Are You Dating?

The rain gradually intensified, blurring the scenery in front of us.

Albert drew his wand and conjured an umbrella, silently holding it over Isobel's head. The red-haired girl turned her head, their eyes met, and they smiled gently.

Albert secretly reached out and grabbed those warm, soft little hands. At that moment, he could vaguely feel the owner of those hands trembling slightly as she slowly opened her hands and intertwined her fingers with his.

The two walked hand in hand into the rain.

Albert felt he should say something; it was a long way from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade, and it wouldn't be a good idea to remain silent the whole way.

"You know what? When I first started learning Summoning Charm, it was actually so that I could conjure an umbrella if it rained sometime." Albert talked about his initial purpose for learning Summoning Charm. Now, thinking back on it carefully, he still finds it a bit funny, but there is no denying that learning it did save him the trouble of carrying an umbrella with him.

"To save trouble?"

Isobel covered her mouth and chuckled, agreeing with Albert's point. In fact, a large part of her own learning of Charms was for this reason.

At this moment, some whispers drowned out the sound of rain, distracting the two of them.

Students walked past the two, and after noticing Albert and Isobel, they slowed down and whispered to each other beside them.

After all, the fact that two geniuses from Hogwarts went on a date together is bound to be something that people will talk about for a long time.

More and more students passing by slowed down, trying to eavesdrop on what Albert and Isobel were talking about, but these people were destined to be frustrated. Albert and Isobel's conversation was not at all hidden from them, nor was it necessary, because no one else could understand it at all.

Yes, the two were conversing in Ancient Runes, which sounded like... a ghost to everyone else! "I love the look of astonishment on their faces," Isobel said with a smile. "Lots of people want to hear our gossip, you know, most girls are pretty talkative."

"I think they'll find out we're dating soon." Albert didn't seem to care much about it. Of course, he also didn't like being the subject of gossip.

"I will tell them that I just found someone to practice Ancient Runes." Isobel's words were not entirely untrue; they were indeed communicating using Ancient Runes.

"I don't think anyone will believe such a lame excuse." Albert raised the hand that was holding Isobel's and said gently, "We were just unlucky to not be in the same year."

To be honest, it's easy for a fifth-grader to attract criticism from those with ulterior motives when she finds a boyfriend who is two grades younger than her.

There are quite a few girls who are jealous of Isobel's talent, and Albert's aura is so strong that a lot of girls are attracted to him.

He's outstanding, rich, handsome, famous, and has a peaceful personality—he seems like the perfect boyfriend.

"Many girls are actually driven by vanity and curiosity," Albert said calmly, not considering himself a heartthrob.

"If they knew you were talking about them like that, they'd probably be very upset!" Isobel laughed, but didn't deny it. Precisely because she was a natural Legilimens, she understood these things better than Albert.

This topic stayed with them even after they left the school.

Then, their conversation turned to their first meeting.

"I was really surprised at that time," Isobel said.

Do you mean age?

Isobel shook his head.

"Because I found the classroom?"

It is said that students participating in the Transfiguration Club for the first time need someone to guide them to the classroom.

Isobel shook his head.

"I dare say you definitely used Legilimency on me back then?" Albert raised an eyebrow.

"It was just a little curiosity." Isobel didn't deny it. "Sometimes I do it without thinking, but reading other people's thoughts isn't pleasant. Most people aren't what they seem, and you'll find that everyone around you is lying. But at the time, I was happy."

"What's so exciting?" Albert asked with a smile.

"This is my personal little secret." Isobel stopped and turned around, putting her index finger to her lips.

"A little secret, well, everyone has their own little secrets." Albert handed the umbrella to Isobel and took Flying Broom from the Transfiguration Lizard's pouch.

"Let's ride brooms around it!" Albert suggested. The road to Hogsmeade was muddy and difficult to travel because of the frequent rains in October.

"Undetectable Extension Charm?"

"Well, before that, we need some disguise." As Albert took the wand and put away the umbrella, Isobel had already conjured another umbrella with his own wand.

Albert used Disillusionment Charm on the two of them; he didn't want to be watched by others.

"This is the first time I've ever shared a broom with someone!" Isobel laughed as he sat sideways on the broom, put his arm around Albert's waist, and held the umbrella over their heads with his other hand.

