https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1712-A-War-Without-Winners-Part-162-/12938250/
Chapter 1711: A War Without Victors (161)
Chapter 1711: A War Without Victors (161)
When Albert reappeared at his doorstep, the sky outside had darkened, and large snowflakes drifted down, covering the ground in a thick layer of snow with clear footprints.
After passing through layers of protective spells, Albert finally pushed open his front door, blocking the wind and snow outside. He removed his cloak and hung it on the nearby coat rack before making his way down the hallway towards the living room.
Suddenly, the door to the left of the corridor opened, and Isabella, with her hair in a single ponytail and wearing a long white yoga outfit, stepped out of the exercise room, looking at Albert in surprise.
"I thought you'd be staying at Granger's place tonight."
"You've really worn Hermione out."
As Albert spoke, he pushed open the living room door and entered. Tom Riddle Sr. was curled up contentedly in the cat bed by the fireplace, enjoying the warmth.
"I didn't tire her out. Granger just wanted to give you a big surprise, but it was a bit rushed." Isabella returned to the exercise room, grabbed a coat, and draped it over herself before following Albert into the living room.
"If everyone became carbon copies of each other, the world would be so boring!"
Albert wasn't sure if he was talking to Isabella or muttering to himself.
"Granger loves you very much, but she's not mature enough yet. Her way of thinking is still stuck in her student days, and she doesn't quite know how to love someone." Isabella leaned in and kissed Albert's cheek, "You should take some time to guide her, to mold Granger into the person you want her to be, or do you prefer her wild and untamed?"
Albert was speechless and didn't want to discuss this with Isabella. He changed the subject, "Where's Katrina?"
"She's in the apothecary."
Isabella sat down to the right of Albert and took his slightly cold palm in hers, recounting the events of the afternoon.
"Katherine and Valeria sent Katrina a large sample of potion ingredients." Isabella waved her wand, and a notebook appeared out of thin air, landing in Albert's hands.
"Oh, what did you tell them?" Albert flipped through the notebook, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, instead of having you inefficiently search for potion ingredients while traveling the world, it's faster to have Katherine and her gang help collect them. At least you won't be distracted by other tasks while sightseeing." Isabella shared her thoughts on the matter.
"I guess they must have known you were back."
Just then, the living room door opened, and Katrina entered from outside. She glanced at the two of them, cozily lounging on the sofa, and picked up the notebook that had been tossed onto the nearby table, "I was just about to use it, but it suddenly disappeared."
"Are you done organizing?" Albert asked, looking up.
"How could I be?" Katrina complained, "If your wife wasn't slacking off, that side would have been finished long ago."
"Is it a lot?" Albert was surprised.
"Yes, they're much more enthusiastic than you. No woman would be uninterested in staying youthful, especially when it's just about collecting some materials," Katrina pouted.
"Oh, did they say when they're coming?" Albert took out his notebook and checked his recent schedule.
"Probably tomorrow. They went to Spain to find Janila today, I think."
When Isabella mentioned Janila's name, she intentionally raised her tone, playfully winking at Albert.
"She's a beauty too."
"The world is never short of beautiful women, and I'm not a lion with an abundance of love or interest in that hobby."
Albert was self-aware.
Once the number of women in his life reached a certain point, it would become troublesome, unless he became a heartless jerk and discarded them, which was a difficult balance to achieve.
"You're from Gryffindor, so in a way, you're a lion too," Katrina said with a smile.
She didn't like these women interrupting their trio, but there were always unavoidable situations in life.
"Alright, I'm a Gryffindor lion," Albert conceded.
He didn't bother denying it and addressed the two sisters in front of him, "I'm going to take a bath. Would you ladies like to join me?"
"You should save some energy for your other lovers, or they'll complain that we've exhausted you completely."
Despite their words, neither Isabella nor Katrina declined the invitation. Bathing and scrubbing each other's backs was a great way to strengthen their bond, a privilege that Albert's other lovers didn't get to enjoy.
...
It wasn't until the afternoon of the next day that Albert received a message from Katherine via the Communication Bookmark, informing him of her arrival in Britain.
When Albert, Isabella, and Katrina went to greet Katherine, they were surprised to find only two people.
"Where are Louise and our little gift?" Katrina asked directly.
"Beautiful girls standing together are too eye-catching and easily attract attention. So, after discussing it, we decided to come to Britain in batches," Katherine said, looking at Albert with little change in his expression, and added with disappointment, "I feel like you've lost your emotions. Or is it that you're not interested in our songstress?"
"You've known Albert for a while now. He probably isn't interested in us either," Valeria said, trying to make Albert feel guilty. She stepped forward to offer her greeting gift.
"Janila and Louise should arrive tonight," Katherine whispered, leaning in close to Albert's ear. "We should prepare a little welcome ceremony for Janila."
"I've already instructed the house elves to start preparing for the banquet," Albert pretended not to understand.
Katherine glanced at Albert, then at the two sisters on either side of him, who were smiling at her. She couldn't help but mutter, "I hope Isabella and Katrina haven't exhausted you, and they've left us some scraps."
"Of course not, we've even kept some of your little gifts," Katrina said, puffing out her chest proudly. She hugged Katherine and added, "We've received the ingredients you sent."
"How are they? Are they suitable?" Katherine's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"How would I know? These things take time," Albert replied.
"By the way, is Miss Granger not coming? Or is she not joining our Christmas banquet this time?" Valeria scanned the room, her eyebrows slightly raised.
"Miss Granger has agreed to attend the banquet," Isabella smiled. "But she's been busy with something lately."
Katherine seemed to remember something and asked suddenly, "Isn't she staying here?"
"No, Hermione prefers to stay at her own home," Albert said gently.
(End of Chapter)
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