[ Chapter XX (20): "THE KNIGHTBUS EXPRESS" ]
[ "Wait, how exactly are we going to Hogwarts?" ]
John Constantine asked, while also stuffing some biscuits in his mouth. Curiously looking up at his Professor, who's seemingly busy thinking.
The both of them have just finished eating, and are currently standing in front of the fine dining restaurant that they just ransacked in... Ruining the appetite of many, but also making the pockets of the corrupt manager full.
It's such a shame that all of that money wouldn't last for longer than an hour; it has been 57 minutes since Felix transfigurate those, guess how much longer before they'll get chased...
Yes, in 3 minutes they'll be chased, that's why Felix interrupted the dining experience of John which was busy eating some banana-something fancy called dessert. Much to the latter's dismay, but he has no choice.
Felix is too pretty for prison, and John wouldn't get imprisoned... But instead towed away by some whatever agency, before finally he gets safe home...
The parents of his surely have to pay something for everything he ate, or imprisoned maybe, and in worse case they'll get angry and would redirect that anger to the hapless John.
Felix didn't want that, for many reasons. But the main one is for his student's safety, and also because he needs this small mini-farm to generate more Points for him before sending the boy home, or fully adopting him...
His morality leans more on the former, but he constantly delays it. Especially now that he dearly needs more Points for the supplies of children, to upgrade Hogwarts, to hire more faculty members, to buy pets for the children, and to build the many other faculty like the Hogwarts Express.
He also doesn't have brooms, one subject that one hot tempered witch teaches is primarily focused on that. If he doesn't get a broom on time... Then wouldn't he be skinned?
But he also doesn't want to fully adopt the boy, mainly because even though the young wizard dearly wants to go with him... Man that'll be kidnapping, he has a family...
So, Felix debated with himself and thought of a way... A vacation, or some sort like that. He'll send John back to his parents, but it'll be long before that... And if he sent John back to his parents, against his will...
Then the boy would just simply run away, again... Search for Hogwarts, get beaten up, etc. That'll be bad, mainly because if something bad were to happen to John, it'll be on his conscience.
So for now... He needs to subtly direct the boy to be yearn for home, and for him to want to go home without running away from home... The problem is, Felix doesn't know where to start.
[ "We'll... John that's a mystery that only you and I would know." ]
[ "Hmm?" ]
John slightly paused in hearing his Professor speak, the weird mannerism of the latter, and also in how he spoke. John could say that he still hasn't fully gotten used to it. So he only nodded in response. But how exactly are they gonna get into Hogwarts?
The younger wizard thought about this in-between bites and formed theories inside his head. It ranges from normal, to absurd, and to extremely absurd.
For example he theorized that they'll arrive at Hogwarts via teleportation, if not that then a portal to that place. If none of those works, then a passageway only accessible to wizards and witches alike...
But still, he held his breath, and anticipates how they'll get there... As he waits on the side, while Felix— the Professor patiently looks in front of him... Seemingly waiting for something, or in this case, contemplating if he should... Or shouldn't.
[ KNIGHTBUS EXPRESS (TRANSPORTATION): 750 POINTS ]
Because since a minute ago, the eyes of Felix have been looking and reading the System's Shop hovering in front of him. Thinking to himself if he should buy the thing or not, because if he did then first, he'll be broke... Again.
And second, he doesn't have any guarantee that it'll be worth it. And lastly because he wouldn't be able to buy the Hogwarts Express that also cost about 750 Points... As he is about 300 Points short.
750 Points for a one-way trip? Something that he doesn't have any assurance in using again for what, before the school-year starts?
To say that he is caught between a rock and a hard place would be an understatement. This is the dilemma of the century...
And to Felix he just decides to not think about it, and instead clicks the purchase button for the Knightbus; he'll worry about the consequences later, and find a way to fix it.
And besides, he isn't known for being that smart anyways.
[ "T-that is...?!!" ]
[ "The Knightbus, John, try to keep up..." ]
The younger wizard of the two hyperventilates due to excitement... Because why shouldn't he? Just suddenly in front of them, a double-decker bus in the color scheme of black and purple appeared with a pop.
Like it was always there, waiting for John and Felix to realize that it was there. Or perhaps Felix, the older and much more experienced of the two have already known it was there in the first place. And was just waiting for the younger wizard to realize.
Thankfully John realized it was there, and immediately his eyes widened in shock. His body trembles slightly as he wants to get inside immediately.
[ "P-professor can I get on...?" ]
[ "Uhh- sure, go." ]
Felix who's confused, but is hiding that through a smiling facade signalled for the younger of the two to enter... In which he did, excitedly at that, with brisk in his steps.
Felix on the other hand was about to follow, but stopped momentarily to look at the Knightbus... And he immediately noticed that it is an exact replica of the Knightbus Express, from the movies.
Guess those 750 Points weren't a waste, after all.
About to follow suit and enter the Knightbus, Felix was momentarily stopped by the doors of the restaurant behind him being opened with a loud thud.
[ "Catch the thief!" ]
Oh dear...
Felix pauses mid-entry to the Knightbus and turns around. What stood behind him is the fat manager holding a blunt instrument, ready for murder and are fuming with rage. Behind him are the other members of the kitchen, equally mad.
They searched for Felix, the charlatan. The money that has been given to them has mysteriously turned into buttons, under the eyes of the people that is before they could split it amongst themselves.
The manager would of course get the highest cut, but still, that is money that they could still get a cut on... But right in front of their eyes, it turned worthless real quick...
So as fast as they could, they tried trying to find the mysterious eaters i.e. the charlatans. Thankfully spotting them easily; [ "Y-you!" ]
[ "Professor, why does the guy look furious...?" ]
[ "G-get in, John. Don't worry about it." ]
Panicking, Felix shoved his student back inside the Knightbus and entered it also. Sweating, hoping that he wouldn't get beaten up right there on the spot.
But miraculously, thanks to the mysterious powers of the Knightbus... The chefs, waiters, and also the manager became confused like Felix just disappeared out of thin air.
[ "Where'd they go?!!" ]
[ "I don't care, find them!" ]
Because to them, that is really what happened. But for Felix and John, they just entered the Knightbus... Which seemingly has magical effects to anyone that enters it.
To what extent, Felix doesn't know. Still enough for them not to be seen, by the hostiles at least.
[ "They can't see us?!?" ]
[ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ]
[ 04/25/2025 ]
[ 04/25/2025 ]