August 10th, Sunny Turns Cloudy

"Are you sure you don't want to cut your hair shorter?" Molly Weasley asked her twin sons for what felt like the hundredth time. "If you go back to school like this, people will think the Weasleys can't afford a pair of scissors!"

"No, Mum," Fred said firmly, running a hand through his now shoulder-length hair. "Joey said she likes it this way."

Molly sighed, giving up on Fred and turning to George. But before she could say anything, George cut her off.

"Mum, are you trying to make me an only child?" George joked, dramatically curling up on the sofa. "I don't want to wake up one day and see Fred in the mirror!"

Molly rolled her eyes, putting down the enchanted scissors that kept muttering, "I just want to snip, why won't you let me snip?"

Arthur emerged from the bathroom, saw his wife's exasperated expression, and kissed her cheek. "Don't worry about them, love. If you really want to trim someone's hair, you can always start with me."

"George doesn't have a girlfriend," Molly muttered, still glaring at her sons.

"If you ask me, George's the one with no future," Molly teased, turning back to Arthur. "Maybe by the time Fred's kids are running around, George will still be single!"

"Fred has kids?" a cheerful voice called from the fireplace.

Molly turned to see Linda Forrest stepping out of the flames. "Oh, Linda! You're finally here! Where's Luther? Working overtime again?"

Linda nodded. "Yes, he was called away by Tonks. Something about trouble with Kingsley."

Fred, who had been waiting impatiently, grabbed Joey's hand the moment she appeared. "Come on, I'll show you the flying car Dad and Sirius modified!"

Joey's eyes lit up. "The one Harry and Ron drove to school last year?"

"Exactly," Fred whispered, leading her toward the door. "But shh, don't let Mum hear."

As Fred and Joey slipped outside, George and Ryan watched from the sofa. "They're definitely going for a ride," George said, smirking.

"The Muggle car Uncle Arthur enchanted?" Ryan asked, sitting down beside George.

George immediately scooted away, eyeing Ryan warily. "I haven't messed with you lately! What do you want?"

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "I'm just being polite. What's your problem?"

George, still suspicious, muttered, "Polite, my foot."

Meanwhile, outside, Fred was showing off the flying car to Joey. Despite its battered exterior, the inside was luxurious, thanks to Sirius's touch. "Dad handled the mechanics, and Sirius took care of the aesthetics," Fred explained proudly.

Joey ran her hand over the soft leather seats. "It's amazing. But won't Muggles notice if it flies?"

"That's the best part," Fred said, pointing to a red button. "Press this, and the car becomes invisible."

Joey leaned over to inspect the button, her dress shifting slightly. Fred's eyes wandered, and Joey quickly covered herself, smacking his arm. "Stop staring, you pervert!"

Fred grinned, unapologetic. "You're the one who distracted me."

Before Joey could retort, Fred pulled her onto his lap, his hands resting on her waist. "You're not too young now," he murmured, leaning in for a kiss.

Joey's heart raced as Fred's lips met hers. The world outside the car seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them. But just as things were heating up, a loud voice shattered the moment.

"Joey! Fred!"

Ryan's voice was dangerously close. Fred quickly pressed the red button, making the car invisible. Joey held her breath as Ryan and George walked past, their voices fading into the distance.

"That was close," Joey whispered, her face flushed.

Fred sighed, resting his forehead against hers. "Too close."

———

By nightfall, the Weasley garden was set up for a moonlit dinner. The full moon hung brightly in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the table. The kids were chatting and laughing, setting the table under Molly's watchful eye.

"Harry, is Sirius coming?" Molly called from the kitchen.

Harry, engrossed in a game of wizard chess with Ginny, didn't answer. Ron did it for him. "Harry said Sirius is busy with friends tonight. He's not coming!"

Molly nodded, turning back to Linda. "Then we'll skip the roast goose. No sense wasting food."

As the kids finished setting the table, Luther burst through the fireplace, his face grim. "Linda, take Joey and Ryan home. Arthur, you need to get to the Ministry immediately. Molly, keep the kids inside. Harry, stay at the Burrow. Sirius will be here soon."

Everyone froze, staring at Luther in confusion.

"What's going on?" Linda asked, her voice trembling.

Luther took a deep breath. "Peter Pettigrew has escaped from Azkaban."

The plate in Linda's hand slipped, shattering on the floor.