https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1600-A-War-Without-Victors-Part-50-/12529339/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1602-A-War-with-No-Victors-Fifty-Two-/12529341/
Chapter 1601: A War Without Victors (Fifty-One)
Chapter 1601: A War Without Victors (Fifty-One)
"You've been so busy lately that you don't even have time for me." Hermione spread her arms and gave Albert a kiss.
It wasn't really her fault. Albert could always make time, a few hours each day, if he used a Time-Turner. However, the couple hadn't been intimate since the day they returned to Britain from Australia.
For a young woman who had just experienced the pleasures of physical intimacy, this dry spell was torturous.
It was especially frustrating for Hermione, as she had to pretend to be just friends with her lover and maintain a distance in public, all while being constantly by his side.
"I know, and it's not ideal. We don't have many opportunities where we're both free," Albert said, holding the girl in his arms. "And we have to be extra careful not to let anyone know or suspect our relationship."
"You always have an excuse ready!"
Hermione didn't want to discuss this further and decided to silence Albert with another kiss, savoring the sweet and captivating feeling of young love.
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm going crazy!"
After they parted, Hermione couldn't help but complain, "Do you know how difficult it is to pretend and keep this a secret from everyone else?"
"You're just lovesick!"
Having experienced love himself, Albert naturally understood what Hermione was going through.
This was common for couples in the throes of passion.
Albert had experienced something similar with Isabelle, though their situation was a bit different as they kept in touch through communication quills and often went on dates, making it less noticeable.
Hermione's passionate love manifested in a different way, and they soon changed locations.
The briefcase was not private enough, and traces of their activities could be discovered, so Albert prepared a room just for them. He hid this secret trysting place within an ordinary-looking book, thanks to the ingenious Undetectable Extension Charm—undoubtedly one of the most wondrous spells in the Harry Potter world.
The couple soon became entangled in a fiery embrace on the soft bed that had been specially prepared. Hermione, like a thirsty traveler in a desert, desperately sought the love that was hers alone from Albert, until she exhausted herself and lay limply in his arms.
"What if I get pregnant?"
After being fed some juice laced with a Vigor-enhancing Potion by Albert, Hermione, who had been lying like a puddle of mud in his arms, finally regained her energy.
"While I don't mind having more children, your future prospects would likely be limited."
Albert seemed to think of something and looked down at the girl in his arms, asking with a hint of surprise, "You're not pregnant, are you?"
"No, I've been very careful," Hermione replied with a hint of resentment in her voice. "Do you think I should go see Isabelle?"
"You want to see Isabelle."
Albert was surprised by Hermione's boldness, as most women in such situations would feel guilty and hesitate to meet the main wife.
"Maybe..."
After hesitating several times, Albert finally spoke up, bursting Hermione's fantasy bubble, "Isabelle wants to see you to assess if you're a suitable mistress."
"What if I'm not?" Hermione didn't quite understand what he meant.
Thinking of Katrina's subtle changes, Albert said uncertainly, "She'll teach you how to be a suitable mistress."
"To be a suitable mistress..." Hermione pondered the meaning of his words and suddenly realized something. She looked at Albert with a complex expression.
"Do you have many other mistresses? Or are there a lot of beautiful women who want to become your mistresses?"
Hermione felt that the latter was more likely.
Albert was simply irresistible in every way.
Even though he was already married, many women wouldn't easily give up on him.
Isabelle probably knew that she couldn't change this, so she accepted her sister and allowed Hermione's presence. Because even without Hermione, there would be other women who would become Albert's mistresses.
"I lose out in every way..." Hermione once again felt a strong sense of defeat.
Isabelle was a woman with deep schemes, and she had everyone, including Albert, wrapped around her finger from the very beginning.
"Don't overthink it," Albert consoled her.
"Let's meet after I move out of the Weasley's house. It's not the right time now," Hermione said after hesitating again.
Despite feeling inferior in Isabelle's presence, Hermione still felt it necessary to meet her. She believed that there were some things she had to fight for herself.
After a quick shower, Hermione, with flushed cheeks, sat across from Albert at the dining table. As they enjoyed the freshly made Spanish seafood paella, they chatted about the recent strange changes in the British magical world.
The attacks by the Inferi had suddenly ceased without any warning, as if the incidents had never happened.
This seemed odd to Hermione and others.
"It's quite normal. Both sides have temporarily compromised," Albert said, taking a sip of the half-glass of lemon and honey water that Hermione had handed him, and then casually dropped a bombshell.
"Kingsley has compromised with the perpetrators of the Inferi attacks?"
Although Hermione had her suspicions, she still found it hard to believe Albert's words. She knew that he wouldn't speak without reason or make such a joke.
"Kingsley has become a stranger lately," Hermione murmured, her voice filled with emotion. "If it were the old Kingsley, he would never compromise so easily."
Albert reached out and pulled the dejected Hermione into his arms, comforting her softly, "That's politics for you. It's always full of compromises."
"No wonder you dislike the Ministry so much," Hermione said, her expression complicated.
"That's politics," Albert replied, not hiding his disdain. "In fact, Kingsley wanted to compromise a long time ago. If he had implemented a policy of appeasement right after the end of the First Wizarding War, none of this mess would have happened."
"But the presence of people like Nelson Tobin prevented Kingsley from doing that."
Hermione had also heard from Harry and Ron that the previous attacks were likely carried out by Nelson Tobin and his group.
"Because doing so would risk igniting another war, and he neither wanted to take that gamble nor could he afford to lose," Albert explained.
"But if Kingsley compromises now..." Hermione trailed off, her eyes widening as she realized the implications. "I mean, Nelson Tobin and his group aren't fools."
Hermione suddenly felt that there was more to this situation than met the eye.
"Yes, no one is a fool," Albert said meaningfully. "So, this is the calm before the storm."
Hermione's eyes widened further as she felt she was about to uncover the "truth" behind all this.
"Those pure-bloods will probably find an opportunity to get rid of Kingsley, and Kingsley will likely use Nelson Tobin and others to deal with the pure-bloods who once sided with Voldemort," Albert predicted.
"You didn't suggest this course of action to Kingsley, did you?"
"Of course not," Albert denied. "This is just my speculation based on some information I have. Sometimes, when you know enough, it's not difficult to deduce the outcome. And I did make a prophecy for Kingsley, but to be honest, the outcome doesn't look too optimistic."
"What outcome?" Hermione asked curiously.
Albert shook his head, clearly not intending to reveal more.
"Have you ever prophesied about my future?"
"No, but I believe your future will be bright."
"Why?"
"Because you have me."
(End of Chapter)
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