Chapter 50: The Leaky Cauldron (for further reading)
With a deafening bang, a three-story, bright purple bus appeared in front of Gretel's eyes.
The words "Knight Bus" are embossed in gold letters on the bright windshield.
There was a sound of steam, the car door opened, and a wizard wearing a purple uniform with big, striking ears poked his head out.
"Welcome aboard the Knight Bus, emergency transportation for witches or wizards in distress.
Just stick out your wand and get in the car and we'll take you wherever you want to go.
My name is Stan Sampack, and I'm the conductor for the Knight Bus."
If there was any other way, Grete would not want to take this knight bus. After all, it can be known from past rumors that its comfort is almost zero.
But since he returned to London, the traces bound to his body made him give up the idea of using magic to travel.
Why not choose Muggle transportation? Gretel is not crazy yet.
The moment he came back through the portkey, Voldemort had definitely locked onto him.
If he dared to relax, the Death Eaters wouldn't mind joining him in an exciting battle royale in the Muggle world.
Gretel knew his own level, and he was able to kill Fenrir and Selwyn only with an unexpected sneak attack.
They just lost Jingzhou carelessly because of the information asymmetry.
Gretel really didn't think he was up to this level in a head-on battle with Death Eaters.
Especially, in this situation where Voldemort is determined to win over him.
There were people who had crossed the ocean as far away as America, and now that they were back in Great Britain, the number of people who could be mobilized was definitely beyond his imagination.
Even if the backbone of the Death Eaters were imprisoned in Azkaban, he, a quasi-second-year wizard, could not compete with them.
Knight Bus is the most suitable and only choice for him now.
Rejecting the offer of a piece of chocolate for fourteen Sikos, Gretel gave Sampac eleven silver Sikos.
"Diagon Alley, thank you."
The driver was an older wizard with glasses with thick lenses hanging from his ears.
Grete was convinced that he must not have changed his glasses for a long time.
Because on the way to Diagon Alley, his car stumbled, always twisting back just when it was about to hit the sidewalk.
If lampposts, mailboxes and trash cans on the street didn't hide away on their own, Gretel believes that within a few days, there would be an urban legend in Great Britain.
Gretel had already thought about the content of the legend. Legend has it that in Great Britain, there is an invisible monster that always likes to destroy public facilities in Great Britain.
Wherever it passes, lamp posts will be broken, mailboxes will be twisted, and trash cans will be trampled.
What you can do is to hide honestly on the sidewalk. The sidewalk has a barrier that it cannot enter. Don't try to uncover its secrets.
——
Grete resisted the urge to get car sick, and jumped out in a hurry when he arrived at the door of the Leaky Cauldron.
Ignoring the words of the conductor Sampac behind him: Knight Bus is committed to taking every wizard out of trouble, and you are welcome to take it next time.
Gretel swore that compared to the Knight Bus, the Apparition was definitely comfortable.
Touching his pocket, he regretted not preparing an extra bottle of demulcent.
After taking a few deep breaths, I finally managed to calm my churning stomach.
"Ding Dong~"
A few drunken wizards who had been drinking in broad daylight looked up and went back to the wine table.
Gretel didn't expect to see an acquaintance here.
"Hi, Grete."
Hannah Abbott sat at the bar and greeted Gretel happily.
In first grade, they took potions and flying lessons together for a whole year.
It wasn't until Grete walked to the bar that Aina noticed his expression.
"Gretel, you don't look too good. You didn't come here on the Knight Bus, did you?"
In Hannah's shocked eyes, Gretel nodded.
"Oh my gosh, that's really unfortunate. Do you want a glass of butterbeer to wash it down? Don't worry, I'll treat you."
"Forget it, no need. I don't like drinking. If you can, please give me a glass of warm water."
"certainly."
Hannah turned and ducked into the bar kitchen, and within a few minutes she brought back a glass of warm water, along with a plate of sour lollipops.
"Eat something. I learned from other wizards that when you get motion sickness, eating something sour can make you feel better.
You know, our bar is always so busy and everyone can be seen.
I see a lot of wizards like you getting off the Knight Bus every day."
Gretel rested for a long time before his face turned rosy again.
Hannah was flipping through the second grade textbook while curiously asking about his current situation.
"I heard that you were targeted by a mysterious person, is it true?
You can rest assured that the Leaky Cauldron Bar ensures the safety of its customers.
Are you planning to live here? I guarantee that no one will be able to break into the Leaky Cauldron and rob people."
This little girl has never been so talkative in school. She always looks nervous.
Especially when Snape was staring at me in Potions class.
"Maybe I really need to stay here for a few days, if Hogwarts can't let me check in early.
I came here today to go to Diagon Alley to prepare textbooks for the start of the school year. I didn’t buy the Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks I need for the new semester in America.”
Although he didn't want to spend the money.
"America? Have you been to America? How is it there? Isn't it fun?"
Hearing Gretel's words, Hannah's eyes almost glowed with excitement.
"It's okay. I think it's not much different from London, except of course the Muggle world."
"What, you went to the Muggle world?" The little girl was really excited and even attracted the attention of the bar guests.
The real owner of the bar came out of the kitchen, walked over and patted Hannah on the head.
"Hannah, your friend? Do you mind introducing me?"
Sure enough, if he is not the savior, he is not even qualified to be remembered.
It seems that Hagrid took Gretel to Diagon Alley earlier than Harry. Obviously, Boss Tom did not remember him.
"Mike Gretel, a first-year Ravenclaw student, took classes with Miss Hannah. Nice to meet you, Boss Tom."
After Grete introduced himself, the bar owner Tom suddenly understood, patted his head and laughed.
"I remember, Hagrid took you to Diagon Alley when you entered the first grade. But I remember you were skinny and small at the time. This year, you look like a big kid.
By the way, our Hannah wrote about you, saying that a genius at their level has emerged this year, and it's you, right?"
Hearing Tom's words, Hannah suddenly blushed and pushed him back to the kitchen.
"Go and cook, I'm hungry."
Tom smiled heartily, "Okay, okay, I'm going to cook. Leave your classmates here to eat at noon. I'll cook more."
Hannah didn't agree for Gretel, she just looked at him.
"Then I'm sorry to trouble you."
Gretel and Hannah have a pretty good relationship, and they often helped Hannah with potions lessons in private during the last school year.
Hannah felt relieved and said, "Uncle Tom, please cook more. Gretel has a big appetite. I saw him eating several steaks by himself in the restaurant."
[The relationship between Tom and Hannah has not been found. The author pretends to be an uncle from the same family as Hannah. If there is any error, the official version shall prevail. 】
"By the way, Grete, don't you still want to buy textbooks? I'll go with you. There are a lot of textbooks and it's easy for two people to take them." This time Hannah didn't wait for Grete to agree.
He ran to the kitchen to give an explanation, grabbed Gretel and ran straight to the patio.
Hannah Abbott should frequent Diagon Alley and not need to count bricks like Hagrid.
He casually extended his wand and tapped it, and the entrance to Diagon Alley was accurately opened.