Questioning Life

Are you on a date?

When faced with Katrina's question, Albert was taken aback for a moment. He was about to answer "yes" when he was stopped by Isobel's gaze.

"We're heading to the Three Broomsticks, would you like to come along?" Isobel said with a smile to Katrina and her friends. "Perfect opportunity, take this chance to improve your Ancient Runes."

Katrina stood there, mouth agape, completely stunned. Her friend was equally speechless, utterly bewildered as to what a date had to do with improving Ancient Runes. "Can we really go together?"

The freckled blonde girl next to Katrina was blinking curiously at Albert.

"Sure."

Albert glanced at Isobel, somewhat puzzled as to why his girlfriend didn't want to make their relationship public.

Could it be that they're afraid of hurting Katrina?

Countless absurd ideas flashed through Albert's mind.

Although Isobel had mentioned on the way that Katrina might like him, which did make him feel inexplicably excited and thrilled, the idea of them being sisters was just something he thought about in his heart.

He's not stupid. No one wants to share love. As Isobel said, the wisest thing to do is to hold on tightly to what you want.

To those who are always looking at what's in their bowl while also wanting what's in the pot and what's in the field, all he can say is "heh heh."

The group crossed the road and arrived at the Three Broomsticks a few minutes later. Although Katrina and her friends had just come from there, that didn't dampen the girls' curiosity.

The tavern was crowded and noisy. As soon as they entered, they felt a wave of heat hit them. They were lucky; when they went in, the guests at the table near the fireplace were just getting up to leave, so they rushed over and took those seats.

Honestly, it's really noisy here. If you don't speak loudly, you probably won't be able to get anyone to hear you.

"I'll go order drinks. What would you like?" Albert asked, looking at the girls. "Butterbeer?"

"Butterbeer".

Albert went to the counter and ordered five hot Butterbeer from the pub owner, Mrs. Rosmerta.

Besides the Hogwarts students, Three Broomsticks wizard sat at the counter, one of whom was chatting with the proprietress—perhaps Rosmerta's crush? Hmm, Ron's crush seems to be this one? Of all the witches Albert had seen, Rosmerta was considered quite beautiful, with a graceful figure and striking features. Well, although he'd like to say that he'd only seen a handful of witches besides the Hogwarts students.

So, he really is ignorant?

While Albert was lost in thought, five large mugs of hot, frothy Butterbeer were placed on the counter in front of him. He started taking money out of his pocket, paid ten Sickle, then pulled out his wand and waved it, making the Butterbeer float away steadily with him.

As the girls were chatting, Albert placed a glass of Butterbeer in front of Katrina and casually asked, "You seem a little distracted?"

"Oh, it's nothing!" Katrina was kicked by her friend and only then did she come back to her senses.

"Good!"

Albert finished distributing the drinks, he took a small sip of the warm Butterbeer and felt his body warm up from the inside out.

Isobel quickly picked up the conversation, steer the topic toward Ancient Runes before the three could even ask if they were on a date.

Albert guessed Isobel's meaning and immediately continued the conversation. He could sense that many eyes were watching them, but no one had come over, probably out of a sense of restraint. The people at the next table were all eavesdropping on their conversation.

At this moment, everyone was stunned, unable to understand why the topic had been revolving around Ancient Runes.

Isobel even prepared to give a live lesson in Ancient Runes, leaving the three people sitting opposite him speechless and without any chance to interrupt.

Most of what the two of them talked about was teaching you how to quickly master the Ancient Runes in a short period of time.

The thought process of geniuses is a bit strange, but their methods are indeed very useful for many people.

Even Albert had to admit this.

He himself couldn't use the cheat code, but that didn't stop him from admiring Isobel's way of thinking. That's a true genius!

It doesn't resemble me at all, this imposter.

Students who come to Hogsmeade are all in their third year or above, and if they choose Ancient Runes, they have already been exposed to Ancient Runes for some time.

However, most people were still in a state of confusion, and Isobel's on-site teaching was like throwing a Depth Charge into a lake.

