Why the Knight Bus?

[jastrangfeld]

No: HPFGUIDX 45754

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Susan Miller" <smiller_92407 at y...> wrote:
> I don't understand the WW appeal of the Knight Bus. Other than a 
plot 
> device, what is the purpose?
> 

snip: other modes:
apparate. 
> Floo powder, broomsticks, and even magic motorcycles, not to 
mention 
> the train.
> ~ Constance Vigilance


My wondering thoughts (still have the flu) 

Seemed like besides Harry, they were mainly older wizards.

apparate:  tales of 1/2 apparated bodies falls into my memory.  I 
also remember not everyone is able to apparate.  Perhaps as you 
get "older" it seems more dangerous?

Floo powder:  Face full of soot, swirly around about to loose my 
lunch, elbows and knees knocked on other fireplaces, being thrown to 
my knees on landing . . . not pleasant.

broomsticks:  can't be completely comfortable, or reasonable to carry 
everything one might need.  Some people probably never probably learn 
to control it.  Not to mention the possibility of being seen by 
muggles.

Magic motorcycles????  I believe we're talking something that is 
muggle in origination with some magic on it?  Of course, this is my 
one argument with the knight bus.  A tripple decker where magic has 
been used on it?  Otherwise, how can it leap hundreds of miles at 
once, and then of course, whole barns and trees hopping out of it's 
way?  Oh yes, and the motorcycles could possibly be seen by muggles.  
I have been kind of wondering how Sirius got away with having one.  
And then Hagrid borrowed it.  While we have never heard what happened 
to it, I would think it was confiscated by the MOM.

Trains:  So far, we've only been told of the Hogwarts Express.  We 
haven't heard of any other trains except the muggle ones, which most 
wizards don't seem to carry muggle money around, or want to travel 
with muggles.  The Knight Bus jumps 100's of miles at once.  Seems to 
be a bit faster.

I suppose the Knight bus at least offers a chance of some sleep while 
getting from one destination to the other.  And it's at night,(so it 
would seem) so some of those other modes of transportation might not 
be so great.  They'd have to have their headlights on.


Again, sorry if I'm rambling . . . stupid flu.

Julie