[As Mia storms out with her trunk, we doll to the street with her. High in the sky, a plump dot rises. Aunt Marge.]
The sound of laughter echoed through the room as Marge, the floating screaming balloon, elicited an amused response from the gathered crowd.
Unexpectedly, Snape's voice cut through the mirth, his statement surprising everyone present. "She deserves it," he remarked, drawing intrigued glances from those around him.
Mia's eyes met Snape's, and she nodded resolutely. "She did, and I don't regret it one bit."
A wave of murmured agreement swept through the Hall, punctuated by the subtle nods of those in attendance, signaling their unanimous support for Mia's sentiment. The shared understanding of Marge's deserving fate united the group in a moment of silent solidarity.
[Mia walks and walks and walks, then... stops. Glances about. An empty playground. swings creaking gently on rusted chains. A tiny carousel, kissed gently by the wind, turning slowly. Mia drops the trunk. Sits.]
Hermione's voice rang out with a mix of concern and anger as she demanded answers. "Why did you stop next to a playground? Even more importantly, why did you choose a creepy playground? Why didn't you keep walking?"
Sirius' eyes sparked with recognition as he observed the playground and the road on the screen, heightening the intrigue of the situation.
Mia shifted uncomfortably, her sheepish expression softening her features as she responded, "It was cold, and I just got tired of walking." Her admission carried a hint of embarrassment, evoking a range of reactions from the group, who found themselves torn between amusement and understanding.
Molly lightly scolded Mia with a touch of motherly concern. "Why didn't you bring a jacket?"
Mia shrugged and replied, "I was so focused on where I was going that I think it just slipped my mind." Her explanation was accompanied by a casual shrug, signaling her honest oversight.
[Deep in the night, an alarm shrinks, goes silent. Mia, still as a statue. Listening. In the trees above, Leaves tremble. The wind gathers. Mia turns, studies the swaying swings, the carousel. Then, she... stiffens. Turns back. Sensing something in the shadows across the street, she rises. Slowly draws her wand. Then she sees... it. Something big.]
Neville's voice resonated with unease as he voiced his discomfort. "Well, that's not creepy."
A sudden shift in the atmosphere was palpable as the Great Hall seemed to take on an eerie and unsettling aura. The feeling of unease settled over everyone, causing their nerves to once again rise, as the dark, creepy playground came alive in its own unsettling manner.
[Darker than the shadows which conceal it. Something with wide, gleaming. Mia steps back. Afraid to look. Afraid not to.]
Luna's ethereal voice cut through the stunned silence like a silver blade. "It's a dog!" she proclaimed, her eyes alight with an otherworldly gleam.
"Yeah, a creepy-looking dog!" Pansy retorted, her lip curled in a mixture of fear and fascination as her eyes remained transfixed on the screen, unable to look away from the uncanny spectacle.
"The Grim!" Neville's voice broke through the collective gasps of shock and disbelief, his eyes widening in recognition as the weight of the moment settled heavily on his shoulders.
In the grandeur of the Great Hall, a wave of astonishment cascaded through the sea of students, their whispers and exclamations blending into a tumultuous chorus as all eyes remained fixed on the unfolding spectacle, the air crackling with an undercurrent of trepidation and awe.
Mia, ever the enigmatic figure, rolled her eyes with an air of exasperated amusement and motioned for Sirius to come closer, a silent call laden with unspoken history and unexpressed emotion.
"Why were you there?" Mia questioned, her gaze a tapestry of confusion woven with threads of long-buried affection and unresolved emotion.
Sirius, his countenance a mosaic of sorrow and wistful adoration, sought to articulate the raw complexities of his heart. "I had to see you. I had to see how you grew up and if you were okay. The last time I saw you, you were just a year old," he confided, his voice imbued with a timbre of vulnerability that echoed through the hallowed hall, laying bare his soul to the woman he had yearned to protect.
Tears shimmered in Mia's eyes, mirroring the torrents of emotion that flickered across Sirius's weathered visage. She reached out, her hand finding his in a tender embrace, offering a fleeting moment of solace and solidarity before withdrawing, her gaze drawn back to the screen with a poignant sense of longing and anticipation.
