Joey climbed into the backseat of the Weasleys' flying car, her heart racing. George's face was grim as he gripped the steering wheel, and Fred sat beside her, his jaw tight. The tension in the car was palpable.
"What's wrong with Flami?" Joey asked softly, her voice barely audible over the pounding rain.
Fred glanced at her. "She's been locked up all summer. Her parents are forcing her into an engagement. Sirius sent Dobby to tell us tonight."
Joey's eyes widened. "Sirius wasn't invited to the engagement party?"
Fred shook his head. "George is furious. He's ready to burn the place down."
Joey smirked. "Sounds like fun."
George, who had been silent, finally spoke. "If it comes to that, we'll do what we have to."
Joey's grin widened. "I'm in."
---
The Fawley's Manor loomed in the distance, its grandeur barely visible through the storm. George's driving was reckless, the car diving and swerving through the rain. Joey clung to Fred, her stomach lurching as they descended into the garden.
"How do we get in?" Joey started to ask, but George was already out of the car, sprinting toward the villa. Joey and Fred followed, their footsteps splashing through puddles.
Inside, the scene was chaos. Flami stood in the center of the room, a silver dagger pressed to her throat. Her voice rang out, clear and defiant. "I am no longer a virgin."
The crowd gasped. Flami's parents stared at her in shock, her mother clutching her chest. Flami's father, Mr. Foley, stepped forward, his face dark with anger. "Flami, put the dagger down. You're embarrassing us."
Flami's hand trembled, but her voice was steady. "I won't be a pawn in your games anymore. I'm not a Fawley. I'm Flami."
Before anyone could react, George burst into the room, his wand raised. "Relax!" he shouted, disarming Flami with a flick of his wrist. The dagger clattered to the floor, and George caught her as she collapsed.
"Who are you?!" Mr. Foley roared, his wand appearing in his hand.
Sirius stepped forward, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "Easy, Fawley. These are just kids. No need to get worked up."
Mr. Foley glared at Sirius but didn't lower his wand. "They're trespassing."
Sirius shrugged. "They're here for the party. Let's not make a scene."
Flami, now in George's arms, looked up at him with a small smile. "You came."
George grinned. "Always."
---
Outside, Joey and Fred faced off against the Fawley guards. Joey's wasp spell sent one guard's wand flying, while Fred's portable swamp traps slowed the others down.
"Nice one!" someone in the crowd cheered.
George and Flami made a break for the car, Flami laughing as they ran. "Let's go!" she shouted.
Joey and Fred followed, throwing more swamp traps behind them. The guards slipped and stumbled, giving the group enough time to reach the car.
"Get in!" George yelled, revving the engine.
Joey and Fred jumped into the backseat just as the car lifted off. Flami waved to the guards below, her laughter ringing out.
"George, you traitor!" Joey shouted as the car sped away. "You left us behind!"
George just grinned. "You two can handle yourselves."
---
Back at the manor, Sirius faced Mr. Fawley, his expression calm but his eyes hard. "Let's make a deal."
Mr. Fawley crossed his arms. "What kind of deal?"
"Two years of mining rights in the northern Scottish mountains," Sirius said. "In exchange, Flami keeps the Fawley name for two more years."
Mr. Fawley considered this, then nodded. "Deal."
Sirius smirked. "Pleasure doing business."