Chapter 391: Are You Two on a Date?
Chapter 391: Are You Two on a Date?
The rain intensified, obscuring the view ahead with its silvery curtain.
Albert withdrew his wand and silently conjured an umbrella, holding it over Isabelle's head. The red-haired girl turned to him, their eyes meeting, and a soft smile graced her lips.
Albert stealthily reached out to take her warm, delicate hand. In that moment, he could sense her trembling slightly, and slowly, she returned his gesture, their fingers intertwining.
Hand in hand, they walked into the rain together.
Albert felt he should say something; it was quite a distance from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade, and silence for the entire journey wasn't ideal.
"You know, when I first started learning summoning spells, it was partly so that I could summon an umbrella on rainy days like this," Albert shared, recalling his initial motivation for learning this magic, which now seemed a bit amusing. But he had to admit that it had indeed spared him the trouble of carrying an umbrella around.
"To make things easier for yourself?" Isabelle covered her mouth, chuckling softly. She agreed with Albert's reasoning and admitted that a large part of why she learned charms was for similar reasons.
At that moment, whispers grew louder, momentarily drowning out the sound of the rain.
Students passing by slowed their pace as they noticed Albert and Isabelle, and soon, a group of them trailed behind, whispering excitedly.
After all, it wasn't every day that two of Hogwarts' geniuses were seen together, and this was certainly a topic that would fuel discussions for a long time.
More and more students walking by began to linger, attempting to eavesdrop on Albert and Isabelle's conversation. However, they were destined to be disappointed, as the pair chatted away without any regard for their presence, not out of malice, but simply because the onlookers couldn't understand a word they were saying.
Indeed, the two were conversing in Ancient Runes, and to the eavesdroppers, it sounded like...well, hocus-pocus! "I love the look of bewilderment on their faces," Isabelle said with a laugh. "A lot of people want to hear the latest gossip about us, you know. Most girls tend to be a bit gossipy."
"I suppose they'll find out we're dating soon enough," Albert said nonchalantly. Of course, he wasn't particularly fond of being the center of attention, either.
"I'll just tell them I needed someone to practice Ancient Runes with," Isabelle replied, not entirely lying since that was, in fact, what they were doing.
"I doubt anyone will buy that lame excuse," Albert said as he lifted the hand he was holding and spoke gently. "We're just unlucky that we're not in the same year."
To be honest, it was a bit unusual for a fifth-year girl to be dating a boy two years her junior, and it could easily invite judgment from those with malicious intentions.
There were quite a few girls who envied Isabelle's talent, and Albert's halo was simply too dazzling. He was talented, wealthy, handsome, and famous, with a calm and peaceful demeanor—the ideal boyfriend in every way.
"A lot of girls are driven by vanity and curiosity," Albert said calmly, not buying into the idea that he was some heartthrob.
"If they knew how you saw them, they'd probably be heartbroken!" Isabelle laughed, not denying his observation. As a natural Legilimens, she understood people even better than Albert.
Their conversation continued as they walked out of the school gates.
Then, their topic shifted to the first time they met.
"I was truly surprised back then," Isabelle said.
"Do you mean because of my age?" Albert asked.
Isabelle shook her head.
"Because I found the location of the Transfiguration Club's classroom?" he guessed, as it was said that first-time attendees needed guidance to find the room.
Again, she shook her head.
"I bet you probed my mind back then, didn't you?" Albert raised an eyebrow.
"Just a little curious," Isabelle admitted. "Sometimes, I do it unconsciously, but reading others' thoughts isn't pleasant. Most people aren't as they seem on the surface; you realize everyone is lying. But I was happy then."
"Happy about what?" Albert asked, smiling.
"That's my little secret," Isabelle said, stopping and turning to place her index finger on her lips.
"A little secret, huh? Well, everyone has their secrets," Albert said as he handed the umbrella to Isabelle and took out his broomstick from the chameleon lizard's pouch.
"Let's fly on the broomstick and take a detour!" Albert suggested. With the rainy October weather, the road to Hogsmeade would be muddy and unpleasant.
"The Disillusionment Charm?" Isabelle asked.
"Yeah, and we'll need some camouflage before that," Albert agreed as he took back his wand and closed the umbrella. Isabelle, always prepared, had already conjured another umbrella with her wand.
Albert cast the Disguise Charm on both of them; he certainly didn't want to attract a crowd.
"This is my first time riding a broomstick with someone!" Isabelle exclaimed, laughing as she lay sideways on the broomstick and wrapped her arms around Albert's waist, holding the umbrella over their heads with her free hand.
