Гарри Поттер и узник Азкабана
The Knight Bus
Harrysteppedbackward.Hislegshithistrunkandhetripped.Hiswandflewoutofhishandasheflungoutanarmtobreakhisfall,andhelanded,hard,inthegutter.
TherewasadeafeningBANG,andHarrythrewuphishandstoshieldhiseyesagainstasuddenblindinglight...
Withayell,herolledbackontothepavement,justintime.Asecondlater,agiganticpairofwheelsandheadlightsscreechedtoahaltexactlywhereHarryhadjustbeenlying.Theybelonged,asHarrysawwhenheraisedhishead,toatriple-decker,violentlypurplebus,whichhadappearedoutofthinair.GoldletteringoverthewindshieldspelledTheKnightBus.
Forasplitsecond,Harrywonderedifhehadbeenknockedsillybyhisfall.Thenaconductorinapurpleuniformleaptoutofthebusandbegantospeakloudlytothenight.
"WelcometotheKnightBus,emergencytransportforthestrandedwitchorwizard.juststickoutyourwandhand,steponboard,andwecantakeyouanywhereyouwanttogo.MynameisStanShunpike,andIwillbeyourconductorthiseve—"
Theconductorstoppedabruptly.HehadjustcaughtsightofHarry,whowasstillsittingontheground.Harrysnatcheduphiswandagainandscrambledtohisfeet.Closeup,hesawthatStanShunpikewasonlyafewyearsolderthanhewas,eighteenornineteenatmost,withlarge,protrudingearsandquiteafewpimples.
"Whatwereyoudoin’downthere?"saidStan,droppinghisprofessionalmanner.