[Wand outstretched... she trips, tumbles over the forgotten trunk. The tip of her wand Blazes. BANG! twin beams of blinding light spear the night.]
Mia: Aaaah! [Giant wheels bear down. Mia rolls clear -- just as a preposterously purple, triple-decker bus screeches to a halt. Gold letter glimmer above the windscreen: The Knight Bus.]
"What?" Many voiced the question with slow, uncertain cadence, their collective bewilderment echoing through the hall like a peal of distant bells.
A chorus of relieved exhalations filled the air, a symphony of breaths mingling with the lingering tension like a gentle breeze sweeping through a tranquil vale.
"Well, at least you made her summon the Knight Bus. That's at least something," Remus declared, a note of whispered contentment threading through his words like a delicate ribbon of hope woven into the fabric of his being.
"What's the Knight Bus?" a wide-eyed first-year Muggleborn inquired, her curiosity piqued by the mention of this enigmatic conveyance that existed beyond the realm of her prior experience.
Just as Hermione, with her customary scholarly zeal, was poised to enlighten the young girl with a comprehensive explanation, Mia intercepted her with a decisive gesture, halting the impending flood of knowledge in its tracks.
"You'll see," Mia interjected, her voice imbued with a sense of enigmatic certainty, her words hanging in the air like an unanswered riddle, pregnant with the promise of adventure and discovery.
[The doors hiss. Snap back. reveal Stan Shunkipe, an 18- year-old boy in a Wrinkled conductor's uniform. Pasty face. Raccoon eyes. Stan looks like he hasn't seen the sun in years.]
The unfamiliar sight of the Knight Bus elicited a collective gasp of awe from those who had never beheld its unusual form before. Their eyes widened with a blend of curiosity and amazement, their expressions reflecting a palpable sense of wonder at the sight before them. It was as though they had stumbled upon a secret marvel, a wondrous discovery that stirred the imagination and kindled a spark of excitement within their hearts.
Stan Shunpike: [wearily, drearily] Welcome to the Knight Bus. Emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I will be your conductor this evening. [peering at Mia] Wha' choo doin' down there?
Laughter rippled through the hall in soft, melodic waves, as the initial shock gave way to a sense of shared amusement among the onlookers.
"It's an emergency transport? Alright," the young Muggleborn girl mused aloud, her own question met with a note of sudden understanding, her eyes alight with newfound insight.
"I really would love to take a ride," a Slytherin girl confessed, her gaze fixed upon the bus with a mix of wonder and longing, her voice carrying an undertone of sincere desire.
Mia's laughter bubbled forth, its infectious lilt capturing the attention of everyone present. "I just... didn't have the best ride, and before you say anything, you'll see," she remarked, her words layered with a mischievous charm that hinted at an upcoming tale, a secret yet to be revealed.
Mia: Fell over.
Stan Shunpike: Wha' choo fall over for?
Mia: I didn't do it on purpose. [Stan eyes Mia suspiciously, nods slowly]
Stan: Well, come on then. Let's not wait for the grass to grow.
The interaction between Mia and Stan elicited a wave of laughter that swept through the gathered students.
[As Stan grabs Mia's trunk, Mia peers into the shadows across the street -- now simply shadows -- and climbs aboard.]
"Mia's curiosity journey begins." Ron's exasperated groan resonated through the Great Hall, a single note of lament amplified by the collective groans of many who shared his sentiment. It was a symphony of weariness, a chorus of resigned sighs that hung heavy in the air, a manifestation of the shared apprehension at the prospect of Mia's burgeoning curiosity.
"And so it begins," Hermione sighed, her exhalation carrying a weight of frustrated anticipation, her words a resigned acknowledgment of the inevitable unfolding of events.
"You should've just transformed back to human and told her everything," Bill remarked, his gaze fixed on Sirius with an unspoken plea for understanding,
The atmosphere in the Great Hall shifted, the undercurrent of tension woven into the fabric of the moment, as conflicting emotions, unspoken fears, and unfulfilled wishes mingled in the air like threads waiting to be woven into the tapestry of fate.
[Moments later in the bus, there are no seat. Only beds. The brass frames need a shine, the lines a wash. In one bed, a disheveled wizard grunts, turns in his sleep.]
