Don't be a silent reader
Aishi was several streets away before she collapsed onto a low wall in Magnolia Crescent, panting from the effort of dragging her heavy dress. She sat quite still, anger still surging through her, listening to the frantic thumping of her heart.
But after ten minutes alone in the dark street, a new emotion overtook her: panic. Whichever way she looked at it, she had never been in a worse fix. She was stranded, quite alone, in the dark Muggle world, with absolutely nowhere to go.
And the worst of it was, she had just done serious magic, which meant that he was almost certainly expelled from Hogwarts. She had broken the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry so badly, that she was surprised Ministry of Magic representatives weren't swooping down on him where he sat.
Aishi shivered wishing she brought a jacket as she rubbed her shoulders and looked up and down Magnolia Crescent. What, was going to happen to her? Would she be arrested, or would she simply be outlawed from the wizarding world? She thought of her friends and Harry, and her heart sank even lower.
She had no means of contacting them. He didn't have enough Muggle money, either. There was a little wizard gold in her dress pocket
She looked down at her wand, which she was still clutching in her hand. If
She was already expelled (her heart was. now thumping painfully fast), and a
bit more magic couldn't hurt.
Then a funny prickling on the back of his neck had made Aishi feel she was being watched, but the street appeared to be deserted, and no lights shone from any of the large square houses.
Her hand clenched on his wand. She had sensed rather than heard it:
someone or something was standing in the narrow gap between the garage and the fence behind her. Aishi squinted at the black alleyway. If only it would move, then he'd know whether it was just a stray cat or -- something else.
"Lumos," Aishi muttered, and a light appeared at the end of her wand, almost dazzling her. She held it high over her head, and the pebble-dashed walls of number two suddenly sparkled; the garage door gleamed, and between them, Aishi saw, quite distinctly, the hulking
outline of something very big, with wide, gleaming eyes.
Aishi stepped backwards. Her legs hit the pavement and she tripped. Her wand flew out of his hand as she flung out an arm to break her fall, and she landed, hard, in the gutter --
There was a deafening BANG, and Aishi threw up her hands to shield her eyes against a sudden blinding light -- With a yell, she rolled back onto the pavement, just in time. A second later, a gigantic pair of wheels and headlights screeched to a halt exactly where Aishi had just been lying.
They belonged, as Aishi saw when she raised her head, to a triple-decker, violently purple bus, which had appeared out of thin air. Gold lettering over the windshield spelled The Knight Bus.
For a Split second, Aishi wondered if she had been knocked silly by her
fall. Then a conductor in a purple uniform leapt out of the bus and
began to speak loudly to the night.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. just stick out your wand hand, and 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 --"
The conductor stopped abruptly. He had just caught sight of "Aishi, who
was still sitting on the ground. Aishi snatched up her wand again and
scrambled to her feet. Close up, she saw that Stan Shunpike was only a
few years older than she was, eighteen or nineteen at most, with large, protruding ears and quite a few pimples.
"What were you doin' down there?" said Stan, dropping his professional
manner. "Fell over," said Aishi."'Choo fall over for?" sniggered Stan. "I didn't do it on purpose," said Aishi. One of the knees was scratched, a bit of her dress ripped, and the hand she had thrown out to break his fall was bleeding.
She suddenly remembered why she had fallen over and turned around quickly to stare at the alleyway between the garage and the fence.
The Knight Bus's headlamps were flooding it with light, and it was
empty. "'Choo lookin' at?" said Stan.
"There was a big black thing," said Aishi, pointing uncertainly into the
gap. "Like a dog... but massive..."He looked around at Stan, whose mouth was slightly open.
"Woss your name?" Stan persisted.
"Aishi Merha," said Aishi, "So -- so this bus," she went on quickly, hoping to distract Stan, "did you say it goes anywhere?"
"Yep," said Stan proudly, "anywhere you like, long's it's on land. Can't
do nuffink underwater. 'Ere," he said, looking suspicious again, , You
did flag us down, dincha? Stuck out your wand 'and, dincha?" "Yes," said Aishi quickly. "Listen, how much would it be to get to Baskerville?"
"Twelve Sickles," said Stan, "but for fifteen you get 'or chocolate, and
for fifteen you get an 'ot water bottle an' a toofbrush in the colour of
your choice." Aishi rummaged once her pocket and shoved some gold into Stan's hand.
