After calling her family in Australia, Hermione returned directly to the study and began gathering the parchment scattered carelessly across the desk. Ever since her last conversation with Albert, she had decided to devote more effort to the great cause of freeing House-elves.
Though she had gained quite a few ideas, Hermione still could not be sure whether her method would work. No matter what, she had to try it herself before she could know the result.
After carefully packing her luggage, Hermione began selecting the clothes she would wear later. She had to make herself look "travel-worn," as though she had just used Apparition to return to Britain from Australia, so as to fool the people around her.
Sigh! If I were Albert's wife, I wouldn't have to worry about these things, or fear anyone finding out about our private relationship.
With a soft sigh, Hermione took out the trench coat she often wore when going out and changed into it. Then she cleared away all traces of having lived there and bundled up the rubbish to throw out.
After all, the suitcase had been lent to her by Albert. They would most likely take it along when they went around the world next summer.
If Isobel saw traces of Hermione's life all over the suitcase, she would probably be very unhappy. Perhaps she would not say anything, but Hermione did not want to cause Albert any unnecessary trouble because of it.
After spending this time with Albert, Hermione had also gained the awareness of what it meant to be a mistress. In the end, she had gotten what she wanted too.
Once she had finished with everything at hand, Hermione sat down and simply ate some leftover bread from last night. After all, she still had to pretend