"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 297: The Journey Begins
Sirius clapped both twins on the shoulder, grinning. "Honestly, you two look terrified. I didn't say anything, did I? Go on, get on the bus."
With a flourish, Sirius picked up the cowboy hat hanging at his hip, twirled it theatrically, and set it atop his head. His eyes flicked toward the two Aurors nearby, a smirk of open disdain curling his lips.
By the time they boarded, nearly everyone had found their seats. Following Douglas's instructions, Harry had arranged for the wizard-born students to sit by the windows, with Muggle-borns seated around them.
This wasn't any ordinary red double-decker bus. Inside, the space had been magically expanded—wide as two buses side by side, with three aisles. The central aisle was open, with a 1.5-foot-high platform so everyone could see whoever addressed the group.
At the back, small rooms on either side served as bathrooms. Next to the driver's seat was a tiny kitchen, where a Hogwarts house-elf was already bustling about, preparing snacks.
By day, the students' seats looked like those on a normal bus, each with a little tray table. But at night, with the curtains drawn, the seats would flatten out into beds.
The Muggle-born students gawked in awe at the magical modifications—none of them had ever imagined a bus could be transformed like this.
"Actually, Muggle buses aren't like this at all," someone explained. "They're half this size, and you can only sit up. I took a ten-hour trip once as a kid—absolutely exhausting."
Nearby, some young wizards were explaining the legendary Knight Bus to their friends.
"This is nothing like the Knight Bus. That one's got three floors, but only three passengers per level. The seats are all mismatched and scattered everywhere. At night, there are beds with brass posts and floating candles… I wonder if we'll get beds on this bus, too? And can we use magic inside?"
"Is the driver up front a wizard, too?"
"Must be. He hasn't even blinked at our conversation."
George and Fred whispered to each other, "Think Dad had a hand in modifying this bus?" "Maybe it flies, just like the car?"
Sirius boarded, coughed twice, and cut through the chatter.
"Ahem! Sorry to interrupt your lively debate."
He rapped twice on the glass partition by the driver. "Mr. Claude, you can set off. Stick to the agreed route."
Then he strode to the center platform, pulled out a scroll of parchment, cleared his throat, and—putting on a show worthy of a travel host—began:
"Hello, everyone! I'm Sirius Black, your tour guide for this trip. That's our driver, Mr. Claude—a Ministry of Magic employee with an impressive knowledge of Muggle affairs."
He lowered his script, sighing dramatically, "Truthfully, I'd have loved to be your driver myself. The Ministry even approved it! But your Professor Douglas—well, sigh… not an ounce of trust between wizards these days. He'd rather trust the Ministry than me."
From the front, the driver—clearly unimpressed—slammed the brakes, making the bus lurch just a bit.
If not for Sirius's infamous reputation (and the Minister's personal orders), he'd have refused this job outright.
Sirius's quip drew a ripple of laughter, though no one dared laugh too loudly. Everyone knew how close Mr. Black was with Professor Holmes—he could call him "Doug" to his face. If any of them got cheeky… well, perhaps they fancied more homework or an extra round of challenges.
Sirius resumed reading:
"…I'll do my best to help you all discover the wonders of this beautiful Muggle world (though frankly, I don't know much more than you do). I hope you'll enjoy everything here (I certainly do). Over the next few days, we'll explore the marvels of the British Muggle world together. We'll visit historic Muggle universities—honestly, I think it's a brilliant idea. I've read plenty of Muggle books, and their ideas are fascinating.
We'll also sample Muggle cuisine. Please keep the bus clean and follow Muggle rules while we travel (I suspect this is why I wasn't allowed to drive). Remember to respect Muggle customs and etiquette, and always behave yourselves. Out there, you represent not just yourselves, but the image of Hogwarts… (If Hogwarts didn't have Slytherin, I'd be happy to represent it.)"
He looked up, grinning. "Now, let me introduce you to the city's history, culture, cuisine, and landmarks.
London—the world-famous Muggle metropolis—boasts a long history and a rich cultural tapestry…"
"Tower Bridge is one of London's most iconic structures, a witness to the city's prosperity and change. It spans the Thames, linking the South Bank and the Tower of London. Stand atop it, and you can gaze out over the river and feel the city's centuries of history. (And if you ever get the chance, try flying a broomstick along the Thames—it's an unforgettable experience.)"
"Big Ben is another Muggle landmark. Together with the Parliament across the street, it's a symbol of London. The clock tower rises 37 meters—one of the largest in the world. (Once, my friends and I flew up there at night and drank atop the spire, watching the Muggles below…)"
"In short, I wish you all a wonderful trip in London! May your journey be unforgettable! To be honest, I have no idea what sort of adventure your Professor Douglas has planned for you."
The young wizards lounged in the gently rolling Muggle bus, listening to Sirius banter about the Muggle world and his "rivalry" with Professor Holmes. Outside, London's grand buildings and bustling holiday crowds rolled by.
For most of them, life had always been far from the Muggle world. Every school term or holiday, they rushed from place to place, never taking time to soak in the city's splendor.
Now, watching the dazzling shopfronts decked out for the holidays, many realized: Muggle life wasn't so dull after all.
No matter how slowly the bus crawled, it only took about ten minutes to reach their first stop.
Peering through the windows, the students spotted Professor Holmes standing by a small square.
Only then did they remember—professors would be checking homework along the way. But they'd barely set off! Their assignments were still packed in their trunks. Was Professor Holmes really that eager?
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