A Promise

"That guy... definitely planned this all along."

Katrina stared blankly for a moment as she looked at the glass of Butterbeer placed in front of her, and the thought quickly came to mind.

Otherwise, who would carry around a bunch of stuff like that for no reason? You're kidding... no, ghosts aren't that easily fooled.

Although I'm reluctant to admit it, Albert's cooking skills are indeed quite good, and the seafood he makes tastes really great.

How come I never knew these sea crabs could be cooked like this before?

Just as Katrina took a big bite of the fish and was chewing and swallowing it, that hateful sound interrupted her thoughts, and then she saw a camera being held up in her direction.

"Come on, help us take some pictures!" Albert asked. "You know how to use a camera, right?"

"I don't know how to use it!"

Katrina retorted irritably, "That's Muggle stuff. Do you think I'd ever use it?"

"Oh, that's a real shame."

Albert didn't mind the girl's tone and gestured for Isobel to strike a pose so he could take some photos of her at the beach, though it was a pity she wasn't wearing a swimsuit.

"Well done."

Albert looked at the girl eating kebabs in the photo and said with a smile, "It would be even better if she wore a pretty white dress."

"Does Albert like girls who wear white dresses?" Isobel asked curiously, leaning closer to look at her photo after finishing her grilled fish skewers.

"I just think a girl in a white dress would look even more innocent on a beautiful beach," Albert explained with a smile. "I rarely see you like this. After all, most of the time you're more..."

"Compare what?" the girl asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Wise".

Albert carefully considered his words. "Well, that's roughly the idea."

For some reason, Katrina felt very upset.

Coming here by myself was a terrible decision.

Even having just eaten Beach Barbecue couldn't change that mindset.

The two stayed at the beach until the afternoon, but Katrina finally couldn't stand being bombarded with their lovey-dovey moments, so she took the seafood she had caught and went back first.

"I feel like Katrina seems a bit... Didn't you tell her I was coming today?" Albert didn't voice his true feelings.

He wouldn't dare ask Katrina if she liked him in front of Isobel.

"I said it!"

The two lay on the beach, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds. Surrounded by towering cliffs, the midday sun rarely shone directly on them, casting a large shadow on the ground.

"She probably likes you too!"

Isobel didn't shy away from the question. Noticing her boyfriend's surprised look, she smiled and said, "After all, you're so outstanding, isn't it normal for girls to like you?"

"I'm still very happy to hear you praise me." Albert turned over and looked at the girl beside him with a smile. "I thought you had already made her give up."

"She's very stubborn," Isobel sighed.

"So, according to you, shouldn't I be very excited?"

"What's so exciting?"

"Having both of them in my arms!" Albert sat up and reached out to pull the girl into his embrace.

"You're trying to make a move on Katrina?" Isobel stared intently at Albert.

"Actually, you shouldn't have brought this up," Albert suddenly said.

"I'm sorry, I just haven't figured out how to handle this." Isobel rested her head on Albert's shoulder. "Katrina is my sister, and I hope she can be happy in the future, but you also know that Katrina is still very immature, immature in every way."

"Let nature take its course; time can change everything." Albert gazed calmly at the sea before him. "Perhaps, she will find someone she loves soon."

"There's a really good guy in Hufflepuff who's the same age as me," Isobel suddenly said. "My friends mentioned him when they were chatting last time."

"Your friends all want to date younger women?" Albert barely managed to suppress a laugh. "Okay, you mean Diggory?"

"Do you also mind that I'm older than you?"

"Only one year older."

"Hmph." Isobel gave a disgruntled snort, then returned to the previous topic, "How did you know?"

"It's not hard to guess," Albert said noncommittally. "However, it seems that guy already has someone he likes."

How did you know?

"I get along quite well with Diggory." Albert thought to himself, what would Cho Chang do if Diggory got kidnapped? Would he pair him up with Harry?

That said, Cho Chang was also a pretty young girl.

What are you thinking about?

Are you worried that your sister will kidnap me?

"We can't graduate together."

"Why don't you just repeat the year?" Albert joked.

"No way."

"Then let's get married right after I turn sixteen, okay?" Albert said with a smile. "Muggle are adults at sixteen and can get married then, and you'll be graduating from school by then."

"Who did you meet who got married right after graduation?" Isobel said irritably.

"Yes, the famous Potter ' parents got married right after graduation," Albert said. "Hagrid told me that he was also invited to the wedding."

"You're definitely lying."

"The Quidditch Medal has James Potter's name on it, so you can figure out the date with a little calculation."

"We'll talk about marriage later," Isobel said, not immediately agreeing.

"Well then, let's get engaged first," Albert said with a smile. "Mr. Brood. Bard Brod has already prepared our engagement rings."

Are you kidding me?

"I'm not kidding, it's a ring made by Goblin."

Albert explained, "I saw it when I went to Mr. Bard's last time. He said that once I come of age, he would give me everything else along with me so that I could go directly to you to propose. Mr. Morg would be our witness."

"Yeah, it's a bit rushed."

"I'm just worried you'll run away. After all, you've been out of school for two years and seen all the temptations of the outside world. What if you dump me?" Albert's words earned him a glare from Isobel.

"By the way, are you interested in Beauty Potion?" Albert changed the subject.

"Are you trying to say I'm not pretty enough?" Isobel pouted, asking with displeasure. Beauty Potion can alter a person's appearance, making them more beautiful.

"Someone invited me to join the research."

Albert didn't mention Catherine's name. "I think the girls would be very interested in this. If it succeeds, it'll be a golden egg, and then I can just lie around and wait to die."

"You don't seem like the kind of person who would just laze around and wait to die."

"No, no, actually my biggest dream is to have two women on my left and right and live a life of leisure and idleness," Albert said seriously. He really wasn't talking nonsense.

"Beauty Potion can make people more beautiful, but that's only temporary." Isobel ignored Albert and recalled, "There are similar cases in history. The Banshee Dora Grimm successfully married a king by using Beauty Potion."

"I'm not referring to those Beauty Potion," Albert shook his head. "I mean those magical potions that slow down the aging process of appearance and body. It's a pity I didn't get to visit the so-called Fountain of Youth at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic when I went to France last time."

In this world, if you study it seriously, it really is possible.

After all, magic is so wondrous that even the Philosopher's Stone, which can grant immortality, can be created. It's not impossible that Potions could appear that prevents aging.

"I can help you with the research then." Isobel agreed. Her youthful appearance was something she would certainly want if she could; in fact, no girl could resist such a temptation.

"It was Miss Catherine who invited you to study Beauty Potion, right?"

Why would you think that way?

"Intuition," Isobel asked, narrowing his eyes. "You two are still in contact?"

"Last time, she invited me to do research together. She's a very vain girl," Albert said after thinking for a moment. "She knew I was also good at Potions, so she invited me to help."

"When we get married, remember to invite Miss Catherine," Isobel suddenly said.

"I'll remember to send out invitations." Albert took out his notebook and wrote it down.

"Let's go back!"

When the two returned to McDougal family's villa, they did not see Katrina.

At this moment, Katrina was in her room to avoid feeling heartbroken if she saw the two of them.