https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1686-A-War-Without-Victors-One-Hundred-and-Thirty-Six-/12574955/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1688-A-War-Without-Victors-One-Hundred-and-Thirty-Eight-/12580239/
Chapter 1687: A War with No Victors (One Hundred and Thirty-Seven)
Chapter 1687: A War with No Victors (One Hundred and Thirty-Seven)
"Who were you just talking to?" Angelina asked, tilting her head in curiosity as she watched Fred lying sideways and speaking into the two-way mirror. She had just finished preparing some hot drinks.
"I was just chatting with Albert about married life," Fred explained to Angelina as he put away the mirror. "We're all still very young and have no experience when it comes to life after marriage. So, Cedric suggested that those of us who plan to get married should take the time to talk to Albert and learn about the things we should pay attention to as a married couple. You know, Albert and Isabelle have always had a good relationship and live a very happy and fulfilling life together."
"What did Albert say?" Angelina asked, raising her eyebrows slightly as she sat down in an armchair across from Fred.
"He told me about all sorts of potential problems that might arise between couples and how to handle them appropriately," Fred replied, handing his detailed notebook to Angelina and taking a sip from the hot cocoa on the table. "There are some things that we might not even realize if Albert doesn't bring them up."
"Okay, I admit that Albert is usually right, but..." Angelina flipped through Fred's detailed notes and placed them on the table casually. Choosing her words carefully, she said, "I don't think my family has ever encountered similar problems."
In Angelina's opinion, both her parents and Fred's parents seemed to have stable relationships.
So, Angelina wasn't particularly worried about any issues arising in her relationship with Fred. At least, that was what she believed.
"I think it's responsible of us to be cautious," Fred said gently. As a close friend of Albert, he had been influenced to some extent and was no longer as carefree as he had been in the original novel.
"Are you suggesting that our engagement wasn't a careful decision?" Angelina asked, a hint of displeasure in her voice as she glared at her fiance. "Do you think I didn't give this enough thought before agreeing to be here?"
"You're right!" Fred didn't try to argue, knowing that sometimes it was pointless to debate with a woman. It would only make matters worse.
"You seem worried that our relationship will run into problems," Angelina said. She wasn't foolish and could sense Fred's concerns.
"I'm just a little concerned about how our marriage next year might affect your Quidditch career," Fred said softly, hinting at something. "You'll likely need to devote a lot of time to Quidditch training."
"You don't want me to join the Holyhead Harpies?" Angelina snapped out of her reverie and looked her fiance up and down.
"I'm just worried about our relationship," Fred said helplessly.
"You don't have much confidence in me," Angelina said, her displeasure evident. She raised her finger to show him the ring on her finger. "We're already engaged, and we've even... You promised me, and I trusted you."
"I'm sorry, dear. Of course, I haven't forgotten. I'm just too worried about our future," Fred admitted. "Ever since Ginny and Harry got married, their lives haven't been happy. It worries me that we might end up in a similar situation."
Angelina fell silent.
The marriage between Harry and Ginny was indeed a terrible example. It was only recently that Harry seemed to finally remember that he had a wife.
"Dear, it's not as bad as you think," Angelina reassured, knowing what Fred was worrying about. "Joining a club as a professional Quidditch player is just a job."
"I've been in touch with Wood, and his training intensity is quite high, or so it seems to me." Fred paused before continuing, "I also talked to Wood about you joining the Holyhead Harpies. He said you have a high chance of getting the job. The Seeker for the Holyhead Harpies plans to retire by the end of the year due to their upcoming marriage next year."
Fred wasn't unwilling to support Angelina in pursuing her dream, but sometimes the cost might be more than they could bear.
He didn't know if living separately would cause their relationship to fall apart, especially since they didn't have house-elves to help with daily chores, which were often a major source of conflict.
What if they discussed everything before marriage, only to have it all become empty promises afterward? Albert and Isabelle enjoyed a happy and stable marriage partly because they both knew what kind of life they wanted and were willing to make certain sacrifices.
Fred had even talked to Cedric, who was also planning to get married soon. He saw unconcealed happiness in his handsome face and heard it in his enthusiastic words.
They both knew what kind of life they wanted and were working towards it.
But... had Angelina really thought it through? No, Fred even doubted that Angelina had considered their future at all.
That was why Fred felt he had to take the opportunity to have a good talk with Angelina about this, or it might become a problem later.
Of course, if they just stayed engaged and didn't marry, they could also wait until after Angelina retired to reconsider. But that would require a long wait.
Waiting was undoubtedly torturous and painful, and Fred doubted whether their relationship could withstand the test of time.
Moreover, in Albert's words:
"Never rashly test the relationship; that would be the stupidest thing to do."
Fred, of course, didn't want to test the relationship with time either. Without the engagement ring, he wondered if their relationship could last beyond next year, let alone until Angelina's retirement.
It wasn't that Fred lacked confidence in himself; it was just that Percy's situation made the facts too glaring to ignore.
That guy had dumped his close girlfriend soon after starting work at the Ministry of Magic, giving Fred a stark lesson in what "breaking up after graduation" looked like.
"Four years... no matter what, you have to retire after four years?" Fred knew he couldn't convince Angelina to give up her dream, so even though he couldn't afford to, he had to take the gamble.
Angelina's mouth hung slightly agape as she watched Fred, who seemed to be making a momentous decision.
"Whether you want to get married next year or wait four years until your retirement, I think we'll have enough time to consider what kind of future we want." Fred gave the choice to Angelina. He knew that some things were inevitable, just as he had to devote a lot of energy to the joke shop.
As for whether they would still be together then, Fred believed time would give them the answer.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
