"Today is a good day!" Joey declared cheerfully, leaning against the doorframe of Ryan's room. Her brother, seated comfortably with a glass of mint lemonade in hand, gave her a deadpan look. He couldn't fathom how she could be so enthusiastic about going to Diagon Alley in such dreadful weather.
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "What's so exciting about going to Diagon Alley in this downpour? I'd rather stay home and read."
Joey rolled her eyes and adopted a mock-serious tone, wagging her finger like Professor McGonagall. "Ryan, how will you ever find a girlfriend if you don't understand the joy of shopping? Girls love shopping! Even if there's a chance we might get struck by lightning or drown in the rain, we still want to go!"
Ryan smirked, his mood sour. "Oh, so now you're a girl? Could've fooled me."
But Joey was in far too good a mood to let his snark get to her. In fact, she was so happy she almost felt like kissing her brother—though the thought alone made Ryan shudder in disgust.
Their plans took a slight detour when Luther's head appeared in the fireplace. "Sorry, kids," he said apologetically. "I won't be able to take you to Diagon Alley today. Work's come up."
Joey's face fell. "What?! No! You promised! You told Mom you'd take us!"
Luther chuckled, unfazed by her dramatics. "Don't worry, I've left the money with Molly. Ryan, you'll take your sister to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and wait for her there."
Ryan set down his lemonade, his expression souring further. The drink suddenly tasted far too bitter.
"Be good, Joey," Luther added with a wink. "And don't forget our little secret."
Joey blew him a kiss and skipped away, her messenger bag slung over her shoulder. "Let's go, Ryan! Time's wasting!"
Despite his reluctance, Ryan sighed and followed her to the fireplace. He grabbed a handful of Floo powder, and as soon as Joey stepped in, he shouted, "Diagon Alley!" before she could even react.
Joey stumbled out into the bustling street, coughing from the soot. "Impatient much?" she muttered, brushing herself off.
The weather, however, had other plans. No sooner had they stepped into Diagon Alley than the sky darkened, and a deafening clap of thunder echoed overhead. The rain came down in sheets, drenching them both within seconds.
They sprinted to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, where they found the Weasley's already taking shelter. Molly immediately cast drying spells on them and re-braided Joey's hair, which had come undone in the chaos.
Fred leaned over with a grin. "I thought you'd be camped outside the Quidditch boutique by now!"
Molly returned with burnt chocolate ice creams for everyone, though Ron's request for strawberry was met with a sharp reprimand. Joey licked her ice cream while staring out the window, lamenting their bad luck. "If I'd known Dad wouldn't make it, I'd have come earlier!"
Ryan, meanwhile, had found a quiet corner to persue a book. He wasn't in any hurry; the rain gave him an excuse to linger and browse the bookstore later.
Fred, however, had other ideas. He leaned in and whispered to Joey and George, "Let's sneak out later. I can't wait to pick up your Christmas present!"
The trio exchanged mischievous grins. When Molly's attention was diverted by a squabble between Ron and Ginny, they made their move. Joey edged toward the door, and with a quick signal, the three of them slipped out into the rain, laughing as they ran toward the Quidditch boutique.
Percy, ever the responsible one, spotted them and alerted Molly, who let out a frustrated scream. "Let them go! Maybe a cold will teach them a lesson!"
The streets were empty, save for the three soaked children splashing through puddles. They burst into the Quidditch boutique, dripping water everywhere and earning a disapproving glare from the clerk.
"Do you need a drying spell?" the clerk asked, his tone less than enthusiastic.
"Yes, please!" they chorused, their eyes already glued to the gleaming Nimbus 1700 on display.
The clerk sighed and cast the spells, though his mood improved considerably when Joey handed him a small pendant. "I'm here to exchange this for the Nimbus 1700," she announced proudly.
The clerk's eyes lit up. He remembered the foreign wizard who had placed the order months ago—a Christmas gift for his daughter. "Right away, ma'am!" he said, disappearing into the back and returning with a long, red wooden box.
Fred and George crowded around as Joey opened the box, revealing the sleek, polished broomstick inside. The trio gasped in unison.
"It's beautiful!" Joey whispered, her fingers tracing the smooth handle.
The clerk began his spiel about the broom's features, but Joey was too busy imagining herself soaring through the skies. "Do you think Charlie will let me try out for the team if I show up with this?" she asked, half-joking.
Fred and George laughed. "He'll be begging you to join!"
They lingered in the shop until the rain finally let up, and Molly's voice could be heard echoing down the street. "You three! Running off in this weather! What were you thinking?"
Charlie was the first to notice the long box. "What's that?"
Joey shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, just something I won in a lottery at the Quidditch boutique. Lucky, right?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He knew better than to challenge her story.
Molly, however, was less convinced. "What is it?" she demanded, reaching for the box.
Fred and George stepped in front of it protectively. "It's a Nimbus 1700!" Fred announced, his voice brimming with pride.
The Weasley's erupted in exclamations of disbelief and excitement. Ryan, meanwhile, quietly stepped aside, shaking his head. "Gryffindors," he muttered under his breath.
As the family crowded around the broomstick, Joey couldn't help but smile. Despite the rain, the chaos, and Ryan's grumbling, it had turned out to be a pretty good day after all.