Disheveled wizard: Not now... I'm pickling slugs... [Behind the wheel, Ernie, an unshaven wizard in thick glasses, stares straight ahead, armpits stained with sweat. A shrunken head dangles from the rearview mirror, muttering incessantly through the stitches that lace its mouth.]
"It's like something from a nightmare," Neville murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he took in the eerie sight before him.
"Yeah, I never thought a 'ride' could feel this creepy," Lavender added, her eyes darting nervously around the interior of the bus on the screen.
"I'd take a thestral over this any day," Ginny confessed, her tone tinged with a shiver of unease.
The collective unease and shared sense of disquiet grew palpable within the bus, as the dim, flickering light cast elongated shadows on the curved walls, evoking a feeling of lingering dread and unsettling mystery. The whispered conversations, the furtive glances, and the whispered hopes for a swift arrival amplified the sense of discomfort.
Stan Shunpike: Take 'er away, Ern.
Shrunken head: Yeah, take it away!
The sudden appearance of the talking head within the bus caught the students off guard, prompting a chorus of surprised reactions that rippled through the Great Hall. Gasps and jumps punctuated the air as the unexpected sight unfolded, painting a picture of startled disbelief on the faces of those who had not anticipated such an unusual spectacle.
[BANG! Ernie rockets away and the beds -- as one -- slide six inches to the rear. Mia drops onto the bed nearest, peers up at the chandelier swaying directly above her head. Beyond the windscreen oncoming traffic whips past in a blur.]
The sudden acceleration of the Knight Bus elicited a collective chorus of astonished exclamations, as the eager anticipation of the students collided with the thrilling reality of the bus's speed. "WOW!" escaped the lips of many, accompanied by gasps and startled jumps that punctuated the atmosphere like exuberant notes in a symphony of surprise.
Stan Shunpike: Wot you say your name was again?
Mia: I didn't.
As the tense conversation unfolded, the air in the Great Hall crackled with unease, and the students gathered in tight-knit groups, their voices blending together in a mixture of concern, confusion, and wary agreement.
"Good girl," the assembled students praised Mia, their voices threading through the atmosphere like a gentle affirmation of her courageous decision.
"Why didn't you tell him?" Cho's question cut through the tension, her brow furrowed in genuine confusion as she sought to unravel the intricate web of uncertainty that surrounded Mia's actions.
Mia's response was hesitant, her words carrying the weight of her unease. "Something told me not to trust him, so I didn't. Besides, he's... creepy. Doesn't he creep you out?" Her voice trembled with a mixture of caution and apprehension, her instincts forming a protective barrier against potential danger.
"He does," Cho nodded in agreement, her gaze thoughtful and troubled, her own misgivings mirroring the unease that lingered among her peers.
"This dude is weird," Dean interjected with fervor, his words resonating with the collective apprehension that hung heavy in the air, solidifying an unspoken consensus on the unnerving nature of the encounter.
Alastor Moody, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "You should be careful, especially around strangers on a journey like this. Who knows what kind of people you might encounter?"
The hushed murmur of agreement rippled through them, a unified front forming in response to the lingering doubt and concern that shadowed their thoughts.
Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall, who had been reserved, spoke up, her voice filled with sincere empathy. "Miss. Potter, you did the right thing. Trust your instincts, always."
Her reassuring words cast a comforting balm, the shared understanding and support weaving a shield of solidarity amidst the uncertainty that loomed over them.
[Stan, huddled in an armchair, peeks over The Daily Prophet, eyes Mia coolly, before disappearing once more. Mia brushes the fringe of her hair over her scar, watches an ambulance -- Siren wailing -- career past.]
Stan Shunpike: Whereabouts you headin'?
Mia: [She hesitates. She hadn't thought about this. Decides.] The Leaky Cauldron. That's in London --
Stan Shunpike: Is it now? Get that, Ern? The Leaky Cauldron. That's in London. [Stan grins with sinister delight, showing bad teeth.]
"What a bastard," the collective scolding rippled through the room, directed at Stan on the screen, as the students voiced their disdain for his unsettling demeanor.
