Chapter 1140: Just in Case
Chapter 1140: Just in Case
In the southern waters of France, a sailing ship with its floating boards extended drifted quietly on the sea, deserted by all.
On the deck, a young man in swimming trunks sat focused on a crystal ball emitting wisps of white fog, as if trying to discern something from within.
After a moment, the young man seemed to discern something and sighed softly. "So, it seems something unpleasant has indeed occurred?"
"What is it, dear?"
A gentle voice sounded from behind as the cabin door opened. Isabelle, clad in a swimsuit, emerged carrying a bowl of iced watermelon.
She placed the fruit before Albert and asked curiously, "What have you prophesied now?"
Picking up a slice of watermelon casually and taking a bite, Albert turned his gaze towards Isabelle. "Something unpleasant has happened."
"Unpleasant?" Isabelle looked at the crystal ball but couldn't discern anything. She then turned her attention back to Albert. "What exactly happened?"
"See for yourself!" Albert lifted his hand and touched the crystal ball. The fog within began to stir, revealing a charred palm that belonged to Dumbledore as he examined it.
"This... Dumbledore doesn't seem to be in a good state?" Isabelle furrowed her brows as she stared at Dumbledore's palm. Despite her lack of knowledge about dark magic, that charred hand seemed devoid of life and completely necrotic.
"It seems he's been afflicted by some malicious curse." Albert felt helpless. "Dumbledore is probably... close to death, despite my repeated warnings to him."
He had done all he could, but to little effect. As for keeping a constant watch or directly helping Dumbledore avoid danger?
That would be a laughable notion.
Perhaps that was why prophecies were so challenging to alter.
"Is Dumbledore going to die soon?" Isabelle remained calm, having suspected this for a while, though it was the first time she heard Albert say it himself.
"Probably within the next year or two." Albert removed his hand from the crystal ball.
"What about the mysterious man?" Isabelle sat in the chair next to him and held his hand tightly, her face filled with worry. "Who can stand up to him if Dumbledore is gone? Everyone knows he fears Dumbledore, and it's because of him that the wizarding world is currently peaceful."
Would they have to rely on Harry Potter, the legendary savior?
That was a joke. Even though Albert had always proclaimed Harry to be the savior, whether he could defeat the mysterious man was highly questionable.
Eventually, this matter would likely fall onto Albert's shoulders, as he was perhaps the only one capable of facing Voldemort head-on after Dumbledore's demise.
However, Isabelle didn't want her husband to take such risks, even though she had immense faith in him. She didn't want that day to come.
"We should trust Dumbledore," Albert said, setting down the watermelon and placing his hand gently on Isabelle's back. He guessed what she was thinking and whispered, "I'm not the savior, and I won't be foolish enough to challenge the mysterious man alone. Defeating him is Harry Potter's task, and we should believe in him, just as Dumbledore always has."
"You've gone to confront the mysterious man more than once," Isabelle looked into Albert's eyes and chided, "and a Gryffindor like you loves adventure."
"No, that's not adventure," Albert corrected, shaking his head as he put away the crystal ball. "I usually take Dumbledore with me to deliver a righteous beating to the mysterious man. Besides, you should know that I'm actually quite afraid of dying."
"I wish you were more afraid of death, for my sake and for our future children." Isabelle held Albert's hand tightly and placed it on her stomach.
"You're pregnant?" Albert asked, surprised.
"I don't know," Isabelle replied.
"You don't know?"
"We will have children someday." Isabelle changed the subject, handing Albert a bottle of sunscreen. "Help me apply this first."
She then led him to the shade of an umbrella, where house-elves had already delivered two glasses of watermelon juice.
"When did you start enjoying sunbathing? Be careful not to tan too much," Albert said as he squeezed some sunscreen onto his hands and began to carefully apply it to Isabelle's body. He enjoyed this process, and so did she.
"Now it's your turn. Lie down," Isabelle said as she sat up on the lounge chair, applying sunscreen to Albert while adding, "You should take this opportunity to relax and let go of all your worries. It's not healthy to be constantly tense."
"I'm not always tense!" Albert protested.
"Then what were you doing with the crystal ball earlier?" Isabelle pinched Albert's waist playfully and grumbled, "You're always concerned about the future and the direction things are heading."
Albert turned over, intending to apply sunscreen to his front, but Isabelle stopped him.
"Lie still," she said, poking his chest. "So, stop treating me like a fool."
"Who would dare treat you like a fool?" Albert had to endure the itchiness and explained helplessly, "It's just a common trait among seers. Everyone hopes for a bright future, especially in these turbulent times. If something unpleasant is about to happen, at least we can escape or warn others in time."
"I know you don't care about that," Isabelle said.
"Then what do you care about?"
"Only you."
Isabelle didn't care about the fate of the British wizarding world. She only wished for Albert to survive this war safely.
"Sorry for making you worry," Albert said.
"Actually, I wish we could leave Europe," Isabelle whispered, her head almost touching Albert's face. "Let's get away from all the danger and live our own lives. I don't want to live like my mother; it scares me."
"My wonderful life has just begun, and you know I cherish you more than anything..." Albert trailed off as Isabelle placed her finger on his lips.
"What is it?" he asked.
She whispered into his ear, causing his heart to race.
"Well?" Isabelle asked.
Albert shook his head, his expression complicated as he gazed at Isabelle. He reached out and caressed her head, saying, "There's no need for that. You should trust me, trust a seer's intuition, my strength, and my preparations. Don't forget I also have a Time-Turner."
"Of course, I trust you," Isabelle affirmed. "But I need to be prepared just in case."
"Just in case?" Albert's expression became even more complicated, and he heaved a heavy sigh. He could understand Isabelle's concerns, especially since he was on Voldemort's hit list and wouldn't simply stay put in a home protected by the Fidelius Charm.
"After we return to Britain, I won't go running around recklessly or put myself in danger," Albert promised, kissing his wife's forehead.
(End of Chapter)
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