Chapter 1112: Taking Precautions
Chapter 1112: Taking Precautions
In the early morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and a gentle breeze brought a cool summer night breeze.
The two figures on the bed were still asleep, but they would soon wake up, having recently developed a habit of morning exercises.
Isabelle suddenly opened her eyes, sitting up abruptly in bed. The thin blanket slid off her smooth, fair skin, but she paid it no mind as she reached up to hold her forehead, breathing heavily as if she had just had a nightmare.
"What's wrong?"
Albert was stirred awake by the movement beside him. He opened his eyes groggily and turned to Isabelle, who seemed to have had a nightmare. He reached out to pull her close, letting her lean on his shoulder.
"I just had a nightmare," Isabelle said, opening her eyes again and taking a moment to steady her breathing. "I dreamed that Mom was in danger. Since the Death Eaters couldn't find us, they..."
Albert summoned the metallic book from the bedside table with a wave of his hand, and it landed gently in his palm. He opened it to show Isabelle the ink blot representing Mrs. McDougall, "Don't worry, dear. Mrs. McDougall is safe for now."
"I know it was just a dream, but sometimes a wizard's dream can be a warning," Isabelle, who had studied divination, explained. Even though she couldn't predict the future like Albert, she knew the significance of certain signs.
"We have a Time-Turner, so there's no need to worry," Albert reassured her gently. "If you're still concerned, we can invite her to stay with us for a while?"
"Mom probably won't give up her work easily," Isabelle rested her head on Albert's shoulder and sighed softly. She actually agreed with Albert's suggestion; it wasn't safe to leave Mrs. McDougall alone.
Especially with their wedding approaching and Albert now on the mysterious person's blacklist, Mrs. McDougall's situation had become quite delicate. One could never predict the actions of a desperate Death Eater; they were capable of anything.
"I think she'll agree," Albert kissed Isabelle's cheek confidently. "And if she doesn't, I have a way to persuade her. So, no need to worry."
"Do you really think she'll agree?" Isabelle asked, still feeling rattled from the nightmare, as if her energy had been sapped. She leaned heavily against Albert.
"She will," Albert assured her.
"How do you plan to do it?" Isabelle wanted to stay in bed and sleep some more, but she knew she had to pull herself together.
"In the worst-case scenario, we'll temporarily modify some of her memories," Albert said without hesitation. "It's something that will have to be done eventually. Once the Death Eaters suffer heavy losses at the hands of the Aurors, they'll go mad with rage and seek revenge on us. Just as you predicted, if they can't find us, they'll go after Mrs. McDougall."
"Let's go and persuade her this morning, and we'll bring Katrina too. It would be best to talk to her before she leaves for work," Isabelle suggested, glancing at the mechanical clock on the wall. She struggled to get up from Albert's embrace and started getting ready to change her clothes. This matter couldn't wait any longer, especially after the nightmare. Isabelle realized she should have listened to Albert's suggestion earlier and convinced Mrs. McDougall to lie low.
While Albert had been prepared for such situations, the Time-Turner wasn't a panacea. She didn't want to put her family's lives at risk.
"Calm down, dear, you're flustered," Albert said, hugging Isabelle from behind and speaking softly. "Take a moment to calm yourself. You just had a nightmare, and we'll go talk to Mrs. McDougall soon, but first, you need to relax."
"You're right," Isabelle took a deep breath and slowly calmed herself. A wave of exhaustion washed over her again.
Nothing had happened; it was just a nightmare. They just needed to take precautions to avoid any potential troubles.
Before long, Katrina, who had been sleeping soundly, was also awakened. She was surprised to hear that Albert and Isabelle planned to convince Mrs. McDougall to temporarily step away from her work.
However, she actually agreed with the suggestion. With the outside world being so dangerous, Albert had incurred no small amount of hatred from the Death Eaters and the mysterious person, and Mrs. McDougall, left alone, would undoubtedly attract their attention.
No, it wasn't a possibility, it was inevitable.
That would definitely not be a good thing.
The three of them hurried to Mrs. McDougall's safe house, intending to intercept her before she left for work.
"Why are you here?"
Mrs. McDougall looked at the three figures in her hallway in surprise, her eyes widening as her eldest daughter stepped forward to embrace her.
"Isabelle had a nightmare that something happened to you, so we rushed over." Albert glanced at the breakfast on the table; he was feeling a bit hungry.
"A nightmare?"
Mrs. McDougall looked at Isabelle, puzzled, clearly not understanding why she was so worried.
"Recently, the entire wizarding world has become unsafe. We think it's best to lie low for now." Albert explained.
"We believe you should temporarily give up your work and move in with us." Katrina added, "Moreover, Isabelle is getting married. You can't neglect your daughter's wedding because of work, can you?"
Mrs. McDougall opened her mouth, then shifted her gaze to her future son-in-law, asking, "You had a prophecy?"
She didn't believe that they would rush over just because Isabelle had a nightmare.
"I'm sorry about this. It's my fault for involving you." Albert apologized sincerely, "I've offended the Death Eaters and the mysterious person quite a bit recently, and everyone is worried that they will take it out on you."
"When the Death Eaters can't find your residence, they will directly break into St. Mungo's to capture their targets."
"What would you have done if I hadn't agreed?"
"I would have knocked you out and taken you away." Albert said softly.
"Has the situation really become that bad?" Mrs. McDougall sighed, knowing she had no choice.
"It's terrible," Isabelle said, "I don't think we should take the risk."
"You might also need my care in the near future, Isabelle."
Mrs. McDougall suddenly looked intently at her daughter, scanning her up and down as if looking for something.
"What is it, Mom?" Isabelle asked, puzzled.
"Are you pregnant?"
Katrina also turned abruptly to stare at Isabelle, her movement so swift that she almost twisted her neck.
"Not yet." Isabelle glared at Albert.
"If you want children, you must be prepared and committed to welcoming new life." Mrs. McDougall reminded them gently.
"We know."
"I'll pack my things and send an owl to the Healer-in-Charge at St. Mungo's?"
Mrs. McDougall looked at her two daughters and then at her son-in-law, sighing softly. She could tell that no matter what she said, the three of them were determined to take her away for her protection.
"No need, let's leave now. The house-elf will come to pack your things." Albert had no intention of lingering, especially with Isabelle and the others still present. He opened his trunk and summoned the house-elf to take it home.
"Aren't you considering settling abroad?" Mrs. McDougall asked suddenly.
"Not for now." Albert shook his head, "And abroad may not be safe either."
"Have you joined Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix?"
"No, that Order of his is unreliable."
Mrs. McDougall fell silent for a long time before turning to Isabelle and saying, "After the wedding, have a child first. I can help you take care of the baby."
Then, she looked at Albert and reminded him, "Don't keep doing dangerous things. Your life together is just beginning; don't risk your lives unnecessarily."
(End of Chapter)
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