Afternoon sunlight filtered through the ceiling overhead and spilled into the Sea Ship's courtyard. Katrina, who had been reading Potions notes, looked up at the sound of footsteps. A young married couple, behaving intimately as they chatted and laughed their way over, approached from the courtyard entrance. The sour feeling in the girl's heart made her curl her lip. "You finally decided to get up?"
"Prepare something for us to eat first," Albert told the House-elf.
"Where's Alice?" Isobel asked.
"I just fed her. Mum's watching the child for you." Katrina looked as though she could not believe Isobel still remembered she had a child to care for.
"Then I'll go check on Alice first."
Isobel kissed Albert on the cheek and headed toward the living room.
After pulling out a chair and sitting beside Katrina, Albert picked up the newspaper on the table and casually asked, "Any explosive news?"
"If you mean what happened last night, the commotion you caused really did make the Daily Prophet's front page." Katrina closed her notebook, looked at Albert covering a yawn with his hand, and frowned. "Are you all right? Why do you still look so tired?"
"I'm fine. Just a little overworked."
Albert drew his wand and gave it a light wave, brewing himself a cup of health tea. After taking a small sip, he slowly began leafing through the newspaper on the table.
"Overworked?"
Katrina gave Albert a strange look, sizing him up from head to toe.
"Looks like you..."
"Were you thinking something rude?" Albert suddenly interrupted.
"No," Katrina said stiffly.
"Don't overthink it. I'm in excellent health—stronger and healthier than most wizards—so there's absolutely no need to worry about my condition or think about all that nonsense, unless..." Albert swallowed the words that had nearly slipped out.
"Albert