"Let's go."
With a casual wave of his hand, Albert summoned his Nimbus 2000 and leisurely flew towards Hogsmeade.
"Actually, I'm a pretty good flier myself," Isabelle said.
"Then next time, you can take me for a ride," Albert replied, avoiding the typical question of why she didn't join a Quidditch team. Like himself, Isabelle probably enjoyed flying but didn't want to waste time with Quidditch practice.
"By the way, there's something I wanted to mention..." Isabelle gently leaned her head on Albert's back and whispered, "I think Katrina might have a little crush on you."
"Why do you say that?" Albert asked calmly after a moment of silence.
"It's just a hunch, really. She probably isn't even aware of it herself. Like most girls, she admires you," Isabelle replied with a hint of resignation in her tone.
"Looks like we have a lot in common then! I have a sister too, and I adore her, but she's always lived in my shadow. Luckily, she's a Muggle," Albert said with a smile.
"You don't want your sister to enter the wizarding world?" Isabelle asked, curious.
"I don't want her to get entangled in wizarding disputes. I just hope she finds someone she loves and lives a happy life," Albert said gently, his tone conveying his wish for Isabelle's sister to find happiness, free from the complexities of the magical world.
"I heard you wanted to have two or three girlfriends?" Isabelle suddenly blurted out.
"That's a cruel reality," Albert replied, a wry smile playing on his lips.
"Cruel reality?" Isabelle raised an eyebrow.
"Many girls date guys out of curiosity or for the novelty of it, but they break up after a while," Albert explained.
Isabelle didn't refute his statement; she knew this phenomenon was quite common.
"I'm a bit greedy myself," Albert continued with a warm smile. "I hope to find a girlfriend with a compatible personality, someone I can spend my life with."
"A whole life together? You're quite bold to say that," Isabelle teased, not entirely opposed to the idea. She closed her eyes and murmured, "But who knows what the future holds?"
Riding on broomsticks was undoubtedly a more comfortable and quicker way to travel to Hogsmeade than walking.
Before they reached the village, Albert brought his broomstick to a gentle halt.
Isabelle gracefully dismounted and watched as Albert retracted his broomstick. "Where do you want to go now?" she asked.
After dispelling the Disillusionment Charms on both of them, he smiled and suggested, "How about Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop?"
"You must have been to Hogsmeade before," Isabelle remarked.
"Why do you say that?" Albert asked, intrigued.
"Most boys don't pay attention to the shops on the side streets. Only couples looking for a romantic spot would consider those places," she explained.
"Or maybe I'm here to gather information about someone?" Albert asked, clearly enjoying the conversation.
"The way you navigate Hogsmeade suggests you're very familiar with the place. You can't achieve that level of familiarity just through descriptions," Isabelle countered as she retracted her wand, returning the umbrella to Albert's care.
"I have been here a few times with friends. There are several secret passages from the school that lead outside," Albert admitted as he took Isabelle's hand and led her back onto the main path. Soon, they reached the entrance of the village.
The streets of Hogsmeade were unusually quiet, devoid of the usual chattering pedestrians. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, rushing to their destinations.
As they strolled down the street, the pair eventually turned into a side lane opposite the Three Broomsticks Inn, where a quaint little tea shop with a pink facade caught their eye.
"Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop," Albert read aloud from the signboard.
There was no doubt that the owner had passed her romantic prime, and even Albert, who didn't consider himself particularly romantic, felt the same.
Nonetheless, Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop remained one of the go-to dating spots for Hogwarts couples.
"Penelope suggested I bring you here," Isabelle said softly, nodding towards a red-haired Percy Weasley, the Gryffindor prefect, who was deep in conversation with a girl with long, curly hair—presumably Penelope.
The couple across the room seemed engrossed in their own world, oblivious to Albert and Isabelle's presence.
The tea shop was almost empty, save for a few customers. With plenty of seats to choose from, the pair settled by the misty window, keeping a respectful distance from Percy's table.
"What would you like, dears?" asked a plump Madam Puddifoot as she waddled over to them.
"Two cups of milk tea, please," Isabelle requested.
"If this place had a makeover, I think a lot more couples would come here," Albert mused, surveying the small, shabby shop. He couldn't help but wonder if most wizards simply had different tastes in decor.
He suspected that without the Hogwarts couples, the tea shop might have gone out of business long ago.
