"Did that guy go out again?"
Katrina was passing through the living room with a cup of black tea when she stopped and looked at Isobel, who was leafing through the parenting guide.
"Seems like he had something to do."
Without looking up, Isobel changed the subject. "Where's Mum?"
"She seems to have become obsessed with cooking lately. She's in the kitchen learning to make simple dishes from the House-elves." Katrina sounded rather helpless about it. Their mother simply had no talent for that sort of thing. Leaning against the doorframe, she took a sip of tea and looked at the person in the living room. "Are you really just going to leave him alone?"
"It's useless. Besides, Albert knows better than anyone how to protect himself." Isobel gently turned a page, her tone perfectly calm. Ever since returning to Britain, she had expected this would happen.
"I really don't understand how you can say that so calmly."
Katrina walked into the living room and sat on the sofa opposite Isobel. Setting down her teacup, she picked up an apple and a knife, peeled an apple for Isobel, neatly sliced it, arranged it on a plate, and pushed it over to her.
Isobel placed the book upside down on the table, picked up a piece of apple, and took a bite. "What else can I do? Albert has his own considerations, and even if I sold you out, I still couldn't persuade him."
"I really don't know what that guy is up to all day!" Katrina pursed her lips, picked up her tea, and returned to the study to continue compiling her book.
In a desolate village, Albert suddenly sneezed. His wand paused in mid-motion, nearly causing the spell to fail.
"Caught a cold?" Shanna asked.
"I'm fine. Someone's probably