Heavy Rain on November 10

The Quidditch match against Hufflepuff was supposed to be a thrilling event, but the relentless downpour turned it into a grueling ordeal. The storm raged on, drenching the players and making visibility nearly impossible. Despite the harsh conditions, Wood's determination to win the Quidditch Cup this year—his final year at Hogwarts—kept the Gryffindor team out on the field, practicing relentlessly.

Joey and Angelina were barely awake most mornings, their exhaustion evident as they stumbled through their routines. The twins, Fred and George, tried to lighten the mood with their usual banter, but even they were feeling the strain. Fred, in particular, kept a close eye on Joey, making sure she was holding up under the intense training.

On the morning of the match, the storm showed no signs of letting up. Wood insisted on one last practice session before the game, leaving the team soaked and miserable. Fred, ever the joker, quipped, "Even our brooms are wringing out water!" He bumped into Joey playfully, earning himself a smack with her broomstick.

"At least the uniforms are thick enough," Fred said, eyeing Joey's drenched figure. "Don't take off the cloak, though."

Joey rolled her eyes, wrapping herself tighter in her cloak to block Fred's teasing gaze. Boys!

The match itself was a slog. Hufflepuff's team was known for their patience and resilience, and they lived up to their reputation. No matter how many goals Gryffindor scored, Hufflepuff remained calm and composed, slowly chipping away at the lead. Paul, Hufflepuff's Chaser, seemed determined to get revenge on Joey for the marshmallow incident. He dogged her every move, making it nearly impossible for her to score.

Frustrated, Joey passed the Quaffle to Angelina and focused on keeping Paul occupied. The two weaved through the rain-soaked field, Joey expertly maneuvering to block Paul at every turn.

"Hey, Fred! Your girlfriend's chasing me now!" Paul shouted, clearly annoyed.

Fred swooped in, his bat swinging dangerously close to Paul's face. "Want to taste a Bludger, Paul?" he asked with a mischievous grin.

Paul paled, shaking his head furiously. "No, thanks!"

Joey laughed, high-fiving Fred before snatching the Quaffle back and scoring another goal for Gryffindor. Despite their efforts, the game dragged on, the Snitch remaining elusive.

Finally, Harry and Hufflepuff's Seeker spotted the Snitch at the same time. The crowd roared as the two raced toward it, Harry slightly ahead. Just as his fingers brushed the Snitch's wings, a chilling wave of darkness swept over the field. Dementors—dozens of them—descended upon the pitch.

Harry screamed, his body going limp as he fell from his broom. Joey, frozen in terror, felt her own body seize up. Visions of ruins and lifeless bodies flashed through her mind, her head pounding with unbearable pain. She was vaguely aware of Fred's voice, his hands covering hers on the broomstick.

"Joey! Joey, don't be afraid. I'm here!" Fred's voice was a lifeline, pulling her back from the brink of unconsciousness.

"Fred…" Joey whispered, tears streaming down her face. She clung to him as he guided their broom to the ground, her body trembling uncontrollably.

By the time they landed, Harry had already been taken to the hospital wing. Dumbledore's Patronus was chasing the Dementors away, but the damage had been done. Fred carried Joey back to the castle, his heart racing with worry. He didn't want anyone to see her like this—Joey would hate being seen as weak.

Ryan and Angelina met them at the entrance to the common room. After a quick check to ensure Joey wasn't injured, Ryan let Fred and Angelina take her to the dormitory. He stood outside, fists clenched, vowing to master the Patronus Charm so he could protect her from the Dementors.

Joey, meanwhile, was trapped in a nightmare. She found herself wandering through the ruins of Hogwarts, surrounded by devastation. Colin lay motionless on the ground, his face pale and lifeless. Professor McGonagall knelt beside him, sobbing uncontrollably. Joey tried to reach out, but her hand passed through Colin's shoulder. She was a ghost in this world, unseen and unheard.

The scene shifted, and Joey saw Percy stumbling toward a crowd of people. Ron was on his knees, crying, while Hermione held him. Molly, Bill, and Charlie were there too, their faces etched with grief. Joey's heart pounded as she pushed through the crowd, desperate to see what they were gathered around.

Her breath caught in her throat. George was there, his face twisted in agony, one ear missing. He was crying, his voice raw with pain. "I'll never see you in the mirror, Fred!"

Joey's world shattered. She fell to her knees, her hands clutching at the ground as she stared at the lifeless face before her. It was Fred, but it wasn't him. His familiar smile, his warmth, his laughter—all gone. This was a stranger, cold and still.

"No… no, no, no!" Joey screamed, her voice echoing in the emptiness. She tried to look away, but her eyes were drawn back to Fred's face. The pain in her chest was unbearable, as if someone had cast the Cruciatus Curse on her.

"Fred! Fred!" she cried, her voice breaking. She remembered now. She remembered everything.

---

Fred sat by Joey's bedside, holding her hand as she thrashed in her sleep. Her face was pale, her brow furrowed in distress. He didn't know what she was dreaming about, but he could tell it was something terrible.

"Joey, wake up," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're safe. I'm here."

Slowly, Joey's eyes fluttered open. She stared at Fred for a moment, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Then, with a choked sob, she threw her arms around him, clinging to him as if he might disappear.

"Fred," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Don't leave me. Please."

Fred held her tightly, his heart aching at the fear in her voice. "I'm not going anywhere," he promised. "I'm right here."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Joey allowed herself to believe him.