Isabelle ignored Albert's grumbling and propped her chin on her hand, tilting her head to the side as she asked in Ancient Runes, "I'm curious, why did you refuse last time?"
Albert leaned closer to Isabelle and kissed her before answering, "I felt it was a bit too soon."
Although asking about her birthday did have a hidden motive, Albert had indeed thought it was too early and was surprised that Isabelle had guessed his intentions so quickly.
"A lot of people are trying to matchmake us," Albert said helplessly. "I had a vague feeling about it from the start. To be honest, I really dislike others meddling in my life."
"Well, I figured as much!" Isabelle paid no mind to Madam Puddifoot's astonished gaze as she continued, "In fact, I dislike it as well."
"Geniuses always have their own pride."
The two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.
Indeed, geniuses had their own pride, and they only accepted what they deemed worthy or what they chose themselves. Anything forced upon them would only serve to repel and irritate them.
"They are indeed smart people, with far more experience than us," Albert admitted. "I concede that they might get their wish, but it doesn't matter. What about you? To be honest, it was quite strange that you had those thoughts last year."
"Why did you think that way?"
"In my impression, most girls are rather reserved, and some even like to test others with trivial matters."
"Reservations?" Isabelle gently stirred her milk tea with a spoon as she smiled and said, "Reservations will only let possible love slip away. People's hearts cannot withstand tests. Those who think like that are just self-righteous idiots. If you want something, you should grab it quickly, lest someone else takes it away or it slips away."
"Makes sense." Albert nodded and smiled. "Looks like I'm quite the catch then."
"Of course," Isabelle narrowed her eyes and chuckled. "You probably don't know that you've become the dream boyfriend of most girls in Hogwarts."
"Is it Dumbledore?" Albert guessed that he had hit the mark.
"So, I took the initiative." Isabelle deliberately acted smug.
Isabelle possessed a maturity far beyond her years, and her company made Albert feel very comfortable. After all, he was looking for a girlfriend for life.
"I think you're not being entirely truthful." Albert stated. This intuition came from his Legilimency, and ever since gaining this ability, he could vaguely sense when someone was lying.
"Your Legilimency is even more powerful than I imagined." Isabelle held up a finger and whispered, "This is my little secret!"
"Well, women are beautiful because of their mysteries, and secrets make women even more alluring." Albert reached out and took Isabelle's hand. He then repeated what he said in English, as Isabelle seemed not to understand.
"Women are beautiful because of their mysteries, and secrets make women even more alluring." Isabelle softly repeated the words, seemingly fond of them.
"You don't mind if I taste the flavor of your secrets, do you?" Albert leaned in closer.
...
Fred, George, and Lee Jordan arrived fashionably late. When they finally found Albert after searching all over Hogsmeade, they saw him chatting happily with a girl who looked very similar to Katrina, speaking in a strange language.
As for the scene of the two kissing, they did not witness it.
How should one describe this?
After chatting for a long while, the topic gradually shifted to the exchange of Ancient Runes.
Percy left with his girlfriend when the rain lessened, otherwise, the twins would have made him the butt of their jokes.
There were still a few couples in the tea shop, but the two of them were speaking in an incomprehensible language, which made them look rather peculiar.
"Aren't they on a date?"
"How would I know?"
"Wait for me outside."
After paying the bill, Albert turned to the three who were pretending to drink tea and smiled, "You're not planning to disturb us, are you?"
The three shook their heads together, indicating that they wouldn't do such a thing.
After warning his roommates, Albert left with Isabelle.
They went to the Scribbulus Writing Instruments shop together, buying quills and parchment. Albert also bought two thick notebooks, as he wrote a lot and always needed more.
Before leaving, Albert also purchased a Quick Quotes Quill.
"This thing doesn't quite work the way you think it does." As they left Scribbulus, Isabelle reminded him, "It always writes down impractical sentences, automatically recording your words."
"I know. I hope to decipher its principle and recreate a Quick Quotes Quill." Albert did not hide his intentions.
If he could decipher the Quick Quotes Quill someday, he could upgrade and improve it, making it his own invention.
"If you succeed, remember to give me one." Isabelle said casually.
Next, they went to Twilfit and Tatting's, a wizarding clothing store, and together, they picked out a finely crafted antique bronze plaid scarf. The way the color gradually lightened was indeed very pleasing to the eye.
As they walked out of the store with the packaged scarf, they happened to meet Katrina and her female companion walking towards them.
"You two..." Katrina looked at the pair in surprise and stupidly asked, "Are you two on a date?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
