Rain in September

"Did you notice there are a lot of Aurors on the platform today?" Joey asked as she settled into the train compartment. She glanced out the window at a wizard pretending to read a newspaper. She was sure it was Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Auror who often drank with her father. Despite his disguise, the wedding ring on his right hand gave him away. He caught her eye, lowered the newspaper slightly, and winked at her. Joey smiled and looked away.

"They must be here for that rat," Joey whispered, turning her attention back to the compartment.

"Scabbers?" Fred and George were struggling to stuff their oversized suitcases into the luggage rack. Their trunks were packed with all sorts of prank items they'd been working on over the summer. If the "Monster Book of Monsters" got loose, none of it would survive.

"Yeah, but it's not going to be easy," Joey said. "Dad told me the rat had a head start. He could be out of England by now."

Fred, having finally secured the luggage, plopped down next to Joey, leaving barely any space between them. "Darling, you've left enough room for two of me," Fred complained, pressing closer to her. Ever since the incident in the car, Joey had been keeping him at arm's length, and he wasn't happy about it.

George smirked, watching the couple. "Do you need me to shrink the seats for you?"

"How about you vanish yourself instead?" Fred shot back, tossing a Chocolate Frog at George's face.

George caught the frog mid-air and popped it into his mouth. "Harsh, brother. Harsh."

Just then, Cedric Diggory appeared at the compartment door, with Cho Chang peeking over his shoulder. "Here," Cedric said, handing George a large bar of chocolate. He glanced at Joey, who was practically being squished by Fred, and added with a knowing smile, "She's all yours, Fred."

Cho giggled, and Cedric led her away, calling over his shoulder, "If you feel unwell, eat some of that chocolate. Don't forget!"

George examined the chocolate curiously. "What's so special about this?"

"Flami said to be careful with you," Joey teased, poking Fred. "She said you've got bad ideas in your head."

Fred groaned. "George, if you don't win over Flami this term, I'm disowning you."

"It's not my fault she's ignoring me," George said defensively.

Joey blinked, stunned. "Wait, you're chasing Flami? Since when?"

George scratched his head, embarrassed. "I've been writing her letters, but she hasn't replied."

Fred laughed. "That's because you used the Lover's Quill! She probably thinks you're sending her letters she wrote herself!"

Joey was still processing this revelation when a cold draft swept through the train. The noisy chatter outside their compartment died down, replaced by an eerie silence. Joey tried to get up to look, but Fred held her back.

"I'll check," Fred and George said in unison, their usual mischief replaced by seriousness.

Before they could move, Draco Malfoy stumbled into the compartment, his usually neat platinum hair disheveled. "Dementors!" he gasped, clutching Joey's sleeve. "They're outside! I feel like all my happiness is being sucked away!"

George snorted. "Guess you didn't have much to begin with, Malfoy."

Draco shot back, "More than you, Weasley!"

"Enough!" Joey snapped, stepping between them. "What's going on with the Dementors?"

Before anyone could answer, the compartment door creaked open. A Dementor loomed in the doorway, its ragged cloak billowing as it inhaled deeply. Fred and George immediately shielded Joey and Draco, but the cold was unbearable. Joey felt her strength draining, her mind clouded with terrifying images she couldn't quite grasp. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to stay conscious, supporting Draco, who was on the verge of collapsing.

Just as she thought she couldn't hold on any longer, a silver light flashed, and the Dementor retreated with a screech. Joey's vision blurred, and she collapsed into Fred's arms.

When she came to, a haggard middle-aged man was speaking to George. "This chocolate will help. Give her a piece when she wakes up."

"Joey!" Fred's relieved face hovered above her. Draco, pale and shaken, also looked relieved.

The man nodded at Joey. "Glad you're awake. I'll check on the others." He left the compartment, his patched robes trailing behind him.

George broke off a piece of chocolate and handed it to Joey. Draco frowned. "You'll choke her like that."

"Better choked than a Dementor's snack," George shot back.

Joey chewed the chocolate, feeling warmth return to her body. She sat up with Fred's help, just as Ryan burst into the compartment, out of breath. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm fine," Joey said, forcing a smile. "Just a little shaken."

Ryan wiped the tears from her face. "You were crying. What did you see?"

Joey touched her damp cheeks, confused. "I don't remember crying."

Ryan glanced at Fred, who shook his head. No one knew why Joey had been crying, not even her.

After Ryan left, taking Draco with him, the compartment fell into an uneasy silence. The topic of Dementors dominated the train ride, and by the time they reached Hogwarts, the entire school was on edge.

At the feast, Headmaster Dumbledore addressed the students. "Do not challenge the Dementors. They will not reason with you." His gaze lingered on the Gryffindor table, and Joey felt like the warning was directed at her.

Ron nudged Harry. "Even Joey passed out. Don't think you're invincible."

Joey glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"He means you're heartless," George teased.

Joey retaliated by throwing a strawberry tart at George and Ron. Fred, enjoying the chaos, smirked. "How's the tart taste?"

Harry sighed. "I don't feel so bad now, Ron."

As the feast continued, Joey's attention drifted to the staff table. She nudged Fred. "Isn't that the wizard from the train?"

The middle-aged man, now seated next to Professor McGonagall, was listening intently to her instructions. Joey noticed Professor Snape glancing at him with obvious disdain.

"That's Remus Lupin," Hermione whispered. "The new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. He's amazing!"

"This is the 'cool and handsome' professor Sirius was talking about?" Joey asked Harry, unimpressed.

Harry shrugged. "Sirius has… unique taste."

Joey laughed. "Sirius's eyes must be broken."