https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1592-A-War-Without-Victors-Forty-Two-/12529316/
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Chapter 1593: A War with No Victors (Forty-Three)
Chapter 1593: A War with No Victors (Forty-Three)
"What's wrong with them?" Mrs. Weasley asked, seeing Harry and Ron being supported by Albert and Hermione as they emerged from the suitcase. She quickly put down her work and hurried over to help support Harry's arm.
"It's Apparation sickness," Albert explained to a worried Mrs. Weasley. "We Apparated directly to Australia, and Harry and Ron wanted to experience long-distance Side-Along Apparition. They're just not used to it yet and ended up with symptoms similar to being splinched. They'll be fine after a good rest."
Mrs. Weasley had never heard of Apparation sickness, but she knew about splinching, so she could understand what Albert meant.
"Don't worry, I experienced something similar last time. A good night's sleep should do the trick," Hermione said, handing a potion to Mrs. Weasley. "This is a remedy for Apparation sickness. If they still feel unwell, they can have some more."
Mrs. Weasley paused, took the potion, and tucked it into her apron pocket. She then instructed them to help Harry and Ron back to their respective rooms to rest and also arranged for Hermione to stay in Percy's old room.
Knowing that Hermione's parents were staying in Australia, Mrs. Weasley was happy to have her stay temporarily. After all, Ginny would have a companion, and it would be helpful to have another friend to look after her before the wizarding village was completed.
"Let's go. I'll show you where the wizarding village will be and brief you on your upcoming tasks," Albert said, bidding farewell to Mrs. Weasley at the door before Apparating with Hermione.
"I missed you!" As soon as they finished Apparating, Hermione threw her arms around Albert's neck and kissed him passionately, seemingly unconcerned about being seen.
Albert seemed prepared for this and had chosen to Apparate to an unfamiliar, deserted cliff by the sea instead of directly to the wizarding village.
After they parted, Albert reminded her with a helpless tone, "You should be more mindful of your surroundings. If anyone we know sees us, you'll have to deal with the power of gossip once again."
"I know you missed me too," Hermione winked at Albert. "And I trust that you'd pick a secluded spot."
"I wish you'd be more cautious," Albert persisted, feeling that Hermione was taking a risk with her future.
"Are you afraid that Isabelle will find out about us?" Hermione pouted, a hint of jealousy in her tone.
"She already knows," Albert said, looking at Hermione's astonished expression. "I told her. Even if I hadn't, we couldn't have kept it a secret for long. Isabelle is very smart and perceptive."
Hermione's mouth hung open as she stared at Albert in disbelief. She hadn't expected to hear such an answer from him.
"Was she furious?" Hermione asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
"No, she just asked me to bring you home for dinner when I have the time," Albert replied honestly. He suspected that Isabelle intended to give Hermione a proper talking-to.
"Her generosity makes me look like a fool," Hermione said, her voice tinged with sarcasm as she recovered from her shock. She had never imagined that Isabelle would take the news so calmly.
Hermione recalled how she had once wondered how angry Isabelle would be if she found out, but now it seemed that Isabelle had peacefully accepted the fact that her husband had a lover.
There was something odd about this whole situation, but Hermione couldn't quite put her finger on it at the moment.
"It seems like Isabelle isn't worried at all about me taking you away from her. Unless..." Hermione's eyes widened as a thought struck her. "You have other lovers besides me?"
Aside from this reason, she couldn't fathom why Isabelle would be so calm unless Albert had other lovers before her, which would explain Isabelle's reaction.
"Why would you say that?" Albert asked, his expression neutral.
"A woman's intuition!" Hermione's expression was complex, but she didn't press the matter further. Instead, she hugged Albert tighter, afraid that he might slip away from her unnoticed.
"You're my first lover," Albert said, gently patting Hermione's back in a soothing manner.
In his opinion, Katherine was merely a partner with whom he had shared a single night of intimacy.
