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Chapter 1145: Collusion
Chapter 1145: Collusion
At dusk, Katrina, who had just finished her jog, sat on a swing in the corner of the courtyard to catch her breath. She looked up at the evening glow on the horizon, then turned her gaze back to the flower garden in the courtyard, letting her body sway gently with the swing. No one knew what she was thinking.
Ever since Isabelle and Albert went on their honeymoon, the house had felt empty, with only Katrina and her mother left.
Although house-elves took care of everything and their lives were comfortable, and although she could do whatever she liked every day without the worries that plagued wizards in the outside world, Katrina was still bored with this mundane life.
In fact, she knew that having such thoughts was foolish, even a bit ungrateful.
It was dangerous out there. Even though the Ministry of Magic had suppressed the Death Eaters, those vicious individuals still caused trouble from time to time. Moreover, because of her connection to Albert, she could easily become a target for them.
Indeed, being able to stay here and do nothing, safely passing through these turbulent times, was undoubtedly a blessing. But...
"It seems you still have too much free time on your hands," Mrs. McDougall's voice interrupted Katrina's train of thought.
"I help you compile that book every day, don't I?" Katrina looked up, protesting to her mother.
"I have something to tell you," Mrs. McDougall ignored Katrina's complaint and said abruptly.
"What is it?" Katrina asked impatiently. She had a feeling that it wouldn't be good news.
"I plan to give you all the galleons we earn from publishing that book," Mrs. McDougall said nonchalantly.
"Give it to me? Why?" Katrina was skeptical. "And are you sure the book will sell well?"
"It's for your startup capital," Mrs. McDougall was confident about the book's potential. "Isabelle has Albert to take care of her, and they don't need this money at all. You've just graduated, and it's good to have some money of your own."
"Oh, alright, you're right. I do need some galleons," Katrina agreed. She had no qualms about accepting the money, as she had been helping with the book and never expected it to bring in much profit anyway. It was Albert who suggested the project to keep them occupied.
"So, I'll leave the rest of the compilation work to you," Mrs. McDougall nodded in satisfaction. "Don't worry, I'll help oversee it."
"Are you joking?" Katrina exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. She suspected that her mother was giving her more work just because she was bored.
"You want to open a beauty salon, don't you? You'll need startup capital for that," Mrs. McDougall said, looking at her troublesome daughter. "Here's your chance. Or do you want to rely on Albert? I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping, but is that really what you want?"
Katrina fell silent.
While she had thought about opening a beauty salon, she hadn't considered the financial aspect. Her original plan was to open the salon with everyone's help.
"Even if you don't want to open a shop, it's always good to have some savings of your own. Relying on others is never a wise idea!" Mrs. McDougall advised. "Remember, we don't know how long we'll be staying here, so don't waste your precious life."
"You really do think I have too much free time," Katrina grumbled. "And the meaning of life is not just about making money."
"We're not publishing this book just for the money," Mrs. McDougall corrected her. "People will need it in the near future."
"You really believe what he said," Katrina sighed, unable to hide her skepticism.
"Having a job will keep your mind from wandering," Mrs. McDougall said as she sat on the swing next to Katrina.
"I haven't been wandering in my thoughts," Katrina argued half-heartedly. She reached out to pet the fat cat that was lying steadily on the swing, then changed the subject. "Have they returned?"
"Not yet..." Mrs. McDougall gently sighed and asked, "Have you read the book I gave you?"
"I'm not the one who's pregnant," Katrina grumbled, feeling even more frustrated.
"Isabelle needs your care," Mrs. McDougall reminded her.
"I don't think Isabelle needs my care. She's never needed anyone's care since she was little," Katrina pouted, feeling a mix of emotions.
"She's your sister," Mrs. McDougall said gently.
"I know what you mean," Katrina replied.
"You're an adult now, and I don't want to nag you all the time," Mrs. McDougall glanced at her daughter and continued, "Think about it carefully, and talk to Isabelle when you have the chance. They should be back tonight."
