Rescued by the Knight Bus
Chapter 6 of 20
Celestial MelodyRiana finds herself lost in London until a Knight in purple armor comes to her rescue.
ReviewedRescued by the Knight Bus
The soft coo of a lonely dove echoed hauntingly through the early morning mists of London. A grey sun rose on an equally monochromatic, dewy street as Riana wearily climbed out of the bus that had taken her from Chipping Norton to London. This was the farthest she'd ever ventured from home, and she was feeling, although she hated to admit it, a little scared.
Holding her suitcases in each skeletal hand, the duffel bag slung over her sharply-pointed shoulder blade, not one person passing by would have believed that such a frail body could bear so much weight. But Riana's daring and anticipation of the new and exciting days to come buoyed her up and gave her strength. She inhaled deeply and with a cursory glance around at her surroundings, set off in the direction that the majority of pedestrians were traveling.
*
Big Ben tolled 7 o'clock as Riana, sharp shoulders slumped, suitcases dragging, stumbled through yet another side-street of London. It was already seven in the evening, and she still had seen no sign of a wizardry shop; her feet hurt and she was beginning to regret running away, mentally classifying it as a rash decision made when she was clearly desperate. The throng of people had long since begun to thin out, but Riana continued walking the streets, not even caring if she passed deep into dark alley-ways. The dark was more comforting to her than light ... for in the light people could view her imperfections.
*
A weary two hours later when Big Ben had pealed to signify the hour of nine, Riana could take no more and traipsed to a corner on one of the dingier streets. Reaching her chosen spot, she piled her suitcases and sat down on the curb. She felt no fear, except that of the unknown, but she was very, very tired and cold. Seldom had she ever been out this late.
Riana gazed up at the shimmering moon appearing in the hazy sky; sighing, she lifted her left hand, stretched it toward the moon and covered the glowing orb with all five of her twig-like fingers. Dropping her hand to her lap, she leaned toward her luggage, her thinly-boned head beginning to droop onto one of the suitcases ... slowly, slowly...
Suddenly a "SCREECH!" and a "CLANG" ripped her out of the fields of slumber and deposited her right back on the street corner where'd she been sitting for ten minutes. Riana looked up, fiercely annoyed with whatever had unceremoniously interrupted her cat-nap. What she saw was a strange sight, indeed. An extremely tall purple bus had stopped in front of her, and an acne-scarred man in his late twenties or early thirties was hanging onto the hand-rail by the doorway and reading an announcement in his hand.
"'Ello, and welcome to the Knight Bus...Emergency Transport for the Witch or Wizard in Dis-tress. That is ... the Stranded Witch or Wizard." The man spoke, his accent such a heavy cockney that Riana, who had leapt to her feet, could barely understand him. "I'm Stan Shunpike, and I'll be your CON-ductor for this 'ere evenin'. At this, he flipped the announcement closed and looked down at Riana.
"Ow... you're a little mite, aren' you? Wos your name?" With this question, Stan reached up a grimy hand and scratched his nose.
Riana tilted her head to one side and asked, "Why do you need to know?" She wasn't altogether sure that she liked this man; he was very forward and very, very dirty. Nevertheless, she was immensely happy to be contacted by the world which had sent her the Hogwarts letter.
"Well, y'see, on account o' your bein' a stranger and on account of my havin' never seen you before, I think it would be good manners to introduce y'self, in a manner o' speakin'." Stan's tone was incredulous, his face revealing that he thought this the most obvious thing in the world.
Riana sighed. "Well, all right. I'm Riana Carrington, and I'm going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
At this, Stan let out a yelp of laughter. "Did ya hear that Ern?" he asked the ancient and bespectacled driver. "'Er says she's goin' to 'Ogwarts...in August!"
At this second speech, Stan collapsed in hyena-like laughter against the brass hand-rail of the bus and howled for five minutes straight. Riana simply stared deciding fervently that she did not like this man at all.
Straightening her gaunt frame primly, Riana asked, "And what's wrong with going to Hogwarts this early? I suppose you know..."
"I? But o' course I know. And, you, bein' new and what-not, really can't be ex-pected t' know, can ya?"