Mia, her eyes fixed on the screen, couldn't help but nod her head in silent agreement, her gesture a tacit confirmation of the shared disapproval that hung heavy in the air. The palpable sense of discomfort and distrust toward Stan lingered among the students, mingling with the charged atmosphere's unease, painting an unspoken consensus that echoed Mia's unspoken sentiments.
Shrunken head: Leaky Cauldron! Stay away from the pea soup! [As the Shrunken Head cackles with delight, Mia peers out the windscreen, watches London careering by.]
"I'm never repeating that mistake," Neville announced with a faint tinge of color rising to his cheeks, his expression a mixture of chagrin and amusement as the unpleasant memory of the pea soup incident resurfaced.
Mia and those closest to Neville erupted into laughter, their mirth bubbling over as they found humor in the unfortunate mishap. "I think we can all agree on that," Mia chimed in, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she exchanged glances with Neville and the others.
Neville, though still feeling a touch queasy at the recollection, couldn't suppress a chuckle, his smile reflecting his relief at the brief respite from the prevailing tension. "At least I could bring a smile to your face," he remarked, his gaze meeting Mia's with a glimmer of sincerity, knowing that the films held a darker path ahead.
"You definitely did," Mia affirmed, her laughter subsiding into a warm smile, her eyes reflecting gratitude and reassurance. "And I think we all need these moments, especially with what's to come."
Their shared moment of levity cast a fleeting ray of light into the dimness that lay ahead, enveloping them in a sense of camaraderie and fortitude amidst the looming uncertainties of the journey they had embarked upon.
Mia: Isn't this a bit... dangerous?
Stan Shunpike: Naah. Haven't had an accident in -- what? -- a week is it, Ern?
Shrunken head: Heads up! Little old lady at twelve o'clock! Sure enough. [directly ahead, a little old lady is crossing the street. Ernie hits the break hard and Mia flies forward, palms to the window. The brakes pinch down, the bus stops inches from the old lady, and Mia flies back onto her bed. Hitting Mia on the head]
"Ooh," a collective wince and flinch rippled through the group as they instinctively winced in sympathetic pain, as if they could truly feel Mia's anguish when she collided with the window. However, the shared discomfort gave way to chuckles from some and unrestrained laughter from others, turning the scene from one of empathy to amusement.
"That had to hurt," Charlie winced, his brows furrowing in empathy as he acknowledged the impact of Mia's collision with the window.
"Just a bit," Mia replied, her cheeks flushing slightly as she scrunched up her face in a moment of recollection. The memory of that night crept into her mind, prompting a flicker of discomfort. "But I've been through worse," she added, her gaze turning resolute as she reminded herself of the trials she had faced.
[BANG! The bus rockets forward once more. As Mia rights her, she notices the headline of Stan's Daily Prophet: ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN! Below, a sunken-faced man with long, matted hair glowers from a moving photograph.]
"Did you have any idea about my situation?" Sirius asked cautiously, his voice tinged with concern as he focused on Mia. He hadn't considered how she might have learned about his circumstances.
Mia's response carried a hint of frustration as she recalled the circumstances leading to her discovery of Sirius's existence. "No, I didn't," she replied, her tone weighted with the weight of her past.
Dean, his curiosity piqued, interjected bluntly, "But how? It was even covered in the Muggle news."
Mia, her voice laced with defiance, explained, "The Dursleys don't allow me to watch or read the news." her words punctuated by a derisive scoff.
Sirius, his worry evident, inquired, "So that's how you first found out about me?" He feared Mia might harbor fear or resentment toward him.
Mia, sensing his concerns, assured, "Yes, that's how I first found out. But I wasn't afraid of you," her voice carrying a blend of resilience and conviction that brought a visible sense of relief to Sirius. Sirius visibly relaxed, a flicker of relief crossing his features, as he took comfort in Mia's response.
Mia Who is that? That man.
Stan Shunpike: Who is that? That's Sirius Black, that is. Don' tell me you ne'er been hearin' o' Sirius Black? [Mia shakes her head, still staring at the man's face.]
Stan Shunpike: A murderer, he is. Got 'imself locked up in Azkaban for it.
"I'm not a murderer!" Sirius erupted, his voice cutting through the room, startling everyone with its intensity, as he vehemently denied the accusation.