"Let's go."

Cleansweep Six, it leisurely flew towards Hogsmeade.

"Actually, I fly pretty well too."

"Then next time it'll be your turn to drive me." Albert didn't ask the kind of question you wouldn't ask if Izebel didn't join Quidditch team. He guessed that Isobel's situation was similar to his: he liked flying but didn't want to waste time on Quidditch training.

"Oh, right, there's something..." Isobel rested her head gently against Albert's back and whispered, "Katrina seems to like you a little."

"Why do you think that?" Albert asked calmly after a moment of silence.

"It's probably... an intuition. She probably didn't even realize it herself, just like most girls who like to idolize you." Isobel's tone was indifferent, but also revealed a hint of helplessness.

"Looks like we really are alike!" Albert said with a laugh. "I also have a sister, and I love her just as much, but she's lived in my shadow from the very beginning. Luckily, she's a Muggle."

"You don't want your sister to come to the Wizarding World?"

"I don't want her to get involved in wizarding disputes. I just hope she can marry someone she loves and live a happy life," Albert said gently. He felt that Isobel's thoughts were probably similar to his own, hoping that his sister could find someone she loved and live a happy life.

"I heard you want to have two or three girlfriends?" Isobel suddenly said.

"That's a harsh reality."

"A harsh reality?"

"Many girls date guys just for the novelty, and they break up after a while."

Isobel did not refute this; such a phenomenon does exist and is quite common.

"I'm a rather greedy person. I hope to find a girlfriend with a compatible personality and spend my life with her," Albert said gently.

"A lifetime? You really dare to say that?" Isobel didn't actually dislike Albert's words. She closed her eyes and murmured, "But who would know such a thing?"

Riding Flying Broom is much more comfortable and convenient than walking to Hogsmeade.

Before arriving at Hogsmeade, Albert stopped the broom.

Isobel gracefully dismounted from her Flying Broom, looked at Albert who had put away his Cleansweep Six, and asked, "Where do you want to go?"

After removing the Disillusionment Charm from the two, he smiled and said, "Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop?"

"You must have been to Hogsmeade."

Why do you say that?

"Most guys don't really pay attention to that teahouse on the side street; only couples looking for a date would consider it."

"Why can't it be information you find out by asking around?" Albert asked with interest.

"You seem very familiar with Hogsmeade; you can't do that just by talking." Isobel put away her wand and handed the right to hold the umbrella for the lady back to Albert.

"I have indeed been here a few times, with friends. There are several secret passages from the school that lead to the outside." Albert pulled Isobel back onto the road, and soon they arrived at the village entrance.

The streets of Hogsmeade were rather deserted; no one stopped to chat, everyone was hurrying along, heading straight to where they were going.

The two walked along the street and eventually turned onto a side street opposite the Hog's Head Pub, where there was a small pink teahouse.

"Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop," Albert read the name on the signboard softly.

The owner here has undoubtedly passed the romantic stage, even Albert, who doesn't consider himself very romantic, feels that way.

However, Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop remains one of the most popular dating spots for couples at Hogwarts.

"Penelope suggested I bring you here," Isobel said softly. Albert followed her gaze and saw Percy Weasley, a red-haired Gryffindor Prefect, chatting with a girl with long curls.

That girl must be Penelope, the one Isobel mentioned! However, the two over there were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice them.

There were only a few customers in the room, and plenty of seats to choose from. The two of them sat down by the misty window, some distance from Percy's table.

"What would you two like to order?" asked the Madam Puddifoot.

"Two cups of milk tea, please," Isobel said.

"If this place were renovated, I think a lot of couples would be willing to come here," Albert muttered to himself, looking around. The shop was really small and the decorations weren't great, making him wonder if this was just the taste of most wizards.

He couldn't help but wonder if the shop would have closed down long ago if it weren't for Hogwarts couples visiting.

Isobel ignored Albert's sarcastic remark, propped his chin on his hand, and tilted his head to ask in Ancient Runes, "I'm curious, why did you refuse last time?"

Albert sat down next to Isobel, kissed her, and after thinking for a moment said, "Last time, I felt it was a little too early."