There were no seats; instead, half a dozen brass bedsteads stood beside
the curtained windows. Candles were burning in brackets beside each bed, illuminating the wood-panelled walls. A tiny wizard in a nightcap at the rear of the bus muttered, "Not now, thanks, I'm pickling some slugs" and rolled over in his sleep.
"You 'ave this one," Stan whispered pointing to a bed right behind the driver, who was sitting in an armchair in front of the steering wheel. "This is our driver, Ernie Prang. This, is Aishi merha, Ern. "Ernie Prang, an elderly wizard wearing very thick glasses, nodded to Aishi, who nervously sat down on her bed.
"Take 'er away, Ern," said Stan, sitting down in the armchair next to
Ernie's. There was another tremendous BANG, and the next moment Aishi found herself flat on her bed, thrown backwards by the speed of the Knight Bus. Pulling herself up, Aishi stared out of the dark window and saw that they were now bowling along a completely different street.
Stan was watching Aishi's stunned face with great enjoyment. "This is where we were before you flagged us down," he said. "Where are we, Ern? Somewhere in Wales?" "Ar," said Ernie. "How come the Muggles don't hear the bus?" said Aishi.
"Them!" said Stan contemptuously. "Don' listen properly, do they? Don'
look properly either. Never notice nuffink, they don'." "Best go wake up Madam Marsh, Stan," said Ern. "We'll be in Abergavenny in a minute."
Stan passed her bed and disappeared up a narrow wooden staircase. Aishi was still looking out of the window, feeling increasingly nervous. Ernie didn't seem to have mastered the use of a steering wheel. The Knight Bus kept mounting the pavement, but it didn't hit anything; lines of lampposts, mailboxes, and trash cans jumped out of its way as it
approached and back into position once it had passed.
Stan came back downstairs, followed by a faintly green witch wrapped in
a travelling cloak. "'Ere you go, Madam Marsh," said Stan happily as Ern stamped on the brake and the beds slid a foot or so toward the front of the bus. Madam Marsh clamped a handkerchief to her mouth and tottered down the steps.
Stan threw her bag out after her and rammed the doors shut; there was another loud BANG, and they were thundering down a narrow country lane, trees leaping out of the way. Aishi wouldn't have been able to sleep even if she had been travelling on a bus that didn't keep banging loudly and jumping a hundred miles at a time. Her stomach churned as she fell back to wondering what was going to happen to her, and whether her uncle had managed to get Aunt Mohini off the ceiling yet.
Stan had unfurled a copy of the Daily Prophet and was now reading with his tongue between his teeth. A large photograph of a sunken-faced man with long, matted hair blinked slowly at Aishi from the front page. He looked strangely familiar.
"That man!" Aishi said, forgetting her troubles for a moment. "He was on the Muggle news!" Stanley turned to the front page and chuckled. "Sirius Black," he said, nodding. "'Course 'e was on the Muggle news, Aishi, where you have been?" He gave a superior sort of chuckle at the blank look on Aishi's face, removed the front page, and handed it to Aishi.
"You oughta read the papers more."
Aishi held the paper up to the candlelight and 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.
Aishi looked into the shadowed eyes of Sirius Black, the only part of
the sunken face that seemed alive. Aishi had never met a vampire, but she had seen pictures of them in his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, and Black, with his waxy white skin, looked just like one.
"Scary-lookin' fing, inee?" said Stan, who had been watching Aishi read.
"He murdered thirteen people?" said Aishi, handing the page back to
Stan, "with one curse?" "Yep," said Stan, "in front of witnesses an' all. Broad daylight. Big trouble it caused, dinnit, Ern?"
"Ar," said Ern darkly. Stan swivelled in his armchair, his hands on the back, the better to look at Aishi. "Black woz a big supporter of You-Know-'Oo," he said. "What, Voldemort?" said Aishi, without thinking. She thinks to ask Sanjiv in case.
Even Stan's pimples went white; Ern jerked the steering wheel so hard
that a whole farmhouse had to jump aside to avoid the bus. "You outta your tree?" yelped Stan. "'Choo say 'is name for?""Sorry," said Aishi hastily. "Sorry, I -- I forgot --"
"Forgot!" said Stan weakly. "Blimey, my 'eart's goin' that fast ..."
"So -- so Black was a supporter of You-Know-Who?" Aishi prompted
apologetically.
