By the time Albert Apparated back to his doorstep, night had fully fallen. Goose-feather snowflakes drifted from the sky, and a clear line of footprints had been stamped into the thick snow.
After passing through layers of Protective Magic, Albert finally pushed open his front door, shutting out the wind and snow behind him. He took off his cloak and hung it on the nearby rack, then walked down the corridor toward the living room.
The door on the left side of the corridor suddenly opened from within. Isobel emerged from the exercise room, her hair tied in a single ponytail and dressed in a long white yoga outfit, looking at Albert in surprise.
"I thought you'd be staying over at Hermione's tonight."
"You really put Hermione through the wringer."
Albert had already pushed open the living room door as he spoke. Old Tom was curled up comfortably in a ball in his cat bed beside the fireplace, basking in the warmth.
"I didn't put her through anything. Granger wanted to give you a big surprise too; she was just pressed for time." After returning to the exercise room to drape a coat over herself, Isobel followed Albert into the living room.
"If everyone came out of the same mold, how boring would this world be?"
Albert did not know whether he was speaking to Isobel or simply muttering to himself.
"Granger loves you very much. She's just not mature enough yet; her way of thinking is still stuck in her student days, and she doesn't really understand how to love someone." Isobel stepped forward and kissed Albert on the cheek. "You should spend some time guiding her, molding Granger into the shape you like. Or do you prefer watching her grow wild?"
Albert was rather speechless. Not wanting to