Katrina remained silent. She stood up from the swing, picked up the fat cat that was still lying down and yawning, and walked off towards the bathroom.
"Sigh, she's such an unfilial child," Mrs. McDougall shook her head.
Thanks to prior notice, dinner that day was especially sumptuous.
As the house-elves brought out the delicious dishes and placed them on the dining table, the door to the dining room opened, and in walked Isabelle and Albert, dressed in casual loungewear.
"Welcome home," Katrina greeted Isabelle with a warm hug. After kissing her sister's cheek, she pulled her towards the nearby seat.
"It's not that dramatic," Isabelle found it a little amusing and looked at Tom, who was excitedly rubbing his head against Albert's wrist.
"Long time no see, Tom," Albert squatted down to pet the ecstatic cat's head and then picked him up to feel his weight. "You've gotten heavier."
"Alright, let's eat," Mrs. McDougall smiled and invited them to the table.
The dinner was an interesting mix of cuisines: fried dumplings, fish stew, Italian fried noodles, and beef stew with potatoes... It felt like a fusion of delicacies from different countries.
During the meal, they chatted about the honeymoon.
Mrs. McDougall was surprised to learn that they had spent their honeymoon at sea.
"So, you were hiding underwater for your honeymoon?" Katrina couldn't understand their choice of location.
"It's more accurate to say we were on a ship," Albert corrected her.
Katrina ignored Albert's comment and continued eating, stealing glances at her sister. She felt that Isabelle looked even more beautiful than before.
"Have you confirmed it?" Mrs. McDougall asked. "I'll help you check again later."
"Actually, I've already checked," Isabelle recalled their trip to the Muggle pharmacy and felt a little embarrassed.
"We still need to double-check, and there are some things you should pay special attention to after becoming pregnant.
After dinner, Mrs. McDougall took Isabelle to the specially prepared medical room.
"Have there been any problems at home?" Albert asked as he picked up Tom.
"No, it's just boring staying cooped up here." Katrina glanced at Albert, who was petting the cat, and replied calmly, "That cat is so lazy; I can't get him to exercise."
"It's fine. That's just how Tom is. No need to force him." Albert was nonchalant about it and continued to inquire, "How about the British wizarding world?"
"I've kept all the important news papers for you; they're right here." Katrina walked to the cabinet, pulled out a stack of newspapers, and placed them in front of Albert. She recalled, "Scrimgeour has been sentencing Death Eaters to death, and his fines against them have been exposed. His reputation among the wizarding community is quite polarized."
"The effect is not bad," Albert was not surprised, as Scrimgeour's actions had undoubtedly offended some pure-bloods.
If it weren't for his prior knowledge of his likely demise during his term, Scrimgeour might not have been so extreme.
Unfortunately, someone had intervened and changed the course of events.
"Most of the Death Eaters are hiding and dare not cause trouble anymore, for fear of being caught and brought to trial." Katrina suspected that Scrimgeour's radical actions were influenced by Albert. "However, the Death Eaters are still active. They burned down Scrimgeour's house in retaliation."
"Also, your book, 'Self-Defense Guide,' is a bestseller. It's estimated to be the top-selling book this year." Katrina pointed to the new edition of the 'Self-Defense Guide' on the table and said, "The Ministry of Magic had someone remove a portion of your original manuscript, but the sales galleons are still yours. Well, the main reason is that the Ministry is offering discount coupons, so almost every family is willing to spend one galleon to buy a book."
"That's a brilliant move, isn't it?" Albert said softly, "Even with the Ministry's subsidies, it's only a matter of a thousand galleons. But in return, Scrimgeour gains a large number of supporters and improves his relationship with me. Why wouldn't he do it?"
"You don't think this was your idea, do you?" Katrina eyed Albert suspiciously. It wasn't unreasonable for her to think so, as Scrimgeour had indeed enacted many policies favorable to Albert.