Stan had composed himself and jumped to the pavement, causing Riana to hop back; he collected her luggage, the suitcases minuscule in his large hands, and stepped ahead of her into the bus. Riana followed, her heart beating slightly faster than normal, thudding with resounding echoes in her thin chest cavity. Stan made his way past the front of the bus...which, Riana noticed, had two large and squishy armchairs, one that the driver was using and another clearly reserved for Stan...and deposited Riana's bags on a bed.
Riana followed and sat down next to her bags. What on earth is a bed doing on a bus? she wondered until she looked up and saw that the bus was, not only tall, but tiered and that each level was covered in beds filled by snoring occupants in very odd clothing combinations. On the first floor alone, snoozing in separate beds was a man wearing a bright red top hat here, a very dark, fat woman wearing an ebony cloak there, and at the very back, near the twisting staircase, a bearded man reclined, sporting turquoise, high-heeled boots.
Bubbling over with questions, Riana leapt off the squishy bed and walked to the front of the bus where Stan was sitting in his armchair sipping a cup of coffee.
"Excuse me ... sir, but why can't I go to Hogwarts in August?"
Stan looked over the edge of his mug at Riana as she spoke, and then he motioned for her to sit down on the bed closest to them. The instant Riana's bony bottom touched the soft mattress, the bus gave a spontaneous lurch and was tearing down the streets of London. Riana gasped at each turn but neither Stan nor Ernie nor any of the other occupants seemed to notice anything odd. Stan continued to sip his coffee, and Riana waited impatiently for him to finish. At last, when he had drained the last drop from his mug, Stan lowered it and wiped his lips with his grubby hand.
"Well, now, y'see, the school year don' start 'till September and ya won't be able to get there without takin' the 'Ogwarts Express. And, well, unless ya have some more trunks hidden somewhere," here Stan looked back at Riana's meager pile of luggage, "then you need to take the rest of this 'ere month to stop in at Diagon Alley."
With this, Stan reclined in his armchair and looked down his abnormally long nose at Riana whose mouth hung open with the influx of this new information.
"So ... you know, then, where I can buy supplies?"
This rather commonplace question was the first thing that Riana could force out of her mouth. She saw Stan looking at her with an amazed look on his face. She ducked her head and narrowed her grey eyes. She didn't like his slightly condescending manner or the way in which he was staring at her, simply because she hadn't any real knowledge of the wizarding world.
"Well," he said after a moment, "sure I does ... ya goes to Diagon Alley and to get there, you'll have t' get to the Leaky Cauldron, that's a pub, see, and," he broke off at this, realization dawning in his eyes, "you came from a Muggle home, didn't ya?"
A What home? thought Riana, completely confused now.
"A m-Muggle home? What's that?"
The words were out before Riana could stop them, and Stan burst into his aggravating laughter again. She sighed and rolled her eyes, waiting for him to stop.
This man is an imbecile, she thought condescendingly as she watched Stan collapse in a fit of mirth.
"Muggles are non-magical people ... just people with no wizarding blood, you know. But, of course you don' 'cause ya just came from there. Anyhow, the place to go is the Leaky Cauldron, and from there to Diagon Alley. You can buy supplies there and stay at the Cauldron."
Riana said nothing; what could she have said? She had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.
And what is Diagon Alley? Riana contemplated moodily.
Stan was, however, oblivious as always. Taking this silence for agreement, Stan looked over his shoulder and shouted, "Oi, Ern! Take 'er to the Leaky Cauldron. Riana, 'ere 'as to get off there."
Riana barely had time to grab onto the headboard of the bed as the bus gave an almighty lurch and raced toward the Leaky Cauldron and her new, increasingly curious life.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Serpent in the Moonlight
33 Reviews | 7.45/10 Average
It was all incredibly well-written. So does Riana get help to deal with her anorexia? Did you adopt the plot in another more well-read FF because we readers here aren't doing your authoring justice in reviewing? I think it's just that the traffic isn't high, but it will come! Is the completed FF posted in another HP portal?
Love your pace. And the OCs. Too bad I wouldn't have come across this story if not for the random FF spinner.
I have been reading your story avidly since the beginning. Good work, though I wish the girl would eat!