"Yeah," said Stan, still rubbing his chest. "Yeah, that's right. Very
close to You-Know-'Oo, they say. Anyway, when little 'Arry Potter got
the better of You-Know-'Oo... all You-Know-'Oo's supporters was tracked down, wasn't they, Ern?
Most of 'em knew it was all over, wiv You-Know-'Oo gone, and they came
quiet. But not Sirius Black. I 'eard he thought 'e'd be second-in-command once You-Know-'Oo 'ad taken over.
"Anyway, 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 continued in a dramatic whisper
.
"What?" said Aishi. "Laughed," said Stan. "Jus' stood there an' laughed. An' when reinforcements from the Ministry of Magic got there, I '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," said Ern in his slow voice. "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?" Stan said. "'Ole street
blown up an' all them Muggles dead. What was it they said ad 'appened,
Ern?""Gas explosion," grunted Ernie.
"An' now 'e's out," said Stan, examining the newspaper picture of Black's gaunt face 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 suddenly shivered.
"Talk about summat else, Stan, there's a good lad. Them Azkaban guards give me the collywobbles." Stan put the paper away reluctantly, and Aishi leaned against the window of the Knight Bus, feeling worse than ever. He couldn't help imagining
what Stan might be telling his passengers in a few nights' time.
"'Ear about that 'Aishimerha? Blew up 'is aunt! We 'ad 'im 'ere on the
Knight Bus, di'n't we, Ern? 'E was tryin' I to run for it...."
She, Aishi, had broken wizard law just like Sirius Black. Was inflating
Aunt Mohini bad enough to land her in Azkaban? Aishi didn't know anything about the wizard prison, though everyone he'd ever heard speak of it did so in the same fearful tone. Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, had spent two months there only last year when she was puppet to a monster plan.
The Knight Bus rolled through the darkness, scattering bushes and
wastebaskets, telephone booths and trees, and Aishi lay, restless and
miserable, on his feather bed. After a while, Stan remembered that Aishi
had paid for hot chocolate, but poured it all over her pillow when the bus moved abruptly from Anglesea to Aberdeen. One by one, wizards and witches in dressing gowns and slippers descended from the upper floors to leave the bus. They all looked very pleased to go.
Finally, Aishi was the only passenger left. "Right then, Aishi," said Stan, clapping his hands, where abouts in
Baskerville?""Potter Manor," said Aishi.
"Righto," said Stan. "'Old tight, then."
BANG. They were thundering along Charing Cross Road. Aishi sat up and watched buildings and benches squeezing themselves out of the Knight Bus's way and soon they were moving through trees and houses.
Ern slammed on the brakes and the Knight Bus skidded to a halt in front
of a gate which had nothing behind it. But only Aishi could see what it was.
"Thanks," Aishi said to Ern. She jumped down the steps "Well," said Aishi. "'Bye then!"
"Have a nice night" Stan said, " Take it away ern!" Soon the bus vanished and Aishi opened the gate and shut it behind her as she walked uphill to the Manor as rain started to pour heavy on her. Her knee hurt worse as she didn't treat it and blood kept rolling down her leg.
Soon she was at the door and knocked on it. Harry opened the door yawning thinking his mom forgot the keys but froze seeing a wet and tired Aishi who had been sniffling.
"I...I didn't know where else to go" She said shivering. Harry quickly grabbed a coat from the rack and wrapped it around her and noticed her skirt had a hole showing her bloody knee and one of her hands was also bleeding badly wrapped with her dupatta.
Harry quickly carried her bridal style and called for Mille who appeared next to him. "Infrom my mom...but first bring the medical kit to my room" Millie pops away as Harry carries Aishi to his room.
He gently put her down and grabbed one of his shirt and then ran to his mom's room and grabbed shorts. "Here....change into this....bathroom," he said leading her to the bathroom.
She entered and Millie came with the first aid kit. "Thanks, Mille. " He said
"Lady Jackson is on her way....she told me to let Lady Aishi stay till she comes." Mille said " OK thank you. You may leave and prepare some food for Aishi " Harry said before she popped away.
Aishi came out slightly feeling warmer but Harry's shirt was too big that it was a dress and it was leaned on one side showing her shoulder. Harry gently picked her up and placed her on the bed as he kneeled and started treating her bleeding knee and hand.
After a while of silence Aishi rubbed her now bandaged hand as Harry wrapped the bandage around her knee.
