Ernest Prang

Ernest Prang
Biographical information
Born	Before 1976 (most likely)
Nationality	British or Irish
Also known as	Ernie (by Dre Head) Ern (by Stan Shunpike)
Physical information
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Magical characteristics
Boggart	Lord Voldemort
Patronus	None
Affiliation
Occupation	Driver of the Knight Bus
House	Gryffindor
Loyalty	Knight Bus Albus Dumbledore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Gryffindor

"Ernie didn't seem to have mastered the use of a steering wheel. The Knight Bus kept mounting the pavement, but it didn't hit anything; lines of lampposts, mailboxes, and trash cans jumped out of its way as it approached and back into position once it had passed. "

— Ernie's questionable driving skills

Ernest "Ernie" Prang (fl. 1993-1997) was a British wizard who was the driver of the Knight Bus in the late 20th century and the early 21st century.

Biography

Early life

Ernest Prang's origin is unknown. He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in his youth, and was a member of Gryffindor house. Eventually, he began driving the Knight Bus. He worked with Stan Shunpike, the conductor of the Knight Bus, who sometimes called Ernie by his nickname, Ern.

1990s

"Best go wake up Madam Marsh, Stan, we'll be in Abergavenny in a minute"

— Ernie whilst driving the Knight Bus

Harry Potter first encountered Prang in 1993, when he was picked up by the Knight Bus after leaving his Aunt and Uncle's house. When Harry was taken to the Leaky Cauldron Ernie followed him in and was forced to leave by Cornelius Fudge, the then-Minister of Magic. Ernie was later present at the funeral of Albus Dumbledore in early July 1997.

2010s

In the early 2010s, an unusual event involving the Knight Bus was reported by the Daily Prophet. On the night of 25 October, the bus was speeding through London when Prang spotted a shiny pumpkin in the road. After stopping to investigate, Shunpike, the conductor, found nothing out of the ordinary, so they continued on their route. However, as they drove on, hundreds of pumpkins suddenly appeared, bouncing and trailing behind the bus. These pumpkins vanished as the bus approached Northampton. Shortly after, Ernie turned to find Stan's head covered by a large carved pumpkin on his head, glowing green. Ernie quickly dispelled the pumpkin, but upon checking the bus, he discovered that every passenger had disappeared, leaving only a single pumpkin on each bed.

Physical appearance

Prang was described as an elderly grey-haired wizard with very thick glasses, giving him an "owlish" appearance.

Personality and traits

Prang was very clearly committed to his driving, and seldom talked much to passengers on the Knight Bus. (leaving that to Stan Shunpike, preferring to concentrate on his driving). He also was clearly a supporter of Albus Dumbledore, following his decision to attend his funeral.

Prang's driving skills left much to be desired and were in dire need of improvement, as he frequently drove off the road and into objects, such as post boxes, lamp posts and trees. This may have been at least partly due to the bus' extreme speed. Fortunately, due to the bus' magical nature, the objects got out of the way.

Etymology

Ernie Prang and Stan Shunpike, the driver and conductor of the Knight Bus, were named after J. K. Rowling's grandfathers, Ernest Arthur Rowling and Stanley George Volant, respectively. Ernie's last name is a play on words, as "prang" is English slang meaning "to wreck an automobile".

Behind the scenes

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Ernie is played by the late Jimmy Gardner.
• In the 2004 LEGO Harry Potter set 4755 Knight Bus, Prang was replaced by Stanley Shunpike as the driver of the Knight Bus. Despite this, Prang was included later in the 2011 remake set 4866 Knight Bus.

Appearances

Ernie as a LEGO minifigure (2019 edition)

Ernie Prang in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Pottermore (Mentioned only)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
• LEGO Harry Potter
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (Consoles and Windows versions)
• LEGO Harry Potter
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (Mentioned only)