Umbridge, with a sharp retort, insisted, "Yes, you are! It's in the papers!" Her voice dripped with vindictive triumph, and similar comments echoed from around the room, creating an undercurrent of tension and disbelief.
Mia, with a quiet resolve, interjected, seeking to quell the rising argument, "The papers have been wrong before, but you'll all have the chance to witness the truth for yourselves," her voice resonating with a quiet resolve. She was keenly aware that the dispute might soon rear its head again. The room was filled with palpable anticipation as each person eagerly awaited the opportunity to discern the truth, pondering the enigma of Mia's unexpected kindness toward someone who had once been bent on her destruction.
Mia How'd he escape?
Stan Shunpike: Tha's the question, isn't it? He's the firs' that's done it. Gives me the collywobbles thinking he's out there, though, I'll tell you that. Big supporter of You-Know-'Oo, Black was. Reckon you heard o' him. [Mia nods and, as she does, Black's eyes shift. Meet Mia's.]
Mia: Yeah. Him I've heard of.
Sirius casually quipped, "Oh, him? You've definitely heard of him,"
Remus, with a tinge of frustration, added, "I've had a run-in with him a few times," his clenched teeth betraying his emotions as he recalled the encounters. Mia couldn't help but chuckle at their playful exchange.
[Just then, a pair of double-decker buses sweep directly toward the Knight Bus. Before can scream, the entire Knight Bus squeezes down and shoots the gap between the two onrushing buses. The Shrunken Head winces.]
Shrunken Head: Hate that.
Everyone was thrown into a state of utter shock as some among them could not contain their astonishment, responding with a resounding "WHAT!" Their collective disbelief echoed through the room, manifesting in the wide-eyed expressions and gasps that punctuated the air.
Seamus, known for his composed demeanor, found himself unable to hide his surprise. "I did not see that one coming," he exclaimed, his tone betraying a sense of startled shock that mirrored the sentiments of somehow everyone in the room. His eyebrows raised in disbelief, adding weight to his words as he grappled with the unexpected revelation.
Meanwhile, Luna, with her usual dreamy tone, offered a delicate inquiry, her voice soft and curious as she asked, "How did it feel, Mia? Please, do tell." Her eyes held a glimmer of fascination, indicative of her genuine interest in Mia's experience.
Mia, in turn, wore a perplexed expression, her brow furrowed in contemplation as she reflected on the past events. Taking a moment to compose her thoughts, she opted for brevity but with added emphasis on the word "weird." "Very weird," she repeated, drawing out the syllables and infusing her reply with a mix of incredulity and bemusement. Her voice carried a hint of disbelief, reflecting the complexity of the experience she struggled to put into words.
Mia: This bus. Don't the Muggles ever...
Stan Shunpike: Them! Don' listen properly, do they? Don' look properly either. ever notice nuffink, they don'.
"They don't, thanks to magic," McGonagall scoffed, her tone laced with a hint of amusement as she took it upon herself to enlighten those who were unfamiliar with the extraordinary nature of the Knight Bus.
[Just then, a couple walking a dog are engulfed by a rush of wind as the (invisible) Knight Bus whooshes past. The couple glances about in bewilderment. The dog waps madly.]
Shrunken Head: Turn! Turn! [Ernie fans the wheel, sending the Knight Bus into a dizzying 360-degree turn. Headlights pinwheel past the windows as the bus rides up on two wheels and Mia is sent flying once more. Grabbing fast to the center pole, he pirouettes through the air when Ernie... slams on the breaks. Mia is set flying to the window]
Once more, everyone winced, but it was followed by laughter.
[The Knight Bus fishtails into view and squeals to a stop, centimeters from a parked car. Whoosh! The bus settles and -- TINK! -- taps the bumper. Instantly, the car's alarms wails. Minutes later, the chandelier sways drunkenly as the bus doors open. The steps groan with heavy feet and a figure appears: Tom, Innkeeper of the Leaky Cauldron pub.]
Tom: Miss. Potter... at last. [As the Knight Bus rockets off, Tom and Mia are revealed, Mia glances up, reads the sign above: THE LEAKY CAULDRON. Tom drags Mia's trunk inside, then pauses and, with a flick of his wand, silences the car alarm.]
Neville couldn't contain his excitement as he exclaimed, "That bus is amazing!"