"Why do you say that?" Albert asked in return.
"The Ministry of Magic also set up a Dark Magic Defense Artifact specialty store, supposedly to allow people to buy qualified Dark Magic Defense Artifacts." Katrina pointed to a newspaper on the table and continued, "Of course, some people believe it's a conspiracy by the Weasley family to monopolize the Dark Magic Defense Artifact market."
"Looks like there are quite a few envious people out there!" Albert was not surprised, as the business was extremely lucrative.
"I think it's very normal for people to think that way. After all, the store is right next door, and it sells the same products as your shop." Katrina was confident that this matter was definitely related to Albert, and it seemed like he had found a bodyguard for his store.
"That's actually quite clever."
Albert began reading the newspaper about the Dark Magic Defense Artifact specialty store.
"Indeed, it is." Katrina nodded in agreement and analyzed, "Scrimgeour's actions will indeed win him a lot of support."
"It appeases Arthur Weasley and the members of the Order of the Phoenix he's part of, Harry Potter, and you, a genius. It also solves the problem of inferior Dark Magic Defense Artifacts flooding the market, ensuring that people can buy safe and reliable artifacts, and brings them under the supervision of the Ministry of Magic, saving the Ministry some expenses... and it also addresses the safety issues in Diagon Alley."
"All the Ministry of Magic needs to do is deploy a few employees, and everyone will see Scrimgeour's determination to fight Dark Wizards and protect people's lives."
"By the way, not long ago, Harry Potter also publicly expressed his support for Scrimgeour's crackdown on Dark Wizards." Katrina sighed softly, "Our new minister is quite capable and decisive. Lately, we've been seeing reports of Death Eaters being sentenced to death almost every day."
"Yes, he is indeed very capable." Albert also sighed, "If it were someone else, they'd probably still be struggling with how to clean up Fudge's mess."
"So, you plan to... stay holed up here?" Katrina had never thought of Albert as a docile person.
"Is there a problem with that?" Albert asked in return.
"I thought you'd use the Ministry of Magic to deal with Voldemort."
"Dealing with Voldemort is not my job." Albert put down the newspaper and said calmly, "Scrimgeour won't tolerate an outsider meddling, so why cause trouble for myself?"
This was an indirect admission of his relationship with Scrimgeour.
In truth, their relationship was one of mutual benefit and exploitation.
While Scrimgeour had changed many things due to Albert's influence, his time was running short.
After Dumbledore's death, Scrimgeour's end would soon follow.
This was an undeniably cruel reality.
Of course, Albert had a way to help Scrimgeour escape this fate, but he didn't think the other man would be willing to take that path.
"If you have something to say, just say it!" Albert looked at Katrina, who seemed hesitant to speak.
"It's nothing." Katrina shook her head.
"By the way, I plan to go out for a bit. Tell Isabelle later, will you?" Just before leaving the living room, Albert turned back and instructed Katrina.
"You really can't stay put, can you?" Katrina frowned, "You just got back, and now you're leaving again?"
"Yeah, there's something I need to take care of. I'll be back soon." Albert began preparing for his outing.
As Albert reached the entrance hall under Katrina's watchful gaze, a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Dear, where are you going?" Isabelle asked, displeased at seeing Albert about to leave.
"I need to check on the shop in Diagon Alley. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan have probably been cursing me in their minds by now." Albert turned back and walked to Isabelle's side, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Watching as the wooden door closed again, Katrina turned her head to look at her sister. "If you don't want him wandering around, you should just tell him directly."
"How do you feel about staying at home?" Isabelle withdrew her gaze from the door and asked Katrina.
"It's not great. It's boring, and..." Katrina's words were interrupted by Isabelle.
"We haven't had a good chat in a while. Let's go to your room!" Isabelle suddenly suggested.
"Chatting? Oh, alright!" Katrina's expression was complex, but she eventually resigned herself and headed toward her room.
(End of Chapter)
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