Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

Fred's eyes lit up. "Joey, are you... jealous?"

Joey froze, her hands slowly dropping to her sides. Her eyes and nose were red, her lashes wet, and her face streaked with tears. She looked like a startled rabbit.

"I... I'm not..." Joey stammered, but the truth was written all over her face. She felt a pang of guilt. Was she really jealous? The thought terrified her.

But the feelings in her heart couldn't lie. She had been jealous—deeply, painfully jealous. And that realization scared her even more.

Joey scrambled to her feet, kicking Fred's shin as she did. "You're laughing at me! I hate you!" she shouted, then turned and ran again.

Fred winced, clutching his leg, but he couldn't help smiling. Joey's reaction only confirmed what he already knew. He chased after her, determined to catch her this time.

Joey ran blindly, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She didn't even realize she'd run into a dead-end corridor until it was too late. Fred caught up, blocking her escape.

"Stop running, Joey. Aren't you tired?" Fred asked, breathing heavily. He was exhausted, but Joey's energy seemed endless.

Joey glared at him, grabbing a handful of snow and throwing it at his face. "Stop laughing at me!"

Fred wiped the snow off, grinning. "I'm happy because I saw a jealous lioness."

"I'm not a lioness!" Joey snapped, but Fred caught her hand before she could push him away.

"You're my lioness," Fred said, his voice soft but firm. He held her cold hand tightly, blowing warm air onto her fingers. "Why are your hands so cold?"

Joey's heart raced. She tried to pull away, but Fred held on. "Let go!"

"No," Fred said, his tone playful but serious. "You bit me on Halloween. You marked me. You can't just abandon me now."

Joey's face turned red. "That's not what I meant!"

Fred smirked. "It's too late. You're stuck with me."

Joey's mind raced, but she couldn't think of a good comeback. She hated how her usual quick wit failed her at the worst moments.

"But you were with Flami," Joey finally whispered, her voice trembling. "I saw you two... hugging."

Fred's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? I was just helping her. She got hurt."

Joey's anger flared again. "Helping her? You gave her your coat! You were all over her!"

Fred blinked, confused. "My coat? Joey, I'm still wearing my coat. That was George's."

Joey froze, her anger faltering. "What?"

Fred sighed. "Joey, I wasn't with Flami like that. I was just helping her because she got hurt. George went back to get something, and I was trying to get her to the Three Broomsticks to meet you."

Joey's face flushed with embarrassment. She'd jumped to conclusions, and now she felt foolish. But before she could say anything, Fred stepped closer, his hands resting on the wall on either side of her.

"You're the only one I care about, Joey," Fred said, his voice low and sincere. "Always have been."

Joey's breath caught as Fred leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but it quickly deepened. Joey's hands found their way to Fred's shoulders, and she kissed him back, her heart pounding in her chest.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless. Joey's face was flushed, her lips slightly swollen. Fred rested his forehead against hers, a grin spreading across his face.

"You're a quick learner," he teased.

Joey smacked his arm, her face burning. "Shut up."

Fred laughed, pulling her into a hug. "You're my lioness, Joey. Always will be."

Joey buried her face in his chest, her heart swelling with warmth. For the first time, she felt like everything was exactly as it should be.

---

As they walked back to the Three Broomsticks, Joey suddenly stopped, narrowing her eyes at Fred. "Wait. Who did you practice kissing with? You're way too good at that."

Fred's ears turned red. "I'm self-taught! I swear!"

Joey didn't look convinced, but Fred quickly changed the subject, pulling her into a snowball fight to distract her. As they laughed and chased each other through the snow, Fred silently vowed to never let Joey find out about the stack of romance books hidden under his bed.

George would never let him live it down.