Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

The most exciting part of being a third-year at Hogwarts was the freedom to visit Hogsmeade openly! Joey and Angelina had spent Friday night making a long list of things to buy. Joey had even sent her owl, Meow, to deliver a letter to Flami, inviting her to join them.

"But I'm not sure if she'll agree," Joey said to Angelina, who was eagerly awaiting Flami's response. "I mentioned you'd be there too. Let's see if she's avoiding you, ha!"

Angelina pointed to the messy array of bottles and jars on Joey's desk and laughed. "I have to meet the girl who taught you how to use all this! I need to ask her how she managed to get you to shave your legs, hahaha!"

Joey laughed too, remembering how nervous she'd been the first time she'd tried it.

Just then, Meow flew in through the window, shaking snow off her wings and dropping Flami's letter on Joey's bed before flying off without a backward glance. It was too cold for the owl to stick around.

"Rude!" Joey shouted after her.

Angelina collapsed onto the bed, laughing. "Like owner, like owl!"

Joey stuck her tongue out at Angelina and opened the letter. It contained just one word: "Honoured."

"She agreed!" Joey squealed, jumping onto Angelina's bed. "What should I wear tomorrow? The red coat?"

Angelina rolled her eyes. "You're not going on a date with a boy. Why does it matter?"

"But if I look sloppy, she might take me to get my hair removed again! My leg hair just grew back!" Joey joked, pretending to shiver.

Angelina laughed. "True! I want to try hair removal too. Do you think there's a permanent solution? I'd love to wear skirts more often."

"You'll freeze in winter," Joey said, pouring cold water on the idea. She went back to her bed, deciding not to share a bed with someone obsessed with hair removal.

"Hey, are you asleep?" Angelina asked after a while.

"No, why?" Joey mumbled.

"Did you tell Fred you're going shopping with me and Flami tomorrow? He and George might think you're ditching them."

"Why should I tell Fred? He's not my dad..." Joey rolled over and started snoring.

Angelina sighed. "Poor Fred. I tried."

---

The next morning, Joey and Angelina headed to Hogsmeade, but not without a hassle. Filch was inspecting students at the gate, and he seemed particularly determined to make Joey's life difficult.

"Are you done yet?" Joey snapped as Filch poked and prodded her with his metal detector.

Filch finally let her go, disappointed. "No dangerous items. You're free to go."

"Sorry to disappoint you!" Joey said with a sarcastic grin.

Angelina and Flami joined her soon after, and the three girls set off for Hogsmeade. Joey spent the walk complaining about Filch's unfair treatment.

"He's always targeting me! If I had an illegal leaf on me, he'd pounce like a mad dog!"

"Sure, sure," Angelina said absentmindedly, then turned to Flami. "So, Flami, is there really a permanent hair removal cream at that beauty shop?"

Joey groaned. "You're obsessed!"

Angelina shot her a look. "Don't interrupt me! I'm asking the goddess questions here!"

Joey pouted. "You didn't even let me wear my red coat!"

Flami laughed, covering her mouth. Joey always managed to make her laugh, even when she was annoyed.

"You can wear that red coat on Valentine's Day with Fred. He'd love it," Angelina teased.

Joey's face turned red. "He likes orange, not red! And why would I wear it for him?!"

Fred and George caught up to them just then, out of breath. "What are you wearing for me?" Fred asked, grinning.

Joey nearly jumped out of her skin. "Why do you keep sneaking up on me?!"

"We didn't even have breakfast! We ran all the way to catch up with you," Fred said, panting.

"Why did you need to catch up? We're going to different places!" Joey said, frowning.

Fred hesitated. "Well... we just wanted to hang out."

Joey sighed. "Fine. You two can go to Zonko's first, and we'll meet at the Three Broomsticks for drinks later."

Fred's face lit up. "Just the two of us?"

"No, all of us. I've got enough pocket money for everyone," Joey said, oblivious to Fred's disappointment.

Angelina and George exchanged knowing looks, while Flami hid a smile.

---

At the beauty shop, Flami introduced Joey and Angelina to a world of magical products. Joey was particularly drawn to a small crystal bottle shaped like a lily, filled with glowing pink liquid.

"This is magical perfume," the shopkeeper explained, dabbing a drop behind Joey's ear. "It'll keep you smelling wonderful all day and drive your boyfriend wild."

Joey loved the scent—light, sweet, and floral. She immediately bought it, forgetting all about her promise to buy drinks for everyone.

Flami and Angelina also made their purchases, and the three left the shop with fancy tote bags. They stopped by a clothing store next, where Flami bought a scarf and Angelina picked up a pair of quirky socks. Joey, now broke, stared longingly at a wizard hat with a tiny white cat on it before leaving with a heavy heart.

"I need to visit Ryan and ask for more money," Joey muttered. "His pocket money never runs out."

---

At the Three Broomsticks, Joey and Angelina listened to a wizard's wild story about a giant sea turtle while waiting for the twins. Flami, bored, decided to step outside for some air.

"I'll be back," she said, leaving Joey and Angelina to their gossip.

After a while, Joey realized Flami hadn't returned. "She might be lost. I'll go look for her," Joey said, worried.

"Go ahead. I'll save our seats," Angelina replied.

Joey stepped outside into the snowy street, shivering as the wind whipped around her. She searched several shops before spotting Flami and Fred walking toward her. Fred had his arm around Flami's shoulders, and they were talking closely. Flami was wearing Fred's coat.

Joey's heart sank. She felt a sharp pang of something she couldn't quite name. Her feet felt frozen, and her nose stung as if she were about to cry. She rubbed her face, which only made it worse.

Fred noticed her and waved, but Joey turned and ran before he could say anything.

"Joey!" Fred called, chasing after her.

Flami, left standing, was steadied by George, who had just arrived. "Fred's not very gentlemanly, leaving you like that," George said with a grin.

"Joey seemed to have misunderstood," Flami explained.

George's eyes sparkled with amusement. "This just got interesting."

---

Fred finally caught up to Joey, who was wiping her face with her sleeve. "Joey, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Joey sniffled, avoiding his gaze. "Nothing. I just... I thought you and Flami..."

Fred's eyes widened. "Joey, it's not what you think. She was hurt, and I was just helping her."

Joey looked up, her eyes red. "Really?"

"Really," Fred said softly, brushing a snowflake from her cheek. "You're the only one I care about."

Joey's heart skipped a beat. Maybe, just maybe, Fred felt the same way she did.