"As much as I wished you see you on your birthday. You worried me when you appeared soaked and bleeding in front of my door...yet you looked beautiful in that dress. What happened flower?" He said looking at her.
She looked away slowly crying before telling everything that happened to Harry. He sat down next to her and pulled her close. She started to cry heavily as her tears stained his shirt and Harry gently squeezed her shoulder.
After a while, Aishi fell asleep exhausted and Harry gently tucked her to his bed. Once he was sure, she was fast asleep, he kissed her forehead. "Anyone who dares to make you cry my flower...I will ensure hell rains over them" He spoke darkly.
" Harry....mom is here," Sanjiv said and doubled back seeing Aishi asleep on his bed. Before he could ask Harry motioned him to be quiet before he left the room and shut the door.
"She came over....something happened in her house," Harry said as they both headed to the main hall. They saw percy, Raja, worried Shiva, and Auror Tonks.
"She is here and she is asleep." Harry said "What kind of grandmother and aunt she has? Horrible..."
" Try living with them your whole childhood," Shiva said "Is she..."
"She is fine with few wounds she got when traveling...she got on the Knight Bus which brought her here. She will be fine" Harry said "Um who are they?" He asked looking at Auror Tonks and Raja.
"This is Auror Tonks...she helped with the incident at merha House. Though the girls however will remain like that for few more days with no memories " Percy said
"It was a hilarious scene...the aunt especially...I took a picture" Tonks said "Send that to me" Shiva said
" and this man is Raja Merha, Aishi's grandfather... he is a nicer man he is going to divorce her grandma and stay with Aishi," Percy said " My offer to use Medusa's head if she comes back still stands."
"I might need to ask you about that incident later" Raja chuckled nervously.
Sanjiv just looked shocked and whispered to Harry. "Are all the merhas that good-looking? Think your future wife will be hotter as she grows?"
"I will hit you," Harry said angrily. Percy, Shiva, and Raja went to the room to check on Aishi. Raja froze seeing who else was in the room.
Krishna in his godly form gently stroked his sakhi head as she slept. He looked at the people who came the check on her and smiled.
Raja bowed before the divine god amazed he had met Shri Krishna...he thought he would never see the gods cause he lived in the Kaliyuga but here he was gently caring for his granddaughter.
"Krishna...." percy said and he followed them out of the room and shut the door. "Nightmares?" She asked
"About to but a simple spell will give her pleasant dreams," Krishna said. "Hello Shiva...hello Raja"
"Pradu..." Raja was about to bend down to take his blessing but Krishna stopped him "No....my sakhi and her family should not touch my feet but instead hug me dearly" he said smiling, and Raja filled with tears hugged Shri krishna.
" you can take her in the morning, " Percy said krishna gently broke the hug "You both can stay in the guest rooms of the Manor."
"Thank you," Shiva said "Papa...this way" He took Raja to the guest wing.
Harry was going back to his room but percy stopped him " Not so fast You sleeping in the next room " Percy said "But...."
"No buts...Nice try mister" Percy said as he pouting heads to the other room. Once there he quickly created a fake silhouette on the bed to look like he was sleeping there before heading to the balcony and jumping to the other balcony before entering his bedroom.
Aishi was still fast asleep and was tossing and turning. Harry looked around and found the Teddy bear he was going to give when he was going to ask her to be his girl. "I will get her a bigger one" he mutters before placing it next to her and she hugs it.
"Night flower," he said before taking the couch and falling asleep.
Bonus
"That is so....sweet," Lily said with tears in her eyes as Priya gave her tissues.
" he going to be the perfect husband for Aishi," Priya said smiling happy her daughter has someone who will cherish her.
"It's even making the dead god sappy" Hades said wiping his tears and then sipping his wine "Anyway....Time for Battles in the Underworld"
He heads to the window of his castle and is right on cue.
"KARAN! PUT THE CHAINSAW DOWN! WHERE THE FUCK YOU GOT THAT!!!" James said, " COME HERE PRETTY BOY!!!" Karan yelled holding a chainsaw
"He is still chasing him," Ghost One said
"Yeah....I say less than 3 mins before he gets caught " His friend said
"You are on"
" Oh I wonder what will happen when they see the new future episodes," Hades said watching with binoculars and the silence was broken with a high pitch screaming " Oh...that is gonna hurt"