Albert would occasionally step in and deliver the finishing blow, leaving those trying to eavesdrop on their conversations in a daze.

We came here to have fun, but we have to listen to all this babbling nonsense. It's torture.

Katrina could understand some of what they were saying and could sense the practicality of what Isobel and Albert were talking about, but her level was still far from sufficient. She only understood half of what they were saying and regretted not bringing Quill and notebook with her.

"Why are you able to use Ancient Runes so skillfully?" The brown-haired girl with braids next to Katrina finally couldn't stand the incessant chatter and tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"Well... you'll need to find someone who's good at Ancient Runes and communicate with them regularly," Isobel said with a smile, glancing at Albert.

"To learn and master a language, you need to use it frequently to master it faster. Ancient Runes are also a language, and if you don't use them often, even if you pass the exam, you'll only be at a beginner level at best." Albert followed Isobel's lead, noticing that his girlfriend's eyes were almost squinting into crescent shapes, and she seemed quite pleased.

"Thanks to Albert's help, I can speak Ancient Runes so fluently." Isobel rested his chin on his hand, smiling as he looked at the girls in front of him who were drowsy and confused by their antics.

"Ahem!" Albert coughed lightly, realizing that pretty girls were indeed very good at lying. Isobel was just as good at conning people as he was.

About half an hour later, the dizzy group of people dragged Katrina away.

There was nothing they could do; they simply couldn't resist Isobel's relentless teaching offensive, and those who had originally wanted to eavesdrop on their casual conversation all gave up.

Watching the group leave, Albert turned his gaze back to his girlfriend, who was smiling at him, and said, "What do you think they'll say about us when they get back?"

"It's going to be very interesting." Isobel was in a good mood.

"Why don't you tell Katrina about our relationship?" Albert asked gently. "Isn't it better to be upfront about some things and let them give up on us?"

"Actually, they're just very curious and easy to please. If you tell them directly, things will only get more complicated." Isobel made up an excuse, though he hadn't really figured out how to resolve the matter yet.

Isobel didn't care much about what others thought, but she cared a lot about her sister, Katrina, who had seen her momentary daze.

It's all because that guy is too outstanding that he attracts so many admirers.

Albert only believed two parts of what he said, but he didn't ask any more questions and changed the subject, "Where to next, Honeydukes Sweetshop?"

"Eating too many sweets can easily lead to weight gain," Isobel said with a hint of distress. Young women really do care a lot about their appearance and figure.

"Then you shouldn't eat sweets anymore," Albert said, earning a glare from his girlfriend. He then laughed and said, "If you're worried about gaining weight, you need to exercise more. I'll have Tom run with you; he needs to lose weight too."

"I'm very busy."

"Aging and gaining weight are common problems for most Europe, which are related to our diet and lifestyle. Most people do not know how to take care of themselves, so they look older."

"Is it really related to diet and lifestyle habits?" Isobel asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Asia women, if they take good care of themselves, can look about the same as us when we're thirty when we're in our forties or fifties," Albert said, trying to convince us.

Of course, what he said is not wrong; Europe do age more easily.

"Well, most Europe women are at their most beautiful at seventeen or eighteen, start to age at twenty-five, and are basically old women by forty." As Albert said this, he was kicked hard in the shin, wincing in pain, but continued, "So, after I graduate, let's get married, so you won't really become an old woman in a couple of years."

"Don't kick me, I'm just telling the truth," Albert said with a laugh, holding an umbrella. "Stop fooling around, you're almost soaked."

"Do Asia really age more slowly?" Isobel raised an eyebrow. Girls really do care a lot about their appearance. "When we get married, we can go to the East for our honeymoon, and then you'll know."

"Hmm." Isobel paused for a moment, then, realizing what was going on, said in an embarrassed and annoyed tone, "Who wants to marry you? And what on earth is going on in your head?!"

The two playfully pushed open the door of the Honeydukes Sweetshop, and a warm, creamy aroma of milk candy wafted out.