Wow ... a much longer chapter! I have about thirty seconds to review, so I'll just say that that was great, and I can't wait till they get to Hogwarts. I'm glad Fabian will be looking out for her!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Oh, I know ... it was very long. I'm not too fond of it, actually, so I'm going to rewrite it and then resubmit it. I'm glad you enjoyed it though. Your reviews, as always, truly encourage me! :-)I, too, cannot WAIT until they get to Hogwarts ... it's been too long. :-PThanks again!~Julia~
Ooh ... what an unusual idea! I'm looking forward to finding out exactly what happened in that chapter. Does Leanne know that Riana is at the Leaky Cauldron now?I thoroughly enjoyed your writing in that chapter, particularly this : "Carefully ignoring the prone figure frozen on the bed, Riana’s evading gaze hurriedly glanced at the floor where the broken glass from the photograph mixed with the fibers of pink carpet, creating a sparkling mélange of color as it was touched by the pinpricks of moonlight from the room’s open windows."Really lovely. Well done! :)
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thanks for your complimentary review, :). I'm so pleased that you are still enjoying the story.
I'm so glad, too, that you liked the idea for this chapter--it has been the one that most people have complaints against. Some feel it's too vague, others don't understand the point. However, rest assured that there is, indeed, significance in that blue book with the bronze writing. Hee!
I believe that the way in which I wrote it explains why most people find a hard time enjoying it, :-S. This chapter was very similar to my one-shot, "The Ultimate Trust" in that it was very image-oriented and had less of a storyline. Most people don't like that. But I'm thrilled that you tapped into that. Kudos to you for being observant! :P
And about Leanne, yes, she knows that Riana is alive, anyway. But she doesn't know--and I believe I can tell you this without ruining anything--that Riana is at the Leaky Cauldron. There are other things, though, that she does know...Hee! But I won't say what they are.
My utmost thanks, again, for your endlessly wonderful reviews. They truly encourage me. :)
~Julia~
how strange...very interesting...
more. :)
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thanks for R&R-ing. I hope you enjoyed it. :) More should be around soon... but no rushing, eh? We want the next chapter to be good, too. :P Hee!
~Julia~
Response from togspled (Reviewer)
i want to say rush, but i know you're right. take it slow. make it good. (as i know you will.)thank u!
Really nice chapter. I love the way Fabian is having a positive effect on her ... he's good for her.Your writing is getting more and more fluid ... keep it up!And ... can't wait to find out who her parents are! More ... and SOON!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you, as always, for your lovely comments. This was one of my more ... eloquent chapters, I suppose you could say, hee! Just kidding... but, really, I'm grateful to you for your kind words.
I, too, am glad that Riana now has Fabian. He's not perfect, but I love him to death. :)
And... I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit longer to truly know who Riana's parents are. *pulls face* There are aspects of her history that I wouldn't want an eleven-year-old to know. So, years must pass until she finds out the Truth. *giggles and points at the capital T*
Anyway, thanks so much for your comment and I'm going to go and read/review the newest chapter in "Where My Future Lies." :)
~Julia~
Response from little beloved (Reviewer)
*
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
swoons and faints*. YEARS??? We have to wait for YEARS until we find out the Truth (capital T!)???Cruel! Intriguing, though! :) Gosh ... and I thought I was cruel for stringing things along!Gotta go read your new chappie now!BTW: I was slightly incorrect about the inventor of the entrail-expelling curse. It was Urquhart Rackharrow, chapter 22 of OotP.
riana and fabian are so cute together! this mystery about her parents is fascinating. (and i can't wait to see what fabian thinks is 'real fun')
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you so much for your review. :) I'm so glad that you are enjoying Riana and Fabian's time together.
The mystery, yes... that will all be revealed in good time. I'm so glad you're intrigued; your enthusiasm truly encourages me.
Fabian... well, not this next chapter, but the one after that... that will show a bit of Fabian's definition of 'real' fun. :P Not all... but then, Riana's not a werecat either. Thus, she wouldn't be able to accompany him on his nighttime jaunts, more's the pity. :(
Thank you again, though, for your lovely review. I love getting them.
