Sunny October 27 (Part 1)

Hogsmeade had been unusually quiet this year, thanks to the presence of the Dementors. However, the Zonko Joke Shop and Honeydukes were always bustling with activity, defying the eerie atmosphere. Today, the four friends—Joey, Flami, Fred, and George—had a big order to discuss with Mr. Zonko regarding Christmas supplies. They decided to head to work first, but as they passed Honeydukes, Joey was completely captivated by the display of marshmallows in the window. These weren't ordinary marshmallows—they made your hair float when eaten! Joey pressed herself against the window like a stubborn sticker, refusing to budge.

"You irresponsible shopkeeper! Unless your mother comes to drag you away, I'm not letting you off the hook today!" Flami scolded, grabbing Joey's arm.

Fred and George took a few steps back, trying to stifle their laughter as they watched the two girls bicker.

"Mom! Mom! You're my mom now!" Joey pleaded dramatically, turning to Flami with puppy-dog eyes. "Mom, let me buy some candy! Please!"

Flami was at her wit's end. How could someone be so shameless? Her grip loosened slightly as she tried to suppress a smile, and Joey seized the opportunity to slip away, darting into the store like a slippery eel.

Fred, barely holding back his laughter, stepped forward to apologize to Flami. "I'm so sorry, Miss! You and George can discuss the order. We'll catch up with you at the Three Broomsticks in a bit!" Before Flami could protest, Fred dashed into the store after Joey, leaving her no chance to object.

What could Flami do? She had chosen these friends, and now she had to deal with their antics. She sighed, exchanged a few words with the Honeydukes clerk, and walked away with George, who couldn't stop chuckling.

If Joey didn't remember to buy her a marshmallow, Flami swore they were officially done!

Inside Honeydukes, Joey had already squeezed her way to the marshmallow display. The marshmallows were in high demand, and as soon as the clerk opened the window, a flurry of hands reached out. Joey managed to grab a golden one, but that wasn't good enough—Flami loved green! Her eyes scanned the crowd and landed on Hufflepuff's Chaser, Paul, who was holding a green marshmallow. Without hesitation, Joey tapped his shoulder, snatched the marshmallow as he turned, and bolted.

"Joey Forest! That's mine!" Paul roared, lunging after her, only to be blocked by Fred.

"Hey, Paul, you're not chasing a Quaffle now, are you?" Fred teased, effortlessly holding him back. "She's not a ball, you know."

Paul could only watch in frustration as Joey paid for the marshmallow and ran out of the store, sticking her tongue out at him from the street. He gritted his teeth and muttered, "You pair of thieves!"

Fred winked at him before rushing out to join Joey, who was proudly holding her prize.

Joey strolled down the street with Fred, clutching the marshmallow tightly. She insisted on sharing it with Flami. "Flami's so uptight. If I don't make her try this, she'll never let loose and have fun! She'll miss out on something hilarious!" Joey declared.

As they approached the Three Broomsticks, Fred suddenly stopped and pointed to a figure exiting a bookstore. "Isn't that Filch? What's he doing in a bookstore?"

Joey, more concerned about her marshmallow, shrugged. "Maybe he's buying a book on household chores or something."

Fred nodded, deciding not to dwell on it. But when they reached the Three Broomsticks, they found it packed. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were inside, and Hermione waved at them through the window, inviting them in. Joey, however, was worried about her marshmallow getting squished in the crowd, so she declined.

She and Fred lingered outside until Flami and George arrived. From the looks on their faces, it was clear George had been his usual charming self.

"You actually remembered!" Flami said, taking the marshmallow Joey handed her. She hesitated, unsure how to eat it without ruining her dignified appearance.

Joey didn't waste any time. She ripped off a piece of the marshmallow and popped it into her mouth. The soft, sweet treat was incredible, and almost instantly, her hair began to float and sway, turning her head into a fluffy, lion-like mane.

"Cool!" Fred and George cheered, laughing at Joey's new look.

"Flami, you have to try this!" Joey urged, her hair bouncing wildly.

Flami hesitated, but something inside her stirred. Why not break her own rules for once? She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and bit into the marshmallow.

The sweetness was overwhelming, and as her hair began to float, she felt a strange sense of liberation. She opened her eyes to see Joey and the twins staring at her in awe.

"What are you looking at?" Flami asked shyly.

"Flami, you've turned into a lioness too!" George exclaimed.

The Three Broomsticks was too crowded, so they decided to head to the Hog's Head Bar instead. It was quieter, though not exactly the most welcoming place.

As they walked, Joey and Flami's floating hair attracted plenty of attention, but the effect wore off by the time they reached the bar. Inside, Joey and Fred ordered butterbeers while Flami and George found a table.

Joey noticed two glasses of smoking red liquid on the counter. "What's that?" she asked the bartender.

"Flaming Lizard Cocktails. Someone ordered them but didn't want them. Waste of money, if you ask me," the bartender grumbled, about to pour them down the sink.

"Wait! We'll take them!" Joey said, sliding some coins across the counter.

The bartender shrugged. "Suit yourself. But be careful—they're strong."

Joey and Flami, intrigued, downed the cocktails in one go. The fiery drink left them feeling warm and giddy.

Meanwhile, Fred noticed Filch in a corner, talking to a shady-looking wizard. The conversation seemed tense, but in the end, the wizard handed Filch something wrapped in rags. Filch pocketed it and left quickly.

"What do you think he bought?" Fred wondered aloud, only to yelp as Joey suddenly bit his ear.

George and Flami stared in shock as Joey giggled mischievously. Flami had to pry her off Fred's ear.

"Joey, are you okay?" Flami asked, patting her friend's face.

"I'm fine! I can still drink!" Joey declared, slamming the table. "Another round!"

"She's drunk," Flami said matter-of-factly. "We should head back to school."

"I don't want to go back!" Joey protested, climbing onto the table. "I want to go to the special place!"

Flami tried to pull her down, but Joey resisted, shouting, "The place where we first kissed! That embarrassing, wonderful place!"

Filch, noticing the commotion, hurried out of the bar. The bartender, annoyed, told Fred to take Joey away before she caused more trouble.

Fred, resigned, agreed. "You two go ahead. I'll take her to… that place."

Flami looked concerned but was dragged away by George before she could argue.

Joey, still giggling, led Fred to a familiar abandoned corridor. The vines on the broken wall were lush, their leaves just beginning to turn yellow.

"Come here!" Joey called, standing in front of the wall.

Fred walked over, only to be shoved against the wall by Joey. She stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him fiercely. "This is how you kissed me last time!" she mumbled between kisses.

Fred, surprised but not complaining, kissed her back, savoring the taste of the cocktail on her lips. Joey, emboldened by the alcohol, was unusually assertive.

When they finally pulled apart, Joey looked at Fred with fiery eyes. "It's just like last time," she said, giggling.

Fred raised an eyebrow. "Not quite, my dear. I didn't touch you like this last time…"

But before he could continue, Joey's energy seemed to drain. She yawned, leaned against him, and promptly fell asleep.

Fred sighed, half-amused, half-frustrated. "Joey Forest, you're going to be the death of me," he muttered, carrying her back to the castle.