Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

When Joey returned to the Three Broomsticks, she tried to act like nothing had happened. But she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was looking at her strangely. Fred, on the other hand, couldn't stop smiling. He followed Joey like a lovesick puppy, hands in his pockets, though he really wanted to hold her hand.

"No! They'll laugh at me!" Joey had protested earlier, her voice still echoing in Fred's mind. She was so straightforward and adorable.

Angelina kept glancing at Joey, clearly wanting to say something, but a subtle kick from Flami silenced her. She busied herself inspecting her new hair conditioner instead.

George, meanwhile, was winking at Fred from behind Joey's back, clearly amused. Fred smirked and nodded proudly, earning a thumbs-up from George. The twins' silent exchange didn't go unnoticed by Flami and Angelina, who struggled to stifle their laughter.

Joey, oblivious, was searching for her juice on the table. She was too embarrassed to look at Flami, especially after Fred had explained what happened.

"She saw you crying and told me to go after you," Fred had said earlier, earning himself another kick from Joey.

"Why are you kicking me?" Fred had protested, confused.

"Because you're still talking about Flami!" Joey had snapped, her guilt over Flami mixing with her frustration at Fred.

Now, Joey finally mustered the courage to apologize to Flami. "I'm sorry, Flami," she said, her voice small.

Flami looked puzzled. "Why are you apologizing?"

Joey fidgeted. "I was so caught up in my own drama earlier... I should've noticed you were hurt."

Flami smiled gently. "It's nothing. I understand."

Joey felt a wave of relief. Flami's calm demeanor always had a way of putting people at ease.

After everyone finished their butterbeers, they left the Three Broomsticks. Joey had been surprised to see Flami down her drink without a flinch. "Do you drink often?" Joey had asked.

Flami had replied modestly, "Oh, there are often cocktail parties at home. I've learned to drink a little." Joey later realized just how modest Flami was—she could drink anyone under the table.

By the time they returned to Hogwarts, it was nearly dark. Filch was waiting at the entrance, hoping to catch latecomers. He sighed in disappointment when he saw Joey and the twins arriving on time. Their mutual dislike was a long-standing tradition.

As they entered the castle, Flami pulled Joey aside and handed her a paper bag. "For you," she said, brushing snowflakes off Joey's nose.

Joey blinked in surprise. "For me?"

Flami nodded. "I'll head back to the dorm first. You go eat."

"Aren't you coming?" Joey asked, clutching the bag.

Flami glanced at the mud stains on her clothes. "It's too embarrassing to go to the Great Hall like this. They'll all be staring."

Joey nodded, though she didn't fully understand. In Gryffindor, being a little messy was normal. But she respected Flami's decision and vowed to hex Green Fanny if she ever saw her again.

Before leaving, Flami said softly, "I hope you stay this happy forever."

Joey's excitement returned when she opened the bag and found the hat she'd been eyeing earlier. "Flami, I love you!" she shouted, jumping on Flami's back and kissing her cheek.

Flami laughed, her smile wide. "I'm glad you like it."

---

Joey's joy didn't last long. At dinner, Ron stared at her until she finally handed him her new hat, thinking he wanted to see it.

"Why is your mouth swollen?" Ron blurted out.

Fred choked on his pumpkin juice, spraying it across Harry's face.

Joey froze. "What?"

"Your mouth!" Ron pointed, oblivious to the chaos he'd caused. "It's all swollen!"

The entire Gryffindor table erupted in laughter. Hermione stomped on Ron's foot, but it was too late. The damage was done.

Angelina was laughing so hard she had to cover her mouth to avoid spitting out her drink. Harry, now wiping pumpkin juice off his face, joined in the laughter, though he wasn't entirely sure why.

Lee, ever the instigator, ran over to inspect Joey's face. "Yep, it's swollen! Looks like Fred finally got his kiss!"

Joey's face turned bright red. She glared at Fred. "This is all your fault!"

Fred grinned, unrepentant. "Yeah, it's my fault. But they're just jealous."

Joey bit his hand in retaliation, earning cheers from the girls at the table. "Leave him a love mark, Joey!" they teased.

Harry laughed along, though he still didn't fully understand what was happening. Ron, meanwhile, was still asking why Hermione had stepped on his foot.

"Because you're an idiot," Hermione muttered.

Joey, after enduring the teasing, decided to fight back. "How can you laugh at me? Your mouth hasn't touched anything but a Bludger!" she shot at Wood, who had joined in the fun.

"Does the prefect have the right to interfere in people's love lives?" she retorted when Percy tried to lecture her about early romance.

"Do you want to fight?" she threatened Lee, who kept pestering her for details.

George leaned over to Fred. "Joey's picked up some of Snape's venom."

"Yeah," Fred said, his eyes full of affection. "She's brilliant."

---

After dinner, Joey realized she'd forgotten her new hat in the Great Hall. She rushed back to get it, only to run into Ryan and Cedric at the entrance.

Ryan immediately noticed her swollen lips. "Why is your mouth swollen?" he asked, frowning.

Joey rolled her eyes. "It's nothing."

Cedric coughed, trying to hide his laughter. "I think I'll leave you two to talk," he said, heading to the dining table.

Ryan persisted. "Did you get bitten by a bug or something?"

Joey groaned. "Yes, a big bug. I need to go see Madam Pomfrey before it kills me. Can I go now?"

Ryan let her go, shaking his head. "This girl is going to be impossible to marry off."

---

Joey's bad luck continued when Shafiq cornered her on the second floor. "Why does everyone keep grabbing me? Am I a tug-of-war rope?!" she shouted.

Shafiq's cold laughter sent a shiver down her spine. "You seem angry today," he said, his eyes narrowing as he noticed her swollen lips.

He grabbed her chin, his expression darkening. "What's wrong with your mouth?"

Joey reacted instantly, casting a wasp hex on his hand. Shafiq hissed in pain but didn't let go. Joey hexed his other hand, finally breaking free.

"Is it Fred Weasley?" Shafiq asked, his voice icy.

Joey glared at him. "None of your business!" She turned and ran, not wanting to spend another second near him.

Shafiq stood there, his hands swollen and stinging, his mind racing. He wouldn't let Fred Weasley have her. Not without a fight.

---

Joey's frustration peaked when she ran into Cho on the stairs. "Hey, Joey, your..." Cho started.

Joey cut her off. "I know, my mouth is swollen!"

Cho blinked. "No, your wallet fell."

Joey looked down and saw her wallet on the ground. Her face burned with embarrassment. "Oh... yeah... sorry for yelling."

Cho giggled. "It's okay. But your mouth "is" swollen. Did Fred kiss you?"

"Goodbye!" Joey snapped, grabbing her wallet and storming off.

She was going to kill Fred when she got back.