"First lover?" Hermione's heart sank as her suspicions were confirmed. There were indeed others.
"But who could it be?" Hermione wondered. In her limited memory, Albert had always been a faithful person. Ever since he had gone public with Isabelle, he had maintained a distance from other women, and it didn't seem like he had any particularly close female friends.
Could it be Susan? Or... Hermione's eyes widened as she thought of someone, the only person who could possibly make Isabelle yield—her sister, Katrina MacDougal.
Katrina was in the same year as Albert, and it wouldn't be surprising if she liked him. In fact, many girls at school had a crush on Albert, but only Katrina could make his wife relent.
After all, she was her sister. But this was just too crazy.
"Katrina?" Hermione asked tentatively.
Albert gave an affirmative response.
"You've managed to charm both of the stunning sisters from Ravenclaw," Hermione remarked, her expression growing more complicated.
"You forgot about Autumn Zhang," Albert reminded her.
"You won't leave me, will you?" There was a hint of bitterness in Hermione's tone as she voiced her insecurity, feeling that Isabelle's apparent generosity stemmed from not considering her a threat, allowing her to have this insignificant love.
After all, a woman's beauty faded with time, and it was all too easy for a lover to be callously discarded once they aged.
"Don't overthink it. You should know me well enough by now," Albert said as he leaned in to kiss Hermione gently on the lips and led her into the suitcase.
After they passionately reunited and soothed each other's longing, Albert took the opportunity during their intimate embrace to ask the exhausted Hermione in his arms, "Do you have any plans for yourself?"
Tracing circles on Albert's firm chest with her index finger, Hermione asked, "What do you think I should do?"
Albert gently caressed Hermione's smooth back as he replied in a soft voice, "First, you'll need a place to stay. Your old home should still be there, right?"
"Yes, it's still there, but it's been unoccupied for a long time, so it will need a thorough cleaning. What do you think?" Hermione considered living in her old home, as it would provide her with a private space to be intimate with Albert. However, she wanted to hear Albert's suggestion as well.
"I think you should stay with the Weasleys for now," Albert said, revealing that he had his own plans. He explained to a somewhat reluctant Hermione, "Our relationship can't be exposed. Otherwise, your future will be ruined. Do you want to leave and start over in a place where no one knows you, becoming completely dependent on me as my mistress?"
Hermione shook her head, indicating that while she loved Albert deeply, she didn't intend to let herself fall so low.
"So, you must learn to disguise yourself and at least maintain a certain distance from me on the surface. This is for your protection, and you need to be mindful of this," Albert reminded her once again.
"I'll be careful. I just want more love from you!" Hermione lamented, aware of the pressure she was under. As a mere mistress, she longed for more affection from Albert.
Of course, she was intelligent and understood what she needed to be cautious about.
"Next, I'll arrange for you to work in the village and get you a house of your own. Don't miss out on these benefits," Albert said.
"What will I be doing next?" Hermione asked.
"It's related to the Muggle world. I'll fill you in when we get there," Albert said, intending to bring electricity to the village and needing someone with a good understanding of the Muggle world to assist him.
"And then there's your relationship with Ron," Albert added, pausing briefly before continuing, "He seems to like you."
"Are you jealous?" Hermione asked, batting her eyelashes.
"No, I just think you should handle your relationship with him carefully," Albert advised. "It's best not to give him any false hopes, or he might become a nuisance in the future."
"I'll keep that in mind," Hermione acknowledged, her expression complicated as she was well aware of Ron's feelings for her. However, she already had someone she cared for, so she didn't think there would be any future for them.
But how should she reject Ron? She needed to come up with a good reason to turn him down without giving away any hints of their secret relationship.
Men could sometimes be as perceptive as women in certain matters.
And their clandestine affair couldn't be exposed, unless Hermione was willing to leave her current social circle and start anew in a place where no one knew her.
(End of Chapter)
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