Knight Bus

he **Knight Bus** is a triple-decker, purple AEC Regent III RT that assists stranded individuals of the wizarding community through public transportation. It operates at a very fast speed and obstacles will jump out of its way, and can also deceptively fit through small spaces. To hail the bus, a witch or wizard must stick their wand hand in the air in the same manner that a Muggle might do while hailing a Muggle Bus in the United Kingdom, though it is possible to book tickets for travel on the bus in advance.

## History

The Knight Bus is a relatively modern invention in wizarding society, which sometimes (though it will rarely admit it) takes ideas from the Muggle world. The need for some form of transportation that could be used safely and discreetly by the underage or the infirm had been felt for a while and many suggestions had been made (sidecars on taxi-style broomsticks, carrying baskets slung under Thestrals) all of them vetoed by the Ministry. Finally the Knight Bus was first commissioned in 1865. The idea was proposed by then-Minister Dugald McPhail.

While some wizards (mainly pure-blood fanatics) announced their intention of boycotting what was dubbed ‘this Muggle-esque outrage’ in the letters page of the *Daily Prophet*, the Knight Bus proved hugely popular with most of the community and remains busy to this day.

During the early 1990s, the Knight Bus' conductor was Stan Shunpike, who greets passengers and handles baggage, and was driven by Ernie Prang.

## Description

   Inside, during the night, the Knight Bus has beds, curtained windows and candles burning in brackets beside each bed. During the day, there are just seats that are apparently not bolted down. The bus does not seem to have much in the way of safety features, as passengers and luggage alike are being thrown around the inside of the bus during its haphazard manoeuvres. The driver seat is more of an armchair than what a Muggle-vehicle's car seat would be. It may have a powerful Imperturbable Charm placed on it so objects can leap out of its way. The bus does not travel underwater, but can go anywhere on land.

A ride on the Knight Bus costs eleven sickles regardless of the distance. (Harry pays eleven sickles both to get from Surrey to London and to get from London to Hogsmeade.) For thirteen sickles, the rider also gets hot chocolate, and, for fifteen, a hot water bottle and a toothbrush in the colour of their choice.

Due to the haphazard manners of the bus' designs and services, the hot chocolate would end up spilling all over the place when served. Despite the Knight Bus being a popular travelling method for the wizarding community that has kept it busy to this day, most of its passengers seem very pleased to get off when they finally arrive at their stop.

## Known passengers

In 1993, Harry Potter stumbled across the Knight Bus after leaving 4 Privet Drive, following the inadvertent inflation of his Aunt Marge. He was almost run over by the bus after seeing a black dog looming in the shadows. On the same day, Madam Marsh was using the Knight Bus to travel to Abergavenny. Harry Potter got off the Knight Bus at the Leaky Cauldron.

On 20 April, 1994, Rubeus Hagrid and the hippogriff Buckbeak travelled together on the Knight Bus for a hearing in front of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures in regards to Buckbeak's future following the attack on Draco Malfoy.

During the Christmas holidays in 1995, Hermione used the Knight Bus to join everyone at 12 Grimmauld Place after Nagini's attack on Arthur Weasley.

In 1996, Harry, Ron, and Hermione travelled back to Hogwarts from 12 Grimmauld Place on the Knight Bus after the Christmas holidays. They were accompanied by Lupin and Tonks. Madam Marsh was also on the Knight Bus but had to get off due to illness.

## Etymology

The Knight Bus is named after the various night bus services throughout Great Britain, as well as a play on the word "knight", as it gives the connotation that the vehicle comes to the rescue of those who need it.