Something About to Happen

The Final Exam were finally over. Albert and his friends walked out of the castle with the other students who had finished their exams and played in the sunny field, relaxing their tense moods caused by the exams.

The group walked along the grassy slope to the lakeside. Albert covered his yawn with his hand and lay down on a deck chair under the shade of a tree for a nap.

Not far away, a Giant Squid lay sunbathing in the warm, shallow water, while the Weasley Twins and Lee Jordan gently stroked its tentacles.

As everyone knows, the Giant Squid in the Black Lake is very docile, and it won't harm Hogwarts students as long as you don't hurt it.

Not long after, Albert saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had just finished their exams and were relaxing. They strolled over and sat down under a large tree not far away to cool off.

Soon, voices could be heard coming from the other side; Hermione and Ron seemed to be arguing about something.

Oh, right.

That's about enough! The semester is almost over, and Voldemort must be itching to get Quirrell to steal the Philosopher's Stone soon.

Next up is the showdown between the savior and the Dark Lord.

"I'd better stay away," Albert muttered to himself, knowing that this was a grand scheme Dumbledore had orchestrated for Potter.

Once Quirrell is completely dead, I can go and dig up and bury those bags of Galleon under the tree. I wonder if that guy cast a spell on those Galleon.

Indeed, it's better to be careful. We must prepare the items for detecting Dark Magic and the Dragonhide Gloves. Hmm, let the House-elf up, and we also need to carefully check each Galleon.

Albert was in a good mood at the thought of another large sum of Galleon coming his way.

"I am not sick."

Harry's rather annoyed voice came from not far away, "I think this is a warning... meaning danger is coming..."

Not long after he finished speaking, Albert saw Harry running frantically toward Hagrid's Hut, with Hermione in hot pursuit, leaving a bewildered Ron behind.

Albert watched the three figures disappear into the distance, yawned lazily, and muttered to himself, "How pitiful, are they going to die today?"

Just in case, I should go out and find something to do tonight, so that Potter won't come looking for my help. Although the chances are slim, I should still take precautions to avoid ruining Dumbledore's plan to raise a savior.

Albert took out his Communication Bookmark from his pocket and sent a message to Isobel, asking her out for a date that evening. After the exams, they would have plenty of time to spend together and enjoy the feeling of being in love.

Very nice!

As soon as he returned to the castle, he saw Hermione hurrying towards him, pulling him through the Entrance Hall and into an Empty Classroom.

Hermione tells Albert that Snape has successfully tricked Dumbledore out of the school and is planning to use the Trapdoor to get his hands on the Philosopher's Stone hidden in the Fourth Floor Forbidden Area Corridor.

"We've already told Professor McGonagall our suspicions," Hermione said anxiously. "But Professor McGonagall simply doesn't believe us. She thinks the Philosopher's Stone is heavily protected and no one could possibly steal it."

"Hmm, I think Professor McGonagall is right." Albert patted Hermione's shoulder, reminding her, "Perhaps the barriers the professors set up really couldn't stop the thief who tried to break into Hogwarts to steal the Philosopher's Stone. But since Dumbledore knew someone was going to steal something, how could he possibly let that thief succeed so easily?"

After saying that, Albert walked away under Hermione's astonished gaze.

On their way to the Common Room, they overheard Fred, George, and Lee Jordan talking about blowing up the toilet. They had decided to teach the Malfoy family kid a lesson after Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup, a decision that had been delayed until now.

Albert had assumed that Fred, George, and Lee Jordan had all forgotten about it, but it turns out they still remembered. It seems Draco Malfoy is quite good at attracting hatred.

Can you see me?

Albert cast Disillusionment Charm on Lee Jordan, and to get Malfoy to go to the toilet, he needed to add some fun little gadgets to his food.

If we can let Peeves come out to attract everyone's attention, maybe we'll have a chance.

This idea was quickly abandoned. It was more reliable to knock Malfoy unconscious halfway there, then give him some Cleansing Pill and let him go to the toilet by himself.

The simpler and more straightforward a plan is, the easier it is to implement.

The three then offered a few less-than-ideal solutions. Although these solutions couldn't be implemented, it was always enjoyable to have a discussion.

The Common Room was lively that evening; everyone was still caught up in the excitement of the exams being over.

While Albert was playing Wizard Card with Fred, he noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione whispering in a corner of the Common Room, seemingly discussing something.

The impact of the previous heavy point deduction was still lingering, and nobody wanted to talk to the three of them.

After 10 p. m., Albert went to the Room of Requirement alone. He sat on the sofa, thinking about the big things that might happen that night.

Dumbledore did indeed secretly return to Hogwarts and is now in the Headmaster's Office overseeing the aftermath of this matter.

Why didn't Quirrell consider the possibility that he had been discovered? Did Quirrell really believe his acting was so superb that he had successfully fooled everyone?

Perhaps this is what they call being blinded by one's own involvement! Suddenly, a pair of soft hands covered Albert's eyes from behind.

What are you thinking about?

"Thinking about what might happen tonight," Albert said vaguely. "But it's none of our business."

"What is it?" Isobel asked, raising an eyebrow. "You always say strange things."

"How did O. W. Ls do on the exam? Are you confident you can get twelve A's?" Albert changed the subject.

"It's all very simple," Isobel said.

"Muggle Studies?"

Why do you ask that?

"I think most wizards have some strange misconceptions about the Muggle World," Albert shrugged. "There are also some weird things mixed in with Muggle Studies."

"Well... I'm not really sure." Isobel's knowledge of Muggle was limited to what he learned from textbooks.

"By the way, would you like to come to my house during summer vacation? I can take you to visit the Muggle World," Albert invited.

"Let's forget it, so as not to upset your sister."

Isobel was tempted, but after hesitating for a while, she gave up, not wanting Albert to ruin the whole summer vacation by inviting her.

"You probably haven't officially started venturing into the Muggle World yet."

"We can go together after you come of age!" Isobel looked into Albert's eyes and asked gently, "Do you plan to settle down in the Muggle World afterward?"

"Mr. Brood said that once I come of age, the manor I stayed at last summer will be given to me." Albert did not directly answer Isobel's question. "However, I do not intend to live in that manor."

"I will prepare a new house in the Muggle World and a new house in the Wizarding World, and decorate them the way we like." Albert described their future together, and planned to connect the two houses through the Vanishing Cabinet, so they could live wherever they wanted.

"Okay, that sounds good. You can teach me how to use those appliances." Isobel rested her head on Albert's shoulder, listening to him describe their future.

It feels a little strange, but it's not unpleasant.