~Julia~
Wonderful! Well written, as always, and Padma Patil is a most welcome addition!There is only one thing I would like to point out, and it is not something you could be exptected to know if you haven't been to Britain. I live in Ireland, lived in England for two years, and make many trips to London/Scotland. Biscuits with gravy (especially the white kind) are an entirely American phenomenon, and would never be found in any pubs/restaurants/diners in Europe. They simply don't exist here. Gravy here is runny and brown, made from meat stock, and biscuits here are what you refer to as cookies.I went to the U.S for the first time in January, and came across 'biscuits with gravy' ... and was very puzzled indeed! There are so many differences between our cultures and U.K/U.S English ... it's quite mind-boggling!Okay ... rambling finished now! Anyway, as I said, I thoroughly enjoyed that chapter, and look forward to the next! Well done! :)
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you for your lovely comments and also for your con. crit. Those comments really help me, I wish I could get more of them, hee! But I will change it right away!
I had no idea that "biscuits" weren't available with (American) gravy. *gasp* It seems to be a main staple on restaurant/cafe' menus here in America.
Again, thank you ever so much for R&R-ing as well as for the correction. :)
~Julia~
Response from little beloved (Reviewer)
You're very welcome! If I had to write a fic set in the U.S, I would be completely lost as regards many things, such as food.I see so many Americanisms creeping into HP fics. A very common one is 'pinkie' ... a word never used here. We simply call it a 'little finger'.Having said that, my beta (who is American) is forever finding Irishisms in my work. Even between England and Ireland there are so many differences in phrases and sayings.Can't what for chapter 12!
Response from little beloved (Reviewer)
Can't what for chapter 12!!!???Can't wait for chapter 12, obviously! ;)
i love your descriptions of the books! ~~Or so she thought…~~ that has me interested indeed...
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thanks very much,
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
! :) It really encourages me that you like the story and find it intriguing. I enjoyed writing the descriptions of the books very much.
And you shall see ... what "~~Or so she thought...~~" meant. Oh, yes ... you shall certainly see. :)
~Julia~
Well done, well written and you obviously have done your homework with all those books ... lots from Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them etc ... I'm looking forward to her meeting students and getting some dialogue going!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Why thank you, :). Yes, if there's one thing I can do ... it's my homework. *grimaces slightly* Although homework for HP is much better than homework for ... anything else. :)
There will be plenty of dialogue in the following chapters, however there is so much background to cover that the first chapters are rather limited in dialogue. Never fear! There are great things to come.
Thanks so much for R&R-ing.
~Julia~
great intro to diagon alley!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you very much. I love writing about Gringotts because it is such an amazing place! Me and my "dusty balustrades," *sigh*
Hee! Thanks again for R&R-ing.
~Julia~
Another good chapter :) Am getting imaptient for her to meet some witches/wizards now, though!Keep up the good work!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you for your review. I assume you've just started reading the story? :)
And there will soon be contact with witches and wizards, hee! :) Chapter after next, I believe...
Again, thanks so much for your review--it was very encouraging!
~Julia~
riana's anorexia seems to be getting worse, poor girl. it'll be interesting to see how that affects her at Hogwarts.
I never would have thought old Tom could make a smoothie! haha...
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Well, thank you, :). Personally, that wasn't my favorite chappie, however, I'm glad that you are still sensing Riana's conflict.
Tom is very talented, hee! The only problem is that he doesn't want anybody to see that, *shiftily looks left and right*
Thank you so much for R&Ring.
~Julia~
This is such an interesting story. I'm so glad to have discovered it! Looking forward to your next update!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you so much! :) I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the story. I didn't want it to be run-of-the-mill, which has caused a smidge of trouble when getting it validated on other sites! Hee! (Something about 'delicate issues...') :P
However, I'm very glad that you have found my story and the next chapter is in queue, so it should be up soon.
~Julia~
What a very different and interesting story! I'm so glad you reviewed mine, or I might not have discovered this!Well written and intriguing ... reading on now!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Oh, thank you so much! I'm so glad I reviewed yours, too, or I might not have ever found it! (That's slightly confusing, but you get the picture, hee!)
Thank you, again, for your kind comments.
~Julia~
Nice start, i like it, please continue soon!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you very much for your review! It encourages me ever so much that you like my story! :)
The next chapter is in queue, so it should be up soon.