Although asking Isobel about his birthday at that time did have some other meaning, Albert thought it was too early. He just didn't expect Isobel to guess it right away.

"Many people have been trying to set us up," he said helplessly. "I had a vague feeling about it from the beginning. Actually, I really dislike it when other people try to arrange my life."

"Yes, you did notice too!" Isobel ignored Madam Puddifoot's astonished gaze and continued, "Actually, I quite dislike it too."

"Geniuses always have their own pride."

The two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

Yes, geniuses have their own pride. They only accept what they believe and choose. What others impose on them will only make them resent and hate it.

"They are intelligent people after all, and their experience is far richer and more sophisticated than ours. I admit that we might really have to go along with their wishes, but it doesn't really matter." Albert looked into Isobel's eyes and asked with a smile, "What about you? To be honest, it's really strange that you had such thoughts last year."

Why would you think that way?

"In my impression, most girls are quite reserved, and some even like to test others with a bunch of trivial matters."

"Reserved?" Isobel stirred his milk tea gently with a spoon and said with a smile, "Reservedness will only make love that might be within reach slip away. And people's hearts cannot withstand the test. Those who think that way are just self-righteous fools. You should grab what you want as soon as possible, lest it be taken away by someone else or slip away on its own."

"That makes sense." Albert nodded and said with a smile, "Looks like I'm in high demand too."

"Of course, you probably don't know that you're already the dream lover of most of the girls at Hogwarts," Isobel chuckled, his eyes narrowed. "There's a perfect example before you."

"Dumbledore?" Albert felt he had guessed right.

"So I made the first move," Isobel said, deliberately appearing smug.

Isobel possesses a maturity far beyond her years, and Albert feels very comfortable around her, since he is indeed looking for a girlfriend for life.

"I don't think you're telling the truth," Albert said. This intuition came from Legilimency, and since gaining this ability, he could vaguely sense whether the other person was lying.

"Your Legilimency is more powerful than I imagined," Isobel said softly, raising a finger. "That's my secret!"

"Alright! Women are beautiful because of their mystery, and secrets make them even more feminine." Albert reached out and grabbed Isobel's hand, then switched back to English and repeated himself, as Isobel seemed not to have understood.

"Women are beautiful because of their mystery, and secrets make them even more feminine," Isobel repeated softly, seemingly quite pleased with the statement.

"You don't mind letting me taste the secret, do you?" Albert leaned closer.

Fred, George, and Lee Jordan arrived late. When they finally found Albert after searching all over Hogsmeade, they discovered him chatting happily with a girl who looked very much like Katrina in a strange language.

They did not see the two kissing.

How should I put it?

After chatting for a long time, the topic gradually shifted to the exchange of Ancient Runes.

Percy left with his girlfriend after the rain subsided; otherwise, he probably would have become the subject of ridicule once the Twins appeared.

There were still a few couples in the teahouse, but they were talking in a strange, Grawp language.

"Aren't they on a date?"

How would I know?

"Wait for me outside for a moment."

After paying, Albert looked at the three people pretending to drink tea beside him and asked with a smile, "You're not planning to bother us, are you?"

All three shook their heads, indicating that they would not do that.

After warning his roommate, Albert left with Isobel.

They went together to the Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop to buy Quill and parchment. Albert also bought two thick notebooks, as he was always writing and never had enough notebooks.

Before leaving, Albert also bought a Quick-Quotes Quill.

"This Sickle n't as useful as you think," Isobel reminded him as they left the Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. "It always records your words automatically in unrealistic sentences."

"I know, and I hope to crack its principles and recreate a shorthand Quill." Albert made no attempt to hide his purpose.

If I ever crack the Quick-Quotes Quill myself, and then upgrade and improve it, wouldn't it become my own?

"If you manage to make one, remember to send me one," Isobel said casually.

Next, they went to the Elegant Wizarding Apparel together and picked out a delicate bronze plaid scarf. The way the bronze color gradually faded looked really nice.

As they walked out of the Elegant Wizarding Apparel with their packaged scarves, they happened to run into Katrina and her companion walking in their direction.

"You two..." Katrina looked at the two people in front of her in surprise and asked blankly, "Are you on a date?"