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Chapter 736: The Dog
Chapter 736: The Dog
Albert had just exited a clothing store, his hands laden with packages as he grumbled to himself, "Why has the Wind and Moon Wizarding Apparel Store suddenly stopped offering mail delivery?"
Of course, Albert knew the reason. A notice posted clearly on the store's door mentioned the presence of Dementors patrolling the streets of Hogsmeade every evening at sunset.
Well.
The frequent harassment by Dementors in Hogsmeade had caused the local post office to cease mail deliveries after dusk. After all, animals had a natural instinct to avoid danger, and the owls at the post office couldn't endure being scared by the Dementors repeatedly. As for the owner of the Wind and Moon store, he obviously didn't have the time to help send out packages after closing for the day.
"Help me check if there's anything else we've missed. The list is in my left pocket."
As he spoke, Albert slightly tilted his body, leaving the task of checking the shopping list to his girlfriend beside him.
Isabelle reached into Albert's robe pocket and pulled out the rather lengthy list. "This list is getting longer."
"There's no other way. I've been getting to know more people, and perhaps I should ask Bit to help with the shopping."
Although he said this, Albert usually chose the gifts himself whenever he had the time. He always wanted to find things for himself and Isabelle to do, otherwise, coming to Hogsmeade would be quite boring. Especially for women like Isabelle, who enjoyed shopping.
"We've got all the clothes. What about the rest?"
"I've asked my family to help with the rest."
Wizards who corresponded with Albert through letters usually didn't mind his Muggle background, so he occasionally sent gifts from the Muggle world, which they appreciated. For instance, the champagne he brought back from France last time was well-received.
The couple walked towards a secluded alley not far away. Isabelle pretended to read the wanted posters plastered on the wall, while Albert stepped into the alley and handed the packages to his hidden house-elf.
"Bit, please take these back first."
"Yes, Master."
The house-elf stuffed all the packages into a large bag and then, like Santa Claus, hoisted the bag onto his shoulder. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared.
"No wonder many wizards wish to have a house-elf to help with chores." Isabelle watched Bit's departing figure and asked, "Where to next? Honeyduke's Sweetshop?"
"Yes, I remember Professor Slughorn likes dried pineapple." Albert took the list and added a note for the dried fruit.
"I thought you didn't like Professor Slughorn very much."
"It's not that I hate him. Professor Slughorn is a vain, self-interested hedonist." Albert noticed Isabelle looking at him and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's rare to hear you describe someone like that."
"Professor Slughorn is fine." Albert said self-deprecatingly, "In fact, most people are like this, including myself. That's just the way it is, and you can't ask for too much. Besides, Professor Slughorn hasn't done anything wrong."
"Maintaining contact with him is a good choice. I think Professor Slughorn will be very happy to receive a Christmas gift, and it's the cheapest way to get on his good side. Moreover, he knows a lot of people, and maybe one day he'll come in handy."
Isabelle now understood the reason for those wool socks, scarves, and hats.
Well, the price wasn't the issue. It was the thought that counted.
The two headed towards Honeyduke's Sweetshop. Near the shop, Albert spotted a red lollipop hovering next to Ron and Hermione.
Isabelle followed his gaze and saw it too.
"Harry Potter?"
"He must be wearing that invisibility cloak. Not a good idea." Albert said softly. He suddenly felt like playing a prank and tugging on Potter's invisibility cloak, exposing his head to the public eye, which would surely cause a stir.
However, Albert eventually suppressed the urge and entered Honeyduke's Sweetshop with Isabelle to buy some sweets.
"Are you on a diet?"
Albert raised an eyebrow when he noticed that Isabelle hadn't bought any snacks for herself.
"Eating too many sweets isn't good for the body."
"Just exercise more. There's no need to force yourself to diet."
As they stepped out of the sweetshop, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
Albert looked up at the fluttering snowflakes and said, "Let's go to the Three Broomsticks for a warm butterbeer."
"Okay." Isabelle took one of the packages and headed towards the Three Broomsticks, which was not far away. As they passed through an alley, Albert paused and looked at a black dog rummaging through a trash can.
Black? Albert couldn't be sure, but it made sense, as it would be difficult to find food in the forest during winter.
"What about that dog?"
Isabelle followed Albert's gaze and noticed the black dog rummaging through the trash.
"It's rare." Albert's voice was soft, as if he was worried about scaring the dog away.
"Dogs are rare?"
Isabelle looked at Albert in confusion, her gaze shifting back to the black dog.
The dog, sensing that it was being watched, grabbed a half-eaten loaf of bread and ran off quickly.
"Apart from Hagrid, I've hardly seen any wizards keep dogs, nor have I seen a second dog near the school." Albert watched the dog's retreating figure, his gaze falling on the copy of the Daily Prophet lying next to the trash can. He could now confirm that it was Sirius Black.
"Is there something wrong with that dog?" Isabelle immediately realized why Albert had said that. "Have you prophesied something again?"
It was no wonder Isabelle thought this way. Albert's sudden interest in a dog made the animal seem suspicious no matter how one looked at it.
"I'm not sure, but that dog gives me a sense of disharmony. Forget it, it has nothing to do with us anyway." Albert withdrew his gaze from the alley and looked towards the Three Broomsticks. Coincidentally, he spotted Professors McGonagall and Flitwick with Hagrid, standing outside the pub. They were accompanied by a man wearing a dark yellow-green peaked hard hat, and Hagrid deliberately lagged behind to speak with him.
As Albert approached, he recognized the man: Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Fudge appeared rather dismissive when discussing the matter of the Hippogriff. However, Hagrid seemed oblivious and continued talking, trying to persuade the Minister to change his mind with his words.
Albert and Isabelle reached the entrance of the Three Broomsticks. Hagrid seemed to notice their arrival and greeted Albert with a smile.
"Minister, you might have heard of his name—Albert Anderson, the genius who has won several international awards." Hagrid introduced Albert to Fudge.
"Oh, of course. But this is the first time I've seen you in person. It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Anderson."
As Cornelius Fudge prepared to enter the pub, he paused upon hearing Hagrid's words and turned to look at Albert. A subtle change crossed Fudge's face, but it quickly returned to normal.
Isabelle raised an eyebrow. The thoughts of the Minister of Magic could not escape her keen eyes.
Upon entering the pub, Albert sensed an odd atmosphere. It seemed that the presence of the professors had made everyone rather restrained.
Isabelle took the frothy butterbeer that Albert handed to her and whispered as she glanced at Fudge's back, "Now I understand why you don't like him."
(End of Chapter)
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