~Julia~
And ... I'm so looking forward to her upcoming journey to Hogwarts!!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Oh, thank you very much! I'm sorry that it was such a short chapter, but I'm very glad that you enjoyed it! :)
~Julia~
Response from notsosaintly (Reviewer)
Short chapters are nice ... and sometimes they are essential. As in this case; it was a pivotal point. Now, I'm really looking forward to the next chapter!
omg...parseltongue. riana is a very complex character! (and definitely a true slytherin?) great job
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you very much! I'm so glad you find her interesting. The last thing in the world that I wanted to do was create a "Mary Sue." :) Considering, however, that she's her own person, that wasn't too difficult at all! Thanks for R & R - ing ... I really appreciate it!
~Julia~
Yes, Riana will definitely be sorted into Slytherin. You captured Leanne's feelings very well. Being a mom myself I could feel her desperation. You really have a way of capturing feelings in your writing. I am enjoying this story and looking forward to more!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Hehe, how'd you guess? I'm kidding... yes, I did want her to be in Slytherin. We always hear such bad things about the Slytherins and I wanted to look at the whole "magic" situation from a 'Snake's' position. :)
Thank you very much for your kind review!
~Julia~
Yes, I should be assigned detention with Professor Snape for not reviewing until now. You really have created suspense with this chapter. I loved the detail, her search for the key. It reminded me of similar personal pursuits. But the end, with her mom coming into the kitchen and her trying to look normal, like she wasn't up to anything... well, I could feel my heart thumping in my chest as if I were a teenager again and was definitely up to something. Well done!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Wow. What great praise! :) Thanks very much for your kindness. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. And it's fine that you haven't reviewed 'till now... you've read them, at least. :)
Again, thanks very, very much!
~Julia~
oh i just love it when u post another chapter!
the story is coming along so very nicely. keep it up!
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thanks very much for R&R-ing. *smiles*
I'm so glad you like the story. :) Also, Riana will soon get to Hogwarts, just stick with her, please. The story is taking its own precious time, but I think it will turn out all right ... at least I hope so, hee! :)
~Julia~
Ooooh! Urquhart! Wasn't he that entrail-expelling curse chappie?And yay! His Mum's Irish. Gosh, it looks like this is going to be a seriously long story! Any idea how many chapters?Enjoying ... as always! 
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Hmm.. not sure about the "entrail-expelling" but he was the captain of Slytherin Quidditch team at one point. :)
I love Favel (plus her name is so fun!) She was a pleasure to write, even though she is a very minor character ... at this point. Hee!
About the length, hmm, well... I really don't know how long it's going to be. *laughs uneasily* I was going to try and make it 30 chapters, however, the length of some of the chapters is so short. I simply ended where I felt a cliffhanger would do well. They just happened. I'm sure you know what I mean. :)
Now, though, I'm thinking that I may do volumes of Riana's life. You know, Serpent in the Moonlight: Volume One. This one details her first year. Serpent in the Moonlight: Volume Two... and so on and so forth. A bit like the HP books, but not. There's just so much information about her that I want to share and she can't discover everything in her first year ... that much knowledge would kill her, poor thing. :( Honestly, I have some ghastly stuff planned for her in the future. I'm so mean. Hee! *snickers evilly*
Anyway, that was a really long post. *sigh* I should have just said "Thank You," except that I love getting your reviews and your feedback. Talking to much again... must go. Thanks so much!
~Julia~
so there's still pureblood-mania so long after the HP events? that's intriguing. i'm eager to learn the missing history there. fabian's character is getting more and more complex...
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Oh, as long as there are purebloods, there will be pureblood mania. :) I'm glad you are intrigued by Fabian's character ... the last thing in the world I wanted to do was make him "flat." *cough Ron & Hermione cough cough* Hee! Just kidding... only in canon, not in fanon. :D
I love getting your reviews! :) Thanks so very, very much.
~Julia~
great byplay between riana and fabian. he seems like he'll be good for her with his friendly nature and everything. if only he could convince her to eat a licorice wand...
Response from Celestial Melody (Author of Serpent in the Moonlight)
Thank you so much for your lovely compliments. I do plan to continue Fabian as a foil to Riana ... if only he could get her to eat that Licorice Wand, hee! :)
~Julia~