When Myths meet Magic || 3

3|| Harry

Harry angrily lugged his trunk behind him, until he found himself on Magnolia Crescent. He looked around in the dark alley and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Gods," he muttered. "I'm so dead."

Think! The little voice in his head yelled. Remember Percy? He went on an epic death quest when he was 12! You're 13! You can at least find a way to contact them.

We have no muggle money or drachmas, the other voice in his head argued. Do you have a suggestion for getting out of this?

Use Hedwig, duh.

Hedwig is at Ron's!

Well, figure it out! You're a wizard, Harry!

We can't do magic outside of school-- look where it's gotten us!

"Both of you, shut up" Harry said harshly and loudly, causing a few crows to take flight. But the annoying voices in his head gave him an idea. Surely, if he was already expelled from Hogwarts, surely a little more magic wouldn't hurt?

Just as he had reached for his trunk, a prickling sensation appeared on the back of his neck. Harry spun around, wand ready, but there was no sign of movement. Harry didn't lower his wand-- enough time spent around Percy taught him to never assume he was safe.

"Lumos", he muttered, and the spotlight that shot from his wand almost blinded him. But at least he could see. He spun his wand around, looking for any danger, when suddenly it aimed at a figure heading towards him.

"Oh my gods, Hazel!" Harry lowered his wand and placed a hand on his rapidly beating heart. "What are you doing here?"

Hazel stepped out into the moonlight, illuminating her face. "Well, you see, I've been practicing shadow travel, and well, now I'm here, I guess."

"A little warning, next time, maybe?" Harry asked, his heart calming down. "How long have you been standing there?"

"I literally just appeared right before you swung your wand at me," she answered. "Why do you have that thing out, though?"

"I felt something..." Harry said, glancing around again. "Like something was watching me."

Hazel was instantly alert, her hand drawing near her hip where Harry knew her Cavalry sword was concealed. "A presence?" she asked sharply.

"Yeah--" Harry cast his wand light around the alley again, when it caught on another shadowy thing watching him with dark, hollow eyes (Harry at first thought it was Nico, then realized it was too low near the ground), he let out a yelp and stumbled backwards-- tripped over the curb-- there was a shout as Hazel spotted the Nico-creature and drew her sword-- Harry fell backwards and threw his arm out to catch himself-- the Nico-creature slipped away into the shadows as there was a low rumble sound-- two bright spotlights aimed down on him-- when suddenly everything stopped.

"Harry, what the--" Hazel was staring at the massive vehicle in front of them and helped him to his feet. "Did you just... create a bus with your wand?"

Harry stumbled to his feet and stared at the triple-decker, bright purple bus that had materialized where they'd just stood. Inscribed on the windshield were the words The Knight Bus.

"It's like the Camp Jupiter version of Argus' van" Harry heard Hazel mutter next to him. "Grander, more furnished, and purple and gold."

Harry vaguely wondered who Argus was, but got distracted by a conductor in a purple uniform who had leapt out of the bust and begun to speak loudly to the night.

"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transportation 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-" He suddenly stopped and looked down at Hazel, with her sword out pointed directly at the bus and had forgotten to lower the weapon.