This year, winter seemed to have arrived especially early in Britain. Outside, fierce winds howled, heavy rain poured down, and snowflakes mixed with the rain, making people shiver from the cold.
Even the thick curtains could not completely keep out the chill from outside. A roaring fire burned in the fireplace. Isobel sat on the sofa with a woolen thin blanket draped over her. Beside them was a radio broadcasting exclusive news from the Ministry of Magic, while before them sat a half-finished game of Wizard's Chess. The players seemed unconcerned with winning or losing, casually chatting about trivial matters to pass the boring time.
"I really don't understand why those people would go out in weather like this just to cause trouble for the Ministry of Magic."
Listening to the news on the radio, Isobel could not help yawning. It was not hard to tell from the broadcast how difficult things had become for the British magical world. Reinforcements from the International Wizarding Federation had yet to arrive, and the situation in the magical world was growing ever more disastrous.
"It's hard to understand what those Dark wizards are thinking." Albert stopped what he was doing and looked up at Isobel as she covered her yawn. "Sleepy again?"
"Yeah, I feel a little sleepy."
"Then take a nap first. I'll wake you later."
Albert picked up his wand from the table beside him and gave the chessboard a light flick. The Wizard's Chess pieces immediately packed themselves away and flew back into the drawer where they had originally been stored.
Albert then sat beside Isobel and tugged the thin blanket more securely around her.
"Has something happened recently?" Listening to the rain outside, Isobel gently rested her head on Albert's shoulder.
"Why do you ask?"
"You haven't gone out