Sunny November 15th

This year was not shaping up to be a good one for Harry. He had become the target of Filch's relentless scrutiny, which was a nightmare for any Gryffindor. After yet another run-in with Filch in the bathroom, Harry finally snapped and got into a shouting match with the caretaker, earning himself a detention. Ron, who had joined in, was also sentenced to scrubbing cauldrons.

"He's convinced I petrified his cat!" Harry fumed at the dinner table, where Hermione was absent.

"The Petrification Curse wouldn't do that to a cat," Joey chimed in from across the table, having overheard the conversation.

"Why did you even go to the Deathday Party on Halloween? Was the food there better?" Joey asked, still baffled by Hermione's decision to attend Nearly Headless Nick's party.

"It's not about the food! Filch is a Squib! He doesn't understand magic!" Ron blurted out.

"Filch is a Squib?!" Joey exclaimed, her eyes widening. This was big news.

"Ron!" Hermione scolded, appearing out of nowhere. "We agreed not to tell anyone!"

"Joey's not an outsider," Ron muttered defensively.

"Exactly, she's practically a Weasley already," Fred said, wrapping an arm around Joey's shoulders and grinning at Hermione.

Joey chuckled, pushing Fred playfully but not denying it. Since the summer, when both families had tacitly approved their relationship, everyone had started referring to her as a future Mrs. Weasley—including herself.

Harry, however, was still in a foul mood and didn't even touch his favorite pudding.

The petrification of Filch's cat hadn't caused much concern among the students. In fact, many were relieved to have one less pair of eyes watching their every move. The professors, however, were taking it seriously. Professor Lockhart had volunteered to patrol the halls at night, reportedly with Dumbledore's full support.

This made it harder for Fred, George, and Joey to sneak around at night, as the corridors were now constantly patrolled by professors.

George had been complaining about their dwindling supply of materials for their pranks. "We need to raid the Forbidden Forest for supplies," he grumbled.

Sirius, ever the enabler, came through with a package containing rare ingredients, including feathers from a Silent Bird. "This little thing can make Veritaserum and Memory Potions," George said, holding up a blue feather in the library. "Joey, you might want some. Maybe you'd like to know what Fred dreams about. He was muttering 'darling' all night!"

Joey reached for the feather, but Fred snatched it away, kicking George under the table. "If you need Veritaserum or Memory Potions, just ask me. I'll help you."

Joey frowned. "Are you saying my potion skills are that bad?"

Flami and Angelina, who had just joined them, exchanged knowing looks. "Who was it who mixed up powdered horn and fox claw in Potions class?" Flami asked pointedly. "I almost got my first P because of you!"

"Those powders look the same! It's an easy mistake!" Joey protested.

"Do you know how expensive powdered horn is?!" George and Flami exclaimed in unison.

Joey winced. "Okay, okay, I get it. Expensive. Got it."

Fred sighed. Joey's potion skills were, unfortunately, not her strong suit.

---

The Quidditch season was in full swing, and Gryffindor's morale was high. Three days before the match against Slytherin, the team received five brand-new Nimbus 2001 brooms, courtesy of Sirius.

"Professor Sirius is the best!" Wood exclaimed, kissing his new broom as if it were his girlfriend.

George read Sirius's accompanying letter aloud:

"Dear Harry, I heard Lucius Malfoy bought his son and the Slytherin team Nimbus 2001s. While I'm proud of your talent, I couldn't let Lucius show me up. So, here are five Nimbus 2001s for Gryffindor. I hope you smash Slytherin's heads in—just go easy on my nephew. Love, Sirius."

The Slytherins' smug expressions on match day turned to shock when they saw Gryffindor's new brooms. Draco Malfoy flew circles around Wood, demanding, "Who bought those for you?!"

"Your dear uncle, cousin," Joey said, flying up to Draco and ruffling his hair. To her surprise, it was surprisingly soft.

Draco recoiled as if burned. "Don't touch my hair! You—you—" He stammered, too well-bred to insult her properly.

Joey laughed. "Listen to your sister, Draco!"

The match was as brutal as ever, with Gryffindor and Slytherin clashing like two angry titans. In the end, Harry caught the Snitch, but his arm was broken in the process. Professor Lockhart's attempt to heal him only made things worse, leaving Harry in the hospital wing.

Madam Pomfrey assured Harry, "This potion will regrow your bones overnight. Just ask Joey and Fred—they've been through it."

Joey and Fred nodded in agreement.

"But it'll hurt like hell," Joey added. "Maybe you should get Ron to keep you company. Too late to back out now, huh?"

Ron groaned, but Harry laughed despite the pain.

---

That night, Fred took Joey to the Astronomy Tower, a secluded spot with a perfect view of the starry sky. They sat on the stone steps, looking up at the circular opening in the vaulted ceiling.

"How did you find this place? It's beautiful," Joey said, her breath visible in the cold air.

"Dad told me about it over the summer," Fred said, pulling her close. "He said it was his and Mum's secret spot."

Joey leaned into him, her heart fluttering. "So, are we just going to talk about Quidditch all night?"

Fred smirked. "Not exactly."

He kissed her, his lips warm against hers despite the cold. The kiss deepened, and Joey felt her heart race as Fred's hands roamed her back. When he nibbled at her neck, she let out a soft gasp.

Fred pulled back, breathing heavily. "Sorry, Joey," he murmured, his voice husky.

"For what?" Joey asked, her cheeks flushed.

Fred covered her eyes with his hand, a shy smile on his face. "It's too early for this."

Joey laughed, leaning into him. "You're such an idiot."

But as they sat there, wrapped in each other's warmth, Joey couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, Fred was her kind of idiot.