Chapter 475: The Wildsmiths' Concerns
Chapter 475: The Wildsmiths' Concerns
As evening fell, Albert tucked his Marauder's Map into his pocket and left Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to the whistles of Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. The trio seemed to have formed some curious misconceptions about Albert's remark that he had an appointment with someone.
Albert couldn't be bothered to explain, letting the misunderstanding stand. After all, it wasn't as if he hadn't been on dates with Isabelle before.
Making his way through the secret passage to the third floor, Albert took out his pocket watch and glanced at the hands. It was just a few minutes shy of seven o'clock.
He had just enough time to reach Professor McGonagall's office.
Promptly at seven, Albert pocketed his watch and knocked on the wooden door.
A moment later, he heard footsteps from within.
Professor McGonagall opened the door and, seeing Albert, said, "Right on time."
"I'd like to borrow—"
Albert was cut off by Professor McGonagall.
"I've already received a letter from Professor Flitwick about this," she said, stepping back to allow Albert entry. "You know how to use Floo powder, don't you?"
"Yes," Albert replied.
"Good," Professor McGonagall said, handing him a box of Floo powder. "But remember, you must return before curfew."
"Understood," Albert acknowledged, pinching some powder from the box and sprinkling it into the fireplace.
A whooshing sound filled the room as green flames leapt and curled in the hearth, rising higher than the two of them.
Without hesitation, Albert stepped into the fire and shouted, "Number 192, Diagon Alley!" His body was instantly sucked into the flames, spinning rapidly as if in a washing machine, the rushing wind roaring in his ears.
After what felt like an eternity, Albert found himself tumbling onto a cold stone floor.
"Sir, are you alright?" a sharp voice asked. It was a house-elf.
"Yes, I'm fine," Albert replied.
"Please take my hand, sir, and I will bring you to the banquet," the house-elf said, reaching for Albert's wrist and disappearing from the spot with a pop.
By the time Albert regained his bearings, he found himself in a brightly lit hall.
The house-elf pushed him gently into a chair.
"Good evening," Professor Broadbrook greeted him with a smile. "It seems you're not quite used to this mode of transportation yet."
"Yes, it feels a bit uncomfortable," Albert admitted, nodding to the others in the room. He noticed that Sera Phuria was also present.
"I'm sure you'll get accustomed to it in time," Tiberius Ogden said gently.
"Are you surprised to see me here?" Sera asked, winking at Albert.
"I can probably guess why," Albert said.
"I hope you don't mind spending Easter with us old folks," Gerber Smith added, offering Albert a kind smile. "After all, we don't have many opportunities to gather like this, and it's important for family to spend time together and foster our bonds."
The house-elves were efficient as always, soon serving a feast of French and Italian delicacies, with an emphasis on easily digestible dishes.
"I know this may come as a surprise, but while some rules cannot be changed, rules are meant to serve people, not the other way around," MacDougal said calmly.
"So, I'm considered one of you now?" Albert asked curiously, after swallowing a mouthful of lobster coated in cheese from his Italian seafood pasta.
"Yes, you could say that," Professor Broadbrook agreed with a nod.
"May I ask what prompted this change?" Albert inquired, cocking an ear to listen while continuing to devour his pasta.
"Recently, I paid a visit to an old friend," Tiberius Ogden said softly. "He told me that the fiery omen of war still burns bright in the sky above us."
"The Seer?" Albert asked, setting down his fork and wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Does this mean we can expect hostilities to resume soon?"
"Indeed, he is adept at both astrology and divination."
"Ogden sighed and said, "He told me that over the past decade, there have been signs indicating that the people in the wizarding world are merely experiencing a brief period of peace between two wars."
"I've also heard some rumors lately about the Dark Lord," Albert said calmly. "It's said that he has his eyes on the Philosopher's Stone, and that stone is currently at Hogwarts?"
"That's not good news." MacDougal frowned. "It's hard to imagine Dumbledore would do something like that."
"Potter enrolled this year." Professor Broadbrook reminded him, "Everyone calls him the Boy-Who-Lived. I think something might happen between them."
"Yes, your guess is correct. I also believe something will happen between them." Albert cracked open a lobster claw that had already been cracked.
"As the heir to the Wildsmith family, we hope that you will take your safety seriously." Gerber Smith showed no negative emotions towards Albert, even though his grandson had been killed by him.
At times, Albert felt quite incredulous.
"Oh, of course, I'll protect myself. After all, I haven't lived long enough yet." Albert said seriously.
During the dinner, they chatted about many things. The First Wizarding War, and even the events of the First Dark Wizard that dated back even further.
Whether it was Ogden, Smith, or Harrish, they all imparted their experience and knowledge to Albert.
They were all concerned about the outbreak of the Second Wizarding War and worried that this conflict would drag on for a long time.
Voldemort instilled such deep-seated fear that people dared not utter his name, not just because the name was cursed, but because the mere mention of it evoked terror that lingered for years, if not decades.
"If something bad really happens, I hope you'll hide or leave Britain altogether and wait for the war to end before returning." Ogden looked at Albert and said seriously.
Escape might be an act of cowardice, but it was undoubtedly the best solution.
"Is it because I'm a Gryffindor?" Albert asked, raising an eyebrow.
Obviously, the reason they were emphasizing this now was because they were worried about his house affiliation.
Gryffindors were never lacking in courage, but facing Voldemort or his minions head-on was not something they wanted to see.
The Wildsmith family was extremely secretive, and if they all hid, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, and very few people even knew of their existence.
"Rest assured, I value my life more than anything, and besides, I can also perform divination." Albert said calmly.
"That's precisely why we're concerned." Professor Broadbrook sighed softly, "In your first year, you dared to venture into the Forbidden Forest alone. I know you made preparations, but it was still a risk, no matter how low the odds were."
"No need to bring up last year's incident." MacDougal said with a sigh.
"You're too fond of taking risks. Perhaps you prepare meticulously for each adventure, but we don't want you to take those chances because no preparation is foolproof."
"Don't worry, I won't take my life lightly." Albert said calmly, "Besides, there's also Isabelle."
"That Isabelle is a good child, but you're more suitable." Ogden said.
"I heard you two are dating?" Mogg asked tentatively.
"Yes, we are indeed dating." Albert admitted directly.
"See, I told you they would end up together." Professor Broadbrook winked at the others and smiled, "They have similar personalities."
"That's great. After you graduate, you should get married. Then, settle down abroad and don't come back to Britain for a while. We'll also leave the country to avoid the impending Second Wizarding War." Gerber Smith decided.
Albert was left speechless by this suggestion.
To be honest, describing it as a war was a bit of an exaggeration.
Moreover, he knew that the so-called Second Wizarding War would not last as long as the first one, as Voldemort would be swiftly ended by the Boy-Who-Lived.
The worries of the elders in the room were undoubtedly excessive.
But Albert couldn't very well tell them that Voldemort would be defeated swiftly once the Second War began.
(End of Chapter)
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