The train ride was long and boring, while I read a potions book (yes, boring), Alex mostly slept. It was hours before we finally got to Platform 9 3/4.

[i][b]"Well, am I glad to be off that train. Now, while we could walk, I have a better idea,"[/b][/i] Alex said, a smile crossing his face that I was immediately suspicious of. He promptly grabbed my hand, and before I could manage to yank it away and just follow him, he was pulling me along behind him so fast I had to walk fast to keep up with him.

"Alex, where are we - " I started to ask, but he pulled us both through the portal to Kings Cross Station and outside to the nearest curb. The next thing I knew, he was pulling out his wand to summon - of all things - the Knight Bus. I'd never been on it, but I had caught a glimpse of it once.

Alex pulled us onto it and we sat down, the seats immediately sliding across the floor. I was nearly launched across the seats lying down, and grabbed onto the bottom of my chair. This was a mistake, as I tipped over entirely and hit Alex's legs. At that point, I let go of the bottom of my seat and sat near a support bar on the floor, hanging on and hoping not to get crushed by anything. I looked over as the viscous motions continued and shot Alex a filthy look at making me endure this.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity but was actually just a few minutes at most. When the bus came to a stop in front of what looked like a dilapidated old building, I stood up with shaky legs and ran outside to a garbage can, promptly heaving my breakfast into it. When Alex got off the bus, I turned to face him.

"Thank you SO much for that experience. I will never do that again," I said, meaning it. I turned and walked into the building, immediately greeted by a larger crowd of Wizards than I was expecting. Alex, of course, was right behind me.

When we finally managed to fight through the busy room to the counter, I waved the owner, Tom, over. "Hello, we need two rooms for 15 days," I said, motioning to the two of us separately.

The old gentleman looked at his ledger filled with disorganized notes and spidery handwriting. Shortly he looked up. "I'm sorry, we only have one room left at the moment. Lots of families in London with their students. But the amount of days is no problem. Payment is up front. 30 galleons for 15 days."

I chewed my lip and resisted looking at Alex. We didn't really have a choice, I hated commuting from Muggle hotels to Diagon Alley. Without a word to either Alex or Tom, I pulled out my money bag and counted out 30 galleons. The old man handed me a key and I tromped off, my face reddening.

Room 23. The old stairs were creaky as I headed up, making me wonder just how secure they were. Once reaching the door, I unlocked it and stepped in.

There were *thankfully* two beds, I would have conjured one or duplicated the one if I'd had to. As if sharing a room wasn't bad enough.

Tromping over to the one closest to the lavatory, I cast off my bag onto it and then flopped down, cheeks flaming.

"Well...that didn't go as expected," I managed to say in a small voice.