jerry with a sharp brake. The wheels, lights, huge size, and the word “Knight Bus” written in gold letters on the windshield make it stand out in the street.

However, the pedestrians in the vicinity wouldn’t be able to see it.

“Welcome to the Knight Bus, an emergency transport for wizards in trouble. Just hold out your wand and get on board, and we’ll take you wherever you want. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I’ll be your conductor today.”

After the Knight Bus stopped, a conductor wearing a purple uniform, looking about 18 or 19 years old, with a pair of large ears and a few pimples dotting his face jumped out from the door.

“Thanks. Can you give me a ride to the Leaky Cauldron?” Jerry asked elegantly as he took off his hat.

“Sure, that’ll be seven Sickles. Three Silver Sickles for chocolate, and Sickle for a hot water bag and a toothbrush. Oh, you’re Jerry Carmen, right? The famous Seeker of the England Quidditch team? I’m a fan of yours. Can I have your autograph later?”

Stan got off the bus and quoted the fare and corresponding service for the Knight Bus. But when he got halfway through and got a good look at Jerry’s face, he was a bit surprised. As a Quidditch enthusiast, the famous England Quidditch Seeker, how could he not know Jerry?

Although he had only just started his third year at Hogwarts this year, he had brought the England Quidditch team back to the top with his strength.

In these two years of international tournaments, the England Quidditch team had always turned the tide against the wind because Jerry had caught the Golden Snitch first.

Even in the hearts of many Quidditch fanatics, the England Quidditch team with Jerry was a great possibility to come out on top and win the final victory in the World Quidditch Cup later on.

“No problem!” Jerry nodded. He hadn’t expected to meet a fan when he was riding the Knight Bus. But that was normal. Even he had met fans a few times when he was traveling in Greece.

After all, in the wizarding world, Quidditch was much more famous than basketball or soccer in the Muggle world. Although, there are only a few magical sports in the wizarding world.

Jerry walked into the Knight Bus with his suitcase. Different from the muggle bus, there is no seat for people to sit down in the Knight Bus, but there is a brass-framed bed.

At this time, of the six bunks, only one bunk slept an old witch. The rest of the bunks were empty. But Jerry could clearly feel that there should be six or seven wizards in the upper two levels.

“Mr. Carmen, you can sleep on this one.”

Stan somewhat excitedly took Jerry’s suitcase, tucked it under one of the beds at the front, and then pointed to an old wizard with thick glasses in front of him and introduced, “This is our driver, Ernie Prang. Ernie, this is Jerry Carmen, that famous Seeker of the England Quidditch team!”

“Oh, it’s Mr. Carmen. I hope you’ll get the Championship title later in the cup!” Ernie turned his head to look at Jerry and nodded towards him with a smile.