The Dog

Albert had just stepped out of the shop, packages in both hands, muttering complaints. "Ugh, why did Elegant Wizarding Apparel suddenly stop offering delivery?"

Actually, Albert knew the reason. The notice at the shop entrance made it very clear: Dementors would patrol the streets of Hogsmeade after sunset every day.

Fine.

The Dementors' frequent harassment of Hogsmeade had caused the Hogsmeade post office to stop deliveries after dusk. After all, animals had an instinct to seek advantages and avoid danger. The owls at the post office could not withstand being frightened by Dementors time and again, and the manager of Elegant Wizarding Apparel clearly did not have time to mail his things before closing.

"Help me check if there's anything else I haven't bought. The list's in my left pocket."

As he spoke, Albert turned slightly and left the task of checking the shopping list to the girlfriend beside him.

Isobel reached into Albert's robe pocket and took out the rather alarmingly long list. "This list has gotten even longer."

"There's nothing to be done about it. I know more people now. Maybe I should have Bit handle the shopping."

Though he said that, Albert usually picked out gifts himself whenever he had time. He always had to find something for himself and Isobel to do; otherwise, there was really nothing to do when they came to Hogsmeade, which was rather boring. Women in particular always seemed keen on going shopping.

"We've bought all the clothes. What about the rest?"

"I've already asked my family to buy the remaining things."

The wizards who corresponded with Albert usually did not care about his Muggle background, so they did not mind if he occasionally gave them gifts from the Muggle World. The champagne Albert had brought back from France last time, for